After the War

Going Under

*SPOILERS* This chapter contains spoilers for one of the Civil War post-credits scene. Don't read unless you've seen it.

"Steve, Steve!"

Steve suddenly snapped back. For a second, he was gone, lost in his thoughts, but now he was back to the present. That had been happening a lot lately. He had been having weird visions, but he couldn't make any sense of them. When these visions occurred, it was like he wasn't even in his body; it felt like he was somewhere else completely. He looked up. Bucky was staring at him with a puzzled look on his face. Steve shook his head.

"Sorry, Buck. What did you need?" he asked. Bucky sighed. He had gone over this four times, but Steve had forgotten each time. It was like he had amnesia, something Bucky had had enough of.

"T'Challa's ready to start." Bucky turned and walked towards the Black Panther, or T'Challa.

T'Challa nodded. "The freezer containment module is ready for Bucky to be placed into." He looked at Bucky. "I don't want to come across as rude, but are you sure this is the only way to get Hydra out of your system?"

Bucky looked solemn. He had thought over this many times. He didn't want to hurt anyone anymore. He didn't want to be vulnerable to Hydra's hypnosis. The book with the words that changed him into a monster, Hydra's personal assassin, was still out there and he didn't want to risk someone like Zemo finding it again. He was done ruining lives and destroying families and friendships. Bucky knew this was the only way to solve this problem and end this chapter in his life.

"Yeah, T'Challa, I'm sure."

Steve knew there was nothing he could do to stop Bucky. He had known him for decades, and knew that his friend's mind was not easily changed. "Go for it, Buck. I'll stand by any decision you make."

Bucky clapped Steve's shoulder. He nodded in gratitude. T'Challa motioned for Bucky to step into the module. He gave Steve one last hug.

"See you when I see you." With that, he stepped in. T'Challa pressed a button to close the door, and pushed a few others to begin the freeze process. Bucky was instantly frozen.

Steve stared at Bucky for a while. He had just gotten him back, and now he was gone again. He looked at T'Challa.

"Are you sure he'll be safe here?" he asked. He looked out the window. They were in a building in the middle of a body of water, with a waterfall nearby. A forest lined the edge of the water. It was a peaceful sight, and secluded as well. Bucky was well-hidden, far from any danger.

"Captain, I am sure your friend is in a safe place. Wakanda is the safest place to keep him." Steve nodded. He could trust Bucky in T'Challa's hands.

T'Challa walked Steve back to the main village in Wakanda. Steve wanted to ask him about the weird visions he had been having. He was probably one of the wisest men Steve knew. Maybe he could give Steve some insight into what his visions meant, and how it would affect him.

"Hey, T'Challa?" asked Steve.

"Yes, Steve?"

"Um, I was wondering, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, and if you had some time--" Steve was cut off by a man who had caught up to the two walking men. He said several things frantically in an unfamiliar language. Steve knew Wakanda was so advanced that the Wakandans spoke many different languages. He admired that. T'Challa turned to Steve.

"Something has happened in the mines. I must go." He was about to walk away when he turned back around. "I'm sorry, what was it you needed to talk to me about? The mines can wait a while."

Steve sighed. "No, T'Challa, your first priority is your country and your people. No one should hold you from that. It's okay, we can talk some other time."

T'Challa smiled warmly. "It is people like you, Steve Rogers, that restore my faith in humankind." With that, he left and sprinted towards the mines.

Steve walked back to the Quinjet. He was upset that he didn't get a chance to talk to T'Challa about his visions, but it was alright. He could figure them out on his own, right?

When he entered the Quinjet, Sam, Clint, Scott, and Wanda stood up.

"So...where to now?" asked Clint.

Steve smiled. "Home."

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