Ever After

Part 4 - You Should Let Him Go

"No need for formalities Doc. And it's just Bella." You laugh as you stand and walk over to him, Bucky right at your back. Extending a hand towards him, Strange looks at it before shaking it. "How are things?" You ask him.

"Slow," he smiles, shocked that you would care to ask. Gesturing to the portal opened up behind him. "You got a minute?" You look over to Bucky who simply shrugs. "Alone." His voice changes, a lot sterner. Bucky shrugs again. You roll your eyes but head to follow him.

"Catch you later Buck," you smile before walking through. The room you've walked into looks dark and derelict. As your eyes adjust to the dimness you can see its filled with many treasures, until you see the staircase - a massive hole sits in the middle of the elegance. Your eyes follow it up to the roof - the Hulk shaped hole still there; you remember Bruce telling you the story. "Seems the compound is not the only place that needs work done."

"As I said, it's been slow." Strange walks over to the fire place, you join him, revelling in the sudden warmth. You knew you were only a short distance away from the compound, yet it was like you were on a different continent. "Drink?"

"No thanks," you rub your hands together in front of the fire. "So what's up Doc?" He smiles at your reference. "I know it wasn't just to show off the place. I mean this doesn't match up with the glorious Manhattan vibes." You raise your eyes, looking up at the roof again.

"Oh I forgot," Strange chuckles. "You're a Brooklyn girl."

"Through and through," You take a seat on the chair sitting by the fire. "So come on Doc, what's going on?"

Looking over at you before sitting down in the chair opposite, his cape leaves his neck and makes itself comfortable just handing in mid air next to him. "I know what you're planning Bella." He conjures up a glass of whisky before passing one over to you even though you'd refused. "And I'm asking you not to do it."

Confused, you accept the drink, taking a sip, enjoying the top shelf smoothness, cursing yourself that you won't actually feel the hit from it in the next few seconds. "I'm not planning anything."

"You can't lie to me," Strange gives you a wary smile. "As soon as Captain America announced he was taking the stones back, I looked to the future." He taps the amulet resting on his chest. "Had to ensure nothing else popped up." He smirks.

"Smart," you admit, downing what's left in the glass, before watching it refill itself. "Wait, if we haven't taken the stones back, how were you able to see?"

"I'm a sorcerer," he replies smugly. "I have my ways."

"Hmm," you take another sip, relishing the quality of the whisky. "I'd say you're more like a wizard without a hat." You receive a small chuckle as a response.

"Semantics." He laughs, raising his glass to you, you join him in a mock cheers. "One of the realities I saw," he admits leaning forward. "Something that you do could potentially cause some major problems."

"And let me guess," you place the glass down, staring right back at him. "You either can't or won't tell me what it is."

"Exactly," he winks. "In fact, I would even suggest you don't go at all." A sudden rage fills you - reminding you of Steve's words. "But we both know that's not going to happen."

"True," you admit, leaning back in the chair and assessing the situation. "One problem Doc, unless you tell me what it is I shouldn't do, how will I know not to do it?"

"It could still go either way," Strange admits. "But if I plant the idea in your head now, then it'll make you more invested."

"Any point to this conversation then?" You get up to leave. "Thanks for the drink Doc, but I think this was a waste of my time. I have a mission to get ready for..." You don't get to finish your statement as Strange grabs your arm.

"You can't save him Bella," he whispers. "I know you'll want to. I'd want to do the same in your position. But trust me, don't." Looking down at his hand still gripped on your arm, he quickly removes it. His face full of sympathy and looking down at the ground. "Would you like me to send you back to the compound?"

You just stare at him, contemplating his words. "I need some air, I can make my own way back." Even the fact that his cape opens the sanctum doors for you doesn't phase you.

"You should let him go." Strange remarks as you head out the door. In complete frustration you slam it shut, mentally cursing Strange's words. What did he know about you?

Walking back to your hotel, the anger starts to bubble up inside you. Memories of both Bucky and Steve uttering the same words to you over the years.

Steve barricading himself in his tiny Brooklyn apartment, hiding himself away from the world after losing his mother. Despite numerous attempts by you and Bucky to get him to come out, to even let you both in, he was determined to stay hidden. The day he finally appeared you tried to follow him, but despite his small stature he threw you off, still wanting to deal with his loss alone. "You should let him go Belle," Bucky had advised. "He'll come back to us in his own time."

Tears start to pull at your eyes as you march down the street. You had lived a lifetime fighting for these two men, they were all you had ever known and trusted. Strange's words swimming in your head, making you question every moment.

Sitting in that Wakandan lab, watching Shuri examine Buckys now mangled arm. Arguing with Bucky about him going back under, until they could remove the Winter Soldier from his mind. Getting ready for a fresh debate, determined not to lose him again, Steve pulls you back. "Belle, you should let him go. At least we know he's safe here."

"Damn wizard," You curse at Strange for putting these memories fresh in your mind. Once again you were stuck between the men you loved the most, albeit in different ways. Strange's words come to the surface again, it was almost as though he was scared to mention it. But who was he talking about: Steve or Bucky?