he sees her.
and that's all that matters

or a slight twist in the aftermath of soldier's mask falling

The clatter of the Soldier's mask falling down on the asphalt is unusual and surprisingly loud, despite the surrounding racket and chaos. Or maybe it was just in Natasha's head. The moment it fell, she knew who she was about to see. She knew it would become real. Maybe it was her... fear? Could it be? Perhaps that was what made it so loud.

The soldier didn't seem to notice, and couldn't care less about losing it. It served more as a muzzle than it ever did as a mask. He wasn't supposed to have a voice. Not literal nor metaphorical.

Steve also didn't give a damn about the mask, as the Soldier turned and suddenly became his childhood best friend. The recognition and realization slowly creep in, still pushed back by denial and shock. He had no idea who he was about to see. He never knew and Natasha never told him. It wasn't her story to tell.

"Bucky?" just like the mask, Steve's voice seems too loud, reverberating through her head. Some invisible force makes her move, push away from the car she was leaning on, and take a step toward them.

"Who the hell is Bucky?" he manages to ask, his voice lacking the Russian accent she was so used to. There's no emotion other than slight confusion on his face. Then her shaky step catches his attention.

Steve doesn't notice her, his gaze fixated on a man he once knew, but their eyes don't meet.

Because the soldier's pale, blue eyes already see only her. His brows furrow slightly, his head tilts to the right gently. Natasha can hear her own heart beating. Too loud. She feels the warmth of blood, trickling down her shoulder from the open wound. But somehow it doesn't matter. She can see the memories slipping through the cracks of Soldat's facade. The cracks grow bigger, it's all starting to crumble.

He swallows, his eyes widen and flick to the side, before coming back and focusing on her. And suddenly she sees him.

James, not Soldat.

And just like she sees him, he sees her.

"Natalia?"

Everything is quiet. The overwhelming noise disappears. His voice also echos, but it's not unpleasant. It's familiar. Feels good and warm. Like home.

For a moment they are the only two people in the world.

And that's all that matters.