Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 103 - Finally Free

Days pass in the songs of morning larks and the glow of starry nights. They pass in the heat of long days among the goats, and in the shade of cool baths in the river pools. And most importantly, they pass in quiet, secret smiles shared beneath blankets and in gentle whispers of lovers who wish each other goodnight.

You're happy.

James is happy.

Until the long rays of late afternoon cast a looming shadow down the hill, and you glance up from the water pump to spot a familiar silhouette peering down. Watching. 

"Okoye?" you whisper, almost dropping the bucket of water on your hip in surprise.

She makes her way down the hill, cautiously, as if expecting trouble as she glances in each direction. "You are alone?" she asks - calm, yet determined. "Where is your wolf?" she questions, scanning the fields.

Your discomfort at her sudden appearance vanishes at her use of James' moniker - one gifted by the villagers. You've grown quite fond of it, and apparently the tribe has been keeping those at the palace updated. "He's at the river," you say beckoning her to follow as you head back toward your hut. "He's trying out a new fishing snare or something. I don't know. He stripped a bunch of palm fronds, pulled the strings out of one of my robes and took off without saying much."

"When will he return?" she asks.

You eye her skeptically, abandoning the water bucket on the counter. "Why?" you demand, arms crossed. 

"Because," another voice calls out from the doorway. "He seems to be doing well. I'd like to make sure that's true."

Shuri's bright orange dress flutters around her ankles as she steps over the threshold. Her long, intricate braids fall past her shoulders, decorated in silver beads that make pleasant, musical clinking sounds each time they sway. 

"Shuri," you grin, moving to catch her in a tight hug. "We've missed you."

"Yes, I would expect so," she says, squeezing you briefly before pulling away with a wrinkled nose. "And it's a good thing I've come. Here," she hands you a wooden box from the bag she carries over her shoulder. "I figured it was time."

You slide open the lid and are engulfed in the sweet, floral scents of a plethora of soaps and scrubs. You're pleasantly surprised. You and James had recently started rationing the meager amount still left from the original stores that had been left for you on the shelves over a year ago.

"Thanks," you smile, setting the box aside. "But...I'm pretty sure you didn't come all the way out here to bring us soap. What's going on? Is everything okay?"

Okoye stiffens, casting a glance at Shuri who takes a seat in one of the two small chairs at the tiny table in the middle of the hut. "Join me," she says, motioning to the other chair.

Your adrenaline spikes, and your fingertips go ice-cold as a conversation that you had with James just a few days before runs through your head.

"Three hundred and eighty nine."

"What?"

"389."

"You're gonna have to help me out here, Buck. 389 what?"

"Days. It's been 389 days since we left the palace."

"Does...that number mean something to you?"

"No."

"Okay...?"

"Do you think they'll let us stay?"