Fire and Ice

•64•

T'Challa has been grinning to himself all day. Normally, Kate would not be able to know this — a king is very busy. But somehow he has been in the lab for much of the day. Sure, Kate and Shuri are introducing him to some new tech prototypes they've recently finished, but everything feels very off. Shuri and T'Challa went to get lunch on their own, saying they'd bring food back, and Kate, not being born yesterday, suspects they're conspiring about something.

She hasn't heard from Bucky in a few days, either, and things are becoming suspicious on that front as well. Shuri has asked about him throughout the days, but T'Challa has basically refused, changing the subject. Surely he's a better liar than that, although spending most of her time with Nat for all these years may have taught her how to spot liars — just not actually lie herself. The question is: should she say something?

She eyes T'Challa from across the table as he talks to Shuri about tech, but soon he slowly stops speaking and turns to Kate, evidently feeling her eyes on him. "Can I help you...?"

"I don't know," she replies.

T'Challa turns toward her fully. "Wait a minute, let me rephrase; May I help you?"

Kate's eyes narrow. "Depends on what with."

"You were looking at me first."

"You're being weird."

"You are being weird — why were you staring at me?"

"I wasn't staring-"

"Children!" Shuri interrupts. "We have more important things to discuss, do we not?"

"Of course," T'Challa agrees, swiftly changing the subject. Kate narrows her eyes but allows it — for now. Shuri continues her presentation with far more jokes than necessary but Kate still can't shake that something is off.

It's obviously not something terrible — he would've said — but it's something they're not telling her. It's a surprise. And it probably involves Bucky. They've been on one date, and Kate would like to be prepared for whatever the surprise is so she can psych herself up. Maybe Bucky doesn't know either. That would help.

T'Challa starts to make his way out, then stops and checks the time. "Oh, Kate, I forgot to mention — we're having a dinner this evening. Few hours from now. Sort of a fancy thing. I'll ask Nakia if she has anything you can wear and send it over."

Kate takes a deep breath. Half of her is screaming, "You absolute liar, I know this has something to do with Bucky, you are not as slick as you think you are." But the other half is noticing Shuri rolling her eyes and T'Challa trying to keep a smile off his face.

"Okay," she says. "If I have to."

He grins. "See you then."

Once he's gone, she turns to Shuri, who chuckles and gets back to work. Kate joins her.

~_~_~_~_~

Ayo is, mercifully, being supportive in silence on the ride to the citadel. Not a glance or a chuckle comes his way as he fiddles with his cufflinks. He's wearing one of T'Challa's suits that has yet to be tailored — a standard three piece. It's a little tight, but it'll do. He hopes Kate will like the menu he discussed with T'Challa.

T'Challa seemed more excited than Bucky, though he was attempting to be "professional." After granting them asylum, giving them a place to live, jobs to do, and now he's playing matchmaker. The man never quits.

"You look nice. Stop fidgeting," Ayo says.

Bucky immediately stills. "I wasn't fidgeting."