[Virginia AU] we rose up from the falling waters

[nerves_of_ice]

A little over a week goes by, and as it does Bucky falls into a pattern, slow but sure. He wakes with Sharon in the mornings, shares coffee and something that suffices for breakfast, then works a little on searches and checking contacts and sources from other time zones and locations. Mid-morning finds him at the Task Force offices with Riley and his team. Early afternoon finds him meeting with Ross, if there's any reason to; mid-afternoon he checks in with Steve, with Tony, or with Natasha before he goes back to tracing rumors and hints.

Today's different, though. Today is Sharon's first day back at work after her suspension, and Bucky's determined not to do a single damn thing that might possibly make it difficult for her.

Comments

[marvel_npc]

He thinks of this man's desperation when the woman was injured, and imagines the horror of Nakia looking at him in fear, a thought which sends ice clawing down his spine. "And yet, yesterday, you protected her," he points out. "And insisted she be saved. I can easily see how you are not yourself when... activated."

[nerves_of_ice]

“You have the right to know.” He holds T’Challa’s gaze. “It doesn’t excuse anything.”

[marvel_npc]

How cynical he must be; how jaded, this man who has been beaten and brainwashed and tortured into becoming a mindless weapon who would attack even those he cares for most. "I do not condone excuses," T'Challa tells him.

"Reason is something else entirely. How can I blame you for the things which were not your choice? If you were to be activated again, how could I blame you for the destruction which would follow? We all have stains on our pasts, Sergeant. Most of us chose ours, for better or worse. You did not."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky stares at him, momentarily speechless. “You really need to meet Steve,” he manages, finally.

[marvel_npc]

"Hm," T'Challa muses. "Yes. Perhaps he will bring his shield."

A faint twinkle in his eye suggests he's teasing.

[nerves_of_ice]

“He probably will,” he says, dryly. “Was it really stolen?”

[marvel_npc]

"It was before my time, Sergeant," T'Challa tells him, lacing his fingers together and letting his elbows rest on the arms of the chair. "But I must assume it was. Wakanda has never sanctioned the trade or sale of vibranium outside our borders."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Damn it.” He gives a weary sigh. “Steve didn’t know, I can promise you that. I think Howard told him something about it being found by explorers.”

He braces himself for the hard question - better he ask it than Steve or Tony. “Are you going to want it back?”

[marvel_npc]

"I think," T'Challa says, not ungently, "that is a conversation better had with Captain Rogers himself."

[nerves_of_ice]

Well, he tried. He’ll have to warn Steve what’s coming, when he can. Bucky nods.

“Okay.”

[marvel_npc]

T'Challa smiles, very faintly, but there's warmth in his eyes. "Do not be too concerned, Sergeant," he tells the man.

"I would worry most about Shuri's disapproval of the design. She is very opinionated on the best uses for vibranium."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I guess she would be. That lab of hers is amazing.” He surprises himself with his sudden grin.

“Tony would be green with envy, if he ever saw it.” He tries not to imply or assume that he ever will.

[marvel_npc]

"It is," T'Challa agrees, "and I believe he would. Now..." He pats his hands on his thighs and stands.

"Would you mind if I borrowed Deputy Commander Ross? There are things I must discuss with him, as well."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’ll let him know you’re here,” he says, as he gets to his feet. “Just a minute.”

Bucky heads to the door and knocks. “Ross, you have a visitor.”

[marvel_npc]

"Give me a second," comes the gruff reply from beyond the door, a reaction T'Challa thinks the man regrets once he tugs the door open and sees who has arrived. "Uh, your highness, I apologize."

T'Challa represses a smile and lifts a hand. "Do not worry," he says. "I'm interrupting."

"You aren't," Ross tells him, holding the door for Agent Carter. She looks much better, T'Challa notes, pleased. Her cheeks are pink and her eyes are bright and lively, and he smiles at her. "I'm pleased to see you're recovering well, Agent Carter."

"It hardly seems like I need any recovery at all," she tells him. She doesn't go to stand near the Sergeant, but T'Challa notes how she orients herself toward him. "Thank you, again."

He shakes his head. "It was my pleasure."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We recognize you've gone to a great deal of trouble all the same," Ross says. "And that the situation's a little volatile, let's say."

Bucky glances at T'Challa for his reaction to that. Ross isn't wrong, he knows. It's not just that they're outsiders - it's who they are that makes things even more complicated.

[marvel_npc]

T'challa inclines his head, clasping his hands behind his back. "I appreciate your concern," he tells Ross. "It does you credit. But if I am to be King, I must learn not to second-guess my decisions, and I do not second-guess this one."

He fixes each of them for a moment with a glance, then returns his attention to Ross. "Deputy Commander, may I borrow a moment of your time?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Yeah, sure," Ross says. "Of course. Carter too?"

Bucky looks at T'Challa. "I can step away," he offers.

[marvel_npc]

"Thank you," T'Challa tells the Sergeant. It's not as though what he means to discuss with Ross is a secret, but he prefers to have some conversations individually.

Ross nods to him. "I'm at your disposal, your highness."

[nerves_of_ice]

"No problem." He moves back to his bedroom, already pulling out his phone. The time zones might not be in his favor, but he'll try to reach Steve anyway.

There's a lot to talk about.