A/N: Hey guys! I know I literally just started a story, but I felt this one was just necessary, you know? I'm starting this little series of one-shots with a selection about a special morning for Steve. Also, each chapter is titled after a song that I felt kind of fit the vibe of the chapter. This one is called don't be shy, which is a Cat Stevens song! It's the one everyone knows. I suggest you listen. It's cute. Anyways, thanks and don't forget to leave a review!

The sun rose steadily, letting in a beautiful golden light through the open bedroom windows of one Steve Rogers, who sat on the balcony with a cup of tea and a sketchbook.

Most mornings he rose before the sun for his daily run, but today was different. Today was special. It was a day preserved in his memories with mason jars full of wildflowers and rough, childlike drawings. The weather was perfect for the occasion, as well: a light breeze brushed against his bare toes and the early spring flowers bloomed below him. It was perfect.

Yet one thing was missing—the one thing that would round out the perfect day.

Steve set his sketchbook and tea down and reached inside the balcony doors to tap on the touchscreen intercom: "Hey, Nat, wanna share a sunrise breakfast with me?"

Within minutes, the two friends sat side by side, enjoying the morning with content smiles and warm cups of tea. Little birds fluttered underneath them, singing like they did in the Disney movie Steve had loved so much when he was younger. Every once in a while, he closed his eyes and wished for a few seconds that one of them would land on his balcony.

During one of these interludes, Nat nudged him and asked happily, "So what's got you in such a good mood?"

Steve grinned, staring across the idyllic morning. "It's my mom's birthday."

Nat nodded, following his gaze. "Sarah."

"Yep," he said, sipping his tea. It was lavender, of course. "She always used to tell me her name meant princess when I was being difficult."

"You, difficult?"

Steve laughed. "Yeah, well. Kids, you know?" They both chuckled at that. "She would say, 'Steven Grant Rogers, it's not very becoming of you to be rude to a princess!' And I'd always say, 'It doesn't count if you're my mother.'"

Natasha threw her head back and laughed. "Cute kid, Rogers."

He smiled, letting the light soak him in the memories he usually tried to avoid. Today was about happiness in what was, not pain in what could have been. "Her favorite flowers were roses. Red ones, or pink, but we were poor, so me and Bucky used to pick her whatever weeds we could find. Usually not much, but it was enough to make her happy."

"It sounds like she was wonderful," Nat said gently.

Steve was smiling again, adrift in a world that felt impossibly far away. "She was the best."

Nat leaned over and rested her head on Steve's shoulder. She raised her mug, saying, "Happy birthday, Sarah."

Steve raised his own mug, letting the now-orange light pool into it like honey. "Happy birthday, mom."