eye of newt

darthstitch:

Steve Rogers’ clearest memory of his Babushka was at four years old.

He remembers his Mam holding his hand as they walked through Central Park, taking a certain path, a right here, a left there, going round this statue

(It was the one of the famous sled dog, only it was a little Early and most people would not see it yet, but his Mam did and so did Steve)

and then another left and seventy times seven more steps.

Steve always counted.  That’s how he learned to count so high. 

And on the final step, he and Mam would find Babushka’s hut, already scratching its chicken legs on the ground.  There too, under the shelter of an oak tree, lay her mortar and her pestle. 

(If he was good, Babushka would let him ride it.)

Babushka would welcome them with glad cries, haul little Steve close for hugs and kisses

(Babushka always smelled of mint and flowers and safe places)

and feed him up with her good borscht.

The good borscht had helped Steve recover from many an illness, filled as it was with what Babushka called, “good, healthful things.”

On his twelfth birthday, Babushka looked at her cards and cast the bones.

(They were the bones of a dragon, a phoenix and the First Cat to swear its life and service to Babushka, faithful creature to the very end.)

She told him that he would be loved by a woman who came from the land once ruled by a King who had drawn a sword from a stone when nobody else could.  Her love and her strength would always steer him in the right direction. 

(Peggy had always helped Steve when he felt the most lost.  That was why her picture would always remain in his compass.)

She told him that he was loved by a son of the Dragon, a love that was faithful and true and would last even beyond the end of the line.

(Hidden away from prying eyes, Steve will haul Bucky close by the lapels of his fine jacket, kiss him stupid when Bucky repeats his promise.  Till the end of the line.  And even as Bucky nibbles gently at him with his sharp white teeth, Steve will make his own marks – wine red blossoms on Bucky’s pale skin.) 

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