My Dad, the Boy (*Man) Who Lives

February 13th 2012

It was 5 minutes to midnight, which meant that soon it would be Valentines’s day. Steve was on his couch with Peggy, drinking red wine. He’s been living with his first love for 5 months and they have been getting used to each other’s habits and personal spaces.

He still couldn’t believe his luck. He was supposed to be dead but here he was with his favorite girl, living the life he dreamt of before he went down with Schmidt’s plane. It’s like magic, or maybe it was since magic was real.

The Brooklyn man knew about magic not long after he was injected by the serum. He ran into several of their kinds, accidentally. He caught them in a battle of magic after one of his war bonds’ tour. Ironically, it was near Salem.

Since getting this serum, he didn’t need too much time to rest and sleep, although his appetite has increased four times more than the usual. He was strolling around at midnight, minding his own business since he couldn’t sleep. Everybody has rested for the night so nobody was around, at least near the edge of the town.

Then he saw some amazing light show in the forest, but he couldn’t see any electricity cable nor sound or ruckus, which was weird. Intrigued, he walked to the forest. Suddenly, he was hit by a sudden push to go in the other direction and away from the forest, which was weirder.

Curiosity won and he pushed through the invisible barrier or repellant. His skin felt clammy as he went through the path before he could breathe easily again. What he saw after was interesting to say.

Fast forward, he apparently saved someone important in America’s wizarding community from a dark wizard. So, he has been granted knowledge about their community.

He might have been feeling incredulity and suspicion when the wizard asked for his name, so he told him that his name was Grant Rogers. Steve still remembered the look on Howard’s younger son’s face when he told them the story after he confronted Howard about whether or not Harry and Tony were wizards since he could feel a strange yet familiar feeling when the inventor first introduced him to his family.

You’re Grant Rogers?! You’re in my history book, capsicle. The first no-maj to be granted the privilege of knowing about magic and even saved President Picquery’s son. Merlin! You’re even a hero before you became Captain America.

The patriot felt embarrassed ; yet, proud that he had saved someone very important to the wizarding world. And maybe, just maybe this was magic’s way of turning back the favor.

His present life was a dream he never thought he would ever had. The life he wouldn’t trade for anything.

With the money he got from the military (Howard helped with his military connection) and Captain America’s franchise, he didn’t have to work for the rest of his life. He didn’t know about Peggy, but they were both alright in the economy department. Their life was good.

It was almost a routine with how Steve woke up in the morning to jog and Peggy doing some morning yoga. Eating bagels that Steve bought for breakfast together with coffee brewed by Pegs. Then they cooked lunch together before going for sightseeing. Taking afternoon stroll before eating dinner outside, but mostly they ate at home with home cooked meals and spent their time together in front tv, helping Steve caught up with the future with documentaries, movies and reality shows.

They have even been called old married couple by the Starks, mostly Tony and Howard, but in a good annoying way, not mocking. Steve always blushed whenever they teased him about how sweet and gentleman-like he was around Peggy. Well, Peggy was a Lady and she should be treated like one.

The former captain loved his dame no matter how old she looked. She’s forever young in his eyes. He just wished everybody besides the Starks (even Potters) and their friends could see his love for his girl.

In public, they saw them as the grandson and his grandma. Some of the modern dames even tried to flirt with him by complimenting on his closeness to his ‘grandma’ and how Peggy was lucky to have him as a grandson. Peggy would laugh at it with a look of amusement before Steve’s face reddened and he stopped their advances by telling them that he’s already in a relationship.

In recent occasion, an older gentleman even tried to hit on Peggy, which he hated viciously. Oddly, when they were on dates in some of the restaurants, the waiters and waitresses would talk behind their back, which they could hear clearly with the super soldier serum in their veins.

Sometimes they would say he was lucky to get a sugar mama (whatever that meant). Others mocked him for using the old lady for her money. The rest were disgusted that such a sweet old lady could take advantage of a young handsome man and his ‘poor’ situation.

He didn’t care what they said about him, but the war hero hated what they said about Peggy even before she told him what a sugar mama and cougar meant. Those terms were very disrespectful for women with certain life-style.

That’s why he was reluctant to dine outside, not because he was ashamed of his girl, but because he wanted to protect his dame’s feelings. Behind that smile and confidence, he knew Peggy was bothered by their notions about their relationship.

Peggy never tried to usher him to date other people, because Steve had stated firmly that he lost Peggy not long ago and thus his feelings for her still remained as it was before. He didn’t want other woman, just her, no matter how many wrinkles she has now.

“What are you thinking?” The black-haired woman in dark blue short sleeve dress next to him asked, her red delectable lips curled up into a smile.

Steve never regretted staying with Peggy for the past few months. He would love her even if she has three hands and four legs. But now she looked as young as the day he last seen her and Steve couldn’t help but reminisce on the day he saw her with that beautiful red dress. He felt in love with her that day, just as much as the day he met her again last year, old as she was and again when she became young a week ago.

Twelve days ago…

They were washing dishes as usual that night after dinner when the loud sound of pop appeared in the middle of their dining room. Steve was forced to stand in defense position while Peggy held her small glock in her hands pointing at the source of the sound.

It happened to be Howard, Harry and Tony. Behind them, stood a male with long black hair in a suit. They came with magic, again. Steve had no problem against the use of magic, but they could at least called first before barging in like this.

“Howard, “ Peggy put her gun down but didn’t put it away. She sounded calm yet there’s a hint of danger to her tone. “Explain.”

“Well, you see…” Howard smiled sheepishly.

Steve prompted them to sit down before Howard started talking. As he began making a pot of tea, the old genius told them about doing something that was impossible, at least it sounded impossible to him.

It started when Harry, his oldest son and also his youngest son’s biological father (their family tree still confused him until now) discussed to him about the possibility of creating a serum or potion for turning someone younger than their supposed age.

Steve put the teapot and cups too hard on the table as he turned his gaze towards Peggy when the topic of their conversation came forward. The Brit only stared harder at Howard.

Then the story continued with them bringing Tony into the discussion and doing some experimentation, but then Howard’s son, Harry started talking about London and they got off the topic with a some sort of talk about the aethir or aethur. He asked Tony’s help to create a sort of metal holder for the magic thingy because he was a metal charmer, wizard’s job type of thing, that’s why they had to stop with the research for a while.

Steve taken a seat after pouring the tea into all cups when Tony started talking about the mechanism of the holder. Thank God Howard stopped him from further talking about science. Harry then introduced them to Loki, stating that he’s a Norse God, a life breathing God of Mischief.

Loki needed the holder to bring the aethur back to his home safely and the people (aliens) that should have made the containment would have to come here to measure the power behind the thing and so on. It was a good decision not to bring them here. They have enough encounter with aliens as it was if what Harry unsubtle way about alien attack was correct.

As a thank you, Loki who apparently was a powerful sorcerer God helped them with the research of the potion.

Steve searched for Peggy’s hand under the table and grabbed it gently. He could feel himself stopped breathing, anticipation filled him to the brim for what they would say next. The man dubbed the Norse God, Loki produced a closed vial of golden liquid out of his suit.

“After you drink this potion, you would regain your youth once more in one hour, “ Loki put the vial on the table, watching Peggy with a bored look before looking at Steve. “There will be a cost. You need to share this potion.”

“Why?” Peggy asked calmly.

“Even in Asgard, this potion has only been used when one suffers from grave wounds. In your mortal language, this potion is ‘the last resort’, “ Loki explained plainly, “And not many has the courage to use it, “ he looked at both of them with penetrating gaze.

Steve narrowed his eyes at the challenging tone he heard in the so called God’s voice. “Why not?”

“This potion will tie the drinkers’ life to each other, “ he calmly put his hands on his cup of tea. “Their souls will be intertwined and their life force will be accumulated before divided between the two. When one die, the other shall perish as well. It is mostly use by a warrior and his life partner, therefore it was essentially called the One’s Promised potion.”

Neither Steve nor Peggy said a word. Howard asked his sons and Loki to leave the room for a minute.

Howard, with an unreadable look on his face gripped Peggy’s shoulder. “If you decide to go through with this, Peg, you would need a new identity and we will need to take care of your ‘funeral’ arrangement. You also need to take care of your will and last minute arrangements.”

“Howie, is there no other way?”

“Well, not without interfering with the serum in your blood, Pegs, “ he informed her with a sad look. “ Best case, you become younger but has the physical frailty of your real age. We didn’t want to risk it.”

He gave Steve a sidelong look. “At least with this potion, you will have the chance to start anew. Have the life you dreamt about before the plane crashed. Maybe no kids, since this potion wouldn’t be able to help you with that part of your biology, but people would not think twice about your relationship anymore.”

After that, Howard went home with his sons and the alien God, leaving the couple to think about the life-changing decision ahead of them. The golden liquid seemed to taunt them with its shimmering look.

Steve had made his decision even after Loki told them about the side effect. It wouldn’t be the first time he got experimented. But they needed to make the decision together.

The former soldier could feel Peggy’s hand gripping his under the table. “I won’t take it.”

Steve knew what’s on her mind immediately. “Peggy…”

She turned around to face him with a concerned look on his face. “I have lived my life fully and you are still so, “ she cupped his face. Steve couldn’t help but leaned onto her hand, “ so young. You have your whole life ahead of you, Steve. Don’t waste it on this old lady.”

“I didn’t, “ he grabbed her hand. “You’re my life. I only see you in my future. You are my future, Peggy.”

“Steve, “ she sighed tiredly.

“Please?”

“I don’t want to destroy your future for the past.”

“To me, the past was only 7 months ago, honey, “ he smiled. “It wasn’t that long. So, if you didn’t want to use the potion, I won’t force you to. But don’t use me as a reason not to use it.”

She looked conflicted, but Steve just stroke his thumb over her fingers. “Whatever you decide, I will be with you until death do us part.”

“You are so dramatic, “ Peggy chuckled with sad eyes, “But you will never leave me, ever, will you?”

“Yes, “ Steve put his lips on her forehead gently. “Through sickness and health.”

After the fake funeral in London with the whole Stark clan presence was over, they went home a week ago to take the potion and she has changed her name into Peggy Williams. In Tony’s calculation, with their combine serum and Steve’s youthfulness, they would have up to 70 years to live together. It was surprisingly long and he could see how relieved Peggy was at the number.

“Just thinking about that rain check,” he kissed her hair.

“Oh?” She tilted her head to look at him. “I thought you forgot about the dance.”

“Never, “ he smiled widely and shrugged. “It’s just with Bu… James being alive and you and Howard still alive, the dance doesn’t seem that important. I’m just happy with the time we have.”

“And now?”

After a good enough practice using the Stark phone, Steve chose a song from his playlist and stood up, holding his hand for Peggy to take. “May I have this dance?”

The former SHIELD director smiled brilliantly as she took his hand, “Yes, you may.”

As the music flow, they began to dance slowly to the music with Peggy’s head resting on his chest and Steve was proud to say, he didn’t once step on Peggy’s foot. They danced until the day was over and Valentine came.

“Happy Valentine, Peggy, “ he leaned down to press his lips to hers.

He could feel her smiling against his lips while she whispered back, “ Happy Valentine, Steve.”

In the midst of his happiness, his thought flew to James. After everything he’s been through, Steve was happy for James. He found someone he cherished enough to spend this special day with. He didn’t care if that someone was a man. The only thing he cared about was that this man made his friend happy.

Smiling a secret smile, Steve hoped his best friend was happy as he was with that lover of his. After almost 70 years, they finally have their happiness.

***

Four hours ago, 6AM
Almost 10 hours ahead of NYC time, somewhere in Himalayas
February 14th 2012

Somewhere in the Himalayas, there’s a hidden monastery. A dark-brown haired man was standing close to the edge of the courtyard with a DSLR camera in his hands. He’s taking pictures of the magnificent view of the Himalayas mountain range just as the sun started to rise in the east.

Considering the location, the man didn’t appear to be cold with only a white dress shirt and black cardigan with black slacks. His hair was tied into a ponytail, but a couple of stray locks of bangs were still blown by the cool wind. It didn’t disturb the photographer from taking pictures.

“The view from up here always amazed me, “ James put his camera down as he twisted his head around to address his visitor. “I envied you. You got to see this every morning.”

A man with short black hair and goatee walked from behind the brunette with two cups of coffee and behind him a thick red cloak floated in the air. He’s wearing much thicker garments than the photographer. “I’m not much of a morning person.”

“And yet, here you are, “ the ex-assassin looked amused at the man.

“Red misses you, “ he tilted his head back to the levitating cloak, that immediately settled between James shoulders. He stroke the magic fabric between his thumb and finger, feeling warmth settled around him before looking at the man with the facial hair. “Is that so?”

“I might have missed my personal heater as well, “ he shrugged with a fond smile on his face as he gave the hot cup to James. With a flick of his hand, he conjured a long wooden bench.

They both sat down on the bench with their shoulders touching while looking at the view. The warm temperature of his skin seeped through James even with the barrier of their clothes.

“Thank you, “ the ex-brainwashed spy left his camera hanging on his neck to warm his hands around the cup.

There was a comfortable silence between the two while they blew their hot drinks to cool them down.

Almost a year ago, James stumbled upon this beautiful place when he visited Tibet. It was called Kamar-Taj, home to sorcerers and mystics. Different from Harry and Tony’s wizarding communities, this place offered ordinary people to learn the art of mystics. Only a few selected could find this place.

He’s been coming and going from this place with the excuse of going to Nepal, Tibet and the Himalayas for work. Truthfully, he was curious and intrigued by someone in Kamar-Taj. This person enamored him after a fortnight of him first staying with the community. And since then, he’s been coming back and forth from New York to Kamar-Taj and later he was picked up through teleportation by this person.

They’ve known each other for almost a year and for the last 7 months, they have been in a sort of romantic relationship. At first, there were just something comforting and solace about being around this person, who was dubbed the Sorcerer Supreme.

Stephen Vincent Strange was a doctor, a neurosurgeon to be exact. He opened up to him last night about the accidents that led him away from his renowned occupation and pointed him towards becoming who he is now.

James felt honored that Vince (he called him Vince since calling him ‘Stephen’ was just too long and ‘Steve’ was just too weird since that’s also his oldest friend’s name) opened up to him. With his dark past, he was reluctant to tell his lover about himself.

The matter was resolved when the sorcerer supreme told him that he could feel the magic on him but not in him, probably from Harry’s lingering protective charms on his person. He knew that James knew about the other wizarding community. Thus, James told him about Harry. He told him that Harry saved him, helped him to be who he is today but he couldn’t tell him about what he saved him from.

They were sitting against the headboard on their bed in Vince’s chamber. James stilled when the memories seeped through his mind. The blood and violence, but most of all the feeling of being a weapon that has no freedom made him felt…

“James.”

He blinked a couple times as his mind was brought back to the present. The photographer could feel the warm pressure behind his neck. He looked at his right and saw the concern behind his boyfriend’s eyes.

James was the winter soldier. The act of being vulnerable was never on his mind. He was supposed to be cool-headed. After all that he has been through, he should have been immune towards those memories. Feeling ashamed at himself, he directed his eyes towards his hands on the yak wool blanket.

The doctor put his other hand under his chin and tilted his face up until James looked at his face. “You don’t have to talk about it.”

“I…”

“I don’t expect you to,” he smiled forlornly. “We all have our own painful past. This place attracts lost souls after all. When you first came here, I can see scars in your soul.”

James could feel his heart stopped beating for a second at the other man’s confession.

“I knew by being here, you will have your peace. This place has that effect on most people,” he moved his hand down below and stayed on the center of his chest,” but even now your heart is not in Kamar-Taj.”

“Vince?”

“I want to…I just…” He put his forehead on his and closed his eyes, breathing out. “You don’t have to tell me. Not yet. We still have time,” their noses were closed enough to touch,” I just want to be that person for you. I want this.”

When he felt Vince’s hand rubbed against his chest, James could feel his heart beat faster at the man’s admission. He used to have trouble accepting himself as a bi, but the future has taught him to accept his sexuality for a decade now. Furthermore, since he was released from HYDRA’s brainwashing, he never once thought about having a relationship. (sexual relationship unaccounted)

Never in his life, he ever think about sharing or thinking about a future with someone, male or female. He always thought he would be surrounded by family but no one growing old by his side. No one he could call his own, his person.

He never thought he would find someone, anyone, especially an intelligent man more than a decade younger than him that he would be interested in.

“Yes, I… I want that,” he put his hand on the surgeon’s hand on his chest, looking at his boyfriend’s eyes earnestly. “I want that.”

Remembering their conversation from last night warmed his heart and without a doubt he could feel himself blushed.

“My daughter and her husband have some off days planned in the end of March,” James informed him, sipping on his warm coffee.

Vince hummed,” Do they have any destination in mind?”

“I was thinking about asking them to spend it here,” he tilted his head at him, hiding his anxiousness behind his compose expression.

The usual collected façade that his lover adapted shattered with a slack-jawed look he adopted at the moment. It was a good thing he didn’t drink his coffee yet, lest he choked on it.

He put his cup beside him immediately to focus on James. “Are you sure? It’s not because of what we talked about last night, is it?”

The Ex-winter soldier shook his head slowly,” I’ve been thinking about this for sometime, since she told me last week. And my daughter is very perceptive. She knew I didn’t travel to the Himalayas just for the view.”

“Do you mean this view?” Vince cocked an eyebrow smugly, waving his hand up and down at himself.

“Well, this is the main view,” he chuckled and gave him a small peck on the corner of his lips. “It drives me to keep coming back here.”

The man looked sheepish at the kiss. It’s a rarity occasion for the photographer to show his affection in public places.

“I want you to meet them,” he cupped his face, stroking the sorcerer’s goatee. “I want them to see the man who makes me laugh.”

“Only laugh?” He gave him a half-smile.

“Laugh,” he put his fingers on his forehead trailing down,” smile,” to his temple,” chases my nightmares away,” to his cheek,” holds me at night,” to his lips and lingered,” and most of all, you make me happy.”

His lips kissed James’ fingers softly,” I promise I will always make you happy.”

“I know,” he smiled fondly at the surgeon. “You don’t have to convince me. You just have to convince my daughter.”

He tapped Vince’s nose,” and my son.”

His boyfriend might not know that he was the father of the black widow or that his son-in-law was the youngest head of Auror in MACUSA; nevertheless, the prospect of meeting his family had put a worried look on his face.

He would be in for a surprise when he met them. And James couldn’t wait to see the doctor squirmed on the spot.

James pushed his face closer to his boyfriend’s and kissed him tenderly on his lips, “ Happy Valentine, mi verano.”

His pet name for the supreme sorcerer was ‘my summer’. As corny as it sounded, he was the summer to his winter. The season that melted his heart with his witty arrogance yet always considerate and empathetic towards people’s needs, especially his.

“Happy Valentine, “ the doctor kissed him back as softly while putting his arm around his waist, prompting them closer and pushing them to share more of their body heat together.

He was as happy as he could be at this moment. Knowing that Steve, his best friend would celebrate the same day later with the love of his life, he truly felt fortunate.

Their happiness were never meant to be in the past. It was there waiting for them in the future. All those hardships they have endured were meant to happened so that they could have their forever after in this moment.

As he looked into Vince’s eyes, James thought to himself, he and Steve were truly blessed with Vince and Peggy.

***