Goodbye
The faint buzz of the kimoyo beads around his wrist made Bucky Barnes jump. It had never buzzed before.
When Ayo had given him a set of kimoyo beads on her last visit, she'd called it Shuri's gift, something for him to remember Wakanda by if he needed anything. He had smiled, accepted it gratefully, but had resolved never to use it except for aliens-attacking-Earth emergencies. Even then, he kept it on him discreetly, in pockets or bags but never out in public.
Bucky sat up, rubbed the sleep from his eyes and answered the call, opening his palm so that a hologram of Ayo appeared.
"White Wolf," she said, solemnly, "turn on the news."
Bucky glanced at the TV that was always kept on. It was running a replay of some golfing event. He switched to a news channel to see red words: Wakanda's King T'Challa Passes Away.
"What-" he gasped, not believing his eyes.
"The Princess has sent for you. Meet me behind Gregorys down the street in 15 minutes," Ayo was saying, "Then we will stop by the Wakandan embassy and head back to Wakanda by sundown."
The hologram blinked out and Bucky turned to the TV, still staring in disbelief. An image of Shuri, looking regal, flashed up on the TV and Bucky could hear her laughter in the lab as he gaped at her latest inventions and upgrades.
The newscaster said, "It is likely that the crown of Wakanda will now pass to Princess Shuri. Princess Shuri is the younger sister of the late King T'Challa. She leads the Wakandan International Outreach Centre in Oakland, California, but she has rarely been seen in public-"
Bucky turned off the TV. The attack on the UN years ago replayed in his mind. He'd seen it on the news when he was on the run. His first meeting with T'Challa was when he tried to escape and failed spectacularly. His mind wasn't in the right place then. He didn't even know his own name. And now, the princess had sent for him.
He slowly got to his feet and pulled out his go bag. Out of habit and paranoia, he'd kept one. One could never foresee the next Avengers-level threat or the next time someone from Hydra came for him. He'd never thought Wakanda would send for him.
His phone rang, the annoying tone that could only mean one person.
"Sam," he said, answering the call.
"Buck... Did you see the-"
"Ayo called me," Bucky replied shortly. "I'm leaving."
"Leaving? Where? To Wakanda?" Sam exclaimed.
Bucky packed noisily, letting Sam read into the background sounds.
"Bucky..." Sam sighed, "I'm sorry. I didn't know T'Challa well. I'd understand if- How long will you be gone?"
"I don't know," Bucky answered quietly. "Shuri sent for me."
"Sent for you?" Sam said heavily.
"If you want, you can come over, see if you'd want anything from this place. There's not much. Maybe a cup or two that I haven't broken. I've paid the rent for the rest of the month, and I'll leave the keys with Mr. Nakajima, so..." Bucky said, the words leaving his mouth like a jet stream.
"Bucky," Sam cut in gently, "Don't forget to call Doc."
Bucky laughed without humour, "What are they gonna do? Extradite me for missing therapy?"
"You know they could. You're still an American citizen."
"Yeah, well, not for long."
Silence stretched between them. Bucky's grip on the phone tightened. He'd said goodbye before but this was different. His heart clenched and he could feel his heart beating faster, his breathing shortening. He knew the telltale signs of anxiety. What was it Doc had said? Ground yourself? Focus on breathing? Focus on what you can touch?
Bucky dug his toes into the wooden floor, forcing himself to feel the smoothness of the laminated wood against his skin. It didn't help so he wrapped his flesh hand around his dog tags and squeezed until he felt the metal dig into his palm. He inhaled deeply for 8 seconds, and exhaled for another 8. Repeat, and repeat until his heart slowed and the fog in his mind lifted a little.
"You good?" Sam said over the line, concern palpable.
"Yeah," Bucky replied dryly.
"I have to deal with a skirmish near the Venezuelan border, but I can touch base in Wakanda in 5 or 6 days," Sam said, by way of offering comfort.
"I don't know, Sam. I think the Wakandans will be busy- I don't know if the borders will be open. Look, if you need anything-"
"I know. I'll call. Take care, Buck."
"Yeah. You too."
Bucky hung up and sank to the floor. He glanced at his watch briefly. He had 7 more minutes. He speed-dialled Dr. Raynor. She picked up on the 2nd ring.
"Doc," Bucky started, not letting her speak, "I've got to cancel this week's session. It's ah- Um, it's Wakanda. I'll be going to Wakanda for a bit. Don't know when I'll be back. I hope you understand. I'm sorry."
He hung up. 6 more minutes.
Bucky glanced around the apartment he'd called home for the past three years. It was no longer as sparse as day one when he moved in. He'd collected some things, though most were disposable and none really held any sentimental value. He liked to keep sentimental things on himself.
He got up, slung the bag over his shoulder and locked the door behind him. He knocked on Mr. Nakajima's door and the old man greeted him with a smile. They'd made amends a couple of years back, after Sam had tough love-d Bucky into telling Mr. Nakajima the truth about his son.
"Hey," Bucky started, forcing a smile, "I won't be back for a couple of days. Can I leave my keys with you?"
"Sure!" Mr. Nakajima grinned, pocketing the keys.
"There's a guy who might come by. Or he might not, I don't know."
"Sam?"
Bucky laughed, "Yeah, Sam."
"You talk about him a lot."
"Yeah? I guess I do," Bucky paused, searching for the words.
"You're not coming back, are you?" the old man said gently.
Bucky dropped his gaze.
"It's okay. Take care of yourself, Bucky."
The old man shuffled forward and wrapped his spindly arms around his son's killer.
"I'm sorry," Bucky managed out, holding back tears.
"Go," Mr. Nakajima said. "If you come back, you know where to find me."
As if on cue, Bucky's kimoyo beads buzzed. Ayo was going to kill him. Bucky gave Mr. Nakajima a quick squeeze, and ran.
/
The ride to the Wakandan embassy was quiet and uneventful. Ayo and the two other Dora Milaje sat with downcast eyes, dressed entirely in black with honorific beads around their necks. Bucky stared out the window, saying goodbye to Brooklyn.
"I'll never get over it," Bucky said, breaking the silence.
"What?" Ayo asked.
"Brooklyn in summer," Bucky smiled. "Eighty years later and she's still beautiful."
"This is not goodbye, James. Wakanda will not keep you in chains," Ayo said firmly, understanding his train of thought.
"I made Shuri a promise eight years ago. Three, if you ignore the Snap."
The night his mind was set free from the HYDRA programming, Bucky cried himself to sleep. Ayo had uttered the trigger words and the Winter Soldier had not roared to life. For safety, she had repeated the trigger words again, and the Winter Soldier did not return. They'd returned to his village. Ayo had smiled, bid him goodnight, and returned to her post in the city.
The next day, he was summoned to Shuri's lab. He'd thanked her, T'Challa and all the scientists profusely. There were tears and smiles, and T'Challa (of all people) led a toast to Bucky Barnes reborn. When the celebrations had died down, Bucky had a private moment with T'Challa and Shuri.
"I cannot thank you enough," he said.
"You were the most fun project I've had in years!" Shuri beamed.
"Shuri," T'Challa warned.
"Sorry," Shuri exclaimed, trying to repair the damage, "It was... you know, hard and challenging and I didn't know if we would kill you or paralyse you or- Anyway, it's over."
"You are free," T'Challa said, cutting smoothly through Shuri's train of thought. "You are welcome to stay in Wakanda if you choose to."
"There's so much you could learn here," Shuri said, excited once again, "Captain Rogers said you like technology. Wakandan technology is nothing like you've ever seen! And I have designs and ideas for a new vibranium arm-"
"Thank you, Shuri. Truly," Bucky interrupted as politely as he could, "But I can't-"
"No, no, no, of course not, of course not!" Shuri interjected, horrified at herself, hands raised in surrender. "We don't need to make you a new arm!"
Bucky's smile was strained, "That arm has been used for too many murders. I'm not the Winter Soldier anymore. I don't need it."
"We understand," T'Challa said, covering for Shuri while she fought her face into a stoic mask.
"But if you need me," Bucky said hesitantly, "I will defend Wakanda with my life."
"We will remember that, White Wolf," T'Challa said regally, clapping one hand on Bucky's shoulder. "But right now, you need rest."
A few months later, T'Challa visited Bucky with a new vibranium arm, and Bucky knew he'd sealed his fate to Wakanda.