Steadfast Soldier

Means to an End

The cold was beginning to sting his lungs as he gasped gulps of air, running through the snow, determined to reach the structure before anyone could be seriously hurt. As he grew closer, scenarios began to run through his mind, leaving his imagination to work out the details of the state of his newfound friends. He wasn't sure that he could help them if any of them were severely injured, even with Baymax present. The elements were against humanity's limits- it wouldn't be long before something became infected, frozen or both. The damage between friends could be mended with time, but physical damage left scars that often traced back to terrible memories, making it harder to forgive and forget. Hiro felt the stinging in his legs less and less, the cold snow numbing his limbs. The figures became clearer and as he neared them, he slowed in his running, taking large gulps of air and wincing at the sting within his chest. He watched as Steve helped Bucky walk from the back of the facility, practically dragging his friend through the fatiguing steps. Hiro held his breath for a moment, leaning to the side to search for Tony, but saw no one. Blinking through his surprise, he released the breath and walked forward, meeting the pair halfway.

Bucky looked exhausted, his entire metal arm missing from the shoulder socket, blood staining his face. Steve didn't look much better, bleeding from the corner of his mouth and showing signs of bruising in the face and neck area. Hiro looked them over, running a scan of his own, before noticing that the shield was gone. His eyes trailed over Bucky's torn shoulder, landing on the distant gleam of gold and red. Tony. He wanted to help, gather them all together and explain that things could be repaired, but the wounds were too fresh, and he was far from an expert on forgiveness. Lips pressed tightly together, his eyes met Tony's and there was a hesitation within him. He had come here for Bucky, at Bucky's request, to help with his problem. There was something more to the situation than he could see, and he had to choose which person to help. His eyes traveled back to the pair and he smiled weakly.
"Hey," he said softly, tentative to reach out and help, "You guys okay?"
"We're alive," Steve replied, looking the boy over, "What are you doing here?"
"Followed us," Bucky asked, smiling just slightly through the fatigue.
"I wanted to make sure you guys were okay..."

Hiro was curious by default and there were so many questions he wanted to ask. But, he knew that the present was not the time, nor the place. Tony had seemed genuine in his desire to help Steve and Bucky, and Hiro knew that Tony was a man that stood by most of his word. He wouldn't have attacked the pair for no reason, but Hiro kept his observations and assumptions to himself.
"Here, let me help."
He reached out for Bucky's stumbling form, awkwardly grasping at the air his arm would be. Microbots crawled from his palms, spiraling up to twist along the man's shoulder, spreading down into a false arm. Shifting closer, he grabbed the microbot prosthetic and helped steady the soldier.
"We need to get back to the ship," Steve said, dropping the stern tone he had used.
"You can't go back home," Hiro said, frowning, "The rest of those guys are probably all arrested by now. You're-..." He paused, taking a breath. "We are all criminals now."
"Gotta find a place to hide," Bucky muttered between them, eyes staring at the horizon. Hiro tried to think of somewhere the world wouldn't look to find any of them. It would be hard, considering there could be eyes and ears across the galaxy.
"I'm pretty sure San Fransokyo is out," Hiro joked, laughing a little when Bucky did. Steve, however, missed the joke and, as it seemed, missed a step. The trio stumbled, and Hiro glanced up, seeing the reason for the sudden halt.

The Black Panther stood before them, blocking their easy route back to the jet. Hiro quickly wiggled away from Bucky's side, microbots rising to take his place to keep the man balanced. He threw an arm out, making his way between them. "Wait! Wait, he isn't a threat." Hiro stood between them, cold puffs of air clouding with each exhale. "He's not gonna fight you. And you're not gonna fight him. There has to be a neutral ground or else no one is getting any help."
"He tried to-."
"I am not interested in revenge anymore." Hiro felt the tense air settle into something less hostile. He sighed, dropping his arms and letting the cold settle back into his adrenaline driven body. Hiro had little patience left for the feud between friends, though T'Challa was hardly a friend yet. He glanced towards the pair of soldiers, eyes scanning their faces for any hint or sign that they may lash out. All he saw was exhaustion, confusion and something he couldn't quite name, yet knew he had felt it before. The expression wasn't quite betrayal, but it felt so much like it. With a tired sigh, Hiro shifted to crouch down in the snow, the weight of the aftermath finally settling in.