Steve needed a place to stay -and soon. While SHIELD gave him a well-enough apartment with access to the gym, but he had found many hidden cameras in the area. Apparently, SHIELD wasn't very trusting. Then, a name he learnt later, CCTVs were monitoring his place for quite a while, seeing as no Agent had entered that place in weeks. Or they had, he thought sardonically, he wouldn't know.

Steve walked into the cafe after his morning jog. The "Marauders' Doe" sign was highlighted well with golden, cursive font. The three-storey building it was built on was painted to mimic Ivory, the two balconies had flowers like lavenders, roses, gardenias, petunias, and lilies of different types. The windows were blocked by heavy-looking curtains of a creamy beige colour. There was a small door adjacent to the display glass of the cafe, which presumably leads to the houses above.

"One house," the owner had corrected, "My house."

Steve had promptly wilted like a rose, "Oh." before he could leave, or turn around for that matter, the owner had stopped him in place, "Why ask?"

"I needed a new place," he stated uncomfortably, "I don't have the money,"

"You can just get a roommate," the owner offered helpfully, "You'll get to split the rent."

Gears working, Steve smiled at the man in front of him, "Thanks... er-" he stared at the name tag on his left breast, "Harry. Thanks -a lot."

Harry merely snorted, but smiled calmly all the same, "You're welcome," They stared awkwardly at each other for a few minutes, which seemed to pass for hours, before Harry cleared his throat, "So, can I get you something?" he gestured towards the cafe outside his office doors.

Steve nodded and ordered a cup of Black coffee with an espresso shot- which got him an odd look but was helped out either way.

.

Steve was frustrated. He was currently in the gym that the SHIELD director had given him access to. He punched the punching bag hard, a ringing left in his knuckles as the bag flailed around at the impact. He promptly replaced it for another -only to punch it just as hard.

It was the middle of the night, and he was tired -but he couldn't sleep. By now, Steve was far too used to it. He had spent his time as a soldier sleeping in tents and camps, the hard floors and rocks they slept on had become far too familiar. Now, the beds were comfortable -soft, like a feather. He didn't know what to do.
Then, there were the nightmares. He would close his eyes every night, only to wake up to screaming and fire -feeling as though someone dumped ice-cold water over his head. And Bucky...

Shaking his head to rid himself of those thoughts, Steve went to his wardrobe, pulling out a trach suit and throwing it on. A jog would be nice, maybe a few shots of liquor might help him forget about the man that haunted his dreams. Maybe -he'd give it another chance.

.

"One shot of your strongest," Steve panted slightly as he made his way to the bar. The place amazed him, really; a quiet cafe during the day and an all-out club during the night. One look at the bartender made him blink in surprise, what was the owner doing? he thought that the guy had someone else as a bartender -he was sure.

"I assure you, Mr Rogers, that I am the only bartender in this establishment. This is, to put it frankly, the first time you've noticed me here." Steve nodded, taking the answer.

He waited patiently for Harry to make him his drink- but the glass he put forward was no form of alcohol, it was water. "You've been running for a while now, this might help," he explained quietly, "I'll get you something to eat."

He came back a few minutes later, holding a small plate of food towards him. "It's too soft isn't it?" he went on, making Steve look up at him.

"Your bed," he stiffened, "It feels too soft," Harry explained with a knowing look in his. "How?" Steve managed to croak out.

"My father was in the Military. Died there too. I- he didn't know me for long, but during our time together, he was amazing." his eyes glistened slightly, before he looked away. Taking out a tinted glass bottle, he broke the seal and poured an unhealthy amount, before handing it to him, "here," he sniffed.

Harry went to serve the next customer with a charming smile and a familiar, knowing glint in his eyes -like nothing was wrong.

(but everything was.)

I'm feeling sad... But hey! We have future Harry AND Stevie!

"Hello, darkness my old friend..."