Glasshouse

Kings

Kings

"Stark? Harry Stark?"

The man in question turned towards the voice much quicker than T'Challa, King of Wakanda, would have deemed possible.

Stark's right hand was buried deep within one of the pockets of his hideous Bermuda shorts and T'Challa was acutely aware that the man was clutching some sort of weapon. With a shiver, he remembered the wooden stick, the wand, Stark had used back in Leipzig. He almost didn't recognize the man now. His clothes way more casual, his beard shaved off...

T'Challa raised both his hands in a gesture of peace.

"I mean no harm.", he hurried, "We have met before. You might not recognize me, but..."

"I know who you are.", Stark interrupted him, his voice icy.

Maybe, T'Challa thought, his sister had been right. Approaching the other man during a visit to the zoo might not have been the smartest idea, even if it was the most discreet option.

"I apologize for the intrusion, but I needed to talk to you.", T'Challa was expecting at least some acknowledgment for his apology, he was a king after all. No such luck, though. Stark simply raised an eyebrow at him, his hand still firmly in his pocket. T'Challa was ready to sigh loudly in frustration. What was up with these Stark Brothers?

Determined not to let that eerie silence deter him, the king continued: "Do you have a couple of minutes to sit and talk?"

"No."

"Considering your reputation, you are much ruder than I expected.", T'Challa shot back, now really annoyed by the other man's behavior. He was a businessman, after all. Shouldn't he at least try and be friendly with the king of a whole damn country?

"That makes two of us.", Stark responded instead.

"Harry? Alles klar?"

T'Challa had been so focused on their weird little standoff, he hadn't noticed the small group approaching. There, a little to the side, stood what T'Challa assumed was Stark's family.

The woman in the front was the one who had spoken. She was wearing gaucho pants, flip flops and a tank top proudly declaring "I'd like to be a Schwa". Whatever the hell that meant. She was standing a little in front of the other three, as if to shield them from any potential danger. There was a small, red-headed girl about eight or nine, a teenager spouting the same wild, black hair as Stark and a young, brown-haired woman. T'Challa almost took an involuntary step backwards. Was that Wanda Maximoff?!

What was she doing here?

Only when Stark replied with "Ja, nur eine kleine Unterbrechung", did T'Challa realize she had spoken German.

She gave T'Challa another weary look, before taking the young girl's hand and leading the group away.

"Why are you taking Wanda Maximoff to the zoo?", he asked, before he managed to stop himself.

"Did you expect me to leave her at home?", Stark frowned.

"I am so confused.", T'Challa groaned and was pleasantly surprised to see a careful smile appear on Stark's face.

"Wanda has been part of my family, ever since Leipzig. So when I take the members of my family that are NOT at boarding school or work to the zoo, that includes Wanda."

"Secretary Ross has been going crazy trying to find her and you have just hidden her away in your home."

"I am not hiding Wanda. We have invited her into our home, because everyone deserves a chance at a family. And because we genuinely like her."

"Considering how lucky you were Ross didn't release your name to the public and issued a warrant, I didn't think you would risk harboring a girl many are making responsible for the deaths of my people."

"Are you? Making her responsible? Because how many people would have died on the ground, had Wanda not tried? And which one of us is not responsible for too many deaths? Although... when it comes to you, I don't know.", Stark cocked his head to the side, "What I do know about you, though... you supported and were ready to enforce the Accords, even though you had no plans of complying with them yourself now, didn't you? Rules are always only meant for others. Not for the KING of Wakanda."

That stung, T'Challa had to admit. Mainly because Stark wasn't actually too far off. His suit. His powers... they meant he fell under the Accords.

"That is why I am here." he told Stark carefully, "I supported the Accords, because they were my father's wish. And I fought you in Germany, because I was convinced Barnes had killed my father. I recently had reason to evaluate my... blind faith in my father. I want to finally open Wakanda to the world. I won't repeat past mistakes. And I am here to atone for those I have already made."

T'Challa stopped, unsure of how to continue with everything he needed and wanted to discuss with the man. Stark's gaze had softened considerably. He gestured towards a nearby, empty bench and seated himself, patiently waiting for T'Challa to follow. Evidently the man had decided to at least hear him out, despite his intrusion.

"My sister has run facial recognition on you and the others fighting on Captain America's side for a while. Today was the first time something came up. I... I want to apologize to Barnes. And possibly offer some help. Zemo used my father to manipulate me into almost killing an innocent man. Barnes tried to tell me, but I didn't listen. I am ashamed of that."

Stark simply looked at him, until T'Challa finally sat down next to him.

"It was an understandable reaction. No one blames you for it. We have all lost someone... and done horrible things in response."

T'Challa shivered, when he thought of the pictures he had seen after New York. Sokovia. Maybe Stark taking in Maximoff wasn't that surprising after all.

"From what I heard, he tried to manipulate you as well... and failed."

Stark frowned again, his gaze travelling towards the hands in his lap.

"I.. have seen it happen before. Have seen it destroying lives. My godfather, Sirius, was framed for the murder of my biological parents. No one believed him. He didn't even get a trial. He spent almost 12 years in prison. Another on the run. I have seen the devastation."

T'Challa swallowed. Maybe Stark was more than the arrogant asshole he came off as. It certainly sounded like he had had his own fair share of pain.

"My father's death does not absolve me from my responsibilities. Barnes was a victim. I helped make him one. Is there something I can do?"

"I have found help for him. I hear he is making good progress. He'll be leaving the hospital soon, but...", Stark stopped to consider for a second, his right hand moving up to scratch a beard that was no longer there, "Next month, I will officially move to get Barnes pardoned for everything that happened while he was under Hydra's control. I would appreciate your support. I am sure it would go a long way."

T'Challa didn't have to think long on that request.

"Of course.", he nodded, "But I fear this might not go over well with everyone. Especially your brother."

"I'll deal with my brother.", Stark replied darkly.