Lessons In Love: Chapter Seventy-Two: West Coast (Part 2)


Howard Stark watched the elevator doors open. A very curious looking blonde emerged and stuck his head out the door. The sight of that made the father smile.

History had repeated itself for the inventor. He felt like he was standing back in time, watching a different version of Steve Rogers look about.

"I'm having a bit of deja vu."

Howard spoke quietly and Steve abruptly turned toward his voice. His eyes locked onto the "Top Dog" of the building, and he noticed that Howard was extending his hand.

Steve stepped toward him. He gently shook his hand, and gave him an embarrassed looking smile. Steve apologized several times, and Howard told him that he had nothing to be sorry for.

Steve took it all in. Howard wore brown pants with black suspenders. He was wearing a beige button up shirt, with a dark red tie.

Steve didn't know why those details were important, but he also noticed where Tony got his posture.

"I hear that you're a bit lost? You're not that far from home, soldier boy."

Howard tried to keep it light. Steve looked very confused, and he didn't want him slipping into a bad place. Howard knew all about Steve's episodes with depression.

"I'm not sure why I'm here. I know why I'm HERE, here. Just not, here? If that makes sense."

Steve was a mess. He laughed a little as he spoke, but his eyes were opened up as far as they could go. Steve was pretty embarrassed with what he said.

"I was told that in this time I was called, Captain America? That's probably what confuses me the most. You made the serum work, so..."

The little lost lamb was staring at the beautiful floor. Howard gently crossed his arms and he carefully listened to what Steve was saying. He had no idea who he was, and that was ok.

"I thought you could help. I wanted to ask when I was at your home, but.."

He could barely look at Howard that morning. Steve was very promiscuous beneath his roof. He slept with Tony in Howard's house, and he didn't know if they knew about it.

Howard was unaware about what Tony did in his bedroom, but he knew that Steve was in it. He knew something was going on.

His opinion on that didn't matter. Howard started walking back toward the elevator.

"I might be of some use. Follow me Steve."

The would-be-soldier saw his smile. That smile made him feel better so he stepped back into the elevator. Howard took him all the way to the bottom floor.

They were underground and entering into the manufacturing section of Stark Industries. In the future, that area would become Tony's workspace.

Howard led Steve over toward an empty wall. He started putting codes into a keypad. Steve tried to watch everything.

He kept looking at all the shiny things. His young heart was beating quickly as he looked around.

"Since I didn't die, and I was put on that Surveillant Council, I have been developing something just for you Steve."

The empty wall opened up, and Steve could see one of those suits that was worn by so many other versions of himself.

Steve didn't have any clue who that person was. His older self didn't wear it, and he had only seen it on several video screens.

He received a history lesson at the X-Mansion as well. Steve saw himself and what happened during World War II.

Howard kept looking at Steve. He stepped up to his uniform and he started inspecting it.

"The older version of my son has been altering this suit for you as well. He comes here once or twice a week and does some crazy stuff to it. Would you like to try it on?"

Howard created the base of the suit. The older Tony managed all the bells and whistles. The technology in Big Tony's time was beyond any comprehension, and Howard knew exactly what the suit was capable of.

That suit could friggen move a mountain, but Howard knew that Steve probably wouldn't have to. That soldier boy always figured out a different way. He smiled at Steve and continued to watch him inspect the suit.

Steve couldn't take his eyes off of it. He touched one of the straps on the shoulder and he slowly looked over at Howard.

"Yes, I would. I want to try it on."

Steve swallowed whatever insecurity he had building up, and he decided to give that Captain America skin a try.


Chapter: END

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