ll do everything he can-§ seven begins, and suddenly steve has had enough of hearing people defend tony. for god＊s sake; he＊s the one who has been stabbed and dragged unceremoniously through the multiverse, so how the hell is this suddenly all about tony?

※tony is the one that got me in this mess.§

all heads swivel to look at him, some looking taken aback and some looking like they expected no less. he feels guilt roll through him the moment the words are out of his mouth; yes, he＊s angry at tony for what happened, but he＊s aware enough of the fact it wasn＊t tony＊s fault. god, tony would never ever wish harm on him intentionally 每 the look on tony＊s face when steve had been dying on the floor is seared into his memory, and god, the guilt and shame and terror he remembers witnessing makes steve feel horrendous. he wants to go back and both punch tony and pull him into a hug and tell him it＊ll be fine.

※he＊ll get you out,§ seven insists. ※trust him.§

※look, he is not you,§ eight says. ※and your tony is not his tony.§

※the whole world doesn＊t revolve around tony stark,§ violet chips in with a frown, and steve bites back a choked laugh because he＊s really starting to think that it does.

※your world didn＊t,§ stephanie retorts, and they all hear the ＆but mine did,＊ that she doesn＊t say out loud. ※this steve is friends with tony, so we can assume tony will be doing everything to get him back.§

※he said tony caused this,§ violet says, starting to sound angry.

※he didn＊t cause it,§ steve says, and he pinches the bridge of his nose because now he＊s been pushed into defending tony, and how did that happen when ten minutes ago he was ready to yell at people for doing the same? he breathes out deeply, tries to regain someposure. ※he didn＊t cause it,§ he repeats. ※i got myself in a bad spot and asked for backup.§

※and he didn＊t turn up,§ shield finishes flatly.

steve winces and lowers his hand. ※he did,§ he says. ※just not quick enough.§

※i thought we were having a meeting about getting you home,§ themander calls over, looking as unimpressed as ever. ※not having yet another session of arguing about tony goddamn stark.§

※we were,§ steve tries, but his exasperated voice goes unheard.

※see? stark isn＊t even here and everything ends up revolving around him,§ violet says.

※can we not talk about tony?§ shield butts in. ※look, if we get him home, then he＊s going back to live with stark and the avengers. how is he supposed to go back to his life if all he can think about is how the rest of the multiverse slept with the guy?§

steve＊s jaw drops. ※the rest of the multiverse?§

※no, not the rest of the multiverse,§ a captain in world-war-two gear says vehemently.

※you didn＊t make it past the forties, you don＊t count!§