Welcome To New York (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

26

"Nice that you've taken time outta your hectic schedule to have lunch with your amazing and obviously smarter little sister". Sophie breezes into the penthouse and announces her arrival to Steve, who is busy on an email while we're lazing on the sofa.

Steve rolls his eyes but smiles and gets up, giving her a hug. "And you could've put that to good use by actually going to college".

"I know but with dad how he is, I wanted to wait a year - besides I've applied for next year havent I?"

"I don't know, have you?" He eyes her.

"Yeah, obviously I wanna be a part of the Harvard alumni that is the Rogers". She shrugs and then comes over to me, then hugging me tightly. "I've missed you".

I hug her back, not wanting to let go. "And I'm sorry".

"It's ok. I know why you had to leave". She lets go and looks at us. "So are you two back getting it on now oooooooor..."

Steve groans. "You really put it like that?"

"Only because you clearly couldn't keep your dick outta her first time around".

There she is. Sophie who doesn't hold back. By now Steve is shaking his head. "One word to dad and I'm gonna tell him to cut your inheritance".

"Heard that one before". She muses. "But I told you I wouldn't breathe a word to dad. Anyway she's an upgrade from little miss oink oink".

Seems that Piggy has a new nickname.

"Soph". Steve warns. "That's all done with now".

"Is it? Why's she still calling you then?" Sophie now asks and then realises what she's said - then turning to me. "She wants more of his money - apparently the amount she got in the divorce wasn't enough". Now rolling her eyes in the same manner as her brother did earlier.

Steve sighs and looks to me. "She'll never be satisfied, but she has no grounds to take more. Everything's finalised".

"Hey, it's fine. I understand". I tell him as he takes my hand and presses his lips to the top of it. "She'll always want more though, even if you are divorced. It's like she still feels she has a claim over you".

"She's got nothing over me - I know it's hard Lu, and that we're liable to cross paths at events, but it's all over with. She can throw her toys outta her pram all she wants, she already managed to drain enough from me".

I kiss him gently to calm him, and Sophie stands there grinning. "So we having lunch or did you bring me here to watch me starve?" She now smirks.

Steve pulls his mouth away from mine. "You've got an allowance, spend it".

"Evil". She throws back. "You'd see me out in the cold, starving..."

"Sophie, for a start it's summer, and secondly? I would never see you starve - so what do you want, kid?"

"You gonna cook? Or are we gonna get takeout? Oooooh! Like the old days! Get takeout aaaaaand...ice cream!"

I grin and look to Steve who goes to the kitchen to find the menus he has, putting them on the coffee table. "Go on then, you choose and then Lu and I will pick".

"Can we still order ice cream too?" Sophie flops onto the sofa and leafs through the menus. "From that dessert place?"

"If it keeps you quiet".

She happily chooses Thai food and we order, Steve ringing down and letting the concierge know about the impending deliveries. His phone lights up soon after as it rests on the coffee table. "Sorry, I need to take this". He says as he answers and walks out onto the terrace. "Yeah?" 

I look back to Sophie. "Be honest - how stressed is he?"

She smiled faintly. "Less since the divorce. But he's not dad. He's learnt from the past mistakes on how to balance work and family".

Past mistakes, meaning the ones he made with both of us. "If you hold any grudges against him? Maybe you shouldn't anymore. He was pulled into it at a young age - he had to learn too".

Sophie nods. "I know - and he apologies. But dad? He still doesn't".

"How is he?"

She shrugs. "He's still dad, but in retirement mode. He gets bored easily. Think if he had the choice he'd return to the company - but he's been ill. He hasn't officially told me or Steve, but I overheard him the other day on the phone".

"Is it bad?" I ask.

"I...I don't know". She now swallows. "I haven't told Steve though, he'd only get more stressed".

"You need to tell him". I press, but the conversation is cut short as Steve now walks back in.

"Sorry, anyway what are you two gossiping about in here?"

Sophie shakes her head innocently. "Nothing, just girl talk and catching up - you were saying you work for the Starks now?" She looks to me with the hopes I won't have her tell Steve about Joe.

"Yeah, Morgan - she's a great kid". I nod, feeling terrible that now I have to keep this from Steve too.

"Do you make hot dog pasta for her?" Sophie grins knowing I used to make it for her.

I chuckle at this. "Occasionally. Pepper likes to cook too so the only time you ever see a caterer is for an event or dinner party".

"Believe it or not my dear brother here actually likes to as well. Not something you really saw back when you were working for us before".

Steve shrugs. "I work late, only makes sense that I should get back here and actually make myself something instead of having a chef waiting on me. Plus I can't always garuntee that I'll be eating here or not" 

"You will be if Lu's here". Sophie mutters with a devilish look.

"Behave". He warns, the grin on his face telling her that she's not wrong.

Food soon arrives and we all settle down to eat, the Roger's sibling banter still going strong, but it's clear to see that Steve still cares a great deal for Sophie, and if Joe is really ill? He may find himself having to even more.