Work Text:
Athena flies more often these days.
After encountering problems with nearly every mode of transportation, this had scared her in the beginning. She used to have to gulp down a big glass of red before even stepping foot onto a plane, but these days it’s become easier. Her husband waits for her on the other side of the journey.
In Minnesota, Athena places the bouquet of flowers at Bobby’s grave. It’s a beautiful, crisp autumn morning. She starts talking.
She tells him about Chim finally feeling comfortable as Captain of the 118, sans interim. She informs him that the child that shares his namesake is now an energetic toddler, taking after his uncle. She tells him how happy Hen and Karen are, both doing what they love. She tells him how Mara is considering being a social worker.
She talks of their kids - Harry and May, healing together. They have brunch like Bobby would make, every Sunday morning, with the rest of the 118. She talks about Buck and Eddie, and how happily married they are after years of wandering and wondering. She tells him about the conversation Eddie had with her, about wanting to expand their family. She tells him how Buck and her have movie nights sometimes, that can sometimes end in tears because they had started talking about him.
Athena talks and talks to Bobby, a Bobby that can’t talk back. Athena talks about how life in his absence was getting tolerable, lighter, because she sees him everyday. She sees him in the meals he used to make, the stores they used to frequent, the family he had helped create.
“I still miss you terribly, though.” Athena whispers, throat now choked up and dry.
A singular red leaf floats through the air, before landing directly on Athena’s boot. She laughs wetly, before nodding. “Love you too, baby.”