Not entirely sure what I'm writing, but it's an idea that came to me that I really needed to get out onto a document before my mind went crazy!
Two weeks. Two weeks of a crash course in twenty-first century culture. Two weeks of meeting, plotting and fighting with people who were just like him, and saving the world from Loki and an alien army. Two weeks since he met her and his life changed forever. After splitting up, Steve managed to find Peggy and managed to find peace after a long talk with her. So much time had gone by since he was put into a deep sleep, and life went on. It broke his heart to hear how Peggy and Howard searched for months, hoping that they'd find him. Eventually she moved on, got married and had a family. She went on to dance with another, as he lay frozen for the next seventy years.
Taking the trip back to Manhattan from Peggy's home in Connecticut, he felt so sure that this was the right choice. It had to be, if he was going to live in this time period. There was no turning back. He knew she would be home, addressing whatever damages he and the others left behind during the attack. Parking the bike at the curb, Steve climbed off and made his way towards the stone steps. He'd gotten the address from Tony, who teased and snickered the entire time the computer searched for one Claire Jones.
Steve took note of the cracked concrete and scorched spots, which lined the steps and walls of the building. Despite Tony's assurance that Claire's townhouse wouldn't have serious damage since it was much further from the central zone of attack, he couldn't help but worry about the building. Ringing the bell at the door, Steve took a step back and waited. Nervously, he shuffled from foot to foot, his hands held firmly at his sides.
He was ready to bolt, when the door opened. Turning around, he saw her standing there with a look of shock on her face, and he felt the panic running through him. He was about to say something, when she smiled at him.
"Steve! I'm so glad to see you!" she exclaimed, before throwing her arms around him.
The force nearly knocked him back, but he managed to stay upright. Claire held onto him tightly, as if he would disappear. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back.
"It's good to see you too, Claire," he whispered into her blonde locks.
She lifted pulled back, her arms still around him, and smiled. "Come in! I'll make some tea and we can talk!" she said, taking him by the hand.
Steve was pulled into the front hall of the townhouse, and looked around at the open space before him. The artwork that covered the walls, the vases of flowers that sat on the tables. Claire shut and locked the front door, before turning back to look at him. She watched as he looked around, taking in everything before him. She smiled softly and stepped forward, placing her hand on his arm. Steve looked down at her and she smiled, before pointing down the hall.
"Kitchen is this way," she said, before making her way down the hall.
Steve followed behind, looking at the paintings as he went. Some he knew and others he didn't, due to the fact that his life was put on hold since '45. A few photographs sat on the walls in oak frames; some with possible family members, and a few of Claire with Tony and a blonde woman. Taking one last look at the pictures, Steve made his way into the kitchen and found Claire moving around with a teapot in her hand.
"Here, let me help you," he said, as he took a step forward.
Claire smiled, "It's alright, Steve. I can manage this," she said, smiling. "I made cookies if you're hungry," she said, nodding to the plate on the hardwood table.
Steve smiled, "Thanks," he said, as he made his way towards the table.
Setting the teapot onto the stove, Claire followed him and sat down across from him. She watched as he quietly ate, smiling softly when their eyes met.
"So, do you always bake on your days off?" he asked, plucking a napkin from the small basket on the table.
Claire shrugged, "No, not really. I haven't baked in ages and since Fury gave me some time off to clean up and check the damage. And I think he felt that it was time for me to take a vacation.." she said. "Besides, I can't make any uniforms when the entire team is off doing god knows what," she laughed.
The teapot whistled and she got up, quickly making her way towards the stove to turn the burner off. Steve watched as she moved around the kitchen, grabbing two mugs from the cabinet and spoons from the drawer.
"What kind of tea do you like? I have a bunch of different ones," she said, looking over her shoulder at him.
"Um, I'll have whatever you're having," he said, taking note of the colorful display of boxes that lined the shelves of the cabinet.
A few minutes later, Claire set a mug down in front of him and sat back down across from him. Once the sugar and the teabags were taken care of, Claire and Steve settled into a comfortable silence, as they sipped their drinks.
"So, where did you go? After Thor and his brother went back to Asgard, I was sure the rest of you would return. But when you didn't, I figured you all went into hiding," she said, glancing up at him.
Steve chuckled, "I think Dr. Banner did. I don't blame him, either," he said, shaking his head.
Claire managed a small smile, "Pepper called me the other day and she got Tony on the phone, reassuring me that he was fine and that I would see him this weekend. Natasha sent a text this morning and I'm guessing Barton is with her. I keep hoping that Bruce will respond to my emails and calls, since I'm worried about him," she said, tapping her fingers against her lips.
Then she looked at Steve, "And I tried getting a number for you, but Pepper said you didn't have a phone. Or email. Nor do you have a place of residence, so I couldn't drop by," she said, blushing.
Steve blushed as well, "Yeah. I, um, I'm still trying to understand the technology thing. I'm still used to telegraphs and actual letters- not text-messages or emails," he said.
Claire laughed, "I could teach you. I mean, I know it's a lot you have to catch up on, but I'm sure I can get you a phone and teach you how to use it," she said, shrugging.
"I'd like that, Claire. Thank you," he said, before taking another sip from his mug.
She blushed, "What are you going to do about your living situation?" she asked, reaching over for a cookie.
Steve shrugged, "I don't know. I guess I could talk to Fury about it, and see if they can find me a place," he said.
Claire looked down at the mug in her hands, her thumb tracing the rim of the chipped glass.
"You could stay with me.." she barely whispered, as she looked up at him. She felt her face burn and she quickly cleared her throat, "I mean.. I have the extra room. I could probably have the entire team move in!" she said quickly.
He chuckled, "I don't think Tony would leave Stark Tower," he said, making her smile.
"No, he wouldn't. An asteroid could hit it and he'd still stay in there, as the entire thing burned to the ground. That man is impossible," she said, shaking her head.
Steve pondered for a moment, thinking of her offer. It would be nice to live with another person, while trying to adapt to this new world that he was thrown into. Even though Claire was technically still a stranger to him, there was something about her that made him feel like he'd already knew her. And she would be a better roommate than Tony or any of the others.
"If you're sure," he finally said, to which she smiled.
"I don't mind at all! Besides, I'm your best option, since I only make your uniforms. The only thing I can wield is a sewing machine and a needle," she shrugged.
"Thank god. I was waiting for you to tell me that you shot fire from your hands or something," he laughed.
Claire laughed, "Luckily I locked up my machine gun in the attic," she said, as she got up from her seat.
She gathered the empty mugs and looked up at Steve, bursting into a fit of laughter.
"Oh.. I was kidding! I don't have a machine gun!" she said, as Steve gaped at her.
"Y-you don't?" he asked, as she moved to the sink.
She shook her head, "No. My only weapon of protection is a toilet bowl scrubber, which wouldn't save me at all," she said.
"Well, maybe it's a good thing I'm moving in," he said, making her blush. He cleared his throat, "Say, how about we go out for dinner tonight? My treat," he said, smiling at her.
Claire smiled back and nodded, "Sure, what'd you have in mind?"
"Have you ever had shawarma?"