Nebula (Andromache×fem!OC)

VII

I'll try not to get myself killed. Take care of yourself in the meantime.
-Andromeda

"Oh, Andy... Sweet and romantic as always..."

Nebula felt a strange mix of numbness and frustration fill her, fighting for control. She let both feelings overtake her for a moment, overwhelm her for another, then settled into the embrace of the miserable cocktail as her eyes danced over the hurriedly-written note once more.

It was fine. She didn't need them. Copley regarded her quietly, worry filling him when she sucked in a sharp breath. Of course, Nebula waved him off with a grin when he asked if she needed any assistance. He considered reassuring her, knowing it was the kind thing to do but wondered if it would not scare her even more to talk about it.

"You know... Andy... She has been alive for centuries. Her capabilities are beyond what anything the general human race will ever reach. This isn't the worst thing they've had to face - she will undoubtedly survive this. They all will."

"Ah. Yes. Riddle me this. Don't Lois Lane and MJ worry about their superhero hubbies, regardless of how powerful those men are?"

"I... Suppose so, but-"

"Exactly. Fuck. Look at me, reducing myself to a damsel in distress for someone who probably still thinks about killing me sometimes." I think about it more, though, so I win.

Copley's brows rose but he didn't respond, not even when she threw her hands in the air and began a stream of curse words in urgent French. She stumbled into Andy's room. Copley saw her twice before the others returned. The first time, she walked into Nicky and Joe's room, then Nile's the second. He felt some regret that the rooms were soundproof, unsure of how she was feeling.

He rose to his feet when the group entered many hours later, talking and laughing among themselves as always. Andy silently swept her gaze over the otherwise empty space and sent him a questioning glance, confused when she was directed towards her own bedroom door.

She walked over, feigning indifference but hurried through the door to find their captive. Nebula was buried within a mound of pillows with tissues gathered on the floor beside the bed. Andy watched her hand chuck another one in that direction just as she entered, smiling softly when the raven uncovered herself, nose and eyes a flushed pink as she froze.

Her cheeks soon took on the same hue once she realised how stupid she must have looked. Andy ought to kill her now, for sure. And if she was back, everyone else was back which meant there was no way she'd be able to return all their pillows in time. Andy arched a brow at her when she flopped back into her little nest, amused at the long, drawn-out sigh she let out.

"I'm sorry. I don't know why I did this, I just- I thought you'd all left? Back to your homes? My mind obviously went to the bad scenarios like you having to hide out for a while or deciding to split up till your next mission there and then because of watchful eyes. I didn't know how to... What to... I was so sure that I'd been abandoned again and... I... Uhm... Sorry. I'm talking too much, it must be making you uncomfortable-"

"Nothing about you could ever make me uncomfortable. Not even these." Without any further diplomacy or hesitation, Andy split the pillows like the Red Sea and took Nebula's arm, pulling away her black sweater to reveal the harm she had placed upon herself. "I'm just... Concerned."

Nebula's heart caught in her throat. No one had noticed them in so long. She must have gotten sloppy, although she wasn't sure anything could be hidden too well from a trained warrior. The Frenchwoman managed a smile, letting it slip off her face when Andy gazed directly into her eyes, expecting a response.