When We Were Young

Company

Over the past few weeks, you and Steve had come to somewhat of an unspoken agreement. You wanted everybody else to think that nothing had changed between the two of you even though you continued to fool around together.

While you had greatly appreciated Tony's openness to allowing you, Steve, and Natasha to stay, you missed having a place of your own.

Natasha had spent several weeks away visiting Clint so you had been alone for the most part with the occasional dinner invitation with Pepper, Tony, and Steve.

On one morning in particular, you snuck upstairs to get some fresh brewed coffee that Maria had made before going back to your room to grab your bag.

When you stepped into the elevator, both Tony and Steve were inside, ready to get out.

"You're up early," Tony commented.

"Yeah, I have some errands to run," you replied, trying to avoid eye contact with Steve.

"Where ya headed?" Steve asked as he shoved his hands into his pockets, standing in the doorway to keep the elevator open while you talked.

"I found a place in Brooklyn that I really like," you replied. "I'm gonna go check it out along with a few other places."

"You want some company?" Steve asked.

"Not if you're the one who's asking to join," you replied, hiding a smile as you took a sip but earning a glare from Steve.

"I thought you two were getting along better," Tony replied, a brow raised.

"Are you kidding? I can't stand Rogers."

Steve rolled his eyes.

"I'm coming with you. I need to get out of here anyway," he replied.

"No thanks," you muttered.

"Please don't kill one another. We have a party tonight that you need to be at," Tony said with a sigh.

"A party?" You questioned, your brows pulling together in confusion.

"Yes, a party. Happy birthday, by the way."

"I was hoping nobody remembered," you sighed.

Tony walked away and Steve stepped back into the elevator with you.

"You're going to pay for that comment later," he said with a slight smirk.

"Oh yeah? It'a a good thing that you don't scare me," you muttered as the elevator hit your floor and the doors opened.

Steve chuckled and rolled his eyes as you walked out ahead of him.

"So are you really going to Brooklyn?"

"Yes?" You replied with a brow raised. "Not that I'm not grateful for Tony letting me stay here but I want my own place."

"How can you afford it? I've looked and places are pretty pricey."

"I had money saved in an old account plus inheritance," you replied. "Add inflation and having a job and I'm pretty much set. Not that it's much different from your military back pay."

"I didn't have an inheritance to go with it," he teased.

You grabbed your bag and found yourself against Steve's chest once you had turned to leave.

"You look absolutely beautiful today, birthday girl," he said as he cupped your cheeks and placed a long kiss on your lips, causing your heart to skip a beat.

"I guess you don't look too bad either," you replied with a smirk as you walked past Steve and back to the elevator.

Once you were both inside, you went down to the ground floor. As you walked onto the street, you and Steve took note of the dark sky and the smell of rain in the air.

"Still one of your favorite smells?" Steve asked as you both stood outside of the tower attempting to flag down a cab.

"You know it," you replied, glancing to Steve with a smile.

"You're not going to bring an umbrella just in case?"

"Steve, I was frozen for seventy years. I'm not scared of a little bit of water."

"Fair enough," Steve replied with a grin as a cab pulled up.

Once you were both inside of the cab and you gave the driver the address, you headed towards Brooklyn. You and Steve quietly spoke in the backseat and you felt your heart flutter when he started being playful.

"I knew you looked familiar," the driver said, interrupting yours and Steve's conversation. "You're Captain America!"

You turned to Steve with a smirk.

"Yep, this is definitely Captain America," you said with a small laugh.

Steve sheepishly laughed, still not loving the attention. Once you arrived, the driver asked for Steve's autograph and he gave it to him before you met the landlord for the first apartment.

"You didn't say it was on the beach," Steve said as he looked around.

"You didn't ask."

As you walked around the apartment, you loved the size of the master bedroom and even the second bedroom was a decent size for an office. The bathroom was beautifully done in marble and the kitchen was spacious.

What struck you most was the view of Brighton beach from both the living room and bedroom.

"I love it," you said to the peppy brunette. "How much?"

"The seller wants $450,000 for it."

You took a deep breath and walked around. You loved the condo but you felt like it was in your best interest to see a few more options.

The next condo was a couple of blocks away, so too and Steve decided to walk. As you walked side by side, a cold rain began to fall and you both started to run, taking cover under a large tree.

"I told you that you should've brought an umbrella," Steve laughed.

"I'm freezing," you squealed.

"Hence the umbrella, Y/N."

You both laughed and huddled under the tree until the rain seemed to lighten up. The pair of you hurried to the next condo and once you walked in, you wrinkled your nose in distaste.

"It smells like something died in here," you whined. "No thanks."

Steve chuckled before the two of you left. Rather than walk in the direction of your third appointment of the day, you walked towards the beach.

"What are you doing?" Steve asked.

"Do you remember when we were young and we used to come here with Bucky and my sisters all of the time?"

"I remember," he replied as he watched you take your shoes off and step into the water.

You turned to face Steve and cocked your head to the side in confusion.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because I can," Steve replied as he walked towards you. "Because you're incredibly beautiful and smart and strong."

You rolled your eyes as he stood inches in front of you, holding your gaze.

"Why are you trying to butter me up?" You teased.

"I'm being honest."

"If you want to have sex, just tell me," you muttered with a roll of your eyes. "You don't need to kiss my ass."

Steve's brows pulled together as he frowned.

"This was about more than just having sex," he replied.

Your expression went vacant as you looked at him. From how things had been going, you assumed that it was only about hookups and nothing more.

"You knew that, right?"

"I don't know," you admitted, swallowing hard. "I guess I didn't read too much into it."

Before Steve could reply, you and him were interrupted by hearing your names be called. Both of your heads snapped in the direction of the voice and your heart sank.