The White Cliffs of Dover ((primarily for Quicksilver))

[shieldborne]

There's no such thing as a happy ending, because nothing's ever really ended. Not yet. In fact, most of the fights Steve Rogers has ever thrown himself into were to stave off an ending, for himself or someone else; most recently, for the Universe itself. That's a lot to ask from a kid from Brooklyn. It's probably all to the best that he's retired now. Semi-retired.

Forcibly semi-retired.

His physical therapist is going to chew him out for missing their session today, but he's been away from the Nexus for long enough. First, the broken PINpoint, then the Decimation, the battle with Thanos...and since then it's been a series of surgeries and attempts to put his delicate little body in some semblance of working order, while his brain adjusts to sensations he hasn't felt in over seventy years.

He unlocks the door to the clubhouse quietly, taps the keycode into the alarm system, and looks around. There's nothing broken, shockingly. No sign of break-ins, no thick layer of dust. Someone's been looking after the place. That makes his heart leap a little with mixed anxiety and relief.

He's going to have to answer a lot of questions, and he's not looking forward to that, but someone's been here. Someone remembers, and still cares. That's a really, really nice thought.

There's not much work to do, but he can't just sit idle with his thoughts or he'll go nuts, so he clicks on the lights and starts up the jukebox. Half the contents are 80s hits and the other half are from the 40s, and Steve has a definite preference for the latter. Vera Lynn's sweet alto starts up as he begins sorting through cabinets, taking inventory of the supplies in preparation to re-stock.

When someone comes in, he's crouched to look at a lower shelf, which makes him look even smaller than he is now. This is no longer the musclebound clean-cut Captain America. This is Steven G. Rogers, who is 5'4" in his shoes, who has an asthma inhaler in his pocket and a blue neoprene shoulder-brace over his button-down shirt. Who has reading glasses perched on his nose because he's not getting any younger. Who gave all of his serum-enhanced strength and the persona that came with it as a sacrifice to win the Soul Stone.

Comments

[iwillcatchup]

Peter frowns slightly, at the mention of the good-bye notes and not one being left behind. It makes him wonder how many good-byes he has left behind. Or if any were given to him... after what happened in his world.

But he quickly focuses his attention on Steve's explanation. He removes the googles from his head as he listens. And plays with the plastic strap for a moment.

"I know how hard it is to have to fight a dangerous person. Or to make difficult decisions... because all you want is to save others." He thinks of the last fight he was in. And bites his bottom lip. Perhaps now is not the time to share what happened to him. And he focuses his attention on Steve again.

"Sounds like it was a really good idea to have... to sacrifice that part of yourself. Because you get to be alive. And I know it will be tough for you... not to be Captain America... but who says that is not the man you were? You are still a hero, Steve."

[shieldborne]

"In fairness, I kinda hoped I'd be back to explain. Sooner than this." He gives Peter a sad smile. Wouldn't blame him if he told him, off, really, but it seems like maybe that's not what's at the top of his mind right now.

He's not oblivious, either. Something must have happened to Peter for him to be living here full time and not with his comrades, but he's not going to demand answers just now. It might be better for them to get to know each other again at a gentle pace, and emotionally fraught topics can be broached with caution. He'll talk when he's ready, Steve figures.

He nods at the understanding, grateful that he's talking to another person in the same line of work as he is--or as he used to be. He's not sure yet what he can continue doing without immediately biting it. He blushes when Peter says he's a hero, though. He's not the first to say something like that to reassure him, but it sounds different coming from Peter's lips.

"Just trying to be a good man, like I promised," he says, and smiles sheepishly. "So, uh...you're okay with me moving back in here part time, I take it?"

A breath, and then he rises and heads for the stove. "I'm gonna make cocoa; want some?"

[iwillcatchup]

"I likely don't know this... but versions from another world, like yours, had appeared in the Nexus. Injured. Their Steve died. And I thought..." Peter closes his eyes for a moment. He knows that for him, death meant returning to the Nexus. But there was no sign of Steve after learning that news. It was heart breaking for him.

"And I was alone. Here. For such a long time. Just trying to figure out what to do next."

Considering the fact that time passes differently for Peter, that says a lot.

"Well it is your place. Really I am the one sort of... hijacking it."

"Sure. I think I still have a bag of marshmallows too."

[shieldborne]

Oh, geez. The idea that Peter might think he was dead hadn't even occurred to Steve. Possibly that's a sign that he still thinks of himself as closer to immortal than he ever was. He hesitates, then comes closer and puts his hands on Peter's shoulders. They're smaller now, long-fingered and delicate in comparison to before, but warm and alive.

"It's your place, too. Even from the start you were taking care of it almost as much as I was. Call it a joint project."

"I missed you, too. Thought about you a lot. I'm gonna have to come and go from my world some still. I still have doctor's appointments and stuff. But I'll be around; you won't be alone."

[iwillcatchup]

Peter lifts one of his hands to place it on top of the hand on his left shoulder. And smiles a little.

"We can do that." He nods.

"I am glad that you still can go back to your world." Peter pauses and gently squeezes the hand he is holding. "I can't. I can't go back to mine."

[shieldborne]

Well, if he's going to accept physical contact, Steve will go the next step and give him a hug. It's gentle, partly because Steve isn't as strong as he used to be and partly because his own right shoulder is iffy, but it's something.

"Good. I don't know...I mean, it wouldn't be right for me to assume we can pick up where we left off, and I wasn't exactly sure where we were when we left off anyway, but I'm real glad you're here. And if nothing else, I promise to be a better friend, and if more than that happens, then...that'd be good, too."

But he's a vastly different person now, physically speaking, so he's not going to be in a rush. "You might be able to visit my world," he says. "Now that it's not cut off."

He knows that's not what Peter's getting at, though, so he gives him a slow nod. "Your turn for sad story time, huh?"

[iwillcatchup]

It is different hugging this version of Steve, so it takes half a second for Peter to adjust to placing his hands around a smaller body. But he does hug Steve back.

"That is something I had not figured out either. So it is okay... to start off again. As friends." He does not want to rush anything either. Even for a speedster, he knows this is something that needs to take time. Patience.

Peter is quiet for a moment. Then nods. "One of our own... Jean... turned against us. We had to go into space to help some astronauts. And there was a strange power that Jean was affected by. She was not able to control her powers because of it. Lost her mind. And we had to try to stop her. Help her..."

"The last thing I remember was running towards her, up some floating concrete that she had spinning in the air. Then she looked at me. Her eyes were... red... dark... harsh. And I fell back. I remember a pain in my chest... and not wanting to look down..."

"And I woke up here. In the Nexus. And couldn't go back to my world."

"I think... I think I died in front of them."

[shieldborne]

He just hopes it doesn't feel like hugging a kid, on Peter's end. He's a small man, always will be at this point, but just as determined to be taken seriously as when he first signed up for the army.

He gives a sigh of relief and nods at Peter, immensely grateful for his understanding. As many of his own chances for happiness as Steve has blown, as many friendships as he's messed up by being stubborn and single-minded, at least this one has a chance.

He lets go and goes to put a pan of milk on the stove to heat up, getting out cocoa and spices to make up the drinks the old-fashioned way. He's listening, though. From the moment Peter talks about going into space, he has a feeling this is going to take a very dark turn, and he's not wrong. For a second, when he talks about Jean attacking him, Steve winces, remembering facing off with Bucky. But that had a much better ending.

(It was a near thing, though, wasn't it?)

"Christ," he says. "Peter, I'm so sorry."

He's not sure how to cope with 'possibly dead'. Peter wouldn't be the first person he knows with that condition. Loki's definitely dead, but Loki is also Loki. And then there's Sam and the others who were turned to dust but came back, and that's been a psychological disaster for most. But it's hard to think of someone as dead when they're right in front of you.

It's easier, strangely enough, to imagine the shock of losing access to his entire world. Steve moves to give him another hug, tentatively. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you."

[iwillcatchup]

It feels like hugging a friend right now. Peter is the last one to judge someone else by their appearance or size. Having lived around mutants for a long time have taught him that a person can be more what they look like.

Peter leans into Steve when he comes into another hug. "I just felt really alone. For a long time. I missed you a lot... but didn't want to expect anything either."

[shieldborne]

Physically, Steve is exactly as frail as he looks, but he still has years of military training in his head, so there's that at least. And he's still Steve Rogers, for whatever good that means. This time, he makes a point of holding onto Peter a little longer, trying to offer whatever comfort he can.

"I bet you did," he says softly. "You shouldn't have had to be alone."

There's no point in apologizing again, and there's even less point in wondering who else could have been there for Peter in Steve's absence. Probably the best thing he can do is be here now.

"I'm kinda...semi-retired," he says softly. "This place is gonna be the main thing I'm doing, I think. That and painting. I'll probably be around so much you get tired of me."

[iwillcatchup]

"I don't think that is possible..." There is a slight smile at Peter's voice. "I have always considered you to be one of my closest friends. Someone I could talk to..."

"And... I missed you. Very much." He hides his face at the last comment.

[shieldborne]

Steve chuckles, because that's the kind of thing his friends say until they actually have to live with him on a daily basis. Bucky could tell you stories, Peter. But it's a compliment and he'd be an idiot to shrug it off, so he just thumps the other man on the back reassuringly.

"I can definitely be a listening ear, any time. Stick with the right one; my hearing in the left is a little iffy."

"It's good to be here," he adds more gently. "Good to see you again."

[iwillcatchup]

Well Peter is not the best roommate either. The speedster is up at weird hours, and can be a bit of an nuisance. It will be interesting to say the least... and the best way for them to get to know each other again.

He squeezes Steve's hand. "Good to see you."