The tears don't last. He swallows them down, Swallows them down. Squeezes his grief until his throat feels like it's a solid knot and his eyes burn. He straightens, but there's no room to back away from her.

He tries to wipe his eyes on his tie - useless - and wriggles his shirt cuff up enough to use that instead.

Steve clears his throat. "When?"

He bends to retrieve the shield, settling it back on his arm. Captain America. Be Captain America. He clears his throat again. "When did it happen, I mean?"

How much time does he have to get ready? How much time to stop it?