The Captain and the Troublemaker 🔞

Thirty-Eight

Lia shook her head, seeing him still standing there, speechless... 'Well, look at that. I didn't have to kiss you to shut you up, now did I..'.. She stepped past him, pulling her door closed with her. She caught Kira eye, and smirked back, speaking in Xhosa... 'Any reason the Captain is at my door?'

'He asked to come to take you to dinner..'.. Kira tells her. Lia looks around at Steve, seeing that he was watching her.

'This is the private quarters. I thought guests were not permitted down these halls..'... Lia started walking town the hallway, towards the dining hall. She could hear Steve and Kira fall in behind her. She was still feeling weak, but she kept her head up, and her pace even.

Glancing back at Kira, she saw the womans smile had fallen. She sighed, speaking Xhosa again... 'Do not worry sister, I am not angry at you, but at him. I was just not expecting to see him yet. I do not know what to say to him..'

Steve kept quiet as he followed Lia and one of the Dora. He couldn't understand what they were say, but from the tone, it didn't sound good. He felt awkward and uncomfortable, being left out of their conversations. He wanted to know, if she remembered him being in her mind.

They make it to the large ornate doors, and the Dora bowed to Lia, and nodded to him before leaving. He saw Lia turn to him, folding her arms... 'Whats your deal frosty? Why did you come to my room?'

He shuffled on his feet, rubbing his hands on his legs slightly... 'I uh, I-I just wanted to see how you were doing, and if you remembered-..'

'I do..'.. He was shocked and relieved to hear that she did, but the look on her face had him confused. She took a step forward to him, lowering her voice... 'Tell me, did you do that, because you felt guilty about how you've treated me, and needed to save me to assuage your guilt? Or how about you were flattered by what you read, and thought I'd be an easy lay?..'

She stepped back, shaking her head... 'I don't know why you did it, but I don't want to know. In time, you can all return to being heroes, and I'm going back to New Orleans. I have somewhat, of a life there. Might as well live it, right, seeing as you and Tony are still trying to control my life, and not letting me do what I wanted..'

He watched as she spun to the doors, pushing them open, and walking into the room. He slowly followed behind, her words echoing in his mind. He sat between Wanda and Bucky, while Lia sat the other side, between Shuri and Tony. Steve ate in silence, only speaking when he was spoken to. He would steal glances at her, but it seemed she was ignoring him.

'Sister was in the lab with me, and we were working on a project. She wanted to recreate a hoverboard from a movie she had seen..'.. Shuri was laughing, leaning into Lia who just rolled her eyes smiling... 'Let's just say she flew, but not in a straight line..'

Chuckles arose from the table, and Lia shook her head, reaching for her water. She couldn't help but watch Bucky admire his new arm, he was happy. And in his eyes, looked like a completely different person.

Lia stood, bowing her head to the royal family... 'Utata, Umama, Ubhuti, Usisi..'.. She smiled warmly at the four of them. She loved them all so much. Shuri stood to hug her, and Lia went around to kiss the cheek of the other three... 'I'm afraid I have reached my limit. I would happily join you in the morning for breakfast. Then Ubhuti..'.. She grinned at T'Challa... 'I wish to see our people. I have missed them..'

T'Challa stood, taking her arm, and placing it in his, as he walked her from the room... 'They have missed you to Usisi..'

Steve watched them go, feeling a heaviness in his chest. It was clear the two adored and loved each other, and he was partly jealous.

'Do not think Captain, that Ihobe will let you off so easily..'.. Steve turned his head, as the queen watched him... 'But you will always hold her heart. She will forgive, in time..'

Steve nodded his head at her, and stood with the others as the king and queen rose. The three royals bid them goodnight and left to their rooms. Steve sat back down, letting out a deep sigh.

'Could be worse..'... Steve looks over at Tony smirking at him.

'How could it be worse?'... Steve asked him, confused.

Tony picked up his glass of wine, and finished it... 'She could've beat the shit out of you the moment she woke up..'

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Lia awoke the next morning to someone flopping down on her bed. She giggled, knowing exactly who it was... 'Good morning to you too sister..'... She pulled the quilt from her face and rolled to face Shuri.

'We have missed you. It is good to have you home again..'.. Lia felt a twinge of sadness, seeing the light dim in Shuris eyes.

'I promise to come home one weekend a month. And for special occasions..'... Her words made Shuri grin, and sit up. She pulled on Lias arm, for her to move.

'Come sister, we must get you ready. The people know you have returned and are waiting for you...'.. Lia rolled her eyes but did as she was told.

She went behind the screen in her room to undress, knowing how much Shuri liked to pick her clothes for her... 'What of brother? Had he finally told Nakia?..'

She saw Shuris arm come around, holding an outfit for her. Lia took it and began to dress... 'No. He is the Black Panter, a fearsome warrior, but standing in front of the girl he loves, he hides, like a hedgehog..'

Lia burst out laughing at Shuris words. She shook her head, at the thought of T'Challa freezing up again. Lia had been trying to help him but he became quite shy around Nakia.

'I will try talking with him again. By the time he finally has his courage, I would have died of old age..'... Lia comes around to look at herself in the mirror. She smiled, smoothing her hands over the dress. She loved the colours and design, it collared around her neck, with cutouts at the shoulders and half sleeves. It cinched in under her breasts, and flared out slightly.

'I wish I could wear this every day. But New Orleans is not the same and here...'.. She sighed, turning to Shuri, as she walked over, linking their arms.

'Come, let us show your friends the princess that you are. Our people are waiting to welcome you home..'.. Shuri smiled at her. Lia laughed and allowed herself to be pulled from the room.

She couldn't help but think about a certain Captain. She wanted her dream to be real, but was afraid to know his reasons as to why he did it. Shaking her head clear of her thoughts, she put on a smile, seeing Tony and the others waiting outside the dining hall.

😘