Henry's fingers clack across the keyboard as he types out an email to Abraham, the news softly playing in the background.
He needed some quiet time so he retreated to the old farmhouse in upstate New York for a few weeks. It was coming up upon a difficult anniversary for him even after centuries had passed he found himself missing Edeva and the child that could have been this time of year.
So he retreated he wrote, he thought... but he didn't cut himself completely off, that never did a vampire any good.
There is a bright flash and rocking boom from his partly wooded backyard, that make his eyes fly to the window cutting the email short. He pushes his feet into his sneaker and runs toward the crater.
He looks into the crater and sees the wreckage of a World One Era plane and a young man. He rolls his eyes to the heavens and wonders why these things always happened to him.
He needed some quiet time so he retreated to the old farmhouse in upstate New York for a few weeks. It was coming up upon a difficult anniversary for him even after centuries had passed he found himself missing Edeva and the child that could have been this time of year.
So he retreated he wrote, he thought... but he didn't cut himself completely off, that never did a vampire any good.
There is a bright flash and rocking boom from his partly wooded backyard, that make his eyes fly to the window cutting the email short. He pushes his feet into his sneaker and runs toward the crater.
He looks into the crater and sees the wreckage of a World One Era plane and a young man. He rolls his eyes to the heavens and wonders why these things always happened to him.
Steve isn't really sure what happens. He pulls the trigger, and supposedly there's a blast— he can't tell, can't remember much of anything, just a sudden loud noise and he gets knocked out as his face slams into the controls.
When he comes to, all he hears is white noise. There's barely anything left of the plane, mostly just the front and one of its wings, and little bits and pieces of the rest scattered across the floor. It's a wonder it even managed to land with him still alive and in one piece, though that's not the first thought flitting through his head.
He startles into a sitting position, breathing shallow and rapid as he pats at his own chest in a panic. He can't make sense of it, though. He's... he's alive.
"No," his voice trembles with panic. If he made it, then the gas must have too, right? He scrambles to his feet, stumbling all over himself as he spots the blur of what's left of the plane, and he rushes over to see if there's anything left in there, for the moment unaware that he has company. "No, they can't— they can't..."
When he comes to, all he hears is white noise. There's barely anything left of the plane, mostly just the front and one of its wings, and little bits and pieces of the rest scattered across the floor. It's a wonder it even managed to land with him still alive and in one piece, though that's not the first thought flitting through his head.
He startles into a sitting position, breathing shallow and rapid as he pats at his own chest in a panic. He can't make sense of it, though. He's... he's alive.
"No," his voice trembles with panic. If he made it, then the gas must have too, right? He scrambles to his feet, stumbling all over himself as he spots the blur of what's left of the plane, and he rushes over to see if there's anything left in there, for the moment unaware that he has company. "No, they can't— they can't..."
Okay yelling in English about gas... Henry watches just for a moment before grabbing the young man to still him. "There is no gas," Henry says loudly trying to get the man to sit back down. "You are probably injured and very much need to still yourself." He goes on, he's good a talking and will keep doing it until the young man comes back to himself a little more.
"There is no threat here right now." Unless you count Henry, but then he's never really been a threat to humans on the just side of things. "Look around no gas." He continues letting go of the blond and holding his hands up.
"There is no threat here right now." Unless you count Henry, but then he's never really been a threat to humans on the just side of things. "Look around no gas." He continues letting go of the blond and holding his hands up.
God help me... tell me what I need to change. x_x
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undeserved_protector
2017-06-07 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
Some thought the ancient myths and legends of Greece to be stories. Lessons to an old forgotten culture to explain what could not be explained rather than hold any real kernel of truth. But then, humanity was blinded by the short sightedness of mortality and if they could not see it, why should they believe it? But she knew the truth behind each story, each myth and magical tale of days long gone. It made it easy to do her job as a curator.
Easier still to want to learn and see each artifact and piece of history that she might not have read on Themyscira. Because she might have accepted the plight and sadness of human mortality, but there was one thing she never let go of. Hope. That belief that someday the boundaries of immortality and those lost would be crossed.
So each of those little notices her research pushed her toward, she followed. Every text she translated lead her to the places she needed to find. Particularly to a little notice, little walked path to the shores of the River of Styx. Where she dared to make her deal and pay her trials. And Hades… he was not so cruel as to deny her a simple demand at his defeat. But souls could not just walk out of the Underworld. Life always required more work than that.
And the promise was to release his soul to a body remade… if she could find a way to revive that body with no life. So she searched and scoured till she took the blood from the gorgon’s right side, the answer to that one task Hades laid before her. Now? For all her power, learning, and abilities… now she simply had to wait.
Diana had waited over ninety years living on a small sliver of hope. But the tension in her stomach and the nerves that fluttered in her chest told her that waiting now was far harder.
Easier still to want to learn and see each artifact and piece of history that she might not have read on Themyscira. Because she might have accepted the plight and sadness of human mortality, but there was one thing she never let go of. Hope. That belief that someday the boundaries of immortality and those lost would be crossed.
So each of those little notices her research pushed her toward, she followed. Every text she translated lead her to the places she needed to find. Particularly to a little notice, little walked path to the shores of the River of Styx. Where she dared to make her deal and pay her trials. And Hades… he was not so cruel as to deny her a simple demand at his defeat. But souls could not just walk out of the Underworld. Life always required more work than that.
And the promise was to release his soul to a body remade… if she could find a way to revive that body with no life. So she searched and scoured till she took the blood from the gorgon’s right side, the answer to that one task Hades laid before her. Now? For all her power, learning, and abilities… now she simply had to wait.
Diana had waited over ninety years living on a small sliver of hope. But the tension in her stomach and the nerves that fluttered in her chest told her that waiting now was far harder.
It was nothing like waking up from a deep, long sleep.
He couldn't remember a thing after the explosion, if there was even anything to remember. His mind was a blank as if he just rose from a dreamless sleep, but his body was another thing altogether. His stillness changed almost abruptly as he shifted and jolted awake, a sharp, deep inhale filling new lungs for what felt like the first time.
It hurt. Everything hurt, for a moment. His legs and arms felt like lead, his back ached when he tried to move. When he blinked his eyes open, there was nothing but a blur and blotches of light, and the only thing he heard was a steady white noise, anything else just a distant murmur in the background.
He gripped at what he could reach— a bed? The floor? He couldn't even tell where he was. But he did manage to catch something warm and pliant enough that it grounded him almost immediately, and his still blurry gaze landed on what looked like the contour of an arm.
"What..." Eyes flickered up, though it took him a while to even begin to make out the features of the person next to him. "Diana...?" His heart both fluttered and sank in his chest. If he was here, if she was here... what had happened to the airplane, then?
He couldn't remember a thing after the explosion, if there was even anything to remember. His mind was a blank as if he just rose from a dreamless sleep, but his body was another thing altogether. His stillness changed almost abruptly as he shifted and jolted awake, a sharp, deep inhale filling new lungs for what felt like the first time.
It hurt. Everything hurt, for a moment. His legs and arms felt like lead, his back ached when he tried to move. When he blinked his eyes open, there was nothing but a blur and blotches of light, and the only thing he heard was a steady white noise, anything else just a distant murmur in the background.
He gripped at what he could reach— a bed? The floor? He couldn't even tell where he was. But he did manage to catch something warm and pliant enough that it grounded him almost immediately, and his still blurry gaze landed on what looked like the contour of an arm.
"What..." Eyes flickered up, though it took him a while to even begin to make out the features of the person next to him. "Diana...?" His heart both fluttered and sank in his chest. If he was here, if she was here... what had happened to the airplane, then?
It could have been a matter of seconds. Seconds that ticked by long enough to make her wonder if Hades spoke falsely to her with a lie rather than made good on his word. Enough time to wonder if just maybe, that hope would be lost entirely and 'more time' would not ever come. It reminded her of the watch, how it stopped ticking the moment the sky turned red with the fires of his plane.
And for one very bleak second, she started to lower her head.
Until the harsh movement abruptly broke the silence and the desperate gasp for air to unused lungs. She could only believe Hades had done right in the making of this form. Steve looked as he always had, but he moved as if someone in sudden and very horrible pain. Brow creasing in worry and concern, she rose from the chair beside the bed to sit near him on the bed, dark eyes full of the anxious feelings tangling in her chest.
"Steve?" She spoke the name softly, a name she'd really not spoken in far too long that pulled at every emotion deep inside. Breathing in quickly as his hand met her arm, she shifted, nimble but strong fingers curling about his bicep gently as she leaned over him. How many years since she'd heard that voice say her name? The intensity of that moment welled up and stung at her eyes as she bent gracefully nearer to him, her other hand reaching out to delicately sweep the strands of hair from his face and brush the line of his brow.
A million things that should have been said flit through her mind as well as so many questions she wanted to ask him... But a sudden fear of the moment shattering or breaking hung in her mind as real as the fear of him not approving of the lengths she would go for just a bit more time with him. However much he would give her.
"Does... it hurt?" That most paramount question came first as her fingertips brushed along the shell of his ear. "You look like you are in pain."
And for one very bleak second, she started to lower her head.
Until the harsh movement abruptly broke the silence and the desperate gasp for air to unused lungs. She could only believe Hades had done right in the making of this form. Steve looked as he always had, but he moved as if someone in sudden and very horrible pain. Brow creasing in worry and concern, she rose from the chair beside the bed to sit near him on the bed, dark eyes full of the anxious feelings tangling in her chest.
"Steve?" She spoke the name softly, a name she'd really not spoken in far too long that pulled at every emotion deep inside. Breathing in quickly as his hand met her arm, she shifted, nimble but strong fingers curling about his bicep gently as she leaned over him. How many years since she'd heard that voice say her name? The intensity of that moment welled up and stung at her eyes as she bent gracefully nearer to him, her other hand reaching out to delicately sweep the strands of hair from his face and brush the line of his brow.
A million things that should have been said flit through her mind as well as so many questions she wanted to ask him... But a sudden fear of the moment shattering or breaking hung in her mind as real as the fear of him not approving of the lengths she would go for just a bit more time with him. However much he would give her.
"Does... it hurt?" That most paramount question came first as her fingertips brushed along the shell of his ear. "You look like you are in pain."
Edited (x_x I'm being overly critical of myself right now XD) 2017-06-07 02:48 (UTC)
[ Even after days past, everything was still kind of a blur to him. He'd gotten on that plane with a single purpose in mind: burn up the gas before it could hurt anyone. Well, anyone save for himself, obviously. Hadn't been a particularly easy sacrifice, but it had been a necessary one.
The parachute tucked underneath the seat just gave him an idea. A really bad idea. But well, it couldn't be worse than get blown up, so at least he could give it a try.
Never mind that as he fell out of the airplane at the same time he tried to shoot the bombs, he somehow failed to fasten the backpack properly, so he was pretty much clinging to the straps while the wind shook him around almost violently. Pretty sure he nearly passed out— and then Diana had simply floated up mid-air and caught him, bringing him back to the safety of the ground.
He did pass out, then. For just a little while, really. But he had just blown up an airplane so it could be excused. The fact that he pretty much slept his way through the next few days had to be excused too.
He woke up to the sky already dark. Must've slept for a whole day solid, he realized. He turned on the bed but his hands only patted at an empty space, so forcing his eyes open, he got up and dragged his feet towards the living room, only to find Diana on the couch, draped across the cushions, looking every bit like she'd just passed out there.
Head ducking slightly, he smiled to himself, running a hand through his hair as he padded over to her and kneeled on the floor next to the couch. He caught the small blanket resting over the back on the way, carefully draping it over her frame, wanting to wake her up yet trying hard not to. She probably needed more rest than even he did, after all. ]
The parachute tucked underneath the seat just gave him an idea. A really bad idea. But well, it couldn't be worse than get blown up, so at least he could give it a try.
Never mind that as he fell out of the airplane at the same time he tried to shoot the bombs, he somehow failed to fasten the backpack properly, so he was pretty much clinging to the straps while the wind shook him around almost violently. Pretty sure he nearly passed out— and then Diana had simply floated up mid-air and caught him, bringing him back to the safety of the ground.
He did pass out, then. For just a little while, really. But he had just blown up an airplane so it could be excused. The fact that he pretty much slept his way through the next few days had to be excused too.
He woke up to the sky already dark. Must've slept for a whole day solid, he realized. He turned on the bed but his hands only patted at an empty space, so forcing his eyes open, he got up and dragged his feet towards the living room, only to find Diana on the couch, draped across the cushions, looking every bit like she'd just passed out there.
Head ducking slightly, he smiled to himself, running a hand through his hair as he padded over to her and kneeled on the floor next to the couch. He caught the small blanket resting over the back on the way, carefully draping it over her frame, wanting to wake her up yet trying hard not to. She probably needed more rest than even he did, after all. ]
Something was off. Not just that his body hurt and he felt sore as if he hadn't moved in months or even longer. That much could be explained by the last few days of them running around, then his last stunt on the airplane. What felt stranger to him was that Diana seemed so... calm. Like there wasn't just a plane filled with gas bombs about to wipe out a whole country, if not a considerably larger portion of a continent.
He winced as he tried moving again. Sitting up was another struggle, and about halfway through he gave up, letting out a groan as he fell back on the bed, eyes screwed shut. "Oh, 'm just... great. Just great," he huffed, voice light even if he did not, in fact, feel 'great'. He felt like he had been ran over by a tank three times, more like.
Focusing on blinking his eyes open, he started to be a little more aware of his surroundings, although his gaze locked onto Diana's when she leaned over him, and suddenly there was nothing else that mattered. Nothing else he needed or wanted to look at. He lifted his other arm, slow and stiff, fingertips ghosting the side of her face. There was the vague shadow of a smile, but it faded quickly as questions trampled all over each other in his confused mind. "What happened to the plane?"
He winced as he tried moving again. Sitting up was another struggle, and about halfway through he gave up, letting out a groan as he fell back on the bed, eyes screwed shut. "Oh, 'm just... great. Just great," he huffed, voice light even if he did not, in fact, feel 'great'. He felt like he had been ran over by a tank three times, more like.
Focusing on blinking his eyes open, he started to be a little more aware of his surroundings, although his gaze locked onto Diana's when she leaned over him, and suddenly there was nothing else that mattered. Nothing else he needed or wanted to look at. He lifted his other arm, slow and stiff, fingertips ghosting the side of her face. There was the vague shadow of a smile, but it faded quickly as questions trampled all over each other in his confused mind. "What happened to the plane?"
She felt a breathless huff leave her as she almost wanted to laugh at his lies mixed with evident pain as he tried to sit up. Her touch became more sure, her hand cupping the side of his face as she felt her lips curl tentatively up into a smile that felt so fragile in that dawning of realization that he was here. Steve was here, breathing and alive. Hades didn't lie to her and above all the fears came the roaring sensation of relief so heavy she felt like she couldn't quite breathe just yet.
Blinking rapidly a few times, she chased away the moisture daring to gather in her eyes as she met his gaze. Still the same blue as vivid and alive as the sea that surrounded her home. It felt vaguely like coming home with a bittersweet twist of uncertainty.
"I should get you something..." Her voice felt off, shaken as the flash and red glare of the explosion flared behind her mind's eye and sent an unmistakable shiver down her spine. Nothing in all her years had torn through her like that one sudden and violent moment. "For the pain."
But pulling away didn't happen. She stayed close, her thumb tracing a line over his cheekbone slowly as she tried to just keep this moment and every moment after it. And staying meant she had to answer his question, even if that lead to more questions that she wouldn't want to answer. "Destroyed. In the upper atmosphere. You saved everyone." Just like he hoped he would and gave his life for it.
Blinking rapidly a few times, she chased away the moisture daring to gather in her eyes as she met his gaze. Still the same blue as vivid and alive as the sea that surrounded her home. It felt vaguely like coming home with a bittersweet twist of uncertainty.
"I should get you something..." Her voice felt off, shaken as the flash and red glare of the explosion flared behind her mind's eye and sent an unmistakable shiver down her spine. Nothing in all her years had torn through her like that one sudden and violent moment. "For the pain."
But pulling away didn't happen. She stayed close, her thumb tracing a line over his cheekbone slowly as she tried to just keep this moment and every moment after it. And staying meant she had to answer his question, even if that lead to more questions that she wouldn't want to answer. "Destroyed. In the upper atmosphere. You saved everyone." Just like he hoped he would and gave his life for it.
[ As a child, the idea of battle had been exciting, a thrilling adventure to discuss over the fire, the birthplace of legends. The reality of war was harsh and awful, and while her legend might begin there, it's not the glorious victory Diana had imagined.
At least it hadn't taken Steve from her. Only because she had noticed the body toppling out of the sky and rushed to rescue it - sure he was dead, thrilled to find him alive.
It had been a stressful time - almost worse than going to battle. The reports, the discussions, watching and waiting to see if Steve would wake up, doctors forcing her out of the room, no one listening to her -
She had breathed a sigh of relief when he had been released, and they were able to achieve some peace. Diana knew, now, that women and men didn't live together without the bonds of marriage, but she went with Steve, refused to go elsewhere.
(Sorry Steve, you're stuck with her now.)
She hadn't meant to fall asleep on the couch. She had only been reading, and the lack of sleep had caught up to her, and she had toppled over, slumber overtaking her. She didn't hear Steve moving about until he draped the blanket over her, and then she shifted, blinking sleepily at him. ] Did I fall asleep?
At least it hadn't taken Steve from her. Only because she had noticed the body toppling out of the sky and rushed to rescue it - sure he was dead, thrilled to find him alive.
It had been a stressful time - almost worse than going to battle. The reports, the discussions, watching and waiting to see if Steve would wake up, doctors forcing her out of the room, no one listening to her -
She had breathed a sigh of relief when he had been released, and they were able to achieve some peace. Diana knew, now, that women and men didn't live together without the bonds of marriage, but she went with Steve, refused to go elsewhere.
(Sorry Steve, you're stuck with her now.)
She hadn't meant to fall asleep on the couch. She had only been reading, and the lack of sleep had caught up to her, and she had toppled over, slumber overtaking her. She didn't hear Steve moving about until he draped the blanket over her, and then she shifted, blinking sleepily at him. ] Did I fall asleep?
[ Seemed he got what he wanted even if he tried to be as careful as possible. As much as she needed the sleep, though, he couldn't bring himself to feel bad over it. He smiled at her as she blinked lazily, his hand moving up and his fingers brushing through loose strands of hair falling into her face. ]
You did. [ He glanced at what she was reading, some volume toppled over face down on the floor. ] Must've been a really boring book.
[ Still, he picked it up, closing it properly and setting it down on the coffee table. ] Want to move to bed? It's a little more comfortable than this.
You did. [ He glanced at what she was reading, some volume toppled over face down on the floor. ] Must've been a really boring book.
[ Still, he picked it up, closing it properly and setting it down on the coffee table. ] Want to move to bed? It's a little more comfortable than this.
What was she talking about. He felt great, evidently. Just wonderful. Didn't people often feel that way after getting blown out of the air and then... well, he wasn't sure what was 'then' yet, but probably something along the lines of falling across the sky and, he could only guess, her catching him.
"No," he breathed, his hand curling a little tighter around her arm. Not that his hold would ever stop her. She could easily pull from it without so much as struggling. But then he wasn't holding onto her to force her to be close. "It's fine, I don't need it. Just... just stay here. Stay."
it hadn't been that long since he last saw her, there was no reason to miss her this much, but... well, the last time he did, he was pretty much rushing to his death. He didn't think he'd ever get this chance again.
He breathed deeply when she answered his question, eyes closing in relief for a moment before he was knitting his eyebrows in confusion again. "Wait, hold on. Then— how did I get here?" And as his eyes turned a little more towards the room —too clean, too pristine, too strange, his own plain clothes looking pretty much the same—, another question came to mind. "And where is 'here' exactly?"
"No," he breathed, his hand curling a little tighter around her arm. Not that his hold would ever stop her. She could easily pull from it without so much as struggling. But then he wasn't holding onto her to force her to be close. "It's fine, I don't need it. Just... just stay here. Stay."
it hadn't been that long since he last saw her, there was no reason to miss her this much, but... well, the last time he did, he was pretty much rushing to his death. He didn't think he'd ever get this chance again.
He breathed deeply when she answered his question, eyes closing in relief for a moment before he was knitting his eyebrows in confusion again. "Wait, hold on. Then— how did I get here?" And as his eyes turned a little more towards the room —too clean, too pristine, too strange, his own plain clothes looking pretty much the same—, another question came to mind. "And where is 'here' exactly?"
Steve startles as he turns to look at the man, eyes wide as he focuses on him. His mind and thoughts are scattered still, and he can't really hear most of what he's saying, but at least he's stopped fumbling, focusing in an attempt to understand what he was telling him.
Gas— no gas. He looks around when the man lets go of him, his heart still beating rapidly but his worries at least mildly soothed. Of course that just opens way to more questions, so. "Where am I?"
Gas— no gas. He looks around when the man lets go of him, his heart still beating rapidly but his worries at least mildly soothed. Of course that just opens way to more questions, so. "Where am I?"
Something in her chest unraveled when he asked her to stay. It shouldn't surprise her. What had been nearly a century for her was likely but mere moments to him. But aside from his last words - words that truly became a core of what she stood for - they hadn't parted entirely on the best of terms. Not in that tower. He was able to say what needed to be said, something she'd not had the luxury of doing.
Taking a deep breath, her eyes lowered somewhere to his chest for a moment before forcing herself to hold his gaze again. Those questions would come sooner rather than later and she knew she had to answer them. "I brought you here." Pressing her lips together a moment, she sat up a little, the line and posture of her form a little too perfect even for her. The apartment wasn't big. Sparsely furnished for the fact she didn't really live in it. It had been a means to an end during her search in Greece and certainly not home.
"You're in Athens." Curling her legs up onto the mattress, she let her hip press to his in some way of keeping contact. Her hand slipped down from the side of his face to press softly over the center of his chest where she could feel each soft beat of his heart and it sent that burning straight back to her eyes as endless years tumbled down on top of her. And he had a right to know that.
The problem was, how did she tell him? How do you explain to someone that he gave her so many reasons to go on and protect this world day after day? That love and all he had been for her, proved that of all the forces in life and humanity, pushed her to do something impossible. "I -" The words fell off as her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. This time dark eyes drew away to stare at her hand wrapped about his arm and lingered there. "Did you mean it? When you said you wished we still had more time?"
Those words had been a justifying force in this. A hope that he'd still feel that way when she did this. Pulling her gaze back to his face, a line creased her brow just slightly with that building worry. Because if he didn't want this, she would respect that wish and return him to Hades even if it broke her.
Taking a deep breath, her eyes lowered somewhere to his chest for a moment before forcing herself to hold his gaze again. Those questions would come sooner rather than later and she knew she had to answer them. "I brought you here." Pressing her lips together a moment, she sat up a little, the line and posture of her form a little too perfect even for her. The apartment wasn't big. Sparsely furnished for the fact she didn't really live in it. It had been a means to an end during her search in Greece and certainly not home.
"You're in Athens." Curling her legs up onto the mattress, she let her hip press to his in some way of keeping contact. Her hand slipped down from the side of his face to press softly over the center of his chest where she could feel each soft beat of his heart and it sent that burning straight back to her eyes as endless years tumbled down on top of her. And he had a right to know that.
The problem was, how did she tell him? How do you explain to someone that he gave her so many reasons to go on and protect this world day after day? That love and all he had been for her, proved that of all the forces in life and humanity, pushed her to do something impossible. "I -" The words fell off as her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. This time dark eyes drew away to stare at her hand wrapped about his arm and lingered there. "Did you mean it? When you said you wished we still had more time?"
Those words had been a justifying force in this. A hope that he'd still feel that way when she did this. Pulling her gaze back to his face, a line creased her brow just slightly with that building worry. Because if he didn't want this, she would respect that wish and return him to Hades even if it broke her.
As his body relaxed and the ache and discomfort started to bleed away, Steve dared to move a little more. His hands sank to the mattress to his sides and he forced himself into a sitting position, his movements still slow and careful, every muscle sore and weak as if it hadn't been used in ages. Or never, even. Yet he felt no injury on him. He touched his own head but found no wound, no blood. He lifted up his too-clean shirt only to find perfectly unharmed skin underneath. Hands, arms, legs... nothing. There wasn't a single scratch or bruise on him.
And then there was the room— Athens, she said. Athens couldn't be this different, could it? The furniture was so clean, so sleek, the design so strange and foreign to Steve. He couldn't make heads or tails of some of the items set on the nightstand or the dresser by the corner, though his attention only lingered on them for so long.
When Diana spoke again, his eyes moved back to her, eyebrows knit in vague confusion. She felt different to him, too. It was still her, but... he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Something was just off.
But it didn't matter. Because he did love her, and he had meant every single word he had told her. His hand lifted up thoughtlessly to cup her jaw, thumb sweeping across her cheek as he tried to get her to look at him. "Of course I did, Diana. I meant— every word. Every word I said," he took a slow, deep breath, head canting as he caught her gaze. "What's wrong? Tell me. What happened?"
And then there was the room— Athens, she said. Athens couldn't be this different, could it? The furniture was so clean, so sleek, the design so strange and foreign to Steve. He couldn't make heads or tails of some of the items set on the nightstand or the dresser by the corner, though his attention only lingered on them for so long.
When Diana spoke again, his eyes moved back to her, eyebrows knit in vague confusion. She felt different to him, too. It was still her, but... he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Something was just off.
But it didn't matter. Because he did love her, and he had meant every single word he had told her. His hand lifted up thoughtlessly to cup her jaw, thumb sweeping across her cheek as he tried to get her to look at him. "Of course I did, Diana. I meant— every word. Every word I said," he took a slow, deep breath, head canting as he caught her gaze. "What's wrong? Tell me. What happened?"
Her breath caught, just a soft hitch that he could hear now that he was this close to her. Lashes lowered a little as her head tilted, pressing into the touch of his hand with a sort of relief and wonder as that knot in her chest that missed him so much almost made her choke on something that might have been a sob. But she swallowed, forcing that feeling back down hard, not wanting to come apart like that.
The hand on his chest lifted, her fingertips sliding over his as she pressed that touch more solidly to her skin as if to make it more real and not let him pull away. Because talking about it to someone other than their long lost friends made it real again. Not even Bruce got the luxury of her reminiscing or speaking of the one thing she lost and wanted back even for a moment. Even just a minute.
“You didn’t survive.” The words came out surprisingly firm, if soft. A whisper compared to her steel like confidence and courage. “It’s… it’s been a really long time.” Since the last time she looked at him. Heard his voice or even had this luxury of his hand against her skin. “I – I thought I accepted it. I think I had. But when I started to learn things, piece together information, I found Ha- him.” Even if Steve said he believed her in the end, she felt less sure. Less willing to just spit out the name of the god of the underworld.
“He let me have it… more time with you.” It felt wrong. Like rubbing suede leather the wrong way to feel so uncertain. Diana never felt so uncertain about anything as she did telling him this. And maybe it was that feeling that made a small almost smile pull at her lips as she held his eyes. “I made a challenge and an offer he couldn’t refuse.” More like, she stormed through his gates and demanded he hear her out. But she was sure, Steve knew that was more what she would do.
The hand on his chest lifted, her fingertips sliding over his as she pressed that touch more solidly to her skin as if to make it more real and not let him pull away. Because talking about it to someone other than their long lost friends made it real again. Not even Bruce got the luxury of her reminiscing or speaking of the one thing she lost and wanted back even for a moment. Even just a minute.
“You didn’t survive.” The words came out surprisingly firm, if soft. A whisper compared to her steel like confidence and courage. “It’s… it’s been a really long time.” Since the last time she looked at him. Heard his voice or even had this luxury of his hand against her skin. “I – I thought I accepted it. I think I had. But when I started to learn things, piece together information, I found Ha- him.” Even if Steve said he believed her in the end, she felt less sure. Less willing to just spit out the name of the god of the underworld.
“He let me have it… more time with you.” It felt wrong. Like rubbing suede leather the wrong way to feel so uncertain. Diana never felt so uncertain about anything as she did telling him this. And maybe it was that feeling that made a small almost smile pull at her lips as she held his eyes. “I made a challenge and an offer he couldn’t refuse.” More like, she stormed through his gates and demanded he hear her out. But she was sure, Steve knew that was more what she would do.
"New York."Henry says trying to make sure he's in front of the young man when he's speaking, "Couple hours outside the city." He says easily and clearly. "You landed in my yard, we should get you inside." He says nodding toward the largish farm house.
Every reaction that came from her only made Steve more confused, and surer still that something must've happened, something must be terribly wrong. He caught the near sob that she choked out halfway up her throat and swallowed back down, and his expression bled with worry, eyebrows knit, his face alone asking all the questions he didn't voice.
It took her a moment, but finally, she answered. And at first, it made no sense. Sure, he wasn't supposed to survive. But he was here now, so he must have. Right? He was only human, after all. Her myths —her realities— couldn't go so far as to bring a man back to life, could they?
And yet, here she was, saying just that to him. That to all effects and purposes, he was dead for a long time, and now... he wasn't. Somehow. And it was all because of her. Because she went to some insane epic lengths just to have him back.
Feelings welled up in his chest, conflicting, loud, overwhelming. He tried to breathe but it choked halfway down his throat in a near sob, and he moved his hand to her upper arm, holding on, fingertips of his other hand brushing lightly against the hair behind her ear.
(Her hair was caught up into a neat, perfect ponytail, too. That was also strange and unexpected.)
"How long has it been?"
It took her a moment, but finally, she answered. And at first, it made no sense. Sure, he wasn't supposed to survive. But he was here now, so he must have. Right? He was only human, after all. Her myths —her realities— couldn't go so far as to bring a man back to life, could they?
And yet, here she was, saying just that to him. That to all effects and purposes, he was dead for a long time, and now... he wasn't. Somehow. And it was all because of her. Because she went to some insane epic lengths just to have him back.
Feelings welled up in his chest, conflicting, loud, overwhelming. He tried to breathe but it choked halfway down his throat in a near sob, and he moved his hand to her upper arm, holding on, fingertips of his other hand brushing lightly against the hair behind her ear.
(Her hair was caught up into a neat, perfect ponytail, too. That was also strange and unexpected.)
"How long has it been?"
Steve just raises his eyebrows high at that. New York. How the hell did he manage to get all the way over here? Still, he struggles onto his feet, feeling sore and aching, a faint line of blood seeping out of a wound just over his brow. All in all, though, considering he's just been in a plane crash... he could be in a lot worse shape.
"I was across the Atlantic, the last I checked," he points out, vague enough, as he follows, if somewhat cautiously, after the other man.
"I was across the Atlantic, the last I checked," he points out, vague enough, as he follows, if somewhat cautiously, after the other man.
How long. For a moment she wanted to tick off the exact amount of years, months, days and possibly all the way down to the second if she could be so minuscule with the details. Because she'd felt every single second that passed since that moment his watch stopped and she never saw his face again. But all that came out as he lips parted was quiet and simple. "Over ninety years."
Another war to end all wars and a domino effect of wars and battles as the years drew out between them. Learning a world that wanted to suppress her for being a woman and learning that she would not be accepted for who and what she truly was. Lifting her hands, she softly swept her fingers over his cheeks as her brows drew together and furrowed in that feeling of loss. For every life lesson she had to learn without him when she'd for such a brief moment believed with all her heart that Steve would be the one to help her figure it out.
She tried a smile again, fighting through the thick and suffocating desire to just cry. And maybe it was that effort that forced a few tears to finally slip past full lashes and trail down her cheeks. "Is it alright?" It's selfish and she knew that. Wanting someone to be with her for that long couldn't be called anything but selfish.
But as she looked at him right then and her lips parted to force a shaking breath, Diana can't help but want it to be alright that she couldn't give up that chance to have more time with him. "Will you stay with me now?" Her voice trailed off, the unspoken words of the other option hanging between them. Or choose to put things as they were...
Another war to end all wars and a domino effect of wars and battles as the years drew out between them. Learning a world that wanted to suppress her for being a woman and learning that she would not be accepted for who and what she truly was. Lifting her hands, she softly swept her fingers over his cheeks as her brows drew together and furrowed in that feeling of loss. For every life lesson she had to learn without him when she'd for such a brief moment believed with all her heart that Steve would be the one to help her figure it out.
She tried a smile again, fighting through the thick and suffocating desire to just cry. And maybe it was that effort that forced a few tears to finally slip past full lashes and trail down her cheeks. "Is it alright?" It's selfish and she knew that. Wanting someone to be with her for that long couldn't be called anything but selfish.
But as she looked at him right then and her lips parted to force a shaking breath, Diana can't help but want it to be alright that she couldn't give up that chance to have more time with him. "Will you stay with me now?" Her voice trailed off, the unspoken words of the other option hanging between them. Or choose to put things as they were...
He somehow knew the answer would shock him, yet nothing could prepare him for when she finally answered. He stared at her for a moment, silent still and wide-eyed, lips parted in dumbfounded surprise. Ninety years... was a whole life. More than that, even. Had he survived during the war, he definitely would be dead by now.
It was almost too much to swallow down, to believe. And yet, after everything he had seen, could he really not believe it? More importantly, could he ever not believe her? Diana, ever so genuine in her actions and words both, always so open and honest, almost to the point of naïveté, who could not and would not ever say a word that she didn't mean. Not to him.
She wasn't as naïve now, he realized suddenly. She wasn't really the same person he had known decades ago— but then time had a tendency to change people like that. But that didn't matter. It wasn't even a thought or concern that slipped through his mind just then.
When tears trailed down her cheeks, he felt a knot form in his throat, both his hands cupping her face, thumbs brushing away the tears. "My God, Diana," he breathed out, his voice shaking its way out of him as he stood on the brink of crying himself. "I could live a thousand times over and I would always, always choose to stay with you. Of course— of course it's alright. I'll never leave you, not if I can help it."
It was almost too much to swallow down, to believe. And yet, after everything he had seen, could he really not believe it? More importantly, could he ever not believe her? Diana, ever so genuine in her actions and words both, always so open and honest, almost to the point of naïveté, who could not and would not ever say a word that she didn't mean. Not to him.
She wasn't as naïve now, he realized suddenly. She wasn't really the same person he had known decades ago— but then time had a tendency to change people like that. But that didn't matter. It wasn't even a thought or concern that slipped through his mind just then.
When tears trailed down her cheeks, he felt a knot form in his throat, both his hands cupping her face, thumbs brushing away the tears. "My God, Diana," he breathed out, his voice shaking its way out of him as he stood on the brink of crying himself. "I could live a thousand times over and I would always, always choose to stay with you. Of course— of course it's alright. I'll never leave you, not if I can help it."
Her eyes closed for a moment, the move forcing any of the moisture that remained in her eyes to slip out and slide over his hands on her face. It felt like waking up from a very cold and numb sleep to be touched again. To be touched by him and not just some other man that turned their gaze on her or tried to get close to her. Honestly, she had not met anyone else quite like her 'Captain Trevor'.
Not that she ever considered even a possibility of that. No one could stand in his place even if she had found some way to truly move on. He was without a doubt, the love of her life. A love that pushed her to learn to love and accept this world and love them in spite of their dark moments and weakened states. Diana knew he taught her that and so much more in such a small blink of time.
Breathing in slowly, she finally moved, his legs uncurling from under her as she slipped her arms around him and pressed her face into the crook of his neck. It took so many measured movements not to hug him too hard or squeeze too tightly. Her fingers likely weren't so kind, not the way the gripped into the fabric of his shirt tight enough that the fabric just might break.
She had never been afraid of him or even that shift of those feelings she felt so suddenly that night in that small village. What she had feared was his not wanting to stay. And those words made every knot and coil of fear in the pit of her stomach suddenly unfurl and release that grip on her lungs. Pressing closer to him she seemed to want to just melt into him and lose that definition of two different people.
"I didn't get to say it back." Her voice came out shakier, laced with that restraining of tears in her tone. "I didn't get to." And more than anyone else, he deserved to hear it from her. To know he wasn't alone in those words. More than anything, Diana wanted to look him in the eye and return the words and the weight of the true sentiment behind them, but right then, she just refused to pull away.
"Steve..." Her fingers tightened in the fabric sharper now and she could hear it creak in protest. It took more than just the strength of her being just to lift her head and focus on him in that moment because she knew the bitter taste of loss and the reality of living so long without. And only when he did look her in the eye did she say the words she thought over and over again but never got the chance to say. "I love you. If you stay with me, I will love you every moment of your life for the time I am allowed and beyond. I swear it."
Not that she ever considered even a possibility of that. No one could stand in his place even if she had found some way to truly move on. He was without a doubt, the love of her life. A love that pushed her to learn to love and accept this world and love them in spite of their dark moments and weakened states. Diana knew he taught her that and so much more in such a small blink of time.
Breathing in slowly, she finally moved, his legs uncurling from under her as she slipped her arms around him and pressed her face into the crook of his neck. It took so many measured movements not to hug him too hard or squeeze too tightly. Her fingers likely weren't so kind, not the way the gripped into the fabric of his shirt tight enough that the fabric just might break.
She had never been afraid of him or even that shift of those feelings she felt so suddenly that night in that small village. What she had feared was his not wanting to stay. And those words made every knot and coil of fear in the pit of her stomach suddenly unfurl and release that grip on her lungs. Pressing closer to him she seemed to want to just melt into him and lose that definition of two different people.
"I didn't get to say it back." Her voice came out shakier, laced with that restraining of tears in her tone. "I didn't get to." And more than anyone else, he deserved to hear it from her. To know he wasn't alone in those words. More than anything, Diana wanted to look him in the eye and return the words and the weight of the true sentiment behind them, but right then, she just refused to pull away.
"Steve..." Her fingers tightened in the fabric sharper now and she could hear it creak in protest. It took more than just the strength of her being just to lift her head and focus on him in that moment because she knew the bitter taste of loss and the reality of living so long without. And only when he did look her in the eye did she say the words she thought over and over again but never got the chance to say. "I love you. If you stay with me, I will love you every moment of your life for the time I am allowed and beyond. I swear it."
It was a bittersweet feeling. On the one hand, he didn't want her holding back those tears, and he wanted her to feel comfortable enough to open up and let everything out in front of him. On the other, he just wished he could... take all that pain away, pass an eraser on the last nine decades and rid her of the suffering she had gone through. He knew he couldn't. He also knew she likely wouldn't want him to, either. For better or worse, it had shaped her into who she was today, and that, he definitely would never want to change. He would never want to change a single thing about her, not now nor ever.
So he let her have her reaction, go through the motions and do what she needed. Of course that when she leaned in to hug him he all too promptly returned the gesture, arms wrapping tight around her, fingers curling into the strange thin fabric of her clothes. But she felt the same. Warm, tender, strong. Her scent was a little different but not by much. When he closed his eyes he could feel the scent of the trees and flowers perfuming the air of her island, the sea breeze that carried into the very caves where he had been kept in.
Felt like a lifetime ago. (It had been a lifetime ago.)
By the time she pulled away to look him in the eye, his eyes were brimming with unshed tears. He tried not to blink them but he knew it was pointless, and the moment he did two single streaks of tears fell from his eyes and down his cheeks. "You don't have to swear it," he caught her hand, lifting it to his lips and kissing her knuckles, her fingers. "You don't have to. I know. God, I love you... love you so much."
So he let her have her reaction, go through the motions and do what she needed. Of course that when she leaned in to hug him he all too promptly returned the gesture, arms wrapping tight around her, fingers curling into the strange thin fabric of her clothes. But she felt the same. Warm, tender, strong. Her scent was a little different but not by much. When he closed his eyes he could feel the scent of the trees and flowers perfuming the air of her island, the sea breeze that carried into the very caves where he had been kept in.
Felt like a lifetime ago. (It had been a lifetime ago.)
By the time she pulled away to look him in the eye, his eyes were brimming with unshed tears. He tried not to blink them but he knew it was pointless, and the moment he did two single streaks of tears fell from his eyes and down his cheeks. "You don't have to swear it," he caught her hand, lifting it to his lips and kissing her knuckles, her fingers. "You don't have to. I know. God, I love you... love you so much."
Seeing the tears slide down his face, she let go of his shirt instantly so she could reach up and sweep them away with a careful caress. When he'd been running to get on that plane, she'd thought she'd seen tears gathering in his eyes then, but seeing them now made her heartache. She never meant to make him hurt or cry.
But feeling him grab her hand, she let him, dark eyes following where he guided her hand only to shiver both from the feeling of his lips on her skin and the words he spoke. Finally, the smile that stole across her lips was easy and natural as warmth fluttered in her chest.
A pure feeling of hope and love.
"I suppose..." She licked at her lips slowly, balancing the words soft and light on her tongue before finishing. "That you must know, if I've waited for you this long." Perhaps it was too early to tease him on that, for both of them. Biting at her lower lip, she shifted closer, head tipping so she could brush a kiss to the corner of his eye sweetly. "You're worth waiting for." Even when she didn't have that hope or the ability to find the way for so long, part of her needed to wait.
There had never been a question in the beginning if she should run after him. Turning her hand in his, she suddenly smiled as her fingertips slipped over his palm, pushing between his fingers. "Do you remember what you told me this meant when we first arrived in London?"
But feeling him grab her hand, she let him, dark eyes following where he guided her hand only to shiver both from the feeling of his lips on her skin and the words he spoke. Finally, the smile that stole across her lips was easy and natural as warmth fluttered in her chest.
A pure feeling of hope and love.
"I suppose..." She licked at her lips slowly, balancing the words soft and light on her tongue before finishing. "That you must know, if I've waited for you this long." Perhaps it was too early to tease him on that, for both of them. Biting at her lower lip, she shifted closer, head tipping so she could brush a kiss to the corner of his eye sweetly. "You're worth waiting for." Even when she didn't have that hope or the ability to find the way for so long, part of her needed to wait.
There had never been a question in the beginning if she should run after him. Turning her hand in his, she suddenly smiled as her fingertips slipped over his palm, pushing between his fingers. "Do you remember what you told me this meant when we first arrived in London?"
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