The Earth's Child: A Bucky Barnes fanfiction

Sing Me to Sleep

Special Note: This chapter is based on the song "Sing Me to Sleep" by Alan Walker because this song is literally stuck in my head!

"Your breathing isn't as painful now, is it?" asked Bucky, when Bella finally opened her eyes.

"No," whispered Bella, still sounding weak, but the oxygen mask was now gone so she could be heard clearly.

"You did great, doll."

Bucky lifted her left arm to his lips and kissed the fingers. He looked lovingly at her little pinkie finger which would be amputated that evening and smiled sadly at her.

"What's wrong, boo bear?" asked Bella, taking her hand from his and cupping his cheek.

"Nothing, doll. I just, I haven't seen you in so long, and I really missed you."

Bella smiled and traced a finger along his stubble.

"You need to shave, Buck."

"No. I am planning on keeping it."

"That would make you kind of sexy."

Bucky laughed at how adorable she sounded and took her hand and gently laid it back on the bed. He didn't want to jostle her recently healed ulna.

Bucky looked at her IV and saw multiple black and blue spots around it: bruises from the IV's given by Hydra. God knows what they had given her in those. Shuri was still trying to find out exactly what drug was injected into her.

"They will change it soon," said Bucky. "I guess tomorrow they will switch the IV to your other arm."

Bella's lips quivered for a while and then she nodded, making it obvious how much she was hiding from him.

He kissed her little finger, bidding it a silent farewell, before kissing her lightly on her forehead. He stepped out of her room and was heading towards the gym where Steve was training. Shuri stopped him just before he could leave.

"You have to sign this," she said.

"What is this?" asked Bucky.

"It says that you have consented to Bella's surgery for finger amputation. And that- you were informed that she will be fully conscious during that procedure."

"She will WHAT?!"

Shuri stepped back a few paces at his sudden outburst.

"I told you she is resistant to local anaesthesia," said Shuri. "And she might be developing a resistance to general anaesthesia. So, we are saving it for the gynaecological and haemorrhage surgeries."

"But-"

"I know, White Wolf. I wish there was another way. But there isn't. Just sign this, please."

Bucky signed the papers and he exited the infirmary when Shuri called him from behind.

"Hey, White Wolf," she said.

"What? Anything wrong?" asked Bucky, his brain starting to panic.

"No. Well, the surgeries will start in a few hours and I think it is best if you spend some time with her now."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean- listen. She is not well. She might- let's just say that we are not sure in what condition she will be in after the surgery. So, you should stay with her now. And moreover, you will not be allowed to see her for the next five days. So-"

"What? Why won't I be allowed to see her?"

"Not just you, no one. The reasons are hard to explain, but please trust me, okay?" Bucky nodded defeatedly. "Now go, spend some time with her."