TOXIC ~ STEVE ROGERS [1]

Chapter Thirty-Two

"You ready for another bout?" Thor smirked at Rogers as he got to his feet, shield in hand.

"What? You getting sleepy?" Rogers smiled and backhanded a soldier as it rolled up beside us.

Thor, Rogers and I were trying to keep the streets clear, while firefighters and police tried to get the people to safety. Tony and Barton were still shooting the skies, while Natasha had disappeared onto the roof of the Stark Tower.

Thor kept watching me as we fought, and I found it increasingly uncomfortable. He wasn't being subtle about it either. It was completely obvious he was watching me, and I'd had enough.

"What's your problem?" I slid on my knees under a Chitauri soldiers and blasted a hole in it's back.

"I have many problems. Which one are you referring to?" Thor asked genuinely. I couldn't believe this guy.

"Why do you keep staring at me? It's creepy," I grasped hold of a soldier by the back of the neck and smashed it over my knee. The cracking sound it's neck made was rather satisfying.

"You fight like a true Asgardian. It is fascinating to watch," Thor complimented me. At least, I think it was meant to be a compliment.

"And what does fighting like a true Asgardian look like?" I spoke rather harshly, and kinda regretted saying it like that.

"You are strong, and graceful. Had you been born on Asgard, you would have been a fine warrior. Maybe even a..."
Thor trailed off and didn't finish his sentence. Instead, his eyes bored into me like knives, their blue intensity unwavering.

"What?" I asked, not very politely. Thor continued to look back at me while he fought, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Rogers watching our interaction with interest.

Thor had a look of bewilderment on his face, so I repeated my question.

"Nothing. I just had a thought," he turned away from me, and I looked at Rogers in confusion. He shrugged, and threw his shield at a soldier behind me. As it returned to his hand, I saluted him.

"Thanks Captain," I said, and punched a Chitauri in the nose.

Just as I shot a hole I'm another Chitauri, Natasha's voice broke through my earpiece.

"I can close it! Can anybody hear me? I can shut the portal down!"

A flood of relief filled my body. Finally, this onslaught could be stopped.

"Do it!" Rogers yelled into his earpiece.

"No wait!" Tony's voice came through loud and clear. I gritted my teeth in frustration.

"This can't wait Tony! They need to stop!" I yelled.

"Stark these things are still coming!" Rogers looked as confused as I did.

"I've got a nuke coming in, it's gonna blow in less than a minute. And I know just where to put it." For a minute there I thought Tony was talking about me. I was a nuke, wasn't I? And SHIELD had plans to use me like one.
But then I realized he couldn't possibly be talking about me.

I wasn't flying towards New York City.

Although we were plagued by more aliens every second, Thor, Rogers and I were still able to watch as Tony grasped the flying missle between his metal hands. He steered it upwards, moving alongside the stream of energy that towered in the sky.

All of us collectively held our breaths.

"Stark, you know that's a one way trip." Rogers sounded so blunt and serious I knew it was fake.

Tony didn't say anything.

"Be safe Tony," I said quietly.

"Save the rest for the return J," Tony said.

"Don't worry Keight. I'll be sa-"

Tony disappeared into the portal and all communication was lost.

We continued to fight, but suddenly, all of the Chitauri soldiers began to shake and shudder, convulsing on the ground until they all stopped in unison.

Together, Thor, Rogers and I looked up at the portal, waiting, hoping to see the metal man fly through. We seemed to stand there for years, the time slowing down with every time I thought, he's not going to make it.

Through the hole of the portal, I could see a brilliant, heavenly display of light and colour as the Armada on the other side had exploded.

"Come on Stark," Natasha's whisper was loud as a gunshot in my ear. But I was almost certain that Stark would not make it back. If he hadn't by now, he wouldn't at all.

Both Thor and I nodded at Rogers in unison, and Rogers looked down forlornly. He put his finger to his ear.

"Close it."

I wanted to look away as the portal closed, but I couldn't keep my eyes off it. The edges peeled closed like someone zipping up a bag.

But as I watched, as we watched I'm anticipation, I could have sworn I saw a small figure hurtling out of the sky downwards. I almost heard a collective gasp, and I looked over at Rogers. He smiled at me.

"Son of a gun."

Authors Note
So close to finishing! Hehe