The Engineer (Bucky Barnes x OC)

Chapter 8- Bucky's heart rate spikes

That evening

As Bucky and I got ready for bed, I dug around my bag a bit for the wristbands Shuri had given us to wear. I had completely forgotten about them during the day(whoops), so I could at least remember to give him his at night.

"Here, put this on,"

I handed Bucky his wristband. He slipped it on, asking quietly, "What does it do?"

"It'll monitor your heart rate and tell me if you spike. It's just to make sure you don't get stressed around here. The most important part of your recovery will be staying calm and collected," I explained, realizing that he was a bit nervous. I wondered what he had initially thought it did as I got into my bed and slapped on my own wristband, making sure it sat snug around my wrist.

"Alright," Bucky pulled back the sheets on his bed and laid down, looking almost uncomfortable to be sleeping on a mattress.

"Also, if you can't sleep, there's a draught right there," I said, pointing to the small vial on his nightstand and grabbing my own. I mean, come on. It was 10 pm(or a.n., for those speaking my language because it's SO MUCH EASIER TO REMEMBER THAN THE CURRENT 12-HOUR CLOCK). There is no way I could fall asleep on my own at 10 pm. That's far, far, far too early. I should've been working or something.

"Thank you, Nico," Bucky responded with a small, half-hearted smile.

"It isn't a problem," I replied gently. "Any last-minute questions?"

"Nope,"

"Alright then,"

With that, I took a swig of the liquid and crashed down onto my pillow.

~

1:30 a.m.

I awoke to a violent vibrating coming from my wrist.

Groggy, I sat up and checked my wristband.

230 beats per minute.

I felt as though someone had poured cold water down my back. Bucky's heart was beating so fast he could've been in a life-or-death crisis. Why was it beating so fast?! What was going on?!

My head snapped over, examining him from across the room. His figure was shaking and shivering like mad, but it was hard to tell in the dark.

"B-Bucky?" I asked, barely able to spit out words.

Bucky tossed and turned a bit, tensed up and looking almost as though he were in pain. He threw his head back, looking as though he could start screaming at any moment.

I was so terrified I didn't know what to do.

Thanks a lot, Shuri, I thought angrily to myself. Did you really expect me to roll my way out of this situation?!

I heard a small whimper come from Bucky's direction.

Before I could stop myself, I pulled the covers off of my legs and carefully slid out of bed, approaching him.

"Bucky?" I asked softly.

I froze, realizing what I was doing. Did I really want to approach a super-soldier whose heart rate was beating faster than sound?

Bucky winced and trembled quietly in the darkness of the room, his face twisted into an expression one would wear if they were experiencing pain.

Well, I couldn't just stand there. I had to do something. That was my job. I couldn't just leave him like that.

"Bucky..?" I whispered, taking a slow, cautious step towards him, my heart pounding almost as fast as his.

Bucky squirmed and quaked in his restless sleep, but did not move. He let out another whimper.