Washington, D.C.
July 4, 2013
14 Months After New York
Freya's in the kitchen, humming along with the record player as she cooks breakfast. The smell of pancakes, bacon and eggs permeating the apartment. Steve rolls over in his bed, the smell of food finally waking him up. As he lays there, he wonders why Freya's cooking breakfast on a Thursday. She normally only makes breakfast on the weekends. If they're actually home and not on a mission. Turning over on his side and checking his phone, he realizes what day it is. Closing his eyes and letting out a groan, he eventually drags himself out of bed.
As he walks down the hall, he can hear the soft sound of 40's music coming from the living room. When he gets to the kitchen, what he sees makes him stop as a smile begins to work it's way on to his face. Leaning next to the wall by the bookcase, he watches Freya as she flits around the kitchen. Her movements silent and graceful. Steve listens to her hum along with the music. Her voice melodic and entrancing. He's completely captivated by her. He realizes that he finds her to be the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. Watching her causes a warm feeling to generate in his chest. The sensation making him confused. He wonders why he's feeling this way at the sight of his best friend.
"Well good morning, Birthday Boy. Perfect timing. Breakfast is ready."
Pulled from his thoughts, he realizes she's looking at him now. She has a big, toothy smile on her face. Steve can't help but give her a big smile back.
"Good morning to you, too." His voice is still thick with sleep. He walks into the kitchen and sits down in one of the stools at the bar. "You know, you don't have to do this." She has her back turned to him again as she begins to dish up their food.
"I know," she hums.
"My birthday isn't anything special. It's really nothing to celebrate," he shrugs.
Turning back to him, she has a serious look on her face. She sets down the utensils and walks around the bar to stand in front of him. Since he's sitting down, their eyesight is almost level for once. Freya looks at him as she searches his eyes.
"You're special to me, Steve. As a result, that makes your birthday special. Even if you don't think so or don't feel like it's anything to celebrate. To me, you are something to celebrate. Having you in my life is something to celebrate. I don't think you realize how lucky I am to have you in my life."
She tilts her head and gives him a small, genuine smile. His heart swells at her words and his palms become sweaty. Turning his chair toward her, he pulls her in for a tight hug. His arms go around her waist as he buries his face in her neck. She doesn't hesitate to put her arms around his neck as she leans her head on his.
"Thank you," he breathes out. His voice is muffled from the inside of her neck. She can feel his breath on it. Causing goosebumps to raise on her skin. She fights a shiver that tries to run down her spine.
"Of course, Steve. Anything for you." She gives him a quick kiss on the top of his head before releasing him and returning to the counter. Steve blushes at her affectionate action. Reaching out, she quickly snags a piece of bacon and munches on it blissfully.
"You and your bacon," he chuckles.
"Hey, now!" she grins at him over her shoulder. "It was the first thing I ever tried after landing on Earth. I don't remember any other food before that. Give me a break!" she chuckles. "Plus, it's so sinfully delicious!"
She hums in satisfaction as she stuffs another piece in her mouth, making Steve throw his head back with a loud laugh. She grabs their plates with a grin and makes her way back over to him. They decide to eat breakfast at the bar. Making comfortable small talk as they occasionally sneak glances at each other. As they finish, she looks over at him.
"So, what do you want for your birthday?"
"Huh?" He furrows his eyebrows at her as he returns her gaze. She raises hers in anticipation as she waits for an answer. "Nothing," he shrugs. "Honestly, there's nothing I want. I've got everything that I need right here," he smiles.
She smiles shyly and clears her throat. Quickly turning back to her plate in an attempt to hide her blush. Getting down from her chair, she grabs her plate and reaches for his. But he holds it out of her reach.
"Ah, ah, ah. You cooked. I'll do the dishes."
"Yeah, that's how it usually works," she snorts. "But, not today. It's your birthday. There's no way I'm letting you do the dishes on your birthday, Spangles."
He grins at the nickname. Normally, he wouldn't tolerate someone calling him that, but she's the exception. Ever since she first called him that back during the whole Loki situation, it instantly stuck. Only she is allowed to call him "Spangles". He pauses momentarily as he thinks before offering a solution.
"How 'bout this, you let me help with the dishes. And we can do them together."
She thinks for a few seconds before nodding.
"Okay, deal."
As they both squeeze into their small kitchen, they work in comfortable silence. Every so often, they bump into each other and laugh. The kitchen isn't even remotely big enough for two people and Steve is not a small guy. They don't mind, though. They enjoy being close to each other. As they finish the last few dishes, Steve listens to the music coming from the living room. Making him think about her question of what he wants for his birthday. When the last dish is cleaned and they dry their hands, he finally speaks up.
"I changed my mind." She tilts her head at him inquisitively as he looks down at her and elaborates. "There is one thing that I want for my birthday."
Grabbing her hand, he leads her into the living room. Making her wait in the middle of it, he walks over to the record player. The apartment goes silent as he switches the records. Suddenly, "It's Been a Long, Long Time" begins to play. The song choice making Freya smile. Steve knows it's easily her favorite song in his collection of music from back in his time. Though, she becomes confused when he turns around and slowly approaches her.
Stopping in front of her, he reaches out and takes her hands. Pulling her close, his right hand puts her left on his chest. While his left also brings her right to his chest and keeps a hold of it. He moves his right hand down to her waist and begins to slowly sway. Her eyes go wide at his actions. Not sure of what to do. He stops swaying and his eyes go wide as well when he sees her freeze up.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overstep and make you uncomfortable or anything," he stutters nervously as he starts to release her. She stops him and grips his hand tighter.
"No, no, it's fine. It's just... I, uh, I-I don't know how to slow dance."
"Wait, really? You've never slow danced before?" He looks down at her in complete shock at her admission.
"N-No," she shakes her head and clears her throat. "I've always just focused on my job. I was never the type of person to go out," she shrugs.
"Well, that makes two of us," he smiles fondly at her.
"It does?"
"Mhm," he nods. "After the serum, I was always busy fighting. Then, obviously things happened. Before that, women weren't really lining up to dance with a little guy like me."
"I would have," she smiles softly.
"Really?" Steve asks in disbelief. She continues to smile and silently nods. He looks down at her in adoration. Completely speechless. She clears her throat and gestures at their hands.
"Well, there's a first time for everything. Lead away, Spangles."
They smile at each other as they start to sway and silence falls over them. He pulls her closer and their bodies become flush against each other. He notices a blush beginning to creep up on her face. She shyly looks away as the blush gets darker. After a few moments, she hesitates at first, but then decides to lay her head on his chest. Not even a few seconds later, she feels Steve rest his head on top of hers as he sighs in content.
They don't know how long they dance for, but Freya finally pulls away when the oven timer goes off. Making them both jump. She sighs as she looks up at him. Seeing an unreadable expression on his face. Not knowing in that moment, a realization had just hit him. And it had hit him hard. She detaches herself and walks back to the kitchen while Steve trails behind. Grabbing an oven mitt, she heads over to the said kitchen appliance.
"What'd you make?" he asks. She looks over her shoulder and grins as she pulls out a homemade apple pie from the oven. Steve's face instantly lights up with joy.
"I got the recipe from Pepper." Putting it down to cool, she turns back to him. "I was thinking would could take it with us when we visit Peggy today," she smiles at him softly.
When Freya first joined S.H.I.E.L.D., she had read everything should could on its history. Learning that Peggy Carter knew her grandfather, was a founder of the organization alongside him and was also still alive, she knew she had to meet her. So against orders, she did some digging and found out that Peggy was in DC too. When she finally met her, Peggy of course already knew who she was. They had instantly bonded and Freya would visit her as often as she could. Knowing that there was history between Peggy and Steve, the first thing Freya did when he moved to DC with her was take him to see the retired agent. Steve being forever grateful that she had brought them together once again. They now make frequent trips together to visit the older woman.
"I think she'll really love that." A warm smile falls on Steve's face as he nods. He walks over to her and envelopes her in a hug. "I don't think you realize how amazing you are, Frey. You say you're lucky, but I think I'm the lucky one here," he mumbles into her hair. She chuckles as she lays her head on his chest.
"How about we're both lucky?"
"Okay, deal," he laughs. His voice rumbles through his chest. Sighing, Freya pulls back.
"I'm gonna let that cool. In the mean time, we should go get ourselves ready so we can visit her." Turning away, she begins to head towards her room. But Steve reaches out and tightly grips her hand. She turns back around to him and tilts her head in question.
"Let's dance for a few more minutes," he beams at her. The smile on his face bright and boyish.
"Steve, we should really start getting ready," she giggles at him. Which surprises herself, because she never giggles. "The things this man does to me," she thinks to herself.
"Cmon. Please, Frey. It's my birthday, remember?" he pouts at her. Her mouth falls open in shock.
"Steven Grant Rogers, did you really just use the birthday card on me with a pouty face?!"
"Maybe," he grins mischievously.
Freya just grins as she shakes her head. Knowing he's won, he leads her back into the living room where the music is still playing. Turning to her, he pulls her close once more as she lays her head on his chest. Dropping his head down, he lays it on hers as they both sigh in content. The record player providing the only sound in their apartment. Briefly pulling away, she smiles up at him.
"Happy birthday, Steve."
