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Warning: the snap
Bucky's shoulder brushes against Malka as they wait by the border. Natasha, Steve, and T'Challa had gone down to the shield to bargain, but Malka suspects it may be useless. With her new suit clad on her body, she tries to hold her head up and calm her nerves.
Being Aura would certainly help at this moment.
"One big fight after the next," Bucky says softly as he looks down at her. "Will it ever stop?"
"Who knows?" Malka shrugs, though she knows he can tell she is nervous. "Maybe we need to choose friends who won't run headfirst into danger? Maybe then we can finally get some rest."
"You know, I never thought to thank you."
"For what?" She laughs. "The arm? Ok, Shuri wasn't supposed to tell you, and it was just a prototype—"
"Not the arm," he chuckles. "Though, I guess that too. You made this?"
"I designed it. Shuri made it."
"I guess that's why it fits so well. Of course, you would design it," he shakes his head and sighs. "But, I meant about the deprogramming."
"Oh, it's nothing—"
"It's not nothing, Malka." It's like his eyes can see right through her to the hole Aura left. She is still working on it—working on resisting the control she holds. "You saved me. Again."
"After putting you in danger. Again. It's the least I could do."
Bucky purses his lips. "For once, can you just accept that I..." He falters. "Just accept my thanks. You might as well if we both die."
"There is glory in death on a battlefield," Malka replies with a small smirk. "I'd rather die surrounded by my friends. I guess that is one and the same now. I miss the days when we were the danger. Or Loki. He was easy to deal with, you just had to accept his drama."
Before Bucky can reply, the capsules embedded in the earth open as Steve, Natasha, and T'Challa rejoin them. "They surrender?" Bucky asks almost dryly.
"Not exactly," Steve replies.
T'Challa begins a chant with his army repeating his words. Malka tilts her chin up as creatures run from the treelike at the barrier, snarling and growling even from this far away. She hears Bucky curse under his breath as she says, "They don't look like Chitauri."
Steve glances her way. "Might want to get ready."
The creatures push against the barrier, but it is too strong. Many lose limbs, even slash off their own torso in their attempt to break it. "They're killing themselves," Okoye whispers in horror.
