Shifter

It takes a few moments for Peter to stop staring at the door after his Aunt and Tony, but once he does Steve begins to ask him questions about himself, and Peter loses himself in the awe of talking to Captain America. You sit on the sidelines watching in amusement while Peter gushes to your father figure, asking about the shield and the science behind it. Meanwhile, you get up and head into the kitchen, knowing full well that by the time Peter’s done fangirling he’s going to be hungry as hell, and Steve will want to order Chinese food – the only food he ever eats, due to the Avengers’ inability to cook.

You call the Chinese place down the block, placing in Peter’s regular order, Steve’s, and then yours, thanking the waitress and quickly heading back into the living room – where Peter is still talking. You clear your throat loudly, eyebrows raised, and both men turn to you instantly. “Chinese food is on it’s way. I ordered, so you two are setting the table, ‘kay?” You state, and both of them nod, standing up and walking into the kitchen. Of course, the second you turn your back to grab the plates Peter is babbling again, asking about the science of being frozen for that long. Steve is very kind, answering to the best of his ability, but you catch Peter’s eye for long enough to send him a look of warning.

It’s not that you’re annoyed or angry, you just know Steve well enough to know how little he likes to discuss what happened – losing his family and friends and everyone was obviously hard enough. “So, Y/N…” Steve starts, once the food has arrived and the three of you are starting to eat. “How’s school?”

You send him a small glare, knowing he was the one who sent you to school, but answer nonetheless. “Good. Turns out there’s more to learn than just astrophysics.” You joke, and Steve chuckles lightly, shaking his head.

“Yeah, well – don’t tell Tony that.”

Dinner passes by strangely quickly, with Peter and Steve talking the entire time – it ranges from the shield, to Peter’s suit, to whether or not that coffee shop that Steve used to like is still in New York.

“Speaking of-” You interject, once you’ve cleared the plates and cutlery. “Peter still hasn’t shown me around the city.” You state, giving him an accusing glare.

“Hey! That’s not fair, you know May would have killed both of us if we skipped school.” Peter objects quickly, and you shrug, turning to Steve.

“How about you show me around your old neighbourhood tomorrow – which is a Saturday –” you added pointedly, staring at Peter, “And then after that Peter can show me ‘modern’ New York?”

Steve looks like he’s about to reply when the front door opens, and Aunt May’s giggles fill the small apartment. Steve is immediately standing, his die-hard gentlemanliness still there, and you and Peter soon follow suit.

“Pete!” May calls out, heading into the kitchen, followed by Tony, and it’s then that you notice the small lipstick print on his cheek. Your eyes widen, a hand coming up to your mouth to stifle a laugh.

“Something wrong?” Tony asks, and when his brown eyes catch yours you tap your own cheek, and his face suddenly pinks, his hand darting up to smudge the stain. Thankfully Peter is too busy practically interrogating Aunt May to notice, and you walk over to Tony and lean against him.

“How was the date?” You chuckle, and he shoves you ever so slightly, but you can see the small sparkle in his eyes as he watches May and Peter talking.

“It was very nice, thank you. Uh – Peter?” He calls out, and the teenager wheels around.

“Mr. – Mr. Stark?” He replies, and Tony rolls his eyes slightly.

“Tony, please – but anyway, how would you like to head up to Stark labs tomorrow? I can give you a tour, etc.” He hints at Peter’s suit, glancing over at May – who seems not to notice, “…and I have been reliably informed by your ever-so-lovely aunt that you’re free tomorrow.” He says, and Peter’s mouth practically drops.

“R-Really? I’d love to. I mean, if you’re okay with it, of course.” You can almost hear Tony roll his eyes.

“I asked you, so yes.” He retorts, and Peter nods his head vigorously.

“C-Cool. Yeah.”

“That means you and I, little miss, have a date tomorrow.” Steve comments, hand wrapping around your shoulders and pulling you into him. You smile, nodding, and reach up and hug him.

“Since I doubt you two are sleeping here, you should head out – it’s almost 11.” You say, glancing at the clock, and Tony rolls his eyes.

“Yes, mother.” He jabs, giving May a small wink on his way out the door. You scoff, pushing his back out the door as the awkwardly bulky super soldier struggles to fit in the narrow doorway.

“See you tomorrow!” You call in a sing-song voice, watching them disappear down the hallway.

When you turn around again, Peter has his hand on May’s shoulder and is staring at her face very seriously.

“Where did you go?”

“Italian place.”

“What did you drink?”

“Red wine.”

“What did you and Mr. Stark–”

At that point you cut in, saying “Enough!” and squeezing in between them to pull Peter away.

“It’s 11 pm, you are going with Tony tomorrow, and I’m sure May is tired.” You negotiate, and although he looks reluctant to, Peter nods and trudges off to get ready.

“May and Mr. Stark…” You hear him mutter incredulously as he goes into his room, and when you turn around to send May off to bed you find she’s already gone.

“Well…” You mutter to an empty household, wiping a strand of hair away from your face and heading to bed, dreaming of the New York you’d seen in movies and pictures.

Steve had come to pick you up sometime around 8 am, and you discovered that Peter had already left, apparently ‘ran out the door’ according to May. Steve had ordered one of Stark Industry’s cars to drive you to ‘Ella’s Diner’, where he (and Bucky too, you suspect) had gone for coffee many times. Stepping into the diner is like going back in time – the bright red leather boots matched with the white tiled floors make the atmosphere that of how you imagined the forties, and when you look at Steve you can tell he’s thinking the same thing.

Once settled in at a booth, you place your orders of bacon, eggs, toast, and coffee, and it’s not long before you catch Steve’s amused stare. “What?” You ask, hand coming up to graze your cheek in case of a smudge or something, but he just shakes his head and laughs quietly.

“So, you and Parker, huh?” He says. You breathe in sharply, raising an eyebrow as you feign confusion.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” You try, but Steve doesn’t seem convinced.

“Well, his red hoodie, you two sharing a bed, the way he looks at you – I assumed the two of you are, well, fonduing.”

“STEVE!” You gasp, eyes wide as your cheeks quickly flush. He chuckles, blonde hair falling into his face.

“I’m just stating the obvious. And it’s not like I’m the first to notice, am I?” He rationalizes, and you stare at the table, cheeks burning.

“It’s not – We’re not fonduing. He doesn’t even like me. I mean, not that I like him, just, you know –” You babble, trying to explain the situation, but Steve gently places a hand on your shoulder.

“Hey. It’s okay. I think the two of you are cute.” He comments, and you glance up through your eyelashes.

“Really? Not that I care, because we’re not a thing, but really?” You ask, and he shakes his head, about to reply when the food arrives. The young waitress places down your food and coffee and turning to leave, but not before giving Steve a small wink as she turns away. Now it’s Steve’s turn to go pink.

“So, about that –” You start. “How’s the love life, Cap’n?” You ask, and he gives you a playful look that conveys a forceful ‘Shut up.’ You raise your hands in surrender, rubbing them together as you look down at the pile of golden eggs on your plate. “These look delicious, Steve. How long have you been-”

Of course that’s when the explosion goes off outside, and you manage to send panicked look Steve’s way before the windows of the diner blow in, knocking both of you off the booth,

and into unconsciousness.