Everly || Steve Rogers

78. Whatever It Takes

"Ready for this?"

Everly quickly spun around to see Steve standing behind her. Her eyes raked over the suit he wore that matched her own. As a matter of fact, everyone's suits had been made of matching red and white. 

"As I'll ever be." She managed a smiled and stepped toward him, her gaze flicking briefly to the shield strapped onto his arm. A breath escaped her lips when she stopped just before him and peered up into his blue eyes. She traced her fingers over the 'A' printed on his chest and he sighed, pulling her close.

"This is going to work." He breathed, planting a kiss atop her head. She nodded despite the undeniable fear consuming her every inch.

The smallest of grins adorned her face as the group made their way through the facility. Time seemed to slow to a crawl while her gaze bounced between each of them. They were the Avengers. The people surrounding her were friends; they were family. And she couldn't have been more proud as they all climbed to the top of the platform.

"One round trip each." Steve stated once more. "No mistakes, no do overs." Everly shifted anxiously in place and she peered over, meeting Natasha's eyes. A few unspoken words were exchanged between them, though they both received the same message. Everly sent her friend a warm smile as Steve continued. "Most of us are going somewhere we know. That doesn't mean we should know what to expect. Be careful. Look out for each other. This is the fight of our lives. And we're gonna win." Tony met Steve's eyes, unable to help the grin that crept across his face. He turned his gaze to Everly next, his smirk proving contagious even to her. 

"Whatever it takes." She finished. Steve stared down at her a second or two before nodding and stepping back.

"Good luck."

"All right," Tony shouted to Bruce who stood at the control panel. "You heard the man. Stroke those keys, Jolly Green." Banner flipped a few switches and climbed to the platform alongside the rest of his team. He tapped his wrist and a beeping noise surrounded them. Natasha shifted excitedly in place, a smile lighting up her face.

"See ya in a minute." She beamed.

Everly flinched when the surrounding machine whirred to life. She watched as one by one, the faces around her disappeared behind their masks until finally her own clamped shut. Her heart raced in her chest and she looked up at the ceiling to see the hundreds of mechanical arms shifting into position. The floor beneath her feet appeared to open up, an orange light welcoming them from within.

The next thing she knew, explosions where echoing in her ears as haunting chitauri screams filled the air. The familiar screeching cry lodged a lump in her throat. Her white suit disappeared into the device strapped around her hand. She blinked a few times, her wide eyes finally landing on Steve, Tony, Bruce, and Scott standing a few feet before her in the alley. Steve immediately spun around, his expression softening when their eyes met.

"All right," He began. "We all have our assignments. Two stones uptown, one stone down." He peered around the buildings at the surrounding chaos. "Stay low. Keep an eye on the clock."

They all jumped when a loud crash rang through their ears. Everly's eyes widened slightly when Hulk- the real Hulk- slammed into the ground before them, a crumpled car in his grasp. He swung the car over his head, repeatedly smashing it into a chitauri as if smooshing a bug. He dropped the car and snatched up one of the tires before it rolled away, chucking it at another of the aliens. Hulk let out a roar as he jumped onto the overturned car, hopping up and down to crush it beneath his monstrous feet. From the corner of her eye, she watched as an embarrassed Banner brought a hand up to shield his face. 

She still couldn't believe they were back in New York. Loki's reign of terror was set on replay before her very eyes, and she couldn't believe it.

"Maybe smash a few things along the way." Steve nodded.