Forever and Always

Chapter 3

Clara sat on the log directly across from Bucky, but she kept her eyes down at the flames. She looked like she was the only one freezing her butt off, and fortunately the heat from the flames was able to warm up her freezing face. Her hands, which were numb, her sandwiched in between her knees, and she tried her best to not shiver. Now would be a very good time to actually have fur, Clara started to drift into her thoughts, but she stopped herself before she could get to distracted. Pay attention Clara. Listen to what Ayo has to say. This is important. Clara fixed her posture and but and refocused her gaze onto Ayo. She stood by a torch with her spear in one hand. She glared down into the flames of the fire, then to Bucky. Clara, without moving her head, took a quick glance at Bucky. He was leaning over, his one arm resting on his legs. He was anxious, but then again, who wouldn't be. This would determine if he was finally free from Hydra. Clara felt her shoulders tense up, and she clenched her jaw.

"It is time." The sound of Ayo's voice took Clara's eyes off of Bucky, and back onto Ayo. Even without looking at him though, she could tell that he was still staring intensely at the fire.

"Are you sure about this?" That was the first time she had heard him speak in over a year, and the way he sounded made her heart ache. He sounded so anxious and doubtful, and even without looking at him, she could tell that he had a scared expression painted on his face. Clara believed that it would work, that it had to work, and now she hoped that Bucky believed so too. But he sounded exhausted and worried. Clara could understand why, but she didn't want to think about that. She didn't want t think of the possibility of everything Shuri had done for him not working. Oh god, please let this work. I just want Bucky to be happy. Clara prayed in her head.

"I won't let you hurt anyone." It's gonna work, Clara kept repeating to herself. Ayo won't have to worry about keeping people safe because it's gonna work. It has to. Clara could feel her hands get shaky, not from the cold, but front he nerves. She squeezed her knees tighter, hoping to stop her hands from shaking.

"Ms. Peters." Ayo called Clara by her last name, as she has been doing, and Clara, for the first time, made eye contact with her. Ayo dipped her head respectfully, and pointed he spear towards Bucky. Clara sighed, realizing it was time, and nodded. She put her shaky hands on the log and pushed herself up. She went over to stand next to Ayo, and they both stared down at Bucky, who continued to stare into the fire. He was scared to make eye contact with either of them, and honestly, Clara was just as scared to make eye contact with him. She wasn't sure why, but she felt like it would be awkward if they made eye contact. That not making eye contact made them both seem more secure in some weird way.

       Clara felt herself freeze. For a moment, she completely forgot the words and what she was even doing there. Her mouth was dry and she couldn't bring herself to form words. Bucky didn't seem to notice though. He just stared at the fire, waiting anxiously for her to start his test to start. I can't do this. Clara realized. Why did I think this would be a good idea? I could never forgive myself if I had control over Bucky. What the hell was I thinking? Clara was about to back out, but she made Shuri think otherwise and she didn't want to think that she went to see Bucky. She did really want to help, and see if what was done to him helped. I have to, she convinced herself. Clara took one last glance at Ayo, who stood there with a serious glare. She looked back at Bucky. Bucky trusts me. Otherwise he probably would've said something about me coming. Clara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She controlled her shaky breath, and at last, she managed to form the first word.

       "желание." She couldn't stop now. Ayo told her directly that once she starts she can't stop. That she must recite all of it. Ayo moved from her spot next to Clara and circled behind her and towards Bucky. Bucky still stared at the fire, acting as if she never even said the word.