ineffable memories / / bucky barnes

[ chapter thirty-four ]

TIMESTAMP: the winter soldier years.

Katherine had fought over and over again to try and break Bucky out of the Winter Soldier but while trying to do so, she nearly got herself killed a few times and almost revealed her identity to the world. So, once the TV announced something about the Avengers, led by Steve Rogers himself, also known as Bucky's best friend, she had an idea. After an exhausting research, she gathered everything she needed to meet Steve - although he had no idea who he was meeting.

"I still think it's not your wisest idea to come unarmed to meet someone you don't know." Natasha's voice was heard through the empty garage, which made Kai, who was hiding in the shadows, smile a bit. She knew all about Black Widow, and honestly, if this wasn't with the intention of saving James, she'd enjoy the moment to talk with her and learn some new things.

"I can handle myself if things get rough. Plus, I have you." Steve replied, smiling a bit but glaring around with precaution. "What do you think this is about? If it's so important, why not assemble all the Avengers?"

"I suppose we're about to find out." Natasha mumbled when she saw a figure getting closer. "It's a woman."

Once Katherine showed herself to the light, there was a moment of silence between the trio, while Steve tried to keep his own memories and thoughts in order. "I told you I'd eventually come and find you." With a small smile, Kai tilted her head, admiring her long-lost friend. "It's been a while, Steve."

At first, Steve was in shock, wondering how that could be possible, but then the memory of the fires and the disasters that happened right after Katherine discovered Bucky's death, hit him. It had been her causing everything. With an ache in his chest, he remembered his long-lost friend Bucky, wondering why Katherine was there, centuries later, his best friend's dog tags bouncing around her neck.

"Why ... what's ..." He trailed off, unable to form a full sentence.

"We have a lot to talk about, Steve." Kai said softly, before shifting her eyes to Natasha. "You must be the famous Black Widow." She started but then frowned a bit. "Although I am a big defender of the world knowing you as Natasha Romanoff instead." Trailing off, she got closer to Steve.

Steve's gaze had softened as nostalgia hit him hard. Almost a century later, there was the girl who he used to spend time with Bucky. Katherine had a passion for writing, Steve for drawing, and Bucky for reading - they made the perfect trio. He knew that some things hadn't changed so even though she looked stronger than before, his mind kept recalling the girl who had a hard time showing her emotions at first, so he decided to be the one taking a step forward and pulling Kai to a hug.

"It's really good to see you." Steve whispered, holding her tight until he heard a little groan. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" He stepped away, worried.

"No, not you." Kai said quickly and then took a deep breath. "I was shot two days ago." She simply said and once Steve's eyes wide open, she clarified. "I'm okay, just a bit wounded." Before continuing, Kai looked at her chest, realizing the dog tags carried a bigger weight than she expected. "What do you know about the Winter Soldier?"

Steve hadn't heard that name so he just shook his head, but Natasha's attention was now fully captured. "He's a soldier of Hydra. Some consider him a legend, but not for good reasons. He's got a great posture and never missed a target. No one knows who he really is, considering his face is always covered." Natasha's words were careful but Kai knew what Natasha wanted to say: he was a cold-hearted murderer. "I've dealt with him a few years back."

"You got everything right." Kai mumbled, stopping to catch her breath. "Except ... we do know who he is." Her voice came out a bit shaky and once she looked up to meet Steve's eyes and saw the realization hit him, her throat threatened to close on her, leaving her breathless.

"How is it possible? He would never do it willingly. He wanted to protect others and to help those who couldn't survive on their own." Steve said fast, his breath itching. "He wouldn't do this."

"He never wanted this, I can assure you," Kai whispered as she handed Steve a file. "Here's everything that has happened since you last saw him. It won't be easy to read, Steve," she warned, glancing at Natasha for emotional support, despite their recent introduction. "But I'm confident you can save him. I almost succeeded, but then Hydra found out and forced him to shoot me." After a moment of silence, Steve's heavy breathing began to calm slightly, but Kai's remained shaky. "I was so close to getting him back, Steve. I nearly had him, but then I got caught, and everything reset. I truly believe you can bring him back."

"Let's do this, then," Natasha said. Steve silently thanked her. His eyes were wet, but no tears streamed down his cheeks.

"After all this time, you're still doing everything for him." Steve whispered with a smile, which Kai returned, a bit shy.

"I can't explain why, Steve, but I assure you, I think we're meant to be in every universe." Kai said softly, putting her fingers around the dog tags. "I would choose him over everything, the whole world if I had to."

"I know." Steve mumbled, with a soft smile. "Just like me."

That was the moment that changed everything. Due to Kai's words, Steve was able to get his friend back and although Bucky would never know that it was because of her, Kai would always be the reason he survived. As the years went on, she had to distance herself from him, thinking that if they were apart, nothing bad could happen - her prophecy couldn't happen - but eventually, she would realize that one way or another, their paths would always, inevitably collide.

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author's note: should i spoil by saying that the next chapter is the end of everything?