The Prisoner | Natasha x OC

Chapter Thirty-Two

"I loved you long before I had to guts to let you know."
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Not proof read <3

Natasha walked slow, hesitantly sitting on the bench beside the person who was now King T'Challa. He looked lost, devastation weighing on his shoulders.
But there was an unpredictable air around him too. It hadn't been there earlier and now left her feeling uneasy.

"I'm very sorry."

T'challa looked towards her then, and his eyes held that same lost look in them too. But he looked away a moment after, playing with a ring in between his fingers. It had belonged to his father. And now it belonged to him.

"In my culture, death is not the end. It's more of a stepping-off point. You reach out with both hands... and Bast and Sekhmet, they lead you into the green veldt... where you can run forever."

Nat nodded, her heart hurting for him. "That sounds very peaceful." He looked at her and she saw the look in his eyes still.

"My father thought so." His entire energy shifted, rippling and transforming into something new and unwelcome. "I am not my father."

Nat's own body tensed, automatically readying for a fight by the tone of his voice.

"T'Challa," She warned, "Task force will decide who brings in Barnes."

He stood then, fists clenched. A mourning son... who now had the power of a king.

"Don't bother Ms. Romanoff. I'll kill him myself."

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Nat's heart still beat louder than usual in her chest and as much as she'd hate to admit it, there was still a slight ringing in her ears too, the explosion taking its toll.

Her phone call with Steve had gone terribly and it had taken place right after her conversation with King T'Challa. Everything was a mess right now.

Not looking where she was going, Nat turned only to walk right into someone. Her pulse spiked at the surprise, still jumpy from recent events.

But then their smell invaded her senses and her body relaxed on its own. All of a sudden she was safe. Not that she hadn't been safe a few seconds prior.

But it was different to be safe and to actually feel safe. And right now she was both.

Already knowing what she'd find, Nat looked up and saw those green eyes that had become a comfort. "Tara," She breathed. Getting back to her senses, Nat stood back, shaking her head. "You're here- why?"

Natara's eyes were filled with worry... but not only for the redhead in front of her. Though right now, Natasha was her main concern. "I came to make sure you were okay." She held up her phone. "Dead," she explained, as if the black screen wasn't enough of an explanation. Her eyes were scanning their surroundings frantically, straining for any sign of the other person she'd come to Vienna for. But she stopped herself and decided to focus all of her attention on Natasha.

Nat blinked, completely taken aback before managing to put on some of her usual confidence. "And you couldn't have borrowed a phone?" The worry didn't fade from Natara's eyes.

"You could've been hospitiitalized and would've still told me you were fine." It was a statement, no venom or teasing in her tone. Nat sighed.

"I'm fine. I promise."