Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

5.) Finding a Friend: Steve Rogers

STEVE ROGERS - CAPTAIN AMERICA

July 9th, 2017, Wakanda

I've been with Shuri more and more now. I like hearing her talk about Bucky and everything that's going on in his stormy mind; even though I barely understand any of it. Lately, the princess has been sifting through his memories, deciding whether or not whether or not it has to be erased.

    Wakandan technology is so much more advanced than anything I've ever seen, even when compared to Tony's tech. Shuri said that she's been working on a device that will let her physically see Buck's memories, turning each recollection into a small movie.

She told me that a brain is basically like a complicated computer, with many files and bookmarks integrated into it. With this device, she'd be able to click on any 'file' in Bucky's mind and click play, each metaphorical download now a video. At this, I know that she is definitely smarter than Stark, maybe the whole world.

    "What are you thinking about, Mr. Rogers?" Her voice interrupts my inner tangent.

    "Just how amazing all of this is. Back in the 1940's, not even Howard Stark could've dreamed up of anything in here," I wave my hands around the room. Her eyes follow my fingers, observing the familiar surroundings and smiling at each of her inventions.

    "I'm sure it must be hard to absorb everything after being frozen for so long." 

    I shrug and nod. "It was. It still is. I actually have three notebooks full of lists of things I need to catch up on," I pull out my current one and show her the page I'm on.

Shuri starts bursting out in laughter, and I can see tears in her eyes. My list is full of different things, from this thing called 'slime' to a monkey named 'Harambe'. Shuri carefully reads each word, her eyes sparkling as she does so.

    "Oh my gosh, Mr. Rogers. Thank you for that," she wipes at her face, "I haven't laughed that hard in a long time."

    At first I share a chuckle with Her Highness, but then her words dawn on me. Is she upset?

    "Is everything alright, Shuri?"

    She nods. I raise my eyebrows, causing her to roll her eyes and cave in. "It's been fine. But..." Shuri sighs and starts to fidget with her hair. "I don't have many friends. Of course, I fool around with my brother all the time, but he is very busy taking over as king after my father died." Her voice cracks on the last part.

I walk over to her and pull her into a hug. "I'm sorry, princess. I know how it feels to lose someone you love." I think of all the people who have slipped away from me. My dad, my mom, Peggy... The thought of the sassy, red-haired woman brings a smile to my face. I still owe her a dance.

At mentioning people who've disappeared from my life, my eyes wander to Bucky; who is blissfully sleeping with a small smile on his lips. I wonder what he's dreaming about.

"I almost lost Bucky. But your brother and you prevented that. For this," I gently pull away and walk over to the tank, pointing at Buck, "I am forever at your debt."

She wipes at her eyes again. "It is of no worry. Thank you for being my friend, Mr. Rogers. This is what friends do."

"You've got a good heart and an excellent mind, kid. Keep going at it. Things change, Wakanda will too." She frowns at being called kid again, but smiles at my words.

"You're right. Maybe Wakanda will open itself to the public." The mischievous grin I've come to know is on her face again. "And I can finally have a Starbucks drink like a normal teenager."

We both laugh and the image of Shuri sitting in the cafe with a drink in her hand makes my day that much brighter.

"I'm glad you're happy. If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to tell me."

Shuri nods as she goes back to work on an algorithm and a machine to help visualize Bucky's memories. "Of course, Mr. Rogers. I'm happy I have such a strong slave to do my bidding." She looks up from her electronics to give me a cheeky grin.

"You're crazy, kid."

"Once again, I'm not a kid!" Her brow furrows at her screen.

"Whatever, kid." 

The princess gives me a death stare and before she has the chance to reply, I close the door on her.

She screams. "Steve Rogers!"

Laughing, I start to head to my room in the palace.

Shuri's words still haunt me. I don't have many friends. I wish I could help, but I don't know any kids. Or do I? I think back to when Tony and I fought at the airport, the fight that decided nearly everything.

There was that Spider-Boy from Queens. He reminded me of myself: A kid who didn't quite know when to back down, someone who was just happy to be there and help.

I never did catch his name, though. Maybe someone did... I think of Natasha, who was on Tony's side of the airport battle at first. Does she know who he is? Of course, even if Natasha was to get ahold of Spider-Boy, the kid might not even want to go to Wakanda. Is he even allowed to?

Hopefully.

I pull out my phone and scroll through my contacts, clicking on Natasha's name. It's time to find Shuri a friend. She's done so much for me and my team. Shuri and T'Challa have taken and accepted us into their kingdom, their home. They've made sure we're safe and comfortable and overall secure.

Shuri deserves to talk to someone her age, or someone who shares her intellect.

Let's do this.

Whew! It took a little more than a day to write this chapter. It's 940+ words, which is more than usual--but I hope to make each chapter at least 1,000 after things really get going.

Will Peter Parker visit Shuri in Wakanda? Is a friend of Steve's a friend of T'Challa's, therefore Spider-Boy will be allowed into their home? Honestly, I hope the two meet. They could be dorky science buddies.

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