marvel one-shots

8. captain america ; fourth of july

((Present day))

You heard the loud streaming sound and looked at the dark, starry sky. It was suddenly illuminated in an explosion of red and green color.

You let your legs dangle carelessly over the edge of the landing pad.

You looked at the others and the color reflected off their faces. They were used to it all. It was late and you'd now seen countless fireworks, but it was your first time ever seeing them. So you took each one in as if it was the first.

Tony nudged you and you looked at him, grinning.

"You're like a four year old." He chuckles.

"It's my first firework show, can you blame me?" You ask. Steve looks at you and smiles sadly. He stands from the edge and goes inside.

You stand and go in as well. You find him near the bar. He refreshes his drink and leans his back against the bar, looking at the floor. You sit on a stool.

The edges of his lips droop into a frown.

"Why so sad? It's you're birthday, last time I checked." You say curiously. He looks up at you and his eyes look steely, sad, almost iced over.

"Ninety-eight years. And I missed more than half of them." He chuckles sadly. "It's ridiculous, isn't it?"

"Which part?"

"All of it." He projects his arms outward, without spilling his drink. He sets his glass of champagne down. He holds his temple and walks to the ceiling to floor windows, looking out at the fireworks.

"It's okay, it will be." You say, not sure how to deal with it. "Why don't we go outside, to the others?" He shakes his head, not looking at you.

You walk up next to him, looking at him.

"Come on Steve, it's your birthday. You shouldn't worry about the things you can't change."

"Grace, it's not like that. I know I've had a few years to get used to present life," he pauses, "But I miss how it used to be."

"What was it like? Before everything..."

"Simple. Easy. It was how it was and no one complained." He stated. "Forget it." He turns and smiles falsely at you. You cross your arms.

"I'm sorry that you froze and I'm sorry it's not what you expected, but you're not the only victim."

"You're lucky! You don't remember what it was like."

"So what!" You scoff, projecting your arms. "I might not, but Bucky does. You're not rowing a boat all alone, Cap, you have two soldiers your piloting into uncharted waters." You turn and start walking away, he catches your arm and turns you around. You unwillingly look into his blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, Gracie, but I don't know how to guide a boat. You're the navy skipper." He says lightly. "I'm sorry about getting mad, it's not like you could change it. It's not like anyone could." He's serious again.

"Well why don't we just pretend like it's July 4, 1946, then?" You stand on your toes to get to his level. "Happy Birthday, Captain." You hold his face in your small hands and kiss him. He holds your hips. You stand on your flat feet and he bends down to kiss you.

He pulls away, smiling.

"It gets better by the minute, Skipper." He says, making you smile and kiss him again, to shut his cheesy ass up.

So there's my 4th of July/Birthday tribute to Stevie. Hope you enjoyed!

How am I doing so far with my One-Shots? Am I staying true to the characters? Tell me what you think!