Worth The Risk (bucky barnes x reader fanfiction)

Part Three

You lounged on the bed you'd been provided and rifled through your duffle, looking for the book you'd packed for the trip. At the same time, Steve and Bucky were sat in the lounge of the small living unit T'challa had arranged for the three of you, talking in hushed voices. You hadn't wanted to intrude so you'd taken to busying yourself in your room.

As you finally found what you were looking for, you sat back in to your pillows and focused on the novel in front of you, completely losing track of time.

Later that afternoon, Steve dropped by your room to let you know that him and Bucky were going to go prepare for the procedure. As soon as they left you moved out to the lounge and grabbed a small bite to eat before getting comfortable on the couch, enjoying the open space and the large window overlooking the jungle outside.

Steve and Bucky returned later that evening, upset and exhausted. As soon as they entered you looked up to greet them only for Bucky to storm past you towards his room. Steve collapsed on to the couch next to you, sighing out in frustration. You looked towards him, confused and concerned, as he massaged his temples.

"Everything okay, Steve?" you asked softly, setting down your book on the table in front of you.

As he looked up, you could see the pain and worry reflected in his eyes. Frowning, you moved closer to his side and brought his larger frame in to your arms.

"Steve..." you began softly.

You'd rarely seen him this upset and you could only assume the worst: that the treatment wasn't working and that Bucky was going to have to go back under until they found a new solution.

"Did it work?" you asked tentatively, your cheek squished against the side of his arm.

Steve let out a small humorless chuckle but stopped when he saw how scared you were. He sighed and ran his hands over his face before speaking.

"It did."

You let out a sigh of relief.

"What's the matter then? What happened?"

Steve sat up straighter and you shifted so that you could continue to lean in to his side. Your arms moved from around his torso to his hand, intertwining his fingers with yours.

Steve took a shaky breath, pausing before he explained.

"The serum has different effects on our bodies. It's not just strength, and stamina, and reflexes. We can't get drunk because our bodies metabolize too quickly." He began slowly. You looked up at your best friend, encouraging him to continue. You already knew that much. "This is the first treatment method that requires surgery and apparently the anesthesia doesn't affect us either. The pain is so intense all Buck can think about is when Hydra jumbled up his brain. He just keeps reliving it." He took a deep breath. "I can't watch. I'm not even sure if it's worth it, he's so scared. I don't know what to do, Y/N."

"Oh." You let out weakly, not sure what else to say.

Steve nodded and the two of you sat in silence as you continued to process what he'd just said.

"He'll decide what's best for him, Steve." You offered slowly, praying that your words were what he needed to hear. "The closer they get to the solution, the faster they come up with possible treatments. If this doesn't work for Bucky, you'll still get him back soon."

Steve nodded and gave your hand a squeeze.

"Thank you." He mumbled, untangling his hand from yours to stand before you. "I think I'm going to go lay down for a bit. It's been a long day."