Bucharest || Bucky Barnes

3

The museum was filled with people, all seeming to have no purpose in being there, unlike himself.

His eyes scanned the Captain America section, settling on a display where his own face was displayed.

Younger, fresher, shorter hair, no stubble. It resembled a better man.

Self-consciously he made sure his cap was low enough to hide his eyes as he glanced at the biography of himself.

The information displayed didn't seem to fit, and he frowned. It was him, but it wasn't. Because he wasn't that man anymore.

Turning away, he straightened his overcoat as he walked out of the museum and stood a little ways away.
Breathing in the fresh hair, a relief after being surrounded by so many people. His eyes closed as he tilted his head slightly up to feel the warmth of the sun.

After a moment, he opened his eyes and looked around. Soaking in the scenery of peace.

A family was holding hands and walking together, smiles of their faces. A jogger stretched before starting to run, his pace relaxed.

His mind was absorbing the surrounding area so thoroughly that he didn't notice the boy beside him till he felt a hand pull on his sleeve.

Tensing, he looked down. But relaxed as soon as he saw a boy of about seven with a head full of brown curls, green eyes wide with panic.

"I can't find my mommy." He whispered.

The Winter Soldier froze. He never trained for this, and had no recollection if his past self was good with children. But he crouched down to the boys level.

"What does your mommy look like?" He asked softly.

The little boy gestured to his hair. "Brown hair and eyes. She is wearing red."

He frowned as he stood up again and scanned the crowds. No one matched the description.

"Are you sure -"

His voice was interrupted as a woman yelled from behind him. "Collin!"

He turned just as a brunette woman ran up, grabbing her son. Murmuring comforting words to her child as he hugged her tightly.

Taking a step back, the winter soldier felt odd witnessing the affection in front of him. But then the boy looked up.

"Mommy." He said. "This man helped me."

The woman looked up with a face full of gratitude, but as soon as she saw his face, her look changed to horror.

"Stay away from my son!" She hissed. "You monster!"

He merely looked away as she picked up her son and hurried away, ignoring her son's protests.

It was a reminder of who he was and why he had to stay hidden.

Casting one final glance after the departing mother and son, he turned away and began to walk the other way.