Checking in (set after Halloween event)

[juststeverogers]

In the aftermath of the Nightmare incident in the Nexus, Steve knew the most important thing in the immediate was making sure people were okay. Hell, he'd spent most of his time tending to Amelia's wounds such that by the time he was finished most of the cafe had cleared out. He's glad the rogue got the care she needed but he hasn't seen her since.

In fact, he's not seen most of them since. He waited a bit to see if he'd spot familiar faces in the Nexus, but with things quiet he takes matters into his own hands and sends out a message to several of his friends.

Hey, it's Steve.

I know you were involved in the mess during the Halloween party and I really want to make sure you're alright. I'm sorry I haven't reached out sooner. I wanted to make sure you got the time and care you needed after everything that happened. The coordinates to my apartment are listed at the end of this message.

Please let me know you're okay.

Comments

[rekindledtitan]

"Stark?" Her rising hopes are checked suddenly. Blaze narrows her optics skeptically at Steve, her voice troubled. "Weren't you two fighting on opposite sides last time you met? I thought you weren't exactly friends these days."

"Do you really think we could ask him for help?" Ghost, too, is caught between hope and worry. He's seen the name Stark crop up in more places than his Guardian; he believes it when Steve says this is the kind of man who might be able to help. But neither does he want their friend to take a chance trying to make contact for them...

[juststeverogers]

"We were, but he's still my friend. Tony hasn't forgiven me though, so we'd have to go through an intermediary. Luckily, one of my other friends is here too. And Stark likes her a hell of a lot better than me right now. Natasha Romanov is one of mine and we can trust her, even if she talks like we shouldn't."

Steve knows it's no good if he does to Tony for help. There's no way that would end well. Natasha could think of something though. And Tony's still on speaking terms with her. He's pretty confident just meeting Blaze and Ghost would be enough to interest him into agreeing.

"It's up to you two. Just a suggestion, and I don't even know if he'll be able to do anything yet."

[rekindledtitan]

"I know it's a long shot." Though in Steve's time, working with access to alien tech, maybe they're closer to the people of the Golden Age than anyone on her Earth. Even if she knows nothing is guaranteed, there's a hopeful light in her eyes. "But we know Natasha. I'd trust her to handle it. And if there's a chance it'll work- I have to try, Steve. I need something better than sitting and waiting for what's coming. The last time I rebooted I was lucky. Fate- the Light - gave me a fresh start. Next time won't be so kind."

I needed a few days before I could write Steve without wibbling

[juststeverogers]

"You do? Good. You two name me a time and I'll message her and we can all meet up at my place, go over a plan and then I'll send you off with her. Ghost can keep in touch with me the whole time via my phone so I'll be there in every way but physical to answer any questions you might have."

Steve claps Blaze on the shoulder and does his best to look confident. Even if they can't figure it out, they need to try something. Hell, even trying might give these two an idea for something that might work even if this doesn't. He nods to Ghost as well and makes himself smile ever so slightly.

These two are his friends and Steve wants to help however he can.

the MCU never tires of putting Steve through the wringer

[rekindledtitan]

"Soon." Blaze sounds as if it's only grudgingly that she doesn't specify 'right the hell now'. But aside from the practicalities of making all the arrangements... "We have to go back to the Tower first. Commander Zavala and I need to have words. But once that's taken care of, there's no sense in delaying." Or in stopping to dwell on what they could be getting into. Steve wouldn't set them on a path that wasn't worth following.

"I can keep the comm feed secure while we're there," Ghost says thoughtfully. "Not that they could reach you anyway. That should be safe enough."

Re: the MCU never tires of putting Steve through the wringer

[juststeverogers]

"I'll get in touch with Natasha then while you're meeting with your commander and fill her in on the situation. I don't think she's on a mission right now but it never hurts to check. Plus, she'll have to get Stark to make time in his schedule and that's probably our deciding factor of when we can do this. He likes to keep busy."

Not that Steve can blame him. He and Stark may not be on speaking terms right now but it hasn't stopped him from keeping at least a general tab on his former friend. Stark being a CEO and highly public figure definitely makes that a lot easier than it would otherwise be. Steve isn't much of a spy, but he's picked up a few things over the years from Peggy and Natasha. He nods to Ghost again.

"I'm not too worried, though it's important neither of you mention I'm the one who sent you there. You'll be there as Natasha's associates, not mine."

[rekindledtitan]

"Are we?" There's not a lot of nuance to Blaze's expressions, but her frown at those words is especially sharp, her posture tensing under all that armor. There's an unusual undertone of suspicion in her voice. Ghost is listening close as always. "That for our benefit, or his?"

[juststeverogers]

"Both? I don't think he'd turn down a chance to study something new or find a solution to a problem he's got a pretty good head for solving, but we didn't part on good terms and it's better to be safe than sorry. When it comes to something as important as this I don't want to take any chances on our disagreements having a bearing in your reasons for meeting him."

Steve offers a shrug of his shoulders. Even knowing what he does now, he would do almost all of it again and he's not too proud of that. Tony Stark is a good man and one Steve respects as much as they get under each other's skin sometimes. He's far from innocent in all of this, but he can't change it now.

"He's a good man. Arrogant though."

[rekindledtitan]

"Hnnh. I know a few guys like that. Arrogance I can handle." She takes a long look around them, at the Fallen dead mingled with the scattered bones of ancient humans. "Starting to get real tired of this kind of game, though. Good people I'm not supposed to acknowledge, now lying about our friends..."

"Blaze," Ghost interjects with concern. He hovers by her face, insistent on having her attention. "Promise me you'll do as Steve asks. This is too important a chance to waste. If our friends are going to help you, they need us to play our part too. We should trust them."

"Yeah..." It's so hard to think of arguing with Ghost when he gets like this, when he's really sure of the path she needs to take. The way he talks about it, it makes undeniable sense, even if she looks very unhappy about it. "Yeah. All right."

[juststeverogers]

"I'm sorry. I hate that it has to be this way too. You know I do my best to always be honest. I wouldn't be doing this if there was another way."

Steve sighs heavily and drops his gaze away from Blaze and Ghost. He feels guilty now and it gnaws at him. Asking Blaze and Ghost to lie about him. Steve can't blame Blaze for being upset about it. He doesn't like it either.

"I don't like this any more than you do, I can promise you that. I'm sorry."

[rekindledtitan]

"It's not really your doing." Nor is Steve the only case on her mind. Despite her discontent, she can feel Ghost's unwillingness to budge and she knows she won't get away without holding to this. She looks Steve in the face again. "I'll trust you. And I'll keep the secret. But it shouldn't be this way. There's something damned wrong when we're all skulking about, skirting round people who aren't our enemies like this. And with what you're doing for us you deser-" She cuts off with a pained grunt, having thoughtlessly shifted too much weight hard onto her bad foot.

"We appreciate it, she means," Ghost interjects while she's wincing and glaring down at her cracked boot. "And... thanks for coming all the way here in the first place."