Choices || CAPTAIN AMERICA (Book 4)

Chapter 10

Back at Avengers HQ, the atmosphere felt heavy, almost oppressive. The walls seemed to close in with the weight of everything that had happened. The halls were quiet, and my footsteps echoed as I moved through the familiar space, my mind still reeling from the events of the past few days. Chaos and heartbreak clung to me like a second skin, and I felt numb, lost in a sea of conflicting emotions.

I hadn't planned on being here. After everything that went down with Nat and Steve, I was now as much a fugitive as they were, technically. But I needed to see Tony. I needed to know that he and Rhodes were okay, even if it meant taking a risk.

As I rounded a corner, I spotted Tony and Rhodey in the distance. My heart sank when I saw Rhodey's condition—struggling with the new tech on his legs, trying to adjust to what life would be like from now on. But it was Tony who made my chest tighten. His face, usually so full of energy, was shadowed by sorrow and exhaustion. It wasn't often I saw my brother looking defeated.

"Give me some feedback. Anything you can think of. Shock absorption. Lateral movement. Cup holder?" Tony joked, trying to hide how he was feeling and pretending everything was alright.

Rhodes, struggling with the tech on his legs, tried to offer some feedback but then fell onto his hands. "You may wanna think about some AC down in . . ."

Tony and I immediately moved to help, but Rhodes brushed us off. "No, no, don't. Don't help me. Don't help me."

I could see the tension between them. Rhodes was trying to be strong, but the strain was evident. Rhodes, clearly exhausted, sat down on the floor, giving Tony a weary smile. "138. 138 combat missions. That's how many I've flown, Tony. Every one of them could've been my last, but I flew 'em. Because the fight needed to be fought. It's the same with these Accords. I signed because it was the right thing to do. And, yeah, this sucks. This is . . . this is a bad beat. But it hasn't changed my mind. I don't think." Rhodes' crooked smile was a mix of pain and determination. He reached out and took Tony's hand, trying to offer a sense of solidarity despite the circumstances.

Tony looked at Rhodes, the lines of worry etched deeply into his face. "You okay?"

Rhodes replied with a forced bravado, "Oh yeah."

Just then, there was a knock on the window, and a FedEx driver appeared, holding a packet. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity. Who could be sending something now?

The driver looked at Tony with a bemused expression. "Are you Tony 'Stank'?"

Rhodes' lips twitched into a half-smile. "Yes, this is—this is Tony 'Stank'. You're in the right place. Thank you for that! I'm never dropping that, by the way. Table for one, Mr. 'Stank'. Please, by the bathroom."

Tony's eyes were fixed on the package as he took it from the driver, who left with a nod. My curiosity piqued, I walked over and stood beside Tony as he opened the packet. Inside was a small, neatly folded note along with a few documents. The note had Steve's handwriting, and my heart sank when I saw his name.

Tony's fingers trembled slightly as he unfolded the note, and I could see his expression shift from curiosity to a mix of apprehension and hope. Rhodes glanced at me, and I could see the concern in his eyes.

"Hey, what's that?" Rhodes asked, looking between Tony and me.

Tony's brow furrowed as he began to read aloud, the words heavy with meaning. "Tony, I'm sorry. I never wanted things to end like this. I hope one day you can understand. Steve."

Tony crumpled the letter in his hand, his eyes dark with a mix of anger and sadness. He turned to me, his expression unreadable. "Well, I guess that's his idea of an apology."