Warning: There will be Slash (male x male relationship) in this story.
Disclaimer: I am no master of these stories, just a humble servant of imagination.
Harry slowly slid until he was sitting on the floor. The sorcerer pocketed his phone and scrubbed his eyes with the sleeves of his gray hoody. His kid was too smart for his own good; sometimes it was scary smart -a five year old simply does not send his own father out clubbing-. The wizard chuckled slightly as he reminisced about the time when Teddy had pushed him out of the house and had stubbornly demanded that he went out and didn't return until he had a partner for he was the only one in his class to have a single parent. The enticing male cleared his thoughts with a shake of his head and regained his composure; once he was standing again he trailed his hands through his hair and left the room with a lazy sway.
Fury had the time, the place and all that was left to do was to get the information relied onto the Captain; and for both Harry and Steven to meet. Monday was barely three days away and the beauty wanted to be prepared; not that he knew what to do with a student almost a century old who believed to be in his thirties -somehow he just knew that it was bound to backfire; he just hoped that he wouldn't end up back in Belgium-. The mage squared his shoulders and strode elegantly into the kitchen.
"Are you ready for more adventures?" the man inquired tenderly as he approached his son.
"M-hm" was the noncommittal answer.
The sorcerer chuckled merrily as he gently embraced the youngster's body. The brunette petted the unruly black mane and admired the sleepy amethyst eyes.
"How about having a small siesta, Huh? I could definitely use one right now" he muttered softly to his child.
"M-hm" murmured the kid as his face was taken over by a big yawn.
"Well then, a siesta it is" he said lovingly. "Thank you Vitto, I can take it from here"
The small creature bowed profusely. "Of course, Master Potter" the house-elf agreed and disappeared with a small pop.
"Come on kiddo, let's get you to bed" the dazzling mage ordered happily.
"Did you talk to the man?" the child asked sleepily.
"What man?" the wizard inquired startled.
"The man you were going to help" he explained in between yawns.
"Ah, yes! Stephen. I contacted Nick and he said that he would deliver my message" the petite male clarified.
"And?" enquired the kid
"And I'll meet him Monday as soon as I leave you at kindergarten" replied the amused sorcerer. "Now; can we go to sleep?"
"M-hm" answered the child as he snuggled onto the beauty's chest, "but you have to finish reading the story first".
The mage sniggered but complied nonetheless; Teddy was three sentences away from falling asleep.
The muscular man spent his days completely immersed in the training room S.H.I.E.L.D. had prepared for him. He worked his body to exhaustion, and then some more. His mind was filled with different possibilities: the contact could end up being a girl and he would be bound to start rambling incoherently or, the contact could end up fawning over him and trying to hit on him or, the contact could end up being a military man and he would have to sit stiffly until the very end or, the contact could end up being a fan of Captain America and it would make him feel completely uncomfortable or, the contact could end up not knowing anything about him -save for his cover- and would treat him like a retarded soldier or, god forbid, he could end up fawning over this mysterious contact.
The blonde male pivoted his weigh onto his right feet and with the momentum he twirled his left leg behind, turning around swiftly, and landed the kick right in the middle of the metal practice dummy he had been using; the blow was reflected and he was thrown back. The soldier was taken by surprise and awkwardly landed in a hasty crouch; with two long strides and a graceful tactical roll he landed a series of powerful blows, only to have them returned.
Once the tall man felt that enough was enough he took the bandages wrapped around his hands off and dried the sweat that dripped from his forehead. Steve sighed and strode to the small changing room; which was part of the original structure. The man took his cotton undershirt off before regulating the water and sliding off the rest of his outfit. As soon as the warm droplets of fluid fell on top of his abused body the man sighed contently and his shoulders sagged; his muscles began to relax. The soldier used his long fingers to massage his powerful frame as water and soap surrounded him. Soon enough the tanned male was clean, relaxed and almost stress free -if not for the fact that it was the next morning when he would be meting a complete stranger-.
Sunday night began with usual odyssey that was preparing the small boy to sleep.
"Daddy!" the youngster called as he ran circles around the taller wizard and, from time to time, tried to tackle the man to the ground.
"Omph!" the young sorcerer was so fixated on his son's movements that he failed to see her coming.
"Harry!" the tall red headed female greeted from above him, on the floor. "Meet my fiancé" she chuckled as a man fell on top of them both.
"Oh, for Merlin's beard! Will, get off!" the smaller male growled as he tried to crawl from under both bodies.
"No can do 'Ry. There's still two more to go" the tanned brunette sniggered.
"Two!?" he squawked in panic.
"Brother" a muffled voice called and another body was thrown onto the pile of figures.
There was movement and giggling as Harry tried and successfully rose from beneath the mass of people.
"Son of a Boggart!" he drawled out of breath as someone landed right on top of him and forced his physique to melt into the pile once more.
"Well, hello to you too 'Ry. How's life treating you?" greeted a voice to his ear.
"George!" he gasped surprised before whirling around. "Close, way to close" he informed startled when a freckled face appeared right in front of him.
"What's the problem little one? Come on, show your brother some love" the bigger male requested as his hazel eyes shone with mischief; the mage was hugged as he tried to escape and a sloppy wet kiss was smacked onto his left cheek. The brown-turned-red haired child giggled excitedly as his dad was passed around and smooched by different adults.
"Come on; move, people, move. Move I say!" ordered the emerald eyed wizard as he fought to stand on his own.
Not even two seconds later Teddy was on top of him again; his hair as red as the reddest of roses and his eyes the deepest of sapphires.
"Pastries! You always make pastries when Uncle Ron and Uncle George come!" cheered the small metamorphmagus.
"Come on little guy, it's past your bed time" Harry chuckled as his son pouted cutely.
"But Dad!" he tried to bargain.
"Tomorrow you'll have to wake up early, remember? You have kindergarten" the sorcerer informed the kid as he caressed his head.
"But Da~ad!" the youngster whined as his hair turned brown.
"No, Teddy. Do you remember Stephen?" the child blinked owlishly before he nodded once. "Well I'm supposed to meet him tomorrow. You can't spend the day here son" the mage tried to placate the youth.
"But you'll get to be up with Uncle Gorge and Uncle Ron!" complained the now black haired minor.
"No can do, Monster. Come on; let's get you ready for bed"
"Oh little Harry, just let him have some fun" said the hazel eyed man.
"I for one know that you didn't always go to bed at curfew" the tallest male added his grain.
"George! Ron!" berated a flushing wizard.
"We still need to celebrate my engagement" the curvaceous female piped in.
"When we could see it coming a mile away?" Harry jabbed teasingly and chuckled when the couple blushed furiously.
"Please Dad?" whined the tall kid as his hair turned a deep red again; his bright caramel eyes shone with hope. "I promise I'll be good tomorrow"
"Oh, come on 'Ry! We all know you can't say no to his puppy eyes" teased William. It was no secret; the kid was Harry's life.
The beauty blushed profusely "How nice, go after the man that makes your meals" they giggled as his face reddened. "I'll poison it I swear!" he threatened cutely.
"Yes well 'Ry, you know we would still eat it. Your dishes are just that good" answered a voice from the fireplace.
The green eyed sorcerer turned around so quickly that the surrounding adults feared he would get whiplash.
"Luna" he muttered lovingly.
A waist-length blonde haired woman stood right in front of the magnificent opening.
"Good evening, brother" she giggled dreamily.
"Auntie Moon" shouted the tall child as he ran into the opened arms of the woman. Locks of his hair twirled and became the same silvery white of hers.
"Well then. A feast it is!" George's voice boomed and everyone cheered as Harry shock his head but walked to the kitchen nevertheless.
"Come on then, let's get the feast done" he smiled mischievously. "You're all lending a hand, of course" he informed the group.
The three redheads and a half groaned as William and Luna dutifully followed behind the petite wizard. The mage bounced elegantly as he glided to the counter; a vicious smile never left his otherworldly appearance.
"Well then, what are we having?" he asked sweetly and everyone shifted nervously. "Come on, don't be shy, a feast was it?" he trailed as his smile returned stronger than ever. Every individual shivered and they tried to think of easily made dishes; Harry was known for having a Spartan like teaching method when pushed far enough -and he seemed pushed beyond belief-.
"Well…" started Luna and the fellow sorcerers gulped. "We could bake shortcakes. They are small, cute and taste heavenly" she giggled.
Everyone nodded hastily and smiled nervously.
"Only that? Nothing more? Are you guys sure? Have you eaten? We could always prepare a main dish and dessert… No? Not even one of you? Well then…" he sighed. "I guess that would be all. I won't need any of you for this. Out you go. Just wait back in the Common Room" he stated tiredly as he prepared the ingredients. "Either you go and wait, or you stay and help me prepare a croquembouche big enough for fifty" he threatened and every last one of his friends ran horrified at the prospect; George going as far as to throw his nephew over his shoulder and sprint as quickly as his legs would carry them.
Two hours later, just past midnight, the complete group sat together enjoying spiked tea -minus Teddy- and a single beautifully decorated, and magically chilled, shortcake each.
"I'm feeling used" complained the wizard.
"Oh, little 'Ry, you know we love you. We just love your culinary skills even better" explained the hazel eyed man.
"Great to know George" acknowledged the beauty.
"No problem" the red headed mage muttered in between munches.
Harry bit his lip and threw a single red strawberry; the small fruit landed right in the eye of the muscular male.
"Ow!" he jumped bewildered as the group started laughing. "You-"
He couldn't finish the sentence as the petite male's phone started ringing. The sorcerer observed the screen; it read [Hot Stuff] and as soon as he eyed the name he quickly opened the message.
Can you contact the Belgium Ministry of Magic? ~ P.C.
Another shipping dispute? ~ H.P.
They can be quite territorial ~ P.C.
Fair enough. I'm on it ~ H.P.
I.O.U. ~ P.C.
I'll cash it soon ~ H.P.
"Sorry guy's, I have to make a call" he explained as he stood, "I'll be back in a few" a gentle smile was tugging at his lips.
"Is it me, or is he seeing someone?" asked a bewildered Ron.
"Well, he walked out when it was getting interesting" complained George.
"Was he texting?" inquired an amazed Ginny.
"Hey, Teddy" called Will. "Does Harry do that usually?" he probed.
The kid tilted his head to the side drowsily. "Do what?" he asked sleepily as he rubbed his eyes.
"You know, receive messages and walk out to make calls" clarified Ron.
"Oh, yes. He gets very busy sometimes, but he doesn't always leave the room" explained the sluggish child.
"Has it happened before?" asked George with a worried frown.
"M-hm, Nicholas and Jonathan call him all the time" he whispered as he curled up in one of the loveseats. "Harry says that John is one of the funniest guys alive…" he trailed off as he yawned.
"Sleep tight, little man" whispered the tallest redhead as he bended over to cover the lithe body with his coat.
"I'll bring him upstairs" offered William.
"No need; Lummi!" called the blond woman.
"You called, Master's Luna" told the small elf as she bowed profusely.
"Can you prepare Teddy and get him to bed, please?" she asked with a dreamy smile.
The small servant shifted nervously and grabbed the hem of her skirt. "Master Potter likes to do so himself, Master's Luna"
"We know Lummi, but he needs to get up really early tomorrow and we still want to talk to him. If he did so himself we wouldn't be able to be with him" clarified the blond witch.
"You would be doing him a favor, just for tonight" continued the curvaceous redhead.
"A favor for Master Potter" she bowed. "It shall be done" and with a clap of her hands and a minor pop, both the kid and the house elven were no longer in front of them.
"Alright, I'm stealing that phone" declared the muscular hazel eyed redhead.
"Well… Are you sure it's magic friendly?" trailed his sister unsure. "It wasn't even funny last time. He almost lost an eye" she smiled nervously.
"Well then, we tackle him" proposed the tall brunette.
"Tackle who?" inquired Harry.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAA-" they screamed together.
"Silencio!" charmed the bewildered sorcerer. "For Merlin's beard! What is it with you people?" he asked as he delicately trailed his abused ears. "Hey, where's Teddy?" he questioned. Five sets of hands pointed at five different mouths. "Right… Sonorus! Sorry about that" he said sheepishly.
"Lummi" explained Ginny.
"I see…" he trailed off as the ringing started again.
You're an angel ~ P.C.
Harry laughed gleefully.
That I am my friend and you're abusing ~ H.P.
Why have friends if you can't call in favors? ~ P.C.
So we are friends now? ~ H.P.
You came three times to meet me in Belgium, I think we are friends ~ P.C.
M-hm, in your dreams ~ H.P.
Perhaps ~ P.C.
The sorcerer blushed furiously as he eyed the text.
You deserve a slap ~ H.P.
Next time, then ~ P.C.
The mage chuckled slightly and relaxed into the sofa.
"Now!" someone shouted and the wizard was tackled to the floor.
"What the bloody hell!"
The phone was snatched from his fingers and as quick as lightning George was at the other side of the room; Ron sat on top of his chest to prevent any movements.
"Oh my, little 'Ry. What is this? Hot Stuff. Now I have to meet him" he cheered and proceeded to read the recent messages.
"Leave that you bloody wanker-" Harry called but was cut by a different ringtone.
Incoming call [Mr. Bad Ass]
"Brother, is there something you aren't telling us?" Ginny asked innocently.
"Who's Mr. Bad Ass?" inquired Will.
"Son of a Boggart! Give me that. Its work related" he cried desperately.
"Yeah, right" the hazel eyed male snorted. "Hello?"
"…"
"Is somebody there?" sang the redhead and Harry felt the distinct need to facepalm. Fury would most definitely be fuming next time they met -and the mage would most likely be accused of slacking off-.
"Who is this? Where's Potter?" asked a gravelly voice.
"Oh, my! Ry's a little" he eyed the subdued wizard "indisposed at the time. Should I give him a message?"
"GEORGE!" yelled one enraged beauty.
"What's going on there?" the mysterious voice asked impatiently.
"Well… Mr. Potter is been tackled to the floor, repeatedly" he leered.
The man snorted "Figures. Tell him it was done"
"Oh? What was-?" he inquired but the line was cut. "He hanged up on me…" the muscular male muttered baffled.
"Get off" the wizard seethed. "Ron, get off" he instructed viciously. The wizard gulped and did as ordered. "What did he say?" the compelling male demanded.
"He said something about it been done. Who is this guy?" he asked puzzled.
"I told you, work related. Now give me that" he extended an open palm.
"And you call him Mr. Bad Ass?" he inquired bewildered.
"Fine, have it your way" the petite mage took a wand seemingly out of nowhere and pointed it at the phone. "Accio!" he intoned and the small device flew into his hand.
Got it ~ H.P.
He texted the message quickly and pocketed the phone; he wasn't expecting a reply.
"Can anybody tell me what exactly you were thinking?" he demanded.
"It's pretty simple, little brother. You read something and you leave soon after. We were curious and you kept behaving like a man in love" explained George and the enticing sorcerer was left open mouthed.
"So who's Jonathan?" piped in Ginny.
The beauty groaned and threw his body carelessly into the couch; it was bound to be a long, long night.
Steve woke up as soon as the first rays of light illuminated the room where he had been sleeping. He jumped out of bed with a bashful smile and stretched languidly. In a rousing moment of optimism he decided to alter his usual routine, and he unceremoniously dropped to the floor to work his arms, by performing a couple of push-ups. The soldier kept the pace until he felt the muscles start protesting and rolled to the side to exercise on the muscles of his abdomen. The soldier executed the routine -the one he used every morning to build his body up- with abandon. Although they were not needed, doing the repetitions gave the tanned male internal peace; he was not abusing the serum if he worked on his physic daily -or at least he felt that way about it-.
Once finished he rolled onto his back again to catch his breath. He trailed a hand through his forehead and dried the sweat with his wrist. As he felt renewed he sat upright and worked on relaxing his upper body; he began with his stiff neck, gently rotating it, and moved onto his shoulders. He stood up and walked into the bathroom stretching his legs and arms.
The soldier got beneath the showerhead and he regulated the temperature until he sighed contently and smiled thoroughly satisfied. He massaged his head and rubbed his figure tenderly as droplets of warm water trailed his physique. Steve gave one last tug to his hair before stepping outside of the stool, wrapping a towel around his waist. The soldier walked to his closet and picked the outfit which Fury had decided for him. He combed his short mane and sauntered into the kitchen to enjoy a vast nutritional breakfast.
In a room, barely lit by the ashes of a fire, on top of a beanbag, bent in an awkward position, a man slept. The sound of a small pop filled the room and his eyes opened drowsily.
"Ugh- What time is it?" the wizard asked sleepily.
"Nine o'clock, Master Potter" a squeaky voice whispered.
"Teddy?" he drawled dry-mouthed.
"He's sleeping, Master Potter" the she-elf answered and he groaned.
"Great! Lummi, can you get me to my- Oh Morgana!" he whined as the cramp in his neck was killing him.
"Master Potter, sir?" she stuttered.
"No, no… I'm fine; perfectly well-" he moved groggily, testing his muscles. "Please get me to my room. Sleeping down here was definitely not a smart idea" he smiled slightly as he remembered George tackling him into the bag once he had started to leave the room -the bloke had some serious tackling fetish-. "Then please get Vitto to start preparing a fruit shake for Teddy, maybe banana-pear this time? And Lummi," his back popped and he sighed contently; "please prepare both Teddy and me a bath" he smiled languidly.
"Of course, Master Potter" she replied and with a clap of her hands he was resting on top of his bed.
The man stood up lethargically and shakily walked to his bathroom. The water was running and a couple of clean outfits he had selected the day before were laid out beside, neatly folded. The mage caressed a couple of dress shirts and grabbed a pair of white cotton socks. The sorcerer dropped the items and stepped out of his clothing to make a quick work of cleaning his body. Once he was warm, humming and spotless, he stepped outside and shivered at the abrupt change of temperature. The wizard wrapped a big fluffy towel around his body and sorted out the different outfits; with an annoyed huff he threw the towel onto the tiles and picked up random pieces of clothing -thank Merlin for color transfiguration-. The man trailed a hand through his messy locks of hair and sighed contently when his magic, in a warm wave, took care of the moisture.
The sorcerer lazily walked to his son's room and barged in to find the kid curled up in his bed. He smiled tenderly and sat down gracefully beside the small figure. The mage trailed a hand through the child's hair and softly tugged on it. When the youth scrunched his nose he chuckled merrily.
"Come on Teddy, I know you're awake. You're a light sleeper, remember?" the wizard informed his son as he tickled his sides.
"Ugh- Da~ad!" the youth complained as he tried to get the hands away.
"Oh no, you promised to behave today, little man" he chuckled as he tried to contain the gravity-defying aquamarine hair.
"But-" he whined.
"Teddy" he drawled in mock-anger.
"Oh, alright; I'm up" he surrendered to his dad's care.
"Good, I want you clean and back here in twenty" the sorcerer ordered as he got the kid on his own two feet. "Go on, get clean" he chuckled and pushed the child out of the room. "You have twenty" he reminded as he checked his watch; the sound of his son's laughter filling his sences. Nine twenty-five; they should make it in time. "Vitto" he called and there was a pop inside the room.
"Yes, Master Potter?" a voice answered.
"Can you give Teddy his shake in the bathroom?" the petite male asked.
"Of course, Master Potter" answered the small creature.
"Oh, and Vitto" voiced the mage.
"Yes, Master Potter?" inquired the butler.
"Please remind him that he has to brush his teeth" requested the beauty.
"Certainly, Master Potter" replied the house-elf with a smile.
He arrived, shortly after his departure, to a rather big Coffeehouse. The double doors were made of glass and the interior was designed in an array of homey golden arabesques, warm welcoming beiges and ivories filling the endearing background. Steve walked up to one of the booths at the back corner, where he could strategically see all entries and exits throughout the shop -there was no escape route which he hadn't recognized-, and sat.
On one of the center tables there was a sole woman; she was reading a deep burgundy hardcover. A green carnation rested on the vase, at the center of the surface. In one of the stools -right in front of the elegant barista- sat a rather old man; he was drinking his beverage slowly, eating his pastry leisurely and reading the newspaper intently. And then, he barged in hurriedly; small puffs of breath leaving his rosy pink lips.
He had high-rise linen beige slacks, brown eye-boat shoes, white short-sleeved undershirt, a see-through lace dress shirt and a long crude coat thrown over his shoulder together with a brown satchel dangling from his right hand. His heart-shaped face was framed by short messy pitch-black locks of hair, which defied gravity as if a woman had just trailed her hands through it. He had an easy smile and a silver scar that enhanced his delicacy. But the trait that called him in were his bight green emerald eyes, which his smart lenses could do nothing but highlight. All in all he looked as those theater and television stars.
Steve was taken aback by the compelling spell he seemed to be under. He paid attention, all right; but it had never been that much. The soldier forcefully took his eyes from the captivating male and trailed his gaze through the lone street behind the pristine glass. He felt like he should remember that face -and really, who could forget?-, but the sheer excitement he felt, the adrenaline running through his veins, left him sluggish to the matters of memory; or more importantly, to matters of distinctive features such as a scar through an eye.
It never occurred to him just whom the beauty could be.
Harry ran to the crystal made entry of the coffeehouse and barged in squaring his shoulders. He was so late. Damned be the traffic.
"I've never been late, but there had to be a frigging traffic jam the size of Poland today!" he muttered bewildered as he trotted to the back.
"Ah, what beauty is this that which walks into my bar!" called the barista. "Oh, tales will be told of this godly man!" he intonated fervently.
The petite man sat in one of the beige stools as he laughed. The sorcerer dried a few tears with the back of his hand and decided that it was as good as any other moment to check for his student to be.
A man with a strong built sat at a lone table at one of the corners; he was facing every exit. The soldier was wearing the uniform Fury had sent a picture of, and his movements carried grace which defied his mighty frame. The strong male had broad shoulders, big hands, long legs, short dirty blond hair, tanned skin, an easy smile, bright friendly eyes and an ageless face.
"Checking up on my customers, I see" jabbed the bartender.
"Oh, do shut up and hand me my flower" he growled flustered.
The older man laughed mirthfully as he took a Lily from one of the vases at his back.
"Why a Lily?" inquired the older male.
"How should I know? Fury threw the thing on me!" he said bewildered; "This morning, as I was driving Teddy!" he sighed and trailed a hand through his hair. "He even had the gall of having me acquire it" the mage accused.
"You do own a chain of floristries, Harry" playfully informed the man.
The wizard groaned and rested his head on the counter; he extended a hand to the taller male. "I'm still waiting for it" he stated, miffed.
"Oh, alright, there you go. Please do try to keep it PG" he jabbed.
"Francisco!" he squeaked bright red.
"You must be Rogers" a musical sound filled his senses as he took in the gorgeous man leaning against the table. A single white lily rested on top of his ear. "The name's Harry. I'll be tutoring you" the captivating male informed with a lazy smile as he trailed a hand through his hair; his eyes where half lidded with mirth and drowsiness.
"A pleasure" the fighter said as he stood and shook his hand; the petite and delicate appendage was as soft as silk; a single ring on his left heart-finger.
The wizard sat down with easy grace and gestured for the blond to follow his example. The beauty trailed a creamy white long finger through his pouty lips and frowned cutely.
"You know, when I was told that you were in a coma for the last 70 years I expected to find a… seasoned adult" Steve shifted uncomfortably but relaxed as the mage simply smiled contently. "It was a pleasurable surprise, but one nonetheless. To be frank I wasn't sure how to act around an old man that still considered himself in his thirties" he smirked cheekily.
The soldier smiled shyly even when a tame blush spread through his cheeks. "Twenties, and… I am a coffin dodger" he said bitterly; it had been said in one of Stark's less… refined moments.
"A coffin dodger, really?" the sorcerer asked in bewilderment. "Don't you have an extraordinary amount of self-esteem?" he asked sarcastically. "You look young and…" the mage shifted in his seat searching for the right word, "skilled" he soothed with a frown marring his ethereal features. "If nothing else" the charming wizard snorted; "you could run around the rooftops of this city dressed in spandex and metal, much like many men enjoy doing these days" the soldier shifted nervously and smiled awkwardly; the man had no idea.
"You know I have to ask; how much do you know about recent tech?" probed the younger male and Steve smiled sheepish.
"Right about… knowing that mobile devices of communication exist and that old things have evolved, a lot" he mumbled.
"I see… Well there's no need to be embarrassed here, Rogers. Up until five years ago I didn't even know that mobile phones existed, much less what they were used for" at the soldier's bewildered yet hopeful face his expression softened. "I went to a very… conservative boarding school. We used a uniform and were sorted into different… dormitories; you see there was one down beside the dungeons and two where high up in the towers… It was a castle" he defended bitterly at the disbelieving face of the tanned man and sniggered when his jaw slacked. "My point is that we had to write with ink in parchments and weren't allowed any kind of technological devices" that part might have been a tiny white lie, since no one brought them in because they were muggle and not because of technology per se.
"Then, if you don't mind me asking" probed the fighter.
"No, that's quite alright, go ahead" Harry approved as he smiled warmly.
"How did you… I mean… If you didn't…" he trailed off flustered.
"Get used to the… newer environment?" guessed the mage.
"Yes" confirmed the strong male.
"Well, for one I had a bright friend with me at the time who wanted to… investigate the developments -so she made us, me and a mate, research together with her-. And eventually I started needing it for work; I never dived into it, I took my time and well… I think I can hold my ground around technology nowadays" he chuckled.
"You think… Do you think you could help me?" inquired the distressed male.
"Rogers, I have already agreed to this. I will see that you can text in less than a second and will be your personal demon; you will learn your way around" stated the beauty seriously. "Don't fret" he added playfully, "I swear not to kill you with homework" he joked and both males laughed mirthfully. "We can take this as slow as you feel comfortable, I do have patience" the compelling mage soothed the man's fears.
"Thanks" Steve whispered.
"That's okay, Rogers. Fury can be a very… persuasive man when he wants to" he drawled bitterly and the soldier sent him a sympathetic smile. "But that's enough for now. Let's eat something, I'm starving!" the sorcerer complained as he stood and waved to the owner. "Are you allergic to anything?" he asked.
"No, sir" he answered automatically and blushed slightly once he registered it. The wizard sniggered.
"Francisco, surprise us" he requested commandingly and the squib laughed openly. "Do make me a peeper tea please" he added almost as an after though as he suppressed a yawn with the back of his hand.
That precise tea was one of the reasons why Luna and Harry kept going to that same coffeehouse, year after year, almost weekly -when they could manage-. The Blanco house was known for having many squibs born to every new generation; and also for keeping them inside the family. Some abandoned the world they couldn't be part of and some others found ways to join; much like Francisco himself. Malfoy was one of the first to see the potential in the merging of both worlds and had approached the young sorcerer with a series of documents -in which the mage acquired a couple of potion labs who would end up producing diluted brews, which would be then shipped to different shops to mix in with the beverages-. Chocolate Blanco had been one of the pioneers in the field, having signed an exclusive contract with them. The wizard couldn't have been more in love with the pepper-up enhanced tea than when he had to put an all-nighter; it tasted heavenly in comparison with the actual potion.
"Rough night?" asked sympathetically the older man.
The mage snorted. "The monster wouldn't go to bed last night. And my brothers and sisters decided that it was high time to visit me" he drawled bitterly. "I even threatened to poison their food!" he informed bewildered.
"Well, you do cook nicely enough" jabbed the older male.
"That's what they said..." he muttered fiercely.
"I'll have it in a few" informed the squib as he mock-bowed; "master" he added playfully.
"See that you do, my friend" he added borrowing the proper nobleman accent he had learned from the master, Malfoy himself.
"Um…" Rogers shifted uncomfortably.
"Oh, right! Francisco this is Steve, my newest and only student; Steve this is Francisco, the owner of this fine establishment" he grinned bashfully.
"Any friend, or student, of Harry's is always welcomed here. I'll be right back" he excused himself.
"Alright then, when would you like to start?" inquired the mage.
The soldier shifted slightly. "Is now too soon?" asked the fighter in a small, hesitant voice.
"Hn? No, no, sure. Ask away" encouraged the amused wizard.
"Okay…" he trailed off unsure. "Let's see… How do I…" the tanned man fumbled with the right word "text?"
Harry sniggered. "Well then, let's start!" the petite male stood gracefully and taking few steps drowsily sat beside the muscular male. The mage played with his satchel and he took a small and monochromatic phone out of one of the outer pockets. "This was my very first phone; it still works but I had to change the model" the mage turned the gadget on and carelessly showed it to the man. "My work demanded me to be able to receive mails and well, you can't get them here" he signaled his cellphone. "Messages, let's see. First you must look for the Menu, like this, and you have to select the Messages icon or text -depends on the model-. Usually you get Write or New Message, an Inbox and an Outbox. When you receive one it is saved inside the Inbox and when you send one it's stored on the Outbox. So far so good?" at Steve's nod he continued with a small grin. "Messages highlighted such as this, signal that you haven't opened them. See, this other one isn't" he pointed out.
"M-hm" the soldier replied as he observed everything intently.
"Well to write-" started the sorcerer.
"Caramel, Vanilla and Pepper tea for the beauty, and a Macchiato for the gentleman" informed Francisco.
"Great! I was dying here" said the beauty, as he drowned half his cup in one go; regardless of the endless steam which emanated from the substance. The mage sighed contently and used the mug as his personal heater. "Seriously, I ate no breakfast" explained the scarred male.
Steve chuckled at the cuteness of the scene before noticing the beverage resting in front of him.
"Um, I didn't order-" started the fighter.
"No worries sweetie, it's on the house. Harry here has been a regular since forever" explained the barista with a warm smile. "Should I bring you something small now and take the big guns later?" inquired the squib.
"It's fine-" started the green eyed male.
"I don't mind" piped in the soldier.
"I'll be right back then" the barista excused himself.
"-I'm not that hungry…" finished the mage. "You're starting to behave like my brothers, Francisco! My brothers I tell you!" he told the man. "Insubordination" he muttered, miffed.
Steve sniggered behind his cup and tasted the contents; it was divine.
"To write a message," he drawled; "you first chose the Write option and use the buttons to well, write. You see the small letters? You press the button as many times as the order of the letter. You see b, well you must press the number 2, two times" he gives it to the fighter. "You try. Yes, just like that" he takes the phone back. "To send it, here, you use the options and chose Send. Then you either use the numbers that are saved in the phone's agenda or you dial it. To use the agenda you press these options, here [911: Savior's Phone] that's my other number" at Steve's inquiring eyebrow he adds "my friend's idea of a joke. You press this, and then you use the Send button again" the sound of a strange song filled them. "See" he takes his other phone; it was a Stark Industries, top of the line. "There it is; one new message" the screen read [Petite Fleur]. Harry levels his eyes with those of the tanned man and perceives his searching; "another joke. It stands for 'small flower', it's French; since I work with flowers and am so small, you get the rest" he said bitterly.
"Why not change it" inquired the blonde. "It's possible, right…?" he trailed off unsure.
"Sentimental value" the scarred male smiled bashfully and Steve answered it with one of his own.
"Alright, that's enough of working or studying, or whatever it is that you two are doing" interrupted the barista. The tall male had a tray on his left and a jar on his right. "Cayas Chilenas, for the cute couple" he leered as he placed the juice on the table and handed the plates.
"Francisco!" Harry cursed as Steve blushed slightly, thrown off by the casual manner in which he spoke.
The old man sniggered at the wide-eyed pair, "and Mango juice; a specialty of the house" he sang as he filled the high glass.
"Yeah, yeah; go away, you tactless beast!" growled the wizard.
"Should I take the plates with me?" the squib asked innocently.
"Don't you dare!" threatened the mage and his friend sniggered.
"Oh, all right; only because you asked nicely enough" he jabbed and left with a bounce in his step.
"Pay him no mind, he's crazy. Although he does now his was around the kitchen; this place has the best food ever" informed the sorcerer.
The soldier raised an eyebrow but refrained from making any comments and focused his attention on the dish. It may not have looked as beautiful as it smelled, but he was no gourmet food junkie.
"M-mm" the petite male moaned and Steve stiffened. "Thish ish goof" he voiced with a dreamy smile.
The fighter nodded rigidly and took a spoonful of the Chilean cazuela and soon understood his teacher's exhilaration. If Heaven existed, then the way he felt the instant in which that godly flavor touched his tongue must have been it. Steve made a sound of approval in the back of his throat and took another bite.
"Right? I told you" voiced the wizard with a warm smile. He was chewing on a breadstick when he gazed his wrist watch. "Oh, for Merl-!" he suddenly closed his mouth and giggled nervously. "Look at the time" pointed the scarred male.
Steve did as ordered. "It sure flew…" he answered, startled. He hadn't felt so comfortable since he had first started college -back when he was still the scrawny fine art's student who wouldn't back up from a fight; and wouldn't win one either-.
"I have to go, mate. How about…" the petite male took a rather advanced phone from his front pocket, "we raincheck until further notice…" he giggled nervously. "I'm packed!" he noticed baffled. What had crossed his mind when he had scheduled all those tedious meetings? "Draco…" he grumbled lowly.
The fighter sniggered at his cute scrunched face and threw the simpler phone to the scarred male. "Works fine to me" he stated amused.
The sorcerer caught the gadget swiftly. "You're an angel" he sighed exasperatedly as he slipped into his coat. "I'll be seeing you Rogers" he told the taller male as they exchanged a brief handshake. "Oh, right; before I forget!" the sorcerer fumbled with his satchel and produced a small box; he placed the monochromatic device inside and closed it. "Here, you can practice with this one. Once our lessons are over you can return it to me, or sooner should you choose to buy a different one. Either way I think it'll be easier for us to work our bases with something we both know" stated the wizard as he smiled kindly.
And just like that, the beauty left. Behind a gapping Captain America was left with a box and a relatively new phone. Ahead, there was nothing but the uncertain future.
I may have rushed the last part a little bit, but I swear this thing just would not end. I kept writing and writing and... Well, new ideas barged in... Without my permission! Then I decided that is was high time to transcribe half my notebook onto the PC. It's my personal belief that I should not take more than a week to publish a chapter (and if I can't then there's something going on behind scenes).
There were so any more things I wanted to add; but, oh well, that's what next chapter will be all about: things which I just could not add to chapter 3.
17th of May, 2013
Many thanks to:
Akrakomatia, the coma mistake made my day; I hadn't realized just what it meant. AND, I discovered that somehow a whole phrase had been erased... so: thank you!
Fun fact? It was, I believe, 3 in the morning when I finished this.
23rd of May, 2013