Lilliana: The Oldest Maximoff [Discontinued]

Welcome to Wakanda

"This will be the rooms that you'll be staying in. I figured that you'd prefer to stay here- it is the nicest." Shuri showcases.

"Its great, thank y-"

"Actually, I'd prefer somewhere more... uh...quiet." Barnes interrupts.

"Oh, um... there is a hut not too far from my lab. It will be secluded, as you please, but convenient if I need to reach you." she explains.

"Thanks," he muttered as a final word before leaving us women alone.

"Thank you, Shuri, for letting us stay here." I say sincerely.

"No-no thanking me. We owe you greatly for saving our father's life."

Her father just died...

"Oh- and my condolences." I stutter.

"... Well, T'Challa should be arriving any minute now, so I'll leave you to get settled."

We mutter our goodbyes and go our separate ways.

--------------------------------------

Everyone, besides Bucky and I, was at T'Challa's crowning as king.  They would've liked us to accompany them, but it was a sacred ceremony and we weren't apart of the Wakandan tribes.

Apparently, he was crowned King after a tough battle against the mountain tribe. He was able to defeat the opposing leader, forcing him to yield. As of now, T'Challa is getting his "Black Panther  powers" returned. 

The sky is dimly lit by the full moon. I peer out of my bedroom window, admiring the sight. Something- someone- catches my eye. Its Bucky. He's carried a small chair, probably from his dining room table, and has rested in it. His gaze lands upon the reflection of the lake, wind blowing softly. There's something rare about the scene before me. Barnes seems peaceful- genuinely peaceful.

I figured that I'd join him.

"Hey," I mutter softly as I lay the small blanket on the cool grass.

"Hey,"

It was comfortably silent for a while, both of us enjoying the calm weather.

"This is nice, isn't it?" I attempt, "being able to enjoy the world without having to worry about saving it."

"Yeah, I guess so." He mumbles, unsure about the conversation.

I take a slow deep breath, basking in the moon. I can sense Bucky's eyes on me, but I choose not to face him.

"Um... do you still have my phone?" he asks with a slight grin.

"Here we go," I smile as I snap a few pictures with Barnes's phone and setting the two men free.

"Alright, you've had your fun. Now, give it back." Barnes grumbles, requesting his phone back.

"No, I think that I'll hold onto it for the time being." I reply, placing the device inside the belt of my suit.

The memory replays in my head, and a small giggle accidentally escapes my lips.

I've secretly been holding on to it, keeping the phone on me, until Barnes realized that it was never returned...

"Uh, yeah, I do." I smile, reaching into my inside jacket pocket and handing it back to him.

"D-did you keep this on you the entire time?" He stutters slightly, attempting to subtlely stifle his laugh.

"Maybe," I admit, "I honestly just wanted to see how long it'd be until you realized that I still had it."

"Wow,"

"I will tell you that it has good music. I was listening to it while I was unpacking."

"Wha-" Bucky stops, looking at the picture I took of him and Sam.

I can't hold it in anymore, as I break out into a fit of laughter. Even Bucky lets out chuckles with me.

"I'm sorry, but... the fact that... I got that on camera is... phenomenal." I breath heavily.

"Well, you try fighting that kid. I mean— he is strong as hell!" He counters, "I don't know what is coursing through that kids veins, but..."

"I think that Peter's amazing—"

"Me too but– wow that kid is strong!"

"You got beat by a 16 year old!" I blurt out.

"Was he seriously 16?" Barnes baffles.

I nod with a wide smile.

"No— there is no way— Tony brought a 16 year old to fight with the Avengers in Germany?!"

"I know, that's what I'm saying!" I agree loudly, "who brings a teenager to fight us? I mean— the kid probably has homework!"

Bucky lets out a laugh, and I notice a small snort but I don't point it out.

"You're only worried about the kid's homework? Not about i—"

"I worry about his homework, his safety, his... Everything. He's a teenager, for crying out loud! I was still in Sokovia at his age. I hadn't met Stark, or Steve, or you."

His laughter dies down a little bit, and he looks at me with something that I can't quite place. Admiration? Happiness? Friendliness?

We converse about nothings as the night grows darker. Not a single word feels out of place. It's comfortable, which is something that I never thought would happen with Bucky.

Eventually, we dozed off to sleep. I never made it back to my bedroom, that night. My bed consisted of blankets— a bundle of them.

I didn't plan on staying out by the lake the entire night, but it was just so serenely presenting.

When I awoke the next morning, blinded by the sun's bright light, I was rolled up in a quilt.

If I remember correctly, it was the same quilt that Bucky was using to stay warm, last night.

Wait— Bucky.

I turn to my left, where I recall his chair being. There he is, a placid look on his face. My gaze runs lower, and I realize that his bottom half is no longer sheltered by a blanket.

Then, it hit me. James Buchanan Barnes gave up his covering so that I could sleep warm.

He's starting to live up to what Steve said he would be...

Author's Note:
And yet another chapter. This was kind of a filler, maybe? It was a wonderful bonding scene between Bucky and Lilli. I find it great that they are moving away from the past. The Winter Soldier's actions are finally wearing away. Don't worry there will be more scenes like this in the future *wink* *wink*
Anyways, enjoy!