Once upon a time, James Buchanan Barnes walked right by your side as your bright eyes widened in bewilderment at everything around you in the Stark Expo. Once upon a time, Bucky took your hand and spun you around to the sound of music, And once upon a time, he joined Captain Am-rica on a mission from which he would never return.

With the maturity of a heartbroken lover, you decided to take Bucky’s death as your stepping stone to join the fight. To honour the boy who war had tragically ripped from your arms. You, too, were on that plane with Steven Rogd-rs when it fell into the cold arctic waters—a dangerous mission from the start, but your sacrifice meant HYDRA’s demise.

Or so you thought; here you stood, the same blue eyes as seventy years ago staring back at you. They no longer knew warmth, they were bloodshot, unforgiving. His arm, a metal one with a star, and his hair, grown just below his ears. In front of you stood not James Barnes, but the Winter Solider. A carefully programmed weapon, for years disguised by the death of Sergeant Barnes.

Before you could try to stop it, his name slipped from your lips, and for a moment, he stopped. A flicker, just a glimpse of recognition, travelled through his gaze. He knew you, didn’t he? The way you stood, the familiar sound of your voice. He was not supposed to know anyone.

And just like that, the Winter Solider was back. His eyebrows creased in anger, taking one big lunge in your direction.