RAISON D'ÊTRE ( bucky barnes ) 一 under editing

EIGHTEENTH

RAISON D'ÊTRE
EIGHTEENTH

EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURE WAS EVIDENT in nearly every place she looked, from the ironwork fenced balconies overlooking the streets to the courtyards filled with all sorts of flora to the glittering fountains and pretty statues. Jackson Square, of course, was filled with tourists snapping pictures of their exciting vacation, or just people wandering about and doing their daily tasks. The shining statue stood tall, casting long shadows across the ground. The St. Louis Cathedral was a powerful sight, with its high ceilings and towering spires, and Rome had shut her eyes. She breathed through her nose, feeling every inch of magic seeping through the woodwork. It felt beautiful, a lovely euphoric feeling she hadn't felt in so many years, and she wondered how she'd gotten through all those years at HYDRA without it.

She remembered telling Bucky that the city was magical, with witches and voodoo queens and psychics of all kinds making New Orleans their home. When they'd pass through the streets and pass by someone who claimed to be a magical sightseer, Rome would quickly identify whether or not they were actually a hoax. They'd passed by so many that the two had started to make it a little game, with Bucky determining if they were real or not and Rome applauding if he got it right and teasing him if he got it wrong. She had to admit, she liked the way his cheeks puffed cutely.

They'd explored all parts of the city 一 the stereotypical tourist traps, the local neighborhoods, the lively downtown area, and Rome thought it was beautiful to see people so in their element. Music was played from every corner, and Bucky had never heard something like it before. Jazz and pop and classical and all kinds of music played together at the same time, and he thought it'd make this hideous conglomeration of mismatching instruments and tunes, but it worked. People partied and neither were too worried about their identities being revealed. While yes, New Orleans was a lively city where people partied and rarely ever slept, most of the people they passed were much too drunk to realize what the hell was even happening.

The two ex-HYDRA assets wandered aimlessly down the darkened street, arms so close they brushed against one another. There was a dumb smile on Rome's face as her green eyes gleamed with excitement. She loved this city, loved it so much and she couldn't believe she hadn't been back in so long. Ianna had loved the city years ago, and perhaps Renata would have loved it too.

"I understand why you wanted to come back," Bucky said, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jacket. When he spoke, Rome turned to look at him and she smiled. "It's... beautiful."

"It was much different when I first came." She shrugged, shaking her head. "It wasn't as... wild, I suppose, as it is now, but still pretty." Rome leaned against him, moving to wrap her arms around one of his. "And I'm... I'm glad you're here with me. I used to travel a lot with Ianna but..." Her smile dropped and she trailed off, expression becoming lost.

Looking down at the witch, Bucky said, "You don't talk about her much." He didn't understand much about why Rome didn't talk about her cousin very much. From the few times she had mentioned the famous Ianna Soren 一 the immortal tribrid with a pretty face and broken heart 一 she spoke with so much admiration and love, and yet there was always something that seemed to be gnawing at her heart. "Why not?"

Rome pursed her lips, her grip on Bucky tightening. "Twenty years after the second world war ended, Ianna had met this girl, her soulmate. Madelaine." He widened his eyes as Rome spoke; soulmates were always a rare thing, and he'd never met a person who had met theirs, but Ianna had been lucky. "I was so jealous of them; I wanted something like theirs... but then she died. Killed because she loved Ianna." She sighed, eyes looking around them as she continued. She noticed there was no one else wandering or nearby. "I'd never seen Ianna so heartbroken, so angry. I love my cousin, I truly do, but what she did... she left a trail of death in her wake. It's not exactly my story to tell but it was like she'd fallen so far off the deep end that I couldn't bring her back. I got so scared and I... I couldn't handle it so I left. I left and I haven't seen her since. She probably hates me now."