[Third Person Pov]
Steve and Peter moved with precise coordination through the center of the underground gym, their footwork light and efficient. They circled and engaged with such natural speed and agility that it was abundantly clear both of them were far beyond ordinary fighters.
Their hands moved in practiced, familiar patterns as they exchanged quick jabs, each man deflecting and parrying most of the attacks aimed their way. The impacts were controlled but solid, testing limits without crossing into real harm. Steve deliberately absorbed a hit to the ribs, using the moment to grab hold of Peter's leg. He swept the other leg out from underneath him and attempted to toss him to the ground, but Peter reacted instantly. He landed on his hands and spun himself around in a sharp, acrobatic twist that forced Steve to take several steps back to regain his balance.
Peter kicked himself back up to his feet in one fluid motion. However, Steve closed the distance in an instant and delivered a powerful Superman punch straight toward Peter's face. Forced to roll with the impact, Peter tumbled across the floor before springing back to his feet without wasting a second.
They had long since lost track of how much time had passed since they started. Sweat trickled down Steve's temple as he remained in deep concentration, fully focused on the young hero across from him. Peter's clothing had grown somewhat damp with effort, clinging lightly to his frame as he kept pace.
They transitioned smoothly between various forms of martial arts—boxing, judo, karate, and even a few improvised moves—building a rhythm that only increased the mutual respect they held for one another. Facing someone like Peter pushed Steve to concentrate on every single movement. He quickly learned that Peter would seize any opening presented to him, no matter how small. The intensity of the sparring genuinely helped distract Steve's mind from his current problems and lingering personal affairs, giving him a much-needed mental break.
Steve struck Peter's torso repeatedly with controlled but firm blows until Peter suddenly spun in the air and delivered a powerful double kick to Steve's chest. The force sent Steve tumbling backward, landing squarely on his backside.
Steve raised a hand, panting lightly, and signaled for Peter to stop. He rested his arms over his knees, taking the opportunity to catch his breath after their nonstop exchange. "You are certainly something else, son," Steve complimented breathlessly, a large, genuine grin stretching across his face.
Peter stood with his hands on his waist, smiling beneath his mask. "I could say the same thing about you. Although I'm glad I was finally able to get some payback for those detention videos."
Steve tilted his head in confusion, not understanding what Peter was referring to.
"When I got detention in school, they would play your video of you saying—" Peter cleared his throat and did his best Captain America impression, "So you got detention."
"Wait, they still play those?" Steve asked, letting out a surprised laugh. He then raised his brows in amusement. "Most importantly, you got detention?"
Peter looked off to the side, sulking a little. "Don't worry about it…"
Steve rubbed his sternum where the kicks had landed and jokingly added, "I see. No wonder some of those hits felt personal."
The two of them shared another bout of easy laughter. Steve looked at Peter gratefully and gave him a respectful nod. "Thank you. I really needed that…"
"Always a pleasure to help," Peter replied warmly. He opened a portal with a quick gesture and stepped through it for a brief second before emerging from another one nearby, holding two cold water bottles.
"…I don't think I'm ever going to get used to that," Steve muttered, reaching out to accept one of the bottles from Peter's hand with a nod of thanks.
After taking a few refreshing gulps and quenching his throat, Steve motioned toward Peter and said, "Now out with it, sonny. Why are you actually here?"
"Huh?" Peter asked, lowering the bottom half of his mask back over his mouth.
"Do you think I'm going to believe you just appeared accidentally in the middle of my workout without any reason?" Steve asked, still sitting on the floor as he looked at Peter expectantly. "I recognize an ambush when I see one."
Peter pursed his lips for a moment, muttering, "Maybe I just wanted to hang out with THE Captain America for a chance…"
"And did you?" Steve asked, looking at him with a skeptical but amused expression.
"I mean, part of it yeah, but you're right," Peter replied with a sigh. He crossed his arms and sat down with his legs crossed in front of Steve. "This kinda was an ambush."
"I have quite a bit to talk with you about, but don't get me wrong," Peter said sincerely, his voice honest and devoid of any humor now. "The main reason I came here was indeed to see if I could help you—to see if there was anything I could do to help you adjust faster, even if it was just to lend an ear."
Steve nodded his head in appreciation, his expression softening. "Thank you. That is very kind of you. You have already helped me in more ways than one. If there is any way I could return the favor, please, don't hesitate to ask."
Peter shook his head gently, his expression turning more earnest. "You don't understand. I have… this problem. This compulsion to help someone, even if that someone never asked for it."
Steve chuckled softly, shaking his head in return. "That doesn't exactly sound like a problem to me. Sounds a lot more like compassion."
Peter sighed, running a hand over the back of his neck. "It is a problem. Especially when I stick my nose in places where it doesn't belong and start intruding into the personal lives of others."
Steve slowly began to frown as he asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Peter paused, carefully searching for the best way to articulate what he needed to say. "Wow, there really is no good way to say this… I'm specifically referring to you and Peggy."
"Oh, I see," Steve said, his voice dropping slightly. He stared at Peter with a serious look, his posture straightening. "If this is another one of your jokes, I'm sorry but I don't think I'm going to find it quite as humorous as the others."
"No, of course not. I would never joke about that," Peter said quickly, holding out his hands defensively.
Steve started picking himself back up from the floor, brushing off his hands as he rose. "You're right about one thing. It is a problem."
"I know, I know. I honestly think I might need to see a therapist for it," Peter said, trying to lighten the mood just a little as he stood up as well.
Steve sighed deeply. He reached out and placed a steady hand on Peter's shoulder. "I know your heart is in the right place, son, and you mean to do good. But unless you can send me back to my own time with your magic wombo mumbo, this isn't a problem that can be solved."
Peter activated his magic with a subtle gesture, pulling both himself and Steve into the mirror dimension. The world around them shifted instantly into a surreal, reflective space. "But that's the thing, Cap. I'm a firm believer that there isn't any problem that can't be solved."
Steve took a cautious step back, looking around at the mirrored environment with wary eyes, his body tensing at the sudden change.
"This is just a precautionary measure to ensure we aren't being monitored or listened in on. You know how spies and the government are," Peter explained quickly, noticing how tense Steve had become. "We're safe to talk freely here."
Knowing that beating around the bush wouldn't help, Peter went straight to the point. "Although I might not be able to send you back to your time, I can rewind Peggy's time so that the two of you can…" Peter interlocked his fingers together meaningfully.
Steve blinked for a moment, tilting his head in visible confusion. "…I'm sorry but I'm not exactly following."
Peter placed a finger over his lips. "I'm going to let you in on a little secret, but you can't tell anyone, alright?"
"So you remember my beautiful and very amazing girlfriend—the one with the white hood and pink and black accents?" Peter said, grinning beneath his mask as Steve lifted a brow. "Well, she's more of a genius than what people really give her credit for, and she has managed to recreate the Super Soldier Serum."
Steve's eyes widened in genuine surprise and disbelief. "Are you serious? You're not pulling my leg, are you?"
"I'm not pulling anything—hairs, fingers, or legs," Peter said, slapping his hands to his sides for emphasis to show he was keeping his hands to himself. "Now do you see where I'm going with this? Theoretically and hypothetically, the serum should be able to rejuvenate most of Peggy's cells so that she ages backwards and returns to the peak of her youth, which should be around the same age as you."
Steve placed one hand over his forehead and the other on his hip as he tried to process everything that had just been laid out. He motioned with one hand toward the mirrored space surrounding them. "The need for all this is really starting to make sense to me now."
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