Combustion ✦ STEVE ROGERS² [✓]

21 | FIRE & BRIMSTONE

AS MUCH AS SHE PROTESTED AGAINST IT, KATO DECIDED TO TAKE CHERRY WITH HER TO VIENNA. Even though Cherry had insisted that she could stay at home on her own like she had always done before, with Kato knowing what she knew now, it didn't feel right leaving her at the apartment. Kato didn't even know what to call Cherry anymore, either - calling her "pet" didn't feel right, but they weren't exactly roommates, either. And Kato didn't feel it was safe to leave Cherry by herself. She didn't know why, but it just didn't feel safe.

So now, as Kato and Natasha walked into the U.N. conference room in Vienna, Kato made sure that Cherry stayed close to her. The young Dolkon girl shifted uncomfortably in the outfit she was wearing - a dark gray pantsuit she had borrowed from Kato. However, the suit was very baggy on Cherry, mainly due to the size difference between her and Kato. Kato herself wore a similar outfit, only the gray parts were dark blue. They both looked presentable at least, but they still garnered a few stares - mainly because Cherry had both a tail and horns.

After a few moments, however, Kato turned to Cherry, seeing the anxious look on her face. It was obvious that Cherry was nervous. Extremely nervous.

"Are you alright, Cher?" Kato asked quietly, putting a hand on Cherry's shoulder.

Cherry nodded a few times. "Yeah, I'm alright. It's just..." She exhaled shakily. "I've never been out of the house before. And there are a lot of humans here." She let out a nervous laugh. "It's a little much, to be honest."

"You'll be alright, Cherry," Natasha assured her. "Just stay close to me and Kato."

Kato gave Natasha a grateful smile. Natasha had taken the truth about Cherry surprisingly well, even though the news had been sprung on her the moment Kato and Cherry entered the quinjet. Now, it was clear that Natasha was treating Cherry just like she would any new member of the team: kindness and understanding. It made Kato grateful for a friend like her.

That was when a U.N. staffer came up to the three, holding a clipboard in her hand.

"Excuse me, Miss Romanoff?" the staffer said. "Miss Navarro?"

Natasha turned around to face her. "Yes?"

"These need your signature," the staffer replied.

Natasha nodded before she scribbled her signature across the document. Then, she handed it to Kato, who signed it before handing it back to the staffer.

"Thank you," the staffer said with a nod.

"All this formality just for signing a book?" Cherry said as the staffer walked off. She then crinkled her nose before adding, "Seems like a little much, if you ask me."

"Well, I suppose none of us are used to the spotlight," said a voice.

Natasha, Kato, and Cherry all turned around. A young man in a crisp blue business suit was walking towards them with a small smile on his face. He had a dark complexion and short curly black hair, with kind eyes and a welcoming demeanor. Compared to all the business-like faces of the people around them, Kato found it a little refreshing.

"Oh, well, it's not always so flattering," Natasha replied with a smile.

The man nodded at her. "You seem to be doing all right so far," he said, his voice thick with a distinct African accent. "Considering your last trip to Capitol Hill... I wouldn't think you'd be particularly comfortable in this company."

Natasha glanced down for a moment before meeting his eyes. "Well, I'm not."

"And that alone makes me glad you are here, Miss Romanoff," the man said, then nodded at Kato and added, "And you as well, Miss Navarro."