Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Steve P.O.V.

We're in New Orleans, Bucky and I. Doing a quick stop here for food and supplies. We had gotten lucky, we usually weren't the ones being sent for supplies, but desperate times come for desperate measures.

Hence why we were in New Orleans. While on the way to the Military Base for the supplies, we ran across a skinny girl being shoved against an alley wall with a group of boys crowding around her, laughing, calling her names, and throwing rocks at her.

It takes all of three seconds for Bucky and I to run up to them, the same way Bucky would have run up for me before getting the serum. It feels a little strange, being the one to intervene the fight, instead of fighting in it. But I do it anyways. Because the girl looks too small for the horrible, nasty names they are calling her. Because when she looked at me with her molten gold eyes, it looked like she thought she deserved it.

A wave of fury rises up in my stomach. Nobody deserved to be treated like this.

"Hey!" I shout, marching right into the fray of things, "What are you think your doing?"

"Giving the witch what she deserves." A tall brainless looking kid sneered. I could feel Bucky's presence behind me, as if waiting for the order to attack.

"Why don't you get on with your life, and leave her alone?" I phrased it as a question, when really it was an order.

"She's cursed, she is. Were just putting her in her place." The kid spits at her feet, before looking properly at us, "Who're you, anyways?"

Of course, I think. We're in normal clothes, and even though we clearly aren't locals, we certainly don't fit the profile of Captain America and his second-hand guy.

"Steve Rodgers. Or, Captain America, if you prefer. And that is Sargent James Barnes, of the Howling Commandos." I say, fists clenching

"No way." Another kid pipes up, "Prove it!"

I unzip my coat a little, showing my red, white, and blue uniform.

"Now, leave the girl alone." Bucky speaks up from behind me.

The kids mumble dejectly as they walk off. I turn around to look back at the girl, startled at just how gold her eyes are. It natural to have golden flecks, or eyes that shine in a golden hue in the sun, but I have never seen just solid gold eyes. Those are eyes I will never forget.

Suddenly, Bucky gasps and reaches downto grab something off the ground. Is that an Emerald?

"Don't touch that!" She cries, and Bucky's had stops a mere inch from the -what I am now certain is real- emerald. "Its cursed." She mutters, "They pop up around me sometimes, and when people take them, they get hurt. Thats why they call me a witch."

She bends down to pluck the Emerald off the ground. "Thank you, for stopping them." She says it so quietly, and with such genuine sincerity, that Steve cannpr help but smile back.

"I have never liked bullies." I say, "You can ask Bucky here, I was always getting beat up by them." She smiles a little

"We haven't properly introduced ourselvs, have we. I'm James, but everybody calls be Bucky."

"And I'm Steve."

"My name is Hazel." She pauses. Then her whole face lit up. "Are you really Captain America?"

"Thats right. But, you can call me Steve."

She gasped, "That wouldn't be right! May I please have a photo with you two?"

"Of course!"

She scrambled to pick up her back pack, and searched through it before pulling out a Polaroid camera. (Polaroid cameras were invented in 1948, so lets pretend she has one)

She took three photos. One for each of us.

"I will treasure this forever." I spoke, and put it in a little pocket on my uniform.

"Thank you, Mr. Steve and Mr. Bucky."

"Bye, kid." We spoke

And with that she walked off, staring intently at her new photo.

So, I vowed to never lose it. It would remind me of happier times.

Hazel P.O.V.

"Thank you, Mr. Steve, and Mr. Bucky."

"Bye kid." They spoke

And with that I smiled, waved, and walked off. Staring at my new photo. I promised myself I would always keep it with me, and never, ever lose it.

I sighed, knowing I would never see Mr Steve and Bucky ever again. At least, thats what I thought.

Chapter Text

Hazel P.O.V.

I smiled. Ever since the Giant War, I had been trying to be more optimistic. You know, living in the present, not the past or future.

So, I also tried not to think about the people from my past. Sammy, my mom, Mr Steve, and Mr Bucky. But, I can't help it. I think about them almost everyday. What my life could've been.

But then, I remember where I am now. With a brother, friends, a boyfriend, and a home. Thats much more than I could have ever asked for back then.

So, as I'm walking down the streets of New York, with Frank, I smile. My life is great. My friends are great. Frank is great.

I look around, there is nothing of interest around us, except for that long line of people. But even so, we're in NY, they could be waiting for anything. But then, I see the posters.

AVENGERS MEET AND GREET

is written in large, red letters and underneath is a photo of what I assume is the Avengers.

"The Avengers. huh. I've never heard of them." I say, "Are they something else I missed?"

"The Avengers?! We HAVE to meet them!" I shrug, and get in line with Frank.

We were really far back in the line, but I didn't mind. As long as Frank was happy.

As we worked our way up the line, Frank filled me in on the Avengers accomplishments. Though, even though I didn't want to, I must say, I did zone out a few times. So, all I heard in terms of names were Iron Man and the Hulk. Whoever they are.

I looked around me, surprised to see we were next in line to get inside. I stepped forward, and opened the door.

"I am so excited!" Frank gushed. I smiled, knowing I would do anything to make him happy.

I kept my eyes on him, as we finally got to the location of the Avengers Meet and Greet.

We entered the curtained room that held the avengers.

The first person I saw was a tall lady with fiery red hair.

I glanced at Frank, worried because I didn't know their names.

"Are you Hawkeye? Oh my gosh, you were the one who inspired me to learn archery! And Captain America, I'm a huge fan!" He went on praising the others in the room, but I felt frozen. I couldn't breathe. Captain America. I haven't heard that name since I died.

"Captain America." I muttered, "Thats not... that not possible."

I looked around the room once more, actually paying attention to the faces, this time.

Then, I saw him. The man from the photo.

"Mr. Steve?" I uttered

He looked at me, for the first time that day.

"Hazel?" he gasped, then went rummaging through his pockets. He pulled out the photo I took all those years ago.

I couldn't take it anymore. "Frank?" I whispered to him, "I will... I'll meet you outside. Ok? Take your time." He looked at me with a worried expression, but I was already out the door.

Steve P.O.V.

The line of people I would have to talk to seemed endless. But, I powered through it.

Finally, when the line seemed to be coming to an end, a boy and a girl entered. They seemed really close. I wasn't paying much attention to them, but the girl seemed rather familiar.

I kept thinking back to the New Orleans visit with Bucky. Where we met Hazel.

I was trying to avoid zoning out, but then someone spoke something that brought be immediately back to the present "Mr. Steve?"

My head shot up and saw a girl looking straight at me. The first thing I noticed were her eyes. Solid gold. Just like Hazel's. But, it can't be. That is impossible. She must be old, and wrinkled by now.

But, I couldn't help but ask, "Hazel?" I went searching through my pockets, determined to find the photo she had taken for me all those years ago. I held it up for me to see.

Then, before I knew it, she was out the door.

Needless to say, that was the last thing I was expecting to happen.

I knew I would have to find her again.

Chapter Text

Hazel P.O.V.

What if he comes looking for me? What if he comes looking for me? What if he comes looking for me? The thought circled through my mind. Will I have to leave Camp? I might never see my friends again! What if... What if... I forced myself to stop thinking.

I sighed, knowing I would never able to get the fears out of my mind.

So, I did the next best thing. I went outside to practice sword fighting.

With my brain being forced to focus on not gettin hit by swords flying every which way, my mind was finally cleared. Once I was sufficiently tired out, I moved out of the way and sat on the grass against the Hades Cabin.

Maybe... maybe I should go find him? I thought, I mean, it would be logical to find him before he finds me.

With that though in mind, I went to find Annabeth.

"Annabeth?" I asked when I found her studying in the Athena cabin, "I think I need help with something."

She looked up, confused. I didn't usually go to her for help with things. "Ok, what can I help you with?" She asked

"Well, you know how I'm from the past?" She nodded, "Well, I met someone who I thought was dead the other day. And I think he recognized me. But I was stupid enough to run away. So, what should I do? Should I find him? Should I never go back in the real world? What should I do?" I asked despairingly

"Well, you defiantly can't just disappear off the face of the earth." I nodded, "If I were you, I would try to find him. You know, just... talk."

"Ok. Thank you so much!" I hugged her and left.

Steve P.O.V.

I knew I would have to find Hazel. The only person who might understand the pain of moving to a whole other time period, and I just let her go.

Maybe I could convince Tony to do a search for her. Yes, that is what I would do.

"Hey Tony, is there any chance you can do a facial search for somebody?" I asked cautiously

"Is this about that girl with the eyes at the meet and greet the other day? Because I already did that."

"Wait, really? What were the results?"

"No results except a girl named Hazel Levesque from the '40s. Which is who I am guessing you're asking about. She was also sighted in California, Louisiana, Alaska, Rome, Greece, and of course, New York."

"Thats her! I met her when she lived in New Orleans! I was with Bucky, and she was being bullied, and- what?"

"It's just... isn't it kinda weird she survived? Obviously you survived because of the Serum, but how did a you kid live for so long without aging or dying? It's just a little weird."

"I sure once I find her, she will have some logical explanation for it. It'll be fine."

"Ok. Just... be careful." Tony said seriously.

"Ok." Then I smiled and walked out.

Hazel P.O.V.

The first thing I did once I got out of Camp, was go back to the place of the meet and greet. I figured that I may get more information on who these "Avengers" people are.

When I got there, there was no sign that any Avengers were ever present. So, I decided to look around a bit. Maybe ask around to see if anybody else knows who on earth they are.

"Excuse me," I ask a teenager working at a cafe nearby, "Do you by any chance know who the Avengers are?"

"Girl are you serious? Everybody knows who the Avengers are. If you're looking, their building is just a few blocks East from here. You can't miss it."

"Thank you so much!" I order a hot chocolate to make up for my questions.

As I walk East, I notice a huge skyscraper with an A similar to the one I saw on the Meet and Greet poster.

As I enter the lobby of the huge building, I notice it is pretty much deserted, except for a young lady with strawberry-blond hair sitting behind a desk. She was at the meet and greet as well, managing how many people were going inside at a time.

"Hello, is there any chance that Steve Rodgers is here? He's a... friend of mine."

"Yes, may I ask what your business is?."

"Um... I just came to visit. My name is Hazel Levesque. Do you mind asking for him? I'm sure he would come if he hears my name. At least... I hope he comes."

"I suppose. JARVIS, did you get that?" She asks out loud, as if there was somebody else in the room.

"He is on his way down at the moment, Ms. Potts." A metallic voice says

I jump, not expecting somebody to actually respond to her.

"Sorry about that. I should remember to warn visitors about JARVIS. He's an AI." She says

AI? I'll have to ask Leo later. "Its ok."

Just then, the elevator doors open, to show a young man who looks exactly like Mr. Steve.

"Hazel?" He asks, not believing it's me.

"Mr. Steve!"

Chapter Text

Steve P.O.V.

"Mr. Rodgers, Ms. Potts is asking for you in the lobby. There is a visitor there for you." JARVIS says

A visitor? Thats weird. With the whole being stuck in ice for 70 years thing, I didn't have many friends.

But, despite my reservations, I went down the elevator to the lobby of the Avengers building. What I saw surprised me.

"Hazel?" I asked

"Mr. Steve." She said, looking a little frightened to see me again.

"I- I wasn't sure if it was... actually you. That day at the meet and greet." I said quickly, "Wait- how are you sill alive? How are you still young?"

"Well... it's kind of a long story. Do you want to get dinner, or something?" She said hesitantly. I checked my watch, it was about 5:30pm. Usually I ate at about 7:30, but seeing as I hadn't eaten lunch (due to the meet and greet), I was already hungry.

"I would love to."

Hazel P.O.V.

When Mr. Steve and I finally made it to the diner we chose, I began to tell my story. Well, kind-of my story.

"I moved to Alaska shortly after I met you. But, while we were there, my mom died, and I was stuck in a place where I didn't age. I was there for about 75 years. Then, 5 years ago, I got out. My half-brother, who was in a similar situation, was the one who managed to do it. But, he went missing a year later. So, I worked to help find him. And... since then, I have just been at a year-long summer camp. It's been great. That's where I met my boyfriend, and my best friends in the whole world. So, yesterday I came out to New York to see some of them. This morning, Frank and I were going to meet up with my brother and his boyfriend, but we saw your poster. And you know what happened from there." I rambled, trying to come up with the most convincing lie I could.

"Wow. You have a brother?"

"Thats what you decided to focus on?" I laugh

"No, thats just the one thing I understood." He laughed with me, "How were you stuck in time?"

"Well... I was in this... cavern. I don't remember much about it, only that it was terrifying."

"I can imagine." Mr. Steve sympathized.

"Well? What about you? How did you survive?"

"Well... I was flying a plane that was going to launch a missle that would have destroyed New York. So, I did what I had to do. I crashed it into the Arctic Ocean. Next thing I know, I'm waking up in a hospital bed in modern-day New York."

"That must have been horrible."

"Yeah well, at least I knew what was happening. More or less."

Just then, our food comes, and we sit in comfortable silence, just relishing in the fact that we each know one more person who went through the same thing as eachother.

Soon, it was time to leave and go back to camp.

I hugged Mr. Steve goodbye, "If you ever want to find me, you can call (800)009-0009" I say, giving him the camp phone number.

"I'll remember that. And if you need me, call 212-970-4133 and ask for Steve Rodgers. Ok?"

I nod, and smile.

"Bye Mr. Steve!" I say as I head out the door

"Goodbye Hazel."