Little Star // a Steve Rogers, Captain America, Avengers story

Maybe Rocket Rogers?

After dinner they all went out to the terrace, Bruce carrying her, chair and all, in spite of her protests that she was perfectly able to walk herself.  Most everyone there spent a few minutes talking to little Rogers, with their hands on her belly. Ellie relished the warm, loving emotions that flowed into her.

She was glad to see that Scott had a found a friend in Rocket. She'd managed to help the little guy out a bit, but his unique half-organic, half-cybernetic makeup rendered her skills less reliable in his case. Jim was talking quietly with Pepper and Happy, who had arrived while they were eating. Nat and Bruce were bickering somewhere behind her.

She closed her eyes and reached out to make sure everyone was alright. Not perfect, not even necessarily happy. People needed to experience the whole range of emotions, good and bad, and Ellie didn't intend to prevent that. She just wanted to be certain that everyone was ready, that she wasn't needed to help prepare any minds for what lay ahead. She was off the hook for now.

Her eyes opened when Steve spoke from behind her chair. "A year ago tonight we were also all together, for a joyous occasion. We're sorry you were stuck in sub-atomic space, Scott, you would have had fun. Tonight, we're here for a much less pleasant reason, but we're all here. Almost all. We're going to go get Clint and Thor. Then we're going to go get the Infinity stones. Then, by the grace of God, we're going to return our loved ones to us. That's the plan.

"Of course, we all know that plans are never, ever, executed without a hitch. Or twenty. We'll manage them as they happen. Ellie is the only one of us who won't be taking an active part in what's to come, but it doesn't make her any less integral to the team. She'll be available for all of us, either here or at Aprillia, until September. Although I fully expect us all to be home, with all of our families and friends, well before then.

"So tonight let's remember last summer fondly and look forward to next summer hopefully, and we'll get down to business tomorrow."

The sun was setting over the west bank of the river, bathing everything and everyone in its glow, and a light breeze ruffled hair and clothing and Rocket's tail. It was idyllic, and Ellie could feel her friends relax around her. Her child, however, was kickboxing. Bruce caught one particularly large ripple beneath her sundress and came to sit, cross legged, next to her.

"You're not afraid of me at all now," he said quietly.

"No, I'm not. I understand you so much better now. I've never thanked you for being my guinea pig. You helped me use my gifts much more efficiently, and I know how difficult it was for you. So thank you."

His giant green frame bounced gently as he chuckled. "I know you know. But look at me. Without you this wouldn't have been possible. I hope when the shit hits the fan the bigger guy shows up. I don't want to let the team down."

"Just remember what we worked on. It might not be easy, but I'm confident he'll heed the call when we need him. Bruce, can I ask you something unrelated to work?"

"Of course."

"Why haven't you ever felt my belly?"

A mottled blush showed on his green cheeks. She could feel an embarrassed sadness in him, but she thought he needed to say what he was feeling without her help.

"I'm afraid. I'm afraid I'll hurt you and the baby."

"Bruce, you're able to do so many delicate things with your hands. Why on earth would you worry about hurting us? Listen to me, and you must never tell this to anyone else because it will hurt lots of feelings. Come here, close."

His giant head bent towards her so that their hair was touching.

"The baby prefers your voice to anyone else's. Only Steve and I make it happier. That's the truth."