Chapter Text
Can love really travel back in time and heal a broken heart? Was it our joined hands that finally lifted Maria's curse? I'd like to think so. But there are some things I know for certain: always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can. - Sally Owens (Practical Magic 1998)
.............................................
“Darcy Maria Owens! It had been far too long since you’ve been home.”
“Owens? I thought your last name was Lewis?” Steve tilted his head to look away from the women hovering on the porch steps to meet Darcy’s gaze as he stood in the open door of the car.
“Uh family name. All women born in the family are Owens, no exceptions. My dad’s name was Lewis. It’s...It’s complicated and there might be a few things I haven’t told you. I promise. “Darcy muttered before slamming the car door harder than Steve thought was strictly necessary and marching through the garden gate and along the pathway. Darcy ran up the steps and threw herself into the arms of the aunts. Steve looked equal parts confused and amused as he shuffled through the garden gate awkwardly shutting it behind him with his and Darcy’s suitcases in his hands.
“No spells. No meddling. Steve is my friend, I work with him. Leave him be.” Darcy whispered fiercely to the aunts before turning a bright smile at Steve.
“Whatever do you mean dear? What do you take us for?”
“My aunts. Owens witches. Witches who meddle in people’s lives.” Darcy admonished but she couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face as the aunts shared a look. “Aunt Fran, Aunt Jet this is Captain Steve Rogers. Steve these are my aunts, Frances Owens and Jet Owens, be careful they bite.”
“Oh how we have missed you Darcy. Good evening Captain Rogers.” Jet smiled warmly and reached out to shake Steve hand.
“Thank you ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Please call me Steve.” Steve smiled politely as he juggled the suitcases from hand to hand to enable him to shake the aunts hands.
“Welcome Steven.” Aunt Frances grinned, a wicked glint in her eyes as her eyes swept over Steve. Steve shifted slightly focusing on the bags in his hands and the peeling paint of the wooden porch. “I’m afraid Darcy’s mother isn’t here to meet you” Frances frowned slightly gaze meeting Darcy’s wide blue eyes. “Darcy, why don’t you go and show Steven his room, and put your things away. Jet let’s go brew some tea.”
Darcy shrugged a shoulder, frowning slightly but this was nothing new. Gillian was Gillian after all. She wasn’t really surprised that Gillian had broken another promise and hit the road before Darcy could see her again. “Come on Steve I’ll show you to your room.” Darcy shook off the frown and smiled brightly at Steve before bounding through the door and headed for the stairs leaving Steve to trail after her. Steve glanced around taking in all the exits and entrances of the house absently while resolutely not watching the swing of Darcy’s hips as she climbed up the stairs ahead of him.
..........................................
“Does he look a little familiar to you?” Frances murmured as she closed the door and headed into the kitchen.
“Perhaps. But that ass is something I wouldn’t think you could ever forget. Hmmm...now that you mention it, he does remind me of someone. A long time ago. Skinny little thing. New York....” Jet grinned as she gathered together tea cups and chose a soothing blend of tea.
“That Stark thing. The Expo of Future Technologies in forty-two.”
“Oh my yes. Oh that night....”
“Mmm Sgt James....Brown? Barton? Barnes. Sgt. James Barnes. Oh yes, that was a fun...night. What was his friend’s name? The skinny one...”
“Steve.... It was Steve something. Oh...You don’t think?”
“Mmmmm.” Frances replied as both the aunts looked up at the ceiling as the kettle began to whistle on the stove. “What have you brought us home my darling girl?”