Certainty (A Bucky Barnes Fanfic)

━◦○◦4.4: Slumber Party◦○◦━

episode 4 - The Whole World is Watching

Shamara couldn't sleep, and she wished she could blame jetlag. Instead, she lay on the apartment floor. Shivering despite her overheating body. She could hardly see, feeling like a hot haze covered her vision.

After discussing their options, Sam and Bucky decided to let the Dora search for Zemo and Walker for Karli. If they had heard nothing by morning, they would look themselves. But the day had already seen enough trouble and disastrous conflicts. Besides, they had only gotten spotty sleep since they spent the night at Shamara and Bucky's apartment.

I wonder if lack of sleep accelerates or worsens my symptoms. Shamara flexed her hands. Because they are progressing more quickly than I anticipated.

She needed ice. And melatonin, but she doubted Zemo had medicines lying around his random fancy apartment. The man could double his fortune with real estate. She steadied herself against the wall, feeling dizzy with the heat. Then she turned the corner and stilled. The kitchen light was already on. Bucky sat on the couch, head in his hands.

"Bucky?" She took another step forward, still holding the wall.

He didn't move, "You're still awake?"

"Slept and woke up again," Shamara shook her head. "Too hot. Jetlag hit you?"

Bucky shook his head also, looking up, "Are you in pain?"

"Just . . . hot," she made her way towards the kitchen even as the floor swayed under her feet.

She pitched forward but grabbed the bar's counter. A sharp breath escaped her, and she ran a hand through her sweaty hair. She managed to inch her way to the fridge and open the freezer. Just the air made her hiss, so cold, she couldn't think for a moment.

"You could take a cold shower," Bucky suggested behind her.

"I think it would make me blackout."

"That bad?" She heard him get to his feet and step over.

She faced him, and her stomach did several summersaults. He was shirtless, his dog tags against his bare skin. His face was tensed, even though he looked at her worriedly. He shut the freezer door and set his hand on her cheek. Shamara flinched at his cold skin, and his eyebrows lifted.

"You are even warmer than you were at Sharon's the other night," Bucky put his arm around her. "Here, come sit with me a moment, and maybe ice will actually be bearable."

"Okay," Shamara's teeth clicked together, and she hugged herself.

She stumbled with him to the couch, her bones aching as she sat down. It felt like a fever. In many ways, her symptoms reminded her of Dengue Fever, except not quite extreme enough. Yet.

Bucky sat beside her, pulling her head against his shoulder. She shivered as she reached her arms around him. Stiffening at his cold skin for a moment. Then she grew used to it enough to relax. She moved her head against his chest, and he set his metal hand under her hair.

"You're sweaty," Shamara frowned.

"Sorry."

"It's not bad. Just . . . nightmare?"

Bucky was silent for a long moment, "I didn't want to disturb Sam."

"Do you want to tell me about it?" Shamara scouted closer, pulling her legs onto the couch.

" . . . not the specifics."

"Okay."

She felt and heard his sigh from deep in his chest, "I have several repeating ones. And only one of them is based around . . . me."