Who Killed JFK?
"I never took you as a conspiracy theorist Rogers." Stark laughed with amusement as he twisted the screw driver. The left glove of the Iron Man suit was on his wrist while he worked out minor kinks with a screwdriver in his right hand. His eyes were focused on it as he spoke to the group.
The Avengers lounged around the large sitting room, most taking a seat on one of the lavish leather chairs surrounding a glass coffee table. Thor's hammer sat on said coffee table taking up an obnoxious amount of space. Barton's bare, and quite stinky feet, took up most of what was left, so most of the team held their drinks in their hands or placed them on the leather arm rests of the chairs they were sitting on. Bucky sat on one of the arm rests, still unsure of his place on this team. Nat and Steve insisted he was a part of it, but the others didn't seem to think so. He couldn't blame them.
Natalia rested a hand on his knee trying to give him something to ground himself to. Her fingers rubbed the fabric of his pants in small circles. He appreciated it. She always knew what to do to help him remain collected. Always knew how to give him a sense of foundation. She laughed with the others while Stark rambled on about his theory on the moon landing, all the while remaining next to him with a constant touch to remind him he wasn't alone. They hadn't exactly made their relationship public, and they certainly had not told the team about their past. Aside from Steve no one else knew that they had known each other or that Bucky had been the one to train the know infamous Black Widow.
By now most of the team knew they were seeing each other, they did not know that it wasn't the first time they had been together. But regardless of what they knew or didn't know they seemed to ignore the fact that they were now together. He wasn't sure if they ignored it because they didn't trust him, or if they ignored it because they didn't dare comment on Natasha's life and the choices she made. Either way he was grateful for it. He needed something to himself when the rest of the world was trying to pick apart his life and decide if he belonged in a prison, a mental institution, or dead.
He didn't care for the conversation between the team now. Far too much of history had been influenced by himself, or had gone by while he was under the ice. It was hard to catch up on that many years. Harder to want to.
"So tell me Rogers, if you don't think that Princess Diana's death was an accident, who killed JFK? You can't convince me you believe that it was Oswald. You don't seem to believe anything put out for the public to believe." Stark's mouth turned into a grin but his eyes remained fixed on his arm while flexed his fingers and made another adjustment with the screwdriver.
Steve laughed and shook his head tossing his hands up in the air. "I'm not saying it wasn't him, but I don't believe he did alone. The facts just don't add up. I don't know, maybe it was the CIA, or S.H.I.E.L.D."
Barton nodded his head in agreement before taking a sip of his dark liquor. Thor looked around confused once more on the topic. "You mortals speak of such insignificant moments in time as if they are the most important things to worry of. Should you not focus on more important things? Such as the Midgard serpent? Or perhaps Ragnarok? Both of which are far more worrisome than a mere mortal losing their life surely?"
Natalia shook her head, red curls bouncing around her face as she laughed at the god's comment. "Think of it like someone murdering one of your kings or who ever runs Asgard these days. It may not matter to those outside of Asgard as much but it matters to those living through the time of the event, and it effects things for many of their actions going forward. Especially when the explanations given don't seem quite right."
"Impossible, the Kings of Asgard would not fall to such foolish men. And if they did it would affect all not just those of Asgard. Even you on Midgard would feel the change."
Bucky could feel Nat's eyes roll at Thor's response. The man was a lost cause in almost anything pertaining to earth and its history, but provided a great deal of entertainment.
"I've got to agree with Steve, it just doesn't make sense. What I wouldn't give to read S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files on that day. They've got to have information we don't something that makes it all add up." Sam Wilson nodded holding his drink towards Steve. Sam was one that Bucky wasn't sure his feelings towards him. He had helped Steve bring Bucky back, but had clearly never trusted him. Not that Bucky could blame him for that.
Banner shook his head "I don't think Oswald was a part of it. The government needed a fall guy. They always do. Pinned it on him and the American public believed them just like they always do. Take a normal guy and turn him into a monster by changing the way the public sees them. Funny how quickly the general public will change their mind when you throw a couple lies at them."
It made sense for Banner to feel that way. For years he had been hunted by the government, made to be a villain when in reality he was just trying to figure things out. Figure out how to deal with two wildly different personalities. Bucky understood that, perhaps better than most in the room. Neither one of them had had control over what happened. They were at the mercy of another, forced to do terrible things that hurt many.
"It seems most are in agreement then. Oswald wasn't the only one, or as some have stated, possibly wasn't involved at all." Stark set the screwdriver down and leaned his elbows onto his knees, lacing his fingers together. "And what about you Barnes? You have yet to give your input on this topic, or any of them?"
Bucky looked up confused. Stark avoided him at all costs, he never spoke to him let alone acknowledged him. Bucky knew why. He had killed Stark's parents. Rather the Winter Soldier had killed his parents. Hyrda had wanted them dead, but more than that. They had wanted the test 'Super Soldier Serum' that Howard had been working on with the last of Roger's blood. They had plans for the serum, and wanted Howard out of the way for any future developments. But Stark didn't see it that way. To him Bucky and the Winter Soldier were one and the same. Stark had seemed to move past his complete hatred but that didn't mean he liked him. He allowed him to stay on the compound but rarely interacted with him.
Bucky looked down at his own drink biting his lips. He tried to stay out of the conversations for the most part. It was just easier. No need to worry about saying the wrong thing and making someone mad. He contemplated the answers he could give. His mind wanted him to say he didn't know. But he did. He knew exactly what happened, he didn't need S.H.I.E.L.D. or CIA files to know. If he closed his eyes he could picture it all clear as day.
Natalia rubbed his knee and looked up at him with a comforting smile. She knew. She had to know. Even if he'd never told her. Steve as well. They had to have connected the dots. There were so many signs if one knew where to look and the two of them always seemed to know.
"Got an answer or you just gonna leave us all hanging?" Tony had stopped fiddling with glove and stared at Bucky. He knew. Bucky could feel it. He had to know with the way he was staring at him.
"Tony." Steve looked at the brunette and narrowed his eyes.
"It's fine Steve." Bucky muttered. The first time he had spoken since the party had be begun. Natalia's gave his knee a squeeze and he focused on the feeling. Calming his breathing before he looked up again.
Tony looked between the two men and smirked. "So who did it Barnes?"
"I did."
Steve's head dropped into his hands immediately. Barton looked up with a laugh. "Of all the theories that one really is out there. Dont get me wrong, yeah you were the Winter Solider, great kill record blah blah blah, but really what reason would Russia or Hydra have to take Kennedy out?"
Nat shook her head and sighed. "Clint you can't be serious. What reasons wouldn't they have? He was President of the United States at the time after all."
Barton shrugged and shoved one of the few remaining cookies into his mouth.
"Oswald was used as a scapegoat once the government got too close. Easier to blame one sleeper agent than have them confirm the existence of the Winter Soldier. Better to keep your top weapon a secret until you have no choice." Bucky didn't bring his eyes up to meet any of them. He couldn't. They knew who he was, his history. But it was different when they were focused on a mission of his.
"It was one of my few missions on American soil. They didn't like risking sending me 'home' but they figured it had been long enough and they needed Kennedy out of office. Worth the risk they said. And I complied."
The room sat in silence. The Avengers exchanged glances between each other. The mood had switched from fun and lighthearted jokes about conspiracy theories to somber once the truth had come out. He should have kept quiet. He should have known better. But Stark wouldn't stop. Even know the smug look on his face. He had known and he had done it on purpose. The man had every reason to hate him and drag him down. Bucky couldn't be mad at him, but the frustration still bubbled. Why had he let the man bait him into the trap?
It was one thing to know the Winter Soldier had done terrible things. Another to put his name behind the murder of a beloved president. If they knew how many more he had killed none of them would talk to him again. They would hate him and would push for him to placed in a prison just like the rest of the world.
"So Reagan, was that the Winter Soldier too?" Barton looked him in the eyes, but Bucky couldn't tell if he was serious or trying to joke.
Bucky shook his head. "If it had been me, I wouldn't have missed. I helped train the man but it obviously didn't stick."
Barton laughed and nodded "Understood Soldier. Missing a shot is not your thing, mine either. I think we are going to get along very well."
The blonde stood, dropping his glass on the spot where his feet had been resting only moments before. "I think I'm going to head off to bed, but in the morning Barnes I think you and I will have a great sparing session. Should we say 8?"
Bucky smiled and nodded to the man. Not the reaction he had expected but it was nice. He needed it. He longed to feel welcomed in the group and it was nice to feel it coming from someone other than Steve and Natalia.
Natalia stood and placed her glass next to Clint's "I believe I will be retiring to bed as well."
"Beauty rest?" Stark asked with a smirk.
She narrowed her eyes at the man and shook her head. "You are the one who should be worried about beauty rest Stark."
Bucky let out a soft chuckled and Tony's glare turned to him immediately. So maybe he wasn't going to make friends with Tony any time soon, but he was warming up to the team. Progress was progress. He would take what he could get and be grateful for it.
He stood to follow Natalia out of the room, raising his glass to his lips he swallowed the last bit of alchol and set the cup down before leaving the room with out saying another word. He gave nod to Steve and stepped into the hallway.
"You handled that well Soldat."
She didn't turn to face him but continued down the hallway, her hips swaying with each step, red hair moving across her back. He picked up his pace to catch up to her and she finally turned to face him. She slid her hand into his and pulled him closer.
"I'm very proud. They deserve the truth, trust me it will work much better for both sides if you don't try to hide it. You've got Barton warming up to you."
He shrugged and laced his fingers with hers. "I've got you, that's all I really need."
She laughed and brushed away his stray hair. "James, what will you do if I have to go on a mission? Sit silently on the couch and stare daggers into Tony's soul?"
He chuckled and pulled her closer. "Who says you're going on missions without me? Besides I've got Steve."
"Calm down there James, you did just admit to killing the 35th president of the United States. It might take a while before S.H.I.E.L.D. brings you in."
"You're saying there's a chance?"
"Steve and I are doing the best we can. Keep Barton on your side and you might have another voice speaking up for you."
He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. A chance was all he needed.