Plums| B. Barnes

~Final Mission~

Steve Just couldn't shake the fact that Bucky was somewhere inside of that assassin.

The encounter had been on his mind for a quite some time now, Bucky had to remember who he was...The idea seemed far fetched considering the man could barely remember his name was Bucky, But Steve had a gut feeling that the real Bucky was in there somewhere, and he wasn't willing to give up on his wishful thinking.

At this very Moment, Steve was stood on the bridge reminiscing on one of the times Bucky had been there for him the most, and that had been the day of his mother's funeral.

~~~~~

1936

"We looked for you after..." Bucky says to his friend, as the two of them head to Steve's apartment. "My folks wanted to give you a ride to the cemetery."

"I know, I'm sorry..." Steve apologizes. "...I just...kind of wanted to be alone.

"How was it?" Bucky asks.

"It was okay. She's next to Dad."

"I was gonna ask..." Bucky replied having the notion that his idea would help Cheer Steve up on such a sad day.

"I know what you're gonna say, Buck, I just..."

"We can put the couch cushions on the floor like when we were kids. It'll be fun. All you gotta do is shine my shoes, maybe take out the trash..." Bucky explains as they get to the apartment door.

Steve had been trying to find his keys, and Bucky minimizes the time it would take Steve to search for it when he kicks a brick aside, picks up the spare apartment keys from under it and gives it to Steve.

"Come on."

"Thank you, Buck, but I can get by on my own." He says looking to his feet to avoid eye contact.

"The thing is, you don't have to." Bucky says giving Steve a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"I'm with you to the end of the line, pal."

~~~~~

That was the Bucky Steve knew, and he wanted to believe that some part of his friend was still inside of that assassin. Steve's thoughts of Bucky are interrupted as Sam joins him on the bridge.

"He's gonna be there, you know?"

"I know."

"Look, whoever he used to be, the guy he is now, I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop..."

Steve heard Sam's words loud and clear and he wasn't trying to hear it.

"I don't know if I can do that."

"Well, he might not give you a choice. He doesn't know you..." Sam replies.

"He will. Gear up, it's time." Steve says turning to walk off the bridge. He was way more than ready for this confrontation.

"You gonna wear that?"

"No. If you're gonna fight a war, you gotta wear a uniform." Steve replies with a smug grin. Sooner rather than later, Sam and Steve were on their way.