Follows the events of: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier!

¡SPOILERS AHEAD!

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Deep down, as the days went by and the nights overtook, the world began to become evident. Nothing made sense anymore. The government, the people, the whole world had changed and scattered what little hope had been left. For five long years, those who vanished were in this deep slumber or perhaps thrown into another verse they couldn't quite remember. Mawu Munroe knew that no matter how much she picked at the idea - her reality would never make sense again.

For she had lost so much during and after those five years. Her nation had been picked. Her loved ones were torn into guilty pieces. And above all else, she lost the man of her life.

Before The Snap, she married the man of her dreams. Arrogant he may have been, she loved him and he loved her. Mawu believed this happiness and peace with him could work. Alas, she had been amongst the 50 percent who vanished. As expected, Tony Stark made the ultimate decision to marry Pepper Potts and the two lived a relatively peaceful life away from the chaos. Up until Steve Rogers and the others came to Tony for help.

Mawu understood his choice. She understood why he chose to be with Pepper after The Snap. That's what Tony wanted for them and in the long run, he shared it with someone else he trusted.

So, why did this bother Mawu so much?

Once coming back, Mawu's world turned upside down. She, no longer the wife of Tony Stark, had no rights to his empire. She lost it all. Their marriage null and void due to her absence for so long and his option to wed someone else. Furthermore, Tony and Pepper had a child. Something Mawu wanted dearly. Everything she wanted, taken away.

"You're doing it again," a solemn voice spoke behind her as she sat at the edge of a plush queen-sized bed. The soles of her feet press against the warm carpet.

Realizing she had been daydreaming, Mawu drapes the thick white duvet around her naked body. She removes her bright blue eyes away from the tall hotel windows facing out towards the city. The man the voice belonged to pulled his long-sleeved shirt over his head and broad shoulders. Tired blue eyes peering down at her as he ceased at the foot of the hotel bed.

"I'm sorry," Mawu spoke hesitantly, squeezing the duvet with her fingers.

"It's okay," The man chuckled softly, settling down next to her. He carefully pulled a sneaker onto his left foot. Keeping his brooding stare on the floor as the shadow of a smirk disappeared. "You think about him often?"

She thought of his question before speaking:

"Do you not think about him often?" Mawu challenges him, referring to his only friend, Steve Rogers.

With a scoff, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes shook his head at her deflection. Answering his question with another question.

They had both lost someone dear to them. A friend and a lover. Both heroes in their own right. Leaving behind a legacy that can never entirely be fulfilled. Perhaps, their sacrifices are seen as the best choices for mankind, however, those who were nearest to them lost so much more.

After a long silence, Bucky snapped his worried gaze onto Mawu. Her beauty is unmatched. Like the real African Goddess of the moon and sun, she is named after; He felt he had no right to be in her presence. To touch her bare skin. There is a danger between them. An agreement that could turn into something more than just filling the void of loss and loneliness. Limits even Bucky saw as a result.

Sure he might have lost a friend, but she lost her husband.

"We don't have to do this," Bucky broke the stillness, brows knitted. "I'm damaged and your - you're dealing with a lot of shit on your shoulders."

With a small smile, Mawu slipped her arm from underneath the duvet. She stretched her limb towards her once comrade, placing her palm against his cheek. A gentle gesture to ensure Bucky. Mawu could see the guilt pulsing deep inside Bucky. The pain of endless torture. She wanted to help him and in doing so, help herself.

Since the day they officially met after her T'Challa's father's death, Mawu knew Bucky held a soft spot for her. Over time, that admiration grew. Becoming more than just sneaky glances and a fixation. She ignored it for so long. Even during their time together in Wakanda.

In the end, Mawu wondered if what she had agreed upon was truly helping them both. In a way, her agreement to keep Bucky company began to feel more like pity. Yet, as Bucky embraced her touch, she understood their secret meetings were the best options for the time being.

"I want to do this, Bucky. It is nice being away from the cameras and royal responsibilities. I enjoy being with you." Mawu removed her touch and stretched out her arms to allow the blanket to slip away from her torso. "Plus, it helps you sleep better at night right?"

Bucky snuck a glance at her exposed body before awkwardly examining his cybernetic left hand. The nights with Mawu were the best. Not due to the actions, but because he could sleep without the nightmares. A relief for once. Whatever that meant, Bucky would eventually figure out.

Mawu suddenly sat up and began to dress. Slipping on articles of clothing thrown around the room. As she pulled her pencil skirt over her thighs, Mawu snapped her gaze back onto a thoughtful Bucky. His stare glued onto her as if to be waiting for instructions. Still unsure how to live outside the madness of war. Even inside of a bedroom shared with a sweetheart, Bucky could never decide what to do next.

"I have to meet with Rhodey. For Sam's announcement." Mawu paused as she hooked the straps of her bra. "Did Sam speak to you before he made this decision?"

Bucky rubbed his lips together, already becoming annoyed by the thought of Sam rejecting the wishes Steve had wanted. Seeing his resentment, Mawu stepped in front of him, placing one hand onto his shoulder.

"There is a reason for everything, James. Remember that."

Bucky stood to his feet, nearly knocking Mawu over as he did so. Before she could protest, Bucky crashed his lips against hers. The abrupt movement shocking, however, that surprise disappears quickly. As she attempts to show affection back, Bucky pulls away.

In silence, the tortured soul yanked his leather coat from the floor beside the bed. He shrugs it on and starts for the door moments later. Mawu opens her mouth to speak, but as she does so, Bucky quietly says at the door:

"I'll see you on television, Princess Mawu. Say hey to Sam for me."