Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It wasn't particularly common to have the whole team together for breakfast. Each one of them had their own personal schedule preferences, and even if they were used to one another by now, they still were a group of very difficult people. And yet, Bucky couldn’t help the comfortable warm feeling growing in his chest at the scene in front of him.

There was spilled milk by the right corner. A broken jar of strawberry jam making everything sticky. Crumbs — of white bread, Australian bread, whole grain bread. Couldn't they agree on just one bread type, for God’s sake? — scattered all over the table. The place was a mess but, if he was honest, so were the people.

The last four months were simultaneously their hardest and easier period as the Avengers. After that messed up mission with Sam’s team, they were forced to review some things that were hidden away until that moment, which ended up with vulnerabilities exposed and a whole lot of new security procedures to learn and implement. But, on the other hand, the team was closer than ever, bounded by their fear of exposure, and it was impacting positively on their missions.

Even if they were still suffering from the hate of the general group — not without reason, after all, they all had done very public and terrible things — it was impossible to ignore that they were more coordinated and organized than ever. Their last three assessments had not only been victories, but they managed to not destroy one single piece of urban equipament, which was a miracle just by itself. For Bucky, to see this team of misfits to merge their skills into a not only functional but pretty competent team meant more than he was willing to let show, but he could not deny it. The Avengers were back and they were killing it.

Bucky let his lips curve upwards slightly at the sound of the discussion beginning in front of him. When all was said and done, each one of them were a pain in the ass, sure, but they surely were his pain in the ass.

"I just don't get it, you know?" Ava started speaking, still holding a big red mug, filled to the brim with hot coffee. "We are the Avengers. We are endorsed by the government. Valentina is like a billionaire or something. Why are we still drinking shitty coffee?"

"It is sponsored coffee. We got like an infinite amount of it in the deal, and I don't think Valentina got this rich by refusing free stuff." John replied with conviction, also drinking his coffee. He was the only one in full combat suit, a strong argument that, sometimes, you can take the man of the military, but not the military of the man. "And it is not shitty coffee. I actually like it a lot."

"Of course you do. It has your face on it." Yelena pointed to the ugly package of coffee by the table. She nudged Bob to keep eating his toast, before looking back to her own omelet. "And she is right. It is shitty coffee."

"You two are just jealous they didn’t want you on it." John put his mug down, crossing his arms in front of his chest, the annoyed expression he got every time the girls started to gang up on him.

"If it was good coffee, they wouldn't need to rely on your face to try to sell it in the first place." Yelena argued back. She sounded nonchalant, but Bucky could hear the change in her tone. The slight bright on her eyes. She was having fun. "Also, everyone knows Valentina asks for more money if they want me or Ava on their products."

"Oh, so we get shitty and cheap coffee. That's so great." Ava shrugged, pretending annoyance but clearly amused.

"Okay. Screw you." John said, pointing at Ava before turning to Yelena. "And screw you too. Bobby, come on, back me up here, man."

Bob looked up from his half-eaten toast, clearly not following the conversation around him. Bucky couldn't help chuckling at the younger man’s sleepy face — of all of them, Bob was probably the most prone to sleeping in, and it was clear he was not happy to be awake at all. Bob looked between Walker and the girls, trying to get some clue on what was happening. "Back you up on what now?"

“Bobby, keep up, will you?” Walker narrowed his eyes at him, but Bucky knew better. "They are saying my coffee is shitty, man. Back me up."

"Oh, I am not allowed to drink coffee anymore, so I wouldn't be a good judge." Bob grabbed his own mug, filled with chamomile tea. He looked apologetic, even if there was a flash of a playful smile on his lips. "The photo is good, though. The flexes arms are very – what is the word? – manly."

"Shut up, Bob." John rolled his eyes, flushed cheeks, while Ava and Yelena laughed.

“That’a why you are my favorite one, Bob.” Yelena smiled at him, her hands staying just a second too long laid on Bob’s arm.

"Don't mind them, Walker." Alexei intervened, finally taking his eyes from the phone in his hands. "It is a great privilege to be chosen to represent such an important part of the American breakfast. I mean, coffee is not as big of a deal as bread–" Alexei pointed at his own face, decorating the wrapping on the white bread on the table. "–but important too. And the flexed arms are indeed very manly."

"I hate all of you." John declared, but Bucky could see the amusement behind the annoyance.

Bucky opened his mouth to join the banter when he felt his phone vibrating and looked it up.

Sam:

I know you are mister busy man nowadays, especially trying to keep all these weirdos alive, but it is getting hard not to feel like you are avoiding me, you know?

Call me. I really need to talk to you.

And just like that, Bucky's humor was ruined. He felt the same pointed guilt that came every time Sam crossed his mind for too long. He wasn't ignoring the man completely, but he was stringing him along. It wasn't that Bucky didn’t want to talk to Sam. He wanted to. A lot. Sam was one of the most amazing people in Bucky’s life. One of his best friends. But he knew what Sam wanted to discuss, and the answer was no.

No, he didn't have anything dirty on Valentina. 

No, he hadn’t heard anything from the Sentry Project from their insiders. 

No, he did not convince the team to drop the Avengers name. 

And no, he didn’t get Bob any professional help.

Bucky was so grateful to have Sam back in his life, but the cost was just too high. Bucky wasn't a spy like Yelena, he wasn't trained on lying and keeping masks on like second skin, especially around people he really cared about. Having Sam so close, and still being forced to keep him at arms length had been just as painful as he first expected.

It wasn’t like he wasn’t trying to give something to Sam, but none of his demands seemed like a real possibility. Bucky had even tried to convince the team to get Bob a therapist, a small compromise, but everyone simply refused to consider it. He even suggested his own doctor, but the conversation ended up in a very bad argument with Walker about it, and it was hard to win when there wasn’t anyone on your side. In the end, Bucky gave up. He knew it was a lost cause because even Ava and Yelena stayed on Walker’s side of the discussion.

So yes, he was avoiding Sam a little. Waiting a couple of hours before answering texts. Not picking up calls. Sending other people to events Sam might attend. And the worst part was that Sam was being so understanding and nice about it, like he was willing to wait on Bucky to meet him halfway. Because Sam was a good man that just wanted to be included in his friend’s life once again.

The Winter Soldier was debating answering the text when everyone heard the unmistakable sound of the elevator doors, followed by high heels tapping the floor. Bucky turned to the door just in time to see Mel entering, dressed in one of her signature skirted suits, pulling a clothes rack behind her.

"Hey guys. I brought some gifts for tonight." Mel said in an upbeat voice. She had assumed most of the communication with the team after the fight last time Valentina and Yelena saw each other. In general, Mel could act quite nice and the team liked her. Well, most of the time.

"Wonderful. I do hope your guys got it right now. Last time, they gave me pants that were too short, and I want to be in my best shape tonight." Alexei said quickly, getting up and running towards the rack.

"They guaranteed that all your measurements were correct." Mel replied, a little annoyed. "I double-checked."

"Do we have options? Not to question your taste, but I would like to have options." John asked from his seat, still trying to finish his coffee.

"Yes. I brought three options for each one of you, based on your specifications." Mel hesitated when six pairs of eyes focused on her, none of them believing that for a second. "Okay, they are following Valentina's requests, but I did consider some of your inputs. You know, when possible."

"Whatever. Just give us the clothes and let's be done with this." Ava got up too, clearly curious about the big bags with her name on them.

"Actually, before that, Valentina wanted me to revisit the proposal of not including everyone in tonight’s event." Mel talked fast, not really making eye contact with anyone. “To avoid any unnecessary exposure.”

"No." Yelena replied dryly, arms already crossed in front of herself.

"What the hell do you mean?" Alexei asked, confused from behind Mel, still trying to gather his new clothes.

"Valentina doesn't want Bob there tonight." Now John got up too, coffee forgotten, looking at the girl with narrowed eyes.

“That’s ridiculous. We are doing the gala here just so he could be on it.” Alexei kept talking, unaware of the tension slowing to rise, moving closer to Bob and dropping a heavy hand on the man’s shoulder. “And Bob is part of the team. We can not celebrate our one year anniversary without him.”

“I understand, but I have to agree with Valentina on this one, guys.” Mel was looking at Bucky, clearly thinking he was the one that she may actually convince. “There will be several journalists and photographs, and if one photo ended up getting to someone who knew Bob before he would be exposed again.”

"Look, Mel. Despite your affiliation with the Wicked Witch of the West, I like you.” Yelena started, walking in the assistant’s direction. “So I will tell you the same thing I told Valentina, but with a better attitude. It's the New Avengers one year celebration. We understand that for Valentina, it is this big mark of success, but for us, it actually means something. And we are willing to participate in this whole gala circus of tonight if we celebrate the date as a team. And that includes Bob."

"I see.” Mel locked her eyes with Yelena, making Bucky fear a little for the younger woman’s sanity. “Will you follow that plan even if it means putting him at risk?"

"He will be safe. We will make sure of that." Ava intervened as well.

"Yelena, I really don't mind it. I can stay put if you guys think it is for the best." Bob tried to talk, smiling timidly, but he was shortly interrupted.

"I do mind it." Yelena left no doubt in her tone. That was final.

"So do the rest of us, by the way." John reinforced.

"Also, as Alexei reminded, the party will be at the penthouse, full of superheroes, and the whole masked gala theme was only to make sure Bob could be there without being identified." Ava was closer to Yelena and Bob now, behind their chairs. "We got it covered."

"You are really making my life harder, you know?" Mel let out a slow breath.

"Well, too bad. Good luck with your boss. Can we get the clothes now?" Yelena uncrossed her arms, resting her hand on top of Bob’s.

Mel only shrugged and pointed to the rack, one second before Ava appeared beside the bags, searching for the names on each and distributing them to their rightful owner. Yelena grabbed the ones marked for her and Bob, earning a knowing look from Bucky.

"What? Bob is going to be my date for the night." She declared nonchalantly. John and Ava raised their eyebrows in her direction, but Yelena just rolled her eyes. "For his cover, I mean. You guys are no fun."

"That's a terrible idea." John declared.

"Really bad." Ava agreed.

"That's not going to work at all." Even Mel had to intervene.

"You are a celebrity, Yelena. As much as it pains me to say it." Bucky argued. "If he shows up as your date, everyone will try to find out who he is. That's the opposite of what we want."

"Guys, I really–" Bob tried to speak up but was interrupted by Ava.

"Well, we need a reason for him to be close by the whole night. It's not like it will be unsuspecting to have a random person following me around." Yelena reply back frustrated.

"He doesn't need to be with you all night. We can take turns so it just looks like he is a guest who wants to get to know the Avengers." John was moving toward the clothes, already bored with the conversation.

"Okay, I kinda want to–" Bob tried again, but once more was stopped by some of his colleagues.

"Oh, he could be my assistant. I feel like I should get an assistant anyway." Alexei pondered, scratching his goatee. He was trying different styles of facial hair. So far, Bucky had hated every single one of them.

"That's just ridiculous, Alexei. Why would you have an assistant?" Bucky questioned.

"Valentina has an assistant. Why can't I have one?"

"We will not do this. It's a terrible plan."

"I agree with Yelena. It is terrible." John considered. "But it is still better than the fake date thing."

"Shut up, Walker."

"It was a very bad idea." Ava replied, earning a very bad look from Yelena.

"I actually have an idea." Bucky stood up finally, realizing this was going to last. "You could try to hear what Bob thinks about the whole thing."

"Oh, do I get to talk now?" Bob asked with fake enthusiasm, sarcasm dripping in every word.

"Sorry, Bobby." Walker shrugged.

"I am sorry, Bob. What do you think?" Yelena looked guilty, but just turned to Bob, giving him her full attention.

"I think I really don't have to go to this thing." He continued as the others started to speak. "But I get the whole team anniversary thing. I do. So why don't we pretend I am some guy that works in the tower and got invited? We don't have to oversell it, you know?"

"If he worked here, it would explain how he knows the team and give us an excuse to even take a photo with him during the event. We just have to be careful." Bucky agreed. "It's a good idea, Bob."

Bob blushed from the complement, as Yelena gave him a smile, putting his and hers bag of clothes on his shoulders. As the others gathered around the clothes to see what they would find, Bucky approached Mel.

"Can I ask about the guest list for tonight?"

"I don't have it here right now. But I didn’t include Captain America, as requested." She looked at him. "Which was really hard to do. I had to convince Valentina and she thought it would send the wrong message -which I agree with- but I was able to spin her around it."

"Thank you, Mel. I really appreciate it."

"This job would be a lot easier with him backing you guys up." She started to turn to the door. "Try to talk to him, Bucky."

"I will."

She said her goodbyes and left them with some general instructions about which floor to find the people available to do their hair and make-up, if they wanted to. The others started to disperse, taking their clothes and moving, but Bucky stayed behind.

He looked at his phone and felt his heart jump as his thumb passed over the call button. He should call Sam. 

He was going to call him. 

Just not tonight.

Joaquin tried to use his small green towel, laid down on the chair by the corner of the gym, to dry out the sweat dripping from his forehead, but at this point, with so many hours of training behind him, the towel was wetter than he was willing to admit.

Sam's Avengers — well, at least this was how the Falcon was calling them in his head — were on their fourth training session, and finally Joaquin was starting to see the real changes in their dynamic. Sure, a long weekend per month to train was not the same as living together in an overpriced tower, but their improvement had been significant for the little time they had as a team. Also, the original Avengers didn't stay together perpetually, and they got the team vibe down to the notch, so Joaquin really believed that it was not just about the amount of time spent together, but how the available time was being spent.

As a military man, Joaquin considered himself a good team player, but even he knew that all groups had to lay down a good foundation before being able to work as one. True unity wasn't a happy accident, but a very intentional decision. It was like a band, really. There was no point in having amazing singers if they couldn't harmonize for shit. And that was what they were trying to do here — they were all great as individuals, but they needed to learn to harmonize with each other's fight styles.

The first training session, a couple of weeks after the showdown against the New Avengers, was not bad at all, but soon it became painfully clear how much they needed time and familiarity with one another. If they wanted to be the Avengers, they would need to get to the point where they could recognize the patterns and strengths in each other without hesitation. And to be honest, right now, Joaquin was confident they would achieve that faster than expected.

Sure, the New Avengers had a couple of advantages over them. Government money that seemed infinite. A team that already worked very well together. One extremely overpowered, if a little unstable, person who could, and had, kicked the asses of everyone on Sam’s team. But Joaquin was pretty sure that at the end of the day, his team was better organized and focused, with a more cohesive structure and more versatile set of skills, besides being better received by the general public.

As a matter of fact, as he remembered some moments of the group fighting session they had just finished, Joaquin was completely sure that if another fight between the teams were to happen right now, the New Avengers would be effortlessly crushed. Sure, they would still need to find a way to deal with Bob beforehand, but he was pretty confident about their odds against the rest of the team.

He dropped the awfully wet towel back on the chair and moved toward the others, trying to pick up on the topic being discussed. Sam had a playful smile on his lips and his arms crossed in front of his chest, listening to Scott.

"Look, all I am saying is that if I had to take someone as my plus one to a superhero event, I would choose the guy that had more time and experience being a hero." Scott argued, moving his hands around. "It's just more respectful, you know?"

"Oh, you think so?" Sam asked, laughing.

"I disagree." Shuri replied from the place where she was seated unceremoniously on the cold floor. Her face still flushed from the workout. "Given the opportunity, I do believe that bringing an ally from a country that is a worldly known technological powerhouse shows how politically well established Captain America is. Especially in comparison to our not-so-liked hosts."

"She brings solid arguments, Scott. I am not gonna lie." Sam shrugged, clearly having the time of his life, as Scott dropped his face, dramatically putting one hand in his chest.

"I think you all are looking at this from the wrong angle." said Shang-Chi, as he played absentmindedly with his powerful rings - a powerful reminder of their capacity. "All of that sounds just predictable. Old. You should show how your team is betting on newer heroes. New strategies, you know? Show them you are not afraid of thinking more outside of the box in the whole hero scene."

"Wow, there's really no respect for seniority here, man." Scott complained before turning to Joaquin. "What about you? Not gonna rest your case?"

"Nah. I have been to enough superhero events to not really care about them anymore." Joaquin just shrugged, picking his nails nonchalantly. 

"Liar." Shang-Chi laughed.

"As if, bird boy." Shuri said, kicking his leg from where she was.

"That's just bullshit, man." Scott punched him weakly on the arm.

"Joaquin is just not going to spend his energy on a lost battle." Sam declared between laughs. "I already know who I am talking to the new Avengers’ gala, and it is not any of you. Now, let's take a break to wash up, you guys smell terrible. We meet in the auditorium in one hour to discuss tactics and combat strategies, okay?"

As each one of his teammates nodded and dispersed in different directions, probably eager to find a cold shower or warm meal, Joaquin followed Sam into the main room of their complex. He really wanted Sam to rethink his participation tonight. It wasn't that Joaquin hated the New Avengers, okay? He just thought they were not the most trustworthy heroes to be around, but after Sam and Bucky’s timid reconciliation, Sam was insisting on trying to be more diplomatic, and they meant to be more receptive to that particular group.

"So you don't think it's weird that you got invited to the one-year celebration of the New Avengers?"

"No, not really. Captain America is still the biggest symbol of heroism in this country, so it would be weirder to have something like this and not include me." Sam pondered. 

“And yet, you being there sends a message to the public.” Joaquin really didn’t feel great about it. “It will look like you are giving your approval to this whole circus. I get the stopping shittalking them around, but to validate that group as the real Avengers just sounds complicated to me.”

"I am not validating their claim on the title. I will make this very clear in every official declaration I give tonight. I am just positioning myself to show that I am willing to give them a chance and play together.” Sam looked at Joaquin with soft eyes. “Also, I can imagine that Bucky spent a long time convincing Valentina to let me being there."

"Are you sure of it? I mean, man, isn't he ignoring your calls?"

"Yes, he is, and it's starting to piss me off, but I know Bucky." Sam exhaled. "Things between us were pretty bad for a long time, and last time, seeing him working with them and trying so hard to find a way to explain… I just– look, I am not stupid. I know there is some sketchy thing going on. But I want to give him the opportunity to come clean."

"I want to be more optimistic about it, I really do. But what if he doesn't come clean soon?"

"Then I will cross that bridge when I get there." 

"I hope you are right. Are you sure that I shouldn't go with you?" Joaquim pushed. “We work well together and if anything happens I can be useful.”

"No, man. I appreciate it, I really do, but even I have to admit that Bucky is not going to meet me halfway with the whole Bob-needs-professional-help thing, so I am going to try a different approach."

From all of Sam’s demands to the New Avengers, that was probably the most important one. Joaquin could still remember so clearly the way Bob had destroyed them all in battle - and all of that while he was in some sort of panic attack, so he could only imagine what Bob could do if he was controlled. Or completely out of control, for the matter. Joaquin wanted to suggest something more drastic, maybe to force an intervention of some type, but he couldn’t forget the pain and fear in the other man’s face when Scott exposed him. A danger to the other or not, Bob was someone in desperate need of help, that much was clear.

"Well, good luck to both of you. When are you leaving?"

"After our next session." Both of them hear the robot voice of their AI assistant warning about an airplane asking permission to land on the premisses and smiled. “I guess my plus one just arrived.”

As Sam jogged out of the room, running to receive his guest, Joaquin couldn't help the apprehension on his chest. Something was going to happen and he was sure it was not going to be something good.

Chapter Text

Generally speaking, Ava was a practical woman. It wasn't a conscious decision that developed this particular trait in her, but rather the circumstances she had found herself in most of her life. Even if Bill tried to make her childhood as normal as possible, she still had to learn very early to accept things as they were and adapt herself to them. 

When she was very young, Ava would ask Bill all the time to do her little pigtails and to let her put on her child makeup. Little Ava would spend hours pretending to be an important businesswoman on her way to a meeting. Or a famous actress arriving late for the shooting of her new movie. Or anything, really, as long as she could pretend she was somewhere else. That she was someone else. That she was not in pain.

But then S.H.I.E.L.D. came, and the pigtails became a liability. The makeup became a distraction. Her time as an agent had taken so much of her girlhood from her, and when she realized that, she had very little motivation to try and get it back.

However, even if things had been so different and chaotic in the last year, somehow she ended up in a position where she could, for maybe the first real time after her parents' death, think about what she wanted instead of what she needed. And boy, that was something dangerous.

So now, Ava looked at her own reflection in the mirror and smiled because she looked exactly like she wanted to look. The slim suit she chose was feminine and chic, without taking away her mobility — and she could hide her new sheath combat suit underneath it, even with the deep cleavage — and the dark green tone looked beautiful against her darker skin. She had already made the base of her makeup look, with clear skin and nude lipstick, but she would need a little help for the next part, so she picked the item she needed and left her room.

The sounds of her heels against the tile floor of the tower took her back to her fairytale dream world, and for a second, she let herself imagine what it would be like to live the rest of her life like this. Being who she wanted to be. Having her face plastered across billboards and magazines. With friends she could — most of the time — rely on. 

Ava didn’t let her thoughts wander too much, soon arriving at her destination. She could hear the loud American music blasting from the inside of the room and let her lips curve upwards at the thought of her friend having the opportunity to just be a girl too.  With a strong knock on Yelena’s door, Ava let herself enter the room, at the same time that the Black Widow turned the music down.

"I want your help." Ava showed the thin metallic green eyeliner in her hands and shrugged her shoulders, but Yelena only smiled back and gestured with her head for Ava to sit on the unmade bed.

Where Ava was all about minimalism, Yelena was clearly a maximalist — her room was full of little things and every time Ava entered she found something new decorating the place.

"That's such a pretty shade. I’ll have to borrow it sometime." Yelena took the eyeliner from Ava and started to work fast. Ava suspected that people only talked about how good Yelena was with a gun because they hadn’t seen her with an eyeliner yet. "I really like your suit, also. Very sexy."

Ava let herself smile. A year ago, the idea of her being sexy on purpose was so out of the question that she would have laughed at the possibility. Sure, she had relationships before, but they were always agents, such as her, looking for something fast and direct. And now she could not only show her face to the public but choose how to. Well, kinda. Valentina had most of the choices, but Ava had a say in it.

"I feel very sexy, thank you. You don't look half bad yourself."

"Thanks, but I don't know. I was thinking about changing it. It's too tight." Yelena shrugged, showing where the tight, black leather dress compressed her hips and thighs. Ava thought she was beautiful, her blonde hair styled back and a dark blue eyeliner completing the look. 

"It is pretty, though. Is it not adjustable?"

"Not much and if I loosen it up enough to be able to move more freely, my boobies come out, and I don't think that will go well with the whole family friendly Avengers vibe." Yelena smirked. "I like the way it is, but it could be a problem if I have to fight."

"I don't think there will be much fighting at a gala full of superheroes, Yelena." Ava said, but she understood the issue. After all, she did hide three different blades in her suit. "But if there is one, I can fight for you."

"Such a hero." Yelena laughed as the other flexed her arms, exactly the way Walker did on the stupid coffee package. "I may actually accept this deal. I assume the new combat suit is working fine, then?"

Even if Ava didn't need to use her suit all the time to keep herself in a physical state anymore, it was still very difficult and unpredictable to try to use her phase powers outside of it. That meant that for a long time, Ava was stuck using her suit most of her days. It was annoying, but she was used to it, until a couple of months ago when she got fed up and demanded a solution. Valentina was filthy rich and had a whole squad of scientists on speed dial just waiting for them to give up on keeping Bob from her — which would not happen — so creating a new suit shouldn’t be that difficult.

They ended up creating a great new model, similar to her older one, that made her powers even more stable and reliable, but was a lot more comfortable and flexible. Also, at Valentina's request, they worked on some thinner pieces that could be used disconnected from each other, like weirdly thick underwear, just so she could wear it underneath fancy clothing for infiltration missions or formal events, such as this.

"It's definitely not as stable or comfortable as the other one, but it is good enough for an easy night. And it's very discreet under my clothes, which is nice." Ava looked at herself again in the full-body mirror by the corner of Yelena’s room. "It may make me look more approachable. If you know what I mean."

"Not sure the public tonight is the one you want for that." Yelena picked up a small blade and hid it in her high heel boots — so much for not fighting. "Mostly politics and editors. A couple of journalists."

"Any public is better than what we have here now." Ava smirked, but Yelena only frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"It's not like our pool of available people in the tower is too good." As Ava talked, a weird look passed through Yelena's face, and for a moment, Ava considered if she had offended the Widow somehow. "I mean, Bucky is hot, but he is also like two hundred years old. And Walker is not even close to being on the table."

"They are not the only people in our group."

"Look, you are so amazing, but so not my type, Yelena." Ava said apologetic. "Dating your father is an absolute no — not just because he is your father, and that's weird, but his whole personality is too much for me. And then there is Bob."

"What's wrong with Bob?"

"Nothing. Look, I love Bob. I just can't really see him like that, you know? I think my brain just categorized him as my unstable and sometimes indestructible little brother." Ava didn't think he was undateable, but the care she had for him was just different from that. "And I don't even know if he should be dating. Given the circumstances."

"What circumstances?" Yelena replied with a tight voice, hands moving slightly. Ava was painfully aware of how protective Yelena could be when Bob was the subject.

"I just think that all that shit OXE did to him just highlighted his mental issues. He definitely should get in a better place mentally before going for that. Dating, I mean." Ava finished fixing her hair, putting down some stubborn stray hairs that insisted on getting out of place. "That reminds me, did he ask about the information on the flash drive?"

After the whole mess with Sam Wilson’s team, the other Black Widow, whose name Ava could not remember for the life of her, had given Yelena a flash drive with information on the Sentry project. Ava had seen some of it and it was bad. Most of it was on the planning and methodology for the project, but there were very specific things on the procedures done to the volunteers. It would be awful to imagine anyone going through it, but to know that all of those things were made to Bob — her friend who was sweet and kind even when he had all reason to be bitter — was a different kind of hell. 

"Not really." Yelena exhaled, scratching her forehead. "He asked about it and I gave him some details, but that was it. He wants to forget it and it should be his decision. I won’t force him through any more pain if I can help it."

"And will you be okay seeing Valentina? You have been ignoring her since that last time." Ava looked again at Yelena. "Don't get me wrong, I also would love to have the chance to smack the shit out of her. I just don't think tonight would be the best time for a replay of that."

"Yeah, although I can imagine that some of our guests would enjoy that very much. It's just that she hurt him so—" Yelena stopped. "I will keep my cool. Last time she caught me by surprise. I am prepared now."

"Good. Let me know if you need an out, and I will rescue you."

"My hero, once again." Yelena threw herself into a dramatic pose, one hand on her chest and the other on her forehead, as if she were about to faint.

A sudden knock on the door distracted them both from the conversation, followed by Bucky’s steady voice asking if it was okay to get in. As the girls left the room, he looked at them and smiled slightly. 

"You two are stunning. But why didn’t you use the hair and make-up service Valentina reserved?"

"I don't want some loser touching me." Yelena said as she picked up a small, black purse. "And they always do whatever Valentina tells them to do, which usually sucks."

"Fair enough." He looked good. The suit really brought out how beautiful he could be. "Walker and Alexei are waiting for us to go up. Bob will go later to not be associated with us too much." Yelena made a face at this and Ava understood. Bob could be very socially anxious. He would not like to face the party by himself. Ava was going to question it when she noticed the way Bucky looked aimlessly around the hallway.

"You are hesitating. Just say what you want to say." Ava pushed and he looked like he was going to deny it for a second, before just shrugging.

"Fine. Valentina wants us to mingle and be more social—"

"We can be social." Yelena linked her arms with Ava, synchronising the sound of their heels on the floor.

"Definitely we can." Ava agreed.

"—and that includes dancing with the guests." Bucky finished, clearly waiting for the certain blow.

"Fine, I dance. I can dance."

"Can you?" Ava asked with a raised eyebrow directed at her smaller friend.

"I am a professional ballerina, you know? All the Widows are." Yelena just deadpanned. "Also, I will dance with Bob."

"Shit, I should have thought of that." Ava really had to be more smart with those things.

"You can't dance just with Bob. It's the date thing all over again. You will put too much attention on him."

"I won't spend a whole night dancing with strangers, Bucky Barnes." She stared at him. "Especially the one night that should mean something to us. One dance. With Bob."

"Five dances. Only one with Bob." Bucky stopped and looked at them. "This is for the both of you."

"Two dances." Ava joined. The conversation suddenly becoming important to her too. 

"Three dances." He argued back, both hands on his hip.

"Three dances, but two with Bob." Yelena played back.

"Three dances. One with Bob. One with someone else from the team. One with a random guest." The Winter Soldier offered.

The girls looked at each other. They would not get a better deal than that. "You have a deal, Mr. Barnes." Ava shook his hand dramatically.

"Fine. But if I end up with some lousy dancer, I will make your life hell, Bucky Barnes." Yelena declared, pointing at him.

“Whatever.” Bucky took some small earplugs from his pocket and gave them both. “We should keep communicating all the time. There will be a lot of important people and some may try to corner us into saying something we shouldn’t.”

As they walked toward the others, Ava fitted the earplugs into her ears, linking arms with Yelena once again. Halfway to the elevator, she realized taht her hands wouldn’t stay still, and the faint tremor in her fingers made her wonder if it was just nerves or if tonight would turn out different from the rest. Her team were, after all, a public hazard waiting to happen — especially when music and questionable decisions got involved.

Shuri didn’t get to meet many people she was impressed with. Maybe it was because she had spent most of her life as part of Wakanda’s royalty and, by default, was usually the one who impressed others, not the one left impressed. Or maybe it was simply because she had been a teenager who survived aliens, sorcerers, supervillains, political wars, and the disappearance of half the planet Earth—including herself—and there really wasn’t much left that could awe her.

But Isaiah Bradley was clearly an exception to the rule.

For many years, Shuri had no idea Isaiah even existed, much less that he had been a super soldier or all that he could have represented if the universe had been a slightly less unjust place. But a few years back, not long after Sam took up the mantle of Captain America, the veteran hero’s name reached her ears, and a quick search turned into hours hunched over computers and holograms, soaking up everything she could about the emblematic figure she had just uncovered.

Although Shuri had been raised with plenty of knowledge about the world outside Wakanda — especially regarding the treatment of Black people in so many places — she had still lived a life shielded by the impenetrable barriers of her homeland and within a culture that celebrated her history and her skin. To her, the idea of a Black superhero was as ordinary as a Black baker. A Black teacher. A Black king. After all, the title of Black Panther had thrived in Wakanda for centuries, to the point where the thought of living in a world without such symbols seemed unreal, even impossible.

And yet, here she was. Following Sam Wilson toward the guest quarters, her heart beating fast at the possibility of being formally introduced to a man who could have been the spark of a revolution in his own country, an icon of hope and pride for thousands of Black boys and girls — not only in America but in a whole world, when Wakanda was still hidden and its riches and strengths were unknown. But Isaiah Bradley had never become that symbol, because it had been taken away from him.

When Wakanda was exposed to the world and her brother became an honorary Avenger, Shuri spent a long time talking with him, debating what it was like to be a hero in such a chaotic, fractured world. T’Challa had commented, between jokes, about how he missed more color in the group he had fought alongside, and how far the world of superheroes was from what he had hoped for in that regard. Sadly, very little had changed since T’Challa was gone.

Shuri wasn’t trying to start a revolution or present herself as some emblematic figure in such a polarized world — after all, she was very aware of the privileges her position afforded her. Still, the more time she spent at Captain America’s side, the more she found herself stepping into the role of a heroine and allowing herself to be seen in all her colors. As a young Black woman in a world where none of those traits was ever truly valued.

Shuri followed Sam to one of the marked elevators, suddenly more enthusiastic about the weekend’s itinerary now that the leader had revealed Isaiah would be returning to Washington with Sam after the party, and staying with them throughout the training, sharing some war stories and combat tactics he had once used as a super soldier.

“Can I ask you a question that might not really be my business?” Shuri broke the silence, looking at Captain America with what she hoped was a convincing expression.

“You can, but I get to choose whether I answer or not.” Sam shot back with a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“It’s not that I don’t think it’s amazing you brought Isaiah Bradley to share a bit of American military wisdom with the team, but, like, why take him to the New Avengers’ party?”

“Well, I actually have two reasons.” Sam smiled again, bigger and more genuine this time. “The first one is that the last time I took him to a party he ended up being arrested and accused of trying to assassinate the president, so… I kind of owe him a make-up for that.”

“Fair enough. And what’s reason number two?”

“That one’s a little more complicated.” Sam looked at her, and Shuri could see emotions clashing in his gaze. Apprehension. Doubt. Hope. “Isaiah suffered a lot because of his powers. His abilities, his strength — they were much more of a burden than a privilege. He was America’s first super soldier, maybe one of the first in the world, and for a long time, he was on his own, trying to figure out abilities he didn’t understand. Confused and scared of what might lie ahead.”

“I think I can guess where you’re going with this.”

“The New Avengers haven’t really taken a stand on getting Bob the help he needs, and that worries me. I know he doesn’t look like a threat, but neither did Wanda, and look how that ended.” Sam ran a hand over his face. Shuri didn’t know much about his relationship with Wanda Maximoff, but it was clear her end had left deep wounds in Captain America’s chest.

“It wasn’t your fault.” Shuri tried to argue. “Didn’t Doctor Strange say she was under some kind of dark spell or something?”

“A dark book. But still, we all knew Wanda needed help. She had so much power and so much trouble controlling it. We should’ve supported her more. I should have gone after her, but I didn’t, and she lost herself — and nearly wiped out a city in the process.” Sam stopped walking, rubbing his fingers together the way he sometimes did when he was deep in thought. “I just want to make sure that doesn’t happen to someone else.”

“Even if their methods are questionable, they seem to care about him a lot. I don’t think they’d let anything drastic happen, Sam.”

“I know they’ll try, but some things need more effort and capability than they can handle. Bucky likes to face the world as if nothing is ever too hard for him, and I think the whole group is starting to follow that path, but I can’t let their lack of responsibility end with people getting hurt because of a telepathic super soldier who doesn’t know how to control his powers.”

“So what’s your plan?”

“I wanted to convince them of what’s right, but those hardheads are set on not trusting anyone. I’m hoping Isaiah can speak directly with Bob. Share some of the struggles he went through and how it took more than just goodwill to fully control his abilities. I’d talk to him myself, but I don’t think he got a good impression of me—or of us—the last time.”

“And you really think Bob will be at the party?”

“Probably not, but maybe I can convince Bucky to let Isaiah talk to him after. I don’t know yet, I might have to improvise.” Sam smiled. “At least that’s one skill I’m developing as Captain America.”

Shuri was about to reply when she realized they had already reached the guest quarters. Sam glanced at her with a smile as he knocked on the door of their destination. It didn’t take long before the guest opened it, a genuine grin spreading across his face the moment his eyes landed on Shuri.

“And you must be the princess of Wakanda.” Isaiah extended his hand to the Black Panther, his grip firm. “And Black Panther. Not sure which one is more impressive.”

“Nothing compared to the title of first super soldier, that’s for sure.” Shuri shot back with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. When Sam told me you were here, I immediately started pestering him to introduce us. You’re an inspiration.”

“I’m glad to hear that from someone so young. But let’s cut it with the ‘sir’—you can just call me Isaiah.” The older man smiled and glanced at Sam. “So, am I supposed to start getting ready now? I was going to bring my lucky suit, but I figured maybe not, it’s hard to tell how the night will end when I’m going to a party with you.”

“That was one time, and I’m sure tonight will be nice and calm, old man.” Sam looked back at Shuri. “Well, introductions made. I’ll go get changed, and you can interrogate the old guy a bit more, but he needs to be ready in an hour.”

“Please.” Isaiah scoffed. “A man like me gets ready in ten minutes. And I will look so good I could melt the competition.”

Shuri laughed heartily, already thinking of all the different things she wanted to ask the veteran hero, but Sam interrupted.

“Actually, Shuri, there’s something I wanted to ask you.” He suddenly looked nervous. “It’s something I should’ve asked months ago but completely forgot.”

“Of course. What can I do?”

“When we faced the New Avengers last time, Ant-Man’s combat suit was damaged in a strange way, and he wanted to know if you could figure out whether it was an electrical issue or something else.”

“Show me where it is and I can take a look. No problem.”

“Great. I’ll ask Joaquin to bring it to your room later. Thanks a lot.”

Shuri just waved her hand and pursed her lips. She could handle that in five minutes.

Captain America said his goodbyes and disappeared down the hall, leaving her and Isaiah behind. They ended up talking longer than either of them planned—he shared stories from his first weeks as a super soldier, and she tried to summarize the chaos that had somehow led to her becoming the Black Panther. It was only when they noticed there were barely fifteen minutes left that Isaiah jumped up to get ready. Shuri headed back to her room, still smiling, feeling oddly satisfied and a little more excited about the weekend ahead.