LEGACY: a bucky barnes story

Chapter 21 - Smithsonian

"Two tickets for the Captain America exhibit, please."

I twiddled damp strands of hair as the gentleman behind the counter typed on his keyboard, the click-clacking of his acrylic nails brash even against the museum-goer noise. Lost in thought about when I'd get to shower again after this morning, he slid two ticket stubs under the glass panel with a beaming smile.

"Enjoy!" he chirped.

"Thank you." I hobbled over to the information kiosk where Bucky waited. We sauntered toward the entrance of the Captain America exhibit as Bucky fiddled with his ticket. Rolling and unrolling it in his hands, we inched along with the masses. Dozens buzzed with excitement to see the history of the star-spangled man with a plan.

"Excuse me, ma'am?"

My heart stopped as I pivoted toward the voice. Bucky tensed as he moved closer to my side. A small woman in an Air and Space uniform smiled at me.

"Pardon me, ma'am, might I interest you in a wheelchair to aid your mobility today? We at the Smithsonian want all patrons to be comfortable as they explore the museum."

I caught Bucky smirking out of the corner of my eye. I gave him a quick glare before returning a polite smile to the employee.

"Um, thanks, b—"

"Yes, thank you," Bucky interjected. My eyes widen at this so-called assassin.

I gawked. "Well, I hope you don't mind wheeling my ass around then?"

He let out a hearty chuckle, invigorated by a passionate blue ablaze in his eyes. The lingering allure was broken off by the young woman.

"Wonderful! Here you are, have a brilliant time today at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum!"

Bucky continued to snicker as she walked away.

"Shut up." I plopped myself down in the wheelchair, resignedly grateful to get off my beat-up leg and to rest my weary body.

Bucky went behind me and clutched the handles. We roamed along the exhibit, slow and steady to take in all the sights and sounds. I peered to my left at the uniformed Howling Commando mannequins when Bucky jolted us to a stop. I whipped my head around and saw his eyes locked on a particular memorial.

A Fallen Comrade
James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes

When Bucky Barnes first met Steve Rogers on the playgrounds of Brooklyn, little did he know that he was forging a bond that would take him to the battlefields of Europe and beyond.

I watched Bucky lean closer to the plaque, eyes engrossed and welling fast.

Reunited, Barnes and Rogers led Captain America's newly formed unit, The Howling Commandos. Barnes' marksmanship was invaluable as Rogers and his team destroyed Hydra bases and disrupted Nazi troop movements throughout the European Theater.

Bucky Barnes
1917–1944

From the angle of my wheelchair, the raw sadness yet utter disbelief couldn't be concealed by a mere baseball cap. He took a sharp inhale then slowly exhaled, holding onto a wheelchair handle. I reached my hand to cover the white knuckles' grip. He peered down at my thumb tracing his hand, blinking the tears away as his gaze met mine.

"Do you want to leave?" I whispered.

Relaxing his grip under the shelter of my hand, he took one last look before his eyes turned downcast.

"I can't do this," he breathed shakily.

"It's okay. We can go now."

I let my hand drop from his and staggered to wheel myself toward the exit. Before I had gotten far amidst the screaming of my shoulder, Bucky reined in my chair and guided the both of us out.