[ And particularly not with those fabrics that are essentially plastic - especially at the end, when everyone went into the water. No, best not to think about that too hard. ]
Good to see you're doing okay.
[ After Rapture? Yeah, it had been a rough few months for everyone, he thinks, even considering the usual effects of Deerington. But they're all back now, more or less, and hopefully things calm down so they can get back to the important stuff. He knows it won't last - it's the eye of an eye of a storm, and no one's even been able to figure out what sort of things are possible or impossible here.
He can afford to take the night off. ]
Didn't know you were a librarian.
I teach, at the high school. Get most of my books from the school library, or I would've dropped by.
[ Yeah... That had been a new level of horrific. She almost asks how it worked out for him, but that suddenly felt far more personal than she was ready to get. Especially if he didn't make it off the ship. ]
You too. Felt weird to be away from this place for two months.
[ She'd missed it. Which felt wrong. But, it had thrown her off to not remember her life again - living a lie. Part of her wonders if Rapture would have been easier to deal with if she hadn't been herself again. Probably not.
Picking off a piece of the cheese danish, she smiles - a lift to her eyebrows at his job title. They haven't exactly had a chance for her to confess just how much she actually knows about him, how much of it is true... But, if he's happy with working at the High School, that's all that matters. This place gave her a chance at trying to find some normalcy when circumstances at home were out of her control. Her job had been a saving grace when she was powerless. It gave her something to do to help people. She wasn't going to judge anyone else for what they did in between the shitstorms around here, Superhero, Former Goddess, Magician, or whatever. Before she can stop herself -- ]
Well, now that you know I'm there, maybe you'll come visit me the next time you need something. Or if you just want to stop by and chat.
[ Not the boldest thing she could say, but it's out there. Popping the danish bite into her mouth, she doesn't hold back the small sound of happiness at the flavors. She might have to make a point to stop here more often for more than just coffee. ]
Good call on getting both danishes. [ Because she's coming for the cherry one next. ]
[ No, he hadn't made it off the boat but it's not the first time that he'd knowingly drowned in the ocean, in the freezing cold. He also assumes that as a first-class woman that she'd made it out alive, but he'd also chosen to go down with the ship.
That's over now, anyway, and he'd rather move on, because despite all the flaws of this place, he didn't hate it here.
Mostly it was the knowing that the world behind didn't move while they were here that kept him going. He opens his mouth as if to make comment about the same thing, how this place had almost felt like home in comparison, but-- ]
I-- sure.
[ He pauses holding a piece of pastry in his hand as if he's not sure that he heard her correctly, because it seemed like she was shyly trying to offer him another chance of seeing her. ]
Yeah, maybe we could. Talk.
[ He can feel how awkward he is. ]
And you know, you can always come to me if you need anything. We all kind of have to deal with this place together.
[ She'd gotten a spot on one of the last boats or more accurately, had been shoved onto one of the last boats after spending too much time running around trying to help other people. The guilt of taking the spot stuck with her, part of her wishing she hadn't had to witness it going down.
Just something else to add to the vault of things to keep her up at night, honestly.
And then as suddenly as she feels like she can see the Captain peeking through, he slips back into Steve and her lips curve up into a smirk, easily falling into the playful banter - grateful for transition once again towards something lighter than where this all could have gone. She understood protectiveness through and through, appreciated the words - but she was in a better position to take care of herself now than she was two months ago. But, there were still some things that having some help would be great for... She didn't want to only reach out to him for shit like that, though. Just have some fun and keep things casual - keep it from suddenly changing the dynamic between them. ]
It'll certainly be easier to see you without having to peek around corners or listen for certain voices. [ The stakes are just so much lower now. It wasn't a big deal anymore if someone saw them together and jumped to conclusions because she didn't care what other people thought of her. She leans in, acting like she's sharing a secret. ]
The whole thing was a little thrilling, though. [ An adrenaline rush without it being life or death. A nice change of pace. ]
[ He thought that maybe her being so close to him would be uncomfortable, but he finds that he looks her in the eyes and just, trusts.
There had been a sort of air of danger to the situation, and a romantic sort of tone, but in the most foolish way. Because as much as it'd felt like a game, it hadn't been. But in knowing now the inevitability of the sinking, it feels like such a small thing to have ever been worried about. He wonders if he'll feel this way about Deerington someday.
He wonders if he should maybe stop worrying so much about little things. ]
I could throw pebbles at your window.
[ If she still wanted to play like they were kids sneaking out of the house after dark. He used to, with Bucky - okay, he still does, but there's less being clandestine and no rocks being thrown, more like texts being sent and locking up the front door and climbing over the fence between their houses. He does admit, there's something nostalgic about the way it used to be.
Then, cracking a smile, definitely joking, he offers: ]
[ The stakes had been incredibly high and they all came crashing down around her in a very horrible way that had left her reeling. And then she'd snapped out of it all and the ship had quickly followed suit. Literally. Julia wasn't mad about the romantic air their first exchange had taken on, even if she'd only imagined it. It felt electric and captivating and she'd wanted a chance to try again without the illusion of status standing in the way. Even if nothing comes from this coffee meeting, she was done with missed opportunities - part of her new resolution after losing Q back home... She was taking control of her life again.
And that was going to happen here, too. Julia was going to take the proverbial bull by the horns and see what happened.
The nostalgic suggestion has her previously conspiratorial smirk softening. ]
We could also write letters. In case the pebbles don't work. The windows to my bedroom may be a little hard to reach. The room in the attic had the most space for a growing book collection. [ Not impossible for the most determined, but her room had its downsides for late night romantic moments. Besides, she liked the tactile idea of letters, having something tangible to collect soothed the book lover in her. ]
As for the accent-- [ A highly inappropriate comment almost slips out, one that might've made a few of her friends proud. Instead, she shakes her head - taking a sip of her coffee before finding a different direction for her response. It's gentle, easily picking on the joke. ] I'll leave that up to you.
[ Alright, maybe not the accent. And, letters? He hasn't sent one of those since he woke up out of the ice. Actually, despite how much of his life had been analogue, and how determined SHIELD was to keep it that way, he modernized sufficiently well and is even coming around to the whole emojis thing.
But, letters, he could do. He remembers not having anyone at home for when he went off to war, and no family left; all the envelopes had turned into bills and notices and flyers; but before that he remembers being a kid, and getting a letter was sometimes the most exciting thing that could happen in a day. He would sit down when his feet would barely touch the ground, and sound out all the words, following the loops and whorls of his grandfather's script.
Now that was a lot of nostalgia he hadn't been expecting. ]
Guess your alter-ego was a little more different to you than mine was to me. You never mentioned you like to read.
[ He doesn't realize that he's also leaned in a bit so they're sitting closer together in this booth, easier to hear, more able to drop their voices and keep the conversation intimate while being surrounded by other patrons; it was almost like they didn't exist at all. ]
Let me guess, you're a fan of... historical fiction?
[ One day she'll send him the crab with knife gif reaction in honor of Fen, but it'll have to be just the right moment. Her head cants to the side for a moment, thinking about the other Julia she'd been so sure was real. ]
It was like pieces of my life had been blown up to outrageous levels. Although, I have a hard time believing that my mother wouldn't have been too different from what I remembered when we were on the ship if she'd been alive in that time period. [ The woman wasn't a saint and while Julia had lived a privileged life, it had come with a personal cost. Her mom had just been elected to the board of the Met when she'd gotten in trouble with Marina, with the hedges. Having to lie so she wouldn't have to explain magic to her family. It was easier to hide away a problem in a rehab facility in the name of protecting a reputation.
But then, any tension she might've had at the thought of her family melts away as he starts to guess on her favorite books. Offering a hum of approval, she lets her gaze drop to her cup before lifting it again to meet his. ]
Historical anything, honestly. I'm a sucker for dead languages. [ She'd accepted that about herself awhile ago. And once she'd found out what her discipline was, it all made sense. ] Serial mysteries, high fantasy -- anything that involved world-building. It used to be an escape for my best friend and I at home - Quentin. [ She can't remember if she'd mentioned the name when she'd basically broken into his room on the ship, ready to expand on Q further if he asks. But what she was saying now was true. It had been the healthiest coping mechanism for both of them. She just grew out of it a lot faster than Q.
Giving a soft laugh, she almost feels ridiculous sharing any of this with someone who was still basically a stranger to her... But-- ] We both had shitty home lives and books... We'd re-create places from the stories in my backyard, running around pretending we were the Chatwins from this one book series, Fillory and Further. Fighting The Watcher Woman or sneaking past Trolls or stealing a pirate ship to go to the Secret Sea.
[ And it had been an incredible fantasy story until it wasn't. Until it was very real and very dangerous and heartbreaking. Not ready to go down that road, wanting to enjoy the little bit of blissful nostalgia - she lets her brows draw in curiosity. She wanted to learn more about him, the real him and not what was portrayed on the screen or in comic books. ] Any favorite books or authors for you?
I can understand that, my best friend and I were the same way.
[ He listens to her, rapt in attention. He hadn't expected her favorite books to be high fantasy, and he finds it cute that she used to play pretend with Q. He had a whole shoebox underneath his childhood bed, full of sketches of him and Bucky on adventures; he was going to write a comic one day-- but maybe that's a story for another time. ]
And I... really love Tolkien. The Hobbit's a favorite of mine, and the other ones are good, even if the Silmarillion reads like a textbook.
Did you know he studied linguistics? Made a bunch of languages, based 'em off of Finnish and Welsh, but they didn't make sense because there was no history, right? So he wrote the whole world full of books just so... he could have a whole language tree.
[ He only says that because he thinks she might be interested, since she likes dead languages. Though, well, Steve had never had the talent for learning those - he only profited on the work from others' passions. ]
--I've never heard of Fillory and Further. Is it at the library?
[ He thinks he might pick it up and do a little light reading. If they're drawn to the same sorts of fiction, he'd trust her recommendation. ]
[ She hadn't been sure what to expect, but it wasn't for him to say Tolkien. Julia finds herself stunned in the best way. This is why she'd wanted to sit down and talk. Just talk like they weren't a superhero and a former goddess meeting up for coffee. And then he's talking about the linguistics behind it all and she's pretty sure if she hadn't been crushing on him before, she was now.
She really should just have 'talk nerdy to me' stamped on her forehead. ]
The imagery in his books can be really beautiful. [ Sometimes more than she'd wanted. But, it all tied together and the attention to detail was insane. Enviable, really, if she'd ever had any aspirations to become an author. ] And sometimes that's all it takes. I'm glad he created that world so he could share it all with us.
[ As for the Fillory books... ]
They're not, but I have a copy of the set from home that you're more than welcome to borrow. Turned out that Fillory is a real place and -- [ She shakes her head, not wanting to ruin the moment by mentioning that Plover wasn't as noble as Tolkien in his intentions with sharing this alternate universe with the world. ] It's complicated, but the books lived up to what we'd dreamed of the first time we set foot there.
[ Everything else fell under the category of 'never meet your heroes'. ] The reality of it all was just a bit darker than we'd expected.
[ He looks at her as if she has just told him there might be a possibility that Middle Earth is also real, which he wouldn't have believed until he came to Deerington. ]
I guess it's like fairy tales. They have to change something to tell kids, right?
But I'm happy you got to go see it, even if it's not what you expected.
[ He would love to lose himself in the pages of the books he'd read as a child, maybe he would've been a ward of Gondor, or a dwarf under the mountain. Somehow, he can see Julia's drawing underneath the table with Quentin, somewhere no adults care to look. He feels that. ]
Wonder if we'll do the same thing about this place.
[ His brows furrow a second as he considers something, now that he's realized there are other worlds and that some of them have been fictionalized. Hell, his own story had been written down in comic books and shown in old war films, though little of it had been exaggerated. ]
[ And if someone from Middle Earth does show up here... she'll make sure, if she sees them first, to text Steve and tell him. Especially with that look he just gave her. It's endearing and encourages her to live in the nostalgic whimsy for a moment longer. ]
Yeah, it was really magical for the first few moments.
[ And then Umber had removed the patch and she'd kind of gone off the deep end. But, that wasn't a conversation for right now.
She smiles softly, sucking on her lower lip out of habit as she thinks it over. ]
I think there are some truths better left unsaid until everyone's ready. And some that are unavoidable. [ She knew there were kids here and as much as she'd like to be able to find a way to shield them from the horrors, protecting them from the truth wasn't going to stop the horrors from finding them. This place was different, though. It was darker and preyed on weakness like a three-course meal. ]
If there is, it probably won't be that easy to find. Some of the books are pretty garbled so if we were to come across it in the Library, I don't know that we'd recognize it right away.
[ It's more of a royal 'we', not that she'd turn down book hunting with Steve. She's been scouring plenty on her own, though. Slowly. Trying to build a personal catalog of the books with notes for the ones that are more garbled than others. ]
[ He enjoys this chat about literature, but the fact that she seems to know about the book interests him and steers him in a way that he can't ignore. ]
But maybe there's someone who can help look over them; there are so many people here from different backgrounds, maybe we just need more eyes on it. I might know a guy.
[ He might or might not be talking about The Hulk. But he thinks it would be rude to just namedrop someone that Julia clearly doesn't know, right? ]
I'll have to ask him if he's tried. He's a lot smarter than me.
[ Which isn't to say that Julia is not, but he currently is still under the impression that the two of them fit into the category of normal, or roughly fit anyway. Banner, on the other hand? Not remotely. He files that away for now, as he rips off more of the pastry and eats it. ]
[ She doesn't know him, the real him, well enough to dispute what he says about himself. Just taking a sip of her coffee as she watches him over the rim of her cup.
She wasn't quite as much of a social butterfly as Q, doubtful that she'd met whoever Steve was talking about, especially if it was someone from Steve's life at home. ]
That'd be nice, to have another set of eyes or at least another opinion. If you can send me his contact information or give him my name, I'd appreciate it.
[ She'd heard rumors about F.E.A.R. and knew if she did some digging, she'd probably hit a wealth of resources she had no idea about. But, there was also a commitment with F.E.A.R. and risks if things go wrong that she might not be ready for. Not so soon after her encounter with Sodder's Subconscious in Rapture.
Putting down the cup, she props an elbow on the table - resting her chin on her hand. ]
It'd be nice if this was something we didn't have to worry about.
[ He pulls his out and knits his eyebrows before sending a contact card over to Julia with Bruce's name on it; if her device isn't on silent, it pings a second before he slots his back into his coat pocket.
He might be kind of a grandpa, but he did at least learn how to use one of these things. ]
I wish we didn't have to deal with any of this either, but... the sooner we figure this out, the sooner we get everyone back home who needs to be.
[ Steve hasn't decided, if the threats were gone with Deerington, whether or not he'll stay. He supposes right now it rests on Bucky - at home, Bucky's a mess, it'll take years before he's stable, and Steve's a fugitive. Even if time moves on now, the Avengers can handle threats without them.
And if time stands still outside, the way that it currently does, then he imagines a lot of people might stick around, at least a little while.
[ Her device pings from her purse, confirmation that she definitely got it. ]
Perfect, I'll reach out to him and see what we can brainstorm.
[ It wasn't her first time basically cold-calling someone because she was given a name and was pointed in a direction. She sighs, a bittersweet emotion washing over her at the idea of home. Home didn't have her best friend. Home had a string of its own messes, including them figuring out how the fuck to move the moon. Breaking off another piece of pastry, she pops it into her mouth and chews for a moment - debating how to respond. ]
It came up while we were in Rapture, a discussion for people to have the option to stay if they wanted. Once everything is fixed and we're given a choice in the matter. Being here is kind of a blessing of its own. I get to spend time with someone I'll never get to see again once I go home for good.
[ It feels like a big confession, almost a little worried she might scare him off with showing a little more vulnerability than she'd planned over coffee. But, it really felt like it was just them in the coffee shop, the rest of the world kind of tuned out around them. ]
[ He is really dumb when it comes to women, but Steve can read the lines between what Julia says and what she means. He's flattered, more than anything. And - it's true, he probably wouldn't have stopped to talk to her at home, and their social circles and lives would never have otherwise crossed.
It was serendipitous that they met, and pure chemistry that they keep meeting. He'll allow himself to admit that.
Yes, it really would be a shame that they wouldn't get to see each other, but-- ]
--Well, I wouldn't want to keep you from home. Maybe... there'd be a way to travel in between the dimensions.
Maybe I could even come visit your homeworld sometime.
[ If that isn't enough confession that he'd like to just retire and let the world carry on and do whatever the hell it wants with his legacy, then so be it. The world survived for seventy years without him, and it sure doesn't need him now - especially not if they have Tony back, or Bruce, or Thor. Whatever happened to him.
As long as Steve knows they're safe and they're where they belong, that's what matters. ]
[ He technically wasn’t wrong in his assumption, the guess going a happier direction than she’d originally intended. It’s enough to catch her off-guard, a rare blush creeping into cheeks. She was typically way more composed than this. Really.
The thought of being able to jump between dimensions appeals to her. They could create portals in their world between locations, could go to other planes of existence… Hm. ]
That actually seems feasible with the magic from my world, at least. There’d just have to be a way to stabilize it here so circumstances or a surge wouldn’t impact it and send someone off to a place they don’t want to be. [ There were so many pieces that went into a spell, it really could make things unpredictable and dangerous. And she wasn’t sure if there’d be rules placed on people who’d passed away in their own worlds to keep them from returning, that particular bit far beyond her understanding. Even if she’d like to throw a curveball at Hades and see how he likes her creating more chaos. There’s a pang of guilt over Persephone, even if she wasn’t the one in control, having to take a back seat to watch the horror show. She pushes that aside, though. Thinking it over with having Steve in her world. ]
I wouldn’t say no to you coming to visit. [ She leaves that open, meaning both here and in her own world. She doesn’t mention how much people might freak out if he just showed up, real and breathing in her world - that maybe it wouldn’t be the most relaxing retirement plan. ]
[ He hadn't even realized what he said and wonders about how pink she's getting, and then she mentions magic. Huh. That was definitely interesting - he assumes the two are related, which is a relief, because initially he was wondering if he'd said something wrong.
She doesn't carry on as if that's the case. ]
You're gonna have to work on the stabilization without me; I don't know the first thing about magic.
[ There was a time where he inherited Stephen Strange's powers, but he hadn't even known who he was at the time, so he wasn't aware of all the magic he had suddenly been able to do. ]
But if you figure it out, I promise I'll come to your world and see you.
[ What else does he have to do but run away from his own government at home, anyway? ]
I wouldn't say no to some company while I get frustrated at books and pieces of paper.
[ While she sometimes preferred to be a creature of solitude when it came to researching things, she never said no to company. Even if that company wasn't there to help her and had no idea what she was even doing. It was nice to be able to just ramble off a frustration that was going to make no sense to the other person and think out loud.
Smiling, she leans forward a little, propping her chin on her hand as she looks at him. ]
We could split the visiting time between our worlds.
[ She doesn't fess up with what she knows about him, but if he mentions it... She's got a few tricks up her sleeve to help him hide or disguise himself. ]
[ He should be feeling a little nervous that she wants to split time with him in their homes like this, it sounds... serious? He definitely wasn't expecting it, wouldn't expect it if she decided it wasn't a good idea after all.
But... he only feels comforted, and his smile is warm, if a little surprised. ]
I'm sure they're only gonna call me if they need me.
I'm... kinda in a bit of trouble back there.
[ He looks sheepishly about this; maybe he ought to tell her before things get any further that he's a wanted fugitive. Now he looks a little nervous, because all these plans? All this mountain of good they're building? It could just... dissipate. But she deserves to know. ]
[ An eyebrow arches as he makes the confession, not concerned - more intrigued. ]
Well, if you stick around in my world then for a little while, maybe I can help you. It's okay. I'm not going to judge you. [ Reaching forward to take his hand, her expression softens further. Trying to be more supportive than anything. ] Can I let you in on a little secret? [ Her voice drops to a whisper, to keep this between them as best she can. ]
Your story -- the story of your world is a fictional one in mine. It's okay. You're a good person with a good heart, Steve. Even if I had no idea about who you were, what you did on the ship for me is proof enough that whatever trouble you're in probably isn't your doing. Or isn't for a very good reason.
[ And to lighten things a little-- ] Besides, I'm a little harder to scare off. I can handle a bit of trouble.
About the fictional thing, I mean, a lot of people thought I was just an actor before the found me in the ice.
[ Sorry Julia, he still thinks that he's real, he's just, you know, still buried on your Earth somewhere in the ocean. He hadn't been aware she made the connection from his civilian name, but it's not like he's subtle? At least that makes that explanation easier. ]
They don't really tell you all of it, kinda just focus on the parts where I punch Hitler and kiss a lot of babies. But - yes, it's a good reason. At least, I think it is.
[ She has the right to decide that for herself. He takes a deep sigh. ]
People like me, and-- like you, too. The UN thought we needed regulating, passed a law so anyone with powers had to get registered. Everything we do gets shuffled behind red tape. And some of us? Get declared as weapons.
So we fought it, and we lost, and now I'm kinda in hiding. So I'm not in a hurry to go home.
I assumed as much. About the story not telling us everything.
[ And then he's saying more and she gets it. Unnervingly so. Strange how their worlds can have a parallel about some things and yet be so different. ]
Well, I'm not sure how much of a comfort it is, but I doubt we're going to be leaving here anytime soon. Gives us all time to figure things out and fix our problems at home.
[ And because he'd opened up a little, the least she can do is return the favor. ]
Something similar, on a different scale, was happening back home. Except they were killing a group of the people who were different rather than just creating a registry. We've made some pretty big steps towards fixing it... But, it's hard to stop something that was put into motion like that. It's going to be a long and annoyingly complicated path, I think. [ Like convincing the moon to move and saving the Hedge Witches from dying. It's fine. ]
So, I get it. In a way. No one should be declared a weapon or deemed too dangerous to be around other people or restricted from access to knowledge that could help them - especially not by bureaucrats of any kind. Political or educational.
[ Rationally, she understands that with the changed circumstances of the 40th timeline, she needed to not go to Brakebills, but that didn't ease the sting of everything else that followed. The dangerous path she went down craving the one thing she'd been denied -- information and education on her magic. She'd watched it destroy other people and the stolen information used as a tool for exploitation rather than enlightenment. It had been brutal and honest and it's own form of an education on why certain things should be accessible to everyone. ]
And definitely not by anyone who doesn't even... have a clue what it's like.
[ To be them, to be out there, to be doing what they have to do to keep the world safe. But this is a depressing topic of conversation. ]
But if you wanna come see my home, I'll... try to be a good tourguide.
[ They might just have to go undercover the old MCU route, by wearing glasses and a baseball cap. He doesn't mind it anymore, and he's kinda touched that Julia would even want to bother. After all, it's kind of just another Earth. Nothing terribly special about it, nothing as drastic as this place anyway. And all the people he'd want her to meet are already here.
But nonetheless, it's... sweet. He's used to distance, used to being on the job. Hell, the last girl he dated turned out to be an undercover SHIELD agent. He supposes he's just drawn to danger, to girls who can hold their own in a fight, who can give him shit when he needs to be knocked down a peg or two. ]
And hey, you made progress. That's more than I can say for us.
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[ And particularly not with those fabrics that are essentially plastic - especially at the end, when everyone went into the water. No, best not to think about that too hard. ]
Good to see you're doing okay.
[ After Rapture? Yeah, it had been a rough few months for everyone, he thinks, even considering the usual effects of Deerington. But they're all back now, more or less, and hopefully things calm down so they can get back to the important stuff. He knows it won't last - it's the eye of an eye of a storm, and no one's even been able to figure out what sort of things are possible or impossible here.
He can afford to take the night off. ]
Didn't know you were a librarian.
I teach, at the high school. Get most of my books from the school library, or I would've dropped by.
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You too. Felt weird to be away from this place for two months.
[ She'd missed it. Which felt wrong. But, it had thrown her off to not remember her life again - living a lie. Part of her wonders if Rapture would have been easier to deal with if she hadn't been herself again. Probably not.
Picking off a piece of the cheese danish, she smiles - a lift to her eyebrows at his job title. They haven't exactly had a chance for her to confess just how much she actually knows about him, how much of it is true... But, if he's happy with working at the High School, that's all that matters. This place gave her a chance at trying to find some normalcy when circumstances at home were out of her control. Her job had been a saving grace when she was powerless. It gave her something to do to help people. She wasn't going to judge anyone else for what they did in between the shitstorms around here, Superhero, Former Goddess, Magician, or whatever. Before she can stop herself -- ]
Well, now that you know I'm there, maybe you'll come visit me the next time you need something. Or if you just want to stop by and chat.
[ Not the boldest thing she could say, but it's out there. Popping the danish bite into her mouth, she doesn't hold back the small sound of happiness at the flavors. She might have to make a point to stop here more often for more than just coffee. ]
Good call on getting both danishes. [ Because she's coming for the cherry one next. ]
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That's over now, anyway, and he'd rather move on, because despite all the flaws of this place, he didn't hate it here.
Mostly it was the knowing that the world behind didn't move while they were here that kept him going. He opens his mouth as if to make comment about the same thing, how this place had almost felt like home in comparison, but-- ]
I-- sure.
[ He pauses holding a piece of pastry in his hand as if he's not sure that he heard her correctly, because it seemed like she was shyly trying to offer him another chance of seeing her. ]
Yeah, maybe we could. Talk.
[ He can feel how awkward he is. ]
And you know, you can always come to me if you need anything. We all kind of have to deal with this place together.
[ He cracks a smile. ]
Maybe this time we won't need to sneak around.
[ Did anyone overhear that? ]
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Just something else to add to the vault of things to keep her up at night, honestly.
And then as suddenly as she feels like she can see the Captain peeking through, he slips back into Steve and her lips curve up into a smirk, easily falling into the playful banter - grateful for transition once again towards something lighter than where this all could have gone. She understood protectiveness through and through, appreciated the words - but she was in a better position to take care of herself now than she was two months ago. But, there were still some things that having some help would be great for... She didn't want to only reach out to him for shit like that, though. Just have some fun and keep things casual - keep it from suddenly changing the dynamic between them. ]
It'll certainly be easier to see you without having to peek around corners or listen for certain voices. [ The stakes are just so much lower now. It wasn't a big deal anymore if someone saw them together and jumped to conclusions because she didn't care what other people thought of her. She leans in, acting like she's sharing a secret. ]
The whole thing was a little thrilling, though. [ An adrenaline rush without it being life or death. A nice change of pace. ]
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There had been a sort of air of danger to the situation, and a romantic sort of tone, but in the most foolish way. Because as much as it'd felt like a game, it hadn't been. But in knowing now the inevitability of the sinking, it feels like such a small thing to have ever been worried about. He wonders if he'll feel this way about Deerington someday.
He wonders if he should maybe stop worrying so much about little things. ]
I could throw pebbles at your window.
[ If she still wanted to play like they were kids sneaking out of the house after dark. He used to, with Bucky - okay, he still does, but there's less being clandestine and no rocks being thrown, more like texts being sent and locking up the front door and climbing over the fence between their houses. He does admit, there's something nostalgic about the way it used to be.
Then, cracking a smile, definitely joking, he offers: ]
I could put on the accent.
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And that was going to happen here, too. Julia was going to take the proverbial bull by the horns and see what happened.
The nostalgic suggestion has her previously conspiratorial smirk softening. ]
We could also write letters. In case the pebbles don't work. The windows to my bedroom may be a little hard to reach. The room in the attic had the most space for a growing book collection. [ Not impossible for the most determined, but her room had its downsides for late night romantic moments. Besides, she liked the tactile idea of letters, having something tangible to collect soothed the book lover in her. ]
As for the accent-- [ A highly inappropriate comment almost slips out, one that might've made a few of her friends proud. Instead, she shakes her head - taking a sip of her coffee before finding a different direction for her response. It's gentle, easily picking on the joke. ] I'll leave that up to you.
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But, letters, he could do. He remembers not having anyone at home for when he went off to war, and no family left; all the envelopes had turned into bills and notices and flyers; but before that he remembers being a kid, and getting a letter was sometimes the most exciting thing that could happen in a day. He would sit down when his feet would barely touch the ground, and sound out all the words, following the loops and whorls of his grandfather's script.
Now that was a lot of nostalgia he hadn't been expecting. ]
Guess your alter-ego was a little more different to you than mine was to me. You never mentioned you like to read.
[ He doesn't realize that he's also leaned in a bit so they're sitting closer together in this booth, easier to hear, more able to drop their voices and keep the conversation intimate while being surrounded by other patrons; it was almost like they didn't exist at all. ]
Let me guess, you're a fan of... historical fiction?
...Serial mysteries?
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It was like pieces of my life had been blown up to outrageous levels. Although, I have a hard time believing that my mother wouldn't have been too different from what I remembered when we were on the ship if she'd been alive in that time period. [ The woman wasn't a saint and while Julia had lived a privileged life, it had come with a personal cost. Her mom had just been elected to the board of the Met when she'd gotten in trouble with Marina, with the hedges. Having to lie so she wouldn't have to explain magic to her family. It was easier to hide away a problem in a rehab facility in the name of protecting a reputation.
But then, any tension she might've had at the thought of her family melts away as he starts to guess on her favorite books. Offering a hum of approval, she lets her gaze drop to her cup before lifting it again to meet his. ]
Historical anything, honestly. I'm a sucker for dead languages. [ She'd accepted that about herself awhile ago. And once she'd found out what her discipline was, it all made sense. ] Serial mysteries, high fantasy -- anything that involved world-building. It used to be an escape for my best friend and I at home - Quentin. [ She can't remember if she'd mentioned the name when she'd basically broken into his room on the ship, ready to expand on Q further if he asks. But what she was saying now was true. It had been the healthiest coping mechanism for both of them. She just grew out of it a lot faster than Q.
Giving a soft laugh, she almost feels ridiculous sharing any of this with someone who was still basically a stranger to her... But-- ] We both had shitty home lives and books... We'd re-create places from the stories in my backyard, running around pretending we were the Chatwins from this one book series, Fillory and Further. Fighting The Watcher Woman or sneaking past Trolls or stealing a pirate ship to go to the Secret Sea.
[ And it had been an incredible fantasy story until it wasn't. Until it was very real and very dangerous and heartbreaking. Not ready to go down that road, wanting to enjoy the little bit of blissful nostalgia - she lets her brows draw in curiosity. She wanted to learn more about him, the real him and not what was portrayed on the screen or in comic books. ] Any favorite books or authors for you?
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[ He listens to her, rapt in attention. He hadn't expected her favorite books to be high fantasy, and he finds it cute that she used to play pretend with Q. He had a whole shoebox underneath his childhood bed, full of sketches of him and Bucky on adventures; he was going to write a comic one day-- but maybe that's a story for another time. ]
And I... really love Tolkien. The Hobbit's a favorite of mine, and the other ones are good, even if the Silmarillion reads like a textbook.
Did you know he studied linguistics? Made a bunch of languages, based 'em off of Finnish and Welsh, but they didn't make sense because there was no history, right? So he wrote the whole world full of books just so... he could have a whole language tree.
[ He only says that because he thinks she might be interested, since she likes dead languages. Though, well, Steve had never had the talent for learning those - he only profited on the work from others' passions. ]
--I've never heard of Fillory and Further. Is it at the library?
[ He thinks he might pick it up and do a little light reading. If they're drawn to the same sorts of fiction, he'd trust her recommendation. ]
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She really should just have 'talk nerdy to me' stamped on her forehead. ]
The imagery in his books can be really beautiful. [ Sometimes more than she'd wanted. But, it all tied together and the attention to detail was insane. Enviable, really, if she'd ever had any aspirations to become an author. ] And sometimes that's all it takes. I'm glad he created that world so he could share it all with us.
[ As for the Fillory books... ]
They're not, but I have a copy of the set from home that you're more than welcome to borrow. Turned out that Fillory is a real place and -- [ She shakes her head, not wanting to ruin the moment by mentioning that Plover wasn't as noble as Tolkien in his intentions with sharing this alternate universe with the world. ] It's complicated, but the books lived up to what we'd dreamed of the first time we set foot there.
[ Everything else fell under the category of 'never meet your heroes'. ] The reality of it all was just a bit darker than we'd expected.
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[ He looks at her as if she has just told him there might be a possibility that Middle Earth is also real, which he wouldn't have believed until he came to Deerington. ]
I guess it's like fairy tales. They have to change something to tell kids, right?
But I'm happy you got to go see it, even if it's not what you expected.
[ He would love to lose himself in the pages of the books he'd read as a child, maybe he would've been a ward of Gondor, or a dwarf under the mountain. Somehow, he can see Julia's drawing underneath the table with Quentin, somewhere no adults care to look. He feels that. ]
Wonder if we'll do the same thing about this place.
[ His brows furrow a second as he considers something, now that he's realized there are other worlds and that some of them have been fictionalized. Hell, his own story had been written down in comic books and shown in old war films, though little of it had been exaggerated. ]
--Do you think there's a book about this place?
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Yeah, it was really magical for the first few moments.
[ And then Umber had removed the patch and she'd kind of gone off the deep end. But, that wasn't a conversation for right now.
She smiles softly, sucking on her lower lip out of habit as she thinks it over. ]
I think there are some truths better left unsaid until everyone's ready. And some that are unavoidable. [ She knew there were kids here and as much as she'd like to be able to find a way to shield them from the horrors, protecting them from the truth wasn't going to stop the horrors from finding them. This place was different, though. It was darker and preyed on weakness like a three-course meal. ]
If there is, it probably won't be that easy to find. Some of the books are pretty garbled so if we were to come across it in the Library, I don't know that we'd recognize it right away.
[ It's more of a royal 'we', not that she'd turn down book hunting with Steve. She's been scouring plenty on her own, though. Slowly. Trying to build a personal catalog of the books with notes for the ones that are more garbled than others. ]
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But maybe there's someone who can help look over them; there are so many people here from different backgrounds, maybe we just need more eyes on it. I might know a guy.
[ He might or might not be talking about The Hulk. But he thinks it would be rude to just namedrop someone that Julia clearly doesn't know, right? ]
I'll have to ask him if he's tried. He's a lot smarter than me.
[ Which isn't to say that Julia is not, but he currently is still under the impression that the two of them fit into the category of normal, or roughly fit anyway. Banner, on the other hand? Not remotely. He files that away for now, as he rips off more of the pastry and eats it. ]
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She wasn't quite as much of a social butterfly as Q, doubtful that she'd met whoever Steve was talking about, especially if it was someone from Steve's life at home. ]
That'd be nice, to have another set of eyes or at least another opinion. If you can send me his contact information or give him my name, I'd appreciate it.
[ She'd heard rumors about F.E.A.R. and knew if she did some digging, she'd probably hit a wealth of resources she had no idea about. But, there was also a commitment with F.E.A.R. and risks if things go wrong that she might not be ready for. Not so soon after her encounter with Sodder's Subconscious in Rapture.
Putting down the cup, she props an elbow on the table - resting her chin on her hand. ]
It'd be nice if this was something we didn't have to worry about.
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[ He pulls his out and knits his eyebrows before sending a contact card over to Julia with Bruce's name on it; if her device isn't on silent, it pings a second before he slots his back into his coat pocket.
He might be kind of a grandpa, but he did at least learn how to use one of these things. ]
I wish we didn't have to deal with any of this either, but... the sooner we figure this out, the sooner we get everyone back home who needs to be.
[ Steve hasn't decided, if the threats were gone with Deerington, whether or not he'll stay. He supposes right now it rests on Bucky - at home, Bucky's a mess, it'll take years before he's stable, and Steve's a fugitive. Even if time moves on now, the Avengers can handle threats without them.
And if time stands still outside, the way that it currently does, then he imagines a lot of people might stick around, at least a little while.
He's not fussed. ]
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Perfect, I'll reach out to him and see what we can brainstorm.
[ It wasn't her first time basically cold-calling someone because she was given a name and was pointed in a direction. She sighs, a bittersweet emotion washing over her at the idea of home. Home didn't have her best friend. Home had a string of its own messes, including them figuring out how the fuck to move the moon. Breaking off another piece of pastry, she pops it into her mouth and chews for a moment - debating how to respond. ]
It came up while we were in Rapture, a discussion for people to have the option to stay if they wanted. Once everything is fixed and we're given a choice in the matter. Being here is kind of a blessing of its own. I get to spend time with someone I'll never get to see again once I go home for good.
[ It feels like a big confession, almost a little worried she might scare him off with showing a little more vulnerability than she'd planned over coffee. But, it really felt like it was just them in the coffee shop, the rest of the world kind of tuned out around them. ]
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It was serendipitous that they met, and pure chemistry that they keep meeting. He'll allow himself to admit that.
Yes, it really would be a shame that they wouldn't get to see each other, but-- ]
--Well, I wouldn't want to keep you from home. Maybe... there'd be a way to travel in between the dimensions.
Maybe I could even come visit your homeworld sometime.
[ If that isn't enough confession that he'd like to just retire and let the world carry on and do whatever the hell it wants with his legacy, then so be it. The world survived for seventy years without him, and it sure doesn't need him now - especially not if they have Tony back, or Bruce, or Thor. Whatever happened to him.
As long as Steve knows they're safe and they're where they belong, that's what matters. ]
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The thought of being able to jump between dimensions appeals to her. They could create portals in their world between locations, could go to other planes of existence… Hm. ]
That actually seems feasible with the magic from my world, at least. There’d just have to be a way to stabilize it here so circumstances or a surge wouldn’t impact it and send someone off to a place they don’t want to be. [ There were so many pieces that went into a spell, it really could make things unpredictable and dangerous. And she wasn’t sure if there’d be rules placed on people who’d passed away in their own worlds to keep them from returning, that particular bit far beyond her understanding. Even if she’d like to throw a curveball at Hades and see how he likes her creating more chaos. There’s a pang of guilt over Persephone, even if she wasn’t the one in control, having to take a back seat to watch the horror show. She pushes that aside, though. Thinking it over with having Steve in her world. ]
I wouldn’t say no to you coming to visit. [ She leaves that open, meaning both here and in her own world. She doesn’t mention how much people might freak out if he just showed up, real and breathing in her world - that maybe it wouldn’t be the most relaxing retirement plan. ]
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She doesn't carry on as if that's the case. ]
You're gonna have to work on the stabilization without me; I don't know the first thing about magic.
[ There was a time where he inherited Stephen Strange's powers, but he hadn't even known who he was at the time, so he wasn't aware of all the magic he had suddenly been able to do. ]
But if you figure it out, I promise I'll come to your world and see you.
[ What else does he have to do but run away from his own government at home, anyway? ]
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[ While she sometimes preferred to be a creature of solitude when it came to researching things, she never said no to company. Even if that company wasn't there to help her and had no idea what she was even doing. It was nice to be able to just ramble off a frustration that was going to make no sense to the other person and think out loud.
Smiling, she leans forward a little, propping her chin on her hand as she looks at him. ]
We could split the visiting time between our worlds.
[ She doesn't fess up with what she knows about him, but if he mentions it... She's got a few tricks up her sleeve to help him hide or disguise himself. ]
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But... he only feels comforted, and his smile is warm, if a little surprised. ]
I'm sure they're only gonna call me if they need me.
I'm... kinda in a bit of trouble back there.
[ He looks sheepishly about this; maybe he ought to tell her before things get any further that he's a wanted fugitive. Now he looks a little nervous, because all these plans? All this mountain of good they're building? It could just... dissipate. But she deserves to know. ]
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Well, if you stick around in my world then for a little while, maybe I can help you. It's okay. I'm not going to judge you. [ Reaching forward to take his hand, her expression softens further. Trying to be more supportive than anything. ] Can I let you in on a little secret? [ Her voice drops to a whisper, to keep this between them as best she can. ]
Your story -- the story of your world is a fictional one in mine. It's okay. You're a good person with a good heart, Steve. Even if I had no idea about who you were, what you did on the ship for me is proof enough that whatever trouble you're in probably isn't your doing. Or isn't for a very good reason.
[ And to lighten things a little-- ] Besides, I'm a little harder to scare off. I can handle a bit of trouble.
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[ He blinks. ]
About the fictional thing, I mean, a lot of people thought I was just an actor before the found me in the ice.
[ Sorry Julia, he still thinks that he's real, he's just, you know, still buried on your Earth somewhere in the ocean. He hadn't been aware she made the connection from his civilian name, but it's not like he's subtle? At least that makes that explanation easier. ]
They don't really tell you all of it, kinda just focus on the parts where I punch Hitler and kiss a lot of babies. But - yes, it's a good reason. At least, I think it is.
[ She has the right to decide that for herself. He takes a deep sigh. ]
People like me, and-- like you, too. The UN thought we needed regulating, passed a law so anyone with powers had to get registered. Everything we do gets shuffled behind red tape. And some of us? Get declared as weapons.
So we fought it, and we lost, and now I'm kinda in hiding. So I'm not in a hurry to go home.
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[ And then he's saying more and she gets it. Unnervingly so. Strange how their worlds can have a parallel about some things and yet be so different. ]
Well, I'm not sure how much of a comfort it is, but I doubt we're going to be leaving here anytime soon. Gives us all time to figure things out and fix our problems at home.
[ And because he'd opened up a little, the least she can do is return the favor. ]
Something similar, on a different scale, was happening back home. Except they were killing a group of the people who were different rather than just creating a registry. We've made some pretty big steps towards fixing it... But, it's hard to stop something that was put into motion like that. It's going to be a long and annoyingly complicated path, I think. [ Like convincing the moon to move and saving the Hedge Witches from dying. It's fine. ]
So, I get it. In a way. No one should be declared a weapon or deemed too dangerous to be around other people or restricted from access to knowledge that could help them - especially not by bureaucrats of any kind. Political or educational.
[ Rationally, she understands that with the changed circumstances of the 40th timeline, she needed to not go to Brakebills, but that didn't ease the sting of everything else that followed. The dangerous path she went down craving the one thing she'd been denied -- information and education on her magic. She'd watched it destroy other people and the stolen information used as a tool for exploitation rather than enlightenment. It had been brutal and honest and it's own form of an education on why certain things should be accessible to everyone. ]
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[ To be them, to be out there, to be doing what they have to do to keep the world safe. But this is a depressing topic of conversation. ]
But if you wanna come see my home, I'll... try to be a good tourguide.
[ They might just have to go undercover the old MCU route, by wearing glasses and a baseball cap. He doesn't mind it anymore, and he's kinda touched that Julia would even want to bother. After all, it's kind of just another Earth. Nothing terribly special about it, nothing as drastic as this place anyway. And all the people he'd want her to meet are already here.
But nonetheless, it's... sweet. He's used to distance, used to being on the job. Hell, the last girl he dated turned out to be an undercover SHIELD agent. He supposes he's just drawn to danger, to girls who can hold their own in a fight, who can give him shit when he needs to be knocked down a peg or two. ]
And hey, you made progress. That's more than I can say for us.
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