Stiles was taking a pause in his work and taking a walk in the city when he felt a new wave of doubt and paralyzing terror. He had associated this feeling with Steve since their last encounter. After all, in the month since then, he had felt it multiple times, however far less intense. This sensation made him stop. It was so overwhelming, this terror. It forbade him to move. When the wave passed, he took running in the direction it came from, the feeling in the back of his mind. Whatever caused it was too much for the man it emitted from to permit him to move. Three streets later, he saw the first traces of a fight. He continued to run, hiding behind pieces of walls and building to come the nearest possible and see what it was.

And then, after the corner of the next street, he saw it all. People, children and women and me, even old ones, all attacking the avengers who were trying not to cause them any harm. And in the middle of it was standing Steve. They were still far away, more like some point in the horizon than actual human being. But with their recognizable costumes, it was not hard to tell who was who. The destruction of the streets they were in was innumerable.

Not too far from himself, Stiles could sense people arguing and angry. Approaching from the tent hosting them, he understood that it was the HQ of this mess. Sensing the distress of Steve growing, Stiles just walked in, hearing a man yelling in a com, telling the captain to get over it and work on a strategy. The further the man talked the more angst Stiles was sensing. Next to this old man was another one, trying to convince him it was doing no good to yell. To no result. Deciding to act, Stiles walked to the man, tapping a finger on his shoulder, which made the man turn to look at him, still yelling. Stiles smiled and swung a punch in his face, catching the com in his hand, years of having things thrown at him by werewolves finally paying. Without a look to anyone he took the mic and began to talk.

"Steve, I know it is overwhelming but you need to listen to my voice okay? You need to take a breath and look around. Do you see the sky? It's a beautiful day. When all of this is finished, we will go take a walk along the river, alright? Take a little sun bath, draw the lights on the water. But for that, we need you in one piece and this battle to end. Do you understand?"

There was a pause in the com as everybody listened to this stranger calling THE Captain America in the middle of battle to talk about the sky and the sun. Then, Steve answered like it was natural for this guy to be on the com.

"Stiles?"

"Hey buddy. You're with me?"

"I… yes, I… I think."

"Okay, so tell me what you are going to do about those thing coming at you."

"They… They are people, I can't hurt civilians!"

"If they are people I'm a werewolf, dude. They don't emit any emotions, Steve. Not one of them is feeling anything. Stark might want to scan them. I don't think those are alive people, buddy."

"I don't know who's this cap-whisperer is, but he's right. Those aren't people. Just amazing robots. So amazing it's surprising they aren't mine."

Everybody heard the captain take a deep breath at that before ordering them to end this show, no pity allowed.

As soon as the captain was himself again, Stiles gave the com to the man who was arguing with the prick yelling before and turned feet. A path was created before him to the entry of the tent where he found himself trying to keep a panic attack at bay, sitting in the floor, his back again a piece of the closest building. After what seems to be a very long time, he managed to calm himself and found that he wasn't alone anymore. Steve was sitting next to him, pretending to be watching ahead while the voices of Tony Stark, the Falcon, Thor and the Black Widow were coming from the tent, yelling. On the other side of the road was sitting Hawkeye, at the top of a one story building without a roof, discussing with the Winter Soldier who was staying at the bottom of his perch.

"You okay?"

"Yes, it's just frightening to face this many people with so many strong emotions in one place. Like being replace by someone else while still in your own body."

"I can only imagine. I experienced the opposite. Being myself in another body that was mine. Totally frightening."

A new silence took place. That Steve once again cut.

"So, how are your father and family? You were gone to see them, right?"

"Yes. And they are good, thank you! Melissa keep my father on his diet, but it is so much easier since the arrival of Amita. She has grown up so much! She's four now and so intelligent! Really well-mannered too, which is quite surprising with the father she has! I'm kidding but Derek really took being a parent. It was like it was what he was made for. Seriously, he made me want to be a father, and let me tell you I really don't have this envy often! Partly because I can't imagine myself being in charge of someone else and also because I really wouldn't do that alone and as I am single it isn't a possibility. But he managed to make it seems easy. And Amita is so cute! I took like a thousand pictures. And Derek promised to come see me as soon as possible with her and I can't wait to take her to the museum and visiting the city, seeing the Empire State Building, Brooklyn, Stark Tower, the zoo, Central park and the library! You know, she already is able to read some simple books! She is so intelligent!"

Steve laughed before sobering up.

"You'll have fun. And Stiles, thank you. You saved me today. Me and the team. So thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you here with me."

"You would have taken a little more time figuring it out, that's all, Steve. You know you would have."

"Maybe, but probably not before someone was hurt. At least take some credit."

"Alright! It's not every day that I can say I helped save the town!"

They stay in silence some minutes before the man arguing with the old man that Stiles punched came outside and stood before them. They looked at him from the floor and saw him smiling. Not a big one but on his serious face it was the equivalent of a grin on everyone else. Steve and Stiles take a look at each other before erupting in laughter, to the point of tears, leaning on each other for support but incapable to look at each other without laughing again. When they finally are able to stop, their sides hurt and the avengers are all there, in various state of curiosity. The man then look at Stiles.

"Young man, you did what many people dreamed of doing. I will forever keep this memory of the great Edouard Jackson being knocked out by a punch to the face. You saved me from having to do it myself. Thank you. Now, we have things to discuss. If you would come with me to…"

Steve didn't let him finish his sentence before intervening.

"Coulson, he isn't going to the hellicarier with you. No way am I letting you do that."

The man, Coulson, held his hands up, placating.

"I wasn't expecting him to go there but inviting him to my office at Stark tower. Now if you have a problem with that Captain, let me know."

Steve fixed him in the eye and nodded.

"I'm coming too." Coulson shook his head.

"You have to debrief, as you didn't do it with the rest." Seeing the other ready to protest, Hawkeye put a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll go with him. Nothing will happen to him. If you don't trust Coulson, then trust me, okay?"

"It's... It's not that I don't trust him, just…"

"He answer to a hierarchy I know. But my superior is you, so I think it is alright, okay?"

Stiles made a noise.

"I don't know why you think I need a bodyguard for this. I can defend myself, thank you very much. Now, if someone want to go to spy on this interview, they are more than welcome to tag along. Steve, I'll text you later."

To the surprise of all, Steve burst in laughter at that.

"More like you'll be harassing me later! Savor the visit, geek!"

"Why, thank you, Captain. I will!"

Steve then too off to the tent while the others stared at Stiles.

"Soooooooo….. Which way?"