Mastodawn

@ArcedUpStark “What is, babe?” Sloane sits up in bed. She’s unaware of any changes to the timeline.

@SloaneRincourt "They need me. The guests from earth 712. Their home is probably both going to come back and probably almost immediately be attacked." Natasha winced. "I owe them. Without them, I wouldn't have you, or any of this.

That's not the part that sucks.

It's the "Steven Rogers is alive on that planet" part that I really don't know how to handle.'

@ArcedUpStark “You’ve moved on with your life. I’m not saying it won’t be difficult, but I trust you to make the right decisions.” She gestures to her wheelchair. “I’ve got this. The kids and I will be fine.

And so will you, my love.”

@SloaneRincourt "I absolutely couldn't stand by, but this one isn't easy.

Still, if there's a chance to save their world. Gotta do it." Natasha nodded, grateful. "But that's... That's not the concern. Sloane, I killed him.

Brutally. We fought for hours. He ruptured my arc reactor. I literally died because of that.

I... I am scared of how I will react to seeing his face."

@ArcedUpStark “Look, my trust in you extends to knowing that you’re an emotionally intelligent and mature person, Tasha. You were there when I went up against Centigrade. She put me in that chair. It was a foolish and impulsive thing that nearly killed me. But I know you won’t do what I did. I believe in you, Tasha Stark.”

@SloaneRincourt

Natasha looked down. "Their history was changed. Everything is different for them. Sharon is, get this. Steve's lab grown daughter. Cid is more agreeable but less intelligent. Natalia and Echo are still somehow a couple despite the... Weird thing with Natalia and the mindstone. Everything I've read about the changes feels insane. Like Victoria now being called Antoinette."

Natasha took a breath. "I'm glad you have that faith because I don't."

@ArcedUpStark Sloane places a hand atop her wife’s and smiles with tears in her blue eyes. “If you fail—not when, but if—then you learn from it. You’re the Indomitable Iron Woman, not the Infallible Iron Woman, babe. But the four of us will be here for you however you need us. The kids are really coming into their powers nicely.”

Sloane pulls back the covers to reveal that she is missing both her legs. Centigrade really did a number on her. Scooting to the edge of the bed, she pulls her >

@ArcedUpStark > chair over and seamlessly transfers into it.

“Come on, baby. I’ll make us breakfast and we can plan out your approach.”

@SloaneRincourt "I'd say I'd make breakfast but I still remember that I am under embargo after the great grease fire of New years day." Natasha winced. "That's... That's actually sort of my problem. Everybody expects me to be Natasha the infallible and I've lived up to that title. I just... I retired for a reason and I resent the idea that doing this means seeing him again. Wondering what the ever loving fuck I did to deserve that."

@ArcedUpStark “Tash, we retired together when I lost my legs, remember? My mother was the only reason I had decided to become a superhero, to follow in her footsteps.” Ironic phrasing now.” “But she died because of my hubris.

Honey, do not blame yourself for this incursion event or whatever you want to call it. Yes, you’ll have to deal with Steve, but remember that Steve will also have to contend with Tasha Motherfucking Stark.”

@SloaneRincourt "That Steve doesn't deserve my hate. He's Sharon's dad." Natasha said, quietly. "It's always going to be this way, isn't it?"

She looked back at Sloane, reminded of her mother's insistence. "People are always going to feel like they have the right to us. That what I need to heal, what we need as a family. Those things don't matter.

But without them, what am I fighting for?"

She squeezed Sloane's hand. "We have a Valentine's reservation later. I'm not missing it this time."

@ArcedUpStark “Natasha Antoinette Rincourt. I love you, now and forever. In any timeline. Across any distance.

Now, could you please get me the blue baking dish from up there?”

@SloaneRincourt "Baking dish? Honey, I told you we have reservations already. Why do you need a baking dish?" Tasha looked confused, though inwardly, she was glad Sloane liked her press release.

@ArcedUpStark “I know, I just like the way your legs and ass look when you lean way up.” Out pokes a tongue.

@SloaneRincourt "You do realize that I was a literal playboy bunny and swimsuit model, right? I don't have shame. You want to see my ass, it doesn't even have to have clothes on it. Just ask." Natasha chuckled.

@ArcedUpStark “Let’s save that for later on. I’m going to go get ready. Come decide how short my skirt should be and how deep cut my neckline should be.”