THE HUMAN TORCH

“…Where’s Luna?”

“Is that really what I sound like? And don’t worry, I left her with your sister.”

“It’s always easier when we have someone to blame. Here we just don’t know, do we?”

“Not that I can find. Doesn’t mean I’m not still looking.”

“Is nobody else struggling to keep their clothes from burning off of them?”

“Why does looking at myself make this even worse?”

“So we got Doom to blame for this or did it just happen? Not sure why I’m twenty years longer and blonde but I don’t miss that wheelchair.”

“I wish he were to blame. At least then I could do something about it.”

“Well, well. Look how pretty I am.”

“Yeah seems like your tactics aren’t gonna work as well now.”

“You’re right. It is what it is and there’s nothing we can do about it. I’m glad Crystalia is happy, but you’re my priority, Johnny. You always have been. If you’re okay then I’m okay.”

He cleared his throat. “I’m okay, Sue. No need to worry over here. How are you? How’s Reed?”

“So give me a way to prove myself. I like a good challenge.”

“Fine. What do you have in mind?”

Her body was rocking automatically, a little tick she had developed since Luna’s birth. As she moved to take the baby back Crystalia felt her hand brush against Johnny’s, the warmth of his skin both familiar and startling. It was far easier to hide her discomfort with business and she quickly glanced down to adjust the blankets around the infant. “Thank you, as am I. Pietro and I are lucky. But what about you, Johnny? Are you happier?”

Looking at her felt a lot like looking into the sun. All it did was hurt. Forcing his lips to form a smile, Johnny laughed it off. “Never better, actually.” 

The image of Johnny holding a baby sent a quick pang through Crystalia. That could have been Johnny and their child, but now it would never be. Her love for Luna and Pietro were undeterred. It was just the brief recognition of what would never be that had to be acknowledged. “I can’t believe she’s related to either of. I never knew that I could love anyone as much as I love her.”

He looked up in that moment, those words resonating through him. I never knew that I could love anyone as much as I love her. Yeah. He could relate to that. Clearing his throat, he went to hand her back. “Yeah. Yeah. I’m glad you’re enjoying your life post-Doom. I think everyone’s happier here.”

“Is that sarcasm I sense? I’ll have you know that I’m very charming.”

“I don’t doubt it, I’m just not easily persuaded.”

Susan couldn’t really understand what Johnny was going through. It was something so outside of her wheelhouse. She was better at dealing with people than Reed, but she still couldn’t imagine having everything turn into nothing. Even as Doom’s wife the kids had been there. Johnny had too. “It did feel real, didn’t it? I thought I was Victor’s wife. The things that we had to do were completely out of line. Even if your life was saved, we never should have been put in that spot in the first place.”

“I know. But we were and all we can do is move on. Not a big fan of living in the past, or whatever Doom’s world was. Crystalia and I hardly speak and I don’t blame her. She’s still with Pietro and she has a baby to take care of. It is what it is, Sue.”

“You definitely would have been. Don’t even joke.”

“Oh I won’t even pretend. I’m just upset it couldn’t have happened.”

“Excuse you, I am plenty pretty.” Susan flicked at her brother. “But we have to give you something so I’ll digress. You have so much more than just Crystalia, Johnny. You have me and Reed and Ben and the kids. Even if you loved her there, that doesn’t mean she had to be the end all. I’m sorry about the sun thing. I know I’ve apologized before, but I have to again. I hated it and it had to be worse for you.”

“Only saying one had to be prettier.” he paused, his demeanor taking a slight shift. “I know. I’m not saying she was everything. She was just a lot. What I thought I had for all those years in Battleworld sure as hell felt real. I got imprisoned for it.” he shrugged. “It was either that or my head. Or maybe I would’ve become the Thorsguard’s plaything. Either way, that sentencing saved my life.” 

“I should have done it while I had the chance, huh?”

“Not saying I would’ve been rooting in the background if you had, but....”

“Of course not. That’s what makes it just so enticing.”

“Wow, lady, you make a strong argument.”

“It’s true. Like I said, one of us were going to be scientifically predispositioned.” Susan felt an actual smile overtake her face as her brother nudged her. It was returned with a slightly harder one, the older sister in her unable to stop herself. “How are you doing with that? I’m surprised to see Crystalia and Pietro stayed together.”

“Yeah, cause the other one had to be pretty.” he teased before giving a pitiful shrug. “As am I. I guess in Doom’s world all I had was her. Here, I have a lot more. It’s easier.” though he still felt the echo of an ache.