CHAPTER THREE | " TAKE A SHORTCUT, LOSE A FRIEND "

HOW DO YOU SAVE A UNIVERSE?

That was one of the queries that constantly resonated in Stevie's head. Obviously, her mind was up in the clouds all the time, looking at others from cloud nine as she created new worlds just by writing. Although she wasn't so sure, were they her worlds after all?

So many questions but so little time to figure some of them out but it didn't go according to a plan. What plan exactly? That was the problem. The whole plan supposedly depended on the Eye of Agamotto only. It took a moment for Nicholas to realize that the issue was way bigger than a lost time-keeping trinket. He was brought right to the focal point where the multiversal troubles began unexpectedly in the first place.

Stevie and Nicholas had something in common. Both of them doubted themselves all the time even in the things they thought they excelled at, or in the things they believed were true. The escape must have found itself in daydreaming someday. Fantasizing about possible scenarios, things that should've been said to prevent everything from the bad, was part of the human's complexity. So having two daydreamers spend time together might get awkward pretty quickly, especially if one of them isn't aware and let the other stay on the reality's edge for too long.

Weeks passed yet Stevie had enough of not doing anything. She wanted to help but as Nick kept everything to himself because he had this urge to figure out everything alone, she didn't feel helpful at all.

Seeing him lost in the streamlet of his thoughts, Stevie understood that feeling of trying to grasp everything and turn it into something good, but it never goes according to the plan. She clutched the butterfly journal to her chest, attempting to focus on her storyline but she couldn't, not when someone was having bad days.

When Monday hit the calendar and everyone left the safety of a home to follow the paths that the fate set for them, Stevie decided to branch out.

"What are you up to today?"

Nicholas was startled as a voice resounded as soon as well as something hit him. When he took a glimpse behind his shoulder, Stevie was sitting on the bench at the terrace, covering her mouth, "Oops! My bad."

She accidentally threw the ball at him, instead of at the front yard for Bingsu — the family's beloved corgi — to continue the play of fetch.

Jeon's were glad that they decided to put Bingsu in the dog hotel before they headed on vacation, their first thought was to take him with them, but who knows what would happen if they decided the other way. Bingsu (named after their favorite dessert) was very friendly, with fur colored like a cinnamon roll. He was an absolute sweetheart even toward strangers, no wonder that he instantly befriend such a dog person as Nicholas was. Bingsu was happily flicking his tail until Nick proceeded to throw the ball in the direction of the fenced front yard.

"Searching, again," Nick shrugged his shoulders with a bit of exhaling as he wasn't ready for some questionnaire, "What are you up to? Skipping school?"

"Nah, I am looking for ways to avoid a math test."

Stevie stood up and step closer to him, obviously, he was one of the ways. He suddenly went straight up quiet, as he probably knew what she was going to ask next, "Soo... Can I go with you?"

"Maybe I could help you to find the Eye of Agamotto by writing it down—" Stevie's utterance was cut off as soon as she pulled the butterfly journal from a backpack and a pen.

"Don't even think about it."

Stevie frowned, "If you say so. I only wanted to speed up the process since you've been desperate the past few days."

Nick acknowledged her enthusiasm for the search a long time ago, however, he felt that her involvement would make even more mess to his madness, "I am only worried that you might spawn the wrong one, especially if many of them are scattered across the multiverse."

"Then I'll make sure that it's from this universe only."

"Good one."

Her eyes sparkled.

"It's still a no from me."

Stevie scowled since she wasn't satisfied with the outcome as her mind was way ahead, planning how to get her unexplored powers into use. She shoved the journal back into her backpack, "Are you always like that?"

"Like what?"

"Ignoring those who offer you help, even though you know too well you can't handle it yourself? I'm concerned. From my observation, you're an insomniac who barely eats which makes me wonder how the hell can you stay up all day and night. You're literally me every time I try to buy BTS tickets."

Nick looked away, attempting to focus on petting the corgi's soft fur — something that would bring him joy. The unawareness tormented him cruelly with so much worry that was supposed to be buried, as he thought he resolved the loss from his past. Nick closed his eyes for a moment to deal with the demons that were constantly telling him to stay quiet because it could fulfill his doubts and repeat some of the moments he tried to avoid so much. A sentence was stuck in his mind, but he couldn't really express it, so he sighed.

He didn't want her to get hurt.

And she didn't understand that.

"You really deserve a day off or at least someone that will assist you and I mean that sincerely. Today is your lucky day because I am free and one-hundred-percent willing to help," Stevie's grin beamed, although she hasn't got the chance to see his reaction. Patience radiated from her eyes until he glanced back at her.

"Fine," Nick stated out of nothing with a subtle smile, "you can help me."

Her eyes widened, with a yelp that left her breathless, "Wait— Really?"

"Uh-huh."

Stevie screamed with happiness followed by a little dance that put her heart in a rush, trying her best to suppress the fluttery stomach. She just needed a moment for herself to settle down the euphoria from realizing that she was going to be a sidekick.

"But no shortcuts," Nick didn't change up his mind about her butterfly journal, since she could somehow open portals between universes, he didn't want to risk it. All he wanted was to be careful, therefore he was absolutely in to help her figure out the safe variations of her abilities.

"No shortcuts. Got it."

Stevie's wide smile peeked through the corners of her mouth and never faded, unlike the days left behind. Same with the artifact they searched for. It almost seemed like it disappeared into thin air. Nevertheless, that didn't stop them and took their spare time into their hands. They talked more often which made Stevie finally feel some connection — a beginning of a friendship — that blossomed each moment.

"Tell me something about your universe." Stevie expressed as she was lying head-down, examining the scribbles Nick managed to draw in a few minutes listening to her ranting about her parents. Sometimes she wished to be mute as well because she talked a lot. She would rather watch him for hours just to figure out what is going on inside of his mind when he tried so bad to detach himself from the present.

She found every bit of him fascinating.

"Oh yeah, sure. What would you like to know?" Nicholas gaped at her, uncertain and utterly shocked as she appeared captivated to learn more about what happened before Morgan's release from the dead. It took a little while until his obscured wit had put emphasis on the good that might come back soon.

"Everything! Except, ya know, the political stuff. I feel like that thing is screwed everywhere."

Nick was hesitant since the laughter faded as he talked about the events that changed the lives of many. For example, the time period during the blip was shorter and Tony Stark didn't tragically die saving the world. Those things were nice to hear, especially if some of the people that lost their lives proceed living somewhere else to achieve the craved happy ending.

Stevie discerned that he was excited to talk about his universe, so he stuttered as soon as she asked about his life there. She discouraged him from continuing and in a twinkling of an eye he lost the words again.

Stevie apologized and left the room, clutching the butterfly journal closer to her chest, recalling the way he blushed faintly right after someone listened to him

That was the moment Stevie finally understood that she should be more careful. Her mind out of nothing was too fixated on Nick because he was the only boy that she ever got to chance to talk to, even her family noticed how much she cared about him — someone that encountered them months ago. It made sense. He was written in her gaze. Still, he was a creation of her desires. Thus she hoped that one day Nicholas won't be afraid to speak up about himself without her help.

The big news was revealed. Officer Hewitt told the family that the artifact, incorrectly described as the necklace, was seen on CCTV lying inside of a pickup's cargo bed that was heading to Brooklyn and later on was seen parked in Crown Heights yesterday. This report sparked a new hope with theories that were laughed off by Veronica. Unlike others she was convinced that they were overreacting with the investigation — meaning — if Nicholas truly needed the artifact for saving his universe he would find it right away and all by himself.

Stevie ran to her room in an attempt to fight the nonsense of not being able to have her sister see how much she finally started to care about friendships.

Knocking on the door reverberated but she didn't care.

"May I?" Nicholas questioned just to be sure, he can go inside. She turned a blind eye to him, focusing only on the mumbles of fury she let out.

"Yep," Stevie responded suppressing the anger but the bitter tone was overtaking her emotions. She was tidying up her room, specifically her desk where she used to spend all of her free time. It was a relief for her, sort of a cleansing of the mess inside her head that her older sister stirred up by her comments.

"I thought you two get along pretty well," Nick remarked after walking inside. He was withdrawn from her, knowing that she needed a moment for herself.

"I did too," she chortled ironically, "She just likes Intentionally hurting others that may be the center of the attention instead of her. Gosh! There wasn't a day she was supportive of me."

"Older siblings always been like that," Nick uttered quietly. He could've stayed downstairs and waited for her to come back but that didn't happen, he instantly went after her.

Stevie was the only person in this household that made him feel okay and welcome. Although her parents were nice people, but it was natural for Nick to feel like a nuisance.

"Own experience?"

"Sort of. It's complicated. I have two sisters. To them, I am the oldest, but technically I am the youngest."

"Hold on," Stevie put away the stacks of papers, "When were you born exactly?"

"December 2025."

"Damn! You're still in your mom's womb."

Nick shook his head, "I'm not even there yet."

"Why would you say that so casually? Ew!" Stevie burst out laughing.

Not only was he from another universe, but he was also from the future which meant that the time was flowing differently if they weren't complete parallels.

Now that her desk was cleaned up, she felt so much better. It got awkward as the silence engulfed the room. She folded a sweatshirt and quickly peeked at Nick.

Soon as she noticed he was staring at her fondly, a smile appeared on her lips, "What?"

"Nothing... You just— You remind me of them a lot," he stated randomly, hoping that it would brighten up her mood.

It truly did. Expectations were beaming through her eyes, almost placing the sweatshirt on the wrong shelf, "How's that?"

"You're so witty and straightforward."

Stevie sat on the bed, dreamingly looking straight into his soul, "Yeah, that sounds a lot like me."

"And also you try your best to make me feel okay."

"That is a thing that every human being should do. Nothing to be praised about," she innocently blinked while scowling. Receiving compliments wasn't one of his strongest features, and when she received some, she threw them away not to deal with them.

"Then why are you blushing?"

"Uh! I'm not blushing. That's the anger evaporating from my pores." Stevie pressed both of her cheeks to try to cover them up. She felt the warmth radiating from her skin, surely she was red as a tomato, "Ignore it! Tell me more about your sisters. What are they like other than that?"

"Imogen is very smart for a seven-year-old. She begs me to use the term assistant for her instead of sister. I do the magic tricks and she's the one keeping the show," Nicholas recalled the days when she corrected him many times when he addressed her as a sister in conversation. It was their adorable play that Nick merrily played along with.

"So that's why you agreed with the help because I used the word assist instead of needing a back-up. Do you think she misses you?"

"Absolutely, but she's lucky that she has people that will explain to her why I suddenly become MIA. I'm more worried about my boyfriend," Nick sighed. There was a subtle difference between them. Both of the tried to be understanding and be able to let him go, however, it was damaging more for one person and that was Adrian.

As much as he cared about Nicholas who was fulfilling the parts he was missing, he was the one blaming himself for letting him go. He could've stopped him but he didn't, letting go of all the healed wounds to go to waste.

"A boyfriend?!" Stevie blurted out almost shouting. The redness in her face was followed by pupils dilating, "no that you having a boyfriend was a bad thing. It— It clearly isn't. I support. Like for real. I support, respect, stand with, and tolerate. You should've said that earlier! We have to go see him!"

"What? Stevie, no!"

A wind pounded on Stevie's face, as she was looking at Nicholas that was speechless at the things he just witnessed, "I'm so sorry."

He was glancing down at the tombstone in which the name of his boyfriend was engraved, buried right next to his brother. Both of them died in 2012, during the time of Chitauri's invasion.

"Look, I didn't know—" Stevie did her utmost to comfort him with a strained voice as she accidentally made him distressed. The way his hands shook and how silently he was just standing there watching the breeze playing with the grass blades.

She was slowly zoning out the moment as the emotions took over her beforehand. Once Nick sobbed softly, she tightened her eyes to defeat the fact of knowing she was the one who made him sad. She stepped back to let him have a moment, grasping the strap of her shoulder bag.

Just a second after that something flickered in Nick's hands. It wasn't really a flicker, it appeared more muted and almost pitched black, just the way how the mass was conjured made her think of a flash, but not a flash of light. Gestures shaped the darkness into a deeply colored rose bouquet. They were black at first but the petals turned their color as soon as the gesture of a hand flicked upward. The darkness was dissolving like the night during sunrise.

Nicholas gently put the roses on Adrian's grave, "I wish I were there for you so you could see the light sooner."

The wind blew those dark speckles away, just like the whisper that left his mouth. It was a metaphor. Every time Adrian was talking about him he was always described as the light that helped him through the tough times. Nick wiped off the tear that was stuck in his eye's corner. He straightened his back, with eyes still locked at the roses, slowly backing away as well, engulfed in sorrow. Eventually turning his back as he was ready to leave completely until a freezing wind blasted the nape that made him stop, feeling a wheezing closer to his ear.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Nicholas' heart froze at the same time as he was forced to turn back.

"A-Adrian?" Nick stuttered. He was deeply looking into those eyes blue as seas, remembering how much he was longing for their reunion.

"Stay with me."

"I need you here," Adrian caressed his cheek. It was a soft touch, that landed on his neck with his fingers outlining his jawline. Nicholas pressed his palm, drowning in the blues of his eyes. The stormy waves spilled. Adrian's face was graying out, slimmed, and eaten through. He was disfigured beyond recognition. Nick felt a pressure on his neck, feeling the decay holding onto him, tightening around his throat. Nicholas' stomach clutched with his hitching chest. He suddenly appeared paler as if the creature, claiming to be his boyfriend, was draining the life out of him. The smell of rotten flesh, the grip slowly suffocating him, weakened him, easing in the knees. Inhale. Exhale. Nothing. The boy gulped in the hope to catch a breath.

The grasp loosen which made him fall back to the grave, holding the bouquet of roses. Nicholas looked around, with his body quivering as he couldn't figure out what had just happened.

"We should go," Stevie uttered out of nothing, pressing a hand onto his shoulder, trying to pull him back to his feet. He didn't let himself be dragged away. He broke from the grip.

Nick pressed his throat, as he still felt the touch, "What did you do?"

"What?"

"What did you do, Stevie?"

"What are you talking about?" Stevie raised her eyebrows, not understanding his way of behaving, "I already told you I was sorry." she shrugged her shoulders while biting her lips.

"No— Not that. Why did you do that?" He pointed at the pieces of torn paper crumbling in her palm and her handbag being halfway open.

Stevie looked in the direction he pointed out, at the fist that was hiding the cover for her lies, "I'll explain later. We have to go now. My dad found the necklace."