Man I am so humbled by all the reviews, seriously you guys are the best. If you want to keep me humbled, keep the comments coming ;)
SO made this chapter extra long. 11,000 words to be exact. Man, alright lets start the thanks first.
Amalieaunstrup: Bitch you already know what I think about you. xoxo
Jo (guest): Thanks ^^.
Guest: Thanks so much. Well I hope you like what happens next ;).
minchen0897: Yes you are right to guess that, I didnt particularly disguise that whole BuckyxOC thing very well. BUT there will be a lot of twists to that story :).I really hope you like this chapter. It was so much fun to write Thor, seriously. That wonderfulspacelabrador.
RoxanneRay: Aw thank you so much for appreciating that Buckyness to Olivia. I was a little worried about that but I thought it would be weird to have a character exactly like Peggy I mean...its Peggy, she is fucking awesome on her own. Thank you so much dear and I hope you like this story ;).
Croc9400: LOL I do like the name Kevin, I don't know why. Maybe its because I based his looks off the ever sexy Adam Levine. Haha Bucky will be around as soon as I am done with this story, so it might take some time, but hopefully i'll publish it this year before Civil War comes out and I start shipping Bucky with Steve xD. (which is awkward considering I am already shipping Steve with Natasha, but AOU shat on that idea -_- sigh).
WxrMxchineRox: Thanks for all the zealous comments, you rock.
heroherondaletotherescue: Aw thanks, well consider wish granted :D.
Wow that's a lot to get through.
SO THOR IS HERE. HAHA SPOILERS BITCHES!
xx?
SSC
Steve Rogers began to wonder if it was easier to fight in a war than having to go through the anxiety ridden process of meeting new people.
He came to the conclusion that fighting a war was easier.
The week began simple enough.
His first night at his new apartment was quiet until Olivia had called to ask how he settled in. The conversation had carried on late into the night and Steve had only four hours of sleep till orientation that very morning.
Natasha had picked him up in her shiny black, Corvette Sting Ray that caught the attention of his neighbors. Steve knew he had to get accustomed to the extravagance that is Natasha Romanoff.
"Mornin Cap." She had greeted with that signature smirk when he climbed into the vehicle.
S.H.I.E.L.D HQ was larger than he could have possibly imagined. It was a towering mass of concrete, glass and steel; floating on water and connected to the rest of Virginia by a bridge. It's cylinder shape and lack of decorative designs. Steve guessed in this day and age, it was the structure itself that was the motif of a architect's talents.
He was escorted through the reception hall and towards the elevators. The lift was a modern marvel to him. It was equipped with a AI that greeted him on arrival. Natasha had explained that the elevator was fully operated by the program, another Stark invention.
They arrived at Fury's office and the director greeted the Captain amiably. His office was a large room that was colored in impersonal monochrome shades. Black chairs, grey walls, glass windows. Everything Steve expected from the seemingly detached director.
Fury's desk was located at the left corner of the room, facing the angled window. He stood up at the Captain's arrival. Fury couldn't disguise his obvious excitement in bringing abroad the nations hero to his team. Steve was humble as always.
They exchanged a few pleasantries. Fury had ordered in tray of tea and coffee for the Captain. As Steve sat at the guest chair and sipped at his cup of finely brewed coffee. Fury began to explain the Cap's duties within HQ and his agenda for the day.
Steve was felt exhausted from just listening to the schedule and felt the coffee wasn't nearly as strong enough. He had a lot of people to meet, including Fury's boss, secretary Pierce.
Kevin was assigned to show him around the training sectors of the Triskelion. The man had reported to Fury's room with his usual nervous air that he attempted to hide with his flexing jaw muscles. But his facade faded away at the sight of the very alluring Natasha Romanoff.
Steve couldn't help but notice the stare of pure wonder the man directed at the red head. Natasha saw it too, and the coy spider within her couldn't help but play with the man tangled in her web.
Kevin had a hard time concentrating on Fury's orders when Natasha sent him sly glances from beneath her long lashes, every chance she got. Steve rolled his eyes from between them, it was too damn early in the morning.
Odell was back to being the laid back Agent he was when Olivia was around. He gave Steve a tour of the Triskellion, introduced him to all the recruits that stared at him in wonder. Then he took Steve to meet the field agents, a few asked for Selfies that Steve was happy to oblige (especially since he was recently introduced to a Selfie.)
The tasks lessened by the day, but it was more eventful than his nights.
Steve had trouble the first few nights at his new apartment. He always arrived back late into the night so he didn't want to risk calling Olivia, in case he woke her up. He didn't fall asleep till two in the morning. It was hard to, the nightmares continued to plague him.
But they weren't as intense as before, they were manageable now, predictable.
On Thursday he arrived home early. The sun had just set when he parked the bike outside his apartment building. He was climbing up at the steps when he spotted Kate (the nurse next door). She was struggling with a few boxes and nearly dropped one if Steve hadn't caught it in time. She was a slender, pretty woman with blonde hair and large brown eyes. Steve was a little caught off guard by her beauty. She flashed him a toothy grin of gratitude and muttered a shy thanks that made his ears redden.
She quickly hurried off after muttering something about being late for her night shift. Steve stood stunned for a moment before making his way into his apartment. He had just shut the door when he heard his cell phone started ringing. He set aside his shield by the door step and shuffled his free hand into his pocket and fished out his phone.
It was Olivia. His body was practically alert with glee and he immediately answered the call.
"Hey Star-boy."
Steve's grin was instantaneous.
"Hi." He responded, he picked up his shield and began to walk down the foyer and to took a sharp turn past a shelf of books, to his room
"How is it going?" She asked softly.
"Good I just got back and I was about to start-"
She sniffled, he stilled.
"Are you alright?" He reworded.
"Yeah why?" She responded a little too quickly. His sensitive ears detected how weak, wet and strained her voice was.
"You sound a little nasal, do you have a cold?" Concern began to bubble up from his chest as his pace to reach his room slowed down.
There was a brief pause from her end and she sniffled again, desperately trying to unblock her congested nose. For a moment there Steve thought that maybe it really was a cold, she did say she had sinuous issues.
"No, not a cold." She admitted reticently, just as he flicked on the living room light. The sudden illumination of the room was hardly noticed when all he could do was focus on her voice. A heavy shuddering sigh escaped her lips that echoed through the phone.
"Just a tough day, Steve."
His fair brows knotted in concern as he stepped into his bedroom
"Did something happen?"
"No nothing alarming, it's just-" Steve waited patiently as she debated whether to tell him or not. Steve wasn't one to share personal information either, he hadn't told her about his nightmares so he knew it was right to make her think she could depend on him. But he wanted to know. The idea of her crying and him not knowing why, bothered him immensely.
"I got something in the mail today, a parcel."
"What was it?" He demanded. He tried to keep his apprehension from reaching through his tone. He had jumped to the worst possible conclusion. Back in the day, mysterious parcels were never a good sign.
"Honestly I thought it was something I had ordered because I recently saw this cute skirt on eBay. Then I thought hey that's weird because it's not supposed to arrive for another week. Turns out it wasn't the skirt." She paused again. Steve was going to assure her that she could trust him, but when he heard her take a deep shallow breath, he knew she was trying to find the strength not to cry.
"It was the hat making kit that I had ordered for Norah, my mom and I were going to help her start it-it came in the mail today."
"Olivia..." His voice was soft and thick with empathy.
"I really should have prepared myself for it, I completely forgot and when I ripped into the box I just-I had a bit of a break down." She swallowed hard "Anyway I am fine really, the crying did not help my sinuous though. I predict a massive headache tomorrow morning."
He could only imagine how painful it must have been to see something that only reminded her of what she no longer had. He suddenly wished he was there, holding her like he had once before and trying to will away her sadness.
Steve felt helpless and he hated it.
"I don't hear about many kids that liked to make hats." He mused while heavily taking a seat on the edge of his bed.
"Norah was pretty weird, in the best kind of way of course." She said, laughing weakly. He could practically picture her doting smile, the one she gets at the thought of her niece "She picked up that little interest after watching Howls Moving Castle for the millionth time.
"What?" He asked unfamiliar with the name.
"It's this Japanese animation, I think it's in your book."
Steve craned around and his eyes fell to the neglected leather bound book on his mattress. He reached over with one arm and picked it up before dragging the book on to his lap. He began to flip through it like he had many times that week. The book was what he would turn to when he couldn't sleep and the colours always eased him after his nightmares.
"Yeah here it is." He announced proudly when he landed on the animation section of the book. Olivia had slotted in four different DVD's under the title "Studio Ghibli". She had typed up a short blurb for each story.
Steve began to read it out loud "A shy young woman named Sofi is cursed with a senile body by a malevolent witch. Her only chance of breaking the spell lies in the hands of a self involved yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle...Hm"
Steve's lips curved down, intrigued by what he had read.
"Interesting blurb." He added.
"It's a fun story believe me. I would have added a few more of my charming illustrations but um- It was hard."
"I know." he murmured tenderly "I get it you don't have to explain yourself. When my mom died it was hard to come home and fold her washed clothes."
He remembered all too clearly how empty the house was. Their tiny place was always dakr and gloomy with the linger stench of moss. But his mom always brought colour, in her own little ways, but that little colour was fading away and eventually disappeared when she died.
"Felt a little pointless, not like she can wear them again." He said and cleared the tightness in his throat.
"But you kept them anyway right?" She asked after a moment, the understanding in her voice suggest she already knew the answer. Steve forced a smile.
"Yeah. I think it's the need to keep them around even when they are gone, but they are also the things that makes us crumble."
"Tell me about it."She sighed haplessly "I get anxiety attacks just passing her room. I still can't bring myself to go inside, it's on my list."
"What list is that?" He asked while setting aside his book, prioritizing his focus to her.
"To recover from a loss. " She began "First it's thanking everyone who helped, friends, family etcetera. Then of course there is the kids from Norah's grade. all of her friends who came to visit, some of them actually shaved their heads in support."
"That's amazing." He marvelled, his blue eyes a lit with wonder.
"Yeah it was." She mumbled "But it's hard to face them you know, they remind me of her."
There was a moment of pensive silence from her. Steve didn't dare break it, he didn't want her to feel like she couldn't allow her true emotions to shine around him.
"Anyway, how was orientation week, meh or neh?" She was once again back to being her usual chipper self. Steve smiled, he had to call it progress. Bucky would have ignored the problem entirely.
"What's Meh?" He asked, fondly.
"Like chill, cool it's all good, nothing eventful."
"Neh?"
"This place sucks I miss Olivia I want to come back home."
He laughed whole heartedly "I think it's somewhere in the middle of that."
"You are chill and internally screaming?"She pondered this for a moment and then said "That sounds about right."
As if she was deriving the judgement from her own state of mind. Steve chuckled and allowed his body to relax. He fell back onto the mattress and got comfortable by kicking off his shoes and averted his attention to the ceiling.
"How was your week?" He questioned ready for a night of just talking to her. This wasn't the first time a simple question had catalysed a entire repertoire of conversation. But he learned from last time that his couch was no place to have a three hour conversation, his bed was much more comfortable.
"It was alright. I passed by that coffee shop on Monday, talked to the waitress for a bit and bought some fine bagels. Eating the bagels were a little difficult considering you weren't there."
"But you've eaten bagels before you met me." He mused confused by her words.
"Yah but still, my mind kinda associated it as you and me thing." He was stunned by how warm his heart suddenly felt. He was left speechless.
"Did you know if you combine our names it becomes Olive. We are one entity Steven and that entity is a tiny oval fruit!" She exclaimed enthusiastically, oblivious to his abrupt pause.
His astonishment was willed away by his instinctive laugh at her silly discovery.
"Or Stevia." He added, biting his lip to suppress his laugh.
"That sounds like something you apply for a rash." She muttered distastefully. He pictured the adorable wrinkling of her nose.
"It's actually a sweetener." He explained remembering it from earlier in the week.
"Fury uses it."
"What?" She breathed, shocked by his words. She fell silent and Steve heard the hurried tapping away of keys.
"Hey would you look at that." She whispered "Stevia a natural sweetener derived from a plant and it has no calories. Wow I learned something new today."
Steve grinned and stretched his legs a little.
"So Steve, what are your plans for the weekend?" She asked.
"Nothing, why?" He tried to seem cool, despite being a giddy mess at the thought of her inviting him over.
"You got invited to a birthday party!" She yelled excitedly.
"Who's birthday?" He demanded "Yours?"
Dear God he hoped not. The idea of not knowing a friend's birthday and receiving a bombshell like that always put him in a state of total anxiety. It would be worse if she had mentioned it before and he had completely forgotten.
"No, mine is January twentieth. Just FYI." Her words were like cold water to a scorching burn, Steve relaxed once more.
"By the way when is yours?" She asked curiously.
"July fourth." He answered casually. Olivia responded with a groan of utter disbelief.
"Could you be more American?" She demanded but Steve could tell she was joking. He wasn't surprised by her reaction. His birthday was a ideal coincidence.
"Actually my parents are Irish. Did I tell you that?"
"No you did not." She stated sounding amazed "That is so cool, I finally have someone to celebrate Saint Patty's day with."
"But I can't get drunk." He pouted.
"Oh yeah that sucks. A sober Irish man? Isn't that universe altering?" She wondered.
"More like racial stereotyping." He jibed.
There was a moment of bewildered silence from her end before a chorus of sniggers escaped her lips.
"Wow okay, Captain Truth-bomb." She teased, he laughed.
"So, who's birthday is it?" He asked more determinedly, playful banter aside.
"Claire, she is turning twenty seven, but you did not hear that from me." She mumbled the last part like it was a trade secret. Steve's cheeks began to hurt form how much he had been smiling.
"The party is on a Saturday so I thought about going shopping for a gift because I'm last minute like that."
"Oh, what should I get her?" Steve asked, anxious at the thought of shopping for a woman he barely knew.
"She said just to bring yourself."
Steve frowned "But I should buy her something, it's rude to attend a birthday party without a gift."
Olivia giggled it was the kind of laugh she allowed when Anakit had done something typically adorable, like tripping over his own feet. Steve began to wonder if what he said sounded like him tripping over his own feet. His face flushed, awaiting her mockery, but there was none.
"Well we can look for one together and if we can't find anything you can just kiss her and that gift should last for ten years or so."
"That's a plan." He laughed "Wouldn't Charlie mind though?"
"Ha-ha yeah." She responded, accepting his hint at the two "They were pretty obvious huh?"
"So they are together?" He asked not at all surprised that his prediction had been true.
"Yeah they are not very open about it but I think it's a good thing. Things are easiest when there are no outside interference's you know." She said her tone considerably softer.
"Yeah." He mused agreeably "No arguments there."
He knew how carelessly letting another person's actions and emotions influence a relationship could end badly. Then again, he had no experiences with women and he was very naive. But Steve liked to think he knew a bit more about the world now. Not the modern age of course, but the people.
"Do you have a place to stay when you get here?" Her question brought him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah I'll just crash at Stark's. He has been trying to get me over there to check out his new renovations so might as well right?"
"Great." She enthused "Can't wait to see you again Steve."
"You too Olivia." He said in a kind whisper.
There was a intimate silence between the two. A crackling intensity that passed through them. Steve felt his pulse quicken, yet his body grew more relaxed. It was the strangest feeling.
"So tell me what else happened, your week was probably a lot more interesting than mine. The most interesting part for me was watching Anakit cough out his first hairball."
"Wow that does sound interesting." Steve chuckled. He pondered her question for a moment, trying to decide where to start his tale.
"I found a great place to run. A lot calmer then the Brooklyn Bridge, no room for misunderstandings." He murmured the last part furtively.
"Where?" He could hear the smile in her words.
"The National Mall, I woke up a little late, O six hundred. There was another guy there. Sam Wilson."
"Friendly?"
"Yeah a real character, slow." He mused fondly to himself "Took my grand stand well. I was a little over the top with my running."
"Why am I not surprised?" She responded playfully.
"Wait six am is late for you?" She countered quickly.
"I am usually up by four."
There was a moment of silence from her end.
"Is that like military scheduling or is something else keeping you up?" She asked, her tone taking a turn for the serious.
"The bed a little uncomfortable." Steve murmured trying to seem cool about his strange sleeping patterns.
"Is it hard or something?"
"The opposite actually. I am just-" Steve struggled to answer "It's not what I am accustomed to."
"Oh." Steve could picture her calculating honey brown eyes and soft pensive lips. He awaited her concerned lecturing.
"Cold milk usually helps me." She advised, surprising him. Steve was grateful she hadn't called him on his problems.
"I know most people recommend warm milk but it does the opposite or keeping a movie on in the background. Citizen Kane is a guaranteed snore fest."
"Hey I like Citizen Kane." He argued.
She groaned again "You are so old."
"I think you mean refined." He bit back lightly. She laughed again and Steve decided then, he could listen to her laugh all day. They continued to talk. Olivia told him about a client of hers that is a vet and needed help to attract people to her practice, so she wanted Olivia to make her a website. Steve liked how passionately Olivia talked about her job, she knew how to bring out interests in others. Olivia loved to commend Steve on how just talking to him gave her ideas. Steve didn't really understand what that meant but he was more than glad to help.
It was late in the night when their conversation came to a end. Steve wasn't looking forward to sleeping and he knew that Olivia had an idea about it. She kept stifling her yawns so he wouldn't insist she go to bed. Steve had to draw the line when she had at one point dozed off mid sentence.
Steve didn't mind it so much, after all he would be seeing her again soon. He just had to get through Friday.
"Ugh, I hate shopping." Olivia groaned for the fifth time since they arrived at the mall.
"I can see that." Steve noted directing a fond glance at her.
They were currently at a clothing store in the female section. Steve tried to ignore the longing stares a few women directed his way, by trying to focus his attention on helping Olivia. So far no one had recognized him. His face was well hidden under his navy blue cap and identity even more so in his casual apparel. Steve was disguised in a simple white short-sleeved shirt paired with a blue jersey, black jeans and brown boots.
Olivia stood next to him in a plain purple band tee and skinny jeans. Steve was glad her casual wear made them seem like they were just a pair of normal people shopping. Plus the fact that she didn't act as anxious as he was in a crowded area, people barely glanced their way. Except for the occasional lusty female, although they weren't really looking at his face.
Steve's attention was grabbed by a plaid red scarf, similar to the one Claire wore the day they first met.
"What about this?" He suggested grasping the soft, woolly material between his fingers and bringing it up.
"This seems like something Claire would wear."
"Hey kudos on the rhyme." Olivia praised with a laugh. A smile pinched his lips at his own unintentional poetic verse. She turned away from the rotating hanger of the tops and drew closer to his side.
"I don't know, she has a lot of scarves." She pondered while tugging on a free end of the scarf . After a moment of intense debate, she released the scarf with a frustrated sigh.
"This is impossible." She cried woefully.
"Do you always get this stressed about buying presents?" He asked calmly.
"Yes."She pouted, her shapely brows furrowed in distress.
"I feel like the stores don't have what I usually envision so I choose to make it." She explained.
Steve nodded in understanding, remembering his own gift she had bestowed. His gaze wandered over her face. There was something different about her and Steve couldn't stop staring. Maybe it was her glasses, he observed the way they rested on the bridge of her nose. No, that wasn't it, they were still the same frame. Maybe it was her hair, it did seem a little more longer, curly and glossy.
There was no trace of heavy makeup on her, except for the streak of inky black she applied in cat like just above her long lashes. But that was normal, she always wore eyeliner.
Steve didn't know why, but she seemed really pretty today, more so than usual.
"Maybe there is something else at IKEA or something. She loves things for her apartment." She said looking to him with her large honey brown eyes. Steve nodded speechlessly and they made their way out of the clothing store.
It was fairly crowded that Saturday morning. People bustled about in the mall, chatter filled the air and Steve occasionally heard the heavy patter of shoes and sharp skidding noises. A few mall cops were posed around the entrance area.
Steve and Olivia walked closer to the stores, away from the major traffic. She was looking about trying to find something that caught her eye and Steve was lost in his thoughts.
"You know if this is too much walking around for you I can do this by myself. " Olivia suddenly spoke up, almost nervously.
"No I don't mind. Did I make it look like I did?" He quickly asked as they entered the main gathering hall.
"Well I don't know."She said with a dubious shrug.
"Most guys don't go shopping with me." She stated factually.
Steve was eased by this, he was worried he had made her think he didn't want to be around her, when that wasn't even an option for him.
"Charlie's belly aching is the worst, I have to always buy him some candy to shut him up." Olivia grumbled. Steve blinked, surprised by this.
"Are you talking about twenty seven year old Charlie or some kid you know?" He inquired with a incredulous lift of a brow.
"I have to pick one?" She wondered with a delectable tilt of her head, Steve smiled.
"Alright to IKEA." She announced and then abruptly stopped walking and observed her surroundings.
"Did we pass the Starbucks?" She asked looking lost. Steve began to search about too and recalling the many shops they had passed. They were near a hot dog vendor and they usually place other consumable areas strategically.
"Yeah I think it was-" Steve was abruptly knocked into another force. Normally he was one that caused most of the damage, which was why he was surprised when he was left dazed from the impact.
"Oh I am sorry my friend I didn't see you there." A man with a deep calming voice apologized and the Captain whirled around to acknowledge the gentleman.
"Steven?" The stranger inquired in wonder. Steve was startled and raised his gaze a little to stare into the familiar, handsome face of the demi-god. Thor stood before him with his usually flowing blonde hair tied back into a low ponytail. He was wearing a long red coat paired with a black t-shirt underneath. Steve found it strange to see the man in blue jeans and black converse.
"Thor?" Steve questioned, his expression scrunched up in utter confusion. Thor grinned and Steve immediately smiled.
"Hey!" The captain exclaimed amiably. The Norse God laughed heartily and pulled the Captain into firm handshake and brotherly hug. Steve was still stunned by the man's arrival and awkwardly returned the hug.
"My friend, what are you doing here?" Thor questioned friendly with his hand still posed on Steve's right deltoid.
"I was just shopping with Olivia." The captain answered. He was immediately alerted of the smaller, silent presence behind him.
"Oh right sorry." He muttered and turned away from Thor to look to the woman.
Olivia was openly gaping with her eyes as wide as saucers. Steve cleared his throat awkwardly and stepped aside to allow Thor a clear view of the female.
"Olivia this is Thor. Thor this is my friend Olivia." He gestured between them.
"My lady." Thor bowed gallantly. Steve tensed and his eyes darted about to make sure no one saw the cultural antics of the alien.
Olivia nodded but she was still refusing to speak. Steve was surprised by the reddening of her face.
"Are you alright?" Thor voiced his concerns and narrowed his clear blue eyes on the woman.
"Yes, sorry." Olivia uttered snapping out of her reverie. Her gaze climbed up from the man's chest to his neck and then to his face.
"You are very um..." She grew flustered and then forced her eyes away from the man and to Steve.
"I can't believe I am talking to THE Thor." She uttered in hushed excitement. Steve grinned as she shuffled a little closer to his side. Thor heard this and smiled compassionately, the corners of his eyes wrinkling in hilarity.
"My lady please do not be so flustered in my presence, I am but a simple man among my mortal friends." He said in a practiced gallantry. Olivia's blush deepened and she grinned sheepishly and drew closer to Steve's side, till his arm kept her slightly hidden.
Steve was highly entertained by her giddy reactions. He wondered why he didn't receive such a coy greeting when they first met.
"Do you usually hang around in the mall by your simple self?" The Captain wondered, averting his attention to Thor.
"No of course not, Lady Jane and Lady Darcy wished to purchase a few items. A few items turned to many and I was distracted by this man and his meat sticks." Thor stated despairingly and whirled around to gesture to the man behind them.
Olivia stifled a snort behind her hand and Steve bit his lip to suppress his laugh.
Thor was oblivious to their reactions and was eyeing to the hot dog vendor to their left.
"They come with a bun." Steve added.
"Bun?" Thor echoed unfamiliar with the word.
"Bread." Olivia responded. The man's eyes lit up like fireworks.
"Amazing!" He exclaimed and turned with a bellowing of his coat and approached the hot dog stand.
"Excuse me my friend!" He called. Grabbing the attention of the skinny, clean shaven man who was in the process of watching a baseball match on the tiny TV within his booth. The moving cart seemed minuscule from behind Thor's impossibly broad physique.
"I wish to sample one of your meat sticks accompanied with your bread."
Olivia instinctively grabbed Steve's forearm and squeezed. He looked to find her staring up at him, desperately trying not to laugh with her lips pressed to a thin, smiling line. Steve nodded, silently saying that he too was trying not to acknowledge the humor.
"I don't give out samples, pal." The New Yorker bit back, unresponsive to Thor's strange request."If you want a hot dog it is four fifty for large and three fifty for small."
"Hot...dog?" Thor repeated, dread filling his words. He turned sharply to face Steve and Olivia once again, who immediately straightened under the demi-gods intense glare.
"Is dog meat a cuisine in this realm?" He demanded, positively disgusted.
"No it's just what it's called. It's chicken I swear." Steve insisted, taking a step forward to calm the man.
"Oh." Thor's building anger faded away and he was instantly smiling again, ready to order again.
"Would you like some too my friends?" He asked quickly, as if remembering his manners. Steve looked to Olivia questioningly, she shook her head dismissively.
"No thanks we are good." Steve responded, Thor grinned.
"Alright then, two large of your finest...hot dogs, please."
"Mustard or ketchup?"
"Both!" Thor exclaimed boldly. As the vendor prepared Thor's meal, the Norse god turned to face his friends and beamed down at them.
"So my friends, are you here to purchase items as well?" He asked, taking notice of their free arms.
"Yeah, my friend's birthday is coming up." Olivia announced smiling up at the large man. "She is a big fan of yours by the way."
" I am flattered!" Thor exclaimed. He seemed like he wanted to say more by the hot dog vendor tapped him in the shoulder. He turned to accept the food and pay the man his fee.
"Where the heck did he-oh there you are."
Steve and Olivia's attentions were grabbed by the frantic rush of a short brunette. She ran in their direction and was tailed by a equally dark haired female but she had a bustier figure and glasses similar to Olivia's.
Steve recognized the slimmer drably dressed female, it was Jane Foster. The young doctor raced over to Thor's side. Her assistant/intern, Darcy struggled to catch up while carrying large bags of merchandise.
"Oh my gosh." The woman wearing the glasses stopped directly in front of Steve. From her wide eyed, gaping expression, he knew his identity was no longer secret.
"Its Captain Dreamboat." She whispered in awe. Olivia's body trembled with laughs again at Steve's bewildered expression.
"I prefer Steve Roger's ma'am." The Captain responded thoughtfully.
Darcy grinned slightly sheepish that her words were heard by him .
"Sorry, hi I'm Darcy." She introduced gesturing to her herself. Olivia remained the quiet observer.
"This is Jane." The intern stated looking to her superior.
"Hi." The doctor uttered with a shy smile.
"Hi." Steve smiled and looked to the web designer.
"This is Olivia."
The two females forced their gazes from the Captain and looked to short female beside him.
"Hey." Olivia grinned less anxious than before "So I am guessing you are Thor's friends?"
"Friend's, escort, the-people-that-make-sure-he-doesn't-end-up-joining-a-cult-by-accident. It's a pretty big classification." Darcy blabbed with a casual shrug.
"I can imagine." Steve mused and Olivia's head bobbed in agreement.
The demi-god was unaware of their conversation topic and was happily shoving the remaining end of his hot dog. Steve didn't even see him eating the first one. He looked to find Olivia was sharing his horror and amusement.
Jane and Darcy were unfazed and the young doctor tugged at hem of Thor's coat sleeve.
"Thor I was calling you." She said, grabbing his attention.
"Your musical mirror did alert me of your search for me and then your beautiful face appeared upon its surface." Thor noted, smiling down at his girlfriend.
Olivia snorted and muttered "musical mirror" under her breath like it was the funniest thing she had heard.
"You are supposed to slide and then answer like I showed you." Jane chided. Thor pouted like a contrite school boy.
"I did, many times." He said and pulled out the remains of his broken, unhinged phone from his pocket.
"Oh my." Olivia and Darcy gasped simultaneously.
"I'll never let Darcy convince me to give you a smart phone again." Jane scowled, accepting the destroyed phone and sending a glower in her intern's direction.
"But it's fun, his accidental Selfies are the best." Darcy insisted to Steve and Olivia.
"So my friends. Are you hungry? I am famished!"
Thor's passionate statement shocked Steve and Olivia.
"You just ate two hot dogs." She worded her disbelief hesitantly.
"Yes. I believe the term Darcy used is a 'warm up'?" Thor pondered while rubbing his chin and glanced at Darcy for approval.
"You should see this guy eat breakfast, it's like one of the eight wonders of the world." Darcy added.
"I thought that title would go to him." Olivia mused. Steve was surprised by this and looked to find her grinning wickedly, her eyes a gleam. Darcy however, was thoroughly amused.
"We must have lunch!" She exclaimed and thrust her arms into the air. Steve was startled by her sudden and unexpected enthusiasm.
"Yes I agree with Lady Darcy!" Thor enthused.
Steve, Olivia and Jane exclaimed frazzled glances.
"Sure why not?" Steve murmured. Olivia nodded eagerly.
The five of them found a quaint little restaurant in the mall. They were escorted by the diligent staff to a five seater table in the far corner of the room. It was a booth on one side and two chairs on the other with one single seat at the head of the table.
Thor and Jane slide into the booth, Olivia and Steve occupied the chairs adjacent to them. Darcy confidently took up the head of the table, beside Olivia.
A male waiter arrived and placed five menus and Thor immediately began to flip through the choice of meals.
"I cannot decide, there are so many choices but I understand that I cannot purchase them all." The demi-god mused crescent fallen.
"I think we learned that from the Chinese takeout incident." Darcy stated with her menu posed in front of her. She grinned and looked to Steve and Olivia "The bill came up to like two thousand."
"Wow." Oliva breathed in disbelief and Steve blinked, astonished.
"That was just his portion." Jane added shooting her boyfriend a playful glare. Thor grinned sheepishly, the manly dents of his face deepening.
"On the plus side, we did receive a lot of fortune from those fortune cookies. One of them said I'll meet a handsome stranger." Darcy mused and locked gazes with the Captain. Steve tensed when she winked at him.
"Hey stranger." She called in a sultry manner. Olivia had her faced hidden behind her menu but Steve knew from her shaving shoulders, she was laughing at him.
"Steve, what will you be consuming?" Thor grabbed the Captain's attention away from Darcy. Steve glanced down at the menu and noticed the great section of cooked meat they provided.
"The steak looks pretty good, I am sucker for a good steak." Steve stated.
"Steak it is!" Thor announced with the same enthusiasm he carried for everything else. Olivia lowered her menu and glanced at the two Avengers.
"Like there isn't enough beef in this table already?" She wondered mischievously. Steve chuckled and Jane giggled. Thor did not seem to comprehend Olivia's jab and looked to his Doctor for a explanation.
"I was just about to say that!" Darcy exclaimed, grinning at the web designer. The intern set aside her menu, folded her arms on the table and leaned forward on to them. Her attention behind her glasses were focused intently on Olivia.
"Olivia are you on Facebook?" She inquired.
"Not really, but I am on Tumblr." The dark haired female answered politely.
"Oh my God, me too!" Darcy cried excitedly and hastily pulled out her smart phone and began to furiously tap the screen with her thumbs.
"What's your url?" She demanded.
Steve watched as Olivia uttered a streak of words that were completely foreign to him but Darcy seemed to know exactly what she was saying. What's a Tumbler? Steve wondered having never come across such a site before. The waiter appeared and Thor placed everyone individuals orders before turning his attention back to the group.
"So are you two dating?"
Steve and Olivia immediately tensed at the blunt question Jane directed at them.
Steve struggled to form words but luckily Olivia took the initiative.
"No ha-ha." She responded pleasantly, her cheeks slightly pinked.
"We are just friends." She insisted and directed a smile at the Captain. For the first time since they met, Steve found himself forcing a smile at Olivia. Something he never thought he would do around her. The thing was, it wasn't her fault, she had acknowledged them for what they were yet Steve hated it. Friends? They were just friends? The reality confused him.
Why did it bother him so much?
"This is so cool, all like super friends having lunch together. I so want to take a group photo together." Darcy's words tore him away from his turbulent thoughts.
"So how did you two meet?" Jane asked with a sweet smile.
"That's the million dollar question." Steve laughed.
"He rescued my cat." Olivia announced.
"But I actually thought she was trying to kill herself."
Jane, Darcy and Thor were horrified by the Captain's statement.
"I was on the edge of the bridge trying to bring the damn cat down, so you can imagine how it might have looked to him. " Olivia tried to assure them. They simultaneously sighed as Steve smiled apologetically, he nervously palmed the back of his neck. I really should have worded that better.
He felt a sudden, gentle pat on his knee and looked to find Olivia smiling up at him with those glittering honey brown eyes. It was her silent way of assuring him that there was no harm done.
"Cool." Darcy mused. Olivia turned her focus on the opposing three.
"How did you guys meet?" She asked.
"Oh the usual. I was chasing after a storm that I thought might have a link to my research and then." Jane began to say with a casual wave flick of her wrist.
"She hit the dude with her car." Darcy added while munching on a bread stick. Steve and Olivia's eyes simultaneously widened.
"I grazed him!" Jane defended shooting a glare at her friend.
"It was an accident I backed up the car and he just happened to be there."
"Twice." Darcy pointed out, raising two fingers into the air to further emphasis the fact.
"It was all very coincidental." Jane said with a woeful sigh while sinking into her seat.
"Then he went back to Asgard with Meow Meow and didn't return for two years."
"And three months." The Doctor cut in, but then her enthusiasm immediately deflated under Thor's doting gaze "But I wasn't really counting."
"That's a lie." Darcy announced looking to the demi-god."She really missed you."
"Yes the uh... slaps were evident enough." Thor mused, dazedly rubbing at the side of his face. Jane grinned toothily. The man smiled and gently grasped the woman's dainty hands in his.
"Time passes differently in Asgard." He began to say staring deep into the doctor's eyes "Two years here is but a few seconds there but my absence from Lady Jane truly made the time move slower. So in order to not feel such a deep loss I threw myself into battle after battle to pass the time while the bridge was being rebuilt."
The three witnesses sat, stunned by Thor's heartfelt confession.
"Wow." Olivia breathed in wonder, from beside Steve.
"That is a lot more romantic than Jane eating ice cream all day and not showering." Darcy added.
The mood was instantly shattered and Jane narrowed dangerously in the direction of her intern. Olivia sniggered and Steve bit the inside of his lip, trying not to laugh at the mental image.
"Thanks Darcy." She muttered sardonically through gritted teeth.
"You are welcome." The intern responded with a cheeky smile.
"So what happened next?" Steve asked fascinated by the tale.
"Jane got possessed by this thing that gave her an invisible umbrella." Darcy stated.
"What?" Steve countered, thinking he had miss heard.
"How did you know it's an umbrella?" Olivia's question was even more bizarre.
"Well I guessed it was, it stopped the rain from wetting her." Darcy added.
Steve slumped back into his chair.
"I am confused." He declared.
"Shocking." Olivia murmured eyeing him teasingly with those gleaming honey eyes of hers. Steve rolled his eyes and gently elbowed her in the side.
"So Steve, I was told that you resided in the Washington province of America." Thor grabbed his attention once more.
"Yeah I was transferred there around a week ago."
"Eight and a half days actually." Olivia added casually, unaware of the all knowing look Darcy and Jane fixated on her.
"Thanks." Steve smiled, equally unconscious "There hasn't been much to do, except for the occasional mission here and there, it's mainly training really."
"Ah, you are teaching your battle tactics to underlings, excellent. Give me the word and I will most certainly assist you in this." Thor announced confidently.
"That sounds like fun, I'll let Fury know." Steve smiled.
"Wonderful!" Thor exclaimed just as the waiter arrived with their trays of food.
"Ah thank you my friend." The Norse god acknowledged graciously as the waiter began to serve. They had all ordered steaming plates of grilled steak with side orders of vegetables. They were presented on warm, black metal pallets with chunky, silver cutlery. Steve was amazed by the appearance.
"You are welcome, Sir." The waiter grinned and took his leave.
Olivia folded the napkin over her lap and picked up her fork, she was about to begin when a looming Darcy grabbed her attention.
"Hey are those mash potatoes?" The intern inquired, gesturing her knife at the pile of creamy white paste.
"Yeah." Olivia acknowledged, frowning slightly "I am not much of a mash potato fan."
Olivia was expecting Darcy to begin a lecture (like everyone else she had said that particular information to ) regarding her dislike for mashed potatoes. However, Darcy's reaction was the complete opposite.
"Oh." Darcy grinned, her eyes twinkling behind her glasses. "Are you a carrot fan? Because I am not."
"Heck yeah." Olivia enthused and they quickly exchanged dishes. They had both ordered the chicken steak which worked well in their favor.
"Sweet." Darcy chimed in the same way Steve had heard Olivia say many times. He directed his fond stare to Olivia who was eagerly munching on a stick of steamed carrot, that was impaled on her fork.
"I believe Lady Darcy made a friend." Thor observed with a mouth full of beef.
"So Lady Olivia, where do you hail from?"
"Oh North Carolina originally, then I went to Florida for college." Olivia answered after swallowing down her food.
"Oh, Full Sail?" Jane questioned surprising the woman.
"Good guess, web design and development."
"Oh that's cool." Darcy announced. Olivia grinned, abashed by the attention.
"It's alright." She mumbled with a dismissive shrug.
"Pretty convenient for Steve eh, meeting someone who can explain technology and all." Darcy noted nodding her head in his direction. Steve was in the middle of cutting into his beef when Darcy's words distracted him.
"I don't know about that, but Olivia has certainly gone above and beyond." He insisted gratefully.
"Hey it was fun." Olivia responded, gently bumping against him "You guys must get it, I mean everything is so new to them."
"I know right, it's like a scene from Encino Man but not as caveman." Darcy added animatedly.
"Exactly!" Olivia enthused.
"Though I gotta admit, Steve is much better looking than Brendan Frasier." Steve was caught once more under Darcy's admiring gaze.
"What about Thor?" Olivia mused. Hearing this, the demi-god flashed a devilish grin at the web designer. Steve found that particular smile to be a little too strong in charisma, but thankfully Olivia wasn't back to being a giddy mess.
Steve picked at his food pensively. Is Olivia attracted to men like Thor? Long haired, adventurous and dashing?
"He is not from here so it doesn't count." Darcy added.
"Yes it would not be fair to compare my beauty to the mortals, they stand no chance. But Steve my friend, you do come fairly close." Thor responded amiably gesturing a open hand to the silent Captain.
"Thanks." Steve muttered, truly flattered. But the feeling didn't last long when a sniggering Olivia drew his attention away from the Norse god. He watched her tremble with laughter for a few seconds, his own smile begging to form as his eyes narrowed playfully.
"Oh this is funny to you?" He mused aloud.
She bit her lip to suppress her mirth and she nodded.
"Yes very." She said unabashedly. Steve rolled his eyes and resumed eating.
Their meals were a lot richer than Olivia could have imagined, she struggled to finish hers. But luckily Steve was more than happy to consume her plate of vegetables, she wasn't that fond of broccoli either. Jane and Darcy had also struggled, but they had their godly vacuum cleaner to help lessen the guilt.
"My friends, shall we order desserts?" Thor suggested, still not sated.
"Their chocolate mousse is great by the way." Darcy added.
"Yes it's soft texture, rich in what you mortals called chocolate and the way it simply melts in one's mouth. Volstagg would be most envious."
"This dude can make Anna Karenina an interesting audio book." Olivia announced in astonishment.
"Oh my gosh I asked him to read nineteen eighty four for me once to help me fall asleep. I ended up paying attention." Jane declared. Steve and Olivia laughed at this and Thor did not understand their amusement.
"So what are your plans after this?" The good doctor asked.
"Well we were shopping for a birthday present." Steve answered meeting Olivia's glance.
"OH? who's birthday?" Darcy inquired excitedly.
"My best friend Claire. We are kind of at a lost, nothing is crazy enough to suit her fan-" Olivia immediately stilled, her gaze fixated on Thor, the wheels in her head began to turn.
"Hey." She called, grabbing the attention of other Avenger. "Can I get your autograph?"
"Pardon?" Thor sat up alert.
"Remember when that specky kid asked you to sign his forehead?" Darcy reminded. The Norse God's clear blue eyes sparked in recollection.
"Ah yes of course I will be most obliged." Thor announced. Olivia's grin was instantaneous and Steve was startled when she grabbed his bicep and began to shake him.
"Oh my gosh, Steve she is going to lose her mind." She cried in barely suppressed glee. Steve wondered if she was this giddy when waiting for him to open his present. When he pondered the idea it made sense, Olivia's enthusiasm was boundless.
"I dont know, if you wanted to see her lose her mind we should just take Thor to the party." The captain suggested jokingly. Olivia's grip on his stilled and she nodded in agreement.
"Why not?" Jane abruptly spoke up.
"What?" Steve and Olivia simultaneously questioned, reeling around to stare at the doctor.
"Yeah, we are not doing anything and I would never say no to crashing a party." Darcy added while grinning mischievously.
"Aye, Lady Darcy and I share similar attributes when it comes to invading festivities. Of course when I make my arrival I bring the life with me." Thor encouraged.
"I thought you guys were shopping." Steve uttered, confused.
"Yeah, we are done and I wouldn't mind going to a party." Jane stated.
Olivia and Steve exchanged baffled looks.
"Do they have alcohol?" Darcy whispered.
"It's Claire's party so yeah, most definitely." Olivia insisted, her eyes a light once more with sinister intent.
"Oh my gosh, I have the perfect idea for Thor's entrance."
Steve shook his head in amusement. The day just got a whole lot better.
Steve didn't expect Claire's apartment to be so crowded. They had to practically push their way through the entrance to get to the living room. He took a deep breath the moment he stepped into the larger space, glad that there was a bit more room.
Olivia moved through like she had been to such a gathering many times before, in fact she held his hand and pulled him along the entire time. Steve couldn't shake away the spark he felt the moment she grabbed his hand. Her palms were soft and her hands seemed almost delicate compared to his larger ones.
"Olli, Steve!" Claire's voice distracted her hold and she turned just in time to catch the eager Birthday girl. Claire threw herself into Olivia's arms and hugged her tightly around the neck.
Claire was dressed in a purple, sleeveless, party dress, with chiffon skirts. Her long legs disappeared into a pair of flat, black leather booths. She released Olivia with a grin and reached over to bring Steve into a half hug.
Steve was surprised by the embrace, but considering Olivia and her friends were usually very open about their affections, Steve didn't mind. He liked it, it meant he was accepted as one of them.
"I am so glad you guys are here!" Claire shrieked over the loud thumping of the music. It was some fast, rhythmic beat he did not recognize.
"I hope you don't mind, I brought some friends along!" Olivia shouted gesturing behind her. Steve glanced back to find Jane and Darcy weren't behind him. Alarmed he frantically searched over the crowd and spotted Darcy by the drinks table in the corner. Jane was loitering by the window that Thor is supposed to enter from.
"The more the merrier!" Claire insisted with a large grin.
Charlie suddenly appeared from behind Claire. He was dressed in a simple red t-shirt and blue jeans.
"Hey what did you get her?" The young man demanded with one arm over his girlfriend's shoulder. The Captain was taken aback by the man's stipulation.
"This is Claire's party right?" Steve wondered teasingly.
"Yeah but Charlie loves opening presents." Olivia responded with a sweet smile directed up at him.
"It's true." Charlie nodded "I collect wrapping paper."
Weirdly enough that wasn't the strangest thing Steve had heard.
"Well uh, you can't unwrap this one." He hollered over the music looking to Claire "Even though I am pretty sure you would want to."
Olivia gaped and instinctively grabbed him at his bicep. Steve's startled attention moved to her. Her honey brown eyes were wide in amazement and glittering in hilarity. It slowly dawned on to him what he had uttered so carelessly.
"Steve, that's the funniest thing I have ever heard you say." She laughed, a open mouthed smile frozen on her pretty face. Steve chuckled, abashed and nervously palmed the back of his neck. He hadn't meant to sound as clumsy and inappropriate, but it was amusing so he wasn't nearly as embarrassed as he should have been.
"I know, I just realized how inappropriate that was." He murmured mainly to himself and then playfully narrowed his eyes down at Olivia.
"You are such a bad influence." He whispered, surprised by how mischievous he sounded.
No wait...flirtatious?
"You know when you say it with a smile, I can't be insulted." She retorted with a haughty lift of her chin that he couldn't help but find adorable.
"Good." He said, the corners of his full lips slanted up in a tender smile. Olivia gazed back, they were once again caught under that intimate warmth.
"So where is the gift?" Charlie demanded, snapping them out of their dazed ogling.
"Oh it's on the way." Olivia mumbled mysteriously. Claire's lips parted to ask another question when a sudden crash of thunder startled everyone. The music abruptly stopped and all the swaying bodies stilled and focused their attention on the closest window. It was Claire's balcony. The glass doors had slammed open and the gossamer white curtains were bellowing wildly.
Steve was distracted from the gloomy skies when Olivia's grip on his arm tightened. He looked to her and smiled, she was practically giddy in anticipation and her grin was maniacal.
"Is that a lightning storm? The broadcast said clear skies." Charlie announced, furiously swiping through his phone in search of answers.
There was a sudden crack of lightning dangerously close to the veranda. The crowd gasped and stepped back on reflex.
Steve rolled his eyes, typical of Thor to have his dramatic setting. Just at the thought of the Norse God. Steve saw a blur of red in a distance heading straight for them with the speed of canon ball.
Thor landed on the veranda in all his armored glory. Mjolnir was posed at his side, held in place by his bare, muscular arm. Steve wondered if he purposefully left out his full armor just for the purpose of flashing his impressive build.
Thor's sharp features eyed the room, towering over the party guests that awed at the sight of him.
"Excuse me." He boomed with his hands posed on his strong waist "I am here looking for the maiden that these festivities are in celebration of."
"Oh my God." Claire gaped, breathing hard and showing subtle symptoms of a pending cardiac arrest.
"She is right here!" Olivia yelled with her palms cupped around her mouth. Her voice instantly grabbed the Norse God's attention. The crowd parted and granted passage for him like the sea did for Moses. Thor grinned and made his way past the glass doors and straight to the birthday girl.
"Lady Claire." He called kindly. Claire squeaked when Thor grabbed her by the shoulders, and kissed her gently on the side of her face.
A frozen Claire stared as he pulled back and held her at an arm's length.
"A sincere Happy Birthday to you from all of Asgard. May you have a wonderful year." He wished kindheartedly with a large, dashing, pearly white smile.
"Th-thank you."
Olivia was surprised Claire even managed to muster words. Thor nodded, winked at Steve and Olivia before stomping off in search of Jane.
"Claire?" Olivia called her friend, observant of her silence. Claire turned to face them again on wobbly feet. With a trembling arm she reached out for Olivia and grasped her hand.
"Did that just happen or did someone spike my drink?" She wondered dazedly with her left palm pressed to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. Olivia laughed and hugged her friend once more.
"Happy Birthday Claire." Steve announced.
"I can't believe you guys did that!" Claire abruptly shrieked and wrapped Steve and Olivia into a embrace by throwing her arms over their shoulders. Olivia was knocked against Steve's bulging bicep and he quickly steadied her with a hand to her mid back.
"I love you soooo much." The birthday girl continued to gush and rained kisses all over the young web designer's face.
Charlie who was still watching the retreating Thor, suddenly turned to face them, his brown eyes a light with amazement.
"Olli Olli, you have to bring Hawkeye to my birthday." He chanted like a eight year old.
"I don't even know the guy." Olivia rebutted, finally free of Claire's smothering.
"Then how did you meet Thor?" Claire wondered, still clinging to her friend and looking to Steve.
"That was pure coincidence really." He answered.
"You could say it's God send." Olivia joked and elbowed Steve in the side and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. Claire and Charlie simultaneously sighed at her terrible pun but Steve couldn't help but beam down at her.
Steve, Olivia and Jane found a quieter area within the party. It was a space in Claire's kitchen, the corner of her counter where the two marble surfaces met. Steve stood in the middle with Olivia and Jane on either side. Jane was explaining to them about Asgard and what it was like. Steve and Olivia were both floored by the imagery.
Jane was in the process of explaining to them how a quantum generator worked when a very clumsy Charlie made his way to them. He had a tray of shot glasses in his arms.
"Hey guuuys." He droned grinning dazedly.
"Are you drunk?" Steve asked, amused as the man leaned against the nearest counter.
"No. The proper definition is tipsy my good Sir." Charlie corrected with a confident lift of his chin. He awkwardly thrust his arms forward, nearly spilling the contents of the glasses.
"Can I interest you three with shots of tequila?" He offered.
Olivia reached over and gently picked one before bringing the brim of the glass to her nose and sniffing. Steve watched her actions curiously as she took a sip and then gave Charlie a incredulous look.
"Charlie this is water." She stated factually.
"Huh?" The man responded utterly confused "I swear I had a tray of Tequila just now."
"Woooohoooooo."
Olivia, Steve, Jane and Charlie simultaneously looked across the room to find Darcy dancing on top of a table, with a crowd of enthusiasts chanting around her.
"Damn it Darcy." The doctor cursed and raced past Charlie. Olivia was snickered into her palm and Steve was equally humored.
Steve and Olivia were laughing as they left Claire's birthday party. The sun has long left the skies and the street lamps were resuming their duties. It was near midnight and the streets were starting to empty. The party was still raging on but Steve and Olivia decided to leave when Thor and his friends did.
They made their way down the sidewalk to where Steve had parked his bike.
"So that party took a interesting twist." Olivia mused, the Captain grinned.
"I know, it was fun though."
"I know right and I didn't even need to get drunk." She exclaimed he laughed.
"So what now?" She asked when they reached his bike. He pondered her question for a moment while handing her the spare helmet. Steve knew he didn't want to go home yet, because it was officially Monday morning and he would have to leave in six hours.
"Ice cream?" He suggested hesitantly.
"Hell yeah." She cheered.
Steve was happy to eat cookie dough ice cream again. This time he bought it in a cup because the spoon was small and he doesn't feel pressured to finish it fast because it's on a cone.
Olivia had found logic in his explanation and had opted for a cup too. They had both gone for the three scoop option, which Steve was pretty sure is a God send.
They were walking along their usual route through Central park. The air was a lot colder considering the October chill had just begun.
"I can't believe I met Thor today. He sure knows how to party." Olivia said while picking at her cup of ice-cream with the plastic spoon.
"Yeah." Steve chuckled " That Darcy girl is hilarious."
Olivia slanted a sly look in his direction.
"I think she is a developing a crush on you." She mused. Steve rolled his eyes, a large smile still playing at his lips.
"Yeah, she disguised that really well."
Olivia laughed at his sardonic retort.
"She is single if you are wondering, mentioned it to me a few dozen times." She noted fondly.
"I wasn't, plus I'm not very good at talking to women." He confessed shyly.
"We are talking right now." Olivia uttered.
"No I mean, in that kind of putting myself out there sort of way."
"Oh." She deliberated his statement for a moment and then smiled "So what do you usually do for a date?"
Steve grew anxious. Ideally he didn't like answering such a question, it caused him to deliberate a few life choices that he didn't want to think about. But for some reason he wanted to tell Olivia.
"Been real nervous about asking girls out before. I didn't exactly have the look every dame searched for." He answered softly trying not to let the unhappiness seep into his voice.
"That was then right? What about now?" She asked "Wasn't there anyone?"
"Well there was." He thought about Peggy for a moment. Her kind yet sharp eyes, dark hair and usually red painted lips. His heart clenched for a brief few seconds of longing.
"But with the whole time travelling and Avengers, it didn't work out. I just figured eventually the right partner will just come along right?"
He remembered uttering words similar in context to Peggy Carter, when they had first spoken. The agent had seen truth in his logic and nodded in understanding, assuring him then.
Olivia on the other hand, was stunned for a few seconds before she began to laugh hysterically.
He was startled by her reaction and stopped twirling his plastic spoon to observe her.
"I'm sorry Steve but your logic is flawed." She said once her chuckled simmered down.
"What do you mean?" He demanded reluctantly. She slipped him a knowing smile. Her honey eyes were glimmering with a tender insistence, as if she knew what she was about to say wouldn't be the more assuring thing, but at the same time she wanted him to understand.
"You can't just wait around for the right partner, you have to go out and find her. I mean yeah I get how it is deflating to have to be rejected. But I think when you do meet that person it won't be because you were just waiting around. Every meet cute story starts with a great beginning. If you wait around in your comfort zone you will be waiting forever because it is comfortable. I mean did you become Captain America by waiting around?"
Her words stunned him, but he was even more floored by her challenging question.
"No." He murmured dazed "You have a good point."
She didn't seem smug when he agreed, instead her amber gaze clouded over in despair.
"Norah was five years old when she first started living with me. Her dad, my brother." She stuttered hesitantly "He fell in to depression after his wife died."
She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts while thumbing the rim of the ice-cream holder. Steve observed her intently, forgetting his own cold treat.
"I never wanted to take Norah in, in the beginning."She admitted "I knew the consequences of adopting a child and I was young and I wasn't ready. But I stepped up, mainly because I didn't want my parents to have to because they had just retired and it wasn't fair to them. I stepped out of my comfort zone and I never looked back. Never regret it though."
She ended her words with a soft endearing smile while staring a head at the swaying trees.
"I don't regret my decisions either." Steve confessed finding truth in her words. Bucky had on several occasions reminded Steve of how stupid and irresponsible it was to try and enlist considering his disabilities, but he persevered. Even when he had joined the army he fought to do his best even with the challenge of his bullying, laughing peers.
He did regret not telling Peggy how he felt sooner, even she had been the one to initiate the kiss just as he was about to face the Red Skull.
Bravery wasn't just in the big acts. It was in the little ones. Like kissing a guy mid car chase or asking that one special girl to dance. The ones that showed your vulnerabilities and tested you as a human being.
He hadn't thought about it such a way before, it was enlightening.
Olivia misread his new found meaning for self doubt. She gently nudged into his side, grabbing his attention.
"Hey" She called softly, their gazes met.
She smiled and said "It will be alright, you'll see."
Steve gazed at her wistfully for a second, wondering how she made everything that was once complicated, seem so simple.
"You are awfully optimistic for a kid." He teased neglecting is melted ice cream, he was far more fascinated by her.
"Well you are not bitter enough for a grandpa." She retorted playfully.
He grinned and looked down at the pool of creamy goodness in his cup. He brought the brim to his lips and gulped the remaining liquid down. He resisted the urge to sigh as the heavenly frozen sweetness with a slight biscuit bite, filled his senses.
"I really love cookie dough." He declared.
"I know right, portion wasn't big enough." Olivia admitted crossly. They passed by a green, cylindrical dust bin. They tossed the cups into the garbage and she rubbed her palms together to dispel the cool moisture.
"We should get like a tub." She stated factually but then her face lit up with a sudden interest "That reminds me next time you come over let's have a movie marathon while eating ice cream."
Steve was equally enthused by the suggestion, his blue eyes glimmered with his own ideas.
"And nachos, I tried that today and it was great." He exclaimed.
"Yaaaas, nachos." Steve grinned, he liked the way she exaggerated words.
"Oh I got this recipe for this killer salsa dip. You will be in tears."
"That sounds painful." He noted a little fearfully.
"Yes but it's so good." She vowed passionately with a dramatic hand to the chest action. As he watched her continue to blabber on animatedly about her salsa formula, listing out the various types of ingredients it required. It slowly dawned on to Steve what was so different about her. It wasn't a change in appearance or posture or speech, in fact it wasn't her at all.
Steve realized in that moment, he had feelings for her.
His heart began to pound as he slowly absorbed the, intense revelation. A deep sigh escaped the Captain's lips.
Oh boy.