Time Bomb

Chapter 21

I sat there quietly. Stewing in my own thoughts. I'm both angry and happy. Angry that Clint went through with it but also happy that the two people I love most, clearly love me so much in return that they would be willing to seek help from someone they have no idea if he wants to be found or not. Hell, I don't even know if he knows I'm alive. That I have his abilities. I have no idea.
"Dani, please say something." Bucky said quietly, pulling me back to reality from my thoughts.
"I guess I'm not that mad about it. I understand why you guys did it. And I can honestly say that I truly appreciate it. But I do hope that he never actually contacted him. I don't know that him knowing im alive or where I'm at would be the smartest thing." I said and saw as his eyes changed from regret to relief.
"As far as I know, he hasn't. But Dani, I haven't kept tabs on what he's been doing lately so I really don't know for sure. I hope he hasn't." He said and pulled me to his chest.
"Maybe I should take up T'Challa's offer after all. Just to be on the safe side." I said, turning my head to the side against his chest so he could hear me properly.
"Wait, what offer?" He asked, pulling me away from him slightly.
"He offered for me to stay here. Said he would help me train and learn how to properly use this nuke inside my chest. Assured me that their gear and what not can handle the blasts." I said, smiling at him.
"Oh hell no. I'm not letting you go just like that. I can't do it anymore, Dani. Without you with me, I lose myself." He said, about to continue but I stopped him.
"Bucky, you can stay here with me. You think I like being away from you? Cause I don't. Being away from you feels like half of me is just gone. You help keep me focused so I don't blow up. Because I don't want to hurt you. Out of anyone in the entire world, hurting you is the last thing I want. T'Challa said I could have anyone stay with me or even visit. And I want you to stay, Bucky." I said, holding his face in my hands. A smile spreading across his lips.
"Did we just agree to move in together?" He asked, a small chuckle accompanying his question along with that beautiful smile.
"I think we did." I said and before I could say anything else, his lips were on mine. Oh god how I've missed this.
After a few moments, we separated from the kiss upon hearing someone's footsteps.
"Have you given my offer any though? I assume you talked it over with Mr. Barnes." T'Challa asked as he began taking the IV out from my arm after setting a bag down at my feet.
"I'd like to take you up on that offer. And I'd very much like for Bucky to stay with me." I said, rubbing my arm where the IV had been.
"Of course. You two will stay in the palace for awhile just until we can get a place set up for the two of you. It will also give you time to rest before we start your training. We can provide you both clothes and any other essentials you may need. Once you are changed, I can show you to a room. The bag here has some clothes for you. I'll be just on the other side of this wall when you are ready." He said and smiled at us both before walking away.
I stood up with Bucky's help and got changed into the clothes provided. A pair of Wakandan style leggings and a plain shirt. I was about to put on the hoodie provided as well but Bucky handed me his instead. I gladly put it on, soaking in his cologne.
I put on the pair of fuzzy black slipper boot things that were provided and with Bucky's help, walked over to T'Challa who was waiting patiently for us.
"I gotta ask, how did you know my size in clothing?" I asked as we got on the elevator.
"Oh, easy. The clothes you had on before gave that information." He said and flashed a smile at me.
"Right. Of course." I shook my head, feeling dumb for asking.

We made it to the room we will be staying in until there is a house or whatever ready for us. T'Challa said goodnight and left us. Immediately, I went for the shower. Knowing I likely haven't had a proper one in 2 months. Bucky had come into the bathroom and I heard an electric shaver turn on.
"How did he even know to put one in here?" I asked as I started applying condition to my hair.
"I've got no clue but god I look awful and I can at least fix part of that right now." Bucky said.
"Is it bad that I've been out for 2 months and yet I'm still excited to go to bed after this?" I asked and heard him chuckle.
"Maybe a little. But for the first time in 2 months, I know I'll be able to get some sleep with you by my side now. I don't know how you do it, but you make the nightmares go away. And now that I know you're okay, I shouldn't have any problems sleeping." He said and I heard the shaver turn off. He then got into the shower behind me. Reaching his hands into my hair and massaging the condition in for me.
I turned around to rinse it out and he smiled at me.
"How do I look?" He asked. I looked over his freshly shaved face and smiled.
"You look great, love." I said and cupped his face in my hands for a moment before going back to working the conditioner out of my hair. Once I was done, I got out and let Bucky take his part of the shower. I wrapped a towel around my body and found the walk-in closet just adjacent from the bathroom. Already filled with clothes.
I settled on a pair of white cotton pajama shorts and put Bucky's hoodie back on. Since waking up, I've been colder than usual and I can't seem to warm up yet. I'll have to ask T'Challa about it tomorrow. Maybe it has something to do with keeping my nuke dormant while I was under.
I laid down on the bed and pulled the blanket up over my body. Immediately falling in love with the bed. Not too hard, not too soft, yet it still felt as if I'm laying on a cloud. A much better improvement from the medical bed.