The obliviates | An MCU fanfic

2: Falling stars

We're driving to god-knows-where in Europe. The warmth of the sun though the windshield, Steve behind the wheel. Live is nice like this, when we don't have to be diplomatic heroes. It's these calmer moments when I really realise Steve is more on my mind than this entire mission. New York brought some things in perspective though, why am I willing to help him with this vague mission? I'm not planning on being a simp who's being used for a piramid scheme. What if this isn't the real Steve? Stranger things have happened these past few years. I keep these questions in mind. For now, I try not to dwell on it, not when I have this rare moment alone with this incredible guy. Markus is following us from the sky, aparently he can manifest dragon parts without having to fully transform, so right now he's a guy with wings. He comes across as an honest guy, I wonder if he'd make a good team player.

"You've been quiet for a while", Steve breaks the silence. "Normally you'd talk my head off, but lately you've been distant. Did something happen in New York?"
He's right on the money. I sigh and notice he's been looking at me in a concerned way.
"It's all so different from what I imagined. How did you feel after you got powers and the world started relying on you", my voice is soft. I have a hard time not zoning out, lost in thought.
"The responsibility takes a big toll on you, we all experience that. You don't have to carry that burden alone, that's why it'll be nice to have allies around", he says focusing back on the road.
We remain quiet for a moment. I scan him with my eyes. This chiveled man full of scars and experience, seemingly knows all the answers while remaining true to him human self.
"Why are we creating this new group?", I ask him.
He takes a moment to think of his answers. All we hear is the bumpy road and some generic car noises until he finally replies: "Let's just say I'd like to have some legacy of my own."
His answer catches me off guard. It honestly confuses me. I can tell by the slightest movement of his face that this isn't the full truth. He says nothing. But I'm sure he knows I'm questioning him.
Steve takes a deep breath. "Don't you want to leave something lasting behind?"
I chuckle, "You're Captain America, you're already in history books. You have a freaking museum for crying out loud."
Steve smiles, in a way that makes him look humble, and I feel humbled by it. "I mean besides the life saving. Don't you want a family, or a dog even. Anything that stays around when you're, you know, not there anymore."
There's something deeply sad about his tone. He's been through a lot, and it shows in many ways. His story is a sad one, considering he lost everyone he knew and is stuck in this unfamiliar time now, with only new people to get to know.
I try to lighten the mood. "I doubt I should leave a dog around when I pass, unless you want a Hachi situation."
Steve raises his eyebrow and smirks at me.
"It's a movie", I follow up. "Though it's based on something in real life, so maybe you shouldn't look it up."
"Loyalty's become a rarity these days", Steve says gazing back at the road. "To friends, family, work or country. People fend for themselves now. But that also leaves people vulnerable. So when I asked about your legacy I meant more in the way of---", Steve gets cut off by my laugh.
"Are you asking me if I have a boyfriend?", I'm only blushing on the inside.
"Well, any type of romantic relationship is nice. Not that it's necessary to live a fulfilled life, but... You know", he's blushing. Steve "Captain America" Rogers is actually blushing.
"No, I don't have anyone. Do you?", we look at each other for a moment, what feels like too short and eternity at the same time.

Steve slams the breaks as Markus crashes onto the front of the car.
"She's here", he moans as he gets off the hood of the car.
Steve and I jump out of the car and in a distance we see someone that could've been described as a ghost sighting. This person looks like a mirage or fata morgana.
"Is this the person", Steve asks Markus.
He nods. "She's different though. She used to be the exact image of an angel, now she just looks..."
"Fallen", I follow up.
"I don't know what her powers are at this point", Markus looks stern.
"Can you convince her to lay down her arms?", Steve asks.
"If I can get close", Markus responds, barely taking his eyes of our enemy.
He spreads his wings again and tries to fly closer. He gets pushed back again by something invisible. I try to push him forward by blowing air in his wings. Markus grunts and I let go, sending him to the ground again.
"Angel", Markus yells out. I'm not even sure she's looking at us directly, or just in our direction. She has long dark hair, devoid of all volume or natural color. Her eyes are a bright red, radiant even. Her skin looks like it's never been touched by the sunlight. Almost like a modern teenager.
"You know me Angel, it's me, Markus. What happened to you?"
She gets a sense of recognition on her face. Markus scurries back on his feet, dashing toward her. She seems to have lost her will to fight. Markus turns his hand into a claw.
"Markus stop", I yell. "She stopped!"
Markus stops dead in his tracks, and slows down in her approach toward her. There's steam coming from his hands and back, I assume from the scales he just grew.
"Drakewing...", the girl mutters.
"You remember me. We fought together. Where is your fiancée?", Markus stops in front of her.
"I died  Markus", she brings out. She looks him sharp in his eyes. "I died and woke up here."
Markus takes a step back. "I don't understand. You died centuries ago. You became an angel. You were in the afterlife."
"I was but... I think I died from there. I got killed in the afterlife"
They both stare at each other without moving a muscle.
"How is that possible", Markus continues.
"Everyone's gone Markus... You're the only one I still know", she says with a quiet, trembling voice.
I look over to my left, where Steve was. I didn't notice he disappeared. He must feel the same way as she does right now. I zone out, thinking about how he must've felt all those years.
"Have you been here long", Markus asks the girl.
"I'm not sure, I haven't been keeping track. I must've committed a gruesome sin to be tossed from the afterlife. All I remember here is people trying to harm me. You're the first conversation I've had here I believe."
"Come with us", Markus offers his hand as an invitation. "We could use someone like your on our side. My new friends can help both of us discover our potential."
The girl looks over at me, grounding myself back to reality.
"Can we truly trust them", she almost whispers to him.
Markus nods. "You know you can trust mu at least", he follows up. They walk over to me. I pretend that there isn't a giant dent on the car's hood.
"This is Kelvin, his powers are similar to what you just did", Markus says while crossing his arms. I hold out my hand, she doesn't return the gesture however.
"Nice to meet you", I say anyway.
She doesn't look at me, but instead stares right through me. "My name used to be Evangeline, but as I am no longer an angel, I think it would be appropriate to call myself Evine from now on."
I don't know how to respond to her cold expression and dark undertone. So instead, I tell her it sounds just as pretty, which doesn't prompt a smile from her by the way. As we head back to the car I wonder where Steve went.

"So you've been spying on them", Steve says somewhere on a roof.
"How have they won your trust already?', the glatiator girl asks him while looking over at the group from a far distance.
"They'll need to prove themselves, but they got heart", he replies. "Why don't you join the fight, keep an eye on them from up close." He walks over next to her, leaning against the edge.
"They disarmed me Steve", she turns to him. " They took my weapons. They'll be onto us soon.
"We'll retrieve them. It'll be a nice test for the new recruits if they're up to bigger tasks", Steve says confidentally. "Do you know where to find them?"
"Not yet. But I know someone who can."