Americaās in denial.Ā
Thatās the nicest way of saying it. Sheās in denial because itās the easiest thing to beĀ ā and easyĀ has never been something that sheās been allowed to have. Life is hard. No one knows that better than the orphan who became adrift in the multiverse because she hurt the people who loved her more than anything. Americaās lost, and sheās lost, and sheāsĀ beenĀ lost. It took a long time to find people to love again. Once she did, she vowed to never lose them or let anyone hurt them. Stephen, Clea, Wong. Theyāre her people now. America isnāt adrift even if sheās still lost.Ā
The denial: something could possibly be wrong with Stephen Strange.
Ever since she heard about the explosion, sheās been in pieces. America should have been there. She should have been there. She could have done something ā like open up a portal and gotten everyone to safety. Maybe if sheād been there, Stephen wouldnāt have died. But no, she had been in Kamar-Taj with her stupid sling ring trying to do some stupid magic that doesnāt come naturally to her. By the time Wong came to her with a somber countenance it was too late. Stephen, Sam, Clint. All of them. Dead.
Ever since the resurrection, Americaās tried to not be a pain. She doesnāt want to be clingy, but she also doesnāt want to let anyone out of her sight. The search for her mamĆ”ās has been sidelined entirely. Instead, she sticks around the Sanctum and makes excuses as to why she canāt return to her room at Kamar-Taj. For the most part, Wong hasnāt pressed her. He knows America isnāt a permanent student there.
When she finally finds Stephen, thereās an exhale of relief. Heās alive, heās fine. He hasĀ to be fine.Ā āHey,ā she shoves some dark hair behind an ear.Ā āI was looking for you. You want to grab a slice?ā All she needs is to spend some time with him to alleviate her nerves.
Everything is fine.Ā















