Months Later.

Wakanda.

"Mrs. Barnes, we're here." The General of the Dora Milaje announced, seated in the pilots sector, the Wakandan jet whisking us through the white clouds. 

Looking over at the bay of windows in the cockpit I watched as Okoye began our descent, the rush of nerves hitting me. It had been so long. Too long. And, for as much as I had hoped, prayed, wished for this day to come now that it was here... I just hoped that all my wishful thinking wouldn't be for nothing. The problem in hoping is that in every eclipsing hope there is a dark side of doubt as well. 

Almost habitually, I fiddled with the golden wedding band on my finger, it always being a form of comfort to me when in times of distress. Almost like a security blanket, or a night light to a child. A piece of solace, always there when needed the most. 

"Do not worry," The General apprised, her native accent woven into her words like a weaved basket. "Have faith in Princess Shuri." 

Timorously, I nodded in accordance, wishing to not tote my worry around like heavy baggage, but for so long faith had come in short. Still, I just took to staring outside, the scenery too pretty to pass up, the African landscape like a painting come to life. 

Thick, earthy foliage spanned miles, and miles. The shades of sandy orange, and emerald green shimmering beneath the glow of the baking yellow sun. The pale blue sky ebbing along the horizon. 

We flew down into the heart of the Wakandan city, and I watched as the phasing hologram which protected and concealed the Capital unfurled like a scroll, unveiling the state-of-the-art, futuristic Metropolis below. The advanced city a true diamond in the rough, an eye-catching Vibranium built hamlet pivoted smack dab in the middle of natural vegetation. 

The golden beacon teeming with life, and energy. The efficient city a well running cog, a modern marvel of technology beyond your wildest dreams. Seamlessly fulfilling it's duty in bettering the lives of it's people, and now the rest of the world as well. With the International Outreach Centre up and running Wakanda was extending it's branches like a beautiful tree, offering up aid to more and more people. 

Okoye positioned us onto the helipad, the sonic stabilizers helping to land us safely down by bracketing the Vibranium jet in place before the pressurized hatch opened, the gangway lowering down. 

There waiting for me, accompanied by two armed Kingsguard, was the King himself, as well as the genius Princess. 

The humid climate weighed down my stride, but still I walked towards them, a lightness in my posture. 

"Thank you." Were the first words that left my mouth, being said in the purest sense because without them none of this would have happened. Bucky wouldn't of stood a chance without the advancements that this country held to offer. 

"It was a pleasure to take care of your broken white husband,"  Shuri replied happily before turning to her brother. "Now, if you'll excuse me I'll get your transport ready." 

I watched as the Princess scurried off, her braided hair swaying from side to side as she took off in a quick pace, but then I turned back to the Panther. 

"Transport?"

"Yes, a bit ago your husband had to be relocated to a remote village in the outskirts of the city." T'Challa explained, and I nodded, knowing the reason why immediately without even having to ask first. 

With all that went down in Wakanda not too long ago the press practically had a field day, and now the African country was under a microscope, the limelight never a nice hue when you're the one stuck under it. 

Everyone knew everything now about the once quiet, less to be desired "third world country" that was never a topic of substance. Wakanda always remained under the radar, for good reasons, cloaking itself in white lies, and false pretenses under the impression that it was for the betterment of it's own people. But, now? After being shown so blatantly the errors in his predecessors ways the new King brought with him a steadfast aspiration for change. 

"I saw the press conference awhile back," I brought to light as we waited. "Are you sure you're alright with Wakanda being out of the shadows?"

"The world is becoming more grave by the moment. As a king I have to do my part, and help those in need. I want to do more, and be better than those before me." T'Challa strongly avowed, his words spoken like a pledge to himself. 

"I heard what you found out about your dad, what he did," I began, knowing full well about the half-heir to the throne who had come to steal the show. "You're very wise, and brave to bring Wakanda, and all it has to offer out of hiding,"

"But, even though he's dead don't stay mad at your dad," I continued, staring into the Panthers deep brown eyes. "I've lived long enough to know that every wrong act is done by those who think it's the right choice." 

The lone monarch nodded at my words, listening to them, and keeping them as a keepsake. Balling his hand into a fist he stared ardently down at the Royal ring which wound around his finger, there as a token of his position, and as a reminder of the person he should always strive to be. 

"Your mode of transport is ready, Mrs. Barnes," Shuri expressed, a smirk tethered to her lips. "I bet that when your beloved sees you again that he will freeze like an antelope in headlights." 

I laughed at her words, hoping that was true. But, knowing myself it'd probably be the other way around. I'll be the one in awe. 

"Thank you again, you have no idea how much it means to me." I proclaimed once more. 

"It was our pleasure." T'Challa said, and with that off I went. 

Escorted safely by two Wakandan guards I was taken far away, the silver city diffusing out the further I went, the skyline melting into the golden distance. 

The remote village was burrowed in the midst of grassy plains. The scenery nothing but chartreuse pastures, and rickety red clay huts jutting out of the soil. Baobab trees cemented themselves in clusters, their large, lean trunks going up and up, standing tall in the background. 

A herd of goats grazed in the fields, and a singular swallow bird streaked across the azure sky. The little town, built from hay-stacked rooftops, and man-made earth looked so peaceful, and as I made my way into the heart of the village I just breathed the tranquility in, but then I saw a group of young boys running towards me. 

Their faces painted with bright tribal paint, wide grins stretching across their faces. 

"The White Wolf has awakened!" They chanted, springs in their steps as they kept on running, chasing each other around. 

I cocked a brow, that title not one I had heard before, and I didn't know who that label belonged to until I gazed further, towards the waters edge.

There standing beside the grassy shore, looking out at the sparkling reservoir, Lake Turkana rippling beneath the light of day, I saw him. 

The rest of the scenery melting away from me like a watered down painting, nothing else existing except the man before me. 

Wrapped in a crimson robe he stood staring out at the green and blue horizon, a navy scarf swathed diagonally around his chest, concealing his missing left arm. 

I felt like tearing up, but I didn't dare. This moment too sweet to blemish with the threat of a blurry, tear-stricken vision. 

In a trance I walked towards him, sunlight framed around his silhouette, his brunette strands swept up in a semi-bun. 

"Hello handsome, did you get enough beauty sleep?" I teased, making my presence known, immediately stealing his attention away from the lake. His expression softening, thawing into a look of pure happiness. A warm smile tugging at his lips.

As I walked closer to him I was met with silence, but his gaze was glossed over with tears, the sight of me the light he needed. The last step he had to have to know this was all true, that he was cured... A dream he had always wished to happen since we were reunited now a reality he could savor, and be grateful for. 

"Speechless?" I continued to taunt, running a hand along his bare, muscular arm, looking up at him. 

"No, Doll. I'm just admiring..." Bucky answered, his voice laced with love as he stared down at me. 

"Admiring what?" 

"You." He said, finally pulling me towards him, and I delighted in being in his arms again. His familiarness kindling a sense of comfort in me like nothing else had for so many months now. 

I was pulled into a deep, longing kiss. Passionate, and fiery, intent on making up for lost time. Bucky's arm snaking around my waist, palming the flesh of my hips through my shirt. 

Though unwantedly, we were interrupted. The interruption being in the form of a trio of boys, the same ones as before, and I was the first to break the kiss, making Bucky frown, him wanting nothing more than to continue. 

The boys just laughed, their yellow painted faces wrinkling as they giggled before running off again, the world a playground to them at their age. So young, and full of life. 

"Let's go inside." I heard Bucky say, holding my hand as he guided me towards his own clay lodge. 

"I've never done it in a hut before." I joked, following him anyway. 

"You were fine doing it with Steve just one tent away." Bucky countered, bringing up just one of the many odd, at random places we did it in back during the War. 

"Hey, who's fault was that?" I snapped back as we stepped inside the little house. "And, it was fine. Steve was fast asleep." 

Bucky just smiled, the kind of smile that he once held back in the day, before he easily threw me onto the bed, and pinned me beneath him. His one arm effortlessly clasping my hands above my head. 

Happily, I kissed him, wrapping my legs around his torso, my shirt now unbuttoned, his navy scarf cast aside. 

"God, I missed you, Doll." Bucky whispered, feeling safe, and whole again with me beside him. 






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