Stars Stripes and Metal

A Love Lost, But Not Forgotten

Wakanda, Africa. June 2017.

Three months have past since Ana and Steve promised each other Always. They've found happiness the new routine of married life. Steve would wake early before Ana, get coffee started and crawl back into bed after checking on Samual. He would love her in the early morning hours as the sun rises over Wakanda. Worshiping each other faithfully and passionately each morning, like going to church. A reminder to each other of their love before starting the day.

After Ana makes breakfast and feeds Samual, she goes in search of Nakia and Okoye. Ana has become an honorary member of the War Dogs, the special ops of the Dora Milaje. Although Ana doesn't go on missions, she's responsible for intel translations and data recovery. Everything the War Dogs discover has to go through her before being passed to T'Challa. Steve has joined T'Challa's council. As new members of the Uduak Royal household Ana and Steve are expected to pull their weight, and being on the council was the perfect way for them to use the skill from being Avengers without getting their hands dirty.

They spent their morning is meeting, or in Ana's case reviewing mountains of data, they usually find each other again around lunch, taking a small walk to a secluded garden before having a light lunch. Afternoons were spent training. T'Challa would spar with Steve most days. Ana would be out on the plains with Nakia and Okoye as well as the rest of the Dora Milaje. By late afternoon Steve would return home to find his wife, barefoot in the kitchen. Swaying to whatever song she has playing through the house as she makes dinner. Their son playing on the floor at her feet or if he's being feisty she'll have in already in his highchair.

At 7 months old Samual is already walking, and has started on solid foods. Ana's milk supply couldn't keep up with the baby super soldier. Ana jokes that Samual eats like his father. Steve has to agree. Not only is Samual advanced for his age he is also enhanced.

Shuri is fascinated by Samual's abilities. He has never bleed, never received a cut or bruise. He's incredibly strong. Steve believes Samual will be stronger than him in a few short years. He's also fast, not only does he learn quickly, and he grows at an accelerated rate but he also moves quickly. Ana is forever physically running to keep up with him. And although his parents are beyond proud of their little soldier, they are worried for him. He shows no fear, none what so ever.

Shuri wants Ana to bring him into the lab for his monthly tests, but Ana has been putting it off. As much as she enjoys spending time with her best friends little sister, going to the lab means being close to James. And she hasn't brought herself to see him since before the wedding. It's been almost 5 months since she stood before he ex fiancé's sleeping body.

On the morning of Samual's exam, the one T'Challa literally pulled the King card and forced her to agree too, in his I am the King tone. Ana stands on the balcony outside of their apartment. She stands in the morning sun, letting the winter light warm her face. Her husband and son still sleeping in then house behind her. She craves these moments alone, craves them and hates them. When the world is still and Ana is alone with her thoughts, her soul calls for James. She should see him today, and although he's frozen in suspended sleep she needs to tell him about her and Steve. She needs to tell him that she isn't his anymore.

Ana feels eyes on her from inside the house, she smiles as the atmosphere around her tenses and fill with electricity. Goosebumps rise on Ana's neck.

Where are you baby? He voice thick with sleep, laced with desire. She knows he's looking for her... not just her... but herrrr.

I'm here.

She turns to face him and lifts an eyebrow seeing him standing against the door frame, his arms folded across his bare chest. Grey sweatpants hang dangerously low on his perfectly chiseled hips, his sex lines calling out to her like a damn beacon directing her eyes to the beast loosely outlined by his sweatpants.