Marvel AU, in beyondtherift

[thebestman]

Can we please not inform Stark that it's my birthday? I feel like the likelihood she'll do something ridiculous and embarrassing. Please. I just want to go to the Declaration reading at the museum and then watch the fireworks.

No, please don't-- you can't ask if Kenzie knows. I haven't even met this girl, and--

Are you listening? I'm asking politely - please don't let Tony Stark know it's my birthday.

Comments

[deadandred]

...You're seriously going to try and stop a Stark from findin' out something embarrassing about you?

[thebestman]

[ sigh ] At the very least I'd like to put off the worst of it until next year.

[like_a_gerbil]

Um...you really expect a Stark not to know it's our birthday?

[thebestman]

Well, she doesn't seem to have realized it yet. Might just be she hasn't realized the date, we haven't been in Chicago very long.

[deadandred]

Good luck, sis.

...Happy birthday, anyway.

[like_a_gerbil]

Distracting her from the date might be the best way 'cause if she's anything like either one of my Starks, she'll know.

[thebestman]

[ smile ] Thanks, Bucky.

[ Birthday hug? ]

[thebestman]

I'm hoping that the problem of the hole in the universe that dropped us here will keep her busy for a few weeks, at least.

...I gotta say, I don't think I've met another me before. Much less a fella. Man? Me.

[like_a_gerbil]

That could keep any Tony distracted. Especially if you make sure the coffee supply doesn't run out.

[He grins a little sheepishly but at least he's not stuttering like he would around Peggy or some of the other ladies he's met.] I've seen other Steves, but I haven't met a version of me that was a lady. Did meet a Bucky once and there's Toni...

How does the rest of it work in your reality. Bucky and Peggy? Were they...?

[withoutaworld]

Oh, you're... [ BEHOLD! RIKKI'S "WHY IS STEVE A GIRL" FACE. ] ...nnnnever mind.

I just wanted to say... happy birthday.

[thebestman]

I can probably manage that much, at least.

Um, Bucky's a fella and Peggy's a... well, she's Peggy. Was. [ shakes her head ] Tony's Howard's daughter... I don't really know how different any of it is. My mundane says not by much.

[like_a_gerbil]

[He gives a weary smile of understanding over Peggy.] There's a reality where she's alive. Actually, she's here with me. One version that went through what my mundane says is 'canon' and one that got a second chance to be there when the plane was found.

If you want to see her...

[thebestman]

[ SMALL GIRL LOOKS FAMILIAR SOMEHOW. Kinda like Peggy, actually. Just enough to remind Stevie of her. She smile crookedly at Rikki ]

Thank you, miss. It's a little earlier than it should be. And 70 years late, I guess.

[gamblinglady]

Another one o' you? Seems like you're the popular kids on the block these days, chere.

As for Stark, you're outta luck there, mon ami. If'n I know anything 'bout Stark's, s'that they don' pass up a chance t'embarrass their friends.

[thebestman]

I... [ she ducks her head a little ] Not sure it'd be the same, if she's expecting me to be a fella. [ quickly ] Not that I'd say no. I'm just... a little nervous about it, I guess.

[thebestman]

[ politely, because who the heck is this southern dame? ] Seems so.

That seems to be pretty true. Howard was like that, too.

[like_a_gerbil]

She's met a few versions of us that were female. So she wouldn't mind. I'm not sure if she'd - You'd have to see how she felt about... [he'd learned long ago to never second guess Peggy.] But I'm sure that she'd want to meet with you if you wanted to.

[withoutaworld]

[ Rikki grins and shrugs. ] I think it's one of the risks of being a superhero. Losing time because of weirdness, never being sure exactly how old you are... Me, I'll take whatever birthdays come along.

[ There's an awkward pause before she explains: ] I've, um... kind of done the universe-hopping thing before.

[thebestman]

Oh, I don't-- she just... was one of my best friends. Only girlfriend I had, really. [ Your blush says otherwise, Stevie, stop denying it. Your crush is unbelievable. ] But I wouldn't be-- that is, I'd really like that, actually. If she feels like it. Ever.

[gamblinglady]

[ Everyone's forgotten about little old Gambit these days. Just the little thief hanging around the fringes of the hero community. ] My mun says it's cause the only time they put some version o' me in a movie, the actor couldn' even keep the accent consistent.

Lucky for me, I tend t'start out o' those circles. Too high profile for my tastes.

But where're my manners. [ Offers a hand. ] Reneè LeBeau. Honoured t'meet you, Cap.

[thebestman]

[ Stevie nods slowly ] Seems fair enough, I guess. Just roll with the punches.

Ah. [ beat ] It ever get easier?

[withoutaworld]

...sort of. I mean. It doesn't hurt less, and you don't miss whoever you left behind any less, but... the people you find wherever you end up, they help. A lot.

[thebestman]

[ If she'd ever met you, she'd remember you! Either that or feel really bad about not being able to remember you... Poor Gambit. ] Almost feel like that's better, considering what these folks put us through sometimes.

[ Stevie smiles automatically, though not insincerely, and shakes Renee's hand firmly ] Pleasure to meet you, Miss LeBeau. Stevie Rogers, though I bet you already had that pegged.

[thebestman]

Well, that seems like pretty good advice. And I guess I've got a bit of practice - getting frozen in an iceburg for 70 years is just as effective as universe hopping for leaving folks behind.

[ Stevie offers her hand ] Stevie Rogers, by the way. Don't think I caught your name.

Ask for the lady to show up...

[therightpartner]

Why wouldn't I want to see you again, Captain?