Hi! Wow, this is rare. I updated twice in one day! Don't expect me to do that all the time, though, I got a lot of writing done (and I got past writing block) because I'm sick and school's canceled because of the stupid coronavirus lol. Hope you enjoy this, I had a very fun time writing this chapter, I'm thinking of getting into Ben's past in the next chapter. Just FYI, Akira is also an OC. He's the 'class clown' if you will.

Favorite and/or follow, please! That's how I know people enjoyed my writing. Also, I didn't edit this AT ALL and probably will at some point. Editing is the bane of my existence.

Warnings: Mild violence

"You decided to bring him?" Fury asked under his breath, glancing over at Ben.

He thought it was funny that they still thought that he couldn't hear their conversations. Admittedly, he pretended that he couldn't hear them as a ploy, and in this moment, he sat by the window at Fury's desk, an honor he prided himself in.

"I didn't really think it through," his dad admitted. "He's been insisting for so long. I just thought that since Nat was coming, it might be a bit easier to...reintroduce him." Ben winced at the delicate wording his father chose.

Fury shrugged. "Sure, but did you consider that this is Hydra's doing that started this whole debacle?" They both must've exchanged glances invisible to him when he heard the calling of his name. He spun around in the chair, standing up and waltzing over to his father's side.

Despite the intermixing of his past at this very moment, he found himself excited for what action might take place. His life now was boring, a plateau on his journey towards a steady mental health and a somewhat safe environment.

It was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that told him he would regret going on this mission, but he pushed them away, desperate to enjoy the thrill again.

"So," he started as they strolled down the hallway at a brisk pace. "What's going on exactly?"

Fury put an arm on his shoulder. "You recall the Winter Soldier?" he asked. He nodded, a chill running down his spine. "Well, your uncle is currently keeping him from being taken under the government's custody - which is illegal, if I might add." he glanced up at him, eyebrows furrowing.

"Uncle Steve?" at Fury's nod, he couldn't believe it. His uncle, the star-spangled man with a plan, was on the run from the government? It didn't make sense.

"Why exactly is this man so important to him?" Ben asked. Why would he just run off with someone; the Winter Soldier, no less, and in turn violate the very country he represented?

"His real name is James Barnes, and he and Steve were good friends before he took the Serum. I can't tell you what's going through his head; God knows it would be so much easier if he just turned himself in, even if I personally know that Bucky is innocent. The rest of the world views him as a murder."

It seemed strange to have a name for him now. He had been his nemesis for some time now, but having a name rather than simply a title made him seem a bit more humane. As if he was something more than just Hydra's killing machine.

His thoughts were interrupted through his father's voice. "And so, we're going to try and convince him to turn himself, or at least Bucky in. So, you and I are going on a little adventure."

A little thrill ran down his back at the prospect of tracking down a fugitive of justice. He grinned at his father, taking note of the way the smile back seemed forced.

"And Akira?" he questioned. Tony nodded.

"He's coming. We have to go to a United Nations conference, and the attendees are allowed to bring guests. You will be mine, and Akira, Natasha's."

Ben nodded. "Alrighty then. When do we start?

"Nat and Akira are flying the quinjet over here, so we'll meet them downstairs and get out of here."

Ben nodded. "Cool." Fury smiled, clapping him on the shoulder.

"You be careful out there son," he muttered. Ben grinned at him, shrugging him off.

"I'm always careful, Fury. Besides, it's going to be fun!" Fury chuckled, shaking his head.

"Whatever, squirt. Go catch the soldier." At his dismissal, Tony and Ben strode at a brisk pace down the hall, taking the elevator up to the landing pad, where the quinjet sat waiting for them.

Akira grinned at him cockily from the pilot's seat, before Natasha came up behind him, slapping him on the back of the head. His grin quickly turned into a grimace, and he grumpily climbed into the backseat. Ben shook his head, stepping into the quinjet and plopping down next to his best friend.

"She hit me," Ben snorted at the fake whine in his voice, shoving Akira playfully.

"I can see why she would," he chuckled. "You're a dumbass." Akira groaned, putting his face in his hands and sliding down in the seat.

"Malen'kiy kot," Natasha called as she slid in a seat opposite of them, Tony following as Friday took off automatically, the coordinates already in her system. "I didn't hit you. I slapped you. There's a difference."

Akira glared at her, giving her the stink eye. "Sure, sure, just like how a rabbit isn't a bunny, right?" he snorted. Ben ruffled his hair, earning himself an equally vicious glare from the smaller boy.

"So," Ben began, rapidly changing the subject. "What are we supposed to expect with the meeting?" he asked.

"We're going to be signing an accords deal," Tony explained. "That essentially limits our actions, or, I guess, involvement, in political issues." Ben nodded, though he was a bit confused as to why they were signing the accord. "The U.N has to approve our involvement before we're even involved."

"But why do we want to limit our power? What if something huge happens? We can't wait for their approval! I mean, you know how long that might take, it's ridiculous!" Tony nodded, grimacing a bit.

"I know. But it's not worth the cost. Every time we have a battle, that's billions of dollars of damage that comes straight from the government, which is lost funding from everything else." Ben shrugged.

"True, but what does that mean for Akira and I?"

"You guys won't be affected until you're of age. There's no one to wrangle the two of you except for us." Everyone chuckled at his statement. "Alright, that's enough chit-chat. We'll be there soon, so the two of you go grab your suits and get dressed. We've got some fancy people to meet, some long speeches to listen to!"

Ben and Akira shook their heads, sharing a smile before each trudging off to one of the two bathrooms to change out of their ragged jeans and into their pristine, tailored suits.

Stepping out of the room with his tie still around his shoulders as he felt the plane descending, he tied it as they safely landed on the helicopter pad at the top of the United Nations building. Ben was still amazed at the speed of the quinjet, and that they were able to get to Vienna in such a short amount of time. He had even helped design the very engine that had flown them all the way from New York.

Akira was still struggling with his tie as they hopped out of the jet, prompting Ben to pull him to the side and tie it quickly for him. Akira thanked him, before the two boys switched off their smiles and into their professional faces, or as they liked to call it, their game faces.

Stepping inside, Ben stood straighter and taller, reaching his full height and was pleased to find that he was, in general, quite a bit taller than everyone in the room.

Natasha and Tony led them to the front of the room, where they were greeted by Prince T'Challa. Natasha nodded her head, as a sign of respect, and Ben and Akira followed her lead. Tony wandered off to find their seats, while Natasha spoke to the prince.

"I suppose neither of us is used to the spotlight," T'Challa began, smirking a bit. "Or, any of us, I suppose," he added, catching sight of Ben and Akira.

"Oh, well, It's not always so flattering," she responded.

"You seem to be doing alright so far," he shrugged. "Considering your last trip to Capitol Hill," he paused, choosing his words carefully. "I wouldn't think you would be particularly comfortable in this company."

"Well, I'm not," she noted, quite bluntly. Ben thought it odd that she wasn't comfortable in this light, but he had just been taken in by Tony when all of her past was released to the world. It wasn't a particular top priority for him at that time.

T'Challa chuckled. "That alone makes me glad you're here, Ms. Romanoff."

"Why?" she questioned. "You don't approve of all this?

"The Accords? Yes. The politics…" he shook his hands in a so-so motion. "Not really. Two people in a room can get more done than a hundred."

"Unless you need to move a piano," a new voice entered their conversation, and Ben was startled to suddenly find himself in the company of the king of Wakanda, T'Chaka.

"Father," T'Challa bowed to his father respectively, the other three following suit.

"Son. Ms. Romanoff. Who are these two?" he asked, looking at Ben and Akira.

"My name's Benjamin, your majesty," he greeted, bowing. "Son of Mr. Stark,"

"Ah," the king smiled. "Welcome. I hope you find yourself welcome here. And you?" He asked, looking pointedly at Akira.

"Akira Himiko, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"And you as well. I see you're doing well, Ms. Romanoff," he smiled at the redhead, who only held sadness in her eyes.

"King T'Chaka. Please, allow me to apologize for what happened in Nigeria." she apologized, and Ben knew it was a touchy subject. All the countries were on edge at the moment, especially the Wakandans.

"Thank you," he acknowledged. "Thank you for agreeing to all this. I'm sad to hear that Captain Rogers will not be joining us today."

Natasha grimaced. "Yes, so am I." At that moment, an announcement was made from the speakers by a lofty male voice.

"If everyone could please be seated. This assembly is now in session." T'Challa smiled, looking towards Natasha.

"That is the future calling. It was such a pleasure."

"Thank you."

With that, the three departed, leaving the son and father alone. Natasha led them to their seats, sitting more in the middle of the conference room. As soon as all the diplomats had fallen silent, the meeting was begun with a roll call, and Ben felt proud as his name was called and a few diplomats turned to whisper to their companions at his notorious last name. Finally, he felt he had left a mark on society, even if it was a small one.

Oh, you've left much more than a mark, the voice in his head sneered, and he shushed it, not wanting to fall down that spiral again.

"When stolen Wakandan vibranium was used to make a terrible weapon," King T'Chaka began, as the first speaker. "We in Wakanda were forced to question our legacy. Those men and women killed in Nigeria, were part of a goodwill mission from a country too long in the shadows. We will not, however," he added, glancing around the room, letting his booming voice echo. "Let misfortune drive us back. We will fight to improve the world we wish to join. I am grateful to the Avengers for supporting this initiative."

At that moment, Ben spotted movement outside, sharing a panicked glance with the crown prince. The king, however, continued as if there was no disturbance.

"Wakanda is proud to extend its hand in peace."

"Everybody get down!" Ben saw it happening even before the bomb went off, shattering the glass into a million pieces behind the king.

His ears didn't stop ringing, even after they had been ushered outside the building as the emergency departments responded to the fire. Akira had followed Tony to get the quinjet off the roof, which would take some time, and Ben had vouched to stay with Natasha as she sat on the bench. Neither of them nursed any wounds, yet Natasha was still cautiously protective.

"Are you sure you're okay, moy kosatka?" she asked, worry etched in the lines of her face.

"I'm fine Aunt Tasha. A little shaken, but otherwise fine." he was lying, and his aunt could see that in his face, he knew. That would lead to a long conversation later, but he wanted to avoid it for as long as possible.

The king was dead. He couldn't believe it, and it struck him deeper than he thought it would. The man seemed kind, and infinitely caring of his son and people. Ben could tell that even in the few words he had shared with the monarch.

He was startled out of his thoughts by his aunt's words towards the prince - well, king, Ben now supposed - that sat on the bench next to them.

"I'm very sorry for your loss," she murmured. T'Challa glanced at her, spinning an ornate silver ring between his fingers. He turned away, speaking seemingly to comfort himself.

"In my culture death is not the end. It's more of a… stepping-off point. You reach out with both hands and Bast and Sekhmet, they lead you into the green veldt where you can run forever." Natasha bowed her head.

"That sounds very peaceful."

"My father thought so." Ben watched his actions carefully, and the soon-to-be-king slid the ring on his finger rather gently in contrast to his tone. "I am not my father."

"T'Challa," Natasha soothed. "The task force will decide who brings in Barnes." Ben was surprised that the super soldier had made it this far without being caught; he was framed as the causation of the explosion, and it was rather unnerving to Ben that such a huge piece of his past was so close by.

T'Challa clenched his fist. "Don't bother Ms. Romanoff," he said, standing up without sparing either of them a glance.

"I'll kill him myself."