Retribution ★ Avengers

Humans of the Universe

TWO WEEKS LATER
DECEMBER 9, 2026

★ ★ ★

Marlena couldn't help the frown on her face as she looked over her appearance in the mirror. Her shirt was a bit more snug than it had been only days ago, and she struggled to completely button up her distressed black jeans. Her long hair, which was only getting longer due to her pregnancy and her prenatal vitamins, was pulled back into a ponytail. She let her fringe fall in her face, though it was an attempt to hide the effect of bloating on her face. Marlena couldn't help but feel a bit insecure as she looked at her reflection. While she remained true to her petite nature even in pregnancy, she couldn't exactly ignore the changes taking place, nor could she ignore the speed in which those changes appeared to be happening.

With a sigh, Marlena pulled off her jeans and her shirt. She folded the clothing back up and placed them back into her dresser before grabbing a pair of black jeggings and a grey t-shirt. The shirt was Steve's, of course, as she'd come to discover not too many of her own tops would fit her at the moment. It wasn't overly large on her, as Steve preferred his clothes fitted, but Marlena wasn't too sure she cared if it would've been.

"Mar?"

Marlena looked over to see Steve working his way into the room. She pulled his shirt over her head and shut his drawer while he watched and waited for a response to come out of her mouth. "I know we're only going Christmas shopping, but can we please get me some new clothes?" Marlena scoffed and began pulling on her jeggings. So far they were much more comfortable than her jeans. "None of my clothes fit me anymore."

"I take it that's why you're wearing my shirt?" Steve questioned her, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips.

"Mine are getting too tight," Marlena said with a frown. "And you're massive compared to me, so..."

"We can get you whatever you want," Steve assured her with a smile. He walked over to her after she finished putting on her pants and grabbed her arms gently. "It'll just be another thing to add to the itinerary."

"Itinerary?" Marlena raised a brow. "What are you up to, Steve?"

"I'm not telling you," Steve told her. "And before you even think about it, stay out of my head."

Marlena huffed and walked over to sit on the bed. He knew her too well sometimes. "Where are we going and why are we going there?"

"Remember a few years ago when you were a bit less than emotionally stable and I tried to take you somewhere and you told me to take you home?" Steve walked over to sit beside her, his eyes never leaving the thoughtful expression on her face. "I figured now was a better time than ever to finally take you."

"Why's that?"

"You've been dealing with so much over the last couple of months, and I know you're struggling no matter how hard you sometimes try to hide it," Steve began his answer. "You're selling yourself short, and I just figured I'd remind you why you shouldn't."

Marlena smiled softly at the sound of his words, though she struggled to keep herself out of his head. She wanted so badly to know what he had planned for her. It was so much easier to keep herself out of his mind when she didn't have her abilities. "And what exactly does the outside world have to offer me that could in any way make me feel better than you ever have?" she asked, hoping her question would make him give her even the smallest of hints. He wouldn't budge, however.