THE FADING FALLEN ● Bucky Barnes X OC ● 18+ ● ENGLISH [COMPLETE]

Chapter 9

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Emilia had let Steve take control of the Quinjet. Behind him was Bucky in one of the seats, while she sat on one side of the cockpit in front of a screen that showed the destination in Siberia.

Initially, she had expected a comment about the assignment of duties. But the soldier remained true to silence.

At least until Bucky's guilty conscience about the Avengers' future whereabouts set in. He blamed himself, after all he believed that he was the reason for the whole mess.

What he said saddened not only Steve, but Emilia as well.

"I don't know if I'm worth all this, Steve."

"What you did all those years... It wasn't you. You didn't have a choice."

"I know... But I did."

He struggled with the actions he committed as a Winter Soldier.

Although this Sgt. Barnes had managed in such a short time to make her suddenly find him obnoxious, Emilia felt for him - despite her audibly muttered comment.

"And don't forget to shout 'Jenga' when everything falls apart..."

"Who or what is 'Jenga'?"

Steve's question snapped Emilia out of her thoughts. Two confused faces looked at her. Only then did she realize that she spoke them aloud. And, that neither of them knew what she just compared her life to.

"Huh? Oh... Just a game."

It was no different for her than it was for Bucky. She was also under some mysterious control. Even though there was no proof, she secretly felt responsible for the deaths during her blackouts. But he couldn't guess that.

Emilia felt his criticizing gaze literally pierce her. As if she didn't know how hard it was for him. The longer he stared at her like that, the more indignant she became. She didn't avoid him an inch.

"Do you ever feel the need to tell someone to shut up, even when they aren't talking?"

At her insinuation, Bucky just turned his eyes in exasperation.

"Keep rolling your eyes like that. Maybe you'll find someone else back there to piss off! You're lucky... At least you can remember something."

Her piercing and almost depressed voice rang through the cabin. The same moment she uttered it, Emilia regretted her unkind tone.

"I didn't mean... well... I don't know what's worse: being able to remember or not."

Bucky turned to her again. He didn't know what she meant by that, nor did he answer. The only thing he thought he could detect in her downcast mood was a hint of sorrow.

Only then did he realize how much she seemed to be struggling with it. He knew that only too well himself.

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From the freezing cold, it was straight into the African heat.

After the dramatic events at the former Hydra base and what she had learned, Emilia also still had the shock of seeing the badly injured Bucky in her bones.

That the Winter Soldier was responsible for the deaths of Tony's parents brought Emilia back in time for a few moments on the flight to Wakanda.

She could understand why Tony had been so freaked out and Bucky had shot his left arm off in the fight. Still, she didn't approve. Especially not after all she herself had done.