[11:30 PM]

"Who fracking programmed this? Fargo?" Claudia shouted at the TV screen, furiously pressing buttons and shaking the controller. "I mean seriously-" She stopped, mid-rant, to yawn. What time was it anyway? She leaned her head against the back of the sofa. Maybe if I just close my eyes for a second, I'll be able to beat the boss and go to bed.

[12:30 AM]

Steve rubbed his eyes as he made his way downstairs. He stopped suddenly, noticing the light emanating from the living room. Steve could hear the faint sound video game title music looping in the background. "Not again." He half-sighed, half-laughed.

He had been on his way to get a glass of water, but that would wait until later. Steve made his way into the living room and found Claudia asleep on the couch. The controller had fallen slightly out of her hand. She was curled up in amongst the couch cushions, knees brought to her chest. Her breathing was slow and rhythmic. Steve stared at her for a moment- the only time she looked peaceful was when she was asleep.

Steve gently took the controller out of Claudia's hand and carefully removed the cushion that was covering her up. She stirred slightly and Steve froze. Don't wake up, don't wake up. Claudia halfway brought herself to consciousness. "mm onemorelevel." She mumbled, eyes barely open.

Steve couldn't help but smile- she reminded him of Livi when she would stay up too late. "Come on Claude, let's go upstairs." He rubbed her shoulder gently.

"But it's warm here!" She protested, her face buried in one of the 25 pillows she had encased herself in.

"Here, I'll give you a piggy back ride." Steve smiled encouragingly.

He attempted to pull one of the pillows off of Claudia, but she gripped it tight and fervently tried to keep him from removing it. "You've got work in the morning. Come on. You'll thank me in the morning."

"You'll be dead in the morning." Claudia muttered under her breath as she sat up. Steve sat on the edge of the sofa and motioned for her to get on his back. Reluctantly, she wrapped her legs around his waist and arms around his neck. He wasn't nearly as warm as her sofa nest, but she'd survive.

Steve stood up, barely adjusting for Claudia's weight. "Geeze, you're light!" He exclaimed.

"I'm out of sarcasm. It's what weighs me down." She said with a slight laugh.

Steve headed toward the stairs. "Why do you have to live up at the top of the tower, Hawkeye?" He asked grudgingly.

"You and I both know that I would be Tony Stark." Claudia chuckled, squeezing her arm against him lightly. Steve merely nodded in agreement.

He could feel Claudia slipping back into sleep, and held her hand to account for her sinking weight. Steve felt her auburn hair brush against his neck as her head rested on his shoulder. Her breathing returned to the slow and steady pace it had been on the couch.

As Steve approached her bedroom door, he reached out for the handle, hoping it wouldn't squeak like everything else in the house. The door opened silently and Steve walked over to her bed, pulled back the covers, and gently sat Claudia down. He unclasped her hands from around his neck and moved her legs, catching her as she fell backwards. Steve lifted her with ease and placed her head on her pillow, carefully brushing her hair out of her face and an involuntary smile spread across her face. He pulled the covers back over her and smiled.

"Goodnight Li- Claude.." Steve whispered as he closed the door behind him.