Ace을 머릿속에

It had been a couple years since everything that happened in L.A with the dark matter and the rift generator. I had stayed in L.A for a year, more high profile cases that needed my help, although many speculated I stayed only for Sousa, which I enjoyed his company, but I wouldn't stay somewhere I couldn't be helpful. Sousa and I served each other's fancy for awhile, but even though Chief Sousa was a good man and protected others, he reminded me of Jun in a lot of ways and it was hard to think about all those memories so soon after losing Jun.

My heart wasn't ready to love again so soon and it would never love in the capacity that it loved Jun. When he was lost a piece of my heart was lost with him. I was too hasty trying to fill that hole that can't be refilled. Sousa and I only saw each other for a few months, deciding it was best to keep it professional. After I finished the case of Jack's attempted murder, Jack and I went back to New York, the place I belonged. New York was where I belonged and I couldn't part with it for long, so it was only a matter of time before I came back. And in my heart, I knew if Jun came back, he would look for me there, not in L.A.

Now it was September 1949. The air was crisp with a cool breeze as the bronze and gold leaves flew with the wind, the trees no longer able to hold onto their leaf extremities, letting them be taken by the breeze and watching them float further away from them. The weather was beautiful so I tidied with my door open, my screen door letting air in through the small holes and into my house, giving it a fresh smell. I dusted and put things away, taking the chance while I had a day off to get everything organized at home. I knew once I finished I could go out on the town and enjoy the night without worries of trying to stay incognito.

It didn't take long for me to finish tidying up, putting the duster away as I heave out a sigh of content, seeing how clean everything was. I walk over to my radio, turning it on to let soft melodies play as I enjoy the moment I was in. I was shocked, though, when I heard a knock on my door, making me turn around to face the who waited at the door. I was prepared for an altercation if it was needed, but I wasn't ready for what I turned around to.

There he stood, his brown hair was falling over his lashes as his Captain America suit hugged his form, however it was an upgraded version from the one in 1945. He looked healthy, his shoulder wide and his body fit like it had been that year. I felt I was hallucinating, watching him smile at me like he used to back then. My eyes filled with tears as I tried to hold them back.

"Jun?" I ask, my voice weak from the shock my body felt at seeing him.

"Hey Peggy." His voice was soft, his eyes filled with tears as he stepped into the house, walking up to me.

I froze, tensing, causing Jun to do the same. I realized the improbability of him actually being here and worried why I was seeing him in front of me. "Jun, how are you here?" I ask warily, Jun smiling with a small shake of his head.

"You were always cautious." Jun smiles, making my heart stop, truly believing it was him. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the Stork Club that night, although I think I saved you from a terrible dance.

I felt the tears resurface as I open my mouth to respond to him, but stumbles sounds is all that comes out. "I can't believe you're here." I get out, reaching my hand out to touch his chest, feeling how real he was.

"Have I got a stories for you, Peggy." Jun reaches his hand up, placing it over mine, pressing it further into his chest. "I've missed you so much."

"And I, you." I clear my throat, clearing any emotion from it, however it was futile as emotion bubbled back up.

"Did you save me a dance?"

I let out a watery chuckle, nodding because I didn't trust my voice. Jun smiles as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me against his chest as he begins to sway to the music. My arms wrap around his upper back, resting my head on his chest as I sway next to him.

I lost track of how many songs passed, I lost track of the sun falling in the sky, all that was left was the afterglow of the sun having set. I look up at Jun, feeling content with having him back, however a questioned lingered in my mind as I pull away just enough to talk with Jun, but still stay close as he continued to sway us.

"How are you here?"

Jun smiles, but his smile had some sadness.

"It's a long story."

Jun sits down, me following suit as I still can’t believe he’s here. As we sit he tells me everything, from him waking up in ice to moments ago when he time traveled back to this year. He told me some thing had to remain secret for time line reasons, but even with him saying that I wondered if he kept anything, all of his stories seeming confidential.

“I had to come back to you, Peggy.” Jun says, his shy demeanor having become braver since I’d last seen him.

Tears flooded back in as I looked at him, my heart swelling at having him in front of me, however it wasn’t the only reason I had tears.

“Jun.” I say his name, having missed the way it sounded. “Are you sure it’s wise to stay here? They may need Captain America again.”

“I don’t want to fight anymore.” Jun tells in honest, a sigh heaving from his chest. “I belong here. I belong with you.”

I feel tears fall over my cheeks, my next words hurting me more than I could express in words.

“You belong there.” I let out a shaky breath as I lay my hands atop of his. “They need you there.” I turn away as more tears fall, feeling slightly embarrassed at the excess emotion I project.

“Maybe I’m needed here too.” He bargains, his eyes captivating the feelings of his heart breaking.

I smile despite my sadness, trying to make it easier for him. “We know that if you were needed here you would’ve been uncovered from the ice sooner.”

Jun fell silent, his heart breaking silently in front of me, making mine follow suit.

“Jun, I love you.” My voice broke, emotions overwhelming me. “But I wouldn't feel right taking one of the future heroes to myself."

Jun knew how Peggy was. She was the strongest girl her knew and he knew how stubborn she was too. It was one of his favorite things about her, but it's what was bringing ache into his heart in this moment. He wanted to be done with the fighting. He'd saved the world so many times and all he wanted now was a chance to live his life with her, a chance he never thought he would get but here he stood.

"I don't know how much more I can take without you." He admitted, his voice small as the radio continued to play slow songs. "I'm tired, Peggy."

I looked at this super soldier, his strength unbeatable, his speed unmatched, a heart so big it was no wonder I fell for him. And here he was, defeated on my couch saying he needed me to go on. My arm went around his shoulder, hugging him closer as he sighed against me, relief being conveyed in his sigh. I thought awhile, not wanting him to leave, but not wanting the world in the future without the Captain America they needed these past few years.

"I think you should return." I admit, hearing my accent becoming thicker when I spoke softly, knowing it would be hard for Jun's resole as it fell over his ears. "What if I meet you there?"

Jun pulls back, looking at me, my smile mischievous, one I wore a lot when we fought the war together. His eyebrows burrowed in curiosity, waiting for me to continue.

"You and I know one of the sharpest minds ever to grace this earth happens to be our close friend, I'm sure he can bring time travel up a few years. You go back and I'll come to you, you can even save me a dance." I felt excitement fill me at this idea, the adventure I was sure to have by this invention.

"You do a lot of important things for the future." Jun mentions, his hopeful face falling.

"Then they will have to make a new future, whatever comes of it you and I can fix it, together." I smile, his eyes meeting mine, making me realize how much he had grown since I spoke with him last, the Jun I knew before was too shy to look at me this way, but I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it., seeing all his emotion in his eyes, baring it all for me to witness.

"Dancing has changed a lot." Jun's teary eyes lift with his smile, these words agreeing to my idea.

"I'll learn fast." I wink at him.

"I'll wait for you, Peggy, as long as it takes." Jun mentions as he he stands bringing me into his arms to hold me close for another dance.

"I'll be there before you even miss me." I promise, dancing with him until the sun set, the moon rising being Jun's queue to leave for the future. He waves at me in the street, his smile brighter than when when he arrived, making my heart swell. I watch him materialize into nothing, disappearing before my eyes, the only proof of his presence was the warmth he left with me that begin to fade with the autumn breeze. First thing in the morning I'd speak with Howard and begin working to meet Jun.

~

Jun stood in the empty lot, watching his surroundings as the sun set in the evening. The spot he found was where the old Stork Club had been, long since it had been torn down. It was surprising nothing had been built in its spot, it seemed like fate had left it open, so he and Peggy could meet here where they were supposed to all those years ago. This was Jun's second night here, waiting for Peggy to arrive in this spot asking him for that dance he saved her. He wasn't sure how time travel would worked in the past, it probably wasn't as advanced as it was when they'd used it in the present, so he knew he would have to keep waiting until Howard figured out all the data and specifications, just like his son had done.

However, two days turned into two weeks and those weeks turned into months. Jun had told Bucky about what happened and Bucky had lost hope for his friend long ago, but he never stopped Jun from going to the empty lot that used to host The Stork Club, he couldn't bring himself to tell Jun to give up because they had found each other even after all these years and neither of them thought they'd see each other again. However, it hurt Bucky to watch his friend leave every night and not return until deep into the morning hours.

Normally we would celebrate in the early evening, before the sun went down and before the night sky painted itself with billions of stars. This time around, however, we were well into the night, pushing the celebration because Byeongkwan had one final make up test to complete before his semester was over. Donghun and I agreed to wait for him and set out on foot just as the sun was sinking down over the horizon.

We ate and drank to our heart's content, laughing and complaining about the semesters passed and how they compared to this most recent one. It was almost midnight when Byeongkwan called it quits, having overstuffed himself on appetizers, he was ready to get to his dorm to begin a heavy sleeping period. I was ready to leave by that point, wanting to get sufficient sleep so I could enjoy the break I had before having to go back to school.

"As much as I love drinking away the night with my two favorite boys, my bed is beckoning me to it." I state dramatically as I stand to collect my things, getting ready to leave.

"I'm sure you're not the only one it's beckoning." Byeongkwan smirks at Donghun, before groaning at the fullness of his stomach as he lays his head on the table.

"Really smooth there." I chuckle as I ruffle his hair, not phased by his teasing of Donghun coming home with me.

"Please make sure he gets home safe." I tell Donghun as I wrap my arms around his shoulders as I stand behind him, my head on his shoulder as I turn to look at him, his face close to mine.

"Wait, are you walking home alone?" Donghun asks as he grabs my arms, keeping me pressed against his back.

"Who else would I walk with?" I question with a small laugh. "I'll text you when I get there."

I make a move to detach from Donghun, however his hands keep me there.

"It's almost midnight I don't want you going alone." Donghun whispers, worry etched into his furrowed eyebrows.

"Donghun, someone has to get Byeongkwan home too." I remind him, us both looking at the miserable boy with his head still on the table.

Donghun looks around the restaurant, spotting some familiar face at the bar seating area. "Seyoon."

I follow his eyes, looking at the boy who was in our major, one who was quiet and kept to himself, however had quite the relationship with Byeongkwan and Donghun.

"Donghun, you don't have to go through the trouble, I'll be fine and I'll call you if I see anyone sketchy."

"It's not good enough." He grunts as he stands, my arms falling at his sides as he begins to approach Seyoon. "I'll walk you home."

That was how I ended side by side next to Lee Donghun who was taking me home on a cool autumn night. Normally we were talkative and loud, however, Donghun's shoulders were tense and his guard was up as we walked down the sidewalk. I tried to engage him in a conversation, get his attention anyway I could think of, but he would only keep his attention on me for a few moments before his eye would train forward again.

I sigh as I wrap my arms around one of his arms, letting our body heat mingle as it wards of the chill of the crisp air. Donghun looks at me, shock written on his face.

"Did I get the ever confident Donghun to stumble a bit?" I smirk at him, making him scoff as a smile appears on his face.

"You caught me off guard."

"If you werent so on guard for taking me home you would've been ready for it."

Donghun looks at me again, his steps slower but not fully stopped. "I only want you to get home safe."

I smile at him with fondness, reaching one hand to intertwine my fingers with his to squeeze it in reassurance.

"Thank you for worrying about me."

At that moment, a large clanging was heard, making Donghun swing the arm I was one behind him, shielding me behind his body. A white cat jumps from an alleyway, a trash can lid spinning out behind him.

I burst into laughter. "It was just a cat, Donghun."

"Well now I know it's a cat." He pouts, looking away from me.

I shake my head as I start to continue walking, however Donghun walks next to me before surpassing me, continuing to keep me shielded with his body. I smile at his protectiveness as I feel a sudden warmth in my chest, a warmth I had felt with Donghun before but elected to ignore, however this was one was as strong as it had ever been, making my face heat up as well.

It wasn't long before we reached my dorm, the bright street lights illuminating the entire vicinity of the building, making it hard for anyone to hide around the girls dorms. I enter the code to get into the building, seeing my room as I walk through.

"This is me." I whisper to Donghun, releasing his arm, but keeping his fingers intertwined with mine.

"I'm glad you're home safe."

"Now, how will you get home safe?" I ask him, stepping closer to him, my hand finding his other hand to intertwine.

"I can text you when I get home." He suggests, a large smile on his face as he pulls my body closer.

"Or..." I trail of, my arms releasing his hands to loop around his waist. "You could come inside and go home when it's safe in the morning."

"That sounds like an interesting proposition." Donghun whispers as he leans his head towards me.

I walk backwards into my door, pulling Donghun along with me. His hand finds the back of my neck, pulling my lips towards his in a heated kiss. His other hand rests on my door above my head as he presses his body against mine. I groan out against his mouth, trying to get my door open with one hand. I pull away from him, his lips following mine, forcing me to turn my head so I could look at the door knob. With my neck now exposed to him, Donghun attaches his lips to the side of my neck, nipping at the skin gently and leaving little kisses over them after. My back pushes off the door, further into his body before I twist the knob, both of us stumbling into my room. Donghun turns me around and pushes me against the inside of the door, effectively closing it and giving us the privacy we needed.