Stars Stripes and Metal

One More Time

New Asgard, Tønsburg, Norway. December 2023.

Thor walked into Ana room in the midmorning after AJ's birth. Ana laying on her side, Steve's body wrapped around her, cradling her head with his bicep and holding her with his free arm. His hand helping support his son's back as AJ suckles at Ana's breast. Ana half awake, being lulled to sleep by Steve's slowly steady breathing.

Sweetheart, Thor kneels down in front of Ana's side of the bed. Ana's eyes flutter open. She smiles while Thor pushes her hair from her eyes.

Hi Big One. She whispers, Steve pulls her tighter against him.

Let me take AJ, get some sleep.

Ana nods and slips Steve's hand off of AJ's back and quickly unlatches her son, lifting him slightly so Thor can cradle him.

I'll bring him back in an hour. Thor tells her, looking down at the baby in his arms. Ana thinks AJ looks like Steve, Thor disagrees. AJ looks like Ana.

Ana rolls over to face Steve once Thor has left the room. Her eyes scan his face, trying to memorize every tiny detail. He grew his beard back in, making Ana smile. Her fingers trace the outline of his jaw, her thumb rubs across his lips. God she misses kissing him. Steve stirs, the hint of a smile pulling at the right corner of his mouth. Ana leans forward, and places a feather light kiss at the corner of his lips.

Steve's eyes open, surprised by the gesture.

Good morning baby. He whispers and rolls over on top of her. His knees pushing her legs apart so he a rest his body between her knees. She giggles softly, the moment between them an old habit from when they were married.

Good morning. She looks up at him, tilting her head back urging him to kiss her. He lowers his mouth to hers, Ana eyes flutter close as he deepens the kiss. His lips moving against hers. Ana inhales and a low moan rumbles through her chest. His tongue slides against her lips, seeking entrance. Her lips part and meets his tongue with her own.

Ana's mind catches up with her body and she realizes what's happening when she reaches up to him. Her hands tangling in his hair, her leg wrapping around his. Claiming possession. Ana breaks away from the kiss, and suddenly stops touching him.

His eyebrows pull together, hurt and confusion flashing in his eyes.

Ana?

I'm sorry, I... I got caught up in the moment. We aren't together anymore. And I doubt your girlfriend would appreciate you making out with your ex-wife. She looks away, tears blurring her vision.

He sighs, I don't have a girlfriend anymore. She left right after the funeral. When I lost my mind trying to find where Thor took you. And for the record, we are together.

We aren't together though, you asked for a divorce. I gave it to you. Just because you're here now and we kissed doesn't make us back together.

Then what are we? Because it feels like we're together. You just gave me another child. You're laying here with me

I don't know.

What do you need to figure it out? James? Is he what's stopping you?

Ana nods.

Fine, then be with him too. He told me about what he said to you before the fight in Wakanda 5 years ago. And since we aren't married you can date us both and decide who you want.

Ana moves to sit up, pulling the sheet up to her exposed chest. Steve moves back off of her.

That didn't work last time, I don't want to do it again. It's one of the other Steven. I have to explore whatever I have with James. I have to know what it is, if there's any chance of you and I happening again I don't want James to be in the middle of it. Our marriage went to hell as soon as he came out of Cyro.

I don't know that I can handle seeing you with him and not me. Steve admits.

Let's just take this one day at a time. I want to still see you, you're more than welcome here anytime you want.

No, come home. We don't have to date or be intimate but I want Samual to get to know you and I want to raise AJ. Then you can figure out what to do about James and I over time, but at home.

Ana bites lip. I'm scared Steven and I don't really trust you.

Why not? He asks her. Ana sighs as she gets out of the bed, she feels his eyes on her as she walks naked over to her dresser and pulls out an outfit wear. Leggings and a chunky sweater, comfort clothing. If things were different she'd stay naked and play with James' tags, or Steve's. But she doesn't have them anymore and it kills her.

Because I trusted you more than anyone and you left. You broke me. And honestly I'm still mad about the whole thing, we haven't even talked about it.. You just showed up at my house, got naked and then helped me push out a baby. Which I appreciate but we can't just get back together without talking about everything.

So you don't want to try again? He looks down, disappointed and hurt.

I'm saying I don't know what I want. It's so easy to be thousands miles away from James and just be with you and pretend the last 5 years and 3 months ever happened. But it did. And what happens when James and I are around each other again. For us nothing changed, no amount of time or distance effects how James and I feel about each other. We snapped together, so everything we felt before the Blip is still there now.

What if you never come back to me?

What if I do? Imagine what we could be if James wasn't apart of the picture anymore.

We both know that isn't how this is going to work out, I'll never understand what you two are to each other. Steve stands and runs his hands through his hair. I don't know how to compete with him. He admits.

Ana flips her hair behind her shoulders, twisting it quickly into a knot and securing it behind her head. I need time, to figure out how I feel about you and him. And then I need to time be with him, should that be the case. If I come back to you then we'll know it doesn't work with him.

Ana, he sighs. I'll give you whatever you want.

I just need time to figure all this out. Please.

Well, can I stay for a few more days? He pleads with her.

Ana nods. Of course.

Yanno we have another child to talk about.

How is Baby Bird?

Steve smiles at the nickname Ana gave their son, a name he hasn't called him in years.

He's good, great actually. James is with him.

Ana scoffs and rolls her eyes, because that isn't ironic.

Well he was the one who figured out how to find you. I took off before he could even finish his sentence.

That hardly seems fair.

All is fair in love and war, isn't that what you said to me?

Yeah, 8 years ago!

Still applies baby.

You're ridiculous.

You love me. He smirks at her.

Yes that's the problem. If I didn't things would be so much easier.

Yeah you'd be with James. Steve lifts an eyebrows.

Exactly! Ana confirms and rolls her eyes.

It's true, she would be with James.