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Language:
English
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Published:
2022-06-10
Updated:
2024-09-14
Words:
3,970
Chapters:
6/27
Comments:
2
Kudos:
17
Bookmarks:
3
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445

Ain't No Compass, Ain't No Map

Summary:

It's an old song. It's a sad song. But we sing it anyway...

Steve journeys to the Underworld to save his love. And the world.

Notes:

I can't get Hadestown out of my blood and I'm now making it everyone else's problem. Obviously, Hadestown is a tragedy, so reader beware, but I hope you enjoy it! (Also I may have a thing or two up my sleeve.)

Each chapter now comes with the song and particular lyric that inspired it! Personally, I always vote for listening along wherever you listen to music, though it isn't necessary!

Chapter 1: It's An Old Song (Prologue)

Summary:

"It's an old song. It's an old tale from way back when. It's an old song and that is how it ends. That's how it goes. Don't ask why, brother, don't ask how he could have come so close. The song was written long ago and that is how it goes.

It's a sad song. It's a sad tale. It's a tragedy. It's a sad song. But we sing it anyway.

'Cause here's the thing: to know how it ends and still begin to sing it again, as if it might turn out this time." -Road to Hell (Reprise)

Chapter Text

She could never love me. What can I offer? I abandoned her once. Why would she follow me now? What if it was a trick? She’s not here. He wouldn’t have let her go. She’s already gone.

The light approaches. Just there. Just a few more steps… He can’t hear her behind him. Doubt. She’s not there. She can’t be there. Have the gods tricked him? What if he steps through to the light and he’s alone still? They’re so close. Surely… He turns. 

The sound that tears from her throat leaves a permanent chill in his veins. 

“It’s you,” Steve whispers, air rushing around them.

“It’s me,” Peggy says and as long as he lives, he’ll never forget her face, cracked wide open with grief. “Steve…”

“Peggy.”

The ground opens as Peggy stumbles to her knees. He’s frozen to the spot, reaching for her in vain. A tear drops to the dirt below her. She’s gone in the blink of an eye.

Steve collapses, tears hot on his cheeks.

It’s an old tale. 

It’s a sad song. 

The ending never changes. And yet we tell it again and again in the vain, glorious hope that maybe this time it will turn out alright. 

That this time he won’t turn, that this time there will be happiness. That spring will come again.

We’re going to tell it again.