Authors note:Natasha and the soul stone, this chapter is told in Natasha's point of view. There's a lot of speculation out there regarding what goes on while trapped in the soul stone. This is my spin on it. A dream-like inception kind of existence. Comments welcomed, thank you for reading!

Chapter 2:"A Soul for a Soul"

I can feel the moment my soul is ripped from my body. It's like getting the wind knocked out for the first time. A tight feeling deep in my sternum, as if my heart was torn out of my chest.

All that's left now is a shred of the little girl that once stared back through the mirror in a ballet studio, leotard and all. My eyes can hardly process what is in front of me, they're blinded by a flash of forgotten fairy-tales.

Is this ... Is this what love feels like?

My brain is trying to catch up, trying to make sense of its current reality, make sense of the emptiness that I feel in my chest but all it's getting are error messages.

No…it couldn't be that. I was never meant for that. There's no place for it, no place for me in this world. Love is for children.

And yet, I blink my eyes open to find him there. Down on one knee, capturing my hand like a delicate flower, and looking at me as if I am the world.

"Nat, Will you marry me?"

My chest tightens and I can't find my breath.

I swiftly break eye contact and begin to search for anything but his blue eyes, because if I don't my heart will surely explode. I'm so overwhelmed, it's dizzying. My mind quickly finds the distraction it seeks, a sound coming from far off in the distance, I don't recognize it's source only that it's a long shrill beeping noise. But that distraction is fleeting as I feel his strong hand squeeze my fingertips.

"Nat? Are you with me?"

"St-eve?" I start to turn back to him, but that feeling in my chest comes back tenfold… forcing my eyes shut.

"Nat! Stay with me,come on, dammit!" My face wrinkles in confusion, the urgent tone and words do not make sense and are stark contrast to his previous words.

"What... what did you say?" I whisper in disbelief as my eyes open and the pain flees. Everything appears calm, quiet, almost surreal. He's moved to a standing position and has both of my hands in his. My hand with the ring on it.

"I said, are you with me?"

"S-sorry… I thought I heard something." I can't take my eyes off the decorated finger. And catching my breath still feels nearly impossible.

His hand goes to my hair to tuck a piece behind the ear and his hand lands on my cheek, cupping my face so that my eyes reach his. My knees suddenly feel weak.

"I promise, I will make you the happiest bride. Whatever it takes." He leans in and kisses me with soft lips, I feel a chill run down my spine.

"whatever... it ...takes" I mumble, repeating the words which feel oddly familiar. Abruptly, the pain and dizziness come back with that loud beeping sound flooding my ears. And suddenly I feel gravity tilt and I am sure that I'm falling.

Falling fast, and falling far.

My body recognizes the feeling and everything comes back.

Thanos, the infinity stones, Wakanda, the quantum realm, and ...Vormir.

My heart breaks for what feels like the 100th time and the pain in my chest suddenly makes sense.

So this is what love feels like, for someone like me.

The only solace I have are the words of conviction that Steve gave us before the mission, "whatever it takes".

Just as I'm sure my body is about to impact on the deepest depths of Vormir, I feel my eyes snap open and the assault of a blinding white light.