A/N: Steve's part is not written by me, but by my amazing RP partner. I only edit the replies. Hope you guys like it! Read/Review
It hadn't stopped raining for days. Not since that day. The day she left. Wrapping what remained of his heart in the ice he had been once buried in, the soldier simply didn't let himself feel anymore. Classified mission. He knew it was a lie with the way Fury couldn't look him in the eyes. Tony and the others just stopped speaking of her. It was almost like she had died but her death would have been easier for him to process. Knowing she was alive and out there somewhere simply living without him was a mark on his soul. A permanent pain he felt on the molecular level.
At first he took every mission they threw at him. The most dangerous, the ones that could possibly get him killed. He wasn't afraid though because he knew he wouldn't die. Not that he was invincible by any means, but he knew fate would not be so kind to kill him while he still had so much more suffering to do.
Eventually even the missions became impossible to care about. He'd spent his whole life in battle. It was what he knew beyond all else yet...he just couldn't anymore. One day as the tower awoke to another rainy day...they realized Steven Rogers. Had left. The only note a resignation letter.
Two Months Later
Steve Rogers was now Richard Jameson and was living in Seattle. The constant rain fit his mood and he found a job quickly at the local fish market. It was hard work but with his size and strength it was easy and kept him busy. At night he worked security at the local veteran's museum. He kept busy and no one bothered to look at the bearded man with sad eyes who hummed Harry James to himself as he worked. No matter how bad the storm was he would take the boat out and collect the traps and nets. He knew people relied on the fish to feed their families and in some way it made him feel good to still help no matter how small.
No one came looking for him though he was sure Stark knew his location. They knew after everything Captain America had done he had more than earned a chance to walk away from it all. The story to the press was Cap was on a long mission in the Middle East. Steve...Richard was just fine with that. Maybe one day he'd pick up the shield again….but right now...he had to remember how to live again. How to live without her. How to live despite her memory haunting him.
Turning over the boat engine he speeded off into the oncoming storm. He had nets to bring in and brooding was doing him no good.
New York, Stark Tower
"Just send the message Tony." Pepper insisted for the hundredth time.
"What if-"
"Just send it!"
Raising both hands in defense, the former playboy sent the text to Steve.
[Text: At least tell me you haven't turned into a megalomaniac. And that you're not having sex with prostitutes or going on drug binges.]
"Really Tony?" The strawberry blonde gave him a look after reading the message. Somethings just never changed.
"What? You told me to send it"
Seattle, Washington
The boat rocked hard beneath his feet but remained secure. The nets had been tied, what had been caught placed in boxes on deck. Settled in the cabin with a cup of hot coffee, his phone vibrated, he gave it a confused look as Tony's text came up. He thought he'd never hear from him or at least not for a while. Chuckling despite himself he replied.
[Text: No. Just keeping my head down. Hope all is well with you and Pepper.]
He didn't ask about Natasha. He wouldn't. He couldn't.
In the morning the boat was docked and he went back to his apartment needing to be alone. Putting a Bing Crosby record on, he leaned back and closed his eyes. Sometimes he wished he never wound up in the ice. Sometimes he wished he remained in the 40s. He'd be an old man now and he would never have fallen in love with a green eyed, red headed assassin. He would have never known the warmth of her arms, the sweetness of her kiss and the bitter cold left by her leaving.
To Be Continued. . .