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Mar. 24th, 2021 06:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bottledblondNot every universe in the far and wide cosmos is as lucky (however unlucky itself that seems) to encounter Thanos during a time where people live who can do something about it. Steve Rogers, a particular version of Steve Rogers who had only just suffered through his first night of basic training in New Jersey as part of the Army’s Project Rebirth and thus had not yet become Captain America, bent to untie his shoes and saw his hands begin to disintegrate. He doesn’t panic, panicking is for people who do not live like every breath is their last. Instead, he blinks in surprise as the barracks fill with shouting. He has time to contemplate two things. One, he wishes he’d done more with his life. And two, he hopes Bucky will do all right.
He’s still thinking about that last issue when he exhales his last in a universe where Captain America never existed and finishes it bent over in the ruins of the barracks, roof half open to the sky and walls a burnt and ashy gray.
It takes him an hour to get to the road and by then, his asthma is already getting the best of him. He blacks out for the second time ‘that day’ and wakes up staring at the ceiling of what is obviously a hospital.
It just doesn’t sound or smell like a hospital. Sure. People are running around and yelling, but it smells painfully clean, artificially so, and there are machines he’s never seen before connected by wires to his body. He does the thing people should never do and yanks them loose. The machines squawk strangely and frantically and Steve is almost out of bed when two large men in green pajamas force him back.
Nothing makes sense to him for days. People come to talk to him, to find out who he is and who his family is. Evidently Steve Rogers is a popular name, because they bring in more people to talk to him, to ask him questions about his life, but no one has any answers.
He explodes, as he’s wont to do when frustrated, demands answers, but nothing they say makes sense.
By then, the war is over. Not World War II, which has evidently been over for over half a century, but this new war. And Bucky Barnes had been told of his presence. Steve is in bed, arms crossed, looking dour and getting an infusion of something that honestly is helping him breathe better when Bucky bursts into his now private room. It’s been two months
He’s still thinking about that last issue when he exhales his last in a universe where Captain America never existed and finishes it bent over in the ruins of the barracks, roof half open to the sky and walls a burnt and ashy gray.
It takes him an hour to get to the road and by then, his asthma is already getting the best of him. He blacks out for the second time ‘that day’ and wakes up staring at the ceiling of what is obviously a hospital.
It just doesn’t sound or smell like a hospital. Sure. People are running around and yelling, but it smells painfully clean, artificially so, and there are machines he’s never seen before connected by wires to his body. He does the thing people should never do and yanks them loose. The machines squawk strangely and frantically and Steve is almost out of bed when two large men in green pajamas force him back.
Nothing makes sense to him for days. People come to talk to him, to find out who he is and who his family is. Evidently Steve Rogers is a popular name, because they bring in more people to talk to him, to ask him questions about his life, but no one has any answers.
He explodes, as he’s wont to do when frustrated, demands answers, but nothing they say makes sense.
By then, the war is over. Not World War II, which has evidently been over for over half a century, but this new war. And Bucky Barnes had been told of his presence. Steve is in bed, arms crossed, looking dour and getting an infusion of something that honestly is helping him breathe better when Bucky bursts into his now private room. It’s been two months
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Date: 2021-03-28 12:58 am (UTC)At least there aren’t candles on the table.
He’s got to admit. Bucky is a flatter. He squeezes the other man’s hand, wishing he didn’t feel the need to wear those gloves all the time.
“Technically, I did go to basic training so...” he draws out, teasing. “But all right. Your couch looks more comfortable than the hospital bed anyway. So I guess if you’ll have me, you can wake up to me snoring every night.”
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Date: 2021-03-28 01:07 am (UTC)Because living without Steve isn't something he's ready to consider. Later he'll talk to him about his nightmares but that's a few hours away.
"We're gonna figure this out, you and me. All of it."
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Date: 2021-03-28 01:17 am (UTC)There’s no flirting at all. It’s so odd.
“What can I get you guys?”
Steve glances at the menu, but Bucky already basically decided on the street. “A burger. With bacon. And a lot of melted cheese. And French fries. Please.”
He’s not sure how hungry he is but he’ll humor Bucky and he wants the full hamburger experience.
“Tell you what,” he says when the waitress leaves. “Soon as you’re done camping on the floor, I’ll take the couch and you can have your bed back.”