Hard to Love (Bucky Barnes fanfic)

Chapter 46

A gentle nudging woke me, my eyes fluttering open with a drowsy frown as I groan. I bury my face into the thin pillow, not realizing just how tired I was and wanting to fall back asleep. A light chuckle reverberates in my ears before the nudging continues

"Come on doll, we're here." Bucky half whispers to me. I roll over to look at where his voice had come from and rub my eyes, not wanting to get up just yet but knowing I have to

What time is it here?

I slowly sit up, stretching my arms above my head with a yawn and look around the jet. We were already landed and the back hatch was opening, allowing the mid day sunlight to pool in. Bucky was standing next to the cot with both our bags as Steve was shutting everything down. With a heavy sigh, I wipe the last remnants of sleep from my eyes and stand to grab my bag from Bucky

He gives me a quick kiss on the forehead before following Steve towards the ramp, myself trailing behind. As I step out onto the pavement, I'm hit with the warm sun and a faint breeze, the smell of luscious flowers and nature filling my senses. I look around the open area, it almost reminded me of a plaza or a time square. The bustling city all around us with some odd shaped larger buildings. Some looked like mushrooms or a parasol while some resembled an hourglass figure, but most buildings were straight with rounded or sharp pointed rooftops. Everything was different shades of metal or stone, with a few accent color pieces like a flag outside the building or a banner along the entrance

I'm pulled away from awe-ing at the beautiful structures by a few set of boots as they approached us. I look ahead of me to find Shuri, King T'Challa and a slightly older woman in a stunning off white gown and headpiece. Shuri and T'Challa both wore what seemed like elegant Wakandan attire but much more relaxed and less formal than the woman's outfit next to them. The three of them smile brightly at us as T'Challa steps forward embracing Steve in a quick manly hug and turns to us

"Welcome back Sargent Barnes." He nods a greeting towards Bucky who returns the gesture. Then his eyes trail to me, looking me from head to toe before the corner of his lips quirk into a small smirk. "Welcome Ms Hayes. I have heard much about you." He sticks a hand out for me to which I grab and gently shake

"Likewise. Hopefully all good." T'Challa nods as his smile grows, dropping my hand

"Sorry to show up so suddenly," Steve starts, glancing back at where Bucky and I stood, probably figuring out how or if to explain what exactly happened to bring us hear before schedule

The woman next to Shuri waves away Steve's words, "You're always welcome here." She smiles at him. He bows his head in gratitude

"Shall we? This heat is very uncomfortable." Shuri pipes up, earning a light chuckle from me and a gentle elbow from the woman

"Lead the way." Bucky lifts his hand, gesturing towards the tall building behind them

The two women turn on their heels and start back towards the grand entryway to the extravagant looking building, lightly bickering as they walk. I look around some more at the bustling people and architecture before turning to Bucky who seems unfazed by all the beauty of this place. But I guess he kind of lived here for a while so I'm sure he's used to the scenery. I nudge his arm, grabbing his attention

"So who's the lady? The Queen?" I ask in a hushed tone, glancing ahead of us past Steve and T'Challa who were discussing something I wasn't paying attention to

Bucky smirks, following my gaze before focusing back on me. "That's Queen Mother Ramonda. Shuri and T'Challas mother." He whispers back to me

I mentally smack my forehead. Of course she's the Queen, I should've guessed that by her attire and how formal she was