※wonderful,§ steve says flatly. ※i＊ll cross swimming and backpacking around europe off my to-do list.§

themander doesn＊t quite smile, but his lips twitch slightly and maybe that＊s as much as steve can hope for. ※if you＊re writing off everything that has ever killed a version of us across the multiverse, you＊ll have to stop doing a lot.§ he pauses, mouth twisted contemplatively. ※and that would also negate the idea of sending you back to stark.§

steve groans, leaning forwards over the counter on his elbows and pressing his hands to the sides of his face. ※every four damn seconds and ites back around to tony,§ he says. ※which one of us was killed by tony stark, then?§

themander doesn＊t even blink. ※literally, figuratively, or inadvertently?§

※you know, i don＊t even want to think about tony anymore,§ steve says abruptly, and themander holds up his hands in a placating gesture.

luckily, more steves enter the room at that point, distracting them from the conversation. robot-arm steve is there, along with the steve in the green uniform. two more blue-suited steve＊s follow, and then a gaggle of shorter-steves. minutes behind are a group of steve＊s who all seem to be from the war, followed closely by two wearing the same navy uniform as stephanie and shield. there＊s even one wearing a sharp black suit and tie, who wanders in alongside the steve who is barefoot and in sweats. very soon the whole apartment is full, and steve is now so over it that he doesn＊t even bat an eyelid, not even at the steve who has a suit the same as his own and a blatant bullet hole in his temple.

※okay?§

steve looks up, moving his eyes without bothering to lift his head from his hands. he probably looks sullen and moody but he can＊t bring himself to care. it＊s seven who has stepped up, and steve＊s eyes automatically flick to his collar where he knows the wedding ring lies hidden.

※yeah,§ steve says, and forces himself to straighten up, suddenly feeling exhausted. ※i＊m alright.§

they blatantly know he＊s lying but they don＊t call him on it. they just exchange a glance and then seven moves to stand next to stephanie, and steve wonders if they＊ve bonded over their mutual marrying-tony thing. they＊re quite blatantly as crazy as each other, so it＊s highly probable.

two more steve＊s wander in 每 one in a modern sand-camouflage military uniform and one wearing jeans, a blue shirt and a black baseball cap 每 and then themander walks over and shuts the door. the one called dresden peers out of the window, scans the street and then gives themander a thumbs up.

※right, some sort of attention would be nice,§ themander calls, and everyone shuffles around and falls quiet. steve expects him to start talking but instead he turns expectantly to shield, who nods and steps forwards next to steve, arms folded across his chest.

※most of you have heard, but a steve rogers joined us yesterday and he＊s not dead,§ shield says bluntly, and a murmur goes through the assembled crowd. ※he received a life-threatening injury before blacking out and waking up here, fully aware and still with a pulse. so far we don＊t know how or why, so if anyone has experienced anything similar in their universe, we＊d like to know. also, there＊s the matter of the director. this is something that he＊ll probably take an interest in, so be on your guard.§

a rumble goes through the assembled crowd. ※does he already know?§ the steve with the metal arm asks.

※we don＊t know,§ themander fills in gravely. ※just assume he will find out and he will try and get involved. back to the problem in hand 每 has anyone ever heard of anyone passing through the multiverse like this?§

※only deadpool,§ a voice from the back calls, and someone groans.

※we are not taking deadpool as an example,§ an exasperated voice replies. ※he＊s nuts.§

※agreed,§ themander replies.

shield looks around. ※so no one has any idea as to how this has happened? not seen anything similar?§

there are a few ＆nos＊ and several head shakes, and steve feels his heart sink.

※damn,§ shield murmurs. ※we＊ll keep asking, but for now it looks like we＊ll have to wait and see if they can pull you back from your side.§

※who is on your side?§ a voice asks.

※the avengers,§ steve says. ※bruce banner, clint barton, natasha romanov, thor and tony stark.§

※you＊ll be fine,§ a steve in a blue suit says to him, sounding almost dismissive. ※if anyone can get you back it＊s tony.§

some of the steves make noises of agreement, and a fair few look sceptical. for his part, steve wishes vehemently that they would talk about someone else for a change.

※maybe,§ he says tightly, because half of him aches for it to be true, knowing that tony is probably his best hope. the other half still doesn＊t know how to feel about tony and this entire mess, even more so now he knows that some versions of himself have gotten far too involved with the guy.

※not likely,§ a voice interjects, and steve lifts his head to see seven, stephanie and some of the others scowling at eight, who stares back defiantly.

※just because your tony stark was an asshole to you doesn＊t mean his will give up on him,§ stephanie snaps, and jesus, she might as well have punched him in the face. eight＊s cheekbones go a blotchy pink with anger.

※tony wi