WHO: Bucky and T'Challa WHEN: back after Natasha and co went to Paraguay WHERE: Team Wakanda house WHAT: checking in one one another WARNINGS: a little ptsd mention
With the recent news report of events happening in Paraguay, Bucky was well aware that the plans he’d had to take Natasha away for the weekend were going to be scrapped. There was little way to get around it. Not with something as similar to the attack that had happened on Tumbleweed’s own base being shown in the footage. It was an all hands on deck situation at the base and while Bucky had considered getting pulled into that to help ease the burden from Natasha, Peggy and Ianto, he knew that if he stepped in that he would never get back out again.
And he liked not being involved in anything military related.
It was one thing to help out with training sessions through the school. Preparing the kids to be able to survive in different situations was helpful, allowed him to utilize skills he’d harnessed in the military and beyond, but didn’t bring up memories that he was still struggling to work through.
So instead he opted for making sure meals were cooked and Wakandan place was cleaned when he was home. Even if Billy seemed just as keen on eating everything in sight and making a mess of the place. Or at least that was how it seemed to Bucky whenever he turned around and saw the small goat wandering near him. Maybe Natasha was right and he should be keeping the animal outside…
Bucky spotted T’Challa when he rounded the corner, the goat happily jumping at his side as it followed him. “You guys come back because of the news?” He couldn’t quite remember where it was they had headed to deal with animal poachers, but he’d thought they were supposed to be away for a few more nights.
The big auction that they were going to ruin was going to be that weekend, but when T’Challa had heard the news about Paraguay, he had made it a priority to get back to Tumbleweed. Okoye had taken care of their absences from Indonesia - a very convenient Do Not Disturb sign on their hotel room door would keep the housekeepers from snooping and a hacked CCTV feed would keep them aware of what the other buyers were up to, but for now, he thought being in Texas was more urgent. They would hop back and forth until things evened out.
“We did,” T’Challa answered, as he grinned at the sight of Bucky and Billy. It never failed to amuse him how taken Bucky seemed to be with the animal. His grin weakened, as he remembered why they were there. “Natasha put a call out. I will be assisting with guarding the Bureau and the Displaced in case anything happens here, while they go to investigate Paraguay’s situation. Provide backup, if they need it. Have you heard anything else about it all?”
If you knew the man well enough, there were hints that T’Challa was tired. Indonesia was a full twelve hours ahead of Texas in time and he hadn’t had a chance to readjust back yet, evident when he tried to stifle a yawn that was trying to escape him.
Bucky could pick up on all of those hints but knew better than to urge some rest for the other man at the moment. “Only that the news around the world has changed to it being a chemical spill and I know that’s screwing with people’s heads to see it happening in a similar fashion elsewhere in the world.” The change in Tumbleweed’s residents was one thing but seeing it happen worldwide was an eye opener. “Things are still going on day to day here though.”
He’d had classes, the students he’d worked with not seeming to be as bothered with the news or lack thereof as those who worked at the bureau. He couldn’t really blame the kids for that. Most of them came from worlds where struggle was a constant, a random attack somewhere else that they didn’t have to get involved in was probably a bit refreshing. But he also knew the stress level was higher at that building with the worry that another attack could happen at any time and resources not up to where they quite wanted them to be just yet.
He headed over to start the coffee machine, knowing they might both need a cup or two. “I think we’ll know more once they get to Paraguay.”
T’Challa hadn’t heard about the chemical spill news yet, the change over from the overall story that had been told earlier, but yet somehow he wasn’t surprised. These events, this monster, the cover ups that they were experiencing, it seemed on par for the strangeness of this brand new world that they had been all brought to and stuck in.
He silently followed Bucky over to the kitchen, where he sat and watched as Bucky made them coffee. He didn’t have to ask why the other man wasn’t apart of the mission going down to Paraguay. It was obvious to anyone that had spent any significant amount of time with Bucky, that the man was dealing with a serious case of PTSD from various traumatic events in his life, more than most. He didn’t need to be apart of missions where blood and gore would be the standard fare. It was just lucky that he wasn’t more stubborn about trying to help.
“I’m sorry that it’s very likely you and Natasha won’t be able to take your trip this weekend. You both sorely need time away from the stressors of this place,” he said, watching as Billy stomped around the kitchen and smothering the smile that threatened to take over his face.
Bucky chucked the empty coffee filter toward the goat after he’d emptied the pot, shaking his head as the small kid happily chewed away at it. The creature really would eat anything and everything if allowed. “I think you’re right about this weekend but Peggy owes us for the last one, so we’ll get our weekend away once this blows over.”
Or at least once they were back from Paraguay. It wouldn’t surprise him at all if whatever information they found at that base had them upping the hours people worked. He was still going to take Natasha out on a bike trip again once she was back. She deserved it.
He held out one of the mugs to T’Challa and leaned back against the counter as he sipped his own, not bothering to add anything to it. “The fact those creatures that might have killed the military have shown back up there is going to have the base on high alert for awhile though. I’m sure some of them are itching for the work.”
Accepting the mug graciously, he sat and listened, weighing his words. Then he figured that if anyone had an idea, it was probably Bucky, as the head of the Bureau was his lover. “If those creatures do attack, what’s the plan of action? Do we retreat to the island that Rogue has created? Do we stay and fight?”
To fight an enemy that is just a blur to even cameras...it was a daunting thought. But T’Challa was always up for the task, always believing that Bast was there to look out for him if necessary. But he had no idea what the protocols were, if there were any at all.
“I’m not actually sure.” It wouldn’t surprise him if Natasha and the others had come up with a basic plan but it hadn’t been shared with him. Nor did anything seemed to have been shared with the rest of the Displaced. The base being understaffed had created a lot of stress and matters being shuffled around and while he didn’t doubt that they might have discussed it, there was no guarantee that a plan had been formed. Or, well, maybe formed, but definitely not shared.
“I’d wager that it would be send most people to the island and defending that area if we need to and others staying here and fighting.” It would be interesting to see how the various teams got involved and the tensions that might arise if an actual plan was put into place. People seemed to work better during spur of the moment situations.
“I wonder what role I would be best suited for. If it comes down to a fight.” He was a warrior first, but the idea of an island full of children and the helpless...they would need defending too, if the first line of defense failed.
Billy came around to investigate T’Challa and to see if he had any treats aka garbage for him. Smiling at the goat, he sent him away because he had nothing to offer. “I’ve noticed that you’ve taken a secondary role these days, when it comes a fight. Very little involvement with the Bureau, when it can be helped. Does it help? With your recovery?” Recovery was always an ongoing process and T’Challa was always sure to check in now and then with his adopted family.
“I learned pretty quickly when I got here that there were more than enough people wanting to help and even a few actively looking for a fight.” There had been a time when he would have been among them but that was a lifetime ago. Not having to get involved every time something went crazy in town had been helpful and while at first he had wondered if he was letting people down, Bucky was aware that wasn’t the case.
“Getting involved in the school is the biggest help. Gives me something to work toward.” It meant he had a purpose here that wasn’t involved in any sort of government. And while he’d begun helping with the training of the kids over the summer that felt different than anything he had done before. Even when he had been helping to train others for the Winter Soldier program and others along the way. “Probably a bit like helping stop animal tracking gives you a sense of purpose.”
T’Challa’s smile reappeared slowly, as Bucky compared their current senses of purpose to one another. “I think that makes perfect sense. Half of the battle seems to be trying to find meaning in life. It seems like the school is helping you find yours, while helping these animals seems to be mine.” Leaning back into his kitchen chair, he lifted his drink to take another sip. “I’m very glad you seem content here, Bucky. I hope one day I’ll be able to accept this situation for what it is as well as you do.”
Because, despite his calm demeanor and his constant running off to save the animals, he was still longing for Wakanda. While he knew that he perished back home, there was a chance that there would be a fix there, that the heroes would save the day once more.
“I think we all return eventually.” Bucky couldn’t see them staying indefinitely in this world, though when any of them would leave seemed to be a toss up. Adding in the different alternate worlds others had come from experiencing different sorts of portals made the entire thing even messier, but eventually they all had to get back at some point.
“But I think it also helps to live your life here while you can. It’ll end, but sitting around waiting to go home doesn’t really give anyone much of a life.” And he did enjoy the one he had created here. He was alive. He had his family--Steves, Wakandans, Natasha. Back home there would be none of that anymore.
“Well, I think creating a life for myself here hasn’t been an issue. It’s already drastically different from what I was doing back home.” Saving the animals, ending things with Nakia, dealing with killer pirates and possibly killer monsters that can take down military installations...it was definitely not the path T’Challa had back home.
“It may not be the life that I planned for, but I think I accept it for what it is, so long as I can keep feeling like I’m making a difference.” Okoye was a major reason that he could start each day like it was worth waking up for. Without her, these animal rescue missions wouldn’t have taken off as well as they did.
As dead as they were in their home, T’Challa wondered and posed the question to Bucky as he contemplated it himself: “Do you suppose if you did have a choice, that you would stay here?”
That was a difficult question and he thought for a long moment, not entirely sure which way he would go. “I suppose that depends on if I stay dusted or not.” There was no point in returning if that was the case. Bucky hoped that wouldn’t be the case.
If somehow they managed to reverse what had happened….he couldn’t say for sure that he would choose to stay. Not when he might be needed elsewhere.
The internal struggle of that decision was reflected in T’Challa as well, but to a much smaller degree. He had made some friends and alliances here that he cared about. But it was really no question: Wakanda needed him, he was much more of use over there, if he didn’t stay dead.
Standing and clapping Bucky on the shoulder, he said, “Well, my friend, luckily the choice is not ours to make.” Washing his mug and putting it in the dish rack to dry, he started to head in the direction of his office. “I have to check on a few things and then I will be taking a much needed power nap. Call if the world starts to end.” Pause. “Again.”
Bucky nodded. “You got it,” he murmured, watching his friend leave before turning his attention back to the goat. Hopefully the world could remain intact for a few hours. He knew better than to hope for more than that.