Archive of Our Own ^beta

The mission had been long and grueling. Steve is beyond exhausted. At least he gets to go home now. Home sounds good. Home is Scott and Cassie and the house they share. It makes the hard days easier, knowing he's not coming back to a cold and empty apartment anymore. 

He changes into his civilian clothes on the quinjet and asks Natasha to drop him off at Scott's. She gives him a knowing look and just says they'll debrief later then. He knows she's happy to go home, too. To do her own post-mission routine. It's the little things like that, that allow them to keep doing this job, to keep fighting for innocent people. 

Steve walks through the front door and Cassie rushes towards him, giving him a tight hug. 

"We saw you on TV," she says, "it looked bad."

"It was bad," Steve admits, "but I'm okay." 

He'd learned early on to just be honest with Cassie. She was far too clever to be fooled by anything.

"Dad's in the kitchen," she says. 

"Thank you," Steve says before making his way to Scott. 

"You're here," Scott says. 

"I'm here," Steve replies. 

Scott kisses him gently. Steve wraps his arms around Scott's body and they just stand there for a while. It's good. Peaceful. 

"I was just about to start dinner," Scott says. 

"Do you have an extra plate?" Steve asks for a grin. 

Scott grins back. "For you, always."

Yes, Steve thinks, this is home. It's his home.