ut not enough so that Steve is convinced he＊ll never say it again. Steve steps over to the counter and swings SJ onto it, his heels clattering against the wood. Looking disgruntled, SJ shifts up onto his knees, leaning against Steve＊s side. Steve capitulates immediately and slips an arm around SJ＊s middle, palm smoothing over his tummy. It＊s slightly disconcerting how easy it is for him to be there for SJ, to slip onto thatforting role. Maybe it＊s because he knows what he wanted at that age; maybe it＊s just instinct.

His instincts are also telling him where he should go next in his search for answers. He remembers the cool touch of the mist against his face when he＊d first woken up here, and again contemplates what he should do. Should he just go, by himself? Would it be wiser to at least let someone know what he＊s planning, even if he doesn＊t want anyone toe with him? But would they even let him go alone-

※You＊ve got that look on your face,§ Seven says, folding his arms across his chest. ※Out with it.§

Steve bites back a grin; seems there＊s no point in wondering how to broach the subject of going off to search in the mist. After all, he＊s surrounded by versions of himself who would definitely know that was plotting something, even if they couldn＊t guess exactly what he was thinking. Hey, that was one benefit, he supposed; not having to tip-toe around when trying to broach a subject.

※I want to go back to where Shield and Brooklyn found me,§ Steve says, and Seven lifts an eyebrow but lets him continue. ※I need to start looking for ways to get home, and that＊s as good a place as any.§

Seven nods slowly. ※That＊s where I was going to suggest we start,§ he says, and Steve sags into the countertop in relief at the lack of resistance, hip checking against the edge. SJ winds an arm around his neck and Steve distractedly rubs his thumb over the worn blue and white stripes on his shirt.

※Has anyone ever been back that way, through the mist? Is that where everyone turns up?§

※We all seem toe in from somewhere out there,§ he says. ※You were the last one toe in. No-one been back through though, as far as we know.§

※Do you have to go?§ SJ suddenly asks, and Seven and Steve both stop, eyes locked for a long moment. SJ seems to regret what he＊s said, slumping back down to sit on his heels and twisting as if to get away from Steve. Steve doesn＊t let go, just gently tugs SJ close to his side again, arm still wrapped around his middle.

※You know I do,§ he says, though he＊s unable to fight away the wave of guilt he feels. ※Got people at home waiting for me.§

SJ just nods tiredly, understanding. Steve looks at him helplessly for a moment, not sure what to say. He＊d give anything to be able to send SJ back to his own universe, alive and whole. Hell, at this point, if given the chance he＊d probably take SJ back with him to his universe and raise him as his own goddamn kid, consequences be damned

※I take it you want to go now?§ Seven says, bringing his mind back to the task in hand.

※As soon as possible,§ Steve says, though focussing on the job isn＊t as easy or straight-forwards now he thinks about leaving SJ and the others behind. He＊s only been here a few days, he shouldn＊t be getting attached, definitely not considering this is only temporary-

Or at least he＊s hoping it＊s temporary.

※Can Ie?§ SJ asks, and Steve hesitates for a moment.

※Probably not the best idea,§ he says cautiously.

※But if you find a way home, I want to say goodbye,§ SJ says, and Steve feels his already weak resolve crumble.

※Seven?§

※He＊ll probably only follow us anyway,§ he concedes, and turns towards the door. ※Let＊s go.§

e on then,§ Steve says letting go of SJ and leaning back. ※You walking or hitching a ride?§

※A ride,§ SJ replies immediately. ※I tried walking to the mist once with Sticky. It＊s really far.§

※You don＊t have toe,§ Steve reminds him, but he＊s crouching down anyway, balancing easily on the balls of his feet. SJ immediately scrambles forwards onto Steve＊s shoulders, cool palms clamped on Steve＊s forehead. His heels kick against Steve＊s chest and he shouts with laughter as Steve straightens up, hands going to SJ＊s ankles to steady him.

※Don＊t wriggle,§ he says, and laughs himself as SJ curls forwards over his head to look him upside-down in the eye.

※You＊d catch me,§ he says confidently. ※You＊re a superhero.§

Steve lets go of one ankle to poke SJ on the nose. ※Even superheroes need to be able to see where they're going.§

Kicking his heel against Steve＊s chest again, SJ obediently leans back, fingers sliding into Steve＊s hair. Steve can barely feel his weight on his shoulders, and part of him is honestly struggling to remember the time when he must have been just as small and light.

Taking hold of the wayward foot again, Steve steps forwards after Seven, remembering to duck through the doorframe as he does. He navigates the stairwell carefully as well, though SJ is just as vigilant and leans forwards every time there＊s a doorframe or a spot of ceiling that＊s a bit lower than the rest.

He finds Seven waiting for them just outside the building on the stairs, watching as two more younger Steve＊s tear down the road past the building, red faced and panting. Steve slowly descends the stairs, frowning slightly as he watches them go.

※SJ, how many younglings are there around here?§ he asks

※Fifteen,§ SJ replies promptly. ※In our group anyway.§

※Who＊s the youngest?§

※Park and Pond,§ SJ replies. ※They're both six.§

Seven looks at Steve, also frowning. ※Yeah, we＊d noticed,§ he says, correctly guessing what Steve is thinking about. ※If we were so sickly as a kid, why aren＊t there more younglings?"

※Why is the youngest six?§ Steve finishes as he falls into step beside Seven. His fingers flex gently on SJ＊s ankle, an unconscious reflex as he thinks of his shield. It＊s disconcerting being anywhere without it, and he still finds himself absently reaching for it every time he gets up to go anywhere.

※Doesn＊t quite add up,§ Seven admits. ※And now with you showing up, it＊s another thing that doesn＊t quite sit right.§

※How long have you been here?§ Steve asks thoughtfully.

※No idea,§ Seven says. ※I just＃I remember my life, and I remember my death, and then there＊s this. It＊s a bit＃I don＊t remember getting from there to here, and it feels like I＊ve always been here, but I know I haven＊t. I＊ve got no sense of time.§

※Doesn＊t seem quite right either,§ Steve muses, tilting his face up towards the sun and squinting slightly. The weather really is glorious, much more so without the usual traffic and noise and pollution that is usually present on a summer day in New York. Not that this is better; hell, if he wanted sunshine and fresh air he＊d take a vacation or move, not go through a near-death experience in an effort to make New York more environmentally friendly.

※Well, no-one ever knew what happened when we die,§ Seven reasons. ※This could be perfectly right for all anyone knows.§

Steve thinks of the lack of younger Steves, how there＊s no-one else to be found anywhere. Seven is right in that no-one can ever truly know what happens to people when they die, but this whole situation is starting to seem more and more off with every new thing he finds out. It＊s unnerving but also gives him hope that he＊ll be able to get out and back home.

He listens to Seven and SJ talking for a while, content to be quiet with his thoughts and observations as they walk in the direction of the mist. He sees more and more versions of himself as they progress, but he＊s now so used to it that he doesn＊t so much as look twice. There appears to be more Steve Rogers that are in civilian dress in this area, and he feels a wistful pang go through him as he watches a couple throwing a baseball back and forth, dressed in jeans and t-shirts, laughing and larking about.

As predicted, it＊s a long walk back to the mist, growing steadily colder and more difficult as the landscape starts to change. The buildings grow more dilapidated; rubble blocks their path on more than one asion. Soon they＊re clambering over broken cars and toppled masonry, ducking under girders and electricity poles. It＊s made marginally harder by having SJ perched on his shoulders, but SJ＊s grip on Steve is tight and he doesn＊t wriggle too much, so all Steve has to do is keep one hand one his knee andpensate for the added height and it＊s not too tricky.

※What are you looking for?§ SJ asks, looking up and around, expression somewhat awed. The grey hued buildings around them reach up, their roofs shrouded in mist. It makes Steve feel like they＊re minuscule; ants walking around the feet of a city that reaches endlessly upwards towards the heavens.

※No idea,§ Seven replies, and his voice is low and tight and it＊s clear he doesn＊t like being here in the slightest. ※Anything.§

Steve doesn＊t know what he＊d been hoping to find back here, but it was definitely more than what he＊s currently observing. This is where they＊d all appeared, surely there must be a way through of some kind? A portal, a doorway? Or maybe they just materialised out of thin air, which wasn＊t going to help him in the slightest.

His boots crunch on broken glass, loud in the stillness.

※Steve,§ SJ whispers, and then coughs, the sound swallowed up by the mist. His heels press back against Steve＊s chest, his hand reaching down to grab Steve＊s fingers where they rest against his knees.

※It＊s okay,§ Steve says, and lets go with one hand so SJ can hold his fingers, squeezing them briefly. He reaches up and lifts SJ from his shoulders, setting him on his hip instead, one arm looped underneath his thighs to easily hold him in place. SJ＊s fingers fist in his undershirt, both front and back, and Steve briefly wishes he＊d put up more of a fight when SJ had asked toe along.

※There＊s nothing here,§ Seven says, sounding frustrated. ※Goddamn it, I wish I had my shield.§

※Does anyone?§ Steve asks, stepping over a broken drain, one hand on the side of

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