First Light | Steve Rogers (Book Two)

Chapter Two: Rusted

"Eleven Wakandans were among those killed during a confrontation between the Avengers and a group of mercenaries in Lagos, Nigeria, last month. The traditionally reclusive Wakandans were on an outreach mission in Lagos when the attack occurred" the news anchor announced, making my stomach twist as I remembered what had happened.

Footage of the King of Wakanda came up on the screen, "Our people's blood is spilled on foreign soil. Not only because of the actions of criminals, but by the indifference of those pledged to stop them. Victory at the expense of the innocent is no victory at all"

I quickly turned the television off and let out a heavy sigh, my head falling against the arm that rested across the back of the sofa. "This isn't fair" I murmured, still staring at the screen.

"I know" Steve sighed, shuffling a little closer to me in an attempt to comfort me.

"She's just a kid. She's been through enough already and now this happens? It was an accident, she couldn't control it"

The man nodded and absentmindedly pressed a kiss to my forehead as I curled up against him, "It may take a while for this to die down, we'll need to keep an eye on her"

I paused, motioning for him to be silent. The sound of a news reporter could still be heard from another room and I let out a quiet groan.

We made our way into Wanda's room and I switched the television off before it could do any more damage. She was sat on the edge of her bed, her knees curled up against her chest as she stared at the dark screen. "It's my fault" the girl murmured.

Steve sighed heavily and shook his head as he leant against the doorframe, "That's not true"

"Turn the TV back on. They're being very specific"

I scoffed and crossed my arms as I took a step into the room, "How can they possibly be specific? They weren't there, they don't know what actually happened. I can make a statement to the press, tell them what really-"

"Don't," she protested quietly, "They're right"

"I should've clocked that bomb vest long before you had to deal with it. Rumlow said 'Bucky'... and all of a sudden, I was a sixteen-year-old kid again in Brooklyn. And people died," Steve huffed as we sat on either side of her, "It's on me"

Wanda reached out and took my hand in hers as she glanced over at him, "It's on both of us"

I drew in a deep breath as I stared at our connected hands, "In this job... we try to save as many people as we can, that doesn't necessarily mean everybody. Things are always gonna go wrong, that's how this world works. If we can't find a way to live with that for the next time something happens... we might not be able to save anyone"

She stared at me, flecks of red shining in her bright green eyes. Her voice was quiet and cautious, "How do you live with it? How do you cope?"

I looked down at the ground, feeling Steve's anxious gaze on me as I tried to come up with an answer. "Boxes," I said after a moment's pause, "I think of a box and I put whatever I'm feeling inside. Then, I lock it and hide it away. It's not exactly healthy, but it helps me to deal with it until I decide otherwise. Maybe don't use me as an example"

We were cut off by a figure walking through the wall next to us. I jumped slightly, still avoiding Steve. "Vis," Wanda spoke in a soft but stern voice, "We talked about this"

"Yes, but the door was open, so I assumed that..." he trailed off as he glanced down at us, "Captain Rogers wished to know when Mr Stark was arriving"

"Thank you. We'll be right down"

"I'll use the door," he muttered before pausing as the sun illuminated his deep scarlet complexion, "Oh, and apparently, he's brought a guest"

I frowned, "Do we know who it is?"

He hesitated as he scanned the room once more, "The Secretary of State"

I settled further into my chair, still avoiding Steve's frequent glances as Secretary Ross introduced himself. "Five years ago," the man sighed, "I had a heart attack and dropped right in the middle of my backswing. Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after thirteen hours of surgery and a triple bypass, I found something forty years in the Army had never taught me. Perspective"

He scanned the room, seeming to scrutinise each and every one of us as we listened. He cleared his throat and continued, "The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives. But while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some... who would prefer the word 'vigilantes'"

"What word would you use, Mr Secretary?" Nat asked, sounding a little tense as she spoke.

"How about 'dangerous'? What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?"

He stepped aside to show us a screen. A map appeared on it, several bright yellow dots marked our different battles. "New York", a Chitauri Leviathan was shown flying through the air, gunshots and explosions ringing out as civilians frantically ran for cover.

"Washington DC", the three helicarriers crashed into the Potomac river, drowning people in boiling water as they tried to flee.

"Sokovia", the city rose into the air, buildings crumbling as innocents tried to evacuate from the devastation.

"Lagos", smoke rose from the building, sirens wailing as they tried to reach the charred remains. A body lay in the rubble, lifeless eyes staring blankly at the camera.

Wanda quickly looked away and I moved my chair a little closer to hers, "That's enough"

The images of death and destruction disappeared. "For the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution," Ross placed a large booklet in front of Wanda, "The Sokovia Accords. Approved by a hundred-and-seventeen countries, it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organisation. Instead... they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary"

Steve raised an eyebrow as he glared at the booklet, "The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we've done that"

"Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now? If I misplaced a couple of thirty megaton nukes, you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise, reassurance... that's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground"

Rhodes nodded as he gestured to the Accords, "So, there are contingencies?"

The man nodded, "Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords. Take it over"

There was silence as he began to head towards the door. I wasn't entirely sure what to do. All I knew was that it made me feel very uneasy. I hated feeling uneasy. "And if we come to a decision you don't like?" I called after him.

"Then you retire"