No-One But You (The Zephyr Endeavor)
Chapter 29: (s)AINT (Part 9)
A man named Eugene Strange was looking out toward a large lake that was just outside the Strange family home.
He was thinking about his children… Stephen, Victor, and Donna crossed his mind in that moment, but then he looked toward his left.
Another man stepped out of the old home, and onto the porch. Bucky Barnes was his name in some circles, but Eugene was learning that there was so much more to the story.
Howard Stark called him Bucky, while his daughter Donna called him James. That always interested the father of three, but he didn't speak on the matter for a long while.
A very long while, but now the young man was staying there and lending a hand on the farm. James was smart, and a hard worker. Eugene wasn't opposed to his presence or help at all, but a conversation between them was always in the works.
You see, James Buchanan Barnes did something there in Nebraska a lonnnnnggggg long time ago, and Eugene still felt cross about it.
Very cross, but the man never said a word. His sharp eyes just followed Bucky's movement toward the front steps, and he listened as the young man thanked him for the food, the work, and all the hospitality.
…
"You thank Beverly for all that. Not me.."
…
Beverly Strange insisted on having Bucky Barnes stay there for dinner. His friend Steve Rogers was there as well, so that put their conversation about Donna on ice.
Now Steve Rogers was gone, and the work was considered done for the day, so Eugene decided to seize the moment.
…
"Howard Stark tells me that you're really from the year 1937? Is that true?"
…
Bucky was looking out toward the lake as well. He was recalling something that was said to him by Stephen Strange. A long time ago, Stephen shared a tragic detail about his sister Donna. She died out there. Stephen told him that she drowned…
He heard Eugene's question, so Bucky turned to look in his direction. He had a feeling Eugene and Stephen were very similar. They both were icy and stern, so the not-so-winter soldier took his time responding.
That ice was never a roadblock for Bucky Barnes, so he did what he could to remain unaffected.
…
"Yes. I was brought to this dimension from the year 1937, by an organization called S.H.I.E.L.D."
…
Eugene gave the response a contemplative look. He thought for a moment that Bucky being from 1937 meant that they were similar in age, but looking at the young man before him squashed the idea.
…
"Shouldn't that have affected your chivalry in some sense? Or were you already a deviant back in 1937?"
…
Ah. Bucky closed his eyes after that icy comment was finally dished out. He kinda expected Donna's father to say something about what they did years ago. They left that farm together in the middle of the night, then Donna started living with him back in Brooklyn.
…
"Donna felt insulted here. She wanted to leave, and I helped her accomplish that."
…
There was no need to beat around the bush. Bucky knew exactly what Eugene was talking about. He took Donna from her parents home, but the rest of it was none of their business.
They started dating after all that, but Donna kept their relationship distant from her parents. All of that was ancient history now, in theory, and a lot had happened after Donna left him. Bucky was still processing.
Being in Nebraska helped, so he planned to be honest with her parents if he had to. He took a page out of Steve's book, cuz honesty truly was the best policy..
…
"And what is your intention with Donna now? I understand she left you, and you brought someone else around shortly after."
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"My intention has always been to do things on her terms. I told her where I'm at and what I want, so Donna can simply take it or leave it."
…
That conversation happened at the Kamar taj, but Bucky was bound and determined to take things slow. He wasn't over what happened with the Black Widow by a long shot.
Natasha broke his heart and soul, and as for Donna Strange?
Well, that really boiled down to Donna figuring out her intentions, but her father didn't need to know all that. Eugene pondered how James Buchanan Barnes responded and what he said. It was a simple response, to the point, and the father preferred that sort of language.
…
"Well, I suggest you think back on how things were done in 1937 before you ever move forward here. If you're a deviant, then stay true to your nature and leave. That behavior will never be welcome here."
…
Eugene had a low voice, just like Stephen, but man did it have a force to it. Bucky understood the language being used in that moment, and he only gave Donna's father a small nod.
Bucky had been up to no good for a long time. It affected every relationship he'd ever had in his life, and the not-so-winter soldier was slowly understanding that.
He didn't want to leave things on a sour note at all. Deep down, the man wanted Eugene's approval… and Stephen's.
Bucky almost confessed something about Donna to the father of three, but the timing on it didn't seem right. So, the somber brunette kept himself silent for a long while, leaving Eugene to make his way back into the house.
Chapter: END
Thanks for reading.