Not A Perfect Soldier

As she spoke, Grant felt his jaw clenching, releasing, then clenching again. He got it. He really did. Tony Stark was a stubborn man, much like Grant’s father. It was probably why the two argued so much. They were a lot more alike than people would imagine. So Grant could understand her pain, but not that much. Steve was always very supportive over what path his son wanted to take. Whether it be a soldier, an avenger, or even when he was a toddler and wanted to be a dancer. So for Tony to be so hesitant of Morgan taking over? It was painful, and he could see the hurt behind her eyes. “Hey,” he reached out, not caring about anything or anyone in the current moment, just about her. Placing a finger under her chin, he urged her to look at him, “He’ll be okay. He’s got too much fire in him for him to go down so easily. But when the time does come, and it’s your time to shine..” he smiled brightly, “You’re going to be amazing.”

Morgan didn’t like him seeing her like this, crying, and luckily he hadn’t seen her at her worst. When he got deployed she cried herself to sleep for weeks, constantly worried about him. These tears were small, easily wiped away. Even with his finger under her chin, Morgan was being stubborn, but after she wiped away the last of the tears that escaped, she finally looked up at him. His eyes were so much bluer than she remembered, and she got lost in them, forgetting why she was even upset in the first place. At least she did until Grant began talking about her father. Morgan was so hoping that he would say something negative about Tony, but it wasn’t in Grant’s nature to be mean or negative. Moran admired that, and she also knew he was right. Her dad was never one to go down without a fight, so why would he start now. Before she could speak up, agree that she was just being silly, Grant smiled, complimenting her, giving her something to look forward too. It reminded her of why she had fallen for him, but they were just friends. “Thanks, Rogers.” She smiled back at him, giving him another hug. 

As proud as Grant was to be in the military, he couldn’t help but feel off put by the stares he received when walking down the street. He was back in town after being away for about a year, fresh in uniform, and trying to avoid certain gazes. What was mostly annoying was the salutes he received from those who were not in anyway affiliated with the military. But his father would probably smack him over the head if he was rude about it, so.. he was all smiles.

Strolling down the street, he noticed someone leave a shop in a hurry, dropping something in the process. Frowning, Grant ran up to where the article was dropped and picked it up, looking to where the person was rushing off to. “Hey! Excuse me?”

Lennox was definitely going to be late to meet Casper with these books. Fuck. The person in front of him in line at the bookstore was taking their damn time putting their wallet and receipt away, and the boy’s patience was wearing thin. He feigned politeness and patience when it was his turn at the register – the cashier didn’t deserve his attitude – but the minute he was out of the store, he was ready to run. He hated being late and making people wait, and he already didn’t have the best relationship with the younger boy. Then again, some of these books weren’t going to help that…

In his hurry to leave the store, Lennox had opted out of a bag, and hadn’t noticed one of the smaller ones fall out of his arms. He hadn’t gotten very far when a voice called out to him, and he stopped in his tracks and turned around, as much as he didn’t want to. The raven-haired boy opened his mouth to give some snarky commentary about being in a rush and not having time for whatever this was, but then his eyes fell to the book the man was holding and he knew he couldn’t be an asshole now. 

“Does he really think you’re not capable? If anyone can take over the company, it’s you. He barely takes care of the company, that’s all your mom,” Grant said, trying to sound as nonchalant about the situation as he could. He liked Tony, he did. He was his dads best friend, so he grew up around the man. But he just never got over how hesitant he seemed to let Morgan take over. “Do I need to have a word with him? Because you know I will,” he smiled sweetly, not having taken his eyes off of the girl yet.

Morgan laughed at Grant, hiding her hurt feelings. “It’s not that he doesn’t think I’m incapable necessarily. He just doesn’t want me getting hurt, or being too overwhelmed with the publicity. But what he doesn’t realize is I’m strong enough, and I’m already too far into the public eye to ever get out. I mean, my last name is Stark for crying out loud. What did he expect?” Morgan looked down, brushing the piece of hair that fell in her face, behind her ear. “He just doesn’t want me to be Iron Man yet, or at least doesn’t want to give it up yet. Mom thinks I can handle it, surprisingly enough, but she would rather I wear the suit rather than dad, because he won’t admit, but he’s getting weaker. And one of these days he’s going to hurt himself, and I can’t stand by and watch that happen all because he won’t give up the damn suit.” She hadn’t even noticed a tear form in her eye until it rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away, smiling at her emotions. “God, look at me. I’m a mess.”

With her realization, Grant grinned widely as she threw herself into him, his arms instinctively wrapping around her tightly. “I’ve missed you too,” he mumbled as he held her, looking to her once she pulled away. “Well, the mission came to a halt because of classified information that if I were to tell you, they’d probably kill you and then me,” which was an over statement, but not far from the truth. “I see you’re keeping yourself as busy as ever.”

Her stomach filled with butterflies when he told her that he missed her. It was the only thing Morgan wanted to hear, well not the only thing, but the only thing that mattered right now. “Oh well, then definitely do not tell me. You know how bad I am about keeping secrets.” Morgan giggled, her smile warm, her cheeks flushing red. She couldn’t control it, but she was always giddier around Grant. Luckily, he changed the subject, so she could focus on something other than how happy she was to see him. “Oh, well, I can never stop being busy. I’m trying to prove to my dad that I can run the company. So, work never really stops.” 

Making his rounds was something Grant wasn’t a huge fan of when he visited Home. Or well, his new home anyway. There were too many people to talk to, to see, to do anything. But there was one person in particular. One person above all that he wanted to see, that he needed to see. He just wasn’t sure if he was ready yet.

However, fate had other plans. Grant wasn’t paying attention and walked right into someone carrying a large pile of things. He quickly went to help pick up the pieces when he heard her voice. Looking up, he saw Morgan. The exact person he was just thinking of.

“You’re just as graceful as ever,” he chuckled lightly as he smiled at the woman.

The minute Morgan heard his voice, she stopped what she was doing, freezing in place, not believing what her ears heard. She glanced over slowly, seeing the familiar blonde hair, the familiar smile. “Grant?” She asked, but she knew it was him. “Grant! Oh my god!” Morgan lunged at him, jumping on him, wrapping him into a hug. “I missed you so much!” She said softly into his neck before releasing him. “What? Oh my god! What are you doing here? I thought you were on a mission to capture someone from the Resistance?” 

As proud as Grant was to be in the military, he couldn’t help but feel off put by the stares he received when walking down the street. He was back in town after being away for about a year, fresh in uniform, and trying to avoid certain gazes. What was mostly annoying was the salutes he received from those who were not in anyway affiliated with the military. But his father would probably smack him over the head if he was rude about it, so.. he was all smiles.

Strolling down the street, he noticed someone leave a shop in a hurry, dropping something in the process. Frowning, Grant ran up to where the article was dropped and picked it up, looking to where the person was rushing off to. “Hey! Excuse me?”

It was rare that Rowan was ever in such a hurry that he’d not realize he’d dropped something of such great value, but today he was running errands for the couple whom rented him his apartment, and he still hadn’t gotten home to feed his cat. He must have been far removed from his own mind when his journal had slid from his possession without his knowing- the one place he kept his only photograph of his mother. Turning about when called out to, the young man stood startled as he saw that journal in his hand, hustling back to him with a soft pant on his breath. “ Hi.. Sorry- I mean.. That- “ he pointed to the journal,” You found my journal. Thank you for trying to get my attention, I’d lose my mind if I didn’t have it.. “ - literally.

However, fate had other plans. Grant wasn’t paying attention and walked right into someone carrying a large pile of things. He quickly went to help pick up the pieces when he heard her voice. Looking up, he saw Morgan. The exact person he was just thinking of.