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As the elevator doors slide shut with a soft whoosh, enveloping them in a cocoon of privacy, Indigo releases a pent-up breath, her eyes locking onto Nat's with an intensity that speaks volumes.
"Nat, I need to know what you think," Indigo blurts out, her voice barely above a whisper, laden with urgency and vulnerability. "About Bucky."
Nat finally takes a deep breath before exhaling sharply, her words carrying a mixture of shock, concern, and frustration. "What on earth were you thinking, Indigo? He could have ended your life. Do you have a death wish? And you slept with him? What the fuck, are you crazy?"
Indigo moves to defend herself, but Nat interrupts her with a firm tone, her eyes piercing through the turmoil in Indigo's own. "Do you truly love him?"
Nat's words hit Indigo like a sudden gust of wind, knocking the breath from her lungs. She feels the weight of each question like a heavy stone, pressing down on her chest with an almost suffocating intensity. For a moment, she's rendered speechless, her mind racing as she struggles to find the right words to respond.
As the elevator doors part, revealing their apartment, Indigo and Nat step out and slump onto the couch with a heavy sigh. Indigo immediately buries her face in her hands, her head shaking slowly from side to side in a gesture of both exhaustion and inner turmoil. The weight of Nat's words hangs heavily in the air, leaving an uncomfortable silence between them as they both grapple with the gravity of the situation.
Indigo's voice trembles with vulnerability as she opens up to Nat, her admission weighted with the pain of unrequited love. Tears gather in her eyes, reflecting the raw emotion swirling within her as she struggles to articulate the complexity of her feelings.
"I don't know, Nat," she begins, her voice wavering with uncertainty. "I think I love him. But he doesn't..." Her words catch in her throat, choked by the bitter realization that her affection may never be reciprocated. A single tear escapes her eye, tracing a path down her cheek as she confronts the painful truth. "He doesn't love me."
"Indie, I think he does love you. It sounds like he's just trying to protect you." Nat affirms, her touch a comforting caress as she runs her fingers through Indigo's hair, "It's just, Bucky tried to kill us. He left you in a wheel chair for a whole month. What happens if he snaps? What happens if Winter comes out and tries to kill you?"
"I know, Nat," she murmurs softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she leans into her friend's comforting embrace. "But what if... what if he's worth the risk?" Her words hang heavy in the air, pregnant with the weight of uncertainty as she grapples with the tumultuous emotions swirling within her.
Nat's hand pauses in its gentle stroking of Indigo's hair as she considers her friend's question. The weight of Indigo's uncertainty settles upon her shoulders like a heavy burden, and for a moment, she struggles to find the right words to ease her friend's troubled heart.
"Indie," Nat begins, her voice soft yet firm, "love can make us do crazy things, but it shouldn't blind us to the dangers ahead. Bucky... he's been through so much, and I know you care about him deeply. But you also need to care about yourself."
Indigo's gaze shifts to meet Nat's, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she listens intently to her friend's words of wisdom. "I do care about myself, Nat," she insists, her voice tinged with defiance. "But I can't ignore what I feel for him. It's like... he's a part of me, you know?"
Nat nods understandingly, her expression filled with empathy. "I get it, Indie. But sometimes, love isn't enough. You need trust, stability, safety... all the things that Bucky might struggle to provide right now."
A heavy silence descends upon them as they both contemplate the complexities of love and the sacrifices it often demands. Indigo's heart aches with the weight of uncertainty, torn between her desire for Bucky and the fear of what loving him might entail.
"Maybe you're right, Nat," Indigo concedes, her voice tinged with resignation. "Maybe I'm just... chasing after something that can never be."
Nat wraps her arm around Indigo's shoulders, pulling her close in a gesture of comfort and solidarity. "Whatever happens, Indie, just know that I'll always be here for you. We'll get through this together, okay?"
A faint smile graces Indigo's lips as she leans into Nat's embrace, drawing strength from the unwavering support of her friend. In that moment, amidst the uncertainty and the tumult of emotions, she finds solace in the knowledge that she's not alone.
"Okay, Nat," Indigo whispers, her voice trembling with gratitude. "Thank you."
A solemn expression settles over Nat's features as she meets Indigo's gaze with unwavering determination. "Steve can't find out about this, you know?" she says, her tone laced with urgency.
Indigo's heart skips a beat at Nat's words, a pang of fear piercing through the fragile peace she's found in their conversation. She nods solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I know..." she promises, her voice barely above a whisper as she reaffirms her commitment to keep their conversation confidential.
Nat's voice carries a solemn weight as she considers the implications. "It'll shatter him, Indigo," she murmurs, her tone laced with concern. "Steve's trust in you is unwavering. If he discovers that you've been harboring this secret, it might fracture something irreparable."
Indigo's expression tightens with the weight of her own resolve. "I made a promise to Bucky," she replies, her voice firm with determination. "He entrusted me with this, and I can't betray that trust. Not even for Steve."
"I'm not asking you to, I'm just asking you to think about Steve too." Nat says with a small nod.
"Ok, thank you Nat. For everything." Indigo responds, her tone laced with appreciation.
"Just be careful ok, Indie? I need my sister to be safe." Nat says.
"Of course, Nat," Indigo affirms, her tone carrying a blend of reassurance and determination. "I always watch my back."
"Quick question though," Nat says, her tone teasing yet curious, "Was it really as big as you say it was?"
With a mischievous grin, Indigo replies, "It was massive, Nat. I thought I was going to split in half. Let's just say, the super soldier serum definitely enhances everything."
Nat laughs and says, "Well, that's good to know, because Steve and I have a date tomorrow afternoon."
"Oh my gosh, Nat, that's great!" Indigo exclaims.
"Alright, alright, go get cleaned up, you stink," Nat says with a playful smirk, nudging Indigo towards her room.
With a nod of excitement, Nat watches as Indigo rises from the couch, her movements purposeful as she heads towards her room to shed her battle-worn attire.
"I'm happy for you Indie, but please just be safe." Nat calls out with a mix of concern and happiness in her tone.
Pausing in the doorway, Indigo turns back to face Nat, her eyes reflecting the depth of their bond. "I love you, Nat. Always," she says, her words carrying the weight of their enduring friendship.
A warm smile spreads across Nat's face as she responds, "And I love you, Indie. Forever."
