File:Catch a falling star 1 by phoenixmetaphor.jpg

In a flash, the consoles went dark. Somewhere behind the carefully marked lines, space twisted, mass and energy folding in on each other like fabric. Through watering eyes, he saw the wide open space of the Hub's control station, the collapsed rubble and twisted floor, splashes of blood that arced too high to have been from any small wound. Tony draped across the central console, skin white-blue clinging like it was the only thing holding him up.

And overhead, a piece of ceiling hung midair, frozen in time.

"Go go go there's no time go," Val yelled over the sound of the ring being torn apart. "He's breaking it!"

Steve didn't pause, didn't think. He jumped.

Time in the Hub roared back to life, dust and metal particles burning Steve's throat as he gagged on them. Bare feet skidded on crumbled floor and broken metal. The pieces cut into his heels, smearing blood in his wake. He staggered forward, throwing himself against Tony's back and grabbing his hands.