This was vaguely inspired by a prompt in this post about Steve taking care of Bucky and trying to restore him to his old self but apparently that was too cheerful for me so it turned into Bucky angsting in front of a cracked mirror because symbolism.
Captain America: This version below is a mix up of comic book lore and MCU lore. I like Steve going down in the Valkyrie in TFA, and losing Bucky on the train, but I also enjoy Steve being older than Bucky. This Steve was born in 1920 (Bucky's at 1925), his mother died in 1936 to match Steve being 16.
Warning/Tags: Mention of mother dying, slight grief.
Summary: You call Captain America, on the hotline he set up for those needing help.
Hotline idea is from Captain America issue 312 where Steve suggest a national hotline number for American's to be able to call him directly when they are in trouble.
Dividers by: Diviniyae
“Hi…is this Steve?” the voice on the other line, made Steve lean forward in his plush office chair, the nylon of his Captain America suit crinkled. Interesting, most called him Cap, Captain…never Steve when they dialed this line. This line after all was for people to call Captain America when they felt like they were in trouble.
“Yes, this is Steve.” He keeps his voice soft and smooth, as he can hear that the other person is breathing roughly, as if they were trying to catch their breath from running or crying. A small part of him hoped it was running, he could always help a stranger in a fist fight, but he wasn’t sure at this point if he could help someone emotionally distraught. Steve glances up, and out through the large floor to ceiling windows that was positioned facing the sinking sun, a overly nice view for a conference room. The city bustling far below him at this height.
“Oh..good, that’s good…um..” The voice was nervous, stuttering, and he could hear the heaviness in the tone. “Is everything alright?” He asked softly, tilting his head down to study the pattern on the conference room’s carpet. He still was not understanding Tony’s choice in style.
“Oh…Yes, No..Maybe?” The voice was thick, and he heard you clear your throat. “Actually, I just…just moved to the city,” A small pause, “and I don’t have anyone to..um talk to.” He heard a swallow on the other end, as his heart thudded in his chest, in camaraderie. He understood the feeling of having no one. Ever since he woke up from the ice, with all he loved gone, Peggy, Bucky…. The Howling Commandos.
“I understand well, I am all ears. What’s on your mind?” He heard a noise of surprise, as it sounded like you were rolling, the soft brush of fabric shifting in the background. “My Mom.” The words were so soft, and his heart did a flip this time. Steve’s free hand slides down to grip the armrest of the chair, his thumb rubbing along the fake leather. Mom, Ma…. Sarah, his mind echoes, his own mother, was on his thoughts quite often as well.
“Sh..she um died a few weeks ago,” Steve took a small breath, and went to speak, but heard your voice breaking through first. “And…I wondered, How you were doing? Feeling? I miss my mom, but she wasn’t a good person…and well you…stuff…people said, you were close with your mom, and I wondered…I was wondering if you were doing okay.”
The soft, tender concern in your voice throws Steve off a bit, he had not expected this at all, especially during a phone call on his hot line number, no one had ever called to check in on Captain America! This line was for them to ask him for help. Not…inquire about his feelings on his mother. He paused, the vulnerability he heard in your voice, in your movements, told him this call had been hard for you.
“I miss my mother as well, she was one of a kind. The best I could have asked for.” He hears you hum in response. “My mom…she..wasn’t a good person, I worry about being like her…It sounds like you’re mom was wonderful. It…its nice to hear.” A pause, he wanted to see if you wanted to add more, before responding. “I…I took care of her in the end…” He hears you fidget with something, like paper, or something glossier, like a photo. Steve took a breath, watching the sky grow darker, but filling with the artificial brightness of city lights.
“Well, if I may say…you already seem to be a good person. Calling a stranger to check in on them,” Steve’s lips pull into a small smile. “So, try not to be to hard on yourself, sounds like a lot of big events happened all at once for you.” He hears your breath puff in a small laugh, as you agree with his statement. “Well…you also.” You respond, as you sit up in your bed, feeling a bit better as the conversation continues, your tears drying streaks along your cheeks. Steve’s voice was warm, low and inviting, and brought a steady sense of calm to the call.
Steve just chuckles at your response, almost wanting to laugh out loud, it was true! He went from a small guy, his mother dying, to super soldier fighting in WWII, to losing Bucky, to ‘dying’, to being de-thawed in the 20th century and then he had to fight ACTUAL ALIENS. So Yes, quite a bit was maybe a understatement. “Yeah, so it seems.” He leans backward some in the chair, and grows a bit silent, you as well. As if the two of you are taking a moment to soak in the conversation happening.
Steve broke the silence first, “You know my mom, she had her moments, she was never mean. She was selfless though, and sometimes I feel a bit upset about that.” Steve pauses, as he hears you let out a soft surprised oh. “She was always working to care for me, when I was a young, but I wish she had taken some time for herself.” Steve found himself gripping the armrest, as he spoke. He had wished this so many times, but had never said it to anyone. When Bucky was still alive, he was sure Bucky was aware of some of his thoughts, but Buck being Buck never said a thing.
Steve did not want to sound ungrateful, he was so grateful for all that she had done for him, but maybe if she had, had a moment of respite, she would not have fallen ill, and died.
“I see..” You spoke soft, as you looked out the apartment window, so close to ground level, you could make out the details of the person walking by. The streetlights beaming down on them, now that the sun has set. “I wish my mother had been selfless.” You said it with a bit of a huff, a tiny laugh. “Maybe the two of them could have traded some of those stubborn qualities.”
Steve was grinning, his fingers releasing the armrest, the faux leather now marked by his hand print. He had spoken that feeling out loud, to a stranger and they had made a joke! Not chastised him, or made him feel bad for his thoughts. Steve knew he’d have to hang up soon with this stranger, calls came in quickly at night. He wanted to leave you on a happier note, maybe something sweet. “You know, My mother made me an apple pie for my sixteenth birthday, it was the year she died. I will never forget the taste. She worked hard to bring home those apples, I was proud of her."
You’re smiling, you had not expected the conversation to go this way. You had called on a whim, you had been feeling lonely, and had wanted to bond with someone, over a missing mother. You had not expected Captain America…No Steve, to pick up the conversation so easily. He made it seem smooth, as if he was…well you suppose he was a regular man under all the stars and stripes.
“Thank you for sharing that with me, Steve.” Your voice had grown sweet, your heart not aching like it was when you had called. “You helped take my mind off of things.” He hums in approval, and you wonder what he looks like right now in this moment, wondered if his face was relaxed and soft, wondered if there was a small smile, and then he offered his hand through his words, “Well, if you ever need someone to talk to again, please just give me a call.”
Authors Note: Do you want more phone calls from you to Steve? Do you want them to meet? Let me know your thoughts.
Captain America: This version below is a mix up of comic book lore and MCU lore. I like Steve going down in the Valkyrie in TFA, and losing Bucky on the train, but I also enjoy Steve being older than Bucky. This Steve was born in 1920 (Bucky's at 1925), his mother died in 1936 to match Steve being 16.
Hotline idea is from Captain America issue 312 where Steve suggest a national hotline number for American's to be able to call when they are in trouble.
