thequitecontrary

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steve trevor

Reunion

After Mary's engagement to Richard Carlisle officially ended, she and her family thought it would be best for her to spend some time in New York with Cora's family. They didn't know if Richard would print the story about Mary's scandal with Pamuk. Now that the engagement was off, he had every right to. At least in New York the news, if it got there, wouldn't cause such a sensation. She would weather any storm while in America and then return to Britain after it blew over. Mary was planning on it being the duration of the summer.

The only person from Downton that went with her was Anna, being Mary's most trusted companion. The trip across the Atlantic was long, but they finally arrived and were taken with all of Mary's luggage to her uncle Harold Levinson's mansion on 5th Avenue. She knew that spending a few months with her uncle and grandmother, who also lived in the house, would be entirely different than living at Downton. They were not nearly as formal, something that drove the Dowager crazy, but Mary thought she might find refreshing for once. She just hoped that Anna would be alright with it.

One night soon after her arrival, there was a charity benefit for American war vets hosted by one of the wealthy families of Manhattan. It was a chance for vets to hobnob with the rich and for the rich to make sizeable donations to veteran organizations. There were several heavy hitters there, people with last names like Vanderbilt and Astor. Martha, being the schemer that she was, saw this as a perfect opportunity to introduce her newly single granddaughter to some wealthy American men.

Mary was holding court with about three of them, two of them much older than her and one closer to her age. She didn't find any of them to be particularly spectacular, beyond being wealthy. Having just ended an engagement due to lack of love, she wasn't so ready to jump into another one with someone she merely tolerated. But she smiled and engaged in polite conversation at least. That would make Martha happy.

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Parties like this were nothing Steve was used to. He could be there and look like he fitted in just fine, mind, but a lot of it was thanks to his training as a spy, to knowing how to put on a good show, to learn how to dress, walk and talk like someone who he wasn't. But he didn't truly feel like himself, nor did he feel particularly comfortable there.

Then again, after the war was over and he came back to New York, precious little made Steve feel comfortable. A crowded room, no matter how large and luxurious it was, wasn't among those few things. Still, he donned a good suit, nothing too expensive but nothing that made him stand out in a bad way, combed his hair more neatly than he could remember doing in the last few years, and put on his best smile as he tried to make at least entertaining conversation with anyone who approached him.

He hadn't been particularly affected by the war, not even mentally, but he knew not all the officers had been as lucky. Some suffered from constant nightmares or visions, others had been injured for life, lost limbs or ended up on a chair or a bed for the rest of their lives. Steve was here for them more so than himself, knowing that he could put his efforts into something after the war, too. Helping those who had taken the greatest hit to recover and regain at least some of their dignity and their lives back.

New York was the farthest he expected to be reminded of Downton, though. It flickered through his mind when he crossed paths with Anna, of all people, and he stared at her in confusion. She didn't recognize him, and why would she, really? But his heart nearly leapt up his throat when his mind made the connection almost immediately, and despite his best efforts, he spent the next fifteen minutes studying the room and every single face at that party with far too much attention.

He only needed to see Mary's profile, her stance and motions far too easily recognizable to him. She was talking to some evidently wealthy men, so really, Steve should not interrupt, as that would be incredibly rude of him.

But also, after half a minute of waiting, he couldn't care any less if those men did consider him rude.

Hands clasped behind his back, he stepped closer, enough that two of the men looked up to him, his own eyes landing on Mary. He was standing just to her side, a few feet between them, but hopefully enough that he should be at least a figure at the corner of her eye.

If that wasn't enough for her to look up, then his greeting would have to do.

"It's a small world, Lady Mary."

Mary was confused when two of the men that she was speaking to looked up at the person behind her. At first she thought it was another wealthy man come to throw his hat into the ring, but when she heard Steve's voice, she turned around in disbelief.

She could scarcely believe that he was here in the flesh in front of her after all of this time. Her heart stopped for a brief moment in time and then she grinned like she hadn't in months.

"Major Trevor! Oh, how lovely it is to see you." Mary wanted to reach out and throw her arms around him, but she restrained herself, instead only grabbing his hands and squeezing them tightly.

Even as she smiled at him, it felt almost surreal to see her here. It had been months since he had left Downton— the roses had still been blooming during the spring then, and the war had only ended when November came. Christmas had passed in the meantime, one which Steve had spent on his own, and the first month of the new year was just now drawing to a close.

He had come to terms with never seeing her again. He thought he had, at least. But he couldn't quite control the way his heart pounded nervously, or how wide his own grin was when he mirrored her own, his very eyes wrinkling at the corners.

"As it is you," he managed in an even voice, his fingers curling around hers without thought. The men that Mary had been talking to didn't seem particularly thrilled by a complete stranger interrupting their little moment, though, and Steve looked at them with an apologetic smile. "I... didn't mean to interrupt, I'm sorry. I can wait until you have a bit of time to catch up."

Well, he wasn't quite sorry, nor particularly patient. But he also didn't want to be rude or sour the mood of the party just because he couldn't wait a little while to talk to her.

"No, not at all," Mary said, turning back to the men she had been speaking with. "Gentlemen, Major Trevor convalesced at my home in England during the war. If you will excuse us, we have a lot of catching up to do." She didn't feel that she was missing out by ending her conversation with them.

They did look a bit dumbfounded as she walked away, her hand in the crook of his elbow. "You don't know how happy I am to see you," Mary said, still grinning at him. He was alive. He had made it through the war after all.

[ps I set this in summer if that's ok.]

He couldn't lie, he was particularly pleased that she so promptly dismissed the other man and basically ignored them in lieu of spending some time with him. The party wasn't the gardens at Downton, with quiet corners or secluded areas, but still he hoped they could find a more deserted spot somewhere where they could talk without having to worry about prying eyes or ears.

At least he tried not to look too smug as he smiled at the men, tipping his head at them before they were turning around and walking away from them. "I have some idea," he answered under his breath, letting his hand rest on hers where it held to the crook of his elbow. "I didn't expect to find you in New York of all places. What brings you here?"

[ works for me! you could have told me and i'd have edited no problem, but as it is we can just ignore that bit of meta. ]

She had no qualms about walking away from those men. In essence, Steve had saved her from what probably would have been a very boring evening. Mary didn't feel that she was missing out on anything.

Besides, she would much rather spend the time with Steve. Knowing that he was alive made her happier than she would have imagined.

"I am visiting my uncle. Mr. Harold Levinson, as well as my grandmother." Mary scanned the party for a moment, and then pointed her uncle out. "There." He was talking with a group of his colleagues. Mary tried to find Martha, but was unsuccessful.

[I probably should have, but it honestly doesn't bother me that much, haha]

He was happier to see her than he could put to words. He had always thought, even after the war had been over, that time would eventually make him forget the minor details about her, and that maybe that would've been for the best. But now that he got to see her smile again, and got to hear her voice, he was more relieved than he could put to words that he had been wrong.

"Ah," he looked over and nodded, not recognising the man. Not that that was much of a surprise. America may be more of a melting pot when it came to different social classes and upbringings, but still Steve didn't exactly belong to the same circles as the wealthier people at this party.

With a hint of apprehension, he went on to ask. "And... what about Richard? Is he here with you too?"

For the first time since they had reunited, Mary's smile faltered a bit. "Richard and I ended our engagement a few weeks ago," she said. She imagined he might be happy to hear that. While he had remained polite and had not said anything directly, she could tell during her last conversation with Steve that he disapproved of the idea of marrying without being in love. Over time, Mary had come to see his side.

"And you," she continued, "you are alive. You seemed so sure that you wouldn't make it through the war."

"You did?" Steve said with no small amount of surprise, unable to keep back the genuine smile that took over his features upon hearing that. He was happy, yes, and not only because it meant she wasn't trapped in a loveless marriage. Maybe it was a little selfish of him, but... well, he didn't care. He liked knowing that she was single after all, even if in her social circle he was probably as unsuitable a match as could be.

But then they weren't in Britain anymore, so.

"Guess there must've been a really good reason for me to be spared," he said, his gaze warm. "How long are you staying?"

His smile was lovely and it made her happy to see it. He definitely seemed more relaxed now that the war was over. "Nearly the whole summer," she replied. "I... needed to get away." There were reasons for that other than her breakup, but it wasn't appropriate to share right then. "Do you live in New York now?"

He was genuinely happy that peace had been achieved, no matter how brief it might end up being. For once things seemed to be quiet, even if Steve knew there was much of the world still devastated by the war, Europe especially. America almost felt like a small Heaven by comparison.

"I do. For the foreseeable future, anyway." He didn't really have missions he got assigned to, now that the war was over. In many ways he was still trying to find out what to do with his life, but he was and would always be an Air Force officer, so. Guess he'd be doing something related to that.

"If you're staying that long, we... could spend some time together. If you'd like to."

"I would love that, Steve," Mary said without hesitation. "I never imagined that I would know someone here other than my family and Anna." They may have been from different social classes. but she knew that it was more fluid in America. Besides, as mentioned, she knew hardly anyone here. No one would judge who she was spending her time with. Well. Martha might have a few things to say, but she was much more liberal than Mary's family back home. "Perhaps you can give me a tour of the city. Are you working, now that the war has finished?"

He was honestly surprised that she agreed to it so promptly, but also found himself especially excited about the times ahead, now that he had something to look forward to.

"I'm a flight instructor. It's nothing too exciting, but I like that." And he was still an Air Force officer, after all. They didn't just stop recruiting because the war was over. There had been talks about him going to West Point but for now, the city was where he'd be. "Oh, I'm a Lieutenant Colonel now. Still feels pretty much the same, but... thought I should mention it."

"Oh, look at you and your fancy promotion," Mary teased with a smile. She wanted to ask him about the war, about where he had been, but the orchestra had just started a waltz and now was not the time.

"The last time I saw you, I recall you mentioning how good of a dancer you are," she said with a raised eyebrow.

He let out a soft chuckle, ducking his head a little. He wasn't bragging exactly, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't proud of it anyway. He had done his best in that war, he had tried to make the right choices too, and he was glad to see that rewarded to some degree. Not everyone had had the same luck.

Looking up as the waltz began, he shook his head, looking slightly more nervous now. "Ah— I was joking, mostly," he cleared up. "I mean I don't— the steps and everything, I don't know that. I'd make you look bad."

Not that he minded making it up as they went along, but he also knew that it would inevitably end up with people looking their way. He wasn't really sure Mary would welcome that kind of attention.

Mary gave him a look, chiding him for his exaggeration. He was right that she did not wish to attract a lot of attention, particularly the embarrassing kind. However, she did want to dance with him. She debated a solution.

There was a set of French doors that opened onto a balcony where much fewer people were mingling. Mary was sure that they would still be able to hear the orchestra out there. She gave a tug on his arm.

"Come with me."

Steve wasn't really the kind to get easily embarrassed, as was any modern American man's wont. But it was another thing entirely for her to experience that same kind of attention. He knew she was a lot more private and sensible to what other people might think of her. Of them, for that matter.

So when she seemed to think of an alternative, he was all too happy to follow her, smiling as he willingly stepped outside. It was a warm summer evening and the light breeze didn't bother him much, and he turned to her once they were in a quieter area, offering a hand out to her. "At your own peril."

"You can't possibly be that bad," Mary said as she turned to him. She helped him get into dance frame with one of his hands on her back and the other clasped in hers.

"Now, if you wish for me to lead for a bit, I can, and then you can take over once you get the hang of it." The balcony was bathed in dim light, the few couples standing outside paying them no attention. "All waltzes are in three, so you simply have to count in your head as you do the steps. Follow me. One, two, three, one, two, three..."

She counted quietly to him as she showed him how to move in time with the music.

[Sorry for disappearing tonight. Family shit happened and I ended up on the phone for 2 and a half hours. -__________-]

"You won't be saying that after I nearly step on your toes," he teased. Nearly, of course, because he still had quick enough reflexes to avoid her feet or, worse came to worst, lift her up from the ground. Though he would avoid that solution, at least in the middle of this party.

He knew how waltzes worked, at least, even if it had been a very long time since he'd danced one. He stepped closer and followed her steps, a little behind on pace at first, but slowly catching on until they were moving more or less easily with each other, keeping to the pace of the music.

[ no worries <3 I should be asleep but my brain won't shut down for some reason haha. sneaking in a tag and hoping that'll help. ]

"There we are," she said. "You haven't stepped on my toes yet."

It was a bit strange to be leading the dance, as she most often did not. Formal dancing was something that all young people of her social status learned. It hadn't really occurred to her that Steve might never have been taught.

Being this close to him was nice though. Mary would much rather dance with Steve than with any of the other men at the party. Out here it was like they were in their own little world.

"Only because you're going easy on me," he huffed. He had a feeling that Mary likely could dance the waltz a lot faster and more fluidly than this, still he welcomed that she was taking her time and easing him into it.

Once he felt a little surer of the steps, he shifted into a leading stance, but for the most part she was still carrying the rhythm. He did pull her closer, though he didn't quite press their bodies flush together, even if he wanted to. Maybe some other time, when there weren't quite as many people around.

He was doing well enough, honestly. She welcomed both his taking the lead and pulling her a bit closer.

Mary looked out over his shoulder at the skyscrapers of the city, lit up for the evening with a thousand lights. "I've always liked New York," she told him. "It's second to London, of course, but it seems like such an exciting city. It felt like we were on an adventure when I used to visit as a girl."

Coming from the quiet peacefulness of the English countryside, large cities were places of wonder.

Moving them about so he could look over the city as well, he stole a glance at the skyscrapers, smiling at the remark. He also slowed down their pace, because as much as he enjoyed dancing with Mary, he also wanted to be able to talk to her.

"It can still be an adventure now, can't it?" He asked as he tipped his head at her. "We're never too old for that, you know."

"I suppose it can," she replied. "You haven't had enough adventure in your life?" Mary smiled at him. There were a lot of things that she wanted to see and do on her trip to New York, and she was glad that she might have a companion to do them with now. She wasn't sure what her uncle and grandmother would think about that person being Steve, but she could worry about that later.

"Are you happy here?"

"Should I?" He shrugged, pursing his lips. "Plenty of adventures I haven't experienced yet, so I don't see why I wouldn't want to." Adventure didn't always have to mean danger or potential death, after all. That he had had enough of, yes.

He considered her question for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I'm... at peace. That's all I could ask for."

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