#verse four.

ㅤㅤjust like every other time he speaks, irritation shoots through her. she knows she made the choice to be here, and therefore this is technically her fault. remember why you agreed to this. and even though he's insufferable, either because he's provoking her or that's just his personality ( which would be rather sad for him ), she needs to keep those she loves safe. even with all that in mind, she refuses to let him terrorize and lord over her like he once did. he clearly needs her as well, or she wouldn't be here in the first place. he's obviously someone accustomed to always getting his way, no matter how he has to go about accomplishing that. and what can she say? that really irks her. ❝ is that what you're calling what you did to me before? that was you going easy on me? ❞ her tone is scathing, dark gaze sharp as it clings to him, challenging him to double down.

For a second it almost felt like they were kids back in Brooklyn, getting into trouble -- just not so much trouble that Bucky’s mom ended up scolding them before telling Mrs. Rogers  ( that’s when they really knew they were in for it )  . The last few months have all been like this, but it still felt like it wasn’t enough. For Bucky, at least. He missed this kind of time with Steve when he was away ; the kind of time they had together when they were younger.

Brows raise slightly at the shields it seems Shuri’s made for him -- she was definitely getting creative. Certainly did with his arm  ( the gold was a little flashy but...still pretty cool )  . With a smirk, he teases with confidence,  “ Who says I’m gonna get into any binds? ”  Subconsciously he rolls his shoulder as he speaks, noticing how sore he still is  ( it’s only been a handful of days since the prosthetic was attached )  , but what catches his attention more is a slight hitch in the rotation -- he’ll have to tell Shuri about that one.

He notices how quickly the atmosphere shifts now. Bucky’s own light expression melts away as quickly as his friend’s does. Steve’s words certainly aren’t unexpected. He realizes Steve is just trying to be careful, but he almost wants to roll his eyes. Of course no one expects him to  ‘ drop everything ’  ; he’s pretty sure no one expected his recovery to even be possible. But it was something he wanted to do ; something positive. Naturally he fires back his remark and finds himself relieved when Steve smiles.

A chuckle and Bucky shakes his head lightly at his friend and mutters,   “ You’ll never change, will ya? ”  A smile breaks across his face and he takes a deep breath, sincerity entering his gaze :

      “ -- Wouldn’t mind doing something else. You know...             Whatever it is you guys...do. ”

                   they  had  been  captured,  again.  not  that  josie  was  entirely  surprised.  she  just  wished  that  it  had  been  under  better  circumstances.  it’d  been  a  while  since  the  whole  dark  magic  fiasco,  and  hope  had  returned  from  literally  being  inside  her  own  mind.  safe  to  say  their  lives  were  filled  with  chaos.  to  make  matters  worse,  the  necromancer  had  decided  it  would  be  entertaining  to  put  josie  through  the  mill.  stab  wounds,  gunshot,  you  name  it.  the  only  reason  she  hadn’t  died  was  due  to  hope  healing  her  at  the  last  second.  

The days were getting harder as they went by. Actually, he wasn’t even sure what day it was. He couldn’t think straight -- but that’s been the norm for a week or two now. It was like he was stuck in a daze, staring into nothing most of the time. Every time someone spoke to him, he had to ask them to repeat themselves because their voice was just a muffled roar in his ears the first time. His body felt sluggish and tired ; he hardly wanted to crawl out of bed some mornings.

But he wanted to get better. He needed to get better. Maybe that’s the only thing keeping him up : the hope of finally being free, for good. He just never thought the road would be so difficult. He couldn’t sleep, some days he couldn’t even eat. Nightmares were worse than ever before. Shuri told him he nearly collapsed in her lab after a treatment session a few days ago  ( he doesn’t remember this )  . Once or twice, Bucky’s wondered if it’s worth it, all of this fear and exhaustion. But it has to be, right? He’s waited too long for it not to be.

He hears in passing that a quinjet landed outside the palace -- visitors. Surprise visitors, it seems. Bucky doesn’t ever remember hearing that Steve would be coming through Wakanda any time soon  ( he thought he’d be off halfway across the world right now )  . And now he can only imagine what Steve himself is thinking as he walks through the door only to see Bucky in this state. The dark circles under his eyes were enough to cause alarm  ( has he slept at all this week ? )  . But his cheeks were slightly more hollowed out and his hand shook anytime he moved it. 

Tired blue eyes lift to look up at Steve in the doorway. Bucky almost takes a moment to glance around the room  ( his room, temporarily -- Shuri insists on  ‘ keeping an eye on him ’  for now )  almost like he was deciding he should have cleaned it up a bit. But eyes fall back on Steve now and he offers a weak smile while he takes a moment to push himself to his feet. Past the exhaustion, there’s comfort and joy in his gaze as he comments,   “ Thought you weren’t comin’ for another couple weeks.

it's christmas time ! / @handspike

there’s what feels like a permanent smile etched across her lips . it all started with a few margaritas and decorating the christmas tree ( margaritas can be classified as a christmas drink if they’re red , yelena insisted ) . now they’re twirling around the living room while christmas classics play in the background . it's cheesy . she secretly loves it .

it’s a little chaotic . less than graceful . makes warmth sink into her bones , makes her feel lighter . feet slip against hardwood flooring and yelena lets out a laugh . she feels like her cheeks hurt from smiling so much . it's the kate effect . her smile , her energy ... it's contagious .