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sjsmith56 · 7 days

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Making Amends, Chapter 18 - Eyes of the Father

Summary: Bucky and Sam deal with Zemo and the Flag Smashers. A cryptic warning has Bucky on edge.

Length: 5.3 K

Characters: Bucky, Sam, Walker, Zemo.

Author notes: I made the decision not to use dialogue from the TV series to avoid copyright issues. As a result, there is a lot of exposition in this chapter which may just seem like a rehashing of the plot from the series. There is some made up dialogue. While you're reading it and you think back to the scene in the series just remember that my dialogue is different. After this chapter everything will be original plot and dialogue as Bucky takes on the danger threatening Lacey and Tommy.

<<Chapter 17

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The next few weeks were time that Bucky would never get back. After "helping" Zemo escape custody, then flying to Madripoor to seek out information about the super soldier serum they found themselves on the wrong side of the faction that ran the lawless colony. A woman in the criminal world in Madripoor gave them the name of the man making the serum, Wilfred Nagel, then was killed herself, which prompted a bounty on their lives, even though they had nothing to do with her death. Only the appearance of Sharon Carter helped them temporarily out of being killed by the bounty hunters. Carter, obviously part of the criminal underworld herself, helped them locate Nagel's lab. He confirmed the existence of the serum, admitted it was formed from a blood sample taken from an unwilling Isaiah Bradley, and that he had created 20 doses. They knew of eight Flag Smashers who had taken the serum, meaning there were potentially another dozen people that could be or already were transformed.

It literally blew up in their faces when Zemo killed Nagel, then a bounty hunter sent a rocket into the shipping container where the lab was. Zemo disappeared while Bucky helped Carter and Sam out of the wreckage. After helping them dispose of the rest of the bounty hunters Zemo showed up with a car to get them out of there and back to his private jet. At least they had a name, Donya Madani, a source of inspiration to the Flag Smashers, and a place, Riga, Latvia, to search for the group.

When they arrived in Riga, and Zemo led them to a safe house there, Bucky noticed several kimoyo beads in the vicinity and hung back, knowing the Wakandans were near. In a quiet street he spoke to Ayo, the Dora Milaje warrior, who gave him 8 hours before she and her squad came for Zemo. It was long enough for Zemo to find out where the funeral for Donya Madani was being held, and long enough for Sam to try and talk to the leader of the Flag Smashers, Karli Morgenthau. At least it would have been long enough if John Walker hadn't shown up to arrest Karli. She escaped in the confusion Walker's appearance caused. Later when the Dora Milaje came to take Zemo into custody Walker intervened again starting a fight that never should have happened. In the confusion of that fight Zemo escaped.

Karli reached out to Sam, via a veiled threat she made to his sister and nephews. When he and Bucky met with her they realized quickly her true intent was to occupy them while the rest of the Flag Smashers went after Walker and Hoskins. It was during that fight that Sam realized Walker had somehow taken the super soldier serum. That was also the fight where Hoskins was killed and Walker retaliated by killing one of the Flag Smashers in front of a crowd of civilians recording on their cell phones, using the shield to do it. After Walker ran off they followed him to an empty industrial building where both could see the mental turmoil the man was in. Sam asked for the shield and Walker took it as a threat. In the ensuing battle between the three Walker tried to kill Sam and Bucky was forced to fight unrestrained against the man who insisted he was still Captain America. It took breaking Walker's arm to get the shield from him then Bucky picked up the shield and dropped it beside Sam as he lay on the floor, not caring at that point whether Sam picked it up or not as he was done.

Walker faced a hearing back in the US where he was stripped of his Captain America title as well as his military rank. Sam returned back to Delacroix after a brief stop in Baltimore, while Bucky stayed in Europe tracking Zemo, fulfilling what he saw as his personal responsibility to return him to custody. He found him in what was left of Sokovia, at a memorial to the people who died. Zemo tried to convince him to go after Karli and kill her. In response, Bucky aimed the pistol at Zemo's head and pulled the trigger. It clicked instead of firing and Bucky let the bullets fall through his fingers to the ground, emphasizing for all time to Zemo that he wasn't a killer anymore. The Dora Milaje appeared at that time to escort Zemo to his new home in the Raft, a high security prison located underwater in the Atlantic Ocean. Just before he left Zemo glanced at Bucky.

"Now that Nagel is dead the Power Broker will be looking for a new scientist and a new source of super soldier blood for the serum," he said, looking intently at Bucky as he stopped. "You may want to make sure your son and his mother are safe."

Bucky was startled by this warning. "How did you...," he began.

"I find out things," interrupted Zemo, then glanced at the women warriors, acknowledging they were there for him.

As they walked away Bucky called out. "Ayo," he said. "I have a favour to ask of you."

She turned and looked at him as if that was the last thing she wanted to do for him. "As long as you make yourself scarce in Wakanda for a while," she replied.

He nodded his assent then made his request. She looked at him intently. "I will see what I can do," she promised. "He is a good man so it shouldn't be a problem."

Bucky watched them walk away then pulled his wallet out followed by a business card. He looked at it for a moment, considering his next action, and dialled the number.

"Hey, it's Bucky Barnes," he said to the person on the other end of the call. "I'm in Europe right now but I wonder if I can see you tomorrow or the day after. I don't want to say anything more on an unsecured line but it's important. It has to do with Lacey and Tommy. Thanks, I'll call you when I get to New York."

Two days later Bucky called and met with FBI agent Dan Jones at a coffee kiosk in Greenwich Village. Bucky asked if he wanted one and after paying for the two coffees walked to a bench away from people. Jones sat next to him, looking at Bucky intently.

"What's on your mind?" Jones asked Bucky.

"Do you know where Lacey and Tommy are staying now?" queried Bucky. "I know they aren't with the Bartons anymore."

"I might but I wouldn't tell you," replied Jones. "You really shit the bed on that relationship."

"You heard," said Bucky tersely. "I still love her and Tommy, and I care about keeping them safe. Someone gave me a warning about them. You ever hear of the Power Broker?"

Jones looked at him in surprise. "What interest does the Power Broker have in them?" he asked.

"The Power Broker was behind the serum that made the Flag Smashers into super soldiers," said Bucky. "The man who made the serum for him was killed, and the remainder of the serum was destroyed. I was warned the Power Broker might be looking for a new source of super soldier blood to make more serum. He wouldn't come after me because I can defend myself against a room full of people. Tommy is strong but not strong enough. If they put a gun to Lacey's head ...."

Jones let out a big breath. "Jesus, Bucky," he said. "What do you want me to do?"

"Can you put a detail on them?" asked Bucky. "Surveillance ... something, anything."

"Okay, I'll come up with something," said Jones. He hesitated then continued. "They're doing good, Bucky. Tommy's in school. Lacey is working on her fourth book. For what it's worth I think she still loves you. She hasn't been dating."

Bucky stood up and drained his coffee, dropping the paper cup in the garbage can next to the bench. "Thanks, Dan," he replied, smiling grimly. "I appreciate it. You have my number. Let me know if anyone comes after them."

Jones nodded and watched as Bucky walked away. The revelation that the Power Broker may be interested in Lacey and the boy troubled him. He pulled his cell phone out and made his own call to ask for a meeting. He was sure Nick Fury would want to know this development.

Bucky stayed home in Brooklyn for several days researching the location of more people on his list that he had to make amends to. When he received a shipment from Wakanda, via their embassy in New York, he booked a flight to New Orleans. There he rented a car and drove to Delacroix. After asking where he could find Sam Wilson he was directed to a gathering of people on a dock. He picked Sam out of a group of men gathered near a wrapped engine loaded on the back of a truck. Putting the case from Wakanda down he picked the engine up and lifted it off the truck, putting it down on the dock. He looked back at Sam and the other men, smirking at the faces they made.

"It wasn't that heavy," he said, then he picked up the Wakandan case and put it on the truck. "You needed a new wing suit and I figured the Wakandans could build you a good one so I called in a favour.

At that moment a hose on the boat blew and Sam jumped on the boat to tighten the fastener on the hose. Bucky could see Sam didn't know much about boats and jumped on beside him, taking the wrench and explaining he had to turn the fastener up to tighten it. Then he checked out the boat, thinking it reminded him of when he worked on the Brooklyn docks.

"Can I help?" he offered. Sam nodded and Bucky noticed a woman watching them, who he assumed was Sam's sister. He waved at her. "I'm Bucky."

"Sarah," she replied smiling then turned away, a little flustered.

Sam looked from Bucky to his sister and back again. "What about Lacey?" he asked.

Bucky made a face. "I kind of messed things up with her," he replied. "Your sister seems nice."

"No!" said Sam. "Don't even think of it."

Bucky gave a cheeky grin then followed Sam to another part of the boat. For the next few hours he helped with the repairs. They talked about the Flag Smashers and Bucky told him about Zemo's thoughts on the matter. As it got close to sunset they stopped to have a beer. After draining his last one Bucky told Sam he had a flight to take the next day and was going to get a hotel for the night. Sam, being the man he was asked him to crash at his place as long as Bucky didn't flirt with his sister. Bucky laughed again, knowing he had made Sam uncomfortable with his mild flirting. He slept on the couch without any nightmares until he woke up to the sounds of Sarah's boys, A.J. and Cass, play fighting with the shield. For a time he watched them, a soft smile on his face.

"Good morning," he said to the boys who desperately tried to get the shield back in its cover before running off.

For several moments he lay on the couch before deciding he should get up. Learning that Sam was already at the dock, Bucky made his way there, finding him working on the engine. Seeing he needed two sets of hand Bucky helped him with a part, which made Sam stand back and look at him with new eyes.

"Where did you learn about boats?" Sam asked.

"Brooklyn," replied Bucky. "I worked the docks there after I graduated from high school. Couldn't afford college until I made some money. It was still the Depression in 1935."

Sam suggested they work on the water pump so they pulled it apart then began rebuilding it. Sarah came, looking critically at what they had done and ordered them away from the dock. She had her no nonsense voice going so both men obeyed and returned to the house where Bucky tried to teach Sam how to throw the shield. They had a heart to heart talk while they threw it around and Bucky apologized to Sam for getting in his face about giving up the shield. He explained how the shield was the closest thing he had to a family. When Sam retired the shield, it made Bucky feel like he had nothing left and was truly alone. The counsellor in Sam stopped and listened intently as Bucky told him the decision made him question everything about Steve, Sam, and even himself. It was a humbling experience that Bucky trusted him enough to tell him these things, calmly but with feeling. Sam asked him about the nightmares and Bucky admitted he still had them. In his mind they were proof that he was still there, in those situations. It was also proof, in his mind, that the Winter Soldier was still in him. He coloured for a moment then opened up even more.

"That's why I left Lacey," he said emotionally. "We were right in the middle of amazing sex and I had a vision of the Winter Soldier tying her up and doing terrible things to her. I pulled out, took the condom off and left her in her bed. I hid out on the farm until Steve found me in the morning and I asked him if we could leave. I was afraid of hurting her physically, Sam. Instead I broke her heart and I don't think she'll ever forgive me for that. Tommy spit on me. That's how much I hurt him by it."

Bucky turned away, coughed and wiped his eyes trying not to break down. Sam watched for a moment then put his hand on Bucky's shoulder in commiseration.

"I'm sorry," he said. "That had to be tough for you to do."

"Well, it's done," shrugged Bucky. "If you have any advice on that or my other issues I'd appreciate it."

"This making amends, is it part of your conditional pardon?" asked Sam. Bucky nodded. "Well making amends is more than just saying sorry. It might make you feel better but it does nothing for the families of your ... sorry, the Soldier's victims."

"It wasn't just that," replied Bucky. "I know that there isn't anyone from HYDRA who will make amends to them. Part of me still feels responsible so I accepted the task. I've already identified and helped arrest several people who benefitted from HYDRA's and the Soldier's actions."

"Yeah, and that was good but that was just stopping the bad guys from getting away with it. Some people, especially the surviving family need to know what went down, how their loved one died. Only you can tell them."

"There's a lot of those," said Bucky, somewhat despondently.

"Okay, all it takes is one to start the healing," replied Sam. "That will be the hardest one. The next one won't be quite so hard. You'll give them closure and perhaps in the process you can forgive yourself along the way. For what it's worth, I don't think it was fair to put this all on you. You were their victim as well and no one has made amends to you, have they?"

Bucky considered his words then looked at Sam appraisingly. "You're not bad at this counsellor stuff," he stated. "I'll never get an apology for what I went through but I can deal with it. Maybe not well, or quickly, but I will."

Sam smiled and nodded. They both stepped towards each other, sharing a pound hug, and Bucky asked Sam to call him when he had a lead on Karli Morgenthau. Bucky turned away to walk to his rental car, then turned back to Sam.

"What about Lacey?" he asked loudly. "How do I fix that?"

"A lot of grovelling," suggested Sam. "I haven't had a girlfriend in over 5 years so you're going to have to figure that one out on your own. She is the mother of your son so she's worth it."

"Yeah, she is," Bucky agreed.

A few hours later he was back in Brooklyn. On the way to his flat he passed a bookstore and on impulse went inside where he noticed they had a display of women authors. They had Lacey's second book and her third. He smiled softly when he saw the title of the third, His Blue Eyes. It was published during the Blip, when no one knew the decimated would return someday. Set in a 2018 that didn't experience the Blip, it told of a chance encounter between a woman writer and a man who had to go into hiding. The ripples from their encounter affected the lives of their friends and colleagues. It also explored the long distance relationship they had until an act of heroism changed their lives forever. The dedication page was emotional for Bucky.

For B. There will be never be another like you. You gave me the greatest gift.

L.C.C. December, 2021

As he paid for it the clerk looked at him strangely, noticing his blue eyes, then recognizing him when he saw the artificial hand.

"You're Bucky Barnes," he said. "I've read this book. You don't strike me as the type of guy who would read something like this."

Bucky looked at him calmly. "I know the author," he replied. "I have her other books, including her first one, written under a different name."

"It's a good book," said the clerk. "Most people think it's a typical romance novel but there's a lot more in it, about longing for someone who is out of reach. There's a sense of loneliness to it, of being held hostage by fate and circumstance, things they had no control over. I also liked all the ripples their initial meeting created, changing the lives of people close to them. I've heard rumours of a possible movie."

Bucky smiled kindly at him. "I'm sure she'll be thrilled with that," he stated, then picked up the book and nodded at the clerk before leaving.

It took him two days to read it and when he finished he knew it was about them, even though she changed all of the circumstances, and the character's names and back stories. The book store clerk was right about it being more than a romance novel. Lacey captured the sense of longing felt by both characters, even though they attempted to carry on with their lives. The side stories described the effect their encounter had on their circle of friends exploring the inter-connectivity between people. The biggest difference, of course, was the main male character in the book stayed dead after his act of heroism whereas Bucky came back. He was surprised to find the second part of the book explored how the main female character Lauren ended up with a different man but the more he thought about it the more sense it made. His own initial advice to Lacey had been to find a good man and take a chance on love with him. If he never came back from the Blip he wished she would have found someone, a good man, to live her life with.

While he waited to hear from Sam he set about tackling his list of names in the little notebook. It was hard, especially to the families of those he had killed. Some threatened to kill him, some to sue him, but he left their homes knowing he had given them an answer. One woman's response surprised him with its unexpected emotion. His victim's daughter had let out a visible breath when he told her what he had done to her father then looked at her hands before talking.

"My dad wasn't the best man," she said calmly as she sat in a chair across from him, looking at him intently. "He had issues, and he raised his hand to my mom and me more than once. We suspected he was involved in something shady so when his body was found we weren't surprised. Surprisingly, he had a life insurance policy and the money helped both me and my mother to start over. I was able to go to college. She was able to enjoy a comfortable life until she died of cancer." She turned to Bucky. "I know what you're doing because I've been in therapy for this love – hate relationship I still have with my dad. I hope you find the closure you're looking for but I won't forgive you because there's nothing to forgive. Instead I thank you for killing him and freeing us from a lifetime of abuse. I truly believe he would have killed one or both of us if he had lived."

Several days after meeting with that woman he heard from Sam that the likely target of the Flag Smashers was the GRC council, meeting in New York later that evening. Bucky promised to meet him at the location and hurried back to his flat to change. When he arrived at the site of the meeting he was allowed in through the security perimeter. Apparently he was already known as an Avenger. A person did challenge him, then removed a nano mask, revealing Sharon Carter's face. She offered her help and together they went closer to the building where the GRC council was being evacuated. Sam told them to keep people in the building as he realized the Flag Smashers wanted them outside and exposed. As Bucky walked, a woman with a security ID gave him a phone, saying it was Karli. He looked at the screen and was puzzled that the call came on a phone app, not through the cell phone itself.

It was Karli on the other end and she tried to convince him to join her. He tried to convince her that she was going about things the wrong way by pointing out that all this death she was causing wouldn't make the nightmares go away because she would remember everyone she killed. Once more he asked her not to do this but she laughed lightly and told him not to get involved. When he pointed out he already was she laughed again and thanked him for his time. She hung up making Bucky realize she had been delaying him from intervening. He ran to the parking garage and took a motor bike, hoping he could catch up to the transports the council members were obviously on. It took several blocks but he saw the vehicles stopped at a barrier and several Flag Smashers gathering between them. Pressing on the accelerator he aimed the motor bike at the barrier, then applied the front brakes causing the back wheel to come up. He flew over the barrier, flying into the chest of the biggest man the Flag Smashers had, knocking them both away from the others. While he fought him he noticed the others set fire to one of the vehicles and quickly disabled the man he was fighting with. Running to the vehicle he pulled on the handle, trying to force open the door. Noticing an extra lock on the door Bucky hit it with all of his might several times, eventually breaking it. Then he pulled on the door handle again and it finally gave way. He helped the people out, telling them to go. The last man stopped and thanked Bucky for saving them, a sentiment that caught him by surprise.

Turning he saw several Flag Smashers beating a man who was on the ground and realized it was John Walker. Running towards them he saw one about to hit him with a parking meter and launched himself into the man. Another Flag Smasher came at him and he recognized Karli's hair. Grabbing a piece of chain that was within reach he hit her with it but she shook it off and kicked him, sending him over a barrier and down several stories to the ground. As he looked up he saw another one jumping towards him holding a steel beam as a weapon. Raising his vibranium arm it took the brunt of the hit then he grabbed the steel beam and tore it from the other guy's hands. He hit him several times until the man didn't get up again. A sound from above made him look up and he saw the other vehicle teetering at the edge of the structure, slowly breaking through the beams that were supporting it. Knowing he couldn't stop it he watched helplessly until it suddenly began to inch backwards and he realized that someone, hopefully Walker, was trying to keep it from falling. When Walker suddenly fell, with two Flag Smashers hanging on to him, the vehicle began breaking through the structure again. Only this time, it was stopped as Sam and his new suit had the strength to keep it from falling. Pulling Walker out the way Bucky watched in awe as Sam was able to push it back up to safety at the top of the structure. He could hear people cheering above as Sam hovered over the scene and knew they had accepted him as Captain America.

A sound from behind him made him turn in time to intercept a metal bar thrown to kill him by Karli. She attacked Bucky but was hit by the shield as Sam descended into the space. Suddenly smoke bombs were shot into their midst and they lost sight of her. Sam looked around then turned to the other two yelling to follow him while he ran into the smoke. As they ran through a tunnel Sam's display showed that the three Flag Smashers had split up. Bucky and Walker took the path of two of them while Sam continued following the one. Their path quickly petered out and Bucky led Walker through the maze of construction then back out into the open.

"Shit," swore Walker. "What now, Bucky?"

Bucky took the phone out that the security person gave him. "I have an idea," he said. "They have an app. Maybe I can lure them here."

Quickly he opened the app and smiled when it showed him everyone else who had the app. He entered a message then they both stood back and waited to see who showed up. Within minutes three figures came out from the construction site, stopping when they saw the other two men. Walker quoted Abraham Lincoln with a smile, impressed at Bucky's improvisation. Bucky held the phone up to the three Flag Smashers, commenting on the app as sirens and flashing lights heralded the arrival of the police. They were surrounded by a heavily armed tactical squad and the three Flag Smashers were taken into custody.

Together Walker and Bucky walked towards where several ambulances had been parked. As they walked in between they saw Sam fly in carrying the lifeless body of Karli Morgenthau. The media were throwing questions at Sam but he just ignored them, instead facing the people on the GRC council who were still there. Bucky watched as Sam challenged every one of their decisions which he believed had set off the time bomb of the Flag Smashers movement. Then he laid it all on the line, telling them they had no right to make decisions for billions of people without having them represented. It was inspiring stuff. After when Sam approached him Bucky pretended he had been texting the entire time which made Sam laugh. In Bucky's mind, the shield was now in good hands and he left with Carter to get her some medical attention feeling pretty good about what they had prevented.

Back in his neighbourhood later Bucky found himself outside where Yori Nakajima lived. For some time he stared at the building entrance from the sidewalk then he went up the steps and up to the floor where Yori lived. Slowly he walked to the old man's door and knocked. Yori was surprised to see him as it wasn't Wednesday, their usual day to spend together but still invited him in, asking what Bucky wanted.

Sombrely Bucky told him it was about the murder of Yori's son, RJ. He told him the Winter Soldier had been responsible for it and that he, Bucky, had been the Winter Soldier. His voice was shaking as he said it and the old man looked at him with hurt confusion on his face then asked why. All Bucky could offer was that he didn't have a choice and the old man's face suddenly displayed all the grief he had held inside for so long. He looked away from Bucky then stood up and walked to the shrine he had dedicated to his son, saying nothing. With sadness Bucky stood up and went to the door, looking at the broken man he had just hurt all over again. There was nothing further he could do for Yori; no condolences, no support, nothing he could ever say would help the sweet old man who had been his friend.

That night Bucky broke into Dr. Raynor's office and left her a gift bag with a note thanking her for all of her help. Inside the bag was his notebook with every name inside crossed off. Then he went home and opened the new notebook he bought and wrote in two names that he still had to atone to. Lacey Chapman and Tommy Chapman. He didn't put their names in the first book because they weren't victims of the Winter Soldier. Their pain was all on him, James Buchanan Barnes, and even if it took years he would find a way to make up for what he did to them. Maybe, just maybe they could forgive him. The following day he walked past the sushi bar and saw Yori sitting at the counter while Leah poured his sake. She looked at Bucky through the window but said nothing and he wondered if Yori told her about the confession. Subtly he nodded his head and took a breath before continuing on his way. He stopped in front of his building then turned and looked around the neighbourhood. It had been somewhat familiar to him when he first got the flat but it wasn't home anymore. He could see that now. Home was where he would be welcomed and he knew it was somewhere else.

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If you wish to read Lacey's book His Blue Eyes, it is fully published on Wattpad, under my user name SJSmith56. I hope you find it entertaining as Lacey used all the people she had come in contact with while she was pregnant and raising Tommy on her own as inspiration for many of the characters in the book she wrote after Bucky was turned to dust in the Blip. It has attracted some other readership already.

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alpaca-clouds · 1 year

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Revolution in the Media

The Mageseeker game is coming out in two days – and I kinda want to talk about it. About Sylas and about Demacia. Because holy fuck, I hate the Demacia storyline in League of Legends. Like, some of the other storylines have their faults (big faults at time, let’s face it, the entire Noxus thing is not that much better), but Demacia? Demacia will tell you: “Are Nazis really so much worse than the people fighting against them?”

And this is… sadly a problem that American media has in general. Especially during the last… ten or so years. And I want to talk about it.

The Demacia Storyline

Other folks have talked about this before, but let me make this once again clear: The Demacian regime in League of Legends is fascist. Let’s face it. It is basically fascist. They have literal concentration camps, have an underclass, who are held in those concentration camps just for the way they have been born… And if we were going through Ecco’s “traits of ur-fascism” we would find a lot of the traits in Demacia one way or another.

In itself it would not be a problem. A lot of media does have fascist bad guys, but of course League of Legends does not have Demacia as the bad guys. Instead, well, we have several champions in the storyline, who can be played by the players of the main game. And who of course do not want to be reminded of “You are playing the bad guy”. So, all characters within the Demacia storyline are treated the same. Sylas is as good and as bad as Garen.

This is something we have seen especially in the entire Lux comic. Which so clearly shows Sylas as bad and manipulative and you should not side with him within the story, that so clearly says: “The only good side in this is neither.”

And just… No. For one: Sylas is the victim of the Demacian regime. A victim who managed to escape what is effectively a concentration camp. He is a rebel, who tries to bring the regime down. No, he is not as bad as the Demacians. Him killing the king and rebelling the way he is, is basically the same, as a Jew escaping a Nazi concentration camp and then going on to kill Hitler.

This is not a case of “good people on both sides”, but a case of “fascists on one side, those who fight them on the other”. There is no equivalence.

But of course this is not the first time – and probably not the last time – this happens in American media.

The Daisy Fitzroy thing

Remember Bioshock Infinite? That third Bioshock game, that was quite different than the other two that had come before?

Now, let’s put it bluntly: Bioshock has always kinda suffered moral relativism. The old games basically go like: “Laissez-faire Objectivist Capitalism is bad, but the other alternatives are not that much better (if at all!)” Which is just blatantly wrong, though obviously it is just a very American way about depicting it, given that… well, we know how Americans cling to their “freedom economics” and it being the “only right economic system”. Because Freedom!

But then… Well, then came Bioshock Infinite. Instead of in Rapture, we play in Columbia. A religious pseudo-fascist place, with a regime that is build very much on the suppression of BI_POC, especially Black and Irish people, who are used as a servant class and outright slaves. Obviously with a lot of iconography mirroring the South under slavery and later Jim Crow.

In that game, we have a group of rebels, though. The Vox Populi. Rebels fighting against the system, which to the credit of the maker is shown to be unquestioningly bad. The rebels are under the lead of a Black woman named Daisy Fitzroy, who gets involved with the protagonist, by forcing him to get her weapons to fight the regime… But then comes the big twist, when Daisy Fitzroy tries to kill a kid of the oppressing class and your NPC companion Elizabeth kills Daisy Fitzroy in turn. After which you are going to fight the Vox Populi as much as the folks of the regime, with the only difference between the enemy types being the color schemes.

In that moment, when Daisy Fitzroy tries to kill the white kid, the game is taking your hand and pointing at her: “See, people fighting against white supremacy are just as bad as the white supremacists themselves! Don’t you agree?” Which is, of course… like a really bad conclusion to draw from it.

Because, let’s be very clear: Even if she had killed that child… Someone trying to free themselves from oppression through radical means will never be as bad as the oppressor, who did the same horrible acts without any reason other than “you look different, hence you are less human than me and I can treat you that way”.

But, of course, there is another screaming example of this…

The MCU and the faulty status quo

Honestly, to me right now there is no bigger offender in this than the MCU and within the MCU there is no offender as bad as The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Now, let me preface this with: Yes, as much as I love Black Panther, that movie very much is very much at fault for this, too. At fault for the entire: “Oh, yeah, the guy who wants to do something about systemic racism is as bad if not worse than systemic racism.” But at least that movie ended on a change to the faulty status quo. (A change, mind you, that was undone by later installments of the MCU because the MCU just cannot have the status quo change too much, obviously.) It also clearly came down on the side of “the thing the good guys fought for originally was real bad”, with T’Challa outright confronting his ancestors on it.

No such thing, however, happened in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which obviously features our main characters going up against first and foremost the Flagsmashers. And now lets be very clear: The Flagsmashers are anarchists! Which is very much on the very tailend of “wanting to change the status quo”. (Note: I am an anarchist.) Their reasoning is a good one, though. They say: “Yeah. The entire Snap made it that people could move without borders. That was good. Now we are displaced and the organization that is supposed to take care of our needs cares more about enriching themselves than making other lives livable.” Which is something that is actually shown to be right. We know they are right.

Now, for once, of course, the entire thing with them turning towards violence comes kinda out of nowhere and is not really set up. But… We also need to talk about how violence is a valid means of fighting an oppressive system. And this system is very much oppressive. Again: The series SHOWS US THAT IT IS! That people oppressed in this system die of neglect! The system, as it stands, is a form of oppressive violence. That it kills through neglect rather than through active means does not make the killings less horrible or less deadly.

Yet, the Flagsmashers all die in the end. All those, who were enriching themselves through the system get no narrative punishment, with Falcon (now Captain America) holding them a nice speech. And the literal fascist getting a last minute redemption arc.

And that is just… horrible. I cannot put it any other way. It is horrible. It is a horrible end for that story.

The myth about the peaceful revolution

What all of this calls back upon is the myth about the peaceful revolution. The myth, that a peaceful revolution will be the only successful revolution and that violent revolutions are destined to fail and are – in fact – as bad the oppression they fight against. This, obviously, does completely ignore the fact that… most revolutions that were successful were either violent or had a violent revolutionary group cooperate with a peaceful revolutionary group. Just that again and again the violent groups will get erased from history.

The example most probably know about, is the Black Panthers, who served as an aligned group to MLK’s peaceful civil rights movement. Here, too, it often gets erased that the Black Panthers were closely aligned with MLK and were not a completely different group. Just as it is often erased from history, how the Black Panthers for example also helped feed and educate other underserved communities, including the poor white people.

We see the same again and again in the way we speak about history. A good example is decolonization (a process, mind you, that long has not ended). We kinda never go into how that happened. The usual narrative is: “Oh, yeah, western forces realized it was bad, so decolonialization happened.” Maybe we are talking about Ghandi, the peaceful revolutionary in India, and maybe we actually get told: “After WWII the western forces had no money left to uphold colonialism.” But, oh, what is that? No money left? But wasn’t one of the main things about colonialism that it was meant to extract value from the colonies? So should this not be a reason to hold up colonialism?

Yeah, no. Because here is the thing. In almost all colonies there were constant violent revolutions happening. And those had to be fought down with military power. Which was a costly endeavor. So costly, in fact, that in the end the colonies cost the western forces more money, than it brought them. But again, this gets erased from history. (Let’s face it, we do not speak about the ills of colonialism enough either way.)

But they (those who hold power) want us all to believe that it happened all through peaceful means. Because this way, we do believe that we, too, should rebel peacefully against the system that oppresses us and that destroys our environment. To put it frankly: They would not allow a form of protest, that actually worked.

And media? Well, media serves to uphold this myth as well. By telling us again and again that those rebelling and revolting through violent means are as bad, as those who uphold an oppressive and often directly or indirectly violent regime.

We need to make better Media

Something I see this in as well, is the reception of media and the lack of understanding of tropes and storylines, that might put you into the shoes of violent revolutionaries, who end up harming some innocent bystanders as well – at times a lot of them. Heck, even those trying to change the system that has oppressed them in a way that they are no longer oppressed, without a care for others get often judged as harshly, if not harsher, than the actual oppressors.

My two main fandoms are kinda an example of this. Both Arcane and Castlevania has this issue.

In Arcane the main issue is, that we have an obvious example of oppression of the poor. Piltover oppresses Zaun. And while the series kinda shows this, it also asks us to be very much on the side of Zaun, given that from the main characters only Ekko is exclusively aligned with Zaun, while everyone else is either at least partly aligned with Piltover or a bad guy. And sure, we do see that under Silco the poor suffer even more because of how he pushes his drugs. But… Well, he originally was a revolutionary and while Vander has given up the revolution he is the one to fight for Zaun independence, but yet… He is very much the bad guy, other than all those other characters who uphold the oppression. Which is… Not good.

I talked about the issue in Castlevania once again. Isaac. Here the issue is not as much with how the series is written, because for once the series actually has a somewhat good and understanding take. But… fandom has the issue here. Now, Isaac has been enslaved before. He ran away, after which he again and again was attacked and assaulted for either the color of his skin (this is after all the time that the first Europeans came up with the idea that Black people are less human than white people) or his religion. Given that this was all he had ever known, he at some point decided that it was how humanity had been – and hence that humanity should be extinguished. Which, if you have just a droplet of empathy, is kind of understandable. Not right, mind you, but understandable. Yet, a lot of folks have a lot more empathy for either Dracula or Hector, who partook in the genocide as much as Isaac did, than they have for Isaac.

This really… Is just not a good look.

And of course, all of this we see again and again in real life. Not only from the fascists themselves, who will claim there were “good people on both sides”, but even from more left-leaning folks. When marginalized folks get angry with their oppressors, they quickly get labeled as “as bad” as the oppressors. See Tone Policing. As a trans person I have been told several times by people, who identify as “left leaning”, that I am as bad as JKR and her posy, because I say that folks who support Rowling and her conservative fantasy shit are not really leftist and are definitely not queer allies.

So, yeah. Really. Fuck this thinking. Threating oppressed people rising up as the same as the oppressors is just shitty. And I just wish media finally let go of this shitty trope.

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paulsebert · 2 years

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As I get older I find myself thinking “you know this dude with a mace Captain America fights is right…”

#marvel comics #flag smasher #flag smashers #mark gruenwald

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giveamadeuschohisownmovie · 2 years

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I remember seeing a post where you mentioned how tfatws is the most conservative leaning show in the mcu and I can see why (the pro-military stance and the flag smashers being the more "left-wing" type of villains and they're the only ones that were all killed off without any chance of redemption). Are you worried about captain america 4 also falling into this and how do you think they'll or they should rectify these issues in the movie?

I'm pretty much expecting Cap 4 to be in the same way. Maybe not full-on right-wing patriotism, but definitely along the lines of "America is good, despite its problems". I can see the movie catering to the more moderate/centrist crowd, that both the far left and the far right are equally bad.

In terms of rectifying the issue, the easiest way would be to pair Sam Wilson up with someone who represents more progressive ideals. Sam is a moderate/centrist, so maybe he needs someone who can challenge him on his views without resorting to violence. Off the top of my head, Michelle Jones-Watson could fill in that role. I'm sure Zendaya would be down to do a Captain America movie.

Another easy solution: The villains are far-right. At least balance the scales out since the villains of TFATWS were far-left. Sam isn't biased, he just fights any group involved in terrorism.

#MCU #marvel #answered ask #the falcon and the winter soldier #falcon and the winter soldier #fatws #tfatws #falcon #the winter soldier #sam wilson #captain america #captain america new world order #samcap #flag smashers #karli morgenthau #michelle jones #michelle jones watson #anthony mackie #zendaya

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mo-2020ao3 · 1 year

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OK so I was re-watching FATWS and something that keeps on bothering me is the in episode four, where they’re talking about how to find Karli after Donya’s passing and Sam mentions his Titi (Auntie). He speaks about her like she was a pillar in the community (them having a big ceremony because of her passing), but never mentions her again and then later in THE NEXT EPISODE they talk about how impactful his parents were in the community in order to get help to fix the boat. What bothers me is that the show mentiones his Titi once and never speaks about her again when instead, they could’ve use Sam’s parents as the example and given them more depth to the idea that they where a key part of the community and their loss was felt; and so when their children ask for help, it makes sense the whole community, would chip in

Is what I’m saying make makes sense or do I sound crazy?

#the falcon and the winter soldier #tfatws #sam wilson #falcon #captain america #bucky barns #the winter solider #marvel #mcu #I need more sam wilson backstory #karli morgenthau #flag smashers #do I sound crazy #is it just me

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the-shared-brain-in-retrograde · 2 years

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Did you miss us?

This hasnt technically been Shared Brain approved, but @cassandrafey is doing stuff with other people (I know, rude, yall can be my besties instead) so I'm charging ahead. Plus I used the stuff I know she likes. Because, spoiler alert she's a big fan of all of this.

I've just finished my notes on the series. They're very long. And I had to take myself off for a little walk at one point. So...

Anyway. We'll be back on Saturday to tell you all about it.

love becks

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choppedcowboydinosaur · 2 years

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A lot of people complain about how Disney handles diversity whenever they replace red heads for black women. The funny thing is the one time they recently used a red headed actress it was the chick who lead the flag smashers. And she was just so badly written. I don’t know if that’s supposed to be funny or sad tbh.

#red heads #diversity #disney #flag smashers #karli morgenthau #mcu #bad writing

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fulcrumqueenrebelfriend · 2 years

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Phase 8: Kit Marshall- chapter 11

Chapter 1 >>

"Karli Morgenthau is to dangerous for you guys to be pulling this shit!" Walker put heavy stress on the last word.

"Ah! How'd you find us now?" Bucky teased, as they walked towards them.

"Come on. You think three Avengers can walk around Latvia without drawing attention?" Lemur stated, quickly walking down the steps.

"No more keeping us in the dark. You can start by telling us why you broke him out of prison."

"He did that himself, technically."

"This better be an unbelievable explanation." He threw his hands up in the air.

"Hey, take it easy before it gets weird." Sam stopped Walker.

"I know where Karli is." Zemo stated before walking around him.

He put a hand out to stop the baron, "well where?"

Marshall looked at Sam, making frantic hand gestures- signing- 'we can't tell him! He's a lunatic.'

"All we know is it's a memorial."

'Are you fucking kidding me Sam.'

"So we're gonna intercept her there." Wilson added.

"That means civilians. High risk of causalities." Lemur pointed out as they started to follow Zemo.

"All right, good, we'll move in fast. Take her by surprise." Walker instructed, formulating a plan.

"No, I wanna talk to her alone."

"I'm not losing her again."

"Look, the person closest to her died, she's vulnerable. If there's any time to reason with her, it's now."

"What? No. Wait, no! No! Stop! Hold on. Stop, okay. I think we're way past reasoning with her, unless you forgot the fact that she blew up a building with people still in it."

"Sam, you walk in there cold, she could kill you."

"And if I go in hot and the op goes wrong, more people will die."

"Are you gonna let your partner walk into a room with a super soldier alone?" Walker asked Bucky, completely ignoring Kit.

"He's dealt with worse. And he's not my partner." Bucky added the last bit almost as an afterthought, a reflex.

"I used to counsel soldiers dealing with trauma, okay? This is right in my wheelhouse."

"Yeah, I know. And I know those soldiers, which is why I know this is a bad idea."

"Wait John. If he can talk her down, it might be worth a try." Lemur told him.

He scoffed, but reluctantly agreed, "We'll deal with you later," he addressed Zemo.

"I'm sure it will all come to an agreeable conclusion. My associate is just up ahead." He walked over to her- others in tow.

"Hello my friend, this is for your family," he brandished some money out of his coat, giving it to her. "Can you show us the way?"

She gestured for them to follow her.

"What the hell?" Walker said to Lemur, following in the rear.

They entered what appeared to be a large boiler room, "Karli's in there," Zemo told them as the girl disappeared through the door.

"All right." Sam followed the path of the girl.

Roughly Walker handcuffed Zemo to one of the tanks, "Hey, you got ten minuets."

"Really?" Zemo complained.

"Then we're doing things my way."

"Aggressive." Zemo added. "But I get it."

Kit was sitting on the brick wall- the one Zemo was handcuffed to, Bucky was standing next to where she was, while Walker just stared at the shield. There was something seriously wrong inside that mans head. Kit regarded him, analysing the difference. John Walker is aggressive, Steve wasn't like that. Even in the midst of pure rage, he could never kill someone unnecessarily- good moral standards were at the core of every decision he made, regardless of his own emotional state.

John Walker is different. When he gets angry, morality is not his priority because ultimately he isn't a man of the people, he's a man who centres his own desires, no matter the cost. He doesn't stop to question himself because his ego won't let him.

Where Steve Rogers was measured, John Walker is impulsive. Where Steve Rogers looked out for everyone's best interests, John Walker looks out for his own.

Where Steve Rogers showed self-restraint, John Walker would definitely take the kill strike.

John Walker is not a good man- she concluded, satisfied at her thoughts she looked to Bucky, who was once again doing his thousand yard GI Joe stare.

Then suddenly Walker got up, pacing around the room, "Uh-uh. No, no, no. This is a bad idea."

"It hasn't been ten minuets, John. Just sit tight."

Marshall could tell, from Walkers body language, from his words, from his steps, that something was about to go down. Then she saw something click inside of him, he paced forward, "I'm going in." Kit jumped down, and Bucky stepped forward stopping Walker, "this is all really easy for you, isn't it? All that serum running through your veins. Barnes, your partner needs backup in there." Once again he disregarded Kit, something Steve had never done. "Do you really want his blood on your hands?"

Marshall was so sick of this guy, 'back off Walker.'

"What did she say?" Walker questioned Bucky.

"She told you to back off."

Walker stepped forward menacingly, "what?"

Kit was done with him.

Stepping even closer to her, stopping when his face was mere inchs away hers. "And who are you to tell me what to do? You can't even speak." She grabbed his arm twisting it back.

He curled his hand into a fist and aimed for the front of her face. His fist hit the corner of her mouth, splitting her lip, his second punch hit the bridge of her nose. Her blood splattered all over the ground of the boiler room.

Tasting blood, she did what appeared to be a silent growl as Walker stepped into a blazing roundhouse kick that rattled his skull. He started to fall until--

Marsh's other foot slammed into his rib cage, slamming him into the wall.

She pursued him and fired foot and fist into him repeatedly, like she was exercising on a heavy bag rather than hitting a person. Walker kneed her in the stomach, then they were on the ground wrestling.

As much was clear, she wasn't Steve, but neither was he- at least she didn't go around parading as him.

Lemar stepped behind her, as she predicted he would and he tried to pull her away from his friend. Finally Bucky intervened, "hey," he whispered as he pulled her back, she tried to break free of his grip. When he felt she had herself under control, he released her. Kit stepped forward and spat at Walkers feet, a mixture of blood and saliva.

'disgrace.'

@misogirl828

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hjbirthdaywishes · 2 years

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October 17, 2022

Happy 24 Birthday to Erin Kellyman.

#Erin Kellyman #Happy Birthday #Karli Morgenthau #Flag Smashers #The Falcon and the Winter Soldier #Marvel Cinematic Universe #MCU #Marvel #October #2022

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nitpickrider · 9 months

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If even Flag Smasher can tell at a glance that you're not the genuine article, it might be time to pack it in because you're not selling the uniform very well.

#marvel #marvel comics #marvel universe #marvel heroes #superhero #comics #captain america #john walker #flag smasher #karl morgenthau

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sjsmith56 · 9 days

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So Far Apart, Chapter 17 - Eyes of the Father

Summary: Still stunned by Bucky’s behaviour, Lacey decides to move to the city, hoping for a more normal life. After giving himself up, Bucky undergoes assessment before he is allowed to live in Brooklyn.

Length: 4.6 K

Characters: Lacey, Terry, Tommy. Bucky, Sam, John Walker, Flag Smashers.

Warnings: idiots in love, Bucky feeling adrift.

Author notes: This chapter covers several episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Rather than duplicate all the dialogue I chose to paraphrase the interactions with the characters and create new dialogue where needed. In making the Wattpad mood board for this chapter I put the title in an open space and realized that "So Far Apart" didn't just refer to Bucky and Lacey but also to the dynamics between Lacey and Clint, forcing her to leave the safety of the farm, Bucky and Dr. Raynor, Bucky and Leah, Bucky and Isaiah Bradley, and finally Bucky and Sam. I love serendipitous discoveries like that. Please reblog and comment as it helps the creative process.

<<Chapter 16

🚸 🍣 🚛

Lacey didn't want to hear it anymore so she walked outside in the middle of Clint telling her again about Bucky trying to give him a letter to her. As she could hear his anger erupting even further she walked towards the tree house, wiping the tears away from her face. She wished Clint had taken the letter so she could at least begin to understand why Bucky left her. There had to be a reason but until she heard it from Bucky herself everything else was speculation. Her phone, stuck in the back pocket of her jeans, rang and she pulled it out, standing in the middle of the field.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Lacey," said the clipped accented voice of Shuri. "I thought you would be at the memorial."

"I couldn't," replied Lacey. "Was Bucky there?"

"Yes, he was there," said Shuri carefully. "He looked terrible, like a man full of regret."

"Good," said Lacey. "What did he tell you?"

"That he made a terrible decision and hurt someone he loves," said the young scientist diplomatically. "Based on what he told me I think it was his PTSD that was talking."

"Well, I guess that can always be used as an excuse," replied Lacey bitterly. "He left me in the middle of sex, Shuri. Pulled out, took the condom off, said we were a mistake and left. What kind of man does that?"

Shuri sighed. "A man who is still afraid of his memories," she said patiently. "He had a vision of something the Soldier did and it frightened him as he thought he was capable of doing it to you. He flinched when I touched his arm; a sign of regression.

Lacey could feel her throat constricting as sobs threatened to overwhelm her. She breathed deeply several times trying to deal with it.

"Then it would have been better if he stayed away until he could deal with them," she finally said. "I can't be jerked around like that; not by any man. You tell him when he has his shit together I'll talk to him. Until then he should just stay away."

Shuri sighed again. This was going to be harder than she thought. "He has already turned himself in and we are leaving for Wakanda within the hour," she stated. "I don't know when I will see him again."

"Well, that's unfortunate for him then," answered Lacey curtly, then she softened her tone. "Look, I still love him but he hurt me deeply when he did that. Tommy is devastated. Until Bucky fixes himself Tommy and I can't be around him. If that's harsh then that's how it is. Thank you for trying though."

She broke the connection and kneeled down in the grass, feeling like she wanted to throw up. At first she was going to stay here on the farm but with Clint being so angry at Bucky she wasn't sure that was good for her and Tommy either. She heard her name and saw Terry coming towards her. Surprisingly he had said nothing derogatory about Bucky which surprised her. Standing up she faced her big brother.

"Clint is still pissed," he said. "I'm beginning to wonder if maybe it's time we moved on."

"I was just thinking that," she replied. "I could buy a new farm but honestly, I'm missing city life right now."

"How do you feel about moving to Philadelphia?" he asked. "I just got a text from my renter. They're moving out. Three bedrooms, penthouse. It's the only thing I own outright. Nancy will be nearby as well."

"I accept," said Lacey. "There's a school nearby, right? As long as I walk Tommy to and from school he should be safe. What will you do?"

"I've put out feelers to the university about coaching," he replied. "I think I would be good at it. Being around Tommy helped put things into perspective."

"You haven't said anything about Bucky," she stated.

He took a deep breath and looked away briefly. "Before you came down the stairs that night he and I were having a good talk," he said. "I think whatever he said to you, whatever he did, came from a place of fear that overwhelmed him. He was likely afraid of physically hurting you because that's the only thing I can see making him leave you. He just needs to find himself again. Then you have to forgive him."

"I don't know if I can," replied Lacey. "I don't know if Tommy can."

"You forgave me," he declared. "I was terrible to you many times over. Your forgiveness saved me. At some point you can save him with three words. That's the last I'll say about it."

They walked back to the house where Laura had finally succeeded in calming Clint down. Lacey thanked them for sheltering them for so long then announced that she, Tommy and Terry were planning to live in Philadelphia.

"What about your safety?" asked Clint. "You'll be visible there."

"If Sharon Carter could find me here I can be found anywhere," said Lacey. "I'll let SHIELD know and see if Wong can put a protection spell on the apartment. It's a penthouse, with its own elevator, right?"

She looked at Terry for confirmation. "Yeah, it's very secure," he replied. "I rented it out when Lacey asked me to live here during the Blip. Now that your family is back it's better if we give you your privacy. I'll be there. We can walk Tommy to and from school. It's time we started living normally."

Three weeks later they said goodbye to the Bartons and began the long drive to Philadelphia. They stopped in Toledo staying at a motel for the night then drove the rest of the way the following day with both of them sharing the driving. When they arrived at the apartment building the concierge let them into the underground parking and handed the pass keys to Terry, welcoming him back after his time away. The trip up the elevator took only a minute and when they got out Terry was happy to see his tenants had kept it up. The furniture and appliances still looked good and it was obvious a cleaning company had been in.

"They even bought us new bedding," he called out when he went into his room. "Nice people." He went out and picked up Tommy's bag leading him to a bedroom. "This can be your room. We'll get a desk and a computer for school work. There's a sports field nearby where we can toss the football around."

Tommy hugged his uncle while Lacey went to the third bedroom and put her bag on the bed. She could hear the traffic noise outside but it wasn't as bad as she expected. As she pulled her clothes out of the bag the origami heart fell out, along with the picture of Bucky in Bucharest. She picked both up and looked at them, then placed them in the nightstand with a sigh. Why did loving someone have to be so hard sometimes?

After a major grocery shopping expedition, and a phone call to the school for an appointment to register Tommy the next day the three of them sat down to a meal and began what they hoped would be a relatively normal life in Philadelphia. Terry was successful in becoming the receiver's coach for the university football team and would be checking in there the following day. Lacey had already advised her publisher of the move. Her bank account was healthy and she had an idea for her fourth book. She would be able to write in the apartment without interruption once Tommy began school. It was a new start and she would make the best of it.

🛌 💭

It was the Hotel Inessa in Russia. The Soldier burst through the wall and took out the entire security detail of his target, a Russian oligarch. Then he grasped the target around the throat and squeezed.

"Hail HYDRA" were the only words he said just before the man slumped to the ground, dead.

The sound of a man breathing in fear and trying to put a key in a lock reached him and he looked to his left. A witness. Taking several steps towards him the Soldier focussed his attention on the man who was whimpering now, turning towards him in fear. Calmly he took the gun out of his holster, aimed it right between the man's eyes and pulled the trigger.

Bucky sat up, breathing heavily, as he woke from the nightmare. Ever since he started living in Brooklyn, it was this particular nightmare that haunted him. Even leaving the TV and the hallway light on didn't stop it. He sat there, trying to calm himself. The worst part was that until he made amends it wouldn't stop but this atonement was the hardest one yet. Hard because he made friends with the victim's father, Yori, and knew the man still suffered over the murder of his son. Sighing he got up off the makeshift bed he made on the floor. Bed, he smirked, ... it was a blanket and a couch cushion. Stepping into the shower he ran some shampoo through his now short hair and washed his face and body, rinsing off and stepping out within five minutes. The shaver took off some of the excess stubble from his jaw and chin, just enough so it wasn't a beard. He liked the feel of it when he rubbed his jaw with his flesh hand. After looking at himself in the mirror he turned away, disappointed with the man he saw.

After spending a month in a secure facility, then another month undergoing psychiatric evaluation he had finally been deemed "safe" to live amongst people. They even gave him his army pension, adjusted for the length of time he was a prisoner of HYDRA, also adjusted for inflation. It was enough to rent this small flat and eat out once in a while. His lawyer was still working on the claim for compensation; he had all the files from HYDRA which showed that certain high-ranking Army officials at the time, who were also HYDRA agents, knew he was alive and being tortured into becoming the Fist of HYDRA. Bucky figured it would be a long time, if ever, before he saw any of it.

He went to what was supposed to be his bedroom but really was just where he kept his clothes and put on his black jeans, long sleeve black T-shirt and black boots. Running his flesh hand through his still damp hair he styled it, somewhat, then noticed the picture of Lacey, stuck into the frame of the dresser mirror. It was the one he took from her place, the one the CIA confiscated when they arrested him in Leipzig. His lawyer went through a lot of trouble to get Bucky's possessions from that arrest returned to him. The only possessions he really cared about were that picture, her first and second book, the crucifix Eleni gave him, and his memory books. Even though he knew he had irreparably damaged the relationship with Lacey forever he still liked looking at the picture, reminding him of that day and night they spent together. He did wish he had a picture of Tommy, especially with his birthday coming up. With regret he realized he didn't have an address to send a birthday present to him. Some father.

Grabbing his black jacket he whirled out of the apartment and took the bus to his appointment with Dr. Raynor, his therapist. They were like oil and water. She wanted him to talk while he just wanted to be left alone. She brought up that he hadn't answered any texts from Sam. There was a reason for that ... Sam had given the shield to the Smithsonian deciding he wasn't up to being Captain America. Bucky knew he couldn't talk to him without the bitterness of that decision rearing its head.

Once again Dr. Raynor went over the three rules; don't do anything illegal, don't hurt anyone, and make sure the people he was atoning to knew he was no longer the Winter Soldier. He was James Bucky Barnes. It was exhausting talking to her and while he had no doubt about her qualifications he wished he could have had someone else. She didn't know about Lacey and Tommy; at least she hadn't said anything about them and he wanted to keep it that way.

After he left his therapy appointment he headed out for lunch and came across his friend, Yori, in the middle of an argument with a neighbour, Unique, or as he said like Monique but with a U because he was unique. Bucky did all he could to keep his eyes from rolling on that reasoning. To his embarrassment Yori set him up on a date with Leah, the server at the sushi bar they went to. Still, she agreed to it and he decided to follow through.

The following evening he showed up at the sushi bar with a bouquet of flowers because that's what guys did in his day. To her it was funny, describing the gesture as an old fashioned thing to do and he found himself on the defensive from the get go. She was nice but she wasn't Lacey and he found it uncomfortable when she brought up Yori's son, R.J. Partway through the meal Bucky excused himself, to Leah's confusion and went straight to Yori's apartment, intending to confess to R.J.'s death but he couldn't get the words out and instead paid Yori some money he owed him. That night he had the nightmare again and woke up on the floor, feeling like shit, once more.

A few days later Bucky received a gut punch when the American government announced a new Captain America on live TV, a man by the name of John Walker, a three time Medal of Honor winner. Bucky sat on the floor watching Walker's interview on TV and couldn't believe the bullshit coming out of the guy's mouth, especially when he described Steve as being like a brother to him. The sour taste in Bucky's mouth at that point was almost enough to make him throw up. He received a text the following day from Sam that he was going to Munich on a mission. Angry at him for what he considered a betrayal of everything Steve stood for Bucky showed up at the base, flashed his veteran's ID and went to the hangar that Sam would leave from. As Sam came down the stairs with Torres to board the aircraft Bucky walked right up to him and told him he shouldn't have given up the shield. Sam ignored the anger in Bucky's voice and kept walking, until he couldn't ignore what Bucky said next.

"You knew this would happen?" demanded Bucky.

"No, I didn't know," replied Sam. "The shield was supposed to be retired, never to be associated with any other man. I was just as blindsided by this as you were."

"Tell them you want it back," stated Bucky.

"I can't do that," answered Sam, frustrated. "I can't tell them I changed my mind just because I don't agree with their decision."

They went back and forth some more, each getting angrier and more frustrated with the other until Sam put his foot down and told Bucky he had something more important to deal with. He brought up a picture on his cell phone of a man with a black mask, covered by a red hand and told Bucky the guy was strong, too strong. Bucky wasn't impressed so Sam told him about the Flag Smashers and how they were causing incidents across Europe. Then they got into a nonsensical conversation about the big three, aliens, androids and wizards. In frustration Bucky invited himself along on the flight to Munich on a military cargo plane, picking up a go bag he just happened to bring. After changing into fighting clothes, and setting himself up with a comms piece, he sat and glared at Sam the entire flight. Suddenly Lt. Torres, the intelligence officer on board, called out 30 seconds and Sam jumped out of the aircraft using his wings. Bucky asked for a chute, was told there wasn't one and with a cocking of his head, tore his left sleeve off, jumping out of the aircraft without one being only 200 feet up. Crashing through the trees below him Bucky landed on the ground, flat on his back, only to have Sam laughingly tell him it was all on camera. Sam sent Red Wing to guide Bucky to where he was, inside a building where the Flag Smashers were loading a hijacked shipment of suspected weapons into different trucks.

When Sam used Red Wing's instrumentation to see a person sitting inside the back of the truck just before it and another truck left they interpreted it as a possible hostage situation. As Sam flew out of the warehouse Bucky ran, catching up quickly to the truck and opening the back door to get inside.

"These are all filed with medicines," said Bucky, once he was inside. Suddenly a young woman shyly poked her head out from behind one of the containers and Bucky greeted her. She went back behind the container and Sam's voice asked him what was going on. She came out again, looking scared. "I found a girl. She looks terrified."

A smile broke across her face and she kicked Bucky in the chest, right out of the truck and onto the front of the truck behind. He swore as he held on to the grille of the truck. She put a Flag Smashers mask on then leaped onto the cab of the second truck at the same time he was pulled up by two other mask wearing men. The three of them began beating him so Sam sent Red Wing to fire on them but the woman leaped up, grabbed it and destroyed it. In response, Sam landed on the truck and engaged the woman but she tossed him to the other truck which also had three mask wearing people on it and soon found himself on his back. Just as one of the Flag Smashers was about to hurt him an object came out of the sky, hitting the man and knocking him over. As both Sam and Bucky watched, the new Captain America, John Walker, and his second, Lemar Hoskins, landed on top of the moving trucks from a helicopter. Using the shield Walker was able to knock several of the others off. The other Flag Smashers resumed their attack and Bucky fell off the side, using his vibranium arm to slow his descent and hang on. Trapped underneath the chassis of the truck he was unable to get back up. Sam flew alongside of him just as the chassis began to come apart. Flying directly into him Sam grabbed Bucky and flew him through to the other side of the truck, rolling over and over until they came to rest in a field.

He lay on his back after rolling off Sam, looking up at the sky. "I think you were right about them," he announced grimly. "They're too strong. They have to be super soldiers."

"Tell me something I don't know," groaned Sam, still hurting from the tumble into the field.

They pulled themselves up and made their way to the road, both wondering how there were suddenly a group of super soldiers on the loose. While they walked an army vehicle drove up beside them with Walker and Hoskins in it. Walker talked to them about working together which irritated Bucky to no end. They finally agreed to take a ride back to the airport with them and Sam told the other two that those people were super soldiers. As they talked back and forth Bucky finally had enough with what he saw as two guys who didn't understand what they were really up against and he got out of the vehicle, walking towards a nearby town. Walker tried to convince Sam to join him and Hoskins but even Sam felt insulted by the attitude and also got out, catching up with Bucky.

"I'm not working with him, Sam," declared Bucky, turning suddenly. "Neither of them. They don't have a fucking clue."

"Look, I know you're still pissed about the shield," said Sam diplomatically. "He seems to think we owe him our assistance which considering how he talked down to both of us is the last thing either of us wants. But we can't allow ourselves to be affected to the point where we're on the outside, looking in."

They arrived at the train station and were able to purchase a couple of tickets to the airport. Neither said anything on the trip there and even on the flight Bucky sat brooding while Sam observed him. Bucky brought up taking the shield back but Sam pointed out the last time that happened Sharon had to go underground and both he and Steve were on the run for two years. Grimly, Bucky stood up and sat next to Sam, then looked at him seriously.

"You need to meet someone," he said quietly.

He wouldn't say anything more until they landed back in the States. After changing into civilian clothes they took a train to Baltimore and Bucky took Sam to an ordinary two story house. He knocked on the door and it opened to a young black man who looked suspiciously at both of them.

"We want to see Isaiah, please," said Bucky.

The young man who answered refused to let them in until Bucky said one more thing. "Look, tell him the guy from Goyang is here," he answered. "He's knows who I am."

The young man closed the door while they waited. Bucky offered little explanation and Sam began to wonder what was really going on. When they entered there was an old black man standing in a darkened living room, defiantly staring at them, especially Bucky. When he spoke to Bucky his voice was full of venom.

Bucky introduced Sam to him as Isaiah Bradley. By the conversation between Bucky and the old man Sam realized that Isaiah was another super soldier, one unknown to history. He had defeated the Winter Soldier in a physical confrontation in 1951, destroying his artificial arm. Isaiah's anger and bitterness spilled out of him as he detailed the reward he got from the military after defeating the Soldier, 30 years in prison and countless experiments performed on him as they tried to duplicate the serum that had worked on him. Bucky told him about the other super soldiers he and Sam encountered. But Isaiah didn't want to hear about it and ordered them out of his house. Sam was angry as they walked down the steps. Angry that there had been a black super soldier but no one knew about it. Angry that Bucky never told him before that day. Bucky explained he never told anyone about Isaiah, knowing that the man just wanted to live in peace.

Before Sam could say anything more a police siren sounded near them and two policemen got out of their squad car. Sam looked grimly at Bucky, expecting to be harassed for yelling at a white man. As the situation escalated Bucky finally asked if they knew who Sam was. Looking closely at them one of the cops whispered they were Avengers and suddenly their whole attitude changed. Another squad car pulled up with its lights flashing. The first two officers came back and apologetically told Bucky he was under arrest for missing his therapy appointment. Looking resigned at Sam, Bucky went with the two policemen, offered his hands to be cuffed and allowed himself to be put in the police car. Sam made his way to the station and waited to see if he could bail him out.

After some time an older woman approached him and introduced herself as Dr. Raynor, Bucky's therapist. At first Sam thought she had bailed Bucky out but she told him she had nothing to do with it. At that moment Walker and Hoskins walked in, indicating they had Bucky released on condition that he and Sam work with them. Dr. Raynor protested that Bucky's therapy wasn't finished but Walker claimed jurisdiction on him. Irritated at having her therapy schedule affected she ordered both Bucky and Sam into an interview room for a quick session. She tried several different techniques with them, seeing the hostility between them but neither would budge so she ordered them to face each other and gaze into each other's eyes, which disintegrated into a staring contest. Finally she got Bucky to share why he was so aggravated with Sam.

"Why did you give the shield back?" asked Bucky. "Steve believed that you could do this, could take his place. He believed in you and you act like it was nothing."

"You know nothing about it," said Sam defensively.

"So he was wrong for wanting the shield to go to someone he trusted," interrupted Bucky, his voice rising. "At least it looks that way to me. Maybe he was wrong about other people as well. Maybe...."

His voice broke and he couldn't complete the sentence as he glared angrily at Sam, who looked at him with a combination of sympathy and disappointment.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," replied Sam. "You likely won't understand because ...." Sam couldn't finish his sentence but Bucky could guess what he was going to say. He looked down, not accepting Sam's words which made the man angry. "We don't have time for this shit right now. Let's focus on the job we have to do and then we don't ever have to talk again. Okay? You happy?"

Sam got up and left. Dr. Raynor looked at Bucky, feeling that she had totally missed the mark on this session. Bucky left right after giving her a look from the doorway that said plenty. Outside Walker and Hoskins were waiting for them and once again asked Bucky and Sam to join them. Once again they declined. As they walked away Walker told them to stay out of his way. When they were some distance from the other two Bucky brought up that HYDRA might be involved and if it was there was someone they needed to bring in on the mission. Sam looked at Bucky in disbelief at first. He thought about it for a several moments then stopped.

"Alright, let's go see Zemo."

Chapter 18>>

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