Work Text:
“Aren’t you Bucky Barnes?”
Bucky looks from the museum exhibit plaque down to the inquisitor. Apparently the ball cap isn’t enough to hide his identity. A young boy beams up at him, one front tooth missing.
“You are,” he whispers, eyes growing wide.
Bucky holds a finger up to his mouth and the boy nods, complying.
“Did you really know the first Captain America?” The boy whispers.
Bucky glances around quickly, scanning the room for a caregiver, but not seeing anyone. He nods toward a nearby bench, and they both take a seat.
“Are you here with a grown-up?” Bucky asks.
"Yeah, but my baby brother threw up so my mom is in the bathroom changing him. She told me to stay in this room."
"Okay," Bucky says, silently vowing to stay here until his mom returns to keep an eye on him.
"So… did you know him?" The boy asks, nodding toward a large photo of Steve in his first Captain America suit.
"Yeah, he was a good friend of mine. We grew up together."
"What was it like being a soldier?" He asks as his legs dangle from the bench seat.
Bucky steeples his fingers while he thinks of an appropriate way to explain war to a child.
"It was scary most of the time," he starts, "but if you found something or someone to fight for, it made you brave."
"Who did you fight for?" He asks, looking up at Bucky.
Steve, he thinks, but doesn't say it. He settles on, "Everyone I loved."
"My mom says you were a ladies man," the boy retorts.
Bucky laughs and shakes his head. "I'm not sure how that rumor got started, but I did love to have my fun."
"Mom!" The boy exclaims, jumping up from the bench. "Come meet my friend!"