2| Platinum [Pietro M.] ✔

39. Alpha 17

"Sam shut your mouth." I grumble as I stagger into an abandoned mechanic shop. He's been laughing like he's high on something since Steve and I arrived. Apparently, he can't comprehend how three waterlogged superhumans, one unconscious and being carried by the infamous Captain America, can steal a car and not be seen by any officials. Though now that I really think about it, I think he finds it humorous that Cap and I are waterlogged. In the background, I can hear quieting laughter as Wilson assists Rogers with clamping Bucky's metal arm within a magnetized vice on the far left side of the building. I mutter under my breath as I shuffle to one of the boarded up windows and sit on the ledge. I untie my ankle high boots and kick them off in hopes they'll dry. My nose wrinkles in disgust at my wet socks but I refuse to take them off considering where we are. I'll just have to deal with having the squishy fabric under my toes until they dry.

A shiver runs up my spine. I give a sigh and run my hands up and down the lengths of my arms to generate blood flow through my veins, though careful of the wound on my right arm that I acquired from T'Challa. I'm rather regretting not having packed a jacket to wear. Nope. I actually wouldn't even mind having the suit Tony created for me, but alas that's in lockup with Steve and Sam's things. Shaking my head, I drop my hands into my lap. At least I still have the clothes on my back. All of which are totally and thoroughly soaked. But still, I have them. 

My head turns to the side as I see an approaching Steve. He gives me a tired smile. I return the gesture and scoot over so he can sit on the ledge next to me. He sits, his hands tucked into the front pockets of his jeans. We remain in silence for a while as we stare at the opposite grungy wall. Sam must be keeping an eye on Barnes, otherwise, Steve never would've left his side. "How're you holding up?" He questions without looking at me. I lift one shoulder up in a half shrug.

"I've been better." I reply as the corner of my mouth quirks upwards. I can feel the heaviness of my eyelids but fight the urge to give in. "Missing home."

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this." Steve says with a regretful smile as he casts his gaze to his shoes.

"Yeah well, what's done is done. You needed my help and that's what friends are for, risky business or otherwise. We get each other out of tight situations and make sure we got each other's backs." I say as a full-fledged smile takes hold of my lips. I reach out and gently place a hand on his shoulder before giving it a shake. "Plus we got him out alive, right? He's safe with us now." I offer and cast a lingering look in the direction of the wing where Bucky's being held. Steve follows my line of view.

"Thank you, Iris, really. I don't know what we would've done without you." Steve states sincerely.

"Oh, you probably would've gotten your butts kicked or something." I joke with a tired chuckle. Cap smiles before throwing an arm around my shoulders before pulling me to his side. I wrap an arm around his back to return the fatherly hug he's bestowing upon me. "But, uh, I'm really glad I was able to help you guys." I say in earnest.

"Go ahead and take a nap. Sam and I will keep an eye on Bucky." Steve says before retracting his arm. I nod as he stands up and moves to talk with Sam. I turn and draw my legs up so I can put my feet on the ledge I'm sitting on, positioning my back against the frame as I look out a crack in one of the boards over the window. The roads are quiet, the air is still, and there seems to be no real big commotion at this moment. A tired smile erupts on my lips as I lean my head back before allowing my eyes to heavily droop closed. A soft, relaxed sigh escapes me as I allow myself to drift into a peaceful nap.