I'm soooo sorrry for taking so long to publish this chapter. Event Management is no fun when there are three events happening at the same time. Anyway I'll try to update the next chapter as soon as possible though that would take another week :/. Please forgive?
Rate and Review please :D
xx
SSC
It had been three weeks since the first time Steve was given a tour of New York by Olivia. He was amazed by what she had shown him so far. Olivia was a major food enthusiast or "foodie" as she called it. So most of the places they went to were restaurants. But he didn't mind, the food of the modern age was always new, exciting and delicious. Along with Olivia's company, he had nothing to complain about.
She took him to a few vintage stores. He had bought a classic turntable (since the sub-woofer set in his apartment was a hazard to work). She had shared his enthusiasm in the purchase and brought him a collection of records to listen to. Steve was amazed by her generosity and frequently commended her on it. But Olivia was modest in the relaxed sort of way. It reminded him of someone.
In fact a lot of things about Olivia Thorne reminded him of a significant other. He had the hunch that it might have been Peggy. Olivia shared the same physical features such as her short dark hair and round amber eyes. Steve guessed it was these things and the more skin deep aspects of Olivia that made him comfortable around her.
They had planned another outing that cool September morning. The idea was to meet at a known place, but Olivia sent him a text early in the morning. He had only seen it after he had returned from his run.
I hope you don't mind a slight change of plan. Mind meeting up at my place?
Olivia didn't text with the usual abbreviations that Steve had more trouble deciphering than Morse code. However she did love abusing punctuation marks to make faces much like Natasha.
Steve took an embarrassingly long time to reply but once was done he decided to take a shower and change into fresh clothes. He put his usual pair of faded blue jeans, white shirt paired with his signature brown leather jacket.
Living in New York he had gotten into the habit of wearing a cap. The people easily recognized him as the star spangled hero. He didn't mind the attention and demand for autographs when he was alone, with Olivia it was a different matter.
He had been to Olivia's apartment before. He had escorted her home a few times and briefly lingered by the open door to gaze into the apartment, but he had never actually been inside. Steve wondered why Olivia asked him to meet him there. He knew he will have an answer once he meets her.
Steve arrived at the apartment building with a brown paper bag at hand. The flat was located in the Flatiron district. The building was ten stories tall and the lingering scent of fresh white paint permeated the air when he first stepped to the front porch.
He pressed down on the intercom to her door and her voice called out, cheerful as ever. She buzzed him in and insisted he let himself in at the door. Steve climbed up the steps to the third floor. His movements were rigid as he struggle to find her door but eventually found the number.
312 it read in bold, metal numbers on a dark brown mahogany door. He hesitated for a moment, feeling a rush of blood to his face.
Why am I nervous? Steve couldn't find any justification in his body's sudden anxiousness. He has spent time with Olivia before. But then he was suddenly aware he was entering her home. Where they would be alone, behind walls.
He shook away the feeling. They are just friends , he shouldn't be having such thoughts in his mind. That's when he noticed the door was slightly a jar. the sight of it made him waver uncomfortably for a moment before stepped forward.
He rapped his wide knuckles on the door while simultaneously pushing open the door. He was greeted by a four feet long foyer with a framed picture of tall gentlemen in gleaming grey armor and a helmet . The eye area of the helmet was a golden and chromic and made the wearer seem mysterious.
Beneath the picture frame was a modest, black shoe shelf. He couldn't help but notice the tiny pair of baby blue sandals that were too small to be for an adult. He recalled Olivia mentioning her niece before, he assumed they were hers.
Does the child live with Olivia?
He heard two hushed voices from the area the foyer opened into.
"Anybody home?" He called out.
"Nope!" He heard her teasingly cry out. Steve stood unsure of how to respond until Olivia smiling face appeared from the bend into the living room. He was amazed by the immediate rush of excitement he felt at the sight of her. He had to admit, her smile was contagious.
She was wearing a black sleeveless shirt that hung past her hips. Her top was paired with loose paid pants. The hems of the pants draped all the way down over her feet, only her tiny toes poked out. He knew he was right to guess they were her pajamas. He also found the attire highly adorable.
Also, he felt over dressed.
"Morning, I brought bagels."He announced lifting up the brown back to level with his wide chest. He didn't think it was possible but her amber eyes lit up even further.
"Bless you." She breathed out with an intense relief. He grinned as she ushered him in and took the paper bag from his grip. Once Steve was safely inside she shut the door and smiled apologetically up at him.
"Sorry I am a little sloppy." She expressed contritely as they walked further into the foyer "I got slapped in the face with some work and I am still trying to get it done."
Steve understood, she worked from home. Besides it was a week day and he was pretty sure he was the only one in Manhattan without any laborious activities. He quickly admired her living room.
It was laid back, cool wooden floors and white walls. The bursts of colour were all in the furniture. There was a large stone blue, modern sectional style couch. It was right at the centre with a low, black coffee table boxed inside the area. The couch faced a wide screen TV and on it other side was a eight feet long window with a view of the tall, Manhattan buildings. The glass doors exited out on to a quaint balcony.
To Steve's left was an open, island kitchen. With starry night marble counters and white ceramic four by four square tiles adorning the walls ,under the bright yellow cabinets. There was a separate counter, adjacent to the cleaning and cooking area. It had two tall stools facing it in a small it. Steve guessed it to be her dining area when he noticed the empty places on the counter.
He liked the apartment. It was quirky with its vintage Star Wars posters and colorful plush pillows.
But what caught his attention the most was the figure at her desk. It was a man and he was sitting with his back to Steve. From his hunched posture, large black baggy t-shirt and scrawny elbows. Steve wasn't sure if he was a man at all, a young boy maybe?
He was clicking away hurriedly on her computer screen using the mouse, unaware of the Cap.
Steve slowly glanced down at Olivia who was happily munching on a bagel.
"Who is that?" He asked.
"Oh right, my bad." She was jolted into an alerted state and immediately stopped eating.
"Yo Skeeter!" She yelled out with a volume that surprised our heroic captain. A long skinny neck attached to a grey beanie emerged from between frail shoulders.
"Yeah?" Skeeter spoke in a very lazy, drawled out voice. He hadn't bothered to turn to acknowledge them.
"Leave that for a moment and get over here, I need to introduce you to someone." She ordered much like an older sister. Steve watched the young man's movements.
Just like his low voice, the man's actions were the epitome of lethargic. He took painstakingly long moments to rise from the chair and pull himself away from the monitor. Then he turned and began approaching them in slow, sliding steps. The man's large shirt fell back his tall lanky frame and down his hips. It gave the illusion of his torso being much longer than accurate. He wore faded blue jeans that were also a size too big for him.
He had a very narrow face, high cheek bones and very dry chapped lips. His eyes were a murky green and were focused on the Captain almost uninterestedly.
"Skeeter this is Steve." Olivia introduce from between them. The lanky man's height was evident next to her smaller frame. Steve guessed him to be around five foot seven. The man smelt of smoke and cheap deodorant. Steve was instantly suspicious of him.
"Skeeter is my go to, animations guy and a good friend." Olivia added cheerfully and gave a wide pat to the man's back "I work with him on most of my projects."
"Hey." Steve smiled and greeted amiably.
"Duuude." Skeeter droned out in awe despite the jaded look in his eyes. He gave Steve a once over as a high pitched whistle escaped his lips.
"You are like straight out of fitness mag." Skeeter expressed. Steve blinked in surprise before he could utter bashful thank you Skeeter had invaded his personal space.
"What's your secret man?" The younger man insisted chin raised and eyes squinted.
"Secret?" Rodgers echoed dubiously, uncomfortable by the man's closeness. Skeeter leaned back and continued to observe him.
"I mean how the hell are you so fit?" He reworded. Steve stuttered to find an answer. Radioactive spider felt like a easier thing to say.
"He runs." Olivia murmured while surreptitiously munching on her bagel again.
Steve glanced at her to find her grinning mirthfully up at him, her eyes dancing with hilarity. He had come to understand that Olivia loved to tease and joke and he didn't mind. He understood yet his reaction was always a reddened face.
"Awesome." Skeeter announced, satisfied by the explanation "So how do you two know each other?"
"He helped me rescue Anakit and we've been friends since." Olivia answered smiling from ear to ear. At the sound of his name Anakit meowed from somewhere within the couch. This caught Steve's immediate attention. He looked over to find the kitten on the arm rest. It was preparing to jump by wiggling its fuzzy, grey behind and leaning into his hind legs simultaneously.
He pounced and landed successfully on to the rug, but tumbled a little from the impact. Steve's heart warmed at the sight of the tiny animal. He was healthier and more lively than the drenched, cold kitten he had helped rescue. The feline bounded in their direction and stopped to purr and press its tiny body against Olivia's bare feet.
Olivia had finished off her bagel and leaned down to scoop up the kitten into her arms. It came willingly and continued to purr and curl into her elbow. But then it noticed Steve, from either his scent or presence and suddenly his owner was forgotten. The kitten turned its tiny head and focused his blue beady eyes on the Captain and simply stared.
"That's real sweet of you man. Cats need a little lovin' too, dogs are overrated man." Skeeter spoke up, distracting Steve from the kitten's curious stares.
"He just says that because a Chihuahua bit him in the leg." Olivia grumbled playfully.
"That was not a dog. It was a freaking rat, man." Skeeter exclaimed passionately.
"I could have gotten the bubonic plague or some shi—" His rant was brought to a halt when he spotted the open paper bag in Olivia's other not occupied by a cat.
"Hey, bagels. Thanks man." He collected the paper bag and shoved his entire arm into the bag.
"Don't mention it...man." Steve responded courteously despite his teasing undertone. Skeeter grinned and wandered off back to the desk with the bag in his hand. Steve wondered if he would ever see those bagels again, considering he had brought them for Olivia. But she didnt seem to mind so he shrugged it off.
"Well he is interesting." Steve said looking to Olivia who was watching him.
"I was kinda hoping you had a chance to meet him, so I could see that expression on your face." She uttered while gesturing to his features.
"What expression?" He inquired. Anakit began to meow whilst staring at Steve. Olivia ignored the cat's wailing and smiled deviously.
"The kind you make when you feel overwhelmed and confused, it's really cute." Steve knew she had meant it in a casual, friendly way. But he still couldn't help but feel aware of every inch of his skin from the flattery. Olivia was oblivious to this Anakit began to squirm in her arms and stretched its paws out to Steve.
"I think he wants you to hold him?" She observed as she held the kitten with the bend under her thumb positioned under its arms.
"I've never held a kitten before." Steve confessed anxiously.
"Well it's not really holding but more, him climbing you. Despite its tiny claws it hurts." She warned and gestured the animal to him. The kitten was deceptively loud for such a small thing. It was hard to ignore its cries. Steve nervously accepted with two open hands. Olivia smiled sweetly and gently placed the feline in his hands.
She was right. The animal wanted nothing more than to climb. Anakit was a lot more steady in his crawl up Steve arm than Olivia. Then again, it made sense considering the width of his large arms. The kitten balanced himself on the breadth of Steve's shoulder and sat there all poised and majestic.
Steve was marveled by this.
"Skeeter is harmless." Olivia continued to speak even though her attention was fixated on the cat upon the Avenger's shoulder.
" I hire him when I need help with the animating side of things and he has a vast knowledge of code."
Steve blinked. Olivia had just uttered a few words he did not comprehend.
"I didn't understand anything of what you just said, but from what I gather it does sound important." He responded earnestly. She laughed but not in a condescending way, he had never heard arrogance in her laugh and doubted if she ever could be arrogant. Steve gathered she laughed at most thing, as if anything amused her. He didn't mind, it was a contagious thing.
He suddenly flinched. The kitten was purring by his ear, it was the oddest sensation.
"Are you going to be working all day? Because I can leave so you won't be disturbed." Steve insisted chivalrously. Olivia's eyes abruptly widened and she shook her head frantically in alarm.
"No I am practically done. Skeeter is just copying a few things to take with him. Give me a few minutes to get into fresh clothes."
Steve smiled, his heart warming with relief. He didn't want to leave.
"Yes Ma'am." He said with a firm nod. She smiled and rushed off. Steve watched her disappear into another short corridor to his right. He knew they led to the bedrooms. Once he heard the door shut, he decided to explore the living space.
The kitten let out a sharp cry and tumbled forward down his chest. Steve panicked and stealthily caught the animal before it fell. He cursed himself forgetting the presence of the creature, but the kitten didn't seem vengeful. Steve muttered an apology on instinct and gently settled the animal down on to the nearby couch.
"So how has the tour been, man?" Skeeter's question dragged Steve's attention away from the cat. The young male was seated at the spinning office chair but he was facing the Captain. Skeeter had kept the brown bag of bagels on the work table. He was still half way through his own bread. His mouth was stuffed and the scruff on his chin had a smear of cream cheese.
"Olivia has been great. I learned a lot and things are a lot less, confusing." Steve replied.
"I know what you mean man, life here is like eat or be eaten. But once you find a stable rhythm, it's all good." Skeeter stated philosophically before shoving the last of his bagel into his mouth.
Steve found the man's words to be wise. A stable rhythm. It was a simple way of putting things, maybe that's what he needed to find.
"So how long have you two known each other?" Steve inquired while strolling forward.
"Around five years. " Skeeter answered with a shrug "Though I didn't see her for the whole of last year. But that's to be expected ya know."
"What do you mean?" The soldier raised, his fair brows furrowing in concern. Skeeter's tone was much too grave for his liking.
The young man tensed up a little "She didn't tell you about Norah?"
Norah. Olivia's niece. Steve remembered once when they were at a restaurant she had said that name and seemed to instantly regret it. Steve did not forget the flash of despair in her eyes.
"She mentioned her a few times." He answered nonchalant.
"Uh, maybe it's better if Oli told ya herself." Skeeter hesitated while rubbing at the back of his thin neck "I wouldn't want to say something I shouldn't."
Steve's interest had been peaked. He wanted to know who this child and what exactly had happened in Olivia's past. But at the same time he knew to be respectful. There were certain things in his past he did not wish for anyone to find our be forced to reveal. Maybe she would tell him, in her own time, when she was comfortable.
"Yeah." Steve nodded agreeably "You are right."
There was a awkward silence between the two males. Steve expected to find Skeeter watching him uncertainly, but he wasn't. Skeeter was staring a head pensively. the expression of a man who carried a weight in his heart that he wished to express.
"After what happened I didn't think she would ever really bring herself to smile or even get out of bed." Skeeter confessed. Steve listened intently. The idea of Olivia not having a smile on her face seemed impossible but he didn't dare disagree.
The animators attention darted back to the soldier and his lips curved up in a small smile "But there is something about you man, she is—she isn't faking it."
Steve blinked in wonder once more. He wasn't expecting to hear that.
"Oli I'm making a move." Skeeter abruptly yelled out.
"Alright, thanks again Skeeter!" Olivia hollered from somewhere within the room.
"No problem, ill drop by tomorrow to pick up the check."
"I'll be here." She announced. Skeeter turned his smiling face to Steve and his grin widened.
"Nice seeing ya man." He said and lightly patted the Captain on his muscular arm.
"You too ." Steve responded politely with a nod.
"Skeeter is just fine dude, no need to be so formal it's all good." The animation specialist insisted with a amused smirk. Steve watched as Skeeter took his leave, stopping to pat the cat on his way out.
Olivia emerged from her room a few moments later. She was dressed in a pair of black leggings and a lose discolored grey t-shirt with the words "Red Hot Chilli Peppers" printed in white on it. She sent him a sweet smile and walked past him to pick up the brown paper bag off her desk. She searched inside it while returning to him and gave him a look of bewilderment.
"Did you bring extra bagels knowing we will be walking?" She asked while shaking the bag in her grip and looking at him questioningly. Steve beamed down at her.
"You like to snack and walk right?"
Her grin widened to the point where they lit up her amber eyes.
"You are pretty awesome, Steve." She said and affectionately bumped her shoulder against him.
"Olivia!"
Steve was startled by the sudden exclamation he heard the moment he had entered the ice rink with Olivia. The sound had escaped the lips of a tall, slender woman. From her dark skin tone and head of unruly curls that suited her small face, Steve rightly guessed her to be of African descent. She wore a red and blue plaid scarf, paired with a grey woolly sweater and black skinny jeans. The hem of the jeans disappeared into a pair of ankle high, blue boots.
She bounded in their direction and didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around Olivia and embrace her tightly.
"Claire hey!" Olivia laughed and returned the hug just as lovingly. Claire pulled away and held Olivia at an arm's length, taking in her appearance.
"You will not believe how happy I am to see you." She said while grinning widely "You look well."
"It's a work in progress." Olivia uttered softly. Steve noticed the sudden shift in her enthusiasm, as if Claire's observation had reminded her of a sudden insecurity. She abruptly looked to him and there was no trace of that emotion anymore.
"This is my friend Steve." She said diverting Claire's attention to the man.
"Steve this is my best friend Claire." Olivia said motioning to the tall woman. They shook hands and the Captain smiled as charmingly as he could.
"Steve, you look awfully familiar." Claire pointed out, her dark eyes narrowed on him. He tensed but refused to let his smile falter as he released her hand.
"Yeah I get that a lot."
Claire wasn't convinced and continued to eye him. He anticipated the moment when her eyes widened and her lips parted in mute shock.
"Holy-"
Here it comes.
But before Claire went into a fan girl fit Olivia immediately stilled a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Claire, let's not get too excited." She warned gently, as her eyes darted about the room. The ice rink was deserted so Steve could relax from the thought of being mobbed like once before.
"I can't believe it, you are friends with Captain America!" Claire shrieked "How the heck did that happen?"
"In the most Captain America of ways, right Steve." Olivia said sending a cheeky smile his way. Steve blushed.
"More or less." He grinned and looked to her friend "It's nice to meet you Claire."
The woman was gaping openly, marveling at the sight of the Captain. He shifted his weight on his feet out of the awkwardness he felt.
"This is surreal. Well let me just thank you for all your efforts against those nasty aliens. Seriously. I know there has been a lot of criticism against the Avengers but at the same time, we would be nothing without you guys."
"It was nothing, but thank you." Steve felt his face was burning hot from the genuine praise. It didn't help but Olivia was paying very close attention to his actions.
"Seriously Olivia you could have warned me that you were bringing the nations hero. I would have dressed a lot better." Claire muttered in feigned annoyance, distracting Olivia from Steve.
"What are you talking about? You are wearing your plaid scarf, clearly it is a good day." Olivia responded warmly. Claire was immediately assured.
"Anyway you must be busy, I am just here to drop you off a little gift and to thank you, for everything you had done." Olivia began to rummage through her bag in search for the mysterious present she had purchased for her friend. But Claire stopped her with a gentle touch.
"Oh honey I would do anything for you." She said while grinning brightly "Why don't you guys stay for a bit? The ice rink doesn't open till late tonight."
"Oh how come?" Steve asked curiously.
"A very wealthy parent just booked the whole place for her kid's fifteenth birthday and the decorators won't be in till one." Claire replied eagerly while wiggling her eyebrows in delight.
"Come on, skate a little it will be fun!"
Claire rushed off before Olivia could utter a word of protest. They watched the woman speed off while carefully maneuvering her way through the rows of plastic chairs. Steve and Olivia were left at the entrance at the very top of the seating area. The ice rink was below, large and round and the focal point of all the plastic chairs that surrounded it.
"Well she won't be returning for a while." Olivia expressed with a sigh and then looked to Steve.
"Skate?" She suggested. Steve blinked unsure of how to respond, he sent a reluctant glance in the direction of the iced surface.
"You never skated before?"She asked noticing his uncertainty.
"Yes, once... It didn't end well." He admitted contritely.
"Was this pre serum days or post?"
"Pre."
"I'm sure a bit of ice can't hurt you now, besides its a load of fun." Olivia enthused.
"I don't know, it's awfully slippery."
"You fought Nazi's and aliens and this makes you nervous?" Steve had to agree, she did have a point.
"Come Steve." She uttered and gently elbowed his side and turned so her profile face him.
"Live a little."
Maybe it was the familiarity in her words or the contagious playful spirit. But Steve had to reluctantly agree.
Steve was disappointed to find that they did indeed have his size at the renting store.
"I'm still not sure about this." He uttered with his anxious stare focused on the entrance to the ice planes. He sat beside Olivia on one of the blue plastic chairs. Olivia was still lacing on her boots when his words had caught her attention.
"Well it's not like it's your first time on ice." She snorted. The moment those words had left her lips she immediately regretted it from the stunned silence at Steve's end.
"Shit." She cursed craning her neck to acknowledge him with a guilty look askance "That was a terrible joke, too soon?"
"No." Steve assured in between his laughter "Thanks for reminding me of that."
She grinned and shrugged, relieved that he didn't take himself too seriously. Steve watched as she easily stood up like an expert. There was no wobbling or tipping of any kind. She moved a bit to get accustomed to the white skates and then shuffled around to face him. The sharp blades dug into the rubbers floors and squeaked under the friction.
"Yeah like the 21st century isn't enough of a reminder." She joked and stretched her arms out to him, her palms open "If it helps you are in great hands, I am a fabulous skater."
"Really?" He asked while gripping her hands. They were warm and soft compared to the cool air that surrounded them. Steve wondered how she was able to withstand the chill so easily, she didn't even had a jacket on. With a heave, Olivia pulled him up. Steve's legs immediately wobbled from the lack of balance and his grip on her hand grew tighter.
"Heck yeah." She exclaimed to his previous question "But please don't hold it against me if I do not manage to hold your weight up in case you fall. You are very large."
Steve chuckled and nodded in reprieve "I can understand that."
They managed to get to the ice arena. Steve pressed himself against the plastic windows while gripping tightly at the metal support bars.
Meanwhile Olivia glided around with ease. He watched her for a moment, admiring the agile movements and sharp turns she made across the frozen water. Her hands were swinging a slow cadence to each progress as her strong legs pushed forward.
She eventually sprinted in his direction and came to a slow, steady stop.
"So it's fairly simple" She began to say as he clung to the border "It's just matter of getting used to being in skates first so let's stick to the walls till you adjust. Remember if you feel like you are about to fall, bend your knees okay. This way you avoid any injury."
"That does sound simple." He had to agree diplomatically, despite the nervous sweating. Olivia seemed to see through his bravado but didn't comment and simply smiled.
"I am sure you will master it in no time."
Steve hoped so.
They started slowly. Olivia held his arm as he attempted to tour over the ice while pressing his side against the barricade. His movements were rigid and hesitant but Olivia was patient with him.
She was right, it wasn't so hard. Once Steve had gotten over the initial fear he stepped away from the wall. It started with them holding hands at first in order to get the center of the arena. Olivia had advised that if he focused on an object then balancing would be easier, so he did. Instead of staring cautiously down at his feet he kept his gaze focus on her face.
"Yeah Steve you got it." Olivia cheered as Steve glided around the ice with ease. The captain was proud of himself. The cold air no longer bothered his lungs like it did when he was a kid. When Steve was in his late teens he had traveled with Bucky to the Rockefeller Ice Rink. It was during Christmas week and the place was crowded. He remembered how hesitant Bucky was but Steve was adamant.
He wanted to experience ice skating but it didn't last long. The air was too cold and had caused his sinuous and weak lungs to reacted badly. The night had ended with him waking up dizzily on a park bench with Bucky desperately trying to get him warm, while scolding him for being a stubborn idiot at the same time.
"It seems so." He noted and glided back to her.
"Up top." She exclaimed with her arms raised high. It took him a moment to realize that she wanted to celebrate with a high five. He laughed and clapped her gently on her open palms.
"Did you used to skate often?" He asked conversationally as they began to skate side by side.
"I hated it before, had a bad experience too. A full on collision with my brother when I was thirteen I think." She answered frowning at the memory. Ideally Steve would have winced at the story but the mention of her sibling caught him off guard.
"You have a brother?" He asked. Steve was surprised family hadn't come up when they had talked before. Then again they talked about everything else so open and passionately that there never seemed to be time.
"Yes, older by a few years." Despite the enthusiasm in her words, her eyes were guarded. As if she did not enjoy speaking about her brother "Anyway I really got into it when Norah lived with me. She loved to skate, she was pretty good at it."
"She doesn't like to skate anymore?" He asked.
Her pace slowed. The power in her strides had dulled and the brightness in her smile had dimmed.
"Norah died last year."
Steve stopped moving and almost lost his balanced if he hadn't angled his feet in time. He looked to her to find she was avoiding his gaze and had her attention focused on the milky white ice. Her lips were pressed down to a thin grim line.
"I'm so sorry Olivia." He murmured solemnly. A raspy laugh escaped her lips and she raised her gaze to meet his. Her smile was crooked like it was the flood gate that was holding back her sorrow.
"Cie la vie right." She said with a casual lift of her shoulder "She tried her best to fight the cancer but at that age it wasn't easy."
"How old was she?" He asked softly.
"Twelve." She whispered her gaze a far "Claire helped out a lot during the really hard days. She is on my list of people I need to see and thank when I was absent."
"Oh, how long is this list?" He inquired.
"Well I've made it through five people so far. Got around ten more? But I won't let it interfere with my detailed tour of New York for you."
"I don't mind, I like meeting new people." He insisted, she returned her smile and they continued their pace around circular ice plane. Steve wanted to help her meet all the people on her list. He knew how hard it would be, meeting everyone who knew the gruesome details of loss suffered. The sympathetic glances and hesitant body language, he didn't want her to go through it alone.
"Thanks Steve." She said after a moment of peaceful silence.
"For what?" He wondered looking to her.
"Not letting my sad past change your view of me."
He smiled and shook his head dismissively.
"I know how pity can make you feel small and then the people start tip toeing and avoiding the problem while being obvious all together." He said but then his smile wavered and his expression turned grave "But I also know it's not easy losing a child."
"She wasn't my kid." She countered defensively.
"Not biologically, but you love her." He didn't hold her passive tone against her. Olivia was trying to keep her emotions had bay when it was obvious she was crumbling on the inside. Steve hoped that it was the understanding in his voice that soothed her, because in the next moment she wasn't afraid to smile.
"I do." She whispered mainly to herself, her voice thick with emotion. For a minute there Steve wondered if he would have to comfort her. Panic took over him, he didnt know how he was going to. Will she cry? He would have to hold her. But the moment changed in an instant.
Olivia had pushed back her sorrow behind a large grin. Her eyes weren't shining yet but there was no trace of the sadness on her pretty face. She was once again the smiling, playful woman from earlier. The situation felt too familiar. He knew someone who was good about hiding their real feelings just as easily as Olivia.
"Ever had hot chocolate with marshmallows?" She asked, distracting him temporarily from his thoughts.
"Can't say I have." He answered honestly.
"Say what?" She voiced her wonder, clearly not expecting that answer.
"Steve, you worry me." She said, concern morphed her features for a moment till her smile willed the feeling away "It's the best post ice skating drink."
"Well then lead the way?" He asked chivalrously stepping to the side and gesturing to the exit.
"Lead the way? Heck I'm going to race you there." She announced challenging him. His eyes widened in shock, a protest ready at his lips.
"That's not fair, I am just a beginner." He argued. She laughed in a stage sinister manner and skated around him before returning to her spot.
"Tough odds Star-boy." She teased and went racing ahead of him, making a beeline for the exit. Steve stood in stunned silence when it finally hit him.
He had been wrong. It wasn't Peggy Carter that Olivia reminded him of.
It was Bucky.