Just An Ordinary Day Until It Wasn’t
Carol was doing John a favor. She offered to cover him at the Pro Shop so he could go to his kid’s game. She didn’t mind the low key downtime since Monica could go to Kid’s Club while she worked and that meant Maria could get some well deserved rest. It wasn’t like the pro club was ever that busy or anything exciting ever happened.
She had noticed the long haired brunette when he walked in waving nonchalantly to a blonde guy who remained at the door stretching.
The guy eventually made his way to the counter and the two exchanged pleasantries as she rang up his string and grip. It was all fine and extremely routine until she’d gone to hand him the identification card for his racket.
He’d uttered a curse and just kind of gave her a blank stare. Before she could really assess what his problem was she noticed the man staring at her wrist.
Just as either of them moved to speak the blonde guy came over and seemingly all hell broke loose.
“Oh…” The blonde said not looking away from her wrist.
“Fuck…” the brunette echoed.
“You know it’s rude to stare at someone’s soul mark right?” She asked moving to hand the brunette the identification card again. “Fill this out and stop staring at me.” She snapped.
The harshness in her tone seemed to snap the brunette back into his senses. He quickly filled out the card and handed it back.
“James Barnes,” she read aloud just in time for James' blonde companion to come partially out of his stupor.
“Oh my God…” Steve said, looking at her wrist. He took a deep breath and looked at her so confused. “I thought I would feel more…”
Carol made an annoyed face, “What are you talk-“ it was her turn to pause as the blonde removed his soul mark band.
“It is a match…” he said placing his arm next to her’s.
“Would you look at that?” She said just as removed and sort of dejected. “Would you mind if I take a photo to show my fiancée?”
“Fiancée?” The blonde repeated.
Carol smiled and nodded, “Yeah, his name's Peter. I had to forcibly remove him and his buddies from our golf course like 4 years ago and the rest is history.” She said laughing a little at the fond memory.
“Ugh me too.” The blonde said suddenly. “I have a fiancée well boyfriend. He’s great, his name is Tony and oh I’m Steve!” He said all at once.
James just looked at Steve, “Yeah Steve, that was really convincing.”
“It’s true.” Steve said, taking out his phone to show his locked screen. He and Tony at trivia night. Between Tony’s natural genius and Steve’s love of history they almost always crushed it. Forget about team night when it was The Avengers all night long crushing any and everyone else.
“Aw he’s cute.” She said taking a picture with her free hand of their two wrists and sending it off.
A second later her phone started ringing.
Carol laughed and switched the phone to voicemail. “He’s on the course today if he’s so concerned he’ll come over himself.” She said before looking at James. “Well Mr. Barnes now that we have that handled shall we see your racket?”
James nodded, “That would be great.” He handed over his forgotten racket and credit card.
Steve continued to just stand there dumbly as they finished their transaction.
“It was nice meeting you Steve,” Carol said, offering her hand. “My name's Carol by the way and I’m just covering here today for John.”
Steve shook her hand and again seemed confused but he offered her a polite smile, “It was nice to meet you Carol.”
With that behind them James and Steve left the Pro Shop.
Carol finally turned to look at her phone to see 17 missed calls and a text that simply read: 💨😰🏚️ OMW!
A few minutes later dressed in a proper golfer’s outfit walked in a brunette beefcake looking around suspiciously. If it was anyone else Carol would have said something but this was Peter.
“Well where is he?” The former frat boy asked looking around the shop.
“Oh you just missed him.” She teased moving around the counter. “Relax Mr.Quill I’m not changing my plans to be with you just yet.”
Peter then seemed to let out a breath he had not even realized he was holding. “Well I’d hope not. That venue is non refundable.”
“Don’t tempt me. I bet Steve would look quite handsome in a suit.” She said offhandedly.
Peter made a disgruntled sound.
She tapped his chest and gave him a kiss on the cheek, “Relax Peter, our bond is clearly platonic, he said he’s also engaged and to a little brunette if the picture I saw was anything to go by.”
Peter made another disgruntled sound and she missed him again. “What hole did you leave the guys stranded on?”
“The 13 by the water feature they’ll live.” Peter replied taking her hand. “I’m just going to stay here until your shifts over now.” He said taking her and going back behind the counter.
Normally Carol would hate needy displays like this but it showed her how much Peter really cared about her. They both knew she could handle herself but these little acts meant a lot to both of them.
Though she was going to talk to him later about driving the golf carts across the green like that and haphazardly parking them across the walkways. But that could wait till later.
So she’d finally met her soulmate and while brief and interesting, she felt nothing change in her, which was good. She couldn’t wait to get home and tell Gamora and Maria all about it.
To think covering for John had led to something interesting and unexpected.