in the shadows ? steve rogers

063 ? now that we don't talk

Natasha shrugged. "You could use some of that right now."

"The world's on fire," Ross told them with a small scoff. "And you think all is forgiven?"

Steve shook his head. "I'm not looking for forgiveness," he said and Grace turned in her seat, finally facing him. "And I'm way past asking for permission. Earth just lost her best defender." She pressed her lips together. "So we're here to fight. And if you wanna stand in our way... we'll fight you, too."

Ross turned to Rhodey. "Arrest them."

"Oh, just shut up," Grace muttered, hitting the tablet forcefully and turning off the projector. "Politicians..."

"That's a court-martial," Rhodey explained to the group and Grace looked up at them. "It's great to see you, Cap."

"You too, Rhodey."

"Well." He let out a breath to examine them. "You guys really look like crap. Must've been a rough couple of years."

Sam nodded. "Yeah, well, the hotels weren't exactly five-star."

"Uh—I think you look great." Grace bit her bottom lip and glanced behind her at Bruce who emerged from the back room. "Yeah." He chuckled nervously. "I'm back."

Natasha smiled. "Hi, Bruce."

"Nat."

"This is awkward," Sam muttered making the Maximoff twins and Vision look at him.

Steve cleared his throat and was about to say something when Adelaide ran forward, squeezing Grace in an unexpected hug. "I've missed you!"

"I've missed you, too, Addy," she said, rubbing her back and looking up at Steve. "I've missed all of you."

"How are you?" Steve asked her and she shrugged. "Probably better than me these last two years?"

"Maybe," she replied, letting out a breath. "I have a nephew stuck in space. But... Sam's told me that you were doing okay." He looked over at the man who was still supporting Vision with Wanda. "I called him every week. He kept me updated."

Steve nodded. "Oh."

Sam clicked his tongue. "Awkwarder..."

⸻ ~~~ ⸻

𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑 desk, staring at the wall while holding her head in her hand. Next to her, her computer screen played the news, hoping—wishing—for any news that the group in space might return.

But the news remained the same.

Tony Stark was missing.

Suddenly, her phone rang, and she looked down at the contact: Olivia Hart. "Liv, now isn't really a great time—"

"Peter's gone!" Olivia exclaimed from the other end and she furrowed her brows. "Ned was on the bus to the museum with him when he saw the giant spaceship and asked him to make a distraction. And—And now he's gone!"

Grace sighed and leaned her head back. "Oh, you have got to be kidding..." she muttered to herself. "He's with Tony."

"In space?!"

"Evidently so," she replied, letting out a frustrated breath. She looked up when she saw a figure standing in the doorway and her eyes locked with Steve's. "Liv, I have to go."

"But—"

"We'll find a way to get him home," Grace interrupted, standing up and waving Steve inside, closing the door behind him. "But we have to discuss that first. Stay with your friends. And try not to spiral. Okay?"