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She can hear a voice calling her. It’s distant, broken and weak, filled with an agonizing pain.
But it sounds so soothing and comforting, somehow…maybe that's because it's been so long since the last time she heard it, and she missed it immensely.
It’s a woman, and she’s apologizing as she dies. She tells her to stay down, that everything will be over soon and she’ll be all right.
Brunnhilde wakes up muttering her name, crying and begging, confused about where she is and why was she sleeping with her clothes -most of them- on.
A strong hand grabs her shoulder: it's haevy, warm and somewhat comforting. << Stay down, you need to rest, >> rumbles Thor’s low voice. << You fainted, >> he tells her. << In Carol’s arms. >>
That must be a joke, she could’ve never- but Thor looks so damn serious and worried. << Oh, fuck me. >>
<< Well, maybe you’d like to ask Carol that. >>
Brunnhilde sits on the bed with a heavy sigh, massaging her eyelids and realizing she’s not wearing her jacket, the tie, and her shoes. Her shirt has a few buttons loose, and Thor feels the need to clarify: it was the captain who undressed her.
Great. That sounds even better.
<< Do you…like her? >>
<< Who? >> At first, Brunnhilde doesn’t really know who the god is talking about. She slowly understands that when Thor keeps quiet as he waits for an answer that she’s not going to give him.
Does she like Carol Danvers? Of course, who doesn’t? She’s strong, and beautiful like fiery starlight, a protective goddess...so confident and straightforward as only a brave warrior could be. And she has that stubborn and self-sacrificing death wish Brunnhilde finds quite attractive in a “you fought well, now let me help you take off your armour, and take care of your wounds” way. But that’s it, she would never take her to bed. Oh, well…maybe she would actually let herself be taken if that meant having Carol on top of her. And there are a few things she would gladly do to Carol, or have the captain do to her. But, no: been there, done that. She’s fine as she is.
<< I know love and vulnerability are scary, but- >>
<< Don’t, >> she stops Thor with a heavy sigh. She doesn’t want to hear that, not now -especially not now- not ever. << You and Jane- it was different. >>
<< It was. But your lover- she saved you, she gave her life for- >>
<< She was killed, >> Brunnhilde’s voice turns low, filled with rage and bitterness << and wasted her life to give me nightmares. >> Should she be grateful for that sacrifice? Why? She would've rather die with her, bleed out on the battlefield in her lover's arms and be forgotten.
<< Tell me, then: are you happy? Are you satisfied being alone, suffering and remembering what being in love felt like? You keep everyone away from you: isn’t that tiring? Don’t tell me you don’t feel consumed by rage, and grief: I won’t believe that. >>
<< What do you want from me? >>
And that’s when Captain Marvel comes in. Just the woman Brunnhilde doesn’t want to see, exactly when she doesn’t want to see anyone at all.
The king smiles, a wide and seraphic grin, << everything’s fine, captain, >> she assures but, apparently, she doesn’t look fine enough to be believed, because Carol crosses the room to take one of her hands in hers. << Are you going to propose? Already? >>
The captain doesn’t laugh, but she gently lifts the sleeve of the king’s shirt to feel her pulse. Her warm fingers press firmly on Brunnhilde’s wrist as the king tries to ignore Thor’s gaze as best as she can.
<< What’s an acceptable heart rate for an Asgardian? >>
<< I’m fine. >>
Thor raises from the chair where he was sitting. << Carol, can I entrust Val to you? >> he asks, he needs to go back and check on Love. The captain nods, and Thor thanks her: he feels better knowing his friend is not alone. << I’ll leave you two, then. Good night. >>
Night? Brunnhilde looks outside of the window: it’s actually dark. Did she sleep for…how long? How many hours did she waste? She sighs: she doesn’t even want to know how much paperwork she’ll have to catch up on. This will be her worse nightmare: Gorr would have wished to be capable of creating something that horrible with his shadows. << You don’t have to stay. >>
<< Hm-hm…I’ll sleep on the armchair. >>
Brunnhilde lets out a sigh that sounds a lot like “stubborn”, but Carol doesn’t mind. << I guess I don’t have a say in the matter. >>
<< Correct. >> The captain sits on the bed, lowering the sleeve of the shirt's king. << Thor was very worried, you know? >>
Brunnhilde snorts: that’s fine, he tends to do that, to be a mother hen. << Was it really bad? >> she asks then out of curiosity, since everyone is so concerned, but she doesn’t even remember fainting.
Carol nods as her smile fades. << You just…went limp and fell. And you cried. >>
<< Oh, fuck. >>
<< Hey, that’s all right, really…but you looked like you were overwhelmed, and you were calling a name... maybe you should take some time for yourself. >>
<< You’re the one talking? >> the king laughs. She doesn’t mean to be insensitive, but it does sound funny that Captain Marvel is the one telling her to take a break. Carol goes stiff: Brunnhilde doesn’t understand. She has to do what she does, and she can’t afford to take any breaks.
<< Overwork yourself? What for? You’re just one amazing and gorgeous woman, I can give you that, but you’re just one. >>
<< You don’t know me. >>
<< Maybe I’d like to. >> No, this isn’t going how it was supposed to go.
Carol nods awkwardly, lips pressed in a tight line << I’m quite sure I caught you before you could hit your head on the floor, so I’m assuming now you’re just confused and tired. If you really need to stay alone… >>
<< Yeah… >> does she really wants that? << but, you know, should your husband not be enough, I can get the job done. >>
Carol is confused. Is the king really-?
<< Hitting on you? Yeah…I guess I am. And I know I’m not bad at it, which means you’re just not interested and that’s okay. I’ll survive. >>
The captain stutters trying to explain, but Brunnhilde stops her: she knows she’s a married woman, even though the marriage is fake. That’s all right.
<< It’s actually more complicated than that, >> Carol sighs. << I’m sorry. >>
<< Don’t be. It’s all right, really. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable…you’re not into women? Shame. I was so sure... >>
<< You have no idea. >> She fell in love with Maria when it was forbidden, and they both risked their jobs and to lose Monica. They had to keep quiet about a love Carol can’t even fully remember: she knows she wasn’t just Monica’s auntie, or Maria’s best friend. Then, she was kidnapped and her memory wiped out. When she came back, gay marriage was legal, but Monica was a grown woman and Maria was dying.
Everything is just so confusing.
The king stays silent for a moment, then she pats the empty side of her bed in a silent invitation. Come here. She’s not going to let the captain sleep on an armchair. << We can just keep each other company, if that's okay with you. >>
<< …okay. >>