Priceless // TFATWS

13

[The Whole World is Watching]

WAKANDA - SIX YEARS AGO

Bucky and Rosie sat next to a fire as Ayo stood by.

Ayo said in English, "It is time."

"You sure about this?" Bucky and Rosie asked uncertainly as they stared at the fire.

They were drawn back to the situation at hand when Ayo said, "I won't let you hurt anyone."

Ayo slowly walked around him as she said in Russian, "Longing." Bucky lowered his head, trying to fight the words. "Rusted." Ayo stepped closer. "Seventeen."

Bucky shook his head and said, "It's not gonna work."

Ayo continued. "Daybreak." Bucky breathed heavily and tears formed as memories of what he'd done as the Winter Soldier flashed in his mind. "Furnace." He saw Zemo closing the red book and saw himself punching the glass of his containment chamber and seeing Steve for the first time in 70 years. "Nine." He saw himself and Rosie fighting three of the Avengers. A vision of him strapped down for brainwashing flashed across his memories. He saw himself in his goggles and mask, then saw himself crash Howard and Maria Stark's car on December 16, 1991. He saw himself choking Maria after killing Howard.

"Benign," Ayo said. He saw himself trying to pull away Iron Man's face mask. He saw the brainwashing again. He fought the words Ayo spoke. "Homecoming." He saw himself and Rosie after beating Steve near lifeless after he'd uttered the words that would alter his path for the better.

Bucky continued struggling against the words as Ayo said in Russian, "One. Freight Car."

Ayo turned to Rosie and said in Russian, "Time," Rosie closer her eyes. "Train." She clenched her hands as she fought against the words. "Captain."

"Sergeant." Tears fell down Rosie's cheeks as clenched her fists tighter, seeing what she'd done as the Temporal Rose. "Adoration." She saw Zemo with the book and saw herself punching the glass chamber door down. "Home." She saw herself and Bucky fighting three of the Avengers. "Love. Traveler."

She saw herself and Bucky beating Steve near lifeless. "Shield. Agent. Hero."

Tears streamed down Bucky and Rosie's face as they came to the realization that they were themselves. They began crying harder, which soon turned to sobs of joy and relief.

Ayo smiled lightly and said in English, "You are free." Bucky and Rosie glanced up at Ayo and she nodded as her smile widened. "You are free."

Bucky and Rosie looked down and he closed his eyes tightly as he sniffled, still sobbing.

Ayo let out a breath and smiled softly at him.

Bucky stared at the fire, a fist to his mouth, and smiled widely. He and Rosie were free from hurting others. After decades of torture and memory wipes, a few years for Rosie, they were finally free. They were finally able to live a life together without the fear of turning into a killing machine. And maybe they could eventually start a family.

Bucky turned to his wife and kissed her tenderly.

RIGA, LATVIA - STREET - PRESENT DAY

"How could you free him?" Ayo asked.

"We need his help," Rosie answered in Xhosa.

Ayo walked around Bucky and Rosie. "With time, will, and the resources, the Winter Soldier and the Temporal Rose programming was removed from you like a rotten fur."