Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

17.) Like Thorns on a Rose: Steve Rogers

STEVE ROGERS - CAPTAIN AMERICA

July 12th, 2017, Wakanda

Every time I go in to check on Bucky or Shuri, I find Peter and Her Highness laughing or playing games. It's only been two days and their friendship reminds me of Buck and I. 

Sighing, I think of Barnes. Progress on Bucky has been going well, and even though it could be faster; I'm not going to make Peter leave the princess alone. She's been by herself more than enough times. At the thought of James Buchanan Barnes with no HYDRA programming left in him, a smile so big it could threaten to split my face in half starts to form.

"What are you thinking about over there, Rogers?" Sam asks in-between punches. I wipe the sweat and smile off my face before answering.

"Nothing," I check my watch. "It's almost time for me to check on him."

Wilson gives me a knowing smirk. "I'm sure it was nothing." I roll my eyes as Natasha laughs at my expense.

"Three-thirty, on the dot, everyday," She declares. "Like clockwork, Steve. You really are so predictable."

Shrugging, I give them both a tiny grin. "It pays to be consistent; something you could learn about, Sam."

"Wow. I am hurt."

Chucking, I walk over towards the exit of the training facility and give him a few hearty pats on the back. "I'll see you two later."

"Have fun, lover-boy!" Natasha sings. I dismiss her with the wave of my hand and look over my shoulder.

"You know, for a trained assassin, you sure do act like a five year old. Or Wilson over here." They both show me hurt looks, and Natasha drops to a curtsy.

"It's my job."

~

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," I say, carefully gliding into Shuri's workshop. Peter and Her Highness are bending over the round table, seemingly tinkering with some sort of machine.

"No, not at all, Mr. Rogers!" Peter replies, his hands full of screwdrivers, nails, wires, and other miscellaneous things.

Shuri turns around, a huge gleam on her face. "Peter and I were just working on something we named 'the Webanator'."

"The name was my idea."

"But the main gun was mine," Shuri added. My smile grows at this comment.

"True..."

"However, we're working together on building it. And the web fluid is all Spider-Boy's."

Peter mutters under his breath, an exasperated look written all over his expression. "It's Man, Spider-Man. When will you people learn?" Now I'm laughing so hard, it almost sounds like a cackle.

"You two act like toddlers," I manage to say through the aches in my ribs.

Rolling her eyes, Shuri puts down the papers in her hands and starts walking towards me. "Peter is a toddler," She states softly.

"What was that?"

The princess presents Parker with a sweet, innocent-looking smile. "Nothing!" She faces me again, back to business. "Anyway, Steve. The algorithm was a success for the hologram. I've already rerun it multiple times, gone over tons of memories, and adjusted the math. It's nearly time to start the surgery for Mr. Barnes."

These words hit me like a bus—but in a completely, absolute, definite, good way. Tears spring to my eyes and I can't help but bury my face in my hands. My eyes immediately flick over to the tank where Bucky's laying, and I imagine him standing in front of me, his laughing blue gaze meeting mine. His chuckle rings in my ears and the feeling of his companionship forms a warmth in me; one I haven't felt in a long time. Too long. I suffocate Shuri with a bear hug.

"Thank you so much. Thank you."

She tries to reply, but her voice is muffled. I pull away with a nervous laugh and let her breathe. "I'm glad to see you so jovial, Steve. I will and am doing my best. James Buchanan Barnes will be a man free of HYDRA soon."

"What a kid." I pat her on the shoulder and grin, "I have no doubt that you could be the best Wakandan ruler ever if T'Challa wasn't already on the throne."

The princess shrugs, "I'd rather have him be king than me be queen." As we laugh, I can hear a camera shutter going off.

"You guys are so cute. Like father and daughter," The flash from Parker's phone blinds me and I can't stop smiling. I can't believe it. Bucky will be Bucky again. He'll be by my side, and I'll be by his.

'Till the end of the line.

The phrase that holds the world on its consonants and vowels is crystal clear in my mind. I can feel tears fall down my face. I think the last time I cried was when... When Buck fell off the train. Fresh pain blooms through my happiness, like the traitorous thorns of a red rose.

"Mr. Rogers, are you alright?" Peter's voice is strained, and his phone is no longer in his hands as he rushes over to me.

"I-I'm fine. It's just—the thought of James Barnes. There's a lot of memories that come with his name. Good and bad. Mostly good. Mostly great, actually."

Shuri nods in understanding and now it's her turn to pat me on the shoulder. "It's okay, Steve. The last time you saw Bucky—for real, I mean—was a little more than a year ago."

A year? It's already been a year? I've been missing him for that long? "Well in that case, I'll keep crying." The two teenagers laugh a bit, and I join them. My face is now dry, but the emotion is still there. Bucky will finally be him again. With me.  

A bittersweet chapter. 

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