Helena Stark: A WWII Survivor

chapter thirteen: Starry-eyed

"How are you settling in?" Peggy questioned.

"It's a strange world," I told her honestly. "The politics alone drive me crazy! Technology is easy, it doesn't really have a mind of its own. That is until now, but the things people do." 

"What about things with Steve?" Peggy asked, and I rolled my eyes. "I might have some days where I don't remember very well, but whenever he comes to visit me with you, he's always looking at you. I might be old, but I'm not blind."

"Things are different," I said. "I don't know exactly where we stand, I care about him so much."

"He loves you," Peggy said bluntly. "And you love him, you need to bloody do something about it."

"Tell me how you really feel," I said sarcastically.

"You're not denying it," Peggy said triumphantly.

"I'm sorry, what are you trying to prove?" I asked with fake sweetness. 

Peggy scoffed, "you two would have the most adorable babies." 

I coughed, "why are we talking about this?"

"Because I enjoy making you uncomfortable," Peggy said as she sipped her tea. 

"I feel like your children didn't like that very much," I mused.

"They adore me," Peggy said with fake offense. 

"Now," I reminded. 

"You are trying to distract me," Peggy said as she pointed a finger at me. "That won't work." 

I rolled my eyes, "I have no idea what you're talking about." 

"Steve has been visiting me since he got back, after he helped save New York of course," Peggy began. "He brought you back to me, and even when we thought you were dead, he couldn't stop talking about you and what could have been. You both lost so much time, don't let more slip through your fingers."

"We aren't," I told her with a gentle smile. "Time won't slip through our fingers, because we've decided to not waste time."

Peggy's eyes widened comically, and I was worried she might send herself into a fit. "You two are already-"

"The term I'm familiar with is going steady," I replied cheekily.

Peggy swatted my arm playfully, "you're not supposed to be cheeky to your elders." 

I gave her a look, "you don't look a day over seventy." 

"And you still look like you're too young to have had a child," Peggy responded with a wink. 

~*~

"How did it go?" Steve asked as I walked back towards the main door to the Avengers Facility. 

"Peggy was being her normal charming self," I said with a sarcastic smile. 

"That bad?" Steve asked, but I just laughed. "So, it went well?" 

"Exceedingly, except I spilled the beans," I said. 

"So, we should expect paparazzi to show up soon?" Steve asked.

"The what?" I asked confused as he put an arm around my shoulder.

"They're like journalists," Steve explained. "But more invasive, they'll follow you around."

"I don't want them to show up," I muttered. 

"Well, you are dating Captain America," Steve said smugly, and I rolled my eyes. 

"Pride is a Stark thing, Rogers," I told him as I slid from under his arm and walked inside.

"I thought girls liked confidence," Steve said as he hurried after me. 

"Those aren't the boys you bring home," Natasha said as she walked in with a smirk. "So, you two are-"

"Yes."

"No."

Steve and I said at the same time, me confirming, and him denying. We both looked at each other with confusion, before answering...

"No."

"Yes."

"You two sound like you need to get your stories straight," Natasha said as we both blushed. 

"We're going steady," I blurted out.

"Dating?" Natasha asked, and Steve nodded while looking at me with concern. "Well, it's about time. You two have been making googly eyes at each other since Ultron. Though, I need to remind Clint that he so owes me twenty bucks."

"You bet on us?" Steve asked. 

"Tony bet a hundred that you wouldn't start dating until he gave his permission," Natasha said, and I rolled my eyes.

"You ask the father for permission," I said moodily. "And what on earth are googly eyes?" 

~*~