PRESENT DAY
📍LONDON
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"No, that's not what I agreed on," (Y/N) spoke to the phone as she readjusted it in her left shoulder to press it against her ear, fumbling with her bag and books with the other hand. "I was supposed to see you and Sprite in two weeks, Sersi. It's not — "

(Y/N) was cut off by a car honking as it passed down the street, which led in not being able to hear what Sersi had to say on the other line of the phone. She huffed in annoyance and tried to speak again, when she realized that Sersi had ended the call at that exact moment.

(Y/N) decided not to press harder on the matter and continued on forward, spotting the building where she worked at a few feet away from her. Passing through crowds of people was a difficult task but was able to make it through, checking her wrist watch as she approached.

(Y/N) walked up the stairs that led to the main entrance of the Sea Life Centre London Aquarium where she worked in, receiving a weak wave of greeting from the security guard by the door. She removed her coat and placed it on a nearby stand, placing her tag on her way to a group of piling visitors.

"(Y/N), early as usual," her boss, Mr. Fernsby, said in a monotone and gestured to the group behind her. "You're in time for your tour. It's a school trip, so I recommend to be careful."

"I will," (Y/N) gave him a weird look at how he was shaken up by the sight of kids. "Thank you, Mr. Fensby." She advanced towards the group, growing more confidence like she always did whenever she got to work with a next group of tourists.

"Hope I didn't keep you waiting that long," she clasped her hands together and multiple heads turned up to look at her, attention full on her figure. "Let's go now, shall we?"

Sounds of agreement were heard and (Y/N) walked backwards, seeing the enormous walls of glass that showed a tank of fishes and other small sea creatures swimming through. Though the sight was surprising to the students and the teacher, (Y/N) had to guide them away to the exterior to demonstrate the other sea animals.

One of the kids raised their hand during the middle of this and (Y/N) caught this, gesturing for the young boy to speak up. "Do you have any sharks?"

(Y/N) nodded. "Not the ones you think, buddy. This aquarium only has 4 different kinds of sharks. But, if you ask me personally, I prefer the nurse sharks."

The group 'oohed' at her revelation and (Y/N) smiled down to her feet at this, since she always received reactions just like this one. "Does someone know them? Can you tell me anything about them?"

No one said anything as the students looked between the others and (Y/N) shook her head, "Not to worry, you're here to learn," she said. "Now, a nurse shark is a large, peaceful fish that slowly drifts along the bottom of the ocean to suck up food as they go."

"So, they don't bite?" a kid questioned, worried.

"No, they don't pose a threat to humans unless they are bothered," (Y/N) informed and everyone nodded along with her. "You can swim right by these guys and you won't notice they were there."

"Yeah, I'd rather not," the same kid replied and caused the group to let out chuckles.

(Y/N) opened her mouth to say something more when she heard a deep and loud rumble, suddenly feeling the ground beneath her moving. Her eyes widened and searched for any type of clue to what was going on until it clicked. "Earthquake."

The ground shook uncontrollably and the students from the group began to panic and let out panicked cries, and (Y/N) helped along to guide them away from any other building that could crumble beside them. The kids continued on yelling as they walked by the exterior tanks, water splashing everywhere and making the floor slippery because of the abrupt movements from the ground.

(Y/N) left the students' side briefly but still made sure the teacher and the group were a good distance away to place her hands on the wet floor, closing her eyes in concentration. The droplets of water rose back from their place on the ground and hovered in midair, where (Y/N) formed the droplets into a big water sphere to place it back to the tank, leaving the floor dry.

The ground stopped shaking and (Y/N) stood from the ground, dusting her jeans off as she walked towards the group that was now waiting in the parking lot, away from the building.

The alarms of the aquarium went off and even some cars were flashing their lights because of the sudden movements, it was all done now, but (Y/N) couldn't quite shake the feeling that it was something more.

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(Y/N) unlocked the door of her apartment and stepped in, loosing her shoes the moment she was inside and dropped her keys on the table, exhausted from the day. She unlocked her phone and saw that there were three missed calls from Sersi, which made her frown.

She thought about calling her later, so she flicked the TV on and heard how it displayed a news report from today's peculiar events.

"This morning, an unprecedented global earthquake swept nation-states across the world, causing damage and panic," the female reporter explained. "Many have speculated its connection with the Blip."

"The UN has called for an emergency meeting. . ."

(Y/N) heard knocking over the door and removed her gaze from the TV, walking back to open it to reveal not two, but three familiar faces staring up at her with different expressions. Since she was already used to seeing Sprite and Sersi, she offered a nod and a smile, but when her eyes trailed off to Ikaris, who she swore left a thousand years ago, it made her frown.

"So," she began. "I'm guessing that earthquake has something to do with us, huh?"

"We're not sure," Sersi spoke up, offering a weak smile to (Y/N). "I'm sorry to bust in without saying anything, (Y/N). It's — "

"It's alright," (Y/N) cut her off, giving her a nod. The tension washed away from Sersi's eyes. (Y/N) moved back to allow them to step in. "Be my guests."

Sersi gave her a thankful smile and walked inside the apartment with Sprite right behind her, not before she embraced (Y/N) in a hug and then proceeded to sit on the couch as always.

Ikaris was hesitant at first, nodding awkwardly in (Y/N)'s direction as she avoided his eyes, closing the door the moment he walked inside and join the others.

"Sprite," (Y/N) called out. "You said you'd give me back my shirt, where is it?"

"Yeah, about that," Sprite winced. "Dane spilled orange juice all over it, you probably won't want it back."

(Y/N) placed her hands on her hips. "You can't blame Dane with everything."

"I do not."

"Oh, yeah? Like the time you told me that he broke my coffee maker?"

"He was distracted in looking at Sersi, I — "

"All right, you two. Settle down," Sersi interrupted, shaking her head at the two since they were talking about her boyfriend right in front of her, leaning on the wall with crossed arms.

Sersi began explaining how Sprite, Dane and her were attacked by a Deviant in the middle of the street, which left (Y/N) with a frown of confusion at the revelation, since her and the other Eternals had made sure to eliminate all the Deviants that were hiding across the world a long time ago.

"That Deviant healed itself. They could never do that before. And it was coming after us instead of humans," Sersi declared. "What's going on?"

"I came to check on you because of the earthquake," Ikaris confessed, his arms crossed. "That Deviant is news to me."

Sersi looked back at the two. "Something's happening to Earth."

"Can't be a coincidence, can it?" (Y/N) agreed, fiddling with the ends of her sleeve to rack her brain to suggest an idea.

"We need to find the others," Ikaris suggested, making (Y/N) stiffen in her spot.

"I haven't seen some of them for centuries," Sersi spoke up for her, noticing the way (Y/N) felt uncomfortable because of the topic.

Ikaris dusted off his jacket and pushed himself up from leaning against the table. "I doubt much has changed."

"Let's go to Ajak first," Sersi looked between Ikaris and (Y/N), wishing to find no protests to her idea. "She'll know what to do."

Ikaris nodded and (Y/N) sighed at this, offering Sersi a smile that didn't reach her eyes as she reached out to grab her bag once again.

"You hear that, Sprite?" Ikaris announced. "Family reunion."

"It's about time," she replied, not moving her gaze from staring out the window with crossed arms.

"Oh, great. How exciting," (Y/N) mumbled sarcastically under her breath.

little glimpse on (y/n)'s domestic life before starting the disaster. i spent hours investigating for just a small part so i'm sorry for the late update.

-see you soon, bex