against the world

"it'll be okay"

Sam adjusted his side mirror. He didn't know why he was so anxious. It was just a visit to Eleanor and Mile's house. Except Miles was dead now, and Sam had to be the one to bear the news to her. Sam wasn't alone of course. The whole team showed up out of curtesy. In Sam's BMW IX, was Bucky in the front seat along with Yelena, Kate and Kamala in the back. 

Sam examined Bucky. His crystal blue eyes were slightly covered by drapes of thick dark hair. His eyebrows were furrowed, while his hand was rubbing his temple. 

"Hey, Buck."

Bucky glanced at Sam. Sam knew that Bucky thought that Miles' death was his fault. Although Sam had tried on multiple occasions to convince him that Bucky couldn't have done anything to save him, he wouldn't listen.

"It'll be okay."

Bucky tried to look at Sam, but tears clouded his vision. He looked away before Sam could see him cry. In the back, Kamala and Kate were silently on their phones while Yelena was looking out the window. Sam looked up to see a red Range Rover pull into 7238 Chestnut Avenue. He tailed the car, then parked beside it. Out climbed Jennifer Walters, Jane Foster, Shuri and Riri Williams. 

Sam climbed out of his car. He gave a nod to Bucky to make sure he was okay. Bucky returned it solemnly.

Sam led the group up the cream stairs to the red door. He took a deep breath before ringing the bell, then stepping back to stand next to Kate. After a few moments. the door swung open. An image of a 5'5 girl with messy, wavy dark hair with a deep skin tone entered Sam's vision. 

"...Sam?"

Without hesitation, Sam greeted Eleanor with a hug. Eleanor returned it, confusion filling her eyes. Sam lets go of her as she looks past him to see a group of eight people behind him.

"I'm sorry to barge in on you like this, but I- there's something we need to discuss with you."

Eleanor nodded.

"Alright, come in."

One by one the Avengers walked into Eleanor's small one story home. Each of them greeting her with a sorrowful smile. The last person to walk in was Bucky. He didn't greet Eleanor; he just walked straight through the door with no expression. 

That's weird.... Eleanor pondered to herself. Wait.... Miles isn't with them. Is that the reason that they are acting strange?

Eleanor suddenly felt her heart racing. She ran to the bathroom. Before stepping in, she called out to her company.

"Please have a seat in the living room, and I'll be right there!"

She shuts the door, then collapses to the ground. There's no way he's gone. He's probably just-just assisting civilians or working on something for his suit. Eleanor gets up, then looks at herself in the mirror. She takes a comb and brushes out the knots in her wavy hair. She splashes water on her face. She looks in the mirror and plasters a smile. She walks out of the bathroom. 

In the living room, the Avengers are sat on the two yellow couches in front of the TV. Eleanor grabs a chair and pulls it closer to the couches. She sits down. She examines each person. She recognizes some and not others. Eleanor knew Sam, Riri, Kamala, and Jen. She kind of knew Bucky. The rest were strangers to her. Sam could tell that Eleanor had trouble recognizing faces, so he goes around and introduces everyone. 

"Ella, this is Yelena, Shuri, Jen, Kamala, Riri, Kate, Jane and Bucky."

"Hi everyone... I'm sorry Sam, but could you let me know what all of you are doing here...."

They all glance at each other. Sam clears his throat.

"Ella, I really don't want to make this harder than it already is. We all went to Onslaught's planet to battle him for the moon blade. While we were battling his warriors.... Unfortunately.... Um..."

"Miles was murdered," Yelena stepped in, her eyes scanning her feet. 

Ella blinked. Miles was dead. Why didn't she feel sad? No tears were coming. No rage; just numbness. All of the Avengers were staring at her-wondering what her next move was. Eleanor got up from her chair. 

"Uh- will you excuse me for a minute..."

Eleanor walks to the kitchen, safe from the sight of the Avengers. She took a deep breath. 

"Akka?"

(hint that Kamala and Eleanor are both a part of Desi culture)