Brother America (A Captain America Story) WATTYS 2015

Chapter 12~Memories

☆Callie's POV☆

When the three of us get on the plane, I sit down and yank off my heels. Only when I'm walking, I decide. Nat sits up front next to a pilot and we take off. Steve looks at me.

"So, what's your story?" He asks me. I sigh.

"I suppose you need to know, since we're working together," I say, pausing for a moment before starting.

"From a young age, I was always smart. I was always looking deeper into everything. My parents worked for the government until I was about seven, then just took up regular jobs around town.

"When I turned eight, my dad gave me an old record for my birthday that contained a lot of World War II songs that motivated the soldiers," I explain. Steve just keeps listening intently, and I go into an embarrassing part.

"The first track I heard was...well...it was called 'The Star Spangled Man'," I laugh nervously. Steve laughs.

"Oh man, I remember that number," he reminisces. I brush a piece of my hair back, laughing along.

"After I heard the lyrics, I wanted to be just like whoever they were talking about, which, obviously, was you," I gesture to him. "You seemed like such a role model, and that's when I began living my life somewhat based off what you sounded like.

"Even after my parents died a few months later in a bombing in England, you were the first thing I remembered. I remember thinking, 'Be strong, steady, brave, proud.' You were my role model for as long as I can remember.

"After my parents' death, I had been staying with Fury, since he and my dad were close. My parents told me to stay with him and allow him to protect me. So, I moved in and basically joined S.H.I.E.L.D. when I was eight," I finish. "I've been living on the helicarrier ever since."

Steve looks like he is contimplating it all.

"I didn't weird you out, right?" I ask nervously. He smiles.

"No, of course not. You sound like you've been through as much as I have," Steve admits. I nod in agreement with him.

"It's nice to know I've been a role model," Steve says happily. "Besides me, what helped you through all these years, alone?"

I think about this for a moment. Of course, dancing has helped me forever, but I'm not ready to tell him.

I don't know why, but just not yet.

"Phil has," I proceed after a long pause. "He's been like a father to me. He'd come in my room and just talk sometimes, he showed me some self defense," I grin, remembering back. "Even how to steer the helicarrier."

Steve leans back, smiling.

"Glad I wasn't on when that was happening," he jokes.

"I'm not that bad."

"That's what they all say."

"Whatever," I laugh. I feel somewhat tired all of a sudden, and bringing back all of these old memories makes me sad. I feel tears trying to push their way out, and I take a shaky breath. Steve must've seen my slightly watery eyes, so he places a muscled arm around me, pulling me in.

"Hey, it's ok. Believe me when I say that you shouldn't have gone through all of that alone," he sighs. I bury my face into his chest until I feel my eyes burning to stay open. I let sleep take me away.

☆Steve's POV☆

I can understand why Natasha wouldn't tell me what Callie had gone through. I know how painful the past is. I almost can't bare it, thinking about Bucky, Peggy, and even Howard. They helped me through so much. I pull Callie closer, and feel her breathing evenly. I spread her dress out over her legs like a makeshift blanket and kiss the top of her head gently.

"Maybe I can be your big brother," I murmur. She heaves a big sigh, making me smile.

°☆°☆°☆°

A.N- Well, now you know where I got the title from! Thanks for all the reads once again!