Bucky obediently downs the entire glass of water, then nods. "Whatever you say," he tells Shuri, even as her words ring in his ears. Preliminary assessment. Success. Looking good. "I'm ready when you are."

He can't hope. He can't let himself hope. Not yet. For now, it's enough that he's awake as himself; he doesn't feel any different, although he's not sure how he'd know. But others would, especially Steve, and he fastens his spiraling fears to that anchor and sinks them deep.

Shuri's right. There are a lot of tests.