Into the War || A Captain America Love Story

21

TORI

It's been a long two weeks of doing nothing. Steve and I have met up with a few friends that didn't know that we're alive, so not Tony, Natasha, or apparently Sharon Carter. In short, Sam fainted, Wanda screamed, Pepper screamed, Rhodey burst into laughter, Vision blinked, Scott freaked out, and Clint cussed us out. Okay, not just nothing. It was a freaking hysterical two weeks. Most were over phone calls, but the ones that we saw in real life just.....I have no words.

When Sam opened the door he fell on top of Steve, Pepper dropped all of her paperwork, Wanda almost stabbed me, Rhodey just laughed, and Vision was unamused. It was quite hilarious. However, all I've heard from Tony and Natasha since we've come back is birthday stuff. Steve has been rather quiet, keeping to himself and being more awkward in certain conversations than usual. I'm kind of suspicious. But I can't be curious now. It's the day — my birthday.

Steve gently kisses me awake with breakfast in bed which is really sweet. I take a quick shower and get ready for the day while he is on the phone with Tony and Natasha. We have all officially decided that it would just be a small get-together at Tony's place at around five o'clock tonight. Rather early for my brother, no doubt, but Steve said that he had a surprise later that night. I haven't tried to coax it out of him, but I'll find out soon enough.

I throw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt for the time being, and I go into the living room. Steve immediately looks flustered once he sees me in the room, telling Tony goodbye and throwing on the most innocent mask that he can muster. I don't question him.

"T-Tony says that the plans are still good," Steve stutters with a smile. "That means we'll have to be on our way at f-four thirty."

"Okay," I confirm, adding the time in my head. I should probably start getting ready about an hour before, so approximately in an hour — three o'clock. I stride towards the kettle on the stove to make a cup of tea. Steve steps behind me, his arms snaking around my waist. He sets his chin on the top of my head to see what I'm up to.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," he hums, his voice low and comforting.

I smile, glancing up at him. "Thank you, honey."

He laughs, planting a kiss on my forehead and leaving me to make my tea. I giggle to myself. He's so cute and he doesn't know it. I step into the living room and curl up on the sofa with my tea and a blanket, the fireplace crackling in front of me. Being December and all, the temperature has plummeted, meaning that winter is finally here. I scroll through my phone and sip my tea, waiting for the time to tick by while Steve is taking a shower. A few minutes later, the silence and peacefulness is broken.

"TORI!" Steve shouts from the bedroom.

My mind skips to worse case scenarios and I almost drop my tea while setting it on the counter on my way to our room. I roll my eyes as I see Steve, who has a towel wrapped around his waist, pressing his hands to the glass windows with a grin on his face.

"Steven?" I ask.

"It's snowing!" he exclaims, pointing to the window.

I step to the glass, and sure enough, there are small flurries of snow falling onto the city. Steve seems as excited as a kid on Christmas, not stepping away from the window.

"Steve, there are windows in front of you that look out onto the city," I remind him.

"And?" he asks.