Chapter Text
The marketplace was eerily quiet before seven in the morning, with only a few vendors starting to open stalls and set up their wares for the day. It was one of the reasons Steve loved to start his run through the almost empty streets. Here, there was no one to recognize him, no one to see the pain in his eyes or question what he was running from. Sweat was streaming down his temples and he ran a quick hand across his forehead to keep the droplets from stinging his eyes. He could feel his heart pumping in his chest and felt the ache that seventeen miles can have on a body, super soldier or not.
Once he was away from the center of the city, he headed home. He shook his head, he couldn’t call it that, not yet. Not when a sassy redheaded spy, and eccentric billionaire were missing from inside its walls. Letting Tony and Natasha into his mind while mid run was never a good idea. Last time it happened he tripped over an exposed tree root and split open his knee. The flash of pain distracted him until the serum kicked in and he was back on his feet.
Steve pushed himself harder, running through lush gardens brimming with all types of exotic birds and wildlife, trees blossoming in shades he didn’t even know existed, the sounds of the waterfalls helping to ease some of his tension. The serenity of this place signaled the end of his run, and he slowed down enough to jog to the front gates of the palace. There was a large archway with vibranium gates expertly carved into leaves and vines, enormous stone columns surrounded the structure and there were numerous domes erected throughout. At least one wall in every room was nothing but windows, letting those inside have an unobstructed view of the beauty the country had to offer.
One of the main reasons he ran so early was because no one else would be up. No one awake to talk, or ask how he was, or see the exhaustion that sat around him like a wet blanket. Once he was in his room,, he immediately undressed and stepped into his shower, letting the water soothe his muscles, as he thought about the last two weeks. It took them all some time to get used to their new surroundings. After Steve helped his team escape the Raft, there was a natural apprehension to being brought back to T’Challa’s country, due to the fact that they all remembered how relentless he was in his pursuit of Barnes. But T’Challa, every ounce the King his father was, sat down with them and explained how he came to offer his home to the wayward Avengers. And then it was Steve's turn to share what went on after they left the airport.
They were shocked that Bucky made the decision to go back into cryo, but they understood his reasoning. It was the first thing that he was able to take real control of, and they would support him in that choice. But all too soon, Steve had to explain the actions that went on inside the Winter Soldier compound between him, Buck and Tony. It was difficult, but he was honest with the team, they deserved that (and more) after everything they sacrificed.
“He came to see us. At the Raft,” Sam said after Steve questioned how Tony was able to find him and Buck. “I asked him to go to you as a friend and alone.”
Steve’s eyes widened before he looked down at his hands. “He did.”
“So then how did it all go to shit,” Clint asked. The archer sat on the kitchen counter, back straight and his mouth set in a thin line. He hadn’t been home since he grabbed Wanda from the Avengers facility. Steve was able to get him a secure line to call Laura, but it would still be some time before he could leave.
Steve understood his anger. He picked his head up. “Zemo…” he took a deep breath and gave a curt nod. “Zemo’s whole plan was to break us from the inside. He said that an empire destroyed from within is dead. He turned us on one another.”
Clint raised an eyebrow and leaned forward on his thighs. “Stark went there to help you, Cap. That doesn’t end in Barnes missing an arm and you needing time to recover from a repulsor blast.” He raised his chin. “Don’t bullshit us.”
Clint’s choice of words sent searing pain through Steve’s chest.
Did you know?
I had my suspicions but I didn’t know it was him.
Don’t bullshit me, Rogers. Did you know?
Yes.
He looked at his team. “When Zemo was able to,” he waved his hand around in front of him, “say the words to get him back into Winter Soldier mode, it was for the sole purpose of extracting information from him. He wanted a mission report for December 16, 1991.”
“What’s so important about that date?” Scott asked. He was seated on the floor, his back against the couch, a bowl of popcorn on his lap. The engineer was a bit more understanding about their need to lay low. He hasn’t had to leave his daughter time and time again. The resentment hasn’t kicked in.
“That’s the day Stark’s parents died.”
Steve’s eyes shot over to Clint and the man shrugged his shoulders. “Natasha.”
He should have known. “Well, you’re right.” He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. “Zemo had a tape of that night. Bucky was..” he took a breath and opened his eyes, “Buck was the one who shot out the tires, causing the crash. Howard crawled from the car and Buck killed him. Tony’s mom,” his voice broke off at the word.
“He killed my mom.”
He took a deep breath. “Maria was alive after the crash and he killed her too.”
The silence in the room was deafening. Steve watched as each of their faces went from sorrow and disbelief, to anger and disappointment.
“You knew.” It was spoken so softly that Steve wasn’t even sure he heard it. Wanda repeated the statement, “You knew, but you never told him.”
The soldier’s chin fell to his chest as he felt his eyes fill up with tears.
“Steve. Is that true?”
All he could do was look to Sam and nod, smoothing a finger along his cheek to catch an errant tear.
“What the fuck, man?” Clint hopped off the counter and was in Steve’ face. “I came back in because I agreed with you on the Accords, Steve. If they put us on leashes nothing would get done, and I couldn’t risk my family’s names getting out there. But this was always about protecting Barnes wasn’t it?”
“Clint-“
“No, Sam!” He threw his arms in the air and met each of their gazes head on. “At first we were against this because the Accords are shit, and then it was because Barnes had been framed, but even at Leipzig, Steve,” his chest was heaving, “even then Tony gave you the chance to talk, and-”
“I know.”
“-you didn’t take it, wait what?” Clint’s eyes were wide.
Steve stood up. “I should have listened to him then, Clint. I should have told him about his parents sooner. I should’ve never asked you back. I should’ve never asked any of you to fight for me.” He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. “Believe me, I’ve replayed every action and every word since we left Berlin. But we’re here, Clint. And even though there are some things I'm sorry for, there are things I would do again. I can't support the Accords, they're not right." He turned to face the other man. "As far as Buck, yes, I wanted to protect him and I would gladly die to make sure he doesn't have to suffer again." He sighed and shook his head. "I acknowledge the mistakes I've made but I also stand by my beliefs. All I can do now is try to move forward and set things right.”
He made his way over to the window and looked out at the lush gardens.
“Not for nothing, but Stark isn’t infallible” Sam leaned against the window and nudged his friend. “And we chose to stand with you because we agreed with you; on the Accords and proving Barnes’ innocence.” Steve looked at Sam with gratitude in his eyes. “What do you need us to do, Steve?”
Steve’s mouth lifted up into a small smile. He turned back to the group. “We have to lay low for a bit. Ross is still after us. T’Challa said we can stay here as long as we need and we can train and prepare for what’s next.”
“And what’s that?” Scott asked.
Steve looked back out at the bright blue sky. “Making amends.”
---------
Steve stepped out of the shower and toweled off, getting dressed in a pair of khaki pants and a light blue shirt, matching the Wakandan sky. He could feel the drops of water fall off the ends of his blonde hair and down the back of his neck, soaking into the collar of his shirt, but he didn’t care. Leaning forward, Steve found the shorts he discarded earlier, and took out the flip phone.
It had been two weeks and he still hadn’t heard from Tony. He didn’t know what he was expecting, but he knew that he had hope. He hoped that Tony would call even if it was to call him a coward, a traitor, a liar. He missed the other man’s dulcet tones, the light-hearted banter they had while back in the tower, before the Accords were a mere whisper on lips.
He thumbed open the cover and stared at the one name in his contacts: Shellhead.
His finger hovered over the call button. Steve could feel his pulse quicken at the idea of calling Tony. The genius could have thrown the phone out, could not answer, may not have it on him, or may even pick up to only end the call before speaking.
He looked at the clock and saw that it would be a little after three in the morning in New York, there was a very good chance Tony was still awake. Since his and Bucky’s escape in Siberia and the prison break at the Raft, there were nonstop news conferences. Because he was the only visible member of the Avengers left and he agreed to the Accords, Tony had been the one to attend the Congressional hearings and meetings with the U.N.; with none of the goings on having made it to the public yet. He knew that Tony was constantly heading to and from the hill and still working for Stark Industries. The man probably never stopped. And he was sure that Ross kept Tony on a short leash. Steve could only imagine what the outcome would be from all of their meetings and discussions. What Ross would deem as an appropriate course of action against the resistance.
So yea, Tony could be awake, but he could also be passed out in his workshop, face covered in grease and music blasting. At least, that was what Steve hoped.
He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders back and down. He could always leave a message if Tony didn’t answer.
It all starts with one step. It only takes one second.
He pressed send.