Let's say the Guardians' vessel is still functional after what happened, shall we ?
The palace was in effervescence. Dozens of people, plus the remaining Dora Milaje where running down the halls. A small vessel, just bigger than a Quinjet, had arrived in Wakanda minutes ago without authorization.
They had landed near the river tribe's lands, where Steve was currently helping people. The blond rushed towards it: either the passengers were hurt, and then he could help, either they were a threat and in this case he would protect the villagers until reinforcement came.
He stopped five meters away from the door and waited for it to unlock. Slowly, the ship opened and an average-size man with brown hair stepped up. He took support on the door frame to steady himself and finally revealed his face -and identity-.
"Tony ?!" Steve said before rushing to the man, stopping a meter away. Tony took in his appearance and smiled sadly.
"You look like shit, Rogers."
"You too."
The soldier balanced from a feet onto the other before he engulfed the other man in a tight hug. It didn't last long, Steve retreating five seconds later, but Tony had the time to reciprocate.
"I'm… I'm glad you're back." The blond said.
Tony nodded, and was about to speak when someone else came out of the ship. The woman was blue, but not of the same shade everywhere. She appeared to be partially robotic, too.
"Is Rocket here ?" She asked bluntly.
"Who are you ?" Steve asked.
"Cap, meet Nebula. Nebula, Captain Rogers."
"I repeat, is Rocket here ?"
"Yes, he is in Wakanda. He must be in the palace."
"Thank you."
Little by little, people were arriving, and Okoye and some Dora raised their spares.
"It's okay, Okoye. This is Tony Stark."
"And her ?"
"Nebula is with me."
The general stayed still for some seconds before dropping her weapon, the other Doras imitating her.
"Tony, are you the only two ?"
The genius turned his head slowly and lowered his eyes. "Yes. The Guardians, who fought with us, disappeared. Dr Stephen Strange too. And… and Peter."
"I'm sorry Tony." Steve put his hand on the other man's shoulder.
"I've got to inform his aunt. Steve… Pepper, is .. is she ?"
"She's alive. Rhodes, too. He left for DC yesterday evening actually.
The two were interrupted by someone shouting.
"Nebula !" It was Rocket. He was running. She turned to look at him. "Nebula, were are the others ?"
"I'm sorry, Rocket."
The racoon stopped in his tracks .
"No. Not them, too."
"He killed Gamora to gain the Soul Stone. And the others vanished."
Rocket's shoulders sagged, and he went to sit on a rock. He then put his elbows on his knees and let his head fall into his hands.
They all watched in silence as Nebula went to sit next to him and pat his shoulder awkwardly.
"Where is Thor ?" Tony asked suddenly.
"He is helping around… Okoye ?"
"He was indeed helping the mine tribe this morning. I'll send a message for him to come."
"Tell him we have good news. A... Ravager called Kraglin contacted us. They found a part of his people."
Thirty minutes later, everybody was in a sort of conference room. Shuri had managed to create a connection between Kragklin's vessel and the Palace. Now, they were only waiting for someone to come and speak to them.
Relief flashed upon Thor's face when he saw a brown-haired woman approach and sit in the chair.
"Brunnhilde !"
"Your highness. I'm so relieved to see you. With both eyes." She said with a smile. "Bruce" she nodded at the scientist who waved his hand in response. "We were intercepted by Ravagers. They took us in. But… some of us vanished the other day."
"I supposed so. I'm afraid all that remains of Asgard is with you."
"The rest of the population..."
"Didn't made it."
The warrior closed her eyes and whispered something close to a prayer. When she opened them again, she frowned.
"I cannot see Prince Loki."
"My brother was killed by Thanos. Heimdall also died of his hand, just after he summoned the Bifrost one last time." Thor replied, his face tight.
"I… Shall they rest in Valhalla with our great heroes." Thor nodded and shifted in his seat while the Valkyrie got out of hers. "I will inform the survivors of our losses." She then bowed her head and retreated. My king.
"What are you going to do now ?" Bruce asked.
"Well, we wanted to come back on Earth. We are here now. We might as well stay. After that … after everything, it's not like we will lack space."
The group decided to get outside while Tony called Pepper and Thor made arrangements with Kraglin.
As they stepped in a street, two kids who were holding hands called Steve. He turned to see who it was, and stopped to let them come to him. He knew those kids, he had met them several times. The older was called Bulhe and the other Sipho. They were part of the River tribe.
"Steve ! Phi iphimbi elimhlophe ?" Sipho asked. Where was… where was White wolf ?
"Yes, induna, where is he ?" His brother asked, a big frown on his little face. "We didn't see him since you arrived."
Steve crouched, on knee on the ground, to speak at their level. "He's with our ancestors." He told them. "With the angels" he added, under his breath.
"He's… he's dead ?" Bulhe asked in disbelief. Steve nodded, his mouth pinching.
"No, that's not fair !" The kid whined.
The two brothers threw themselves into the blonde's arms and began to cry.
Natasha and Shuri exchanged a glance, their own faces somber. They explained to the others who was this White Wolf and that the kids were from the tribe who took him in. That the kids had grown closer and closer to Bucky, and knew Steve well due to his visits.
Later, when they were all back inside, Tony placed a hand on Steve's arm, squeezed briefly and retreated.
"I'm sorry for Wilson." He said. "Wasn't your fault, Tony. We lost too many people for nothing."
"That's for sure. I've seen my fair of freaks, but this one was the worst."
Steve simply nodded, and Stark took a step back. The genius was about to exit the room when he stopped and turned again to talk to the soldier.
"And Rogers ?" The blond rose his head, slowly. Dark circles were starting to appear under his eyes. "I haven't completely forgiven him, even if I know it wasn't really his fault… But I'm sorry you lost Barnes again."
Steve clenched his jaw and crossed his arms on his chest. He sighed and gave Stark a curt nod for unique answer.
Iron man then departed, leaving the blond to face the Wakandan landscape.
He saw Natasha standing not far away from him and walked to her.
"Keep an eye on him. He looks calm and all, but he's gonna blow up."
"I know. Why do you think I am still here ?" She asked. "But I'm not going to pressure him. I'll be there if -when- he needs me."
"I trust you with this. Take care Romanov."
Surely Steve would blow up some time. But for the moment, the man was busying himself all day.
He helped the population by doing little things : carrying heavy objects, repairing basic ones, removing garbage...
Wakanda might possess a very advanced technology, their way of life remained traditional. And even when it wasn't the case, the battle had made a lot of damage, technology included. There was a lot to do.
Tony left early in the afternoon. He had to pay a visit to Peter's aunt and to reunite with Pepper after that. Natasha did what she said she would, and looked after Steve the best she could. But she couldn't prevent what happened next. She knew he almost didn't sleep at all, and that he was exhausting himself all day. But, when the villagers contacted her, she didn't expected to hear that. Steve had simply collapsed of exhaustion in the middle of the ruin and was being taken to Bucky's hut to rest.