We'll Fight Together (Romanogers / Steve X Natasha)

Together

Steve sat in the jet's infirmary, lying in a chair with his scorched hand pressed against the table beside him. An overhead device hovered over his injured appendage, slowly repairing the cells on a molecular level. Although he felt better by the minute, he had no idea how any of the machines around him functioned, as usual. Natasha stood beside him, embracing his other hand in her own. She ran her thumb along the bumps and grooves of his skin, her lips curled gently upward. Although they both had so much to say, relatively little was spoken. Just a few soft words floating amongst their lips here and there, speaking short one-liners and small talk.

"I'm so glad you're okay. I thought-"
"Everything's alright now, Nat."

"Do you think they've healed Bucky yet?"
"I'm sure Bucky is awake and waiting for you, Steve."

"I'm sorry for doubting the plan. It was wrong of m-"
"No, I'm sorry for pushing you away. All my life, I've told myself that love is for children. That's what they taught me in the red room, after all. I was distant for the sake of the mission, but I should've at least told you as such instead of leaving you in the dark."
"I understand why you did it, Nat. There's no need to apologize."

In the moments of silence between, Steve pondered everything they had just walked away from. Infiltrating HYDRA, being buried alive amongst the debris following the explosion, Natasha's confession, Ann Beckley... Steve knew what it was like, being forced to leave your old life behind while knowing you'll never have it back. It's torturous, yes, but he also knew that you can always bounce back from such a cruel twist. If Beckley had only seen the bigger picture, everything that life had to provide and offer, maybe she would've been flying back to Wakanda with the rest of the heroes.

Natasha somehow picked up on Steve's troubles. She buried her face in his long, blond hair and kissed his head. "Clea's safe now. Ann Beckley made sure of that."

Steve let out a heaving sigh as he recalled Beckley's selfless sacrifice. How crazy was it that both a shapeshifter and a teenager could remind Steve so much of his soldiering self? All because of what HYDRA did to them, no doubt? He recalled how the tears rolled down Clea's face. Poor kid... She was blaming herself over Beckley's death, there was no doubt about it.

The machine finished its duties regarding Steve's injuries and shut down automatically. "Clea was right though," he replied softly, flexing his hand as if to test its mobility. "We shouldn't trade lives. They're too important to gamble."

.....

T'Challa's ship touched down on Wakandan soil soon enough, allowing the heroes to step back into the sunlight. Clea squinted under the blue-orange sky and the sun's rays highlighted the drying tears stains that marked the sides of her pallid face. She had certainly calmed down since the Netherlands, but anyone could see that the events she had witnessed there would have a lasting effect on her future. It was unfair, everyone knew. However, it was also clear that she'd make it through and move on towards a brighter horizon– wherever that was. Until then, she showed little interest for the incredible, high-tech world around them.

Natasha and Sam, however, newcomers to the elusive country, were astonished by the society's perfect blend of technology and tradition.

"This is incredible, your majesty." Natasha smiled as she glanced up at the enormous palace before them. "The rest of the world is lucky to know you're willing to involve yourselves in foreign affairs."

"Wakanda was closed for far too long," the king admitted as he searched for a face in the crowd. "All that matters is that we're here now." He cocked his head around their surroundings once more before spotting his landing party.