Afterglow
After the events that Tony Stark called 'WAR OF THE REALMS'; a party was arranged to celebrate Asgard and Earth success to defend the Kingdom and the planet from destruction. Tony was excited as he plans this party as his way to announce something life-changing experience. Carol Danvers was navigating the crowd from left to right finding a perfect spot to be sulking around. She was wearing black suit with a golden sigil design thread in a long-slit gown on her right thigh and a long boot that can kill a crowd or two. Her golden hair is tied up in a braided bun hairstyle and a little crown of star design as a headpiece. She has a necklace that was given to her by Tony Stark after one thousand days of being Alcoholic Free. She then found a perfect spot. Unfortunately, Tony found her perfect spot.
"You are not sulking on this party?" Tony said that makes Carol jump.
"I am not..." She said after she recovered from shock.
"After all these times, you think you can lie to me, especially about parties?" Tony smirks as he asks Carol, "I actually ask the designer to have this part so that you know you can have the space yourself."
"Thank you, Tony. You really know me," Carol said to Tony but she knows that was a lie.
There was part of her heart that Tony doesn't know about.
"I know what Rhodey did to you. So, if you see him tonight will you ignore him?" Tony was asking a little not a drama on his party and Carol nods.
"So, what's with the Black and White attire only rule? Do you plan to announce something? Are you dying?" Carol asks Tony.
"Dying? Where did you hear that?" Tony was shocked by that.
"No one, it's my cruel theory. I swear," Carol said mocking a hands-up arrest and Tony just smirks and Carol knows when he does that, Tony goes to sinister,"You are not turning this party into a murder mystery game wherein I am the suspect right?"
"No. I am not planning a murder mystery though if I did and I am the one that is murdered there's only one person who would bring me to justice and it's you."
"Flattered but I probably stick to the first. I would be proud to be your killer," Carol said and Tony laughs.
"It's great, you are here. I thought you are not gonna attend because of Rhodey..."
"Nonsense. We are super friends. And super friends don't leave hanging on each other,"
"Ah... So, that's where my Carol friendship category is. Super Friends!" Tony exclaims and Carol laughed with him, "Wow, you still, have it?" Tony asks her about the necklace.
The Tony Stark necklace is design like a tree of life. Symbolizing rebirth or reborn.
"Yes. This is an As-Midgardian PARTY, no? So, I have to wear it."
"Thanks."
The party get a loud murmur from the crowd when X-Men enters the place. Tony looks at them and excuse himself from Carol, so, that he will greet the people who come to his party. A little later on, Emma Frost and Tony Stark went on to the stage.
"Hmmm..." Tony said checking the microphone, "So, Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, I know that we all gathered as we celebrate our win against our foes WITH Asgardian kingdom, so cheers," Tony said as he raises his glass with Thor, "And even we are tired, I thank you, that you spend time with us tonight. This is our perfect opportunity to say that Emma Frost and I would like to announce to all of you, that we are going to get married in three months."
Everyone claps and some chants surrounded the room except for Carol. She didn't know. She didn't know Tony rekindle his relationship with Emma, who she hates more than rogue, secretly and now they are going to get married. Her mind spirals out of commission but good thing, Thor was there. Thor immediately saw Carol and he catch her in time, as Thor knew about the thing Carol has been keeping secret from Tony. Thor caught her in time and as everyone eyes are on Tony and Emma. Thor get Carol out of the party and went to the rooftop, so, that she can breathe properly. She was losing him.
"Are you okay?" Thor ask Carol.
"No."
"You should really tell him about what you feel..."
"He's happy. I can see that. Even we were talking a while ago I've noticed his eyes sparkled with happiness."
"Carol."
"I can't. He doesn't love me."
"Of course, he does love you. If you only tell him the truth."
"I love him, and I want the best for him and if he says, 'he's happy' then I can't control that."
"What if he has the same situation as you did with..." Thor is thinking the best way to say it, but he can't, "you... know... Marcus?"
"You think he's under some spell?"
"I don't know. Do you?"
In the party...
Tony was bombarded with greetings from left to right. Girls are looking at the precious diamond in Emma's hand while the men ask Tony, the WH questions: What, Where, When, and How but on his mind right now, is that Thor hasn't greeting him yet nor Carol's playful punch hasn't received yet. Those two are the ones who question his idiotic choices since before they join Avengers. Is there something wrong? He asks Friday if she can locate where Thor and Carol are and Friday answers rooftop and so, he excused himself to go find Carol and Thor.
Back at the rooftop:
Thor is calming down Carol and suggest they may have been long gone downstairs and Tony would notice by now and he is going up here. True enough, the elevator to the rooftop opened and spit Tony out.
"Hey, guys, what are you two doing here?" Tony asks them.
"Nothing," Carol and Thor both said together.
"Carol, are you crying?"
"I am so happy on your engagement." Carol said flatly and earned a nudge from Thor.
"You are not happy with my engagement,"
"We are shocked, Tony. You cannot really blame it on us," Thor said, "We did not even know you and Emma are back together."
"Yeah..." Tony said quietly.
"And she is known to manipulate people because her main power is Physic abilities. So, do you really want her to marry her? or there is an underlying cause here? and if there an underlying cause, you need to tell us immediately..." Carol asks Tony in Avengers boss voice.
"Yes. I want to marry her and no, we do not have any underlying cause. I promise."
"If this marriage with Emma became liable or problem to the Avengers works. You will inhibit from the work."
"Of course, if that's what it takes," Tony said sadly that his friends are suspicious on his up-coming marriage, "So, how about you two? any news?" Tony ask Carol and Thor to change the subject.
"We do not want to do this to tell people especially, you did this engagement out of the blue, but I ask Carol to be my Queen."
"What?!" Tony was shocked.
Tony can't believe what he was just heard. Thor asking Carol to be the Queen of Asgard. Carol was bewildered by this and see Thor's genuine smile and she decide to go along with it.
"I'm sorry, I thought Jane would be your Queen?" He asks Thor and Tony felt his heart race to the crack.
"Yes, indeed. He asks me to be his Queen. After all, Asgard Kingdom is still a political monarchy in space and his council is demanding for an heir and so, the first step is to have a Queen. Unfortunately, Jane Foster didn't accept. She doesn't want to be Queen or hence get married."
"And I need a strong independent partner to what ever happen to me, if Jormungand was release and my fate is real at least I will leave the kingdom someone capable to lead the Asgard with a great power and Carol lies to that category. She truly reminds me of my mother. A warrior and A leader. A star," Thor said looking at Carol with fondness.
Thor knows Carol is in love with Tony for the longest time. They flirt here and there but nothing sticks to the wall. Tony on the other hand, sees Carol as a sister, who is his confidant in all of his doings but this time, Tony knows how Carol hated Emma's gut and behavior and so, Tony hides his secret for over a year dating Emma again. He hated keeping secrets to her, but he had to, and Tony sees this as karma. Thor and Carol didn't see Emma and Tony relationship, and Tony didn't saw Thor and Carol will be together as King and Queen of Asgard. Carol's head is still keeping spinning. She kept screaming like she is in the cliff.
"Afterglow"
by Taylor Swift (Lover Album)"
I blew things out of proportion, now you're blue
Put you in jail for something you didn't do
I pinned your hands behind your back, oh
Thought I had reason to attack, but no
Fighting with a true love is boxing with no gloves
Chemistry 'til it blows up, 'til there's no us
Why'd I have to break what I love so much?
It's on your face, and I'm to blame, I need to say
Hey, it's all me, in my head
I'm the one who burned us down
But it's not what I meant
Sorry that I hurt you
I don't wanna do, I don't wanna do this to you (Ooh)
I don't wanna lose, I don't wanna lose this with you (Ooh)
I need to say, hey, it's all me, just don't go
Meet me in the afterglow
It's so excruciating to see you low
Just wanna lift you up and not let you go
This ultraviolet morning light below
Tells me this love is worth the fight, oh
I lived like an island, punished you with silence
Went off like sirens, just crying
Why'd I have to break what I love so much?
It's on your face, don't walk away, I need to say
Hey, it's all me, in my head
I'm the one who burned us down
But it's not what I meant
I'm sorry that I hurt you
I don't wanna do, I don't wanna do this to you (Ooh)
I don't wanna lose, I don't wanna lose this with you (Ooh)
I need to say, hey, it's all me, just don't go
Meet me in the afterglow
Tell me that you're still mine
Tell me that we'll be just fine
Even when I lose my mind
I need to say
Tell me that it's not my fault
Tell me that I'm all you want
Even when I break your heart
I need to say
Hey, it's all me, in my head
I'm the one who burned us down
But it's not what I meant
Sorry that I hurt you
I don't wanna do, I don't wanna do this to you (Ooh)
I don't wanna lose, I don't wanna lose this with you (Ooh)
I need to say, hey, it's all me, just don't go
Meet me in the afterglow
Thor is thinking how much he is screwed to Carol and Jane for doing this charade. Carol can't feel her heartbeat but staying strong at that moment. Tony was confused whether he accept this or not, I mean he should be proud of them, but his heart felt losing her or the time of them being done. Tony decided otherwise.
"Congratulations, I mean... You two are gonna be the best and the most powerful couple in the universe. I mean, strength and power, no one would cross the damn line. Just don't forget to tell everyone. Whenever you are ready? we are here for both of you." Thor and Carol nods.
In the Elevator
Then Tony walk back to the elevator with no other words but you can feel sadness in the air. The Regrets. The heartbreaks. Cutting through the thick air. No one breathe for over 5 seconds. Tony had even to stop the elevator mid-way to take a breather. Why? Why does he feel this way? Carol isn't his lover; Carol is her confidant super friend sister where he felt free in all things. Carol was there for better or worse of their lives. The only one who knows him better than anyone else. He's marrying Emma and he is happy for it. He's in cloud-nine when Tony asks Emma to marry him and convinced Emma to tell everyone he got excited especially for Carol to be excited for Tony and yet why Tony felt that his friendship with Carol was ending and that click in Tony's mind, maybe that's the way she felt like their friendship is ending and Tony knows when Carol is hurt in emotional way. She put a wall so fast no one would climb on it. He remembers how much he spent time to convince Carol out of her alcoholism. She put a brave face with her feelings eating her alive but what does that mean? Tony asks himself... why Carol can't accept his happiness? This is one of those times he wishes he has psychic powers just to read her mind. Suddenly, Friday comes to life and told Tony that Emma is requesting him at the party.
In the Rooftop
Carol drops a tear as she gasps for air. Remembering to breathe just like she practiced with Charles Xavier with her PTSD episodes.
"Do you think you need to tell Jane in case Tony asks her about this?"
"That's actually a fact. Jane didn't want to be stuck as you know much less of Queen nor Wife, plus, she is satisfied as a Valkyrie. I be dead, am I?" Thor heartedly laughs.
"You did that for me? Your risk your title for this? Why?" Carol asks Thor.
"Sorry, I thought I could make him jealous if I claim your hands with a deadline..."
"I know but I already did that, and I got karma for it... Rhodey cheated on me with a woman who's about gave birth at any moment," Carol said.
"My sympathy goes to you, Carol. You tried to make Tony jealous and that didn't work. You did love him as well as Rhodey. Well, at least you gave your best,"
"Thank you," Carol said with a warm hug on a cold night with Thor.
"But there is also a truth to what I said about choosing a Queen for Asgard," Thor said to Carol and she immediately listen to him, "I tried so hard to find a perfect woman to represent Asgard,"
"Your mother sets a pretty high standard as a Queen of Asgard."
"And that's what I am pretty worried about, she is a warrior, an intellectual white witch, she is already a high priestess here on Earth. No wonder my father sets his eyes on her. He knows that my mother is the one who can put his feet humble to the ground and has a great sense of leadership too... what am I worrying about? Is that whoever I choose to be the Queen should not be pressure from her predecessor... You know what I mean?"
"I do... A wealthy man who has many wives/mistresses is fine ~in some culture~ but a KING in his dome has many Queens throughout his reign is destabilizing the monarchies and theocracy depowered while constituents/citizens power grows hence democracy and republic. So, having one queen in a reign of a king is enough and that's what supposed to be... but you are now picking a queen who does not only possess inner goddess beauty but hence, a partner who is not pressured to reign like your mother. So, not Dr. Foster?"
"Nay," Thor said as he intensely looking in Carol's star eyes.
"You truly gonna asks me to be your Queen?" Carol said to Thor as she realized what he meant.
"Yeah... because, when I was a kid, my father swore, 'whoever defeat Surtur shall be my wife, as she is a great warrior capable of being a goddess who protects the realm', and you did that to Surtur when he almost you know... cut me... I was thinking maybe you are the one that my father is talking about?" Thor explained to Carol his situation and Carol finds it cute, but she knows Thor's wasn't kidding about that, "But you don't have to say anything about now, I just need a Queen, whoever you want to have sex with its fine, I mean, it's in my behavior to sleep with other woman,"
"What if this other woman, you decide that you want her to be your Queen? What would happen to me?"
"As much as I want to... I respect whoever is in good power. I just need to make sure whatever, The Norns or my father prophesied must happen and we are best of friends, no matter what, no one can tear our loyalty apart from each other and if even I love her, if she makes a deadly move on you, I know you can defend yourself but I let you know right now, you will have my vote, my faith, and my love for you and also it helps that you are already can live long life like me."
"Thor, you have been there for me since, we accidentally meet each other in a drug bust and thinking 'Oh, a woman is in distress I should help' but at the end, it's my mission and you saw how I throw punches and curses through that battle, I am one of the people who you can't play with me in your disguise because it's criminal not to know the real you. You help me as I help you and as long as we breathe, we both know, we're always going to the battle together and right now, I don't have to think, you need me and it's a YES,"
"Carol, you amaze me in any ways, are you certain that you want to be my queen?"
"I really do. Though, I have a question, do I have to go for Shakespearian language? because I am not used to speak that way... Sorry..." Carol playfully ask Thor and they both laugh,
"Nay, you do not need to talk that way, you are free of anything,"
Carol and Thor could stay in the rooftop, but Logan texted her with 3 numbers ~ 9-1-1.
"Logan just texted me 9-1-1,"
"But he's at the party?" Thor was confused.
"Exactly. He's at the party and stuck with the young Avengers. Our little children," Carol sliding her arms to Thor's arm and he understood what Logan means.
"Then it is time to mingle in the party," Thor agreeing with Carol.
"ELEVA-THOR," Carol jokes the door closed.