Separate Universe (HP/MCU)

Chapter Fifty Six

"I should be getting back to Clint's. I need to check on Henry and the others," Nanala said, once they left the lab.

"I think you should eat and rest for the night. Tomorrow would be a better idea for you to leave," Steve commented, making the girl frown.

"I don't know, I don't want to overstay my welcome. Besides, King T'Challa invited you and Bucky, I was just a tag along," Nanala replied, not realizing T'Challa was listening to her.

"It's just T'Challa," He commented, causing her to jump slightly,"and Captain Rogers told me you were with them, Ms. Malfoy. I offered you a place as well in Wakanda. I also agree with Captain Rogers, you should eat and rest for the night. Everything else can wait for tomorrow," He said, making her frown.

"But my son--" Nanala began, causing T'Challa to raise his hand and silence her.

"Your son will be fine for the night, Ms. Malfoy. You left him with someone you trust, yes?" He asked, and she nodded,"Tomorrow you can go and retrieve him. Bring him here, I believe Shuri would appreciate your magic if she needs it for Sargent Barnes' treatment," He said, causing Nanala to smile slightly.

Nanala, Steve, and Bucky were lead to where they would eat.

"Okoye will show you where you are staying after you eat," T'Challa informed, and Nanala nodded.

Nanala quickly ate, before using her magic to clean up her dishes. Once she was ready, Okoye motioned for her to follow. Okoye lead Nanala to a small hut like building.

"There is two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room. You will be expected tomorrow morning by Princess Shuri in her lab," Okoye said, before she left.

Nanala walked around the place, checking out each room carefully. The rooms were nice, and she definitely wouldn't complain about the beds. When she walked into the room where she would be staying, she was surprised to find a nightgown, as well as an outfit for her to wear the next morning. So, she grabbed the nightgown and went to take a shower.

The shower felt amazing, and she was glad that she had been given a nice place to stay. After her shower, she put her hair in a braid, and slipped the nightgown over her head. She used a simple charm to clean her underwear, before she placed them with her outfit for the next morning.

Steve had been given a temporary room near Bucky's, which had been close to the lab. Steve would only be staying one more day, then he'd leave to rescue whatever members of the team wanted to be rescued, then he'd be going on the run as a fugitive. Steve knew Bucky would be safe with Nanala around, so he didn't have to worry about his best friend.

Shuri had wanted Bucky to stay near the lab, so she could get him into the lab as fast and early as possible. Nanala would be there early as well, and she planned to help Shuri as much as she could. She didn't know too much about medical things when it came to computers and technology, but she knew how to do things with her magic and without machines.

For the entire night, Bucky stayed awake and alert. He was in a place he had never been before, so he wasn't able to completely relax. He was also too nervous, since the next morning he would be having medical tests and procedures done on him. He was also scared to fall asleep, since his sleep was always plagued with nightmares.

The nightmares were full of his victims and their screams and their blood. Each face haunted him, each scream sent shivers down his spine, and every bit of the blood made him feel sick to his stomach with regret. He had been plagued with these nightmares for a long time, especially after he had escaped HYDRA. Obviously he couldn't be completely away from HYDRA's clutches yet, since the trigger words were still ingrained in his brain, but once those were gone, he'd be completely free.

The thought of being free sent butterflies erupting in his belly. He didn't know how to feel, since he had been HYDRA's toy for so long, but he knew he felt a sense of relief knowing he'd be free from them soon enough. He wondered what his life would be like once he was rid of HYDRA for good.

Would he have a life? Would he be able to go back to somewhat normal like he was before everything happened? Would he finally be able to get himself a girl? Maybe have a family? The thought of having a girl and a family scared him, since he wasn't sure any woman would be able to accept him after all he had done.

He planned to apologize to everyone he had hurt throughout his time as the Winter Soldier. Obviously, he couldn't really apologize to the people he had killed, other than going to their graves to apologize, but he could apologize to their families. He wasn't sure if he wanted their forgiveness or their hatred, but he did know he wanted everyone to know how sorry he really was.

One day he would apologize. One day he would finally be able to forgive himself. One day he would sleep without nightmares. One day he would take out all of HYDRA. Those days were in the future, and definitely wouldn't be anytime soon, but he hoped one day they would.

As the sun slowly started to peak through the trees, he began to wonder what his life would be like with a woman and children. He wondered what she would look like, and if she would love him for all of his flaws. He wondered what their children would look like, and how many they would have. He wondered just how much would change, and how happy he would finally be able to be after so many years...