Till the End|MCU|3

twenty-nine

   Shuri rests her head on my shoulder as we stand on the balcony.  My head rests on top of hers, our elbows interlocked as we watch the city.  T'Challa stands with Mother, his arm wrapped around her waist.  

   We all watch as fireworks explode over the Golden City of Wakanda.  Our city celebrating the return of her King and people.  

🐺

   I park the car on the curb.  Glancing out the passenger window, I watch the house I haven't been to in over five years.  

   "Ngaba kufuneka siyenze le nto?"  (Do we have to do this?)  Stevi murmurs from the backseat.  

   I glance back at him.  He also watches the house from the window, Bucky Bear and his Black Widow action figure held close to his side.  Ever since I told him about Nat's passing, he's carried that action figure everywhere with him.  

   I rest my hand on his knee.  "It's going to be okay," I tell him reassuringly.  

   "I don't even know them," Stevi whines.  "Can't we just go back to the compound?"  

   I release a slow breath, watching him with sad eyes.  "You know why we can't go back to the compound," I say sympathetically.  I can only imagine how confusing all of this is for him.  "Besides, they're your parents.  I know it can be scary, but everything's going to be okay."  

   Stevi just watches me as I climb out of the car.  

   As I round the vehicle to open his door, the front door of the house swings open.  "Kidara?"  

   I turn to see my brother running down the steps of the front porch.  

   "Tommy," I call back as I rush up to him, letting him pull me into a tight hug.  It's only been a couple of days since everyone that was dusted was brought back, an event the world is calling the blip.  

   Birdie appears at his side, pulling me into her arms once Tommy lets me go.  

   "Umakazi Ara," Stevi calls from the car.  I turn to find him standing outside his car door.  

   "Oh my God," Tommy murmurs as he stares at his son.  Birdie releases a sob as she covers her mouth.  "He's so big."  

   "Stevi, yiza apha."  (come here.)  I usher him to my side.  He approaches me slowly, staring up at his parents cautiously.  I wrap an arm around his shoulder, pulling him forward.  "Ngumama notata wakho lo.  Say hello."  (This is your mother and father.)  

   "Mholo."  (Hello.)  Stevi murmurs, staring cautiously up at them.  

   "In English," I correct softly.  

   "No, Kidara, it's fine," Tommy argues as he sinks to Stevi's level.  He stares into his son's big brown eyes as tears begin to fall from his own.  Tommy opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out.  Instead, he pulls Stevi in for a hug.  

   Stevi tenses as he glances up at me.  I give him a small smile and a nod of my head, but still, he's not put at ease.  

   I glance over to Birdie who frowns at her son's discomfort.  "It will take him a while to adjust," I explain quietly.  "Give him time."  

   Birdie nods her head but doesn't look convinced.  

🐺

   Everyone is silent as Pepper steps out of her house, leading Morgan hand in hand while balancing a bouquet in the other.