"It is done," Shuri says, tapping a final measure into the record and setting the tablet aside. "Your mind is restored, the way that we wanted it to be."

Steve slings his arm around Bucky's shoulders and hugs him tight, his beaming grin bright as sunlight as Shuri continues, "I have informed my brother. He and Nakia are waiting at the Citadel. Let us go, shall we?"

Bucky nods, and walks between them out of the lab, listening with interest as Shuri chatters the entire way. She's both exhausted and jubilant, he realizes, and she has every right to be. He won't ask about Ayo's whereabouts tonight. There'll be time for that - no matter what, he's no more of a danger to anyone than he was a few weeks ago, so it should be okay--

Lost in his thoughts, he nevertheless stops instantly when Steve steps in front of him, between him and the people who are waiting on the platform. Shuri breaks off her explanation, her voice scaling upward in surprise as she asks, "Ayo? Is something wrong?"

"Do not worry, princess," Ayo replies, calm and smooth. Bucky puts his hand on Steve's shoulder and squeezes it in reassurance. "I am here to collect the White Wolf, as planned."

"Planned?" Steve turns to him. "Buck, what's going on?"

"There's one more thing to test," he says, very softly, and sees shock followed by realization in his best friend's eyes. "I have to know, Steve."