Trust Me, I Will Never Trust You.

Chapter 28

Xpel's heart thundered in her chest, each beat echoing through her veins as she fixed her gaze upon Bucky, his life slipping away like sand through clenched fists. His once-vibrant skin was now pale and sickly, his every breath a mere whisper of existence.

His desperate plea to escape reverberated in her mind, tempting her with the allure of self-preservation. But Xpel couldn't leave him now, not when he needed her the most. Determination welled up within her, pushing aside her fear and uncertainty.

Summoning every ounce of courage, Xpel drew in a steadying breath, allowing the air to fill her lungs and anchor her focus. She closed her eyes, shutting out the world around her, and delved deep into healing abilities. The notion of mending her own wounds was familiar, instinct-like. But repairing the shattered threads of another's injury was something she had never even attempted.

A brilliant blue light radiated from her trembling hands as she gingerly positioned them over the grievous wound on Bucky's stomach. The energy surged forth from her very core, an offering of life and restoration. It flowed through her fingertips, its warmth cascading like a gentle river, seeking out the darkest recesses of his broken flesh.

With an almost mystical grace, the luminous tendrils wove a tapestry of renewal, stitching together the torn skin and fractured bone. Bucky's shallow breaths transformed into grunts of relief as colour returned to his pallid face.

But as Xpel continued to pour her energy into Bucky's fragile form, an agonising surge coursed through her own abdomen, as though the very bullet that had pierced him had now traversed her own flesh. 

Clamping down on her trembling jaw, she gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the pain and continued to focus on Bucky.

Despite Xpel's determination, darkness swept over Xpel's vision, extinguishing the world around her. Her body drained of every ounce of energy, surrendered, crashing onto the cold, unforgiving ground. 

As Xpel lay there unconscious, Bucky's weary eyes fluttered open, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest gradually stabilising. He turned his gaze downward, fully expecting to see the gaping void of his own wound, only to be greeted by the sight of his healed stomach. A rush of surprise filled his mind, but it was immediately drowned by a tidal wave of horror as his gaze shifted, landing upon the wound that now marred Xpel's fragile frame.

The distant echo of footsteps reverberated down the corridor, growing louder with each passing moment, a symphony of impending danger drawing nearer...

BEEP

BEEP

BEEP

Xpel's eyelids fluttered as consciousness slowly crept back into her awareness. The sterile white walls of the hospital room came into focus, and the faint smell of antiseptic stung her nostrils. A dull ache throbbed in her abdomen, reminding her of the sacrifice she had made to save Bucky.

Confusion and a sense of disorientation clouded her thoughts. She turned her head to the side and saw Bucky sitting in a chair next to her bed, engrossed in a book. His presence both comforted and bewildered her.

"Bucky?" Xpel's voice was weak, barely above a whisper. She watched as he snapped the book shut and looked up, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of relief and concern.

"Hey, you're awake," Bucky said, his voice laced with gratitude. "You had me worried there for a moment."

Xpel attempted to sit up, but a surge of pain shot through her body, causing her to wince and sink back onto the pillows. "What... what happened?"

Bucky sighed and set the book aside, his gaze filled with a mix of empathy and regret. "When you used your powers to heal me, you took my injury upon yourself. Bruce seems to think your healing abilities couldn't heal you automatically because it wasn't your wound, to begin with."

The realisation hit Xpel like a punch to the gut. She had absorbed Bucky's injury, not fully understanding the consequences of her actions.

In the midst of their conversation, the distant echo of footsteps grew louder, signalling the arrival of someone outside the hospital room. Xpel's eyes flickered towards the door, a glimmer of caution in her gaze.

Xpel's heart raced as she watched the door swing open, revealing the figures of Steve and Natasha. Their expressions were a mix of relief and concern as they entered the room.

"Xpel, you're awake!" Steve exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine warmth. "We were worried about you."

Natasha approached the bed, her eyes scanning Xpel's face with keen intensity. "Glad to see you're back with us."

Xpel managed a weak smile, grateful for their presence. She had only recently joined the Avengers, still unsure of her place among the team. But at that moment, as they stood by her side, she felt a sense of belonging, a fragile bond forged through shared experiences.

Just as Xpel was beginning to relax in the company of Steve and Natasha, a mischievous voice cut through the air, its sarcastic tone unmistakable.

"Well, well, the mighty Xpel, reduced to a hospital bed," Loki remarked, leaning casually against the doorway with a smirk on his face.

Xpel rolled her eyes, her weariness momentarily forgotten in the face of Loki's snarky remarks. "Always a pleasure to see you too, Loki," she retorted, a hint of amusement creeping into her voice.

Loki's smirk faded, replaced by a more solemn expression. He pushed himself off the doorframe and approached Xpel's bedside, his eyes locked with hers. Suddenly, a soft voice resonated in her mind, a telepathic message meant only for her.

"I'm glad you're awake." Loki's voice echoed in her head, void of his usual jesting tone.

Xpel's lips curled into a small smile, touched by Loki's unspoken words. She realised that despite his outward arrogance, the God of Mischief cared.

• • •

One Week Later

Seated around a sleek table in the secure meeting room of the Avengers facility, Bucky, Xpel, and Steve engaged in a crucial discussion. The room hummed with anticipation, the weight of unanswered questions heavy in the air.

Leaning forward, Bucky locked eyes with Xpel, determination etched across his face. "Xpel, I need you to show me. I need to remember our time at Hydra."

Xpel's gaze softened, concern clouding her features. "Are you sure? Remember what happened last time."

Bucky nodded once more, his unwavering gaze fixed on Xpel's. "That won't happen again. I promise."

"And if anything does happen, I'm here," Steve reassured, his voice filled with unwavering support.

A determined smile played at the corners of Bucky's lips as he reached out, gripping Xpel's hand firmly. "Trust me, Xpel. I trust you."

Xpel took a deep breath, her gaze shifting between Bucky and Steve. 

"Okay."