The Night We Met | Steve / Bucky

eight - lovely

Tony carried Katherine in his arms - much like he used to carry her from the couch to her bed when she'd stay up all night reading. It hurt Tony, more than the team could imagine, he thought he lost his best friend years ago but at this moment, he still believed she was gone.

The quinjet was equipped with a small, sealed area - mainly used for valued objects or persons who thought of fleeing. It was sealed with bulletproof glass, with an airlocked door the only way in or out. Natasha looked after the broken Bruce after his excursion around Johannesburg while Tony focused on Katherine. Tony brought the senseless Katherine to the sealed area, "Tony." Steve exhaled as Tony placed her on the cold metal floor. Steve knew it was wrong to be locking Katherine up - again. But Tony would not argue with anyone, no one would dare speak to Tony in this moment.

Tony sighed, removing the boxes of weapons and ammunition that was stored in the area - a cage really, a cell. Tony looked around the quinjet as Thor and Clint boarded - looking for clothes. Something that wasn't Thor's cape. Natasha wrapped Bruce in a blanket. He sat on the floor, sweating, not saying a word. 

Steve looked between Tony and the young girl. Steve went to a duffle bag at the back of the jet. On first glance, you would assume the bag was filled with weapons or ammunition but instead clothes. Steve pulled out a black jumper and grey sweats from the bag, "It's all I have." 

Tony graciously took the clothes from Steve and began dressing Katherine. Tony refusing help as he would hate anyone to see Katherine so vulnerable. The rest of the team graciously turned their heads with Natasha soon entering to help Tony put Katherines arms in the sleeves of the jumper and then over her head. The clothes were huge on Katherine but Tony was at peace knowing she was warm and comfortable. Tony returned the cape to Thor and closed the door to the unit behind him - locking Katherine in. 

-

Night had fallen. Bruce remained on the floor in the center of the quinjet, Tony sat behind Clint, who took control and flew the quinjet, he sat so he could check on Katherine - who was still unconscious on the floor. She hadn't made a sound which worried Tony. Steve sat silently behind Tony, fiddling with his thumbs, glancing over to Katherine every few moments for any progress but there was nothing. Despite Katherine nearly killing him several hours prior, he still hoped she would be okay. There was just something about her that radiated a fire within him. Thor paced up and down the quinjet while Natasha sat beside Steve, also in silence. 

The team joined a call meeting with Maria Hill, who remained in New York. The team remained quiet for most of the journey, "The news is loving you guys," Maria spoke, "Nobody else is. There's been no official call for Banner's arrest but it's in the air."

"The Stark Relief Foundation?" Tony asked.

"Already on the scene. How's the team?" Maria asked, almost afraid of the answer.

Steve inhaled deeply, glancing over to Katherine. But also being drawn back to the influence Wanda Maximoff put him under. He saw Peggy, danced with Peggy, the war was over. But in reality, it wasn't. There was a new war to fight. And when the enemy is defeated, another one comes around the corner, tougher than the last. But in the midst of war, Steve somehow found the good. He found Peggy back then and now he's found Katherine. 

Tony sighed, "Everyone's -" He paused for a moment, almost hearing the heaviness of breaths from behind him, from the team, "We took a hit. We'll shake it off." 

Maria sighed, "And how is she?" 

Tony sighed, looking over to his sister. "Still no update."

"Well, for now I'd stay in stealth mode and stay away from here."