"It is," I say, managing to speak more clearly, the muscles of my neck relaxing as I get my breath back.
"I failed you in the war, I failed you after," I think, remembering the Cube in my hands, the way the power had felt and knowing what it could do, and not thinking, not thinking past the moment, "and if I ever leave this place, I'll fail you again by burdening you with something I couldn't even carry myself, in the end."
"You fight... so hard... and all the world does is fail you." I bow my head for a moment as my whole body curls over, going slightly rigid with a particularly strong stab of pain. It passes. I reach out, and already leaning forward gives me the extra few inches I needed. I grab Bucky's right hand and hold it tight, then manage to lift my head again and raise my eyes to meet his.
"Your hands- maybe. I can't take that knowing away from you. But not your fault, Bucky. None of it."
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"I failed you in the war, I failed you after," I think, remembering the Cube in my hands, the way the power had felt and knowing what it could do, and not thinking, not thinking past the moment, "and if I ever leave this place, I'll fail you again by burdening you with something I couldn't even carry myself, in the end."
"You fight... so hard... and all the world does is fail you." I bow my head for a moment as my whole body curls over, going slightly rigid with a particularly strong stab of pain. It passes. I reach out, and already leaning forward gives me the extra few inches I needed. I grab Bucky's right hand and hold it tight, then manage to lift my head again and raise my eyes to meet his.
"Your hands- maybe. I can't take that knowing away from you. But not your fault, Bucky. None of it."