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Despite her dilemma, Anya came with her sister to Vienna. There, she meets the Prince of Wakanda, T'challa.
He smiles as he makes his way to Anya. "Miss Romanoff, the youngest. I just spoke to your sister."
"Prince T'challa. It's an honor." She shakes his hand. "I hope my presence doesn't bother you or your company."
"Why would it? Is it because of your previous work?" T'challa seems amused. "I know the nature pertaining to your past, Miss Romanoff, and I can guarantee you that we hold no grudge."
"I hoped not." Anya smiles at him.
"I'm glad you are here with your sister to sign the accords."
Her smile is tight. "I wouldn't be without my sister's guidance."
T'challa offers his arm to her. "Then allow me to be your guide for today."
Anya chuckles and wraps her arm around his, letting him introduce her around the room.
When it was time for the King's speech, Anya thanks T'challa when he walks her back to her sister. T'challa smiles at her widely before leaving. Natasha glances at T'challa and notices how he keeps looking at Anya. Natasha smiles quietly to herself.
The two sisters sit together to listen to the speech, but it wasn't until T'challa yells for them to get down before he runs to his father. Natasha grabs Anya and pulls her to the ground, the glass shattering loud enough for Anya's ears to blare.
Meanwhile, in the Avengers Compound, Loki feels a strange shiver down his spine as he tells Vision how to cook.
Vision notices. "What's the matter?"
Loki frowns. "I have an odd feeling." He says, and his mind drifts to Anya with worry for some reason. It wasn't until Wanda jogs to the kitchen and waves them over.
All three of them stand in the lounge, watching the television. Loki's fists clench at the thought of Anya getting hurt, but when he heard that she is alive, he was relieved.
Although, he hears the familiar name, Bucky Barnes. Loki turns to Vision. "I need to go to Vienna."
"That would be an eight-hour flight, Loki." Wanda frowns. "I'm sure Nat and Anya are fine."
Loki frowns. "I'd like to borrow your talking device."
"You mean my phone?" Wanda raises her brows, reaching in her pocket to hand it to him.
Loki grabs it and tries to remember what Thor taught him. He pressed the buttons and searches her name.
He holds it up to his ear while Wanda and Vision watches him.
"Hey, Wanda. We're okay."
Loki sighs in relief once he hears her voice. "Anya."
"L-Loki? What... hi. I'm okay, don't worry."
"Good. When are you coming back?"
"We'll be back in a few hours. Natasha says hi, by the way."
Loki couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright. I will see you soon. Be safe."
"Okay," Loki can hear her smile. "Bye, Loki."
She hangs up on him and Loki hands back the phone. Wanda is grinning as she eyes him suspiciously, which makes Loki raise his brows as if to challenge her before tilting his head towards the unsuspecting Vision.
Wanda's grin drops and she rolls her eyes before walking away. Loki smirks since he won.
***
When Anya comes back the next morning, Loki held himself back from swooping her into his arms to hold her tight. He waits until he walks her to her room, where he immediately embraces her carefully, placing kisses on her shoulder and neck.
Anya hugs him back and sighs, smiling. "You seem worried."
"You were almost blown up. How could I not be?" Loki frowns, pulling back to view her face. "I wish that I have come with you."
"We both know the UN wouldn't want you there. It's not your fault." Anya reaches for his hands and squeezes them. "Do you want to go out?"
"In public?"
"Well, you can set up an illusion for us."
Loki chuckles. "Okay. As you wish."
It felt odd to walk with Anya through New York. Even stranger when he is holding her hand as she eats ice cream with her other.
Loki and Anya's disguise do not affect each other. To others, they do not look like the enhanced individuals from the Avengers compound. But when they look at each other, they still appear the same.
However, once they reach a quiet area in the park, Anya speaks.
"Steve called me last night. He said he needs my help. I'm going to help him."
Loki exhales, closing his eyes. "You brought me here to tell me this without FRIDAY hearing. You know that she will report it to Stark."
"I don't have anyone else to tell."
"Anya, this is madness. You will be seen as a criminal."
"Bucky is being framed."
"You don't know that."
"I know that he hasn't been active for a year. He escaped. Steve said—"
"The Captain is clearly deluded. You can't seriously be thinking of joining him."
Anya frowns at him, but her wrist watch beeps and she turns on her comms. "What?"
"Captain Rogers, Barnes and Wilson have been arrested. Along with the Prince of Wakanda. Your sister asks for you to come home." Vision's voice just reminds her of JARVIS.
Anya blinks and lowers her wrist, and Loki stares at her expectantly. "Steve and Sam got arrested. T'challa, too." She stands up.
Loki frowns. "Who is T'challa?"
"Prince of Wakanda. Come on." She grabs his arm and tugs him.
"A prince?" Loki widens his eyes, almost puffing out his chest. "Have you met him? What is he like?"
Anya briefly gives him an eye-roll. "Never mind that. We need to help Steve, Loki. Please."
Loki faces her and shakes his head. "As much as I like Rogers, this is a dangerous path for both of us. Especially for you. We do not know if this Bucky Barnes figure is an active HYDRA asset."
"If Steve thinks he is worth going to jail for, then I'm going to help him."
"Anya, you can't be serious! This is a reckless decision." Loki hisses, and he can see how they are beginning to attract attention from the park.
"Then don't come. Maybe I don't need your help." Anya sneers back at him.
He falters. "Maybe you don't."
"Fine. What do I care?" Anya glares at him. "I thought you would've helped me without a second thought. What was I thinking trusting you?"
"You can trust me when I say that I do not want you to be labeled as a criminal by strangers who do not know you." Loki intensely watches her. "Please, Anya. Be rational."
Anya shakes her head. "You of all people shouldn't tell me to be rational."
"Then I would to remind you of how your sister is counting on you to do the right thing."
"I am." She backs away from him before fully walking away.
Loki calls out to her, but she doesn't turn back. He knows that if he goes after her, they might cause a scene. So, Loki's features lace with anger and he huffs before walking to the opposite direction.
The two sisters arrive in Berlin with Tony, and they see the others being held in a facility. Anya went up to Steve and greets him with a short relieved hug.
"Are you okay?" She asks him.
"He's alive." Steve smiles. "I'm more than okay."
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note: bucky! bucky! bucky!
also, new story cover! hope you all like it <3