video + action

[outstandingbalance]

Who: Natasha Romanoff
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Vanquish & Heron
When: Now

[The video begins with Natasha's face, the picture close to crop out most of the background, though what little is visible would seem to indicate she's in a cargo bay. Her expression is largely stoic, but she looks tired—and her bleach job is growing out, showing red roots.]

For those of you who hadn't noticed yet, Captain Barnes form the Heron is gone. You may have known him as Winter or Bucky, depending on when and how you met. He left a few days ago and is no longer on the ship rosters.

I'm collecting his personal effects to sort and store. If anyone had an interest in any of his things, check in with me on the Vanquish.

[There's a slight frown around her mouth, like maybe she's second guessing making this broadcast in the first place. After her brief hesitation, she commits to finishing the message.]

I suppose, the same goes for Sam Wilson. I've been keeping most of his things since he left too.

[Then a thin smile.]

Congratulations to the new captains, and thank you for letting me raid your ships.

Comments

[unbearablynaive]

[He'll always associate Wrath and Winter together in his mind. That doesn't make it any better now that both of them are gone.]

Thank you, Natasha. Likewise, I'm glad you're the one taking charge of the rest.

[Because if there's anyone else still here who cared for Bucky more than Natasha, he sure hasn't heard about it.

A little later, he follows up with another question.]

Are both versions of Sam gone as well, then?

[outstandingbalance]

The one from our world is, at least. The other one... last I looked, he was still on the rolls.

Considering how close he and the other Barnes were, not sure it's fair to hope he'll be sticking around or not.

Wouldn't might keeping a familiar face around, though.

[unbearablynaive]

[He considers how concerned Sam had been at the other Bucky being asleep for a month. Yeah, not having to watch your loved one disappear would be a mercy.]

I'll gladly speak with him if he does stick around. I've missed Sam at home.

[And Natasha, and Steve, and of course he'd missed Wanda so badly he broke international treaties to see her again. And he'd reached out to each version here, but except for Natasha they'd still been distant. He supposes he shouldn't be surprised if they can't trust him, after Germany. But he still misses them.]

Those two, however. I hope they get to return somewhere else. Their version of home sounded terrible.

[At least with Winter, he knows that going back to their own world could potentially be very good for him. He doesn't know the details except that he's getting help, and he doesn't want to know the details so they can't be taken from him.]

[outstandingbalance]

That makes two of us. They've been through enough. THey deserve to retire somewhere peaceful.

Even more than our versions do. That's saying something.

[unbearablynaive]

[Aww, that makes him smile a bit, though of course it doesn't show in text.]

Indeed. Though I've known Sam at home long enough to believe he wouldn't rest easily somewhere peaceful if there was a job to be done.

[Bucky, though. Bucky could use a nice, long rest. Which was probably why this place had been good for him - for all its occasional stressors, it's such a very different environment from home that he could relax here, take the time to come to terms with himself and grow.

He's really going to miss the man.]

apparently i missed this sob

[outstandingbalance]

No. He wouldn't. I can speak from first hand experience on that one.

He'll do what he thinks is right.

[That's probably why he did so well in Wakanda too.]

<3

[unbearablynaive]

I won't forget.

Thank you for still being here.

[outstandingbalance]

Not planning on going anywhere else any time soon. Not that we seem to get a choice, but.

You're welcome.