The healing baths sprawled before them like liquid starlight contained in pools of crystalline stone. Steam rose in iridescent spirals, carrying the scent of stardust and ancient magic. Constellations danced beneath the surface of the water, and the ceiling above was a perfect mirror of the cosmic ocean below, creating the illusion of floating in space itself.

Ocean led them to the vast chamber, her scaled tail leaving subtle blue gleams on the pearl-dusted floor. "The waters will heal your physical wounds," she explained, gesturing to the various pools that seemed to pulse with different colors of celestial light. "And perhaps," she added with knowing eyes, "some wounds that run deeper." With a respectful bow, she departed, leaving them in the care of two dragon guards who took up positions outside the ornate doors.

Clint was the first to break the weighted silence, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "So that's it?" He began removing his tactical gear, each piece still carrying dust from their last battle. "We just wait here a fortnight before the queen will make up her mind?" His voice echoed off the crystal walls, carrying both exhaustion and barely contained hope.

"What choice do we have?" Natasha responded, already sliding into one of the smaller pools. The moment the star-infused water touched her skin, her battle wounds began to glow softly. "Besides," she added, closing her eyes as tension visibly left her shoulders, "these aren't exactly terrible accommodations."

Tony wandered to the edge of the largest pool, his hand hovering over the surface where galaxies seemed to spin beneath the water. "The energy readings here are off the charts," he murmured, his scientific curiosity momentarily overriding his impatience. "Whatever this place is, it's operating on laws of physics I've never seen before."

Steve stood at the chamber's edge, still in full uniform, his shield reflecting the cosmic light. "A fortnight in exchange for saving half the universe?" He finally began removing his gloves. "If that's what it takes to bring everyone back, I'd wait a year."

Bruce, already settling into a pool that seemed to calm the constant tension in his features, called out softly, "Anyone else notice how she looked at Bucky when she mentioned the 'highest banner of the moon'? Like she knew something about him specifically?"

Bucky, standing near a window that looked out over the Kingdom of Stars, where actual nebulae bloomed like flowers in a cosmic garden, flexed his metal arm thoughtfully. "There's something about her," he said quietly. "Something familiar, like a memory I can't quite reach."

Thor, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke as he lowered himself into the healing waters. "In all my years, in all the realms," he said, watching the water react to his inherent lightning, creating spectacular displays of energy, "I've never encountered power quite like hers. Even my father spoke of the Queen of Stars with reverence."

Steam curled around them like cosmic ribbons as Wanda, who had been floating quietly at the edge of a rose-gold pool, finally broke her contemplative silence. Her hair spread out in the magical water like dark tendrils of a nebula, red energy occasionally sparking between the strands.

"I'm sure she's fine," she said softly, her Sokovian accent more pronounced in her relaxed state. A blush crept across her cheeks, tinting them pink as she added, "She looks pretty." The magical water around her rippled with her sudden embarrassment, creating patterns that looked like falling stars.

Pietro, lounging in the adjacent pool, burst out laughing, sending ripples of silver light through the water. "Oh, really? That's the first thing you notice, sister? The queen's beauty?" His teasing tone echoed off the crystalline walls, making the dragon guards outside shift their wings with curiosity.

Wanda splashed water in her twin's direction, the droplets hanging in the air longer than they should have, glowing like tiny galaxies before falling. "Shut up, Pietro!"

Tony, who had finally settled into one of the deeper pools, his arc reactor creating fascinating interactions with the star-infused water, couldn't help but join in. "I agree with the witch, though," he quipped, watching the way the cosmic waters swirled around him. "I mean, if you're into the whole 'gorgeous dragon queen who could probably obliterate you with a thought' thing." He paused thoughtfully. "Actually, Pepper might understand that appeal."

"Her power is beautiful," Wanda defended, her own red magic weaving unconsciously with the starlight in the water. "It feels... ancient, but warm. Like a star that's been burning forever but still gives light and life." Her eyes took on a distant look, her powers clearly sensing something in the queen's realm that the others couldn't perceive.

"Don't let Angel Dust hear you talking about Her Majesty's looks," Natasha commented dryly from her pool, where the waters were gradually erasing her battle scars. "He seemed pretty protective of her, despite all that casual attitude."

"Did you see the way her crown just... floated there?" Bruce interjected, his scientific curiosity getting the better of him. "And those horns! The bioluminescent properties alone..."

"Banner," Thor chuckled, his voice carrying over the gentle lapping of the magical waters, "perhaps we could postpone the scientific analysis until after we've enjoyed these remarkable baths?"

The chamber filled with gentle laughter, the sound mixing with the subtle music of the star-waters. For a moment, they could almost forget the weight of their mission, the loss they'd suffered, and the uncertainty of whether this beautiful, powerful queen would choose to help them restore half the universe.