Content warning: Contains sexual content which may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18.

Chapter 28. Gathering

The arrival of the Barnes family at the airport in Birnin Zana was low key but when they arrived at the palace there was a full display of Queen's Guard and Dora Milaje at attention. Rebecca was fascinated by the Dora Milaje, that all these women with shaved heads were warriors. She held Ayo's hand as they walked past while Bucky carried Billy. Julia walked beside him, holding Rebecca's other hand. Queen Shuri greeted Bucky warmly then she smiled broadly at Julia when she was introduced. She didn't try to shake her hand or give her a hug, respecting her need to become used to them first. After escorting them to their apartment Ayo took her leave, saying she would return to be with them the following day.

Their apartment was incredible, at least to Julia's eyes. Bucky just smiled, remembering portions of his own stay during his treatment. A great room, with comfortable couches and armchairs, a television, table and chairs, a book case filled with both adult and children's books, as well as a cabinet with unique children's toys in it formed the centre of the apartment. Through a glass door was a patio that opened to the garden. The children shared a bedroom furnished with two beds, another bookcase of books and toys, a large dresser and closet, a fully stocked change table, and their own bathroom with a child size toilet and a bathtub. Rebecca laughed with glee at the toilet, trying it out immediately.

"Look, Mommy," she said proudly after. "They have a potty that flushes."

Even Billy looked at it and Bucky shrugged. "It's early to potty train him but maybe a small toilet might make him try," he noted.

They went to the other side of the apartment where the master suite was and Julia was taken aback by the luxury of it. The king sized bed was covered in soft linens, flanked by two night tables with large glow lamps, a large dresser and closet then a full bathroom with a tub bigger than their claw foot tub at home, and a double shower. Bucky, who was wearing his kimoyo bead bracelet received a pulse indicating a visitor at the door. Putting Billy down he gave his assent to the visitor and Shuri walked in.

"Your Majesty," noted Bucky.

"Really, Sergeant Barnes," she smiled. "It's just Shuri here in the private quarters. I came to see if we thought of everything for your needs. We contemplated putting a refrigerator in here with snacks and drinks for the children but weren't sure if you give unlimited access to your children at home. If you don't mind it we can have it installed and stocked before the end of the day."

"I would like that," said Julia. "That's very thoughtful, your Majesty."

"Mrs. Barnes, please just call me Shuri," she insisted. "I've also brought kimoyo bead bracelets for you and your children. Has Sergeant Barnes explained their function to you yet?"

"A little," she replied. "They hold our medical records, but also give us access to the facilities here, as well as showing us how to get to places."

"Exactly," confirmed Shuri. "The children's bracelets are slightly different, in that they will prevent them from becoming lost or trying to leave the building without either you or Sergeant Barnes with them. They also can't be removed by the child without your bracelet being in proximity. By proximity I mean touching. Now, I understand that you and the children did rest on the flight over. Sergeant Barnes, I understand you didn't rest at all. I have ordered sleeping draughts for all of you. They are organic, filled with plant based herbs which will help reset your internal clock to our time. They are completely safe to take as Sergeant Barnes can attest. I would suggest you prepare for bed at your usual time, take the mixture, and get into bed. You should be asleep within minutes after."

Shuri gave Julia her bracelet then kneeled down and offered one of the child ones to Rebecca who took it readily. After setting the lock on it Shuri turned to Billy who frowned at her and clung to Bucky's leg.

"Hmmm," she said. "Young Billy doesn't seem to trust me."

Touching one of her kimoyo beads brought up a holographic display of a play set and she showed children laughing and playing on it. Billy came forward, mesmerized by the display and trying to touch it. Shuri explained that it was like a movie but projected from several angles at once giving it a realistic look. When she stopped the image she held up his bracelet.

"This also can show images like that," she said. "But only if you're wearing it. If you let me put it on you I will show you how you can bring up many movies."

Billy extended his hand and with a smile Shuri attached it and set the lock. Then she pressed a bead and a moving image came up. Each time she pressed the bead it changed. Rebecca was already trying hers and asked if she could watch Brave.

"Ask your bracelet," she suggested.

"I want to watch Brave," said Rebecca and it was suddenly projected in front of her, bringing out a huge smile.

Shuri watched with a smile as both children tried out the different functions of the bracelet.

"They won't affect the functionality of the bracelet by playing with it, will they?" asked Julia.

"No, it is part of the tuning process," replied Shuri. "The bracelet will attune itself to your child's individual needs and wants. It's quite intuitive and if by chance it gets a command that it knows is detrimental to its function it will just reset to the last saved change. I expect your children to be quite comfortable wearing and using it within a couple of days. Now, I will go and see about that refrigerator. Sergeant Barnes, why don't you get your family changed into swim wear and show them the pool. I understand your children are very good swimmers."

"Bucky, please," he said with a smile. "I will, thank you, Shuri."

She smiled warmly and left.

"Where is our luggage?" asked Julia.

"Already unpacked," he replied. "Remember that fairy tale about the elves and the shoemaker? The Wakandans seem to perform miracles but only when you're not there to see it. Our luggage arrived here well before we did and was probably unpacked as we walked up to the Queen. They will do the same with the fridge which is why she suggested we go swimming."

Although a little unnerving to Julia it seemed Bucky was fine with it and she took his lead. While she took the children to their room to begin undressing them he changed into his swimwear. Then he took over preparing the children while she changed. Once her coverup and flip flops were on she joined him and the children out by the door to the patio. He led them a short way through the garden then arrived at the pool which, like everything else was spectacular. There were several children's slides, a diving board, and a shallow pool which turned into a jetted pool as soon as one entered it. There were several towels already waiting for them on the lounge furniture along with some pool toys which Bucky tossed in the water.

"Daddy, I want to go on the slides," said Rebecca.

"Let me get in the water first," he replied, positioning himself on the diving board then diving in and coming up near where Rebecca was. "Okay, I'm ready."

Rebecca took a few steps back, then ran and launched herself into the water, coming up from under blinking her eyes furiously. She treaded water for a few moments then dog paddled towards Bucky who kept moving out of her reach until he finally let her grab him. Julia got in at a shallower depth and positioned herself for Billy who also launched himself in. As soon as he surfaced he dog paddled to her and she also stepped back out of his reach until she reached the other side of the pool. They began playing with the pool toys until they noticed someone bringing out snacks and drinks. After making sure the kids were both safely out of the pool Bucky and Julia got out, dried themselves off and began helping themselves to the food and drink. As they sat Julia leaned towards Bucky.

"Are they studying us now?" she asked in a low voice.

"Probably," he said. "I learned when I was here before that they are very observant people. Maybe it's part of their development from hunter gatherers to scientific researchers. Everything interests them and nothing goes unnoticed. Does it bother you?"

"No, not really," she replied. "Just feeling a little like the fish in a fishbowl." She took a bite of her food. "This is really tasty. Look how the kids are just digging in."

It was true. Not that their children were picky eaters as Billy's caloric requirements meant he was hungry most of the time. Rebecca, even though she ate more than most kids her age wasn't picky either, and was often willing to try new foods. They all ate heartily and laid in the sun for a time before getting back in the pool. This time both children used the slides, laughing with joy as they slid down. Gradually Billy lost interest and showed signs of being tired so Julia got out of the pool, dried off, then took him as Bucky lifted him out. She wrapped him up in a towel and sat on a lounge chair, cuddling with him. Within ten minutes he was asleep and she rested her chin on his head. At that time Shuri came back out and sat on one of the other lounge chairs.

"Your children have a lot of energy," she noted. "With two children how do you cope?"

"My mother lives next door and she helps a lot," said Julia. "When Bucky is home he is very hands on. He works in home construction on his down time but even with that he spends a lot of time with both kids. We both do grounding exercises when we feel a little overwhelmed. It's mostly time management."

Shuri smiled. "I remember my mother talking about raising us," she said. "She said both my brother and myself were a handful when we were children, and she had a palace full of staff. Like Bucky she was very hands on, more so than my father, who was often busy with affairs of state."

"You must miss your brother and mother very much," said Julia. "Bucky was saddened by their loss. I know that he considered the King his friend and he was fond of Queen Ramonda as well. He considers you a friend.."

"Thank you for your kind words," replied Shuri. "I do miss them, very much. I understand you recently lost your father. You and I have that much in common. I did love my father and I had no doubt of his love for me." She was quiet for a time and watched Bucky instructing Rebecca on a swim stroke. "There are no cameras or listening devices in your quarters. You and your family have complete privacy there. If ever you feel that we are over extending our observations of you and your children please feel free to excuse yourself and return there. It was not my intent to make you feel like you were being watched and I apologize for any intrusions on your privacy. Your family is unique. We are invested not just in the abilities of your children but also with their integration into society. How you balance raising them as normal children while keeping their exceptional abilities private is of interest to us, scientifically but also because we consider your husband as ..."

"Family," interrupted Julia. "Bucky is family to you."

"He is family," replied Shuri after a pause. "It's difficult to say when he stopped being a patient and became more but he did. By extension, you and your children are also family. I'm sorry, I'm doing a terrible job of this."

"No, you're not," said Julia, smiling slightly. "I'm being difficult. Like you I am interested in the truth and that means I notice things, minute things, inconsequential things, things that others don't notice or care about. I suspect your observations of us are to help your doctors "handle" the children in a way that makes them comfortable. I appreciate that. But don't think for a moment that I don't recognize when I'm being handled. When I was diagnosed with Asperger's the paediatrician told my mother that I would be a burden for the rest of my life because I was incapable of forming emotional bonds. He was so wrong. Please don't be like him and assume that I am a limited person. I am exceptional and I know it."

"Understood," said Shuri, then she stood up and looked at Julia with understanding. "I am also exceptional and sometimes forget I'm not the only one. At dinner I will bring you a schedule for tomorrow. I thought one day on, one day off, might work for us. If you wish to change that we can discuss it."

She smiled at Julia then left. Bucky, who listened to everything without comment, brought Rebecca to the edge of the pool and told her it was time to get out. Then he pulled himself out and wrapped a towel around his waist, before drying Rebecca off and wrapping her in a towel. He offered to take Billy and Julia held him out. Together they returned to their quarters where he laid Billy on top of the bed. Rebecca was yawning and Julia changed her into clean underwear then pulled the cover back on her bed and gave her a stuffie to hold. She fell asleep quickly. He and Julia retreated to their room and as soon as the door was closed he gathered her into his arms, kissing her firmly.

"You're incredible, you know that?" he asked. "Shuri is very smart but she does tend to think she is smarter than everyone around her. At times, she has come across as condescending. She doesn't mean to be, and she is a fine person but I could tell she was rubbing you the wrong way, especially when you realized that we were under observation from the moment we got into the jet. Maybe I have a higher tolerance for it because I went through it while they treated me. But you are so much more sensitive to that than I am and I'm glad you said something to her. She won't be offended."

"She shouldn't be," said Julia. "It was a fair assessment of her procedures. As a scientist she should always be assessing how she gathers data. If her intent was to observe natural behaviours, the fact that the observation affected me would also affect the data she gathered, rendering it less accurate. I want answers, Bucky, but not if they're tainted by bias."

He smiled at her and kissed her more sensuously which she responded to. Pulling the straps of her bikini top off Julia's shoulders he kissed them then mouthed her neck before kissing her deeply.

"Are you trying to seduce me?" she whispered.

"Yes," he replied, as he uncovered one breast and mouthed it, making her eyes close in response. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No," she answered, then she undid her top and tossed it on the floor, followed by removing her bottoms.

She pulled his swim trunks down as she kept her eyes on his, then pushed him backwards onto the bed, straddling him and kissing him forcefully. Wrapping his arms around her he returned her kiss then rolled them both over so he was on top. Julia giggled a little and Bucky became very tender with her, gently nuzzling her neck and shoulders before sensuously kissing her. Quietly he guided himself into her and slowly thrust himself in deep making Julia breathe in a visibly pleasurable way.

"You're redirecting me," she whispered, then she kissed him deeply, before running her open mouth down his neck.

"I thought I was having sex with you," he answered, in his low voice that always signalled the extent of his arousal. "We have to take our opportunities when we can."

Her face broke into a grin, before she gasped as he thrust into her again. "I stand corrected," she stated. "If you were redirecting me you were doing a very good job of it. Can you play your sexy playlist?"

Bucky laughed a little and brought his bracelet up, asking it to connect to his phone and play the sexy playlist, but to make it private. The music began and he gazed at Julia again. He ran one hand down her side, grasping her leg and lifting it over his leg. Then he stepped up his pace to match that of the music. Julia matched his pace and they became lost in pleasuring each other as they kissed, caressed and mouthed each other's bodies, bringing both of them close to their climax. Her cries became more desperate as she came which spurred Bucky to go hard into her, bringing himself to come moments later. His gasps were loud as he made his final gratifying pumps then he kissed Julia deeply before laying on her with his full weight for a few minutes.

"Every time feels like the first time with you," he whispered. "You amaze me."

"So do you," she whispered back. "You always make me feel so good."

Carefully he pulled out and laid on his side, his arm under his pillow. Julia laid on her side as well and ran her fingers over his chest until he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing the palm. Smiling warmly at him she raised herself and went into the bathroom, starting the shower as she could still smell the swimming pool chlorine on her. Bucky followed, bringing their swimwear and filling a sink with soapy water to soak them in. Then he joined Julia in the shower and poured some shampoo into his hand, applying it to her hair. Standing still as he gently massaged the foam into her hair Julia closed her eyes and breathed deeply, feeling relaxed. He pulled the hand nozzle off the wall and rinsed the bubbles off then kissed her. Her eyes stayed closed but she smiled at him and he almost wanted to make love to her again, so beautiful did she look with the water droplets on her upturned face. Returning the nozzle he poured some conditioner on his hand and applied it then began giving her a scalp massage, gently circling his fingers on her scalp from the top of the head to the back, teasing the product through the ends of her hair. She kept her eyes closed and he grasped her head in his hands, kissing her sensuously again, unable to resist the love he felt for her. Her mouth broke into a smile and she held his body close to hers.

"You give much better shampoos and scalp massages than my hair stylist," she murmured. "I suppose you want a really good tip."

"I think I got that before the shampoo," he replied, peppering her face with baby kisses. "You're just irresistible."

Stepping back under the warm stream coming from the shower head Julia ran her fingers through her hair, rinsing off the conditioner as Bucky watched. It seemed almost sacrilegious to touch her body as she posed there with both her hands poised on her head, beautiful and perfect, so he kept his hands to himself. If he had been a more base and selfish man he would have taken her then, pressing himself into her, holding her captive as he took his pleasure from her. But his love for her was based on a deeper understanding of their relationship. Julia was precious to him, and he deferred to her desires, and her autonomy placing himself second. From the start, when he learned her brain was different, he had taken that tack, letting her guide the relationship. That he found himself more than satisfied, emotionally and physically, came as a surprise at first but what they had worked for them. Her eyes opened to see him gazing at her and she smiled, filling him with her calm love.

"That was beautiful to watch," said Bucky. "How is it that you keep getting more and more beautiful?"

Stepping forward she put her flat hands on his chest. "The same way you keep getting more handsome," she replied, looking up at him. "Some days, when you're outside working without your shirt on I just watch you and think of my hands tracing the lines of your muscles."

"I have felt like I've been watched on occasion," he smiled. "I always thought it was your mom."

She pushed him away, grinning and he pretended that she had hurt him. A towel was tossed at him and they both dried off. Both of their bracelets chirped and Bucky looked at his.

"Kids are awake," he said. "Their timing is perfect. I'll go see to them while you finish dressing."

Quickly pulling on his briefs and jeans, he grabbed a T-shirt, pulling it over his head as he left the bedroom and crossed over to the other bedroom. He opened the door to see both of them on the floor, playing with the toys. They both raised their faces to him as he walked in. Rebecca was still just in her underwear while Billy was still in his swim diaper, smelling a little. Bucky put his hand out to him.

"Come on tough guy," he said. "Let's get you cleaned up and into some clothes."

His son stood up, and let Bucky take him into their bathroom where he pulled off the offending diaper and after wiping what he could decided someone needed a quick bath. Pouring some baby wash into the tub he ran the warm water until it was about 6 inches deep then lowered Billy into it. Knowing that Julia would likely smell the chlorine in his hair he shampooed it and soon Billy was clean. By that time Julia was dressed and she brought Rebecca in to quickly wash the chlorine smell off of her. Soon both kids were dressed and they went for dinner in the dining room. Shuri and Okoye were already there talking. They both turned and smiled at the children.

"Well, don't you all look rested after swimming this afternoon," said Okoye. "It was nice hearing the sound of your children's laughter through the windows. Perhaps next time I will join you."

Bucky noted she was not wearing her Dora Milaje uniform. "Are you no longer the General of the Dora?" he asked.

Okoye glanced at Shuri who shook her head slightly. "No, I was relieved of that duty," she replied. "I have other duties now, that have freed me from the restrictions of the Dora Milaje."

"Did it hurt?" asked Rebecca, referring to the tattoos on Okoye's scalp by pointing to her own head.

"A little," she smiled as she kneeled down to the little girl. "But I was able to choose my own design and it is private but meaningful to me."

"I think it's pretty."

"Thank you, so do I."

Okoye stood back up, obviously pleased then gestured to Bucky and Julia. "It is good to see you Sergeant Barnes. Would you introduce me to your wife?"

"My apologies for my lack of manners," said Bucky. "Julia, this is Gen ... sorry that's going to take some getting used to. This is Okoye, formerly the General of the Dora Milaje warriors. Okoye, my wife Julia Barnes."

"Mrs. Barnes, it is my pleasure," smiled Okoye, who received a smile from Julia in turn.

"Come, sit at the table and we can begin dinner," said Shuri.

The children had chairs with booster seats on them and both sat on them willingly. Once everyone was seated servants came out with platters of food. Following the royal lead, Bucky and Julia helped themselves to the various selections, then placed food on their children's plates. Both of the Wakandans watched the children feeding themselves, noticing that Bucky and Julia gave their children autonomy over what they ate and how they ate it. Julia noticed.

"I was a picky eater as a child," she explained. "My parents learned early on that as long as I ate something I was happy. There were times I would go several days eating nothing but pancakes, or potato tots, for example, but the result was that I never resisted eating. Gradually I became more willing to try new foods because there were no expectations for me to like them. It was always made available for me to try but there was no judgement if I didn't. As you can see, both Rebecca and Billy are willing to try everything we put on their plate."

"That seems like a sensible way to eat," said Shuri. "I wish my parents had allowed that with my brother and me. Of course, being royalty means that appearances count so we often didn't have a choice to turn something down."

"I also don't use food as a reward or punishment," added Julia. "I bake almost all of the baked goods we eat, and I cook most of our homemade meals, except for pizza and burgers."

She and Bucky smiled at each other, thinking of all the times they had ordered a loaded pizza for Julia, or had gone to the burger bar for burgers.

"I hope this food is meeting with your approval," said Shuri. "We do use organic foods, grown in our country. There are almost no foods that are processed."

"It's very good," said Julia. "I'm impressed, actually. You can see the children are enjoying it as well."

Shuri looked relieved and Bucky realized she was trying to keep things pleasant. "Shuri, I told Ayo about Zemo referencing the genetic testing done on me while I was under treatment. Have you had a chance to look into it?"

Her face clouded over briefly as she glanced at Okoye. "Yes, we did," she said. "I am so sorry that information left our lab, never mind our country. We quickly investigated and determined a visiting scientist, working here on a joint genetic research project accessed your records. He didn't copy them onto a drive but he did write down several things. We have learned this by going over video recordings and computer logs since you were last here. A member of the Dora Milaje will be visiting him soon, to ask how that information made its way to Baron Zemo. Do you feel that the Baron means to use it to do you harm?"

Bucky thought for a moment. "No," he replied. "He freely admitted he knew that HYDRA had linked most of my abilities to my Y chromosome and that I should consult with you about Rebecca's abilities implying you had also done genetic research on me. I did ask him how he knew about Rebecca's abilities or lack of and he didn't answer the question."

"You have the Queen's guarantee that the enquiry on your children's abilities will be downloaded to a kimoyo bead that will be given to you upon your departure," said Okoye. "There will be no copy kept here in the country. The same goes for the information we already have on you. It will be downloaded to a kimoyo bead and placed in your possession."

He nodded his thanks. Shuri passed over the schedule for the next day and asked them both to look over it after dinner. If there was anything that seemed questionable she assured them that the process could be as flexible as possible. Once they arrived back at their suite they got both kids dressed in their pyjamas, gave them the sleeping draught, brushed their teeth, then watched an animated movie, while looking over the schedule, until the kids fell asleep. Bucky carried Rebecca, while Julia carried Billy. After tucking them in they both returned to their bedroom and looked at each other.

"Well, that's the first day done," said Bucky. "I think it went well. I mean, we ate well, we went swimming, I got laid ..."

Julia gave him a look and then she started laughing. He pulled her into his arms and they kissed passionately before falling onto the bed. She truly appreciated his take on things sometimes.