Bucky tried shifting himself around without disturbing Steve. One push onto his back and the pins and needles started in his arm as the circulation tried to make up for lost time. Steve didn't open his eyes but smiled in his sleep. Bucky wriggled his fingers to help restore the blood flow. They started working again, allowing him to sit up. He debated on what to do first. He couldn't do things without thinking anymore. Each step involved careful thought and the first step involved putting on a shirt. He crawled over to his pack, and the slight sound of the zipper made just enough noise for Steve to open his eyes.
"You looked happy," Bucky said as he struggled with the pack. He was able to keep it still by holding it down with one knee. To his relief, Steve didn't offer to help.
"Dreaming," he said, rolling over on his back and stretching, as he sat up. "You and me, as kids, back in Brooklyn.."
"Those were the days," Bucky said, slipping a t-shirt over his head and poking his arm through the sleeve. One step down. New emotions flowed through him as stared down at the empty sleeve. He remembered all the other times he endured this. What if this time... No. Not an option. He pulled out the sling, and Steve came out of his sleeping bag, taking the time to help him with the adjustments.
"I'm still amazed by how we found each other so early in life…" Steve said.
"So am I," Bucky said. "We're lucky." Except you found your Bucky, I found my Steve. He tried to stand up, but Steve's arm around his waist, holding him down. Bucky struggled against the embrace. "Steve, we need to get ready if we want to reach the Waterfalls today," he said, trying to make his tone sound lighthearted. Steve said nothing but pulled him closer. His hands brush against his hair.
At that moment, from somewhere outside the tent, the faintest whisper of footfalls. Steve snapped out of his dream-like state.
"Animal?" Steve asked, his voice low.
"Maybe," Bucky replied, matching his volume. "They can't get in, This vibranium tent is strong, but we can still fight. Two against one… I'll check things out."
Steve's arm tightened around him again. "No," he said. "We'll wait." Outside the steps came closer and closer.
"Not an animal," he said. Bucky nodded in agreement.
"Captain Rogers?" A voice called out, and both men relaxed. Vision.
Steve put his fingers to his lips and unzipped the flap to peer out. After a moment he motioned Bucky over allowing him to see Vision in his human form standing outside their camp.
"May I approach?" he asked. A familiar light glowed in his eyes.
Steve nodded, and the android came closer. "Bucky, I trust you are doing well?" he asked.
"I'm ok, how did you find us?" He asked. "The Vibranium shields heat signatures…"
"You are correct, but I am able to scan for Vibranium. Few deposits exist in this area, but my sensors picked up your campsite. I took a chance and checked this out. The drone has no such search options but I still would suggest you move from this area as soon as possible."
"Are you ok?" Bucky asked as Steve disappeared back inside the tent and made no attempt of hiding the sounds of him packing their gear. "You took a massive hit from that drone."
"Yes, I did. The blast concentrated on the infected arm but caught me in its crossfire. I will not return to the Palace. I might myself infect the Wakandan technology, but I must be honest. I feel, much like my old self."
Bucky couldn't deny the life in Vision's eyes and his mannerisms reminded him of the friend they thought they had lost. He knew what it was. Remnants of the magic-infused technology he brought back from outer space. He didn't know whether to be glad or afraid for his friend.
Steve came out of the tent with the packs and together he and Bucky pulled down the tent. Steve stuffed it in his pack.
"Wanda and I developed a way of communicating, something we worked out in case of separation which we will not use again," Vision continued. "A brief exchange. The Security Council is trying to push its way into Wakanda but T'Challa is holding them off, insisting they call off the drone. They deny any knowledge of it, insisting rouge factions must be involved. The whole thing might be a ploy to gain access into the country, but he's allowed them to hold video interviews."
"That must be what we saw during our last transmission," Steve said to Bucky "Do you want to stay with us?" Steve said.
Vision pondered his question for a moment before answering. "I need to go after that drone. It has some kind of cloaking technology, giving it the ability to hide from normal sensors, but not from mine. Perhaps if we split up, I can draw it away from you.
"Thank you," Bucky said. "I don't say it enough, but I'm very grateful."
"Good luck," Steve said. "And we need to get underway."
"As must I. I will try to stay in touch." With that, his appearance took on his gold and red visage. He walked out of sight and in a few moments, he flew up and away from them.
"Nothing about him to suggest he's not human until he changes," Steve said. "When the time comes, he may not want to give it up. I hope he's not been damaged permanently. But now since T'Challa has been successful at keeping them out, we can go back. Just stay away from Rhodey."
"If Vision is successful in taking down the drone but…" Buck hesitated. "I want to go on to the Falls. This is a once in a lifetime thing, us getting permission like this and what did T'Challa mean when he said we'd find what we were looking for? I think he's sending us on a mission to find something for him, maybe something that can help. I want to keep going."
"I sent Tony's message onto T'Challa," Steve said. "Maybe it sparked something that made him send us this way...you're right. I'm with you. We move ahead."
Bucky took the communication device out of his pocket, clicked the button and studied the map. "Looks like a straight trail. If nothing happens, we should be arriving around noon."
They left the pool with Bucky in the lead at Steve's insistence. More thick forests, more bugs, and more steamy heat, the trail almost non-existent and if they didn't have the holographic map to guide them, they would have wandered about without direction. From time to time a slight rustling in the leaves and quick movements informing them that their presence was disturbing the natural life of the forest.
They came across a hill high enough to allow them to survey the countryside. They could look down on the tops of the trees that still surrounded them, but the sound of water drifted through the quiet air from a low-lying ravine in the distance.
"That must be the river. Not far now," Bucky said.
The ground became rocky, and small cliffs jutted out underneath the canopy. Normal people would have taken the time to belay, but they jumped. Steve always insisted on going first so he could catch Bucky in case he stumbled and he did the first time. Before too long, they heard the sounds of rushing water spilling over rocks.
"What did they tell you about this place?" Steve asked.
"Not much. When I first came here, they gave me the 'freedom of Wakanda' meaning just that, except for here. This place is sacred, but they didn't tell me why, but the idea has always intrigued me."
"You always liked forbidden places. Even as kids, you never met a 'no admittance' door you didn't like. Remember that time we snuck into the projection room at the theater…"
Bucky stopped in mid-stride, facing Steve. "I remember that, but that was my life…"
"They overlap," Steve said.
"That's what you keep telling me, " Bucky said, turning back toward the sounds. The memory Steve mentioned came back as clear as the sun. He remembered hiding with his Steve, in a closet, sneaking around dark corners, holding in their laughter as they waited for the right moment… today, for the first time in a long time, his old friend crossed his mind. So much happened since the change and forming a relationship with this Steve was a great comfort, but at times like this, his old life crossed his memory.
The ground became smoother; the trees parted and the sound louder. As they came out of the large grove of trees, they saw the water spilling down from a height of several thousand feet, hitting the water below with such force everything turned white, hitting the rocks with aggression. A metallic odor surrounded them and they noticed a path, going around the Falls and up the hill. The pool below formed a river that flowed away from them, toward the south.
A color palate decorated the small hills on both sides of the river. Tall flowering plants with small pink flowers emanating a sweet smell, alongside them something with bright yellow flowers. Apart from the rest, patches of purple plants enjoyed the sunshine, giving off their own scent. Other flowering plants were growing in scattered clumps in the area.
"This is the place," Steve said as they both stopped to stare in wonder at the natural spectacle and to take a deep breath. " The Falls, and what looks like a big garden. Worth the trip. Wonder why they keep it hidden?"
"I wonder what answers we'll find here?" Bucky said. He walked over to a small clearing a few feet above the pool and stood there for a few minutes with Steve.. Above them, the sun's rays shot through the droplets of water, at just the right angle, forming a rainbow.
"How about that?" Steve said. " I'm going to take that as a good sign. This looks like as good a place as any to set up camp."
Bucky nodded and said nothing. He gave Steve his pack, leaving him to set up camp and stayed by the pool. He lowered himself to his knees and reached down, his fingers testing the water. Cool, but not cold and the slightly metallic smell more noticeable. Different, but not unpleasant and vaguely familiar. Maybe the flowers were here to compensate for the unusual odor. He sensed Steve's presence back beside him. Without a word he turned and slipped his arm around his waist and laid his head on his shoulder. Steve's arms went around him, pulling him closer.
"You going to be ok?" he asked.
Bucky nodded and considered staying there for hours with Steve's strong arms wrapped around him. " I'm fine. I guess now all we have to do is wait and see what happens."
"We've waited things out in much worse places. That pool looks... nice."
Buck laughed and pulled away. "You never give up, but remember, I can't swim…"
"We can just play in the shallow parts," Steve said, pulling him along. He stopped long enough to take off his shirt. His graceful movements highlighted the ripple of his muscles as he performed the simple action. He stripped down to his shorts and splashed in the water. This always took Bucky's breath away. He was perfection.
'Little cool," he said, taking a long drink, the water trickling through his fingers. He dunked himself under, coming up again dripping wet, reminding Bucky of pictures of religious people being baptized. He understood the appeal, the idea of coming out of the water with things fresh and new…
Steve started to say something but stopped in mid-sentence. His eyes widened as he took in the scenery, and Bucky like a man seeing everything for the first time.
'Bucky?" he asked. He walked out of the water, his body dripping wet, his hair plastered against his head. "Bucky?" His erratic behavior and the strange intensity in his stare caused Bucky to take a step back. The Consortium trained Bucky not to give in to fear of immediate danger, of flying bullets, but not this weird sensation.
"What's wrong?" Bucky asked. Steve reached for him, but Bucky pulled back, confused. "Why are you looking like that what... is going on?"
"Bucky, don't you know me? It's been so long. It's me. Steve, your Steve. I'm... back!"