Rising From the Ashes • COMPLETED ✓

11.) Party-Pooper: Steve Rogers

STEVE ROGERS - CAPTAIN AMERICA

July 11th, 2017, Wakanda

Peter Parker. That's what Spider-Boy's name is. I've gotten to know him on the car ride and airplane trip to Africa, thanks to Natasha—who, using her hacking skills, managed to pretend to be Happy Hogan and text the kid—allowing us to take him to Wakanda mostly willingly. 

However, I know that if Peter wanted to escape from the limo or the plane, he would have—considering his skill sets. Sam doesn't know about the teenager yet, but I think Wilson would be happy that he has someone to tease.

"This is so awesome, Mr. Captain America!" Peter's voice echoes in the large halls. I didn't tell T'Challa about his surprise visit, so I turn around and raise a finger to my lips at him. "Sorry, Mr. Captain America, sir." Peter says softly and sincerely, his eyes still wide from excitement and wonder. I almost laugh at the formal names he's been calling me.

"You can call me Mr. Rogers or Steve," I whisper back.

"Okay, Mr. Steve," Peter answers, a cocky grin on his face. What a kid, I think, shaking my head. Smiling, I turn around the corner. We're getting close to the meeting room. While we walk, Natasha keeps giving me side glances, her lips curving in a smirk.

"What?" I ask.

Her eyes flick to Peter as she talks, "What do you think of him, Steve?" I follow her gaze to the teenager. Peter is quietly whistling a peppy tune as he happily strolls along the spacious passages and rooms, grinning as he observes it all. 

His phone is in his hand as well, and the 'click click click' of the camera is faint but constant. The gentle whistling only stops when he pauses to take a picture, and as I watch him; I find myself wishing I still had the same childlike wonder.

Natasha, noticing my silence, prods my shoulder for an answer. I give her an honest one. "I like him. I think T'Challa will too." I examine Peter's face, trying to determine if he's eavesdropping on us—but if the kid can hear Natasha and I, he doesn't show it.

She nods, "Yeah, well, the reason Peter Parker's here is going to be one I think T'Challa will agree with."

At this, my smile falters as I think back to the prodigy princess. Shuri has given lots of hints and clues to her loneliness. Lately, she's told me more and more about her struggles to make friends in the palace and her home-land. I can only imagine how boring and quiet it must be in her sizable office. She has nobody but a sleeping Bucky and a worried, anxious me to accompany her.

I square my shoulders and set my jaw. "He better agree," My words come out bitter, reminding me of the taste of dark coffee. Shuri deserves more than this. I know Peter will be a great friend for her, and I can't help but hope that T'Challa will see that his sister needs someone to talk to, someone who matches her wit and deviousness. Someone to be by her side. Just like Bucky is by mine.

"Okay, big man. Let's convince the King of Wakanda to let some random teenager into his extremely seclusive and also secret kingdom," Nat deadpans, intruding on my thoughts. The smirk on her face grows even more when she sees my exasperated look.

Rolling my eyes, I give her a slight shove. "Don't put it like that, you big pessimist."

Natasha shrugs, "Just being realistic."

"More like a party-pooper!" Peter whisper-shouts from behind. I start cracking up, and I pat the kid on the shoulder repeatedly, grateful for the relief of tension. Natasha looks stuck on being livid and mildly annoyed. I can tell that she has a soft spot for Parker already.

"Thank you for that," I manage to say in-between cackles.

"Whatever," She mutters underneath her breath. "I was just starting to like you, kid."

Peter turns to her, an innocent smile on his face as he diverts his puppy-eyes to Natasha's irritated ones. "Please don't stop." The feigned ice on Romanoff's face cracks as she ruffles his hair with one hand, and reaches for the doorknob to the conference room with the other.

"It's not me you have to worry about, Spidey-Boy." Peter's nods in understanding. His joyous expression slowly shifts into a more serious one, and so does mine. It's time to convince T'Challa that Peter Parker is indeed a trustworthy teen, and a great friend for Shuri. Personally, I believe both.

Let's hope His Highness does.

Another short chapter, but I promise there's going to be some really spicy stuff coming soon. >:)

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