Steve, contrary to the running joke in Stark Tower, wasn't entirely useless at operating his computer and surfing the internet (even if he did occasionally use internet lingo incorrectly). He'd bookmarked some of his favorite blogs, was catching up on decades of trends and music (he'd had "Karma Chameleon" stuck in his head for three days now), and even knew not to open any link from Tony as it was bound to be something specifically chosen to offend his sensibilities.

One evening, he saw a link for a video project called "It Gets Better". Being the group's resident optimist, he found himself intrigued and clicked through.

The next morning, he went to find the rest of the Avengers, and explained his plan.

"You want to make a video?" Tony grinned, sipping his coffee.

"Yes."

"What kind of ... video?" he asked, leering.

"I want the whole group to make a video for the It Gets Better project."

"Well, well! How progressive of you, Cap!"

Steve looked confused. "What's progressive about it? No one in America should be treated like they are lesser, or second class. That's not what this country is about. It's not anywhere in the ideals we were founded on. Everyone is supposed to be equal, are they not?"

Bruce leaned over to Natasha. "If I didn't know him , I'd think he was a cariacature," he said under his breath.

"Right? But it's kind of adorable," she whispered back before she stood. "I'm in, Steve."

"So am I," Clint smiled. "It's a good idea."

"This is going to help people?" Thor asked.

Bruce nodded. "We hope so."

"Then you can count me in," he boomed, standing.

"Of course you're all going to participate, aren't you, Avengers?" Director Fury said, striding into the common room.

"Great," Tony sighed, "now I have to choose between disobeying Fury just to irk him, or disappointing Captain America?"

"Tony Stark, you are not seriously even considering not doing this," Pepper snapped from her seat by the window.

"Yeah, I know I'm not." He turned to Steve. "You want suited up or in street clothes?"

"I vote suited up," Natasha said.

"Yeah, cause you want to stare at my butt," Clint chuckled.

Natasha grinned. "Not just yours."

"Anyway," Fury interjected, "go suit up and meet back here."

Ultimately, and after much debate, they decided to just go sit on the rooftop patio, all piled onto the big bench that no one ever used unless they were planning on taking a nap.

Darcy finished setting up the laptop and webcam, punched a button, and pointed at the group.

Steve looked into the camera. "Life as a teenager can be hard enough as it is; life as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender teenager can seem like something you need superpowers to get through."

"Sometimes, you might feel like you're leading a fake life, like the person you present to the world isn't you, because you don't know if the world will accept you the way you are," Natasha continued, taking Steve's hand.

"You may feel abandoned, like the people that you expected to always be there for you just can't be bothered anymore," Clint added, linking his arm through Natasha's.

Thor nodded. "You'll have times that you might feel you've been tested beyond your endurance, that your strength can't continue, where you just want to throw up your hands and surrender."

Bruce patted Thor's leg and took a deep breath. "You may feel like everything is out of your control, and that all you want to do is rage against everything that is bringing you down."

Tony put his arm around Bruce's shoulders. "But there's one thing you have to remember, no matter what: that whatever your background, whatever your family situation, whatever the obstacles in your way ... it does get better."

Steve nodded. "I remember being bullied. I remember wondering what I'd have to do to get them off my back, wondering when it was ever going to change. It's a hard road and a long slog." He paused. "But remember that you aren't alone; we're here for you, anytime, day or night. We stand for you, each and every one of you. We're trying to make this a better place for everyone. And if this ragtag group can make it," he smiled, beckoning to the rest of the group, "then so can you."

Darcy punched the button again. "Nice job, guys. I'll get this submitted tonight."