Falling To Earth | b. barnes

~Author Note/Prologue~

This story takes place in a world that was an ounce more fair towards Bucky. Most citizens realized what he had been through. A statement was given by Tony Stark after the events of CA:CW. This speech spoke of who James once was, and to some extent, what happened to him after that fateful day he fell off the train.

The government ignored this, and did not revoke the orders to shoot to kill. There was a riot, containing about 3000 people, and protests across the country. The government grudgingly called the ex-assassin a free man. 

Now, while this was happening, Bucky was in cryofreeze and the best scientists of Wakanda were working tirelessly to make him simply damaged, and not dangerous. They achieved that very thing. The procedure involved Wanda, as well as a very similar machine to the one that used to cause him such agony. 

Wanda would hide all his memories, while bringing forth the trigger words for the machine to destroy. This could not fade, the words' power could not return. But, hearing them would cause the memory associated to shoot into his mind, often causing pain. The pain much like what he dealt with for 50 years would leave him almost beyond repair, but Bucky was willing to do it.

He and the other Avengers returned to America, now free thanks to 70% of the population. However, some were still unconvinced of his innocence. Some, can recall a loved one found dead, with a gun in their hand, but no note. No reason.

So, the group reunited in the Avengers base, they try to ignore the blatant tension between some after the catastrophe that ripped their family, their stability, apart.

They find themselves taking the same two sides on any disagreement, probably due to the fact it is hard to look the others in the eye. This is especially true for Wanda and Vision, who haven't talked since the battle that left Rhodes crippled. She is hurt, broken from torture he allowed to happen in the raft prison.

They are together, but sometimes they wish they weren't.

Bucky's damage, and cause to their damage is separating him, excluding him at a time where kindness is vital. But that very damage might bring them together. And bring a lost member home again.