Awaking

Steve sat on the cold tile for a few more minutes after Bucky was taken away. Steve didn’t want watch Bucky suffer again, but he also knew Bucky needed help. Steve once again lost track after a while T’challa came in. “I know that must have been hard for you,” spoke T’challa. Steve wanted to yell of hit something, but he knew the king was being sincere and Steve had no right to disrespect him especially after every he had provided for Steve and Bucky. Steve stood up and said “I don’t want to talk about it right now. I’m going to go blow off some steam, call me when we can go again,” and with that Steve walked out.
Two hours later Steve got summoned by the king to start the procedure again. Steve looked at the room around him. It was covered with spilled sand and broken punching bags. Steve’s hand were practically skinned to the bone, but he didn’t care. Focusing on his own pain helped distract him from seventy years of Bucky’s. Steve rewrapped his hands and went upstairs to begin the horrible process again.
For three weeks Steve did this and it never go easier. He would fight the Winter Soldier in the morning and fight himself after. He watched his best friend cry out in pain and there wasn’t one time Steve didn’t shed a tear. However Steve did notice a difference after a while. Bucky screams got quieter and Steve was able to reach Bucky easier. Still Bucky refused to see Steve after. Steve didn’t know if it was out of shame or something else entirely. Steve just wanted to wrap his arms around Bucky and tell it was all going to be ok.
On the twenty-second day, T’challa read the words and nothing happened. Bucky just sat there. He just let out a sign and then dropped to his knees. This time Steve ignored T’challa and ran over to Bucky. Steve wrapped him in a big bear hug, Bucky still limp in his arms buried his head deeper into Steve’s neck. “Were ok buddy...were ok,” Steve whispered. “Steve?” Bucky whispered so quiet Steve could barely hear it. “Can we go home now?” finished Bucky. “Yeah buddy we can home now” Steve whispered back.
Steve brought Bucky back to his room after they finished doing final testing. There Steve talked about Brooklyn and growing up. Bucky didn’t talk much, but he did smile a few times so Steve was happy. When the sun started to go down Bucky yawned “I...um.. Should get going,” Bucky spoke softly like he was hurting Steve’s feels or disappointing him in some way. “Hey Buck, you can stay here if you want. I’ve got an extra bed,” Steve wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to say, but Bucky thought for a minute and noded.
A few hours later Steve woke up to the sounds of scream. Steve instinctively reached for his shield that he left in Siberia. Steve burst into the room Bucky was sleeping that was connected to his. Steve raced over to his friends bed. There Bucky was thrashing around his body contorting violently like there was a current going through him. “No no no no no n! LET ME GO! I'm Sorry I didn’t mean to, please don’t! Get away get away” Screamed Bucky. The last part Steve didn’t realize was directed at him. Bucky tried to shove Steve but was unbalanced by his missing arm and fell off the bed. Steve knelt down on his knee still giving Bucky room. “It’s ok Buck, you're safe now” Steve said calmly like he was trying to tame a wild animal. Bucky had nestled himself into a corner knees drawing up to his chest and head in between legs. Buck turned his head to the side so Steve could only see one side of his face. Bucky’s eyes we wild his face was drenched in sweat he was still breathing heavily. “Steve continued to approach Bucky who was shaking. “I’m here buddy, I’ll protect you,” Steve whispered. Steve stayed with Bucky till he calmed down and Steve was able to wrap his arm around him. “Do you want me to leave?” asked Steve. Bucky shook his head no. “Do you want to sleep in my bed like we used to?” Steve knew is was stupid to ask that. Of course Bucky would say no. Ten minutes ago he just shouted no to touch him, but to Steve’s disbelief he nodded yes. Steve still in surprise helped Bucky to his feet and lead him to his room. There Bucky laid down facing away from Steve making himself a little as possible. “You used to get so sick in the winter” spoke Bucky in the dark. “Yeah?” Steve said. He couldn’t believe Bucky remembered. Steve tried to continue the conversation but Bucky was silent for the rest of the night.