"So it's true then." I looked up from my plate of food so see Steve standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
"I like the beard. It suits you and your rebellion." I smiled.
"Thanks. Where have you been?" He started to walk to the kitchen island.
"That's a long story." I stabbed at my food.
"It's a long flight." Steve commented.
After I gave the short version of the last two years, I took a seat at the end of the jet.
"You okay?" Steve took a seat next to me.
I shook my head. "I have a bad feeling Thor and Loki didn't make it."
"I'm sure they did. Those two seem to find ways to get out of trouble."
I smirked. "Last time we talked, you weren't a fan of Loki."
He smiled, "I know. I learned to see both sides. Eventually." He rest his hand on my leg. "I'm here if you need a friend."
"And if I need more than a friend?" We looked into each other's eyes.
He leaned in saying, "I can be that too."
"We're here." Nat told us and the jet started to land.
"Come on. You'll love his sister." He stood up.
We walked out of the jet and Rhodey convinced Bruce that he needed to bow before T'Challa. Steve reunited with Bucky. We were then rushed to the lab. And Steve was right. I love Shuri but I love the technology more.
"Why didn't you-"
"Because I wasn't apart of the creation." I interrupted. "This is going to take a while."
"How much time do you need?" T'Challa asked.
"As much as you can give us." Shuri and I both said.
Shuri and I worked on the mind stone. Wanda stayed with us while the rest went to keep them at bay. All was going well until Wanda left to help. One of Thanos' children snuck in, waited for Wanda to leave, Shuri and I held him back but it wasn't enough. We both got knocked back. I hit my head hard and blacked out for a few minutes.
Once I woke up, Steve had radioed in to come to his position. I tried to get up but I collapsed. I lifted my head, noticing the blood trickling down my face. I felt someone grab my shoulders but I pasted back out before I could see who.
I tried to opened my eyes but it was too bright. I could see two see two blurry figures, a red head in a ponytail and bushy head. Probably pepper and Bruce.
"It's been almost three weeks. Why isn't she waking up?" Pepper asked frantically.
"She's been through a lot. Her bodies finally able to rest." Bruce replied.
"When have you ever known me to rest?" I said weakly while trying to sit up in the bed.
"Oh thank god." Pepper was quick to pull me up and into a hug. "Not knowing what happened to Tony I just… I couldn't lose you, again."
"Dad's not back?" Pepper pulled away. "Wait? Did we win?"
Bruce and Pepper looked at each other before then both shook their heads.
I stayed in the bed taking in the fact that Thanos succeeded. I kept asking about Loki and everyone told me to talk to Thor. But he never came around. So after three days, I was finally able to get out of bed and walk around. My first stop was to find Thor.
"What the hell?" I found Thor outside. "I've been asking for you. Why didn't you come see me?" I stepped out in front of him.
He was sad and holding the small box Loki gave me.
"He told me about this." Thor tapped the box. "Told me how he was going to do it." He cleared his throat as my eyes began to water. I prepared myself for the worst.
"He was going to take you to the place you two first met."
"Stop."
"Then take a walk to go get ice cream."
I took a few steps back, shaking my head as the tears started to fall. "Thor, stop." I begged.
"Lastly, he was going to walk you through the park." He opened the box and handed it to me. "I've never seen him so happy. You believed in him when no one else did."
I looked at the ring sitting in the box. It was a simple gold band with a teardrop emerald. I took the box and closed it. I rubbed my thumb against the velvet case. Before I could dwell on it for another minute a ship landed onto the compound property.
My dad's not in his right might. Who would be after being stranded in space for 3 weeks with very little food and water. We brought him inside and sat around a table. Him and Steve got into it before he directed it to me.
"What's wrong with you?" My dad asked me.
I starred at the small black velvet box that was still in my hand. "You're not the only one who lost someone."
"The person you lost was a criminal. I'm surprised he lived that long." He scoffed, clearly not thinking straight.
"Tony-"
"No." I stopped Steve. "Say it." I looked at my dad. "Tell me I'm a disappointment."
"Don't answer that." He told Tony. "We're all grieving." Steve tried to be the peacekeeper.
"And who are you grieving?" I spat without even thinking. "At least the kid he lost and everyone else can come back in a snap. Not Loki."
I walked out of the room and made my way to the bedroom I took over and started packing. Then I would unpack because I shouldn't leave. But I would pack the bag again just to unpack it. I grabbed the bag and hurled it against the dresser. I put my hand over my mouth, trying not to break down right there.
Someone cleared their throat.
I looked over at the doorway to see Thor.
"What do you want?" I sniffled, wiped the tears out of my eyes.
"Just making sure you're okay."
"Why? You didn't feel the need to check on me the last time he died." I picked up the bag off the ground.
"Because he asked me too."
I just stared into the empty bag.
"He's really not coming back. Is he?" My vision became blurry with the tears building back up.
"I'm afraid not."
My knees hit the floor as I slumped over and cried - screaming into the bag.
