The Liberty War || Infinity War & Endgame

Chapter Six: Jae

Music is "Carry You" by Ruelle feat. Fleurie.

Picture is Lee Ji Eun as Sado Aeri.

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CHAPTER SIX: Jae

The second manuscript stares up at me from the little desk in the room Bucky and I shared before we went into cryo-stasis. I've read through this story a thousand times, at least, and it never ceases to amaze me how much I've changed. The pain I was in in the 70s made me unrecognizable. The things I did--the scheming, the hunting, the spying--all to catch the Winter Soldier, it made me a shell of Emma Barnes.

"I will find this Winter Soldier and I will end him in a way that will make him beg for the death he gave Zelma."

I rub my eyes and close the folder, unable to read any more of that time period. Today has been long enough. From nearly drowning to the news about my prolonged immortality, I just don't have it in me to read my darkest days all over again.

A knock causes me to lower my hand from my face and look upwards at the familiar figure lurking in the doorway. Grant offers a smile as he pushes the door ajar. "Hey, Mom."

I return the smile, though mine is a far more exhausted version of his. "Hello, darling."

Grant eyes the manuscript on the desk and chuckles softly. "Back at work so soon?"

I glance sideways at the thick stack of papers and sigh, "Not really. Thought I had it in me to look it over again, give the people what they want, but I just can't today."

Grant steps from the doorway and enters the bedroom, taking a seat on the edge of the bed with his elbows on his knees and his hands folded between them. "There's no rush," he assures me with a shake of his head. "I showed you your book in the library because I thought it might cheer you up. Same reason I told you about the success and popularity, but I hope I didn't pressure you into getting back to it too soon."

"No, no," I reassure him, reaching over from the desk chair to place a comforting hand on his. "You could never, Grant. I was really glad to hear all about it, and I love writing and editing. It usually relaxes me, but this next one..." I trail off, gesturing to the manuscript.

"Not as fluffy and cute as the first one was," he finishes.

I cock an eyebrow in his direction. "'Fluffy?'"

Grant waves his hand. "Millennial and Gen Z lingo, sorry. Ignore me."

I roll my eyes and laugh. "Yeah, this next one's a rough one, some of the darkest times in my life. I don't think I'm ready for that just yet."

"And you don't have to be. Do it in your time, on your terms."

My smile widens at his kind words, then I change the conversation. "Was there a reason you came over here, or did you just want to see me bang my head against the desk?"

Grant laughs louder. "No, actually. As hilarious as that would be, I came...I came because Shuri just told me something that I think you should know. Something about me and you and how we met."

"I know how we met," I reply, turning the desk chair around so I can face the Korean boy. "I pulled you from the rubble of a collapsed building just after the first World Trade Center Tower collapsed."

Grant shakes his head. "More than that, Mom."

The tone in his voice causes me to move closer and grasp his hands in mine. "Whatever it is, darling, you can tell me," I whisper softly, looking into his anxious eyes. "It's me."