After Tony gave him tips for how to handle the reporters and the questions, Kakashi was about to leave the room.
He turned toward the door, ready to step out into the night and think about everything that had happened.
Steve Rogers stood up from his chair. He walked over quickly and placed a hand on Kakashi's shoulder to stop him.
"You know," Steve said, "we have not really talked much. Things have been busy. And well, I had a lot of catching up to do for what was happening in the past seventy years or so."
Kakashi curiously looked at him. "Must have been difficult to see the world changed in a flash while you were asleep."
Steve chuckled softly. The sound was warm but carried a little sadness. "More than you can imagine. I woke up and everything was different. The clothes people wear had changed. People carry tiny computers in their pockets. The world moved on without me. I had gotten over the advancement in technology."
"But next thing you see are aliens, a big green monster capable of tearing up a building and throwing it, a person whose skin turns to metal, a god from Norse mythology, and a ninja with powers that kids could only dream of."
Steve took a pause. He looked at Kakashi with steady eyes. "Well anyway, I might not be able to say for sure, but I can tell that you are carrying a lot of burden with you."
Kakashi looked surprised at the sudden change in topic. He had not expected Steve to notice. Most people saw the calm mask and the lazy eyes of his.
Steve continued. His voice was gentle but firm.
"I can tell because during World War Two I did the same thing against Hydra. I carried the hope of a lot of people on my shoulders. I knew if I failed, many would die. I felt like the world rested on me. I had friends counting on me. I had a country counting on me. I had to keep going even when I was tired, even when I was scared, even when I lost people I cared about. I know what it feels like to wake up every day knowing one mistake could end everything."
Steve placed his shield against the wall and sat on the edge of a table. He looked straight at Kakashi.
"Your burden might not be something that I can even comprehend. You are the leader of the Avengers. You are responsible for protecting Earth against aliens and now… preventing the destruction of an entire universe. That is a weight no one person should carry alone. But you do it anyway. You do it quietly. You do it without asking for thanks. You do it because you know someone has to. I respect that."
Steve's voice grew softer.
"My advice is to not let the burden bury you. You are the strongest person that I have met, both in terms of physical ability and mental strength. I have seen you fight. I have seen you lead. I have seen you make choices that would break most men. But you keep standing. You keep protecting. You keep hoping. That is what makes you a leader. Do not forget that you have people who will stand with you. You do not have to carry it all alone. We are a team now. Let us help you. Let us share the weight."
Kakashi listened without speaking. Steve's words reached deep. They reminded him of things he tried not to think about. Old friends. Old promises. Old regrets. He felt a small warmth in his chest. It was not often someone saw through his calm mask and spoke to the man underneath.
"Thank you," Kakashi said quietly. "It really helped."
Steve smiled. "Anytime."
The moment passed. Steve stepped back. Kakashi felt a little lighter.
Steve looked at him again. "On another note, Clint said that you taught him how to use chakra. He showed me abilities that were really good. I might be a super soldier, but I think I am lacking compared to the enemies we face currently. Do you think you can teach me how to use chakra and… use jutsus?"
Natasha, who had been eavesdropping nearby, jumped into the conversation.
"Hey, you promised to teach me how to do the ninja stuff too," she said with a smirk.
Kakashi hesitated for a second. Natasha's next words made his decision easy.
"Or do you want me to pester you again to see what is behind your mask?"
Kakashi sighed. "Fine. I will teach you both the basics of using chakra before we leave for our mission."
He thought to himself, 'Well, they are both good people. Well, at least Cap is. And I do not mind teaching them.'
He continued thinking. 'The super soldier serum should have increased Cap's chakra amount. Whatever was done to Natasha should also have enhanced her chakra reserves. So they would not have limited chakra like Clint's. They should have at least chunin-level chakra.'
Kakashi then looked at Tony. "Well, if they are learning to use chakra, do you want to too?"
Tony waved his hand. "Nah, I am still a science guy."
Bruce looked up from his seat. "Um, why did you not offer to teach me?"
Kakashi answered honestly. "I tried to teach Blonsky, but the gamma radiation makes it almost impossible to control chakra. The same should be true for you."
Bruce nodded slowly. He understood. He looked a little disappointed but accepted it.
Kakashi turned back to Steve and Natasha. "I will teach you after the press conference."
-----Author Notes---------
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