I See Coney Island

POV: You watched what if and now you're imagining a different version of Captain America: The Winter Soldier

(I couldn't help myself - past relationship, pre thunderbolts)

Alexei grips the wheel with both hands, white-knuckled as his burgundy limo rumbles through the sunny streets of Washington D.C.

He adjusts the rearview mirror for the third time, maybe fourth. Who’s counting?

In the backseat sits Congressman Barnes, polished in his tailored suit, dark sunglasses and wearing an inscrutable expression. The same man. The same damn man.

Alexei almost whispers it. Zimlis…

But the Congressman doesn’t seem to recognize him. He’s scrolling through something on a sleek black phone, brow furrowed in that way Alexei remembers all too well from that ill fated mission decades ago - the same expression the Winter Soldier wore when he was given a mission with instructions written in blood.

“You, uh, new in D.C.?” Alexei ventures, trying to keep his voice steady.

“No.” Bucky doesn’t look up.

Alexei feels sweat starting to bead at his temple. Not from the heat, but from nerves. Stupid, old man. Just drive the limo. Keep the head down. Don’t say something dumb like, hey, remember that time we-

Alexei swallows and glances at the clock on the dash. Crap. They’re cutting it close.

"You mind hurrying it up?” Bucky says suddenly, voice low but firm. Their eyes meet in the mirror. “I’m already late for a committee meeting.”

Alexei jolts like he’s been shot. “Yes! Of course! No problem. I give you speed like Russian rocket. Eh- legal speed. Very safe. Fast and safe. Not like bear on ice, da.”

He reaches to flick on the indicator, or so he thinks. His finger hits the wrong one... and chaos erupts.

“If you’re horny, let’s do it…”

The unmistakable beat of Pony by Ginuwine pulses through hidden speakers. Neon disco lights strobe from the ceiling, a fog machine hisses from beneath the seats, and a hidden compartment springs open between the seats in the back revealing a bottle of champagne on ice with two flutes ready to go.

"Oh no,” Alexei breathes. “No no no no no.”

He slaps the dash, hits every button in reach rbut it just results in more lights. A small sparkling disco ball descends and the he music gets louder.

Bucky takes off his sunglasses slowly. The smoke curls around him like he’s the villain in some kind of spy movie.

“Huh,” is all he says.

Alexei’s fingers are flying over buttons now. “It is malfunction! Malfunction of party mode! This is not real party! You are not party man, I know this! You are serious man! Congressman man!”

Bucky coughs but it sounds suspiciously like a laugh.

“I can explain,” Alexei tries again as the lights finally die and the music cuts out mid- “Ride it, my pony-”

“I bet you can,” Bucky says, sliding his sunglasses back on with the barest twitch of his mouth. “Champagne’s a bold choice for 9 a.m.”

Alexei gulps. “Please, Congressman, forgive the, ah, entertainment system. This is... not typical.”

They pull up outside the Capitol. Alexei parks but then he’s already twisting around in his seat, words tumbling out.

“I would never- there’s no disco normally. You understand. This was mistake. Big, loud, inappropriate mistake-"

Bucky is already halfway out of the limo when he pauses then turns back. There's a glint of something Alexei can't name behind the composed expression bucky wears.

“Russian?" Bucky asks mildly.

Alexei nods, a crooked smile behind his beard. A pang sounds in his chest as a flicker of memory assails him. “Da.”

Bucky nods slowly like he’s filing something away then says quietly, “Spasibo za poezdku.”

Thanks for the ride.

Then he’s gone, door closing behind him with a soft thunk.

Alexei leans back in the driver’s seat, his heart pounding in his ears.

“Zimlis,” he whispers, a grin breaking over his face.

"Maybe you do remember.”

I wonder if Alexei ever drove Bucky in the limo while he was working in DC?

@IMDb: What if… the Red Guardian stopped the Winter Soldier? 👀 Here's an EXCLUSIVE look at #WhatIf S3E3, streaming Dec. 24 on Disney+.

Winter Soldier vs Red Guardian | What If…? S3E3

SEBASTIAN STAN as BUCKY BARNES Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

At least 3 times a day I am reminded that the Winter Soldier SMILED at Alexei Shoskatov and I am crying screaming throwing up.

время для комфортного и немного тесного сна 😴🌜

Alexei: Valentine’s day is just a consumerist holiday that holds no real value other than drive people insane buying heart shaped chocolates for their significant others and pos- Bucky: I wrote you a poem. Alexei, already crying:You did?

I'm going insane - it looks like they were on a road trip and Alexei picked up an old camera in some garage sale and they took happy snaps of each other on the way 😭