HUNTED ~ STEVE ROGERS [2]

Chapter Sixteen

Another week passed, and it was the most fun I had had in a long time. Almost every night, we went out for drinks, or dancing, or we stayed home and watched movies with the rest of the family. Taly took us around the city, and the cordoned off carparks and broken buildings, however sad, were magnificent backdrops for photography, and with the stunning models I had at my disposal, got some great shots. Of course, I was forced away from the camera and in front of it, but I didnt have the heart to tell Tasha and Taly I was camera shy. It was rather ironic, the photographer who is afraid of being photographed.

Getting to know the family was great too. I realized how much I had missed out on in my childhood. Saturday sport, movie nights, bake sales and music performances. I'd never dreamed I could almost relive my childhood over again though these kids.

Mia, despite the snark that reminded me of myself, was sweet and kind and when she wasnt snapchatting 5 different boys at once was the best at make up advice, chattering on about physics, and made the most delicious brownie.

Josh and Joel, when they weren't on the PlayStation, told the funniest jokes and discussed multiple headcanons about multiple fandoms with me.

Chalise and Crystal, however much they fought, had the cutest laughs and hosted the best tea parties.

And Hehu was the cutest little thing in the world, with his deep brown eyes and gap-toothed smile.

Robyn made the best food in the world and if I hadnt been a half-Asgardian, plant enhanced being I would have gained about 20 pounds by now.

But being with Taly's family made me miss my own more than ever. And I don't mean the Avengers. I mean my real family, back in Wakanda. I hadn't seen them in 5 years, and despite always making it clear I didn't want to return anytime soon, I began to miss my home. I missed the beauty and the culture and the richness of my home country, and it made a hole in my soul nothing could fill.

One morning, I think it was a Saturday, I was in bed. What happened, really, is that we had stayed up till 3am the previous night out in town, and while Tasha and Taly were forced to run errands for Robyn I was allowed to sleep in. Eventually, I got up around 9:30am, and decided to spend the rest of my day being a slob.

I had just slipped on a black singlet top and lit myself a cigarette when I heard a soft gasp behind me.

I spun around, my hands outstretched. There was another, bigger gasp as Mia, who stood in the doorway, a toothbrush in her hand, laid her eyes on me. She backed up against the wall, her hands shaking and her face pale.

It was then that I realized I was missing the one key component of my disguise.

My contact lenses. I wasn't wearing them.

"You're, you're," Mia stuttered, edging back towards the door. Within seconds, I had slammed the door and dragged her over to the other side of the room, checking that no one was peeking in through the windows. I gripped her by the shoulders, and I could feel her muscles shaking under my hands. I put one hand over her mouth as she started to speak.

"Not a word. Ok?" I hissed. She nodded, her face white as my hair. Slowly, I moved my hand away from her mouth, and released her shoulder.

I paced the room, muttering under my breath.

"Shit shit shit shit shit." Mia was staring at me in a mixture of fear and awe.

"You're, her. The Toxin," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. I turned to her.

"Yeah, thanks for reminding me," I said sarcastically.

"Oh my gosh. You're on the run, aren't you? I mean, the whole world saw you in D.C when SHIELD.." I saw realization dawn on her face. "Vanessa, shes, shes..."