Chapter Text
Twenty Years Later:
“Are we being joined by the Royals?” The sarcasm is evident in Tony’s voice. “And after all this time, do you think we’ll see the Wolf’s face?”
“Stop it, Dad. Just because you like the limelight doesn’t mean everyone does.” There’s a gasp on the other end along with a lot of chuckling over the com.
“Morgan Stark did you just insult me?” It’s been a few years since Tony donned the Iron Man suit, but that doesn’t stop him or Sam, Natasha, and Bruce from always being on the com every time the Avengers go out.
“I can’t believe you have trouble believing that, Tony.” Sam sits with Tony and the other two in the control room. The four of them gave up avenging a few years ago because age is a bitch, but this new team is pretty incredible. The biggest surprise for all of them was Claudia Janette Banner. Once they realized that CJ carried the serum that courses through Bruce’s veins, but without the added issue of turning into a big, green rage monster, she approached the team with an idea. Sam couldn’t carry the shield anymore, but she could. So, Tony had gone to the drafting program and designed a new suit, one for the new wielder of the shield. Bruce had been terrified for his daughter, but then came to trust her when she admitted she’d been training for years, without his knowledge.
The government wanted to ‘draft’ her into service, but she’d told them to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. Her loyalty was to the Avengers and not the government. CJ taps the com. “I got word that they were going to be here. Seems this threat was big enough that they wanted to help since we are shorthanded today. Katie-did, do you have eyes on them yet?”
“Would you please not call me that! I’m Hawkeye and should be treated with more respect.” There’s snickers through the com again. “And yeah, I have eyes, but there’s something new today.”
Black Panther and White Wolf land on a nearby roof, but there’s a second Wolf with them. “What the hell?”
On the roof next to Black Panther, White Wolf, and another White Wolf, is Scarlet Witch, grinning and waving. She’s made a few trips back to the states to visit Sam and Darcy, who finally got their heads out the asses and got married, but since she’s Wakandan Royalty now, the government has no claim on her. “Well, I’ll be damned.” CJ has a little crush on the older woman, but wouldn’t admit it out loud. The com clicks and the four new members are in the conversation. “Good to see you.”
Steve knew about the new Captain America and was really excited to see her in action. He can only imagine how Bruce feels about this and with that thought he reaches out to place a hand on Rilli’s back. In Wakandan she responds to his concern. “Don’t worry, Papa. I’ve been trained by the best.”
T’Challa knows how difficult this is and when his daughter comes of age and takes the mantle of Black Panther, he will worry too. “Brother, she is ready.” The older man nods, sighing.
When they work with the Avengers, Steve still only speaks Wakandan, but Rilli speaks in English. She has no history with them and no connection. Only Uncle Sam and Aunt Darcy know who they really are. Leaping from the roof of the warehouse, she lands in a crouch, then strides over to the three that are waiting. “I am White Wolf, you may refer to my mentor as Grey Wolf.”
Sam snickers on the com and Rilli grins behind her mask. “Is that a comment on his age?”
She turns to look at her Father, Uncle and Aunt coming towards them. She can only imagine the look her Papa is giving her behind the mask. She’s said it on a few other occasions and each time his eyes narrow and his lips form a thin line. “It is definitely a comment on his age.” She isn’t expecting the light smack to the back of her head.
Steve comments, making T’Challa, Wanda, and Rilli laugh. “Watch yourself Little One or I’ll tell your Dad you’re harassing me.”
Hawkeye chimes in. “We have movement on the north side of the building.”
Tony adds to the conversation. “That’s the exit they’ve been using for the transports.” There’s a brief pause. “And can someone translate what White…Grey Wolf just said. I have a feeling it’s juicy.”
Natasha leans over in the control room and smacks him in the head. “Shut up, Tony.”
Sam snickers and looks at the display. “Cap, it’s your call.”
Morgan takes to the sky in her new suit. She doesn’t go by Iron Man for obvious reasons. Between herself and her father, there’s nothing like this new suit, not even for JR, who flies the new Iron Patriot. Rhodey is really proud of his son and passed the job onto him when JR joined the Air Force and proved himself to the higher-ups in command, but being a general now, Rhodey had the last say. Cap looks at Wanda. “Assist Hawkeye and Rescue from the air.” Wanda swirls in red mist and takes off into the air. “I will never get tired of watching her do that.”
Bruce can’t hold it in any longer and feels the need, like any parent, to embarrass his daughter. “You know she’s married, right?”
Cap blushes and runs towards the building. “When I’m doing this job, could all of you stop doing that?” Black Panther, Grey Wolf, and White Wolf follow on foot. The comments over the com vary from, ‘well that’s not going to happen’ to ‘what kind of parents would we be if we didn’t embarrass our children.’ The shield goes flying when one of the guards starts to call for backup. It takes him out and comes back to the young Cap, who catches it with ease. The door to the warehouse opens and more guards come out, weapons ready. “White Wolf, your assistance please.”
Rilli leaps for the closest man, grabbing him by the head and flipping him over her shoulder, going for the next one. Steve would like to take a minute to appreciate his daughter’s skill, but there isn’t time for that. He and Black Panther make their way into the building, and leap to higher ground. “There are at least 50 armed men inside.” Black Panther looks around. “They have not moved one of the warheads. It is still here.”
Cap comes into the building, White Wolf following. “We have to make sure they don’t fire on it.”
Steve jumps from the rafters, landing near the crate holding the warhead. Fighting off the men coming at him is easy. T’Challa doesn’t pause in his movements, knocking out man after man. Hawkeye sounds a lot like Clint when Cap asks, “How are we looking outside?”
“We’re looking good, but not like we’re trying too hard to look good.”
Cap hangs her head for just a second before punching a guy hard enough that he flies across the warehouse. “Jesus, I work with idiots.” She looks around. “Did we ever determine if these guys have more than one warhead?”
Sam pipes up. “It was never confirmed, but I’d bet they do considering the truck that left just before you guys went in.”
Cap looks over where Black Panther and Grey Wolf are mowing the guards down. White Wolf goes to her. “Shall we?”
Cap grins and nods. “Let’s go see what we can do.” They speed out of the building where Wanda has several trucks of men, screaming in panic, levitating in the air in red mist. Rescue is chasing down boats carrying more men. They run after the truck that left just before they entered the building on the other side and White Wolf points at the cab, leaping for the top of the truck. Cap jumps onto the tailgate and pulls the guard out, leaving him rolling on the ground behind the truck. White Wolf opens the cab door and pulls the driver out, pushing into the cab to take his place. Bringing the truck to a stop is easy after that.
Once they’ve contained the situation, agents show up to do clean up. The team meets back at the original spot and Grey Wolf wraps an arm around White Wolf. “You did good, kid.” Cap watches the exchange. She doesn’t know what he said, but White Wolf leans into him the same way she’s done with her father for years. Then he steps away from her and comes to Cap. He offers his hand. Taking it she knows from stories that Grey Wolf doesn’t interact with them like this. “You handle the shield with honor.”
Grey Wolf turns to T’Challa. “My brother says you wield the shield with honor.”
Cap bows to the man, thanking him. “I had big shoes to fill.”
“Awww, listen to her givin me props.”
“Seriously Wilson, you were a shaky replacement at best.” The mock horror in Sam’s gasp is clear.
On the way home, Steve puts in a call to Bucky. He’s on the screen within the first ping. “How is she? Did she get hurt?”
Rilli comes into frame, hugging her Papa. “I’m fine, Dad. I told you I would be fine.”
“You can’t blame me for being worried. It’s what dad’s do.” She giggles and goes to sit with her Aunt Wanda.
“How are you?” Bucky reaches up, touching the screen and Steve mirrors the action.
“I’m good, but I’ll be glad to get home to you.” Both men are a little greyer now, a few more wrinkles around the eyes, but still a love burns so bright in their eyes for the other. “Rilli wants to stay at the palace tonight and watch movies with Wanda and Shuri. Bucky nods. “Maybe we can have a late night picnic when I get home.”
Bucky grins. “I already started packing it for us. Have you given anymore thought to what we talked about?”
Steve turns to looks at his daughter. “I think it’s time. She was incredible today. Such confidence in her ability.”
“She takes after her Papa like that.” Steve turns back to the screen where Bucky is looking for something in his husband’s eyes.
“I came into that confidence later in life. It’s like she was born with it.” Steve touches the screen again. “Bucky, I want to…”
“I know, Love and everyone will understand. Like you said, you can go out when it’s absolutely needed, but it sure would be nice to spend more time with you.” Steve lowers his head, nodding. “Hey,” Steve looks up again. “I love you.”
“I love you too, so much that it hurts now when I’m not with you.” Bucky can feel the slight ache along with Steve’s love.
“Then stay with me. Stay with me and let me take your ache away.” Bucky decides to change the subject. “I had a visit with Dr. Nabada this morning.”
Steve looks up anticipating what Bucky is going to tell him. “They are putting me in charge of the ethics department.” Steve beams at him in pride. “I’ll be putting together everything for the First Level Academics. Big Rilli will be helping me since she’s taking over the department at the Academy.”
“Buck, that’s amazing! I’ll take you out to celebrate soon.”
Bucky winks at the screen. “What do you think tonight’s picnic is about?”
Rilli groans from the back of the jet. “Isn’t this kind of affection supposed to simmer down after this many years?”
Steve barks a laugh, but doesn’t take his eyes off his husband. “This kind of love doesn’t ever simmer down.”