Note: Non-canon from episode 11 of season 2 onwards. Because it serves my evil, evil purposes, and I can no longer trust Mack.

"Size Difference"

Steve's crush on Thor was understandable. The man was taller than him; not by much, but he was bigger than Steve, and that was enough to attract his attention. Even though the Asgardian was bonded to Jane Foster, that didn't stop the inappropriate fantasies Steve sometimes indulged in.

It was most likely due to the fact that for most of his living memory, he was the smallest one around. Anyone he was attracted to was usually taller than him, at least until the serum. He didn't want to hold someone; he wanted to be the one who was held. Those times when he needed comfort, someone there spooned around him when he woke in a cold sweat from nightmares.

He didn't just fantasise about Thor. There was Sam Winchester from Supernatural, although the fact that he was ten times as damaged as Steve put him off. One time, when he got drunk on Asgardian mead, he even considered Fury. It was more difficult thinking about women, since they weren't always as muscular. High heels did make a difference, gave them the appearance of additional height. Models like Tara Moss, actresses like Brooke Shields, athletes like Venus Williams. All featured in his fantasies.

There was nothing wrong with it, he figured. There were probably people who pleasured themselves to thoughts of Captain America. Maybe even Steve Rogers, but the image of the Star-Spangled Man With a Plan was more popular than the person behind it.

"Come on," Natasha said, throwing his jacket into his lap. He snapped out of his reverie. "We're going to see Coulson."

"Okay," he said, standing up. (Speaking of people who probably jerked off to thoughts of him.)

"We're meeting his team today," Clint said. His quiver was on his back and his bow was in hand. Did he really think they'd end up fighting? "Dude, don't give me that look. You're taking your shield, right?"

"Only because it's part of the outfit," Steve said, grabbing it from the seat beside him. "I'm pretty sure Coulson would have an aneurysm if I left it behind."

"We wouldn't want that," Sam said, practically bouncing into the room. "I haven't met the guy yet." Steve narrowed his eyes.

"You just had a smoothie, didn't you?" he asked. Sam grinned.

"Best boost of energy you can get, man," he said.

"You scare me sometimes."

Steve didn't mean to feel nervous around scientists – he lived with Bruce Banner, for crying out loud – but Jemma Simmons put him on edge. Maybe it was because the first thing she blurted out was a desire to examine him, and possibly his blood, to compare to the many other samples she'd collected from people on the team. And that she'd love to study everyone's blood, for that matter. Coulson rescued Steve while he floundered for a response to that.

"Maybe you can mediate between Bobbi and Hunter?" he suggested. "They're at each other's throats again."

"They're the ex-husband and –wife, aren't they?"

"That's right, captain."

"Um… who put together this team, again?"

"The original team? It's murky. But I hired Hunter, and Bobbi already worked for SHIELD."

A young woman hurried over to them.

"Bobbi and Hunter are having private time, wink-wink," she said. Coulson rolled his eyes.

"Of course," he said. "It's been at least a minute since I last saw them. I should've known better."

"Well, we haven't met yet," Steve said, holding out his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"You too, Cap," she said. "Is it okay for me to call you Cap?"

"Only if you tell me your name."

"Skye."

"So what d'you do on the team?" Steve asked, finally taking his hand back. He heard Coulson's snigger. Skye was oblivious.

"I'm a field agent," she said. "And a hacker. Oh! And I make the ground shake."

"Really?" he said, looking her over. Next to him, most people seemed short, but he still felt incredulous, even as her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Skye," Coulson said.

"You wanna demonstration?" she said. Steve grinned.

"Sorry, can't help thinking about how you could work that into a really cheesy pick-up line," he said. "I believe you. I'm the last person who should question people's abilities based on their appearance."

"You're damn right," she said, and she held up her fist. He recognised the request for a fist-bump, and obliged. "But I kinda hate how you've got me thinking about making up awful pick-up lines and Valentine's Day cards based on my power. Yikes."

"Sorry about that."

"Nah, it's cool," she said, and she punched him on the arm. "Go meet the others. Y'know, it would've been great if Trip was still here. His grandfather was a Howling Commando."

Steve didn't need to ask; her voice made it clear why 'Trip' wasn't around any longer.

"But I still get to meet you," he said. "That's not so bad, is it?"

For a second, she looked like she wanted to cry. Then she smiled.

"You're nice," she said. "I wanna hug you."

"Really?"

"No!" She looked briefly horrified. "That'd be weird!"

"Skye," Coulson said, massaging his temples.

"What? It would! He's a legend, DC. It'd be like hugging the leg of Abraham Lincoln's statue or something."

Coulson got Steve away from Skye pretty quickly as well.

"I never should've suggested that you all meet the team," he bemoaned. "This is a disaster."

"Where are all the others?"

"I don't know. Probably drinking. Or sciencing. When did 'science' even become a verb?"

"It isn't, technically," Steve said.

"Look, here's the workshop," Coulson said. "Our engineer-slash-rocket-scientist should be here."

"He's the one who…?" The director nodded, his lips pursed. "So it's just him?"

"Mack should be with Fitz. Mack's our mechanic. He keeps bugging me to let him at Lola. Like that's going to happen."

"I could let him look at my bike," Steve said. Coulson half-smiled.

"Monitor him," he said. "God knows what features he'd beg to install."

"It can't be any worse than what Tony wants to do."

"Wanna bet?" Coulson muttered.

They were nearly there when a tall, dark-skinned man walked out, nearly bumping into them.

"Mack, what's—"

"Tony Stark. And Fitz. I never realised that someone could talk that fast about engineering except for Turbo."

"Damn it," Coulson said. "I'd better head this off before it gets any worse. Excuse me, Captain Rogers."

"Not a problem," Steve said, trying not to stare at Mack. This guy looked taller than Thor.

"Good luck with that, boss," Mack said. Coulson waved vaguely before entering the workshop. Steve could hear Tony and a Scot chattering at a rapid pace. "So, you enjoying the tour?"

Steve realised that Mack was speaking to him. Then the words registered, and his jaw dropped as he looked (up, thank you, God!) into amused eyes.

"Didn't think it could get any better," he admitted. Mack's eyes widened, and he looked Steve up and down.

"You're my soulmate?" he said.

"I really hope so," Steve replied. His hands itched to reach out and touch, find out if that chest and those broad shoulders really were as strong as they looked. A mechanic for SHIELD, and he looked to be in peak physical condition. He could probably hold Steve against a wall.

"We haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Alphonso Mackenzie, but the others call me Mack."

"I got that," Steve said, shaking his hand. Even that was bigger than Steve's. It brought to mind what they said about the size of a man's hands, and he knew he was getting inappropriately aroused by the mere thought. "I'm Steve Rogers, but a lot of people call me Captain America."

"Holy shit!" Mack said, staring at Steve. "You're really my soulmate?"

"We could compare soulmarks, though I really think it's possible," Steve said. "I'm hoping to God I'm right, or this is really embarrassing. Um… where is your soulmark?"

"In the small of my back." Jesus Christ, yes. "Where's yours?"

Steve smirked, and sank to the ground. Mack's eyes darkened further, he noticed, as Steve's face came close to a growing bulge. Then Steve rolled up the right leg of his pants, revealing 'So, you enjoying the tour?' on the back of his calf.

"To bond, you'd have to be…" Mack trailed off. Steve's super hearing picked up the faster thudding of his heart, the hitch in his breath as Steve smoothly stood up.

"Flat on my back under you," he said. "Or, if you're strong enough, wrapped around you while you pound me into the wall like a hammer and nail."

"I could be strong enough," Mack said, stepping closer to Steve. He didn't seem to realise he was doing it, and Steve didn't stop him, nearly coming undone when his back finally met the wall of the corridor.

"Should we find out?" Steve asked, his gaze locked on Mack's lips. He'd have to tilt his head up to kiss his soulmate. The way he was slumping on the wall, the way Mack was looming over him, brought Steve ever closer to that precipice of pleasure.

"Fuck, yes."

Mack was a vicious kisser. Steve couldn't catch a breath as his soulmate searched every inch of his mouth, biting and growling and sucking. He whined, wrapping his arms around Mack's huge shoulders, and nearly came when the taller man grinded their hips together.

"What the hell? I can't leave any of my team alone with the Avengers!"

They quickly broke apart, but Steve kept a hand behind Mack's neck, and Mack kept an arm around his waist.

"Soulmate," was all Steve could say. Coulson's eyes narrowed as he looked from one to the other.

"You neglected to tell me that Stark and Fitz were soulmates," he said.

"I missed that part. They were already talking by the time I'd—"

"Fine, fine." Coulson pinned them both with a frown. "Either of you hurt the other…"

"We won't, sir," Mack said.

"Promise," Steve added.

Coulson sighed. "Please take it to Mack's room, alright? I'm already worried about the possibility that talking about engineering is going to turn into some kind of foreplay in there." He jerked his thumb towards the workshop behind him. "I don't want any members of my team traumatised by walking into a live porn show."

He blushed furiously as the director of SHIELD walked off, muttering that no one else had better pair up between the teams.

"Come on," Mack said quietly. "There's a sturdy wall in my room."

Steve shivered.

KTT2123 requested this ship. I'm not pleased with all this 'real' SHIELD stuff happening in the latest episodes, hence the canon divergence. Had to check the actors' heights a few times on IMDb, just to be sure. And wow, I was almost blushing when I wrote that bit between Mack and Steve. Good Lord, you'd think I'd be inured by now, but no. It would never be that simple, would it?

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