Winter's Sunshine

27. Wakanda

Jen stared in awe as the Quinjet slid into a whole different world. Bucky too mirroring her, smiled fondly looking at it. After a safe landing, King T'Challa welcomed them warmly. He greeted them and led them to Shuri's lab.

Shuri explained to Bucky how the Cryo-sleep stasis worked and emphasized how it would free him from his trigger words without damaging his memories.

"That's brilliant", Bucky said smiling at her.

"I know right!", she replied excitedly.

Bucky was convinced that this would work for him and was all ready for his beauty sleep. "How long do I have to be here?", he asked

"For a few days maybe one week. Few hours each day and then you will be free.", Shuri said setting up the Cryo machine.

"Okay. And Shuri, thank you so much for helping me with this"

"You are most welcome, Sergeant Barnes."

"Bucky, please.", he said correcting her.

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Bucky looked over to his right to see Jen sitting on the pier. He timed his run and made his way to her. He walked towards her with a steady pace and reached to the very edge where she was sitting. The lake in front of him looked so calm and beautiful. He stood behind her for a while but she didn't notice him. He cleared his throat to grab her attention. Jen who was lost in her thoughts looked up and smiled at him. "Hey, Bucky", she said, softly.

Bucky sat down next to her and decided to lean on to her. He kept leaning in until she started laughing. Mission accomplished, he high-fived mentally.

"Stop, you are heavy.", she said pushing him away. Bucky laughed at her attempts as she tried hard to push him and Jen laughed too as he kept crushing her.

"This is the first time you have laughed since we landed here.", Bucky remarked, sitting up.

Jen ran her fingers through her hair as she processed what Bucky had said. It was true, their conversation on the Quinjet had really affected her.

"What are you thinking Jen?", Bucky asked throwing a pebble in the lake.

"Nothing, just realized everything is not the way it seems."

"What do you mean?", he asked, curiously

"Nothing.", Jen said looking away from him.

"Why are you getting all philosophical? Made you cry a little too much, didn't I?"

"I am so sorry Buck", Jen said shaking her head in guilt. She was regretting what she had done to him.

"Oh, Stop it now, I have experienced worse", he said reassuring her.

Jen fell silent once again, an awkward tension building between them. Bucky noticed Jen thinking about something. Is it about me? Is it about us? , he wondered.

"How do you feel, Bucky? You know after going through Cryo?", Jen asked him.

"Good actually. Just a little bit drowsy."

"Like your body is rebooting."

"Yup, exactly. Like a blur, just like a dream"

Jen nodded at him and went quiet again. Bucky didn't like this side of Jen. Silence was taking over every now and then. Bucky missed his old Jen, beautiful and always cheerful.

"I don't like you like this", he said, breaking the silence.

"Huh?", she looked at him in confusion.

"Why so silent, say something", he urged.

"I don't know what to say", she admitted absent-mindley.

"I tend to have that effect on many", Bucky said, with a smirk on his face.

Jen chuckled at his comment and laughed hard looking at him. Of course you do Bucky.

Bucky was pleased to see Jen laugh. "This is the Jen I love to see"

"Huh?" Jen heard Bucky speak. "What did you say?", she questioned him.

"He said that he loves when you are all happy and smiling", Shuri said walking towards them. "That's what you meant, right Bucky?

"Yes! That's what I meant", Bucky said and Shuri winked at him. Shit that was close. Not now Bucky, he reminded himself.

"Hey, Jen!", Shuri greeted her.

"Hey Shuri", Jen replied smiling.

"So Bucky, how do you feel?", Shuri asked wiggling her eyebrows at him.

"Pretty good, thanks to you"

"Thank me when I send you off trigger free."

"Yes, I am hoping for the same", Bucky said, chuckling.

Shuri watched Jen who was looking at Bucky fondly. Oh, kiss him already!

Shuri had felt a weird chemistry between them. Must be complicated she thought when she saw them together. She was not sure how Jen felt for Bucky,but looking at her now she was sure, Jen liked him too.

"Jen!", Shuri exclaimed,as yet another amazing idea came in her head. "I want you to do something for me!"

"Yes? What is it?", Jen asked surprised.

"You come with me", Shuri said grabbing her hurriedly.

"What do you have in mind", Jen asked running behind her.

"I will tell you everything.", she whispered to her. "Later Bucky!", she called out to him.