dusting off an old muse

[mstitel]

I really can't tell you just how stupid this is. No, really, I can't. I don't want to be stuck here, not after everything we did. And knowing you this'll just die off after a more hours of rolling around and screaming. Or something dumb like that.

I have things to do, mun, and nothing you-

... what?

... you mean... Tony's around here? And... mom and dad, too?

Okay, I'll play along. For now, I mean.

Comments

[persuadeyou]

[...Okay what is this mom talk. :|] They let you wander around here by yourself, kid?

[mstitel]

[You don't even wanna know, Nat.]

I'm not a kid. [B|] And yeah, doesn't seem any worse than back home.

[persuadeyou]

[Probs not.:C

And you are totes a kid, James. Look at you. Are you even up to her waist yet.]

Where's back home?

[mstitel]

[Oh my god shut up he's like... fifteen or something. Just. Really, really short.]

Earth. Arctic Circle, kind of. Tony had us in a virtual environment, the rest of the world's kind of... either a desert or overrun by stupid robots.

[persuadeyou]

[Are you sure he isn't like. Twelve. ARE YOU SURE.]

Cheery.

[But wait roll back a second there.] Tony Stark?

[mstitel]

[VERILY?]

Yeah. [Narrowing his eyes at you, Nat, and his hand is hovering at the trigger to his shield projector] Why? You know him?

[persuadeyou]

[God kid you're almost as suspicious as her. She eyes the hovering, but. Doesn't mention it.] Well enough to wonder how he managed to raise a bunch of kids.

[isntaboutme]

Maybe it won't be so bad for you. [Ever hopeful, that's Steve.]

[mstitel]

Even if my mun tries, I'm not gonna let it get that way. I don't do sitting and waiting.

[You seem... familiar.]

[isntaboutme]

That's good, I think. [Strangely familiar, but strange is something that he's come to expect these days.]

..taking action for the right cause, if that's what you mean. [Steve looks a little sheepish at that, butting in with his opinions isn't something he's very easy with.]

[mstitel]

I think saving the world's a pretty good cause.

[He's grinning, a little.] Sorry, I'm James. James Rogers.

[isntaboutme]

Couldn't agree more. [He offers a hand to the young man.]

I'm a Rogers too, Steve Rogers. [It's not exactly an uncommon name, but then again, in this place there are always reasons behind coincidences.]

[mstitel]

[He'll take that hand, shaking it firmly, and-

Wait, what?]

Steve- you- [He almost looks like someone brained him with a shield, right now] Are you... you're not... Captain America?

[isntaboutme]

Feeling alright there? [He doesn't press the concern however, not wanting to offend a young man's pride.]

I have been known to answer to that, on occasion.

[mstitel]

Yeah.... yeah, um.

[He lets out a steadying breath of air before giving Steve a really shaky, awkward salute]

It's- it's an honor, Captain.

[isntaboutme]

[Steve smiles, he claps the boy on the shoulder briefly, rather than saluting back.]

Well done, James. I hope to see you around more too. Let me know how your world saving efforts go?

[mstitel]

Y-Yeah... of... course.

[Oh God oh God oh God it's his dad. He's actually talking to his dad and he's just kind of frozen and Steve's probably about to leave and he can't even]

Do you... know the Spy? [He can't... really remember her name. Tony didn't like telling them their names, it probably hurt too much to tell them anything other than that generalized stories, but... he'd been old enough to remember. Barely, but.] Black Widow, I mean. ...Natasha. [Right?]

[isntaboutme]

[That does earn a bit of a surprised look. Steve hesitates, but it's more for thinking of how to phrase, rather than an unwillingness to answer.]

I know that she goes by quite a few names, but yes, I've met Natasha. [And his mouth quirks in a way that means he's fond of her.]

[mstitel]

[He's still looking shocked, sounding winded, excited, despite how rigid he is. How at attention.]

She's... [He licks at suddenly dry lips, clears his throat] She's my mom.

[isntaboutme]

[That just about floors Steve.]

I didn't know that she had- [He blinks and shakes his head, smile returning after only a small falter.] Well, I can see it now that you mention it.