A/N: Requested by @hollyxxjones
I'm sorry if this one was a bit shorter than usual! I guess I was concise this time around! Also: I had to actually go back and watch this scene in order to get a read on facial expressions and tones of voice... And guess who still sobbed like a child while watching it again! ME!
****
It was late.
Late enough for you to normally already be tucked into bed, mentally preparing for the next day ahead.
But tonight, there's an exception to your usual sleep schedule.
Tonight will give truth to Shuri's genius.
Tonight will determine the future of your fiancé's healing.
Tonight, Bucky Barnes will be forced to re-live pieces of his past that he so deserves to leave there - dead and gone.
You shiver at the thought, wrapping the blanket draped over your shoulders and across your lap, casting your gaze from the roaring fire in front of you to the dark sky above, dotted with clouds.
It had been a nice evening for a walk through the Wakandan forest in order to get to the small outlook you're currently situated on, the glimmering lights of the city on the horizon.
But, the walk had been tense.
Ayo had silently lead the way, while you and Bucky trailed behind, his good hand not leaving yours the entire time.
He was nervous.
So incredibly scared.
Sighing softly, you lower your gaze from the night sky and over to the man sitting across the fire from you, the warm light illuminating his handsome features, twisted into a fearful thoughtfulness.
"It is time," Ayo muses firmly, though her voice carries a genuine compassion to it.
Your eyes don't leave your fiancé, who now looks evidently paler, his fist clenched tightly, eyes still fixated on the flames dancing in front of him.
"You're sure about this?" He replies, voice wavering slightly, though you can tell he's trying to sound brave.
Your heart aches as you hear the uncertainty in Bucky's tone, your instincts driving you to reach out and wrap the man in an embrace.
But, you can't.
Ayo and the rest of the Wakandans who set this test up made that much clear.
For fear Shuri was unsuccessful in removing the programming those HYDRA bastards had engrained into his head, it was made clear that you were to stay near the member of the Dora Milaje.
"I won't let you hurt anymore," She assures Bucky, passing a glance towards where you're sitting, almost looking for your approval.
All you can do is a manage a feeble nod, tears beginning to prick your eyes.
Please let this work.
I'm not sure what I'll do if it doesn't.
"Желание (Longing)," Ayo begins, the simple word sending shivers dancing down your own spine, your gaze not leaving the man sitting across from you.
"Ржавый (Rusted)."
Bucky's entire demeanor shifts, his fist tightening so much that it's quickly becoming white, though his eyes don't leave the flames.
"Семнадцать (Seventeen)." The woman continues, beginning to pace now, nearing the evidently petrified form of the man sitting across from you.
"It's not gonna work," Bucky protests weakly, voice shaking, steeling himself for the words he knows are coming next.
"It will," You whisper, your own voice cracking, your body beginning to shake.
Whether in fear or anticipation or a bit of both, you can't determine.
"Рассвет (Daybreak)," Ayo continues, ignoring the former Winter Soldier's concerns, pushing the test forward.
Bucky grimaces, shaking his head slightly as if to ward off the memories no likely beginning to plague his mind.
"Печь (Furnace), Девять (Nine)..."
The woman pauses, observing Bucky's now clearly troubled state, his facial expressions shifting so rapidly from one to the next, all filled with such pain and anguish, you can't help but begin to silently sob.
"You can do it James," You murmur beneath your breath, a sob choking your voice. "You're almost there."
"Добросердечный (Benign), Возвращение на Родину (Homecoming)..."
Those words seem to impact the former assassin heavier than the rest, his lips turning upward into a snarl, eyebrows furrowing, his breathing becoming heavier.
He's fighting against it.
So incredibly hard.
"Almost there," You whisper hoarsely, tears streaming freely down your cheeks, the grip around the blanket on your shoulders excruciatingly tight.
"Один (One)."
All you can do is watch as Bucky's bottom lip begins to quiver, his own tears threatening to spill over any second now.
"Товарный вагон (Freight Car)."
That's the last one.
That's the last trigger word.
You stare at your fiancé through the flames, his entire form beginning to shake as sobs of disbelief, relief and gratefulness flow through him.
"You are free," Ayo declares softly as Bucky finally removes his gaze from the fire separating the pair of you, looking up at the Wakandan in pure disbelief.
The woman nods towards your still shaking and sobbing form sitting off to the side, motioning for you to come closer.
"You are free."
Instantly, you spring to your feet, dashing towards the man you've always loved with every fibre of your being, wrapping him in a bone crushing embrace, pulling his broken form into yours.
"You're free," You murmur shakily into his ear, as his one-handed grip around your waist tightens, shoulders shaking violently once more. "You're finally free, Buck."
The pair of you stay like that for some time, the fire beginning to burn out beside where you're seated, the woman who had been by your side previously now long gone, having decided to leave you two with a moment to yourselves.
The only sounds surrounding you are of the soft breeze whistling through the trees, the dull crackle of the fire and the sounds of your mingled, wavering breaths.
"I..." Bucky begins, voice a dry whisper as he pulls away from you, fresh tears surfacing while his gaze wanders over you.
"It's okay," You assure him, knowing that what he just had to endure was likely extremely, extremely difficult for him after all these years. "You're okay. You're fine."
He manages a slight nod and a forced smile as you reach towards his cheek, tucking a loose piece of his much longer hair behind his ear.
"I know," Bucky murmurs, his stormy blue eyes filled with so many emotions all at once settling gently upon you. "I'm just not sure how to feel other than relieved."
"That's all you need to feel right now. You have every right to feel relieved."
The man in front of you lowers his gaze from yours, frowning.
"I don't understand..." He murmurs, emotion thick in his tone, gaze raising to meet yours again.
"Understand what?" You hum, shuffling closer to his side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer to you.
"Why did you come here? With me?"
His question catches you off guard, your face twisting into a look of pure confusion.
"Because I knew this wasn't exactly going to be a walk in the park," You explain, furrowing your eyebrows. "I tagged along to support you because I love you."
"But what if it hadn't worked?" Bucky murmurs, a slight wavering in his tone, his blue eyes shining with new tears.
You shake your head, clicking your tongue, patting his shoulder.
"It worked. You're free. That's all that matters, right?"
Your fiancé sighs heavily, leaning into your side, stifling a yawn.
"It just seems too good to be true," He breathes, lifting his head towards the heavens with a soft chuckle. "But it is true."
You nod, pride and genuine happiness swelling within you as you raise your own head towards the now starry sky.
"Indeed it is," You grin, the feeling of a rough yet soft hand gently cupping your cheek causing you to bring your attention back down to earth.
"Thank you for sticking with me - through thick and thin."
You watch as his face nears yours, his earlier tears now completely absent, replaced with a playful gleam.
"You're welcome," You breathe as Bucky's lips softly meet yours, his hand slowly moving from your cheek to the back of your neck, keeping you close to him while your lips dance together.
Though he tastes like salty tears and could use some chapstick, you don't mind one bit.
After all, you're kissing the love of your life.
Who's finally free.
James Buchanan Barnes is no longer HYDRA's puppet - their plaything - their weapon.
No.
Rather, he is himself again.
Though he may be broken, he is still a man.
The man who knows he is loved beyond all measure by his friends and family.
The man who is your soon to be husband.
The man who may one day be the Father of your children.
James Buchanan Barnes is no longer the Winter Soldier.
He is free.
Free to be the man he never got the chance to be.