It was five days after the fight and Emil was still not better. He had definitely over done himself and now he was reaping the consequences. When he teleported too much, especially if he was taking another living thing with him, it tended to drain his body of energy. Normally he could teleport easily and without any side affect but if he was transporting any living thing, food and inanimate objects did not count, then it drained him three times faster than just transporting himself. He had spent the last two days curled up in bed suffering with a fever, vomiting and generally feeling like shit.

To be honest, he still felt shitty. His skin was paler than usual and still slightly clammy but he was here, having gathered enough energy to teleport himself across the world although it left him feeling dizzy afterwards. Now he was in Wakanda, about to watch his father get frozen. Again. For the second time.

"It's better for everyone if I go back", Bucky was saying. He was stood just outside the cryogenic chamber that was about to turn him into a popsicle. Clasping Emil's shoulders affectionately he looked into his bright shining eyes. "I will be back. I still owe you a super soldier game of catch. This is just until all the fuss dies down". Emil nodded solemnly. He understood, it just didn't make it any easier.

"Hey", Bucky pulled Emil into a hug. It was slightly awkward, both of them not used to gentle contact but it was warm. Slowly Emil wrapped his arms around his Father's back as he returned the embrace. "It will be okay. You can continue with your normal life, Steve made sure of it. Tony won't chase a fifteen year old down just for protecting his family . I promise that when I return we will get to know each other properly. We will have all the time in the world". Emil nodded into his shoulder.

Bucky turned to Steve and black panther, who Emil learned was actually called T'challa and was the king of Wakanda. "Look after him", he asked earnestly as he and Emil stepped apart. Steve nodded "of course Buck".
T'challa nodded and sent Emil a small smile, "he is always welcome here".

Bucky smiled at them both as he stepped back into the cryogenic pod, his hand lingering on Emil's shoulder before falling away. The three of them watched as pod filled with ice, cementing Bucky in sleep. Once he was fully frozen, Emil turned away and walked over to the window. It overlooked the Wakanda jungle, a magnificent view but it did nothing to sooth his feelings.

"Thank you for this", Steve was saying to T'challa as they both joined Emil at the glass. "But when they find him, they would come for him".

T'challa smirked at the challenge, "let them try".

He glanced down at Emil who was watching the fog outside with an unreadable expression. "As I said before, you are always welcome here Emil Barnes".

Emil nodded, "thank you T'challa".

Steve clapped Emil on the back. "Of course kid. You will always have our help and support".

"Thanks uncle Steve".

Steve looked shocked at the word uncle. "Aren't I a bit too young to be an uncle?"

Emil raised an eyebrow. "Dude, you're supposed to be over ninety".

"So?"

Three months later Emil was sat in a cheap dinner in New York, stirring a strawberry milkshake with his straw. "So", he began, taking a long slurp of his drink. "Why do we do this every week? It's not like anything is happening".

"Oh you don't know ", Steve replied cheerfully from across the table. "You could have a really important history test that you need me to help you study for". He was wearing civilian gear, shades and his navy blue baseball cap that he always wore when he was trying to be inconspicuous. A plate of half eaten fries was sat on the table in front of him and he munched on them as he spoke.

"You spent seventy years of your life frozen", Emil pointed out just before he made a loud slurping noise with his drink. Steve gave the teenager a pointed look as the slurping continued. Emil stared back steadily as the slurping got louder, daring  him to say something. Heads turned towards the pair as the noise continued and Steve sighed in irritation. "Emil".

Emil unlatched his lips from the straw and smiled cheekily. "Yes?"

Steve smiled at the boy warmly, "you're so Bucky's son".

"Well," Emil drawled. "I got this attitude from somewhere and I seriously doubt that it was from my mother". 

Steve snorted and Emil grinned. "So how's school", he asked the teen, changing the conversation.  "Are You keeping up with your studies?"

"Well, midtown is midtown", Emil replied nonchalantly as he stared at his finished milkshake in disappointment. Steve waved over a waiter and quickly ordered a new one whilst Emil spoke. "I'm still at the top of all my classes apart from science. I keep on getting beaten by this guy named Peter Parker, which is just annoying. My art teacher loves me and I'm hoping to get an art scholarship to college". Emil stopped as a fresh strawberry milkshake was placed in front of him. Thanking the waiter, Emil started drinking. Steve took the chance to speak.

"Parker, you've mentioned him before. Wasn't he the boy who has a crush on your friend, what's her name?"

"Liz", Emil supplied. "And yeah. He's got such an obvious crush on her, it's rather cute".

"Cute? Do you like him?" Steve smirked as he popped two more fries into his mouth. Emil blushed pinker than his milkshake. "What? N n no!"

Steve laughed and patted Emil on the shoulder. "Relax Kid, I was only teasing".
Emil pouted. "That's not funny uncle Steve". Steve chuckled at the expression on Emil's face and glanced at his watch. "Won't you look at the time. I'd better be going. Being a wanted criminal is a full time occupation you know".

Emil stood up and let Steve pull him into a small hug. He was getting better at handling these small touches of affection. "Okay, see you next week uncle Steve. Don't let shield catch you", Emil waved farewell and walked out of the diner, carrying his milkshake glass. Steve caught a small blue flash out of the window of the diner as Emil left.

"Wait a minute. Did he just steal a glass?"

Unedited
AN: I actually have a huge Starbucks mug which my dad stole for my mum. He just walked out with it. Classic.