Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 95 - In Full Force

"It's a trap," James frowns.

"I know," you answer. "But like always, we don't get a choice. Asmodai made sure of that."

"Now just wait a second," Steve calls from Shuri's side. "What if you're wrong?"

"I'm not," you answer.

"What if he's luring you there to take you again?"

"He probably is," you answer. "I suppose we'll find out."

"So you plan to leave?" Shuri cuts in, aghast. "Right now? With no plan?"

"I don't exactly have time to figure one out," you grumble. "Besides, they all go to shit anyway."

"You are attempting to storm a castle without a trebuchet," she frowns. "It is unwise."

"You have a better plan?" you snark, growing impatient.

Shuri thinks for a moment before a look of defeat passes her face. Suddenly her own kimoyo bead bracelet vibrates. A virtual message pops up, and her expression changes from one of defeat to one of satisfaction.

"Actually, I do, in fact," she says. "Come with me."

You let out a scoff but Shuri strides past, ignoring your half-hearted protest. You glance at Steve and James, who both shrug.

"Useless. The both of you," you grumble sourly, turning your back on the two men and following Shuri out into the halls. You take a couple quick steps to catch up with her. "So what is this plan?" you question as Steve and James trail behind, whispering quietly with one another.

"It's not a plan, exactly," Shuri grins. "More like the resources we need to craft one."

"I appreciate your willingness to help" you say as Shuri leads you through the winding halls of the palace. "But this isn't your fight. I don't want to drag you into it."

Shuri laughs. "Drag us in?" she questions as the group nears the front doors of the palace. "You dragged us into your mess the moment you landed in Wakanda. It is a good thing my brother and I have grown to like you," she grins, reaching for the silver handles to the massive front doors of the palace.

"Shuri, wait," you say, taking gentle hold of her wrist. "I'm serious. Now that we know where Asmodai is, we can handle it."

Shuri casts you an amused look. "You have a savior complex. You know that, right?"

You frown. "Shuri, I'm being serious."

"As am I," she grins. "And you are right. Whatever mess you find yourselves in now has nothing to do with me. And I will not be joining you on your quest," she says as she pulls the front door to the palace open. "It is a good thing you have so many other friends who will."

Confused, you peer out the front door of the palace. You inhale sharply in surprise as you spot a sleek jet descending the final few inches to touchdown in the same place you, Steve, and James had landed several weeks prior. You take a curious step across the palace's threshold as the ramp to the jet lowers.

And before you stands a row of familiar faces.

"Sam?" you question as a dazzling white smile answers in response. Then your eyes are drawn to red hair with bleached tips, and bright green eyes. "Natasha?"

"What, no love for me?" calls out a voice from behind Sam. "And here I was thinking we bonded at that fancy murder party."

You glance toward a mess of black hair sticking up in all angles. "Scott," you grin as he wiggles his way through Sam and Nat, bounding down the ramp with a single backpack dangling off one shoulder.