"What's something that shocked you when you came out of the time thing?" Bruce asked Nico, trying to make conversation with the young man sitting at the Avenger's dinner table.

"Gay marriage. In 1943 homosexuality in general was illegal and was actually persecuted by Nazis and get now it's a common occurrence that's mostly accepted." Nico replied.

"Gay marriage is legal?" Steve was amazed.

"Yes. Did nobody tell you?" Natasha wondered how they could have forgotten to mention that.

"N-no, I d-didn't know." Steve stuttered. "E-excuse me."

They all watched as he left the room quickly.

"Wow. Never would've pegged Cap for a homophobe." Tony sneered.

"I don't think he is. I remember there were a lot of rumors when I was younger about him and Bucky Barnes." Nico left after him.

"Captain? Are you alright?" he noticed Steve sitting on the floor crying from where he collapsed. "Oh, Captain." he moved to where he was hugging him.

"We had t-to hide and i-it was so so hard but we d-did it and now we don't have to but h-he's d-dead and w-we still c-can't be t-together." Steve sobbed out.

Nico didn't know what to do so he sat there holding Steve as he cried himself out. Eventually the other Avengers came out of the dining room, and most stood there in uncertainty while Bruce helped Nico move Steve to his room. Tony felt ashamed for his words in the dining room.

Tony found himself listening more to Steve as he pondered how little he actually knew him. The other Avengers found themselves trying to protect their friend from more pain. Nico remained in contact with Steve through the following years and all were there for him when the Winter Soldier appeared.