Chapter Text
A month had passed since Maximus' attacked his own home, a whole month and only after that time had things started to return to a sense of normalcy. Attilan had been rebuilt, homes restored and daily life had started to resume, but there were still the scars that remained. There were reminders of just what was lost that day, such as the massive crate torn into the earth by Black Bolt's voice, but the people were tenacious.
The sight of her people going by the lives did bring a small smile to Crystal's face, it made for a distraction from the thoughts that plagued her as it had been a particularly long month for her considering the gruelling wait she was forced to endure. It had, after all, been a whole month since she last heard your voice; "I love you" being those breathless words before you passed out in her arms after Jean Grey revived you with the Phoenix Force. Crystal regretted that she didn't say it back quick enough before you slipped into your coma. Simply telling you it as you were unconscious just didn't have the same feeling, and she said it every time she visited you.
These visits were daily; every time she had a free moment she would beeline to the infirmary where you rested in hopes to be there when you woke up. Crystal had actually just left from a 12 hour stay in the room, sitting by your bedside and holding your hand as you just laid there. It got to the point that Medusa had to insist her sister get some air, telling her she would stay with you so Crystal could take a breather of her own.
Albeit hesitant at first, the Inhuman Princess came to the conclusion that it was for the best. Not just for herself, but during her walk she had been approached by many citizens, each of them asking of your well-being. They knew what you did for them, they knew what you risked for them, they would never forget it and this led to some guilt over how they misjudged you. Many people apologised to Crystal as proxy for you, expressing their remorse for ever doubting you and hoping you would recover. It warmed the Princess' heart to hear these words, she thanked them for their concern for you and told them she would let you know during her next visit.
"Will you give him this?" One child among the group who had most recently approached to ask Crystal about your recovery, they held out a card wishing you to get better soon and the Princess smiled as she took it. She told the child that she was sure you'd appreciate it, another child speaking up to ask when you would wake up but this was a question which Crystal could’t answer.
Fortunately, she didn't have to think of an answer as the conversation was suddenly interrupted. "Princess?" Forge addressed Crystal by her title, making the Inhuman Royal look to see the mutant standing behind her. Standing up from her crouched position, Crystal asked Forge why he was here, he was supposed to be in the infirmary after all and it made her worry that he left his post. But this was why he was there actually, informing Crystal that there had been a development in your situation. But before Forge could explain further, one of the children suddenly interrupted.
"Princess! Princess! Look! Look!" They exclaimed, making Crystal at them to see they were pointing towards the steps to the castle. Crystal’s eyes went wide as she saw Medusa walking down them, and you were slowly making your way down beside her. A cane in hand, your other arm a little limp, you held onto Medusa as she supported you with her arm and hair as you eventually reached the bottom of the steps. And then once you regained your balance, you lifted your head to look at Crystal from across the way.
The entire scene went silent almost instantly, the people stopping to stare when they noticed you before looking between you and Crystal. You both looked at each other, a smile on your lips as Forge stepped to Crystal's side with a smile of his own. "As you can see, he has finally wo...woah! And there she goes" the technopathic Mutant mused as a sudden gust of wind launched Crystal forward, propelling herself with her powers to close the distance quicker as she dashed your way.
You didn't have time to brace yourself, you barely blinked and she had crossed the distance to throw herself into you. Crystal flung her arms around your neck, colliding herself into you and knocking you back but Medusa managed to catch and support you with her hair before lifting you upright as she told her sister to be a little more gentle. "He's not long since waking up" the Inhuman Queen informed but you had already dropped the cane you were using to embrace Crystal, one arm wrapping around her quicker than the other as you held her just as tightly as clung to you.
"You're awake!" Crystal cheered, pulling back to look at your face, grabbing you as if to make sure you were really there as tears streamed down her cheeks. "You're awake, you're awake, you're awake!" She then cried, kissing you once and then twice, then a third time. With quick succession, almost rapid fire, Crystal kissed you again and again with the repetition of you being awake. You chuckled as she did this, eventually having to hold her back with your hands holding her face.
"Yes, I'm awake" you told her, feeling her hands on your cheeks, fingers combing through your hair as she continued to cry at how you stood in front of her again. But then Crystal felt something on the side of your head, her fingers grazing something more plastic than flesh and she tilted her head to see the hearing aids you were adorned with. She then looked at you, seeing a sadder smile as you corrected yourself that you were awake but not fully in one piece. But then that was to be expected considering what you survived.
Even with Maximus' technology, you were still in close proximity to Black Bolt when he spoke that day. The device used to shield you kept you alive but you suffered hearing loss as a result, an expected consequence considering you were human. Maximus was Inhuman, his physiology was different to yours, then the device wasn't damaged when he used it so he didn't suffer the same, but you were a human who used a damaged device. "Forge made the hearing aids for me, it was a little scary to wake up and not be able to hear" you said before something tapped your arm and you looked to see Medusa holding the cane you were using with her hair.
Another consequence of that day, although with a bit more of a technical explanation from Forge. "As well as atrophy from his coma, he has received damage to the structural integrity of his legs" the Mutant informed, reasoning that it was likely from the shape of the dome that surrounded you and Black Bolt. The sound waves seemed to have been funnelled down to the ground which resulted in the crater, the immense pressure also seemed to compact around your legs seeing you stood on the crumbling ground. "The silver lining is that those injuries can heal, with the help of the braces I've fitted to his legs as well," Forge explained as Crystal looked down at the aforementioned braces.
"Your hearing however, I'm afraid that damage may be more permanent, but the hearing aids will compensate" Forge added and you told him that was more than enough. "You kept me alive, that's more than I could ever be grateful for, the leg braces and hearing aids are appreciated, so thank you" you told him and he replied that it had been his pleasure. "After what you were willing to do, to offer your own life to save others, I'd say it has been a privilege to be able to give something back" he said before shaking your hand as you extended it, thanking him still before letting him leave to pack up his things from the infirmary.
This allowed you the chance to turn back to Crystal, seeing how her eyes were still glistening as she cupped your face again. "I just can't believe you're really here; I waited for you, I wanted to be there when you woke up but...mmm" you interrupted her, kissing her and Crystal quickly leaned in before bowing your head against hers. "I'm just glad I can see you now" you told her, assuring her that you were really there as she looked into your eyes.
"I love you" she whispered shakily, stroking your face with both hands as she said she wanted to tell you that for a month because she didn't get the chance to before. "I love you so much!" She buried her face in your chest, holding tight as you embraced her, whispering that you loved her too before slowly letting go for her to step back again.
This was just in time too as whilst Crystal was pulling away, there was a flash of light and barking. You barely had time to turn your head before being tackled by Lockjaw, the large dog licking your face as you were knocked to the floor. Crystal exclaimed as you were pulled away from her, telling Lockjaw to be careful as you were still injured like she had been told but you told her it was fine patting Lockjaw on the head and saying it was good to see him again. "You look so much better than when I last saw you, How've you been, boy?!" You asked, Lockjaw still licking your face as you received an answer from another source.
"Lockjaw has been worried; after Crystal, he was probably the next most common visitor you had" Karnak explained as he stepped forward, hands behind his back as he gave you a friendly nod whilst Triton, who arrived with the Advisor of the Royal Family, extended his hand to help you up. "It is good to see you again, my friend" the Scout said as you thanked him for his help, replying that you were happy to see he was well too. "How are your wounds?" You asked and Triton looked at his arm which had scarred from his burns but they didn't hurt anymore.
"I'm doing better" he replied and you nodded before feeling a heavy hand pat your shoulder, nearly making you crumble again under Gorgon's strength as he chuckled. "So you're finally awake?" He asked and you answered that you could probably do with another 40 winks or so which earned another chuckle from the Royal Guard as he welcomed you back. You thanked him for this before looking at the last member of the family to arrive - Black Bolt.
The Inhuman King stood on the steps to the palace, watching the scene before him. "Black Bolt" you addressed him and he gave a nod before descending the last few steps, his family dispersing to allow him the space to step before you as you thought of your next words. There were a few things you wanted to say; you wanted to thank him for saving you with his quick thinking that day, you wanted to apologise for what had happened to his kingdom, you wanted to apologise for damaging his trust in you. After all, you did break the one rule set in place for you to be allowed out of the cell you were confined in when you first arrived.
"About the times I snuck out to the human world, I'm sorry for lying" you said but the King simply smiled, shaking his head as Medusa joined him. "Considering everything that happened; we all feel you earned a pardon on that" the Queen said, Karnak adding that it was actually a blessing in disguise that you broke that rule. "After all; had you not, Crystal would never have been able to enlist the help from the human world, we would have been on our own and many more would have surely perished" he said, bowing his head afterwards as he added that there were regrettably some casualties.
"We have a memorial for those we lost; a tribute to them and reminder of what we wish to avoid in the future" Triton spoke next, pointing to a nearby wall with names carved into the stone. It was a bitter sight to behold, but the silver lining was that there were few names. "We will remember them, we will see their loss as an example of what happens when we let mistrust and hatred rule us" Gorgon spoke with a low growl, bowing his head as you looked back.
"And what of Maximus?" You asked, a hint of anger in your voice at the mere thought of his name, Crystal answering that he was gone. "Banished from Attilan, locked away in a prison in another dimension, he won't ever come back" she told you and you looked at Black Bolt, seeing his solemn expression at the mention of his brother. "I'm sorry it had to come to that, Black Bolt" you apologised but he held up his hand, smiling sadly before an expression of him remembering something turned on his face.
The King then changed the tone of the scene as he reached and produced something you hadn't seen since before you were taken from your cell by Maximus. Black Bolt stepped forward, raising the medal which you were to be awarded before things turned sour, only for Medusa to repeat what she did that day by stopping her husband so she could give it to you. "After all; I wanted to put the past behind us that day" she said, her husband nodding and leaving it to her as she draped it over your neck.
"We found it after the smoke cleared; you have definitely earned it for your heroics" the Queen told you, smiling softly as you thanked her for it, extending the gratitude Black Bolt too. "I'm grateful for what you've done for me" you said but the King shook his head, signing for Medusa to translate as she relayed that they were the ones who should be thankful. "For you are a hero here's in Attilan, and to Black Bolt himself, you are a friend" Medusa converged her husband's words, Black Bolt himself placing a hand on your shoulder.
The King then held a hand to his chest, nodding his head as a gesture of his respect and you did the same before he again signed to his wife with Medusa relaying his thoughts. "Black Bolt has many things he would like to say, there's a lot to catch you up to date with, but he asks if there is anything in particular you would like?" The Queen translated and you did have one thing above lost, looking to Crystal as you asked for some time with her.
"It's been a long month; I was somewhat aware when I was unconscious, I just wanted to see Crystal, so can I have some time with her?" You requested, the King and Queen both smiling before stepping back. "Of course, but before you go..." Medusa cleared yer throat before addressing the large crowd that had formed, announcing that after a long month of recovery, you had finally returned. What followed was a cacophonous cheer, one that made you turn down your hearing aid slightly as it made your head ring, but at the same time it warmed your heart to see all the people so happy for your recovery.
Some even approached; first were the children who wished you a quick recovery, the one who made the card giving it to you as they said they were happy were feeling better. You smiled at this before another Inhuman approached, one of the children's father as he grasped your hand to shake it furiously. "You were willing to give your life to save my family, I can't thank you enough for that, I can't apologise enough for ever doubting you" he said but you assured him that you held no ill will over it. "You had the right to be uncertain" you told him but he insisted on apologising for his mistrust. "Thank you for protecting my family, I'd be lost without them" he said and you told him he could thank you by looking out for them now, the man taking his child back to his wife after thanking you again.
There were many who wished to express their gratitude to you, many who wished to apologise. It was rather overwhelming to be swarmed by so many, but soon enough the crowd dispersed enough for you to step back to Crystal. You turned to the Princess as she stepped forward, taking her hands into yours and holding them tight.
"I meant it, you know? When I was in that coma, I was still aware, trapped in a darkness with little I could think of, but you were on my mind the whole time" you told her, Crystal's lips wavering before she hugged you tightly. "I missed you so much" she choked out and you held her close, saying you missed her too. "And I love you, Crystal" you added with her saying it back before she pushed her lips to yours, holding your hands before pulling back to ask where you wanted to go and you answered simply somewhere quiet.
"Somewhere just for the two of us, if it's still safe to go there" you said and Crystal understood straight away, taking you by the hand and helping up the steps to the palace as you were still getting used to the leg braces you had. The same went for the hearing aid; for as much as you appreciated the response to your recovery, your ears were very sensitive now. But you had a quiet place to go to, a special place for you and Crystal.
There, the two of you could just enjoy each other's company, celebrating together your recovery.