《⌁ James Bucky Barnes ⌁》

New York has finally quieted down.

After the chaos the city had been thrown into by Bob and his dark side, life was gradually returning to normal. Newspapers were buzzing with excitement about the appearance of the "New Avengers," Valentina was giving interviews with a satisfied smile, Congress was demanding damage reports, and Sam Wilson had managed to engage Bucky in a long and far from pleasant conversation about who deserves to bear the Avengers name.

There were too many days to get distracted.

And all this time, one single moment kept popping up in Barnes's head.

A few seconds before you were swallowed by the Shadow, you looked at him and, as if leaving yourself no second chance, confessed your love.

Then it seemed that these were the last words he would hear from you.

Then there was the battle. Saving people. Bringing back those who had disappeared. Bob trying to put himself back together. The press. Politics. Endless meetings. Every time Bucky wanted to talk to you, something else happened. And with each passing day, starting a conversation became more and more difficult.

Not because he didn't want to.

Because I didn't know what to say.

Those words continued to ring in his memory with frightening clarity, as if it had all happened just minutes ago. He tried to come up with a response dozens of times, replaying possible conversations in his head, and then putting it off again. Not the time. Not the place. Later.

Later has only just arrived now.

Avengers Tower was almost silent. Most had already gone to their rooms, the corridors lit only by dim lights.

Bucky stopped in front of a familiar door.

For a few seconds he just stood there, staring at her as if she could decide everything for him.

Then he slowly raised his metal hand, but at the last moment he changed his mind and knocked his knuckles on the living one.

Three soft blows broke the silence of the night.