Work Text:
Charlie's eyes burn as light suddenly enters them after just being surrounded by darkness.
The room that comes into clarity is unknown. There's a wide archway that leads to a balcony. A desk and a telescope pushed into a corner, a bed behind open curtains. A sofa taking up the center of the room. They are unsure where to go next when a familiar voice sounds out behind them.
“Charlie?”
They turn toward the voice, it's Zari. Looking as young as the day they first met her even though many decades had passed since then.
It must be the totem, keeping her in this form when she died. It made them wonder what form it had chosen for them.
“Zari.”
For the first time in their lives they were speechless. They had never imagined they would ever get a chance to see her again.
“I wasn't sure if it would work. When I heard what was happening and couldn't be there I-”
Charlie hadn't really be sure either. When the legends had popped out of the time stream to come say goodbye to them and other Zari had given them her totem. Tears in her eyes and a kiss on Charlie's cheek as they closed their eyes for a final time, they hadn't been sure where they'd end up.
“Me either.”
Charlie looks around and notices after a closer look the room looks unfinished. One side of the bed with no dent on it, looking like that part had never been slept on. An empty space on the back of the chair at the desk, a spot that could hang their favorite jacket on. A completely untouched living chair.
Zari must've noticed their analyzing because she speaks up confirming what they were thinking.
“I made room for you.”
“How long ago?”
Zari seems unsure if she wants to reveal the answer but she must figure it's useless trying to hide things, especially since life has long passed.
“I've been waiting for you for a long time.”
The fact that Zari's been longing for them just as long as they had for her. Warms their chest right where their heart sits.
They may not have been able to have been together while they were alive but Charlie's ready to give eternity with Zari a try.