Bucky constantly shifted his balance as he ran with one arm through the forest. For the first time since the operation, he felt lopsided. Steve was careful to not let the branches hit him the face, but sometimes it was unavoidable and if they were on the wrong side, he couldn't always catch them and they left a sting when they whacked into him. They ran until the forest opened onto a large grassy plain.
"What do you think?" Steve asked. He bent over to catch his breath. People rarely saw him in this position. "Thirty miles?"
"At least," Bucky said. Talking took effort, causing him to pant, something else other people rarely saw. "I think it's a personal best for both of us."
"Damn it, your face. You look like you've been in a fight. I'm sorry."
"It'll heal soon enough. I guess it's time to check in." Pulling out their lifeline, Bucky clicked it and the map appeared.
"That's interesting. It's taking us away from the wild and close to civilization."
"Something's happened back at the Palace," Steve said. He pulled out a bottle of water and took a long drink. "I hate being out here, on the edge of things, not knowing what's happening back home. Usually, I'm…"
"Right in the thick of it, calling the shots," Bucky said. "They probably have no idea of what's happening with us either. Something's changed, but if things were back to normal, they'd send someone for us. Everything is probably in some kind of holding pattern. You want me to see?" He asked.
"When's the next scheduled stop?" Steve asked.
"Motshaw, a small modern town about thirty miles from here," he said, taking the bottle from Steve and taking a long drink himself.
"Let's wait until we get there. Even with the drone broken, we have no idea what other tricks they have up their sleeve. I'm not comfortable using that thing out in the open now."
"Ok, we need to keep to the edge of the forest, but the going should be easier from here."
Steve nodded, shifted his pack and walked. Bucky poured the remaining water over his head and followed him.
The rest of the way was uneventful, except for the heat. They did their best to stay under the shade of the trees but sometimes the terrain forced them to go out in the open for short stints. Now Steve was content to take the lead, but that didn't stop him from looking over his shoulder and asking about him. Watching Steve take his long even strides forced Bucky to remember how he'd seen, held and lost his childhood friend again, and the guilt he felt at being glad to have his Steve back. They've change places. They had, in his head and in his heart. Memories of a shared childhood crowded in, and he knew his eyes were going red. This was for the best, I couldn't fix him. He didn't want to be fixed! It still hurts! All Bucky wanted was to return home to Tema, going about his routine and spending his days and nights with Steve. Sometimes they would go out into the world if someone needed them and make right whatever was wrong, but they would always come home.
If I don't get another arm, I might not be going with them. Would Steve go without me? Or would he insist on staying… that line of reasoning disturbed him so he put it off to the side. He would get another arm and things would go back to normal. They had to. Steve would be Captain America again, with nothing holding him back.
The sun was ending its journey to the far distant mountains when they saw the town in the distance. The stopped, unsure of what to do when a woman appeared from the edge of the tree line. She was wearing a head covering, which she pulled back. It was Arba, from the Palace.
"Welcome to Motshaw, my home," She said "Follow me. We need not go into the town proper." Without a word, she turned back into the forest but now there were well-maintained trails. Weaving in and out of the woods they came to a small house on the edge of the town. She entered through the back door, stopping long enough to usher them inside, then closed the door behind her.
The house was a mixture of modern and rustic. It had electricity and modern appliances but the tapestries, rugs, and furniture were traditional designs and materials. Steve immediately shed his pack and helped Bucky out of his before turning to greet her.
"Arba," He said. "What news?"
"As soon as we heard of the infiltrators, we focused on the southern border. The last communication I received stated they believed they found them, they had joined with a caravan headed north. We have not fixed a location on Vision or the drone, it appears they have both dropped off the radar."
"We can fill you in on that," Steve said and told her the whole story. "We have what's left of the drone, and we tucked Vision in a Vibranium tent in the woods by the falls."
Bucky half expected censure for leaving him, but Arba nodded. "I'll pass on this information right away, but for now, the two of you must rest. Anything you need," she pointed to a small fixture on the table, a Wakandan version of an intercom "that will summon me. I'll see you in the morning." With those words she left, leaving by the back door.
A tour of the house took just took a few minutes. An open living area, a bedroom, and a bathroom. It was tiny but comfortable.
"One bedroom," Bucky said.
"The things you notice. I don't think we're a secret anymore," Steve said. "What's this?" He asked, pointing to a white metal box off of the kitchen. He opened the lid and looked inside.
"Washing machine, combination dryer. Powered by vibranium. Does a whole load in about five minutes."
"That's something we can use…" he went to look in what was their version of a refrigerator "American food!" he said, holding up a pack of hot dogs.
"Well, they knew we were coming," Bucky said, sinking down in a chair. "I need to clean up. I smell like sweat and bug repellent."
"So do I. You need help?" Steve asked. "And I mean help... not the other thing…"
"I think I'll be ok, and knowing you, it'd probably turn into a the... other thing," he said, smiling to himself. He found his last set of clean clothes stuffed in the bottom of his pack and made his way to the shower. He had to stand a certain way to not get the seal on his arm wet and doing everything with one hand took imagination but eventually, he could rinse off and change by himself. He took a quick look in the mirror. The scratches on his face were already starting to heal.
Back in the other room Steve was standing by the washing machine acting unsure. Bucky walked over and pushed a button, turning the machine on.
"You smell good," Steve said.
"I smell like soap," Bucky replied.
"But it's spicy. Very manly," Steve said.
"Shut up!" Bucky said, then smiled. "It's your turn…"
Steve took less time and when he came back into the room, Bucky had to admit Steve was right, the lingering scent of the soap smelled nice and manly. He managed to put together some halfway decent Philly Cheese Steak Subs.
"Nice to get a reprieve, from all that running around," Bucky said. He pulled out the silver device and laid it on the table giving it three clicks. They needed to find a better name for that thing.
"Captain Rogers," a young man answered. Bucky didn't recognize him. "You have arrived safely to Motswa. That is good news. We are dispatching two eocon droids to retrieve Vision." He thought it odd he didn't introduce himself but dismissed it.
Steve's eyebrows raised and Bucky knew what he was silently asking. "Vibranium powered robot drone...things. They use them to deliver and pick up things remotely. They'll bring him back safe."
"We will have to, unfortunately, keep him in isolation until we discover if the alien virus also infected him," the young man continued.
"I believe he understands this," Steve said. "And will offer no resistance. Does that mean you have made no progress on deleting this virus?"
"The scientists, with the information provided by Mr. Parker and Doctor Banner, have been able to create a program which, with the help of Ms. Maximoff's energy, might render it inert. They will test it today. Shuri and Mr. Stark have also been working on a replacement arm, but Mr. Stark is experiencing difficulties. It is like he is at war, with himself."
"We have information that might help with that, but until T'Challa gives us the go-ahead, we're not really at liberty to talk about it," Steve said.
"Ah yes, you have been to the falls," the young man's mannerisms changed from official to an almost conspiratorial. He was interested.
"Yes, but once again, they restricted the place for a reason so until T'Challa…"
"Of course," the official mannerisms returned. "As you know, we have still not caught the infiltrators but our operatives are following the suspects so we would ask that for now, you stay where you are until we contact you again."
"Thank you," Bucky said. The young man nodded without speaking, fading away as he clicked the thing off.
"Well, that's that. We're still in a holding pattern! We got the thing that might help Tony and Natasha but I don't think they want that information to get out…" Steve got up and walked around. He stopped by the window. Bucky joined him. Outside, through a small patch of trees, they could see the rest of the town.
"I know you want to fix this, and so do I, but right now we will have to do the hardest thing ever, for guys like us, which is wait," he said, slipping his arm around Steve's waist.
"Not my nature, to sit around, while everyone works around me, without me," Steve said. "I wish I could…"
"Yeah," Bucky replied. "You know, if you want to go back to the Palace, you can. I'll be safe here, they'll look after me. That way you can…"
"NO!" Steve exclaimed. "That's not happening. I'm not leaving you!" He pulled away from Bucky and crossed his arms in front of him, putting on his obstinate face. Once he made up his mind about something, there was little chance of changing it.
"I know what happened, to your guy," Bucky said, taking a chance. If they couldn't fix the big picture, maybe they could work on this one.
"What do you mean?"
"I know you lost him, several times. I'm sorry. That must have been... hard." Bucky was way out of his depth here. He hadn't the slightest idea of what he was doing, or if he was doing it right, but he couldn't ignore it any longer.
Steve walked away from the window, back to the kitchen where he slammed his hands down on the table. "Yes, it was hard," he said. "But that has nothing to do with what's going on right now. I don't want to talk about it. We'll work that out... later."
"Ok, as long as we do eventually... work it out," Bucky said, half angry, half relieved. For a moment he wished they could get drunk and have a way to let down their reserve and have a real heart to heart, but that wasn't an option. Maybe he should just leave this to the professionals. "It's good news about my arm."
"You realize, that it's not the arm that's the problem," Steve turned around to face him letting out a sigh. "It's whether it would be wise to attach another one. You're a super soldier, but losing it so many times left a lot of damage and they don't know how well things have healed."
"I know, in my head I know but I can't think that way, not now," Bucky didn't know why this was making him feel defensive. " I have to hang onto... something." This was getting nowhere. "I'll think about it, when this is all over," he said. "If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen and I'll accept it. But it will." He could be just as stubborn as Steve. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Feel free to join me."
He was now an expert with dressing and undressing with one hand so he stripped down to his shorts. Pulling back the bedding he was met by a gentle scent. Lavender? He slid between the sheets and his body reacted to the smooth silky feel of the fabric. He didn't know a lot about such things but it wasn't exactly silk, not satin but it felt good against the skin. Probably some Wakandan thing. The smell was gentle but intoxicating.
He watched through the partially open door as Steve went through the house turning things off with his voice. Eventually, he felt him sliding in beside him.
"Are these sheets scented?" he asked.
"I think so," Bucky replied, conscious of the fact he was no longer tired.
"They go all out for you, don't they?"
"It's for the both of us," Bucky replied. They lay there in silence for a few moments. His love for Steve flamed up out of nowhere, almost consuming him, taking him by surprise.
"I'm sorry," Steve said.
"So am I. I shouldn't pry…" His heart was beating faster.
"And I shouldn't be so negative…"
Bucky felt, rather than saw him move over until he was straddling him, but not putting his full weight down. He felt Steve's hands burrow between his back and the sheets, one working upward behind his neck. He lifted his head and shoulders up a few inches to press his lips gently against him. The kiss lasted a long time.
"This scent, it isn't another aphrodisiac is it?" Steve asked as he broke away. "I'm feeling very amorous all of a sudden."
"If it is, at least you don't have to worry about me shocking you out of bed this time," Bucky said. Their eyes met, and they both laughed. Steve laid him back down and Bucky surrendered to the delicious pressure of Steve's lips and hands and body against his own.