Between breaths, Steve's just trying to keep his head above the water.

It's not that he can't float. More that he can't swim.

Not in a world like this, loud and overwhelming and taking away his breath every other second.

Bucky and Tony know this best because they're the ones that Steve goes to when he tries to figure it out.

Tony, when Steve wants to try and become part of this new world, when he wants to learn and absorb information like a sponge.

And Bucky, when Steve is too tired to figure it out and just wants to cling a bit closer to the past.

Natasha's there for when Steve is stupid enough to try and take the plunge.

Except now, he's somehow managed to let Peter convince him to do something utterly stupid. To walk into the city, just let the crowd sweep them away.

"Who cares about the world?" Peter asked dismissively as he linked his hands with Steve, offering him a bright smile. "We're like little fish. What does the ocean care for us? And besides, if you're part of something, then you can't drown in it."

It didn't really make sense, but it kind of had at the time, so Steve had hesitantly curled his fingers back around Peter's and allowed him to drag him out. A decision that he was now severely regretting. Except he couldn't exactly say that. Because saying so would hurt his pride.

Somehow Peter seemed to have figured this out, though, because he was quick to tug Steve into a little ice cream parlor, a small hole in the wall, allowing the bell to tinkle above their heads as their feet tapped against creaky chestnut floorboards. "A little much?" Peter offered Steve an excuse, a crooked smile revealing a flash of teeth as he pulled down his hoodie to show flyaway hair.

Steve allowed himself to smile back as he took in a somewhat shaky breath. "Just a little." He agreed in as light a voice as he could manage.

Peter squeezed his hand but didn't let go, something that Steve wouldn't admit to being grateful for, but would be for all of eternity. "Awesome." Peter said in a voice that very much suggested so, despite the fact that it should have been otherwise. "So, ice cream? On you."

"On me?" Steve echoed, raising his eyebrows. "Usually, if you pull me into an ice cream parlor, it seems only fair that you should be paying."

Peter puffed out his cheeks in annoyance, and then turned to pout at Steve. "But you're rich! You've got all of Mr. Stark's money and your royalties from all the Captain America merch! I, on the other hand, am a dirt poor high school student. Would you really exhort me like that?"

"You're the one doing all the exhorting, Parker." A voice cut in, and the server leaned over the counter as she raised an eyebrow. "Come on, am I getting my tips or what?"

A brunette with a smear of charcoal above her lips smiled indulgently. "Maya, the only one who's exhorting anybody here is you."

"Pft." The server rolled her eyes and shook her head, spagetti curls flying around her face as she tapped a finger against the tip jar. "I deserve it, working all these hours."

Peter laughed and pulled Steve over to the two girls. "I see that you're here again, Robin. Here for just ice cream, or the pleasure of Maya's company?"

The brunette scrunched up her nose at Peter. "If I didn't know what kind of pure child you were, Parker, Maya would be pounding you into dust right now."

Maya sighed regretfully. "Once I'm off the clock, maybe." She turned to squint at Steve. "Who's the bodybuilder?"

Steve quickly stuck out a hand and introduced himself. "Steve," He greeted them awkwardly. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Maya took his hand and swayed it from side to side, giggling slightly. "He's almost as polite as you, Peter. Then again, apologizing when you stop a robbery is a tad..."

Peter turned bright red and covered his face in his hands. "We don't talk about that."

"Riiight. Steve, right? Want to hear about how Peter..."

"Nooo!"

"I'd be delighted."

"Traitor."

"Darling, I doubt that he was ever on your side in the first place."

"Double agent."

"That's not a bad thing."

"It is now."

"Aw, Peter, I'm hurt."

"No you're not."

Laughter. "True, but at least appreciate the sentiment."

Growl.

More laughter.

Between breaths, Steve is just trying to keep his head above the water.

Lucky for him that there are people willing to pull him out of it.