Avengers: Breathe (Avengers: Infinity War Major Spoilers)

Chapter 5

"You want to return to America."

Shortly after breakfast, the Avengers had been joined by Okoye and Princess Shuri, neither of whom looked as though they'd had any sleep. Unfortunately, the conversation had more or less been going in circles for the last ten minutes, and various members of the group were close to wits end, Steve included. Natasha had stayed quiet, desperate to return to the States, but fearing the worst regarding the Bartons. Besides, there were already too many cooks in the conversation, and she could see the whole situation boiling over.

"We need to access Tony Stark's tech," Bruce said, the calmest of the group.

"Mine is better," Shuri said, folding her arms.

"It probably is," Bruce said, "But it would take me weeks to learn with your systems, and we don't have that sort of timeframe. The FRIDAY system is linked to Tony's wearable tech; if he's out there, I can reach him."

"You do not have clearance to fly," Okoye said, "No unauthorised aircraft - "

"We're the Avengers," Steve said, "I'm sorry, but right now, 'authority' isn't something we can allow to stand in our way."

"Captain, have you always had issues with following orders, or is this something new?"

"You'd be surprised," Steve said, "But little sleep and losing my friends doesn't exactly help."

"Ok, everyone," Bruce said, trying to keep the peace, "Let's just - Okoye, you know we need to get back to America. Last night Rocket and Thor found a few things that look useful which we would like to take with us - "

"Take me with you," Shuri said, "I can help. I can use your backward white-people tech and - "

"No, Princess. With your brother gone, you must rule in his place." Okoye said.

"I don't want to rule. M'Baku can rule. That is not what I want."

"It is not about what you want."

"And we will be taking Vision's body," Steve said, "Again, if there is anyway to fix him..."

"I can try," Shuri insisted, ignoring Okoye. "It sounds odd, but if I can open up his head and look inside - "

"No, Princess," Okoye said.

"He was created in Tony's lab, with Tony's tech, by Tony and I, so - " Bruce added.

"This isn't fair. No one is even listening to me," Shuri cried.

"Your duty is here."

"I love your weapons, but these morons have promised me there's better comms stuff across the planet, and I wanna see it. And I promise not to take any weapons," Rocket winked. Shuri looked confused. "Damn. Still got the wrong eye, right?"

"Let me come to New York," Shuri said, looking straight at Steve.

"It's not up to me," Steve said.

"Your duty - "

"You are not my mother!" Shuri snapped at Okoye. "Maybe go and find out if Nakia is still alive or something useful like that, because you are doing nothing here but annoying me!"

"Ooh boy, this is getting awkward," Rocket muttered.

"It is encouraging to know that mine is not the only royal family with certain tensions," Thor said, as much to himself as anyone else.

"Once we're over international waters - "

"You have to cross half of Africa - "

"Who put you in charge?"