Bucharest || Bucky Barnes

6

Before entering the populated café the next day at noon, the Winter Soldier examined every face, and noted every exit. His old traits reappearing out of habit and nervousness.

Why had he called her?

All doubts disappeared from his brain as he saw her sitting by herself. Her gaze was one of forlorn as she stared at the window at the blue sky.

"You're sad." He stated as he took the seat across from her.

Clarissa started slightly as she turned her blue eyed gaze his way. "Sneaking up on people is rude."

He merely lifted an eyebrow at her defensive state, and she sighed.

"Sorry, my father called this morning. And we're not on the best of terms."

Not knowing what to say, he said nothing.

"So," she started. "How about you?"

"My father?"

She nodded.

Feeling too exposed, all he did was shake his head. "I don't remember."

"Did he leave you when you were young?" She questioned, confused.

"No, it's just I don't remember a lot of my past."

Her eyebrows knit together thoughtfully. "Do you suffer from short term memory loss or a head injury?"

He resisted the urge to tell her of the countless torture sessions of brainwashing and instead said a concussion.

"Do you keep a notebook?"

Clarissa chuckled at his confused look and pulled out her notebook, and handing it over to him.

"Here, keep this."

"What for?"

"So when you remember something, you write it down. Just in case you forget again."

Puzzled at her kind gesture, he flipped through its empty pages.

"Thank you." He said sincerely.

She smiled and then titled her head. "Could I ask you a question?"

He nodded.

"Were you in the military? Cause you carry your shoulders like my father. And your gait is similar."

"Yes."

"Do you remember it?"

He gave a small shake of his head. "Just that I served and have the dog tags to prove it."

He could tell she wanted to keep questioning him, but a shrill ringing caught both of their attention.

Clarissa muttered an apology as she grabbed a phone out of her bag and answered it.

Whatever the other person's response was, her face paled.

She pressed a button and looked at him for a second. "I'm sorry. But I gotta go."

"What is it?"

Not answering, Clarissa picked up her bag and hoisted it on one shoulder.

"Clarissa."

His calm voice reached her through her terrified state and she stilled.

"My father needs me." Was all she said giving a reassuring smile that seemed forced. "I'll see you around, Bucky."

He watched her leave, and instinct told him it was more than she was letting on.