After multiple run-ins with death and many shocking self-discoveries in the course of a few months, all America Evans wants to do is hide away in Washington with Steve until she finds out who she really is. But life as an Avenger doesn't allow for a...
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STEVE'S POV
They usher me into an office with glass walls, showing off a clear view of the control room. These two interns are the ones to bring me here, and they're both a little more than awestruck even though I am technically a criminal.
Captain America, a criminal. Who would've thought? Not me, certainly. But if I've learned one thing, it's that never ceases to surprise.
Mer thought I was perfect. She told me that, all those years ago when Tony locked us in a closet. You're Captain America. You're good, and strong, and well, perfect. A golden boy. She was wrong. I'm an absolute mess. Some people are just better at hiding it than others.
She'd be surprised at how much I remember, but I fell in love with her long before she even considered me a friend.
Is she mad at me? It was hard to tell. She didn't tell me she was going to escape the compound, but I didn't tell her that Peggy had died. Surprised is too weak of a word to describe me when I found her in Bucharest. Not to mention the fact that somehow, Anna is alive. Anna. I lost her the same day I lost Buck. She fought with us and fell with him. But apparently, I didn't lose either of them.
"Hey, you wanna see something cool? I pulled something from Dad's archives. Felt timely." Tony offers me a small, black case. I didn't even hear him come in. "FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in 1941. Provided support to the Allies when they needed it most."
I smile a bit and shake my head when I open the case to find a set of pens. "Some would say it brought our country closer to war."
"See? If not for these, you wouldn't be here. I'm trying to... what do you call it? That's an olive branch. Is that what you call it?"
I change the subject. "Is Pepper here? I didn't see her."
"We're kinda... well, not kinda..."
"Pregnant?" I guess jokingly. The idea of Tony trying to be a father does bring a smile to my face.
The idea of me as one makes that smile brighter, but I keep it to myself. I know America was concerned, but you really never do know. I felt so bad for her that night she cried in my arms, and so angry at Hydra, the people who had put my girl through so much pain and caused her so much uncertainty. I'm just grateful that I have her for the rest of my life.
"No. Definitely not." He shakes his head, letting out a short, disbelieving laugh. "We're taking a break. It's nobody's fault."
He's not a great actor. It's easy to see the pain in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Tony. I didn't know."
He shrugs. "A few years ago, I almost lost her, so I trashed all my suits. Then, we had to mop up HYDRA, and then Ultron. My fault. And then, and then, and then, I never stopped. Because the truth is I don't wanna stop. I don't wanna lose her. I thought maybe the Accords could split the difference." He stands and begins pacing. "In her defense, I'm a handful. Yet, Dad was a pain in the ass, but he and Mom always made it work."
