Devotion Book 4 ~ ON HOLD

5. UKUDIBANISA

We were love drunk, waiting on a miracle
Tryna find ourselves in the winter snow
So alone in love like the world had disappeared
Oh, I won't be silent and I won't let go
I will hold on tighter 'til the afterglow
And we'll burn so bright 'til the darkness softly clears

-Afterglow by Ed Sheeran

Wakanda, a few days before...

Sophia Steve and Tony were in the cryo lab with T'Challa and Shuri, waiting for Shuri's team to finish their preparations.  Sophia held on to Steve, too nervous to let go.  T'Challa observed the couple.  Sophia has quietly told him that she explained the situation to Steve, but he worried about his reaction when he saw Bucky.  He looked back at the memory of the day.

**

* Seven weeks earlier *

It was the day after the dinner where Bucky told Sophia about going back into Cryo.  Bucky had held her while she cried herself out and fell asleep.  He had drifted off and woke as dawn broke over Wakanda.  She was asleep on his chest, her beautiful face at peace for the moment.  He strokes her hair, enjoying the moment before she woke and was angry again.

Bucky was contemplating his words from the night before. You want me to promise you the world? I would, Angel. I would say it in front of T'Challa if I have to so you know that I'll take care of you, even when I'm away. He had meant every word. He loved Sophia with all of his heart.  He wanted to take care of her and the baby, even if it wasn't his.  He knew Steve was counting on him to take care of her and Peter.  He knew that Sophia and Steve were destined to be together.  But since Monaco, he knew he could not live without Sophia.  Wanting her to rest, he gently lifted her and laid her back on the pillows and covered her.  He made his way to the dining room where he knew he would find T'Challa.

"Good morning, your highness," he greeted the king who had his back to him, looking out over the valley.

"How many times, White Wolf, must I state that you may call me T'Challa?"

"When you stop calling the White Wolf," Bucky replied with a smile. "I've come to ask for your advice T'Challa."

"Concerning Sophia, I assume."  T'Challa sighed, remembering the look of devastation on her face.  He had also noticed the bond between the two. "I cannot fault you for wanting to protect her but are you sure you want to go down the path you are heading."

"T'Challa, that woman saved my life.  I love her and I would do anything for her.  If he was here, he would do the same." Bucky looked T'Challa straight in the eyes, his body language showing truth.

"Bucky, please, just tell me you are doing this for love only.  Not to covet another man's partner."

"I just want her to be safe here.  I want that baby to be safe should anything happen. I owe it to her, to them, to that family that dropped everything for me."

T'Challa could see the honestly in his eyes. He looked back out to the valley. "There is a ceremony we have here in Wakanda.  We call in 'Ukudibanisa' or bonding.  It is meant as a commitment ceremony for two lovers who are to be married but are still too young.  If your intentions are as pure as you state, I could perform this for you both and it would guarantee her protection as your partner."

Bucky thought about it for a moment. "Thank you for the suggestion T'Challa.  I'll mention it too her when she wakes."  Bucky stood next to him. "I promise, I'll step back if Steve comes back.  But I can't go back in the ice without knowing she will be taken care of.  That she knows she still has a family."