Rundown (Spiderman x Reader) (II)

41. When We Were Us

The world is cracked
The sky is torn
I'm hanging in
You're holding on

We decided it was better if we split on the way back to the facility.... plus, I wanted to do a cooler entrance. Tony took his Audi, meaning he was the first to arrive. I put on my favorite playlist. Music blasted over my speakers 'cause I couldn't care less of people's weird glances on the street.

Steve was at the entrance by coincidence. Tony rolled down his window. "Why the long face? Let me guess: he turned into a baby."

"I don't even wanna picture that," I shivered. It's fine to look at a picture of my dad as a youngster, but it's completely different seeing him wearing diapers in the flesh. I mean, I could've prevented the disaster, but just the mental picture of the incident was bone-chilling.

Steve flinched. "Among other things, yeah. What are you doing here?"

"He's my special guest," I said as I turned off the volume and unbuckled my helmet.

"That's the EPR Paradox." Tony opened the car's door and got out. "Instead of pushing Lang Senior through time, you might've wound up pushing time through Lang Senior. It's tricky. Dangerous. Somebody should've cautioned you against it."

"You did," Mr. America smiled.

"Oh, did I? Well, thank god I'm here."

"Here we go." I rolled my eyes.

Ignoring my comment, he continued his not-so-indirect scolding. "Regardless, we fixed it. A fully functioning Time-Space GPS. I just want peace." He did a peace sign. "Turns out, resentment is corrosive, and I hate it."

"Me too."

It was hard to read his piece of mind when glasses covered his eyes, yet his cold, stern tone made the message clear. "We got a shot at getting these stones, but I gotta tell you my priorities: Bring back what we lost? I hope, yes. Keep what I got? I have to, at all costs. And... maybe not die trying would be nice."

"Sounds like a deal." They stretched each other's hand, closing the step on our next stage of time-travelling.

"Finally! I kept thinking I would have to fetch pacifiers. Glad to know you can push your pettiness aside," I patted Tony's shoulder. "Good to see you again, Steve."

He stared at me in disbelief. "Since we did you get so sassy?" Not knowing the answer, I shrugged.

Tony popped the truck open, revealing an item I had seen only on my history books, museums, and once as a patriotic blur: the Captain America shield. He threw the blanket and stuffed animals covering it back inside.

Although the shield was being given to the respectful owner, he hesitated. "Tony... I don't know."

"Why? He made it for you. Plus, honestly, I have to get it out of the garage before Morgan takes it sledding." He slightly shook it like a dog owner shaking a treat jar on the face of his puppy.

Containing a squeal, I ran the tip of my index finger against the edge of the vibranium item. "Or I steal it for my collection."

Mr. America's arm buckled into the leather handle. The moment it was on his touch, the billionaire separated from him. "Thank you, Tony."

"Will you keep that a little quiet? Didn't bring one for the whole team."

I did a hair flip, imagining myself on the trailer of an action movie. "Who else is coming, by the way? We do need the whole team."

His jaw tightened. "We're working on that right now."

I heard the humming of a jet slowing down in the landing platform. Assuming it was the Benetar, the Guardians' vehicle, it meant both Nebula and Rocket were here. And then, the sound of an Iron suit roared. According to my predictions, that was most likely Rhodey.