Falling To Earth | b. barnes

~F O U R~

The music splutters to a stop, and so does she. The walk, the silence glaring until she speaks.

"Tom Rosenthal."

"What?" He questions.

"That's his name. A lot of people don't like his voice. I know his name and you know mine. Now what's yours?" She finishes.

Bucky looks at her for a second, thinking of the wonder in front of him.

"James."

"Nice."

After a pause, her voice sounds again. "This is it. The Dusty Miller. I love it's unique silver foliage and the bright yellow flowers."

But does she know how to love?

He looks where Ella is pointing and sees beauty. The plant almost glows in the dim store and comforts him with the joyful blooms.

"I love it." He whispers. There's that word again. Is it true?

"Okay! Well I'll show you another thing and then we can check out. Unless you'd like to look around?"

"I'd probably get lost." He chuckles.

They look at each other, silent laughter in their eyes, until the glass of their mind, making them only see the the soul there, breaks.

Tyler Joseph is screaming. The song is ending. They are goners.

She tears her heart away along with her eyes, forcing her mind to focus on why she is here.

They step in puddles of quiet, the words unsaid beating against their skulls.

What would have happened? If they gave in there? If they let themselves live?

The humidity must be getting to their heads.

"Boxwood." She whispers.

The green leaves wave.

His thoughts wave back.

He decided, in that very moment, that green and silver belong to her.

The leaves agreed.

He picks one up, and they exit the maze.

After the hasty purchase, Bucky makes his exit, stage right.

Steve finds him at the end of the street, staring at the peeling paint from under the tree.

A green store, a green tree.