compared to the public memorials and art exhibits for tony stark and iron man, the smithsonian exhibit on captain america — they're public figures looming large in america's public consciousness. there's documentaries. there's interviews. longform articles from the verge about the future of stark industries, now that it's entirely in the hands of pepper potts. there's even a tasteful memorial at the wreckage of what was once the avengers compound, with informational plaques.
natasha romanoff, on the other hand, did so much of her work in the shadows. behind the scenes. the mark of a successful mission was no one ever hearing about it — and she was very good at what she did.
the grave is affectionately well-kept, though, and people evidently visit it. they drop off flowers. someone keeps it clean. the photos are of strangers; probably people who owe their lives to the avenger, and the sight always makes something twist in his chest, warm and bittersweet.
(would his own grave ever result in such tributes from grateful, adoring civilians? probably not. his ledger's drenched right through. that's fine, though.)
but on his visit today, bucky finally discovers the person who has, apparently, been keeping the grave clean: sweeping up fallen flower petals, swapping out the dead bouquets. there's a tight stillness in the blonde's shoulders which means she's evidently noticed him approaching— and assumed he was someone else, from the sounds of it. the man clears his throat. ]
Sorry. Didn't mean to disturb.
[ he's polite, his voice blandly american. when she looks at him, she'll see a darkhaired man in a hoodie, jeans, a leather jacket. he hasn't put any effort into trying to disguise himself or pull a baseball cap low over his head; he hadn't actually expected to run into anyone here. but civilians don't tend to recognise james barnes these days anyway: lately he doesn't look much like the dead-eyed, haggard monster which had been the winter soldier's face splashed over the news.
(an astute spy with an eye for faces, though, who's made a particular interest of studying her sister's life with the avengers and who's accustomed to disguises... well, that's no ordinary civilian.) ]
no subject
compared to the public memorials and art exhibits for tony stark and iron man, the smithsonian exhibit on captain america — they're public figures looming large in america's public consciousness. there's documentaries. there's interviews. longform articles from the verge about the future of stark industries, now that it's entirely in the hands of pepper potts. there's even a tasteful memorial at the wreckage of what was once the avengers compound, with informational plaques.
natasha romanoff, on the other hand, did so much of her work in the shadows. behind the scenes. the mark of a successful mission was no one ever hearing about it — and she was very good at what she did.
the grave is affectionately well-kept, though, and people evidently visit it. they drop off flowers. someone keeps it clean. the photos are of strangers; probably people who owe their lives to the avenger, and the sight always makes something twist in his chest, warm and bittersweet.
(would his own grave ever result in such tributes from grateful, adoring civilians? probably not. his ledger's drenched right through. that's fine, though.)
but on his visit today, bucky finally discovers the person who has, apparently, been keeping the grave clean: sweeping up fallen flower petals, swapping out the dead bouquets. there's a tight stillness in the blonde's shoulders which means she's evidently noticed him approaching— and assumed he was someone else, from the sounds of it. the man clears his throat. ]
Sorry. Didn't mean to disturb.
[ he's polite, his voice blandly american. when she looks at him, she'll see a darkhaired man in a hoodie, jeans, a leather jacket. he hasn't put any effort into trying to disguise himself or pull a baseball cap low over his head; he hadn't actually expected to run into anyone here. but civilians don't tend to recognise james barnes these days anyway: lately he doesn't look much like the dead-eyed, haggard monster which had been the winter soldier's face splashed over the news.
(an astute spy with an eye for faces, though, who's made a particular interest of studying her sister's life with the avengers and who's accustomed to disguises... well, that's no ordinary civilian.) ]