Turning the tides of war

Percy's P.O.V

"We are running out of time. We need to start looking for the infinity stones. If we continue to wait, the longer our enemies have to find them!" I sit listening to the loud voices of my friends ring out around me. I contemplate stepping in, but my input has been ignored since my return. So I sit back and allow them to go back and forth. "We have no idea of where to even look! How can we start when we have no clue!" I look at Steve assessing his body language. Stiff shut off solder mode. "Steve," he looks at me, noticing my calling his name via telepathy. "I know where to start,". His eyes widen, and he looks at me. "Guys, I think Percy has something he wants to say." The room falls silent. They respect Steve good they may no longer see me as a leader, but they follow Steve. "Dr. Strange right here in New York. He's got the time stone." I say my piece and sit back in my chair. Allowing the people around me to think on this. Annabeth sits up and joins the conversation at this time. "Then Percy, you and Steve should go talk to him. Ensure the stone is safe." I nod and stand. "Steve, are you ready to leave?" He stands, and we walk out. No one objects, and no one follows. We walk out of the big house before Steve finally stops. "Percy, stop for a minute." I stop and look anywhere but at his beautiful eyes. "Percy, please look at me." His tone is soft, not forceful, but I know we will not continue until he's said his piece. I lift my eyes, meeting his. "Percy, you're withdrawn. You no longer use your voice unless absolutely needed. You only train and half the time you don't come to meals. What's going on? I'm here for you. I love you." I clear my face of all emotions and let go of his hand. "Steve, I love you too, and I understand you are worried. But you are forgetting I didn't use my voice for years. I'm withdrawn because for the first time in almost 70 years, I have control of my body. I'm readjusting to this, and it's taking time. These people here want the witty, sarcastic 18 year old kid I was when you and I met. That's no longer who I am. I've grown up through a plethora of traumatic events. I don't know the person they want anymore. For fucks sake I've got a pair of wings and new powers. I lived through being brainwashed and losing my arm. I'm no longer the Percy they want." I pause and allow Steve to process what I've said. He looks sad but understanding. "Percy, I'm not trying to pressure you into faking for them. I'm just worried about you, that's all." He pulls me into a hug, and we stand there for a moment. "Does this bother you? Would you prefer I use my voice?" He chuckles a bit and lifts my head slightly to meet his eyes. "Whatever makes you feel comfortable, but no, it does not bother me at all." I smile up at him and turn to continue walking to the camp border.  "Want to ride a Pegasus?" Steve's eyes widen like a kid on Christmas. "Yes, I want to." He keeps he tone calm, but he gave his excitement away. I put two fingers to my lips a let out a shrill New York taxi whistle. "Wait just a minute." We watch the skyline when a familiar black pegasus appears on the skyline. "Hey boss long time no see are we going to get donuts" I laugh hearing the familiar voice of blackjack in my mind. "Steve do you care if we stop for donuts on the way?" Steve looks at me like I have grown a second head. "You want to stop for donuts?" Blackjack and I both look a him. Blackjack is practically begging with his eyes. "Yes Steve, Blackjack and I want to stop for donuts" I say this and shrug off my jacket throwing it over Blackjack's back. I motion for Steve to get on. He does with ease. His magnificent strong body sitting atop a majestic dark creature. He strokes Blackjack's mane. I drink in the sight. "Percy are you ok you're staring pretty hard at me." I shake my head slightly and shift my shoulders releasing two dark shadow like wings. "Boss when did you get those?" I laugh "A while ago bud also we are definitely getting donuts." I give a strong flap of my wings and take off the ground Blackjack and Steve follow. We fly over the forested land in silence. Eventually the trees break and we are flying over the city. I scan the buildings looking for a dunkin donuts. We flew for a few more minutes before I see one. I motion for Blackjack to land in an alleyway behind the building. I dip and begin to glide to the spot I motioned to. Blackjack does as well. Once my feet hit the ground I retract my wings and wait for Steve to join me. "Blackjack wait here we'll be right back." I grab my jacket pulling it on covering my metal arm and slide my hand into my pocket. Steve grabs my other hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. "Percy are you ok with this. I can go in and get the donuts if you are worried about someone recognizing you." I shake my head no and we head to the front of the building. I concentrate for a brief moment and I feel the slight shift in my stature and I know I have successfully shifted making my face look completely different. I bend the mist to cover my arm to hopefully disguise it. Steve caught slightly off guard by the fact that I'm now a 5'1 woman. " I did not expect that but hey it works." I shrug "no one is going to think I'm the winter soldier like this. But damn it's does feel weird." Steve trys to hold back a laugh and it makes me smile. We continue along our path to the entry way Steve now towering over me. When we enter the donut shop is mostly empty and we are able to order right away. The lady at the counter asks us what donuts we would like, and I point to some, and Steve orders a few. When Steve pulls out his wallet, a small, very faded picture catches my eye. It's me and Steve from the night we went dancing. Before everything, we look so young and clueless back then. I'm surprised he kept that this long. He closes his wallet and hands the cashier some money. We then exit the store and go around back. Once securely out of sight, I shift back to myself. Relief filling me that we are no longer in public view. I want to ask Steve about the picture, but before I can, he is feeding Blackjack a glazed donut. "Is it ok that we feed him these? They won't make him sick, right?" I snort as I try and hold in my laughter. "Steve, I've been feeding him donuts since I was 14. I think he'll be ok." Blackjack to absorbed in his donuts has no response. We sit for a moment and enjoy our donuts as well before setting out again. We fly for about an hour before we find Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum. Steve dismounts blackjack, and I hide my wings. Steve approaches the door first, finding it open. We enter to find none other than Tony standing talking to Dr. Strange.