trust the magic of new beginnings
"Trust the magic of new beginnings."
- Meister Eckhart
December, 2012
America was enjoying herself in this new timeline, even though she missed Stephen and Wong, she enjoyed the little family they were creating around them.
One she knew would have two more members once Wanda and her brother made their appearances.
America had reconciled with her version of Wanda but she found herself nervous about the prospect of the girl living in their house. It was especially strange that they would be the same age, but she had hopes that they would get along well enough.
She was also excited at the prospect of meeting the famed brother and even though it would another year and a half before either of them arrived, it occupied a good portion of her thoughts.
The idea of all of them living in this house together made America want to snort out loud. Peter Parker’s Home for Wayward Anti-Heroes.
She’d become pretty close with those Wade and James and they’d helped liven up the house considerably.
It helped that she had already met both of them in the other universe, albeit slightly different versions. But they had the same souls.
They were both interesting in their own unique ways and America found herself increasingly enjoying their company.
Besides that, she’d spent the last six months exploring this version of New York, even if it was still mostly the same as the version she was most familiar with.
It had been a pleasant surprise to run into Kate while she’d been running around Central Park and since then she’d found herself spending time with the girl at least twice a week.
She’d gone to Kamar Taj a few times since the Ancient One had shown up and had even met Wong again but it was a bittersweet thing. She could tell that the Cloak felt the same why. The place America considered a home felt wrong without Stephen there to guide her, so she hadn’t been more than a dozen times.
Another good chunk of her time had been spent worrying about Peter. Even though they’d only just arrived in the past and there wasn’t much they could do at this point, the man had been spreading himself too thin. He was locking himself away in his lab half the time and going Spider-Manning the rest of the time.
She hadn’t been that close to him before but six months of living together could change that and it had. He had joked about them being siblings when they’d first arrived but America couldn’t help feeling like that was closer to the truth than anything else.
Peter went out of his way to take care of her, she was trying to do the same for him but she wasn’t certain that it was working.
Her worries had lessened as Peter began spending time with the Avengers and America felt a weight slip from her shoulders when he came home with a faint upturn on his lips, rather than the permanent scowl he’d been sporting before.
Wade and James had been helping too, she knew but she just worried that it wouldn’t be enough.
She decided to take her mind off it and made a plan to visit Kamar Taj. Even though the difference made her chest ache, she couldn’t stay away.
It was still a home to her. No matter the time or universe. And she’d enjoyed getting to know the woman that Stephen had spoken so fondly about.
Something about this evening was different. America felt it in the air as she stepped through a portal into the courtyard. She looked around warily as she made her way towards the tea room where she usually met Tao.
When she walked into the room, she froze in her steps.
There was an extremely elegant looking woman sitting casually next to the Ancient One. She was wearing a gown that looked like it was made of pure gold and her blonde lockes were tied up into elegant braids. She was sipping on a cup of tea with perfect posture.
Suddenly, America felt extremely out of place in her jeans and T-shirt.
As the woman caught her eye, she rose from her seat fluidly. Her smile was bright and warm as she moved closer, practically floating.
“I’m- I’m sorry! Uh, I didn’t mean to-“ She coughed “intrude or anything.”
“No, no, you’re not interrupting anything, dear. We’ve been expecting you.” The woman said, reaching over to lead America over to the seats.
“Oh- you’ve been- okay.” She stuttered. “Um, who are you exactly?”
“You may call me Frigga, dear.” The woman, Frigga, answered with a musical laugh.
“Oh, Frigga like-“ Americas eyes widened. “Y-your Majesty! I’m so sorry! I-“
Another laugh. “Don’t apologize, dear. I’ve actually come to speak with you. It’s been well over a millennium since I’ve been to Midgard.”
“Welcome back, Ma’am.” America murmured, shock coursing through her. “W-what did you need to, uh, speak with me about?”
“Well, Miss Chavez, like myself, Frigga is able to peer into the future. A future that has changed drastically since you and your companion arrived here.” The Ancient One starts.
“Yes, she’s quite right and I truly cannot thank you enough for what you are doing. However, I have a bit of advice for you.” Frigga added, smiling softly.
“O-okay.” America mumbled.
“Once you and your friend acquire the stones, you might find that the Norns could be some help to you all in hiding them from The Mad Titan.” Frigga said far too casually.
“Oh.” America gaped. “How-how would we manage that?”
Frigga smiled a secret smile. “I’m sure you’ll figure that out eventually.”
“O-kay” America said dumbly, trying to ignore the two women’s amused smirks.
“Now, tell me about yourself, dear. I want to know everything.” Frigga said, leaning forward conspiratorially.
America couldn’t help her grin.
After leaving the tea room, she made a portal back to the house. She stumbled her way down to Peter’s lab after asking Karen where he was.
Strangely, she’d become pretty close with the sassy AI. Apparently, being around a man all of the time was boring for her so she frequently hung out, her holographic form on the television in Americas bedroom.
Once Peter had given Karen permission for her to enter the lab, she spilled the entire encounter in one long winded ramble.
Peter stared at her for a few minutes, his thoughts racing behind his expressive brown eyes. Then he let out a loud sigh, allowing his head to thunk on the tabletop.
“I mean- that kind of saves us the trouble of figuring it out ourselves, right?” America mused, trying for a smile.
“I guess it does.” Peter conceded, letting himself smile back.
“That’s good.” America said.
“It is.” Peter agreed. “Just- just taking it all in.”
“Yeah.” America breathed. “Frigga was really nice.” She whispered like it was a secret.
Peter let out an incredulous laugh. “You’re on a first name basis with the Queen of Asgard.”
“I- I guess I am.” America agreed, letting out a slightly hysterical laugh herself.
They held eye contact for a few seconds before they both burst into loud laughter, tears falling down their cheeks.
America spent the weeks after that trying not to think about that mind blowing interaction. It had been very cool but it had somehow made things more real to her.
Thanos had always been an abstract concept to her. By the time she’d arrived in the other universe, the damage had already been done. But now, now they would have to face him again. And America didn’t want to admit that she was afraid, but she was, by Vishanti she was.
Instead of thinking about it she spend most of the before Christmas with Kate. The girl had quickly become Americas best friend, the closest one she’s ever had. It was nice, spending time with someone around her age.
By the time Christmas came around, everyone was hyped up. Even James, who had been making leaps and bounds in the time since they’d brought him home.
America had a hard time sleeping on Christmas eve, her mind racing as she contemplated how the morning would go.
She finally fell asleep around two in the morning, Karen’s soothing lilt echoing in her ears.
She woke the next morning to the smell of breakfast wading through the household. She quickly hopped in the shower and brushed her teeth before rushing downstairs.
James was in the kitchen, making plates for all the occupants of the house. Alpine was sitting on the counter next to him, clad in a cute Christmas sweater.
“Merry Christmas, James! Hi Allie!” America chirped, grabbing her plate from him. “Thank you.”
“Merry Christmas, маленький волшебник.” James smiled back.
“I still don’t know what that means.” America grumbled, shoveling a bite of eggs into her mouth.
James’ lips twitched. “You could try googling it.”
America gasped in mock shock. “You know how to google?”
James rolled his eyes, not bothering to reply as Wade and Peter entered the room together.
“Sorry we’re late! I had to drag this one out of the lab and remind him that it’s Christmas.” Wade sang, snaking an arm around Peter’s waist.
“Ugh. Shut up.” Peter grumbled, heading straight for the coffee pot when James suddenly shoved a mug in his direction and directed him towards his plate. “Thank you, James.” He muttered, eyes still closed.
“Eat.” The man ordered, pushing the plate closer.
Wade quickly grabbed his own, smacking a loud kiss on James’ cheek before shoveling his food into his mouth as though he were in some kind of eating competition.
America wrinkled her nose and focused back on her own food.
“How is it?” James asked after a few minutes, a note of insecurity in his voice.
“Amazing.” “Delicious.” “Better than an orgasm.” The three answered in unison.
It wasn’t long before the group made their ways towards the living room. They’d spent the weekend before decorating the entire house and America thought the tree looked brilliant. Though, she might be biased.
They opened their gifts in comfortable silence (except for Wade) and America couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so content since they’d arrived in this universe.