AURORA

Feeling the Warmth

Aurora blinked and found herself in a familiar room, lying in a comfortable bed.
"What the hell..." She sat on the bed.
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room. She turned her head and saw Natasha Romanoff, alive and well, sitting on the edge of the bed with a gentle smile.

"Morning, sleepyhead" Natasha said, her voice filled with affection.

Aurora's heart raced. "Natasha...you're...you..."

Natasha placed a finger on Aurora's lips. "Shh, don't worry. Everything is fine now. We're safe."

Aurora's mind blank. She couldn't remember anything. She reached out, touching Natasha's hand, feeling the warmth and solidity of her presence.

---

Back in the real world, America Chavez watched in horror as Aurora stood still, her eyes glowing red, lost in Wanda's illusion. She knew she had to act quickly. Summoning all her courage, she approached Aurora, hoping to break through the spell.

"Aurora, snap out of it! This isn't real!" America shouted, shaking Aurora's shoulders.

---

In the illusion, Aurora felt a faint tug at the edge of her consciousness. Natasha's image flickered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Aurora, stay with me," Natasha urged, her voice soothing.

Aurora hesitated, torn between the comforting illusion and the faint echo of America's voice. Deep down, she knew something was wrong, but the allure of being with Natasha was overpowering.

---

"Aurora, fight it! You have to wake up!" America pleaded.

Wanda chuckled " Ohh... She can't hear you darling or help you" Wanda took America from her hair. Strange finally arrived to see Aurora standing still and Wanda with America in her arms. "Let her go!!" Strange used his powers but Wanda was ready, she managed to overpower his power sending him across the place. Wanda smiled at the view of Strange being weak against her. She looked back at Aurora "You deserve to be happy, so stay there" Wanda used her magic to make Aurora fall to the ground gentle, red energy surrounding her. Wanda had taken America leaving Strange wounded and Aurora unconscious.

---
Natasha and Aurora  had spent the morning together, talking and laughing as if nothing had ever torn them apart.

Natasha looked at her with that familiar, affectionate gaze, making Aurora's heart swell with a mixture of love and sorrow. "I've missed you so much," Natasha had said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aurora wanted to believe it, to lose herself in the illusion. But even in that perfect moment, a part of her knew it couldn't be real. The real Natasha was gone, sacrificed for the greater good, and no spell could bring her back.

____

Back to the Present

Strange is trying to wake Aurora for 15 minutes now. "Come on, wake up, Wanda is gone, i need your help, wake up!!!" Strange stopped shaking her trying to think of something else.

_____

In the illusion, Aurora and Natasha walked hand in hand through a picturesque park, the scent of blooming flowers wafting through the air. Birds sang in the trees, and a gentle breeze caressed their faces. The sky was a perfect blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds, as if painted by an artist who knew exactly what would bring Aurora the most peace.

"Aurora, look at this," Natasha said, pointing to a small pond where ducks swam lazily. "Remember how we used to come here? How we talked about everything and nothing at the same time?"

Aurora nodded, a lump forming in her throat. It all felt so real, so right. "I do. I remember. It feels like a lifetime ago."

They sat on a bench by the pond, the tranquility of the scene seeping into Aurora's bones. Natasha leaned her head on Aurora's shoulder, her hair tickling Aurora's neck in that familiar, comforting way.

"Why does it feel like I'm forgetting something?" Aurora asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Natasha lifted her head and looked into Aurora's eyes, her expression soft but serious. "Because you’re finally letting go of all the pain, all the guilt. You deserve this happiness. We both do."

Aurora wanted to believe her, to surrender completely to the serenity of the moment. But the nagging sensation at the back of her mind persisted, growing stronger. She closed her eyes, trying to shake it off, but instead, she heard Stephen's distant voice again, a faint echo through the idyllic scene.

---

"Aurora, you need to wake up," Stephen's voice reverberated through Aurora's mind, the urgency breaking through the illusion’s veneer.

---

In the park, Natasha sensed Aurora's inner turmoil. She took Aurora’s hands in hers, squeezing them gently. "Stay with me, Aurora. Don't let go of this."

Aurora’s gaze wavered, torn between the warmth of Natasha's touch and the pressing sense that something vital awaited her outside this illusion. "Natasha, I want to, but...I feel like there's something...Someone needs me."

Natasha’s eyes shimmered with unspoken emotion. "Aurora, listen to me, you are here with me, we are happy please don't leave me , don't leave me alone again" she said, placing a hand over Aurora’s heart. Few tears dropping from Natasha's face.
"Don't cry dear, please" Aurora cupped Natasha's face.

---

Back in the real world, Strange's desperation grew as he saw no sign of Aurora waking. He placed his hands on her temples, channeling his magic in a last-ditch effort to breach Wanda's spell. "Aurora, you have to fight this. We need you. America needs you."

---

The illusion began to waver more noticeably now. The park around them flickered, the colors dimming. Natasha's form started to blur, her outline shimmering like a mirage.

Aurora stood, a deep sorrow filling her heart. "No, no, no...what is going on, Nat.."

Natasha's face changed to a look of fear and sadness . "Don't leave me...please don't , I'm scared..."
"I'm not leaving you love, I'm here"  Aurora tried taking Natasha's hands in hers.
"I'll never forgive you, If you leave me now" Aurora's eyes frowned she knew that Natasha would never say that. "Nat" Aurora smiled sadly. Stephen's voice echoed once again making the world glitching. "Aurora don't " Natasha grabbed her arms not letting go. Aurora getting mad now. " Take care of yourself, Natasha"

With a final, tearful glance, Aurora closed her eyes, focusing all her willpower on breaking free. "Aurora nooooo!!!!" Natasha screamed. The world around her shattered like glass, and she found herself back in the real world, gasping for breath.

---

"Aurora, thank god," Strange exclaimed, his relief palpable.

Aurora sat up tears escaping her eyes, she looked at Strange, then suddenly she blasts him. Sending him across the room.

Without wasting another second, Aurora rose, her resolve solidified by the memory of Natasha's words. She couldn't let Wanda's illusion shackle her again. Strange stood up looking at Aurora frowned. " I'm gonna kill her "