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Part four: Dissolve

Dell was shocked. This was a first, seeing John cry, and he was never very good with these types of situations in the first place.

"Th-there there, Solly," he murmured, holding the weeping man close. "Y'dont hafta cry, buddy..."

"My name..." whimpered John. He clutched at Dell's shirt, and the Texan could feel the wet warmth seep through where the other man's face lay.

"Shhhh... s'alright..."

The Soldier sniffled and trembled in the Engineer's arms. Dell was unused to being the strong one. When things had become too stressful, it had been he who had wept, and Solly who had patted his back and muttered quiet words of condolence.

I have to be strong for John, he thought, and put on a brave face.

His calloused palm slowly rubbed circles on John's broad back. "Yer okay..." he whispered against his amber hair. The other man's tears had abated, his breaths now short, distraught huffs, his eyes shut tight.

Dell's back ached from the awkward position he was in; the taller man was practically in his lap, hunched over, with his face pressed into the Engineer's shoulder. They stayed wrapped around each other for a few more minutes until Dell thought his spine would snap.

"C'mon, pardner," he said softly, wrapping an arm around his friend's waist and struggling to his knees. "Up we go..."

He pulled John up slowly, thankful he was supporting his weight, and led him to his stripped bed. John lay down willingly on his side, curling his legs to his chest. Dell sat at the edge of the bed and watched the tense muscles in the Soldier's back twitch.

Dell was afraid. He didn't know what had set John off. 'That's not my name?' What does that mean?

He had completely forgotten why he had come down to Solly's room in the first place. The borrowed book lay amid the wreckage and the photo was nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, Dell felt tired. His shoulders and arms ached from holding John. He squeezed next to his friend, and stroked his back until they both fell asleep.

. . . . . .

The sound of careless footsteps tromping down the stairs roused Dell from his sleep. He didn't know how long he'd be out, but John was still asleep next to him. John had turned over in his sleep, and Dell could see the gritty trails his tears had left behind.

"Aw, jeez..."

Dell sat straight up and turned, seeing their visitor for the first time. Sean was standing in the doorway, looking around the room with a skeptical look. "Looks like tons o' fun and the Doc rubbed off on you two, eh, Hardhat?"

"Hush, boy," Dell grumbled and got up to meet him at the door. "Whaddaya want?"

The smug youngster smirked. "Jus' came down t'tell ya we don't gotta battle today."

"Today?"

"It's Monday, pops. Guess you n' Captain America ova' there were too busy t'notice." He gestured around the room with an unwrapped hand.

Dell reddened. "We didn't... s'not... aw, ta hell with ya. Why aren't we battlin'?"

"Too muddy. Nearly slipped joggin' today," the Scout replied. "Notha' day off. Good fo' you guys, huh?" He snickered and turned and walked back towards the stairs.

"We weren't... doin'... that!" Dell sputtered after him.

"Yeah, y'keep tellin' y'self that, gramps."

Dell glared at Sean's back as he retreated up the stairs, his cheeks hot and flushed. He shut the door rather hard and spun around, grumbling.

John's dark azure eyes were half open. "Engie...?" he mumbled hoarsly.

The Engineer hurried over to him and helped him sit up. "Y'okay, buddy?"

"Yeah..." John rubbed his eyes and looked about numbly. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Dell quickly shook his head and laid a hand on the other man's shoulder. "Naw. I got you calmed down alright."

John let out a rattling sigh. "Sorry you had to see that, Dell..."

"Hey, don' worry," the Texan said with a small smile. "Yer okay now, John, and that's all I care 'bout."

The corners of the Soldier's lips quirked up a little, his expression almost bitter. "Yeah. John's okay."