Special Touch Part: Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

"We'll put him under first," T'Challa was telling you, "And then Shuri, along with Wakanda's work with Sargent Barnes being the success it was, I have no doubt he'll recover from this, especially since his genetics in this area only covers half."

You both thanked him immensely, but he assured that everyone in Wakanda had grown attached to the kid in the time he spent there and that they were all more than happy to help with his recovery.

The two of you didn't love the idea of going back home, which was recently deep cleaned, without him, but staying in Wakanda would've just made it harder. Ollie was still staying with Valerie and BC, a nickname they've grown fond of, so walking inside the eerily quiet house felt wrong to say the least.

"I love you." Natasha kissed the top of your head and it seemed to snap you back into reality, which didn't surprise you since she could always tell immediately when you slipped into space.

"You too." You forced a smile and the two of you seemed to migrate towards the couch, needing a minute before you guys took much needed showers.

"They're good at what they do," She was saying, "And he's safe now, he's resting and he's going to come back to us just like he was before."

You dug into your front pocket, pulling out the bracelet Natasha had untangled from the boas the same day Jimmy tried to take one of your friends and your family from you. You played with it between your fingers, letting the brown beads roll around the string, and you sighed.

"I know," You finally told her, nodding to yourself as you stared at the bracelet, "But I'll never forgive myself for letting this happen."

"Oh my god," She sat back on the couch with a loud, dramatic groan, and you glanced behind you at her in slight amusement, so when she met your eyes, she added, "You never forgive yourself for anything, even the stuff that's not on you."

"How can you sit there and say this isn't my fault?"

"Oh, so you were supposed to have known your annoying ex-landlord was a Hydra plant?" She scoffed, "Please, tell me you're joking," She shook her head when you shrugged, "Okay, so you're supposed to know more about Hydra, SHIELD, and all the shit surrounding it than the rest of us? Yeah, makes sense that a civilian with powers – you know, since you refuse to call yourself an avenger – should know the ins and outs of what we do."

"Your sarcasm isn't appreciated." You lied, hiding the smile that threatened to cross your features, and feeling a warmth bloom inside at the fact that your wife knew exactly how to cheer you up or just get you out of your bad headspace.

"I trust you with our kid more than anybody else," She admitted, but you could tell by her slower drawl she hasn't slept since this whole ordeal started a couple of days ago or maybe even before that with them on the road and it was finally catching up to her, "But second to you is the people of Wakanda," She continued, "And with Jimmy gone...I think this is over, for now at least, which is good enough for me right now."

"Yeah," You let out a deep breath, sinking back into the couch next to her, and she took your hand, playing with your fingers, "It's just hard being away from him."

"Mhm." She hummed, admiring your nails, and you chuckled at her droopy state.

"How's about we get you to bed, Ash?" You smiled adoringly at how she could barely keep her eyes open and then she nodded ever so slowly.

You got up, careful not to bump into her as she hardly made an effort to move, and then without a second thought, you scooped her up bridle style. She nuzzled her face into your neck, sighing in contentment as you felt her breath on your collarbone, and then adjusted a little bit so you could carry her upstairs without dropping the beautiful redhead.

You knew you both could use a long, hot shower, but by the time you got into the bedroom, her breathing had already evened out and you didn't have it in your heart to wake her up.

So, you pulled back the covers with some effort, promising yourself to clean the bedding tomorrow since there'd surely be at least some blood from god knows where on it, and then got her tucked in.

You took a moment to appreciate her for all she ever does for you, Cory, the avengers, and even the world, but goes unnoticed for most of it. She sacrifices so much, and you knew deep down that if someone needed her to, even a complete stranger, she'd give her life to save them.

She stirred a little and you smiled when the streetlight from outside shined over her cheek, exposing some of her freckles that usually went unnoticed during the day. You smiled softly at her, about to turn to go downstairs for a glass of water – or vodka with the day you had – but then there was a light tug on the bottom of your shirt.

"Baby, come to bed." She mumbled tiredly, half asleep, and you smiled fondly at her green lidded eyes.

"Okay," You agreed and then chuckled when you noticed she hadn't let you go, "I need to get around to the other side, love."

"No, come here." She whispered, scooting over, and you felt your heart swell as she slowly helped you to lay in front of her so she could spoon you close, but you decided to lay facing her instead.

"You look really cute." You whispered cheekily and she smiled with her eyes closed as you rubbed your nose against hers affectionate, "These cheeks?" You reached up to poke at her hint of dimples and her arms wrapped around you at the same time, pulling you even closer, "I love these so much."

"Yeah?" She sighed, her smile only growing as you gently squished them in your hands, kissing her softly in between because you couldn't help it.

"What? You thought I married you for your personality?" You teased with a scoff and she chuckled, "Clearly, I was after something I could get my hands around and your ass takes second place," You knew you were babbling, but she got drunk one time a while back and let it slip that your voice was her favorite thing to fall asleep to, so you took that as an invitation, "And this?" You kissed her again, pulling back as she chased it, making you smile, and then you gave her another quick one before continuing, swooning when she sighed happily, "Your smile is just amazing, like a piece of light plucked from the actual sun," You smirked when she had a tint of pink to her cheeks, slowly drifting off as you whispered, "I'm so lucky, I get to love this badass redheaded ball of sunshine, hold her in my arms, and protect her."

You added the last part a little unsurely as your face fell, thinking maybe you haven't been doing such a good job as of late. But right before she fell asleep, she whispered something that made you smile brightly again, the warm feeling inside you swarming with butterflies.

"You do protect me, feathers."