Everything
"Are you okay?" Levi asked Ophelia as they sat in their usual spot in their favorite coffee shop. Ophelia held the cup of warm coffee in her hands and took a small sip. She looked at Levi with a light sadness in her eyes. She wasn't okay. It had been a week since the gala and even though she had a decent time twirling around on the dance floor in Levi's arms her mind kept wandering to Bucky's face again. The stone cold face he had when he left her in the clutches of HYDRA. "Darling? You alright in there?" Levi asked placing his cup of coffee on the table and stretching his hand out to rub his hand up and down her arm. Ophelia took another sip of her drink then put the cup down. She laced her right hand with his and looked at his eyes. Their dazzling hue making her smile just a bit. "There she is." Levi said then squeezed her hand lightly.
"I'll be alright." Ophelia finally replied to him.
"I know. I just worry." Levi admitted. He cared for Ophelia. Deeply. And although they still had a lot to work through he knew she would be there for him no matter what he admitted to her. Or at least he hoped she would.
"Have you decided?" Ophelia asked. Levi raised an eyebrow.
"Decided?" He asked in his singsong voice.
"Whether or not you trust me enough to reveal your secrets to me. I don't keep any secrets from you. It's only fare." Ophelia said without hesitation. She was right. If she was expected to bare her soul to him, he should too.
"Right." Levi said and rubbed his chin with his other hand. "How about tonight? Over dinner? My place." Levi continued, the last part sounding more final than a question. Ophelia's eyes widened. She had always seen the outside of the building that Levi lived in but she never went inside. He always had an excused. Something about work or he had family visiting or he hadn't cleaned and the place was a mess. She always just shrugged it off. But now that he was so willing to show her his space she knew he must truly be ready to show her his true self.
"That sounds great." Ophelia replied with another small smile. And although she was glad that he was making the decision to open up to her she could sense he was hesitant to do so. Which worried her, but she had to be open minded.
The rest of their coffee date went as usual. Two more cups of coffee later and too many bad jokes from Levi and Ophelia was on her way home to relax for the rest of the afternoon. She had the day off of work so she thought this would be the perfect opportunity to have some self care time. So she stopped by her favorite soap shop before teleporting into her bathroom to start a hot bubble bath. She plopped in a lavender scented bath bomb into the water and then waited for the bath to finish filling. She turned and looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. Hair brushed neatly and shirt free of any wrinkles. But deep under her eyes were heavy bags. The discoloration screaming exhaustion. Life had seemed to be pretty normal for her lately. Then Peter Parker happened and then Bucky happened. Too much had been happening all at once and yet not enough.
Ophelia slowly slid into the warm water of the bath. The scent of lavender wafted to her nose and calmed her senses. She slid further in and took a deep breath in. She held it and submerged herself completely under the water. She shut her eyes and focused on the sound of her own heart beat flowing through the silence of the water. Thoughts of a lost childhood and recurring nightmares of her adolescent horrors plagued her mind. But she silenced them. And soon seconds passed, then minutes, and then hours. And as the water became still and cold her senses vanished. Her ability to calm her body to the point of not needing to move, see, hear, or even breathe didn't allow her to notice the person standing above her naked form beneath the water. That was until they spoke.
"Seriously?" The voice spoke in a tone that resembled annoyance and familiarity. And yet it startled her. She opened her eyes that were shut from the stillness that she had conjured within her and they glowed bright red. She lunged out of the now icy water and flung herself at the intruder. "Are you mental! It's me!" The voice spoke again pushed her from their body and patting themselves down from the wetness of their now soaked clothes. Ophelia steadied herself from the push and immediately felt regret. It was Levi. She flicked her hand in the air and a black robe appeared around her exposed body with a red mist.
"I'm so sorry! Are you okay? Wait. What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at your place later tonight." Ophelia stated. Her hair dripping wet and a slight shiver running through her body. Levi straightened himself then rolled his eyes.
"It is later tonight." Levi said tapping his leather strapped watch.
"Oh. I lost track of time." Ophelia said then turned toward the bathroom door. When she placed her hand on the knob she noticed it was still locked. A habit she had gotten herself into, locking every room that she entered. Just in case. She turned her head and looked at Levi. "How did you even get in here? The door is locked." She continued. Levi shifted his stance and looked uncomfortable for a moment.
"I uh... are you sure? Because your front door was wide open and I just walked in when I didn't find you in your usual spot on your sofa." Levi replied. Ophelia raised a confused eyebrow. She was always very careful about keeping her doors locked. She was all about keeping herself safe. Because even though HYDRA was deemed not an immediate threat to her anymore, there was still a small chance something could happen.
"Levi. Be honest with me." Ophelia replied. She unlocked the bathroom door and made her way into the living room. She sat down on the couch and patted the spot next to her. Levi sat next to her and took her hand in his. "Please. No more secrets. No matter what it is. I promise I won't judge you for it." She continued.
"I am afraid that is a promise you cannot keep my dear." Levi said looking down at their joined hands. He could sense her anger building. She needed answers. No matter what the cost. "But. Nevertheless I will share with you my secrets." He said then stood and placed himself before her. He looked down at her and gave her an apologetic look. "I will show you my true self. And if you wish to banish me from your life I will understand." He said.
"I would never do that." Ophelia said with hurt in her eyes. His words were starting to worry her. Levi nodded once then allowed a long silence to pass between them before he closed his eyes. With his eyes closed he clenched his fists. Ophelia sat watching with precision.
And then it happened.
Slowly wisps of green light appeared around Levi. And as they moved over each inch of him he changed. His skin grew more pale and his face became slimmer. His hair grew longer and had a curl to it. His clothes changed from their usual professional attired to a black and dark green armor. Plates of shiny black and green steel sat upon his chest and a dark green cape flowed behind him. His feet booted with sturdy shoes with steel toes. Ophelia sat further back in her seat. Her eyes widened. How had she not seen this before?
And then he opened his eyes.
And those familiar sparkles gazed upon her with both sadness and affection. He knelt down to her level and took her hand in his. She let him guide her hand to the side of his face.
"I give you permission to see everything." Levi said. Ophelia nodded once then her eyes flashed a bright red. She closed her eyes and leaned into him.
And then she saw.
Everything.