ʜɪꜱ ꜱᴀᴠɪᴏʀ ━ Bucky Barnes/Avengers

35: peace in paradise

Watching the Twilight Saga again hits different 10 years later :/

Also another long chapter ahead :D

• • •

The Quinjet enters a familiar sight I saw months ago. Past the camouflaged barrier and through the evolved city of Wakanda, to the only place I can remain. Now that the Avengers had broken up and gone our separate ways, there was nothing left for me back home. Being chased out by the government was a part of it, too, by not giving in to their laws and rules that'd chain me down, and especially risk Bucky's safety. 

I arrived at the king's abode alone. The jet was set a straight course on autopilot, stealth mode, so I was undetectable under anyone's radar except Wakanda. 

I wait by the door as it gently descends to the ground. I dressed casually in a black sleeve and military jeans, something unnatural for me ever since I joined the team. Though that was gone now. 

In front of me, the door slides open and awaits the king's little sister, Shuri, with a huge smile plastered on her face. Her hands were locked behind her back, rocking her toes back and forth to fight the urge of her excitement. I chuckled at her dainty yet fierce personality. 

"Shuri." I call when I get close enough, "It's nice to see you again."

Her smile widens, "Ditto. My brother and I have been waiting for your arrival ever since you told us the news. Well, T'Challa knew beforehand, he was in Vienna too."

I sigh, knowing that only happened just a few days ago, "I'm still not sure why he still allowed me to stay here. But I'm grateful, I have nowhere else to go."

"He may hold the same perspective as the UN, but he understands your position. You're only protecting him." Her words put a small smile on my face, "I assume the Captain had other plans?"

I nod, "He's always been so righteous."

"Well, you are welcome to stay here for as long as you need. Now come, I am sure you've been dying to see him again."

My breath stops. It feels like I've been holding it in the entire time Shuri lead me inside and into the lab. The lab was the same as I left it before. White interior walls and high-tech technology all facing the beautiful scenery of the city. As I search around to find the same tube he was held in, only to discover it empty when Shuri leads me there, I face her.

"Where is he?" I asked.

Shuri's bright expression changes into a hesitant one, creating a tiny fear inside of me. "Ms. Adams. Before I do lead you to him, I want to ask you, and this is not for research purposes, but as a friend and for your own health, how are you?" Though my face looked confused right now, I let her continue, "After all that has happened to you, I'd like to make sure you and Sargeant Barnes are both okay. This is a place of peace, and your minds have been away from that for a long time."

I gulp at her words. There are many reasons why I can't find peace of mind, starting all the way from when I was just a little girl in her father's experiment lab to waking up to a modern world. I've focused on saving Bucky so much that I haven't even questioned my own mental state.

"Are you saying... I need to get help, too?" I ask, not sure how to feel about receiving help instead of giving it.

She shakes her head, "The only way you can get help effectively is if you are willing to receive it. The people you have in your life like Captain Rogers and Sargeant Barnes are there to keep you from the dark, but it is you who has to choose to stay in the light."