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[starspangled]

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[technologist]

[ Fitz isn't entirely sure he'd be able to muster that much faith. But maybe, if it was the only way to help Skye, or Jemma, or— anyone, basically. And he'd briefly considered using the machine that brought Coulson back from the dead. That's probably worse, in the long run.

There's a pause as he mulls it over, chewing on his nails and trying to figure out how to say what he wants to say without spilling too many details. ]

It's weird, the way different people end up with powers.

[ Vague observations, that'll do. ]

[starspangled]

I guess so.

[And how to figure out what he wants to say without scaring him away.]

It seems like something you've given a little bit of thought to.

[technologist]

No.

Sort of.
I suppose it's just interesting how many of them have turned out to be heroes instead of
well, the other thing.

[ Though the scale seems to be tipping, thanks to certain alien artifacts. ]

But it's just the same as any weapon, isn't it. Just a matter of who's holding it.

[starspangled]

You've got it right there. The serum in me is pretty much the same one that was inside the Red Skull. He didn't become a villain because of the serum. He became a villain because those things were already inside him, and what he chose to do with what the serum gave him.

[technologist]

Like what happened in Harlem, with the two hulks.

[ Duel, Terror, whatever. He isn't a fan of the tabloid titles. ]

Can I ask who else asked about Dr. Banner? Or did they ask you not to tell anyone.

[starspangled]

Not in so many words. But I'm not sure they'd want me to say.

If you guessed, though, I wouldn't lie.

[technologist]

[ So there's a solid chance this is him outing Skye, but there are also only so many people from their dimension, here. The odds are fairly straightforward.

Hopefully. Maybe?? ]

Is it someone I know?

[starspangled]

[Well he outed Bucky, so they have that in common.]

Would it be a problem if it was?

[technologist]

No. It just makes sense, it's got to be someone from the same place.

[ And another second to chew on his nails, then: ]

Was it Skye?

[starspangled]

It was.

Fitz, what's going on?

[technologist]

I don't know if I'm allowed to tell you.

[ He trusts him, oddly enough, but it's Captain America; difficult not to. It just isn't his secret to tell. ]

Sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up.

[starspangled]

You didn't tell me anything that I wasn't already wondering about. But whatever it is that you're struggling with, whether it's you or Skye, you don't have to deal with it by yourselves.

[technologist]

[ uGHHHHHHh.

Long delay, this time. Enough so to make it seem like maybe he's dropped the conversation. And, to be fair, it takes him a while to type this out; once he has, he sends before he can regret it. ]

Just before we were brought here, something changed. And it's complicated because of how it happened and why it happened, and now Skye doesn't trust herself. But I do, and I don't know how to help her.

[starspangled]

Can you tell me what happened?

[technologist]

Alien tech. Or artifacts.

We aren't sure, exactly, and I haven't got any way to run tests. But I think it might've changed her.

[ And here's the point of no return, sent as a separate text a few seconds later: ]

I think she's causing earthquakes.

[starspangled]

All the questions about Doctor Banner are starting to make sense.

She can't control it, can she?

[technologist]

She's stopped it before. But I think she's scared, and it's making it worse.

[starspangled]

Then she can stop it again. Skye strikes me as the kind of girl who can do anything she wants when she sets her mind to it. But you know her better than I do. Should I say something?

[technologist]

I don't know. I don't think so, at least not yet. But I thought maybe it'd be best if someone else knew, in case I can't help.

[starspangled]

You're a good friend, Fitz. Not everyone would be this accepting.

[technologist]

[ senpai :') ]

Skye would.

[ Which is meant as an explanation, not an argument. And while saying thank you to something like that feels super ridiculous, manners seem verY IMPORTANT here. And really, it doubles as gratitude for the entire conversation. ]

Thanks

[starspangled]

Yeah, I can believe that.

If there's anything I can help with, you know where I am.