CopyCat | Bucky Barnes

75

It was nice to see Tony happy, but it did serve as a painful reminder of everything I lost. I didn't feel too rushed to catch up with the others, so I opted to walk back to the compound instead of teleporting. At least the few hours walking would give me time to completely sober up.

I thought maybe it might make me feel better, but I was wrong. The world looked different than before. The sun didn't feel as warm. There weren't as many cars driving, or people out and about. In fact, most of this area looked abandoned.

I got periodical updates from both Steve and Dimitri as I walked. They were apparently meeting up with Bruce soon, although, even I knew the only person who could've done what was needed was Tony.

A few hours later, and some really sore feet, I made it to the compound. It's been years since I'd been back, but it still looked the same. I approached the front gate, not bothering with it since my clearance was probably revoked.

Surprisingly, as soon as I approached the doors, they opened for me. Huh, I guess it wasn't.

No one appeared to be here, as I expected. So I went to my old rooms. I'd only ever spent one night here, so it wasn't really home. But it was a safe place to turn to for a while. I walked inside, immediately I took notice of my sword propped up in a corner.

I furrowed my brow, remembering tossing it somewhere back at Thanos's Garden. Steve must've brought it back. It didn't matter, I'd never use it again. That sword took so much innocent blood. It would've been better off rotting on that empty planet.

I forced myself to look away, and walk to the night table, slowly pulling open the top drawer. My fingers started to tremble as I reached down to lift up the chain. The cold metal sent shivers up my arm. The gold band swung back and forth, until I took it between my fingers.

"I know you're the one I wanna spend the rest of my life with"

His words echoed in my head, it was like he was here with me. I could picture him so perfectly. Smoothed back hair, not a single wrinkle in his uniform, and his face the definition of perfection. I stared right at him, it was like seeing a ghost. He was a ghost.

"I love you."

I sunk to the floor, curling my knees into my chest with my back against the wall. My eyes were burning with hot tears. I'd normally be more strict with myself about crying, but there was no one here to see me. So I allowed myself this minute to break down.

My hands tightened on the chain, holding it close to me until I felt the cold metal against my lips. I closed my eyes as tight as possible, but the tears found their way out. I didn't have the energy to stop the sobs from leaving my mouth.

It all felt as intense as when it happened. It was like my heart was gone. Ripped out, only leaving a bloody hole behind. I felt empty.

"Aghh!" I called out, feeling the sting of something cold hitting my face.

In the time it took to open my eyes, I pulled out a knife from my jacket, and tackled whoever was standing over me.

"Alex!" Steve's voice spoke worriedly. I looked down at him, not realizing it was him, I'd pinned him down. Holding my knife to his neck.

"What the hell are you doing?" I demanded, removing the knife from his throat. Then I saw drops of water falling from my visibly wet hair down to his face.

"Dimtiri said to." Steve says defensively.

I stumbled off him, struggling to get to my feet. Only to be hit with a pounding headache. I clutched my head, leaning against the night stand. My foot hit something on the ground, and I looked down. An almost empty bottle of alcohol lying where I'd fallen asleep. I didn't even remember getting it.