Three months...
Almost four.
Had it already been that long since they had defeated Thanos?
The plan had worked.
Danvers was able to use the gauntlet to harness the six infinity stones and turn what was left of Thanos' army into dust. It had been decided later on that it was much too dangerous to keep any of the stones. They didn't want a repeat of Xandar, a planet that the Guardians had said was completely decimated when the titan took the power stone. So, barring the time stone at Strange's adamance, the rest were tossed into the quantum realm, where they would be lost forever.
The victory didn't come without cost though. Wakanda had suffered many casualties among its border tribe and fighters in general. The outskirts of the African nation, along with many smaller Wakandan villages, had also been thoroughly ravaged. It was where most of their agriculture took place as well as where their mounts, like rhinos, were housed and raised. However, they were a hardy people and had been steadily recovering since the battle.
The rest of the Earth remained somewhat untouched by Thanos' quest. Only Manhattan and Edinburgh had been hit by the Black Order's first attack to try to retrieve the time and mind stones.
The human planet could consider itself very lucky, considering what happened to Xandar, the dwarves of Nidavellir, and the Asgardians.
At the end of everything, the universe had been spared from unimaginable loss and destruction, but for Bucky Barnes, the victory seemed a bit empty.
The former Winter Soldier knew he had a lot to be grateful for, one of the biggest things was that his best friend, Steve, had come out alright. The world that Renny loved was hurt and damaged, but recovering quickly.
However, his heart was still heavy with grief.
The sun was shining and a gentle breeze was blowing as well.
She would have loved it.
The peace.
Bucky breathed heavily, stepping forward, his eyes on the small bouquet in his hands.
"Hey there, Sunshine. Sorry I've been away for a while. I brought Baby's Breath this time." Dutifully, he replaced the wilted flowers with the fresh bunch.
Steve had come with him. The blond watched his pal adjust the flowers idly, a tremor in his fingers visible for a split second. Bucky had refused to leave at all the first week. When Shuri said that his behavior was helping no one and that Renny wouldn't have liked him neglecting himself, he'd relented. He spent his day going through the motions of maintaining his farm, training, and helping with the reconstruction around the outskirts of Wakanda.
Still, when the sun began its descent, he would return to that same spot and stay for as long as he could.
Peter sat on the grass, looking at the ripples move across the lake.
He came here when he could. He made a promise, after all. And he would have happily taken up this responsibility even if Nadia hadn't made him promise.
Sparks came to life in a ring by the lakeside, a breeze blowing through, and out walked the god of mischief.
A green gaze fell on the teen and the trickster nodded, "The spider. Good, I need to speak with the Soldier."
Peter shot up from his seat, "Yeah... Uhm yes, mister Loki. Mister Barnes is-"
"Of course." The god brushed by the teen brusquely, strides long.
"Loki!" A raspy voice cut through the air, coming from a second figure that walked through the portal before the sparks dissipated. Nadia had a frown on her face because her teacher had been rude to her best friend. The trickster ignored her and kept walking.
"Nadia!" Peter smiled, his heart doing a flip, "Glad you're back!"
She grinned back and opened her arms to give him a warm hug. When he wrapped his arms around her, he got close enough to see the scars on her neck.
"Glad to be back," She said, her voice somewhat wispy.
Another reminder. It would forever be a mark of that fight, not just the scars.
Peter gave her an extra squeeze around her middle, taking a few more moments before pulling back. He knew it was a bit irrational, but he still had a lingering fear each time she left for a research mission that she wouldn't... She might-
"How's? ..." Nadia started but trailed off, her expression turning neutral.
The teen just shook his head. "No change. I'm sorry."
Nodding somberly, she looked at the medical building that sat over the ridge. After a few moments of contemplation, she looked back at him, determination and hope in her eyes. "Loki and I might have found something."
Almost four months and nothing had changed.
She lay on white sheets, hair almost just as white now instead of the silvery grey it had been. Renny had always been fair-skinned, but it had turned and stayed a shade paler than was healthy since the battle.
Small and lean she had been since the '40s... But now she seemed fragile.
Breakable.
Bucky wished that she had just been sleeping. Well... She was... But she hadn't woken up at all since she had fallen unconscious in his arms.
He remembered how Strange, Shuri, Stark, and Banner had all helped, had all taken a look at her.
They said that it was almost like she had gotten burned and electrocuted at the same time. From the inside. Blood had come from her shot lungs, which had been the source of the blood in her mouth. Renny also suffered from a severe case of shock, which explained her pale and cold skin.
With how many medical experts and geniuses there were on hand, as well as a Sorcerer Supreme and master of magic to boot, they were able to get her physically stable.
However, that was it. She was stable, but they did not understand why she hadn't woken up yet. The woman had simply stayed asleep and weak with no signs of getting any better. She breathed softly on her own, chest barely rising and falling. The only sign that she wasn't completely gone.
"The sun's really nice today, Doll." Bucky took his usual seat by her bed and held her hand in both of his.
Steve couldn't tell what hurt more. He had an idea of what his pal had been going through. It had been painful for the blond to watch Peggy slowly succumb to her own illness. Though, unlike his friend, they'd still had time together. Time for them to talk and him to come to grips with the fact that the woman he'd loved would leave the world soon.
On the other hand, Bucky was stuck in limbo. Not knowing if Renny would suddenly wake up or if she would just stop breathing.
Hold on.
Or start letting go.
"Captain."
Steve's hackles still raised at the sound of the smooth voice.
One reason the trickster got the chance to move freely was that he offered to help search for some way to help Renny.
He didn't trust the god of mischief, but he trusted Nadia and Thor. They both vouched for Loki. That and Tony made a sort of failsafe based on the cuffs they'd used on the dark-haired god when they'd sent him home with Thor and the Tesseract back in 2012.
Tony assigned the panic button for that to Nadia. Steve was also pretty sure the man had his own panic button or he would have never let his daughter go off on her own with the trickster to do research.
"Loki." The blond responded stiffly, arms folded over his chest.
The tension was palpable, so Nadia stepped in between them, clearing her throat. "Hey, Uncle Steve." She hugged the man, and he returned it, patting her on the back. Honestly, every time Nadia came back, he sometimes had to convince himself that she was real, and okay, and whole.
Anya, her mother, had been killed by Thanos when he had assaulted Thor's ship. Apparently, the woman had used an illusion on herself so she could replace Loki. She'd saved him from getting his neck snapped.
That was the final reason the trickster was allowed his freedom. Anya had to have seen something in him that was worth saving. Worth dying for. And Steve had gotten to know the woman enough over her visits to Wakanda to know that she was a good judge of character.
"Taica," Nadia called to Bucky. It was a Romanian endearment. The counterpart of what the youngest Capelli called Renny. "Loki and I found something that will help Maica wake up." Her voice was hopeful.
Bucky visibly straightened in his seat.
The god of mischief stepped forward, shaking his head. "Nadia, " He scolded. It was always best to be straightforward. "It's a theory. And it's risky. It involves cutting Lady Renny off from all magic. All of it. If this works, she won't be able to use any form of sorcery anymore."
Bucky ran his fingers over Renny's own. "That means more than Renny just being a regular person, doesn't it?"
Loki nodded. The soldier was perceptive, "Her body has relied on arcane energies for her to survive for almost eight decades with slowed aging and a lengthened lifespan." He looked at the figure of the said woman on the bed.
So fragile.
And to think that she could have been one of the most powerful creatures in the universe, knowing the fate of so many. It was a pity he never had the chance to speak to her. "This means that the procedure could kill her outright or actually work and being cut off from the interference of magic in her body will let her recover enough to return to consciousness."
Bucky stayed silent, continuing to rub his thumb in circles over the back of Renny's hand.
" Trickster!" Shuri appeared at the entry of the room, huffing slightly," How many times should I remind you that I should be here if you have any possible ideas for our patient's treatment? " The princess put her hands on her waist. Peter trailed behind Shuri, obviously the one to have called her. Loki rolled his eyes, annoyed at how this so-called princess was so brash when she talked to him.
Steve was the one to speak next," He wants to cut Renny off from magic. All magic. "
Shuri nodded contemplatively, a hand on her chin, "I thought Miss Renny relies on magic to stay alive. But if bad reactions to magic are what caused her to fall into similar situations before, what you are suggesting could work. But it could also kill her if we're wrong."
"Just what I was saying," Loki said flatly.
It was Shuri's turn to roll her eyes, "Which is why I need to be here whenever-"
Bucky's query prevented an argument between the two from breaking out, "Is there still a chance for her to wake up on her own?"
Shuri sighed, reigning in her urge to sass the so-called god and shaking her head, "I'm so sorry White Wolf. It has been almost four months. Though she has not been getting worse," The princess flicked her wrist to pull up a graphic of Renny's charts above her palm, "She has not been getting any better either."
Slim to none.
Loki stood rigid, not used to being around so many of earth's heroes. Well, there was that time in New York, but nevertheless..." Even if the spellwork succeeds and Lady Renny does wake up, there is no telling what the side effects will be. Undoubtedly, she will be weak. She will still be able to function, to what extent, I cannot say. If it will be permanent, I cannot say either," He sighed speaking slowly, "What's more... There is no telling how long she will have. Weeks... Months... Unfortunately, much of the damage already done is irreparable."
Bucky put his head in his hands, fingers pulling his hair. What would she want? There was no doubt what he wanted... But... It was selfish.
"I will leave you to decide. But it's best you do so soon-"
"Let's do it."
It was Nadia who spoke, her voice wispy. "We need to try. She would want to see what she worked her whole life for." She could blame the rasp in her voice on her battle scars, not the lump she felt in her throat.
Nadia knew that her grandfather would never be the one to ask for it. Maybe it would be what her grandmother wanted, but a part of the young woman knew that she was being a bit selfish too.
Sparks formed lines that burned in the air, stretching and angling before meeting again.
A door formed in the middle of the forest clearing.
"Maica always said, if we defeated Thanos, she owed it to you to know the truth."
Those with her fidgeted, just stared at the door apprehensively, or kept a neutral mask on. All of them wondered what was on the other side.
Bucky had some idea. Renny had spilled much to him months before in Wakanda.
Steve was with him.
Loki idled by the tree line. Even he was actually somewhat aware. Anya had told him that she was something of a seer.
Peter shook slightly, anxious. "I understand mister Rogers and mister Barnes being here... But..."
Nadia nodded, "She also gave my mother and I the choice to tell those we were guarding."
"Guarding?" Peter parroted, his throat tight.
Nadia swallowed. She was likely the last Outsider now. She always thought she'd have both her mother and grandmother beside her when they let the cat out of the bag. This was her burden now though, and she accepted it. The last burden.
Beyond the door was something out of a medieval setting. Hardwood floors and stone walls comprised an entry room of some sort, an arch leading to another area.
"We called this place the Archives. Maica made it to make sure everything she knew was recorded and kept safe." Nadia explained. "This was also her safe place if being outside ever got too overwhelming."
Moving through the arch, they were standing on a balcony overlooking a very large sitting room. There was a fireplace, a coffee table, and two long couches set perpendicular to one another.
High windows dotted one side, the view being that of the nighttime forest.
Nadia led them to the clear space in front of a tall bookcase that lined most of another wall. Taking a deep breath to steady herself and push the doubt tingeing her thoughts to the back of her mind, she lifted her arms, holding them palm upwards at her sides.
Fingers lit up with arcane energy as she closed her eyes, sparks lit up in a circle around her feet. From the circle, several lines branched out, burning their way to the walls of the main archives room. They popped and sizzled, and for a second nothing happened.
Peter opened his mouth to ask a question when an almost ghost-like projection slowly appeared.
"Okay... I hope this works..." It said when it looked almost solid.
In front of the group stood a much younger version of Renny- bright-eyed and her person bearing much more color.
"I'm making this because I don't really know if I'll get to explain it to you in person or not... But I guess I didn't make it if you're seeing this."
The projection sighed before straightening, "No use being so negative when I've barely started, but... My name is Perennial Cappelli. I was fifteen when I got here. This dimension or universe anyway."
Peter gaped, "Oh my God. So the multiverse exists?! That is so cool! I can't belie-" Nadia put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. Though the teen quieted, he was still vibrating with excitement at the revelation.
"My dimension's just like this, without any superheroes or aliens or anything though... Well, the aliens, that can still be true, I guess. But I'm getting off track here." Renny's image fidgeted, "My world knows all about yours though... Because... Well... I mean fanfiction and stuff are bound to still exist here. So the trope should be common, right? Girl getting thrown into her favorite movie, knowing all kinds of things..." The projection rolled her wrist in a nonchalant gesture.
A gasp echoed in the dim room," We're fictional? " Peter was wide-eyed. Though he guessed that the shock of the revelation wasn't as jarring as it could have been. They thought Thor was fictional. Now they studied him in their physics classes.
Younger Renny continued on, "Just how much I knew... Well... Enough to be terrified that anything I did might result in horrible consequences... And I got thrown into the first movie of the chronological timeline."
Scenes from different times played around them all, a spell shimmered in the air that would help the observers absorb the information. Renny had also thought ahead, making sure that what each person saw was tailored for them, keeping personal information personal, and the gist of the would-have-been-future something they would all see.
When the medley ceased, they were left breathless.
Bucky had to brace his arms on the stone wall, feeling almost nauseated.
Steve ran his hands through his hair to try and calm his rapidly beating heart.
Loki turned away from the group, his mask still in place, but much paler if you took a good look at him.
Peter fell to his knees." Oh, God. "
He had been fourteen when he'd gotten his powers, and he'd felt overwhelmed in that first month. Still, he'd had his aunt May and Ned to support him, even when they didn't know he was Spiderman.
Miss Capelli didn't have anyone.
She'd had no one. She wandered for a month right when the Great Depression took hold of America.
Then she found out that she knew stuff from more than seventy years in the future. Holy shit... It was a miracle that she didn't just lose it.
Nadia looked at everyone worriedly, "Maybe I should-"
The image flickered and a Renny dressed in casual clothes pranced into view, a wide smile on her face.
"Don't stop it." Bucky managed to breathe out shakily. He needed to know. And... he didn't want Renny to disappear again just yet. Even if it was just a recording.
The projection giggled. The man couldn't help the look of awe on his face. Yes, there had been the quiet moments of a carefree Renny while they had been together in Wakanda. But this... He'd never seen her almost... Bubbly.
They were transfixed again.
"Have you ever seen anything so adorable?"
Oh my God.
Was that?
"These kids are what keep me going. This is Tony. Tinker terror." She held up a picture of a boy, face and hands smeared with grease while he worked on what looked like the engine of a car. "Howard... I shouldn't have... well... Now, he's always so critical of Tones. That's why he's always so eager to impress when I drop by. He calls me Auntie Penny." She chuckled again. Bucky loved the sound. It was like something out of a dream.
"This is Bruce." She held up another picture of a different boy about the same age, reading a book in a library, curls falling into his eyes. "I play a library assistant at his school. He's such a bookworm! Who'd ever think this little sweetheart would become the Hulk?-"
"Mama?"
A young girl, maybe ten or eleven, stepped into the projection. "Diary again?"
The woman laughed, gesturing with her hands and pulling the girl into her lap. "I'm just happy, sweetheart. Do you want to talk about the kids we visit?"
There was no mistaking her, it was little Anya. Bucky's breath caught in his throat and Steve put a steadying hand on his friend's shoulder. This was so much to take in.
"Tony's stuck up. I don't like him." Anya tried to suppress the pout on her face, obviously putting up the guise of being a big girl.
"Then who do you like?"
"Clint is cool. Scott is very funny, oh!-" Little Anya gestured animatedly at one picture and smiled widely.
After a few more moments, the two flickered away as well.
An older Renny appeared, hair grayed and dark circles under her eyes.
"I-I can't... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It won't let me. I tried. I tried so hard. But something won't let me. I can't just..." The projection fell on her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks as she shook her head, "Please. God, let this just end! I'm not strong enough..." She clutched at her chest like she had been shot. "I can't do anything!" She wailed, the sound like that of a dying animal. The image of Renny curled in on herself-a ball on the ground. She pulled her knees close to her chest, digging her face into her kneecaps and screaming.
A teenage Anya ran into the frame, kneeling to the floor and wrapping her mother tightly in her arms.
Bucky stepped forward, his hand reaching when he abruptly stopped himself, clenching his fists. Bone and metal creaked alike they would crack from the tension.
How his family... His family!... Had suffered. Anya had to help keep her mother together. He should have been there. He should have been there. And yet he was one thing adding to their pain. Her pain. She really did love him too much.
The image flickered one more time, Renny pale, her hair silvery, eyes tired, and resigned smile on her lips.
"I did what I could. Well, I tried to make sure all of you turned out alright. That me being here didn't ruin your lives. I hope it was enough, even if it was mostly just keeping you on the path I'm familiar with. I understand if you hate me now... For letting so much suffering go by... I could say I'm sorry a thousand times over and it wouldn't diminish my own guilt. But I couldn't change too much, knowing what was coming. I love you all too much."
The projection smiled shakily and choked back tears.
"I hope it all turns out okay. I really do."
Nadia took a shaky breath, her eyes were moist, and her muscles taut as a bowstring. Still, she stood as straight and tall as she could manage. She was afraid. So afraid.
Now it was all out.
Steve, Bucky, Loki, and Peter were standing quiet. The tension was so thick, it felt suffocating.
One minute passed.
Three.
She couldn't take the continued silence. When she spoke, her voice was hoarse not just because of her injury from the battle, "M-Maica... My mother... We all... We did what we could-"
Her breath left her as Peter almost bowled her over with an aggressive hug. "You did."
The teen was in awe of their family's strength. Their resolve. Their perseverance.
He'd seen how things would have turned out. He knew how Nadia had done her best to keep him safe within the boundaries of his supposed fate. When she'd saved him even when he was supposed to turn out fine. She'd willingly walked with eyes wide open into pain if it meant he would suffer just a bit less, have a few more moments of happiness.
At those words, a weight that had been on Nadia's shoulders ever since she became an official Outsider disintegrated. Her fear that those she also loved so much would turn away from her when they found out the truth. Her arms wrapped tightly around Peter, relief washing over her like a wave. When she felt Bucky also put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and Steve moved in to hold her tightly, she broke down.
Her knees buckled and if it weren't for the people around her, she would have sunken to her knees on the floor. Hiccups came from her throat, slowly building into whimpers, then sobs of complete relief. All her fear bled out of her in the form of uncontrollable tears.
"You did good, Nadia. You. Did. Good," Steve spoke, rubbing circles on her back.
"I'm proud of you, kid. Alright?" Bucky said softly, his voice a little shaky. His free hand brushed repeatedly through her hair and he kissed the top of her head. "So very proud."
Nadia could only cry harder.
Loki wanted to comfort his student as well, but he could not bring himself anywhere near the close-knit group. He needed a moment to breathe, especially when he had seen the ghost of Anya as a child and as an adolescent. However, he couldn't bring himself to leave either.
So these were the archives?
Slowly, he walked toward the tall bookshelf that lined one wall, trying to distract himself from the pain he felt once again cutting through his chest. There were gaps in the tomes here and there. Some spaces held knick nacks and-
Loki
There was one space with a folded piece of parchment, his name written on it. His breath caught in his throat. The four letters of neat script were enough to tell him who wrote it.
There was a tremor in his fingers when he reached for the letter, so he paused to breathe deeply. Loki picked up the paper and unfolded it, lines of her curling writing greeting him. He had to keep his shaking fingers from curling and wrinkling the parchment.
Words were never my strong suit, you know that. I hope my actions were enough.
Perhaps I took up your fate because of gratitude, you saved my life and Nadia's before she was even born after all. I never told you, did I?
I was the stupid midgardian girl you saved in that dark alley from that "filthy thug".
Perhaps you don't even remember. Maybe you already knew, but I never said so because I would not risk you doubting yourself, or thinking I only became your friend out of a sense of debt or obligation. Forgive my paranoia. It's not that I don't trust you, I fear losing you.
Getting to know you, stand and fight beside you, explore Asgard with you, talk with you, and just spend time with you is an honor that I will always delight in. You are a great man, Loki. You carry yourself with pride, believe in it. Your heart is a complex wonder that you underestimate. Learn not to. Your mother saw it. Thor sees it. I was lucky to know it.
You are more than my friend, Loki. You are more precious than that to me. My brother, my confidant, my king. (Yes, I know that you always tried to pry that last title from me, so here it is, laugh your heart out. I will never say it out loud, so be content with this.)
These next words, I know I've said to you, but never forget-
I love you.
You make my life more than what I thought it could be. You taught me and continue to remind me that I am more than just an observer.
Thank you.
Your darling,
Anya
A/N: As I said, much longer chapter. Not much that I can really say about this chapter, except that I'm actually not entirely satisfied with the flashback part. I'm not exactly sure which part of it... Anyway, I'd love to know what you guys think. Especially when it comes to Anya's little ILY to Loki. How does that come across based on the letter and what you've seen of them interact? I'm very curious.
Thanks again to everyone who's continued to stick with this story, added it to their favorites and alerts, and those who take the time to review. This arc of the Capelli family story is wrapping up and will come to an end soon.
'Til next time.