titanium » t. udaku

i. nde zeleka

nde zeleka
'suffer'

~

Avengers Headquarters
Buffalo, N.Y.

"The explosion that went off in Lagos, Nigeria yesterday is now being investigated farther. Though it was caused by Avengers members, Scarlet Witch and Angel, reports along with the viewers have the same question on their minds. Where are they? And should they be ch-"

Zakiya shut the TV off as she sat on Wanda's bed. She knew that Wanda was still shaken up from what happened yesterday. Zakiya couldn't blame her. It wasn't her fault anyway.

"I was watching that." Wanda spoke in her heavy Russian accent as Zakiya sighed sadly and grabbed Wanda's hand.

"Wanda, I know you still feel bummed about what happened yesterday. But it wasn't your fault. It wasn-"

"YES, IT WAS!" Wanda interrupted which made Zakiya flinch a little. Zakiya could see the angered and sorrowful tears running down her face.

"I'm sorry, Wanda. I really am." Zakiya hugged Wanda as Wanda sobbed into her shirt, the pain slowly dissipating as Zakiya rubbed her back.

"How about some pineapple and mango smoothies? Maybe that will make you feel better." Zakiya asked as Wanda wiped away her tears and smiled before nodding. The two girls laughed softly before Vision showed up in the room.

"Ms. Lawson, Wanda. The Avengers are having a meeting." Zakiya jumped almost 10 feet in the air and she whipped around and saw Vision.

"Vision. Hi. Um, you could have knocked." Vision looked at the door before his realization hit him and he nodded.

"I will make sure of that. And um, the Secretary of State is here." Zakiya's eyes went wide, her heart rapidly beating. Why was he here?

"Okay. We're on our way." Vision nodded to both of them before he walked through a wall.

"Guess the smoothies will have to wait." Wanda and Zakiya shared a glance before they walked out of Wanda's room.

~

"5 years ago, I had a heart attack and dropped right in the middle of my backswing. Turns out, it was the best round of my life. The world owes the Avengers an unplayable debt. You fought for us, protect us, and risked your lives, but while many people see you as heroes—there are some who would refer the word 'vigilantes'..." Secretary Thaddeus started as Zakiya listened intensely. She wanted this meeting to be over. She didn't have time for politics. But maybe she had a reason to be here.

"What word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha asked as Zakiya nodded.

"Yeah. I want to know, too. You have so much faith in us. You talking for other people, but what do you say for yourself?" Zakiya asked as Secretary Thaddeus sighed softly.

"Well, Ms. Lawson—"

"Please, it's Zakiya."

"Okay, Zakiya, Ms. Romanoff, how about 'dangerous'? You are a U.S. group enhanced individuals who unfortunately doesn't seem to care what they leave behind." Thaddeus played a video of New York and this is where Zakiya began to tear up. She didn't want to see this. Not after everything that happened.

"New York." It then switched to Washington and Zakiya began to look away.

"Washington D.C. Sokovia. Lagos." Zakiya began to sob quietly; only receiving back rubs from Wanda. Steve watched the entire time; his heartbroken at the sight.

"Okay, that's enough." Steve said when he couldn't take the sad sight anymore.

"Excuse me." Steve watched as Zakiya got up from her seat and walked out of the room, running down the hallway towards her room.

"I'll go talk to her." Steve suggested as he got up from his spot in the chair and followed her.

~

"Zakiya." Zakiya slowly rose her head and looked towards her door, hoping it wasn't who she thought it was. And guess what? It was.

"What do you want, Steve?" Zakiya snapped as she laid her head back on the pillow, her back facing away from Steve. Steve sighed before he approached her.

"Came to check on you. Sorry you had to see that earlier." Steve stated honestly as he sat on her bed. Zakiya didn't respond on stirred a little.

"Zakiya, look. What happened between Natasha and I—"

"Save it, Rogers!" Zakiya snapped loudly as she sat up right and looked at him with dangerously brown eyes.

"I saw what went down between you and Natasha. So don't give me that bullshit! Don't come running to me asking for forgiveness when I clearly can see you never loved me! Not once in the whole time we were together did I ever hear you tell me 'I love you'! But I heard you say that to Natasha! Right?" Zakiya stood up from her spot on the bed and faced Steve completely.

"I have to check on Wanda." Steve stopped Zakiya in her path by grabbing her wrist. Steve whipped her around to have her face him.

"Steve! Let me g-hmph!"

Zakiya was cut off by Steve kissing her. She mentally cursed herself when she felt herself melt into his kiss. He slowly broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers.

"I'm sorry for what happened. I really am. And I do love you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just didn't know how." Zakiya wanted to forgive him, but after what happened she could never forgive him for that.

"I'm sorry, Steve." Zakiya broke out of his grasp and back away from him.

"I can't do this. I can't—I can't trust you anymore. I'm sorry." Zakiya ran out of her room; leaving Steve heartbroken with only her ghostly touch around his body.