➢𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗➢

『Oh, lights go down
In the moment we're lost and found
I just wanna be by your side
If these wings could fly
For the rest of our lives』
―𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘥𝘺, 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴

⟶𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 33: 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈⟵

-𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟗𝐓𝐇, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑-

𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐋𝐘𝐍, 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐘𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐕𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒' 𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐗

Cars hustle and shuffle by an extremely small apartment in New York City.

Well, the general state of New York is much more lively and loud than its molded portrayal of emptiness in the last five years.

Yet, it had only been a week since half the universe was back, and already were things up and running again.

Businesses, schools, and those who weren't far off from perpetuating the considered 'norm' were well on their way. Airports still are not open.

Nonetheless, before and following the funeral of the greatest hero, Tony Stark, several celebrations were held worldwide in the enjoyment of 'everything returning back to normal'. That simply could not be further from the case.

First off, were things ever normal? Because if so, it is a crazy world―a universe―that exists right now. With gods, intergalactic beings, and even supersoldiers who walk the Earth at the exact same time as humans do. The humans they protect. The world they protect.

The count of 'enhanced' beings continues to grow. Iron Man was right about that. Nick Fury was right about that.

But right now, all that fizzles out of conscious memory when a blonde-headed Steve Rogers sips coffee out of a white mug while reading today's news, with a very serene look on his face.

Captain America holds the paper with articles on it with one hand while his left grips onto the cup he had to rinse the dust and cobwebs out of before using.

Sure, he stayed at this place for many nights right after the first snap, but he hadn't truly lived in his shoebox of an apartment in the depths of Brooklyn since... since he came back from the ice.

It's been almost twelve years that he'd been living in the 21st Century.

And he remembers that barely a year or two of them were spent in New York City before moving to D.C. with the child he adopted, the child he raised.

That was right. The apartment Steve currently reads in is the same one he brought Dani Rockland to after the Battle of New York. When he thought things couldn't get any more outlandish, crazier. He was wrong.

What surprised him the most that day was the surging decision of certainty to just, casually, adopt a kid. More importantly, become a father. Take on that role.

One that... although with ups and downs, has been by far the most cherished and favorite part of his extended life. He recalls the day a wide-eyed, skinny, and boney seven-year-old little girl burst into tears when discovering that she was going to have a home. Be taken care of.

Steve envisions himself inherently possessing a comforting presence: Holding her tight, wiping her tears... and telling her that she deserved this. She deserved to be happy.

She deserved to feel constantly safe, and loved, by whoever claimed the role of being there for her. Whenever she needed it. And, always, that was Steve.

Many bonds formed and will continue to form after that, but, foundationally... It's always been Steve.

Captain America and Agent Rockland.

Dani and Steve.

Father and daughter, not biologically, but even towards the end things never changed. They only grew stronger. No matter the triumphs, heartbreak, or arguments... The two remained a pair until the very end. Clinging to each other when doubt of survival came their way but regardless, they did it. They survived, together. Not everyone did.

It almost brings a clench to the Captain's heart, at just how fast everything went. One second, he was sending his nine-year-old off to school for the very first time, and the next? Walking his eighteen-year-old to meet her very first date. Her... boyfriend. Steve is still skeptical of Dante.

But he was Dani's choice, he makes her happy, and that... is the end goal. All that mattered.

For Dani to be happy.

For Steve to be happy.

Dani...

Dani opens and shuts the squeaky door of her father's New York apartment with a bit more force than needed. In fact, she nearly slams it.

The action does not provoke a flinch to hop out of the SuperSoldier's skin, he's been scared by worse, and his gaze continues to be fixated on an article about 'The Blip'. That's the name youngsters came up with for all of this? Hm.

Dani doesn't initially move from her position either, and the current one she uptakes is her spine being pressed up against the back of the closed door, and hugged close to her chest is an unopened envelope. One that she clutches like it's the most important thing in the world.

Right now it kind of―it is.

"Hey."

Steve's reply is not focused directly on her as he takes another sip from his warm mug, "Hey."

The girl exhales once more before stating in a breathy, but knowing tone, "It came."

Something inside Steve clicks. He understands her code-word, well, there was no need for one. There was no need to explain it, as this has been on both their minds ever since she applied over a week ago. And it was finally here. The result.

"The letter?" Her father asks.

And Dani nods, gnawing on her bottom lip as a nervous habit and her sweaty palm comes up to move a piece of hair out of her face shakily.

She confirms when sitting up from leaning, "Yeah. The letter."

Steve puts down what he's holding instantly, turning his chair enough so that he could face her, and anxiously―though trying to hide it with assertiveness―inquires again, "And?"

He tries to decipher the impending result. One Dani seems to be holding out on.

Not just from him, "Well... I haven't opened it yet."

She is nervous, profoundly. So much so that she may start to cry. She really wants this.

Steve knows that she does, and, uncontrollably―on rare occasions is he unable to contain his emotions―cannot help but demand in a tone that escalates in its traction, "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"I don't know." Dani's sea-foam eyes are lost.

Steve's blue ones threaten to twitch.

"You don't know?" He repeats her, and after that is a fit of anxiety expelled from his eighteen-year-old.

Dani flails her hands while pacing forward, "I don't know, Dad! I-I'm nervous! I didn't think I'd get this far!"

"What are you talking about, Munchkin?" the Captain rises too, impeccably moving towards her to settle her, "You're definitely qualified enough and you worked hard. Now, let's just see here..."

"N-No!" She jerks away from his calming touch, knowing that his agile hands just want to grab the letter, and she will not let that happen.

Yes, she worked hard on her essay and entire submission and applied Early Decision to a University. Several, you'd think, but actually just one. Her heart is set on it. It's what's next for her. And truly... Dani doesn't know what she'd do without it. Without the opportunity.

Steve, however, is impatient. As much as the man slaves over allowing people to take their time, he believes Dani has taken enough time in not even having opened the envelope that has been sitting in her sweaty hand. That she held when opening the mailbox, carried it to their apartment room. Seriously... What was her logic?

The same as his, the SuperSoldier groans, taking her sweet time.

"Dani," He stresses, placing both hands on the side of his hips covered by a black pullover, and he is draining his thoughts, "Seriously, the anticipation is cutting me up on the inside."

Animatedly those hands fly up a milli-second later in distress, "Now please I beg you, just open it or I will!"

Dani dodges any of his attempts, and without any more hesitation―irrationally―she finally rips open the letter delivered from Northwestern University.

She pulls a slip of paper out with writing on it and immediately turns her back, having circled around Steve, and walks near the table of the apartment. Her father trails behind her.

"What?" He says curiously, trying to read her body language, "What does it say?"

The prolonged silence and absence of the girl's face worries him, "Dani?"

Dani turns around, slowly, expression unreadable.

Unreadable, and agape before...

"... I got in."

There is a delay in reaction. Then much reaction and screaming.

"Oh, my god. I got in! I did it! I'm going to college!"

Happy laughs emerge from the young woman and she throws her arms around her Dad's neck. The higher pitches of sound emitted from Steve's lips are ones that only make an appearance now, in the privacy of their own home, when finding out that his baby did it. Oh, she did it.

He celebrates with her wholeheartedly, giving her 5'6" body a quick spin in the air while mid-hug, "You did it! I knew you could do it! Oh, that's so great!"

Steve takes a turn reading the letter from the admissions counselor at the school in Illinois and does the embarrassing parent trope of reading it out loud, "'Danielle Rogers, we are pleased to congratulate you on your admission to Northwestern University, Class of 2027."

Something within him pauses as he looks over the very beginning of the acceptance letter. Significantly... the name addressed to.

"Rogers."

Dani... Rogers.

Rogers instead of Rockland.

"Uh..." Dani is suddenly nervous all over again, stumbling as she attempts to explain, "I must have not been... super focused when filling out the application. I didn't realize I put your last name and not mine."

"Er, well it was mine at some point I guess. Rockland-Rogers... I've just always associated my own with where I came from, you know? With her."

"My mom. The organization."

"A-And then you adopted me and there was a hyphen, of course, really, a mouthful if you think about it..." A harsh swallow goes down her throat and she pushes out a strung laugh, based on the silence that her father while in deep thought permits.

That continues to make Dani fidgety and worry about what he will say. She shoves her hands in the back of her pockets when preparing to continue rambling on but her father's prominent voice halts her.

"Yeah."

Steve has been staring at the slip of paper for several seconds now. Prior to deciding. Or... granting.

Granting Danielle something that even without words was always hers. Rightfully.

"Take it."

She looks up at him.

And promptly he gazes back, informing her, "You're right. Using both names was a lot. But, if you want, feel free just to use one."

Steve tells her with a full-on smile, "Take mine. I'd love for you to. It belongs to you."

Rogers, his last name, his family's name, was going to live on. Had an irrefutable right to live on in the empowering figure of Dani Rockland. If she chose to. It was hers. Always, and, infinitely.

Proof that she was his daughter for the rest of her life. If she warrants it.

And at first, Dani is baffled. The corners of her lips retain shape when slimming from an open-mouthed expression, and now with a simper leaning more towards the left side of her face―she inhales, shoulders bunching.

"Dani Rogers... has a nice ring to it."

"It does." Steve agrees.

Dani glances into his eyes with the utmost sincerity, "Thank you."

The Captain's cheekbones curve as his contentment is nearly non-expressible, and he one-arm-hugs his daughter with the hand holding the acceptance later―gently pressing a warm kiss into her hair as he congratulates her once more, deservingly so, "Good job, Sweetie."

"So proud of you."

"So... That would make your move-in day―?"

"Tomorrow."

"Right. Wow."

Steve is back to reading the paper and Dani is across in the kitchen washing dishes while they continue to talk about the girl's accomplishment. Particularly the distinct location, and the fact that she would be leaving New York.

"You know," Dani spins around, sponge in hand as she enlightens her father, to plead her case, "Illinois... has crime. And lots of other great things that'll keep me busy."

To embrace the positive factors in her leaving New York City, where Steve grew up, where most―but not all―heroes on Earth are located, she will not be one of them, "And, Evanston is only 30 minutes out from the city of Chicago."

Steve nods in-between another long sip from his mug, questioning, "Any idea of what you wanna study?"

Dani ponders while pursing her lips, "I don't know... I was thinking Psychology maybe."

"The study of the brain." The Captain says, setting down his cup.

"-The study of behavior and mental processes," The Blue Phoenix corrects him sternly, though later re-emphasizes, "But, yeah. I'll be able to analyze anyone."

"Great. That'll be perfect for you."

She submerges the urge to laugh, smiling at his response, and eventually maneuvers back around to the sink, continuing to wash dishes.

She does a few more before her demeanor changes and grabbing a blue cloth to manually scrub dry a plate, Dani puts it down ahead of admitting. 

"I... went to see Matthew's parents today."

Steve, once again, immediately stops all that he was doing in order to tend to his daughter. He watches her tense figure as she places both hands on either side of the running sink she'd turned off, in the few moments needed upon the mention of her late best friend. Who died at the hand of her mother. On the rooftop coming up a month ago.

She sighs while leisurely turning herself around, "Thought they should hear about what happened to their son from...  someone close."

"Someone who was there."

Her gaze tips down and her eyes become glossy.

The blonde SuperSoldier's brows soften, and looking at her he enlists with earnestness, "That was very kind of you."

Dani shrugs emotionlessly, "Was the least I could do."

Then blinks before tipping her gaze up, sadly, "I wish I could do more."

"Like bring him back." Her lip trips, tears threatening to fall.

Steve slings an arm over his chair as he asserts, and reassures her, again, "You did enough."

And with no more coaxing required, improvement, the eighteen-year-old straightens as she breathes in and out, getting rid of the doubt and just accepting what was true. What had happened, and what she was never ever getting back.

It is best to move on. Gotta move on.

Gotta be... happy.

Captain America starts folding the newspaper and takes in the somewhat partial view of the rustic and wood-looking apartment S.H.I.E.L.D. had set up for him way back then. He stares out the small window into the streets of Brooklyn while Dani is drying the dishes.

She has more to say, "The Efficient's are gonna drive me tomorrow."

Steve inclines, "Nice of them."

"Well, they got nothing else to do. They've gotta start fresh too." Dani thinks thoughtfully about her friends and their newfound freedom, "They can. They're not being looked for or restrained any longer."

Only possible thanks to encouragement from her, Steve reminds her, "Thanks to you."

"Thanks to all of us." Dani doesn't allow herself all the credit.

The mention of the group of orphaned five-powered individuals leads to the consideration of one of them. One of them who... Dani is dating.

Steve focuses on a lamppost outside the small window, "How are things with—?"

Dani sparkles when thinking about Dante.

"Really good." She answers while beaming, and, also while thoroughly wiping down silverware, "Think we're gonna take a vacation together soon."

"Where to?" the Captain asks.

Dani runs her finger over the shiny metal of a fork, "I'd really like to go to Spain."

Steve recalls her love of the language, Spanish, her desire to become fluent in it, and holds a genuine grin as the level of pride inside him threatens to pull him under.

His sparkling soon fades.

"You know, if he hurts you, he'll certainly have it coming. From several different people."

A smidge of protectiveness will always be present in Steve Rogers. In the Avengers, who have watched Dani transform from a little girl to a young woman.

They know better than anyone, probably Dani herself, what she is like. Her wholesomeness, her determination, her sensitivity. She is a dreamer and creates goals for herself, and that is great. Live life to the fullest.

But... as far as existing in the real world, let it be said she may have to be a learn-by-experience individual. Learn by experiment. What the real world is like, what people are like. Trust, betrayal, lies.

Just because it seems like every moment is from a fictional story doesn't mean it is an actual fairy tale... Yet.

For now, the eighteen-year-old is filled with glee. She is in love and is extremely happy in her relationship of two weeks.

She turns to assure the overprotective and previously overbearing father seated not far from her, with much confidence, "He won't, Dad. Dante's... amazing."

Her smile is bright and honest, straight from the heart. Her emotions display themselves fully.

It is that temperament that while Steve heavily adores, worries him.

He doesn't show it, instead, his blue eyes remain sharpened like daggers when vocalizing, "He better be."

"Because it's what you deserve."

Dani is lucky to have had a father that instills confidence in her. Cares about her self-esteem and most importantly tells her to raise her standards. Keep them as high as possible. Because no one should touch her unless she allows it. Unless she is comfortable with it.

Okay, enough of that.

"Do you know... what I've actually realized?"

"What have you actually realized?" Steve repeats his daughter, wittily as always, and Dani is storing the clean cutlery in their respective cabinets.

Steve's mug is finished with stains of the beverage at the bottom, and so he rises to rinse out the cup himself. Subconsciously taking in one of his last times spent in the apartment.

Danielle is a chatty Cathy.

She puts a plate back as she begins to tug on her newest change as of late, "How much I actually like my short hair. Might wanna dye it someday."

"... Who knew that all that teasing from Natty would turn out to be something good for me?"

The room doesn't embark on a painful silence at the mention of their third family member. One who undeniably was missing from their exchange. No, Natasha Romanoff will always be held close to the hearts of Dani and Steve Rogers. How could she not?

Upon the reference of the Black Widow's constant teasing of Agent Rockland's―Blue Phoenix now―ever-growing dark locks, Steve tilts his blond head while looking at her, "Oh?"

Dani doesn't deny it, "Yeah, she was right. About needing a change. She was always right."

Steve neither, "She was." 

And that's when, more sentimentally this time, Dani brings up her grievance, of the woman she could only call 'Mom' outwardly, a few times closer to none. Inwardly, she filled that role. She also stepped up.

"... I miss her so much. Her humor. Her advice. Her hugs."

Both who were impacted most by the death of this Avenger stop their bustling for a brief moment. Although his hand runs under hot water, Steve turns the sink off and puts his mug down, and reaches over to grab hold of the smaller, dryer palm belonging to Dani that shakes.

The daughter squeezes the wet hand of her father with much force, not at all enough to break him―but one could never be too careful now, she was not ten or eleven anymore. And both are temporarily quiet.

Until the SuperSoldier speaks.

"Me too. But she wouldn't want us to be sad, right?"

He misses her too, of course, Steve misses Natasha, she was his best friend. She was there for him during times when other faithful ones couldn't be, and that he also did for her. The care and love developed for Dani unarguably brought them closer together than ever initially played out without the existence of the child they Co Parented. That they raised. 

Their relationship was completely platonic, a brother-sister bond if one could call it that... but most of all they were best friends. There for each other. They loved each other.

Danielle when she was little, secretly prayed in the hopes that they would be together... really the only person she thought could ever be perfect for Steve, was Natasha, but shortly as she grew older―and will develop a platonic friendship with the opposite gender, evidently understood the meaning and purpose of Natasha Romanoff and Steve Rogers' relationship. From this specific perspective. There are many others.

That factors into her small but agreeing in not wallowing, "Right," in sorrow, and she drops her father's hand in order to walk a bit around the apartment.

Steve finishes manually cleaning his mug, as that is how he did it in the 40s, no dishwasher of course, and listens in on the continuation of Dani Rockland's talk.

Dani -Rogers. Right. Perfect.

"She always told me to express my feelings. Something that... clearly," she gestures a hand while twirling in place, "I'm very good at."

Steve advises her not to look down on her falsely named 'weaker side', that of being capable of expressing her emotions freely, "That's not a bad thing. It's not as easy for everybody."

He sits back down and as soon as he does a memory pops into his head, a painful one, of the particular instances where his daughter truly wore her heart out on her sleeve, and it brings minimal ignite to his speech, "The only thing for me was seeing you cry whenever I had to leave for missions."

He puts a hand on his chest, slightly dramatizing, "It was like a knife to the heart."

Dani judders a hip out while articulating, "It wasn't that bad."

But Steve is not at all performing, "Hey, you try being on the other side of things for once."

"Your little face, all red and scrunched up," as he describes, with physical agony in his features, there is amusement in Dani's, "I felt like the universe's biggest jerk leaving you all sad and teary-eyed."

Knowing that predicament only occurred due to her once extremely severe Separation Anxiety, Dani shakes her head and taps on the kitchen counter a few times―her hip still stuck out, "Believe it or not you don't even come close."

"I know." He says, with knowledge of who takes that mantle, and that they are no longer... but after a bit more sounds of laughing erupt out of the father and daughter, it becomes quiet.

Eerily... quiet.

The father seems off.

His daughter, concerned, checks in with him, "You okay?"

"Yeah... just..." Steve shuffles in his chair, hand swiping across his beardless and young-looking face as opposed to his real age before he re-establishes his state of mind, "Yeah. Yeah."

He is fine, he is just... amazed. Amazed at how far she's come. With his lips somewhat buried in his hand that his elbow props up, in the limelight of Steve Rogers is the acceptance letter his baby got admitting her into college. She was going to Chicago tomorrow. Starting a new life. Starting her own life. Continuing her own life. All on her own.

Captain America remembers a time when that almost didn't happen. When it couldn't happen, he abdicated by adopting her.

Steve cracks his hundredth, soft and soothing smile, "Crazy how fast you grew up."

Dani's brows lift, watching as he reminisces while pulling the hand out from under his chin and staring at it.

"I mean, it feels like only yesterday I was carrying your small body in my arms, after New York. And all the milestones after that."

Dani pulls out a chair, sitting on the other side of it as she rests her arms on the back.

"I just... can't believe you're already so big. On your own, and independent. A college student."

The eighteen year old's eyes illuminate and she tries to hide a blush by glancing down, looking up when her father's words reach a point where they are just entirely... candid. Honest and sincere.

Steve makes sure Dani is aware of exactly how proud he is of her.

"You've... really become something... someone... incredible. And not just because you're the Phoenix."

"Blue Phoenix." She corrects him.

The age in him has his brain scrambling and he apologizes, "Blue Phoenix. Sorry."

"It's fine." She glistens.

Glistening Dani is from head to toe despite everything she has faced so far. Despite her losses, losing her own life then coming back to life by the grace of God himself... or Thor.

There is a long way for her to go in her individual journey, including struggles with her intense cut in enhanced abilities for the time being ... temporary no doubt, but it's there. Also, there was room for many short adventures full of helping new friends, old ones, allies she had yet to discover, and eventually... love. True love. Attaining her happy ending.

And, her journey, always, will include bonds. That is Dani Rogers' purpose. To connect with others, to be there for others, and for others to be there for her too. To look out for her, when she needs it most. When they need it most.

The person who has taught her the most about all of this... of this, is... and has been Steve. He's been such an impactful part of her life. The reason it went on and became what it is today. She is thankful for him. She will always hold him close to her heart, and he too will do the same.

Dani was his anchor in a lot of ways. His anger, confusion, sadness, and every emotion wrapped in one difficult period of time in his life was cured by her. The emptiness, and sadness in being a man out of time, depression. Dani was his light in a dangerous darkness, one he, thankfully, never really suffered from.

He is grateful to her for that. For everything...

"I guess...  I've just realized..."

He has acknowledged, at last, that he's completed his goal.

The hardest mission he's ever gone on in his over-extended life... The best part of his life.

It is true.

"... You don't need me anymore."

That she doesn't need him anymore. She is okay. She is gonna be okay.

Dani has a life ahead of her to live.

Steve has one waiting for him.

That he deserves. 

His happy ending. His happily ever after.

They both deserve it.

It is now that Dani struggles to contain her emotions, firstly declaring with every piece of her strongly-beating and alive heart, to the man who is her hero, who is one of the greatest people she will ever know, and not just because he's got super DNA running through him.

Because he is a good man. A good person and an amazing father.

The best she could ever get. That she didn't initially get.

"I'll always need you."

Steve gives her a never-ending look of adoration, and fondness, and accepts the tight embrace Dani practically springs onto him as she gets out of her chair to grip him tight. To press her face into his warm neck, always warm because of... because of the serum, and the blonde holds her back just as tight. He takes the brunt of her weight while still sitting down and pours nearly all his love for her in a simple action. One meaning the most.

Dani and Steve hug as he squeezes her tight, rubbing his larger hand up and down her back while pressing numerous kisses into her hair, a few tears falling into them, and he does not feel the damping of his sweater.

The girl says from a muffled position in his chest, "I love you, Dad."

"So much."

And Steve tells her back, "I love you too, Dani."

"Forever."

For everything...

❀❀❀