149

Carol didn't tell anyone she was going. She just took the car one afternoon, left a note on the counter that said Back soon, and drove into the city with a knot in her chest she hadn't quite learned to name yet. The shop was quiet. Minimal. No mirrors everywhere, no dramatic lighting. Just clean lines and a woman who took one look at Carol and said, "Comfort first," like it was obvious. Carol almost laughed in relief. She tried on three things. The first felt like a costume. Too stiff. Too much like armor she didn't need anymore. The second was close—but not right. Looked good. Didn't feel like her. The third made her stop breathing for half a second.

It wasn't a dress. Not a tux, either. Structured trousers, dark and clean. A soft, tailored shirt that moved when she did. A jacket that sat right on her shoulders without weighing them down—sharp enough to matter, relaxed enough to breathe in. Carol stepped closer to the mirror. No medals. No rank. No uniform. Just her. She turned slightly, testing it. Rolled her shoulders. Smiled without meaning to. "Oh," she murmured. "There you are." She didn't pose. Didn't imagine the room full of people. She imagined Athena.

Athena's quiet intake of breath. The way her mouth would curve before she even realized she was smiling. The way she'd stand a little straighter, like she always did when something mattered too much to joke about. Carol swallowed. "Yeah," she said softly to her reflection. "This'll do." She got home before Athena. Natasha noticed immediately. Carol walked in, garment bag over her shoulder, trying—and failing—to look casual. Natasha's eyes flicked up once. Took it in. Dismissed it just as quickly. "You find something?" she asked. Carol nodded. "Yeah."

Natasha rinsed her hands, dried them, then added calmly, "Good." No interrogation. No commentary. Carol exhaled. Later that night, Athena came upstairs and stopped short when she saw the garment bag hanging on the door. Athena squinted. "Is that—" Carol stepped in front of it instantly. "No." Athena grinned. "That was very defensive." "You don't get to see it," Carol said. "Not even a peek." Athena held up her hands. "Scout's honor."

Carol studied her for a second, then smiled—soft, sure. "I think you're gonna like it." Athena's expression shifted, something warm and steady settling in her chest. "I already do." Carol leaned in, pressing a quiet kiss to Athena's cheek. As she pulled back, she glanced once more at the bag on the door. For the first time in a long time, she wasn't wondering if she belonged in the future she was stepping toward. She knew she did.