-In which, despite Indigo and Bucky's shattered and bruised state, their love for each other is the anchor that prevents them from completely crumbling.
Mature Content 18+
[Book Two]
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Indigo felt a weight on her shoulder and instinctively reached up, her hand coming to rest on her stomach. A sense of peace washed over her as she sighed softly, grateful to be back home, safe and sound, with Bucky beside her in bed.
But then her eyes snapped open, the remnants of a vivid dream fading as reality rushed in. The surroundings of a hospital room greeted her, but the sudden movement sent a jolt of pain through her side. She groaned, the ache in her ribs screaming at her as she shifted uncomfortably.
It all came flooding back to Indigo in a rush of memories and emotions—Thanos, the Infinity Stones, the chaotic battle, Bucky, dust. The weight of loss and grief bore down on her, threatening to suffocate her in its intensity.
A sob escaped her lips, uncontrollable and raw, as if each tear carried the weight of her shattered world. In that moment of overwhelming anguish, a pair of familiar hands wrapped around her body. Indigo didn't resist; she let herself melt into Nat's strong embrace, seeking solace and comfort in the arms of her friend.
Nat held her close, wordlessly absorbing Indigo's sobs and sharing in her pain. The room was filled with the sound of Indigo's anguish, the echoes of a battle still fresh in her mind, and the ache of loss pulsing through her heart.
"I'm so sorry, Indigo," Nat said, tears streaming down her face.
Indigo lifted her head slowly, meeting Nat's exhausted and sorrowful gaze. Her hands instinctively flew to her stomach, protective and anxious for the life growing within.
"The baby's okay," Nat reassured her, voice trembling slightly. "You passed out from exhaustion."
Relief and anguish battled within Indigo. The reassurance about her baby's safety was a brief respite in the midst of overwhelming loss. She had just witnessed the unimaginable—losing the father of her child, her husband, the love of her life, her happy ending.
Indigo started to ask, "Who..." but the words caught in her throat. She wasn't sure if she could bear to hear Nat's answer.
Nat's gaze dropped to the bed, her voice heavy with sorrow. "Wanda, Vision, Sam, T'Challa," she began to list.
Each name struck Indigo like a physical blow, shattering her heart piece by piece. They weren't just names; they were faces she loved, friends she trusted, and now they were gone.
"Fury and Hill," Nat added quietly, her voice cracking with emotion.
Indigo closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks unchecked. Her family, her team—taken from her in an instant by the cruel whims of fate. The weight of their absence pressed down on her, threatening to suffocate her with grief.
Indigo couldn't grasp the reality of their defeat—Thanos had succeeded in his mission.
The door swung open, but she didn't need to look up to know who it was rushing in.
