Seize the Day

13

[The Whole World is Watching]

WAKANDA - SIX YEARS AGO

Bucky and Helen sat next to a fire as Ayo stood by. Helen had been cleared of her words earlier, and chose to be by Bucky's side to see if he would be.

Ayo said in English, "It is time."

"You sure about this?" Bucky asked uncertainly as he stared at the fire.

He was 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 and Helen punching the glass of their containment chambers and seeing Steve for the first time in 70 years. "Nine." He saw himself and Helen fighting three of the Avengers. A vision of him and Helen strapped down for brainwashing flashed across his memories. He saw himself and Helen in his goggles and mask, then saw himself and Helen crash Howard and Maria Stark's car on December 16, 1991. He saw himself choking Maria after killing Howard while Helen stood by.

"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 Helen 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."

Tears streamed down Bucky's face as he came to the realization that he was himself. He began crying harder, which soon turned to sobs of joy and relief.

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

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

Ayo let out a breath and smiled softly at them.

Bucky stared at the fire, a fist to his mouth, and smiled widely. He and Helen were free from hurting others. After decades of torture and memory wipes, 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 Helen and kissed her tenderly. Helen froze for a moment, before seemingly melting into the kiss.

RIGA, LATVIA - STREET - PRESENT DAY

"How could you free him?" Ayo asked.

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

Ayo walked around Bucky and Helen. "With time, will, and the resources, the Winter Soldier and the Angel of Death programming was removed from you like a rotten fur."

"And we're grateful for that," Bucky replied. "We're grateful for everything you and Shuri have done..." He glanced at Helen, knowing that due to what Ayo and Shuri had done, that despite the nightmares and horrors they still remembered, they were able to live a life together.

Ayo continued in an angry tone. "Zemo murdered our King T'Chaka at the U.N. The man who chose us. Who chose me to protect him."

Bucky and Helen glanced over their shoulders to Ayo, who had yet to make a full circle and said, "I understand."