ᴛʜᴇ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ♡ ʙᴜᴄᴋʏ ʙᴀʀɴᴇꜱ.

✩ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜱᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴇᴇɴ: ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀʀɴ

" The depot that was bombed was funded and run by the GRC, The Global Repatriation Council. One of the workers killed was the father of two and had only been on the job for one week. After condemning this latest action by the radical group known as the Flag Smashers, the GRC formally began drafting legislation known as these The Patch Act, which would seek to restore traditional border regulations and fast-track the return of normalcy. The act of violence has also brought attention and followers to the Flag-Smasher cause.No one can deny the worldwide reach of the group is growing, as is the danger. "

****

"That was uncalled for," Sam spun around to look at a pacing Bucky. After a minor argument, Wilson dragged Bucky into one of the smaller rooms to have some privacy. Away from Zemo's scheming ways. Bucky gave out an exhausted sigh. Why couldn't he be upset about their actions?

After everything, Steve wanted the one person Bucky held hopes for to keep secrets about his past. It didn't make sense. If Steve knew anything, he'd known how much these secrets could have helped him in the long run. Every occurrence could have been different. It was as if Steve wanted Bucky to live in a lie because he feared the outcomes.

"Don't you think I have every right to be pissed?" Bucky questioned, glaring at Sam. "Oh, right. You were in on this too."

"Look, man. Steve had the best intentions for you. So did Sunny. If he wanted you to know immediately, he would have told you - but shit got complicated. Your best friend just wanted the best for you."

"Yeah, well, my best friend lied to me! Maybe I was right. Maybe Steve didn't know what he was talking about. Maybe, Captain America always got everything wrong!" Bucky felt his ears burn with anger while his nose flared. Sam could never comprehend the statures Steve went to keep such details from his friend. Rogers may have been the symbol of hope and peace, but Steve held many problems on his shoulders. One of those cases; was maintaining those he cared about in the darkness because he assumed it stood as the best option.

Mawu stowed the reality to herself, promising Steve something she may not have the compacity to maintain. She lost too much, more than anyone amongst the heroes. Not due to Thano's greediness, but numerous things and persons before his arrival. Sure, she agreed, but Bucky knew that if she felt the same for him - the thought that Bucky looked her way because of a lost memory must hurt. The permanent reminder of her injury and the view of his transparent blue eyes was a laceration to her ego—a reminder of Tony's cause of anguish.

If the truth had been whispered in the wind, Bucky would have kept his distance.

And Sam must have seen the thought process in Barne's expression. The black man lowered his shoulders and slightly shook his head.

"Buck, whatever you are thinkin', stop that. What you did, what happened in your past, is dead. Sekhmet moved on, and she's gone now. Regardless if you came back from that mission, she would have left because she didn't belong with us. Mawu knew your feelings formed 'cause of your honest heart, not because of a missing memory.....

......And she forgave you for everything - everything The Winter Soldier had done a long time ago. You have to recognize; that she's as troubled as you. What we witnessed back on those docks is the very reason she saw your flaws, not as a weakness but as strength. She's done things she isn't proud of either."

Bucky wasn't sure what to say. Of course, she forgave him. Nonetheless, that didn't stop Bucky from thinking otherwise. He wasn't worthy of her forgiveness, especially after spewing out such vile words.