a m e r i c a

“it didn’t smell like anything though! and trust me, i’d know. listen, i love may’s cooking - don’t get me wrong - ” peter held up a hand, “but sometimes, she likes to try these recipes she sees online…” followed by a semi-horrified shake of the head.

“And you volunteer to be the guinea pig? Maybe it’s well deserved then.” she teased. 

“Hey!” Sam stretched across the table to grab at the chips, but found them just out of reach, “Rude.”

America scooped up a handful and plopped them unceremoniously onto the table in front of Sam. “Here. Recommended serving size.” she leaned back and popped a few chips from the bag into her mouth.

Cassie’s eyebrows furrowed in annoyance as America touched the bottom of the bag of food with her shoe. She slowly took a step back and shook her head. “Yup, delivery. For my dad.” She clarified, feeling like maybe America was a little confused. It didn’t seem like she was even fully listening. “Do you at least know if he’s still here?”

“Don’t know.” she said with a gentle shrug. “Though if that’s food for two, I’m sitting right here.” 

“That’s what happens when you move cross country. All of a sudden, you’re the last to know.”

“Don’t you have a boyfriend that literally belongs to that island? I don’t think you’d be the last to know out of the rest of us.” 

“Some of us were conveniently gone and playing catch-up.” A little surly, maybe, but she had reason to be.

“Probably the best time to leave. Can’t imagine she had great plans, in the end.” 

“It’s not like the Avengers have stood by and watched us get arrested for months or anything.”

“They’ve always been awful, we knew that already.”

“I actually didn’t. It was an accident. That much is true.”

“Uh huh. Don’cha just hate when that happens.” 

“You always been so cynical, America?”

“Did you just start paying attention, Captain?” 

“It looks more like we’re pretending to just move on like there’s not going to be some kind of bigger blowback. I’m enjoying the fake peace.” Not actually. Natasha had been in the business for too long. She was too paranoid, too wired at all times.

“Maybe we should start taking bets on what’ll come next. I do love a good gamble.” 

“I did, actually, and that’s why I stayed away. No need to mix fire with fire.”

“What, didn’t wanna see how well your stone matched up?” 

“The only people who are surprised when superheroes fuck up are the “superheroes” themselves.” 

“That’s because the public isn’t as stupid as they continue to make themselves look. Superheroes, however.” 

“Like a train wreck happening in slow motion. I wish it had gone differently.” 

“Like a ten year train wreck, if you count the cleanse.” America shrugged. “Reality benders are dangerous.” 

“From where I was standing ( in the middle of it ) nothing seemed certain. I’m just glad more people didn’t die.”

“Mmm, yeah, I love the part where we ratio lives to good outcomes.”

“I’m not that observant, so I don’t know — I might not’ve been able to,” he shrugged.

“And so they gave you a suit...why?”

“okay forget not actually being shocked, how do you feel about this whole thing…?”

America let out a puff of air that could’ve been a laugh. “Doesn’t matter how I feel; I wasn’t a part of it. People I care about were, but they’re not really talking either.” 

“Listen, it’s been a weird day. So I’m going to nod and pretend like I remember what you’re talking about.”

“The fact that every second of every minute of every day is another repeat of a superpower being shown off in the worst of ways.”