[oom] the wilderness gave it to me and the wilderness will not let it go

[nerves_of_ice]

He chooses both the day and the time with care, drifting up by the practice yards of the Dora to speak first with Ayo and then with Okoye in the same morning. In the afternoon he visits Shuri at the lab, later than usual, and delays after fitting and testing the latest prototype to discuss the upcoming surgery. It's no hardship to consider - compared to everything that's come before, it's nothing. Bucky's pretty sure that Shuri knows he feels that way, but it doesn't stop her from wanting to be sure in her planning and his preparations, and he's unwilling to protest the care that she wants to take.

The carefully calculated timing means that he's just finishing up when T'Challa arrives. The other man looks exhausted around the eyes, he notices. Bucky dips his head in a respectful nod and starts to withdraw, only for T'Challa to wave him to a standstill as he asks Shuri about upgraded surveillance devices for the borderlands. He'd expected him to do exactly that, but it's good to have been right, and being able to listen to their conversation gives him the opening he needs. Shuri goes down the hall to fetch something, leaving the two of them alone together, and Bucky meets the other man's eyes.

"Things aren't getting any better, are they." It's not a question. Not really. T'Challa shakes his head. "No. They are not," he agrees. "And there are not enough of us to guard all approaches. I am hoping these--" He goes to Shuri's workbench and stares down at the range of equipment there. "--will make the difference. Or at least buy time."

Bucky nods. "You told me before that you wouldn't ask for my aid unless Wakanda or the world was in dire danger," he reminds him. "That doesn't mean I can't offer."

T'Challa goes very, very still before turning to look at him. "White Wolf."

"This isn't like before," he says, quietly. He has to convince him. He has to. "It's not the same. This is about protection. Send me. Let me help."

He holds himself steady while T'Challa searches his face, and sees in the other man's eyes the moment when Wakanda's king makes his decision.

* * * * * * *

Half an hour later, Bucky leaves the train and heads into the Citadel instead of back to the hut by the lake.

Comments

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa nods at the two women as they take a step forward; they return his greeting with respectful nods of their own heads. "Very good," he praises.

"All of you. I see I put my faith in the right hands."

[nerves_of_ice]

It is dizzying and somehow overwhelming, he finds, to be praised for this. For using his assassin's skills in this way. For protecting, and what's more, being trusted to protect.

Ayo murmurs something he can't quite make out, and he thinks - a little numbly - that he should as well, but he can't seem to speak. He ducks his head in a nod instead, and hopes it's enough.

[marvel_npc]

He nods again, tamping down on his smile. "Ayo," he says, and the Dora comes to attention. "You may return to your other duties."

She crosses her arms over her chest and bows as he glances to the White Wolf. "And you, White Wolf, come and give me a full report. I expect you may wish to join Okoye after?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Yes," he says, moving automatically to fall in at T'Challa's side. "If the general doesn't mind; I might be able to assist. Sharon might, as well."

He doesn't want her to be left out, especially as of all of them she's got the right skillset to help when it comes to counterterrorism, which this most certainly is.

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa nods and looks to Sharon Carter. "If you're willing to assist further, please join the General," he tells her.

"Of course," she says, easily, and splits off in the direction Okoye had gone as T'Challa strolls with the White Wolf towards another entrance, one that leads back to the Citadel.

[nerves_of_ice]

He stays quiet as they walk, as the guards brace to attention at their king's passing, all the way inside and to the small informal receiving room that T'Challa prefers, then gives him a quizzical look.

"How much detail do you want?"

[marvel_npc]

"As much as you can give me," T'Challa says. He sets a hand on the back of a chair but changes his mind and strolls to the window instead, clasping his hands behind his back as he looks out over Wakanda.

"What are we dealing with, White Wolf?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"A combination of greed and stupidity, it looks like," he says, succinctly. "People who thought they saw an opportunity and a weakness, and decided to take advantage of it."

He frowns a little. "They were well-equipped. Too well. Either their clients have very deep pockets and don't mind paying up front, or there's something more there. We'll find out. The good news is that they didn't show any signs of being part of a large coordinated effort."

[marvel_npc]

"And their abilities?"

He turns to face the White Wolf, his expression calm. "Did they match the weaponry, or were they thugs with good guns?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"The former." Sure and certain. "When we cast the nets over a group of them, they were thrown off and struggling rather than trying to use the weapons they had to deal with us before trying to get free. And the ones I fought hand to hand, well..."

Bucky shrugs, and lets T'Challa judge for himself based on his condition just how ineffective they'd been.

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa nods, satisfied. "I think you are right," he says, finally.

"That we are dealing with opportunists and not a unified force. But it is better to cut them off now, before they have a chance to unite in their grievances with any others who may be harboring ill intentions toward us."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky nods. "I'd suggest making a very public spectacle of their failure," he tells the other man. "Both for the benefit of your people and for it to be visible to the world, so word gets around. There's got to be some kind of international wildlife protectorate that'd be delighted to make a big deal of things. I bet Ross could help you find the right one."

[marvel_npc]

The thought of reaching out to an outlander program grates, but T'Challa nods; he can see the wisdom in the suggestion.

"I will ask Nakia to add it to our outreach program," he determines. "She is already developing environmental and sustainability goals. As you say, this is one to which the whole world may relate."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Any support for future idiots like these will dry up fast once news of what happened gets out there. The sooner, the better."

Bucky meets his eyes. "Thanks for letting me help. I mean it."

[marvel_npc]

"It is a foolish man who does not accept help from someone with the skill and experience – and desire – to provide it," T'Challa says.

"Thank you for your offer, White Wolf. I was grateful to accept."