[ Shipping Open Post ]

[fishtanks]

“You know, I sometimes wonder how a person like that would feel if the shoe were on the other foot. Wait a minute! That’s an idea! For once I’m going to turn the tables.

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Pre: IW - smut or bro fluff

[noblecaptain]

"Cap, you'll want to come home. He's awake."

Steve smiled as the quinjet set down outside the palace. He practically left Sam and Nat in the dust as he ran down the ramp, greeting T'Challa with a handshake and a wide grin. Bucky was finally awake. Brought out of cryo, Shuri had been able to finally break through the programming. Bucky was supposed to be Bucky again. Good old James Barnes from Steve's childhood that he missed so much.

He let T'Challa lead him out to a large field and pointed to the goats and huts where Bucky had been making his home. "Go to him." Nobody had to tell Steve twice.

His boots crunched against the mud and the field as he padded his way out to the huts. It as weird, seeing Bucky like this with longer hair. He wasn't the Bucky that Steve remembered growing up, but it was still Bucky. His Bucky. It had killed him to leave Bucky here before. He didn't want to say goodbye again.

"Buck?"

[tws_bucky]

It hasn't been long since he'd been brought out of the cryo but once he had been awoken he had felt different, or he had felt like the old him as he started to learn what would be his routine. He'd thought about Steve nearly every moment but he hadn't expected to see him soon. He's not sure why, maybe that they could make sure he really was fine but then as he was stepping out of a hut he heard Steve and then his eyes are quick to find his friend.

Bucky smiles and moves to close the distance. "Steve," he says. "I didn't know you were coming.

[noblecaptain]

"Bucky?" He didn't want to be rude and just ask Bucky if he was, well, his Bucky. Coming up to his friend, strong arms reached out, wrapping around Bucky and pulling him in to a hug before his friend could even try to complain. His eyes close and he loses himself in how good it feels to have his oldest, best friend back with him again. Even if it's not a long time, he's here, and that's what Steve needs in that moment.

"I... I didn't know I was either, till T'Challa called me." He almost didn't want to let go. "I... I'm so glad you're back to being you."

[tws_bucky]

Bucky didn't even think to protest really and instead wraps his one arm around Steve in a firm return of the hug that his best friend was giving him. It's still surreal to see him here and well it does insert a slight worry that just maybe Shuri might not be right and what if something bad happened?

Bucky pats Steve on the back with a laugh. "Well, I don't plan on being anyone else anytime soon."

[noblecaptain]

"Good." Steve pulled back, gently patting Bucky on the shoulder and almost not wanting to let go of him. He does, though, not wanting to be awkward. "You look good," he said softly. "Shuri says you've been playing with goats?" He chuckles, unable to believe how both of their lives had taken them into different places.

"God, I feel like we have a lot to catch up on, Buck."

[tws_bucky]

Bucky laughs softly at the other's question and he shakes his head as he looks around. "Not only playing. There's work too," he corrects, though it's mostly playing honestly.

"I would say so. You've still been causing trouble haven't you?"

[noblecaptain]

"Sure, Buck. Sure." He pulled back and stepped around his best friend, looking around them both. Wakanda is the most beautiful country he'd seen in a long time. T'Challa really took care of his lands and his people in a way that Steve truly respected. He was glad Bucky was here, healing like this.

He chuckled, turning back to his oldest friend. "You know me. I can go all day..." He sighed, nodding his head slightly. "Sam, Nat and I have been operating. Mostly under the radar for now. The only place we can step."

[tws_bucky]

Bucky gives a nod and then he motions with his one hand toward the hut, they could sit comfortably inside and chat. It's more modern inside than the appearance would indicate as is such with most of Wakanda.

"I almost miss it."

He doesn't really.

[noblecaptain]

Steve nods in return, slipping into the yurt easily enough. It's warm, modern, everything he would not expect of a yurt anywhere else. He sits, getting comfortable as he looks up at his oldest friend.

And he laughs.

"No, you don't. You're good here. I can see it," he murmured. "You like it here. Come on, it's warmer then that god awful apartment we had in the dead of winter. Nicer too."

[tws_bucky]

“I said almost,” Bucky laughs and he looks around as he graves them Both a drink, offering one to Steve before taking a seat as well.

“Well, we are in Africa,” Bucky points out.

[noblecaptain]

Steve took the drink, nodding his head in agreement. "I do know where we are," he teased. Steve hesitated a minute, staring down at the drink before looking up at Bucky. He could see how good and happy his old friend was. That made him feel better than anything else could.

"It's more than the heat," he said softly. "You look like you're at peace, Buck. It's... It's reassuring." All he wanted was to know Bucky was alive and well. He didn't need Bucky at his side, fighting like it was the war all over again. He just needed Bucky alive.

[tws_bucky]

Bucky looks at Steve for a long time after that and he doesn't quite know what to say. There's a lot and nothing at the same time, really.

"Reassuring?" he finally settles on asking and then shakes his head.

[noblecaptain]

Steve nodded his head slowly. "Reassuring. You look like you are happy here. That... That's all I want for you, Buck. I want you happy." He smiled, his cheeks reddening a little. "You're my best friend. You're practically my family. All I want is for you to be happy."