"Mind if I join you guys for lunch? I'm starving and I have no idea what places are actually restaurants or random shops." the Captain chuckled lightheartedly.
"It would be an honor, sir!" I exclaimed as the doors slid open again. Bruce lead the way out and drove us to the café. Captain Rogers and I stood back awkwardly as Bruce ordered a complicated drink.
"Any idea what he's saying?" Captain Rogers asked. I jumped, then shook my head.
"Nope." I shoved my hands in my pockets. "I'm probably just gonna grab a normal cup of joe or some sweet tea."
"Me too." he smiled and we both stepped up to order. "One coffee, black, please."
"And an iced tea with a muffin." I added, handing the cashier my money.
"I can take care of that." Captain Rogers objected.
"When hell freezes over, sir. I don't think I'm ready for my boss to start buying me meals yet." I scoffed and followed Bruce to a table.
"You guys wait here, I've got to use the restroom." Bruce excused himself and left. We sat at the table in a tense silence. What was I supposed to say to this guy? He was so cool and I was so... me.
"So, Vietnam." Captain Rogers mused.
"Oh uh, yeah." I sighed, recalling the war.
"Seen a lot of battles?" he asked. I scoffed and nodded, narrowing my eyes bitterly at the tabletop. "You lose any people?" he tilted his head, furrowing his brow. I looked up at him, dumbfounded. "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be prying-"
"No, no, it's fine." I stopped him. "I- uh- I actually had a strong dislike at the time for everyone else in the war. I felt like they were only there because they were drafted or failed out of school and had nothing else to lose. Hell, I didn't give two shits about anyone on that field." I paused, feeling sick that I had been so hateful towards the world. "B-but now that I look back, they had everything to lose. Their lives, their families, their country. They really cared about all that and they were willing to fight for love and liberty. I volunteered to fight because I was underestimated and I wanted to defy social boundaries, and I didn't care what happened to me. Funny how people change, huh Captain?" I mumbled. Captain Rogers looked at me, his expression heavy with concern. He opened his mouth to say something, but Bruce set a tray laden with our orders onto the table.
"Hey, sorry to keep you guys waiting. Did you discuss anything interesting while I was gone?" Bruce inquired, handing us our drinks. "You two alright? You look like you've been to a funeral."
"Might as well have been," I took a large gulp of iced tea. "I just buried my past. Let's not try digging it up anymore, okay?" I chuckled dryly, trying to fight the guilt I felt rising in my throat, and took another long drink of tea.
-
"Thanks for taking me out to lunch, Doc." I shrugged my jacket on. Bruce nodded in acknowledgement and got into his car. Turned out the Cap and I lived close to the café. We waved goodbye to Bruce.
"Since we work together now and live so close to each other, do you want to carpool sometime?" Captain Rogers suggested.
"Uh, I usually walk or take a cab. I don't own a vehicle." I admitted.
"That's fine. We can take a cab tomorrow, if that's alright. My bike is still at H.Q." he shrugged. "And I suggest you get well rested today. Fury assigned me to teach you and keep you in line, considering we're pretty similarly built and trained."
"Oh, alright. Good luck with the keeping me in line, sir." I chuckled.
"First order as your mentor, stop calling me 'sir'. I may technically be your superior, but I'm also your team mate. Titles are out of the question unless they are 'friend', 'mentor', or 'acquaintance'. Are we clear?" he looked at me sternly.
"Crystal, uh-" I paused, unsure what to say.
"You can call me Steve." Steve smiled kindly, holding his hand out. "Tomorrow then?"
"Tomorrow." I nodded, shaking his hand.