Steve stood rooted to the spot in the doorway where Tony had left him. Slowly he made his way to the bed in the middle of the room and sunk down on it, staring at the wall and letting Tony's words sink in. First, the fact that Tony had even spoken to him was incredible. Second, they hadn't yelled or thrown any punches, never mind that Steve hadn't said a word and Tony had been holding a baby at the time, it was still massive progress for them.
He ran a hand over his face and set his elbows on his knees as he sat forward and thought about what Tony had said. Was Tony right, did he really only lead a team, never being a part of it? Did he even know the difference? He thought he had been a part of the Howling Commandos, but thinking about it now, maybe Tony had a point. He led the team and god help him, he mothered the team, but did he ever just sit back and take part in being with the team. Even when he was around the closest members of his team he didn't let his guard down very often, he didn't know how. He was always ready for someone to need him, because that is what he was good for, that is something he knew how to do. He knew how to be a tool in fixing something. When the others saw him, they mostly saw "Cap". Even the ones who thought they saw Steve didn't actually see him because he didn't know who Steve was anymore. Steve had been Bucky's best friend, Steve had gotten into fistfights in Brooklyn, Steve had loved Peggy, and Steve had gone into the Ocean.
The second he had come out of the ice he had been needed as Captain America. The rest of his life was gone and the person he had been before was gone with it. All he knew was that Captain America had been needed, so from the moment he was awake he had been that. He shook his head. What was he supposed to be then? What was he now?
He sat on the bed for another few minutes before he heard the rumble of engines. Twisting around he watched from the window as an unmistakably Wakanda–esque craft rounded the Compound and landed on the tarmac. Pulling himself together he stood up and tried to compose his thoughts. Tony was right, he needed to be more than just a leader if this team was going to succeed. He could do this, he just had no idea whereto start.
He came walking back into the communal area and took in the sight around him. Everyone was still gathered in the kitchen and television areas. Clint was on the couch, Nate perched happily on his knee, Laura hovering nearby. She may not have forgiven Clint for everything the family had been put through, but she seemed happy to see her kids and their father together again. Steve really hoped that she and Clint could work it out. He hoped they could find happiness together again.
The kids had some racing game up on the television and the girls were laughing at Cooper's frustration as Peter was winning.
Wanda and Vision were tucked into a corner together, speaking quietly. Steve's feelings were more than a little conflicted about her. He had protected her for a long time, but after what he witnessed this afternoon, he felt a little bit sick looking at her. There was no way that Tony had actually forgiven her as easily as he had made it seem. The woman had gotten into his head, stoked his greatest fears and lit the flame into a blaze. Tony didn't trust people as it was. Steve felt like he was on the edge of an unsteady cliff and he didn't know which way to step.
Sam and Natasha were listening to Bruce talk about the latest breakthrough in some new tech that he and Tony had been working on, doing their best to look completely interested instead of completely lost. Tony was in the corner of the room with Scott, who was showing him something he was tinkering with something on Cassie's pink laptop.
The elevator bell made a ding and the doors slid open to allow the group of people inside to step out onto the floor. Rhodey was the first one out, speaking softly with Pepper who was shaking her head and making quick hand gestures at whatever he was telling her. Tony and Rhodes shared a hug before Tony turned and gently pulled Pepper into a soft hug paired with a kiss on her cheek, which she returned. They were followed out by the King of Wakanda and Princess Shuri.
Immediately, Tony was all bright smiles as he walked right up to T'Challa and embraced him tightly as if they had been friends for years, T'Challa returning the embrace just as enthusiastically. That was…odd. When had they been close? Even during the fight at the airport and in Siberia, they had fought together but hadn't seemed close. Not that Steve had been paying attention to much else than Bucky and his mission. The video calls he had witnessed were cordial, even friendly, but nothing that had given the impression they were at this level of familiar or tender. Watching now though, as Tony and T'Challa barely let each other go enough to pull back and gaze into each others eyes, muttering quiet hellos, he felt cheated somehow. He thought that the King had respect for Tony, but this was quite a bit more than that.
Finally, with a last squeeze of each others biceps and shoulders, Tony pulled back and looked around T'Challa's shoulder, his gaze turning reverent and his utterly charming smile sliding into place as he stepped around T'Challa and held his arms out to Shuri, who stood with her own smile, watching her brother greet the American genius.
He held his hand out for hers, which she offered him with a grin that said she knew he was being ridiculous and loved every moment of it. Tony took her hand in his and slid down on one knee theatrically as he kissed her small hand, his eyes sparkling. "I've waited months to see this beautiful face in person." Shuri giggled at the silly man on his knees in front of her. Tony stood and pulled her into the room, saying, "Come here gorgeous, I've been waiting to bow and grovel at your sophisticated feet my entire life."
He turned to the room and, still holding Shuri's hand he presented her to the room. "For anyone who doesn't know, this is Princess Shuri of Wakanda, Tech Queen Extraordinaire and light of my fuc-freaking- sorry Laura, life."
T'Challa stood behind them, rolling his eyes at Tony but smiling proudly at someone recognizing his sister's brilliance so publicly. Tony turned around and with a flippant wave of his wrist in his direction said, "And that's the King, he's got a cool Cat-Suit, but that's about it." Steve thought for a moment that Tony was being incredibly rude, but he watched T'Challa break out into a smile and heard his low chuckle at Tony's words. Tony gave T'Challa a huge wink and smirk at that.
"Alright, everyone, get over here and introduce yourselves if you haven't yet." Before anyone could make a noise, Peter had literally jumped over the coffee table and couch and came to a skidding halt in front of Tony, Shuri, and T'Challa.
T'Challa greeted him first. "No costume tonight, Spider-Man?" He said with a smile. Peter was about to open his mouth and go into what Steve was sure would have been a Tony-worthy babbling rant, but Shuri stepped in first. "Peter! I brought that thing I told you about, it is in my bag, hurry, let's test it out!" She grabbed Peter's wrist and they were about to run off when Tony and T'Challa caught them each by the arms.
"Whoa there, Spiderling, any testing needs to be done in the lab. I will not have your shenanigans tear up the Compound, I literally just put it back together, capiche?" T'Challa had Shuri's arm and he leveled her with a serious look as he said, "Remember we are guests here, yes?"
Peter practically whined as he said, "Mr. Stark, it's that thing" He said with emphasis and a meaningful look, "We talked about! You know, that Shuri and I have been designing." Tony's face changed instantly. He gave Peter a sidelong look and then glanced at Shuri, who's face had broken out into what Steve could only describe as a shit-eating grin. Tony released Peter instantly and turned to T'Challa. "My good King, I beg your pardon, but I have pressing matters to attend to with my glorious science children. Science Squad, we are now assembling in the lab! You know who you are, lets go, get in the elevator!" He waved his arms in giant swinging motions to get them moving.
Tony, Peter, and Shuri all took off for the elevator. Tony turned around and scanned the room until his eyes landed on Bruce. "Brucie-Bear, let's go, you're part of this Squad!" He made a sweeping hand gesture towards the open elevator that Peter and Shuri were already inside, both peeking out to see what the hold-up was.
Bruce looked apprehensive at the mere thought. "Do I have to be?" He sighed, already standing up and shuffling over to the elevator. "Don't be like that Green Machine, I need someone to help me keep and eye on these two." Bruce shook his head, "We both know I'm going to be supervising the three of you, don't pretend we are in this together." Bruce's long suffering tone was betrayed by his face though, as he couldn't quite keep the smile out of his eyes. As they all stepped into the elevator the sound of instant chatter started, the doors closing them off in their own little world.
The rest of them were left standing there in silence for a moment when the elevator doors opened again and Tony stuck his head out. "Science Squad is missing a member. Where is he? Lang, get your ass in here!" He called. Scott looked dumbfounded. "Me?" he said pointing to himself. Everyone looked between Scott and Tony. Tony gave Scott a distinctly unimpressed look. "We both know that you have considerable knowledge in the tech world, Lang, don't try that innocent princess crap on me. This elevator has places to be so..." His eyebrows rose at Scott as he jerked his head towards the elevator. Scott looked so shocked he couldn't move. Tony rolled his eyes. "Lang, if you aren't in this elevator in 3 seconds, I'm sicking Peter and Shuri on you." The mentioned teenager's heads popped up over each of Tony's shoulders. Scott obviously didn't need anymore pressing and he hopped up and jogged himself over to the elevator. 'Science Squad' cheered as their last member joined the ranks.
Tony's hand stopped the door closing as he leaned out once more and fixed T'Challa with a pointed look. "Try to enjoy yourself up here for a while huh? Don't look so sad, I still love you, I just can't resist the mind of your brilliant sister. I've got a lab full of things that need her attention, the first one being my notebook full of questions." He winked at the King as the doors closed for the last time.
Again, the floor was left in silence until Laura stood up from her spot near Clint and said, "T'Challa, can I get you a drink?" The King's amused eyes landed on her as he bowed his head. "Please, Laura, thank you very much." And he followed her into the kitchen, asking how she had been as Cooper, Cassie, and Lila went running after them to tell him all about what they had been up to since he last visited. The King was listening to them in rapture as Laura poured him a drink.
Next to Steve, Sam watched her lead T'Challa into the kitchen. "So, I think it's safe to say he's been here before, huh?" Steve nodded dumbly. "Yeah. Probably safe to assume that." Sam hummed in agreement before he leaned over even closer to Steve and said, "He and Tony seem awfully close as well." Steve snapped his head to the side and gave Sam his best glare. "What?" Sam shrugged. "Don't bother telling me you didn't notice that. I thought for sure I was going to hear Captain America growl." Steve did his best to darken his glare, but only had the effect of making Sam's smile widen.
Steve steeled himself as Rhodes approached with Pepper in tow and he and Sam and greeted them. Rhodes greeting was cool, but not entirely unkind. Pepper's greeting was positively icy, but Steve couldn't quite find it in himself to blame her. Being here wasn't likely at the top of her to do list. Being CEO of Stark Industries he was sure there were a million other things that she could have been doing, yet she was here, though why he wasn't exactly sure. Was it just support for Tony or Rhodes? He decided to try and tactfully find out.
"How are things at Stark Industries, Miss Potts?" He asked kindly. She gave him an appraising once over before she answered, "So far, things have been going well, we will see how they go after tomorrow morning." Steve felt a little lost, was he supposed to know anything? His confusion must have showed on his face because Rhodes clarified, "There is a Press Conference tomorrow morning, Rogers. It's to re-introduce the team to the public. Tony will be giving a statement."
"O-Oh. I had no idea." He stuttered. Pepper's smile was positively predatory. "Well as of right now you wont be in attendance, so you shouldn't need to worry about it, should you, Captain?" His rank was nearly a sneer out of her pretty mouth. Wow. She was nearly as good as Tony at this game. He knew when to back off. "Of course, Miss Potts." He said in surrender.
Rhodes gave him a small nod as he steered Pepper in the direction of the couch and suggested a drink, leaving Steve and Sam alone. "She is absolutely terrifying. No wonder Stark put her in charge." Sam said as they watched them walk away. Steve could only nod in agreement, the woman was a force.
Behind them, James made a noise that sounded like a broken sprinkler to Natasha from his corner of the room. Her head snapped in his direction as he beckoned her over. They whispered for a second before she broke out in an honest to god giggle and nodded in agreement with him. James stood and stole a few crayons and a paper from the coffee table the kids had been at and brought them back to he and Natasha's corner. They both picked up crayons and bent over the paper trying to stifle their laughter. Steve watched them suspiciously until he and Sam could no longer take it and they peered over their hunched shoulders. They had made a very festive and colorful sign that read: Please do not tap on glass, the nerds are easily frightened.
James turned a positively gleeful look on Steve as he told him that he and Natasha were going to go hang it on the Lab door. Steve shook his head as he watched them take off with Sam in tow. Children. He was absolutely surrounded by children.
T'Challa had watched from the kitchen as Pepper and Rhodes spoke to Steve and Sam across the room. Pepper looked like she was seconds away from tearing into Steve, and the King didn't even know what was being said, but he wasn't sure who's side he would take in a fight.
"So, how are things in Wakanda?" Laura asked. "They are very well, thank you. How are things here?"
Laura's smile fell slightly. "They are a rollercoaster, to be honest. One second it's alright, another second the fragile peace is shattered." She leaned in and lowered her voice, "Something bad happened this afternoon. Natasha said that the team walked in on Tony using his BARF technology to relive memories. They're all really shaken up." T'Challa leaned in closer at that. "What memories?" He asked her. She shrugged. "She said Siberia and one other one, but I don't know what it was. She wasn't ready to say." T'Challa raised a hand to cover his mouth in thought.
The people Tony had allowed to seeing footage of Siberia was one thing. To have the others not only see it but see it in the simulation room was another level that he was sure must be hurting Tony greatly, although he was being careful to hide it under his bluster and façade.
"And Captain Rogers?" He asked. He and Laura glanced across the room at Steve, who was looking like he was in deep trouble with Pepper. "Natasha said that he took it really hard. Got physically sick. He was pale and shaking when James and Sam brought him upstairs and took him to his room for a long time. They only came out a little bit before you got here. I'm not really sure what is happening. He was distraught and Tony… well Tony actually tried to be kind. He had the girls make Steve a cupcake, and he let Steve hold Nate." T'Challa's eyebrows shot up at that. "Did he now?" Laura nodded. "It's giving me whiplash to watch. They're dancing around each other, but every time I try to bring it up to Tony he shuts it down."
"Well, I am glad I brought Shuri to distract him. And I am very glad he is surrounded by friends. I think Shuri and I will stay a few days longer than planned." Laura's face brightened at that and she laid a hand over T'Challa's. "I think Tony would love that, thank you."
He smiled at her and assured her that he was happy to do it. "Perhaps it is time that I greet the Captain?" He said. Laura smiled as she sat up and called for Steve.
Steve heard Laura call his name from the kitchen with the King as she beckoned him over. He gave one last glance at the stairwell door Sam, James, and Natasha had just disappeared through before heading in her direction.
The King stood and shook his hand firmly. "Captain Rogers, it is good to see you again." Steve tried to push away the feeling of jealousy at how Tony had greeted T'Challa. He was better than petty jealousy. "Likewise, Sir, I'm glad you're here." Steve got the feeling that T'Challa knew his thoughts though, since the King was looking at him with that gaze that always made Steve feel like he knew more than he was letting on.
About two hours later the elevators opened and 'Science Squad' stepped out. Scott was trying to pick out the webbing that Peter had stuck in his hair and Bruce was attempting to clean some of it off of his glasses with his shirt. Shuri and Tony were both bent over a tablet taking so fast that it sounded like another language. Tony asked her a question she must have found stupid, because she adjusted something on the tablet and slapped him upside the head, calling him an idiot. Tony looked positively elated with whatever she had done and leaned over to show Bruce, who made an ohh sound, as though the world suddenly made sense.
They all walked out onto the floor and the others headed into the kitchen to find the pizza that had been delivered a few minutes earlier. Tony's eyes, though, found T'Challa, who was sitting on the couch next to Rhodes and Sam, with James and Steve in the armchairs across from them. He came bounding over, tablet in hand and squished himself onto the couch between Rhodey and T'Challa. Rhodes made an indignant noise as he shifted closer to Sam so Tony wasn't sitting halfway in his lap. "You do realize this is a three person couch, right Tony?" Rhodes said annoyed. Tony ignored him and pushed the tablet under the King's nose before turning and looking at the kids in the kitchen. Tony had the biggest smile on his face as he watched Peter and Shuri argue over the merits of different pizza toppings. He turned back to T'Challa and said, "Do you have any idea how long it has been since I've had to utter the phrase, 'hold on, explain that to me again?' God, it's absolutely amazing! How did you get so lucky?"
T'Challa chuckled at Tony's worship of his little sister. "No, I'm serious, you can't have Wakanda and her, buddy, you've got to give up one of them. I'll make this easy for you, I want her."
The King let out a full laugh now. Tony pretended to be insulted. "Come on, we can work something out. How about she lives here with us every other weekend and holidays?"