𝚄𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝙾𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 - 𝓑𝓾𝓬𝓴𝔂 𝓑𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼 [1]

12. {The Fourth of July}

The Fourth of July—Independence Day and Steve's birthday. Oh boy, this was going to be a long night, and on a weekend no less? You knew you were in for it. Exiting the cab with practiced grace, you ensure you retrieve Steve's last-minute gift from the seat beside you and tip the driver generously. Stepping onto the sidewalk, you take a moment to survey your surroundings, coming face to face with the sophisticated bar that had been chosen for his celebrations.

Feeling slightly out of your element and somewhat self-conscious with the gift-wrapped box in your arms, you make your way to the entrance. As you approach the door, you prepare to inform the host of your purpose for the evening.

"Y/N?"

You hear someone call out your name from the left side of the building, and your gaze shifts to see Natasha Romanoff in conversation with Maria Hill and a few other familiar faces from SHIELD. An almost excited smile spreads across your face as Natasha waves you over. She leaves the group behind and approaches you with outstretched arms, ready to embrace you. It strikes you how long it has been since you last saw Natasha, let alone worked with her. A year, perhaps? In this line of work, with agents constantly on different assignments, it's not uncommon to lose touch with colleagues.

"Steve mentioned you'd be here!" she exclaims, her face lighting up. She instinctively takes the box from your hands, allowing you to adjust the purse hanging over your shoulder.

"He didn't tell me you'd be here!" you exclaim, shaking your head in disbelief at Steve's lack of an update, though he's likely already inside. Natasha laughs, linking her arm with yours as you both head indoors, following Maria and the others. Hill acknowledges you with a smile, her demeanour as reserved as ever, especially given your recent suspension from field duty. As Fury's right-hand woman, she has to maintain her discretion. You return her smile; despite the difficulty of maintaining consistent relationships in this line of work, you and Hill have always managed to stay on good terms.

Entering the bar, you're met with a lively scene. The air is filled with the clinking of glasses and the hum of conversation, punctuated by bursts of laughter from the various groups scattered throughout the space. The dim lighting casts a warm glow over the polished wooden surfaces and plush seating arrangements, lending an air of intimacy to the bustling atmosphere.

Natasha guides you through the crowd with ease, her presence commanding attention as she navigates effortlessly through the sea of people. You follow closely behind, taking in the sights and sounds of the evening, your mind still preoccupied with the events of the previous day.

Despite the festive ambiance, a sense of unease gnaws at you. The encounter with Bucky still lingers in your thoughts, a constant reminder of the complicated situation at play within your circle of acquaintances. You wonder if Steve is aware of the tension between you and his best friend, or if he's too wrapped up in his own birthday celebrations to notice.

As you weave your way through the crowd, Natasha's easy banter serves as a welcome distraction, her infectious energy momentarily easing the weight on your shoulders. You exchange pleasantries with familiar faces and engage in light-hearted conversation, allowing yourself to get swept up in the festive spirit of the evening.

You see your way to a corner where Steve and a group of friends have gathered. The sight of Steve, his face lighting up at the sight of you, brings a genuine smile to your lips. Despite everything, seeing him happy on his birthday is a comfort.

"Y/N! You made it!" Steve exclaims, stepping forward to envelop you in a warm hug. The wrapped box still in Natasha's hands, she passes it to him with a grin.

"Happy birthday, Steve," you say, your voice filled with sincerity as you return his hug. "Sorry for the last-minute gift."

Steve chuckles, shaking his head. "It's not the gift that matters, it's the fact that you're here. Come on, save me from all this." He takes your hand, leading you both across the room and back through the sea of people towards the bar, so that you barely have time to register what's going on.