Chapter 2
Peter and Bruce tinkered all day trying to perfect their unfinished device so that they could dive into Bucky’s mind.
When they finally finished, the avengers congregated just outside of the lab, looking in through the glass at the chair, monitors, and JARVIS projection prepared in the room. Tony brought a notepad and pen with him so they would only have to do this once, no chance of them forgetting the codes.
There were 3 codes in total that they needed and Bucky wasn’t sure if he was shown them the same days or not.
Steve hoped it was, he felt guilty poking through his friend’s memories like this despite Bucky’s adamant agreement.
Bucky took a breath and mentally prepared himself. He spoke to his team without facing them, “whatever I say in there, if I tell you to stop, anything.. I need you to ignore me.” He turned around, “promise me you will go until you get what you need and not stop a moment sooner” his tone and expression were borderline threatening
He was met with murmurs of ‘yeah’s and ‘okay’s.
He shifted his focus to Steve who hadn’t responded
“Buck- I don’t know if I can make that promise.” He said as he grappled with letting Bucky do this at all.
Bucky knew that no threat or bribe would change his mind so he turned to Tony, “have a suit hold him back then”
Steve began to step forward to protest just as Tony gave a solemn and hesitant nod.
With that, Bucky abruptly walked through the automatic sliding doors with more confidence than he felt
His team followed in step behind him.
Bruce and Peter turned to face him as the team walked in. They were standing by the chair, Bruce’s face was serious with the faintest whisper of sympathy while Peter looked utterly nervous and fidgety—unsure.
“Is everything ready?” Bucky dared ask. He didn’t really gave any desire to know the answer, he more said it to break the tense silence. Bruce jolted from his thoughts, “as close as it can be” he said as he walked over to grab the wires soon to be stuck to Bucky’s forehead.
Steve looked like he was gonna vomit. Bucky felt like he was gonna vomit.
He brushed off the feeling and closed his eyes, readying himself.
With a sure and confident “okay then” bucky walkers over to the chair and sat.
—
The look on his teammates—friends’— faces might just have been worse than being in this position. Bucky knew that this probably wasn’t true, he hadn’t gotten to the worst part after all.
Bucky hated feeling vulnerable, it made him feel dissected and raw. The others knew this about him despite it never being spoken by any of them… but they had no way of offering support right now.
Peter explained to Bucky the process, something about electricity and neurons but Bucky didn’t really care to understand as long as it worked.
Instead of telling the kid to get on with it, he nodded along.
“Any questions?” Peter wrapped up
Bucky took a second to think, “the restraints, where are the arm cuffs or chest plates?” He said normally.
“Well-“ Peter studdered, looking to Bruce for support before quickly recovering, “we have a whole team of superheroes here I’m sure we can take care of ur if it gets out of hand” he smiled a comforting smile, however it had the opposite affect on Bucky.
“N-no, no you don’t understand how easily you all will be overwhelmed if winter soldier mode takes over. ” He said almost frantically.
“Buck I really don’t think-“
“Restrain me or I won’t do it.” Bucky cut off Steve’s objection with a cool demanding tone.
“I have these vibranium transportation cylinders I could quickly reconfigure, they already gave the electric hardware installed.” Tony pitched in
Helpful for once Bucky thought, “Fine. That’ll do” he spoke aloud this time.
With his approval, Tony stalked off to get to work.
—
Whole Tony was busy, Bruce began attaching the cords and monitors to Bucky’s skin.
“This might hurt, we really don’t know what to expect, so-“ Bruce handed Bucky a mouth guard, “for safety” Bruce tilted his head as he said the words.
A single second of hesitation passed as Bucky’s nerves skyrocketed. He remembered the last time one of these was forced into his mouth.
As Bucky grabbed the rubber, Tony walked In holding 2 chunks of shining vibranium.
“ that was quick” Nat said, mildly impressed.
“Told ya” Stark winked at Nat as he stopped in front of the chair that Bucky was seated in.
He opened the cuffs and looped them under the arms of the chair, connecting them as if they’d been there the whole time
Bucky moved to put his right hand in the cuff before withdrawing as a wave of nerves and familiarity hit him. He clenched his fist and opened it again, stretching his fingers as he growled lowly in frustration. Then he quickly sat both wrists in the open cuffs.
His breathing had picked up, but he focused on calming it.
“Ready?” Tony said
Bucky swallowed hard as he nodded quickly
“JARVIS close cuffs” And right as the words left Tony’s mouth, the metal clamped shut
Bucky tested their sturdiness and breathed an “okay”
He looked at Bruce, who had taken the mouth guard back from him so Tony could work, and held his gaze
“I’m ready” he said loud and gravely, attempting to hide any hint of fear, instead relying on looking serious or disinterested.
Without a word, Bruce gently put the chunk of rubber in Bucky’s mouth and turned to Peter
“Let’s get started”