Part ##
Coming here may be a mistake. But he knew he needed to confirm their claim. That his memories isn’t playing a trick to confuse him more.
Staying in the shadows (after he located all exit points), he studied each and every display on the exhibit. Especially the footage where he saw the target (no, that’s Steve, his friend-), himself (he looks different, an unknown) and the woman (he knows her, she is-). Clasping his head for the sudden pain, he went to a deserted part of the museum and leaned at the nearest wall he can find and breathes deeply to calm his crazed thoughts.
He felt like drowning.
Suffocated even.
Finally noticing the only display in the room, seems like this area is dedicated to the only Howling Commando that ‘died’ in the war - James Buchanan Barnes.
The Asset stares right thru his very own eyes.
A past long forgotten. Forcefully erased by Hydra so that they can utilize and shape him - their weapon - to its full capacity.
“I knew I’d see you here…”
Whipping towards the voice, the Asset raises a gun and then he saw her.
The woman from the bridge (she is somewhat important to him, she’s…) sits on the corner, directly facing the mural he is looking at.
She is his wife.
The woman looks just the same from the video and yet she doesn’t. Unchanged by time and yet…
He noticed her eyes (the same color of the bluest sky he barely remembers), she looks so tired as if she haven’t gotten enough sleep judging from shadows decorating them.
Silently, they looked at one another and the Asset saw a duffel bag beside her. Stepping away from her, his insides lurch involuntarily when her shoulder flinch from his actions.
“You shouldn’t be here.” He doesn’t even recognize his voice.
She stood shakily and it took all his will to restrain himself to aid her when she almost staggered.
Steadying herself, Naruto took her own calming breath and replied. “And where do you think I should be?”
The man before her remained silent and took another step back away from her.
“You don’t need to worry about anything,” Keeping her tears at bay, she looks at him and committed his face to memory. His face may look the same and yet it doesn’t. His hair is longer unlike the short tresses he prefers.
Older.
A stranger… even to her own eyes.
“I’m not going to stop you from whatever plans you have. After all, you just got your own will back to finally decide for yourself, am I right?” Gesturing the bag behind her, Naruto closes her eyes and kept her emotions in check.
“Take it. I made sure it has all the items you need especially a change of clothes, a few rations and some cash,” Clenching her fingers to stop herself from reaching out, the blonde was able to smell him. “It also got a cash card that is completely untraceable.” It was the same smell and yet entirely different. Foreign even to her senses.
With Kurama nudging her thru their bond, she finally took this opportunity (she knew it will take longer for him to accept everything that has happened) so she closes in and leaned her head towards his chest. Grasping the front of his jacket (the one on top of his heart) just to feel it beating.
That he is alive.
“Just promise me… you’ll take care of yourself. Alright?”
With a small nod, he gave her an unreadable expression but his hands (the cybernetic one) took hers and the tears started falling.
“I’m sorry.”
Wiping her tears away, she rolled her eyes at him and releases her hold. His hands still held hers clasping it tighter. Not painful though - but it was like that ‘night’.
An assurances of some sort.
“We both know who is to blame. And I am not judging you as to why you needed to do this.” With a shrug, she smiled at him. He frowned when he saw her smile. It doesn’t reach her eyes. It even looks painful.
“So… what now?” She tugs her hand back but his grip remains strong.
“Wait for me?” His voice feels hopeful and yet it sounds uncertain.
Naruto stilled when he suddenly took her into his arms. Embracing her just like before. She even felt him giving her a chaste kiss on top of her head.
Surprised, they both look at one another.
So she took his face gently and kissed him. Her heart may have stopped beating when he responded to her kiss.
It felt like she’s home.. and then he was gone, taking everything with him.
Her heart that felt so empty after his fall (the others just patched it all up) went cracking along the edges once more.
Dropping to her knees and covering her ears to stop the noise of his footsteps walking away from her, she wept. Letting her grief numb everything away.
It hurts. So fucking bad.
Worse than Sasuke’s chidori thru her chest.
The Asset almost stops and turn back when he heard the woman sob (she is his wife… his heart).
And all it took was his arm to recalibrate itself to remind him of his priorities (of what he had become).
His own tears started to fall as he took another step away from her. And then another.
After walking out of the museum’s premises, all the Winter Soldier felt was nothingness.
