[Milliways]: New York, New York

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus wasn't entirely sure the ring would work as a way for him to get to Steve's world, but he was going to give it a shot. If it didn't work, he'd explain it to Steve the next time they were both in the bar, and they could figure something else out.

His guitar slung across his back, Orpheus turns the ring on his finger and opens the door, pleased to find himself in Steve's apartment when he steps through.

Comments

[golden_lyre]

"It is exactly the same. I am as much a man as you are. As much a soldier, though I have not made a living of it in a very long while. But you would expect me to do something you wouldn't do yourself?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"It has nothing to do with whether you're a man or not," Steve says. "I'm a superhero, Orpheus. You may be immortal--and I'm not completely convinced you are here--but I'm faster, I'm stronger, and I'm a hell of a lot more indestructible than anyone. I was made to fight. You weren't."

It's in his face, that he didn't want to point this out, but for him this is what it comes down to.

[golden_lyre]

"And before you were made to fight? Before you were a superhero? Tell me you would have hidden then."

For Orpheus it very much comes down to what Steve thinks of him that he needs this sort of protection.

"I am not a child nor a woman nor a...china doll that needs saving. It is not in my nature to run from danger any more than it is in yours."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"No," Steve says with a sigh. "I wouldn't have run then, either. Bucky would say I'd be too dumb to run.

"I don't think you're a child or a woman or a china doll. What you are," he catches Orpheus's arm, "is precious to me. Important to me. I wouldn't ask you to fight and I wouldn't expect you to."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus sighs, shaking his head. "I would rather you asked me to fight than to hide."

He looks up at Steve, sad and a little disappointed. "How many times did I ask you to be careful and your answer to me was that you thought you were indestructible. I know that I am, and still you want me to run.

"I'm not asking to fight alongside you, but please don't ask me to leave you."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Seventy years as an ice cube," Steve says quietly. "They didn't think I was still alive when they found me. An ordinary fella wouldn't be.

"So yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm indestructible now."

He steps closer, leaning their foreheads together. "This isn't your world, Orpheus. The rules might be different. I'm not willing to take that chance, not with you."

[golden_lyre]

"Please don't ask me to be something other than what I am," Orpheus pleads, hands coming up to Steve's arms.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve swallows hard. "Okay," he whispers, "I won't."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus closes his eyes, squeezing Steve's arms briefly.

"Would you rather I simply didn't come here?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"No, no," Steve whispers. "I want you here, I want you with me, I want you so much I can't bear it."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus nods and shifts to curl his arms around Steve, hugging him tightly. "I want that too."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve hugs him back, burying his face in Orpheus's neck.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus just holds him for a long while, unwilling to step away.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve holds him tight, and then finally kisses his cheek and steps back a little, still holding him. "C'mon. Let's go home."

[golden_lyre]

"Yes," Orpheus says, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "Take me home, lovely."

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve's hand slides down Orpheus's arm to intertwine their fingers.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus glances down at their hands and gives a light squeeze.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve smiles a little and squeezes back.

[golden_lyre]

"So," Orpheus says and clears his throat. "Dinner?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"Definitely. What are you in the mood for, honey?"

[golden_lyre]

"Greek?" Orpheus suggests faintly. He wants something comforting.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"I know a place," Steve says and turns a corner, putting the worst of the destruction behind them.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus leans against him as they walk. After a moment he begins to hum softly. It's tentative and a little worn out, but he puts as much hope as he can feel into it.

It's more than he would have thought, considering.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve puts an arm around him and kisses his hair.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus lets out another slow breath, relaxing against him.

"Beautiful."