Chapter Text
As part of Bucky's pardon for the Winter Soldier's crimes, he had mandatory therapy. Part of that therapy was that he had to make amends to those affected by the Winter Soldier. He had a list and on that list was Emily and Lily Pruitt. Emily was widowed when the Winter Soldier blew up her husband's car. Collin wasn't a target, just collateral damage. Lily, Emily and Collin's daughter barely knew her father since she was a toddler when he was killed.
For weeks, Bucky had followed and watched the Pruitts wondering how he was going to amend his wrong doings. Practicing his little speech to himself.
"I am no longer the Winter Soldier. My name is James 'Bucky' Barnes and you are part of my efforts to make amends." He had it memorized but it didn't make it any easier to confront those he had hurt.
"Why are you talking to yourself?" Lily asked, passing by his motorcycle. Bucky looked at her, horrified that she may have heard him.
"I-"
"Lily, leave him alone!" Emily grabbed her daughter's hand. "Sorry about her. She- you're new to the neighborhood, right?"
"Me? I-"
"I've seen you around a couple of times." Emily told him. So much for trying to be incognito.
"I- uh- yeah. Moved here a month ago." He lied.
"How are you liking it?"
"Its a nice neighborhood. Quiet compared to where I'm from." He told her.
"Can we invite him to the cookout?" Lily whispered to her mother.
"I don't know if you'd heard, but the town has this potluck cookout once a month at the park if you're interested."
"Oh. Yeah. I- I heard- when is it?" Bucky asked.
"Its this Saturday!" Lily piped up, excitedly.
"This Saturday? Okay." He nodded. "You said it's a potluck?"
"Yeah! Everyone brings a dish." Emily replied.
"We're baking brownies!" Lily's excitement made her mother laugh.
"We've got to get going, but I'm Emily and this is Lily."
"I'm Bucky."
"Bucky?" Lily made a face.
"It's a nickname." He told her.
"It's nice to meet you, Bucky. See you on Saturday." Emily and Lily left him on his bike. He watched them walk to their car. That was much more painless than he anticipated, but now he was stuck going to some cook-out. He didn't even live in the area. Too late now.