Chapter 1: The first drop of rain
Over the past 2 weeks Steve had been spending a lot of time with one of his neighbors in his apartment complex. She had golden blonde hair that barely reached her shoulders. She had pale green eyes and black glasses. She had said her name was Clarity, though she offered no last name. Steve had yet to figure her out. She was very... unique. She was always smiling, a true and genuine smile. She found humor in the strangest of places. They met in unfortunate circumstances, which she quickly apologized for and offered him coffee to make up for it. She took him to her place and after that they just hit it off. He had asked her if she'd like to go out somewhere besides their apartments, but she said she preferred a more intimate setting. She said that the term "dating" was too official and that they were just having fun. She had helped Steve in a time where he felt lost. It had been nearly a year since the avengers saved the world and Steve hadn't done much. He spent a lot of time alone and remembering. She was beginning to help Steve let go of the past.
Tonight they were meeting in Steve's apartment to watch a movie. Clarity had insisted he watch The Titanic because he needed to learn the songs so he wouldn't be so confused when she started singing them. Also back in his day the titanic was more of a legend, a story passed down through time, rather than a piece of history like it is now. Steve's thought were interrupted when a loud knocking sounded at his door. He smiled and went over to open the door. He was immediately ambushed by a small blonde blur. She was a very physical person, it had taken some time for Steve to get used to but now he found he actually really liked it. She pulled away and beamed.
"Steve! I brought the movie, You put it in. Don't pretend your dumb and can't do it, I'm not falling for that again! You just like it when I help you. I have a hard time believing you're like 90. Anyways, I am going to go pop the popcorn. They seriously need to make a microwave that can pop like 5 bags at a time because you fucking inhale that shit..." She trailed off running to his small kitchen. Steve just laughed. For such a small young woman she sure did have a ton of energy. Her thoughts zipped like lightning bolts out of her mouth in random bursts. Steve normally could keep up with it but sometimes he just smiled and nodded till she wore herself out.
"Please don't put two bags in at once again, I am not cleaning that up!" He teased.
"You know what, I am pretty sure that was your idea." She retorted
"Yes but you still did it fully well knowing it wouldn't work." She stuck her tongue out at him as she began to pop bag #3. Steve watched fondly as she danced around the kitchen singing softly to herself; bouncing on her feet.
"Okay! Movie time!" She laughed and brought all the popcorn out. They settled in on the couch.
In the end Steve didn't get much of the movie. Clarity was to busy singing the Celine Dion song in inappropriate moments and trying to get Steve to reenact some of the scenes with her. At one point she spread out on the couch and demanded to be drawn like a french girl. Steve was too busy laughing to catch most of the movie but it was fine. He enjoyed Clarity's bursts of singing and random comments.
"Hey, wanna dance?" She asked softly as the credits rolled and the song she had been singing all night came on, "My heart will go on".
"I don't know how..." Steve replied, in the back of his mind he remembers Peggy... The dance they had promised each other but knew would never happen.
"It's okay." She smiled lightly. She wrapped her arms round his neck.
"Just try not to step on me." She whispered as his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. They must have looked strange, the certainly weren't dressed in formal dancing attire. Unless you considered white t-shirts and over sized sweaters formal wear.
Steve's grip tightened as memories of losing Peggy came through his mind.
"Steve... It's okay. Just let it go. It's not forgetting, or not caring it's letting go. You need to do that Steve." She laid her head on his chest. Though she was tall for a woman, she was short compared to Steve. He couldn't find the words to reply. The song was reaching and end, but they stayed close. Steve didn't want to let go, though he knew it was irrational, he felt that if he let go he'd be losing another important person in his life.
"Steve, I can't replace her. I'm not going to try, But Steve I..." She pulled back just enough to look in his eyes.
"I don't want to lose you." Steve said.
"I'll stay as long as I can..." She replied. She watched a single tear fall slowly down his face. Her eyes held fear and sadness.
Steve had only kissed one person before, sure a few women decided to take it upon themselves, his first actual kiss was with Peggy. But it didn't compare to what it felt like when Clarity's lips met his. He felt himself being pulled back to the present. It was only a slight touch, but it left Steve breathless. Before Clarity could begin to say something he pulled her back in. Her thin arms wrapped around his neck as she pressed herself against him. Her soft body meshing perfectly with his.
"So does this make us 'official' now?" He smiled down at her when they pulled back again.
"Kind of almost." She replied her cheeks flushing red.