The day Steve and pretty much everyone was waiting for finally arrived. Natasha was officially out of sedation the night before but of course it took a while for her to wake up. That gave them time to prepare.

Steve phoned everyone that it was time. T'Challa also ordered to prepare a feast for all of them. Sam was just as nervous as Steve and good thing Bucky was there, calming them both down. By Steve's estimate, everyone would arrive before lunch which was good. If Natasha woke up in the morning, he would have some time with her alone before he had to share her with everyone else. The fact that Shuri advised everyone to wait until she and Steve had briefed her worked to his advantage.

So after showering, Steve did not waste time and joined Shuri and the medical staff back in the infirmary. She was no longer critical so they did not have to decontaminate anymore.

It was barely seven in the morning, but Shuri said they rather be the ones waiting instead of Natasha waking up alone in the ICU. Steve agreed. It also gave him time to think of how he would greet her. He knew she would be relentless with her questions so he needed to be ready.

They did not have to wait long. By half past eight, Natasha finally woke up. When she started stirring and fluttering her eyes open, Steve, upon cue from Shuri, moved to her side and readied a smile. He was the last person she saw before going to sleep so it was logical that he was the first person she saw upon waking.

"Hey, good morning," Steve whispered to her.

Natasha tried to sit up but Steve gently held her down. She did not protest, she was still groggy after all. After a minute or two, Natasha was finally comfortable with the brightness of the room and managed to fully open her eyes. Steve gasped in delight to see those emerald orbs again. But she furrowed her eyebrows faster than Steve anticipated, probably her training already kicking in for being in an unfamiliar place.

"It's okay, we're in Wakanda," Steve said and much to his relief, Natasha seemed to relax instantly.

Shuri finally approached them and before the princess could say anything, Natasha greeted her.

"Your highness. Everyone's really back, then?"

"Yes, thanks to you," Shuri said, her voice quivering a bit.

Natasha tried sitting up again and Steve helped her this time. She looked around for a while, trying to make sense of everything on her own and Steve let her. Steve told Shuri that they should take their time and take it slow. Information would not do Natasha good if she could not put everything into context. So they all agreed that they would only offer explanations or answers when asked.

And just as Steve anticipated, Natasha asked, a lot. He let Shuri answer all the medical questions of course - her immune system, her antibodies, her new body, and the necessity of staying in Wakanda for a while. Natasha looked uncertain with the last thing but one reassuring nod from Steve calmed her down. When all the medical questions were sated, Shuri was kind and sensitive enough to leave them alone.

"Steve," Natasha whispered.

Steve knew she was processing a lot right. The deep lines on her forehead and knotted eyebrows were but superficial manifestations of her confusion. He was sure she already answered the basic questions internally, by herself, so he would be left with the real questions.

"We won, Nat," Steve said proudly.

"I kind of pieced that together, old man. But how?"

Here we go, Steve thought to himself.

"After we got all the stones, Bruce did the snap that brought everyone back - ,"

"Is he okay?"

"Yeah. He wouldn't have survived if not for the Hulk," Steve said with a smile. "But then Nebula had some technical glitch with her memory that the 2014 Thanos learned of everything. They managed to replicate the quantum particles and they came, here, through the tunnel."

Natasha gasped and almost stopped breathing. She did not say anything or dare interrupt so Steve took it as a cue to continue. He did his best to detail the battle that transpired and she smiled when he described the way all those portals opened and everyone was there.

"And oh, by the way, I wielded Thor's hammer," Steve said sheepishly.

"I knew it," Natasha said, beaming a proud smile. "I saw it moved. I didn't think you noticed it, but I saw it budge when you tried to lift it before. Did you give that purple ape a good pounding with it?"

"Yeah. Did the whole lightning strike thing," Steve said and then turned serious again, "But it seemed like there was only one way to defeat Thanos the second time," Steve continued. He controlled his voice. "Another snap had to be done."

"Who, then?"

Steve held both of her hands in his hands and looked her in the eyes, "Tony."

Steve did not need to tell her that Tony did not make it. She kind of just knew. Her eyes immediately filled up with tears and she cried. One thing Steve long noticed about her was that she did not make a sound when she cried. He assumed it was a result of life-long attempts which started when she was still a child to stifle her cries to avoid punishments. And her cries now were no different. She buried her face on his chest and Steve immediately hugged her, running circles on her back.

"Pepper?" Natasha asked, her face still flushed against him.

"She's still upstate with Morgan. They're doing okay. She still runs Stark Industries. Happy is back with them."

"I'd like to see them," Natasha said as she pulled herself upright and composed herself again.

"Yeah, we'll do that later. In the meantime, there are others already lined up to see you."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see."

Steve retrieve the set of folded clothes Shuri prepared for her. He handed it to her and turned for the door. "I'll wait outside."

"The room's made of glass, Rogers," Natasha said.

"I'll turn around and close my eyes," he said and smiled at her.

She called out when she was done. When Steve returned to her, she was in jeans and black t-shirt. She had a confused look on her face, her hand feeling for something by her waistband. He almost asked what was wrong but she immediately smiled at him and handed him a pair of sneakers.

"My head spins when I try to bend over."

Steve gladly put and laced the shoes on her then he guided her out of the ICU and towards the elevator. But before he could push the button, the door opened and revealed Clint, Laura and the kids.

They all stopped in their tracks, unsure with what to do next. Steve watched as Clint just stood there and stared to cry again. It was Lila who got the first hug, well, second to him. The teenager crashed into her and in no time, Cooper followed and then Laura. Nate was still small to join the group hug so Steve picked him up. Natasha started crying again.

"Thank you so much," Laura said in between sobs. Finally, Clint regained control of his senses and ran to join his family, crushing his kids between him and Natasha.

"Don't you ever do that again, you hear me?" Clint said like a father reprimanding his kid.

"Well, you know me, trouble always finds me," Natasha joked and they all ended up laughing in between sobs.

The elevator reached the palace hall floor and they went straight for the doors leading to the great hall. Steve felt Natasha reach for his hand and he gave it a comforting squeeze. The doors opened and they stepped in. But Natasha was only halfway through the doorway when Wanda and Sam crashed into her, almost toppling her backwards.

"Be careful," Laura reminded them.

Sam and Wanda hung onto her. Wanda's tears soaked Natasha's shoulder but Natasha did not mind. Sam squeezed the two of them in his hug and kissed Natasha on her temple.

"Thank god you're back. Please take him off my hands," Sam joked.

Steve shot him a 'really?' look but ended up chuckling anyway.

"Hey, alright. There's a line here, people," Rhodey joked that made Sam and Wanda finally let go of her so Rhodey could have his turn.

"Ross sends his regards," Rhodey joked with her that earned him an eye roll and a light jab at the side. They were laughing by the time Rhodey released her.

Bruce came next. It was quicker compared to the others because Natasha pulled away to take a look at his limp arm which he had to put in a sling permanently. She placed her hand on it.

"I defeated Thor for the honor," Bruce said proudly and Natasha smiled with equal pride.

Then Natasha turned to Steve and asked, "Are we good here?"

Steve did not expect nor understand the question so it took him a second and a quick look at Bruce to comprehend what the question really was. Bruce nodded back to him with a smile and Steve finally said, "Yeah, we're good."

"Good," Natasha repeated and patted Bruce's arm again. There were snickering and giggling in the air and Steve did not have to look to know that it was coming from Sam, Bucky, Wanda, and even Laura. He almost 'shhh'd' them but then Natasha started walking to meet T'Challa who was already halfway to her. T'Challa did not go for a hug because he was holding up a traditional African spiral choker. It was similar to what Okoye wore, only this one was a combination of silver and gold instead of just gold.

"For your service to the people of Wakanda, I grant you a place among the adored ones. As King, I would be honored if you would accept your place as a captain in the Dora Milaje."

T'Challa put the choker on Natasha and the moment it snapped closed, T'Challa, Okoye, and other soldiers stationed in the hall crossed their arms on their chests and chanted, "Wakanda Forever".

Natasha smiled proudly and received a hug from T'Challa, followed by Okoye.

"Don't worry, outside of Wakanda, I'll let you outrank me, just like the old times," Okoye joked.

"Old times? Do five years count as old times already?" Natasha joked back. She touched the choker, humbled by the honor. Then she looked at Steve.

"Well, how about that," Natasha teased him. "You finally can't pull rank on me."

They all laughed.

"But you know, you can pull rank on him anytime, right?" Bucky said. Steve blushed and that gave everyone another reason to laugh.

"Sergeant Barnes, come over here and give me my hug. That's an order."

Bucky stopped laughing and looked at Natasha with wide eyes, like a raccoon frozen and staring into a flashlight. It was Steve's turn to laugh at his friend. Bucky quickly recovered and walked up to her.

When all had their fill of hugs, T'Challa motioned for the staff to bring in the food. Steve smiled to see the overwhelmed look on Natasha's face.

"Isn't this too much?" she asked.

"Well, Okoye said, you seemed to eat nothing for five years but peanut butter sandwich. You're a member of the king's guard now, and the king's guard eat more than just peanut butter sandwich," T'Challa said and winked at her.

Steve and Okoye laughed and did not bother to let up even after Natasha glared at them.

The lunch feast was filled with stories, laughter, crying - mostly from Clint, and with more food. Halfway through lunch, they received a transmission from space. The data showed that the message was transmitted three days ago and only reached Earth today. It was a video message from Thor and Rocket saying that they got held up in some planet because of something Quill did so they were unsure when they would return to Earth.

"Hey, remember when I said she wasn't dead? Remember that? Huh? Remember that? All of you acted like it was the end. Steve was crying but I said, we're the Avengers, we can do anything!" Thor boasted on the screen.

Steve chuckled and said, "Yup, he did call it."

Natasha looked at him and asked, "You cried?"

"Of course, I did," Steve said smugly and winked at her. Natasha smiled, pleased and delicately traced a finger along his jaw.

Lila suggested that they take a photo and send it back to the Benatar. But it was Clint's idea that each of them take a photo with Natasha so they could rub it in Thor's face. Much to everyone's surprise, Steve thought it was a good idea too.

Later on they found themselves moving from the dining table to the lounge area where the staff served them their desserts and drinks. Shuri of course monitored every food and drinks that came Natasha's way. Nothing was served to her that was not approved by the princess. Somehow, Steve was happy that he did not have to be the bad guy on that regard. Natasha did try to employ the help of Lila to get at least a shot of vodka but Laura found out before Steve did.

"Really?" Laura raised her eyebrows to shame Natasha while everyone laughed at her.

Natasha just shrugged her shoulders unabashedly and curled up next to Steve on the couch. She wrapped an arm around Steve's arm and rested her head on his shoulder. Steve reached out to kiss the top of her head.

"Okay, wait, what?" Rhodey asked.

Steve looked at the guy and saw him gaping at him and Natasha.

"Everyone's seeing this, right?" Rhodey asked, pointing at them on the couch. He looked around and found that no one else seemed to be surprised by the casual public display of affection he just witnessed. This puzzled him even more. He turned to Bruce and the green guy just gave him a thumbs up and said, "Hulk and I approve."

Rhodey then turned to T'Challa and Okoye.

Okoye shrugged and said, "They were in that building together, alone so I thought it was very obvious."

"I've long suspected it. After all Natasha chose Steve over her own freedom. If that didn't speak love, I don't know what is," T'Challa said.

Steve had to smile at that and landed another kiss on Natasha's head.

"Wow," Rhodey said in defeat. "Thanks for telling me."

"Hey, cut me some slack, Rhodes. I had to die and come back from the dead for him to admit it," Natasha quipped to which everyone laughed at Steve, again.

Steve looked down on Natasha and found her staring back at him with his favorite playful smirk. He leaned down and gave her a peck on the lips.

"No news from Danvers?" Rhodey asked.

"They're probably in deep space, it would take time," Shuri replied.

"It's okay, Rhodes, you lot are already a handful and tiresome. When they arrive, I'll be here," Natasha said.

"Agreed. And as your doctor, please don't argue if I send you to bed now," Shuri said to her.

There were protests in the room, primarily from Sam, Wanda, and Lila but Natasha heeded Shuri's orders. She went around the room to get goodnight hugs and kisses from everyone.

"We won't take it personally if you don't come back down here, Steve," Sam teased, Bucky grinning knowingly beside him.

"We actually prefer that you don't," Laura chimed in.

"Oh, don't worry, I won't let him," Natasha said and everyone cheered and laughed as Steve's ears burned.

"Ah, she really is back, ladies and gentlemen," Clint exclaimed and gave the two a salute. "Goodnight, captains. Go get busy."

It was a short elevator ride to the living quarters. When they arrived in Wakanda, they gave Steve a nice suite with a private balcony and great view of the city in the distance. But he never once slept in there because he stayed in the infirmary with Natasha. All he did in that room was take a quick shower, which was also the first thing Natasha decided to do when they arrived. Steve offered to ran her a bath but Natasha could not wait to clean up.

While she showered, Steve waited for a staff to bring in a new set of clothes for her. Shuri sent a set of pyjamas and new shirts, enough for a couple of days. It came with a note telling him to take Natasha shopping for clothes in the coming days. It could be part of her body's re-orientation to other pathogens outside.

He left the clothes on the bed so Natasha could decide what to wear then he stepped out of the balcony to give her some privacy. Natasha was not really fastidious about propriety. She barely had inhibitions but that did not mean he could exploit that. He leaned on the railing, propped his forearms and took in the city lights from the distance. The sun had just set.

Everything was perfect. But then Tony flashed in his mind.

"Well, almost,"Steve whispered to himself. He looked up to the star-littered sky. "Wish you were here, too."

"Are you sure?" Natasha's voice came from behind.

He looked around and saw that she chose the pyjamas. He smiled to see her in it. She then stood next to him and looked up to the heavens to.

"You know Tony is worse than Sam and James. He'd never let you hear the end of his teasing. I can actually hear it. Capsicle and Red, sitting on a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

Steve laughed.

"I miss him already," Natasha said.

"Me too."

"I can't believe it," Natasha said softly. He looked at her and saw the gentle night breeze blew on her hair, sending strands to swirl in air and around her face. He would forever bear Tony's memory as a blackened corner in his heart. But right now, the sight in front of him made his heart swell in happiness, happiness in its purest form. It was too much, even for him and he could not help but start to tear up. Natasha noticed it and she looked at him.

Steve did not hesitate to reach out for some loose strands on her face and tuck it behind her ear. He did not know what exactly was going through her head, she still had questions for sure, but the unknowns did not seem to bother Steve right now. He was just happy.

"Oh, Nat," Steve said softly and reached for her hand. He brought it to his lips and peppered it with kisses. "I'm so sorry for everything, for abandoning you. I don't know how I ever did that."

Natasha's hand cupped his cheek. He looked at her, not ashamed of his tears. Like his heart, even those belonged to her. He felt her thumb wipe them away.

"I kind of saw that coming," Natasha said softly.

"What do you mean?"

Natasha shrugged her shoulders and continued, "You said it. If the plan didn't work, you wouldn't know what to do. We lost the fight. Then you got lost somewhere in your own guilt and failure. You lost hope and I knew - I knew I'd eventually lose you, too."

"I am that transparent to you, huh," Steve asked, chuckling.

"Oh, honey, you're transparent to everyone. That's why they always tease you."

"Apparently," Steve said. "But I promise you, I'm never leaving again. I've already wasted one lifetime with you by being so hung up with the past, I'm not going to make that same mistake."

"Good," Natasha said with teasing smile, her fingers gently brushing up and down his jawline. "So, what now?"

"I have an idea and it's up to you if -, "

"I'd follow you anywhere, Steve."

"Even in retirement?"

Natasha's eyebrow furrowed and tried to say something. The idea clearly struck her by surprise, probably because it was the least she expected to hear from him. Somehow, Steve was glad that he could still surprise her. Steve held her hand between his.

"Your ledger is clean, Nat. You saved half of the universe, THE U-NI-VERSE. Surely, that should be enough, don't you think?"

"You think so?"

"I know so," Steve assured her. He tugged her hand close to his heart. "What do you say, let's get a life - together."

That's when Natasha started to tear up. She pressed her palm against his heart and her eyes lit up to feel it was beating louder and faster than normal. Steve playfully wiggled his eyebrows at her and gave him his signature boyish grin.

Natasha laughed and it was like music in his ears.

"I believe I owe you," Natasha said.

Steve shook his head and said, "You don't owe anyone anything."

He tried to pull her close but Natasha's hand pressed on his chest and stopped him. He looked at her and saw her trademark smirk.

"I believe I owe you three, no, four. Fourwords."

Steve smiled. He slowly closed the gap between them, feeling no more resistance from her. When she was close enough, he wrapped both of his arms around her waist and he felt Natasha's hands snake up from his chest, to his shoulders and finally clasped behind his neck.

"I'm listening," Steve teased her.

Natasha let out a soft giggle. "Are you sure I'm still not trapped in another dimension? Because last I checked the Steve Rogers I knew was still so oblivious to the fact that he was in love with me."

Steve laughed. "Yeah, sorry it took me a while. But, no, you're not in another dimension. You're here - with me."

Steve pulled her even closer. Natasha's arms now wrapped around his neck. Their foreheads and noses were already touching and their breaths mingling in the last few inches that separated their lips.

"So, you were saying? Four words," Steve whispered.

Natasha stole a kiss on the tip of his nose first and with a smile on her lips, finally said, "I love you too."

A/N: I hope you liked this one. Thanks!