right on cue, another voice calls out through the mist. ※someone else arrived?§

※yeah,§ other-steve calls back over his shoulder, though doesn＊t take his eyes away from steve. the same bright blue, and shit, does he always look that serious? ※though we might have a bit of a problem.§

※he＊s not one of the directors, is he?§ the voice calls back, sounding worried.

※no,§ other-steve replies and then pauses, looking like he＊s wondering what to say. ※he＊s not dead.§

and steve＊s jaw physically drops as another him jogs towards them through the mist, this one short and scrawny and wearing a jacket that looks miles too big for him. it＊s him before the serum, he registers faintly. it＊s him as he was before.

※damn it to hell,§ the short-steve says, sounding oddly impressed and standing just behind the steve in the navy suit, looking at him curiously, his head cocked slightly to the left. ※how did you manage that?§

i＊m dreaming, steve thinks. i must be. he loses the ability to form words for a moment because it seems like forever since he went through project rebirth, more than a lifetime ago since his body was transformed into the one that enables him to be captain america. to be so forcibly reminded of where he came from, how he used to be, is disconcerting to say the least. he hasn＊t otten, of course he hasn＊t, but to see this old steve side-by-side with a version of his new self is startling.

※says he was stabbed by a robot,§ navy-steve says, and then the corner of his mouth flickers in an almost smile. ※and then something about stark calling him a fucker.§

short-steve rolls his eyes. ※oh, like that＊s new. so, what do we do?§

※not a lot we can do,§ navy-steve says slowly. ※keep him with us, see what happens?”

※maybe he＊s nearly dead,§ short-steve muses.

※can someone just tell me what the hell is going on?§ steve bursts out, shouting and not even caring. ※i was bleeding out all over the damn floor five minutes ago, and now-§

he breaks off.

navy-steve nods, patient and calm. ※ever heard of the multiverse? some of us have, some of us haven＊t.”

steve freezes. ※oh, please tell me you are kidding,§ he says hoarsely, because he knows about the theory of the multiverse; he＊s listened to tony enough and met reed richards twice, so of course he knows about the damn multiverse. he just never gave it much thought.

not until now, anyway.

※afraid not,§ navy-steve says with a small, wry smile. ※i＊m steve rogers from earth eighty-two, four hundred and two,§ he says. ※killed in action on a mission for shield.§

※steve rogers from some other earth, i never found out which one,§ short-steve fills in. ※beaten to death in an alley behind a theatre.§

steve doesn＊t say anything. what can he say, really? he＊s still not convinced that all this is real. if it wasn＊t for the fact it seems to be happening perfectly clearly and in stunning clarity 每 no dream-like qualities about it 每 and the fact he hurts all over and can feel every pinprick of it, he would be convinced it was some sort of dream or hallucination. on top of that is what he knows about the multiverse, how other people he knows take it as a given, a fact of life that there are countless other versions of reality out there, with the potential for there to be different versions of themselves＃

he absently makes a note in the back of his head to tell tony where he is because he would absolutelybust with excitement, and then when he realises he＊s dead so he can＊t, he starts to laugh, the sound twisted and broken.

※i＊m dead,§ he says to no-one in particular. ※jesus, i get through all that and i get stabbed by a damn robot-§

※you＊re not dead,§ navy-steve interrupts, insistent. ※look-§

he reaches out and grabs steve＊s hand. his hand is cool and palepared to steve＊s own, and he once again jerks in shock at the lack of body-warmth that he was instinctively expecting. he tries to pull back but navy-steve holds on firm, and slowly it dawns on him what the difference means.

※you＊ve got a pulse,§ navy-steve says softly, and his fingers move to the inside of steve＊s wrist.

※i take it you don＊t,§ steve says, and both steves shake their heads.

the other steves seem to know he needs a moment to process and keep quiet. for a fleeting moment he＊s grateful that they understand he