ineffable memories / / bucky barnes

[chapter twenty-eight]

TIMESTAMP: PRESENT, 2 months later.

It was the 10th of May, and although Bucky and Kai were still stuck in Thunderbolts, they had constantly thought of ways to get out. However, it was getting more complicated as Kai noticed her magic getting weaker—even though she never told Bucky.

She feared it had something to do with Valentina and everything the woman was trying to get from her, but there was no evidence, so some other measures had to be taken.

Sam had promised Bucky that there would be no party, but his nephews had other ideas, so when the couple arrived at Sarah's house, Sam smiled awkwardly.

"I'm sorry, Buck. The kids wanted to do something." Sam started to explain as Bucky frowned.

"I'm too old for a birthday party."

"You're also too old for the amount of complaining that you do but here we are." Kai teased, caressing his arm gently. "Enjoy the little moments, James." She whispered, smiling a bit at first and then grinning when she saw the look on his face. He loved it.

"Alright, where are my favorite little rascals?" Bucky said playfully and stroked Kai's hand before he went to greet the kids.

"Thank you for this, Sam." Kai whispered when Sam leaned for a hug she desperately needed. "I hope it works today."

"Have you talked with him about your magic? How it's ... decreasing?"

"No, I don't want to worry him. I wonder if it's all in my head. It could be the years catching up to me." Kai said sadly to Sam, smiling in Bucky's direction.

"You two need to get away from the Thunderbolts and Valentina. That shit is not doing you any good. Right now, only Walker knows about you and Bucky but what happens if Valentina catches you? This shit isn't like a forbidden romance love story, Kai."

"I've done what I had to do with Valentina. I'm just waiting for the clock to start ticking."

Before they could continue their conversation, Sam's nephews ran over to meet them, pulling Bucky by the arm to get attention from both Kai and Sam, which healed something in Kai's heart. Once Sarah joined them, they talked for a while, joking with the kids, until Sam declared that they still needed to finish the cake.

"Sarah's got them. Go give him your present." Sam said to Kai who smiled but at the same time, mentally pleaded for Sam to be by her side. "I'll show you guys the rooms."

"Rooms? Sam, there's children here. Your nephews-"

"It's not like that, man." Sam rolled his eyes playfully, leading the couple to a room. "I'll be next door waiting."

"What's Sam on about? I'm getting confused." Bucky frowned, watching as Kai moved her hand to reveal a sort of altar in the middle of the room, surrounded by candles. "I know we're both a bit freaky but with Sam waiting next door? That's a bit odd."

"James." Kai said repressing laughter. With the gentlest touch she could have, she grabbed his hand, tracking her fingertip on his palm, watching as a red stain started to form. "This won't hurt you, trust me. I'll be in the room next door because I can't be here, but you'll know when to do something."

His lover had just cut open part of his palm but all he could do was nod. "I trust you. I don't know what it is, but I trust you."

"Happy birthday, my love." Kai whispered, fighting the tears in her eyes.

Bucky's heart sank as he sensed that something was wrong, but before he could ask, Kai had already closed the door behind her. As she joined Sam, he noticed the pain in her eyes, as if she was aware that something was amiss. However, he respected her need for silence and chose not to ask any questions.

When her hand began to bleed and the words started to escape her lips as she attempted to cast the spell, Katherine felt something she hadn't experienced in years: weakness. Usually, it was easy for her to connect the present with the past through the spell, but as Sam had mentioned earlier, Kai had been gradually losing some of her powers.

"Kai, you need to stop." Sam said worried, kneeling down next to her as her body shivered. "Your eyes... you're-"

"It's working." She smiled although part of her face was covered with the blood that was coming out of her eyes. "He's talking with Steve."

"Kath, stop. You need to stop this! Break the spell, he'll understand." Sam said freaking out like he was in a horror movie.

With those words, Kai realized something important. She remembered them from when she killed Lady Whispers, meaning what was happening to her was a direct result of her actions. When she lost her strength to maintain the spell, her eyes rolled back, and Sam saw the color draining from her face as if it were an illusion. Just as he tried to lift Kai into a chair, Bucky opened the door abruptly.

"Why was Steve warning me about Katherine's state?"