Chapter Text
The cameras flashed in one long stream of light.
Tony stared down at his feet.
That was Steve lying there motionless on the courthouse stairs.
He tried to wrap his mind around the thought.
“You need to get to safety, boss.” Happy tugged at his arm. “You could be next.”
Tony sank to the steps, lifting Steve’s head onto his lap. “Get help,” he ordered Happy.
“When you’re safe.” Happy didn’t budge.
Tony looked up at him. “Get help. Right. The fuck. Now.” His hands were wet. He didn’t want to look at them, refused to acknowledge that this was Steve’s blood running over his hands.
He couldn’t focus on anything but Steve’s slack face.
“Tony!” Natasha skidded up next to him, face ashen in shock. “What the fuck happened?”
He lifted his gaze, eyes blind. “Carter. Rumlow.” He searched the crowds for a sign of them.
“Steve…” Natasha’s voice cracked on his name.
Tony looked back down. Steve wasn’t breathing. His blood was sticky and covered Tony’s suit. “He’s dead.” He said it, but he didn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe it.
“No.” Natasha’s hand went to her mouth, eyes wide and horrified.
Happy came back with Thor in tow. “I thought…” he began.
Thor crouched down beside Tony. “Give him to me, friend Tony. I will take him somewhere safe.”
Tony blinked. “But he’s dead.” His arms tightened around Steve.
Thor’s eyes were very kind. “And is deserving of all of the respect we can show him.”
“I don’t think I can let him go.” Tony’s voice was small.
“Let me care for him.” Thor shone in the late afternoon light as though he was a beacon.
Tony closed his eyes. “Take him then,” he whispered. “Just tell me where later.”
“Of course.” Thor gathered Steve’s body in his arms and stood. “Heimdall.” Tony watched as the brightly lit column of the Bifröst punched down through the skies.
And then they were gone.
The noise swept in like a tsunami all at once, overwhelming Tony as shouts and sobs and sirens blared as reporters filmed the event.
He stood, staggering a little without the weight of his captain in his arms.
“I’ll fucking kill him!” The scream that cut through his mental fog had Tony spinning around in time to have Bucky smash his fist into his face. “What did you do with him?” Tony could recognize the fear in Bucky’s face. He relished the pain from the punch.
“Thor took him.” Natasha pulled Bucky off Tony. “Stop that.”
Bucky whirled on her, hands lashing out. “Fuck you. No.” Natasha took his legs out from under him, crouching over him with a Glock pressed beneath his chin. “Calm the fuck down, Barnes.”
Bucky was practically sobbing now. Tony stared at him, blood pouring out of his nose and feeling absolutely nothing. “I’m sorry.” What else could he say?
Steve was dead.
Steve was dead.
Steve.
Was.
Dead.