Hard to Love (Bucky Barnes fanfic)

Chapter 66

A/N: Just an FYI, the events from Black Widow (the movie) won't be part of this AU since Civil War ended peacefully and Nat didn't have to run and hide.
I originally wasn't going to write part of this chapter because I felt it unnecessary but keep seeing passive-aggressive comments on the past few chapters about the situation. Hope this puts an end to that because I don't want to bring it up again.
Warning: cringe(?) moment as well?
Enjoy.

Tony insisted on running a few more scans on me during our flight. Calling up Bruce using a hologram so he could process whatever results and charts faster. Also gave us a chance to catch him up on what all transpired on our little trip to Japan

Obviously he was speechless, stunned when he heard I basically died. Thankfully my pulse hadn't come to a complete standstill before the team reached me and Bucky was the one who gave me rescue breathing

I shyly glance up at Bucky, my motion not going unnoticed since he currently has his arm draped over my shoulders and was hugging me to him. A tingly, almost buzzing with warmth sensation rushes over me as our eyes meet

I know that anyone on the team would've done the exact same thing if they had gotten to me first but, knowing Bucky was the one to do it and ultimately save me? My chest tightened and my brain felt like it was melting into a puddle, a mixture of gratitude and pure raw love for the super soldier

He saved me again

But I can't help to feel a sense of grief. I wasn't strong enough like everyone thought I was, like I though I was. And because of that I ended up within an inch of my life. God knows how the team all felt when they saw my near lifeless body, I can't even begin to imagine how Bucky felt let alone thought. It stung to think that he, even for a split second, thought he lost me forever

"..Mel? Can she hear me?" Bruces' voice pulls me from my whirling thoughts

My gaze breaks away from Buckys as my head snaps forward to look at the hologram. "Hm?"

"Do you still have your original abilities?" Bruce asks, repeating himself

My brows tug together as I look down to my hands. Unsure if even I want to know the answer to that question. Part of me hopes I don't. But the other part of me wishes I do

With a shake of my head and slight shrug of my shoulders, I look back up to Bruce. "I don't know.."

Normally I could at least feel my energy pumping through me. Ready on the sidelines to shield me from anything. But right now... I didn't feel anything but empty

"Can you try?" Steve is the one who asked

I glance over at him, his arms crossed over his wide chest and a soft yet encouraging glint in his eyes. Biting down on my lip, I slowly nod. Bucky glides his arm off my shoulders, rubbing his hand down my back before dropping it by his side

Taking a few deep breaths, I clench my fists and close my eyes. Focusing on my body. Blowing away the remainder of the haze fogging my thoughts. The jet completely silent as all eyes watched me, waiting with baited breath

Something seems to click within my body, a switch being flipped on before suddenly my body is prickling with an odd sensation