In his room, Steve lay on his bed, knees pulled upwards towards his chest, but not flush. Creating an area for the little chicks to run around over the towel he put down to protect his bed. He reads a book, whistling softly the tune of 'The way you look tonight' by Fred Astaire.
His girls love it when he sings to them. Some of them have started joining in. 'They've certainly got some learning to do,' he thinks to himself with a small smirk, but he loves it. He loves them so much.
There is a knock at his door. He feels a slight panic, he opens up his shirt and nudges his chicks in. Cooing proudly but softly when they follow his instruction.
"Come it," he calls, once he was sure they were all hidden away, putting on a smile.
The door opens, reviling Jan and Tony. He can see the poorly concealed concern hidden behind their smiles. They walk into the room, but they don't come in very far, only a few steps.
He hopes they don't get any closer, he didn't know what he'd do or stay if they picked up on the soft trills and chirps coming from his shirt.
"Hey, Steve," Tony says, "How've you been holding up?"
"Good, thank you," he says, raising a brow at them.
Tony's expression falls slightly, he would have missed it if he hadn't spent so much time with him down in the lab.
Jan takes a step forward. Steve's heart leaps into his throat. "We're worried about you." She says, getting straight to the point. "You haven't been around much."
"Oh…" Steve mumbles, "I'm alright. You should worry about me."
"We are though, Steve," Jan says.
"If there is anything you want to talk about, anything at all, we're here for you," Tony says, "If there is anything you need…"
"Really, guys, I'm fine."
They are not convinced, he can see that. He wishes he could spend more time out, stop worrying about them. But, he is a full-time daddy bird now, and he doesn't know if they would understand… or if they would even let him keep his brood.
How could he tell them that this… that they, his girls, have made him feel happier than he has really been since waking up, since the war. Since his ma died even.
The simple act of caring for them. Feeling safe in that he can do that. That he can protect his little girls and not fear letting them down. Seeing just how happy seeing him makes them, how they run up to him and try and burry under him. Hearing them call back to his songs. Their excitement at dinner time. Their antics that bring forth the kind of laughter he never thought he'd experience again, deep uncontrollable laughter that he doesn't think he could stop even if he tried. He was glad that he–
"Steve! Steve?"
"Yes?" he says, looking back at Tony and Jan.
"You kind of zoned out there… Are you sure you are okay?" Tony says.
"I- I'm fine, really," He says, "Thanks though. It means a lot."
"Okay…" Tony says, "you know where we are if you feel you need to talk."
They leave.
Steve releases his bundle. But they don't run out.
With a small frown, Steve raises his shirt so he could peer inside. Only to see that, within the dark of his shirt, they have huddled up and settled in for a nap.
He smiles at them and goes back to his book.
TBC