Ever After

Part 10 - Asgard

The tears are still running down your face as you land. You bend down and clutch your knees, taking deep breaths to try and control yourself. "You ok?" Steve asks, crouching down so that he can see your face.

"I just need a minute." He nods, but stays at your level; eyes constantly looking over your face. "No, Steve. I'm not ok. I shouldn't have come..." You start to cry. "I should have stayed behind. I can't do this."

"It's ok Belle..." You push him away, forgetting where you are.

"No it's not Steve. This is more than I thought it would be."  You lean against a pillar, not even taking in the sights; the one place you had actually wanted to see: Asgard. "I need..." Steve stands before you, eyes trained completely on your face, standing so close to you; partly to hide from any onlookers, but mostly because it was you.

"What Belle? Tell me."

Guilt wells up in you. You had chosen to do this, you had pushed yourself into this mission, but for good reason. It was just much more difficult that you had ever expected it to be; realising what you had lost, what it had taken to bring everyone back. Despite being with the man you were desperately in love with, doubts swirled in your mind how he felt about you; there was only one man who could have brought you the comfort you needed right now. "I need Bucky." You whisper.

Instantly Steve takes a step back, eyes no longer focused on you but the ground. "I know," he sighs, heart heavy. "Let's get this one done first." His voice resolute, no longer showing any emotion. "Then I'll take you back to him." Your heart aches at the look on his face, but you can't quite make out why, you simply nod before following him down the golden gilded corridor. 

You haven't encountered anyone as you step lightly through the halls. Now that you're slightly calmer, you start to take in your surroundings. Thor had always spoken so lovingly about his home, and now you knew why: it really was like something out of a fairytale.

Steve's arm pulls you out of your admiration, as well as pushing you against a pillar. If it hadn't been for the serum coursing through you, the weight of his body pressed against yours would have hurt; you can feel every muscle tensed against you, sending a flood of goosebumps through your body. "It's Thor," He whispers, his breath reverberating off of your neck.

Eventually he takes a small step backwards, you turn so your facing the pillar, angling yourself so that you can see yet another one of your lost friends. Steve is instantly pressed against your back now, scared that someone would see him. Even though you're filled with heartbreaking pain, you can't escape the feeling of want running through your body as you feel his breath on your neck once more.

Thor is standing with a woman; her eyes beautiful and kind as she gently caresses his face. You can tell its his mother, just the way he looks at her. This is where you truly see how bad things had gotten for your formerly fit, and extremely jovial friend. It wasn't the weight, or the lack of care he took in his appearance in those lowly five years, it was the eyes: filled with pain and sorrow. "Why didn't any of you help him?" You only mean to say it in your mind, but the words escape your mouth. Steve sighs heavily behind you.

"He locked himself away." His voice is full of regret. "Once we got the people set up in New Asgard, he just hid himself from the world. No one could get through to him. Eventually we stopped trying."

"You could have tried harder." You scold him. Even with the sight of Thor smiling as he holds Mjolnir in his hand, you can still see the grief etched on his face. Once he and Rocket disappear back, Steve steps back and you turn to face him.

"I know," Steve replies. "I'm sorry I'm not the man you think I am." He mumbles, not wanting you to hear, but you do. You reach over and take his hand, the one that was holding Mjolnir, after he placed it on the ground; the look on his face pains you.

"Come on Cap," You smile as you squeeze his hand. "We gotta..."

"Excuse me?" A voice suddenly breaks the moment, making you instinctively reach for your gun, forgetting you had left it on Vormir. "Ah, you are Thor's friends?" The woman who was talking to Thor earlier finding you both hidden from view.

"Yes ma'am, I mean, your highness. My name is Steve Rogers." Steve stutters, cheeks turning a shade of red. "Apologies, we'll be out of your way..."

"Once you get rid of the reality stone," She smiles, pointing at the case attached to Steve's hand, making you realise your still holding his other hand. Now it's your turn to blush before you let go. "I know who you are Steve Rogers," she let's out a little chuckle before turning to you. "The man time forgot. And his lady it would seem."

"Isabella Thomas, your majesty." You smile, bowing your head.

"I know of you too Bella," She takes a step closer to you both. "I'm assuming because you're here that this plan of yours went smoothly."

"Not smooth enough." Steve admits, as you both remember Nat and Tony. The sound of heavy footprints come charging down the hallway, making Frigga push you back into the shadows.

"Quickly now," She gestures to the case once more. "Give me the stone and I'll put it back. Ensure everything goes as should be. Asgard is on high alert. It is not safe to be here."

You and Steve look at each other, a slight trepidation running through both of you. Bruce had been clear, take the stones back to the exact moment and place they were taken. Rocket had taken the aether from Jane. But this was Thor's mother, a woman of wonder and magic. She had already known about the plan of taking the stones, why couldn't you trust her to return one. You simply nod at Steve.

As he bends down to extract the stone, Frigga suddenly grasps your hands, leaning over to whisper in your ear. "If you leave him now, you will lose him forever. You must tell him the truth Bella." Your heart almost bursts for fear that Steve has heard you, but if he does he doesn't react. "Now go. Both of you." She pleads as Steve hands her the stone. "And Bella," She grabs your attention once more. "When you get home, help my son, please?"

"You have my word," You nod while Steve has guilt etched all over his face. Frigga nods and marches off, aether carefully hidden amongst her dress. "So..." you sigh when she is finally out of view. "Where to now?"

"New York. Let's get you back to Bucky." As he dones his travel suit again, you grab his arm, Frigga's words echoing in your mind.

"No," He looks at you, eyebrows raised. "2012 New York." You gesture to the case. "Let's finish this together."

"But..."

"I know. But what's that stupid saying you and Bucket spew out at each other... Till the end of the line."