Chapter 3
Steve woke up to hear his alarm ringing loudly in his ear. He groaned and rubbed his eyes hitting snooze. He rubbed his eyes and turned to see Mary who was peacefully sleeping next to him. He kissed her forehead and yawned getting up to go make her breakfast. As he stretched his shoulder he took a double look at the clock. His eyes widened seeing it was 8:00 am, Mary was supposed to be walking into school at this time.
“Shit, Mary! Wake up you’re late!” he said quickly getting up to make her something quick to eat. He ran to the kitchen and sighed opening their small fridge to see he forgot to go grocery shopping over the weekend. He grabbed 2 cookies and what was left of the milk setting it on the table. He ran into the room changing his pants and struggling to do that while looking for a shirt. He turned to see Mary groaning about not wanting to go.
“I don’t need school.”
“Yes, you do now let’s go. Chop Chop!” he said looking for her clothes and throwing them onto the bed.
“No!” she stood her ground throwing the sheet over her head. “Mary either you get up now or I take you to school like that.” She groaned and reluctantly got up getting changed. She was giving him the silent treatment in the kitchen while he told her to eat.
“Mary you can give me all the silent treatment you want but you have to eat” she shrugged and grabbed the cookie rolling her eyes. He crouched down and brushed her hair back making sure her hair didn’t look messy. He put it into a tight ponytail and gave a kiss on her head.
The moment she finished eating he grabbed her bag and carried her down the stairs as fast as he could. He opened the garage doors and sat Mary in front of him on the bike. Before he left he ran into Bucky.
“Isn’t the kid supposed to be in school by now?”
“Yeah, I'll be back in a few. Open up and check if we have any appointments.”
He flipped the helmet down and drove out. He went as fast as he could while remaining safe for Mary. He quickly parked in front of the school and took Mary’s hand running in. He went inside breathing heavily, but not as much as Mary. He caught her teacher Ms.Foster taking papers to the office.
“Ms.Foster! I’m so sorry we’re late I had some issues with my alarm and it’s my faul-”
“It’s alright, it’s alright don’t worry I’ll take her to class with me.” she grabbed Mary’s hand and smiled at her. He passed Mary’s bag and gave her a quick thank you before turning down to Mary.
“I love you, have a good day.” She was still giving the silent treatment so he just huffed and placed a kiss on her forehead before thanking Ms. Foster again. He walked back to his bike more calmly now and sighed. He made his way back to the shop seeing Bucky finish a call with a client most likely.
He got off-putting his helmet on the rack and walking over to Bucky. “Anything for today?”
“Nope, it was a cancellation,” Bucky said, crossing his arms while Steve took a long breath and erased the appointment on the whiteboard.
“Alright well, then another day of waiting I guess.” He sat down while Bucky stared him down as if he was waiting for something.
“What?”
“What do you mean what? Tell me what happened last night.”
Steve groaned and threw a rag at Bucky, “Nothing happened, he brought pizza we ate. Kids had fun and we talked about random stuff that’s it.”
“Well, what’d you talk about?”
“Nothing much my discharge, army, the shop. His work, kids normal stuff I guess.”
“Does he know about Peggs?”
Steve nodded slowly, “He doesn’t know the details, but yeah.” Bucky patted his shoulder with a sympathetic smile.
“Did you make a move on him?”
“Oh yeah sure right after I told him about my dead fiance.” Steve snapped.
Bucky sighed, “I’m sorry. No, I didn’t I mean he's probably got a girlfriend or a secret wife up in that tower of his. So no, I didn’t make a move.”
“Doubt it, but whatever you say.” He said, spinning a tool on his hand.
“He gave me his number.” Steve spit out quickly making Bucky smirk.
“So he made the move on you.”
“I’d hardly call it that. Probably just for the kids to hang out again.”
“Did he say that?” before Steve could answer he just nodded no. “What exactly did he say then?” Steve reminisced to Tony’s words.
“He said he’d like to do it again, kids or no kids,” Steve said quietly. Bucky dropped the tool in his hand and grabbed Steve’s collar. “You idiot he was totally making a pass at you! He practically told you to ask him out!”
Steve just nodded no not wanting to make assumptions. 'It’s not like Tony Stark would like some guy like me'.
“I’m just saying Peggs would want you to move on.”
“You act like I haven’t gone out before. I’ve been on plenty of dates!”
“Sharon doesn’t count she turned out to be a lesbian” Steve rolled his eyes knowing he was right. Maybe he hadn’t gotten out a lot, but that’s because he has the only person he needs in his life, Mary. “Let's drop it, alright?”
“Whatever you say punk,” Bucky said heading out to organize the tools again. Steve sighed and reached into his pocket pulling out the card Tony gave him. He took his phone out and dialed the first 3 digits, but he stopped himself. ‘It’s too soon I can’t just call him the day after seeing him.’ he thought to himself putting his phone away. He decided to wait at least a few days before reaching out, it was not like Tony was waiting for him to call or anything.
A week and a half had passed since that day and Steve hadn’t called Tony once. He had almost forgotten he had his number. It was Thursday and he was closing up when he reached for the lock and the same card fell out. He picked it up and locked the doors. He thought maybe now was reasonable enough time to call him. He dialed the number and although he hesitated, he clicked the call button. It rang a few times and Steve tapped his foot anxiously. He was about to end the call when he heard it pick up.
“Hello?”
“Oh hey Tony this is Steve uhm Rogers, Steve Rogers don’t know if you remember me.” Steve slapped himself mentally thinking how stupid he sounds.
“How could I forget a guy like you, Rogers. I’d been waiting to see when I’d get a call from you.”
Steve sighed wanting to apologize, 'Sorry I’m acting like a teenage girl who waits days to call'.
“Yeah, I’m sorry it’s just work and Mary. Just a little busy I bet you know how that is.”
“Of course no worries, so what can I do for you.”
“Oh well I was just wondering well every once in a while I let Mary pick a place to go and well we go there on Friday after school. Get her ice cream or something and then we pick a place for dinner. I was just thinking that maybe Peter would like to join us, and well obviously you too unless you’re busy I get it. It’s the aquarium and well It’ll be fun” Steve spoke quickly waiting for the rejection.
“Well it’s been a while since I’ve been to the aquarium and I think Peter would love it”
Steve let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding in the entire time.
“Oh great! Well, we could meet at the front gates at 4:30, is that okay?”
“Sounds great we’ll see you then- Peter put that down! I’ll see you tomorrow Rogers bye” He hung up before Steve could say goodbye, but listening to the last part of the call he wasn’t gonna hold it against him. He could feel the dorkish smile across his face, but he didn’t know why he was so happy Tony said yes. He heard Mary call out his name probably over dinner so he made his way upstairs smiling the whole way there.
The afternoon of the next day came by quickly as Steve went to pick up Mary. She smiled running over to Steve hugging him. “Peter told me he’s coming with us to the aquarium! Is that true?”
“Yeah, he and his dad are meeting us there which is why we need to hurry home.” He set her in front of him on the bike and made his way back to the garage. He changed his shirt and grabbed a satchel which had 2 journals and pencils. He grabbed a jacket for Mary and they walked back down.
“Sam, you can still lock upright?”
“Yeah yeah, you guys go have fun.”
Steve smiled and they got back on the bike and drove off to New York's aquarium. He parked his bike and they made way to the gate. He looked around till he finally saw Peter and Tony standing around waiting. He smiled and he walked over letting Mary run after them first. Steve heard Mary say hi and start giggling with Peter.
“Hey Tony how um how are you?”
“I’m doing good Captain, and yourself?”
“Better than ever” Steve could tell he had that dorkish smile on him again. He just couldn’t help it. “So we should get inside” Tony nodded and they all walked inside. They walked to the ticket purchase area. As they waited in line Steve counted up the money he had to have. ‘Why is it so god damn expensive to see some colorful fish?’ he thought to himself. They all walked up to the booth and the lady asked “how many?”
“Four, 2 adults and 2 kids please.” As she typed on the computer he grabbed his military ID out sliding over the table.
“Thank you for your service, Mr.Rogers.” She said, giving him a smile after looking at the ID.
“I appreciate that thank you,” he said as he could see Tony giving him a small smile.
“Alright well with the military discount included the total is 101.82 dollars, cash or credit?” Steve thought for a moment wondering if he had enough cash on him. “Cas-”
“Credit” he heard Tony say as he slid a platinum credit card.
“Tony you don’t have to pay for the tickets, I invited you.” Steve suddenly felt very embarrassed because he took so long to think, maybe Tony thought he was waiting for him to pay.
“Nonesess Rogers I want to. Thank you” he said as he took the tickets and receipt back.
“Let me pay for our tickets Tony, you didn’t have to do that.” Steve had his ‘pleading puppy dog eyes’ as Bucky liked to say on.
“If it’s so important to you, I’ll let you pay for dinner. Now the fish await us, let's not let the rascals wait any longer.” Steve chuckled nodding as the kids dragged them through the line for metal detectors. They all passed by and checked inside Steve’s satchel when finally they made it into the aquarium.
“Come on let's go I can see the fish!” Mary said getting ready to bolt over to the tanks. They all walked over to tanks that had weird bluefish. “Did you bring the books dad?” Steve nodded taking out 2 sketchbooks. A smaller one which was Mary’s and the bigger one for Steve. He handed her the purple pencil she chose and she began trying to draw the fish she liked. She ripped out a paper for Peter and Steve handed him a pencil.
“Didn’t know we were going all artsy today.”
“Oh yeah well whenever we go out to places like this we bring these sketchbooks out. Draw whatever we like about the place we’re in.” Steve said.
“You draw?”
“Oh well, I guess I mean it’s not all that good.”
“I don’t believe you let me see a few of them.” Steve was reluctant but handed him the sketchbook. He watched as Tony flipped through sketches of landscapes, Mary, and other things he’s drawn. Steve watched as Tony smiled and had his eye’s wide. “These are incredible Steve! I mean you’ve got real talent here.”
“Oh come on you act like I’m Monet”
“Well, he would’ve been scared at the talent right here, just saying.” Steve just laughed and tried to keep down the blush that was making its way across his cheeks. He handed him the sketchbook back and they kept walking.
They were finished walking around the aquarium in about 2 and a half hours. During that time Tony had already bought the kids each a stuffed animal, candy, and bought Mary a necklace with a dolphin on it. As they all left the aquarium they watched as Peter and Mary ran around.
“You shouldn’t have spoiled Mary like that I mean she didn’t need a walrus stuffed animal.”
“You’re no fun Rogers plus let me be, I like spoiling these kids.” They both chuckled when Peter and Mary came up.
“Dad, can we go get burgers from the place we like? The one near your old school.” Mary asked, smiling. Steve looked over at Tony before saying yes.
“Count me in Rogers, me and my boy are suckers for cheeseburgers.”
“Alright well here let me send you the address and we’ll meet you there.” Steve took his phone out and sent him the address.
“See you there Rogers’”
They each walked to their vehicles and Steve put all their belongings in the back while putting on the helmets and making Mary put on her jacket. They drove off making way to the small diner that Steve used to go to all the time. They got to the place first so they waited outside to see yet another one of Tony’s cars drive up to park next to his bike. Tony and Peter got out meeting with them again.
Steve opened the door for Peter and Mary letting them walk in first then Tony.
“You used to go to school around here I hear?”
“Yeah the high school I went to is not that far away. Used to spend a lot of my time here-” He was cut off guard as he ran into someone.
“Watch where you’re- oh if it isn’t Rogers.”
“Rumlow,” Steve said, glaring back at the man in front of him. Mary and Peter had already sat down thank god. He watched as Rumlow turned his head to see Tony next to him, he scoffed.
‘Can’t say I’m surprised”
“If you’re gonna say something go ahead and say it.”
“Oh I’m good plus I need to get going.” He looked around the diner and gave a sly smile. “Being here brings back memories right Rogers?” He walked past Steve who was close to clocking him in his stupid face. He took a deep breath and walked over to Mary and Peter.
“No you two sit there.” Peter pointed to the other booth.
“Are we not allowed here,” Tony asked, rolling his eyes.
“Nope you aren’t go go now,” Mary said smiling and Steve gave her an ‘I know what you’re trying to do’ look. To be frank he wasn’t gonna mind it.
“Alright fine,” Steve said walking over to the booth who was followed by Tony. They sat down in front of each other and ordered their food along with drinks. “Not that it’s any of my business, but what happened back there.”
Steve rubbed his face and sighed, “Me and him have well history you could say.”
“Ooh, bitter ex’s” Tony joked as Steve’s eyes widened.
“I’d rather die,” Steve said chuckling. “But uh no we used to go to school together. Since we were kids, and well he used to bully me, all the way through high school.” He watched as Tony’s posture changed and he seemingly had a sympathetic and almost protective set of eyes. “I was a weak kid, never was the quote on quote cool kid. Never really had any friends except for my pal Bucky, who I told you a little bit about last time. But uh Rumlow he always picked on me and when he meant memories it was because almost every time I was here he would find me and beat me up in the alleyways nearby.”
“ Like father like son.”
“Yeah which is why I always taught Mary to never let anyone be mean to her, and to protect others.”
“Like my Petey,” he said, frowning as he looked over to see them playing with straws. “He acts like he hates you.”
“That he does.” Steve saw Tony’s face of confusion and he realized maybe he should explain. “Well, uhm Senior year apparently I had hit puberty and well-grown a lot. Enough that people stopped messing with me other than teasing here and there. Brock had a girlfriend, Peggy Carter, she was the prettiest girl in school along with nicest and fiercest. They broke up a few months into senior year. I had always had a crush on her and thought hey maybe now’s my chance. She said yes to dating me and well we went to prom together, moved in together after school was over. While she studied here I left for the Army. She was pregnant, with Mary and well. I told you she passed, and I was overseas when it happened. Brock blames me for her death. Say’s if she had stayed with him none of that would’ve happened. He might be right about that.”
Tony put his hand over Steve’s and turned his head. “Don’t listen to what idiots like him say. I may not know what happened, but I have a strong feeling it wasn’t your fault. And my gut rarely fails me.”
Steve chuckled now realizing they were close to holding hands. The waitress came back with their drinks making them both jump back letting go. Steve had a small blush over his cheeks and Tony had a sly smile. They changed the subject onto Tony talking about his day and more of what he does.
Tony was telling a story about him and his friend Rhodey, but he couldn’t get past the first part without wheezing with laughter. Steve smiled just by looking at it. His laugh was joyous, loud, and carefree. Steve kept a visual of it in his mind remembering every detail. He was gonna storm back home and draw it in his sketchbook, it was by far the most beautiful thing he had seen all day.