DISCLAIMER:This fanfiction will follow its own timeline, however, I've tried to stick to the movie timeline as much as possible. It must be noted that this story is rated M as there will be some explicit content mentioned later in the story (depictions of sexual intimacy, and also mentions of rape and abuse) but forewarnings will be provided at the beginning of the respective chapter.
It must be noted that I don't own any of the Marvel characters or anything affiliated with the Marvel Universe. However, all OC and original content have been created by me.
CHAPTER EIGHT
"The One with The Preparations"
"Oh. My. Soul." Lilah gaped with horror, staring into the mirror hanging on her doorway wall. The day of the first medical session had finally arrived and somehow, she had agreed to let Sophia do her make-up, and hair and choose her outfit.
A decision she was quickly regretting.
"Lilah! You look stunning! Drop-dead gorgeous!" Sophia was so proud of her work and her grin couldn't hide it. "Sophia, the only time I would wear so much make-up is when I'm actually dead, and maybe not even then," Lilah replied through her gritted teeth, "and how do you expect me to work in this dress when I can't even breathe in it?" she looked down at the dress her friend had given her to put on and was more traumatized. "This is like a one-piece tennis dress with no shorts underneath, Sophia!" She wanted to yank it off her body but it was so skin-tight, it was as if the dress was painted on. "Aw! Come on! This is the first time Barnes is gonna be seeing this fine ass after 8 or 9 years or the first time ever," she said with the not-subtle hint to his brainwashing incidents, "so we need to give him a little something spicy," she said, turning Lilah's body, for a side profile to be displayed in the mirror, "I mean look at it! It's a legitimate work of art!" Sophia pulled at the edge and smoothed the crease from the dress that ran along the side that hugged Lilah's butt and continued to marvel at her masterpiece. Lilah, on the other hand, had no words and continued to cringe as she assessed herself in the mirror. Compliments were one thing Lilah found very difficult to accept, even in a normal setting, and now, standing here in this ensemble that was nothing like her – it was making her feel sick.
The dress barely made it to her knees and paired with the back heels that Sophia gave her, she was sure that she would now be the same height as Steve. They were Sophia's. "Nope, no thank you very much, these have to go," She grabbed onto Sophia's shoulder for balance and yanked onto the first stiletto heel, and continued to pull the other shoe off. Before she could wait for Sophia's rebuttal or suggestion for a new shoe, Lilah looked up at the clock, "Shit! I'm going to be late!" Sophia looked at the time, "What are you talking about? You have an hour before you even need to be there," it was only when Sophia turned back that she realized Lilah was already down the passage and entering her bedroom. "No, no, no, Lilah don't you -" but she was too late. Lilah slammed the bedroom door shut and locked it before Sophia could even attempt to get back in. Angry and frustrated, Sophia slumped down against the wall opposite Lilah's room door, folding her arms and legs like an upset child.
20 minutes later, the bedroom unlocked and swung open, Sophia was ready to give Lilah a piece of her mind, but her scowling face softened when she saw her friend. Dressed in a black blazer, white blouse, black narrowed slacks, and forest green kitten-heeled pumps, Lilah looked ready for a typical day at work. No longer left loose after Sophia had straightened it, Lilah's hair was now pulled into a neat side plait that stopped over her shoulder. "This is as good as it's ever going to get," Lilah said shrugging her shoulders. Sophia got up from the floor and threw her arms around her friend, "It's perfect", Sophia said pulling back from the hug. She also noticed that most of the make-up she had initially put onto Lilah's face had been successfully wiped off and replaced with some simple mascara, eyeliner, a little face powder and nude lipstick - Lilah's standard make-up limits. Sophia softly gripped Lilah's shoulders and brought her face closer, "But one day Delilah Kiran Novak, if all goes well with this guy, I am going to go full Miss Congeniality on you, do you understand? And you will not be able to say anything." Lilah knew her friend was joking, but with the fire in her eyes, all she could do for now was just nod along and pray that was indeed joking.
Making her way to the door, Lilah grabbed her apartment keys and readjusted her small emerald stud earrings in the mirror, "So, you'll be here when I get back, right?" she asked. Sophia nodded, reassuring Lilah that she would stay in her apartment until she returned. "Oh wait! Just a minute!" Sophia's eyes lit up before she scurried off to Lilah's bedroom. "Soph, please don't make me put on more makeup," Lilah began to groan. Reemerging from the room, Sophia walked toward her with something small in her palm, "Here, put this on," Lilah's heart skipped a beat when she saw the broach Sophia began to pin onto the lapel of her blazer, "it'll be like having her with you," she said. Lilah looked down to see her Grandmother's small solid silver dragonfly-shaped broach glistening atop her chest. Lilah closed her eyes, smiled to herself, and took a deep breath, holding on to it as Sophia pulled her into another hug "Thank you, Soph," she exhaled, Sophia gave her friend a last squeeze, "It's going to be fine, just keep breathing."
Author's Note:
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