※get in the fucking car,§ clint says tersely, without looking around.

tony does. he opens the door and climbs in, and clint ducks into the passenger seat, slamming the door behind him. the noise from outside is instantly muffled, and he＊s grateful for the hard top and tinted windows of the car, could easily stay in it all damn day, cocooned away from the noise and the faces and the rest of the world.

trembling with anger and adrenaline, tony grips the steering wheel and leans over it, pressing his forehead to the leather. ※well done,§ he says into the space between his hands. ”the avengers pr team are going to have your balls for that.§

※relax, no-one knows who i fucking am anyway,§ clint says moodily, slouching down in his chair. ※besides, they＊re going to be more bothered by your little tantrum than me swinging punches. are you even 每 do you get what you just said? you know what they＊re going to read into that.§

tony doesn＊t bother to reply. he knows clint is right, and he＊s already regretting his outburst. he＊s just stretched so thin, his emotions already at breaking point, ragged and torn. it＊s hard enough to keep a lid on it all even when he＊s not being harassed by journalists.

fuck it. he＊s got more important things to think about. more important places to be.

more important people to be with.

sitting up, he jerkily puts the car in drive and the wheels spin as he slams his foot down, the car screeching angrily and impatiently away from the curb, whipping him through the streets of the city and back towards steve.

※you know, playing poker against someone with the same tells as you is pretty pointless.”

steve snorts with laughter at the disgruntled look on seven＊s face as he frowns down at his cards. he, seven and brooklyn are sat on the roof of the apartment building in the morning light, and have playing since the dawn first broke. after spending several unsettled hours tossing and turning, steve had given up on trying to get any decent sleep, instead leaving sj asleep and heading up to find some air and space to clear his head. originally, he'd planned to sit up here by himself and just think, but the others have actually proved to be a wee distraction so he＊s not going toplain.

※yeah, i can＊t exactly keep you guessing with my expressions seeing as they＊re yours as well,§ he muses, and slides the top of his cards over his lower lip, humming thoughtfully.

※play against themander,§ brooklyn says, sounding distracted and pulling at his lip with his thumb and forefinger. ※he has no tells whatsoever.§

※yeah he does. you just have to watch really carefully,§ seven says. ※try playing against winter. he could undergo torture and not blink.§

the gritty crunch of gravel draws steve＊s attention. he glances up from his cards to see shield walking across the roof towards them, expression as serious as ever. brooklyn salutes him as hees closer, and he nods back in greeting.

※morning,§ he says evenly, walking closer and standing right behind steve, arms folded across his chest. ※wondered where you were this morning, steve.§ steve immediately recognises the tone of voice and wearily braces himself for questions. ※how＊re you doing?§

steve nods. ※okay,§ he says slowly. ※better now we＊ve got something to go on, rather than feeling like i＊m sitting on my ass waiting.§

shield nods in understanding. ※ready to go back out later?§

※mhhm,§ steve says, eyes still on his cards. ※how many people have put their names forward?§

※two hundred and four,§ shield says, and they all look up simultaneously.

※two hundred and four?§

※well, what did you expect?§ shield says with a short laugh, and he sinks down to sit next to steve, kicking one leg out and leaning back on his hands. ※would you stay behind?§

※the hell i would,§ steve concedes. ※how many have just said to hell with it and gone anyway?§

※none as far as we know,§ shield says. ※they need you, remember? a few of them have been back that way before and nothing＊s ever happened. ※

※great,§ steve says, feeling his stomach swoop. ※to be reminded it＊s all on my shoulders here.§

※it＊s not-§

steve recognises his own calm, placating tone in shield's voice and he feels irritation swell in his chest because that＊s exactly what he doesn＊t need right now and shield probably knows that damn well.

※it is all on me and you know that damn well,§ he says shortly, almost snapping. ※it＊s me whose got to learn something from this whole damn experience and no-one can get home until i do, even though i have no idea what that＊s even supposed to be.§

there＊s a beat of strained silence, and then thankfully brooklyn breaks it. ※i＊m out,§ he grouches, and drops his cards down onto the