After the relief of being restored to the Earth had dissolved into the pain of a world without Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes was faced with his first selfish decision in almost 80 years.

"What do I do now?"

The silver shimmering sunlight of Wakanda illuminated the private dining room of the royal family. The floor-to-ceiling windows allowed for an amazing view of Birnin Zana. Bucky would never tire of this city, so reminiscent of the futuristic imaginings of the pulp magazines of his youth. He'd made it to the future. Alone.

A voice broke into his musings. "Well, what did you want to do before the whole…?" Shuri snapped her fingers.

"I hadn't really thought that far ahead. I was focused on getting myself back." Bucky attempted a gentle smile at the young woman who had been so crucial to his healing.

Shuri gestured at the food on the table they shared, reminding him to eat. "You are losing weight. You are not taking care of yourself."

Bucky spooned a mixture of fruit and grains into his mouth and widened his eyes as if to say Are you happy now?.

Nodding approvingly, Shuri said, "We appreciate the work you've done, helping us fix the damage from the battles. My brother has made it clear, and I hope I have as well, that you are welcome to stay with us in Wakanda as long as you wish."

The offer was genuine, and the temptation to stay in Wakanda was strong. But he'd spent the past few weeks closing up his farm and had exchanged the comfortable rhythm of that life for jeans, hoodie, and a backpack with all of his meager possessions. He was ready to leave.

"You've been kind to me for so long. I am grateful for your hospitality, but I don't want to be a burden, any more than I already have. "

"You are not a burden, White Wolf. We've all grown quite fond of you, particularly the children."

Bucky felt the first genuine smile on his face in the months since his return. "The kids have been fantastic. Really. They were welcoming to me when they could have just been afraid. I've enjoyed teaching them baseball and profanity in various Eastern European languages."

"Perhaps you could become a teacher?"

"Don't know that I'd be an appropriate role model."

Shuri shook her head at Bucky's attempt to joke about his past. "You're a good man. You'll never convince me any different."

Bucky could only shrug at her certainty.

"I'm glad we had a chance to share a meal before you leave. T'Challa sends his regards. He is sorry he could not be here to send you off today."

"I regret not being able to say goodbye to him in person." And it was true. Bucky was no longer surprised by his ability to feel affection towards people. He would honestly miss Shuri, T'Challa, and so many other Wakandans who had allowed him into their lives.

"Where are you headed first? DC, still?"

"That's the plan. I have to visit the new Captain America."

Shuri winced. "Are you sure you're up to that?"

"It's just Wilson." Bucky ate another bite of his breakfast. "He asked me to give him tips on how to project good ol' Captain America righteousness and glory."

Shuri's eyes widened in mock dismay. "Oh, he asked the wrong person."

"Sure did. At least, I can help him learn how to use the shield. Wilson's been embarrassing himself so far, if I can be frank with you." Bucky made sure his facial expression showed he was teasing.

"You know how to use the shield?"

Bucky had held the shield many times. He remembered wielding it in the freight car, catching it as the Soldier, tossing it back and forth with Captain America behind enemy lines. He murmured wistfully. "I taught Steve, after all."

"Really?"

"Showed him how to use a garbage can lid to defend himself because he was always getting beat up in alleys."

Shuri laughed. "He was the troublemaker, wasn't he? I've seen photos of both of you from the 1930s and 40s. You are the one who looks like he should have been the bad influence, all roguish good looks and charm."

Bucky held up his hands, palms out defensively. "Nope. The bad influence was all him. I wouldn't have gotten into as many fights as a kid if I didn't have to haul his ass out of them all the time."

Shuri focused her keen gaze upon him. "Does it hurt to talk about him?"

Bucky bought time to think with another bite of food. "Of course, it does. It'd hurt more to not talk about him, though, you know?"

"We keep those we have lost alive in our memories. Speaking those aloud bring our loved ones back to life, if only for a fleeting moment."

Bucky hummed in response. They ate together in companionable silence until General Okoye walked in. "Wheels up in an hour, Sergeant Barnes."

As much as he felt he no longer deserved or wanted his rank, he appreciated the respect of the honorific directed towards him. He tipped his head. "Thank you, General."

"How dare you help take my favorite broken white boy from me?" Shuri crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow at the leader of the Dora Milage.

"It's not about helping him. I just enjoy the challenge of flying in and out of US airspace undetected." Okoye grabbed a piece of fruit from Shuri's plate, winked at them both, and then left the room.

As much as Bucky craved solitude, he knew he'd miss the banter and comfort of having a family, a team, around him. The decision to leave was the right one, much as his decision to be alone after the battle over the Potomac had been the right one. After so many years with no other purpose than to follow orders, Bucky needed time and space to find a new purpose. Nobody needed to bear witness to his upcoming struggles. Preparing to exist in a world without Steve would be much more difficult than preparing to live in a world with him. He could already feel emotional distance from Wakanda setting in.

Shuri must have seen it in his eyes. "I guess it's time to give you your bon voyage present."

"You don't have to give me anything when you've already done so much."

"Shut up, old man. First, the farm is yours. You built it."

"Shuri, no…"

Ignoring his protests, Shuri said, "Second…remember the favor you asked of me? Back before you went into cryo the first time. That project you wanted me to work on?"

"Yes." He could barely force out a whisper as his heart rate accelerated.

Shuri reached below the table and pulled out a small case. It was made of vibranium, inlaid with gold. "Touch here." She indicated a subtle thumbprint-shaped indentation. Bucky did so and heard the movement of a locking mechanism.

"Open it."

The case had several compartments to hold electronics, cords, and documents, and contained a precious bracelet of Kimoyo beads, but Bucky's attention was captured by two vials of clear liquid.

"I know the bracelet will not work outside Wakanda, but you can use it to return here and gain entry whenever you wish. Your cottage will be ready and waiting for you." Shuri was almost bouncing in her enthusiasm while showing off her gift to him.

Bucky touched the vials reverently. "Two doses?"

"When you asked me for this, I immediately knew Captain Rogers would want it, too. And that you would want it for him. It seemed wrong not to give you both doses now, as I always intended."

"Thank you. This means a lot." He had to know. "The formulation, did you destroy it?"

"No."

Before Bucky could object, she said, "There may always be a reason to refine it. I'm 99% certain it will work as is, but I'd rather not start from scratch if it doesn't. Don't worry, I hid the file inside a directory that contains all my worst musical choices."

Bucky appreciated her attempt to lighten the mood, but there was something he still needed to ask. "When I choose to dose myself, this arm… would you be willing to modify it or make me a new one, or at least take it back?"

"Why would you want that? It isn't a weapon."

"I know. But it's still stronger, more capable, than prosthetics made for amputees."

"Well, that just suits you then." At Bucky's confused look, Shuri continued, "You're one of the strongest, most capable men I've ever known."

"I don't know about that."

"I do. Everyone who has ever met you knows that about you."

Some of those who had met him hadn't survived long enough to know that about him because of his strength and capabilities. He couldn't go a single day, a single hour without remembering that.

Shuri must have recognized his thoughts from the expression on his face. She'd become expert at reading him. "After DC, what then?"

Bucky sighed ruefully at her. "Not sure. Been a long time since I had control over my own itinerary."

"What were your dreams a century ago, old man? Or do you not remember?"

Bucky remembered his dreams all too well. "I know I don't want to fight anymore. I know I don't want to be someone's tool."

"That's a good start." Shuri waited for him to continue. He owed this woman who he'd grown to think of as a beloved younger sister a better answer. A true answer.

"Shuri, you know as well as I do, I never gave one damn thought to a future that didn't include Steve. You helped me filter through my memories, assessing which ones were planted and which were real. You know ever since I met him, pretty much my whole life, my primary goal was to care for him. I just wanted him to be healthy and happy, and he never got that, not really. Healthy, yes, but happy? I don't think he ever was." Bucky felt a tear trickle down his face and wiped it away quickly. "He sacrificed so much, helped so many people. He deserved better."

Shuri reached across the table and grabbed his hand. "So do you. You deserve so much better than what was done to you. Nobody wanted you to be happy more than Steve did. He'd hate that you were suffering now."

"Well then, he shouldn't have offered himself up to be killed." The anger welled up in Bucky. "I didn't ask for that. He knew I would never want that."

"What would Steve want for you now?"

And as quickly as the anger had come, it fell away from Bucky, leaving him hollow. "He'd want me to live."

Shuri walked around the table to hug him where he was seated, her arms clasped over his chest. "Then that is what you know you must do."