xxx MCU xxx
Squeezing his eyes shut tighter against the light, his first thought, "Who opened the drapes?"
Slowly he responds to the wave of feeling throughout his body as the cold subsides.
"Cold?"
His body tenses as he waits for guards to pull him from the chamber. Once he realizes no one is forcing him out, confusion sets in.
He tries to remember and for the first time in decades, the memories … they are there. Gradually, but surely, taking shape.
He thinks maybe he should open his eyes now, but is reluctant to do so, wanting to bask in the warmth of those long forgotten moments. A few tears roll down his cheek.
He remembers.
Memories of long ago, those days back in Brooklyn … family and friends. Some of the best days of his life and some of the worse. Christmases with his family that were shared with Steve and his Mom. Hardships and struggles during the Depression. Tears and laughter. All coming back to him now.
It was like a dream and he never wanted to wake up. He wanted to stay in those moments as long as possible. It had been so long since he could even think of the simplest things. His Mom's cooking, it was the best. Giving his siblings and Steve a hard time, wasn't that what a big brother is for?
"Sergeant Barnes?"
The voice startles him out of his reverie.
"Who was that?"
Not recognizing the voice, he slips back into his memories, but soon wishes he had awakened.
The dark times of the War. Knowing Steve was safe in Brooklyn looking after his family carried him through some of his biggest struggles in the war, especially being captured. The horror Zola put him through then the respite of being rescued … by none other than his newly-transformed best friend. The camaraderie of the Howling Commandos was tempered by the end of that era, the fall.
"It is time to wake up, Sergeant."
That voice again.
"Who is that?"
A rhythm distracts him. Then more and more sounds.
"Is that machinery? Wait, no, … a drum?"
A light touch on his shoulder causes him to jolt awake, almost falling off the table, but gentle hands keep him steady.
"Wha … what?" He searches the room for something familiar and starts taking quick short breaths.
"It's okay Sergeant Barnes. You're safe."
The young girl holds her hands up in front of her.
"Breathe. You're in Wakanda. We just woke you from Cryo."
She motions for the Dora Milaje to stand down and for her two assistants to give them space.
"Wakanda." He lowers his head, slowing his breaths. "Wakanda … cryo."
Closing his eyes, he remembers a man in a cat suit … Black Panther, T'Challa. Once his pursuer who became his rescuer, offering him refuge.
"How do you feel?"
The chase through the streets of Bucharest, the fight in Berlin, the encounter in Siberia with the offer to help. Caught up in the memories of the most recent events, he doesn't hear the question.
"Sergeant? Sergeant, do you remember how you got here?"
He opens his eyes and looks at her before responding.
"Yes, Shuri, I do."
He blinks back the tears of joy.
THE END
P.S. Happy 101st Birthday, Bucky!