The first words of a flashback are bolded, I know it's odd but the italics were getting a bit annoying.

Steve still remembers the first day Hydra offered a deal. He was only twelve, and he was walking home with Bucky. It was a normal day really, no one could guess that that day was a starting point of changing Steve's life completely.

Bucky and him were acting the same as any other day, jumping into puddles, laughing, talking about girls, well Bucky was, even at a young age he was what his mother would call a "ladies' man." Steve, on the other hand, was shorter than most of the girls, he was also scrawny. If he was taller he could've passed as lanky, but he was stuck with scrawny.

As they rounded the corner of their hallway in the apartment building, their laughter died down. Sarah usually greeted Steve with a smile whenever he got home. But that day Sarah was standing in front of the door talking to men Steve didn't recognize.

They both stopped in their tracks. Sarah's arms were crossed and anger and annoyance colored her features; it was a change from her usual soft and friendly features. "Who's your mom talking to?" Bucky asked.

"I don't know. I'm going to find out," Steve said, marching to his door. Remembering the manners his mom taught him, he called over his shoulder a quick, "bye, Bucks."

"Don't get in too much trouble, Punk."

Natasha really was beautiful, and Steve thought about the fact every time he looked at her. She had this small smirk that never seemed to go away, and her eyes were always bright and held a sort of fire. Her red hair was just as firery as her eyes, and Steve had to resist the urge to reach out and touch a curl.

Usually Steve isn't drawn by beauty. As an artist he does admire it, but he was never enticed by a girl's looks.

But with Natasha it was different.

The fire in her features reflected her personality. They sat on the roof for hours the other day, rising only when the sun dipped below the horizon. But he saw a part of her, that fire that makes his heart pound.

Sunflowers were always Sarah's favorite flower. Mostly do to with the fact that any other flowers gave Steve allergies, but the flower still held a beauty that Sarah loved. Since it wasn't easy to grow sunflowers in an apartment in Brooklyn she usually just bought things with a sunflower print.

That day she was wearing her favorite apron, the one with sunflowers all over it, she must have been cooking. The ends of it were balled up in her fists, and a few stubborn blond curls escaped from her bun.

Coming closer Steve could faintly hear the conversation in bits and pieces. Sarah's voice was angry, angrier than Steve has ever heard it. "You can't have him-"

"Ma'am-"

"No! He's my son, not a science experiment, and no amount of money could change that."

With a jolt, Steve realized that they were talking about him. "Mom?" He said softly.

The men turned to him with a smile, and his mom tensed. One man crouched down to Steve's height. "So this is Steven?" His voice was friendly, and his smile seemed too fake.

Sarah lightly grabbed Steve's arm. "Don't talk to him," she said, pulling Steve into the apartment.

The men were persistent. "Please reconsider our offer." One handed her a card, which she promptly ripped up.

"Get off my propety before I call the cops."

"That's Thor, Sam, Coulson, and Bruce," Steve said. He had his hand on the small of Natasha's back, and he was sure his cheeks were getting redder by the second. "This is Natasha." He was sure they already knew her name, but he was just being polite.

Natasha decided that she didn't really like the dining hall. It was crowded and loud. The tables reminded her of cafeterias in her old schools. The lighting wasn't harsh like in her old schools though, it was dim and gave off a soft orange glow.

Thor stood up, making his chair scratch against the floor. Before Natasha could protest, Thor was embracing her. His voice was loud when he spoke, and most of the people in the dining hall turned to look at them. "Welcome to SHIELD."

"Careful, Thor, she'll kick you in the nuts," Bucky called from the table.

Natasha awkwardly patted Thor's shoulder in hopes of him releasing her. He seemed to get the hint because his hold on her loosened. Steve was trying to stifle his laughter. "He's a little... Friendly," Steve said apologetically as they sat down.

"I could tell."

Sarah's mood shifted back to her usual sunny and light personality. But her face was still pale as she hummed. She locked the door, and threw the ripped up business card in the trash.

She went back to the kitchen, and the sound of pots and pans filled the room. Steve put his backpack in his room, and then slowly approached the kitchen. "Mom who was that?" Steve asked.

Sarah froze, but she quickly shook it off and turned to him with a smile. "It was no one, Sweetie. Did you take your medicine?"

"Yeah," Steve said slowly. "But I heard-"

"Do you have homework?" She cut him off.

"Just math."

"Get it done before dinner." She turned away from the stove, and pulled Steve into her arms. "I love you, never forget that," she said while carding her hands through his hair.

Steve noticed her shaking, but he didn't say anything. "I love you too, Mom."

Natasha seemed to warm up to everyone quickly. Steve knew he probably was being obvious with the side glances he tried to sneak. Natasha caught him once, but she just gave him a smirk, and he looked away, embarrassed.

Eventually Clint slid into the seat next to Natasha. "Food looks kinda gross today," Clint said.

Natasha grimanced, "I was in the kitchens this afternoon."

Clint pushed his tray away. "If you made it I'm definitely not eating it."

"Rude."

Dinner went by as usual. Sarah asked Steve about his day and he asked about hers. Steve didn't bring up the men or the card, and she said nothing about it. But Steve's eyes kept drifting to the trash can.

After dinner was over Steve cleared the table without complaint. Sarah kept looking at him, and he was getting worried.

When Steve climbed into bed she stood in his doorway. "Do you want me to read you a story? Just like I use to," she said softly.

"Okay."

She pulled out his old storybook that they both haven't seen in years. She began to softly read to him, but he wasn't paying attention. Her hands were still shaking. She read two stories before he pretended to fall asleep. He felt her press a kiss to his head, and heard her flick off the light.

He lied awake in for an hour, just staring at the ceiling. Finally he slipped out of his bed.

A perk of being small was you could be silent if you needed to be. Steve stepped by Sarah's door, and was relieved to hear her soft, even breathing. She was asleep.

He padded to the kitchen, and looked inside the trash can. The card was still there, and Steve pulled all the pieces out.

It took him five minutes to put all the pieces together, it was like a puzzle of sorts. The card was barely readable, and Steve could only make out two things. There was a symbol, it was an octopus. Then the only word he could see: Hydra.

AN: So Steve's backstory is confusing now, but they'll be more on that later. There'll also be more Romanogers in later chapters, I already wrote some scenes. Also Tony is introduced in the next chapter ayyy. Reviews make my day and motivate me. Follow and favorites make me smile. Thanks for reading!

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