For Redacts

[ms_unknown]

Everything is a blur. Nat remembered waking up in a state of shock. She'd been dead. She knew that. Steve had been there. Somehow when he brought the stone back it undid things... or something. She wasn't quite sure how and she wasn't going to question it too hard. Steve didn't tell her much, just that they'd won, and that he wasn't going back. She couldn't blame him. He'd done enough, he deserved a happy ending. So he sent her back alone.

But everything was different. The world changed... and not completely for the better. She wasn't ready to face anyone who might be around the compound, and she'd spent the better part of the last 5 years cooped up there, so she decided to pack a bag and leave for the city.

Little did she know that she'd run into a familiar face there.

Comments

[redacts]

[ After everything, he just had to get away.

Unfortunately, his conditional pardon didn't allow for going off the grid, so Bucky settled for Brooklyn. Even with its shiny new coat of 21st century paint, Brooklyn was Brooklyn. He still had a lot to learn about what had changed, but a surprising number of things had stayed the same. Enough to be an anchor, anyway.

He didn't, however, expect to see a familiar face — or rather, a familiar shock of red hair in the crowd. In fairness, he shouldn't have; they'd told him later on what had happened with the stones, who had fallen in order to bring half the universe back.

It takes him a moment to shake off his surprise and react, raising his voice over the crowd. ]

Natasha?

[ms_unknown]

[One good thing about New York is that it's easy to be anonymous. People don't look around, don't notice anything they aren't looking for. She thought it'd be a good place to get her bearings and learn what she's missed.

Of course she'd be spotted by probably the only person as attentive as she is. She recognizes the voice instantly and turns to look towards it. Her eyes meet Bucky's and she can't help but smile, though it's a little tired around the edges.]

Barnes.

[redacts]

What—

[ What the hell are you doing here is what he wants to say, but there's a lot of people. And of course there are, it's New York, and what did he expect? He swallows back any questions, moving with the crowd towards her, and elbows her slightly, a light gesture to get her to move along with him. ]

Here.

[ There's a small coffee shop up ahead — quiet, even amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. He'd gone there a few times to clear his head. Seems like a good enough place to catch up. ]

[ms_unknown]

[Understanding, Nat follows him. Out of habit, she glances around to make sure they're not followed. Not that they would be, but some habits are hard to break.

Once they're in the quiet of the coffee shop, she raises an eyebrow at him.]

As verbose as always, I see. Good to see some things haven't changed.

[redacts]

I thought you were dead. Anyone'd be speechless.

[ He'd like to think he talks more these days, but anything is "more" in comparison to the last few decades.

With a shrug, he steps over to a table tucked off in the corner, pulling out a seat for her. ]

[ms_unknown]

[She's quiet for a moment, giving him a nod of thanks as she takes the offered seat.

This is a lot to process. She doesn't even understand it all. Looking at him as he sits, she shrugs one shoulder.]

I was dead. At least, I think I was.