The First Cut is the Deepest
Bucky and Joy had been spending a lot of time together the past few weeks. She had helped him get a computer so that he could start learning about everything he had missed in the last seventy years. She had taught him to use it, but he'd caught on quickly. He even was texting now, though she wasn't sure exactly why he'd wanted a cell phone- he called no one and only texted her. Cleo had been true to her word and said nothing about his metal arm. She always smiled at them when she saw them in the apartment halls, and winked at Joy every time Bucky wasn't looking. Cleo had told her that Bucky was "hot and she should tap that." And while the thought of such a thing wasn't an unpleasant idea, Joy knew that Bucky had a lot of stuff to figure out before any "tapping" could even be anticipated. Bucky wasn't after Joy, she was pretty sure. She just happened to be the only person he knew.
In regards to companionship, he was excellent. She tended to be somewhat moody and need time to herself, and he let her be and never pushed the issue. He never acted hurt or put off when she said she'd rather be alone than with him at the end of a long day. She'd never had that before.
Bucky was starting to feel human again. He had a friend, a girl who he cared about a great deal. In his eyes, anything she did was fine.
About three weeks after they had truly met, they decided to drive down and visit the Smithsonian for a long weekend. Bucky had been there briefly six months before, to see the exhibit dedicated to Captain America and all of the rest of his crew from World War II.
They took Joy's green VW bug and made the trip down, arriving mid afternoon. After going through an art museum and the science museum, they ventured into the Museum of American History. Theyd been poking around for a while when Joy noticed that Bucky wasn't beside her anymore. She looked around and couldn't find him. She retraced their steps and located him in an alcove. She went to stand beside him.
He was standing before the 9/11 exhibit.
The look on his face was soul crushing.
"This happened? To our country?" He hung his head. Joy nodded.
The country he had fought so hard to protect had been attacked. Thousands of innocent lives lost. He couldn't wrap his head around it. Joy hadn't realized that he hadn't known.
He reached for her hand. He laced his gloved metallic fingers through hers. They both stood in silence for a very long time. A lone tear slide down Bucky's cheek.