Avengers The Captain's Secret Book 2: Waiting for Thor

Part 32: Marks of Family

LESEDI POV

"You don't even have the mark!" a child cried.

"I don't need it!" I heard Steven's voice say angrily.

"Yes, you do, we all have it!" Another child cried.

We peeked around the corner to look in the classroom. Steven planted his feet apart and stood, ready to face off against the others. "My mom says don't be ashamed of who I am!"

"You're not Wakandan!" a boy accused.

"You hit Kael!" a little girl shook her head.

Steven put up his fists, feeling as if the talking was over. "He pushed me first!"

Steve smiled, and I poked his ribs. "Steve!"

"Okay, okay," he whispered.

"We're gonna beat you up!"

Steven shook his head, and gave a smile. "I can do this all day!"

Steve closed his eyes for a second and looked at me. "Told him about me, did you?"

I shrugged apologetically.

Steve stepped into the doorway of the room. "Steven." Even I knew that tone; it was parental. It was the that is enough tone.

Steven looked up,  his determination melting into a tearful look. "Dad?"

Steve came down on one knee with his arms open, and Steven ran straight in. There were no words.

My throat tightened. I told Steven that his father loved him, but had to help and fight for people who couldn't for themselves and we would be safer in Asgard. I told him that his father loved him, even though I knew they'd never met. And true to who I believed Steve Rogers was, he lived up to everything in those first moments.

A woman came with a child who had a ice bag on his eye. "This is your child?"

Steve rose, his look turning stern as he took Steven's hand and pulled him at his side, but just behind him. "Yes, he's mine. What's the problem?" I watched Steven's eyes widen at his father, then look on.

The woman swallowed hard, but lifted her chin defiantly. "He gave Kael, the grandchild of the border elder, a black eye!"

"He hit my son--"

"Dad?" Steven pulled on the hand his father held, and swallowed hard. "He pushed me, I pushed him."

Steve frowned down at Steven. "He didn't hit you?"

"I ducked."

"Oh, God." I exhaled. Steven turned. "Steve has been training on Asgard since he was three. Classic duck and counter--"

Steve sighed with a small smile. "Yes, I'm aware--"

"What is going on here?" T'Challa came in. All bowed. "Well?"

"He's not Wakandan!" Kael cried.

"Yes, he is, and I am here to take him and personally give him his mark," T'Challa replied. Everyone's eyes widened at that, including mine. "He is my cousin, and part of the royal family. Kael, you cannot lie to your king. What happened?"

The children immediately lost eye contact.

"We didn't know who he was," a child said sadly. "He isn't--doesn't know--"

"Classic schoolyard fight," Steve said under his breath. "Test the new kid."

"I see, Nizam." T'Challa frowned. "So?"

"We're sorry," Kael said.

The girl bowed. "Sorry, my King. Sorry, Steven T'Kari."

"Thanks, Bayo," Steven said softly.

"We are Wakandan, but we should give people we meet a chance to be allies, a chance to be friends," T'Challa said, and stepped over to put his hand on Steven's shoulder. "This is Steven T'Kari Phillip Rogers, my cousin, but also first born of my ally and friend--" He put a hand on Steve's shoulder. "Captain Steve Rogers." He did a small sweeping gesture in presentation toward me. "And this is his wife, my cousin, Lesedi Evelyn Rogers."

The children bowed regally, as did the teacher.

"Our children begin combat training at ten years old," T'Challa nodded. "But Steven began at the age of three. Maybe you can teach him about his Wakanda history and culture, and he can share what he knows with you."

The children mumbled agreements, and I saw Steve squeeze Steven's hand and smile.

"It is time, Steven," T'Challa offered his hand. "It is time for you to get your mark, time to claim this part of who you are."

Steven looked at his father, then at me. I showed mine.

"Just got it," I whispered.

Then Steven did something that surprised me. He looked up at his father. "Dad, should I get the mark?"

"You are just as Wakandan as you are mine," Steve said, and shook his head slowly. "Nothing changes that."

"I will bring him back to your quarters," T'Challa told us. "Steve, your things are being moved to the royal wing."

Steve looked surprised. Of course with him it's a slight widening of the eyes, a raise of the eyebrows, but I saw it. He gave a nod, and T'Challa left with Steven. Even though Steven walked away with his cousin, he did not take his eyes off his father. "He looks scared."

"Yeah," I said, frowning. "Maybe we should wait--"

Steve kissed my forehead. "We'll see you later." He left me and joined T'Challa and his son, who immediately brightened when his father took his other hand. They walked away, talking and Steven laughing as they both swung him off the floor down the hall and turned the corner out of sight.