Kate scrolls back and forth between projects, head too full of all of them to focus much. Her desk is cluttered, things half on the table, stuff in the floor. There's the spear upgrades, upgrades to T'Challa's suit, the vibrainium train upgrades. And then there's the words: longing and one. Just two left and she has no ideas.
Shuri walks over to the other side of Kate's desk and turns her projections off. "Are you excited for Sergeant Barnes to visit today?"
"I was working on those," Kate complains, turning the projections back on.
Shuri turns them off again, a grin on her face. "It's been two weeks since he's been here."
"Why are you smiling like that?"
"You know why."
Kate rolls her eyes, fights the slight raise in her heart rate at the suggestion. "You're delusional."
"You're blushing," Shuri counters, following Kate around the lab as she looks for something else — anything else — to do.
"I'm naturally warm," Kate replies.
Shuri shakes her head. "You can't tell me you haven't missed him. You've been distracted lately."
"He's my friend, sure I miss him." Saying it out loud makes her realize how crazy it sounds, but she knows that at least to be true. Anything more still feels... impossible. Not least of all because he wouldn't reciprocate.
Shuri checks something on her Kimoyo beads. "He's here."
"How do you know?"
"I told T'Challa to notify me when he arrived. You know, so you would have time to fix your hair and straighten up. They're on their way."
Kate frowns. "What's wrong with my hair?"
Before Shuri can answer, T'Challa steps in the lab with a flourish, presenting Bucky. "Here he is, Dr. Carson, shipped expressly from the Border Tribe." His hair is up again, his eyes are full of light, and a smile is growing on his face.
"Hi, Bucky," Kate says, smaller and quieter than she meant to.
"Hey," he replies. He nods. "Shuri."
"Sergeant."
He and T'Challa walk down the stairs, over to the work tables. Bucky leans on Kate's, then jumps back up when he knocks something off the table. "Sorry."
"It's okay," Kate assures him as they both go to grab it. Bucky tries to hand it to her, drops it again, then steps back completely.
"Sorry."
Kate chuckles. "It's alright."
"You two are adorable," Shuri says.
Kate nudges her, while Bucky changes the subject. "What's on the agenda for today?"
"I have work to do," she replies, "but you two can do whatever you want. Just not in my lab."
"Why?" Kate complains.
"I'm busy. Go on, get out of here. T'Challa?"
T'Challa, fighting a smile, nods. "Right. Shuri and I need to talk. You two go on."
Kate raises a brow. "Talk about what?"
T'Challa ushers them out, practically pushing them out the door. "Top secret. Kingdom business. Get out."
The door closes behind them, and Kate could almost swear she hears T'Challa giggle on the other side. She rolls her eyes, starting down the hallway. "They are so obvious."

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Fire and Ice
FanfictionEver since she was little, Kate Carson's favorite thing to do was learn. And, after losing nearly everything and gaining a power she never wanted, she had to learn to adjust -- and she's still learning. The other Avengers have no scruples against fo...