Mizpah 𝖃 Bucky Barnes

012. . . the interview

"Again thank you for sitting down with us today."

"'No need for all of that, it's fine really."

"So we spoke a great deal about the SSR and your journey to Agent Peggy Carter a week back, about your early days of S.H.I.E.L.D. Today we would like to move on to-"

"Steve and James, correct?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah."

"What was your initial reaction when you heard about project rebirth?"

"Oh I was worried, for sure. My dear small friend was going to be put in a life-threatening procedure and shot up with god knows what. I felt like a worried mom sending their child away for the first time. It was a mess really."

"So you were-you were skeptical?"

"That's a delicate way to put it but yes. Then I met Dr. Erskine and Howard Stark and my opinion changed after that. Plus, I became an agent myself so if I didn't trust anything I could've just figured it out myself."

"But at first, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the intention was to create an entire army of super-soldiers, correct right?"

"Yes but uh Steve filled in that gap."

"Many of his ventures are still classified."

"Well, not every hero out there gets a bright gold 'good job!' sticker, but that's how Steve liked it. He liked to earn his spot. The world would be a very different place if he wasn't there to protect it."

"I hear you're taking on a new role in S.H.I.E.L.D. with Agent Carter as its director next to Howard Stark."

"Yes, I uh had a lengthy break after the war and Peggy told me to come when I'm ready so I'm here ready to work. I'm very proud of both Peggy and Howard, excited for the organization's future."

"Do Captain America or Sergeant James Barnes have an effect on you personally?"

"...Excuse me?" Mulan's eyebrow raised.

"I'm sorry I just mean it must have been a remarkable experience getting to work with them."

"...Well it was an experience yes. I knew Steve and James before the war even started we were very good friends...James and I were um-we were together actually. They were both amazing people and in the military they strived for the best versions of themselves. Being a woman then adding Asian to the mix, and being in the military required a level of detachment and made it necessary to give and receive orders without dwelling on its cost. The individual, the mission conquers all. The two of them never let me forget that these were real lives and...and real deaths that we were dealing with. They treated me with so much respect, which was very appreciated."

"Were you there during those times of bravery with the Captain and his squad?"

"Yes I was actually, they never made a day on the job uninteresting, they could crack jokes while bullets rain down on 'em. It was a unique thing seeing that group take action as a whole and to be part of that was an experience I've never felt before. If I wasn't helping them in action I was recording or documenting the action."

"What were Steve and James like in their youth?"

"...Uh two peas in a pod, absolute best friends. They were practically brothers, they would joke, tease, comfort each other. It was a special connection they shared y'know? Steve was shy and courageous and Bucky was, well he was cocky, a goof, and so....so sweet a-and kind...."

"So by together I'm assuming you and James were partners, how did your relationship maintain during his enlistment and active missions?"

Mulan could feel her emotions breaking out of her but tried to refrain and act professionally. "When you love and care for someone as much as we did for one another you will find ways to make things work, to not drown in your surroundings, to know that no matter what if anything happens your partner is....is always going to be t-there for you."

"I understand that you received an honorable discharge after Sergeant Barnes's death and four days later received the news of the Captain's death, yes?"

Mulan looked down, her vision blurred from her misty eyes, the emotions broke free, then looked back forward. "I was...I did yes."

"Would you tell us what had happened with those situations?" Mulan's mouth moved to try to find the answers to his question. She didn't even notice the tears streaking down her cheekbones. She bowed her head to her chest as her shoulders tensed then sniffled.

After a few moments, she patted the tears away and looked up once more, "No. I don't think I want to. Is that all of your questions?"

"Yes, than you so much for your time Mulan."

𝖬𝗒𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝖫𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝖻𝗒: 𝖲𝗎𝖿𝗃𝖺𝗇
𝖲𝗍𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇𝗌

" How much sorrow can i take?
Blackbird on my shoulder, And
what difference does it make,
When this love is over? Shall I
sleep within your bed? River of
unhappiness— "

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𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 ／i'm really happy how this turned out i really wanted to do a chapter of mulan's take on the iconic peggy interview and it hurt a bit, hope y'all enjoyed