Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Steve wasn’t much of a man who loved to travel, even if he did get to see a lot of destinations for the army. But that doesn't mean he doesn’t enjoy modern travel, especially the many tourist spots in airports. As a matter of fact, he’s been doing it a lot lately even if he’d prefer if his schedule was more aligned with Bucky’s. He had to give the other super soldier some space, stalking a former assassin and not getting caught is a lot harder than one would think. It takes a lot of patience and not being as close as one would want to be, but it's just as rewarding when you get a glimpse of your obsession. But alas, knowing when to let go and delve deep into your other hobbies separates a rookie stalker from a good one. Only one of them is going to get caught rotting in their own disappointment while the other actually gets more time reveling in their obsession, clearly equipped with much better self control. Maybe this time, Steve might use his downtime to actually check out what Vegas is like from a tourist’s perspective instead of dwelling, a passtime never healthy for a stalker like himself. 

Joaquín was really enjoying time not being deployed, even if he was in a limbo before he got to really join Sam as his Falcon in New York. It felt selfish of him but he was happy he wasn’t there for the Void Incident, it looked really intense and he was nowhere near the action. It did ease his guilt that Sam wasn’t there either, even if it did result in that New Avengers announcement that’s been making everything a lot more stressful since then. Currently, he’s cooking dinner in his military dorm. (It’s top ramen, but top cuisine for someone who wants a small amount of dishes and is currently in the middle of moving from one state to another. Or, from one military base to another.) That’s why he wasn’t exactly expecting to see someone else in his living room, flipping around his pocket knife like owned it. 

“Steve Rogers, I’m sure you’ve already heard of me. Seen me on TV, maybe even read about me in a few history books. I’ve heard of you as well, you’re the new Falcon. How neat it must be to have been given such an honor, it’s good to see that the wings are still being represented out there as Sam’s moved onto bigger and better things.” Joaquín wasn’t sure how to feel, especially when the former Captain America was in his living room which heavily implied he broke in. What the fuck is one supposed to do when someone so famous just breaks into their apartment? He was sure it usually is the other way around with celebrities his caliber, but apparently not. 

“What are you doing here? I thought you were on the moon.” Despite internally freaking out, Joaquín was sure he at least had a small amount of confidence in his voice when he spoke. Something that will give the air that he’s got the authority here and Steve despite being a celebrity did break in. And despite how cool this meeting feels, he wasn’t sure he was so down with the breaking and entering part. Especially since he has to report it to make sure what was broken into gets fixed which is definitely a future headache Joaquín is not looking forward to. He also couldn’t help with the moon theory, even if Sam disproved it. Joaquín just wanted to hear it from the man himself if he was ever on the moon or not, so sue him. 

“There’s that damn moon theory again, who the fuck started that? Why would I ever want to retire on the moon? I have no idea where that rumor came from, but I can assure you I didn’t fuck off to the moon after the second battle with Thanos. But that’s aside from the point, I didn’t break into your dorm as some unorthodox way to make a new friend. You see, I need your help specifically. I really think you could really point me in the right direction here. You’re close to Sam, right? And last time I checked in, he and Bucky are an item now. Apparently. Don’t know when that one went down, but whatever. I just want to know where they’re at.” Joaquín was thoroughly confused why Steve was coming to him, and not just texting Bucky himself where he’s staying. It was sounding more suspicious than it did friendly, and Joaquín was cursing his lack of a poker face. It was way too weird sounding of Steve to ask where Bucky is when there’s a laundry list of people who are much closer to the man who’d point him in the right direction. So, he does everything in his power not to look too freaked out as he tries to wrap his mind around what’s going on.

What Steve said told Joaquín one thing, and that’s the usual people he’d normally ask wouldn’t give the information up. Which left Steve with no other option but to go to him, but there was just one aspect of it all that didn’t make sense. Steve could’ve just hunkered down and located Bucky on his own, so why go through the trouble of a five hour flight all the way to Vegas just for a location? There’s got to be more to this. But Joaquín had to be smart about how he asks about it, or else he might get an angry super soldier on his hands without his wings or suit in reach. Right when Joaquín thought he was going to have a chill night by himself, this happened.

“... Why did you go from New York to Vegas just to find me? You could’ve just looked up- no. I don’t think I should give you tips on how to find them. I- wait a second. I’m not against you in any way, it’s just that this is so sudden! I don’t really know why you’re here and it's weirding me out. I have to be honest, you’re the last person I’d expect would want anything to do with me. You’re much closer to Bucky and Sam. Just because I happen to be using the Falcon wings and am using the call sign does it mean we’re suddenly close. I just want to know the real reason why you picked me out of everyone. I haven’t even talked to Bucky outside of a few short interactions, so the only person I’m really close to is Sam and he isn’t even the person you’re really looking for. So please, be honest with why the fuck you broke into my military dorm in Vegas. I’ve never been more terrified in my life and I just need answers.” 

Joaquín was rambling and he knew it, especially because Steve’s polite smile has long since been replaced by this stone glare that told him exactly how he earned the rank of Captain aside from the military propaganda and serum running through his veins. God, what is it with super soldiers and their ability to glare?

“Perceptive little shit, aren’t you? Fine. I’ve got ulterior motives. But I don’t think you should worry about those right now. I just need to know where Bucky and Sam are right now, hell, you can even send a quick text from your phone. They’ll tell you, and I will be on my way. Bucky hasn’t exactly been at his apartment, and I have no idea where else he would be comfortable staying considering he’s quite the cagey guy about his living space. That was true even before all of the Winter Soldier bullshit happened to him, fun fact. He isn’t staying with Sam, I checked a couple times, so that leaves me with jack shit as to where he could’ve gone. It’s leaving me frustrated that I don’t know where my close friend is, and I really wanted to surprise him. Show up unannounced to let him know I’m back in his life. Fun, right?”

Joaquín wasn’t sure how he felt about how Steve’s emotions were just all over the place. The man went from glaring holes through his skull to just laughing and smiling again. He wondered if the serum did that, or if Steve was always just an odd guy but was able to get it together enough to be good military propaganda. Nevertheless, it was certainly making the conversation a lot more tense than it already was. 

“... I’m not telling you anything mainly because I don’t know. I honestly don’t. I mean-”

Joaquín pauses. He wasn’t sure how much Steve knew about the New Avengers using the old tower, or if he even wanted to be the one to break the news. Steve probably knows that place like the back of his hand, and it probably wouldn’t be polite to just reveal something that would get Bucky’s new team to hate him already. At the same time, he has to say something cause he’s got a hunch Steve isn’t exactly going to accept that he really does know nothing after a five hour flight here, and a thirty minute drive from the airport. 

“I’m not that close to Sam like that. He’s my superior, the original Falcon. He isn’t going to tell me where his boyfriend is living in casual conversations. So I have to ask, why in the world did you go out of your way to interrogate me? Is it because I’m the closest person to Sam that doesn’t have the serum running through their veins, that I’d be easier to get answers from? I honestly don’t even think you want to know where Bucky or Sam are, because you could’ve gotten that information in New York. This is targeted, why you’re beating around the bush is beyond me. But I’m going to get the truth from you, even if I don’t have an ounce of the serum in me. Mark my words.”

Joaquín wasn’t sure where this confidence was coming from, or why he was getting in the face of Steve Rogers of all people. But here he was, pissed off that someone interrupted his night with some weird intimidation tactic to get information he really could’ve gotten himself. To Steve’s credit, he didn’t immediately freak out or get pissed off. All he did was pace around the small living room Joaquín was given in the military dorm, then he ran a hand through his hair, sighing. 

“I thought it would take a lot longer for you to get this fed up, but apparently being the new Falcon is giving you some confidence. Not sure how I feel about it yet, but I’ll throw you a bone. I mean, I’ve already admitted to my ulterior motives but clearly that wasn’t enough details for you. I guess I’ve got to come clean, which sucks because I was really aiming to build at least some suspense. Oh well. But fine, I guess you deserve the truth after getting yourself so worked up at my mere presence. Alright, I’ll be honest, retirement does not suit me. I thought it’d fit like a glove but it makes my skin itch with how antsy I get at only watching world ending threats from afar. I need a way back into the game, and I have just the way. I haven’t really gotten my hero costume made just yet, but I need someone on the inside to introduce me. Keep my cover, lie for me. That’s where you come in, you’re going to steadily introduce me as The Shadow or something. I’m workshopping names, don’t look at me like that. I’ll have my face covered and I’m definitely going to use a voice changer. But you’re going to be my vouch so I can just slide back into Bucky’s life like nothing ever happened after Thanos. That sound like a good plan, well, it better. Because you’re doing it regardless. I didn’t come all this way to get turned down. That sounded a lot more menacing than I meant it to but still.”

Steve’s awkward laughter didn’t cover up the obvious threat, so Joaquín found himself wishing he had a spare suit in his house. Sure, this was an unrealistic idea because it’s not like he’s got Stark money to have more than one Falcon suit but he didn’t think he would ever be threatened in a space he thought was safe. He didn’t even leak his own address on live TV like Stark did, yet here he is with a super soldier saying he’s got to comply with his little plan to get back into Bucky’s life or else. Joaquín really didn’t want to know what entailed the rage of Steve Rogers even if he doesn’t currently have the shield. It still wouldn’t be a fair fight regardless, especially since his first fight against a super soldier ended badly and they didn’t even have the original serum running through their veins like Steve does. 

At the same time, it’s not like he can just agree to this. It’s underhanded and he has a feeling there was a lot that Steve was conveniently leaving out. Like why he would have to wear a full mask and use a voice changer around Bucky at all times instead of just revealing that retirement didn’t fit and he wanted to go back to saving people again. Damn him, Steve knew Joaquín was probably a perfect target because he’s so separated from everything. He’s only got a mentor relationship with Sam, and he really can’t say he’s close enough to Bucky that he can just casually drop on him that Steve, of all people, broke into his dorm and is subtly threatening him. Hell, Joaquín was convinced that Sam wouldn’t even believe this was happening. That’s what made everything that more dangerous, and Steve is probably very aware of this. What power he has over everything, the fact that Bucky and Sam would believe him first. So that meant he was going to have to figure out something fast, because he’s essentially alone. All the heroes he knows that would be potential backup would probably either believe Sam first, or not make it in time considering they’re all states away. 

This was a lot more intense trial by fire than Joaquín would’ve ever wanted to experience outside of his Falcon suit. Well, he couldn’t keep the man waiting forever for a response. Joaquín had to face the music sometime. 

“Look, I don’t think you want to do this without a solid plan and hero costume. I’m moving as well, so, how about we come up with some compromise. You can stay with me for a while, help me move, and when we’re in New York I can get your suit made. I’ll say it’s for a beefy new sidekick of mine, but know that I don’t consider you a sidekick. Please don’t get mad at me for calling you one, I was just thinking out loud, I really didn’t mean it-”

“A sidekick, huh? That’d be a good cover. I knew you’d be quick on your feet, every good Falcon has to be. I’m impressed, you’ve somehow planned ahead a lot better than I have, and it was my idea! Man, I knew I was right by coming here.” Steve cut off Joaquín mid-sentence, making him flinch a little by how loudly he clapped. This was only going to end in disaster, and for the life of him Joaquín had no clue why he offered to let Steve be his roommate. Not only that, but he was going to have to report to Sam and lie his ass off just to let Steve off the hook. Why? Well, he wasn’t about to get his ass handed to him by another super soldier. In his own military dorm, no less. Recovering from the last super soldier attack told him avoiding a second one was definitely a smart move. 

“So, do you even have a new hero name picked out? I need at least an outline to tell the hero costume tailor in New York.” Joaquín already felt himself grow tired of how unnerved he constantly is at the way Steve looks at him from across the room. It certainly didn’t help that the military dorm isn’t very big, so it doesn’t give them the most personal space in between them.

This makes Steve pause, as he takes a moment to look out of the window. The man must be zoned out, because there’s nothing of real value to be gazing at outside of that dorm window considering he’s on the ground floor. Joaquín takes the moment to try and calm himself down silently, running a hand through his hair and silently wondering what he did to deserve this level of blackmail. When Steve looks back at him, Joaquín feels himself straighten up again, fixing his posture so the super soldier doesn’t see him falter. This was too stressful of a situation to be outwardly showing fear. 

“... I think I should be the Crow, something bird themed to mesh with your new Falcon branding. Is there a hero out there already named that? I don’t care. It’s my name now. Get me a hero costume fitting of the name, and I’ll make sure that the original super soldier always has your back in a fight as long as you keep my identity top secret. I’ll watch your six, seven, fuck it every angle. Just as long as you keep your end of the bargain. Hell, I’ll even throw in some home security considering that Steve Rogers is technically retired. I’ll be the best roommate you’ve ever had Torres, trust me.” The way Steve smiles just rubs Joaquín the wrong way, but he knew he couldn’t show it. This was a battle of the wits, one Joaquín can’t exactly afford to lose. But he’d be lying if he said this conversation wasn’t starting to make him nauseous the way everything was starting to stack against him. 

“I can’t believe I only got a sidekick because a famous war hero blackmailed me into it.” Joaquín couldn’t stop the bitterness seeping into his voice as he glared at the super soldier, suddenly not so scared to get his ass kicked by the other man for speaking out of turn. This was entirely unfair, and he needed Steve to know it. Of course, Steve wants to act like calling anything that’s happening blackmail. The asshole. 

“I am a very kind and considerate man, my mother raised me to be better than something like blackmail. Think of it this way, I’m strongly recommending that you help my plan come to be. We may have only met but I have a strong feeling we’re going to mesh very well in a fight especially considering we’re roommates now! That was such a smart recommendation by the way, giving me a place to hunker down in between my little day hobby. Well, I won’t have much of my retired time to myself considering I’m throwing myself back into hero work again, huh? Man, I’ve really shot myself in the foot here getting into such a time sucking hobby during my pseudo retirement.” Steve huffs the last part to himself, crossing his arms as he casually leans against the wall. He was far too casual for how tense things really are, but Joaquín guesses the serum gives him that kind of power. To simply have his presence be the blackmail that makes Joaquín stand in line, do what he says without it needing to be a direct command. It made him sick, but Joaquín appreciated that he at least wasn’t being threatened with direct violence outright. Small victories are what he’s going to cling to throughout this, he could tell. 

Unless- 

Joaquín feels himself blurt something out before he could stop himself. “You could change your name from Steve Rogers. Just so when I tell people your secret identity, even that’s a cover. They don’t ever have to see your face, I’ll lie and say your skin is radioactive and the suit stops it. So, what do you want your new name to be?” He had no idea why he was feeding into this idea, but getting on Steve’s good side would keep him safe until they were both in New York and he could actually get someone else in on this. Hopefully, they’d at least sort of believe him that this was happening.

Steve took a moment to think about it, but thankfully he didn’t look mad at the idea. As a matter of fact, he looked excited. Like that wasn’t something he thought about. “You little genius, I could use a new name. It’ll make me seem more authentic, instead of some random new hero working at your side with super soldier strength. A radioactive backstory will give me an excuse to not hold back during fights. So, as far as fake names go, I think I’ll go with Ethan Winters. You discovered me on a secret solo Falcon mission and sought to give me a new purpose after figuring out how strong I am. This is all coming together and it’s all because of you, I hope you know that. Ethan Winters, aka The Crow! Wow, it has a certain charm to it already-” 

Joaquín leaves Steve to gush about the idea to zone out, trying to calm himself down as the super soldier rants on and on about how this was just such a good idea. Nothing felt good about this, and he had a feeling things were going to get nasty the moment people get wise and rip the Crow’s mask off because his fighting style is way too similar to the first Captain America to ever just be some coincidence. Joaquín isn’t sure if people would be mad at him for keeping it secret or feel bad for having to handle it for so long, but he wasn’t looking forward to looking Sam or Bucky in the eye after the truth is inevitably brought into the light. Now, Joaquín would deny it, but he did jump the moment Steve suddenly appeared right in his line of sight, his expression a mix of annoyed and concerned. He must’ve noticed the other man stopped listening, and was missing the attention and feedback of another person. 

“Where did you go?” Steve’s question was framed like a man who only ever revisits old memories when he zones out, having lived too long to have any other material. Joaquín laughs at this, despite how idiotic it is to be laughing in this man’s face after showcasing just how fickle his moods are. He just couldn’t help it, he’s always laughing away nervousness. 

“You act like I’ve lived a life even close to yours to have enough memories to reminisce about. But no, I wasn’t relieving any wars if that’s what you’re wondering. Just wondering how the fuck I’m going to pull this off, and why you decided to make me your target with this.” Joaquín was still pissed off about the new roommate he frankly subjected himself to, but he knew communicating with the other man would probably prevent his mood from being too unstable.

“You’re the closest I have to a way in that wouldn’t immediately snitch on me. Anyone else that close to Bucky or Sam would’ve told me to fuck off and messaged either of them by now. You on the other hand are unattached enough that you second guess yourself enough that I can just slide right in undetected. No questions asked, mostly because you really don’t think people would believe you even if you did report this. Even if you did, I’ve yet to actually make a threat. You’re technically doing this for me from the goodness of your heart, which I am so thankful for by the way.” Steve’s smile made him want to throw up now, but Joaquín figured making even nicer with him would hopefully give him more leeway the moment they got established in New York.

Hopefully Joaquín could get away with rigging Steve’s suit so that it’ll broadcast his comms to Bucky and Sam, and through that he might get the man to confess his actions without them even being close by. All Joaquín has to do is get Steve to like him enough that he wouldn’t question why he’s reprogramming his new hero costume’s helmet. A good lie would be that he’s calibrating the voice changer, a great one is to show him what he’s doing and wait for the man out of time to get confused and frustrated enough that he just leaves him alone to do his coding. So, in an effort to make things easier on himself, Joaquín smiles back at Steve. 

“I live to please. I mean, sure you broke into my dorm, but it’s not like my door was unlocked. You had to get in somehow, right? I mean, in hindsight this is pretty cool. I get an inside secret with the first Captain America-” The last thing Joaquín expected was for Steve to suddenly grab his chin, lightly squishing his cheeks, effectively silencing him mid-sentence looking more frustrated than he’s looked ever since he broke in, but it doesn’t last long. He goes back to smiling, like it was his default expression. Either that, or Joaquín got to see a peek behind his ever cheery front he puts on. 

“Do me a favor Torres, don’t try and kiss up. It doesn’t suit you. I want you to be honest, not desperate. I’ve dealt with enough of that during my time, so how about you keep surprising me by showing me just how frustrated you really are? Then we can consider this whole kiss up act, see just how far you’d go just to- no. I’m getting ahead of myself. We’re not quite there yet. There’s plenty of time for that.” Steve lets Joaquín’s chin go and starts muttering to himself, pacing the small living room like nothing happened. 

Well, there goes that plan. Of course Steve had to see right through it. Things were getting worse by the second, and Joaquín wasn’t sure how much more he could take before he just snapped. The worst part is, he can’t even do much damage to Steve so it’d just end up in needing to crawl himself to the closest medical praying and crossing his fingers that anyone would believe him that THE Steve Rogers just kicked his ass. 

Joaquín was forced from his daydreaming by Steve suddenly laughing, his expression eerily unreadable as he looks at the current Falcon. 

“You zone out a lot. That’s interesting. Man, I wonder where Sam found you, you’re so dynamic yet confide yourself to meekness. I don’t think I’ll ever understand why such strong personalities like you hide behind a guise of shyness. It kind of pisses me off, actually but that’s besides the point. God, you’re making it really hard to keep a conversation going scheming like that over there. We won’t last long as good roommates at this rate.” Steve tries joking, but it doesn’t exactly land with Joaquín. It doesn’t stop the star spangled stalker from laughing anyway. The worst part is it wasn’t even an unpleasant laugh to the ears, the man’s pleasant to look at but currently a nightmare to talk to. 

“I’m tired and hungry. My ramen got so cold I had to get rid of it and I’m just fed up. Unless you’ve got dinner ready and are prepared to fuck off for the night so I can sleep in peace, I don’t want to hear it.” Joaquín feels himself growing more and more frustrated when all Steve does in response is fucking grin at him because of course he does. 

“All you ever had to do was ask, y’know. You wanted ramen, right? Right. I have been holding you up for a while, huh? I’ve got food coming. It’ll be here in about ten minutes. But while we wait-” 

Joaquín feels himself tense up as Steve suddenly gets close to him again to- drape his dog tags over his neck. At least, one set of them. One sits in a museum, another is with Bucky, and this last one is now around Joaquín’s neck apparently. 

“I wanted to make this official.” Steve’s explanation does nothing to actually explain why the fuck he just did that. Joaquín finds himself stuffing it under his shirt, not even considering taking it off right in front of the guy. 

“Why do we have to be official? You buy a guy food over some delivery app and suddenly you give me your dog tags? What the fuck were they doing back in the 40’s, huh? Is this what you did with Bucky-” Joaquín flinches at Steve’s growl, and mentally kicks himself for even mentioning the other super soldier at all, especially during such a tense moment. 

“Bucky only ever got my dog tags because- god I don’t even remember at this point. I think we exchanged dog tags just in case we were ever separated again. Sure enough, we were. I was shocked that he got to hold onto them even after the Winter Soldier nonsense but he did. God, why did I ever leave him behind, even for a moment? Well, there’s no use in crying over spilled milk. But hey, you’re finally talking back. Just like I wanted you to. Joaquín, don’t ever feel like you need to walk on eggshells around me. We’re going to be partners soon, remember? We need to be as honest with each other as we possibly can. At least, you need to be. I will tell you the truth only when I need to, or when I feel like it. That’s just how it has to be.” Steve gently pats Joaquín’s cheek, but his hand remains there for a moment too long as they just stare into each other’s eyes. 

“Your eyes are really brown.” Steve points out the obvious, but his voice is taking on a tone Joaquín didn’t want to look too deep into. But he does find himself almost reaching for the dog tags but stops. Steve, of course with all his super soldier senses notices but thankfully doesn’t comment. He lowers his hand, smirks and walks off to the other side of the living room to check if the food’s here or not. 

After they ate the ramen that admittedly was pretty good, Joaquín was suddenly faced with the reality that Steve had to sleep somewhere and the dorm didn’t exactly have a sturdy couch. At least, it wasn’t good enough for someone with Steve’s build to sleep on it. 

“I’m not exactly offering my bed, but it’s our only option. For now. So-”

“I’m not sleeping with you Torres, I’m taking the couch.” Joaquín jolts because that wasn’t what he was thinking at all, but feels confused when all Steve does after snapping at him is laugh. Just how this man can go from furious to amusement so fast makes him wonder if everyone who’s been around for as long as he has with the original serum just eventually loses it. He’s slowly growing more and more appreciative he was never given the serum, or any variant of it that’s out there. He doesn’t want to eventually act like this and drag someone into his nonsense like Steve is right now. 

“I- I was offering to take the couch myself and you’d have my bed. Weirdo.” Joaquín was too tired to have a filter, so yes he did call THE Steve Rogers a weirdo to his face. Very immature sure, but their vast age gap gave him some levity for not being the most mature of the two. Steve, in all his infinite maturity, just rolls his eyes at the explanation, crossing his arms like a child, huffing.

“What did I say about meek not fitting you-” Steve tries to scold, but Joaquín has had it up to here with this man being vague and just suddenly inserting himself in his life. 

“I am going to be so real, I don’t give a fuck what you think suits me. I am exhausted listening to your bullshit. The only reason I tolerate your nonsense is because you have the serum and I don’t. I hate how chipper you are, how untouchable that goddamn super fuckass serum made you! You’re parading around my goddamn apartment like you own the place. I’m shocked you didn’t offer my bed to yourself. This making me walk on eggshells is unbearable. You pretend like that’s not what you’re doing but I wasn’t born yesterday. I’ve been around long enough to know better. So how about you drop this weird nice act and actually act the way you really are-” 

Joaquín was cut off mid-sentence by Steve gently lifting his chin and grinning in a way that really made him nervous. 

“You will never understand who or what I am, but that’s what makes this fun. But I guess we have to save the true fun for tomorrow, which is a bummer. I felt like we were really going somewhere Joaquín. Understanding each other, well, I was getting a feel on who you are. You’ll never get me, but I didn’t come here for you to know how my mind works. But I will grant you a little of myself just so we can mesh enough that the Crow and Falcon can at least play pretend enough to attract the attention of Bucky and Sam. I’m sure you know I used to be weak, and helpless. Needed someone else to give me medicine and even feed me when I was bedridden. It was a truly miserable existence being powerless. But now, I have so much power that even that gets debilitating. The serum is not exactly a nice gift to receive, despite popular belief. I only enjoy it because it's the only thing separating me from dying from something stupid like the flu.” Steve huffs, almost like he’s mad at himself for revealing this much about himself, or that he even let himself ramble in the first place. 

Of course, Joaquín couldn’t help himself but interrupt. “Does this little rant have a point? Is it related to you accusing me of saying I wanted to sleep with you, or not?”

Steve thankfully just laughs in response instead of bursting in a fit of rage that honestly, Joaquín was bracing for, seeing it as inevitable at this point with how fickle Steve’s moods are. 

“You’re a livewire. Good. I need someone like that to at least attempt to keep me in line. That’s why I really need you to cut that meek attitude out completely. Can you do that for me? I need you to stand up straight, not because I’m above you or anything, but I need more confidence from you. I want to make you into an even better Falcon than you already are, and let me use you to slide right back into Bucky’s life again undetected. Got that? I am going to make you a much better Falcon. You’re welcome. Also, I guess we can both take the bed. C’mon, it’s bedtime-”

Joaquín can’t take this anymore. “No, I am not sleeping with Steve Rogers just because he broke into my goddamn apartment! Fuck no. I am taking the couch. You take the bed, you brute. It’s in that room over there, you can’t miss it. I’m going to grab some spare blankets, and I’m going to bed. You do whatever the fuck you want.” He finds himself growling, something he’s never done before out of rage until now. 

“Say what you want but you’re still wearing my dog tags under that shirt of yours. You could’ve taken them off by now, and as a matter of fact, I’m giving you permission to. Hold on, let me rephrase so I don’t sound like your captor or something. I promise you I won’t freak out if you take off my dog tags and throw them across the room or something. I’m giving you the pass to do so-”

Joaquín doesn’t feel the most mature doing this, but he throws them at Steve, yet he feels himself almost twitch after he throws them. Like his body nearly asked for them back. Steve grins, like he had some sixth sense to notice as he gently tosses the dog tags back into Joaquín’s hands just for them to get chucked into the wall. 

“You’re going to be a lot of fun, I can already tell.” Steve laughs before disappearing into his room, and slowly closing the door, leaving poor Joaquín to sleep on the couch in his own damn military dorm. He really should’ve made Steve sleep on the couch, yet here he is, sleeping like a rock on his damn couch hoping he’ll dream he’s far away from here.