-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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Three Weeks Later...
"Nat, are my boobs getting bigger?" Indigo asked, standing in front of the mirror.
Asha had finally allowed her to leave the hospital wing, but the news about the cottage being destroyed hit her hard. Despite Steve and Nat's assurances, Indigo struggled to fully process the information. She yearned to see the wreckage with her own eyes, to confront the reality of their losses firsthand, but she wasn't allowed to venture far from Nat, or Steve. Their constant presence was both comforting and suffocating—she appreciated their support yet longed for a moment of solitude to collect her thoughts.
"Well, you're pregnant, so isn't that supposed to happen?" Nat replied casually, busying herself with packing their bags.
Indigo sighed, staring at her reflection without really seeing herself. The changes in her body felt surreal amidst the chaos and grief that consumed her. She couldn't help but feel detached from her own pregnancy, the weight of loss overshadowing the anticipation of new life.
She pulled on her shirt and turned to Nat. "I've got to pee, I'll be back in a minute."
Leaving Nat's room, Indigo navigated the familiar hallways of the Palace until she found the doors leading outside, where she gratefully welcomed the rush of fresh air. The city was unusually quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling life it once held.
Indigo walked through the empty streets, her gaze fixed on the ground, her hand protectively cradling her stomach. She avoided making eye contact with anyone she passed, feeling a profound sense of guilt and failure weighing heavily on her heart.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity of solitary contemplation, she arrived at the cottage. As she looked up, her breath caught in her throat—what stood before her was a scene of devastation. The cottage, once their sanctuary and the symbol of their shared dreams, lay in ruins.
Tears welled up in Indigo's eyes as she took in the wreckage. Memories flooded her mind—the laughter they shared, the quiet moments of intimacy, the plans they made for their future. Now, it was all reduced to debris and broken dreams.
She stepped cautiously over the debris, her fingers trailing along the charred remnants of their life together. A broken picture frame, a scorched piece of furniture, fragments of their once vibrant life scattered around like pieces of a shattered puzzle.
She walked through the rubble, her boots crunching on the scattered debris. Books lay strewn on the ground, pages fluttering in the faint breeze that drifted through the shattered windows. Indigo navigated carefully through what had once been their home, her heart heavy with each step.
Reaching where their room used to stand, she spotted their clothes scattered across the floor. With determination, she made her way to the dresser that miraculously remained intact amidst the devastation. Pulling open the middle drawer, she found Bucky's shirts neatly folded inside.
