This world was strange for Steve Rogers. So many facts had changed, so many things were unlike before. He did have trouble to adapt. And he was still stuck in the past somehow. Angry at the chances missed. Sad about the people he'd lost. Most of all Bucky. Always Bucky... And then, Peggy, the only girl ever interested in him. The only girl, he ever felt something for. He had thought, he might finally lead a normal life. Do what was expected. And be happy. But things came different. Very different.

For instance, once he found another reason to fight, another team to protect, a new family to love, he couldn't help but notice the constant flirting from a certain someone. It sometimes drove him crazy, this rough, vulgar, self centered, carefree idiot-genius that got in his hair, constantly teasing him about being too backwards, risking everyone's safety with his stupid escapades. But there was another side to him. A side with depth. Sometimes he caught a glimpse of it during battles, when Nat was in trouble, or when Bruce needed help, or when HE got hurt. Oh, Tony could get angry then. Very angry.

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But he also saw it, when he got him alone, talking about the past. His past. Tony's past. Battles, friendships, childhood. More than once he could see it glister in his dark eyes, just before Tony would turn around to get himself another drink. He'd usually scold him for it, even though Steve himself longed for the sweet oblivion the liquor promised far too often. They had both lost what was most near and dear to them. They had both tried to fill the void with the gentle love of a female companion. And they had both failed. Steve, perhaps because he was taking things too slow, Tony, probably because he took it too far too fast. As always.

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