Chapter Text
“Ah, white wolf, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Shuri said greeting the super soldier at the entrance to her lab. She noticed you standing nervously tucked behind him. “And who is this?”
“She’s the reason we’ve come by to see you, we were wondering if you would be able to remove her HYDRA programming, as you removed mine?” Bucky put his arm around you to bring you forward. You bowed your head in respect for Shuri, but you were also nervous, what if she couldn’t help you?
“Ah, I’ve been expecting you. She is not quite what I pictured when Nat described her to me, but yes, the same process should work for her too.” Shuri started to explain that they first had to go see her brother to inform him of your arrival, then she would start the procedure.
King T’challa was extremely welcoming and pleased to help. Upon seeing how Bucky looked at you, he smiled. “White wolf, will you be staying here while she is in cryo? Not that she will take as long as you did.” Bucky nodded as your face paled.
Shuri explained how to get to the cryo chamber in case Bucky forgot, before giving you two some time alone. “Moonlight, you look really pale. Are you okay?” You shook your head as you stared at the ground. “What’s wrong can you talk to me?” He pleaded hoping he could help you.
You felt like you couldn’t breathe like your chest was on fire and you were drowning at the same time. this hadn’t happened in forever, but you would recognize the feeling of a panic attack anywhere. Bucky noticed and helped ground you and calm you down. “Whenever you were put in cryo, that was when my torture would ensue, or at least be strongest. I don’t know if I can be in the same room as a cryo machine again.” You panted out in a whisper.
Bucky’s heart ached for you, knowing the effects of trauma like that. “I will be with you every step of the way. I will be there right as you go in, and right as you come out. And I promise Shuri will take excellent care of you.” He wrapped you tightly up in his arms to convey his sincerity, before pressing his lips to yours, but not in a way of saying goodbye, but rather, I will be with you forever.
You let him lead you into the room and panic filled your chest again, but that time you pushed through it, repeating Bucky’s words over and over. I will be with you. Those were the last words you thought before you are frozen. Bucky returned to the place he spent a fair amount of time, during his own time in treatment.
A few weeks later, Bucky got a phone call from Shuri, telling him it was time for you to awaken, and that he should be there when you did. As he entered the room with you in your cryo sleep, Bucky wondered what you were thinking about when you were put under, because for him that was always what he woke up thinking. He just hoped that it wasn’t panic. He hated to see you in such a state.
The happy tears that streamed down both of your faces upon hearing that you were finally free, further strengthened the bond that the two of you had built over the few months since the incident. That day was the first day of the rest of your lives together.