the river styx.

𝙲𝙻𝙾𝚂𝙴𝙳 𝙼𝚄𝙻𝚃𝙸𝙼𝚄𝚂𝙴, 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙳 𝙱𝚈 𝙼

「 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄 」

「 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒 」

Warren smiles after his feet land on the ground, always having to be so charming. “Sorry I’m a few minutes late.” His hands are adjusting the jacket he’s wearing since clothes usually get wrinkled by the wind when soaring through the sky. It’s hardly a worry, never minding since it’s normal for the blond’s daily routines. He does it without thinking and this is one of those times. There’s a single white feather on the grass by his feet. Warren waves at the other X-Men who were still standing around who were observing his arrival. He didn’t want to be rude and leave without saying hello first. The blond offers one of his hands to Laura, giving her his full attention. “You want to get out of here?”  

Bucky wasn’t late on purpose. He knows how Jim gets, the lectures last hours if he’s in the mood. He really isn’t sure what sort of mood that Jim was going to be in which means the lecture could be a few minutes or a few hours – he hopes he’s in a good mood for his own sake. He’s quick to jog onto the jet, watching as the agents glance over at him. They don’t look angry which means no lecture has started on the importance of timeliness. However that doesn’t always mean anything, the lecture could be saved for him only. Here’s to hoping he gets off with minimal damage.

“Well, hello to you too Pa.” He snorts a bit, hand coming over to pat his shoulder softly. “I know I am. I got stuck in Fury’s office.” Bucky and Fury don’t always get along, in fact most of the time they don’t get along… so the meeting wasn’t all that enjoyable. In fact he was in a rush to get here because a lecture from Jim is better than anything he has to sit through with Fury. Bucky glances over Jim’s arm at the tablet, eyes scanning over it easily. He was like a sponge when it came to information for missions. “That’s new.” He points to a line in the file over Jim’s arm. “I’m guessing I missed this all in the brief huh?” He teases a little bit. 

It’s important to be on time — Jim has always felt this way but knows that his children try their best. He’s lenient depending on what the schedule has planned. His fingers tap against the tablet in his hands every now and again, looking at the different information for the mission they’re going on. The other agents seem to be patient and truthfully? They have some time to wait so Bucky won’t get too much of an earful. He will always have a softer spot for him, still seeing him as that little boy. It’s hard to imagine that they’re all grown up now. How quickly life seems to change. Is this what it’s like to be human? The blond is still trying to learn what that means.

( @underworldtm​ / jason ) Yelena’s fingers are gentle as they run over the smooth object, truly admiring the piece of weaponry. She can tell it’s been modified and truly she’s impressed. She had found on accident… okay maybe she didn’t. The night before Yelena had been invited in for a little fun. They had connected easily out at the bar and she didn’t think he was all that much of a threat. While sure she was a little wrong, but if he had really wanted to kill her, he had every chance to attempt to kill her. He didn’t so Yelena didn’t worry all that much about it. However as they stumbled in last night she had seen something from the corner of her eye. So this morning she had pulled on one of Jason’s shirts and began to investigate. It seemed her instincts were right, and now she’s sitting in a little basement walls covered in weaponry and computers. Yelena had poked around on a few of the computers and found no trace of anything related to her or the Red Room, so once again it seems they were complete strangers and just had even more common interests than they knew. 

Fingers run along the wall, bumping up and down along each metal object. As she moves around the small room, a photograph catches her eye. There’s a subtle quirk of her lips as she leans in closer to the photo. She recognizes Jason’s features, despite being younger in the photo. “It’s cute.” Her accent thick as she speaks, knowing he’s entered the room. “The photo I mean, the photo is cute.” She nods towards it before turning to look at him. “Did you modify these weapons yourself?” That’s when she crosses the room to point out one. “I really like this one.” Yelena takes it off it’s rack with ease, as if she’s handled this weapon before. It feels at home in her hands as she feels the weight of it. “I’m impressed by this little collection, you know. Should have shown me this first.” A small teasing grin lights up her face for just a moment. 

It doesn’t happen often when someone discovers the secrets so carefully hidden. He was adopted into the Wayne family at the young age of only ten and taught to keep your identity a secret. The importance learned quickly and stuck with him into adulthood. Nobody ever found out unless someone from his family wanted the other person to know but Yelena is different than anyone Jason has ever met. He felt the sheets shift, knowing that she left the bed to go explore. There’s a feeling that their interests align, no surprise since they got along so well the night before. The spark felt as they got to know each other. He doesn’t easily make friends, so meeting someone outside of the mask feels nice.

Sunshine fills the room and illuminates every corner. Jason gets out of bed, yawning while slipping a pair of sweatpants on. His shirt is missing, likely that Yelena took it before leaving to look at the rest of the place. His basement the most interesting, filled with a wall of computers and all of the different weapons he has been collecting. Anything you could think of is displaced neatly — everything from swords to modified weapons to batarangs.  It’s an impressive collection and there’s a few sentimental belongings around as well. Jason made some coffee first, watching it brew until it would be ready to pour into some mugs. He prepared two of them, hoping that Yelena drank this sort of thing. He’s in the doorway to the basement, watching Yelena look at everything, poking around. Only stepping forward when acknowledged. “Thanks. That’s me and my dad. He wanted the photo taken with a serious expression but I convinced him to smile instead.” It’s one of his favorite memories.

( @underworldtm​ ) The moment the shield leaves Steve’s hand it’s like a weight has lifted off his shoulders. While being Cap has been one of the best things that’s ever happened to him, giving him a purpose in his life to finally be able to help people like he wanted. He’s spent more time having the weight of the mantle, of being the person everyone looks for when things go wrong, that it’s like he’s forgotten how to just be. He can feel the concern radiating off Sam, Redwing’s eyes digging holes into his back where they fall on his back. “100%, there’s nobody better for the job.” There’s a part of him that feels selfish, pushing all of his responsibilities on to Sam. But there’s literally nobody else Steve would rather seeing holding that shield. “And if anybody tries giving you slack for being the new Captain America, you can always call the old one to beat them up for you.” It’s more than a tease, he’s not an idiot. Sam doesn’t need his protecting but Steve also knows how the world is right now. They say that life’s gotten a lot better since he came out of the ice but all he sees when he looks around is the same sort of people in power and the same sort of people being bullied for things they can’t control. But punching people in the face is something Steve’s always been good at. The sight of Sam with the shield on his arm is something he could get very used to. “Is it weird to say I have a crush on Captain America now? Asking for a friend.” It looks good on Sam, looks right. Like the suit was just Steve’s until it was time to pass it on to the right person. A sudden laugh leaves Steve, remembering words from what seems like ages ago. “You’re keeping the suit right?”

➳

This is going to bestow a new set of responsibilities onto Sam’s shoulders, but he feels ready to accept it. The possibility of becoming Captain America never crossed his mind, always imagining that Steve would keep the shield until he was old and grey. He will do everything in his power to make his best friend proud but making sure felt right to do before getting excited. Only then does the confidence start to radiate off of him, holding the vibranium shield on his arm. The country is going to have a variety of opinions, not all of them supportive, but Sam can worry about that later. He’ll fight for everyone’s freedom to have those opinions. He manages to laugh at the thought of Steve showing up to punch someone for him. “I’ll keep that offer in mind.” It’s sweet and there’s a certain fondness in his voice. He’ll need to do a lot of training with this.  The smile lingers on his face, looking at the other man. “It’s not weird at all. You going to be my number one fan?” Sam can’t help pairing his response with a wink.  

There’s already design ideas floating around his mind, knowing an upgrades suit will be needed. One that’s inspired by what Steve wore but also making it his own. He can’t help feeling excited. Maybe he can pass the Flacon name down to Torres. “I’ll wear that star on my chest with pride, man. Now, imagine the look on all the criminals faces when they realize Captain America can fly now!” Redwing seems to be fond of the change too, flying across the room to get a closer look and filling the space with his voice as well. “We’ll get you a new suit too, Red. I hear you.” This is a promise.

( @underworldtm​ )“I never said I didn’t like her, just that’s she’s too trusting.” Natasha gives a small smile, the kind that puts people at ease as she slowly follows Sam into his apartment. Her eyes are drifting over everything, noticing the extra security purposes that someone has put into place. It’s more likely the work of James than Sam, but it’s still nice to see that someone cares enough to put them in place. “One bat of an eyelash and someone could know that two Avengers live in this building. Sit with her long enough and she practically buzzes you up and shows your apartment.” It’s a lie, the elderly lady had known who Natasha was before she’d even open her mouth and wouldn’t betray these two like that, but she can tease her friend. “Being back alive is hard, it’s like waiting for the universe to realize I’m not supposed to be here and taking me away again. But I wouldn’t have done anything differently. Clint has kids, a family. It always had to be me.”

➳

Light laughter fills the atmosphere around them, fingers tapping quietly against the glass bottle on the table. “I’m not worried about someone knocking on my door and trying to get in. Redwing is usually good at scaring people off by clawing up their face. He’s the one any intruder should be worried about.” Which usually teaches people a lesson.

It’s difficult to imagine what could have done differently, considering the fact Sam wasn’t present due to the circumstances. He doesn’t like the thought that Natasha feels like there was no other option. “Barton has a family but so do you.” There doesn’t feel like a point to trying to argue that there could have been another way. He’s just happy that for some reason unknown to either of them, the universe brought Natasha back into their lives. He sits up straight in his chair, a serious expression on his face. “You’re supposed to be here. You’ve done so much to keep this world safe and deserve to live in it.” What’s it like to mourn your own death? Sam can’t imagine but he does have experience with the grieving process. “You’re not alone. All of these feelings you’re experiencing are normal and you’re allowed to take the time to work through them at your own pace.” He’s is standing now, taking a few steps closer to her. “I’m happy you’re alive, Natasha, because you’re like family to me.” Sam doesn’t want to lose anymore good friends.

( @underworldtm​ ) The park is quiet, a nice place to just think. When Steve had first woken up after being in the ice for years, the first thing he’d done was look up all his old friends from before. Jim had sat by his side as he read name after name of those that had gone missing, died, or were still alive. It was his own personal version of hell, outliving most of the people he truly cared about. Losing the small family that had been his saving grace when he was ill and scraping by after his mother’s death. More and more people were slowly trickling in from the past: Bucky, Peggy, but there was always someone missing out of it. And it looked like the universe was finally bringing them back to his life. “What? The having to boil everything or having to miss meals because rent was due?” The questions are playful, tone teasing as he takes in that Toro is sitting in front of him. “I gotta say not having to struggle to breathe properly is a big plus. That and the world not being at war for once.” He stops, glancing down at what he can see of the photo in Toro’s hands. “You always had to be the last one showin up to everything didn’t you?”

➳

Life used to look very different. Toro was only seven when he became his father’s sidekick. He fought crime instead of playing outside like other children his age were doing. Yet living in Brooklyn in-between missions meant there was an opportunity to have a life. He made time to attend the cinema each week, which might have been his favorite thing ever. These photographs are memories of what life used to be. It didn’t take long for Toro to meet Steve and Bucky since they all lived in the same neighborhood and went to the same school. It was good for him to have friends around his age since a lot of the time he was surrounded by adults. He smiles over at his friend that’s sitting in front of him, laughing softly. “I don’t miss boiling everything, just how simple it all felt. Pappy always kept the kitchen stocked for when you’d stop by. I think that was nice of him to make sure none of us went hungry.” He hands the photograph over to the other man, if he wants a closer look at the three of them when they were just teenagers. It was so long ago but also wasn’t at the same time. He doesn’t really understand this new world yet. “There’s a lot that still confuses me but each day is a little easier. Whatever brought me here pulled me right from the war. It was 1943 until I woke up here. The war might be over now but it all still feels very real to me, Steve.” He can still hear the gunfire at night. How do you move forward when it feels like everyone else in the world stopped thinking about World War II? Maybe now isn’t the time to think about that, instead chooses to laugh at the question posed to him. “Yeah . . . it’s part of my charm. I couldn’t let you have all the fun.”

If Kate hadn’t known was in a different universe completely beforehand, the sight of a younger boy being chased down by Clint of all people and the mention of Clint being the boy’s father would have been the thing that would have done it. “It’s okay, your dog is cool.” Her smile is fake, one that she perfected over the years dealing with her real father. It hides the hurt that this Clint has no idea who she is. If there was one constant in her life, it was Clint Barton always being by her side. Her own Lucky notices the change in the atmosphere, noticing his owner’s pain and running over to comfort her. It’s a quick sign of heel followed by a sit, and the dog is calmly by her side. 

“You’re Clint Barton right?” The question’s out before she can really stop it, a need to know if her hunch is right. Barton could be a perfectly common name and Kate’s freaking out over nothing. There’s a very slim chance that’s the case, with the way the universe seems to hate her. “Though Pietro? I feel sorry that your kid got named after Quicksilver of all heroes.” She has met the man a couple of times the Young Avengers have teamed up with other teams, knowing him more as Billy and Tommy’s weird uncle more than anything else so there isn’t much fire behind her words. Her hand finds her own Lucky’s ears, letting the motion of petting him calm the overwhelming sense that this is going to hurt. 

➳

This isn’t exactly an unusual circumstance since his identity is public knowledge after all. Anyone could find out this information if they did the research.  It’s fortunate that Lucky is more than just a family dog, able to protect those he cares about too. His youngest would be safe with the canine but that doesn’t make all of his worries disappear entirely. There’s an entire city filled with villainous personalities waiting to take advantage of the innocent and Clint wouldn’t let anything happen to his children. “Thank you, Lucky is pretty cool. This is my service dog, Misfortune. He goes most places with me.” Obviously doesn’t go on missions but everywhere else is okay within reason.

“The one and only Hawkeye.” It isn’t often Clint is met with someone that knew him though despite the status of his identity. It makes him smile but at the same time it feels although something is missing. His smile fades, memories of losing Piero returns to his mind. How such a carefree soul could be taken so soon is a grief that never quite leaves. “I’m not sorry. Quicksilver died protecting me and the civilian in my arms, so naming my son after him is the least I could do. I wouldn’t be standing here today if Pietro didn’t . . . ” It’s not going to ever get easier to discuss, is it?

The blond takes a moment to assess the situation, looking at the dog the stranger is petting and realizing how he looks nearly identical to his own. Clint has had enough experience with the multiverse to keep an open mind. “Do you know me where you’re from?” He asks softly while sitting down next to her.

loki ✰ interactions › with

noh ✰ interactions › with

( @underworldtm​​ / clint )  “Lucky, no,” she calls from the bench she’s sitting on. He’s more tense than usual, a leftover from their unexpected multiverse travel. It’d been stressful enough for Kate, she couldn’t even imagine how terrifying and confusing it had to have been for a dog. She’s sure Clint’s going to kill her when she gets back to home, for stressing Lucky out like this but it wasn’t like she planned it. “Not everyone wants to be your friend, you can’t just walk up and lick people like that.” She’s halfway out of her seat, an apology on her lips to the person Lucky’s decided is his new best friend when movement stops her. There’s another Lucky staring up at her, her own staring at her in betrayal. “Hiya, other-Lucky. Long time no talk?”

It felt like a good idea at the time to take his youngest to the park. Nathaniel insisted on holding Lucky’s leash while they walk toward the playground. His two teenagers were out with friends this evening so Clint thought that getting out of their house would be the best idea. No missions, just spending time with his family for the next couple of days. His eight-year-old seemingly accidentally let go of the leash for one second and Lucky went running. The child followed, foolishly thinking that he could get the dog back before his father noticed. The only detail that Nate didn’t think about is that Clint is a shield agent.

( @underworldtm​​ / @strawberrysvgar​ )  “If you’re here to ask me how to fix this.” A hand waves lazily around the air around him but Billy can’t bring himself to do much else. He’s spent ages on finding out why they’re in a new universe, pouring over everything and anything he could find only to come up with the same answer every time: they were stuck here with no way out. “I’ve got nothing. Not a single thing.” A sigh leaves him, before he’s pushing back on the computer desk in front of him. “All I know is I’m supposed to be a lot younger and my parents are going to catch on that I’m not and I’m not sure how to explain to them everything they should already know.”

( @underworldtm​​ / @strawberrysvgar​ )  “If you’re here to ask me how to fix this.” A hand waves lazily around the air around him but Billy can’t bring himself to do much else. He’s spent ages on finding out why they’re in a new universe, pouring over everything and anything he could find only to come up with the same answer every time: they were stuck here with no way out. “I’ve got nothing. Not a single thing.” A sigh leaves him, before he’s pushing back on the computer desk in front of him. “All I know is I’m supposed to be a lot younger and my parents are going to catch on that I’m not and I’m not sure how to explain to them everything they should already know.”