Flame

Chapter 24

After the events of Sokovia, we moved our facility upstate out of the way of the city. Wanda has joined the team but she's still finding it hard without her brother and in all honesty I don't blame her, I couldn't imagine a live without Tony.

"The rules have changed." Steve says as we walk hand in hand through the compound with Tony and Thor beside us

"We're dealing with something new." Tony agrees

"Well, the Vision's artificial intelligence." I say

"A machine." Tony points out

"So it doesn't count." Steve says

"No. It's not like a person lifting the hammer." Tony says

"Right. Different rules for us." Steve says

"Nice guy, but artificial." I add in

"Thank you." Steve says to me as we walk outside and onto the grass

"If he can wield the hammer, he can keep the Mind Stone. It's safe with the Vision and these days, safe is in short supply." Thor explains to us

"But if you put the hammer in an elevator..." Steve says to us

"It would still go up." I point out

"Elevator's not worthy." Steve says

"I'm going to miss these little talks of ours." Thor says as we come to a stop

"Well, not if you don't leave." Tony tells him

"I have no choice. The Mind Stone is the fourth of the Infinity Stones to show up in the last few years. That's not a coincidence. Someone has been playing an intricate game and has made pawns of us. But once all these pieces are in position..." Thor carefully explains to us

"Triple Yahtzee?" Tony questions while smirking

"You think you can find out what's coming?" I ask Thor

" I do. Besides this one, there's nothing that can't be explained" Thor says while patting Tony before he returns to Asgard which burns a circle in the grass he was standing on

"That man has no regard for lawn maintenance. I'm gonna miss him though. And you're gonna miss me. There's gonna be a lot of manful tears" Tony says as we walk over to his car.

"I will miss you, Tony." Steve says making me smile, it's nice to see them getting along

"Yeah? Well, it's time for me to tap out. Maybe I should take a page out of Barton's book and build Pepper a farm, hope nobody blows it up." Tony says as he leans on the car

"The simple life." I say smiling

"You'll both get there one day." Tony says smiling

"I don't know, family, stability. The guy who wanted all that went in the ice seventy-five years ago. I think someone else came out" Steve says making my heart sink a little

"You alright?" Tony questions Steve

"I'm home." Steve replies as Tony gets into his car

"I'll see you soon Tony" I tell him before he smiles and drives off and I turn to face Steve "So about that date?" I question smiling at him

"Be ready by 7"Steve tells me smiling

"Aye, Aye Captain"

The venue Steve picked out is beautiful and the food is absolutely amazing, I'm so glad Steve wanted to come here.

"You okay? You've been pretty quiet since we left the compound?" I question Steve concerned as he's sitting opposite me I can tell he's tense.

"Yeah I'm fine doll" Steve replies smiling almost to much

"Okay. So how were the new recruits?" I ask taking a sip of my wine

"They're good, still work to be done though" Steve replies as he touches his trouser pocket

"Did you mean what you said about family and stability?" I ask Steve, a little worried about the answer

"I don't know" Steve replies and I nod almost sad at his answer " I thought that, when i woke up . Now I'm not so sure. After I met you my perspective of it all changed" Steve says honestly

"In a good or bad way?" I question

"Good. Looking back now, I don't know what I would have done without you. I can't imagine a life without you. Kathleen I love you, so much and I was wondering if you would do me the honour of marrying me?" Steve says as he moves to kneel on the floor and he holds our a beautiful .

"Of course I will marry you" I reply almost in tears and he slips the ring onto my finger and I kiss him

"I love you" Steve says smiling at me

"I love you too. Always"