Chapter Text
Tony adjusts his collar, and shuffles his feet. Clears his throat and straightens his shoulders.
He told Steve he was okay with this. That he was ready.
Well, no. That’s not quite right. He told T’Challa, who was behind this whole thing, who told Steve. And Tony agreed because, after everything they’d been through in the last week, after everything they almost lost (the thought of their close call, almost losing Steve, leaves his chest aching), he wanted to believe that he was ready to leave everything behind him and move on. Move forward.
Heal.
The hallway door opens, and T’Challa is standing there, somehow still regal in a t-shirt and jeans.
“Are you ready? They are waiting downstairs for you.”
And so Tony nods, pastes on his best smile, and steps forward. “Let’s do this.”
They ride an elevator down, and he follows the king of Wakanda through another hallway until they stop before a closed steel door. The other man takes one last look back at him, gaze questioning.
Tony nods sharply, his eyes unwavering from the door.
T’Challa knocks, and he hears a scuffle from the other side. Whispered voices. And then the door opens and Steve is standing there, still bandaged up with his arm in a sling, but okay, and he sees Tony and he smiles, just a little unsure, but still friendly.
“Tony. It’s good to see you.”
This is their first time like this, facing each other, after Siberia.
“Cap. Glad you’re still with us.”
And it’s not what he wanted to say. But he can’t think of anything else. The man of a million words, and they’ve left him.
Steve huffs a little laugh. “It was close. I have to wear the sling for the next week, but at least I talked the doctors out of a cast.” He glances away, and then looks back. “Did you want to come in?”
And, no, he doesn’t. Not really. But it’s Steve. And T’Challa is looking at him expectantly. And damn if he can’t just say no.
“Yeah. Let’s get this over with.”
Steve looks pensive, and T’Challa gives him a seeking look, but Tony tries to ignore them and moves towards the door. Steve steps aside, and holds it open.
Tony looks across the room and there.There he is. Arms at his side, but shoulders tense. Looking just as uneasy as Tony felt.
“Barnes.”
“Tony,” the man responds with a sharp nod.
“So, what’s the story, Pollyanna? You have your head sorted out now?”
“Tony…”
Tony ignores the young king’s warning, his gaze never leaving Barnes. (And seriously, did Wakanda not have hair stylists? Or someone who could tame to mop on his head?)
“I have my memories back. I remember everything that I did. Everyone I hurt. But Hydra’s programming is gone. I’m my own person now. And I’m sorry for the pain my actions caused.” It sounds like he’s been rehearsing it for a while. But the look on his face--pained and apologetic--is sincere.
Tony stands still. He wants to hate the guy, and maybe a part of him still does. But the machine who killed his parents isn’t the man who fought to save the planet. He’s not the man who nearly died himself while trying to rescue Steve, and who worked with the rest of the team, despite their past differences.
And lord knows, Tony know what it feels like to have regrets that are eating you up inside. And he knows what it’s like to have his mind under someone else’s control, even briefly.
“I don’t know if I’m ever going to like you.”
Steve tenses, but Bucky just nods in understanding.
Tony continues. “But after the last few days, I trust you with the lives of the people I care about. Are you coming back to New York?”
Barnes shakes his head. “Not yet. I think I might stay in Wakanda for while longer. But if you need me,” he pauses and looks at Steve, “If you need us…”
“We’ll still be there, Tony,” Steve finishes. “You know that. I just think we need a break for a while. A lot has happened in the last seventy-five years. We’re taking a break, just for a little while.”
And fair enough. He can respect that.
He walks across the room to Bucky. Steve tenses, but T’Challa quiets him with a whispered word. Finally he stops and holds out his hand. Bucky takes it, eyes meeting his.
“Welcome to the team, Barnes.”