Hello everybody and yes, two chapters in one day, of "To Eternity, My Witch." We are getting close to the end of this story. Please enjoy.
I DO NOT Own any of these as they are and were created by their respective creators. Marvel is owned by the late Stan Lee via Disney. Phantom of the Opera (PotO) is owned by Andrew Llyod Weber. LofZ : TP and OofT by Shigeru Miyamoto. Fire Emblem by Shouzou Kaga. Black Butler by Yana Toboso. And finally, Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi.
Ch 42 The Past is in the Past
~Stefan's POV… With Natasha, Steve, and Amelia after James and Wanda exit…~
I smiled, content, though my attention was diverted when Steve cleared his throat. "Your granddaughters are adorable. They seem so accepting of all the craziness here. And they completely ignored James' arm." Steve stated, surprised, as he looked after Wanda and James.
I continued to smile, "As they should, the two have grown up in a world where there are other sentient races and whatnot. Seeing a man with a prosthetic is as normal as going to Starbucks every morning for coffee. Amelia's own cousin, Solomon, has a prosthetic left arm much like James', and he plays with them all the time. They love having Solomon telling them stories about tales of old, and he even gives them time to ride on his back when he transforms into a Laguz wolf."
Natasha snuggled closer, surprised, "That's why they were so taken with James then. It's because of Solomon."
I nodded, "Yes. But anyways, how about you two leave and head to the kitchen? I'll be down in a jiffy. I need to make sure that one of my children is here to watch over Amelia and that she is taken care of." Natasha nodded. She huffed when Steve took her into his arms, but she didn't struggle, nor did she threaten him this time as he disappeared out the door.
I whispered into my mate's ear, "Heal quickly Ame." I looked outside; the sun was starting to set. I shouted, "Inuyasha! Come here my boy."
Said man came strolling in from the balcony a few minutes later, having been on a flight with Kagome. He had refined himself, matured, and had cut his hair and had started wearing shoes a few millennia ago. He even had created some weapons for himself and acquired a white kimono and armor almost exactly like Sesshomaru's, with some modifications of his own, making it unique for himself. However, he would fall into wearing the fire rat robe and going barefoot when he had down time, for it had been a gift from his original mother and father.
His maturity had come about on a long road. Because I had much to say about his immatureness and handed his sorry back side to him several times over, if not several hundred times. After about 100 years or so years, he had finally learned all the lessons his father wanted him to learn before his father died and the few from me as well, even though Amelia and I had adopted him as our son. He answered, grumbling a bit, "Yes, old man?" He was a little put out that his nice flight with Kagome was cut short.
I smirked, "Watch over your mother for me, will you? I need to get some food from the kitchen. Plus, I would like to speak with Bruce. Your sister Reila and him are getting married tomorrow, in the small garden outside."
Inuyasha nodded and sat on a chair, though he sighed as he pulled out a book he had found in the royal library. Another hobby he had taken up two or three millennia back. I smiled and nodded to him before I left. As I walked down the hallway, I felt a sense of peace seeping back into my mind.
~Peter's POV~
I had just finished up my homework for the evening when Stefan came strolling into the banquet hall. I watched him as he walked over to the kitchen door and disappeared inside. Since James and Wanda defeated Ganon over six weeks ago, Laura had taken it upon herself to make sure her children along with MJ, Shuri, Pietro, Wanda, and my educations while we were all here in Asgard. Plus, with Bruce and Tony here with Stefan, Steve, and James, we were set for life.
Tony did insist on having a professional teacher come in to make sure Laura was doing a wonderful job. The professional was beyond impressed, we were all far advanced passed our grade levels, which wasn't surprising with what we had gone through first with Thanos and then with Ragnar and Ganon. The homeschool professional even classed Wanda and Pietro with college associates, and MJ and I high school graduates, ready for college. The only thing left to do was to start.
Lila, despite being in grade nine, was classed in grade eleven, and Cooper into grade eight. Seems the influence of being in Asgard and around the Avengers and the Draconsire family was a good thing and had matured us past what was considered valedictorian. Apparently, being around Stefan and Amelia had brought out a maturity in our minds to the point where MJ and I were like adults. We were truly looking forward to furthering our careers in the near further here in Asgard.
I put away the physics report I finished and went over to Lila and helped her finish up her calculus math. "Thank you, Peter." She sputtered, putting her papers away.
I ruffled her hair, chuckling, "You're welcome, Lila. Now go on. I am sure you need to get to bed. It's getting quite late."
Lila rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue at me, "You're no fun. You'll pay for that tomorrow, spider boy."
I laughed, "Not if you can't reach me."
Sam came over, saying, "If you dare harm her, Peter, I will hurt you. I will be your knight in shining armor Lila and battle this spider boy for you." He laughed as he hugged her. She giggled and hugged him back before disappearing out of the banquet hall. Sam looked at me and smirked, "I'm just playing with you, Peter."
I smiled and shook my head, "I know, it just feels good to have a normal life going again. With the War of Twilight over, I am just glad there's peace Sam. Even if we are still in Asgard. How are you doing?"
Sam sat across from me, folding his hands, "To be honest, Peter, I am tired. Truly tired. I just want to rest for another few months after the craziness we had. First the War of Infinity Stones and then secondly with the War of Twilight. Also staying here for a while away from earth would do me good. With all the chaos we had being on the run down there before with Thanos, even with the charges lifted over five months ago, I rather we remain laying low here in Asgard, with how HYDRA is still trying to kill us all. I mean… Asgard is the safest place for us."
I nodded in agreement, "I agree, even though I was dragged into it, I would like to stay as well, so I feel you, man. And I don't know about you, I feel like Asgard is more of a home than Earth is. You know… with all that's happened since Thanos… And with being around Stefan, Amelia, and their children, and all the Asgardians… I feel like I've matured greatly with their influence…" I looked around, pausing in speaking. Sam agreed with me, and he and I enjoyed the silent companionship. MJ came over and sat next to me. Leaning on my shoulder, she smiled at Sam and then me.
Asking with tired voice, she mumbled out, "How's it going, Peter? Sam?"
I leaned my head on hers, "Good, just finished my physics homework a little bit ago. Sam and I were just talking about relaxing here in Asgard for a while. If not a long time."
Sam smiled at MJ, "I'm doing good, MJ. Yes, what do you think MJ?"
She pulled back from leaning on me and rested her head on her arms on the table, "I don't know. I just want to live life normal now. With all that's happened with Thanos and then with Ragnar and Ganon, I don't know if I want to stay and live being an Avenger's love or not. We're so young still in terms of humans and Asgardians… and much could happen in the next few years…" Sam frowned as I straightened.
I frowned, worry rising, "What are you saying, Thalia?"
MJ gasped, "Oh, I'm sorry Peter. That came out all wrong. What I meant is that I have been thinking on our relationship and I having been contemplate myself and you if being your girlfriend is worth it. After seeing all that's happened and I concluded…" Sam raised his brow, frowning in worry for Peter.
I stuttered out, icy fear gripping my heart, "And… wh-what is that?"
MJ smiled, clinging to me, "Why would I throw away a man like you? I'm sticking with you until the end of the line, Peter. You can't get rid of me that easily. Especially with where we're at pertaining to our schooling. Seems we're far better than our class. Also, how could I get a more honest, humble, and quirky man like you?"
I smiled brightly, "Thank God. Hey Sam."
Sam shook his head, chuckling, "Yes?"
"Any woman you have your eyes on?" I probed.
He shook his head, "No, I haven't been fortunate enough find the lucky lady yet, Peter. Perhaps soon though."
I nodded and Sam, MJ, and I soon joined Scott and his wife and daughter over by the fireplace soon after.
Steve's POV.
I lay in bed with Natasha in my arms. Night had fallen as I felt relief settle into my brain. Finally. After over six weeks, I felt the peace after the War of Twilight that Ragnar had brought onto the nine realms. Natasha rested next to me in my arms. She couldn't really rest on her right side much now as the baby caused too much morning sickness for her. Instead, she slept on her left side or back more and more often.
Even as a perfected assassin, sculpted and made into the perfectly seductive woman, just like the average woman, she gained many of the typical symptoms of pregnancy and the weird cravings. With her it was mainly back pain and swollen ankles. More often than not, Kagome, Rin, or Zelda was called to our room to help with their remedies to soothe her pains, all something they truly could sympathize with. Wanda also suffered as well, more from back pain, being she was carrying twins.
I sighed in contentment, and nuzzled Nat's neck, to which she hmphed, "Stop it, Steve. I'm not in the mood."
Not at all deterred from her crazy hormonal response, I simple answered, "I'm not, just loving that you are here with me Tasha." I placed a hand on her stomach where our son grew. There was movement. Our son was moving.
Natasha sighed, "Would you go and get me some ice cream and anchovies? Please? I'm craving them again."
"You crave them a lot, Tasha. Shouldn't you lay off them?" I grumbled out. However, at her angry hormonal growl, I shrunk back, ceding her request. "Fine… Fine… I'll get the ice cream and anchovies, my Tasha. As my black widow demands."
I rolled off the bed, grabbing a robe Zelda had made for me to roam the hallways for this occasion and placed it on, and made my way quietly through the dark halls of the palace. Passing James and Wanda's chambers, I paused for a few seconds to exchange some words with Wanda, who peeked out into the hallway with a quizzical look, before continuing to the kitchens. Every so often, I passed an Asgardian warrior on guard. They merely nodded at me, knowing I was free to roam the palace anytime, plus they knew of Natasha's pregnancy, so they probably assumed I was out to find something to fulfill her weird cravings.
I contemplated the difference between Midgardians and Asgardians as I walked. Many of the warriors were married and most of those men had at least one child themselves, knowing all too well about women's crazy food cravings while pregnant. Though the one main difference between Midgardian women and Asgardian women was their duration of their pregnancies. Nine months for Midgardian women and five months for Asgardian women. The other difference I learned from Sif was Asgardian women took up to 96 to 120 hours to have their children, far longer than the four to 26 hours for Midgardian women.
I soon got into the kitchen, surprised to see Tony and James were there as well, deep in conversation about something. I ignored them, silently, as I went over to the cellar, which in terms of earth, was well stocked. I found some ice cream and anchovies before I went back out. Tony and James were still speaking, though they seemed… calm, collected. I set down the ice cream and anchovies, and went closer, eavesdropping. I was surprised further when neither of them noticed me; they either ignored me completely, or just truly didn't know I was there, eavesdropping.
Tony leaned forward on his stool, speaking, "…doesn't make it right, Barnes."
James sighed, "No, but what will, Tony? I've done all I can to make this up to you. I wish there was some way for you to come to terms with your parents' deaths like I have. I've apologized and, truly I am, but it's up to you to decide whether forgiveness is given."
I watched as Tony's scowl deepen at James' response, "Indeed." James looked away, clearly feeling the shame and guilt at killing Tony's parents. He truly wanted this issue to be put to rest for I saw in Buck's face how contrite he was. Tony's hardened heart was cracking under his guilt for blaming James for so long, even as his pride was warring with his conscience it was losing. He knew he needed to forgive, and he was getting close to that. He knew HYDRA was to blame for James' imprisonment and indoctrination, which lead James to kill his parents under HYDRA's control.
James stood, still not noticing me, and he turned to leave, but before he did, he stopped and looked over his shoulder, "I admit, Tony, I wish I could turn back the hands of time to undo that which I did, to prevent your parents' death by my hands. I have no excuse for what I did, but remember I was under HYDRA's evil control, which I escaped from. Please for Pepper's sake and that of your unborn daughter as well, and Wanda's sake, who you love and respect as well, think over my words and my apologies. I would stay and make time for more, but Wanda wants some ice cream." He walked a few more feet before noticing me, pausing.
James scowled at me, knowing I had heard the last of their private conversation. I hummed in indifference, keeping my face in a guarded mask. He looked away, grabbing the carton of ice cream and the spoon from where I put them, disappearing out the door without a word. I didn't follow, understanding James' emotions just then. He didn't want to be talked to, he felt guilt and shame for what he had done to Tony's parents. He didn't need someone saying it'd be alright. No, James needed time to sort his feelings out on his own, which only Wanda would be able to help with. In time.
I walked over to sit with Tony, who refused to turn. I stared into the fire's flickering tongues. I didn't speak as I simply stared into the fire. Tony didn't need it either as he sat there thinking over what James had said. I sat there bringing silent comfort through our comradery. Tony finally spoke after what seemed like minutes, quietly mumbling to me, "It's taken the past year with Thanos, Ragnar, and Ganon to come to terms with the fact that James wasn't truly the one who killed my parents, it was HYDRA, Steve. I know what he says is true and that I need to forgive, but I just need a little more time."
I nodded, yet I continued remaining silent, knowing Tony still didn't need me to speak. Tony kept staring into the fire, continuing, "HYDRA seems to take the most innocent and turn them deadly. I agree, James didn't deserve any of what HYDRA did to him. But that doesn't make it right for me to just give him a second chance without hearing it from him. Yes, he saved the realms from Ganon's rampage and Thanos' horrific plan whatever it may have been, but what about the small things?"
I crossed my arms, "Well, that's what grace gives us Tony. It shows us what mercy is and be able to learn to forgive. To be able to come to that point and give grace and mercy to those who wronged us, even if they don't deserve it. I see where you're coming from though. I would be acting the same way if our lives and roles were swapped, but put yourself in James' shoes, Tony. Think about how he feels in this situation, how much he wants this all to be resolved and placed behind you both. How he wants this to be put in the past to have an actual friendship with you without the past as a dividing wedge.
"Plus, he has told Natasha, Wanda, Stefan, and I several times over the past few weeks how remorseful and contrite he is about what he did to your parents and how he deprived you of a family. He wants you to know that peace as well, to be able to finally be able to settle this heated issue. Please give him a chance and try to come to that point Tony. He wants to be able to at least be able to work with you without those past wrongs hanging over your heads," I stood and patted his shoulder. He, with a confused frown, turned to watch me walk away.
"And what if we can't come to that point, Steve? We still need to work together in the team," Tony quietly mentioned.
I paused as I made a grab for the anchovies, pausing to turn to him and gave him a reassuring smile, "Well, that's where you two come to a truce, and put your feelings aside for the sake of Pepper and Morgan's sake, as well as Wanda's. Perhaps in time, you will be able to forgive. I have a feeling you will soon forgive him. Buck has made peace with his past, Tony, and he wants you to find that peace as well. Which is why he apologized and asked for forgiveness. Think of his words and mine and then give it some time and thought. Now I need to get some more ice cream before Natasha comes and kills me with that black widow poison of hers."
Tony looked away with a pained expression filled with guilt and remorse before looking back into the fire's light. I sighed, understanding his pain despite me erring on Buck's side. This would be something perhaps even Pepper wouldn't be able to help with too much. Encourage and comfort from her, but ultimately it would be up to Tony to be able to have peace with his past. Maybe Stefan and Amelia could speak with him on the issue.
I went to the cellar again and found another carton of ice cream. I grabbed the anchovies from the table and a spoon, glancing at Tony who remained where he was. I shook my head and left him. He needed time alone now to think and mull things over in his head. I made my way up to my chambers where Natasha waited. She was standing in the doorway, a concerned, yet confused, look on her face. She had a protective hand on her pregnant stomach as if she had seen something dangerous.
"What happened, Steve? Just a few minutes ago, James came storming by, and never gave me the chance to ask why. And thank you for the ice cream and anchovies," She probed as she took the items and moved back inside our room. I shook my head at her weird craving yet ignored it as I sat on the bed. I frowned as she ate several bites. She then looked at me expectantly, waiting for a response to her question.
I looked away and hmphed, going to stand on the balcony to look out over the Asgardian countryside. I hummed quietly to her, making sure I didn't wake up others, "When I went to the kitchen, Tony and Buck were in a deep conversation about how Buck had killed Tony's parents. I didn't hear much of it, just the last few minutes of it. But from what I got from it; Buck has made peace with it all whereas Tony still has some hard feelings about it. Neither noticed me until Buck left, and he wasn't that happy about it. Which is probably why he ignored you, Tasha. He doesn't want anyone else besides Wanda to talk through it. And she'll do well to help him over this. Pepper will do a wonderful job at helping Tony through his feelings as well."
Natasha nodded and simply ate her food, satisfied by my answer, knowing what it all meant anyhow. She put the ice cream away in the chill box for the night, knowing I would put it away in the morning. She came to me and took my hand. "Come, let's leave those feelings behind and go to bed." She stated simply, leading me to bed. Soon we were both sound asleep in bed.
James' POV.
I stormed off from the kitchen, holding the carton of ice cream and the spoon. Walking past Natasha, I ignored her and her questioning look as I went to my chambers, clearly not in the mood to speak with anyone else aside from Wanda. Tony had set my mood off; clearly, he still had strong feelings against me about killing his parents. Though we had improved our relationship quite a bit since he arrived in Wakanda all those months ago, he still had some emotions and barriers to overcome with me being cleared of all charges. He truly was trying to forgive me.
I closed the door to my chamber and locked it. I growled as I did so, though my attention and emotions were diverted when Wanda's voice sounded, plaintive and innocent, "What's wrong my Buck?" I turned to see her on the edge of our bed, inquisitive and innocent. Seeing her and hearing her voice calmed me down. Though thoughts of the conversation with Tony still floated through my brain.
I hmphed, walking over to her and gently handing her the ice cream. She narrowed her eyes and asked again though this time through our mental connection, our faces making the correct nonverbal responses, "Bucky, what's wrong, my love."
It's Tony. While I was in the kitchen getting the ice cream, he arrived and scowled at me. I suggested we talk, and we did, which is why it took me so long. He still has some negative feelings towards me about his parents. Granted he did hurt you and killed Clint, but that's in the past. And he's truly trying to mend our relationship. Though I gave no excuses, I apologized. I went to the balcony and looked over the Asgardian countryside.
"Hmmm… Well sounds like you have forgiven yourself over the situation. You've apologized and truly tried, James. He'll need to face that himself now. I am sure with Pepper's help, you two will come to an understanding."
Since he's still going to be an Avenger with us and as family, we will. Another reason I was angered was because Steve heard the last part of our conversation. He didn't need to be there. I…
"James…" Wanda sighed, interrupting him, exasperated that he was angry with Steve over nothing. Putting down the ice cream, she came over and hugged me tight. I immediately wrapped my arms around her, happy she was holding me. My nerves calmed, and my anger dissipated.
I listened to her explanation, "I heard him walking by earlier when he went down, which leads past our chambers here. I peeked out and called out a quiet mental hello and I asked him what he was doing. All he said that he was doing was getting ice cream and anchovies for Natasha. It was an accident that he came upon your conversation. Plus, I knew from past conversations with him that you needed space from him. He told me personally he had made a huge effort to give you space to heal mentally since we paired up that day you rescued me from the Raft. Which leads me to suggest he didn't say a word to you or follow you back here? Right?"
Realizing that Steve had truly let me have my space and didn't follow me, I finally relaxed. Hmmm… Perhaps you're right. Well… You have your ice cream now. How about you eat some and we can get to bed soon? I suggested as I pulled back from her.
Wanda rolled her eyes, "I'll enjoy it and you can watch me."
"Fine by me doll," I said, smiling. She opened it and ate it slowly.
"Mmmm! Chocolate chip! My favorite. Thank you, my Bucky." Wanda praised me, making my pride rise.
Soon she had her fill and she insisted that we sleep. It had been a rather long day and both of us were tired. Undressing for the night (Wanda and I decided that we enjoyed sleeping in the nude regardless of whether she was pregnant or not), we got in bed. Since Wanda was now five and a half months pregnant with twins, sleeping on her right side and back was quite uncomfortable.
I rarely slept on my left side due to my arm as the edges usually cut into my skin and cause it to bleed, but I compensated for her sake. We usually ended up either with her using my chest as a pillow and her leg over mine or with her on me entirely. And I held her close as she slept, something I still marveled at.
I thought back to the last six weeks since I defeated Ganon. Asgard had acknowledged me as the conquering hero, along with all the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. Even the other realms. We were given full Asgardian citizenship, all of us Avengers and our families, inadvertently giving us a new home, which wasn't surprising. Thor had rediscovered the artifact that could give us all Asgardian lifespans; however, we all chose to stay human to live out natural life spans. To be honest about it, Asgard felt more and more like home rather than Earth was.
Two weeks ago, Tony and Thor heard word from Fury that there was a plot forming from a small fraction of HYDRA to kill us all back on earth. And they had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters intending to assassinate us all. But since we were in Asgard, we were safe from any threats. He had Captain Marvel, who had returned to earth from a small minor completed mission he wanted her to do in the Gamma Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy, deal with the issue with HYDRA. Afterward several days' work of completely getting rid of HYDRA, she stayed in Stark Tower, visiting with her fiancé John Schmidt.
Stefan had Inuyasha and Sesshomaru head back to Reslutia a week ago, to take over things again. It was bittersweet parting, as I got to know my new… brothers… the past few weeks, and it was nice to learn more about my new family in Reslutia. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru had taken Annika and Lilly back with Alban, neither wanting to stay any longer, having seen what they wanted. For now.
Aside from that, I, along with the active Avengers, aside from Pepper, Natasha, and Wanda, trained alongside the troops of Asgard. Stefan had trained as well, often teaching the troops and us Avengers new ways to fight with spears, swords, and axes, aside from modern warfare. He was a legendary fighter, far superior to even me, and most likely he even surpassed Amelia in skills and knowledge in fighting by far.
Us Avengers and the Asgardians marveled at his skill, not just with spears, sword, axe, and bow, but with crossbows, modern guns, hand to hand combat, and unusual weapons. He hadn't been fazed by anything, even at his stories of his origins of starting out with Medieval weaponry. He successfully won the few bouts we had in the training ring within moments. Steve lost to him every time they were paired. Even Thor lost the battles to Stefan when they trained together, the axe and hammer instantly in Stefan's hands. Stefan apparently commanded them greater than Thor.
Though Stefan put them down, believing it would be unworthy of him to take advantage of their power. It was something that shocked the people that witnessed it. Because of it, Thor had given over training of the warriors to Stefan, clearly seeing his superior skills. He was even given the role of senior foreign advisor. Stefan had kept the ways of training the same, though he did incorporate some of his own technics for better warriors. Since then, Thor and Stefan had sent us active Avengers on missions in the different realms, including Midgard, though only if it was an emergence.
I held Wanda close. She had fallen asleep rather fast once we had gotten in bed. I sighed quietly, wishing I could take her pain away. Though she dealt with it beautifully. Her only wish now was for Amelia to be there awake to support her in this pregnancy. I worried, or in Wanda's terms, over-worried. Why wouldn't I be? She was young and expecting our twins. They were her first children.
Amelia, please come back to us. We need you here. We all miss you. Wanda misses you deeply. I miss you. Please come back to us all… To me. I felt a flair of excitement as I fell asleep, and I faintly heard a response. It was a whisper in the wind. And it made me hope again for a bright future. It was Amelia.
"I will, James. I love you… My son."
Hope y'all are doing well. Please like and leave a review, let me know what y'all are thinking.
Until next time.
WS. Z.
