Hello All! So I'm going to try something new, I'm not sure how it will work. Because I'm so busy this semester with my job and school I'm going to post whatever I write during one session of writing onto fanfiction. This is why this chapter is shorter, much shorter, than my usual chapters. This way I can (hopefully) update more frequently and not leave you lovely readers waiting too long. If you guys like this or don't like this let me know! I would love you feedback! Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy! :D
"Good morning Steve," Charlie greeted him in the morning. Steve smiled and rubbed his head.
"Morning," he replied. Steve felt rested and energized. Charlie noticed his change in mood and tilted her head.
"Any nightmares last night?" Charlie raised her eyebrows.
"A dreamless night." Steve sat down at the table and stretched. His muscles seemed to creak as they woke up but it felt good. When was the last time he'd gotten a full night's sleep?
"Today's breakfast is an English muffin with a fried egg," Charlie said. Steve nodded and stood up from the table. He started the coffee and brought out two plates and two forks. Breakfast smelled amazing and Steve wondered where Charlie learned to cook.
"Can I ask you a question?" Charlie asked, breaking Steve out of his thoughts.
"Sure."
"What are your nightmares about?" Steve placed the utensils on the table and leaned against the counter.
"Well, they're not all nightmares. Some are just sad and I don't want to go back to sleep and see them all over again," Steve explained. Charlie waited for him to speak, knowing there was more.
"The nightmares are usually about the war and…and my best friend. The sad ones are mostly memories. Memories from my childhood. Memories from a different age," the words tumble from his mouth. Images of his mother and father, Bucky, and 1940s New York flashed through his mind. I guess the sad dreams and the nightmares sometimes blend, Steve thought. Bucky came to mind when he thought of sad nightmares. He would dream of his friend when they were kids and then it would change to him freefalling from the train. Steve crossed his arms and looked down at the floor, trying to push the pain away.
"Your best friend's name was Bucky right?" Charlie asks gently.
"Yeah. Bucky was his nickname. James Barnes was his full name. Sergeant James Barnes," Steve replied softly. It was physically hard to say Bucky's name. By saying it out loud, it reiterated the fact that he wasn't there. Bucky was gone. Charlie didn't press for anymore but allowed Steve to direct the conversation.
"Where did you learn to cook?" Steve asked, once the lump in his throat left.
"I learned how to make the basic stuff like sandwiches when I was younger, before I ran away. After that, Nana would teach me how to cook because it was the only thing I didn't get frustrated with. School was hard for me, family was hard for me, but cooking was easy," Charlie explained with a sigh. Steve lifted his head and looked at Charlie. He could see that she was struggling with revealing so much but she didn't put up the wall.
"Did your brothers run away too?" Steve asked. He didn't want to push too much too soon but he was curious. Charlie shook her head.
"No, my brothers both went to military school before I was born so I didn't see them much growing up. We reconnected later when I was about thirteen." Charlie focused on the eggs and Steve decided to drop any more questions he had. He could be patient and he didn't want to ruin the new friendship he'd gained.
"So what are the plans for today? You guys go to the diner?" Steve asked. Charlie slipped an egg onto each plate and handed one to Steve.
"Yep. Nana, Nattie and I will go work at the diner and Nana will probably find something for you to do around the house," Charlie replied as they sat down. Charlie clasped her hands and closed her eyes. It took Steve a moment to realize she was praying over breakfast. Steve imitated her and sent a silent prayer to the Lord, asking for his blessing over the food. Just as they were about to dig into their breakfast, Betty walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning," she yawned. Charlie and Steve chorused a greeting and Betty placed a hand on Charlie's head. Betty rummaged around for a mug and poured herself some coffee.
"Betty," Steve said, catching her attention, "Thank you." Betty blinked and laughed.
"What for dear?"
"For treating me like Steve and not Captain America." Betty smiled a wide smile.
"You don't have to thank me for that! I treat you like Steve because you are Steve." Betty shook her head in amusement, stirring some cream into her coffee. She had no idea how much that one statement meant to Steve.
"Thank you," Steve said again, sincerity in his voice.
"Why are you saying thank you?" Nathan asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"He's saying thank you to us for treating him like Steve and not Captain America," Betty chimed.
"Isn't that your name boy?" Nathan chuckled. He slapped Steve's shoulder and joined Betty at the counter. Charlie caught Steve's eye and smiled. Steve swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. It felt good to feel normal again. It felt good to feel loved.