#i wanted to add T'Challa but something about it felt wrong

[your-moms-a-dick]

[zalrb]

i literally just got back from seeing wakanda forever (it’s taken forever for me and my sister to line up our schedules) and i really agree with all your points. one thing i also want to add is that i hated the the fact that the white fed guy (i forgot his name) was even part of the movie. i get it was a callback to the first movie, but he didn’t do anything to advance the plot or aid the wakandans. like yes he gave the lowkey of riri but that could have easily have been a cameo scene instead of giving him several scenes just to show that “hey all americans aren’t bad. see how evil namor is for wanting to kill people like this.” but yeah, i think the biggest thing i struggled with was like you said namor’s rightful anger and disgust towards colonization and the West was essentially equated to having a grudge that he needed to let go of, and it just didn’t make sense. when t’challa revealed wakanda to the rest of the world, he put his country at risk. namor was right like realistically the West is never going to stop coming for their resources. i enjoyed the movie don’t get me wrong, but that was always at the back of my mind. also a bit that i actually deeply enjoyed was the fact that it was kilmonger who met her in the ancestral realm rather than her mother or brother (which obviously couldn’t happen). mostly because i am into ATR and something that’s been taught to me is that a lot of times the ancestors who are watching over your the most/are most like you are those who you would never even imagine. and i feel like it was more holistic view of ancestor veneration as well because in the first film the ancestor realm was like this place of peace and a source of infinite wisdom. while that’s definitely part of it, like your ancestors were also humans once and can be chaotic as hell. idk i just really enjoyed shuri’s character journey. like feeling disconnected from spirituality because of her grief, her simultaneous awe of namor’s home and dismay of his vision, the rage after losing her mother, etc. like i really respected how we got to live in her headspace. i don’t think you said in your review but how did you feel about t’challa and nakia having a son together?

also a bit that i actually deeply enjoyed was the fact that it was kilmonger who met her in the ancestral realm rather than her mother or brother (which obviously couldn’t happen). mostly because i am into ATR and something that’s been taught to me is that a lot of times the ancestors who are watching over your the most/are most like you are those who you would never even imagine. and i feel like it was more holistic view of ancestor veneration as well because in the first film the ancestor realm was like this place of peace and a source of infinite wisdom. while that’s definitely part of it, like your ancestors were also humans once and can be chaotic as hell.

idk i just really enjoyed shuri’s character journey. like feeling disconnected from spirituality because of her grief, her simultaneous awe of namor’s home and dismay of his vision, the rage after losing her mother, etc. like i really respected how we got to live in her headspace.

Yes, definitely. They really aligned us with Shuri and I believe in an interview Ryan said that they chose Shuri to be the centre because Letitia was the person Chadwick liked to work with the most, she was the one who would get him to break character, they'd watch a scene and be like, that isn't T'Challa smiling, that's Chad and then I was reading Letitia's interview about when she found out he died and her response was chaotic because she kept calling his phone because she simply didn't believe it happened and Daniel Kaluuya had to be like, Letitia, stop calling, think of his family and then he drove over to where she was to comfort her so Shuri's journey definitely felt personal, definitely felt like a tribute in it of itself and from a narrative standpoint, the writing really makes us feel what she's feeling, the framing really makes us understand her.

I didn't really speak much about Shuri's character journey --- including seeing Killmonger in the ancestral plane --- before because I was preoccupied with how it was dovetailing into the plot of Talokan wanting to do a preemptive strike and my disagreement with how they were entwining the two ... it didn't diminish Shuri's character journey for me but it made me go, these are two different movies that, for me, aren't meshing well enough. So when she did see Killmonger, it was at a point in the movie where I felt like the character thread was on point but we were losing the plot thread because I was like it's a difference in ideologies, he wants to hit the West first and Shuri is just like no that's evil!, he wants to kill Riri, she says no that's evil! He explains that the West has a track record of colonizing countries for resources, she doesn't have a response to that. Namor explains that he's going to attack them if they don't agree and Shuri doesn't really say anything in response. Nakia rescues her and Riri from Talokan and one of the guards is killed, Namor makes good on his promise and attacks Wakanda, killing Ramonda and now Shuri has to become Queen and she sees Killmonger who tells her that he'd burn everything to the ground for vengeance and we're supposed to see her rage reflected but we're also supposed to hear Namor's rhetoric in Killmonger's (or vice versa) and then Shuri attacks Talokan out of vengeance and during her fight with Namor, she chooses peace/alliance over destruction.

From a character piece standpoint, that's great, from a plot standpoint, we've already covered that the two nations have commonalities and a shared history, sure when Namor talks about their shared history it's in relation to the atrocities of the West, when Shuri thinks about their similarities, she thinks of the beauty of both nations and that parallel is nice but the fundamental issue was never Talokan vs Wakanda, it was what are we going to do about the West? And if there's anything Everett's scenes showed (I agree he didn't need to be in the movie) it's that the U.S. fully intend to do what the French already attempted and what Namor said they were going to do so by this point in the movie --- and I was also irritated that Ramonda was killed off for Shuri to complete her emotional/spiritual journey which I did not think was necessary --- I was like the messages are being muddled here.

Like, to me, the movie worked best as an exploration of grief and trying to find yourself in that grief and in the absence of people you love.

But I absolutely agree with your point about ancestral connections.

i don’t think you said in your review but how did you feel about t’challa and nakia having a son together?

To be honest, Nakia and T'Challa having a son didn't really do much for me, I didn't dislike it but I wasn't moved by it and I think it's because them having a son in the movie universe is significant in that T'Challa's legacy will live on and then there is the thematic coupling of life/death and this sense of continuation, but I didn't go to the movie caring about T'Challa's legacy as like an MCU character, I went in caring about Chadwick's legacy as T'Challa and the movie and the actors did a fantastic job honouring Chadwick's legacy, but the son part felt more like something for the franchise, which is cool, but it didn't leave an impression on me.

[mariahthelioness29]

NURTURING A FRIENDSHIP 

( Maintaining Friendships pt.2) 

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Black!Plus Size Reader 

Words: 4.2K 

Warnings: SMUT (nasty but loving), slight degradation, unprotected sex, drug use, mentions of alcohol 

Please if you are a minor do not interact, due to the themes of this fic, this story is 18+ 

A/N: Here it is a part 2 as promised hope you like it. 

@xbuchananbarnes @siancore @avintagekiss24 @lesbians-love-samwilson

@maddiestundentwritergaines @whiskey-cokenfanfic @liquorlaughslove @sopranomaestra93 @afriendlyblackhottie @samwilsons-pillowpecs

@missdforever @buckys-plums @xxindiglow @kissthatlifeaway​

Bucky called you a few times after your lunch with him. 

You texted him the address of the restaurant, with 7:00 p.m

You have facetimed ever since he got an iPhone and Bucky likes it when you send him pictures of you.

Today you have been extremely busy, with meetings and finally, you picked the phone and saw a message from Bucky.

“Where is my daily picture ?, Bucky texted you

“Very bold from the man, who was walking with a flip phone a couple of days ago”, you texted back

“Good Afternoon to you too”, you send him.

 Bucky sends you a voice message “Jesus, having a flip phone is a capital sin in Wakanda or something?”, He laughs “Good afternoon, doll, how’s work ?”

“I mean it’s prehistoric, busy a lot of meetings today” you replied via text.

Bucky licks his lips and shakes his head. 

He takes a picture of him shirtless with a cute smile and sends it to you. 

Wish you were here, I could distract you from work, take a break, he texts. 

“ Who taught you to send thirst traps ?", you text him laughing seeing the pic. 

“ Isn’t this what people do to woo each other nowadays?, give me a break I’m trying”

“Is it working ?”, he texts you 

You look at the pic and sink your teeth on your bottom lip. 

“It is, but in person it's so much better, the pictures don’t do you justice”, you replied.

He sends another voice message.  

You put on your headphones giddy for his reply.

“For fucks sake, you can’t say shit like that and not be here”

“What ?”, “Are you that desperate that my words are reeling you, horny dog”., you replied 

You don’t know how the conversation changed from PG to NSFW, but is a welcome change after almost a week of you keeping it cute.

“Yes”, he texted 

Oh, yeah? be a good boy and show me with a video, get to it”, you order him via text

You read your papers, with the anticipation of the video in the back of your mind.

Bucky sighed “fuck”, he has never sent a picture or a video of himself like that, but he trusts you so he manages to put the phone on the nightstand against the lamp to take a video, he presses record.

 After a couple of minutes, You hear your cell vibrate and there it is.You open the video.

He frowned in concentration, figuring out if the camera was recording or not

“Is this thing recording ? he wonders out loud

oh yeah it is, the minutes are ticking”, he confirms to himself

He sits on the bed. He smiled at the camera, feeling his heartbeat out of his chest. 

‘For my best girl”, he winks to the camera, trying to hide his nerves.

He took himself out of his shorts, spit on his hand, and began to stroke himself slow, sighing, mouth slightly agape, his head tilted to the side until he was fully hard.

‘F-fuck”, he stuttered 

“I have never done this”, he breathes out, pumping himself fast with his vibranium hand. 

He groans and moans, squeezing himself, rolling his hips into his hand. 

“I can’t wait for the day, you let me inside again, I have never forgotten how you felt wrapped around me, it’s like heaven on earth”, Bucky confessed with a strangled voice in between his high pitch dragged out moans. He keeps teasing his tip with his thumb while jerking off. 

You feel yourself getting wet, because of his words and moans.

His dick so thick and long, and the red tip, shining with precum.

You bite your lips, mouth-watering at the sight of him jerking himself for you. 

Your breathing is now deep and a little erratic, your nipples are hard against your bra. 

“Fuck, baby, you got me fucking riled up”, he moans. 

Bucky fondles his balls while jerking off. 

He hissed, feeling the contrast of the cold hand against his balls, and he jerks himself with his flesh hand.His hips twitch and his dick throbs in his hand, he jerks himself faster and his fist gets tighter.

His breathing is harsh and his groans get louder and deeper. 

“Oh fuck”, he growls, feeling his release near. 

He pumps himself a couple of times crying out your name on repeat until his mouth is agape, his breath and moans come out stuttered while ropes of cum spurt out of him painting his abs, his hand while he looks into the camera. 

He throws his head back, trying to control his breathing with a smile of relief after emptying himself. 

He hums enjoying the aftershocks of pleasure .He takes the phone and closes up to his cum painted abs. 

“ Such a shame, this should be in you instead of painted on my stomach”, he pants

“ Have a good day, sweetheart, can’t wait to see you tomorrow”, he pants smiling at the camera, and the video stops. 

“Bast”, you breathe, suddenly the room has become hotter. 

You text him. 

“My day got so much better, thank you, can’t wait to see you tomorrow”

“You’re welcome, doll”, he rasps via voice message.

After work, you shop for a nice dress for tomorrow night. A cute, lilac silk dress with a high slit with your clear high heels. You look at the lilac lingerie. You remember the first compliment he dared to say. You had a crown of flowers, the children did it and it was full of purples flowers.“ You look like a flower yourself”, he whispered while you taught him how to dance. 

Bucky was pacing around looking at the small number of clothes he had. 

He felt a skip on his heartbeat that was pleasant but at the same time, he felt his nerves tingling. He realized he was nervous but excited and that suddenly he has no clothes for this date. He took a deep breath and decided this is an emergency and called Thandiwe, Andrew, and Sam. 

"Suddenly I don't know what to wear", he laughs looking at them.

"Uncle Bucky, leave that to y/n, we guys put on some jeans and a nice shirt, that's it", Andrew answers him.  

He now has three friends: his co-worker Sam, his great grand nephew Andrew, and Thandiwe.

"I disagree, you have to look good too, put on some style too", Thandiwe replied 

Sam just laughs, "you jump off of buildings, but you are freaking out ‘cause of a date, man let's take a look at what you have. Black, black, black, like you barely have anything with color". "Oh, I see sum, is that a suede brown jacket, that would look good and that olive green t-shirt for a change? I think it will go well with the jeans, those shoes, and your gloves. You're all set". 

Thandiwe and Andrew nod smiling.

"Put it on", Thandiwe suggests. 

"See, all set", Andrew nods 

"By the way, I have not seen y/n, who is she", Andrew ask 

Bucky smiled.

"We met in Wakanda, she is.., Bucky smiles.

"Aww shit,he gone",Sam teases

" We lost him", Andrew shakes his head in faux disappointment. 

Thandiwe looks for a picture of you and sends it to the group. 

Thandiwe holds in a laugh 

"Oh, since the first day Shuri introduced him to her, he was gone", Thandiwe adds

"He froze like a deer in headlights"

Thandiwe, Bucky warns and side-eyes him.

"What?, are you going to tell me that I am wrong, ingucka", Thandiwe smirked

Bucky just shakes his suppressing a smile. 

"Wow", Andrew looks at your picture up and down and they settle on your breast. 

"Hey, watch it, eyes on her face, punk", Bucky warns Andrew. 

"What ?, I am just looking", Andrew laughs and shrugs. 

"So this what your ass was doing in Wakanda scrolling through meetWakandawomen.com all day, maybe I could tell old Steve to tell T'challa to invite me there, ‘cause goddamn". Sam looks at your picture

"You two together are insufferable", Bucky rolls his eyes. 

"So where are you going to take her ?'' Thandiwe asked. 

Bucky mentions the name of the restaurant. 

"Oh, nice", they replied

"Just be your gentleman 40s self, like Grandma Becca used to tell us stories about you", Andrew tells him. 

"It's going to be alright", Sam reassures him. 

They all said goodbyes to each other and wished him good luck on the date. 

Bucky gets dressed and he goes to the restaurant. and there you were on a sofa drinking a glass of sparkling water. 

"Hmm,7 o'clock not second less not second later, impressive", you stand up. 

You hug him and kiss his cheek. 

Bucky blushes and offers his arm.

“I cannot make my best girl wait, you look breathtaking”, Bucky takes a good look at you. 

“You don’t look that bad yourself, old man, I like the brown jacket, brings a grey green tone out of your eyes” 

Bucky is flustered ”uhmm..thank you” 

You take his arm in yours and walk into the restaurant, the hostess seats you, but Bucky pulls your chair for you and you sit. 

“`Such a gentleman, I got your flowers today” 

“Lilacs and roses”, you smile 

“That is where I got the inspiration to wear this”. 

You take a bite of your food, moaning at the flavor. 

Bucky feels a little tingle when you make that noise. 

And he drinks beer, to quench the sudden dryness of his throat. 

”I’m glad you like them, doll’

“ I am excited, I have a new job” 

“Don’t say”, you widen your eyes. 

“It’s a big project, I mean the opportunity, I have is once in a lifetime, I will be working reforming people that do not want to be part of these criminal organization, help them settle, build a new life, Sharon and I, we are putting everything together, to pitch the project ”

“Bucky I am so happy”, you squeeze his hand. 

“Yeah, I also got a new therapist, don’t get me wrong, Dr. Raynor, she did what she thought was right but we have very different mindsets” 

“Wow, what a week,  a lot of change”. 

“The partnerships of the outreach and the schools are going so well, more children are learning, we are discussing opening a little bit more the borders but that will take some time,”. 

“That’s amazing, though it doesn’t surprise me, you are good at everything”, Bucky took a bite of his food not breaking eye contact with you

“You know what I love about this century apart from you, of course, Bucky said so naturally. 

“You love me? isn’t that a little too soon, it’s our first date after all”, you joke but you feel your heart miss a bit. 

“I’m a man that knows what he wants, '' Bucky drinks from his beer, narrowing his eyes at you. 

“The food, we used to boil everything”. 

“Ughh, and you all call yourself the developed world, huh ?”, you glare at him playfully 

Bucky laughs and shrugs. 

“That’s why your palette was dead, remember when you ate the goat stew with the peppers” 

“Yeah, I had to drink like a gallon of milk, felt like my mouth was in the pits of hell”, Bucky laughs 

“That hot sauce is a torture device, I might call Kiya to send me some, I put it on someone, and they’ll talk” 

“It’s not even that hot”, you frown 

“It’s a torture device, but the taste while eating is nice, it’s the burn afterward”, Bucky shudders You cackle at that

For the rest of the dinner, you laugh going to memory lane.

“This is so good, would you like a bite”, Bucky feed you with his fork 

You took a bite from the fork, looking at him. 

Bucky bites his lip looking at you eating from his fork. 

You finish eating and then dessert with champagne. 

“Whew, I feel like I am about to explode”, you sighed 

“Me too”, Bucky chuckled 

“I mean you had two entrees” 

“Super soldier appetite”, he shrugs Your mind went to another place and you just drank your champagne, trying to be subtle. 

‘Supersoldier appetite? you ask with a smirk

‘Yep”, he answered, licking his lips cocking his head to the side. 

You go with Bucky to the French Quarter with your arms wrapped around Bucky, while he rides the bike. You catch a whiff of his cologne, you hum. It smells strong but with delicate notes. It is just like him with a strong demeanor but with a delicate interior. 

Bucky parks the bike and helps you get off it. 

You go to the different bars, you go to the House of Blues and drink and listen to the different artists. 

There was a guy named SiR, playing tonight. 

His song was calm, nice and soon enough Bucky is behind you with his chin on your shoulder, in an embrace, swaying you sideways with him listening to the music. 

 He likes it. Maybe Sam is right, maybe he needs to give modern music a chance. This guy is speaking all the feelings, he felt falling in love with y/n in Wakanda. 

The man was singing: 

Why was last night the first time I felt anything in a long time

Feels like Imma fall hard said my cold heart made up its own mind

Love ain't what I came for, but it's here now, and it feels good

You told me you were special, and you meant what you said

I don't wanna leave this bed

Baby, you're all in my head

All in my head (x5)

Baby you

Maybe I'm crazy, maybe I'm making a mistake

But who's gonna save me

Who's gonna say I'm wrong to stay

But you so amazing, it started out as fun and games

I didn't know we'd swim this deep, and she didn't know I'd be afraid

Bucky just hugged you tighter to him, and you throw your head back and he peppers your neck with light kisses

You smile and you keep swaying, enjoying his hug.

You turn around laying your head on his chest and he lifts your face by your chin and he bows his head a little and kisses you softly, a brush of his lips. 

You feel the warmth of his hug, there is a crowd, but only you two matter.

After the show, Bucky takes you home. 

He insisted to go with you to the door 

“Bucky what is going to happen, it is just the elevator, and I am going to my apartment”, you chuckle

“For my peace of mind, doll”, he entered the elevator. 

You kiss some more in the elevator, Bucky breaths you in and kisses you slow, drinking you in. 

Until the elevator stops and you reach your corridor. 

“So this is it”, you bite your lips and cross your legs, and cast your eyes down, fiddling with your hands.  

“Nice place”, Bucky admired around. 

You feel your mind racing and your heart beating fast. 

You stay looking at  each other for a second but it felt like longer. 

“I..”, you sighed, while holding the door  

“You what ?”, Bucky gets closer. 

“I want to let you in, but I am scared, last time, I blur our friendship and it didn’t go well” 

“You just broke off your engagement, and I was a semi stable-100-year-old, things have changed for the better now”, Bucky took your hand and kissed it. 

You feel a tingle when does that and you can’t help but smile

“ I’ll go slow, I promise, so goodnight, doll”, Bucky plants a kiss to your lips so softly, you feel like you're melting to the floor. Bucky smiled and let go of your hand slowly.

He began to walk away.

‘It is now or never”, you think while he walks away, you realize you don’t want him to leave

“Bucky, wait!”, you raise your voice. 

He stops dead on his track and turns around, looking at you. 

"When was the last time you smoked?",you ask him.

Bucky snorts

"I smoke it all after my first session with Dr. Raynor", Bucky confessed

"Your accent is still horrible", you tell him, scrunching your face. 

"Maybe I need some lessons, it's been a long time without speaking Xhosa", Bucky grinned. 

"Maybe I could give you some lessons", you whisper. .

You let him in your apartment. Bucky looks around, again feeling a little nostalgic, it looks like your house  in Wakanda. 

You groan, taking your heels off.

"Something wrong?", Bucky asks, a little concerned. 

"Just, these heels were killing me", you sighed plopping on the couch. 

"You could've just taken them off, I would've held them for you", Bucky sits next to you. 

"and ruin my outfit", You side eyed him with a small smile on your lips 

“Can’t do that, can we?”.Bucky set his face in faux seriousness, he scoots closer to you. .

You just chuckle shaking your head. 

There is a hidden compartment on the table, with the Kimoyo beads you open it. 

You wink at Bucky and roll the joints, seal them with your saliva. You dry them with a lighter and hand him one. 

You light it for him. He just get comfortable smoking. 

“This is the only thing that can get me a small buzz”, Bucky does a French inhale. 

You smile when he does that. 

“Oh you can do tricks”, You challenge

You puff out the smoke in little “o’s”. 

Bucky licks his lips, you take another hit and you get closer to him. 

You blow the smoke to his lips and he inhales it, your lips brushing against each other, you put the joint on the ashtray and he does too.

You kiss is heated, you fumble with his jacket and he takes it off, throwing it on the floor. He sighs and hums into kiss, drinking you in. 

You straddle him and he grabs your hips and his hands travel to your ass kneading them hard.

You mewl into his mouth, you take a breather when he kisses your neck. He gets you off his lap and sits you next to him. 

“I know you love to control me, and I love it, but let me be on top tonight, I missed you” 

His hands travel to your core, making you spread your legs. You throw your head back, he kisses your neck again. 

You feel him , pulling the lacey lingerie to the side and begin to rub you. 

You gasp and moan with your eyes closed. 

‘Drenched for me, aren’t you sugar’’, he chuckled 

“Yes, for you, since the concert”, you pant 

“ Your smell’s been driving me crazy all night”, Bucky groaned, entering his fingers in you. 

He hugs you to him while fingering you, enticing you, he breathes in your hair. 

“Fuck, I missed you”, he breaths out. 

You can only roll your rips meeting his hand halfway, moaning, looking into his blue eyes and how full of desire they look. 

You bite your lip and your chest heaving.

He hissed feeling you throb on his fingers, his pants are tight, his erection on full display. He took his fingers out of you and before you can protest, he rips your thong off of you. 

“Why did you do that”, You whine 

“I bought them, now I don’t have a set”, you pout. 

He just puts them on his nose and takes a deep breath smelling them then putting them in his jeans back pocket. 

You feel your pussy throb at that, you are liking this side of Bucky. 

“ You are mine”, he states. 

You scoff. “You haven’t made me cum”, you raise an eyebrow at him with a teasing smile. 

“Oh, doll, you are going to regret those words”, Bucky enters his fingers in you slowly. 

Then something changes, he is fingering you eager and he finds your spot, you arch off the sofa, with a whine. 

His fingers brush again and again against that spot.

“Fuck!”, you moan almost screaming

Bucky just has that shit eating grin on his face, watching you lose it for him

“This is going to be a long night, doll, the first of many”, He bites your earlobe 

Your hips jerk and your thighs tremble and you cum on his fingers, he slows down but he does not stop, until you whimper at the sensitivity. 

You catch your breath and he grabs making you stand up with him. 

You kiss each other all tongue, lip biting. 

He takes your dress off in a frenzy and you undress him in a frenzy. 

You were taking your lace bra off but he stops you, you smile knowing what he wants. 

He sits legs wide open, dick standing.

You go between his legs, kissing his dick, looking at him.

“Oh fuck”, he breathes out looking down at you. 

You stick your tongue out and he slapped it on your tongue. 

You suck him for all he is worth, bopping your head up and down, jerking the part that you can’t fit it,  till he stills your head with his two hands and he bucks into your mouth. 

“ Shit, that's it, honey, taking me so well”, he thrusts into your mouth faster, your gagging enticing him.

He stops and takes himself out of your mouth, loving how fucked out you look already, your gloss smeared, your eyes teary and trails of your spit between him and your mouth. 

You just smile and lift your bra and he gets in between your breasts. You start bouncing, loving how desperate he gets thrusting between your breasts. 

His heavy breathing, his stuttered moans, he throws his head back in complete bliss. 

"Oh my God", he moans all strangled, thrusting while your breast helps him to get off. 

You just hum and moan. 

" Come on,baby, make me yours", you whisper all sultry. 

Bucky thrust faster groaning

"Fuck that is such a sight", he looks almost in awe at his dick wedged between your breast. 

"Y/N", he cried out and he moaned. 

"That's it, I want to hear you, don't hold back, mark me", you rasp.

You keep bouncing and pushing your breast together to make it tighter for him. 

"Baby", he croaks

"Do it, I want to taste you", you moaned, feeling his dick twitch. 

Bucky throws his head back with a silent moan, tensing spurting all over your chest,neck and some of it flying to your face. 

You hum, receiving it all closing your eyes. 

Bucky looks back to you. 

"So pretty", he pants. 

You blow a kiss to him and then you scoop the cum off your face on your fingers and moan at the taste, all while looking at him.

"Taste, so good", you lick your fingers

Bucky brings you to him and you straddle him,rubbing his still hard dick between your lower lips, while he sucks on your breast. He takes off your bra and licks them clean and makes out with you, both of you moaning sharing the taste.

You lower on his length slow, gasping at the stretch till he bottoms out. 

Bucky hugs you to him tight, caging you in his arms and he just grinds in deeper making you feel all of him. 

“Fuck, you're deep”, you croak. 

Bucky just smiles and kisses your breath away while giving languid thrusts, almost pulling out and slamming back in. 

Bucky picks up the pace and you throw your ass back to him, mewling.

Breathing in each other, looking at each other lost in pleasure, your lips brushing against each other 

"You are it for me, sweetheart", Bucky breaths out,hammering up to you. 

The only thing you can do is moan and nod, your breathing is erratic, you feel that throb and your nerves are lit on fire. You throw your head back, straighten up.  

"Can feel you’re close. Give it all to me",Bucky grunts while he is  bouncing you up and down 

You tense with a loud moan escaping your lips with indiscernible clipped cursing in Xhosa. 

You groan dropping on him, your eyes rolling a little, Bucky hammering on against that spot, chasing his release.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck”, he cries out with a crack in his voice till his breath in stuck in his chest  and then he spills deep in you. You hum with a lopsided smile, caged in his arms, resting your head on his shoulder. You feel the warmth and how it trickles down. 

 Catching both of your breaths, he traces your spine up and down, looking at you like hung the moon, while you lazily pepper kisses where the flesh meets the metal of his arm. 

He grabs your face with both his hands and kisses you with that softness, you feel loved. 

He lays on the couch and puts you on top of him. He stretches out his arm and grabs the joint with the lighter and lights it up. He smokes and he passes to you. You keep doing that until it's done.

“I want no one else, but you, I have you again and I won’t let you go this time”, Bucky confessed. 

“Me neither”, you whisper while tracing his scar and then peck lips. 

“You owe me a set”, You chuckle

“I’ll buy you all the sets you want”, he sighs smiling. 

You stay in comfortable silence, basking in the intimacy, both naked, smoking, convinced that you never are going to separate this time. 

[marvels-agents100]

waltz (part 3)

pairing: bucky x fem ! reader

word count: 5709

trigger warnings: none

author’s note: so, it’s obvious the plot isn’t my own, and this part is very movie heavy (aka not much insert of the reader), but i promise it’ll get better as i’m able to add extra scenes! thank you for reading anyways!

It wasn't a shock to you when a full police escort guided the armored vehicles to Berlin. The Joint Counter Terrorist Centre didn't take any chances with security, not only securing everyone within protected vehicles, but having a long trail of police cars on each end of the transport. You knew it was completely overdramatic, but you knew who Bucky was now. Of course, most only saw him for what he was for the past seventy years, not who he had become since the fall of HYDRA.

You sat next to Sam, Steve on his other side and the man who you now knew as T'Challa in front of you. You kept your gaze out the window, trying to ignore the pain in your side while actively avoiding any confrontation with Steve. At that point, you weren't sure how he would ever forgive you for hiding Bucky, and you were even more unsure of wether you deserved his forgiveness. If the worry you felt in that moment for Bucky was only a fraction of what he felt all those years searching, then you couldn't even imagine the pain he had been going through. You knew that if you were in his position, you wouldn't forgive yourself.

"So you like cats?" Sam broke the silence.

"Sam." Steve scolded.

"What? Dude shows up dressed like a cat, you don't wanna know more?" There was a slight bitterness to his words- he was clearly holding a grudge.

There was a pause before Steve spoke.

"Your suit, it's vibranium?

"The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations," T'Challa spoke, "A mantle, passed from warrior to warrior. And now, because your friend murdered my father," your  eyes snapped to him at his words, "I also wear the mantle of king. So I ask you, as both warrior and king, how long do you think you can keep your friend safe from me?"

His voice held a venom that made your blood boil. You were half tempted to scream at him, shouting that Bucky was with you, in Bucharest, the entire time. You wanted to take T'Challa by the shoulders and prove to him how wrong he was, a complete disregard of his feelings in your actions.

But, you didn't. And you wouldn't. Because at the end of the day, T'Challa acted in a way you could imagine yourself reacting to the situation as he saw it. This man had lost his father, watched him die when it was not yet his time. Not only did he have the weight of a new loss on his shoulders, but he also had to walk into a role where he protected a whole group of people, how large you weren't sure, but you assumed that responsibility didn't come without stress.

Your heart broke for T'Challa, not being able to imagine the pain he had suffered in such a short period of time. In fact, all of the people that surrounded you- Avenger or not- suffered from pain in their own way, and while it is so much easier to act upon pain, you have to be able to step back and provide understanding for rash decisions and impulsive action.

Trauma is one hell of a drug.

Maybe that's why you hid Bucky away without second thought. You had to give him room to feel his pain, so he didn't act out as a result of unprocessed trauma. You only hoped that Steve could see that as well, eventually.

The Joint Counter Terrorist Centre was a modern yet industrial building. In closest comparison, you would say it looked like a Stark-made building, but everyone had been following in Tony's design standards for years, so that wasn't anything new. You exited the van you were transported in behind Steve, your eyes immediately catching the glass cage Bucky was being moved in. It looked like a tank, like he was a caged animal, a spectacle to see. It made you cringe visibly, your lips pulling into a grimace. Steve followed your line of sight, his eyes softening for the first time since he hopped into the passenger side of the car you stole on that Romanian highway, his Captain exterior crumbling instantly when he saw his oldest friend.

Bucky seemed calm. Pissed, hurt, and overall unhappy, but calm. He kept his eyes on the ground in front of him, trying to avoid any eye contact with either you or Steve. He had learned how to keep his emotions in check through training as a soldier, but he wasn't sure if he would be able to keep it together if he saw either of you. The game completely changed when it came to the people he cared for.

You- in some way that even he couldn't explain- had been able to break down Bucky's walls and see the person he hid underneath. He had allowed himself to be fully expressed around you, wether it was a full, beaming smile while he laughed, or the way he let himself feel refreshed as the voice of Billy Eckstine filled your apartment, or when he would try to apologize to you a thousand times in a single glance while also fighting off GSG 9 units. It was the small things, the micro expressions and whispered confessions that his former self, his darker self, would've forbidden. Somehow, someway, he had no problem exposing those hidden parts of himself to you. So, he kept his eyes forward, refusing to give his captors any inkling of what was going on inside his head. He was so tired of people picking his brain; he'd had enough of that for a lifetime.

You ripped your gaze away from Bucky, following Steve as he approached the five people waiting for the five of you to arrive. You recognized the three men standing in the background as soldiers, there for protection. To the left was a small-framed blonde woman you knew as Sharron Carter- someone you had grown to know when SHEILD initially collapsed. Apparently, she had been reassigned here with her job in the CIA while you were hunting for a former assassin. The man standing next to her, although short in stature, held a confidence and slightly threatening nature to him, and you immediately knew that he was in charge in this facility.

"What's going to happen to him?" Steve asked flatly as you reached them.

"Same thing that ought to happen to you. Psychological evaluation and extradition." The man spoke, no fear or wavering in his voice.

"This is Everett Ross, Deputy Task Force Commander." Sharron introduced. Your eyebrow raised at him, a sneaking feeling in your gut making you believe that you shouldn't trust him. It wasn't something you could explain, but the way your stomach dropped when he began talking was a clear indication from your intuition that he wasn't on your side.

"What about a lawyer?" Steve asked, to which you had to hold back your scoff. It was a bold question, seeing as to how many laws were broken within the past day. Lawyers were completely out of the question at that point.

"Lawyer. That's funny." Everett spoke with a sarcastic grin. "See to it their weapons are placed in lockup." He spoke to Sharron without looking at her. "We'll write you a receipt."

"I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that." Sam threatened.

"Yeah, handle carefully, mine's borrowed property." You chimed in, "Also, you might not know me, (Y/N) (Y/L/N), former SHEILD agent," Everett looked straight at you as you introduced yourself, a sarcastic and slightly venomous air to your words, "if it wouldn't, you know, be too much of a bother, I am in a significant amount of pain, having fought alongside what was mostly super soldiers only hours ago, and would like to see any kind of medical professional before I bleed out internally, thanks." You smile sweetly, almost enjoying the way Everett's eyes narrowed at you. Sharron fought a smirk, finding herself missing the way you always fought for the best treatment of you and everybody else, no matter what the consequence was. It was a trait you shared with Steve, and it definitely made the bond between the Captain and yourself stronger.

"Can we get someone upstairs, to look her over while they meet." Everett spoke to one of the soldiers, who relayed the message into their walkie-talkies. He looked back to you with a slightly annoyed look, then turned and began walking towards the elevator, you, Steve, Sam, and T'Challa in tow. Steve glanced over his shoulder at Bucky, and you followed his line of sight to see Bucky was looking back, his eyes flickering to you. It was only a second, but his once emotionless face looked so helpless, his eyes turning sad and his lips curving downwards. It made you take in a deep breath, giving him a small nod and the best reassuring smile you could manage. He returned the gesture before leaning his head back, a large, steel door closing in front of him.

It was always those small, unspoken looks that made you see Bucky as he truly was. He wasn't incredibly flashy in his personality, not in the way Steve said he was back in Brooklyn. He was reserved and quiet, but opened up as you grew to know him. Most of his communication was done through small smiles, emotion filled glances, or the occasional soft touch. It took someone with perception to see into the mind of Bucky Barnes, and you were the perfect person to do the job. There was so much pressure on him to be better, to be a normal person, that it was almost suffocating. He felt only a fraction of normalcy in Romania, something he didn't know if he'd ever get back. But you, your way of knowing what he felt before he even knew what he was feeling- it was something that shocked him every day. When he was with you, there was no pressure to be the person someone had assumed he would be. People always thought they knew who he was before meeting him- wether they expect someone cold and murderous, or even if they expect their long-lost best friend, full of wit and charm.

It was a fact that ate at his heart, especially now that he sat within the mess that he had created. His existence had driven Steve Rogers, someone who held high regard in the world he was thrown into, to break numerous laws and risk his life to save Bucky Barnes. And at the end of it all, the person he sought out to save didn't exist anymore. Bucky Barnes now was not the same Bucky Barnes that existed in 1943. He wasn't charming and funny anymore, he could barely remember any inside jokes he shared with his life long friend, and he didn't hold the same confidence. Steve risked everything to save a ghost, and he was terrified of what would happen when the Captain finally realized that.

***

"You 'll be provided with an office instead of a cell." Everett explained while leading your small group down a stark white hallway, "Now, do me a favor, stay in it?"

"I don't intend on going anywhere." T'Challa spoke.

Natasha walked up the opposite end of the hall to meet Steve, a serious look in her eyes.

"For the record, this is what making things worse looks like." She spoke. What exactly had you missed during your time in Bucharest?

"He's alive." Steve ignored her taunting. "That's all I've been searching for." His eyes flickered to you, his voice hard. It sent a wave of guilt over your body, your muscles visibly tensing at his subtle jab. Natahsa looked you up and down with observant eyes, picking up on the tension between you and Steve.

You entered a conference room, screens with security and news footage lining the walls. You had to hold in your happiness when you saw Tony there, resisting the urge to run up and hug one of your closest friends.

"No, Romania was not Accords-sanctioned." He spoke on the phone. Accords? What Accords? "Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup." That made you cringe internally, thinking of the crumbled overpass that Bucky had exploded. You were shuffled to the side of the room by Nat, her seating you in a chair as what looked to be a doctor walked towards you.

"Try not to break anything while we fix this." She told Sam and Steve, not even looking over her shoulder to address them.

Tony turned and glared at Steve, his phone still at his ear. "Consequences, of course there will be consequences. Obviously you can quote me on that, because I just said it. Anything else? Thank you sir." And he hung up, stepping towards Sam and Steve. The doctor pressed antiseptic to your shoulder while you looked up at the three men, seated just to Sam's right.

"Consequences?" Steve asked.

"Secretary Ross wants you both prosecuted." Tony explained, "Had to give him something."

"Prosecuted? Secretary Ross? I'm sorry, what in the actual hell is going on?" You asked, unable to hold your words any longer. You tried to keep yourself out of the arguments the best you could, but if there was any hope on getting Bucky released, you had to understand why Captain America was now an accomplice to crime as well.

"Well, kid," Tony began, hands finding his pockets as he took another step towards you, "while you were having your vacation in Romania with Private Ryan on Ice, the rest of us had some messes to own up to." His gaze flickered to Steve before he continued, "The Sokovia Accords. After our run-in with Ultron, which I'm sure you know all about, the government realized how we need to be put in check."

"They tried to make us sign a paper so they could dictate wether or not we had a chance to fight." Steve interjected, his arms crossing over his chest. "They get to decide where we go, when we go. Anything out of their permission makes us criminals." His eyes met yours. "What was the word they used? Oh, yeah. Vigilantes." His gaze moved to Tony, an obvious annoyance in his features.

"The amount of innocent lives lost due to our 'Avenging' is what they're trying to control. We were trying to keep our list to New York, Sokovia, DC, and Lagos. I guess now we can add Bucharest, huh?" Tony argued, breaking the staring contest with Steve to look at you. "We were given free reign, and we failed. Now's the time for us to recognize that." Tony didn't give you or Steve any time to comment, turning around and falling in stride with Natahsa.

You looked at the floor, a furrow in your brows. It was a lot to take in, from the Accords to the obvious tear it was creating amongst the Earth's Mightiest Heroes. It made sense, the Accords, but only in a perfect world. Trusting the government with full control over people as powerful as the Avengers was a scenario you couldn't see ending well. Politicians weren't people you put full trust into, no matter who they were. Also, you had a hard time siding with the same government and intelligence agencies who decided that sending a nuclear missile to Manhattan in 2012 was the way to end the fight with the Chitauri. Plus, the infiltration of HYDRA within SHIELD made it hard to trust anyone in positions of power. You understood why Tony signed, and you didn't think it was the wrong decision, but you didn't think it was the right decision either. If it were you with the pen in your hand, you wouldn't sign. And you knew exactly why Steve didn't sign.

Telling that man to walk away from a fight was about as useful as telling a pig to fly.

You thanked the doctor as he finished bandaging your shoulder, taking the painkillers he handed to you for your- thankfully- only bruised ribs. You stood as he walked away, finding your place next to Sam.

"I'm not getting that shield back, am I?" Steve asked.

"Technically, it's the government's property." Nat answered.

"As before mentioned, gun was borrowed and I assume it was treasured, so I'm gonna need you to tell the government to shove it." You told Nat, causing a smirk to inch its way onto her face.

"Sorry, pistol's locked away." Her eyes moved to Sam, "Wings, too."

"That's cold." Sam muttered.

"Warmer than jail." Tony piped in over his shoulder.

***

You sat at a large table in the middle of the room, glass panes surrounding it to form a small conference room. Your hands flipped a pen you had found between them, your knee bouncing as you thoughts mulled over everything you had learned in the past hour. Steve stood looking out the window, his hands in his pockets and eyes fixed to the screen that displayed where Bucky was being kept. You were actively trying to avoid looking at that particular monitor.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, Steve." You broke the silence. He kept his back toward you, but his head fell, indicating that he heard you.

"Are you?"

His words felt like a dagger to your heart. He felt beyond betrayed, first with Tony and Nat siding with the government over him, then to find out one of the only people he saw as a true friend, (besides Sam), had been lying to him for months. Not just a small lie, but a lie about the one thing, the one person, that has occupied his mind for years.

"I'm sorry it had to be this way." You said truthfully, "I did what I thought was best for him, and I hope you can see that. If not now, then eventually." He let out a sigh, shoulders slumping. In a way, he knew why you did what you did. But, he couldn't fight his anger and disappointment either. It was truly a problem, it seemed, that only time would heal.

He opened his mouth to say something more, when Tony entered the room, gaining Steve's attention.

"Hey, you wanna see something cool?" Tony asked. "I pulled something from Dad's archives."  A thin, rectangular box was held in his hand, black velvet surrounding the outside of it. Steve sat in one on the chairs as Tony strolled closer, "Felt timely." He added.

Tony paused a moment, giving Steve a look with a small sadness in his eyes. "FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in 1941." He placed the box, now open, in front of Steve, two black fountain pens with shiny, gold tips placed delicately inside. "Provided support to the Allies when they needed it most," Tony continued.

"Some would say it brought our country closer to war." Steve replied, his voice taking a certain melancholy tone at the mention of the Second World War. It felt like moments ago, he was battling Nazis in France, but in all reality, his life as a World War 2 soldier ended decades ago.

"See? If not for these, you wouldn't be here." Tony said matter-of-factly, the light insult making you cringe slightly from the other end of the table. "I'm trying to... what do you call it?" Tony sat beside Steve, "That's an olive branch. Is that what you call it?" His hand came up to rest on his chin, his elbow leaning against the table.

"Is Pepper here? I didn't see her." Steve asked, turning away while changing the subject.

"We're kinda.." Tony hesitated, "Well, not kinda-"

"Pregnant?" There was an unmistakable hopefulness to Steve.

"No, definitely not." Tony scoffed, "We're taking a break. It's nobody's fault."

Steve's gaze fell, focusing on the ground. "I'm so sorry, Tony. I didn't know."

"A few years ago, I almost lost her, so I trashed all my suits." Tony began, "Then, we had to mop up HYDRA, and then Ultron. My fault." He pointed to his chest, "And then, and then, and then, I never stopped. Because, the truth is, I don't wanna stop. I don't wanna lose her. I thought maybe the Accords could split the difference."

Tony leaned back in his chair, a moment's silence falling over the room.

"In her defense, I'm a handful." He added as he stood, hands settling in his pockets. "Yet, Dad was a pain in the ass, but he and mom always made it work."

"You know, I'm glad Howard got married." Steve piped up. "I only knew him when he was young and single."

"Oh really? You two knew each other?" Tony drawled out sarcastically, "He never mentioned that. Maybe only a thousand times. God, I hated you."

You closed your eyes, feeling like you shouldn't be hearing this conversation. The tension was so thick in the air, it felt almost hard to breathe.

Steve looked up at Tony, voice a bit softer, "I don't mean to make things difficult."

"I know, cause you're a very polite person." Tony mused, slipping his suit jacket on.

"If I see a situation pointed South," Steve reasoned, "I can't ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could."

"No, you don't."

Steve let out a sad chuckle, looking down again, "No, I don't," and his eyes were back to Tony, the faintest grin on his face. "Sometimes-"

"Sometimes I wanna punch you in your perfect teeth."

Your gaze popped up at Tony's remark, muscles ceasing all movement as you watched them carefully. You were now in defense mode, ready to jump up and break up a fight if needed.

"But I don't wanna see you gone." Tony sighed, "We need you, Cap."

Another silence.

"So far, nothing's happened that can't be undone, if you sign." He gestured to the pens in the velvet box, and edge of desperation in his words. "We can make the last twenty four hours legit. Barnes gets transferred to an American psych-center instead of a Wakandan prison."

Your fist clenched around the pen in your hand, nearly snapping it in half. If Tony trying to persuade Steve to sign the Accords didn't get on your nerves already, he spoke about Bucky like was an object to be passed around, not someone who had lived peacefully among other human beings for months in Romania. No one seemed to want to acknowledge that.

Steve picked up one of the pens from the box, standing and walking towards the glass pane opposite Tony, turning the pen over in his hands. He turned to look at Tony, then dropping his gaze.

"I'm not saying it's impossible," Steve began, "but there would have to be safeguards."

"Sure." Tony replied immediately, "Once we put out the PR fire, those documents can be amended. I'd file a motion to have you and Wanda reinstated-"

"Wanda? What about Wanda?" Steve interrupted.

"She's fine. She's confined to the compound, currently. Vision's keeping her company."

Steve's disgust was evident. "Oh, God. Tony." He walked a few paces away, "Everyt- Every time I think you see things the right way-"

"It's 100 acres with a lap pool, it's got a screening room, there's worse ways to protect people."

"Protection?" Steve challenged, one hand finding his hip and the other resting on the back of a chair. "Is that how you see this? This is protection? Its internment, Tony."

"She's not a US citizen." His voice raised.

"Oh, come on, Tony."

"And they don't grant visas to weapons of mass destruction."

"She's a kid!"

"Give me a break!" Tony yelled. "I'm doing what has to be done. To stave off something worse."

Steve nodded, just a small motion that you could've missed if you weren't paying attention.

"You keep telling yourself that."

Steve dropped the fountain pen on the table, "Hate to break up the set." And he left the room.

Tony put on his aviators, his eyes downcast.

"Neither of you are wrong." You said softly, understanding eyes looking to Tony across the table.

"I know, I know." He said dismissively, "That's the worst part."

"When all of this is done, no matter what happens," you stood and walked towards him, "you have to remember why you were all put together in the first place."

Tony stayed silent, his gaze following you. You reached for the pens, delicately putting the one Steve held back in it's place within the velvet box.

"It is so hard to find people to trust in this world," you began, "don't let them go so easily."

He gave you a small nod of acknowledgement, to which you gave a soft smile.

"How'd you get tangled in all of this, kid?" He asked, more to himself than you, "This all isn't going to end without a fight."

Your eyes found the monitor with Bucky on it, your heart swelling at the memory of your times in Bucharest. "You know all of the deep, dark thoughts I told you about?"

"Every one."

"Well," you sighed, tearing your gaze away from Bucky, "I didn't think it was possible, but I found happiness."

Tony's eyes moved to Bucky, a disappointed frown pulling at his lips.

"I hope it isn't temporary." He says sincerely.

Lowering your eyes, you gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze before leaving the room, following Steve.

Your sole purpose in this fight wasn't within the Accords, or even in the wellbeing of the Avengers. It was in a single man- James Buchanan Barnes. If agreeing with Steve on the issue of the Accords would help bring Bucky to safety once more, then to hell with the government.

***

You sat by Sam in the conference room once again, Steve taking his place by the glass wall to watch Bucky, Sharron placing a paper in Sam's hand.

"The receipt for your gear." She explained.

"'Bird costume'? Come on," Sam complained.

"I didn't write it." She defended. She looked around, earning a suspicious look from you, before reaching towards a button pad in the middle of the table, clicking the center. The surveillance footage on Bucky came upon the screen within the conference room, the voice of the therapist hired by the centre seeping through the speakers.

"I'm not here to judge you." He spoke with a strong Russian accent.

Steve looked back at Sharron, a small nod being sent his direction. You immediately sat straighter, your blood running cold when you saw Bucky, still confined in the glass tank. You wanted nothing more than to hold his hand and tell him that you would figure everything out, that the normal and happy life he had created wasn't out of reach. You wished you could hold him close while he hummed a song that danced on the edges of his memory, his hand planted firmly on your back and his cheek pressed against yours. All he deserved was warm, soft moments for the rest of his life, and yet he was sitting in a cold, hard cell.

"I just want to ask you a few questions." The therapist continued. "Do you know where you are, James? I can't help you if you don't talk to me, James."

"My name is Bucky."

His voice was so soft, so hurt. You felt everything inside you shatter, a sad sigh leaving your lips. A day ago, he had everything. He was adjusting to life in Bucharest, living day to day with the added bonus of a beautiful girl to share it with. In all honesty, he didn't know what his life in Romania could've looked like with you, but the daydreams he imagined always were heavenly. He would dream about the domestic moments, the moments that are so overlooked in the name of routine, the moments no one ever cherishes because they were never ripped from their grasp. Moments like seeing you smile as he approached the table at the bakery. Watching you rummage through the refrigerator for a quick snack. Watching you work on your laptop, your bottom lip curling between your teeth if you concentrated enough. It was the little moments he would dream about, and they always included you.

Apparently, even that was too much to ask for.

Steve looked to the pictures taken of his friend in Vienna again before setting them back down on the table.

"Why would the Task Force release this photo to begin with?" He asked.

"Get the word out, involve as many eyes as we can?" Sharron answered.

"Right. It's a good way to flush a guy out of hiding." You didn't miss the way his gaze flickered to you momentarily. "Set off a bomb, get your picture taken. Get seven billion people looking for the Winter Soldier."

"You're saying someone framed him to find him?" Sharron questioned.

"He never left Bucharest." You chimed in. All eyes turned to you, Sharron looking the most surprised.

"What?" She asked.

"I've been with Bucky for a little over two months, in Romania. He hasn't left since he arrived there." You leaned back in your seat, letting out a breath, "I know any court of law won't just take my word for it, but I can promise you that Steve is right. Someone wanted to get him out of hiding, and made sure they did something big enough to get the whole world looking."

"Okay," She began, processing your words, "But, that doesn't guarantee that whoever framed him would get him. It guarantees that we would."

There was a moment, just a moment, where her words hung in the air. Then the realization began to sink in, your stomach dropping as soon as it clicked together in your brain.

"Yeah." Steve agreed, his stare on the therapist in the same room as Bucky.

"Tell me Bucky, you've seen great deal, haven't you?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"You fear that if you open your mouth, the horrors might never stop. Don't worry. We only have to talk about one."

Suddenly, all of the lights in the building turned dark, the small emergency lights barely illuminating the room. You stood quickly, panic filling your veins. Steve turned towards Sharron.

"Sub-level five, East Wing." She said, her voice lightly shaking. You, Sam, and Steve began running, hoping to reach Bucky before it was too late.

***

You turned the corner behind the two boys, noticing the security guard laying unconscious on the floor. The three of you carefully tread forward, the next room reveling several more bodies.

"Help me." A raspy voice called. Steve stood and ran towards it while you knelt by one of the guards, checking for a pulse.

Steve walked towards the 'therapist'. "Get up." He ordered. He yanked the imposter off the ground, slamming him against one of the concrete walls. "Who are you? What do you want?"

"To see an empire fall."

Sam entered the room, you only a couple steps behind him. He immediately dodged down, a metal fist swinging for his head. You jumped back, stumbling over one on the unconscious guards' legs. In an instant, Sam was being thrown across the room, hitting the glass cage and the ground with two loud thuds. You pulled yourself behind a desk, knowing you wouldn’t beat Bucky in a fight on your best day, and watched with horror as Bucky fought Steve, each punch moving him backwards further and further. They reached the elevator, Bucky punching Steve with so much force that it ripped the metal doors away and sent him tumbling down the elevator shaft.

Although you had no chance against the super soldier and highly skilled assassin Bucky was, you ran from your hiding spot, following Bucky as he walked away from the elevator.

"Hey!" You shouted, stopping him in his tracks. He turned slowly, his eyes void of emotion as they looked at you. "Where do you think you're going?" You taunted.

He ran at a full sprint towards you, a yell leaving his throat. You stood your ground, nostrils flaring as you prepared yourself to fight.

He swung with a left hook, making you dodge the metallic fist. Your right foot kicked at the middle of his chest, making him stumble backwards. You took the opportunity to swing your right fist at him, but he was too quick, catching your swing mid air. Eyes widening in fear, you met his gaze. His left hand shot out and wrapped around your throat, backing you against a wall as you clawed at the metal fingers with your own.

"Buc-Bucky." You choked out, his face staying monotone. "Please."

You could feel your lungs begin to burn, your head grow heavy with pressure.

"My.. destiny." Your voice was strained, but you sang the words the best you could. "Is to be... in love... with you."

He blinked, a softness in the blues of his eyes for a fraction of a second before disappearing again.

"Makes.. no difference... what you say, or do."

His hand loosened the slightest bit, your voice coming out stronger as you sang softly to him.

"I must stay... in love... with you."

He began seeing flashes- an apartment with a laptop propped in the corner, playing a song that made him feel warm, content.

"That's my.. destiny."

His head shook, images of the soft sunlight peaking through the curtains flashing in his mind. He could feel your eyelashes on his cheek, he could hear your heart racing.

"It's a thing.. you can't control..."

He let out a pained grunt, dropping you to the floor in a crumpled heap. You coughed, sucking in lungfuls of air. His head twitched side to side, trying to ignore the memories fighting to get through to the forefront of his mind. You looked up at him, standing hesitantly with your hands in front of you.

"I belong to you, both heart and soul," your voice was raspy, but it kept the sweetness that Bucky adored. His eyes trained on you, his breathing heavy. You stepped towards him cautiously.

"With a love beyond control," You kept taking small steps towards him, his eyes never leaving you.

"They say nothing is sure," your hand slowly met his cheek, him flinching slightly at your touch, "even the sea runs dry." Your other hand met his other cheek, encasing his face in your hands.

"They're wrong, one thing is sure," you looked up at him, now less than a foot away from his body, "love like mine can never die."

He blinked, his breathing slowing to a normal pace. His eyes were glued to the wall to the right of your head, nostrils flaring slightly with every inhale.

"Bucky?" You asked softly. His eyes snapped to yours, the icy blue becoming soft, but freezing over just as quick.

His fists clenched at his side, and in a moment he had flung you off of him, your body hitting the wall as he continued on his rampage. The impact sent you to the floor, your side with already bruised ribs throbbing. You tried to breathe through the pain, but between the shock of it all and your hyperventilating, you eventually passed out, the world going black.

TO BE CONTINUED

TAGLIST:

@thewolfgirluniverse​

[artisticestheticreads]

Beauty and the Panther (III)

 A/N: IT’S T’CHALLA THURSDAY. Hey, everyone. So in this chapter, Nyla is still getting used to the Wakandian lifestyle and decides to get her mind off things with a simple workout when she ends up having a workout partner.

Warning: Tear Jerkers, here and there.

TO CATCH UP, CLICK HERE.

ALL BOLD PRINT IS A FLASHBACK.

Nyla woke up the next morning with some deep thoughts. After she did her morning routine, fed Power and ate breakfast, she couldn’t help but think of her folks. She stood outside on her balcony with her parents’ rings on her golden necklace. Cliche, yes, but it was the only way she can have them around at all times. Her hands were on the railing as she looked out to the mountains of Wakanda. Her mother would have loved this view so much. When Nyla was only a little girl, she would catch her looking out to the setting sun of New York. As she caressed the rings, her eyes had shut.

~

  Nyla had come out of her room when she heard the balcony doors open. She peeked out to see her mother’s red, fade hair cut. She wore a black spaghetti strap tank with low ride mother jeans and her bare toes out on the pavement. She leaned against the balcony when she heard five-year-old’s feet approaching her. “Nyla, princess. What you doin’ creepin’ up to your mother, hm?” Nyla walked to her mother’s right leg and said “I just wanted to see you, mama. I missed you today.” She picked her up and hugged her tightly. “Aw, baby. Was school hard today”; Nyla nodded. “The kids made fun of my hair, again. They said it was ugly and nappy.” She ran her fingers through her baby’s curls and said “I see nothing wrong with your hair, LaLa. They are just jealous because you have hair that looks like Mother Nature sculpted it herself. It’s like clouds, right there.” She pointed out to a cloud that looked like a fluffy afro. “You see, LaLa. You were blessed to be different. So was I and your father, and every other black person in the world we know and love. These kids at your school hate themselves so much that they pick on your natural beauty”, she said as she poked Nyla’s nose making her giggle.

 “Awe, my baby. You are way too precious to ever care what anyone says about you. Promise, mama that you will never and I mean never ever care about what those poopy head kids have to say.” Nyla did the army salute and said “I pwomise. I love you, mommy.” Nyla was in her arms as she hugged her mother. “I love you too, LaLa. Now, let’s get dinner started before daddy gets home.” All of a sudden, the door opened and Nyla jumped out of her arms, screaming "daddy”, running inside as her mom laughed echo through her head.

~

Nyla’s eyes opened to still see the mountains with a single teardrop and a meow to her left. “C’mon, Power. I gotta get my mind right.” She went in to change into a black, a hoodie, matching shorts and some comfortable running shoes. She grabbed her gloves, water bottle, headphones and bag before heading out. When she made her way to the training floor, she saw that most of the things seemed very similar to the gyms she was used to back home. She went to the weight area, running her fingers against them; all of a sudden, she heard a few beeping noises. She looked up to see a laser scan the move and a voice appeared. “Announce name for verification.” She cleared her throat and said “Agent Nyla Miller.”

“Agent Nyla Miller accepted. Welcome to Wakanda, Agent Miller”, the woman’s voice said and the room completed the scan. Nyla went over to the mat and faced the window as she began stretching her body out. She posed in downward dog for a few minutes and began stretching her hamstrings out. She also began a fighter warm up with various kicks and punches with her headphones on. She went over to the weights, reached for the ten-pound dumbbells and a glow purple light wrapped around her wrists. She looked around confused and asked out loud and the voice came back. “These guard help to protect your wrist and add less pressure, Agent Miller.”

  Her brow raised as she began doing squats, noticing how she didn’t feel any pain what so ever and when she finished her set, she felt as if there was no tension what so ever. “Hm, should send some of these to the agency out in New York.” She was observing the rest of the gym and noticed the silver-toned bars. She saw the slight glowed purple but decided to hit the punching bag instead. She wrapped her hands with gauze from her duffle bag and began punching. All of a sudden, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Out of instinct, she took the hand flipped it. “Oh my God. King T’Challa”. He lied on the floor looking up to her and said “hello, Agent Miller. Did I startle you?” She helped him up and said “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“It is fine. I guess your headset has noise cancellation.” She noticed he was in full work out gear in black; muscle tee, pants, and sneakers. “Hm, this is refreshing. You aren’t all done up. You look like just a regular guy at the gym.”

“Well, it would be difficult to wear something other than this to do as such, Agent”, he said with a smirk; she nodded. “Well, if you want I can leave so you can be alone.” He slightly shook his head as he went over to the weights. “No, no. You are fine. Stay and join me. I need to see how you what you have in store so I am not surprised like earlier.” She nodded as she grabbed the jump ropes; she tossed him one and said: “let’s do it.” They began facing face to face as the jumped rope and he watched carefully.

 After jumping, they took turns at the punching bag. “Very good. Now hook the right with more force”, Nyla heard. After they started dripping in sweat, she unzipped her sweater and revealed a sports bra. She began sipping her drink as he watched and licked his lips a little. He cleared his throat and said “Agent Miller, you will be willing to show me your combat skills. I heard from Agent Ross that they are quite amazing.” She placed her bottle down then stood across from him. “Okay, we can do that. Come at me like you are about to hurt me.”

 With that, he was in attack mode. When he launched at her, she flexed her wrist with her dominant hand, pretended to aim underneath his chin, jabbing upward at the throat; this move is called the heel palm strike. “Very good. Now show me more. Let’s say I am the enemy and I am about to punch you.” He got into a fighting stance with his hands to his face. “Easy, I would deliver an elbow strike”. She began to stabilize herself with a strong core and legs to ensure a powerful blow. Bending her arm at the elbow, shifting her weight forward, and struck her elbow into his jawline. “The way my father taught me is to keep my stomach tight and put all my weight to the front. Knocks out the opponent quickly. Always told me to aim for the temple, jaw, neck or chin to make sure I got them where I need them to be.”

“And where will that be?”

“On the ground begging for mercy”, she said and it made him laugh. “But to be very serious, this loosens their grip, especially if they have a grip on you.”

“What if the attacker succeeds and has you in their grasps and has you in a good grip like this?” He wrapped his arms around her tightly and began yanking her body. “Simple, my king”. She began the ‘bear hug attack’; bent forward from the waist. This shifted her weight forward, making it more difficult for T’Challa to pick her up. It also gave her a better angle to throw elbows from side to side to the face. She turned into him with one of her elbows and continued counterattacking. With space these moves have created, she ran to the bars and pulled two off; throwing one to him.

“Ah, so you have techniques in staff fighting as well?” Nyla twirled the staff between her fingers as she paced the floor. “Meh, I know a little something here and there. My mother and sensei taught me when I was younger.”

“Was your mother a fighter?”

“Psh, no. She would never hurt a fly but my pops. Now, that man was a boxing trainer before he passed. They taught me everything I know now so I wouldn’t have to depend on anyone.”

“Don’t you feel alone at times?”

“What do you mean. King T’Challa?” He began twirling his staff as he spoke. “Well, as in a partnership. Everyone deserves to not feel lonely. Even as King, I feel like I need a life partner.” Nyla walked up to her spot on the mat and said “well, King T’Challa. Not everyone is the same. Some people would love to feel like they can lean on someone but others, like myself, like to feel like they control whatever they do and not be held in submission; to feel like they don’t need someone. We like the quiet of our homes especially when you don't have to share covers.” He nodded with a Mona Lisa smile as she said: “let’s see what you got.”

“Okay then, Agent Miller.”

“Please just call me Nyla.”

“As long as you call me just T’Challa.”

“Okay then. just T'Challa.”

When he was about to strike, she spun her staff against his to block the blow and ducked in time to hit him in the side resulting him to step back. When he looked up, she stood with her arms to the side and a smug look on her face; he mirrored her pose and they began again. Every time he tried to hit her, she always blocked the shot. She twirled her staff at a speed that left him flabbergasted but he had to focus and try to stop the spin. He used his tool to stop her staff but when she saw he was about to hit her again so she blocked as she hit into a full split. He noticed how flexible she was and took a mental note.

As he was distracted, she snatched his pole and smacked him on the right side of his stomach. When he knelt down, she slid between his legs and placed both poles in her hands and pressed it on to his neck so that his back was against her wet chest. “Do you want to give in, T’Challa?”

“I will never yield. Never have, never will”, he said with a snicker and pushed both poles away, flipping her over and pinning her to the ground. “Do you want to give in, Nyla?” She leaned into his face and said “never have. Never will.” She wrapped her legs around his neck and flipped them onto their backs as she held his arm in place. “Yield, T’Challa,” she yelled into the air. All of a sudden they heard the automatic greeting voice say “welcome, Princess Shuri.” They looked to their left and saw the princess in all black; jeans, turtle neck sweater, and boots. Her hair was in two space buns as she held a button on her beads.

“Sister, are you recording”, he asked and she looked side to side with just her eyes then back to them. “For research”, Shuri told him as Nyla got up and so did he; rubbing to ease the pain. “Delete that footage”, he said pointing to her. “How much did you get, Princess Shuri?”

“Since the first round you did.”

“We can use that for a training video for the new recruits next month”, Nyla said and Shuri saved the file. “Perfect. Speaking of recruits, I need you to meet me at my lab today for your new uniform. It’s ready.” Nyla looked at Shuri tilting her head with narrow eyes. “But you never took my measurements.” Shuri smiled and explained “trust me. It’ll fit perfectly. I will send you the directions.” Nyla nodded and looked back at T’Challa; doing the Wakanda salute. “Until next time, T’Challa.” He returned the salute and watched as she gathered her things and walked out. Shuri waited until she left; she looked at T’Challa with folded arms and a raised brow. “Brother, what are you trying to do?”

“What do you mean, Sister Shuri”, he asked sipping from his water bottle. “You know exactly what I mean. You have been acting quite weird and then one of my scientists told me that you put a camera in her room. For what reason, would on Bast green Earth you will need a camera in the Agent’s room?” He looked at his sister as he walked up to her. “We have to keep an eye on her, sister. We don’t know the woman or what she is capable of. We can not have our guard. As king, you should take my word. I will see you in the lab after I shower.” He left with a smirk on his face.

An Hour Later

 Nyla was freshly washed and dressed in a white dress shirt and jeans with combat boots, all made by Wakanda. She slipped in her bracelet and necklace before shaking her twists out. She made her way down the lab as music played loudly and Shuri was at a rectangular table looking at blueprints. “Princess Shuri, I’m here.”

“Nyla, hello. Are you ready,” Shuri asked in an excited tone and took Nyla’s arm. “I hope you don’t mind but I have called for my family and M’Baku for any suggestions they may have.” Nyla nodded as she saw the Royal Family on a white couch waiting. “Now, stand right here on the very spot”, she said as she moved Nyla’s body on a red spot coming from the ceiling. “Now, I will place this onto your pants, in the front”, Shuri mentioned clipping onto her pants. She stood back to the right side of her mother and said “now, whenever you and your team are in a hurry for battle. You will just hit that button right there in the front.” Nyla looked down to see the panther shaped button glow purple.

 “Can I press it”, Nyla said and Shuri instructed her more. “Yes, but you also have the option to say the command word ‘Utshintsho” which means-”

“Transform.” N’Jadaka looked up to her with folded legs and said: “don’t forget that she fluent, cuz.” Shuri looked to her big cousin and threw the pen cap to his head. T’Challa sat up leaning as he watched Nyla; Shuri took notice. “Nyla, go ahead,” she said and Nyla held both arms to her side and palms facing them. “Utshintsho”, they heard and saw a black material spread against her skin from her pelvic area. Nyla watched as her body became covered but she wasn’t scared, she was intrigued. Once she was done, the belt turns completely black and she looked to the others. “Princess, this is dope”, N’Jadaka said leaning back. M’Baku spread his legs wide and said “even though, I think this was a foolish idea of yours. She does look like the part. Very good, Princess Shuri.” Queen Mother stood walking towards her and said: “this looks incredible, You have done it again, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Queen Mother. Nyla, you can turn and see yourself, if you like.” Nyla turned to see the garment and was shocked; Shuri was right. “It fits perfectly, Princess Shuri.” The suit was like a leather material and the inseams glowed a lilac the golden shade. The garment came with a turtle neck and connected to boots with the suit. Specks of gold spot flashed against it and the flashed purple in the light; she noticed a ring in her right middle finger. “Throw your fist out”, Shuri said and when she did, a spear popped into her hand; just like her suit int flashed colors as she spun it. “Whoa. This is...wow.”

“You’re welcome”, Shuri said and T’Challa stood. He walked to her slowly and walked around slowly. He noticed the rise of her breasts, the thickness of her thighs and the dip in her back that accentuated her round backside. He went to her right and felt on the fabric. “What can the suit do, sister? Is it like mine and N’Jadaka’s as well?”

“Precisely, just instead of you don't have a spear and you have masks.” T’Challa stood back and looked to the group. “Let’s see it work. Give us a kick of any kind, any other moves and don’t hold back. I want to see if the WPS will be comfortable in this for battle.” She nodded slowly and cracked her neck. She took a deep breath and started with a regular sidekick then a hook kick and finally into turning kick and split. They all clapped as she sprung back up, T’Challa’s head titled then back straight. “Very, very good”, he shook Nyla’s hand and Shuri, N’Jadaka and M’Baku noticed his body language.

 The night came to an end and she sat in bed with Power beside her sleeping. She only wore a bra and boy shorts as she read from her book that her mother often her when she was younger. She felt her eyes get even and lied down looking towards her balcony.

~

 Nyla lied in bed with her stuffed animal and nightlight on. She heard a knock on her door and turned to see her parents. Her mother had on a durag and so did her father in their pajamas. “Can’t sleep, princess Nyla”, her father asked and she nodded while rubbing her eyes. Her parents stepped in and her mother sat beside her. “Nyla, would you like a song or a story”, she asked and her father knelt in front of her. “Can I have both”, she asked and her father’s laugh bounced off the walls.

   Her mother looked down at her and said “only one, princess.” Nyla looked up to her, nodding. Her mother held her close by her right shoulder and began singing in a sweet, angel-like voice.

“Tulo tulo kwata amwana, bwoto mukwate nga olimulogo, ssebo wulila. Tulo tulo kwata amwana, bwoto mukwate nga olimulogo, ssebo wulila. Njagala ngendeko kumazina nzine kundongo, nkyuse kubulamu obulamu wikulika.Tulo tulo kwata amwana, bwoto mukwate nga olimulogo, ssebo wulila.”

Then her father sung the english part.

“Tulo Tulo, go to sleep my pretty baby, dream sweetly through the night. Tulo Tulo, go to sleep my pretty baby, dream sweetly through the night. In your dreams you’ll dance in moonlight, in your dreams you’ll soar through the starry sky. Tulo Tulo, go to sleep my pretty baby, dream sweetly through the night.”

 They both sang together in both African and Englsih until their angel’s eyes fluttered.

 Nyla’s eyes slowly fluttered as she slept dreams of her past family.

~

Thank you for reading. Want to be kept up to date? Just ask to be tagged and I will add you ASAP. I post a new chapter of THIS serious every Thursday for T’Challa Day.

~

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[takaraphoenix]

M'Baku and Bucky trying to learn how to flirt with the master of flirting.... "Wait you learned how to flirt via Steve Rogers?".... After Tony calms down he smiles towards the two men and says "hit me with everything you got"

(uuuh, I changed it a little bit, hope it’s okay xD)

"Hello, beautiful. Come here often?"

Tony coughed as he accidentally swallowed his cocktail wrong. Really? That line? Cocking one eyebrow, he turned to look at the man who had spoken. Just to sputter some more. Wow. That was – a lot of man. He was tall, broad, muscular, handsome.

"Not really. The borders only opened recently and this is my first stay in Wakanda."

"I'm M'Baku, leader of the mountain tribe", said the handsome man in ways of introduction.

"Tony Stark", countered Tony with an amused smile.

"Oh, I know who you are. T'Challa talks about you a lot", hummed M'Baku.

"Only good things, I hope", grinned Tony. "Bagheera and I have been in corespondence a lot."

Which was true. After turning on Tony's team during the 'Civil War', T'Challa had reached out to Tony. The two had been working on redefining the Accords together and T'Challa had given his word that if the Avengers faced true danger, like the invasion of New York, and needed back-up, Black Panther would be there. It was good to have the king on his side. There weren't many people in his corner these days, not since the others had left and the Avengers broke apart.

"Looking like you could need a savior from that brute, doll."

Tony raised both eyebrows. He may not have met M'Baku in person before, but he had heard enough about the leader of the Jabari tribe from both T'Challa and Shuri to know that insulting him was not a great idea. Though then M'Baku started laughing and pulled the man who had spoken closer. Tony's eyes widened surprised as he recognized the man. He had changed since Tony had last seen him. He looked – healthier. His hair was put in a bun, he was smiling amused, wearing casual clothes, well, casual for this region at least.

"Barnes", stated Tony slowly. "Shuri told me that your treatment had been effective, but..."

"I'm not back to my old self, but I think that's due to me not being that man anymore", mused Bucky as he came to stand on Tony's other side. "I go by... James these days. Trying to, you know, find myself. Who I am now. Wakanda is... good to me."

Tony nodded, wondering why James Barnes was sharing that with him, before James continued. "I figured I owe you that much. After... And I wanted to... I'm sorry, I'm sorry for what I did. I know I didn't do it, my doctors keep working on that issue with me, but it was still my hand that did it and they were your... parents. I have to apologize to you for that."

Tony nodded once more before he sighed. "I know it wasn't you. I... suppose I owe you an apology too, for the way... I overreacted, I know that. I'm sorry too."

Bucky – no, James – shook his head slowly and got a drink of his own. "I don't blame you. You saw something... very traumatic, with no warning. Stevie, he should have... he should have told you."

"Now that you got that outta your way, you can leave again, goat boy. We were in the middle of something there when you interrupted", grunted M'Baku, staring pointedly at James.

"Can't do, gorilla man", huffed James with a smirk. "Surely the Tony Stark deserves better than your shitty, outdated pick-up lines, don't you think?"

"Because yours are any better, old man?", countered M'Baku, eyebrows raised.

"Excuse me, but what exactly are we doing here?", asked Tony, looking from one to the other.

"He's, very pathetically if I may add, trying to get into your pants", offered James.

"And you're my knight in shining armor?", snorted Tony amused.

"If you want to, doll", grinned James lightly.

And oh wow. That was it. That grin, it was the Bucky Barnes grin, the one that had made women in the 40s swoon and gasp. Tony hummed curiously at that, before M'Baku regained his attention with a large hand resting on Tony's arm. Tony turned to look at M'Baku and oh. Tony Stark had never felt more like prey than in that moment, with the way M'Baku stared down at him. Nice.

"You're both awful at this", noted Tony amused before emptying his drink. "The flirting. Really bad. It's good for you you're both handsome though, that puts one into a more forgiving mood. Still, I have a very important appointment with the princess and her lab, so if you'll excuse me."

The two men seemed to deflate a little, which was kind of adorable so Tony threw them a bone before he left. "Better luck next time, boys."

/break\

Tony was comfortably sprawled out at a pool the next time M'Baku and James found him. At least this time, he was more prepared. Not just thanks to the last meeting, but also because he had gotten some more info from Shuri, who was more than happy to be helpful in this case. Apparently, James hoarded goats now. Which, sure, why not, what else should be on a former assassin's retirement plan, right? And apparently, due to the mountain-y nature of the goats, he spent a lot of time in the mountains and had befriended M'Baku up there over time. Interesting.

"So, did it hurt when you arrived in Wakanda?", asked M'Baku with a cheesy grin.

"Why? Because I fell from heaven?", snorted Tony amused.

"No, because crawling outta hell must be exhausting and you are hot as hell, doll", offered James.

"You two are really bad", laughed Tony and shook his head. "Where did you learn to flirt?"

"Well, I never did", mused M'Baku with a frown. "I met my late wife when we were still children, we grew up together and then got married when we were old enough."

"Well, I don't... remember. I used to. Used to be good at flirting, but I guess it's one of the things I have to learn again?", offered James reluctantly.

Tony heaved a sigh at that. Way to kill the mood, on both of them. Not that Tony was one to talk; he hadn't done this in years either. His relationship with Pepper and how that ended over her wanting him to stop being Iron Man and him not being able to – it had been a while since he last had as much as a casual hook up. So maybe he should cut the two of them some slack.

"How about...", drawled Tony with a mischievous smile. "We simply skip the flirting?"

He rested one hand on each man's chest, while M'Baku and Bucky exchanged a surprised look. They had realized that they found Tony Stark more than attractive a while ago and had agreed on a friendly competition to see who could charm Tony first. This... was not the expected outcome.

"I'm game if you're game, gorilla man", offered James with a cocky grin.

"Oh, it is on, goat boy", huffed M'Baku and easily threw Tony over his shoulder.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 2, Chapter 21

Summary: Prince N’Jobu meets King T’Chaka’s future new wife first...and his 9-year-old son Erik meets a bit of his mother Califia’s past back in Oakland...

"You make me feel like a natural man, yeah (A natural woman)

You don't even gotta waste time

It's just natural, romantic, yeah

And we don't gotta take it slowly

You could break my body, baby

You're all that I need, yeah

Perfect for me, yeah (perfect for me, yeah)

You're gonna make me feel like I never felt

And fall like I never fell

Care like we never cared

And love like we never will…"

Desire B & Marnino Toussaint – "Never Will"

Umama sat and watched N'Jobu as he ate a full breakfast. The sunroom was filled with fresh flowers from the royal garden and the overwhelming spread of gourmet foods before him actually made him miss the simple breakfasts with his woman and son back home.

Home.

His real home. Califia and Erik. They were his center.

"You are very quiet this morning," Baba said, staring at N'Jobu.

"He just arrived in the middle of the night. Jet lag, my son?" Umama said as she patted his hand.

N'Jobu felt the curious eyes of T'Challa and W'Kabi on him as the boys helped themselves to seconds and thirds of sliced fruit and sweet breads. T'Chaka was equally quiet, but N'Jobu sensed that he was waiting to speak more openly once they were alone.

"I am tired, but I will be fine," N'Jobu said picking up wild honey plum slices to add to the pieces of pineapple already on his plate.

Umama glanced over at T'Chaka.

"We will be attending the Ti'Azan Gallery opening tonight," Umama said. Her tone alone let N'Jobu know something was up.

"I am looking forward to seeing the new artwork coming out of Djata," Baba said.

N'Jobu watched his parents tiptoe up to their real reason for bringing up the gallery opening. They were so obvious that N'Jobu quickly popped a piece of honey plum in his mouth to keep from laughing at them.

T'Chaka sliced into his grilled pork breakfast medallions on his full plate.

"I am too. I hear that Matsimela's daughter will be accompanying him tonight," Umama said.

T'Chaka put down his utensils and stared at his parents with a slight smirk on his mouth.

"Stop it, you two," T'Chaka said.

T'Challa giggled and N'Jobu let a wide smile crease his lips.

"I hear that she is no longer training Dora Milaje recruits—"

"Umama, please. Enough. I know what you are trying to do. I will go to this gallery opening, and I will meet this woman. Is everyone satisfied now?" T'Chaka said.

"Ramonda, her name is Ramonda," Umama said.

"Is she nice?" T'Challa asked.

"Very nice, and she loves children—" Umama said.

"Umama—" T'Chaka said, his face looking defeated.

"I too look forward to meeting Matsimela's daughter," N'Jobu said, trying to rub it in.

"Perhaps you should be looking for a wife of your own, Brother," T'Chaka said. N'Jobu couldn't tell if his brother was being serious or not.

"My work would make that difficult—"

"I am thinking of changing some things. Boys, it looks like you are both done eating. Please excuse yourselves so we can speak privately," T'Chaka said.

Disappointment on their faces, the boys said their goodbyes and left the sunroom. T'Chaka waited a few minutes and then looked N'Jobu in the eye.

"What changes?" N'Jobu said doing his best to make his voice calm and nonchalant.

"Moving some war dogs around, bringing some back home permanently."

Acid churned in N'Jobu's stomach. He wanted to drink the water next to his plate, but he was afraid that his hand would shake if he did so.

"Why?" N'Jobu asked.

"New eyes, new patterns of intel gathering…besides, Umama misses you and I need you to fulfill your true role as my Ambassador. Therefore, it is time for you to return home, take your place as our representative in the world, and get married."

"Yes, I agree. It is your duty now son to be with us again," Umama said.

"I strongly disagree with that plan," N'Jobu said.

Silence.

He had to think of something to say to deflect and convince them all otherwise. He was not expecting this. And Bast help him, surely his brother wasn't planning on him staying there now. Califia and Erik's face flashed in his mind. He felt his forehead crease and his jaw tighten. He told his family not to worry. Told them he would return to them. If they kept him there, if his brother insisted that he stay, he would have to escape from the country, go AWOL, maybe even move Erik and Califia out of Oakland—

"Hopefully you have a reasonable timetable for switching out war dogs. I feel that any sudden changes would cause suspicion—"

"I have already begun the process."

"My intel has been very fruitful and I am embedded in that community fully. If I am removed—"

"All will be handled with a smooth transition. Your Intel has been fruitful and very important. But I need you here with me. Our people love you and I believe your presence here at home can help me turn the tide of dissent."

"There was a vid special about T'Challa turning twelve and they played the old recording of you singing to Bathwandwa when she was carrying him. The social chatter about you lit up the public for weeks, N'Jobu. Our people want to see you more, and your positive popularity crosses all political quadrants. You being here and standing by your brother's side could help all of our people," Baba said.

"This is true," T'Chaka said.

His people.

N'Jobu tried not to show any consternation in his being, but he no longer felt connected to Wakandan people anymore. His people were out there in the world.

"As it stands, Baby Brother, Ambassador Obi tells me he shall retire at the end of this next term and he is willing to start a transition team for you within the next two years. So, continue to do your work well for me, and tonight, let us see what wives Umama has picked out for us this time."

Umama laughed, but when she saw N'Jobu's face, she touched his hand again.

"I should…I should go get some rest. I feel a bit drained, and I need to be ready for tonight," N'Jobu said standing up suddenly and gripping the dining table with his hand to hold his balance.

Two years.

He had two fucking years left to do what he needed to do.

###

"Take your time, JaJa…there you go…there you go…."

Califia pressed the gas pedal of her car gently so that her vehicle moved slowly. Erik sat on her lap turning the steering wheel. They were in their own townhouse complex parking structure. There had been rain earlier in the day, but as the evening came down, there was only a slight drizzle, and no one was outside because of it.

"Not so fast, Mom!"

"I'm not going fast, we're barely moving!"

She held his waist as his hands clung to the steering wheel nervously trying to straighten out the front tires.

"Turn a little harder," she said. When her hands went up to help him, he leaned forward.

"I got it! I got it! Let me do it!"

They both started giggling as he made a wide turn back into their parking section.

"Let's see if you can park it," she said giving the car a little more gas.

"I can," he said.

"You got it, baby," she whispered as he guided the car into their parking space. She put the hatchback in park and pulled the emergency break up.

Erik leaned back into her and she kissed his cheek.

"You did it," she said.

Erik hopped out of the car and she followed him.

It was a good day for them and she was ready for a shower and some dinner.

"Don't forget to bring down your bag of Goodwill stuff. Grandpop is going to pick it up tomorrow when comes over to fix the toilet."

The downstairs bathroom toilet kept running after each flush and her father refused to let her call a plumber when he could fix it himself. He was worried about their income since she wasn't working.

She walked into her bedroom and lifted the bag of clothes she was donating from off of her bed and placed it onto the floor near the bedroom door.

Her laptop was on the bed and she flipped it on. She checked for messages from N'Jobu and was happy to see a taped face chat link. Before she could open it, N'Jobu was already online sending a private chat link to her. He must've been on his computer and waiting for her to log in.

She ran to her bureau mirror and checked her hair and face. Once she felt she looked decent enough for him, after rolling a bit of tinted lip gloss on, she hopped back on her bed and opened his link.

"Baby," she said, "Wow, look at you."

N'Jobu was dressed in an elaborate dark suit with a colorful gold scarf draped over one shoulder. His hair was freshly cut and he had diamond earrings studded in his ears. And those amazing gold slugs were back on his teeth. Moments like this reminded her that her man was royalty and when he was with his people, he showed up and showed the fuck out. Jesus, he was still so fine. She felt herself swooning.

"Califia."

"Huh?" she said.

"You okay?"

"It's you. I mean, damn N'Jobu."

"I'm going to an art show. Not my idea of fun without you," he said.

Art shows. Fancy meals. Servants. Chauffeurs. Bodyguards. High Society.

And here she was going through old clothes to donate and trying to figure out what to fix for her and Erik to eat in less than twenty minutes and hoping their toilet didn't overflow until her father could fix it.

"You look gorgeous. I'm jealous."

"How was your day today?"

"Good. Erik and I cleaned out our closets for Goodwill. We visited Rolita and her mother. Oh, my father is coming over to fix the toilet tomorrow. It started running—"

"Mom!"

Erik's distraught voice startled Califia. N'Jobu's face was full of alarm. She stood up and saw Erik standing in her bedroom doorway.

"What's wrong?"

He stepped forward and her eyes swept his body looking for an injury or something. All he had in his hands was a yellow t-shirt. He held it out to her.

"Oh, JaJa…come here, come here…"

She held her arms out for him.

"What is it?" N'Jobu asked, his face full of worry.

She pulled Erik onto the bed and let him rest his head on her lap. He was crying and Califia held up the t-shirt for N'Jobu to see.

"JaJa," N'Jobu whispered when he saw Lia's face on the old political t-shirt Erik loved so much. He must've gone through his closet again to check for old things he didn't want and found the garment. He had been doing so well. Seeing her face unraveled him.

"Son, look at me. Look at me," N'Jobu said.

Erik shifted his head on Califia's lap and she rubbed his back to calm him. N'Jobu stared at his little boy.

"She's still with you. She's still here with us. Let her have those tears for a little while…then show her how you will carry her within you. Okay?"

She felt Erik nodding his head but a pitiful moaning sound was coming from his mouth and she felt herself beginning to lose it.

BeStrongBeStrongBeStrong…..

"Baba, my chest hurts so bad," Erik said.

"I know. I know. That pain takes time to go away, and Lia doesn't want you to hurt like that for her."

"I want you to come home!"

The high-pitched wailing from his little chest made Califia feel so small without N'Jobu there with them.

"I want to be home with you too. But Baba has to work so I can take care of you and Mom. You have school tomorrow, so you'll be busy…and what about the chess club? Do you think you want to join…?"

The mundane talk of school eased Erik's breathing, and once N'Jobu had him talking about choices of high school and online courses for the following year, their son had stopped crying and sat up from her lap. N'Jobu even had him laughing about his favorite anime and Califia felt her body ease into a relaxed state.

"Feeling better?" N'Jobu asked Erik.

"Yeah," Erik said.

"I'll keep this and you can watch some tv until I fix dinner, okay?" Califia said.

"Okay. Bye, Baba."

"Bye, JaJa."

Erik stepped off of their bed and left the bedroom. Califia heard him head down the stairs. She looked back at N'Jobu and took a deep breath.

"That was rough," she said.

"It will come and go," he said.

She looked at his suit again and reached out to touch his face on the screen.

"I better go cook us dinner. Babe…you really look amazing."

N'Jobu stared at her and in that moment, she felt what he was thinking and it made her feel desired and loved. She broke eye contact with him and just looked at his clothes again.

"I will be offline for a few days. I just wanted to check in with you."

She nodded and saw him look over his shoulder.

"I better get going," he said.

"Okay."

His screen went dark.

Califia sat for a few minutes, quietly centering herself before she went downstairs to cook for herself and Erik.

###

The gallery was packed.

Once word spread that Prince N'Jobu was in the city, many favors were called in for people who desired to attend the opening to see him.

N'Jobu spent most of his time near his parents, escorting his mother whenever his father was hemmed up by supporters and friends. He took one moment alone to grab a glass of honey wine and to check out a small mixed media painting hidden behind a floating wall. The art piece in front of him was intriguing, a depiction of Warrior Falls that shifted its design perspective depending on where one stood. Looking at it from the middle, it looked like the Falls at midday. But if one walked past it from left to right, the sunlight moved as if it were a time-lapse of morning to night. Clever. He glanced down at the name of the artist on the title card underneath it.

"Interesting piece, is it not Prince N'Jobu?"

N'Jobu glanced to his right and noticed the svelte figure of a dark brown-skinned woman with short stylish locs swept to one side of her head. Kohl-lined eyes that reminded him of Califia's feline gaze peered back at him intently. Several thin silver choker necklaces encircled her throat. Her eggplant-colored strapless gown revealed shapely shoulders and the bone-white corset that cinched her waist drew his eye to the high shelf curve of her backside. Great Bast. Who was this?

"It is an engaging depiction of Warrior Falls," he said allowing his eyes to drift back to the art on the wall. The woman's direct gaze without the usual deference accorded him because of his status caught him off guard. He was accustomed to citizens fawning over him if they found themselves in his presence. This woman stood there as if he should know who she was. No automatic bowing or standing back from him, no "Your Highness," or "I shall leave you be."

She stood right next to him. Crept up on him in a stealth-like fashion. He stepped forward to re-claim his ownership of the space, but she stepped forward too and moved a little closer to him.

The hell?

He glanced at her again and then he tapped his kimoyo bead discreetly. Within seconds, Yejide stood near him.

"Your Highness?" Yejide said.

"Yejide!" the woman said rushing forward and embracing the Dora.

Now wait just a damn minute, N'Jobu thought as the woman brushed past him as if Yejide were the most important person in the world.

"Lady Ramonda!" Yejide said, standing stiffly, trying to stay on her task of assisting her Prince, but clearly excited to see….

Ramonda.

Oh, so this was the woman his parents wanted his brother to meet. A possible future Queen.

N'Jobu really stared at her now.

"Do not worry about him, I promise no harm will befall your charge," Ramonda said winking her eye at N'Jobu. He couldn't help by smile at her lack of deference now. She really didn't give a care that he was royalty.

"So, you are the Ramonda—" N'Jobu started to say, stepping forward to get a more proper introduction, but she turned her back on him and linked arms with Yejide pulling her aside, ignoring N'Jobu completely.

"How are you, sister? I have been hearing glowing reports about your work in the palace," Ramonda said.

Poor Yejide let her eyes focus on N'Jobu. He held up his hands freeing her to interact with the assertive woman.

"I am well, Lady Ramonda—"

"Is Ometeko still paired with you?"

"Yes…Your Highness?"

N'Jobu smiled and motioned for Yejide to leave them alone. Yejide bowed, gave Ramonda a look, and pivoted her legs in a severe military turn to refocus herself on her job.

"I remember when she first tried out to be a Dora. So timid. I was not so keen on keeping her in the ranks. But look at her now," Ramonda said as she turned on her heel to face N'Jobu again. She must've read something in his face because she smiled coyly and finally lowered her head to him, "I hope she has earned your respect, Your Highness."

"She and Ometeko, both. Lady Ramonda, is it?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Lady Ramonda Nkoli," she said.

"Daughter of Matsimela," he said.

"Yes."

Ramonda's eyes went back to the art on the wall.

"Did you notice the bit of detail on the waterfall?" she said moving closer to the painting and pointing to a spot near the top.

N'Jobu moved forward to see what she was talking about.

"It shimmers," he said as he looked at the mica flakes embedded in the blue of the water on the piece. His eyes met hers again and he found himself becoming more enchanted with her. All he knew about her was that she had been a Dora for his mother years ago while he was away in London for undergrad studies. She rose in ranks and was hand-picked to leave the Dora Milaje in direct action and to become a trainer for future Doras.

A server wandered into the area with fresh glasses of honey wine and Ramonda grabbed one and N'Jobu replaced his with a fresh one.

"Here's to interesting art," he said clinking his glass with hers.

"And to interesting people," she replied.

At that moment he realized she was flirting with him. Bast help him. All the disregard for protocol made sense now. Did she not know why she was really brought to this opening?

"I am going to check out the sculptures now. Please excuse me," he said moving past her.

"Do you mind if I come with you? I have not had the opportunity to see the sculptures myself. I have been hiding out here from my parents," she said.

For the first time, N'Jobu saw uncertainty in her eyes.

"Why are you hiding out?" he asked.

"I thought I was here to enjoy the art, but my parents…they are trying to set me up…introducing me to someone, and I am not in the mood to pretend like I am interested tonight. Do you mind being my buffer? Just for a little while?"

Now he was really taken in by her. She had no clue what was happening to her, and she unknowingly wanted him to keep her away from some random dude that happened to be his brother. He wanted to laugh out loud, but he grinned instead.

"I suppose I could assist you. You do not know anything about the man your parents have fixed you up with?"

"They have been trying to marry me off for years, and I keep telling them to let me be on that topic. But what I can I do?"

"Follow me," he said turning away from her.

He kept two steps ahead of her as she tried her best to walk next to him. Yejide followed them and when they reached the hall of sculptures, he got stuck for a few minutes greeting some dignitaries, and then he was able to move into the space.

He walked with Ramonda, always keeping ahead of her, and he could tell this bugged her until she caught on that he expected her to stay in her place when interacting with him. She finally got the hint that she was not on his level and he noticed that she made sure to stay at least two body lengths away from him and not shoulder to shoulder.

She was very critical of the sculptures, but the ones she did like, he liked them too. She had a sharp eye for detail and once they began talking about certain pieces, he learned that she was also a sculptor and almost went into art full time before she became a Dora Milaje. They talked and walked and after a time he had to ask her a question.

"Why did you leave the corps?" he asked, curious to know why she removed herself from that career.

"I missed being out in the field. When I worked for the Queen Mother, she always told me I should train up the Doras to be like me. That was such a high compliment. I loved working for her, and I was very happy training future Doras. But now…I actually would like to take a break and explore art again. I rented a small house near the Jabari mountains that I want to convert into a studio. However, I have to muddle through this thing with my parents. I made an agreement with them. They allow me a year of peace to sculpt without judgment of my life choices, and I would go on a few meet and greets with suitable men."

"You are not interested in marriage?" he asked.

"I am. But I would like to take this time to work with my hands in creative ways again. Not just teaching the Doras how to break necks in the most efficient way possible."

N'Jobu laughed out loud, and Ramonda smiled wide. Her eyelids crinkled at the corners when she did, and her lips made her mouth look inviting. How many hearts had she broken when she became a Dora and dedicated her life to the throne? He wondered.

"What are you looking for in a partner?" he asked.

She rattled off a litany of the usual things most people wanted, and somehow the topic switched to food and then politics and then art again. She was delightful and didn't back down from her convictions, especially when it came to opinions about T'Chaka. She didn't even care that she was speaking to the brother of the King. Her biggest judgment was that she felt that T'Chaka kept himself too far apart from their people. His way of ruling was impersonal and off-putting because he separated himself from society.

She was right.

Her eyes studied his face, and he felt himself becoming uncomfortable being alone with her in the section of the sculpture space they were in.

"I need to return to my parents. Shall I escort you to yours?" he said.

She looked disappointed. Her smile faded.

"I thank you for sharing your knowledge of the work here. I wish you success with your own artistic endeavors…"

Yejide stepped forward, and N'Jobu began to feel awkward trying to get away from Ramonda. It was a weird feeling. He wanted to hang with her because she was interesting and had unique insights on how the new art coming out of Birnin Djata really reflected the state of their country, but at the same time, this was to be his brother's possible courtship dance, and Ramonda was acting like N'Jobu had just broken up with her.

"I am sure the man your parents would like for you to meet here will keep you entertained."

Ramonda shrugged her shoulders.

"Hopefully he will be as gracious and as enjoyable as you, Your Highness," she said.

"I doubt that very much, but he can sure try," N'Jobu said getting her to smile again.

"Too bad he is not you," she said as her eyes caught a look at something behind him.

N'Jobu turned to see his brother walking up to them with an older couple along with his own mother.

"Ramonda, daughter, come and greet the Queen Mother, and King T'Chaka," the older woman said.

Ramonda's eyes grew wide, and she glanced back at N'Jobu again.

"Trust me, he is not as gracious or as enjoyable as me. But he will not bore you, Lady Ramonda," N'Jobu said.

"Lady Ramonda," T'Chaka said, reaching for Ramonda's hand.

N'Jobu heard the slight turn of pitch in his brother's voice. Ramonda was not what he expected. As his brother kissed Ramonda's hand, N'Jobu could tell that T'Chaka was smitten already. His eyes were glued to her face. Their mother looked pleased. Like the cat that snared the canary.

N'Jobu greeted Ramonda's parents and then he excused himself. His eyes sought out Ramonda's one last time before leaving. They were still bewitching eyes, her expression letting him know that she was not in a million years expecting anyone like this. And something else was there too.

Disappointment again.

###

Califia stood by the sound system and watched her class of dancers execute her choreography just short of perfection. It was Saturday and she felt a ripple of pleasure course through her body as she enjoyed the feeling of sweat and movement on her own body.

Dante stood in the corner uncovering his drum with his drum corps as they waited for her session to end so that his beginning capoeira class could begin.

"One last time y'all, from the top. Get it in!" Califia yelled as the dancers got into formation again. She saw Erik hanging near his grandfather watching, his right foot tapping in time to the massive beats that rattled the floor.

Califia slid her feet over to him shaking her hips, drawing his eyes to her face as she held out her hands encouraging him to join her. He shook his head while looking away from her and she pranced in front of him doing one of his signature moves that made him laugh.

Dante started warming up his drum. Joining in time to the music on the sound system. The bells hanging above the front door jangled and James walked in carrying his drum bag. Whenever N'Jobu was gone for a period of time, James was always there, watching over them. Dante convinced him to start drumming on Saturdays and James came faithfully, improving his technique.

The music really started rocking when the rest of the drummers joined Dante in playing and Erik finally eased in front of her following her steps. The two of them danced together in sync and James pulled out his cell to tape them.

"Go Erik, go Erik, go Erik…" the class chanted and her son leveled up his moves.

"Whatchu got little boy, huh?" she challenged and Erik stopped and bent his left knee, placing his hands on it and just letting his right-side move, popping his booty out, imitating the girls in the class.

The drums thundered and Califia spun around grabbing Erik's hands and pulling him closer to her.

"Aye, from the top again!" Califia yelled to the class as Dante walked over with his drum strapped to his waist and standing in front of Califia and Erik. The rhythmic hip hop beats flowed easily with the drumming as she danced next to Erik in front of the mirrors. Everybody that moved in the space was on point and when they reached the end of the choreo, Califia cartwheeled into a handstand and then swiped her legs around Erik.

Dante placed his drum on the floor and slid into the action, and Erik stepped back allowing his grandfather to play with Califia too, the three of them twisting and turning, their bodies bending and jumping. James moved in closer with his cell.

"Erik, say hi to your Dad so I can send him this," James called out.

Erik waved at the phone and Califia lifted him up from behind and Erik dissolved into peals of laughter as she twirled him like he was a carousel.

"Califia," James called to her and she looked at his phone and crossed her eyes while sticking out her tongue.

"Hey, babe," she said to the cell.

James turned his phone camera back on his face.

"JoJo, she was saying that to you, not me," James said.

The door bells jangled again and Califia put Erik down when she saw who walked in. He was a bit leaner and his hair was longer, but those deep-set eyes looked the same as when she first saw them when she was fifteen.

"Cedric," she said. Confusion prickled her face and she moved over to the sound system turning off the music.

"Thanks, everyone," she said clapping her hands and walking over to Cedric. The class scattered as the transition from one session to the next began.

"Hey," she said feeling awkward, especially in front of Erik who was watching Cedric curiously. Cedric stepped into her personal space and held out his hands for a hug, and she gave him one, making sure not to act overly familiar with him.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Had a layover, decided to see if this place was still here—"

"Mom," Erik said handing her bottled water and standing right next to her.

Cedric looked at Erik when he heard "Mom" and a smile appeared on his face.

"Hey there, what's your name?" Cedric asked.

"What's yours?" Erik tossed back.

Califia stared at her boy and Cedric chuckled.

"Fair enough. I'm Cedric," he said holding out his hand.

"Erik," her son said shaking the man's hand.

"Strong grip young man," Cedric said.

Erik looked up at her face and Califia could really sense the internal interrogation going in Erik's head.

A layover in Oakland? She didn't believe that for one minute.

"How long is your layover?"

"Just a few hours. Just took a chance and…well here you are."

"Hi," Dante said sticking out his hand toward Cedric, "I'm Dante, her father."

"How's it going, sir? I know Califia from Martha's Vineyard. Grew up with Bakari."

"Yeah…oh, yeah, okay. Glad to meet you. Excuse me, I have a class to start. Califia, I can get Eugene to do the drum for me."

"Erik, do you mind helping Grandpop while I talk?" Califia said.

She could tell Erik didn't want to, more interested in this strange man talking to her. She wondered if his father told him to act like this while he was gone.

"Erik?" she said again and her son stepped away from her and reached for Dante's drum on the floor and moved it back with the other drummers.

Califia had Cedric follow her to a back section that had folding chairs set up. They seated themselves and Cedric surveyed the space. He looked back at her as Dante's students trickled in and began warming up on the floor.

"So…motherhood really agrees with you, Cali. You look great," he said.

"A little heavier," she said touching her stomach.

"It fits you," he said as his eyes glossed over her short leggings and tank top.

"I saw you and your son tearing it up through the window. That was pretty cool."

Cedric's eyes went to her naked ring finger and then glanced over at Erik again.

"Yeah, he's a great kid. Takes after his Dad a lot, so the two of them together can be a little crazy," she said letting him know Erik's father was in the picture.

"I just wanted to see you again. You don't really do personal social media, but I saw the website for here, and so…you know…"

She looked at his left hand and saw a wedding band.

"Married, huh?"

"Divorcing."

"Sorry to hear that."

"You?"

"I'm with Erik's Dad. Going strong," she said.

"I have two daughters and a son," he said.

"Oh, wow. You've been busy," she said laughing, "Pictures?"

He pulled out his phone and showed a family photo. Good-looking children. His wife…ex-wife, looked how she always imagined the woman he would end up with would look like. Conservative and perfectly coiffed hair. Good make-up. Body still trim. Children miniature versions of them both. Classy and safe. The oldest girl looked to be about seven.

"You keep up with Albert?" she said.

"He's still single. Has a son with a woman in Maryland."

Califia watched Erik keep the lead drum beat in place of her. They watched her father lead his class in basic moves.

She wondered if Cedric came looking for her to see if he could get next to her again since he was divorcing. She kept her personal stuff off of social media for N'Jobu's sake. The things she did have online were private and open to only a tiny number of people.

"Can I take you and your son out to eat?"

She had to admit she was curious about him. Curious about the goings on back in Oak Bluffs.

Free food for her and Erik and a distraction from missing N'Jobu.

Why not?

###

"But if Godzilla is a replicant and can regenerate whenever he wants to, why would they stay on the planet? They can't kill him, so why not go to a new planet?"

Cedric looked confused and starving for the answer to his question. Erik twirled his fork in his hand and gave an exasperated sigh.

"Because it's the only planet that can sustain life and they lost all their tech and can't rebuild their ship," Erik said.

Califia savored the French onion soup she ate along with her ribeye steak. Erik enjoyed a gourmet hamburger with sweet potato fries along with Cedric who ordered the same thing. Erik had been a little stand-offish with Cedric as he sat between them, but once Cedric mentioned that his daughter was into the new Godzilla animated series, Erik's eyes perked up and they discussed the show non-stop.

"But if the monster planet has the resources to create metal and a lot of their housing, why couldn't they re-build their ship too?"

"I don't write the show, I just watch it," Erik said and Cedric burst out laughing making Erik smile.

Cedric glanced at Califia, and she just shook her head.

"I need to use the restroom," Erik said.

Califia scooted over and allowed him to leave.

"Is he okay by himself?" Cedric said.

"Trust me, no one is going to snatch up my son if they know what's best for them. Thank you for asking though."

"This is nice," he said.

"It was good hearing about folks back east, Thank you for this meal too."

"Erik is…Erik is really sharp. His vocabulary and the way he thinks…school must be a breeze for him."

"He doesn't attend a traditional school for most days. He starts high school next year."

"High school? Holy shit. At 9?"

"Yep. It's a struggle keeping him grounded. His mind and ideas are so far beyond what traditional schools can do for him. He'll probably start college when he's twelve. His father and I are trying to figure out how to balance it out. It's hard keeping up with him sometimes."

"My eyes did glaze over a bit when he was talking about his science experiments at home when we were driving over. Half the time I didn't even know what he was talking about. Tetrach…tetris dee…parrodox?"

"Tetrachlorodibenzoparadioxin. Don't let it scare you. It's the chemical toxin made from wood burning. He's trying to figure out a way to clean the air when we get all these wildfires in California every year."

"Well, my kids are trying to figure out how to dress themselves neatly on their own. Yay."

Califia chuckled.

"Trust me, Erik is still a little kid himself in a lot of ways."

"I always wondered what a child from you would be like. It's you, but extra helpings."

They laughed together.

Erik returned with his own cell phone stuck to his ear. When he approached the table, he handed his phone to Califia.

"It's Baba," Erik said.

Califia's face froze.

"Could you excuse me for a moment? Erik, finish your food."

Califia moved from the table grabbing her purse and walking into the restaurant lobby. She glanced at her phone in her purse and saw that she missed three calls and a private face chat from N'Jobu. Erik probably blabbed about their meal with Cedric. She took a breath and tried to sound cheery.

"Hey! How are you?"

"Cedric?"

"Yeah. He had a layover and came around to the studio and saw us there. He's treating us to dinner before he goes back to his wife and kids."

She could've said home or family, but she wanted to soothe her man because she already knew his mind was racing in the wrong direction.

"Everything good on your end?" she said glancing over to their dinner table. Erik was chatting with Cedric and Cedric had a big grin on his face while listening.

"How long is his layover?"

His voice was tight. Dammit. They hadn't spoken in two weeks, Just emails and pre-recorded video messages.

"He has to leave within the next hour."

"Face chat me on our private line when you get home."

'N'Jobu, don't trip."

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are. I can hear it in your voice."

"He just shows up out of the blue?"

"He had a layover and remembered the studio—"

"He's not Bakari or Soliel, or one of your college buddies from way back—"

"We're just having dinner and catching up. I knew him as a kid. We know the same people I grew up with—"

"You had a relationship with him. A sexual one. I'm never going to look at him like he's just an old homeboy."

"Ohmigod, is this going to be a big deal? Is it? Let me know now so I can hang up. I would think you would be happy to hear my voice and know that I am doing well. Getting out of the house and doing things with Erik. Who is doing great by the way. But since you are so worried about old dick—"

"Alright, alright. Chill—"

"You chill. Why are you so uptight? What did Erik tell you?"

"He said your old boyfriend took you two out for dinner."

"Old boyfriend? How did he know that? Did you tell him that?"

"No, so he must've picked up on something between you two that was pretty obvious—"

"All we are doing is talking and eating. He's telling me about his children, I'm telling him about Erik and you."

Silence.

She rubbed the side of her neck. Together for almost ten years as a family, and this man could still make her feel guilty for no reason.

"Finish your meal and get back to me when you can," he said.

Her jaw clenched.

"Califia?"

"Okay."

She hung up on him.

###

Umama was really pulling out all the stops for Ramonda.

An elaborate dinner outside on the moon observation deck high above the palace. The best wines from the family wine vault. The entire Udaku royal family decked out in clothing reserved for state functions. Two council elders in attendance.

N'Jobu ate his food and tried his best to appear pleasant, but he was upset. When Califia didn't answer her phone the previous day, he went to his go-to number which was his son. He caught Erik washing his hands in the bathroom with a video chat.

"Where are you?" N'Jobu had asked not recognizing the facilities.

"Mom's old boyfriend is treating us to dinner."

Erik said it so easily that N'Jobu thought he misheard for a second. Who the fuck was feeding his wife and son at a fancy restaurant?

Erik spilled the beans, describing the man, saying his name, and giving his keen observational skills. When Califia denied telling Erik the extent of her relationship with Cedric, N'Jobu wondered what they had done to tip Erik off to something sexual in nature to make him conclude that Cedric was more than a simple old friend.

When she hung up on him, he let his anger and resentment settle and he searched deep within to figure out what upset him so much. She said the man was married and had children. He had to take into account that he was once engaged to Zinzi, had sexual contact with her, and they were still good friends and he saw her once a year back home. Cedric hadn't been around for ten years. N'Jobu suspected that something was amiss in Cedric's marriage to make him go out of his way to see Califia. N'Jobu could only remember that horrible moment a long time ago when he sought out his woman and he saw her screwing Cedric hard inside their home. Screwing her like she was the breath Cedric needed to survive in the world. Saw that man's dick thrusting into his love and she liked it.

He could feel his body yearning for Califia in that terrible way it did whenever he was in Wakanda. And knowing that other man was in her vicinity, eating with his own child no less, it made N'Jobu rigid and ready to fight.

He concentrated on his brother.

T'Chaka was charming and funny and for a pleasant moment, he was almost his old self, acting the way he did when Bathwandwa was alive. Ramonda was drawing his good qualities back out. It had only been two weeks, but N'Jobu knew that his brother was in love. Ramonda cut the King no slack, and she didn't mince words if she disagreed with T'Chaka, and this made Umama smile so hard.

Although he didn't know Ramonda well, he could tell that she was liking T'Chaka. Maybe more than just like him.

The first dinner she had been invited to at the palace, with her parents in attendance, she had cornered him during the after-dinner libations and punched him in his arm.

"You knew everything," she said.

"I did, but I didn't know it was you until you harassed me."

"Harassed you?"

"All up in my face. Not giving me peace to contemplate art by myself," he teased. Those sharp eyes of hers made him feel strange again.

"I was so embarrassed," she whispered, "you were making fun of me."

"I was not!"

"Lower your voice," she hissed.

He lowered it, "I was minding my business…wait, why am I lowering my voice in my own home?!"

Ramonda rolled her eyes at him and left him standing with a glass of port in his hand. T'Chaka had glanced their way and N'Jobu decided to check in with him. His brother's eyes questioned the private conversation between himself and Ramonda.

"Your intended is angry with me," N'Jobu said.

"My intended? We are simply in the preliminary—"

"Stop. This is me, your brother. I know you. You are taken with her. Just pick a date and let us end this tiresome charade."

Ramonda walked over to them.

"Welcome back Queen Ram—"

T'Chaka thrust his elbow into N'Jobu's side, and N'Jobu felt a bit of wind get knocked out of him before he could get all his words out.

"I hope the dinner was satisfactory," T'Chaka said, and N'Jobu stood there enjoying the tinge of desperation in his brother's voice trying to impress Ramonda.

"It was wonderful, Your Highness. Thank you for inviting me and my parents. My mother wants the recipe for the pheasant crepes."

"And she shall have it," T'Chaka said.

Dear Bast, this was painful for N'Jobu to watch.

"What is wrong with your face?" Ramonda asked.

N'Jobu glanced at his brother first then looked at Ramonda.

"Nothing is wrong with my face—"

"You look like you are in pain," she said.

"I think Umama would like to see me…" N'Jobu said looking for an out.

"No one is looking for you," she said.

"Then I will look for someone," he said.

"Did your brother tell you how he made fun of me?" she said.

T'Chaka glared at N'Jobu.

"Hey…" N'Jobu said.

"Shall I have him arrested for you? I can place him in isolation from the fireworks if you would like."

"Fireworks?" She questioned.

A loud explosion erupted from outside and T'Chaka held out his elbow for her.

"Right on time," T'Chaka said as Ramonda took his arm.

"Thank Bast," N'Jobu said and Ramonda flipped him off without looking as N'Jobu walked behind the two of them.

"Ramonda!"

Ramonda's mother's voice called out from clear across the room.

"Sorry, Mother," Ramonda said.

N'Jobu grinned and Ramonda stuck her tongue out at him making him laugh.

This woman.

She could very well save T'Chaka.

Everyone congregated on the observation deck balcony and watched the fireworks that burst in fiery rainbows of color over the city.

"Are you celebrating something?" Ramonda asked T'Chaka.

"You," T'Chaka said, and Ramonda's eyes became coquettish. Had N'Jobu and the others not been present he was positive his brother would've kissed her.

The blossoming romance right before him made N'Jobu miss his Califia and his son. They should be there with them all watching the extravagant light show that was only happening because his brother was beholden to a woman that could probably bring him to his knees. N'Jobu knew that feeling well and welcomed it. Wholeheartedly.

"Prince N'Jobu."

N'Jobu glanced across the table and saw Ramonda's cousin Allem staring at him.

"Yes?" he said to the woman. Allem's full lips were stained red like the wine they drinking.

"Will you be attending the Star Light Ball this year?" she asked.

"I will be there," he said trying to remember the reason why Ramonda's cousin was there. Oh yes, a potential mate for him. Two more weeks and he could get on a plane and jet home. Hopefully.

Allem looked thrilled that he said he was attending the ball. He skipped it the previous year but felt it was best to go this year to stay the obedient younger Prince. Play his role until he could be away from the palace.

His kimoyo beads lit up. The signature was from Jax.

N'Jobu sent a quick message that he would meet his boys at Quantum, the new private bar outside of Djata. He needed a break.

When the formal dinner was over, N'Jobu left the guests and fled as discreetly as he could to his suite. He dressed down in jeans and a plain designer pull over, then hit a private chat line to try and catch his woman. She had ignored his apology texts and just let Erik touch base with him after their dinner with Cedric. Califia didn't answer, so he checked Erik's line. His son was connected. He made small talk, discussed school but then he seized the moment to pump information out of Erik.

"JaJa, what made you say that Cedric was Mom's old boyfriend?"

"I could tell."

"How?"

"I just could."

"Be specific."

The face chat they had was private, Erik was in his room and Califia was downstairs watching tv.

"Are you upset about this, Baba?"

"No. I'm just curious how you could figure that out without your Mom or I telling you that information."

Erik stared at N'Jobu for a moment.

"You don't like Cedric," Erik said.

"I don't know him. I have never met him."

Awkward silence. Erik was feeling out the situation, and even five thousand miles away, his boy could tell the truth. His eyes broke away from N'Jobu's.

"His voice," Erik said.

"His voice?"

"And his eyes."

"Help me understand, JaJa. Really, I'm just curious."

"He looked at Mom and talked to her the way you do. And you love Mom. So I knew he loved Mom too before he had a wife and kids."

N'Jobu gave a deep sigh.

"Baba," Erik said, his eyes contemplative and a bit guarded.

"Yes, my Son."

"Mom didn't talk to him or look at him the way she does with you."

N'Jobu gave his son a wide smile.

There was a knock on Erik's door. Califia walked in. When she saw N'Jobu's face she stopped moving.

N'Jobu felt his heart open up for her.

"Hey," she said, her eyes glancing at Erik.

N'Jobu held his hands under his suite desk and shot off a quick message to Jax that he would be late joining him.

"Can I tell you both a story?" he asked.

Erik's eyes lit up and N'Jobu watched Califia's body language.

"Sure," she said when she saw how eager Erik was.

N'Jobu needed to tell her in the stories of his people how he was feeling. He could tell she didn't want to have a private talk with him, but he wanted to connect with them both.

Erik picked up his laptop and carried it over to his bed. It was almost the afternoon there and a Sunday. Perfect. Sunday was always their family day of rest.

Califia crawled on the bed next to Erik and he watched their son lean back into her.

"I want to tell you the story of Entabeni and Sekmet. It is how a God from one world traveled across the heavens and saw his great love, a Goddess from another world, and did whatever he could to be with her, no matter what. And despite the fact that he was a jealous God, stubborn, quick to make assumptions…a ridiculous deity really, his heart was in the right place and needed to be with her for eternity."

Califia gave him a sly look.

"Baba, you're not good at disguising this story. You're talkin' about you and Mom," Erik said.

"Am I?"

"It's so obvious," Erik said crossing his arms.

"I am quite sure that this is an ancient story I heard from my own Baba when I was your age. Hmmm. Maybe I should choose another one-?"

"No, we want to hear this one!" Erik said glancing up at Califia.

"Yes, we want to hear this story," Califia said leaning her head back against the headboard.

Erik's eyes looked deep into his mother's and then he scooted his face closer to the laptop screen.

"Baba…"

"Yes, JaJa," N'Jobu said.

"Mom has that look in her eyes and that sound in her voice. The way you do it."

Califia looked at both of them confused.

"That is good, my Son. Very good."

He spun the tale for them. And his heart eased. No worries about Cedric. No worries about T'Chaka keeping him in Wakanda. No worries about what he had to accomplish while he was in his home country to secure a cache of vibranium.

At this moment, his very own Sekmet made him whole and kept him in her world. That was all that mattered.

Chapter 22 HERE.

[shadowsof-thenight]

Had a voice: Chapter eight

Story summary: For two years you had let him dictate your every move. Dictate your time, your friends, your work. Everything, literally.  And for the life of you, you could not understand why you’d done so.

Now, here you were. In a beautiful but still strange city that had never become your own. And you were all alone. It was time to take back your life.

Ship: BuckyXreader

Words: 1794

Warnings: a little angst and a lot of groundwork for future chapters.

A/N: Sorry for the delay on this one. Between being sick and needing to change everything I had in mind for this chapter, it took a little more time. And this month time is a little scarce. Work is crazy, positively crazy and add that to the usual hectic december month and I am fearing for my sanity.

I hope you all like it! Next chapter should be out this weekend, if the changes can be kept to a minimum haha.

***

Masterlist                                             Story Masterlist ***

A week had past when, finally, everything changed.

You'd been asleep in the chair next to Wanda's bed much like every other day this past week. Clint was still fixed on the other side. He had left her bedside even less often than you. And after the second day of Wanda's stint in the hospital, Vision had joined you. He had been called back from his mission and became a permanent fixture in the room ever since. He'd only left shortly, once, for a debriefing. Tony had made it mandatory, since all and any information could be vital.

Which perhaps had been a good thing, for he had not heard the sounds of distress that had awoken you and Clint from your restless slumber. A gurgling sound and panicked trashing had made you open your eyes. Clint had quickly jumped up from his seat and called for a doctor, which prompted hurried movement outside the door.

You had placed a hand on Wanda's forehead as you whispered to her that everything would be all right. Everything would be okay now, now that she was waking up. Realising she was trying to breath over the breathing tube, you spoke in hushed calm tones, informing her that someone would be removing it soon. Her eyes were wide in terror and cold sweat formed on her body as she tried to keep still. Her whole body was tensed up, as she fought the tube that had been breathing for her the past week.

Soon the nurses ushered you and Clint out of the room, while they removed the tube and checked  her vitals.

Clint quickly began pacing in front of the door, while you stood frozen in place. Within minutes all the avengers that were not currently on a mission, had found their way to meet you.

Natasha hugged Clint close to her, whispering in his ear, helping him relax. Vision hovered next to you, quiet and Sam wrapped an arm around your shoulders. Tony choose to walk into the room to ask the doctors how Wanda was doing.

Steve, Bucky, Rhodey and Bruce were on a recon mission for the past two days and while they would receive notice of the change in Wanda's condition, it would be some time before they could be here. Meanwhile Pepper was called out of a meeting she'd had on the other side of the city and joined everyone as quick as she could. Speed limits had probably not applied to her.

While not much was clear about the state that Wanda was in, everyone felt a sense of relief that she had woken up. They had all feared a different outcome, even if none had spoken it aloud.

When Tony stepped out of the room a few minutes later, a smile was plastered on his face. Too big a smile and it immediately didn't feel right to you. Wary you waited for him to speak. Your gaze met Natasha's and you noticed the same apprehension in her eyes. Something was off. You shuffled in place and clenched your hands, impatiently waiting for him to say what it was.

“She is awake and her vitals are good” Tony spoke, the fake smile still in place.

“But?” you asked, surprised by the sound of your own voice. It was strong and certain. As if you knew what you were doing. Which was so far from the truth it was almost comical. Except, not really.

“She seems to suffer from some memory loss” Tony said, the smile fading finally.

“Temporary?” Clint wanted to know. Beside you, Vision hung his head and retreated ever so slightly. Quickly you took his hand in yours, squeezing it in reassurance. His or  yours, you weren't sure.

“We don't know yet, possibly. Most likely,” Tony said solemnly, “We've called T'Challa for help and hopefully we can figure this out quickly”

A chill went down your spine as those final words left his mouth. If they could not figure this out without Wakanda's help, did that mean there was more than he was telling you? As far as you knew, memory loss after a head injury was not uncommon. It would not require specialists, usually.

Again your gaze sought out Natasha and once more she seemed to share your worries. The group quickly began a debate on who should go in first, as you scurried off after Tony, who seemed to think he could sneak off.

“What are you not saying?” you demanded to know, as he paused at the elevator. His whole body seemed to tense up as those words reached his ears and he turned around ever so slowly. His gaze was directed towards the ground as he deliberately appeared to avoid your eyes.

He sighed, but remained silent as he seemingly debated with himself what to say to you. You gave him some space to figure it out, but were not planning on giving too much. You needed to know.

“It's not that anything appears to be different” he finally said, “But her abilities stem from the mind and there is just too much we don't know. We don't want to mess this up”

Tony looked up to meet your eyes as he finished the sentence, possibly to show his sincerity. A thing you didn't doubt with him. In return you just nodded, accepting his explanation.

“You'll tell me if something is wrong, right?” you asked softly, just as you were turning around to go back to the room at the end of the hall. You glanced over your shoulder, to see him and he nodded solemnly. Satisfied with that answer, you walked away from him swiftly. You were off to see what the rest had agreed upon.

As you got closer you could hear a heated argument between the whole group, apparently they could not come to an agreement. You walked closer, thinking of who you thought should go in. You wanted to be the one to go in, but weren't sure if that was the best choice in this matter.

“Perhaps it should be Clint” you voiced as soon as you got into hearing distance. The arguments stopped and they looked at you in surprise.

“Why?” Sam wanted to know. He didn't sound angry, just confused.

“He was the first person she connected too. Perhaps he could be again” you said and Natasha smiled, agreeing with you. This did not surprise you at all, she would obviously always choose Clint.  It had quickly become clear to you just how close they were. Vision began to protest, but Sam also nodded in agreement and hushed Vision. Sam explained to Vision that he could see her next, but that Wanda needed to come first and not our own emotions.

Clint was in her room only minutes, before coming back out looking defeated. Wanda had asked to be left alone for the time being. With her memory gone, the faces and new information had quickly overwhelmed her. She'd grown tired and wanted to just be alone.

This instantly prompted Natasha to grab your hand and lead you off, deeper into the building. You followed her, without question. With the adrenaline of Wanda waking up wearing off quickly, you found yourself becoming drowsy.

“I think it's time you slept in a bed” she said, as she pulled you into a room. After explaining that the room was vacant and you would not be imposing on anyone, you eventually agreed. Natasha brought you some new sweats to sleep in and left you alone.

It was strange, to hear the silence that overcame you in this empty room. The past week you had lived and breathed Wanda and now suddenly, here you were. Alone in a quiet room, with the comfort that Wanda was going to be okay. Physically at least. She just didn't know who you were.

As you moved a hand into your hair, you realised it needed washing and you headed into the adjoining bathroom. Standing before the mirror the state that you were in shocked you. Deep dark circles under your eyes, a pale complexion and hollowed out cheeks. You really needed to start taking better care of yourself. Otherwise you;d be of no use to Wanda in her recovery.

And taking care of you, began with a shower, followed by a well deserved rest in a comfortable bed instead of a chair.

You woke hours later, confused. The window to your left, showed you that it was dark out. The window was large and gave a beautiful view of a wooded area. This was definitely not your room.

It took you a few seconds to remember where you were and then you tried to figure out what had awoken you in the first place. It could not have been enough sleep, since you were struggling to keep your eyes open. A soft knock on the door, gave you the answer. Smoothing out your hair a little, you called for whoever it was to come in.

“Hey” the deep gruff voice of Bucky greeted you.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, near your feet and looked at you with a sympathetic smile on his face. He obviously came to check on you and that thought made you smile.

It did however pose a question. How were you feeling? A big part of you was happy that Wanda had woken up and seemed to be in good health. However, she had also been your lifeline in this world and now she didn't know you any more, which was hard and confusing.

“I didn't expect you back so soon” you said, trying to give yourself some extra time to come up with a coherent answer for Bucky.

“We came back as soon as we could, once we heard” he explained and you just nodded.

“Did Steve go to see her yet?” Steve thought of Wanda as a little sister and Wanda had told you how protective he had been in the past. Her waking up must have been a huge relief to him.

“Yes, she didn't recognise him either, but she was willing to talk to him. So there's that” Bucky said optimistically.

“Right, that's good I think”

“Why don't we go get you something to eat?” he then asked and as if on queue you stomach grumbled. You weren’t even sure how many hours it had been since your last meal. Some food would not be a bad idea. Besides you had already established that you needed to take better care of yourself. Food did seem like an integral part of that.

Chapter 9

Tags: @gracelynn318

[foolscapper]

Exploding Head Syndrome: A MCU Post-IW Fanfic | Ch. 3

(READ IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.)

"I can promise you, it's no mistake — the Guardians and those who were behind on Titan, they will be arriving on Earth sooner than later," T'Challa later tells him, over the translucent feed glowing from the center island of his work space, and Tony's eyes flutter closed with overwhelming relief. Watching transfixed as the people he cared about reappeared in his life, sprouting like seeds after one hell of a metaphorical volcanic eruption? It was almost too much. He'd lived with the deaths of billions for far too long, and though the world is alight with celebration and confusion and everything in-between, the feeling hadn't settled between Tony's ribs until Sam Wilson walked his way into the room with a lopsided grin, or when doors parted and Wanda's furrowed brow and uncertain expression graced the halls of the headquarters. People were alive again, and all it cost Tony personally was a broken arm and leg and ribs and — okay, the healing process wasn't the best, but Wakanda sure did make it easier. Everyone had hoped the snap would be set straight the moment that purple bastard's blood bleached the ground, but not so — no, it took another month just to figure out how to reverse it, none of which would have been possible if not for Captain Marvel. She'd come and gone like an angel, and if Tony were a man toeing the line for an early grave, he'd offer a smooch of gratitude. Italian-style. He's got at least 10 or 20% in his bloodline somewhere. She'd taken the Power Stone and vanished into the stratosphere (too literally) with it. That leaves five stones that needed to be displaced securely. Thor would see to the Reality Stone. The Guardians wanted to return the Soul Stone. And of course Strange had a raging boner for the Time Stone. The Space Stone... The Mind Stone... who knows. Still working on it.

But Tony couldn't care less about those shiny bits of misery; he's given up enough of his time the last two fucking years (and then some) in a cold sweat about stones that he'd lob into the sun if he could. No, he wants to see Peter. That's the last piece, the thing that he tosses and turns over, the one good thing that came out of Germany that day — meeting this kid, but also damning him by proxy, and fuck if he didn't want to fix that. Once Peter is back home with his ridiculously attractive aunt, goofing off and building weird robots with his pal Fred, stammering about some girl that looked at him funny while he helps Tony in the lab... that's gonna be the real endgame. That's when it all actually ends and he can close his eyes and actually rest.

"I'm eager to finally meet this kid without a mask, after all proud parent talk," Steve says from the couch in the break room. He hadn't been able to stand for very long anymore after what Thanos had done to his knee a month back, but Tony's at least helped hook him up with a prototype brace he'd started way back when for Rhodey. It whirs a little when he straightens his leg out. Despite the new scars that grace them — one on the arm here, another on the forehead here, the imprint of a stab wound— Wait a goddamn minute. He glowers at Steve. "It's not 'proud parent talk'." "If it quacks like a duck," Sam says as he walks by with a cereal bowl, like he's drifting along on conveyor belt that dispenses wise cracks. "Begone, Wilson, you wretched creature," is the apt reply, as Tony wags a hand for him to leave (he already has). "And he's a — good kid, so yeah, maybe I talked up a big game for him so he starts off on the right foot. Someone has to prep you so his awkward puberty-stricken self doesn't ruin his credibility right off the bat." Steve just shakes his head, smiling at the ground. He looks so much younger than he had even just a couple months ago. But maybe that's all of them. There's a light in their eyes, a feeling of victory they hadn't felt in over two years. We've won. Vision would think so, too. Him and his stupid sweater vests, and his terrible cooking, and his scarring everyone else by ignoring doors. ... He'd be proud of them. Tony's sure of it.

  "Aaww, look at that... Proof that Tony Stark has a heart." And then, gone. Every night.

His heart is hammering in his chest when the Benatar touches down on the central landing pad, which is stupid and unprofessional; Tony Stark does not anxiously flutter around like a student worried about their test grades; he scores 101% every time. But now he's here, and his palms are sweating, and Pepper is telling him it's gonna be okay — "Mr. Stark, I don't feel so good." — and to relax before he sprouts a couple more gray hairs to add to the others — "I don't wanna go, please, sir, I don't wanna go...!" — and Rhodey grips his shoulder, tight enough to hurt. He blinks. "Hey," is all his friend says, but it grounds him. Tony nods. I'm alright. There are few people in the facility that are aware of the post, or traumatic, or stress. Pepper and Rhodey and Happy are his key confidants when he detaches from all common sense and loses himself to places like Kunar, or the emptiness of space, or — or places like Titan. It's gotten better, but only before it's gotten much worse, and the months that followed the dusting of half the universe he was hardly capable of handling standing on his own two feet, let alone moving to solve anything. "Hey, it's all good," he'd tell them at 3 a.m. in the lab, "I took a Xanax." Beside him, Rocket and Groot stand transfixed, and Tony can only imagine how much more wrecked Rocket is about all of this — it's been two years since he's seen his family alive. He honestly wasn't sure if they were going to be able to pull him away from the tree-kid when he'd been flown back in, and though the raccoon will never hearken back to that moment he'd cried into Groot's chest, it'll at least be a reminder that good things come to those who wait. And drink excessively.

The doors of the Benatar open to a field littered with curious Avengers and workers, and the first to step out is Drax and Mantis — well, more like rush out, and Groot and Rocket are running to meet them with outstretched arms, as you'd expect from sweet reunions; and yeah, Tony's glad, Tony's grinning. More good news playing out right in front of him, fruits of their overworked, overwrought labor. From where they all stand, they can crane their heads to the side and listen for Rocket's wobbly, teary berating: "You freaking morons! How dare you guys just go off and get yourselves killed — this is what happens when you're not being babysat by yours truly, you bastards, you — " Quill emerges from the shadows of the craft's interior soon after, a sad smile gracing his lips as he drops a hand on Groot's jagged scalp. Not quite a whole family. Tony can see that in the weary lines of Quill's face. And he hasn't forgotten the desperation he himself felt, knowing that the Star-Lord had been one step away from exploding on Thanos back on Titan... knowing there was no way to turn the tide in their favor, once the floodgates were smashed into chalky bits. Quill turns, locks eyes with Tony, and... something shifts in his expression. Something drops. Worse — Something is wrong. The thought occurs to Tony, the moment he realizes that nobody should've been leaping out of that ship before Peter Parker. That kid had a hell of a time on Titan, yes — that'd be an understatement. But he's Pete, the teenager who can't seem to sit still for five minutes, the plucky one with a five-mile long list of shower thoughts and embarrassing factoids, the pain in the ass who doesn't do a single thing he's told, because he's going through a super-teen rebellion phase. Tony's worked too closely with him the years before Thanos; he knows him too well; he'd be out here already like a lightning bolt, smiling like nothing's wrong and cashing in on a real hug for once (and Tony'd let him and pretend it was grudgingly, but everyone knows better)— (— nobody is listening, they just talk about their day and nobody is looking at this kid in this photograph: the kid with the curvy brown hair and pinching, smiling eyes and thin lips, he's only a kid, he's missing, does nobody see that? But Pepper just puts her hands up at the sides of her head and shrugs like he's out of his mind, and she's talking about being behind schedule —) He dreamed this, like he dreams everything. Quill steps toward Tony and away from the Guardians as they stand on the ship's ramp, one hand out, placating, brow furrowed. "Stark, man, I'm sorry; we didn't want to tell you over some shitty line, but there's something..." His voice tapers off as Strange and Peter walk out from the darkness. Peter isn't smiling, he isn't frowning, he isn't anything. He's just looking at Tony — through Tony — and the scarred hand on his shoulder is doing all the leading. What do they mean? Something's what? He's whole and healthy, isn't he? There's not a scratch on Parker's head, not like the scars the Avengers have collected the last couple of months. He's fine, he's safe— (No. No no no, look at him, why - why are you not looking at him?" Tony asks, curled fingers pecking over the shirt on his chest, right where his blue heart used to be, and he's so fucking angry that Happy said it Pepper said it Steve said it Everyone says it, the same thing, different voices: "It's a black box, Tony. It's just a black box. The picture's not developed. Something got screwed up, sorry.) "Tony, something went wrong," Strange starts, in rhythm with the pounding of Tony's heart. "He didn't come back with the rest of us." If he doesn't breathe right now, he won't stay upright for long. Peter's eyes are looking right through him, and his arms dangle at his sides, which doesn't make any sense, because that kid could never keep his arms still for five goddamn seconds— ("Could you not move while I adjust these? Lord, do you want to plummet to your doom because they jam?" "Oh, oop, sorry, Mr. Stark!") Morgan whines uncomfortably in Pepper's arms, tired of standing in the heat. "Mama, m'tired." Steve hobbles forward, and he's saying something, but Tony can't hear it anymore. Peter was the endgame. Tony's having a hard time remembering how he crossed the distance from the grassy knoll to Peter, and he can't really recollect how his hands ended up on either side of the kid's face, looking for any sign that things are actually messed up — but before he knows it, he's gripping the kid's shoulders just as tightly as Rhodey had gripped his own, his hands trembling. "Pete, kid, c'mon. Say something. If you don't say something I'm gonna seriously lose it here. Don't fucking do this." A pair of headphones rattle around Pete's neck. Tony's shaking him. Maybe he'll come to, like a half-drowned puppy you pull out of the gutter. Then just as suddenly he's not shaking him, because Quill is prying his hands back from the kid protectively, and Strange's palm is pushing Tony's shoulder to put some distance between him and the boy. Everyone knows Peter is a special case, for him. A special mission set aside to complete. He promised May. He promised Peter. He held him while he disintegrated. He washed him down a sink and apologized in multitudes. Someone seethes, "What do you mean, he didn't come back? What do you mean?" and he recognizes it belatedly as his own. "Tony, look at me," Strange orders, and usually Tony would tell someone like the good doctor to shove his orders up his own ass, but for once he listens. Quill and Strange stand like guards posted at a gate, safeguarding the unresponsive boy, and Tony's senses come back to him like eardrums popping on an airplane. Strange continues in that agonizingly calm way, "You're having a panic attack. You're no good to the kid like this." He takes a step back, eyes burning, tongue heavy in his mouth. Usually, he has a funny quip he can sling to defend himself, or some jagged-edged retort that's bitter enough to cut through just about anything. But he has nothing to offer, right now. He just stares blankly, remembers how to breathe again, and turns his head away. Focus. Focus. Okayokayokay, you're a billionaire genius with a complex full of smart-asses, you've got magical glowy rocks, you've got Wakanda on speed dial. "What happened?" Answers, he needs answers. "He is not in there," Mantis meekly replies. It's not the answer he's looking for. "Judging from what we've gathered," Strange clarifies, "His body has likely somehow resurrected — without his mind." "What does that mean, exactly?" Happy asks, voice edged with frustration, with disbelief (when did he get there? when did he end up standing beside Pete with his hand hovering so helplessly?). "How does that happen?" ("I don't feel so good.") "Get him in the medical wing. Now," Tony orders, cutting through the quiet. He is more than ready to bury the coiling, ugly panic brewing under the surface now, turning to Bruce — who stands sheepishly to the side, concern and sympathy casting shadows on his face. He's told him plenty of stories, told him how excited Peter was to ever get the chance to meet him. The kid loved Bruce Banner more than he loved the Hulk; Bruce was beyond happy to hear it, smiling down at his work. Thor's not here — he's not here yet. Pete wanted to meet Thor, too. He wanted to meet everyone, without the mask. And that 'everyone' is here now, looking at him with little else they can do (this isn't a battle, they can't fight this), and Tony grits his teeth and promises Peter one more thing: he's not gonna lose it right now, when he needs him the most. He turns and plants a firm hand on Pete's shoulder again, this time looking into his eyes and steeling himself for the way nobody looks back. He tells Bruce, "I'm gonna need your help again. If this little asshole thinks he can Casper out on us, he's got another fucking thing coming." He'll have to call a rain check on that whole concept of resting. Good to know his nightmares are as reliable as ever, though.

[barcaavengers]

Stay || T'Challa Imagine || Part 4

Note:It is hereee! The wedding is here!! Since if I made it only wedding centered I decided to add something at the end which I hope you all enjoy! Y/F/C means your favorite color. Please let me know your thoughts about this chapter! I feel it is more moved than the other ones but I didn’t want it to turn boring or cliche. Took the wedding references from the comics so there is that!

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Tags: @laneygthememequeen @alyhull @dekahg @nah-imjustfeelinit @gemini5991 @omgsuperstarg @drippingbleu @xxdarkdarlingxx @lalapalooza718 @goldenbambi16 @paintballkid711 @bokillylovesloki

After the meeting with the ONU, T’Challa and yourself get back to Wakanda. He decides to take Shuri to California, where he planned to settle some technological places and a social assistance for families. Nakia would take over that role while Shuri would turn into the head of the technology place. Said place was going to be settled in the neighborhood that Erik had grown up in, you felt and knew it was T’Challa’s way of trying to help everyone out there that didn’t had the resources that Wakanda had and a way to somewhat do what Erik wanted without hurting anyone. A year and a half has passed since T’Challa proposed to you, and you find yourself in Shuri’s lab as she tweaks with your suit.

”Do you want me to make another one for the ceremony? Choose with time so I can start on it and have it be the best!” She asks as she works on your suit.

”For the wedding?” You ask. “I don’t think so…Wait, I have to wear the suit?”

”Not if you don’t want to. I know my brother has to because it’s part of our tradition and he is the protector of Wakanda” she explains. “I don’t know much about the weddings, you can ask my him about it” she says and turns to look at you with a smile.

”I guess I will…” you say as you play with your kimoyo beads nervously.

Shuri takes a second glance at you and giggles, “You are nervous” she points out as she returns to work on your suit.

”Of course not” you say with a scoff that didn’t sound so convincing.

Shuri stops her work and spins on her stool chair to you, “Your lies are worse than brother's” she smirks. “Come on, what is going on?”

”Nothing. I just…” she arches and eyebrow looking at you curiously. “This is just happening so fast. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love this and have no regrets. I just say this because one moment I met him, talked with him, he left, he came back, it’s been a year and now we are getting married” you explain. “I’m still processing everything.”

”If it helps, I’m sure brother is feeling like that” she says. “I never saw him this happy and interested for someone. Not even Nakia” the moment your eyes widened, hers did as well.

”Nakia?”

She muttered something in Xhosa, then directed towards you. “I thought you knew. It doesn’t matter anymore, he is marrying you” she says quickly. “They were together for a while, but Nakia wanted to find her true purpose and Wakanda didn’t offer it. That’s why she became a War Dog. She and my brother didn’t had the same visions for some time and they parted ways. After that, he met you and hasn’t shut up about it” she says with a smirk.

Her words softened the blow you took, but you still had that weird feeling. “You think he is over her?”

”I know T’Challa and you should know by now too” she says, her tone now quite serious. “He wouldn’t ask you to be Queen of Wakanda if he wasn’t being truthful” she had a point.

”Right. Right” you say. “If I were to go dress shopping, would you join me?” You try to distract your mind from crazy thoughts.

”Of course! I would love to get out of here” she says excitedly. “Before that, I suggest you check our stores. You might find something that would fit you.”

”Perfect” you say with a grin. “I will let you know for later.”

”Alright” she says. “Before you go, I’ll need the beads. I need to synchronize them with the suit” she extends her hand and hurries you.

”Okay. Okay” you take the beads off and hand them. “I’ll see you later.” She waves you off playfully and your eyes roll, walking out of the lab.

You tried not to show it, but the thought that someone as fierce and gorgeous as Nakia was once T’Challa’s love interest had you feeling insecure. She was a Wakandan, she was one of them, she is brave and flawless, surely there were people who would want to see T’Challa with her rather than you. You were an outsider and they didn’t really had much trust on you just yet. There were a couple that after the final battle gave in and accepted you, but you were sure others were not convinced. T’Challa and Nakia didn’t show any sign around you of still having that sort of chemistry. They gave you the vibe of very good friends since childhood and who would do anything for the other. Then again, Shuri was right, T’Challa wouldn’t ask you to be his wife if he wasn’t sure, but you couldn’t help the strange feeling…

”My queen” without realizing it you were inside of T’Challa’s private office, not the one he held for meeting with the tribes. “You are thinking” he points out and you eye him questioningly. How did he knew? As if reading your thoughts, he replied, “Let go of your cheek” he chuckles and points at you and you do so quickly. He pushes his chair away from the desk and reaches a hand out to you. You make your way over and he takes your hand and kisses the back of it.

”Sorry” you say and smile at him. He reciprocates the same, a soft one followed by a soft gaze. “Just thinking of the wedding” you lie.

”While you were making your way to me, Shuri called” he says and you knew he caught you. “She told you about Nakia…”

”Maybe” you say as you lean against the table. “But it’s okay really. I mean, I couldn’t really expect you have been single for so long. You are handsome, you are a good man, you are amazing, of course you had a girlfriend before and of course it was from Wakanda. I just tho-”

”Y/N” he calls out to stop you from your rant and you do, biting your lip. “You are worrying about something that no longer matters to me. It is you who I want” he says and stands up before you. “I think I have made that clear, have I not?” He asks as he holds your chin with his index and thumb finger.

”Yeah…” your cheeks heat for a second.

”Then what worries you? There must be something more…”

You sigh and explain, “She is prettier, she is an insider and she is brave…I just feel like I can’t live up to her level. I am sure there are people who would rather see her as queen instead of an outsider like me who just came in. She probably set expectations I can’t surpass…”

”Being queen of Wakanda is not all about expectations” he says. “It’s about who the King wants by their side, to rule and protect the Nation” he says. “Nobody wants you to exceed her, don’t ever think of such thing. You two are different but the same in being brave and beauty” he says and holds you by your waist. “You are the one that I want as my Queen, not her” his lips brushes your cheek and your eyes flutter. One simple action and you were convinced.

”If you say so” you say and he pulls away.

”It is only the truth” his hold on you tightens and he pulls you flush against him making you gasp and smile. “Do I need to prove so again?” He kisses your neck, a soft peck and you smirk.

”Perhaps later” you say and he chuckles and pulls away.

”You know, besides everything I said…The people are not really the ones who need to approve of my marriage with anyone” he explains as he sits back on his chair.

”I’m listening” you say and sit on top of his desk in front of him.

”As part of the ritual of becoming King and the Black Panther, my soul was transported to the celestial plane where I came face to face with Baba, but also the Panther God” he starts. “The Panther God will favor or unfavor the person the King chooses. You, as my bride and bearer of future generations have to go through such ritual” he says and takes your hands in his, intertwining them.

”What if the Panther God unfavors me? Will it mean we can’t-”

”No…Worst case scenario the Panther will consume your soul, but it is quite unlikely” he explains, your eyes widen. “Does it scare you?”

”Of course…not” it scared you a little, and he knows it but does not go further.

”The ritual is a central tenet of the panther cult. Is what has kept us strong over the centuries” he says. “Do you accept it?”

”Yes” you say with a nod.

”Good” he stands up again and places a loving kiss on your lips before pulling away, too quick for your liking.

”So about the dress…” you say. “Shuri suggested she could do me another suit that is more wedding like I presume. I know you will wear yours but do I have to do so as well? I don’t mind really, I just want to know so I can let your sister know.”

”You can wear what you please” he assures you. “Doesn’t have to be the suit, we just do it because it honors Bast and its part of our culture. You can wear your white dress, your suit, surprise me” he encourages with a smirk.

”Shuri suggested to check the stores from around here, if not we’d go out and see” you let him know.

”Sounds convincing” he says and smiles. “Now, as for invitations, would you like all the Avengers to join us?”

”Yes. Definitely” you admit. “They took me under their wings when they found me, I can’t leave any of them. Specially not Tony who has taken such good care of me.”

”I will be surprised if him and Steve stay when they see each other after the events…”

”I hope they do” you say. “It would suck if they decide they can’t be in the same place” you frown.

”I will let them know” T’Challa says as he leans back on the chair. “Is there anything else we need to cover? Oh, the cake we should go to a close store where they make delicious desserts. I am certain you will like it.”

”As you like” you say with a smile and he leans forward, hands resting on the side of your thighs, giving them a soft squeeze so you moved forward to press a soft kiss to his lips.

The morning of the wedding had come too fast, and you weren’t complaining. It might seem rushed even if two years have gone by, but there wasn’t much to plan since it was not a traditional wedding. Reception and the wedding were almost the same as instead of saying I Do’s it was more of the Panther God to accept you as T’Challa’s bride and queen of Wakanda. When he had first asked, you weren’t nervous, but now you definitely were. What if the God did not agree? Would he really take your soul? What other consequences were there?

You shift on the bed and look at your future husband, his beautiful dark skin that glows softly with the sunrise, his beard and the way his chest heaved slowly as he rested. Your eyes fell on his lips, the lips you couldn’t get enough of and that made you feel shivers through your body every time they were close to your skin. His lips curl up in a soft smile and you smirk, knowing he is wide awake, his eyes opening softly to look at you.

”You are staring” he says in his sleepy tone and closes his eyes again.

”Just admiring and wondering” you say and move to snuggle to his side.

”Wondering?” He asks, his sleepy voice was so compelling…

”About us, about the wedding…”

”You mean you are worrying” he says and shifts on the bed so he is resting on his side facing you. “If it is because of the ritual…”

”Partly” you admit. “But it is not what I mean” a pause. “I just…I don’t think there is a less cheesy way to say it, but I am just wondering what did I do that made you want me” you explain.

”At this point in our lives, you are wondering this now?” He questions and your smirk. “You were inexperienced when we met, barely getting the hold of your powers, but I could see you wanted to learn fast to protect people. Since we met, I have heard your intentions and how you just want to do what it is right. That enough is a reason to know that you would be a great partner. Besides that, you have a personality that not many people have, and you are beautiful” those last words are followed by his hand pushing your hair behind your ear before kissing your lips. “You have nothing to worry about today” he assures you and you smile.

”Okay” its all you reply as you look at him. His hand is moving soothingly up and down your side as your eyes look into each other.

”Do not worry” he repeats and pecks your lips. “I’ll go ready the breakfast. Afterwards I’ll move my things to the office so you can have the room for yourself to get ready.” Another peck on your lips before he stands up from the bed.

In just a matter of hours you are getting ready for the big moment. Your hair and makeup are done, and honestly, you look stunning. You take yourself in as you look in the mirror. The wedding dress you chose was not poofy or big like in princess movies. It was tight to your body, a V cut that did not reveal much even if it was corset like,the dress went all the way down, ripped open after half of your right thigh revealing your leg. It was white mostly, but it had black with some small details in Y/F/C. For yourself, this was the best that you looked, and you hoped that T’Challa would like it. There is a knock on the door and you turn slightly and away from the mirror.

”Come in.”

Shuri and Nakia walk in and as they do, they stop half way with wide eyes and a bright smile on their face. “Y/N you look amazing!” Shuri beams as she goes forward and circles around you. “I told you you would find something great in our stores” she says happily.

”I second her” Nakia says as she approaches you. “You look amazing” her hand reaches for yours and you twirl with a small giggle.

”Thank you, girls” you say with a grin.

”Are you nervous? It’s almost time and everyone is out there” Shuri says. “I bet you aren’t, but my brother…I’ll have it all recorded when he freezes and doesn’t move until you hit him or something because I’m sure he will be speechless when he sees you like this” she says and you giggle.

”I hope he likes it…” you say as you take another quick glance of yourself in the mirror.

”I’m sure he will” Nakia says and gives your shoulder an assuring squeeze.

”Well, let’s go!” Shuri beams and takes your hand, leading you out of the room.

As you get closer, you can hear all the guests talking and when Nakia speaks, everyone goes silent and you take it as your cue to come out of the corner you were in. Everyone turns to look at you, but your eyes land on the man in the black suit at the end. He had removed the face item to look at you and you see his expression. His eyes were wide but full of fondness, his lips agape as he looked at you making you blush right there and then as you approached him. Ramonda was hosting the ceremony, and she was smiling at you and looking at her son.

”Hi” T’Challa says with a breath as you stand in front of him after he helped you up the stairs.

”Hey” you say and smile brightly at him.

He takes both of your hands and brings then up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss on them, “Nervous?”

”Never” you say and he chuckles before you both turn to Ramonda.

After a few words, Ramonda speaks again, “You stand in the judgement of the Panther God. We will see what he has to say” she says and you can only see darkness before you pop in a place. The place was mostly shades of white, black and brown. T’Challa is by your side and behind him you can see other creatures, like the Ape God that you guessed was the God of the Jabari tribe.

”Don’t panic…He is right behind you” T’Challa says and your eyes widen before turning around quickly. You guessed the colors of the place were like this because of the celestial plane, or you got it all wrong because the Panther was white…and apparently could talk or it was all part of the ritual. It was also enormous, not the average size of a Panther for sure.

”T’Challa” the Panther started, “who is this you bring before me?”

”My bride…” T’Challa says, taking your hand and giving it a squeeze.

”Bride? A mortal the bride of a Panther?” The Panther questions and you start getting nervous.

”She is more than a mortal. Even so, she is just as brave and powerful as we are. She has no fear in risking her life to do what it is right, she did so recently, which I’m sure you had seen…” T’Challa says and you eye the Panther.

”Step aside. I’ll judge what she really is” the Panther God says and T’Challa let’s go of you, his head nodding your way in a way to assure you it would be alright. As he does, you stay still and instantly the Panther lets out a roar straight to your face making you flinch and close your eyes. He could eat you from one bite, that was for sure, and it didn’t had a bad breath like an actual animal. It was more of a scent that you instantly matched with peace and spiritual… After the roar, he sniffed you and you peeked through an eye to find him sitting down before he licked you from head to toe with its massive tongue. You just stay there frozen, not daring to move except when he just remains still, so you dare to open both eyes. “I have made my judgement” there is a pause and T’Challa reaches slowly for your hand to pull you close to him. “Welcome, Y/N” the Panther God says and it’s all you see and hear before it takes you back to your body.

”Wooow” you stumbled back a few steps and T’Challa is quick to catch you.

”Easy, my love” he says as you hold your head.

”Is everything okay?” Ramonda asks, concern in her voice.

”Yeah…” you say as you regain your posture. “That was awesome” you say and T’Challa chuckles and kisses your temple before letting go of you.

Ramonda smiles at both of you and takes your hand and T’Challa’s, “The Panther God has blessed this couple. Pity anyone who stands in the path of their happiness. Now, let’s celebrate!” Everyone cheers around you.

T’Challa turns to you, his mask fading as he does. “I told you there was nothing to worry about.”

”Saying it and actually happening its two different things” you say with a smile and he pulls you close to him by your hands and kisses you. His hands go around your frame as yours go around his neck, pulling yourself close to him.

”Congratulations” Steve says as he approaches you and you smile. He returns it and you hug him, his arms going around your body and giving you a loving hug. He then turns to T’Challa after letting go of you, “I know you will watch for her, so I don’t have to say anything to you” he says. “Unfortunately, there is a matter we need to discuss. Something that happened a few hours ago.”

”We are listening” T’Challa says, holding your hand.

”Can we discuss this in your office? It’s delicate for other people to hear.”

You wanted to tell him to leave it for later, you just got married and he was already acting suspicious? Whatecmver ut was, it screamed trouble. “Steve, what is going on?” You ask and Nat shakes her head slowly.

T’Challa only sighs under his breath before he starts leading the way to his office. As you both walk hand in hand, he gives your hand a squeeze and you look up at him and smile, which he returns as he looks at you fondly. “What is it so important to discuss on this very moment, Captain?” T’Challa calls as he closes the door to his office, Natasha inside as well.

”We have reports that Thanos is collecting the Infinity Stones for his call. We are not sure which or how many he has gathered, but we do know he is destroying everything on his path to get them” Steve explains. “As you know, Vision has on his possession the Mind Stone which is what gives him life, we are afraid he might be attacked because of the Stone…”

”We would like to request permission to bring him to your nation” Natasha steps in. “It would be easier with your resources to protect him until we find a way to save him.”

”Maybe Shuri can do something for him live without the stone?” You ask as you look at your now husband. “I’m sure there is a way…”

T’Challa looks at you and nods his head softly, then turns to the Nomads, “Wakanda has opened its walls and resources to those in need. Vision is more than welcomed to stay with us and I’m sure my sister will find a way around about the stone” he says.

”How did you found out Thanos is coming?” You asked.

”Banner was found in a building in New York that belongs to Doctor Stephen Strange, a sorcerer. He has been away for quite some years and was found after he crashed into the place, apparently from space. He mentioned something to Tony, about someone getting the infinity stone. Tony was the one who put me up to date with the situation.”

”Is that why Tony didn’t come? He is finding a way to stop Thanos?” One of the most important people in your life, and he doesn’t come to your important, special event.

”I am sure he would have wanted to come, but he…you know how he gets. Besides, he is also getting intel from other people and setting a team.”

”Do we know how much time we have left?”

”Not really. We only know he has the Space and Reality stone. We guess it’d be a matter of time until he starts the search for the others” Natasha says.

T’Challa remains silent and you knew he was thinking all the possible outcomes from this.

”You can take the Quinjet and bring Vision and Wanda…” he says. “Is there anyone else that knows about the situation?”

”Only another few…” Steve says. “My King and Queen” Steve pauses. “I would like to warn that this could mean war. For what we know we are dealing with quite a powerful Titan.”

”Bringing Vision here could mean that Thanos may come here for the stone and bring war…”

T’Challa is silent and you look at him. He knows that it could mean war, but he probably didn’t expect that after opening Wakanda to the world would mean the war would come this quick. Wakanda has been a peaceful place for generations and now that was about to end, but T’Challa could not deny the help to a fellow Avenger who he trusts. “Then I guess we will have to be ready. We have no time to waste. Take the Quinjet and bring Vision to us.”

”Thank you” Steve and Nat bow slightly. “And sorry for ruining this wonderful moment, your wedding, but it was a matter that we couldn’t hold for too long.”

”It’s okay. We understand” you say and give them a smile which they return.

”Our apologies, and thank you again” Natasha says before they leave the office.

You let out a sigh and turn to your husband who reaches for your hand, “So there goes our getaway?”

”There goes our getaway” you assure him. “Holding it off a few days won’t hurt us right?”

”I wouldn’t know how to answer to that now…” T’Challa admits.

”We can make it up later. Right now we need to stay here and start planning how we will secure the city” you say firmly.

”We need to talk with Shuri…”

”Yes” a pause. “I wish they would’ve told us about what was going on before time instead of not coming to the wedding without saying anything…”

”I’m sure their reasons are understandable. They didn’t want to dull this moment or have it postponed because of this…” T’Challa assures you.

”Yeah…” you say and shrug slightly.

”Let’s enjoy the rest of our wedding” he says as he pulls you to him with a bright smile. “Have some fun” he kisses your cheek, “and then we can think of what we will do. Today is our day, my Queen.”

A giggle leaves your lips and you nod your head, yet you know you won’t be able to focus on other tasks knowing a war may come soon. “Alright.”

”And for tomorrow…Are you ready for your first announcement as Queen of Wakanda?”

”What?”

”When we take a decision tomorrow, I want you to speak to our people about them. I want you to accept your new role with them.”

You are lost for words for a moment, but you nod your head. “I will…” you agree and he smiles, pecks your lips and starts leading you out of the office and outside to the party.

It has not even been an hour since you became Queen of Wakanda and you were already in the role of taking decisions for the nation and its people, as well as taking the role faster than expected since you’d have to give the announcement of what you and the King decided. Furthermore, it wouldn’t be long until a war broke in Wakanda if Vision was brought here and Thanos found out. It wouldn’t take long for him to find the location and sent everything he has to attack the city to get what he wants, so whatever decision you took must be thought and consulted over and over again. You already knew you had to set a meeting with Okoye and the tribe leaders and their seconds in command to take the right decision. That was the first step you wanted to take tomorrow morning as the new queen of Wakanda.

[aphrodaisyacs]

Chapter Summary:

Bruce is racing towards the med bay, equal parts hope and dread pulsing through his mind. By the time he sees the familiar large figure hunched next to a bed, his chest feels ready to burst.

When Thor spots him, Bruce finds himself engulfed in a hug which he’s sure will bruise his ribs, but he can’t find it in himself to care because Thor is alive.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Category: Gen Fandom: The Avengers (Marvel Movies) Characters: Loki (Marvel), Thor (Marvel), Heimdall (Marvel), Wanda Maximoff, Bruce Banner, Thanos (Marvel), Stephen Strange, Tony Stark, James "Bucky" Barnes, Guardians of the Galaxy Team, Steve Rogers, T'Challa (Marvel), Peter Parker Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Fix-It, Shitstorm with a Happy Ending, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, POV Multiple, Loss of Limbs, Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 (Movie) Spoilers, Canon-Typical Violence

Chapter 2 is here! 

Here’s part 1

If you prefer reading on tumblr, the full chapter is below:

Warning: Non-Canon Limb Loss

Bruce’s heart is pounding so loudly that on any other day, he would’ve thought it to be the Other Guy trying to punch his way out of his current body. But for some reason, on the one occasion where having the Other Guy in control would actually be preferred, that stupid green asshole decides not to appear.

What a dick.

Rhodey was the one to greet him when he stepped back into the Avengers Headquarters for the first time in three years. It is mind-boggling how much technology had advanced in that span of time‒ it felt like he had just blinked and suddenly there’s now there’s live, holographic, 3D projections replacing Facetime calls. But the first thing he had noticed upon returning was the contraption caging Rhodey’s legs.

It’s been a long three years, Rhodey had answered with a wry smile when Bruce asked about it. Then the other man dropped the bombshell that Thor is here too, he arrived with some blue guy who seemed to be in pretty bad shape, before he left Bruce alone for an important call.

Bruce is racing towards the med bay, equal parts hope and dread pulsing through his mind. By the time he sees the familiar large figure hunched next to a bed, his chest feels ready to burst.

Thor spots him, Bruce finds himself engulfed in a hug which he’s sure will bruise his ribs, but he can’t find it in himself to care because Thor is alive.

Even after the hug finally ends, Thor’s hand still lingers on Bruce’s shoulder, as if Bruce will disappear once they stop touching. Bruce can hardly blame him for it. He too, believed that his close friend had died.

When Bruce gets a good look at the blue-skinned figure lying on the bed, he frowns. He studies the other man, trying to place his features with the Asgardians and other aliens who’d also been on the ship. There are patterned ridges on his forehead, cheeks and chin. He has messy black hair, an angular face, sharp cheekbones…

Bruce blinks.

“Is that… Loki?”

It is fascinating how different yet similar Loki looks compared to his normal appearance. Bruce stops at the foot of the bed, even as his morbid curiosity urges him to have a closer look.

“Why is he blue? Is he‒ do you also…?” He waves a hand around his face.

“What? No,” Thor laughs. “He’s adopted, remember?”

They fall into a companionable silence, but the joy in the mood dissipates. It leaves the two of them a grim reminder of what they’ve already lost, and what they’ll lose if they don’t take action soon.

Thor’s got the Tesseract. He tells Bruce that he plans on using it to get to some place called Nidavellir, where he seems certain he will acquire a Thanos-killing weapon. Bruce is sceptical, of course, because going there won’t stop Thanos from chasing after the Space Stone. Something more permanent would be better‒ something like destroying it. Thor seems to think it’s possible, and he merely adds “Infinity Stone-destroying” to the list of features for his future weapon. Bruce has no idea how Thor is so certain that he’ll be able to just show up on some faraway planet and get the perfect weapon forged for him on the spot, but he’s learnt not to question such things when it comes to the God of Thunder.

Loki chooses that moment to wake up, as if he has a sixth sense for detecting his brother’s questionable plans.

“Ugh, please tell me this is a nightmare,” Loki grumbles, sounding more like a disgruntled cat than someone who had a foot on death’s doorstep not even half an hour ago. He blinks blearily at Thor’s overjoyed “Loki!” and Bruce is slightly taken aback at the blood red eyes.

“Remember what happened last time we tried to destroy an Infinity Stone?” Loki glares at Thor.

“It’ll be different this time! We have experience now!” Thor insists.

Loki winces, then glares at his blue hand.

“Well I can’t even shift back, so whatever you’ve got planned probably won’t work.”

Thor waves a hand dismissively.

“Oh no, it’ll work fine, because you’re staying here to recover. And help the Avengers, of course.”

Bruce feels his eyebrows shoot up at the boldness of the declaration. He doesn’t know how much Rhodey knows about Loki’s situation (probably not at all, if Bruce had to guess). He has even less of an idea of how the other Avengers would react to Loki, though as a former enemy it is doubtful he’ll get much of a warm welcome. He’ll definitely have a rough time around the others without Thor as a buffer.

“What,” Loki says, voice completely flat.

“Yeah! Banner’s going to be staying with you.”

Bruce gapes.

“I am?”

“He is?”

“Yeah,” Thor says. “Look, all I need to do is go to Nidavellir, get the weapon made, destroy the Space Stone, then kill Thanos. It shouldn’t be too hard.”

It shouldn’t be too hard, Loki mouths disbelievingly at Bruce. Bruce can only shrug helplessly.

“There’s two more stones on Earth‒” Thor continues.

“One,” Bruce interrupts.

“One?!”

Bruce clears his throat.

“Yeah, Fish Face took the wizard, Tony and some kid back to space with him.”

“Oh. Well.” Thor seems to quickly get over it though. “Help the others protect Vision. He’s sending that army after the Mind Stone, remember?”

“Yes, yes,” Loki says, rolling his eyes. “I lost my magic, not my brain cells. Look, if you don’t come back alive, I’ll personally go and kill you myself.”

Thor grins, and salutes them with the Tesseract.

“Deal.”

Knowhere is just as much as a shithole as it was the last time Gamora was there, swarming with beings who seem completely oblivious to the imminent threat of Thanos. The only one who seems to be aware of anything happening in the wider galaxy is the Collector, but he is extremely reluctant to part with the Reality Stone.

“Now I can’t just give it to you, because that will be bad business,” he insists.

“Yeah we got this limited offer, called ‘Thanos will come after us instead and leave your ass alone’. You can take it or leave it,” Rocket says, sounding like he’s seconds away from snatching the glass cylinder, consequences be damned.

The Collector purses his lips and frowns at the swirling red mass. Then, he turns to Heimdall.

“Where is he now?”

Heimdall’s eyes suddenly flash a startlingly bright orange, causing several of the Guardians to react with audible surprise and awe. A few moments later his eyes fade back to their usual gold.

“He’ll arrive at Knowhere within a few minutes.”

The Collector tsks.

“And how many does he have already?”

“Just the Power Stone.”

The Elder blows out a breath and clasps his hands together.

“Alright. I have a plan.”

Here’s what worked:

Thanos is greeted by the sight of the Guardians coiled in defense.

He doesn’t believe what he sees.

He unleashes a wave of energy from the Power Stone.

It wipes out the Collector’s Reality Stone-induced illusion through sheer force.

The “Guardians” are revealed to be black hole grenades.

The blast from the Power Stone triggers them.

Thanos is forced to wield the Power Stone by blasting back enough concentrated energy it becomes a shield against the black holes.

He’s distracted.

Here’s what went wrong:

They aren’t fast enough.

They jump out of their hiding places, but they don’t attack him quickly enough.

Gamora’s blade barely nicks him in the neck.

He doesn’t lose control over the Power Stone.

He doesn’t get swallowed by the black holes.

Instead, he perseveres.

The backlash tears the entire museum apart. Gamora’s ears are ringing and she feels her movements crushed thoroughly under the weight of metal and concrete. She’s barely able to turn her head and she tries to ignore the way the dust still settling is suffocating the small pocket of air she’s encased in. She spits out the taste of smoke and attempts to get her bearings.

There’s a small gap to her right. Good. Even if she ends up trapped here for hours, she’ll still be able to breathe. It also doubles as a small window to the world outside. Her vision is already blurring and on top of the haze of smoke and dust, she can barely make out the looming figure of Thanos in the far distance. He is towering over someone she can’t see, and his lips are twisted into that familiar half-pitying smile fuelled by pure condescension.

She hates it.

She hates him so much.

It’s enough to renew her efforts in squirming her way out of her heavy prison, and while she’s able to move her left arm a little now, her right arm still won’t obey her.

She catches a glimpse of red in the corner of her vision.

No.

Giant purple hands gently mould the glowing red mass until it slowly solidifies into a red stone pinched between his fingers.

The air shifts the moment he slips the Reality Stone into his gauntlet.

Gamora quietly draws in a shuddering breath. She’s next. He’s going to dig through the debris for her, because he’ll want the Soul Stone next.

And she can’t even move.

But Thanos suddenly stops. He crouches down, disappearing from the view of her narrow window. When he straightens again, he cradling whatever it was that had caught his attention. For some reason he seems to find it horrifying, the long tubular thing‒ it’s an arm, with a familiar-looking switchblade still loosely caged in green fingers.

Gamora’s heart stops.

That’s her arm.

That’s her fucking arm.

She couldn’t move her right arm because she didn’t have a right arm to move.

It’s as if the sight of her missing arm had drained the adrenaline from her veins, because the entire right side of her body is suddenly swallowed by white hot pain. Her vision dissolves into static, and she can barely make out the blurry, shrinking figure of Thanos before she passes out.

When Steve walks into the Avengers Headquarters, he expects to see Bruce, but what he doesn’t expect to see is a ragged-looking blue man with a glaive, trailing two steps behind the doctor.

“And you are?” Steve asks, trying to mask his bemusement.

“I am here to help,” the blue man replies simply. Then he flashes Steve a smile which sets off several alarms in his head. He’s seen this face before, he’s sure of it. But where would he have met a blue alien?

Steve turns to Bruce, who looks back nervously.

Huh.

“So,” Bruce begins, interrupting the silence before it becomes awkward. “Some of you have already met him before, but… a lot has happened and things have changed.” He inhales before continuing. “Loki’s on our side now and Thanos‒ he’s the one who sent Loki to attack New York. And we need all the help we can get against Thanos.”

Oh.

Steve gives the blue man (Loki) a more thorough once-over. The images of the Loki from his memory begin to bleed into the reality of the one standing in front of him‒ the shape of his features, the hair, his height, the way his fingers rest on the handle of the glaive (just like the sceptre), that voice…

But what Steve also notices is that Loki looks like he’s trying to remain nonchalant at being skewered by everyone’s stares, which range from disbelieving to judgemental. His face is impassive, but his head is slightly bowed and he isn’t meeting anyone’s eyes. It’s almost as if he’s steeling himself for rejection.

“Wait, Loki? As in tried-to-invade-New-York Loki?” Sam says in disbelief.

“Oh my god.” Rhodey gapes. “That’s who Thor brought back? I thought it was some new alien buddy.”

Steve also hears Wanda and Vision beginning to murmur behind him, and he decides enough is enough.

“Alright.” His voice cuts through the room and everyone falls silent. His eyes meet Loki’s disbelieving red ones. “What do you have for us?”

When they manage to settle down to talk, Steve finally gets a better sense of what the alien woman from earlier had been raving on about. According to Bruce and Loki, Vision’s stone is one of the Infinity Stones that Thanos is after, and the Mad Titan intends to send the largest army in the universe to Earth to get it.

It is a strange sight, seeing the two of them working together like this. Hell, the last time Steve had even heard about Loki, Thor had told the Avengers that his brother “died a hero’s death”, while pleading with his red-rimmed eyes for them not to rejoice in his death. Meanwhile, Bruce’s extended absence and radio (and satellite‒ Tony had checked) silence had led them to fear the worst for him. But it turns out the reason why they aren’t currently at each other’s throats is because they (along with Thor, who’d apparently checked in at the HQ then immediately left for another planet) had gone on a hectic space adventure which involved teaming up and saving an entire realm from an apocalypse. And now they’re here because they’re trying to prevent another apocalypse, this time with the universe at stake.

Eventually everyone agrees to separate Vision from the stone so Wanda can destroy it. The only way to do so is in Wakanda, so they all board the Quinjet.

After Steve tells Sam and Natasha the coordinates, he leaves the cockpit and goes looking for Loki. In the common area, Bruce and Rhodey are deep in conversation and Wanda and Vision are silently huddled together, but there’s no sign of Loki. Just as he turns to go to the rooms, he nearly walks into someone.

“Looking for me, Captain?” Loki asks, looking almost amused.

Steve pauses. He’s decided to trust Bruce and Thor’s judgement, and from what he’s seen so far Loki seems to genuinely want to help. A small voice at the back of his head (which sounds suspiciously like Natasha’s) tells him that Loki might betray them later, but Steve quickly shelves it away. As Bruce had said, they need all the help they can get. Instead, he focuses on how Loki subconsciously runs his fingers over the patterned blue skin on the back of his hands and the way his jaw tightens, as if he’s uncomfortable with the way it feels. As if he’s trapped in a form he isn’t used to.

“Are you alright?” Steve finally settles on. Loki looks at Steve as if he’s sprouted another head.

“Truly a man of righteousness, aren’t you.” Loki’s smile feels vaguely mocking, but Steve can also detect the underlying weariness. “Inquiring after my wellbeing. Aren’t you going to threaten me? Ask if I’m up to another one of my tricks, if I’m going to stab you in the back?”

Steve politely responds with a wry smile of his own.

“Are you?”

Loki holds his gaze for a moment longer, then scoffs.

“No.” The corners of his mouth twitch upwards. “But only because that would be too predictable.”

Steve only raises his eyebrows, amused in spite of himself.

“So why did you want to talk to me?” Loki asks, cocking his head curiously.

Steve sighs.

“I’m not going to forget what you did in New York. I don’t think any of the others will either. But whatever you do from this moment on is more important than what you did back then.”

“So, what?” Loki’s laugh is short and hollow. “Have I earned the good Captain’s forgiveness already?”

“This isn’t about forgiveness.” Steve crosses his arms. “It’s about second chances.”

“And you believe someone like me deserves a second chance?”

“No.” Steve doesn’t miss the hurt that flashes through Loki’s blood red eyes. “Because it’s not up to me to decide who deserves that. It’s not up to anybody. This second chance is just something you have. You’ve already used it to save Asgard. You’ve also used it to keep the Space Stone away from Thanos. I’m sure you can think of using it for other things in the future.”

Loki looks away, and Steve can practically hear the gears grinding in his head.

“I see.” Loki’s voice is quiet, thoughtful. “Well, I suppose I’ll look forward to working with you, Captain.”

part 3

[praphit]

BP: When I think of his blackness and what he's done for me

Black Panther, baby!

I’ve been waiting for this movie for a long time! I remember the day I first saw the trailer for this movie, I was like Denzel with the one tear drop

 -          frickin beautiful. I’ve been saying that “Black Panther” is for black people what “Wonder Woman” was for women in 2017. I can remember back when WW first came out last year, I was at the coffee shop down the street, feeding my addiction. There was a girl behind the counter – I asked her for my usual.

 She replied “What so I’m just supposed to know what that is?” Praphit: “Well, I come here often, so…” Irritated Girl: “Wha, wha, what that mean? You just assume I’ve paid attention to you? Matter of fact, you just assuuuumed I’d get you some coffee this morning.” Praphit: “But, don’t you work here?” Empowered Girl who is starting to scare the Praphit: “What because I’m a woman I must be a servant huh?? Just another woman getting some man whatever he wants… that’s all I am to you?” Praphit: “…  huh” Girl who must have believed she was Wonder Woman herself: “ Did you just call me a bitch?!” Praphit: “What? No!” An angry, scary version a WW: “But I bet you thought it!”

Then, she gave me the finger, mooned me(that's right, MOONED me! - who even does that anymore??)… and then walked out. Then, came The Harvey Weinstein Storm, men scared everywhere by #MeToo, and Louis CK hiding out… possibly wherever Kevin Spacey has been hiding out. I never did see her again... I also never got my coffee.

I hope she's ok and found another job. I know Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) is her hero, but... it's not like she's gonna feed all of the inspired jobless ladies out there. Anyway, as strange as that encounter was, I get it! Empowerment will do that to a person; it feels righteous! Now, Black Panther, baby! Black people… we’re going to have a hashtag too. Maybe #bleepwhitey… that may be a lil strong, but something! It’s coming! This movie is a big deal! - so big of a deal that white executives in Hollywood were planted in critic circles in pre-screenings to stir up bad reviews.

The white people running Hollywood were like “We’ve gotta knock this movie down a few pegs before we have another ‘storm’ on our hands! Women are already rising up…. Black people rose up recently with #OscarsSoWhite, we can’t have it happen again. What’s next??! Who's gonna rise up next??! Asians?! Latinos?! Little People?! We can’t have this?!” There’s already a belief out there that you can’t have a worldwide blockbuster with the main character being black. So, how is this movie REALLY?? That’s why your Praphit is here for you:) “Black Panther” starts out right after “Civil War” (currently my fav comic book movie:) What I appreciate about Marvel movies is how well they are written; not just individually, but how they all come together. Of course (spoiler alert from “Civil War”) the king of Wakanda is dead, and now his son T’Challa (Black Panther) is heir to take over! Black Panther as we know is played by Chadwick Boseman. I love him as Black Panther!

 Some may say he’s not aggressive enough to be king/BP, but I think someone who’s always calm, even when they’re angry is scarier than someone who wears their emotions on their sleeves. One second, you think everything is cool, and the next you’re on your back, hurting, with Chadwick Boseman smiling at you. Wakanda is beautiful! I like what Marvel did here. Marvel is really good at creating worlds that look and feel real. I'm willing to bet that some believe Wakanda is real... probably our president.

 I'm telling you,there's a speech coming up when Trump will say something like

 " We've got to make America great in tech again. I had Mike Pence go to the movie theatre to watch this documentary called "Black Panther", I had him leave quickly in protest (there were too many black and brown people there - I only bring it up because many of them were illegals..), but we had others stay and report back to me. Wakanda, this terrorist country... possibly where Barack Obama is really from; we don't know... we don't know...  but, they turned their shithole of a country into an empire with this amazing metal called "Vibranium" (Idk if you've ever heard of it, because it's AMAZING). I'm telling you, we're going to get ahold of even more Vibranium than those savages and use it to make America #1 in tech again." - you tell me I couldn't write for the prez:) Many have described Wakanda as Zamunda (another fictional nation in Africa from “Coming to America”) in the future. I think those people have it right.

 If Eddie Murphy took Zamunda 100 years into the future, and stole all of Apple’s tech (imagine how scary Apple will be in 100 years), and then came back to the present… and used this tech to create… idk… a super tech “Eddie Land”, it’d be Wakanda. They are also the leading source of Vibranium (strongest medal around this comic book universe). The plot is layered, but they make it work. I was surprised that a product of Disney would go into such deep waters. Race is of course dealt with – not only in the movie, but simply by this movie’s existence. I can remember when I was younger, the only comic book characters to dress up as or play make believe as were Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and The X-Men. But, no black characters. I mean… I could have dressed up like Storm for Halloween, but…

or it might have looked more like this -

- maybe rock a... mankini silver top, and some dark purple eye shadow and lip stick... so there was that I guess. Picture me as a little boy dressed up like that - I'd make it work. Let’s move on:) I also love how these characters are portrayed – there are lots of different cultures of black people, but all the differences in appearance and worldviews are highlighted as positives in this movie. It truly is (on a comic book movie scale of course) a celebration of black people from different walks of life. There are no dummies or potheads or gangsters – but black people are all represented as strong, smart, and capable in this movie; even the villains! Michael B Jordan!

I probably liked him more than Black Panther. His character is smart, calculated, complex and easy to sympathize with, even though he’s the main villain. As far as portraying strong women – I think “Black Panther” does it even better than “Wonder Woman” did. Again, showing the strength of different types of women. Danai Gurira (whom I’m in love with by the way… just sayin’… if somehow you’re reading this… you can find me in Bmore:)

 She has a scene in the beginning of the movie that displays courage, strength, command, and yet also warmth and beauty. It's hard to keep a strong willed woman character balanced in a story without it going in a wrong direction, or without her becoming "one note" (idk if y'all know what I mean), but the writing and Gurira's performance are perfect with this; as well as the other female characters - I'd love to see a movie with them as the stars. They also tackle colonialism, mainly through Martin Freeman.

This motha bleeper right here stole Samuel L Jackson’s part. Where the hell is Sam L?!

How you gonna have the blackest movie of the year without Sam L?!

 Anyway, Martin Freeman does a good job, but I couldn’t watch him without getting mad. Whitey! - you just couldn’t let us have one movie to ourselves could you??! This movie even tackles politics, generational black community issues, African traditions, and culture wars in the black community (again through the filter of a comic book movie, but still). A lot of this movie is about what type of king T’Challa wants to be, what type of king his people want/need, and how (or if) a nation should use its strengths to help one other nations. Marvelous (no pun intended) how they blended all of these things together. Can I talk about the sexiness??! -cuz whew! My future wife

(I also love how her character (Okoye) is so confident and committed to what she believes. She should be running Wakanda to tell you the truth)

My other future wife

(Lupita Nyong'o here as Nakia has her arm wrapped up with T'Challa here... and I don't like the way she's gazing into his eyes, but I believe I've still got a shot. That dress made me fall out my chair.)

 And many more – tons of sexiness in this movie, but not in an exploitive manner. It’s not just the looks, but the character, the ideals, the strength, the honor that adds to everyone’s sexiness.

 And it’s the men too! Even I’ve got to admit that Michael B Jordan looks damned good.

Though I couldn't find a good picture of him... you need context for what's going on with his torso (besides being jacked)... his hair messed up, and he looks like he has marbles in his mouth right now. Let me try again (not that he doesn't make that work).

There he is - with a lil nip slip action.

He's one of those men where when he walks in and steals your girlfriend or wife, you say to yourself "I understand." Shiiii, you get some drinks in you, and YOU might be leaving with him. Ladies, forget “Fifty Shades of Bullshit”, you’ve got all of the sexiness you need in this movie right here. So, you say “John Praphit, is there anything bad about this movie?” NO! Quit looking to downgrade black movies you racists! :) Nothing “bad”, but I did have a few issues. This IS a comic book movie after all, and despite the commendation I’d give this movie for veering off the typical Marvel scripted formula, I would have liked a lil more action. The action was good, but not great. Also, I would have loved more of Michael B Jordan. His character is so good! Mikey B does an excellent job making us feel  - whether it’s sympathy, hatred, or disgust in his way of thinking; he makes it happen. I would have loved to see more of his interaction with the people of Wakanda. The ending felt rushed. Not only with characters jumping from loving one another to wanting to kill one another (and vice versa), but also in CG. It’s like they didn’t have enough in the budget to crank up the last fight scene… that money probably went to Martin Freeman

 .. you rat bastard. I'm sorry. He was good, but still #wherethehellisSamL? Besides, all of that I loved this movie! Very entertaining! It was funny. It has a lot of good talking points in it. And it’s a big deal for black people! Grade: B+++ First time ever for a “B+++”!!! Originally, a B+, but an extra plus for blackness – seriously, I think it’s a game changer for not only comic book movies, but all types of movies… another stepping stone of progress. I truly believe it’ll have a positive creative impact on our youth as well. And the last plus is for sexiness, cuz.. da

 Dammit! Not you Martin Freeman! So help me!  *deep sigh* Now I forgot what I was going to say. Anyway, good stuff! On second thought... I'm going to give this movie two grades. The B+++, but also... when I think of his blackness (The king!) - the positive progressive impact that I believe this movie has and will have are too great not to give it an A My Semi Objective Technical Grade:  B+++ Blackness Grade: A The only thing that could have made it better on that scale would be if I were in it.

Makes me wanna follow in the footsteps of that now probably homeless barista.  Quit my job and march onto righteousness!

 Can’t wait for “BP2!

[capbucky-0506]

Her Royal Highness (T'Challa x Reader)

I’m baaaack!!!! Sorry, I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had time to post as often! But here’s a new fic based on our favorite panther, T'Challa!!! This may turn into a mini series, so stay tuned. Okay love you guys💕💕💕

—————————————-

You rushed down the hall of the castle, the sound of your heels echoing loudly. You hiked up the skirt of your gown a little to move quicker.

You had just gotten word that your boyfriend T'Challa had just returned from Siberia, where he had gotten into some trouble with the Avengers. He initially left to Lagos, then made his way to Bucharest, wound up in Germany, then ended up in Siberia. Despite the Avengers being personal friends of yours, you had to stay behind to help the kingdom recover from the death of the King.

You moved to Wakanda a year ago after the battle of Sokovia to be with T'Challa. You were a former Avenger, but you decided to follow your heart and become a defender of another country. When you heard about Wanda and what she did in Vienna, you tried your best to make it back to the tower. However, nobody would let you leave the country. Not even when T'Challa and T'Chaka left for the meeting regarding the Accords. Not even when Bucky was found. Not even when a civil war started among the Avengers. The entire time, you were forced to stay within the walls of the country.

In the distance you see a group of people surrounded by the Dora Milaje (they were always so protective). You rush closer to find T'Challa, Steve, Bucky, Sam, Wanda, Scott, and Clint.

“T'Challa!”, you shout, running towards him.

Everyone turns to look at you. T'Challa brightens up. “Y/N!”, he shouts back as you run into his arms. He catches you and spins you around, bringing you close to his chest as he sets you down.

“How were things back here?”

You sighed. “It’s been a struggle. The people are upset over your father’s death. They mourn him a lot. I’ve been outside the castle a few times to visit some of them.”

He grabbed your hands. “My darling, I’m sorry I had to be away. The only thing that kept me going was knowing that I had you to look forward to.”

“I’m just glad you’re safe.”

You turned to the few Avengers that were in your presence. “Hey, guys.”

“Hey Sparkie,” Scott says.

“What’s up Whiskers?”, Sam follows.

“Missed you, dollie,” Clint adds (they all had a nickname for you).

Wanda ran up and wrapped her arms around you. “It’s nice to see you, Y/N. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Wanda.”

When she pulled away, you grabbed her hands and looked at her. “What happened in Lagos wasn’t your fault,” you whisper. “You didn’t mean it.”

A tear runs down her cheek. “I-I lost control. I didn’t mean t-to hurt all-”

“It’s okay, Wanda. I’m not blaming you.”

You look behind her to see Steve with a somber expression on his face. “Spangles?”, you say in a hushed voice.

You and Steve have been best friends since he got out of the ice. Leaving him behind was the hardest thing you’ve ever done. You hated when he was angry or sad, so you were immediately concerned when you saw him.

You walked over to him and wrapped your arms tightly around his neck. You could feel tears fall from your face as you felt his arms around your waist.

“What happened?”, you manage to get out.

“I broke the Avengers,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”

You pulled away and grabbed his face. “You. Did. Not. Break. The. Avengers. You just did what you thought was right. Ross was wrong. The Accords wouldn’t have helped. Stark didn’t see that. You’ve been through so much, Stevie.”

You wipe away his tears while yours just kept falling. “And I’m so sorry about Peggy. I should’ve been there for you. I should’ve gotten on the first flight to London. I shouldn’t have fucking left you there to grieve by yourself. I shouldn’t have stayed here at all. I should’ve-”

“Don’t blame yourself, Y/N,” he cuts you off. “It wasn’t your fault.”

You hold onto his hand. Someone clears their throat. Behind Steve was his old friend, Bucky. He steps forward.

“So you’re the famous Y/N,” he says. “Steve couldn’t stop talking about his ‘bestie’ on the ride here.”

You laughed. “That’s me. And you’re the infamous Bucky. Steve wouldn’t stop talking about his “best jerk” when I lived in the tower.“

He chuckled and grabs Steve’s shoulder. “Well, this punk got me through a lot when we were kids. And now, when he risked it all to save me. It’s a good thing he’s in our lives.”

“Yea, it is.”

The three of you stay in silence for a few moments before T'Challa clears his throat.

“I shall have the Dora Milaje show you all to your quarters. Y/N, may I have a word?”

You nod. “I’ll see you guys later?”

The team smiles and follows the Dora Milaje out of the room, leaving you and T'Challa alone.

“Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t want the Accords?”, T'Challa asks.

“Honestly, because you already made up your mind about it. There was nothing I could say or do to change that.”

“Of course there was something you could’ve done. I would not have ignored you.”

You sigh and cross your arms. “Regardless, what power do I have? I’m not like you or your father. I’m not royalty. My opinion wouldn’t have mattered.”

“Your opinion always matters to me.”

T'Challa moves closer to you and wipes away the stray tears on your face. He lightly brushed his lips against yours. You grab the collar of his shirt and bring him closer, deepening the kiss.

After what seemed like an eternity, you broke apart, trying to catch your breath. You rested your forehead against his.

“Marry me,” he whispered.

Your heart started pounding. “W-what?”

T'Challa got down on one knee and grabbed your hand. “This isn’t how I wanted to do it. I had this whole proposal planned with flowers and lights and dinner and the ring is literally in my room. But Y/N, all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you. You’ve stood by my side for so long. Through every decision I make, every obstacle thrown my way, you were there. You gave up being an Avenger so you could come here. I love you more than anything else in the world. The people adore you. You would be an amazing queen. You’re caring, kind, and courageous. And you are the most breathtaking person I’ve ever met. So, Y/N L/N, will you marry me?”

You wipe the tears from your eyes and get on your knees so you are at his level. He stared at you with a nervous expression on his face. You threw your arms around him and engulfed him in a hug.

“I-Is that a yes?”, he asked.

“Yes! Yes! A million times yes!”, you replied, tears still running down your face as you let out a laugh.

As you both stand up, he picks you up and spins you around. When he sets you down, you lean in and kiss him, your future husband. Your king. And now, you would be queen. Her Royal Highness, Queen Y/N. It would be scary, but you had T'Challa by your side. And he was all you needed.

In that moment, you knew that you were going to be with your true love for the rest of your life.

[sour--strawberries]

It’s my party and I will cry if I want to

fandom: Stony (Steve x Tony)

universe: post CA:CW, where Tony and Steve were lovers before everything got destroyed

summary: it is Tony’s birthday and he is not looking forward to it with his team and Steve being gone. Turns out that he has more friends and life likes to surprise.

length: 4 275 words

warnings: starts with angst to end with kind of fluff

a/n: okay, not gonna lie, I was struggling with this fic. initially it was suppose to have a sad ending, but, honestly, I don’t like writing sad endings if I don’t plan on making it better. so, I changed it! I think I am much happier with his fic now. hope you like it! title is a lyric from the song by Lesley Gore “It’s My Party”. Inspired by SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING - NBA Finals Spot #1 - "The Invite".

Happy Birthday, Tony!!

———–

It’s my party and I will cry if I want to

“Tony…”

It was too nice to wake up. Not yet.

“Tony… Hey, babe.”

A wet kiss just in the middle of his forehead. He knew the drill. It was a warning and if he won’t wake up, the wet kisses would continue, leaving wet spots all over him. Someone was acting like an overly happy puppy.

Tony stuck his tongue out in disgust, making a face into the pillow. “Whaaaat?”

“Open your eyes.”

A nose nuzzling against his nose. Go away, puppy.

With a groan, Tony complied, knowing that he won’t get any more rest anyway. He saw bright blue eyes looking back at him.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart!”

Tony laughed briefly at the cheerful tone and sappiness coloring every word. Of course.

“Don’t remind me,” he grumbled, hiding his face back into the pillow. Another year to add to his already many years.

“Hey,” Steve urged, gently turning Tony on his back and climbing over him, peering down at his boyfriend with a smile. “Don’t go back to sleep, you have a birthday party to attend.”

“But that’s in few hours,” Tony said, very hard trying to not sound whiny, but of course it came out as a whine.

“I know, but we could spend the time before the party together,” Steve wiggled his eyebrows in a way that was supposed to be sexy but turned out cute and funny.

“Sounds nice,” Tony smiled lightly. He would like that scenario. “So, seeing that it is my birthday, I can decide, right?”

“Absolutely.”

“Alright, then…” Tony walked fingers up Steve’s arm, until it stopped on soldier’s shoulder and he put his palm on Steve’s nape, drawing him closer, “I want to stay in bed for a while longer.”

Steve snorted in humor, sinking in closer. “Of course, we will do what you want.”

“What I want?”

“What you want,” Steve whispered, grazing his lips over Tony’s slightly parted ones. “What you want… What you want… What I want…”

Tony blinked, thinking that he heard wrong. When he opened his eyes, it wasn’t their sunny bedroom anymore. He was on a cold, concrete floor, part of his shattered armor laying around motionlessly. There was a taste of blood in his mouth, instead of the promised kiss. Blue eyes were still looking at him, no warm affection anymore but cruel determination.

“What I want,” came a hiss from blood covered lips and a silent scream opened Tony’s mouth when a hand pierced through him. There was a shatter of the case of the arc reactor breaking, a sickening sound of his bones crushing and then a hand grasping at his heart, stopping his breath. The fingers clenched, breaking the vessels and crushing the organ. He realized that the hand wasn’t flesh and bones covered in a leather glow, but hard and metal and cold. It was the last thing his mother felt before her last breath, before her neck was crushed. He choked on his own blood and the blue eyes observed. Cold. Distant. Unloving. Unforgiving.

Tony opened his eyes abruptly, feeling without breath and cold sweat on his back. He saw white sheets and sunlight seeping through the window, instead of endless snow colored with blood of three people. His chest hurt and his heart was beating too fast and too rapid, hidden behind the artificial sternum and thin, scarred skin.

It was just a nightmare. One of the many.

“Good morning, boss.”

Tony didn’t answer right away, giving himself some more time to calm down. Slowly, he rolled on his back and threw arms over his head, blocking the sun. “Hi, Fry,” he answered, sounding defeated and the day just started.

“Do you wish me to lower the blinds?”

Oh, it would be so easy. To stay in darkness and forget about everything. To vanish from the outside world.

“No, thanks,” Tony said, slowly lowering his hands and staring at the white ceiling, missing the blue eyes looking at him. He cringed remembering how his dream ended.

“By the way, let me be the first one to say this, happy birthday, boss.”

Birthday. Like every year. Tony never looked forward to his birthday and this year it would exceptionally painful.

It was almost a year since he was gone. Almost a year since Tony hid that phone away into his desk and swore to never touch. Almost a year since he tore the letter and scrambled for a tape to put it back together, not ready to erase him from his life. Almost a year since blue eyes looked at him for the last time.

“Thanks, Fry,” Tony answered, feeling his mouth becoming dry. He needed water. Heavily, Tony lowered his feet to the soft carpet, planning to start yet another painful day.

“Boss, if I may suggest something—”

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!”

Tony almost got a heart attack at two people busting into his bedroom. He didn’t see much, but Rhodey and Pepper saw way too much in that brief moment and Tony jolted his bare ass into the bathroom, slamming the door behind.

Behind the closed door, he heard Pepper’s embarrassed cough, while Rhodey wasn’t that subtle and whistled.

“Nice, Tony! Next year I am buying you a pajama!”

“Fry,” Tony asked painfully, rubbing his forehead. “Why didn’t you warn me?”

“Sorry, boss. I tried to.”

Tony almost jumped out of his naked body, when someone pounded on the door.

“TONES!” Rhodey hollered. “Get out! Happy birthday!”

“Tony, are you alright?” Pepper asked, joining the screaming man.

“I am fine…” Tony grumbled. Of course, they had to take him by surprise. Tony didn’t have any plans for his birthday. In fact, he preferred to be left alone and forget that he didn’t have guests to invite over, no boyfriend to be kissed by. His small family was broken and became even smaller. If he even could call them a family. Maybe they never were a one to start with.

While Tony was lost in his own thoughts, Pepper and Rhodey were in a middle of a heated explanation of today’s plans.

“We are taking you out for breakfast! To that pancake place! The one you like so much, where you can get all the coffee you can drink! You remember it?”

Yeah, he remembered. He remembered when he had been in the small cafe with the whole team, and Clint smeared maple syrup all over the table and Thor smashed a coffee cup in the way only Asgardians could.

“Later, Pepper is taking you to a beauty salon for a visit to get you all pretty—”

The image of him, Pepper and Natasha, splayed on the chairs and pampered by the staff, appeared in his head. He didn’t even have a chance to take Wanda there.

“— Happy is sending invites for the party in the evening—”

Party. He didn’t feel like having a party. He could bare being with Rhodey and Pepper, and even, he needed them so much, so much he was scared what might happen if he lost another person.

“Tony! Are you excited?!”

Was he excited? With a heavy sigh, Tony leaned over the closed door and looked down at his feet.

“Do I have to?” he asked miserably into the wood.

“YES!!”

The determined outburst made him jump away from the door. Both Pepper and Rhodey would be damned if Tony wasn’t happy on his birthday, and if he didn’t plan on being happy, they would force him to.

The day progressed slowly and steadily and according to schedule. Honestly… It wasn’t so bad. He enjoyed the shared breakfast and the carefree feeling it brought. It wasn’t that bad in the salon, where he had melted and became one with the armchair while one cosmetician was filing his nails and the other one put a facial mask on his skin, while Pepper, going through the same treatment, was talking to Tony about everything and nothing, just like they used to. It was fun and, to his own surprise, Tony found himself able to relax, until evening came and the time for the party to start was getting closer. Not knowing what or who to expect, Tony entered the common room of the Tower and had a handful of confetti slapped into his face, followed by a cheerful outburst. Maybe his group of friends reduced by over half in the last year, yet the room was packed, and he smiled spotting Peter and Aunt May and Vision and Helen— many people he didn’t expect to see and yet they showed up. It was a nice celebration with loud music and tasty food, and Tony enjoyed it, smiling and laughing, not expecting this day to be as good as it was.

Still, some more guests were about to arrive.

“Boss, an airplane from Wakanda just landed.”

“Wakanda?” Tony repeated after Friday, which interrupted the slide show of photos taken today by Pepper, including the one when Happy came to pick Tony and Pepper from the beauty salon, and somehow got talked into staying and trying on one of the facial masks. The current photo showed the three of them, all with different colored masks spread over their faces, grinning at the camera. “Oh, probably T'Challa. Send him here,” he said with a smile. If it wasn’t for the Black Panther, Tony would be stuck in Siberia till this very moment, his suit damaged badly enough to not be functional anymore, so, of course, that he was invited, and a confirming nod from Rhodey made his doubts go away. Tony got back to the slide show and focused on it for some more time, until some whispering got his attention when the newcomer showed up in the entrance.

“What are they doing here?” someone gasped out and Tony turned around, spotting newly arrived people.

It was T'Challa alright, elegant and regal in a black suit. Accompanied by Wanda, looking out of her place and frightened, and Sam with a grim expression, as if waiting to be asked to leave. There was one more person.

“Is that— Steve?”

It was like if time stopped. Tony heard the name, and all sound, all color, was suddenly drained away, as he saw only Steve. Maybe it was his brain toying with him. Maybe he misheard. Maybe—

Maybe Steve flew all the way from Wakanda, breaking the law yet again, just to see him on his birthday.

Their eyes met. Tony’s widened ones, and Steve’s focused ones, trying to hide the whole nervousness. Even in his posture, he tried to mask it, standing unnaturally stiff and tall.

The silence didn’t last long, and Rhodey stood up from his place, the metal braces on his legs allowing him to perform the action smoothly. “Your Highness,” he greeted T'Challa politely on everyone’s behalf, taking the role Tony was supposed to have.

Steve looked over at Tony’s friend and upon seeing the braces, a brief guilt ran over his face, before he applied a stone expression again. Sam also looked at Rhodey, his expression changing into a short-lived relief.

T'Challa nodded his head, greeting the people gathered. He looked over at Tony, who still seemed frozen, unable to move or look away. There was some gentle pat on his shoulder, and Tony realized that it was Rhodey, as he made his way to T'Challa, not granting Steve with a look.

“Why did you bring him here?” he asked towards the king in a quiet whisper, perfectly hearable in an already quiet room.

After hearing the words, Steve woke up from his trance. He could explain himself. He straightened up even more and squared his shoulders, taking out a phone out of the pocket on his chest.

“Tony sent me an invitation,” he said, showing Rhodey the invitation on his phone, almost sounding defensive.

Just like that, all eyes turned to Tony, who didn’t move a muscle. No, he didn’t. He didn’t send an invitation to anyone. And if he didn’t do it— Tony glanced up at one of the sensors, silently reprimanding Friday for butting in. She had had to hear him mumbling and calling Steve’s name in his sleep one time too many.

A sudden realization ran over Steve’s face, making him clearly uncomfortable. “You—  you didn’t,” Steve stuttered out, feeling foolish. Of course. What did he expect. That he would show and all got magically forgotten? “I— I better go,” he mumbled out.

“No,” Tony said quickly, not really knowing why. He looked at Wanda, staring down at her own shoes, and at Vision, looking as if wanting to rush to her. Sam didn’t take off his eyes of Rhodey.

“I will go,” Tony decided, standing up from the couch. For his friends. They deserved a closure.

“Tony, don’t—” Pepper started, but Tony’s expression silenced her. Tony wasn’t sad. He wasn’t furious either. It was a weird mix of anger and panic and pain. His chest was heaving with every struggled out breath and his eyes were narrowed with an unnamed feeling. It would be much easier if he could just ignore Steve, just let him walk away and forget. He couldn’t. Call him petty, but Steve once walked away from him, left him bleeding and hurt and left with no regard to what would happen to him. Tony felt that he deserved an opportunity to do exactly the same. So, he turned around on his heel and did exactly that - he walked out from his own birthday party, not caring.

Tony made it to the terrace and stepped outside, letting the cool air calm him down. He looked up at the stars, gleaming and twinkling, first vivid and bright, until they became clouded and blurry. Not even knowing when, Tony sobbed, first tears going down his cheeks. He wished he could just be angry. Angry and betrayed and hateful. Not this heartbreaking pain going through every fiber of his being, ripping his every cell apart. Seeing Steve… Hearing him… Knowing that he was somewhere there, away from him, and not planning on coming back hurt. Hurt so much that Tony wanted to tore himself apart, piece by piece until there was nothing left.

“Mr Stark?”

Quickly, Tony wiped the tears off his face. No one needed to see Iron Man cry.

“What is it, kid?” he asked, recognizing Peter’s voice.

“Captain America and the rest just left,” Peter said quietly and Tony’s heart clenched painfully in his chest. Of course, he had left. It was what Steve was good at. Leaving.

“He asked me to give you this,” Peter continued, pushing something into Tony’s hand.

Tony looked down and took the piece of rolled up paper, tied with a red ribbon. By the structure of the paper, he could tell that it was Wakandan, thicker and sturdier. He took the ribbon off and straighten the paper, somehow expecting another letter, similar to the one he already received months ago, but it wasn’t that. It was a portrait. A portrait of him, sleeping, wrapped in covers, some curls falling on his forehead, and his mouth slightly opened. In the corner, there was a ‘Happy Birthday, Tony’ scribbled in Steve’s print.

Tony started at the portrait. It was him in Steve’s eyes. Calm, and peaceful, almost angelic. Not the blood covered, broken human he had walked away from and left behind. The drawing was a lie. Those days were not coming back. Steve lost the privilege of seeing him at his most vulnerable a long time ago.

“Mr Stark?”

Tony didn’t notice that his hands started to shake, emotions overwhelming him. He carefully folded the page and slid it into his pocket, trying to control his hands again.

“Let’s go back, it is cold outside,” Tony made a decision, trying to mask his moment of weakness and brush it off as a reaction the cold temperature. In the sky, he saw an aircraft, leaving in a direction not many were welcomed, yet many stayed hidden. Tony watched until it became a small dot, and then blended with the night sky, where he couldn’t distinguish anymore if it was light coming from an aircraft or from the stars.

“Hmmm… Okay… I…”

Tony looked over at Peter, surprised when the teenager started to fumble. Peter nervously glanced to the back, and shrugged, before doing a back handspring that basically flung himself all the way back to the door.

“What the—” Tony asked himself, not understanding the odd behavior. He looked after Peter and his breath stopped when he saw a figure walking out of the shadow, standing next to the teenager.

“He is all yours,” Peter said but made it clear in his voice, that he would be watching. From a distance. Like a spider on a wall.

“Thanks, Queens.”

For the third time today, Tony felt the air being knocked out of him and it was three times too many for his age. He watched Steve step out from the shadows and walking to the center, illuminated by the glow of the solar lamps spread all over the terrace.

“Tony… Can we talk?”

There was nothing to talk. Nothing that could be said. And he had no way of escape, Steve blocking the only way out. Or… He could leap off the building and call one of his suits. He did that almost five years ago, he can do it again, right?

“HEY!” Tony yelled in protest, when a sticky web shot at him, wrapping around his waist and hands, trapping him in. It all happened too fast, and he barely noticed when the same happened to Steve, and then they were abruptly pulled close to each other, their bodies slamming together half way.

“PETER!!” Tony hollered, managing to ignore Steve, which was quite impressive, seeing that his face was pressed into soldier’s neck. “What the hell did you do?!”

“Something I should have back at that airport,” Peter answered, sounding surprisingly strong and confident, sure of his decision. “My web will dissolve in an hour. That’s an hour you have to talk your problems out like grown ups. I will make sure no one interrupts you,” Peter started to walk away, looking for the last time at the tied couple with a sorry face, showing his true feelings. He didn’t want Tony to be mad at him, but it was high time Iron Man would start thinking about himself again.

When the door slid close behind the teen, Tony kept struggling, trying to break the web around them.

“Ow– Tony– ow! Stop fidgeting!” Steve asked, constantly having Tony’s elbows aimed at various parts of his body, or being stepped on, while the brunet was trying to break free.

“Oh, I am sorry!” Tony hissed in anger, “does it hurt?!” he yelled, sounding almost hysterical and purposely jamming his elbow into Steve’s ribs.

Steve zipped his lips, but the way his eyes bulged out briefly, showed that he felt that. Fine, it was childish and unnecessary, but Tony felt good.

“Are you done?” Steve asked in a sigh, when Tony still didn’t stop struggling. “Tony…”

The pleading tone, made Tony finally stop. There was no escape. He would get Peter for this.

“Why. Why now?” he asked quietly, not understanding why from so many days, Steve chose this one.

“I got an invitation.”

“I didn’t send you a one!”

“I know you didn’t.”

Tony jolted his head up looking at the blue eyes. He saw a mix of embarrassment and victory in them.

Steve shrugged. “I lied. It became my specialty lately,” he said, laughing bitterly, and yelping the next second when Tony elbowed him again for the stupid humor. “Fine, I deserved that one,” he grunted out.

Tony didn’t answer, just resorted to giving a grim look. It was just a top of an iceberg of what Steve deserved if someone would ask him.

Steve didn’t seem bothered. If anything, he was happy that the brunet was finally acknowledging him. “God, I miss you,” Steve whispered, feelings taking over reason.

Tony looked away. He didn’t need to know that.

“I miss you every day.”

Then why did you leave, asshole. Tony didn’t say it out loud.

“Tony, I am sorry for what happened between us—”

He really didn’t need to know that.

“— I am sorry I hurt you, I know it will take a long time before you forgive me, if you forgive me—”

Shut up. It won’t change a thing.

“— but I didn’t change my mind. I still think that the Accords are a bad idea.”

Okay. Tony couldn’t stop the eye roll and looked at Steve with an irritated expression. It was the worst apology ever.

“That’s the worst apology ever!” he yelled, and hey, this time he said something out loud.

Steve laughed bitterly. “I know,” he said, agreeing with Tony for the first time in a longer while. “But I wanted you to know that.”

“You were always a stubborn ass, Rogers,” Tony hissed, somehow already knowing it all.

“Takes one to know that.”

Tony didn’t see a need to answer this and only narrowed his eyes. Unhelpfully, it made Steve smile sheepishly. He missed seeing how very expressive Tony was.

“I miss you,” he repeated again in a soft whisper, pressing his forehead to brunet’s.

There was comfort in the gesture. Back in the better days, it was one of Tony’s favorite things to do with Steve. Just being close, having their foreheads pressed together and looking into each other’s eyes. It was sappy and sweet and Tony missed those moments so much it hurt.

“I miss you too,” Tony whispered slowly, not believing his own words, tears building up in his eyes yet again. He missed Steve. So much he was hurting every day just by thinking about him. “But we both made our choices. There is no coming back,” Tony sniffled, feeling his heart breaking.

“I know,” Steve admitted painfully. It was too soon. One day they both would learn to forgive each other, but it was too soon to close that chapter. Not when the Accords were still in the air, and Steve was a wanted man, while Tony’s every move was observed. The world was against them.

“I have to go,” Steve whispered, better aware of the danger he had put them both in by his short visit, than Tony. Tony didn’t want to, but a sob shook his body. He was being left again. Why it all felt as if Steve was toying with his feelings. “Tony, remember, I am closer than you think,” Steve whispered. pressing his cheek to brunet’s in a tender move, “I am just a phone call away.”

And a thousand miles away, marked as one of the most wanted criminals in the USA.

“Hey…” Steve kept whispering, feeling Tony’s hot tears on his face. “I think you are forgetting something very important.”

Tony didn’t dare to ask. He was surprised when he felt a snicker pressed to his cheek.

“You can always call your ex for a booty call, especially on your birthday,” Steve whispered, and just like that, before Tony could fully proceed what just happened, Steve kissed his cheek and tore the web between them with one good flex, and leaped into the darkness.

Tony stood in the middle of the terrace, unsure if what just happened was real. There was a sound of an engine starting and he felt a gust of air. Looking up, Tony saw another Wakandan aircraft, this one coming specifically to pick Steve up and take him back to safety.

He already knew that Steve had this weird, dry sense of humor, Tony secretly loved, but since when he was all up for dramatic escapes like that? Tony cleaned himself off from the remaining web, somehow feeling lighter than before. It would take him a while to think everything through, but for now, he decided not to. He let his mind have some comfort of the current moment and decided to not analyze everything into small, painful pieces.

“Time to go back,” he said to himself, meaning it in more ways than one. When he entered his own party again, Peter was hanging around the door, keeping his word and making sure that no one would interrupt him and Steve. He looked nervously at Tony, not knowing what to expect.

Tony smiled good-naturedly and put a soothing hand on Peter’s shoulder, letting him know that it was alright. “And just for that,” Tony made a dramatic pause, his voice becoming less friendly and more reprimanding, “I am telling Aunt May,” he said, leaving the shocked teen behind.

“Mr Stark, no!” Peter cried out, going after his mentor and back into the crowd.

The party resumed and Tony didn’t even have to fake a smile, the one spread on his lips being one of the most real in months. He didn’t know, if he would take Steve’s offer, but he was sure of two things.

This night, blue eyes would look much more friendly at him.

And.

It was his birthday, so he would do what he wanted.

---------

art made by @steve-sketchbooks