He sits on the ground and watches the sparks from the fire fly upward, bright specks against the night. Bucky thinks of how his memories felt when he was first trying to get them back; thinks of shattered glass and shards of metal.

"It is time," Ayo murmurs, soft but clear, from where she stands a little to the side. He doesn't turn to look at her. From the corner of his eye, he can see the butt of her spear set firm against the ground where she stands, braced and ready.

Good. She knows, but she doesn't know, and if--

"Are you sure about this?"

His voice is dull and flat. It's not really a question, but he has to ask anyway. She has to be sure.

She has to be ready. Just in case.