Adamantine (A Post-Black Panther Bucky Barnes Love Story)

13

"Ah, Steve!" T'Challa exclaims happily upon seeing the captain. They shake hands. "It's wonderful to see you again, as well as your companions."

"Thank you for having us," Steve says with a polite smile.

"The pleasure is all mine. Have you met Ambassador Griffin?" T'Challa asks him, gesturing to the man standing just slightly in front of me.

"It's great to meet you, Captain," Michael greets, shaking Steve's hand. "This is Aurea Azar. She's my incredible security detail."

"We've met before," Steve tells him, and Michael looks at me in surprise. I don't say anything, though. I have nothing to say to Steve.

"Shuri, can you please show our guests to their rooms?" T'Challa speaks up, sensing the awkwardness. The princess nods.

"Of course. Please, follow me," she says, and the visitors reluctantly do as told.

After chatting for a moment longer, Michael takes his leave, and I'm about to follow when T'Challa stops me.

"Ms. Azar, can I speak to you for a moment?" he asks, and I'm surprised.

"Of course."

"Listen...I would like to apologize for how I have treated you," he states. I'm thrown off guard. "I would like it if we could perhaps be friends rather than enemies."

Being his ally would be a smart choice.

"Thank you, Your Highness," I say slowly. "I would like that as well."

He nods with a small smile. "Please, call me T'Challa."

•••••

I'm strolling down a hall, looking at the weaponry and armor that decorates the walls. I keep my hands behind my back, silently looking around. I clench my jaw when I hear Steve's voice.

"Aurea, please," Steve says, and I turn to face him. "I just want to say I'm sorry."

"Sorry for leaving me to die?" I reply quietly and calmly with an icy undertone.

"I never should have done that," he mutters, and I bite my tongue to keep from snapping at him. "But I'm glad to see you're okay and doing well."

"Yes, I'm sure it clears your conscience," I say, expressionless.

He hasn't seen the scars left on my skin from the electricity traveling through my body as I escaped. He doesn't know what his betrayal did to me.

"How did you end up here?" Steve asks, and I just stare at him. I feel a familiar chill run down my spine as I sense a new presence.

"You know I work for the government and the military," I say vaguely. "The ambassador and I work well together."

He coughs out awkwardly, "And Bucky?"

I narrow my eyes. "What about him?"

"Well, you two seem comfortable around each other."

I stalk over to him and give him a deadly glare. "That is none of your business, Rogers."

He smiles at little at that. "Just don't hurt him, okay?"

I grab his collar and pull him down so we're face to face.

"That's a sick thing for you of all people to be saying," I sneer. I look him straight in the eyes. "Let's just get one thing clear: there are very few people in this world I care about, and Bucky Barnes is at the top of that list." I release my hold on him roughly and turn my back to him. "I would kill for that man, and you would do well to remember that."

It's quiet for a moment, and I hear him catching his breath. Finally, he murmurs a quiet question.

"Are the things they say about you true?"

I tighten my hands together behind my back.

"I imagine the king is looking for you," I say cooly, refusing to answer his question. He lets out a breath, and I hear him walk away. When I'm sure he's out of earshot, "You can come out now, Bucky."

"How did you know I was here?" he asks, stepping out of his hiding spot, and I turn to face him.

"I sensed your metal arm," I answer with a small smile. "Whenever you're nearby, a jolt goes through me. It's the large concentration of vibranium."

He returns my smile, and he offers me his human arm. "Walk with me?"

I take it instantly, and we set off down the hallway toward the gardens.

"I'm sorry I was eavesdropping," he finally says, and I shake my head.

"Don't be. It wasn't a private conversation," I say, and he nods. It's quiet as we turn and enter the royal gardens. They're beautiful, filled with all sorts of exotic plants.

"I wanted to make sure he didn't step out of line," Bucky admits, and I grin a little at that. He leads me down a path, and I allow myself to relax a bit for once. He is very calming to be around. We approach a clearing surrounded by rose bushes, and I'm more than surprised to see a table set with two glasses of wine, a candle, and dinner already served.

"What's this?" I ask him, my jaw dropping slightly.

Bucky stops and rubs the back of his neck, his cheeks dusted with a light blush.

"I didn't know how to ask you to dinner, so I thought maybe making it a surprise would be easier," he admits, and I feel my cheeks burn. "So, uh, would you? Like to have dinner?"

I can't hold back my smile. Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before.

"I'd love to."