The Captains Birthday

                                    

                                          


He wakes up with a flicker of light, recognizes the room, closes his eyes again, and when he closes his eyes he can imagine another place, a place that is very warm on hot days but icy on cold days, with rougher blankets and the sound of a steady trickle they never managed to find.
Waking up with the smell of freshly baked bread because today is a special day.
If he concentrate hard enough he can hear his mother humming, she always hummed when she was happy or excited and on days like this she was always more animated than usual, she would get up even earlier than necessary, tidy up the little table that they had in the room with the sweet bread that Steve liked the most waiting for him.
He thinks that with the passage of time that feeling of restlessness would have diminished but even with the passing of the years he still longs for her smiles, her kind touches and on days like this he misses hearing her move around the room they shared to wake him up singing "Happy birthday" with a smile that eclipsed the fatigue that was already a mark on his face.
Those were good days, even with how sick she was, they were happy, -he sighs, because it seems like an eternity since she gave him a happy birthday.
Jarvis's voice begins -Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You-
And a voice joins in -Happy Birthday Dear Steve, Happy Birthday to You- Steve smiles and sits down, looking at Tony who continues to sing along with Jarvis, while he carries a small cake with a candle.
It's beautiful and something Steve wasn't expecting in the slightest.
Tony walks over until Steve is in front of him - Steve blows out the candle - and Steve does.
Steve's chest swells with mixed emotions as he blows out the candle on the small cake. The flickering flame is extinguished, symbolizing that another year has passed, but also igniting a new hope within him. Tony's gesture, this unexpected celebration, fills Steve's heart with warmth.
He looks into Tony's eyes, grateful for the love that has grown between them. It's a love Steve never thought he'd experience again. Tony's presence has brought light back to his life, dispelling the shadows of the past and reminding us that happiness is found in the most unexpected places.
Tony smiles, his eyes shining with affection. He places the cake gently on the bedside table, taking Steve's hand in his. His fingers entwine, a silent affirmation of the bond they share. Steve feels a rush of love for this man, who continues to surprise him in the most beautiful ways.
As the last notes of the birthday song fade away, Steve leans forward and kisses Tony softly on the lips. It's a tender moment, full of unspoken promises and the reassurance of his love. In that single touch, they communicate all the emotions that words cannot express.
They pull apart, their foreheads resting against each other as they savor the connection they've forged. Steve's heart beats with joy, his mind fills with gratitude for the extraordinary person standing before him.
"I never expected this," Steve whispers, his voice tinged with emotion.
Tony runs his thumb over Steve's cheek, his touch soft and comforting. "You deserve all the happiness, Steve. And I'll always be here to make sure you get it."
They stay like that a little longer, in this tranquility they've built together, until Tony pulls him out of bed to start the day.