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It was a pretty normal, boring morning at the tower.
Bob and Lena had just woken up and were throwing cereal across the kitchen, each trying to get it in the other's mouth.
"I swear, sometimes I think my son is more mature than you two," John said, shaking his head.
John scooped the last of the waffles he'd made onto a plate and set it on the kitchen table, ready for breakfast.
"It's not our fault it took you forever," Lena said.
"And I just broke my record," Bob said. "It's 10 to 5."
"Only five?" John said, chuckling. “That's really not enough for someone whose job requires perfect aim.”
“First of all, these aren't bullets,” Lena said, with a hand on her hip. “And besides, your boyfriend keeps moving. It's not fair.”
“Why is he only my boyfriend when he doesn't do what you want?” John asked, still laughing.
Bob set the orange juice down on the table with a grimace.
“I'm the Golden Guardian of Good, I won't stand being accused of cheating,” he said, sounding offended.
“Okay, Golden Guardian of Good,” John said, kissing his hair. “I also got out some blueberries and strawberries for the waffles, if you want them.”
“Thanks, baby,” Bob said, kissing the hand he'd left on his shoulder.
Lena was glaring at them, a couple of waffles already on her plate as she stared at them over her cup of coffee.
“Why don't you ask me if I want strawberries, too?” she asked. “Don't you love me anymore?”
“I'm sorry,” John said, handing her the bowl of fruit he'd just cut. “I also cut up some bananas, Miss Belova, since I'm not stupid and I know you prefer bananas over your waffles while Bob loves strawberries.”
“You remembered?” Lena said, giggling. “I feel very loved.”
“Welcome to my life,” Bob said, chuckling.
Just then, Ava came in with a stack of mail in her hand.
“It's the 21st century,” she said. “I don't understand why they still have to waste paper when email exists.”
“Good morning, sunshine,” Lena said. “You're in time for Walker's breakfast.”
“Thanks,” Ava said. “I haven't even had time for coffee yet.”
“I would have never thought,” Lena said, making the other two laugh.
“So,” Ava said, passing the stack of mail she was holding, “Bucky's History Magazine and Your Cosmopolitan, Lana.”
“Oh, great,” Lena said, still with food in her mouth.
“Your dad was chosen for jury duty,” Ava said, giggling.
“Oh my God, I hope it’s not like last time.”
“Bobby, they finally got your GSA final exam back.”
“Oh, finally,” Bob said. “I didn't think it would take them this long.”
They were silent for a few seconds as Ava, her brows furrowed, read the last envelope.
When she started giggling, the other three turned.
“Jonathan?” she asked. “Isn't your name John?”
John looked confused, then laughed, sipping his coffee.
“Oh yeah, didn't I ever tell you?” he said. “John for short, but it's really Jonathan.”
“Jonathan?” Lena asked. “Oh, I'll make fun of you until your last day on this earth, you can count on that.”
“That's why I didn't want to tell you.”
“I think it's cute,” Bob said. “Jonathan and Robert. We almost seem like serious people.”
“They're boring,” Lena said. “I prefer Bobert and Walki-Walker.”
“Only you call us that,” John said.
“That's why they are cute.”
“And the F?” Ava asked. “What's your middle name?”
“Let's see if you can guess,” John said, smiling.
“Oh my God, I don't know either,” Bob said. “You never told me.”
“It's bound to be something boring,” Lena said. “Like Frank or Francis.”
“Jonathan Francis Walker,” Ava said, grimacing.
“Maybe it's something nicer,” Bob said. “Something big. Like Fitzwilliam.”
“Sorry to ruin your dreams like this, honey,” John said, smiling at him. “But just because you just finished Pride and Prejudice, again, that doesn't make me Mr. Darcy.”
“A boy can dream,” Bob said. “And I'm definitely Lizzie.”
“Who am I?” Lena asked. “I just found out there's a series with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, we have to see it.”
“Oh yeah,” Bob said. “The 1995 BBC one. He was also in the Barbie movie.”
“Back to the point,” Ava said. “I still think it's boring, but it would be cool if it was something like Jonathan Fucking Walker.”
“Jonathan Frederick Walker,” Bob said, smiling.
“Jonathan Felicia Walker,” Lena said instead, earning a grimace from John.
“Okay, all good attempts,” John said. “I’ll tell you if you tell me yours.”
“Elizabeth,” Ava said, smiling. “Pretty standard.”
“Ava Elizabeth Starr,” John said. “I like it.”
“I don’t have one that I know of,” Lena said, shrugging. “I should ask Alexei if there was any documentation about it when they paired us up.”
“I don’t have one either,” Bob said. “It’s a good thing my parents remembered to give me just a name.”
They sat in silence, waiting, while John continued eating, keeping them on tenterhooks.
“What?” he asked. “Do you really want to know?”
“I can always hack Valentina’s system to find out,” Lena said.
“Okay,” John said resignedly. “Francis. My middle name is Francis.”
“Francis?” the other three asked in unison.
“I knew It” Said Lena.
“Jonathan Francis Walker,” Bob said. “That’s cute.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Lena said.
“You’re never going to stop, are you?”
“Not a chance.”
When Bucky entered the kitchen, they were still laughing.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“Did you know Walker’s full name is Jonathan Francis Walker?” Lena asked, laughing.
“Francis, huh?” Bucky asked, laughing. “I never thought you would be a Francis.”
“Very funny, Buchanan,” John said. “They’re both the names of my respective grandfathers. Two great men, if you ask me.”
“Buchanan?” Ava asked incredulously.
“Where do you think the nickname Bucky comes from?” John asked, smiling.
“Sam?” Bucky asked, raising an eyebrow.
“He gets really talkative after a couple of beers,” John said, smiling into his mug.
And with that, the girls finally forgot his name.