Steve stared out the window over the insanely advanced technology of Wakanda--surprise!--and the closed his eyes.
Next to him, Shuri--different version but still a nice kid--was taking measurements and muttering unflattering things to herself about ancient tech that Steve's ears were still catching. Sitting on the medical exam table, Bucky looked tired and vulnerable with only the one arm. Steve's fingers clenched in habit around a shield he no longer had. Tony had taken it back with him to Berlin to, Steve devoutly hoped, chuck it at the Secretary of State's head, though he thought that it being put into storage was probably more likely.
As Shuri completed her work, she mentioned something about her next appointment with Bucky, which didn't surprise Bucky at all but definitely came as news to Steve. As Shuri left the room, he turned his full attention to Bucky, eyes questioning.
"Stevie--" Bucky began and it was...well, it was not news Steve wanted to hear.
But it was fine. He was fine. He was a fugitive in a remote part of Africa without his shield or his team or his best friend starting tomorrow morning but it was fine.
He walked very carefully into the room he was sharing with his husband and closed the door, and only then did he allow himself--just for a second--not to be fine.
( And the fallout. )
Next to him, Shuri--different version but still a nice kid--was taking measurements and muttering unflattering things to herself about ancient tech that Steve's ears were still catching. Sitting on the medical exam table, Bucky looked tired and vulnerable with only the one arm. Steve's fingers clenched in habit around a shield he no longer had. Tony had taken it back with him to Berlin to, Steve devoutly hoped, chuck it at the Secretary of State's head, though he thought that it being put into storage was probably more likely.
As Shuri completed her work, she mentioned something about her next appointment with Bucky, which didn't surprise Bucky at all but definitely came as news to Steve. As Shuri left the room, he turned his full attention to Bucky, eyes questioning.
"Stevie--" Bucky began and it was...well, it was not news Steve wanted to hear.
But it was fine. He was fine. He was a fugitive in a remote part of Africa without his shield or his team or his best friend starting tomorrow morning but it was fine.
He walked very carefully into the room he was sharing with his husband and closed the door, and only then did he allow himself--just for a second--not to be fine.
( And the fallout. )