Bucky and Steve landed safely in the country and King T'Challa greeted them both warmly. He had graciously given them quarters in the royal palace and also told them that they were his special guests and they could relax, as they had diplomatic immunity in Wakanda.

Food was sent up to their room immediately since T'Challa was certain that Steve and Bucky would be famished. Both men were tired but in need of baths, so they cleaned themselves up and ate the food hungrily.

Steve had been so focused on eating that he hadn't noticed someone enter until he saw Bucky's shoulders tense. Once he did, the blonde looked up cautiously and he stood when he saw her. "Nat..." he whispered, shock written all over his face.

The redhead smiled at both men and started walking towards them. "What? You didn't think you'd seen the last of me, did you, Rogers?"

Steve's lips curved into a smile and he began to walk to her. Seeing her there in front of him was like a dream. The last time he saw her, she let he and Bucky escape in the quinjet. Steve had to push back the horrible feelings in his gut that told him he would never see her again.

When Bucky looked up at her, he let out a sharp breath, dropping the piece of bread on his hands. His eyes were as wide as saucers and he just stared like he's just seen a ghost.

Before Steve even knew what was happening, Bucky forward and stopped in front of Natasha. He stared at her as if he couldn't believe what he saw. Several seconds later, he hugged her tightly. "Natalia...it was you at the airport." His Russian accent was soft and gentle.

Steve felt himself grow jealous as he watched Natasha's hands move up and hold Bucky around his back. He halted his steps and stood in place, unmoving. The inside of his stomach twisted painfully and he squeezed his hands into fists. Seeing Natasha and Bucky hold each other like that...it agitated him.

"I'm glad you're safe, James," Natasha whispered. She rubbed his back, knowing it would be best to just indulge him right now. It wasn't as if she could just turn him away. They had a history together and she owed him this.

It had been many years since they'd last seen each other. Once upon a time, Natasha even confessed to loving Bucky, but that was so long ago. Things were different now. It was good to know he was alive and in her arms. Her feelings for him weren't the same anymore, but she did still care about him.

Natasha looked up and caught hold of Steve angry blue eyes. She sighed. Of course, he would be surprised at her. She expected that. The anger was jarring, though, and it hurt to see that look of disapproval in Steve's eyes. All it took was one glance from him and Natasha felt like a child who had done something unspeakable. It was frustrating that he had this kind of power over her, and even more so because he didn't know about it.

What a mess you've gotten yourself into, she thought ruefully.

The little inner voice that told her not to come to Wakanda pestered her again. She couldn't deny that she did want to see Bucky again, but this was not how she thought things would go. And from his reaction to her intimate embrace with Bucky, Natasha knew that she and Steve had a lot to talk about...

There was only so much of the barely concealed and angry look on Steve's face that Natasha could take. Cursing under her breath, she let go of Bucky as if he were on fire. Damn, Steve Rogers always knew how to make people feel uncomfortable...

She walked over to the blonde with Bucky in tow.

The steely glare that Steve sent in her direction was not encouraging. He was obviously confused and angry that she never told him about she and Bucky. Goodness knows what was running around in his head right now? Still...how could she tell the man she loved that his best friend, the person he tried to find for over a year, was once her lover?

That's not exactly something you could just bring up over a candlelit dinner. Unfortunately, this meeting had to happen sooner or later and Natasha reluctantly chose to get it over with now. There was a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach which told her that this could possibly be the nail in the coffin for she and Steve's relationship.

"You never told me that your name was Natalia," Steve said pointedly, bitterness edged in his tone. He shot accusatory glances at her and she fought the urge to defend herself.

He's just responding with his emotions. Don't follow his lead; it'll only exacerbate the situation.

In an attempt to defuse the awkward tension of the moment, Natasha spoke in a calm, steady voice. "I think we all need to sit down and talk. Steve?" She put her hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off.

He didn't even look at her when he said, "I'm going for a walk." Then he left.

This kind of behaviour from Steve was very foreign and Natasha heart sank as she watched him leave. There were a million different things that she wanted to say to him, but her lips could not move. She felt so...empty.

"What was that about, Natalia? Why did he just leave?" Bucky turned to look at his past lover, confusion written all over his face. The poor man had no clue what was going on between the two people who were closest to him. As much as she didn't want to tell him, Natasha knew there was no point in trying to hide the truth.

She sank down to the couch, put hands in her lap and stared at her legs. Right now, she could only get this out if she kept her eyes away from him. This was difficult enough to admit. "He thinks that you and I are together..." Her voice came out very strained and she ran a hand through her hair.

Bucky wrinkled his brow. "Together? Well...I guess from our hug, it would make sense that he'd assume as much. That still doesn't explain why he...oh." Suddenly, the reason why Steve would walk out so abruptly after their hugging became clear to him.

Natasha closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. This was not how she wanted the evening to go.