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Emil was tongue tied, and that didn't happen often. What did you say to a father who never knew you existed until recently? It didn't help that Bucky barnes had died, lived and had spent the last seventy odd years as a brainwashed Russian assassin. It only made things more difficult that Emil is also a ex-assassin from the same group. With that and the avengers war, Bucky going into the ice again, and all the shit that had been happening. Let's just say that thus was not ordinary family reunion.
Emil took a seat on the nearest sofa and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. Bucky was watching him with a complicated expression on his face. "So," Emil began. "What shall I call you? I'm not really sure if I should call you Dad yet".
"Just call me Bucky", Bucky said. He sighed as well. "I'm not sure what to say. Um... how have you been?"
Emil let out a chuckle, the tension defusing slightly. "How have I been? That is the most typical ice breaker ever". He grinned.
Bucky returned his laugh and sat down in the opposite sofa. His red robes ruffled as he crossed his legs. Emil found himself looking at the place where Bucky's right arm ended, the stump where the metal arm emblazoned with a red star had once been attached. To them, assassins of hydra, the removal of Bucky's arm meant more than it seemed. It meant that they were turning their backs on hydra.
"When did you wake up?" Emil asked.
"About a week ago", Bucky smiled slightly. It was a lighter one than the one he had given Emil the last time they had met. "Your friend Shuri is a genius".
"Yeah, she is", Emil replied, feeling a pang of pure affection towards the clever princess. He would have to thank her later.
"Well, I woke up in a little village on the outside of Wakanda. Princess was there, explained everything. I spent the rest of the week recuperating and yesterday King T'Challa brought me here. They said I'm welcome to stay, to live here and work for them", Bucky continued. He looked up, blue eyes meeting with his sons. They were hopeful. "Maybe we can have that game of catch".
"Yeah", Emil smiled, a true happy smile. "I'd like that".
"So, how old are you?" Bucky asked as he tossed the green tennis ball across to where Emil was standing a few feet away. It was the next day. They were stood out on the open plains of Wakanda dressed in comfortable clothing. T'Challa and Shuri stood a few feet away, talking comfortably as they watched the farther and son bond. Emil caught Shuri's gaze and sent her a warm grin.
"Around fifteen, I think. I don't know my birthday", Emil replied as he threw the ball back. "Shuri thinks that i might stop ageing like you, but we are not sure. Tell me something about you from before". He threw the ball back and Bucky caught it.
"I spent most of my youth looking after Steve. He was like tiny and constantly getting into fights. I used to spend hours searching all the back alleys around Brooklyn for him. I used to get so worried", Bucky recalled with a nostalgic smile. Emil watched him.
"You love him", Emil stated.
"Yeah", Bucky admitted fondly. "Yeah. I do. It feels great to finally admit that".
"Like father like son!" Shuri's voice called over, breaking their conversation. "Am I right?"
"Shuri", Emil whined, face colouring slightly. "Shut up".
Bucky grinned and tossed the ball back over to Emil who caught it fluidly. "So, You've got a crush. On a boy I presume. What's he like?"
"Come on Buck," Emil groaned, slouching and avoiding eye contact. Shuri's laughter could be heard in the background as T'Challa tried to quiet her. "It's not like that. It's complicated".
"Complicated huh?" Bucky asked, catching the ball easily. "Sounds fun".
"He's... I don't know. Cute I guess", Emil fumbled. "Whatever, it's just s crush. I'll get over it".
"You gone on any dates yet?" Bucky raised an eyebrow. "Or do kids this age not date now? In the forty's it was courting and holding hands, romantic stuff. Apparently all you do is Netflix and chill?"
"Oh god", Emil winced. "No! No, we do not Netflix and chill. Shuri, stop laughing", he growled over at the princess who was clinging to her brother as she laughed. Even T'Challa looked like he was hiding a chuckle.
"Look, we have just hung out a few times. He may have invited me to homecoming but it's nothing. We're just going as friends".
"That's What Steve and I did at our end of school dance", Bucky shrugged. "Steve couldn't get a date". He tossed the ball back and Emil had to jog a few paces to catch it. "Where is Steve anyway?"
"Somewhere in Europe when I last talked to him", Emil answered. "He was had just finished helping Wanda and Vision get together and now he's currently on a mission with Nat. He seemed fine. I left a message on his phone yesterday to tell him that you were awake".
"Thanks", Bucky smiled. "Have you got a homecoming suit yet? Shuri told me that the dance was tomorrow night".
Emil rolled his eyes and shot Shuri a small glare. She had to really stop telling Bucky everything. "No. Not yet".
"I have one", Shuri supplied. "Designed it the other day Nakia. She has a great eye for colours. And it's flame and heat resistant. I even made it bulletproof and energy dampening".
"Why would I need that?"
"It's a party you white boy", she exclaimed. "I have no idea what you do when you're drunk".
"We can't get drunk", Bucky and Emil deadpanned.
"I know. That's why I made you guys special drinks", Shuri grinned evilly.
Emil didn't know whether he was lucky to have such a great friend, or worried that he had such a nosey one.
