I settled in a chair next to the cradle, watching that silent timer click down slowly but surely.
Every so often, there was a soft hiss as pressure released from the cradle.
Shuri monitored his vitals hourly, making sure everything was okay.
Staring at him, I realized his hair had grown quite a bit, it was past his shoulders now. I wondered if he'd cut it when he woke up.
He had more facial hair too; that scruff had filled in.
Time passed slower than I could have imagined. These were the longest hours of my life. Shuri kept herself busy with other work, only coming over for the vital checks. After about nine hours, though, she showed me how to do it myself and gave me a list of things to look out for, along with where his numbers needed to stay for it to be safe.
"I'm going to head out and get some rest," Shuri said through a long stretch of exhaustion. "I'll have one of my assistants check in during the night to make sure everything's okay."
She glanced at me, already knowing the answer. "I know this is a foolish question, but... will you be staying here?"
My eyes locked on Bucky. "Yeah. I don't think I'd be able to sleep anyway."
"Oh." Shuri walked over to me, gently grabbing my hands and tugging me away from the cradle.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Griot, activate sleep mode," she called out.
Suddenly, the entire lab shifted. The bright white lights overhead turned off, replaced by gentle twinkle lights that mimicked a night sky. The gold trim across the floor lit up just enough to move around safely. All the monitors went dark, except the cradle's. The beeping silenced. A round couch rose from the floor, repositioning itself beside the cradle.
It was truly an amazing sight.
"Don't tell my mother," Shuri said with a sly smile. "When I have too much work on my mind to sleep in my room, I stay close to my work this way."
"Thank you."
I settled onto the round couch. It felt soft, almost otherworldly. The shape reminded me of what I imagined a fairy might sleep on, curled inside a flower.
I turned to face Bucky. The lights in the cradle had dimmed too, but not so much that I couldn't see him.
"Good night, Bucky. I'll see you soon," I whispered, closing my eyes and drifting off.
I had such an odd dream.
Bucky and I were living in a suburban house—the white picket fence kind I used to dream of as a kid. I saw him in the kitchen, getting ready for work in a suit and tie. Both arms—no metal. A smile across his face as he said good morning.
Something felt heavy in my arms. I looked down and saw a little baby girl, couldn't be older than a few months, dressed in a pink onesie, a bow headband tied around her peach-fuzz head.
"How are my girls?" he asked, walking over with a coffee in hand, giving both of us gentle kisses on the forehead.
"We're fine." The words came out before I even realized I was saying them.
"I'm glad. I have to head off, but I'll see you two later?" He slipped into a blazer, walking to the door.
Suddenly, I felt dread.
Deep, consuming.
If he walked out that door, I knew somehow I'd never see him again. I'd be alone, with a baby.
I looked down.
She was gone.
"Bucky, where's the baby?" I shouted, panic gripping me.
Then I heard laughter. I looked up.
Bucky was standing there, laughing like I was crazy. His suit was gone. He wore black military gear.
"Bucky?"
A gun was clenched in his hand. His metal arm.
"What's happening?"
A man stepped out behind him. "Soldat, kill her."
"What? Bucky?" I whispered.
He raised the gun at me.
I heard more laughter—my mother, leaning against the counter.
"I told you to just party," she said, smiling cruelly. "Now you're gonna end up just like me."
No.
This isn't real.
I tried to move, but my arms were stuck.
Chained to the wall.
No, I know this.
Not again.
I couldn't move. My body wouldn't listen. My voice wouldn't come out.
Bucky, help me. I mouthed.
But nothing came out.
His eyes met mine, cold.
He didn't know me.
"Hail Hydra," he said, pulling the trigger.
I jolted awake, screaming.
Sweat clung to my skin. My clothes were soaked.
I shook uncontrollably, gasping.
I searched the room. No one was there.
Just Bucky—still asleep in the cradle, exactly as I left him.
I looked up.
The timer read: 35 hours and 22 minutes remaining.
Damn it. What the hell was that?
Why now?
I rolled to my side, facing Bucky agian. My head rested on my hand as I tried to breathe.
It wasn't real.
This is real.
No one can get to you here.
No one can get to him.
Hydra's gone.
I got up slowly and turned the heartbeat monitor back on. It had this odd function where it could play his actual heartbeat out loud instead of just that annoying beep.
I laid back down, listening to it. It was slow. Calm.
I focused on my breathing and tried to match mine to his.
This was the only way I could feel him now.
At least until he woke up.
I spent the next three hours like that—matching my heart rate to his, watching the timer.
I didn't dare close my eyes again.
I should call Steve tomorrow. He'll want to know, and be here when Bucky wakes up.
It'll take him a while to get here, though. I heard he had to ditch the jet, too easy to track. From what I understand, he and Nat are hiding on foot now.
King T'Challa's been in contact with them, but since they're wanted by the UN because of those accords, they can't get asylum here. Not when Wakanda is trying to make agreements with the UN.
It would put everything T'Challa's been working for at risk. Steve understood that.
I think that's why he never asked.
I did, though. I'm just snoopy like that, I guess.
Before I knew it, the big windows in Shuri's lab lit up with red, orange, and gold. A gorgeous sunrise sky.
I sat up to watch it, placing my hand on the cold glass of the cradle as if to hold his.
"I'm excited to watch the sunrise with you, Bucky," I whispered. "I can't wait."
32 hours remaining.