[Leipzig AU] good for trouble

[from_the_outside]

Busan glitters like a disco ball in the night, and no one gives them a second glance as they stroll through the fish market, Sharon in her white dress on Ross's arm, the rest of the team behind them. "Sophia," she says, warmly, and exchanges air kisses with the woman, her pink visor and plastic apron both bright. She knows to expect them, and after she pats Sharon fondly on the cheek, she nods them through.

They spread out through the casino, the team's voices low in her ear. She stays by Ross, playing the part of arm candy, applauding when he wins and consoling him when he loses.

There's no sign of Klaue yet, and the metal briefcase full of diamonds stays locked to the wrist of one of the other agents. "I'm going to get a drink," Sharon murmurs to Ross, and makes her way through the crowd to the bar. 

The martinis here are fine, but not as good as Nat's.

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[from_the_outside]

Sharon takes his hand again as Shuri gestures them out, and goes where he leads them, Nakia and Ross walking along with them.

"So..." she starts, and glances between Nakia and Bucky. "Not a poor third-world country."

[nerves_of_ice]

"No," Nakia replies, smiling, and says nothing more. Bucky's own smile is quick and bright.

"No," he agrees. "Probably the richest and most advanced country in the entire world. You've seen a little of the technology, but as for resources, just to give you an idea..."

He tips his head toward the windows they're walking past. "That's a vibranium mine," he tells her. "We're inside Mount Bashenga. The entire mountain's made of vibranium."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon stops dead, which tugs at his hand as he keeps moving. "Mountain? The entire mountain?"

She turns to look back out the window, her mind spinning, trying to comprehend.

It's a little like car tires spinning in snow. She's still not quite up to her usual snuff.

[nerves_of_ice]

Ross starts to say something, only for Nakia to shake her head at him. "Give her a moment," she murmurs. "You at least had smaller things to experience first, and T'Challa's explanation."

Bucky stops when Sharon tugs at his hand, and goes to stand with her by the window. "The entire mountain," he murmurs. "They use it in everything. For everything. It's amazing what you can do with it - so much more than anyone else ever dreamed."

[from_the_outside]

It doesn't take a genius to extrapolate why she's never heard of any of this, why Nakia never told her, why Bucky had been so evasive, why she wasn't allowed in the country.

"Got it," she murmurs, her eyes huge as she looks out onto the mountain's interior, lit with glowing blue. "And I can't tell anyone, right?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Right," he confirms, very quietly. "From what T'Challa told me before--"

He gives a quick look to Nakia, who nods, her expression grave.

"I was the first outsider that's been invited in for a long, long time. Centuries, I think. Then Steve and Tony - although invited's a stretch there. Now you, and Ross. That's it."

His expression hardens. "Klaue doesn't count. He sure as hell wasn't invited. And he's going to be stopped."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon's expression hardens. "Yeah, about Klaue."

She turns to Ross. "What's the plan, sir?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky gives Ross a flat look, and Ross gives him a hard stare right back before he looks at Sharon.

"Wait for his Highness, Carter," he says. "The Task Force isn't running this op. The Wakandans have been after Klaue for a long time; we're going to be assisting, not leading."

[from_the_outside]

She glances back and forth between them, frowning slightly, then nods, grateful that Ross hadn't tried to sideline her completely, that he hadn't brushed her aside.

"Okay," she says, simply, and looks up at Bucky as her stomach growls. "What was that Shuri said about a kitchen?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"It's part of the sitting room. Waiting room. Lounge. Whatever you want to call it," Bucky says, and gives a tug at her hand to start her moving again. "And it's really well stocked. You wouldn't believe how fast Tony Stark can go through snacks."

Nakia pushes the door open into the comfortably appointed area with multiple chairs, tables, and couches, walls covered with Wakandan art on printed and woven fabrics, and a long counter with cabinets along one side of the room. Bucky lets go of Sharon's hand so that he can open a cabinet or two, showing their contents and including the hidden refrigerator cabinet, before he goes to start the coffee maker.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon looks through the cabinets and selects a package of dried mango slices, chewing on them as she looks around.

She still feels perfectly fine, but out of deference to Bucky and her friends, she soon takes a seat on one of the couches, watching as Bucky makes a pot of coffee, as Ross pauses in front of one of the prints, clasping his hands behind his back and frowning as he considers the art. "Tony must have been like a kid in a candy store in this place," she observes, thinking back on the lab they'd just left.

[nerves_of_ice]

"He and Princess Shuri were swapping ideas before we even got out of the throne room that first day," Bucky tells her. He fixes a cup of coffee for Sharon and brings it over. "Sorry, no cinnamon."

Nakia smiles. "We can remedy that. For next time."

[from_the_outside]

"It's okay," she says, and smiles up at him as she takes it.

"Thank you."

[nerves_of_ice]

"You're welcome." He brushes a hand lightly over her hair, then looks a question at Nakia. "Coffee?"

She shakes her head and settles lightly on the couch beside Sharon as Bucky goes over to Ross. "How are you feeling?" Nakia asks, searching her face. "With everything. I truly wish to know."

[from_the_outside]

"Honestly?"

Sharon sets the coffee in her lap and smooths a hand over the light fabric of the robe she's wearing, shaking her head. "Overwhelmed. Nakia, I really thought – "

She casts a quick glance Bucky's way and lowers her voice. "I really thought that was it," she murmurs. "When I woke up here I was sure it was just my brain having one last hallucinatory party."

[marvel_npc]

She reaches for Sharon's hand and holds on. "I can understand that," Nakia murmurs. "It is a lot to take in."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon curls her fingers around Nakia's. "But physically, I feel okay," she goes on.

"Tired. A little sore. But I've felt worse after a tough sparring round. It's pretty hard to wrap my head around."

[marvel_npc]

"We have advancements in science here that are beyond anything the world has dreamed," Nakia agrees. "And Shuri is brilliant, an unparalleled genius. I am glad you are feeling better. Physically. The rest will come with time."

Her eyes sparkle with warmth. "I am so glad to be able to show you my home at last."

[from_the_outside]

"I can't believe you've kept this under your hat this whole time," Sharon teases. "I knew you were good with secrets, but come on!"

She lets go of Nakia's hand to put an arm around her friend's back. "And now you super owe me forever. Let's talk life debts."

[nerves_of_ice]

Nakia lets out a bright peal of laughter. "We will have to update our running tally!" she teases.

The sound draws both Bucky's and Ross's attention from where they're standing by the coffee maker. Under his breath, Ross mutters, "You're sure she's okay? Really okay?"

"Yes." Bucky pours a cup of coffee for himself and passes Ross an empty mug for his own. "She is. I promise."

[from_the_outside]

"So?" Sharon asks her, smiling as she lifts her arm away and nibbles on another mango slice. "Happy to be home?"

[marvel_npc]

"Always," Nakia tells her, sobering a little. "There is nowhere else like Wakanda. I miss it greatly when I am away."

The place, and the people - especially certain people, and she meets Sharon's eyes in silent understanding.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon gives her a small, pressed smile, and nods.

"I get it," she murmurs. "And I'm sure... Wakanda is very happy to have you back."

[marvel_npc]

"For as long as I can stay, yes," she agrees. Her glance flickers toward Bucky, then back to Sharon.

"But I suspect you understand the choice."

[from_the_outside]

Her own glance lingers on Bucky, drinking him in. It's been so long since that day on the tarmac.

"Yeah," she says, quietly. Not that she had much of a choice before, but that's not really the point. She looks back at Nakia and deliberately lightens her tone. "Too bad. I was really hoping to have a queen in my friend circle."