because how do you expect me to watch supernatural and somehow not make it connected to the avengers. really.

...

day six; crossover.

Steve doesn't like it.

He supposes he should just live with it— like it? Hate it? Who cares, really. Certainly not in this century— but it irks him anyway. What are their names again? Sam? Dean Winchester, is it? Probably.

Maria never lets them clarify anything as clearly.

She says, "They're here just the same as you are, Steve. Taking shelter. Play nice." Which is awkward, because Steve's never asked to play nice - he's naturally is nice, you know - leaving afterwards while mumbling under her breath, "Although I have no idea why you came over to my safe house of all places, goddammit."

He notices that Maria's rather close to the younger brother.

He doesn't know why.

You see, in all of the years that he's known Maria, she's never been particularly close to any male figure, excepting, well, Clint, but that's different. They've gone through similar hells together, that Steve learns. She, however, is much more comfortable around women (he's seen this of course, when she's around Miss Potts, and Natasha. It's rather nice to see her guard put down, her body more relaxed in their presence) but that's also because they're such a constant figure in her life that she's somewhat forced to be accept it.

But this kid.

He just shows out of nowhere and they're suddenly, what? Having a picnic together? These are all very confusing. And he only shows up at the damn safe house because he remembers her redirecting it a year ago when he reaches out for help, though he didn't actually go then. He doesn't expect to see two men there when he comes knocking on the door. And her.

Together.

(Do you see the problem?)

"So you're Captain America, huh?" Dean laughs when they're settling in the first time they're introduced, on his one hand is a knife, being cleaned. "Expected something... flashy. More blue and white and the, uh, the star." He chuckles again, a little goofily, meeting Steve's eyes as Sam comes forward, restraining an eye-roll it seems, of his older brother.

"Don't mind him. He secretly adores you." Sam gives a half-smile, polite. "I'm Sam. Uh, Winchester. This is my brother, Dean."

"Steve." Steve nods, taking his hand just as Maria steps in from behind Sam (Winchester Sam), her one hand extending a towel towards them. "This is Sam. Wilson."

"Nice to meet you," Sam (his Sam) says, grabbing the towel and mouthing a kind thank you towards the only woman in the room. Maria gives out a curt smile, then (VERY NOTICEABLY) squeezes Sam's (Winchester Sam) shoulder - Winchester Sam gives out a small, acknowledging look and Maria mumbles something about dinner, later on having Winchester Sam excusing himself ("Right. Nice to meet you.") before following Maria into the kitchen.

That's how it starts.

It shouldn't bother him. It shouldn't.

But goddamn it does. It kinda does. A lot, too. He voices this out when he finally has her alone in the kitchen, doing the dishes. He offers to take over, but she refuses. She always refuses. He leans against the kitchen sink, or next to it, instead, looking at her. "Where did you find the Winchester brothers?"

"I didn't." Answers Maria directly, not batting a single eyelashes his way. This is normal. And this is what Steve will get. He knows this. "Fury did. He asked me to keep an eye."

"And you just follow his orders," he says a little harshly, fearing later that he might've crossed some sort of line when he realises what he'd just said. But Maria gives no indication that she's hurt by it, or effected at all. Just keep on washing the dishes as though he hadn't said a thing in the first place. Classic Maria, he guesses.

He sighs, decides to ask instead:

"Are they dangerous?"

"To you?" She's mocking him, a little, and Steve doesn't roll his eyes at the young smirk that's slowly gracing her face. "Probably not. But they're handy with their guns when they can be."

"What do they do, anyway?"

"Aren't you nosy, Rogers?" She asks him as she taps the sink and drains the water, washing her hands straightly afterwards. Her silver eyes watches him from the corner, but he avoids it, drinks up his beer. Her question repeats itself in his head: aren't you nosy, Rogers, and he nearly outrightly frowns. He is (nosy, that is), but like hell he's admitting it. "Don't worry. So far, they're the good guys. They're not killing us anytime soon."

She may be snorting, stealing his beer out of his hand and drinking it. (She does that. Apparently, they've crossed that line of friendship where she doesn't think twice at all into stealing his food or drinks. And it's not like he minds it, really. It tells him that he's in her trusted inner circle, and he likes being in it.) "I'd have their heads before they could even move if they were."

He wishes he could say he's glad to hear it.

When they finally have to go - the Winchesters, that is, not Sam and himself - Steve watches as Maria perches herself at the edge of the Impala, Dean and her exchanging hushed conversations. Sam joins them a second later; Dean pats her arm affectionately (almost) then goes; Sam talks for a bit, brushes his hair, nods, smiles (she smiles back, ugh) and dives for a hug. Surprisingly (and hurtful to his stomach), she hugs back. It really is awkward.

Sam (his Sam) watches Steve with amusement, chuckling into his beer.

"She doesn't hug, you know." Steve tells him because it's important. "Maria doesn't-" He huffs, and Sam (once again, his Sam) laughs some more.

"You aren't going with them?" Steve says when she finally climbs up the porch, the Impala now disappearing into the corner. She doesn't even look back.

"No." She says without missing a beat, stops, then looks at their surroundings. "They'll live without me."

"And you're okay with that?"

She looks annoyed. Maybe. "I'm not their fucking babysitters, Rogers."

He shrugs, mulls over his beer. "Okay."

She sighs, then looks at him. For a very long time. "Speaking of which," she finally drawls, "I'm not picking up Wilson's dirty clothes, Captain. He's your boyfriend. Get down to it."

Steve chuckles, then grins up at her. "Well in any case," he bites his bottom lips, just for a second. "I'm glad I've got you all to myself now," he pales. Immediately. "I mean, I-"

"Adorable." She smirks.

Steve blushes. Horribly.

God, he's a trainwreck.

"Yeah," she surprisingly says when she turns, right before going inside. "Me too."

Steve only watches her go.