Resilience | S. Rogers [3]

29 | ASSEMBLE

or With You

October 2023
Avengers Compound

"Come on, buddy. Wake up." Steve gasped. "That's my man." Tony kneeled showing with the shield on his arm. It was dirty and some of the paint had been scratched. "You lose this again, I'm keeping it." He was speaking casually but fear was rooted deep in his eyes as he observed the surroundings.

Steve looked around still lying down. "What happened?"

"You mess with time, it tends to mess back," Tony explained vaguely. "You'll see."

It was then when the flashes of darkness, collision and strenuous sound filled him. He glanced around with more panic. "Where's—where's Rose?"

"You're the first one I found," Tony told him.

Steve started leaning forward to get up. Tony offered his hand and helped him.

Tony used his suit to find heat signatures, there was one behind rubble. "There."

Steve moved to it quickly, albeit with struggle. He saw a pair of feet behind it and rounded the pile which was part of the wreckage of the facility. "Rose," he lifted her carefully laying her down, since she had been awkwardly leaning on the rocks, concrete and soil unconscious. "Rose," he spoke urgently when she didn't move.

"C'mon," Tony said glancing at her with wide eyes, frozen.

"Rose, please," Steve shook her. He was about to be consumed by uncontrolled breathing when he saw her face wince. Then she moaned in pain.

There were two simultaneous sighs.

"Oh thank god."

"What?" Rose grunted still not opening her eyes. "My back," she muttered still wincing.

"Hey," Steve said with some shakiness remaining. He held her face with his hands as she slowly leaned up. "Rose? You good?"

"I think—I think so...what—what happen—oh," she looked around panting with realisation. It was dark around them, no construction in sight. Everything was destroyed.

"Next time you jump on top of any of us for protection, I'm killing you," Tony told her seriously. Since he was without a face protector, his severe expression added to his tone.

"Can't ask me that," responded his godmother. "Are you both okay?"

"We're fine. Rose, he's right..." Steve mentioned not focusing on the first bit. "Tony has the suit, I have the shield. It's too dangerous to—"

"Yeah, well, too bad. It's done already," she commented with a determined breath. "You two are fine, seems it worked." She pushed away the physical ache. "Do you know where the others are?"

They shook their heads.

"We need to get out of here," she attempted to get up. Steve grabbed her arms providing the majority of the strength for her to rise.