A Little Song Bird

Infinity War (Part 1)

August 13, 2019

1:47 am

The entire flight is full of a tense silence. No one asks where we're going and everyone keeps to themselves. Except Wade, who wrapped himself around me like a security blanket as Nat flew the plane.

I tried and offered too but she took one look at my shaking hands and the spot of blood on my shirt before adjusting my coat to cover it and telling me to go sit with Wade. On the other side of me, Bucky sits and stares at Steve. Part of me wants to help fix them so he can have his childhood friend back but most of me just wants to strangle him for upsetting Bucky.

Wade sits on the carrier's floor between my legs, arms around my waist and his head resting on my thigh. While my soldier has kept to himself, probably trying to process everything with Steve. Anxiously, my fingers trace over the seams in Wade's suit. I hate it when I can't fix things for Bucky.

My stomach drops with the plane as we start our descent. This is definitely not what I imagined would bring me back here. When we left all those years ago, they all insisted we could come home at any time.

I couldn't break it to them that this place never felt like home.

Saints ears perk up as I nudge Wade off my lap and stand up. He follows without hesitation towards the hangar bay. Adjusting my hat I suck in a deep breath as the carrier bumps softly against the ground. Maybe Nat can go on my pilot list... though if this goes right I really don't need a pilot ever again.

Numerous pairs of footsteps come towards Saint and I as the hanger begins to drop open, letting in the bright midday light. People bustle about the palace but I pay them no attention as they come into view.

Three people I could never repay for the kindness they showed me.

Queen Mother Ramonda, and the two kids I got the great privilege to watch grow up. Shuri and T'Challa. Hopping the last foot or so to the ground, Shuri lets out a squeal before she closes the distance between us.

"Birdie! You better not have broken that white boy again!" She cries as she squeezes me tight. T'Challa and the Queen both shake their heads at her antics.

"I missed you, my mad scientist." Letting her go, I look her over. Nearly 10 years and she's grown up so much. I remember when she was just learning how to walk, when we first arrived she was barely 3 and T'Challa barely 20.

Excitedly she drops to her knees to greet Saint but my attention already moved to the boy-king before me. He smiles warmly and opens his arms. Squeezing him tightly, "It's nice to see you boy." I laugh and he joins me. I'll always be so proud of them.

"Hello, Adhara. It is so lovely to see you back home." Pressing a kiss to my forehead he passes me off to his mother. Who wastes no time before dragging me into yet another hug. Her sweet summer perfume washes over me as her arms hold me gently.

"Darling, you've strayed for far too long."

"Sorry, mother." With one last squeeze she pulls back to look me over, her features soften as she takes note of my attire, her gaze lingering on the green ribbon. The exact one I'm trying to keep out of mind for now. 'Later' I mouth, reluctantly she nods and goes to address the others.