The Ramblings of Steve Rogers (An Accompanying Fic)

Who Am I Supposed to Blame?

[Image: Open journal on a table revealing a journal page on the left with an illustration of Bucky Barnes in Wakanda with flowers in his long brown hair, more illustrations of flowers, coffee stain rings, and a journal entry. Pressed purple flowers and pressed pink flowers are on top of the journal page. On the right is a stack of postcards with the top being a scenic flower garden]

[Image: Illustration of a one-armed Bucky Barnes in Wakanda with flowers in his long brown hair. Beside the portrait of Bucky is an illustration of a flower. Below the portrait are two more illustrations of two different flowers. Steve wrote: "I'd like to put flowers in your hair. Red. Blue. Purple. Yellow. You always looked good in purple. You always look good in every color though. Unfairly so. Not that you minded. Not that I minded either. Maybe even make a crown for you."]

[Image: Plain postcard with greeting: "WISH YOU WERE HERE!" Steve wrote: "Buck, went to Longwood Gardens. You would've loved it. All the beautiful flowers... it would've been a delight to see you there. Sure, it's no Wakanda, but it was a nice piece of heaven. Or, it would've been if you were there. Always yours, Steve. James B. Barnes, wherever you are, I wish I was there too."]

[Image: Artwork of Black child carrying an armful of books done by artist, Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson]

[Image: Plain back of postcard with information: "AMINAH BRENDA LYNN ROBINSON, A lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio, Aminah created a style by blending the folk traditions she learned as a child from her parents with the formal training she received in art school." Steve wrote: "Buck, toured some museums today. Sometimes, it's just easier to deal with the world today by focusing on the past. I know it's not the best way to go about things, but I miss the way things were. I miss you. Always yours, Steve. James B. Barnes, wherever you are, I wish I was there too."]

[Image: Wooden table with different food ingredients at the bottom of postcard. Red box towards the top of the image claiming: "LEARN HOW TO COOK LIKE A PROFESSIONAL!"]

[Image: Red left side of postcard asking: "Why order in," at the top. Steve wrote: "Buck, took a cooking class. You always said that my cooking was shit. Even with an instructor, I couldn't make it work. I could simplify it to missing your cooking. But you'd be able to see right through me. Missing you, always. Only yours, Steve. James B. Barnes, wherever you are, I wish I was there too." At the bottom left hand side, the postcard encouraged: "Try our anniversary promo." At the bottom right hand side, is the rest of the question: "When you can cook it yourself."]

[Image: Open journal with stack of postcards on left side and journal entry on right]

[Image: Journal entry with multiple coffee ring stains littering the page. Steve wrote: "Tony blames me. I can't argue with him. I won't argue with him. He's right. Who are we supposed to blame, if not ourselves? Who am I supposed to blame, if not myself? I should've been there. I should've stopped this. If we had done what I said, about doing this together, would we still have failed? But I know that if I went back and did it all over again, I wouldn't do a damn thing to change my choices because it got me you."]