worthallthis | Apocalypse How: IC Inbox

[Winter pauses in their conversation to make his order-- Rue's too, if he's familiar with their usual order-- and to let them pay. Then while they wait, he picks it up again.]

He doesn't even remember he loves you?

[That's. Sad, actually. And uncomfortable. Because he knows Stevie probably felt something like that, seeing him attacking him on the helicarrier that day. Feels like a decade ago, but it was only a couple years, now.]

[Rue is all too happy to step in and pay, before they can both pick up their drinks and find a table near the back. Something with sturdy chairs.]

No, no. Forgive me. I am not quite that unlucky. He remembers up to the moment before we arrived here, so it was after our engagement. It is only our journey here he does not remember. Which is, well, I realize is such a minor complaint in the end.

[Well, that's not quite as sad as it could be. Winter won't feel quite so bad for them. Still bad, but not quite so bad.]

Still not fun. And it's upsetting you. So still important.

It is.

[A gentle pause, holding their mug between their glamoured hands.]

I do not wish to touch on uncomfortable subjects, so you must tell me off if I have stepped over a line, but you lost your memory of Rogers, did you not?

[Winter nods.]

Of everything. Not just him. But yes.

[He tries to arrange his face into something apologetic, but expressions are still a little hard, so he's not sure he gets it right.]

I haven't got much back. He might not get anything.

[It is the harsh reality of losing one's memory, but it is what Rue was expecting to hear. It doesn't stop their shoulders from drooping a touch.]

I thought as much.

Did it make it difficult? Being with others who held so many memories of you that you did not know?

[Winter considers this a moment, having a sip of his fancy coffee.]

Sometimes. Worse with certain people. Before you got here, there were more people who knew me. They were worse. Belova and Rogers... aren't bad. Belova was always easy. She only knew-- this.

[He gestures vaguely at himself, meaning his more-Asset-like personage.]

And Rogers got better about it.

[Rue listens quietly, not daring to interrupt, just slowly sipping their own drink.]

Do you wish you hadn't been told what you were missing? Would it have been better not to know?

[Winter shakes his head.]

Mostly, no one did tell me. Only when I asked. Strange and Wanda tried a little, and I hated it then, but when I ask. Then it's okay.

[He hesitates, then adds,]

Might not hate it so much now. I'm. I'm me, now. I wasn't me, then. Your guy. He's still him.

[Try as they might to keep their composure, Rue sniffs, blinking back tears. But they nod, hearing his every word and taking it straight to heart.]

Thank you, Winter. That is all that I needed to hear. And I so appreciate you sharing so much with me.

[Winter hesitates again, then gives their shoulder a little, careful pat.]

Best to ask him that, though. He is still him, but maybe a different him. Me, there's a chance I'll remember if someone tells me something. Him, maybe not. And he might think different than me about it.

[Oh, that's enough to drag an uneasy chuckle out of the owlbear, but they smile across the table at Winter either way.]

You are right. I am here talking to you about him instead of speaking to him directly. I think I must be frightened to, but that is ridiculous. Knickolas and I have always thrived when we communicated. It is only when we hold back that things turn wrong.

I should speak with him.

He still loves you.

[That Rue seems certain of. So:]

He'll understand. Even if you're scared. Probably even hug you about it.

[A pause.]

If he does hugs. He should do hugs. You give the best hugs.

[Winter better be prepared for the soft, warm look Rue shoots him across the table.]

You realize the moment we are out of this establishment, you are going to be very fiercely hugged, don't you?

[Winter sighs, but it's an exaggerated sigh, as he is attempting another joke.]

I will endure.

[It might even be nice. Rue even in their illusion shape is not as frightening as someone fully human. Though the fluff is nicer. And nobody has really touched him much since he got back from the tiny town-- which is his own fault, he'd readily admit. It's still a thing, though.]

[Rue picks up the joke immediately, their expression brightening.]

I know a simple hug will not end you, but I commend you for your immense bravery. Now, let us turn the conversation to something happier.

[And Rue will keep Winter there just to enjoy his company, as long as they can.]

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