Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Bast damn you, James!” The words still stung as Bucky recalled Ayo’s curse. He sat shirtless on the floor of his tiny apartment in Brooklyn as he ate a bowl of corn flakes and watched English Premier League Football. He did not have a favorite team but enjoyed the sport nonetheless. Even the excitement of watching two goals scored in less than three minutes was not enough to keep his mind off Ayo’s anger with him for letting Baron Helmut Zemo slip through their fingers.

It had been three months since Bucky apprehended Zemo, the man who murdered Wakanda’s King T’Chaka and who, ironically, Bucky had helped escape from prison. Although Bucky had handed over the Sokovian fugitive to Wakanda’s royal guard, the Dora Milaje, their second in command, Lieutenant Ayo, was the one person Bucky still regretted disappointing the most.

Following the two years that Bucky spent in Wakanda in cryostasis, Ayo had taken him under her wing like a mother making sure that he learned the language, culture, and customs of the country as well as their combat skills. The two had grown close, and Bucky was as indebted to her as he was to his benefactors Princess Shuri and King T’Challa for his very life. It is why when Ayo damned him for allowing Zemo to escape that her words cut Bucky to the bone. He knew that invoking the name of the Panther God, Bast, was serious.

‘If only Ayo had let me explain,’ Bucky thought. ‘If only we could have talked it out.’

Fretting, he had run it over in his mind numerous times during the past three months. He knew that he had ultimately redeemed himself with Ayo by apprehending Zemo and turning him over to the Dora; however, he had resigned himself to the exile when Ayo told him that it would be best for him to keep his distance from Wakanda for a while.

“Fair enough,” he had replied, knowing that the tribal elders would not be as forgiving. He accepted that there should be consequences for freeing the man who killed their king, even if it was only to provide temporary assistance in hunting down the radical group known as the Flag Smashers. However, that did not make Bucky feel any better about disappointing Ayo, and he sorely missed his adoptive home, Wakanda.

Sitting idle was not something that Bucky was at all accustomed to doing. For the last 90 years, he had gone from one fight to another with little time in between to do anything else. Therefore, during his exile from Wakanda, he had become bored and restless.

Placing the empty cereal bowl on the wooden floor next to him, Bucky sighed and wondered what he should do today. Over the past several weeks, he had begun taking daily walks around town to reacquaint himself with Brooklyn since it had changed so much from the town that he knew almost 100 years ago.

‘It’s all so different,’ he noted and often found himself asking, ‘What used to be there?’ when he looked at buildings that appeared to be relatively new. As out of place as he often felt, he thought that walking was a good way to get to know his surrounding neighborhood. After all, along with his pardon, the government had provided him with veteran’s benefits and secured this modest apartment to help ease the former assassin’s transition back into civilian life.

Deciding to abandon the game and go out on his daily stroll, Bucky rose, placed his bowl in the kitchen sink, and went to his closet. Opening a drawer inside, he pulled out a grey t-shirt shirt and black pants and dressed quickly.

In his black leather jacket with the collar turned up, Bucky stepped outside and began his walk. Looking down at the sidewalk, he was reminded of something.

‘I remember when almost every block had hopscotch squares. Is that not a thing anymore? I guess the kids all play video games now,’ he pondered as a 12-year-old boy whizzed past him on a skateboard.

Often on his walks, Bucky passed a Veterans’ Center which featured monthly gatherings. He noted that once a month, they had a dance featuring 1940s Big Band music. With that being Bucky’s favorite, he had begun the habit of stopping by the center on ‘40s night and standing near the back door to listen to the music. He felt uncomfortable about going in, but it made him feel good to hear his favorite Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller songs played live.

* * * * * *

Although Bucky was a man out of time, both Hydra and Wakanda had ensured that he was well-versed with technology. Nonetheless, there were certain aspects of its daily, practical uses that he sometimes found frustrating in his new life.

As he passed a Chinese restaurant, he knitted his eyebrows thinking of the last time he ordered food from there.

‘I like to just go to a restaurant and order like people used to back in the day,’ he thought. ‘What’s the big deal about ordering online?’

Looking in the front window of the restaurant, he recalled how he had been urged to order using an app.

“Here to pick up your order?” the girl behind the counter asked with her big brown eyes looking up from under blunt cut bangs.

“No, I’d like to place an order to go.”

“You didn’t place an order online?”

“No. As I said, I’d like to place an order to go,” Bucky restated.

“You should try using our app to order.”

Bucky sighed and then asked, “Really? Why?”

“Because you can build up points and get rewards,” the girl advised him with a smile.

“What if I don’t want rewards?”

“Who doesn’t want rewards, silly?” the girl laughed.

“I don’t. I just want to order food,” Bucky advised her.

“Okay, but if you order using the app, you not only build up reward points, but it’s faster. So, I’ll take your order this time, but maybe try using the app next time?”

“...Sure,” he replied giving it some thought.

The next time Bucky wanted Chinese food, he decided to give the app a try. Using his phone, he placed his order and then walked over to pick up the food. When he arrived, he was surprised by what he found.

“Hi, I’m here to pick up my order.”

“Are you Barnes?” the girl asked.

“Yeah.”

“Here you go. Two orders of orange chicken and two orders of steamed veggies.”

“No, I thought that was too much when I paid. It was one order of each,” Bucky stated.

“No...you ordered two of each,” she insisted showing him the receipt. “Maybe you ‘fat fingered’ the order or hit the back button and went forward again, but that’s what came through the order system.”

Bucky stared at the girl for a long moment. “Fine,” he said with a sigh.

“Thanks for your business!” the girl called as he left. “We’ll see you next time.”

Bucky vowed to never place a food order online again.

* * * * * *

As he continued his walk through Brooklyn, Bucky passed an alley and recalled how he had once stopped a bully there who was beating up his friend Steve Rogers when they were in grade school.

Smiling as he reminisced, Bucky suddenly felt a slight vibration coming from the Kimoyo beads around his left wrist. Stepping behind a dumpster, he raised his hand, squeezed one of the beads, and gazed at the 3 inch tall holographic image of Lieutenant Ayo which appeared.

“White Wolf?”

“Yes, Lieutenant Ayo?” he replied with a respectful nod.

“You are wanted in Wakanda. A quinjet will arrive for you in three hours.”

“Yes, Lieutenant,” Bucky said with another nod.

Before her hologram disappeared, he swore that he detected a faint smile on her face. He did not know why he was being summoned nor did he care. Excited to finally be returning to Wakanda, it was all that Bucky could do not to break into a sprint.

“I’m going ‘home!’” he said as he turned and briskly strode back toward his apartment. “I’m...going...‘home!’”

Chapter Text

When Bucky reached the end of the quinjet’s ramp, he stopped, dropped his large grey duffel bag at his feet, adjusted his blue tunic, and regarded his welcoming committee. Before him stood two rows of six Dora Milaje staring at him with serious expressions. That did not worry him. What did worry him was when the two rows parted down the middle to allow three people to approach him: General Okoye, followed by Lieutenant Ayo, who was trailed by a member of the Wakandan palace staff.

General Okoye stood before Bucky and observed him for a moment which caught him off guard. As a soldier, he had been taught to let the superior officer speak first, and it was the practice in Wakanda as well. He hoped to get a cue from Ayo, but her guarded expression gave him little to go on.

‘Talk about awkward,’ the soldier thought.

Finally, Bucky gave the Wakandan salute and just as he was about to greet the General, she spoke.

“Sergeant Barnes, do you know why you are here?”

Placing his arms at his sides, he replied, “General Okoye, I’m afraid I don’t.”

She paused for a moment while she continued to stare at him. When he noticed her left eye narrow, his pulse began to race, and he thought the worst.

‘Surely, if the people of Wakanda were going to put me on trial for springing Baron Zemo from prison, Ayo would’ve given me some kind of heads up. We’re close. She wouldn’t let me walk into a trap! Would she?’

Continuing, the General informed him, “Sergeant, you have been summoned to Wakanda for special training.”

Visibly relieved, Bucky exhaled, gave her the Wakandan salute again, and said, “Thank you, General. I am eager to begin.” He knew better than to ask questions or press for details – especially in Wakanda. All would be revealed to him soon enough.

Without looking at the middle-aged palace staff member, Lieutenant Ayo said, “Banu, take Sergeant Barnes’ belongings.”

“Oh, I can take that to my hut,” Bucky offered.

“You will not be staying in your hut with the Border Tribe, White Wolf. You will reside in the Palace guest quarters,” Ayo informed him with a stern expression.

“...Oh...” he replied as Banu stepped forward dressed in a bright green and orange tunic and black trousers, picked up Bucky’s duffel bag, and proceeded toward the Palace.

“Come with me,” General Okoye bade him, and as she turned toward Princess Shuri’s scientific building, the assembled Dora including Ayo gave her the one-armed Wakandan salute as they held their Vibranium spears in their right hands.

“Yes, General,” Bucky agreed and followed behind Lieutenant Ayo. He was excited to be back in Wakanda and eager to speak to Ayo about what had transpired during his absence; however, it was impossible to do so in Okoye’s presence and especially while walking single file.

Upon entering the science building, the three walked down a hallway and then turned right. Inside a large, brightly lit lab, Bucky saw a round table bearing gadgets which were surrounded by four men, King T’Challa’s consort Nakia, and Princess Shuri herself.

“Ah, Sergeant Barnes! You have decided to join us,” the young Princess jested.

“It’s ‘Bucky,’ and it’s a pleasure to see you again, Your Highness,” he replied with a nod.

Smiling, she remarked, “You know we don’t bow here, ‘Bucky,’ and you might not think it is such a pleasure when you see what we are working on.”

Bucky always enjoyed spending time with Princess Shuri. Although she had spent virtually no time outside of Wakanda, she was surprisingly aware of the world beyond her country and was what most Wakandans would consider Westernized in terms of her thoughts and perspectives while still maintaining her cultural traditions.

Glancing at the others encircling the table, Bucky realized that he was unfamiliar with them.

Okoye stood between him and the window and spoke quietly.

“Sergeant, these are members of the Hatut Zeraze – Wakanda’s War Dogs. At the Princess’ request, you may be working with them in the near future, so you were summoned to join their training.”

Bucky was speechless. When he exited the quinjet, he was convinced that he had been recalled to Wakanda to face capital punishment for freeing Baron Zemo. Now, he was shocked to learn that he might be working with Wakanda’s spy organization.

“As honored as I am, General, I can’t help but wonder what I have to offer such an elite group.”

“For some reason, the Princess is convinced that as an outsider, your knowledge and skills from Hydra could be of some value in assisting the Hatut Zeraze. Of course, that is her opinion,” Okoye offered skeptically.

Bucky knew that because he was an outsider, Okoye did not trust him. She was fiercely protective of her king and the entire royal family, and he respected that. However, there was something about the way she doubted him that made Bucky want to prove her wrong.

“I’m happy to be of any assistance to Wakanda, General. I owe Wakanda my life.”

“The Princess and Lieutenant Ayo seem to trust you...” she began and then contemplated how to finish her remark.

As far as Bucky was concerned, there was no need.

“I won’t let them down, General. I won’t let...any of you down.”

“See that you don’t,” Okoye said and then turned to leave the room giving Bucky an unobstructed view of the window.

Outside and a few yards away, he saw a grassy area next to the Palace’s adjacent dormitory where the Dora Milaje resided. There, he saw a dozen members of the Dora performing combat drills, and he could not help but notice one guardswoman in particular.

‘I know her,’ he thought. ‘She was there that day the Dora showed up in Latvia to arrest Zemo and he slipped away.’ As Bucky recalled, she was the slightly smaller and younger Dora who slammed her foot on the shield and handed it to John Walker at the end of the fight over the Sokovian fugitive. ‘– the one with the sweet face,’ he recalled.

Bucky was surprised and pleased to see her again. He did not know the young woman’s name but thought of her fondly now and then as he spent his exile in Brooklyn. The young Dora had left more of an impression on him than he was aware of until now.

“White Wolf?” he suddenly heard Ayo call.

Turning, he saw the Lieutenant looking at him sternly.

“You would do well to pay attention to this demonstration,” Ayo advised.

“Yes, of course, Lieutenant,” he agreed.

Stepping closer to the table, Bucky observed the presentation on a drone the size of a Kimoyo bead. He participated in the discussion of its stealth features and uses, and he asked appropriate questions about maneuverability and situational applications – all the while devoting a part of his mind to thinking about the young Dora training outside.

When the demonstration concluded, Ayo lead Bucky into the hallway and addressed the soldier.

“Tell me, White Wolf, are you glad to be back in Wakanda?”

Surprised by the question, Bucky replied, “Yes, of course, Ayo.”

“Are you serious about working with the Hatut Zeraze?”

Worried that he had somehow offended her, he remarked, “Yes! Why would you think otherwise?”

“You seem preoccupied,” she said raising her left eyebrow.

Bucky thought for a moment and realized that she must have seen him each time he thought he was secretly stealing a glance out the window at the pretty Dora.

“...I...I’m...just excited to be back,” he offered.

“Yama,” Ayo said abruptly.

Confused, Bucky asked, “...What?”

“Yama. Her name is Yama. She is a new Dora, and you would do well to leave her to her training.”

Blushing, the soldier protested.

“Oh, I’m not interested in her. I mean... ‘Yama,’ huh?” he asked. “That’s a pretty name.”

Giving him the slightest hint of a smile, Ayo reminded him, “She is in training. Leave her alone.”

Chapter Text

As they strolled down the hallway toward the exit, Bucky suddenly stopped and turned to Ayo.

Lowering his voice, he asked, “So, what did you say to convince the royal council to allow me to come back?”

She stared at him for a moment and then replied, “The council did not readily agree to your return, White Wolf.”

Bucky thought for a few moments before responding.

“I understand their being angry that I helped Zemo break out of prison, and I can understand their being angry that he escaped from us in Latvia...but I did recapture him and hand him over to the Dora. Surely, that had to count for something.”

“I explained that to the council, but it was not enough to sway them.”

“Well, I’m here, so what finally did sway them?” Bucky asked curiously.

“After working closely with you to remove Hydra’s trigger words from your mind, Princess Shuri felt she could vouch for your character and insisted that your intensions were honorable...if somewhat misguided.”

“...Oh...I see...” he pondered. “Well, it looks like I’m once again indebted to you and the Princess.”

Just then, the two heard the sound of cheering coming from outside. Stepping through the exterior doors and looking across to the patch of grass adjacent to the Dora Milaje’s dormitory, the two saw a group of a dozen Dora performing combat training. When Bucky’s eyes fell on Yama, he could not help but smile.

Noticing his interest, Ayo stated, “You know, it is a great honor for a family to have a daughter serve in the Dora Milaje.”

“Yes...I would imagine so,” he said keeping his eyes on the young trainee.

“Perhaps you would like to test the young Dora’s skills?”

“Who me?” Bucky asked with his eyes widening with surprise.

Turning to the guardswomen, Ayo announced, “Sisters, most of you are familiar with White Wolf who trained with you in the ways of Wakandan combat. Let’s see if he has forgotten anything in his time away from us.”

“Wait...what?!” asked a startled Bucky.

“Yama? Step forward,” Ayo called.

A few of the Dora moved aside to let the novice approach.

“Yes, Lieutenant?” she said giving her superior officer the Wakanda salute.

Standing face to face with the trainee, Bucky was even more impressed with her. Slightly shorter than the other guardswomen and clearly the youngest, she had a child-like face that was pleasing to the soldier.

Bucky stood smiling down at her for a moment when Ayo abruptly commanded, “Attack!”

He turned to look at her and queried, “What?” a split second before Yama used the butt of her spear to jab him in the stomach and knock all the wind out of him.

Doubling over and looking at Ayo, he gasped, “Hey! I’m not gonna fight her.” Peering up at the trainee, he repeated, “I’m not gonna fight you.”

“I understand if you are afraid,” Yama said with a smile, which made the other Dora laugh.

Standing up with both hands on his stomach, the soldier remarked, “Oh, I’m not afraid, and that was a cheap shot.”

“Are you sure you were taught Wakandan combat skills?” she asked jokingly.

“Yeah. Well before you got here,” Bucky informed her as he lunged toward the novice and grabbed her spear. The two held onto either end of it and began to pace in a clockwise circle. When Yama lunged again thrusting the spear toward Bucky, he let go and used his left arm to knock it away from himself.

Holding the spear above her, Yama twirled it as she and Bucky paced in a circle again staring into each other’s eyes. Just as she brought her weapon down at him, he ducked out of the way and continued to dodge her rapid jabs. Finally, throwing his left arm up, he blocked a jab that sent her spear flying out of her hands.

Buoyed by the Dora’s shouts of encouragement, Yama switched to hand-to-hand combat throwing punches and Karate-like kicks at the soldier.

“Oh, you’re going ‘old school’ now? I’m still not gonna hit you,” he declared as he ducked and dodged her fists.

It was when one of Yama’s punches came close to hitting him in the shoulder that Bucky came to a strange realization. It suddenly dawned on him that Yama had been with Ayo that day in Latvia when the Dora Milaje arrived to collect Baron Helmut Zemo, so she witnessed it when Ayo touched the place on Bucky’s cybernetic arm which disabled and dislocated it. Suddenly, the fight took on new meaning for Bucky. It was no longer just about avoiding the novice’s punches and not returning them; it was now about making certain that she did not get close enough to deactivate his arm.

At one point, Yama swept Bucky’s legs out from under him, and he landed hard on his back with a thud. As the other Dora cheered, the trainee extended her hand and helped him to his feet.

“Excellent work,” Ayo said as she looked at her former student Bucky and current apprentice Yama.

The young Dora went over to join the other guardswomen as Bucky spoke with Ayo.

“I can’t say that you went easy on her because you wouldn’t even fight her,” the Lieutenant observed.

“I know, Ayo. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it,” he admitted.

“When I trained you to fight, did I ever once tell you to go easy?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Because the enemy will not go easy on you,” she admonished.

“No, they won’t, ma’am...but look at it this way...at least Yama showed you what she can do,” Bucky remarked with a boyish smile.

The Lieutenant stared at him for a moment and then rolled her eyes.

“You’ve had a full day, White Wolf. It’s time for you to retire.”

“Wow, Ayo. You’re sending me to my room?” When she did not react, he continued, “That’s a joke...you know...when your mom sends you to your room... ‘cause you’re like my Wakandan mother, so...”

“I understand the joke, Sergeant. It’s just not funny,” she advised.

“...Oh...,” he said softly. As Ayo walked with him to his quarters in the Palace, the two were quiet. Finally reaching his door, he turned to her and spoke.

“I want to thank you again for everything you’ve done for me, Ayo.”

“You will always have a home here, White Wolf. Get some rest. The staff will bring your dinner shortly. If there’s anything you need, you have only to ask.”

“Thank you, Ayo. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said and gave her the Wakanda salute.

Bucky decided that he would take Ayo’s advice – he would shower and then relax the rest of the day because he had plans for the next day. Tomorrow, he would find out all he could about his adversary today. He was determined to get to know the novice Yama.

Chapter Text

The next morning, as the Dora began to stream out of their dormitory chatting energetically, they suddenly saw a stoic figure standing at the end of the walkway. His feet were planted spread apart and his arms were folded against his blue tunic. Although he was not smiling, a pleasant look graced his handsome face.

Coming to an abrupt halt, the women greeted the man in unison.

“Good morning, White Wolf.”

“Good morning, cadets,” Bucky replied with a grin. “Do you have the King’s detail today?”

“We do,” most of them replied.

“Good. Then he is in capable hands. Carry on,” he remarked.

The Dora gave Bucky the one-armed Wakandan salute and continued on their way. He knew that a number of them had been assigned to escort King T’Challa to a summit in Paris, France that day, but not the cadet who he was waiting to see.

After a few moments, more cadets exited the dormitory, and the corners of Bucky’s mouth turned up ever so slightly when he saw one in particular. In the center of the group, Yama walked and chatted with her sister guards. When the group saw the soldier, they all stopped in their tracks. 

“Morning, cadets,” he greeted them.

“Good morning, White Wolf,” they all replied and gave him the one-armed salute.

“Yama, may I speak to you?” he asked hopefully as he unfolded his arms and clasped this hands behind his back.

The novice looked at the other guards who all nodded at her before she turned to the soldier and stepped closer to him.

“How may I assist you, White Wolf?” the young Dora asked timidly.

“Please call me ‘Bucky,’” he insisted. “I understand that you’re not on the King’s security detail, so…I was wondering if you could accompany me today.”

The young Dora was quiet for a moment.

“‘Accompany’ you? Respectfully, I have training this morning, White…I mean ‘Bah-key.’” The name felt strange in her mouth.

“Yeah, I got you out of that,” the soldier said with a smile and the shrug of his shoulders. “So, how about we go for a stroll?”

“A stroll?” she asked.

“Yeah. How about we walk beyond the Palace through Birnin Zana and get to know each other?” 

“You want to walk through the ‘Golden City’ and talk?” Yama wondered curiously.

“Yes. Why do you repeat everything?” he queried.

“I hadn’t noticed that I do,” she admitted.

“No worries. Would you please join me?” asked Bucky hopefully.

“…I suppose…of course…,” Yama said and kept pace with his casual stride.

After a few moments of silence, Bucky smiled at this companion and asked, “I thought a walk would be nice. Isn’t it nice?”

The nervous novice offered a demure smile in return and agreed, “Yes. This is pleasant.”

“Good!” Bucky beamed, pleased with Yama’s response. After a pause, he wondered, “So…what tribe are you from?”

“I’m from the Merchant tribe,” she informed him proudly.

“Oh, are you?” he remarked with surprise.

“Yes. My family has a few shops in Birnin Zana. In fact, this is my sister’s shop right here,” she explained as she pointed to the entrance of a jewelry shop. 

Gazing into the front window, Bucky saw tables covered with short racks on which beaded necklaces were displayed along with bangles and earrings. As he stepped through the entrance, he nodded at two young women who turned to glance at him.

Just then, a tall young woman in a long purple dress and veil approached him and bowed her head.

“White Wolf, it is an honor to welcome you here.” 

“White Wolf…uh…‘Bah-key’…this is my sister, Ina.”

“Ina? What a lovely name. I’m pleased to meet you,” the soldier replied with a broad smile, curious about the veil. “Your sister Yama is graciously accompanying me around the capital city today. She’s a pleasant tour guide.”

Looking around the shop, he asked, “Did you create all the jewelry yourself?”

“Yes. My sisters and I design and create everything you see.”

“Your family is quite artistic,” the impressed soldier remarked. Turning to Yama, he noted, “So, you have skills and talent.”

Turning once again to the shop owner, Bucky stated, “Your sister is becoming a great asset to the Dora Milaje.”

“It is an honor for a family to have a daughter serve with the Dora. Yama has made us proud,” her sister declared from behind her veil.

“I have witnessed your sister in combat and have heard nothing but great things from her superiors. You have every right to be proud of her,” the soldier confirmed. 

Blushing, the novice replied, “It is my duty to serve Wakanda.”

“And mine as well,” Bucky agreed. Turning once again to her sister, he said, “It was a pleasure to meet you, Ina. You have customers, so we won’t detain you any longer.”

“The pleasure is mine, White Wolf,” she said with a nod.

As Bucky and Yama stepped back into the street, the soldier could not help but ask, “What’s with the veil?”

“As a matter of practice, members of the Merchant Tribe wear a veil during a transaction to maintain anonymity,” she informed him. 

“Sort of a ‘good faith’ kind of thing?” he queried.

“Yes, you could say that,” the novice agreed.

“Hmm…” he replied and gave it some thought.

After a few moments, Yama asked, “So, what does it mean – ‘Bah-key’?”

“It’s a nickname – short for my middle name, Buchanan.” Noticing the look of confusion on her face, he continued, “James Buchanan was an American president. My parents respected him, I guess – enough to name me after him. Buchanan…‘Bucky’…get it?”

She did not, but she looked up at him and smiled anyway to be agreeable.

As the two continued their slow stride, citizens occasionally nodded at Bucky and gave him the Wakandan salute, which did not escape the novice’s notice.

“The people of Wakanda owe you a great debt, ‘Bah-key.”

Stopping abruptly, he replied, “I literally owe Wakanda my life. If it weren’t for King T’Challa and Princess Shuri, I’d still be on the run in eastern Europe and open to mind control. I owe your country so much and would defend it to my last breath.” 

The young Dora smiled having no doubt that this was true.

Walking again, the two were quiet for a time before Yama wondered, “May I ask, have you moved to quarters within the palace?”

“I’ve been given quarters just outside the palace to use when I work closely with Princess Shuri or Lieutenant Ayo. Otherwise, I stay in my hut with the Border Tribe.”

“Do you like it there – with the Border Tribe, I mean?”

“I love my hut,” he said proudly. “It’s so peaceful there. It’s where I recovered after Princess Shuri deprogrammed me. The children come by to play, and a few of the women insist that they cook for me. I’m well taken care of and have the chance to center myself and clear my head.” 

The novice looked up at him and smiled sweetly.

“One day, I’d love to show you my goats,” the soldier boasted. 

Yama placed her left hand on her stomach, tossed her head back, and laughed.

“I have three goats. The littlest one is named ‘Billy,’ and he’s a handful – always getting into trouble,” the proud herdsman declared.

“I think you’re up to the challenge,” his companion assured him.

Finding that they had looped around and were headed back to the dormitory, Bucky became eager. As they stood in front of the building, the soldier turned to face the novice to his left.

Clasping his hands once again behind his back, Bucky confessed, “I enjoyed our walk today. May I see you again tomorrow?”

“I would like that very much, ‘Bah-key,’ but I have training most of the day, and since I missed training today…”

“Oh, so I’m corrupting you, am I – leading you astray?” he joked. 

Blushing, Yama replied, “Those are your words, Sergeant – not mine. However, if I don’t pass my training, I will not become a full-fledged Dora. You wouldn’t want me to disgrace my family and disappoint General Okoye, would you?”

“No, I suppose not,” Bucky pondered. “So, how about the day after?”

Laughing, the novice asked, “You don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, do you?”

The soldier smiled and quipped, “Not if I can help it. See you the day after tomorrow?”

“I suppose,” she relented. “…After training.”

“The day after tomorrow it is, then!” Bucky chirped. Raising his right hand, he extended his index finger and waggled it in the air as he began to shuffle his feet to and fro.

Confused, Yama wondered, “What are you doing?”

“That’s my trucking finger,” he informed her as he turned toward the palace. 

“‘Trucking?’” the puzzled novice asked. 

“You’re repeating things again,” he informed her. As he slowly continued on his way, he began to hum his favorite song, “Stompin’ at the Savoy” by the Benny Goodman Orchestra. “See you in 2 days!” he called over his shoulder. 

The novice grinned as she watched the dancing soldier head toward his quarters. 

“What a fascinating man,” she said to herself and then turned to enter the dormitory.

The End