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alot of parents will do anything for their children
except let them be themselves
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The next day

 Many have told James that he was just like his mother as a child, but as he has grown up he is definitely taking after his father. Natasha has always it's for the best, but James doesn't really think so. 

Steve Grant Rogers was not someone you wanted to be compared to. It was a lot to live up to. James knew very well he wasn't his father, and he wished one day he could be known as James Rogers, not Steve Roger's son. 

Natasha has always told James he was his own person, but how is someone supposed to believe that when everyone compared him to his father? He felt so trapped. Trapped in his father's shadow. 

Even when his father wasn't the problem, James seemed to have problems with his mother as well. Now it was quite obvious that James and his mother had a special bond, however, their personalities would often clash causing some fights. But what teenage doesn't fight with their parents. 

But there was a time when none of this mattered. He didn't have to worry about anything. James loved to ride, ride horses that it is. It was the only place where he could truly feel free and happy. So when he was able to sneak away from the preparations for the ball, he was more than thrilled. 

"Come on Gypsy," James said as he was pulling his horse out of the stall. He had to leave the castle fast before Natasha sends his guards to follow, he just wanted to be alone. So he quietly started to leave the area, but a voice frightened him. 

"Hey there Rogers," A young, female voice caused James to jump from his position. Behind him, sitting on the stable fence, dressed in a baby blue dress with a small crown resting on her head was the young princess of Asgard. Torun, daughter of Jane and Thor Odison, heir to the throne. Aka one of James's best friends.

"Torun? Hey um, what are you doing here?" He asked as he tried urging his way out of the castle walls. Torun eyed him suspiciously. 

"It's quite rude to ignore your guests James, it's especially rude to ignore one of your best friends." She said swinging her legs back and forth. "Where are you going?" 

"Out." Was his reply. 

"Not even going to stay and say hi James? We haven't seen each other for months due to this war and you are just gonna leave me sitting here? This is why your marriage will fall apart." She teased with her signature smirk. James shook his head at her teasing manner. 

"Torun I missed you and I will hang out with you when I return, but please I need to be alone for a moment." he pleaded with her. She nodded her head, she understood when to leave James alone. "Please don't tell my mother or father" 

"Don't stay out too late James, we have a lot to talk about," She sent him a smile before watching him leave. Torun couldn't help but watch as he left, there was something about that boy that interested her. 

|~~| 

Steve and his wife sat down with the Odison's engaging in some pleasant conversation. Since the war, they haven't had a sense of peace in a long time, they really treasured these moments with their friends. 

"Steve, I must say this war, as much fun as it was, I'm glad it's over my friend," Thor said with a mighty smile on his face. 

"you know Thor, you and I have different definitions of what is fun," Steve said. Thor was always one to enjoy every moment, the man never rarely frowned, even in war. 

"Steven you must forgive my husbands words, I guess you two fighting side by side again is what brings him joy and surely not anything else that war brings," Jane explained her husband's odd words. Steve and Natasha laughed at her actions though. 

"No need to apologize, I am used to Thor and his words," Steve laughed. "I am sure Natasha has become accustomed to them as well." 

"Thor, I would say, is a joy to have around, even in our darkest hour we can't help but smile," Natasha said. "It's always a joy to have both of you here." 

"well you know we wouldn't miss tomorrow, we fought this war with you might as well be there for the celebrations as well." Thor smiled. "These pillagers seem to become more and more active, you are not the only kingdom to be attacked." 

"This only proves how unprepared we are. We may have won but our people suffered much, we need to improve so we can better handle this if something were to happen again." Steve stated, he was angry but the touch of his loving wife calmed him down. 

"Steve relax, we will worry about all of this political nonsense later, right now our people need their spirits raised," Natasha said Steve looked over at her giving her a loving smile. 

"Of course, and that is why I have the most beautiful and capable person I know working on that." He said giving her a charming smile. 

"Now are you talking about me or Sarah?" She teased her husband. Steve just smirked looking into his wife's eyes. Thor and Jane watched the young couple with such admiration. They have come such a long way since the beginning. Being part of that journey has been a blessing.  

"Sir, the king, and queen of Starkteria have arrived." a servant came walking up to him. A smile appeared on Thor's face. 

"Now the party can really begin!" 

|~~|

"Well if it isn't little goldy locks, and little little not so red," Tony Stark exclaimed as Torun came walking out with Sarah by her side to great the king.  Sarah was blonde, but just like her mother so she was 'little little not so red' and Torun was little goldy locks because he always referred to her father as goldy locks. 

"I have a name you know," Sarah said to Tony as she watched servents unload the carriage. "Do you really need so many bags? You are only staying for two nights." 

"Trust me ten bags was a compromise," Said Queen Pepper who was getting out of the carriage, dressed in a blue dress similar to Torin's but much more classy. "Thanks for the help Tony," She said rolling her eyes. 

"So Peps," He said taking the bag from her hand.  Torin and Pepper began a conversation and heading inside, while Tony stayed behind with Sarah "So you two little rascals where did James go running off to?" 

"Who knows but I know dad will be angry when he finds out James is gone again," Sarah said, almost smiling at the thought. 

"well young Sarah, I am sure you would love to see your brother get in trouble?" Tony said looking at the girl who had a smirk on her young face. 

"Maybe..." Tony laughed, "Uncle Tony, did you bring Morgan?" She asked. Morgan Stark was a year older than Sarah but he closet friend by far, 

"She will be coming by tomorrow morning with Peter," Tony answered, Tony was mentoring a young king, who was training to be in the military, not just any military. The Avengers.  the group formed between Steve, Tony, Thor, Bruce, and Natasha, who somehow now appointed herself as a leader, no one knows how it happened but they chose not to question it. Clint was also apart of it, but noting he lived in Romanavia, he helped with Fury and Maria, but always came in case of an emergency. But to face it, they were getting older, their kids will certainly take over but some like Morgan, and Sarah, had no interest in it at all, so Tony appointed a young kid who had much potential. 

Morgan wanted to invent things, she didn't want to fight anyone, Tony accepted this, with much happiness because he feared the thought of his kid in war. But she was still heir and had to know how to fight, but that's when Morgan's tech came in hand. Sarah admired Morgan's brain, and Morgan admired Sarah's abilities, together they were a great team. 

"Okay good, because if she wasn't coming you would have to hit the road." She said with a smirk. 

"Aw, I feel so welcome." Tony rolled his eyes, causing Sarah to kick him on the foot, she hated when her uncle acted that way. "OW! You are such your mother's child." 

|~~|

"How could you have lost him?" Steve's voice could be heard from down the hall, it was already past midnight and James had yet to come home. There were many royals in the room, and even if Steve's voice was addressed to James's guard, they couldn't help but shake when he yelled. 

"Steve, honey, you need to calm down," Natasha said, in attempts to calm her angry husband even though she was close to tears, Jane and Pepper comforting her. 

"Natasha they have no clue where our son is! They are people out there and god knows what they will do to him!" Steve said, he didn't want to yell but it seems to just happen. 

"You need to calm down!" Jane said in an angry voice, she did not appreciate Steve yelling and freaking out in front of Natasha because she was close to tears at this point. 

"My friend," Thor started, "He will arrive but your wife needs you and you should be comforting her," 

"I want the guards all out looking for any sign of him," Steve said ignoring Thor's protest, "he has Gypsy so he could be anywhere, and if he is smart he wouldn't leave our territory, no one will rest until we have James back here-" 

"Dad?" Everyone stopped what they were doing and Natasha and Steve ran toward James in a hurry. 

"Where the hell were you!" Steve yelled as Natasha started to check him making sure he wasn't wounded, 

"Mom I'm fine," James said pushing his mother off him gently. He was so distracted enjoying the peace he lost track of time, it wasn't until he heard guards calling his name did he race home. 

"Do you understand how worried we were?" Steve asked. "You almost gave your mother a heart attack," He said. 

"Look dad I am sorry! I just needed some time alone!" He said.

"You can't just leave James! You have responsibilities, you don't have the right to just leave. There are things that need to be taken care off and you can't just leave your responsibilities!" 

"Well, maybe I don't want these responsibilities! Why are you upset that I just wanted to get away for a little bit!" James was now becoming a bit angry. 

"Do you even realize your uncles and aunts are here?" Steve asked, "you are not allowed out riding anymore." 

"You can't do that!" James said. 

"If you are going to stay out past midnight I can!" Steve replied, the other royals felt like they shouldn't be in the room as Steve yelled, but all were too scared to move away. 

"That's not fair! Mom do something!" James yelled Natasha was taken back by the shouts of her son. 

"Do not speak to me that way, James you need to learn some respect, we have been way too easy on you and right now you need to see there are consequences for your actions," 

"That's not fair!" James complained. 

"no, what isn't fair is how you are treating your mother and I, and until you can learn some responsibility I suggest you go ask a rider to take care of Gypsy," Steve said, James left the room slamming the door. 

"Steve are you okay?" Natasha asked.  

"Yeah," Steve said, "I have some business to take care of in my office, I will meet you in bed." 

She knew that these were difficult times. WIth the war, everyone was stressed out, especially Steve and James. She hoped this would pass over because she hated seeing her boys sad. Hopefully, tomorrow would bring some sun.