Chapter 53

Steve

Steve had been back at the Avenger Mansion for a few days. He was told to take it easy to ensure his knees healed fully, Steve didn't like to adhere completely to the doctor's suggestions. He still couldn't go through the training the other Avengers were being put through. Mark wouldn't allow it for a few days. Steve walked down the stairs, sketchbook in hand, to the kitchen to get some juice to drink. Steve poured himself a glass, and as he drank, he saw Mark outside sitting in the grass. Mark walked over to the window to see more clearly what Mark was going. Mark was just sitting in the grass staring out into the city, listening to music.

Steve did not know why Mark was outside on his own. He decided to investigate. He grabbed another glass and poured a glass to bring out to Mark. He walked to the back door, struggling to open it with both glasses in his hands. Steve almost spilled the juice. He closed the door with his foot and walked over to Mark.

Steve tapped Mark on the shoulder and was greeted with a smile. "Hey," Mark said as he took his headphones off.

"You look lonely. Need company?" Steve said handing Mark a glass.

"Not lonely, but would enjoy your company," Mark said as he took the glass from Steve. Steve sat down next to Mark in the grass. Steve noticed Mark was wearing another color of converse shoes, this time, green. "Do you have every color of those?"

"I don't have the stars and stripes one," Mark said with a smile. Steve shoved Mark for the teasing joke. "They are comfortable, so yes I have many colors."

Steve just laughed at Mark. He always had a color for his style he wore that day. Steve was a little envious of it. "So what are you listening to?" Steve asked.

"What are ya drawing?" Mark said eyeing the sketchbook.

"I am not telling," Steve said with a smile. "Then neither am I," Mark said with a smug look.

Steve looked at Mark. Mark was holding his knees and resting his head on them as he looked into the city. "You have something on your mind, why else would you be so difficult," Steve said.

Mark looked down at the grass. "Do you understand me that well already?"

Steve smiled and just rested his head on Mark's shoulder. "I think we both get each other pretty well." Mark lifted his hand and just scratched the back of Steve's head. Steve hummed as Mark did this. Then they heard a noise from the house.

Andrea walked out of the back door with a lawn chair and dressed in a swimsuit. She had a cooler full of cola and walked past Mark and Steve.

"Um, two questions: What are you doing and what are you wear?" Mark asked.

Andrea set up the chair and put down the cooler. "Well, I am tanning since we have time to relax and since it is such a beautiful day. And this," Andrea did a spin, "is my new swimsuit."

"Red and gold? Really?" Mark said.

"It's her Iron Woman swimsuit," Steve heard from behind him. Tony stood there in a tank top and swim trunks.

"Are you wearing Iron Man swim trunks?" Mark asked.

"I sure am," Tony said as he sat down next to Steve.

Steve laughed at Tony then looked at Mark. Mark was glaring at Steve. "Tell me you don't have Captain America swim trunks." Steve responded with a blush.

"You guys are ridiculous," Mark said. Steve heard the door open again. Natasha and Clint walked out as well. Both carrying lawn chairs. Natasha set up next to Andrea with a book. Clint set his up next to Mark.

"So I remember when it was just me out here. And I remember giving only Steve permission to keep me company," Mark said. Steve laughed and nudged Mark.

"What do you expect, you are a popular guy," Tony said.

"Well, I know I am awesome. So I suppose I can forgive you all and spare your lives," Mark said.

"We know those are empty threats since you gave up the assassin business," Clint said.

Mark just glared at Clint, "Who told you?"

Steve leaned in, "I did, I kind of told everyone you might be joining the team permanently."

Mark looked at Steve shocked; Steve was thrown off by the look. "What?"

"We don't even know if that is an option yet, and I haven't made my decision either," Mark said.

"I know the hearing will let you have a choice, but you didn't decide yet?" Steve asked.

Mark rested his chin on his knees. "No, I made a decision already. Just didn't know my choice was that obvious."

"Please," Clint said, "Like you would leave Cap now, after all, you have been through. Aren't you two an item and everything?"

Mark formed a dagger in his hand and cut off one of the legs to Clint's chair. As the dagger evaporated, Clint fell to the floor.

"What the hell?" Clint shouted.

"I think that was warranted," Tony said as he laughed at Clint.

Steve watched Clint attempted to fix the chair. Clint couldn't so he went inside to get another one for himself.

Mark laughed as Clint went inside to get another chair. "I think this is what made my decision for me," Mark said.

"What did?" Steve asked.

Mark looked over to Steve. "It's what Natasha said to me when I first got here. I always looked for a family for her and Andrea. She was right. I wanted to find one for myself, too. I feel part of something here. Maybe it is time my solo career came to an end," Mark said.

"Took me a while to be part of a team as well," Tony said. "But your right, we are one very dysfunctional superhero family. It works."

"And you have me as well," Steve sad as he hugged Mark. Mark smiled at Steve then looked out to Natasha and Andrea.

"So how the hell did you get her to wear so much gold and red?" Mark asked Tony.

"Well she needed something to match the jewelry," Tony said.

"Jewelry?" Mark asked. Then he looked at Steve. Steve shrugged his shoulders. "Hooker doesn't have any bling to match that," Mark said.

"I am still getting used to the hooker talk," Tony said.

"Psh, I seen it. And you best be learning it fast," Mark said.

"Do I need to learn it?" Steve asked. Mark just scratched the back of Steve's head again. Steve liked it when Mark did that. "You don't if I can see the sketchbook."

"I better learn the language then," Steve said. Mark made a face at Steve. Then Mark looked to Tony. "So what jewelry?"

"It is something I have in the works. Not ready yet and not the right time. But you will see," Tony said.

"Oh, a secret. You made a mistake telling Steve. He enjoys telling the whole team secrets," Mark said. Steve poked Mark in the side.

Clint came back out with a lawn chair and set it up next to Tony this time. Mark watched at Clint as he set up the chair.

"He learned if you wish to insult me, be a distance away," Mark said.

"Yeah yeah, I know you have weird ways of showing your appreciation for my humor," Clint said.

They all just sat there for a moment, enjoying the sight of the city skyline. The sun felt warm on Steve's skin. Andrea was right, it was a nice day to tan and relax. It was good to take a moment and enjoy the day after saving the world.

Tony broke the silence. "Nervous about the summons?"

Steve looked at Tony for being so blunt. Then Steve turned to Mark to see his reaction. Mark remained calm as he answered. "Not really. I can't be nervous when I don't even know what they are going to ask me. I rather just go and answer honestly."

"Yet you have Andrea going with you," Tony said.

"Well, never know when I need a back-up plan. She usually can help me out when I need information on people. And I heard you demanded to go," Mark said.

"It will be good to show support for a friend," Tony said.

"Thanks," Mark said to Tony. "No problem."

Mark stood up, picking up his empty glass. "Well, I need more juice…" Then Steve saw Mark looking in the distance. "What's that?"

Steve looked in the direction Mark was looking. Clint and Tony did the same thing. Steve could not tell what Mark was pointing out. He looked for a bit longer before turning to Mark. Mark was gone. Steve turned and saw Mark running in the mansion.

"Why is he running?" Clint asked.

Steve looked around and stood-up quickly. "He took it!" Steve said as he ran toward the mansion.

"Took what?" Tony asked

"My Sketchbook!" Steve shouted as he opened the door. He ran inside and saw Mark heading out the front door, closing it. Steve ran toward the front door and opened it. He ran out and didn't see where Mark went. He looked around and saw no sign of which way Mark could have gone. Then he heard the door slam shut. Steve turned around and went back inside.

"Your stealth skills still suck," Mark said from the top of the stairs holding up the sketchbook.

"I am going to get you," Steve said as he ran up the stairs. He saw Mark run down the hall. Steve turned the corner but didn't see Mark. He walked slowly, and he saw the door to his room open. He looked into his room and saw his sketchbook on his bed. Steve walked into his room and was about to grab his sketchbook when he felt someone pick him up from behind. Mark lifted Steve and took Steve down to the bed with him. "Got ya," Mark said.

Steve turned around to see Mark smiling. Mark kissed Steve in the bed. Steve was smiling during the kiss with Mark. "You could have asked me just to come with you for some alone time," Steve said when he broke away from the kiss.

"Yeah I could have," Mark said as he bit Steve, "But this is more fun." Steve felt the pulse of pleasure when Mark bit him on the neck. Steve smiled and ran his hand through Mark's hair. He found himself smiling at Mark being playful.

"You always want to make me smile," Steve said.

"Sure do," Mark said as he slid the sketchbook to Steve. "I didn't open it, don't worry." Steve took the sketchbook and looked at Mark.

"Even when you had the chance to?" Steve asked.

"You knew I wouldn't," Mark said. Mark was right. Steve knew Mark wouldn't look at his sketches. Mark always understood this was something Steve held close, like a diary. But Steve brought the sketchbook between them and opened it.

"Um…" Mark said.

"Calm down, I am letting you see it," Steve said. Steve slid the book to Mark. Mark got comfortable next to Steve and sat the book between them. Steve felt nervous about Mark looking through the book.

"You sure?" Mark asked as he looked at Steve. Steve nodded. Mark turned the page. Steve drew mainly landscapes. He would draw places he remembered he traveled to as an Avenger and his neighborhood where he grew up. Mark looked at the pictures intensely. "These are really good, Steve."

"Thanks," Steve said with a smile. "I just draw for myself, not for anyone else to see."

"They can still be good," Mark said as he turned the page. Mark looked at a drawing of a neighborhood street. It was in the city and looked to be from the past. The details of the time showed in the sketch. Mark studied the drawing.

"Brooklyn," Mark said.

"It's the neighborhood I grew up," Steve said. "That's the street I would always hang out with the other kids. It is the strongest memory I have."

Mark turned the page. The landscape was of the outdoor area they were just sitting. Mark looked at it; the skyline was captured in the picture. "Wow," Mark said. "You captured this well."

Steve felt more at ease with Mark looking at his drawings. He moved closer to Mark as he turned the page. Steve drew some flowers he saw, trying his best at still life. Mark looked closely at the petals of the flower and the middle of it. Steve was not sure if Mark was looking at the details or something else. Mark turned the page, and Steve worried of what Mark would say now. Mark looked at a drawing of himself. Mark looked over at Steve confused. "I drew you after the first day we spent together," Steve explained. Mark looked at the picture. Mark nodded as he recognized something in the picture, "Yeah I remember those clothes. Did You draw me? Why?" Mark asked.

Steve shrugged his shoulders, "I draw what's on my mind. I guess you were on my mind that day."

Mark turned the page to see another drawing of himself. "Really? You drew me with that horrible blonde wig on?"

Steve laughed. "I thought you looked funny with it on too, and I wanted to capture it."

Mark looked at the drawing, "Oh you captured it alright. I look like an asshole in sketch form too like I did in real life." Steve laughed at Mark's joke. Mark turned the page. It was a close up of his face Steve drew. Mark looked at the details of the drawing. Mark looked at how Steve drew his hair in his face and another sketch to the side.

"I like to draw your hair, I am not sure why. I always liked it," Steve said.

"You like to draw my hair?" Mark asked. Steve ran his hand through Mark's hair. "I know I am weird. I guess I see it represent you the best."

"Care to explain?" Mark asked.

Steve paused for a moment. He looked to Mark, "I see how your hair can be set so many ways. It can be perfectly set and never move some days. Others, it moves with the wind and goes with the flow. I have seen it be wild, and even go against your wishes and not want to be tamed. But every time I touch it," Steve said as he put his hand through Mark's hair, "It's soft. It feels nice against my skin. It makes me think of you. No matter how you are, you are always soft to me, welcoming. It always feels nice to have you near me."

Mark just looked at Steve. Steve felt a little strange explaining himself, "Nothing to say?" Steve asked.

Mark shook his head. "No, it was nice to hear. Different, but nice." Mark turned the page.

Mark saw another picture of him. It was a picture that showed Mark in pain and anger. Mark looked at the picture which showed him ready to hurt anyone in front of him. Mark cocked his head at the picture.

"I draw that the day I hurt you. I couldn't get that look you gave out of my head. Can you turn the page, please. It still is tough to see it," Steve asked.

Mark just turned the page. He saw more pictures of himself, but Steve began to focus more on his facial features as the pictures continued. Mark got to the last picture, and he noticed it was a picture of him smiling; hair messy and his features looked older, he had some stubble. Mark looked at his eyes in the sketch. His eyes held an intense look, not anger or fear. Mark's eyes were focused on something and looked to be dilated. Mark looked to Steve for an explanation. "That one is my favorite one I drew of you." Steve said. "I remember your eyes that day. I just remember looking into them. I felt warm looking into your eyes and seeing you. I had that image in my head for a while." Mark looked at the book and smiled. Mark closed the book and put the sketchbook on the night stand.

"You aren't going to ask what day that was?" Steve asked.

"Why ask when I already know. I remember your eyes that day as well, and your smile. I also remember the sounds you made. I found the growl to be the best sound," Mark said.

"The growl?" Steve asked. Mark turned back over and was on top of Steve. He held down Steve's hands. Mark leaned down and kissed Steve. Mark moved his hands from Steve's hand to his hair, Mark grabbed Steve's hair and pulled lightly. Steve let out a small growl, and then Mark kissed along Steve's jaw line to his neck where he bit softly while pulling on Steve's hair. Steve let out a louder growl. Mark went back to kissing Steve.

"That growl," Mark said when he finished kissing Steve.

"Oh," Steve said with a smile. Steve just looked at Mark. Mark was smiling back at Steve. Then Steve saw the smile fade from Mark's face as he looked over at the sketchbook on the nightstand.

"What?" Steve asked.

"Steve, do me a favor," Mark asked.

"What is it?"

"Don't draw what happened in that factory with Bucky. I didn't tell the others what happened. I feel horrible putting you through all of that. I don't want you to have a sketch remembering all of that. I feel guilty even now knowing what you must have felt," Mark said.

Steve just held Mark close to him. "I have you here now," Steve said. Steve just lied there with Mark for a while before he said what he was thinking. "I want you to stay here with the Avengers. I want you to stay here with me."

Mark just squeezed Steve tightly. "This isn't something I want to give up." Mark scratched the back of Steve's head. Steve found this relaxing and rested on Mark.

"So were you serious about the title before? The one you said when we were on the Quin Jet," Steve asked.

"Yes," Mark said.

Steve just lied there enjoying everything. "I want you to stay even if you can't join the Avengers," Steve said without thinking.

"That would difficult; I mean if I can't join the Avengers what will I do?" Mark said.

Steve looked up to Mark, "I don't want you to go back to being an assassin."

"Steve, I don't have many other choices here. I am an assassin. If I can't be part of the Avengers than I don't have much another choice."

Steve climbed up to look directly into Mark's eyes before he spoke. "You do have a choice. If you can't join, you can still live here. You can stay here and be with me."

"You make it sound like it is that easy. It isn't Steve trust me. If it were, do you think I would think twice?" Mark said.

Steve saw the meaning behind Mark's words in his eyes. Steve knew Mark wanted this like he did. Steve knew Mark wanted to stay with Steve, but other forces worked against him. "Sorry," Steve said. He didn't know what else would be right to say after he brought this up. Steve was slowly putting his head down, but he felt Mark's hand cup his face.

"Hey, you don't need to be sorry. I get it. It sucks. That's the truth of it. But the other truth is I want to be here. And I love you, Steve."

Steve just felt his head lean into Mark's hands when he said those words. It did suck. Steve felt happy with Mark here, and someone else could ruin it all by saying he couldn't be here. Steve went up and kissed Mark. Steve loved kissing Mark, but he thought he would do something different this time. Steve grabbed Mark's hands and held them down this time while he kissed Mark.

"What's this?" Mark asked.

"Something new I want to try," Steve said with a smile. Mark just smiled back. "Well before you do, let me do something," Mark said. Mark freed one hand and formed a long metal bo in his hand. Mark used it to close the door without leaving his spot. Mark closed the door, and the bo evaporated. Mark put his hand back, and Steve placed his hand back to holding Mark down.

"You are willing to let me hold you down?" Steve said. Mark smiled back at Steve.

"I am curious where you are going with this."

Steve kissed Mark. "I am curious to see what noises I can get out of you," Steve said as he kissed along Mark's jaw. Steve moved to Mark's neck and kissed along it. Steve wanted to show Mark what he meant to him; he didn't think it was fair Mark got to have all the fun anyway. Steve heard Mark's breathing intensify as Steve kissed his collar bone. Steve moved one hand from Mark and slowly moved it up Mark's shirt. Steve felt Mark's chest hair. He found himself rubbing it as he kissed Mark's collar bone. Steve could hear Mark's breathing change as he enjoyed what Steve was doing. Steve slowly removed Mark's shirt and then removed his own. Steve just watched as Mark went back to putting his hands in the same position when Steve took off his shirt.

"Not fighting this?" Steve asked with a smile.

"Tempted to pin you down is all, but I am holding back," Mark smiled.

Steve went in to kiss Mark. Steve felt more passion in this kiss from Mark. Every time Steve kissed Mark he would feel more emotion and passion behind the kiss. Steve could not compare how it was with Bucky to being with Mark. He felt he could be himself with Mark. He was allowed to explore more of himself with Mark. Steve also thought Mark brought out his real self more than anyone else could.

Steve kissed down Mark's neck and explored Mark's chest. Steve felt himself being very brave now. He saw Mark fighting back the urge to take control. Steve never knew he would enjoy seeing the things he does bring out a more animalistic side of Mark. Steve undid Mark's jeans and slid them off of Mark. Steve kept exploring Mark's body and heard Mark's heavy breathing as he found places Mark had to use all of his strength to hold back. Finally, Mark grabbed hold of Steve and brought him in for a kiss. Mark grabbed Steve and pinned him down.

Mark kissed Steve deeply as he ran his hands through his hair pulling it. Steve gave his sounds letting Mark know it was all perfect. Mark broke from the kiss.

"I wondered how long you would hold back," Steve said.

"You are good, Rogers. What else can I say?"

Steve knew what he wished Mark to say. He wanted Mark to stay, be here with him. He knew Mark couldn't answer right now. Steve felt Mark's hands begin to explore his body. Steve felt pulses of electricity from Mark's touch. Mark slid Steve's pants off of him. Steve then felt Mark kiss him. Steve felt euphoric from the kiss. He saw Mark looking at him after the kiss; Mark cupped Steve's face.

"Ready for more?" Mark asked Steve. Steve just smiled when He kissed Mark again. Steve felt his underwear being removed as Mark kissed him. Steve got to finish undressing Mark. Mark held Steve down and kissed him. Steve felt Mark enter him. Steve felt the same pulse as he did before when they first made love. Steve then felt Mark move his kiss to Steve's neck. Steve felt different sensations he could not even begin to describe. Steve felt he lost most sense when he felt Mark bite his chest. Steve let Mark take control, and he did not regret the choice, he did not want it to end.

Steve did not know how long he and Mark were making love. He felt exhausted from it. He turned to Mark, who was resting on the pillow next to him, just watching Steve. Steve moved closer to Mark, who just opened his arms to let Steve curl up next to him.

"I want to stay here, Steve." Steve heard from Mark. Steve didn't say anything. Steve just looked at Mark. "I will find a way to stay here… or at least near you." Steve kissed Mark when he said this and then rested his head on Mark's chest. Steve would find a way for Mark to stay here, if Mark couldn't.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this story. The Story continued on to the next book, A Lost Warrior. Be sure to check it out if you enjoyed this one. Feel free to leave a comment on your thoughts so I can apply it to future stories. Thank you again for reading.