Chapter Text
The halls of Princefield High School in the heart of Brooklyn were quieter than a ghost town - not surprising, given that it was summer vacation. Term wouldn't resume until September, and most of its students were currently living their best lives, enjoying the last remaining weeks of their holidays. The cream walls of the main hallway were bare, battered lockers lining the edges of the pale linoleum floor. At the end of the hallway, just by the main entrance, was a tiny office - outside which a young man, probably around sixteen or seventeen, and a young woman were sitting.
To the untrained eye, there was nothing unusual about this pair - waiting outside the office of the principal to have their admission interview. The young man looked nervous, wringing his hands and blue eyes flickering up and down the silent hallway in anticipation. Brown hair that used to be blonde - and longer than the teen was used to - fell loosely into his eyes, hiding their anxiety from the world. He was dressed nicely - as if on his way to church - in pressed slacks and a black button down shirt. Black shoes shined to an almost military precision completed the look.
The woman next to him looked only a few years older; her subtly red hair pulled back into a ponytail, only a few strands hanging loose around her eyes. Those eyes were more of a blue-green, and almost the complete opposite expression to her younger friend. Her eyes were cool, quietly calculating, like you knew she was always watching you. She was dressed more casually, but still looked proper; a casual-design pastel blue blouse under a fitted suit jacket, black jeans and heels. She was playing on her phone - the latest StarkPhone, if you were looking closely enough - perfectly manicured nails clicking across the screen almost too fast to watch. Occasionally, she flicked her gaze to the young man beside her, something in her expression softening with a quiet fondness as she takes in his obvious nervousness.
"Steven Roberts?"
The two looked up at the sound of the new voice, the teen with noticeably more trepidation than the woman (who just rolled her eyes fondly and nudged her companion). Swallowing hard, the young man stood and took the principal's offered hand in a firm shake.
"Pleasure to meet you, son" Paul Rashford, a middle-aged man with kind eyes and a warm smile - though with an air of authority that warned you not to cross him all the same - greeted them. "And this is-?" he turned to the woman, offering his hand to her also.
She took it, smiling slightly in return. "Natalie Roberts" she replied politely, "I'm his older sister."
Rashford gestured for them to come into his office, closing the door as he followed them in. The office was small but warmly lit, dark wood desk sitting snug against the far wall, tall black office chair pulled back by the principal as he invited them to take a seat in front of the desk. The teen and woman sank into the warm, plush fabric of the armchairs, and the woman smiled as she saw her younger companion relax ever so slightly.
“So, Steven” Mr Rashford began, looking through a Manila folder in his hands, smiling kindly at the young man every so often. “I understand you’ve been home-schooled the last few years?”
The young man nodded shyly, biting his lip before answering quietly. “Yes” he murmured, before his companion spoke up from beside him.
”We moved around a lot when we were kids” she explained, tucking a lock of red hair behind her ear. “Our parents thought it would be easier than constantly pulling us out of school whenever we had to move.”
Rashford nodded in understanding, glancing at something further down the page. “And now you wish to re-join the mainstream education system?” His voice wasn’t accusing, merely curious.
The young man in front of him shifted slightly in his seat, blue eyes avoiding his own as their owner bit his lip shyly. His companion answered for him.
”Our parents died unexpectedly a few months ago, and I work full-time” the redhead’s voice growing softer as she caught a subtle flinch in her brother’s shoulders. She reached out and squeezed his hand before continuing, “My employer - he’s like a second dad to us - suggested that Steven go back into the system for the last two years, give him some consistency.”
Nodding in understanding, Rashford glanced further down the file. The two could tell the moment he read the name of the woman's employer, for his eyebrows raised and he glanced up at them - almost disbelieving.
"You work for Stark Industries?" he asked, voice turning sceptical.
Tilting her head in an almost challenging way, the woman smiled politely back at him. "Yes - Tony Stark was a very close friend to our parents, and he basically took us in after they died. Gave us a home - I already worked for him, but only as a research assistant mind you - and has looked after us in ways we will never be able to thank him for."
Now appearing slightly taken aback (and maybe a little embarrassed), Rashford nodded again and continued to read Steven's file.
Finally, after what felt like hours, he glanced up and held his hand out to the young man once again. "Well, everything seems to be all in order here, son" he began, smiling as the teen shook his hand. "I'd like to personally invite you to join us here at Princefield High."
Leaving the office a few moments later, the pair were directed towards the uniform shop a few doors down, and the principal left with another handshake and a promise to see Steven when term started in a few weeks time.
*****
"Well" Nat sighed as she closed the driver's door of her sleek Audi (she'd forgone the Corvette for this trip), "that went smoother than I expected."
She shot a smile to her right at her companion as she started the engine, but frowned a little when she saw the teen biting his lip. Taking her hand off the parking brake, she turned towards him and her smile slipped. "Steve, talk to me - what's up? You were awfully quiet in there."
Steve quickly forced his shoulders to relax and returned her gaze with a tiny (but still completely unconvincing) smile of his own. "It's fine, Nat" he replied, fingers unconsciously fiddling with the strap of the bag containing his new uniforms. "I just still can't believe that I'm going back to school - what if-"
Nat silenced him with a look, before her lips quirked upward in a kind, understanding smile. "Kid, this is what you wanted - screw what anyone else thinks about it. They don't have to know anything about you but what you want to tell them."
Shifting uncomfortably, big blue eyes flicked up to her own. "I guess I'm just worried that I won't be able to stick to the story - I mean, it's kinda unbelievable when you think about it. What if someone works it out?"
The assassin sighed, taking his hand in her own and squeezing it gently. "Then we'll worry about that if it happens" she answered, before poking his bicep in a teasing way. "Come on, lighten up sunshine" she grinned, starting the engine and driving out of the parking lot, heading back towards the Tower. "It's a new adventure - you'll love it, you'll see."
Steve couldn't help but grin as he felt his own enthusiasm grow as they left his new school behind. A new adventure indeed, and maybe - just maybe - the start of finally being able to be normal.
"Oh Steve," Nat laughed, turning up the stereo, "you've never been normal, sweetheart."
The teen just pouted at her, but joined in on her laughter as they drove down the highway, singing at the tops of their lungs.
*****