The Demigod From Asgard - A Steve Rogers x Reader Story

Chapter 80: Up In The Stars

Warnings: Angst! Language! Fluff! Grief! Talk of Mental Health Issues!

3 years since the snap

Steve was stood on the edge of the crowd his cap tipped low as he waited. Staying under the radar came almost like second nature to Steve now. First from the fame that came from being an Avenger, then from going on the run, and now hiding from those who wished to throw abuse because of what they lost.

Even in situations like this when he knew it was unlikely that someone would cause a scene, he wanted to make sure for JJ's sake. That being said Steve knew that a herd of moms dressed in yoga gear was a force to be reckoned with.

Thankfully the door soon opened and the swarm of children made their way out to their parents. Steve searched for JJ seeing him being one of the last out of the classroom, his head hung a little low and a tiny frown on his face as if he was deep in thought.

"hey bean, you okay?" Steve asked gently, bending down to be at his eye level.

"yeah" JJ nods with a small smile.

Steve frowns as he studied the 4-year-old's face, something was clearly bothering him but Steve had no clue what. Usually, JJ was a ball of energy when Steve picked him up for Preschool, buzzing to tell Steve all about his day. Yet today he was quiet and reserved, a side Steve rarely saw.

"Okay well let's head home and we can hang out with Scout hm?" Steve offers putting his hands on JJ's shoulders.

"okay" JJ nods holding his hand out for Steve to take.

"Good, c'mon then" Steve smiles gently, taking JJ's hand and leading him back to the car.

On the drive back home Steve could see JJ was mostly staring out of the window, not singing along to the music like he usually did.

"so what did you do today bean? Anything fun?" Steve asks glancing in the rearview mirror.

"We did painting" JJ answers looking over at Steve.

"oh really? What did you paint?" Steve asks trying to get JJ talking for what felt like the very first time.

"Scout" JJ answers his attention returning to the view from the car window.

"nice, I bet Scout will love to see the painting you did of him" Steve smiles glancing back in the mirror and holding back the concerned frown when he saw JJ's neutral expression.

When they got home, they went about their usual post-preschool routine. JJ having a snack before going to play with Scout and his toys. To Steve's relief he could hear JJ's laughter as he played so he hoped whatever was bothering him earlier had disappeared.

However, as Steve served up JJ's dinner he could see that the dark cloud had returned as JJ pushed his food around his plate.

"JJ, did something happen at school today?" Steve asked sitting down next to JJ.

JJ glanced up from his plate and Steve could see the sad and confused look in his eyes before he sighed "Why don't some people have mommies?" he then asked.

Steve felt like he'd been sucker punched, the air being sucked from his lungs as he blinked a couple of times. He had not been expecting that, he'd been expecting something simple like someone wouldn't share a toy.

"Why do you ask bean?" Steve asks trying to get more information before he explained.

"well some- some of the class made cards for their mommies, but miss said we didn't have to because we don't have mommies" JJ explains fiddling with his fingers as he turned to face Steve.