Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 90 - Pray

You run your fingers through the tangled, sweaty hair on James' forehead. His face is pallid. Completely lax. Sickly in a way you've never seen him before. 

The three surgeons at his side are quiet as their deft fingers peel back layer after layer of bloodied scar tissue with more skill than any of the surgeons you had ever seen at the Hold. With precision, they clear his mangled flesh from the metal joint until nothing but bone remains. Bone, and the sharp metal prongs that bite into it, cracking the exterior and sinking deep into the marrow within. Tiny hairline fractures spiral up into the joint - constantly cracked, never healed.

"Captain," Shuri commands. "I need you at my side." 

Steve hesitates but lets go of the gentle grip he has on his best friend's hand and joins Shuri. 

"The titanium alloy of the arm has been infused with other elements," she mumbles, nodding towards the nitrogen case that contains James' left arm. "Once I remove it, those elements will heat as they are exposed to oxygen. The arm will thaw quickly and become fully functional. I must try to remove it before then."

Steve swallows nervously. "What do I do?" he asks.

"It will depend," she answers. "I do not know what will happen when the arm comes back online. I can think of several potential reactions, but one most likely is that it will detect an abnormality in its temperature and realize that proper cryo protocols are not in place. As a result, it may believe its host is dying."

"Dying?" you exhale, panicked.

"That is what it will appear to the technology, yes," Shuri says. "It may send shockwaves to his heart mimicking a revival attempt."

"Why do you think that?" Steve frowns.

"I have found traces of micro-AEDs," Shuri answers. "It would not be a stretch to imagine that HYDRA would ensure there were life saving measures built into his hardware to salvage their asset."

"Stop it," you hiss, gaze cutting to Shuri who glances at you, surprised. "Don't talk about him like that."

"I am merely pointing out the possibilities," Shuri says gently. "We must also remember that he is enhanced. Between the serum and the electro-stimulation, his body will likely overcome the anesthetics. We must be ready to restrain him. Correction, you must be ready to restrain him, Captain. Until I can re-administer another dose of the sedative or otherwise neutralize him."

Steve nods.

"You understand. Good. Are you ready?" Shuri asks, flipping the latch on the nitrogen case as she glances towards the lead surgeon who nods. 

*SLAM*

All heads in the operating room turn towards the loud bang of the doors. 

Everyone freezes in a tense silence as Okoye strides forth, an angry flare in her nostril. She eyes the commotion before her suspiciously, her spear slightly raised as behind her follows T'Challa. 

"I received word that there was a problem, sister," he states, his voice gentle as ever, yet tinged with an unmistakable air of authority that causes everyone, even Shuri to avert their gaze in respect.

"I have it under control," Shuri answers - quiet, yet firm.

"Still, you thought not to inform me?" T'Challa challenges as he strides forth and steps up on the operating platform, looking down at James with a frown on his face.

"You were with the border tribes," Shuri says. "There was not time."

T'Challa's eyes drift over James' unconscious form before flitting to Shuri, who arches her brow in challenge but remains quiet out of respect. A rare moment, you notice, wherein the disappointment of a King triumphs over the rivalry of a brother.