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The Watchtower was quiet, the high energy of the party was beginning to fade.
The New Avengers had returned from a successful mission, one that hadn’t involved someone tripping an alarm or Alexei loudly declaring himself to the enemy.
For once, the mission went well, and they celebrated it.
Upon one of the tower’s many balconies stood Bucky Barnes, former congressman turned Avenger. He donned dark trousers and blue shirt, several buttons undone. He leaned against the barrier peering into the night, cigarette dimly glowing in his metal hand.
“Hey Buck,” you speak quietly.
He turns, and then gives a small soft smile. “Hey doll.”
You step forward, shivering slightly at the chill in the air, and wrap your arms around yourself.
Bucky watches carefully as you step forward, then pulls his blazer from its position on the barrier.
“Here,” he holds it out.
“Thanks,” you pull it on, the dark material encircling you, you breathe in and smell him. “What’s with the…?”
You gesture vaguely to the cigarette.
“Old habit,” he admits. “One of the few things that remind me who I was.”
“Oh,” you approach, leaning next to him. “I will leave the lecture about your health then.”
He chuckles quietly. “Sam gave me that lecture long ago.”
You smile. “As long as you aren’t doing twenty a day.”
“No,” he takes a long drag, then holds his head back to exhale the smoke into the air. “The serum neutralises any effects, positive and negative. I find smoking nostalgic.”
“Need the reminder who you are?” You ask.
“Yeah,” his voice dipped. “Sometimes I question how much of myself is Bucky and how much is the Winter Soldier.”
“Does it matter?” You ask softly. “You don’t belong to anyone but yourself. The Winter Soldier, the White Wolf, Bucky Barnes. They are all who make you who you are.”
“Hm,” he takes a final drag before extinguishing it against the barrier, leaving a scorch mark against the metal. “Nice thought.”
You shrug. “I believe it, and so should you.”
“Thanks doll,” his right hand reached over to brush your cheek with the back of his hand.
“Anytime,” you breathe, warmth filling your cheeks.
Bucky straightens, and offers his hand. “Let’s get you warm, and maybe a coffee?”
“Coffee sounds good,” you take his hand, allowing the warm feeling fill your chest.