Chapter 8
“Hey, boys? Boys? Lila? Laura?”
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“This thing on?”
Toni tapped her helmet a few times.
“Hey, Captain... Stevie. If you find this recording, don't post it on social media. It's gonna be a real tear-jerker. I don't know if you're ever going to see these. I don't even know if you're... if you're still... Oh god, I hope so. Today is day 21, uh 22. You know, if it wasn't for the existential terror of staring into a void of space, I'd say I'm feeling better today. The infection's run its course, Thanks to the blue meanie back there. You'd love her, Cap. Very practical. Only a tiny bit sadistic. Some fuel cells were cracked during battle, but we figured out a way to reverse the ion charge to buy ourselves about 48 hours of time. But it's now dead in the water. We're 1000 light years from the nearest 7-11. Oxygen will run out tomorrow. And that'll be it. And Stevie, I ... I know I said no more surprises, but I was really hoping to pull off one last one. But it looks like... well you know what it looks like. Don't feel bad about this. I mean, if you grovel for a couple of weeks, and then move on with enormous guilt. I should probably lie down. Please know that... when I drift off, I will think about you. Because it's always you. And please, God... tell Brooke I’m sorry. Because I am. I’m so sorry, love. I’m so...”
What was that bright thing?
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Steve was already outside when the ground started shaking.
He could feel his team, what was left of them anyways, coming up behind him, but his eyes were glued to the bright dot in the sky, getting closer.
Carol was back, and she wasn't alone.
As soon as he saw her, he took off running. She collapsed against him, pushing her face into his chest the way she did when she was scared.
“Stevie.” She sounded delirious.
“I'm here, Toni.”He held her tighter.
“I couldn't stop him.”
“Neither could I.”
“I lost Peter.”She sobbed. “Steve- is-”
“Mommy!”
Brooke clutched her little bear tighter, running on shaky legs to her parents. “You're home!”
Toni dropped to the ground, taking Steve with her, just as their little girl ran into her arms. “Honey,” Steve tried, “mommy’s pretty tired-”
“Shh, Stevie. I'm never too tired for my Brookie. My baby.” her words were slurred, clearly she needed to rest, but they could take a minute, just to be together.
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“It's been 23 days since Thanos came to Earth.”
“World governments are in pieces. The parts that are still working are trying to take a census. And it looks like he did... he did exactly what he said he was gonna do. Thanos wiped out fifty percent of all living creatures.”
Toni tightened her hold on her little girl, curled up asleep in her lap.
“Where is he now? Where?”
“We don't know. He just opened a portal and walked through.”
“We've been hunting Thanos for three weeks now. Deep Space scans, and satellites, and we got nothing. Toni, you fought him.”
“Fought him?” She scoffed, “No, there wasn't a fight. He hit me with a planet and then Other Steve gave away the time stone. I didn't fight him.”
“Toni, I need you to focus.”
“And I needed you!” She tried to stand, pushing Brooke into Rhodey’s arms when he rushed to her side. “I needed all of you. Any of you.” She repeated, softly, “And you weren’t there. That trumps what you need. Now, I- I need a cheeseburger. I-”
“Toni, you made your point, just sit down.” Pepper tried to gently push her into her chair, but Toni weakly shoved her off. “No, Pep, just...”
And then she collapsed.
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“You guys take care of him. And I'll bring him a Xorrian Elixir when I come back.”
“Where are you going?”
“To kill Thanos.”
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“You’re sure you don't want to come with?”
Steve brushed a bit of hair away from Brooke’s face, smiling down at how she was curled into Toni’s side.
“Right. Why did I even ask?”Natasha gave him a pat on the shoulder as she walked away.
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“Daddy?”
Brooke held her arms out, and Steve scooped her up into his arms, taking her to the window so they wouldn't disturb Toni. “Daddy, when’s Mommy going to wake up?”
Steve sighed. “Mommy just needs some rest, baby girl.” he kissed her head, looking out at the water. Behind them, he heard the door open. “Steve,” Bruce called softly, “Your blood type is O positive, is that right?” He nodded, not turning around. “Any chance I can... have some?”
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He watched the blood drip slowly down.
His blood.
“This is going to work, Steve.” Bruce looked so certain.
“I know it will.” Steve nodded, “Cause I don't know what I'm going to do if it doesn't.”
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“What... what did you do?”
“I went for the head.”
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