It was exhilarating to be alongside T'Challa and Bucky, our laughter resonating like a melody against the backdrop of our adventures. I knew deep down that T'Challa would eventually have to return to Wakanda to reclaim his throne, to fulfill his duties as king. Yet, in that moment, surrounded by my friends, the weight of the world seemed lighter. The thrill of camaraderie was intoxicating; it felt like a dance of heroes, a fleeting escape from reality, but oh, what a glorious adventure it was to share these moments together!

I sunk into the soft embrace of the sofa, the cool, fruity blend of my smoothie refreshing against my lips as I recalled the delightful chaos of our day. Just then, Bucky ambled over, his presence warm and inviting. He settled himself beside me, resting his head gently on my lap, a contented smile lighting up his rugged features.

"I'm happy you're with me, Kira," he purred, his voice a low rumble that sent a comforting shiver down my spine. In that moment, the world outside faded away, and all that mattered was this small pocket of happiness we had created together. As I absentmindedly ran my fingers through his hair, I felt a deep sense of connection—one that was both thrilling and serene.

It was as if time stood still, and I couldn't help but wonder how I had been lucky enough to find myself in this adventure, surrounded by friends who felt like family.

Just as I was lost in the warmth of the moment, T'Challa emerged from the bathroom, a towel draped around his shoulders, and I couldn't help but smile at his effortless charm. I decided to slip away to the kitchen to whip up a little something to eat, knowing full well that Bucky wouldn't be letting go of his cozy spot anytime soon.

As I rummaged through the fridge, my phone chimed with an incoming call. Glancing at the screen, I saw Tony's name light up, and a slight grin crept across my face. Without waiting for him to dive into his usual barrage of questions, I answered, "Tones, don't worry, I'm fine."

I could practically hear his dramatic sigh from across the room, ready to launch into another of his infamous lectures about safety and the importance of keeping an eye on the Avengers. But I knew what he was really worried about. "I promise I haven't started a superhero brawl in the kitchen or anything," I added with a teasing lilt, hoping to ease his mind and maybe even bring a smile to his face. 

I could barely catch all of Tony's words as he spoke in his typical frantic manner, but the urgency in his voice was clear. "I know Kira, me and Steve will be back soon. Clint and Natasha are off to Wien to make sure no one really got hurt in that explosion and to find T'Caka's killer as well," he said, his tone shifting to a more serious one.

I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "I understand, Tony. Just... be careful, okay? We can handle things here," I said, trying to reassure him and myself.

"Always," he replied, though I could hear the underlying concern in his voice. I could imagine him pacing back and forth, running through plans in his head. "Just don't let Bucky hog all the snacks while we're gone. You know how he gets."

I chuckled softly at that, glancing back at Bucky, who was still perfectly content on the sofa, occasionally peeking at me with those soulful eyes. "I'll make sure he shares," I promised, shaking my head at the sight of my favorite supersoldier lounging so comfortably.

"Good. I'll check in later," Tony said before hanging up, leaving me with a sense of lingering tension and concern for my friends. But for now, I just had to keep things grounded here while the others were out on their mission.

As I stepped out into the common room, I found Bucky and T'Challa engaged in a conversation that seemed tentative but genuine. There was still a hint of awkwardness hanging in the air, but the fact that they were finally talking was a significant step in the right direction.

Bucky leaned back, arms crossed, a slight frown on his face as he listened intently to T'Challa. "So, you really think it was a personal hit?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

T'Challa nodded, his expression steady. "We cannot take any chances. The chaos from that explosion could have masked a targeted attack. We need to find leads," he replied, his voice calm yet authoritative.

I moved closer, leaning against the door frame, feeling a mix of relief and pride. It was great to see them trying to bridge the gap between them, especially with everything we had been through. "You two are actually talking—what a breakthrough!" I teased lightly, trying to lighten the mood.

Bucky shot me a quick, half-amused glare, while T'Challa smirked, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Don't get used to it," Bucky grumbled, but there was a hint of a smile beneath his gruff demeanor.

"Communication is key," T'Challa added smoothly, glancing at Bucky with an expression that suggested he was trying to understand him better. "We both have lost too much. It's wise to learn from one another."

"That's right, wise and strategic," I chimed in, moving to the couch and flopping down next to Bucky, who shifted slightly but didn't pull away. "So, what's the plan while we wait for the others to get back?"

T'Challa looked thoughtful. "We prepare. We assess what we know about the explosion and the circumstances surrounding it. Knowledge is power."

Bucky nodded in agreement. "And maybe we can mix in a little training or something. Keep our minds off everything else."

I smiled, feeling the camaraderie in the air. "Sounds like a plan. I'll make sure we have enough snacks to fuel our 'training'," I said with a wink, eager to see their teamwork progress.

The aroma of warm pancakes and freshly made waffles filled the air as I opened the oven door. I could hear the timer click off, and it was like a signal that breakfast was officially served. With a grin on my face, I carefully flipped the golden pancakes onto a large plate, stacking them high, before doing the same with the waffles, adding a dusting of powdered sugar for good measure.

"Breakfast is served!" I announced triumphantly, carrying the plates back to the common room. Setting them down on the coffee table, I could see the way Bucky and T'Challa's eyes lit up at the sight of the food. It was a welcome distraction.

"Now this is what I call a plan," Bucky joked, reaching for a pancake and piling it high with syrup.

T'Challa picked up a waffle, eyeing it as if it were a delicacy from Wakanda. "You do know how to make a meal worthy of kings," he said with a hint of a smile, a rare expression from the normally stoic prince.

I laughed lightly, feeling the warmth of companionship in the room. "Well, I figured we could use a little comfort food given everything going on. You know what they say – a full stomach leads to clear minds... or something like that."

After pouring himself a generous amount of syrup over his stack, Bucky nodded in agreement, taking a hearty bite. "Definitely makes me feel better," he muttered, cheeks full of pancake.

T'Challa, taking a more measured approach, savored a bite of his waffle before setting it down and looking at both of us seriously. "While we enjoy this, let us remember the importance of our task ahead. We cannot let distractions take our focus away from finding my father's killer. But," he added, dipping his head towards the food, "it is important to nourish ourselves for the work to come."

"Agreed," I replied, digging into my own plate. "Fuel is essential, especially if Bucky and I are going to stand a chance against your skills when we train later. You'll need all your strength after this."

Bucky rolled his eyes playfully. "Bring it on! I'll show you both how it's done."

As laughter filled the room, I felt a sense of unity growing stronger among us. We may have faced darkness together, but moments like this reminded me that even in the chaos, we could find light—if only over a plate of pancakes and waffles.

~~~

A little later, while I was washing the dishes, Bucky stepped up to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his face into my neck. I purred, "Hey there, little one."

He stiffened. "Hey, I'm bigger than you," he snapped softly, and I laughed, turning around in his arms to kiss his jaw. "In your dreams."

Bucky's playful protest made me chuckle, and the warmth of his embrace felt both comforting and exhilarating. I met his gaze, a smirk playing on my lips as I teased him. "Bigger doesn't always mean better, Buck," I said, brushing my fingers lightly along the edge of his jawline.

He huffed in mock annoyance, but I could see the corners of his mouth twitching as he fought back a smile. "Yeah, yeah. Keep talking, but just remember who can take down who in a sparring match."

"Sure, but can you take me down while I'm washing dishes?" I shot back, laughter in my voice.

Bucky's expression softened, and he relaxed a bit more, leaning into me. "You know, I think I'd let you win this one," he said quietly, a hint of sincerity in his tone. The moment felt sweet and intimate, a respite from the chaos we often faced.

I smiled back at him. "That's very generous of you," I replied, stepping back slightly to give him a look that said I meant it. "But if you're going to create a distraction, you better be prepared to take your share of dish duty later, too."

His arms fell away as he feigned betrayal. "Washing dishes? Now you're just being cruel! I thought you had my back!"

"I do! But only if you keep being my adorable little distraction," I quipped.

Bucky rolled his eyes in exasperation, but I could tell he was enjoying this banter. "Alright, alright. Just you wait. I'll find a way to get back at you for this."

"Is that a challenge?" I grinned, raising an eyebrow.

"Absolutely," he replied, stepping back and giving me a mock-serious expression. "Prepare to be outmatched. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

I laughed again, turning back to the sink as I rinsed off a plate. "Good luck with that, soldier. I've got a few tricks of my own."

The playful banter lightened the atmosphere, and soon we were exchanging smiles in between splashes of water and laughter. This easy camaraderie felt like the calm before the storm, a reminder that amid our struggles, we could still find joy in each other's company.