Thank you so much for all the reviews! Seriously you guys are the best. SO
Croc9400: Aw thanks. Maybe you can? It's just involves a lot of imagining scenarios you would have with a friend or friends :) Lol Bucky. Well I am planning on giving him his own story. But it might take a little while. Hopefully once I am done with my Star Trek story :D
michen0897: I am happy you liked Claire. There is more of her in the future chapter. I hope you like the rest of Olivia's friends :D.
kristybauer7: Thanks again ^^ Well there is more Steve/Olivia cuteness coming up.
Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming!
I am so happy you guys are loving this story.
PS: Thor will make an appearance in a later chapter ;)
xx
SSC
Steve stared blankly at the email he had received. He thought the most stressful part of his day was remembering how to operate his laptop and access his online mail.
Turns out he couldn't be more wrong.
He had began the morning ordinarily enough. Had his morning run through the Brooklyn Bridge. He couldn't help but glance at the spot where he had first met Olivia. The embarrassment still lingered in his subconscious but it was combined with amusement, he would smile the entire way home.
The moment he arrived at his door, his cell phone had rung. It took him a while to answer and when he did it was Fury on the other end.
"Mornin' Cap, how was your day so far?" He questioned as chipper as the Director of SHIELD could be.
"It's just beginning. How can I help, Sir?" Steve inquired. Part of him was hoping that it wasn't a mission, especially since he had made plans with Olivia to meet her friend's in the night.
"Actually, it's how I can help you. Great news, I got your relocation papers."
Steve was stunned by the announcement.
"Relocation papers?" He echoed, hoping he had misheard.
"Yup, your new place of residence." Dread flooded his system as Fury continued to speak without notice "We feel it's best if you stay closer to HQ in DC. Training the new recruits, easier to deport on mission, the commute is a lot less taxing. I'll personally bring you up to speed once you get here."
Steve was silent for the longest time. His thoughts were racing at the reality that he will be leaving and DC was miles away. However, this did not go unnoticed by the Director.
"This is good news right?" Fury asked slyly, daring him to say otherwise.
"Yeah." Steve snapped back to his soldier veneer "Duty calls right?"
"It sure does, start packing ASAP Cap. We are expecting you at work bright and early Monday morning. I sent you an email with all the additional details."
"Yes Sir, I'll check on that."
"Have a good one."
The email made things official in the most depressing of ways. He didn't know how to deal with the situation, he was torn between serving his country and leaving his new friend.
It was seven thirty in the night. Steve arrived at Olivia's apartment and knocked on the door.
He wore another red and blue, plaid button up top and his signature leather jacket. But he opted to wear his coffee coloured pants since the origin of the dinner was a mystery to him. He didn't want to appear sloppy.
The door opened moments later and the smiling face of Olivia Thorne greeted him.
"Hey come on in." She said spinning and hurrying back into the apartment. Steve quickly analyzed her attire. She was wearing a white, long sleeved button up blouse tucked into her usual black skinny jeans. Her hair had volume and her curls were on the messy side like she had just gotten out of bed.
Steve watched fondly as she ran about the living room frantically searching for some mysterious object.
" Am I early?" He asked uncertainly, wondering if his presence had caused her to go on her frenzy.
"Nope, I'm just late as usual." She hollered from behind the couch "I can't find my damn slippers."
Steve's brows furrowed in concern. Slippers?
"Meow." He was momentarily distracted by the presence of the kitten, Anakit. The white and black ball of fur had wandered over to the Captain and stood by his shoes, staring expectantly up at him. Steve blinked in wonder, did the feline want to be held?
"Meow."
That was his answer. Steve smiled nervously and bent down to retrieve the cat. It didn't fight back as Steve scooped him up and brought him to his chest. Steve flinched a little when the kitten's tiny claws dug into his skin when he climbed up to his shoulder.
The Captain did not understand Anakit's fascination with shoulders, but he did not judge.
He raised back to his full form and was immediately reminded of the issue prior to Anakit's demands.
"I think it would be best if you wear shoes." He announced loudly so she heard.
"Why is that?" Olivia questioned from somewhere in her room. Steve was marveled by what light feet she had. He hadn't heard her scurry to her room. She emerged from the bend and reached him, still barefooted on the wooden floors.
"Less likely they will fall off on the commute on my bike." He stated like it was the most obvious thing.
"What?" She demanded.
"What?" He echoed softly, confused by her astonishment.
"We are going on a bike?" She asked hesitantly.
"Yes, did I not mention?"
She gave a wide shake of her head "When you said your ride I assumed a car."
"Do you not like bikes?" Steve wondered noticing her nervous disposure. Olivia smiled crookedly, like it was her instinct to when she wanted to hide how she really felt. Or maybe she wanted to reassure him.
"No it's not that, I've just never been on one. My dad had this incident where he fell of a bike and was bed ridden for a while, ever since then he tried to pass his irrational fear on to us so I've never gotten a chance to be on a bike."
"Oh, in that case let's take a cab." He suggested. Olivia began to nibble on her lower lip while shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
"I kinda want to know what it's like though. It's on my list."
Steve laughed, charmed by her adorably sheepish ways and nodded in agreement.
"Sweet." Olivia chimed enthusiastically at the sight of his Harley Davidson parked outside her apartment building.
"Thanks." He responded shyly.
She practically bounded towards it and began to kindly stroke the handle bars and marvel at its shiny alloy surface. Steve joined her by the motorcycle and watched as she fretfully eyed the leather seat.
"Alright how do we do this?" She asked tearing her gaze away from the bike and to him.
"Well I'll get on first and then help you up." He said and sprung into action. He climbed on to the bike and straddled the seat. The metal stand kept the vehicle from knocking over. He reached for the bowl shaped, pastel blue helmet.
"Here put this on." He said gesturing it to her.
Olivia adjusted the strap of her shabby, chocolate brown, gypsy bag, across her shoulder before accepting the helmet.
She secured the headwear tightly and beamed at him.
"This is really cute." She mused while fiddling with the straps around her chin. Steve had to silently agree. Wisps of her dark hair escaped from beneath the bowl shaped headgear.
"For your hat obsession or just generally?" He asked teasingly.
"Ha ha." She uttered dryly making his smile widen. Steve saw she was struggling to loop the belt through the buckle of the helmet. He reached out and quickly did it for her.
"Alright, here goes." She announced and wandered over to the side of the bike. Steve gave her a helping hand as she steadily climbed up behind him, while using his shoulder for support. He watched her feet from the side mirrors and waited as she adjusted her position.
"Steady your feet on the rests there." He advised gently. She did as she was told and braised the soles of her All Star sneakers on the short platform.
Satisfied that she was onboard. Steve grabbed his helmet from atop the break handle bar and wore it. He adjusted his own straps with ease and wrapped his fingers around the holds.
"Hold on tight." He recommended and then kicked back at the stand with the heel of his boot.
Steve waited a moment as Olivia hesitantly wrapped her arms around his middle. He tensed for a moment, feel that strange electric sensation. He felt her body brushed against his back. Wordlessly he ignited the engine and gently rolled out of the sidewalk. There were a few minutes down the road and he couldn't help but notice the lengthy silence from her end.
"Are you okay?" He asked kindly against the beating wind.
"Yes, a little nervous but the good kind. Onward Captain." She shouted in lush encouragement. Steve grinned at her enthusiasm and nodded in agreement.
"Yes ma'am."
Olivia had to admit, she had fun.
It was terrifying, sure. But it was also thrilling. She felt...free. The way the wind would blow at her face. The way her feet were practically inches away from the ground. It was enchanting, to watch the blurred rush of the asphalt beneath her.
It wasn't as uncomfortable as she thought it was going to be. Then again, she did have Steve's body for cushion. Her face felt hot, she tried to ignore the awkward feeling of being pressed against Steve's hard body. It was warmer than she had imagined.
She was embarrassed to say she had imagined it.
They arrived at the bar faster than she had predicted on a Friday night traffic. Bikes really knew how to beat congestion.
Steve parked further head of the entrance and turned off the engine before pushing down the metal stand. Olivia took that as cue to exit the vehicle. She braced her hands on his wide shoulders and threw one leg over the seat before jumping down. Only when she reached the sidewalk did she realize that Steve had grasped her by the elbow to guide her descent.
A real boy scout she couldn't help but think fondly while watching him remove his helmet.
"That wasn't so bad." She mused while smiling. Out of habit she adjusted the square frame of her glasses.
"Yes, though I can't say the same for my diaphragm." He teased with a carefree smile. Olivia however couldn't help but take it seriously.
"Did I really hold on too hard?" She asked in immediate concern.
"I am just kidding." Steve laughed, his blue eyes glittering. Olivia sighed in relief before sending him a look of disapproval. He smiled like a contrite school boy.
Olivia busied her hands by trying to take off her helmet only to struggle with the straps, again. She frowned. No one used straps anymore, it was clip on buckles. Then again, this was Steve Roger's spare helmet.
"I think the strap is stuck" She yanked at the belt, it was hard to get a solid look at it because the fastenings were tucked under her chin.
"Maybe I pulled a little too hard, let me see." Steve pondered out loud, reaching for her. He abruptly stopped, remembering his manners and looked to her for permission. Olivia smiled at his polite nature and stepped forward so he can better inspect the problem.
"Yeah the clasp had dug into the belt." He observed as his slender fingers lightly tugged on the belt. He raised his innocent blue gaze to hers.
"Does it hurt?" He asked meekly.
"Nope."
"Give me just a second." He said and his stare focused intently on the strips, determined to free her.
"Take your time Cap." She responded gently though the belt problem was hardly of consequence. Olivia was a little too distracted by him. She liked the sleek, blonde sheen of his hair. The colour was honey brown at night and slightly highlighted in the mornings.
She got a slight whiff of his cologne. Crisp, masculine and classy. She didn't think a person could smell classy but turns out, he could. She also sensed a slight tinge of honey comb. It was a strange thing to smell like but it suited him. Sweet and classy. Olivia felt like she was describing a novella not a person, it was laughable.
She was quick to notice when a thick strand of his fringe fell out of place and onto his furrowed eyebrows. Her fingers twitched with the urge to brush it away.
"Olli?"
Steve had finally unlaced the buckle with a bit of struggle, when a stranger's voice called out Olivia by her infamous nickname.
The straps split apart from their entanglement when her head abruptly snapped in the direction of the voice. Steve looked too.
The stranger was a man. He was around six and a half feet tall. He was slim built but the plain red t-shirt he wore hugged his impressively toned body. His t-shirt was paired with dark blue jeans. He had a pleasant face, light brown skin and dark eyes that made his African roots evident. His hair was neatly trimmed down to a buzz cut.
He seemed perplexed by the sight of Steve and Olivia and his sharp eyes darted between the two.
"Aaron, hey!" Olivia abruptly exclaimed startling the Captain. Aaron's face suddenly lit up and he practically raced in her direction. Steve watched like a spectator as Olivia was embraced tightly by Aaron and lifted off the ground for a good five seconds.
Steve was suddenly extremely aware of his face and was conscious about whether he was frowning or not.
Aaron. It dawned on to Steve. This was Olivia's ex-boyfriend and Claire's brother.
They released from their hug and stood staring at each other for a moment, as if awed by each other's presence.
"It's so great to see you. I mean Claire told me you were coming but I didn't think you would." Aaron said grinning from ear to ear, his hand rested on her shoulder. Steve couldn't seem to stop noticing the touch.
"Yeah well I wanted to be a little out there today." Olivia said with a shy lift of her shoulders.
"I can tell." His dark gaze moved up to the helmet she wore and then to the bike. He was yet to notice Steve.
"Did you come in this?" He asked and then looked to the Captain.
"Yeah, oh this is my friend Steve." Olivia immediately introduced. Shifting her body in his direction while simultaneously attempting to remove her helmet.
Steve clumsily got to his feet and gestured a hand out for Aaron.
"Hey" The nation's hero greeted. Aaron smiled dashingly and immediately took Steve's open handed for a firm shake.
"Hey man." Claire's brother responded and released his grip and looked to Olivia again. She had successfully taken off her helmet, but the evidence of it remained in her slightly flattened hair.
"I can't believe you rode this, nice ride man." Aaron exclaimed in disbelief.
"Thanks." Steve smiled, the man's praise was genuine enough.
"Aaron?" A new meeker voice called out, grabbing their attention. It was a woman and she stood a few feet behind Aaron's larger frame.
She was short, shorter than Olivia. But it wasn't hideously evident considering the rest of her parts matched her petite frame. She had strawberry blonde hair that seemed glossy against her pale complexion. She wore a simple green dress that hugged her slim figure. She had a nervous smile plastered to her face and Steve noticed how it wavered when she noticed Olivia.
"Hey babe come meet Olivia." Aaron insisted, waving to his girlfriend (Steve guessed). He didnt know why he was bothered by the nonchalant way Aaron treated his girlfriend in Olivia's presence. Maybe he was over thinking it.
The blonde woman rushed over to her boyfriend's side in demure brown sandals.
"Olli this is my Jessica." Aaron introduced lovingly and placed a gentle hand to Jessica's back. Olivia's lips parted to commence a greeting but Jessica beat her to it.
"Hey nice to meet you." She said, with a tiny wave of her hand. Steve saw the way Olivia went rigid and clenched her hand at her side. She was more used to handshakes and had to rapidly change her ways to adjust.
"Like wise" She responded with a smile and then looked to the Captain.
"This is Steve." She gestured. Jessica's smile fell and Steve tensed. He had seen it so many times he had gotten used to predicting it. From the glittering wonder in her blue eyes, Steve knew she knew exactly who he was.
"Hello." She greeted timidly with a recline of her head.
"Ma'am." He nodded sternly and immediately cursed himself.
"So shall we head in?" Aaron suggested hi eyes fixated on Olivia "Claire might have emptied the entire bar by now."
"Yeah with Charlie there you can never be too sure." Olivia teased. Aaron laughed and nodded before heading toward the entrance with his girlfriend clinging to his arm.
Steve hesitated and Olivia immediately took notice and turned to him.
"I get the feeling I should not have lead with Ma'am." He blurted. She smiled and shook her head dismissively.
"Don't worry about it." She said and nudged him in the side "They will guess you to be from a military background and not nineteen forties background."
"What are the chances that Claire hasn't said anything?" Steve asked and bit the inside of his cheek. Olivia's eyes widened.
"Oh, damn." She cursed "Forgot about that."
Steve watched the frantic way her eyes darted about as if making a quick calculation, but it only lasted a few seconds. In the next moment she was carefree once more.
"Well Aaron and Charlie are very respectful. Though Charlie is a huge Avengers geek, he will most definitely ask you questions." She said sincerely. Steve had to admire her truthfulness and nodded in understanding.
"Well I'll try to answer them to the best of my knowledge." He murmured while combing back a few loose strands of his blonde hair. She watched him silently for a moment, that same soft smile tugging at her lips.
"Don't feel too obliged, it's okay to say no. Just be yourself." She advised kindly.
"Right." He nodded firmly, lowering his arm to lightly pull at the edge of his jacket "I can do that."
"Great." She exclaimed, clapped her hands together once in celebration and then stepped to his side.
"Alright deep breaths." She ordered pulling her shoulders back and clenching her arms at her side "and forward march!"
Steve laughed and watched in delight as she began to stride forward. It took him a moment to comprehend she wasn't stopping and hurried to catch up to her.
Steve Rogers liked the bar. It wasn't at all what he had pictured in his head.
It was a simple place. The colour theme was mainly black from their seating to their wood work. The first thing he saw when he entered the space was the bar counter that had a clear path marked by mahogany wood floors. Off to their sides were its private booths and couple seating which was just a table and two or four chairs.
Claire was seated at the bar, laughing while grabbing the arm of another man Steve did not recognize. He soon discovered it was Charlie, when they hurried over to them from the bar.
His body was coltish compared to the broad shouldered physiques of Steve and Aaron. But he carried himself with a carefree confidence similar to Olivia in a way. He had wavy, cinnamon brown hair that was combed to the side. He had thick, dark brows that frame his narrow nose and square face perfectly and made him seem boyish. His maturity really showed through his ironed grey shirt and black pants.
Steve assumed the man had just arrived from his place of work, considering he had a zebra stripped tie on. He had his sleeves rolled up over his for arms and his collar unbuttoned.
When Olivia first made the introductions. Charlie had spent a few moments gaping at the sight of Steve, that made him a little uncomfortable. It took a painful elbow to the side from Claire to stop him.
Claire was dressed in a pretty blue, strapless, chiffon dress and black leather boots. Olivia 'oohed and 'aahed' at the sight of her and made her twirl in order to the see the dress in all its azure glory.
Aaron quickly whispered something to one of the on call waiters and the man immediately guided them to a booth. It was in the very corner of the space. Against a wall with random framed pictures of streets of New York, in gray scale.
The booth had black, glossy leather padding with chestnut brown table in the center. There were two wooden chair parallel to the booth and the table.
Steve, ever the gentleman, allowed Olivia to pass into the booth before him. She slide in and he followed and took a seat at the edge of the booth. Aaron took his place at the other end of the booth with Jessica and Olivia between them.
Claire and Charlie took the single chairs adjacent to the table. Claire sat closest to Steve, despite Charlie's reluctance.
"So Steve or should I say Captain?" Claire said flirtatiously while leaning forward with her elbows on the table and batting her eyelashes at him. Steve grinned and lowered his gaze for a moment, feeling bashful under her attention.
"I'm off duty so Steve is just fine." He assured politely.
"Man I still can't believe you brought Captain America." Charlie gushed and abruptly leaned forward and grasped Olivia's hands that were rested on the surface of the table. Olivia was startled by the contact and looked to the male. Charlie gazed deep into her eyes and whispered.
" I love you."
Steve blinked surprised by the confession and Olivia rolled her eyes with a fond smile tugging at her lips.
"I would love you even more if you would please stop referring to my friend as Captain America." She responded chidingly her eyes flashing in a subtle warning.
"Right." Charlie nodded, releasing her like a penitent boy and looked to Steve apologetically.
"Sorry man."
"Its fine." He insisted, resisting the urge to laugh.
The waiter arrived with their drinks. Claire with her strawberry Margarita. Aaron wanted a Long Island. Charlie with his coke and vodka, Jessica ordered a Daiquiri and Olivia was content with a Mojito.
Steve didn't know much about cocktails and ordered a simple Scotch on the rocks. Seeing this Charlie recited a parody order he had heard a friend at work say. A Scotch on the rocks but hold the ice.
The whole table had burst into laughter at the absurd joke, including Steve.
"So Steve how are you liking modern day NYC so far?" Jessica inquired from beside Olivia. Her voice was so soft Steve almost hadn't heard her.
"It's complicated but I got the hang of it now. A lot more crowded than I remember." He answered earnestly.
"Did you see the new sights?" Claire questioned.
"It's a work in progress, Olivia is showing me around." He glanced at the female beside him who beamed in response.
"Are you sure that's best? Olli's sense of direction is the worst." Charlie noted while fingering the brim of his short glass.
"Hey that was one time." Olivia argued. Charlie shot her a flat look.
"Try several. Remember that time we walked into a drug den because you were so sure there was a coffee shop nearby."
"There was." She mumbled unconvincingly.
"Abandoned doesn't count Olli." Aaron chided, she rolled her eyes.
"Technicality." She grumbled earning a smile from Steve "Besides you were the idiot who thought it was a good idea to ask that dude directions."
"Yeah, I was that desperate." Charlie cried dramatically.
"So how did you two meet?"Aaron asked cutting into Charlie and Olivia's reminiscing moment.
"Through Stark?" He added his attention darting frantically from Olivia to Steve, awaiting and explanation. Steve noticed how the man tried to seem cool about his curiousity by taking a sip of his drink.
"Well..." Olivia began with the initial stages of a mischievous smile curving her mouth. But she looked to him awaiting approval. Steve sighed, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Go on." He urged.
"Are you sure?" She asked, but Steve could tell she couldn't contain her enthusiasm.
"I don't think there is any way I can come out of that story not looking like an idiot."
"I didn't think you were an idiot." She quickly countered.
"Senile then?"
She laughed, Steve was a little mesmerized by the way her amber eyes lit up.
"Now I have to know, tell us Olli." Claire encouraged eagerly shifting about in her seat. Olivia grinned and began to tell the tale.
Steve watched her recite the story while sipping on his glass of scotch. She was very animated with her arms and made the story more entertaining that it was. Pretty soon everyone was in fits of laughter, especially Claire. Whom Steve discovered had a ungainly snort to her laugh that made everyone laugh harder.
"Oh my God, that is just priceless." Charlie cried with his arms wrapped around his middle.
"What the heck were you doing on the edge of a bridge?" Aaron demanded more concerned than the rest.
"The cat needed help." Olivia added like it was the most obvious thing.
"You hate heights." He pointed out. Steve's fair brows lifted in wonder, this was brand new information to him.
"So what?" Claire countered heatedly, Steve didn't miss the flash of annoyance she directed at her brother. "I would go into a circus and face a clown if Captain Bright-eyes was on the other end waiting to rescue me."
Steve 's face reddened at the compliment that she accented with a wink in his direction.
"I'll clink to that." Olivia enthused to that and raised her glass and they all joined in a cheers. Except for Steve who sunk into his chair, his cheeks flushed.
"So what happened to the cat?" Jessica asked curiously.
"I adopted him and dubbed him, Anakit." Olivia announced with a proud lift of her chin and took a gallant gulp of her drink.
"Aw." They cooed simultaneously.
"I have pictures." She announced and whipped out her phone. Steve was immediately crushed in between Claire and Olivia as they gazed at the phone between him. There were several pictures of the grey kitten, either sleeping or yawing or simply tilting his head. They all caused Claire to sigh.
"Oh my gosh he is adorable. Look at those blue eyes."
Claire returned to her seat and Olivia turned the phone to Jessica who began to flip through the electronic images.
"He is really adorable Olivia." Jessica mused fondly. Olivia grinned at the compliment. The two women begin talking about pets. Turns out Jessica owns a cat too, named Lucifer. Steve was scandalized by the title but Olivia was excited and said something about a Cinderella reference.
"It's a cat from the Disney animation Cinderella." Claire whispered to Steve to help him with his bewilderment.
"I hate that cat." Charlie added with a grimace.
"You will find that Olli is a true child at heart." Claire mused fondly and took a swing of her drink.
" Really?" Steve wondered and glanced in her direction. Olivia was still chattering with Jessica who was listening eagerly. Aaron had at some point joined in on the conversation , they were both making the young blonde woman giggle.
"I don't think I met a person more obsessed with Disney movies than her. I mean it's all we used to watch when we were in college."Charlie spoke up, grabbing Steve's attention. "Except for Sleeping Beauty, that one was really creepy. Also it's a bad idea to watch that when you are high."
"You two met in college?" The captain inquired, eager to learn about his friend's past.
"Yup FSU graduates here." The male proclaimed with a large, proud grin.
Claire rolled her eyes from between the two men and gave a sideways glance at Steve.
"He thinks it's a big deal, but it really isn't."
"It is a big deal."Charlie argued and pinched Claire in the side. She gasped out a laugh and squatted his hand away. Steve saw the loving twinkle in Charlie's eyes when he witnessed Claire laugh. It suddenly dawned on to the Captain. These two were either dating or in one of those skinny love situations. He knew he had to confirm with Olivia later.
"My friend was one of the animators of Dark Knight." Charlie added and looked to Steve expectantly.
"What is Dark Knight?" The good Captain wondered unknowingly.
Claire boomed with laughter and Charlie deadpanned before lowering his head and knocking his forehead against the surface of the table. Steve was alarmed by the man's dramatic self-abuse and immediately looked to Claire for an explanation.
"Thank you for proving my point Cap." She said with tears of hilarity in her eyes.
Watching Charlie groan in despair into the table, Steve didn't know what to say.
Steve had fun. He had learnt a lot more about what happened in the seventy five years he was gone in just a few hours he had spent with Olivia's friends. They were an interesting bunch. Despite Charlie's obsession with the Avengers and all things Superhuman related, he was a nice guy. Also there was a definite spark between Charlie and Claire.
Aaron was a lot more reserved around Steve but real open with Charlie. The reasons were obvious enough. But it didn't bother Steve, he was more fascinated by Olivia Thorne.
He had learned a lot about her in the past few hours too. Like the fact that she had a mild allergy to hard liquor, it all ties into her sinuous problems. Claire laughed about how Olivia first discovered her allergy during a date and she had trouble wooing the man with her runny nose and frequent sneezing. Steve didn't find humor in it, considering he used to have a pretty serious sinuous problem himself.
Steve loved watching how kind Olivia was to Jessica. She seemed to be the one who made a clear effort to converse with the shy blonde. Claire seemed to ignore her and Charlie had his focus on the Captain and occasional banter with Claire. By the end of the night Jessica seemed to be a completely different person, as if Olivia had managed to coax out a teasing, playful side to the female.
But it also could have been the alcohol.
In the end everyone went their separate ways in the order they arrived. Charlie and Claire left in a cab after embracing Olivia tightly between them. Jessica also hugged Olivia shyly. Aaron was a lot more affectionate. The couple left in search of the car park where Aaron had parked his mode of transport.
Finally it was just Steve and Olivia left.
It was just a few minutes till one. Steve wasn't in a hurry to get back to his apartment and luckily, neither was Olivia. She knew of an ice cream parlor that was open till one thirty, mainly because it was run by a former client of hers. Steve agreed, he could never say no to ice cream now that he knew how amazing cookie dough was.
They took his motorcycle to the store. It was located near Central Park towards the upscale side. Considering the area was well lit than the lower side of Central Park, Steve didn't mind a stroll with her.
It was a cool mid September night. A light breezed blew through the deserted path they walked. The air smelt of earth and oak and held a moisture from the lake nearby.
Steve was absentmindedly licking away at his ice cream cone, dazedly admiring the way the moonlight pierced through the gaps in the leaves high above them. He would have to leave this place soon.
He didn't know what exactly awaited for him in DC. Yes missions were obvious enough but he didn't know of the people they. Will they hold the same familiarity? Adjusting to modern day New York was hard enough. but it was still his home, pieces of what he left still lingered, but Washington? It would be a whole new experience.
One he wasn't really looking forward to.
"You alright?" Olivia soft question grabbed his attention.
"Yeah why?" He knew he didn't sound as convincing as he hoped.
"You are just more quiet than usual." She mentioned with the wafer cone in her grip "I mean yeah you are quiet but now you are like a brooding quiet like I could tell you about my uncle Benjamin who can eat twenty five hot dogs in a minute and you wouldn't bat an eyelash."
"A minute, really?" He asked, amused by her words.
"Now you are just deflecting." She countered humorously. But the smile on her lips dulled and was taken over by a serious look in her eyes.
"What's up Steve?"
The captain stared into her amber eyes for a moment, conflicted with himself. He didn't know why he was so bothered. He was planning on telling her anyway, but it just made things more real.
"I got my relocation papers today." He answered grimly.
"Oh." Her eyes were wide in surprise, her lips parted in a small gape.
"Yeah. Just when I was starting to get things here." He grumbled irately.
"They are moving you elsewhere." She murmured sounding equally annoyed. This gave him relief that Olivia saw the unfairness in it too.
"Well it's not like they didn't warn you right?" She added.
"Yeah, but still. Washington is far."
"Four hours from my place including traffic."
Steve stilled and looked to Olivia. Wonder evident in his large eyes and parted lips.
"That's pretty specific." He noted.
"Yeah but I think I might be able to narrow that time down if I rent a car. I know this road past Philly. Should cut that time down to three and a half, it also depends on the time I leave so." She uttered pensively as if making mental calculations on a map in her mind.
Steve's heart warmed what he heard. She had done her research on the roads to DC. Did this mean she was dreading his departure just as he was?
"Is this for my reference?" He asked slyly.
"For mine of course. I am going to visit you." She announced. Steve wasn't expecting such an easy confession.
"Really?" He asked, still stunned.
Her eyes narrowed on him "You didn't think I was?"
"I don't want you to go through the trouble." He admitted earnestly. She rolled her eyes but grinned at the same time.
"It's no trouble. I mean yeah I wish you could stay a little longer but you have your priorities, besides road trips are fun."
Steve smiled wordlessly. Her positivism made him hope that maybe, things would work out for the best.
If you guys haven't noticed. I based Charlie off of Grant Gustin's Flash xD.
Thanks for reading! Please review :)