1- Wine and painting class
Steve lowered his head, glancing nervously around the class. So far it seemed no one was paying attention to them, but he couldn't be sure.
"Relax." Ororo's amused voice said from next to him. "The teacher is a friend and everyone is way too busy pretending to be Monet to care about whether or not the extremely attractive man sitting next to me is Captain America."
Steve flushed, rechecking his paints. "How did you convince me this was a good idea?" He murmured. Ororo arched an eyebrow, giving him an amused smile. Right, that was how. She'd smiled at him and he'd been helpless to do anything but agree.
"You were the one who said we should have a date that didn't involve gunfire or impending doom." Ororo said, holding up her paint brush. "Besides. You are going to be excellent at this."
Steve glanced around again. The class had a bar in the back. The point seemed to be for people to socialize while drinking and painting. But as he couldn't get drunk, he was left to be anxious. Ororo took a sip of wine, grinning at him.
"Relax, Steven." She said. "We're only painting a seascape."
An hour into the class and Ororo's good nature had soured. She was glaring at the canvas in concentration. Frustrated, she glanced over at Steve's canvas. "I don't get it." She mumbled. Steve smirked.
"Relax, Ororo." He kissed her cheek. "We're only painting a seascape."
"Why aren't my colors mixing like yours?" She murmured. Steve came up behind her, taking her hand in his.
"It isn't about mixing the colors." He led her hand, guiding her paintbrush. "It's not about copying what the teacher says. You've got to paint what you feel will be beautiful."
Ororo glared at her canvas. "And if it still doesn't look right?"
Steve shrugged. "Then it's abstract." He said simply. Ororo looked at him curiously. Then smirked.
"I can't help noticing..." She pointed to his canvas. "That that isn't part of the lesson." Steve looked where she was pointing and grinned.
"Eyes on your own canvas, Ms. Munroe." He said. Ororo sighed, glaring at her canvas with renewed determination. He watched her with amusement before turning back to his own painting. Every time she tried to look at it, he moved it out of her gaze.
"Steven." She said after the fourth time.
"What would your students say if they could see you now?" He teased. "Copying another person's work." Ororo looked back at her canvas.
"That I always encouraged them to have a healthy curiosity." She replied. He grinned.
At the end of the class Steve wrapped up his painting before Ororo could have a look at it.
Logan was sitting in the living room of the institute when Steve brought Ororo home.
"You said you'd have her home by 11, Spangles." He grunted, lighting his cigar. Ororo scoffed.
"And you said you'd stop smoking-" She walked over and snatched the cigar out of his mouth. "Inside the school."
Logan arched an eyebrow, holding his hand out for her painting. Ororo hesitated before giving it to him. He looked it over.
"Well this ain't walkin away with a ribbon at the county fair." He said. Ororo glared at him.
"It's abstract." She pulled it out of his hands. Steve bit back a laugh.
"How about you, Cap?" Logan looked over at him. Steve put the painting behind his back. He didn't want to show it to anyone but Ororo. And certainly not with an audience.
"It's late." He said, looking at his watch. "I have an early training session."
"Steven." Ororo said, her eyes narrowing. "What are you hiding from me?" He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Now I know it's bad because you'd never show affection in front of Logan."
"Goodnight Ororo." He said, walking out the door. He left the institute, driving out of the grounds. Parking his car outside the walls, he snuck back into the grounds. He slipped into Ororo's room. The window was open, he made a note that he needed to talk to her about that later. Putting the painting on her bed, he hid; waiting for her to enter.
Ororo walked in, pulling off her jacket. Tying up her hair, she was in the process of unbuttoning her blouse when she caught sight of the painting on her bed. She walked over, unwrapping it. He waited, watching. He'd painted the beach, just like the teacher had wanted, but he'd improved it, by adding a tall white haired brown skinned figure in a flowing sundress.
"It's not polite to break into a lady's room." Ororo said. Steve opened the closet door. "What would your mother say?" She didn't look angry. Her eyes sparkled with amusement. Holding up the painting, she said. "Artistic licence?"
"It didn't seem complete." He murmured. She looked back at the painting. He fidgeted. "Like it?"
She tilted her head. "It's beautiful." She said. Steve let out a relieved breath. She looked at him. He gulped; that expression usually meant good but potentially worrisome things. "I feel as though this is mostly speculation." She kissed his cheek, looking back at the painting. "Maybe we should go to an actual beach." She suggested. "And have you paint me there?"
2- Vacation.
Steve was overworked. 2 alien invasions, 1 hydra cell and all the paperwork that went with it had made him...edgy. He shuffled into his apartment in the tower ready to collapse when a noise sent him on alert. He gripped his shield, ready to attack. It was coming from his bedroom. Ignoring the obvious question of how someone could have managed to bypass Stark's security system, he crept towards the slightly open door, ready to attack.
"Put it down, Steven." Ororo's voice came from inside his room. He lowered his shield, opening the door and entering. She had her back to the door and was focused on an open suitcase on his bed. Steve frowned.
"What's this?" He asked, putting his arms around her and leaning his chin on her shoulder. She smelled nice and was clean and warm. He felt his eyes closing.
"We." She said. "Are going on vacation."
Steve's opened. "What?"
"Vacation." Ororo said. "2 days. You and me." She stepped out of his arms and towards his closet. Steve gaped at her.
"Ororo."
"I talked to Tony and he's going to call us only if the world is ending." She continued. "It's summer vacation so there's no classes at the Institute and Jean and Scott should be able to run things without me for 2 days."
Steve stopped her as she carried a pair of pants to his suitcase. "Ororo-"
"No pants." She commented, pressing her mouth into a line and raising her eyebrows. "Interesting choice." She said, giving him a hungry grin. "But I think I can work with it." Steve gulped.
"I..." He said. "I can't just leave-" He protested. Ororo rolled her eyes.
"I just told you Tony would call us if there was an emergency."
"I have..." He struggled to find an excuse. "Paperwork."
Ororo crossed her arms. "JARVIS." She said.
"Yes Ms. Munroe." The AI replied.
"Does Captain Rogers have paperwork that can't be done on a laptop?"
"No, Ms. Munroe." JARVIS replied. "In fact, he unnecessarily prints out reports to fill them out by hand."
"You don't say." Ororo arched an eyebrow, making to go towards the suitcase. Steve stopped her again.
"I..." He frowned. "Don't have a swimsuit."
Ororo grinned. "Even better." He groaned, covering his face. "In fact." She said, turning and tapping her chin with a finger. "I think I might not bring mine."
"Ororo." He grabbed her around her waist, stopping her moving. She looked up at him.
"Steven." She said. "Give me one reason." She put her arms around his neck, pressing her forehead against his. "A valid reason. For us not to take this exceptionally well deserved break."
He ducked his head. "I've..." He hesitated. "I've never really had a vacation before." He admitted. "The most we could afford when I was a kid was a day at Coney Island and even that was hard won...and dangerous with my medical conditions."
Ororo put a finger under his chin and lifted his head up so his eyes met hers. "It sounds like you've just made my argument for me." She stepped out of his arms. "Now are you sure about this no bathing suit thing? Because if so I have some unpacking to do." She grinned as he let out a groan.
Tony's Beach house was ridiculously fancy and full of pictures and statues of the other hero. It gave Steve a headache, but he couldn't deny the perks of the house when he walked outside directly on the private beach. It was a cove, surrounded on both sides by cliffs meaning it was nearly inaccessible to the outside.
The first night he'd basically collapsed, holding Ororo as he fell asleep. She was awake the next morning when he woke up. She was standing in front of the windows, looking at the sea. Steve sat up, watching her. She glanced over her shoulder, grinning at him. "I do believe I've never seen you sleep in."
He shrugged. "I'm on vacation." He grimaced, the words sounding weird to his ears. Ororo laughed.
"Was that painful?" She whispered, walking towards the bed. Steve grinned, scooting forwards and opening his arms. Ororo settled in his lap, giving him a kiss. "How about now?" She asked.
"Oh, I'm suffering." He pulled her closer.
"Suffering?" Ororo teased, brushing her nose against his.
"Uh huh." He pulled her down onto the bed. She let out a laugh, looking up at him.
"Well I am truly sorry for causing you such distress." She ran her hands up and down his arms. "How could I ever make up for my cruelty in dragging you kicking and screaming to a beach front vacation?"
"It's going to be tough." Steve looked at her seriously before nuzzling her neck. "But...I have." He ground down on her, enjoying the way her eyes fluttered closed and her mouth opened "A few ideas.
She hummed. "Me too." She looked at him through lidded eyes. "Meet me outside on the beach." She nipped his neck before wriggling out from under him. Steve yelped in surprise as she got out of bed, her hand coming down on his ass. "Tick tock, Captain Rogers."
Steve rolled onto his back before getting up and sitting up. He opened the suitcase, looking for the bathing suit he'd bought at the airport. He pulled out the clothes, frowning. There was no need to panic. He knew he'd put it in there himself. He looked around, wondering where it could be...then he caught sight of Ororo. She was looking through the window, a look of glee entered her eyes. No...she didn't. She held up the bathing suit, looking at it with mock confusion before tossing it to the ground. Turning, she untied the top of her bathing suit and walked towards the water, tossing aside the fabric. Steve's jaw dropped.
He walked to the door, his face burning with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Looking around for any witnesses (there were none). She stopped at the water's edge. "You coming Steven?" Her fingers toyed with the knots on her bathing suit bottom.
He walked out of the house, grinning as he shed his shirt. He could learn to like this vacation thing.
3 - Argument.
Ororo walked into the Tower, put her hands on her hips. "Where is he?" She asked. Tony, Natasha, and Clint looked at each other.
"Uh..." Tony said.
"Who...?" Clint said.
"In the gym." Natasha picked up a cup of coffee, taking a sip. The two guys looked at her in horror. "What? If she's pissed, he screwed up." She shrugged. "He deserves it."
Ororo nodded, turning to the elevator. When she got out on the gym, she found Steve punching a bag. She stood behind him, waiting. He paused, steadying the bag as it swung on its chain. He took a deep breath. "Ororo."
"Oh, so you've acknowledged my existence." She said. Steve turned around, glaring at her. "Because earlier, it seemed you were content to shut me out."
"I was trying to keep you safe." He turned.
"You were trying to make a decision that had nothing to do with logical tactics and everything with you being over protective."
"Oh really?" Steve glared.
"Yes." She said. "You jumped outside a jet."
"I do that all the time." He insisted.
"Into an explosion?" She asked.
"Well you were-" He stopped. Ororo crossed her arms and he realized he'd inadvertently proved her point. It hadn't been about tactics or even stopping Hydra. A large portion of his decision had originated from him knowing Ororo was in danger.
"I was what...?" She said, tilting her head. Steve shut his eyes before turning back to the punching bag.
"I'm not going to apologize for worrying about you." He said. Ororo looked up at the ceiling.
"I'm not asking you to." She said. "I'm asking you to stop being a pigheaded self righteous-"
"Self Righteous?" Steve turned around. "Where is that coming from?"
"It's coming from the fact that the X-men had it covered." She glared at him. "We didn't need back up, but you had to swoop in."
"You don't know Hydra like I do." Steve said.
"And there it is." Ororo stepped closer, her eyes flashing. "No one understands Hydra like you do. No one can punch them better than you can. You're the star spangled man with a plan. So when us foolish X-men had the audacity to fight off a cell that were running tests on Mutants, one that we'd been surveying for months, by the way-"
"Months?" Steve interrupted. "Why didn't you tell me?" They didn't have secrets from each other.
"Because you tell me everything about all the intelligence the Avengers gathers." She snapped.
"If it had to do with human supremacists, I would have." Steve growled.
"And I know that's not true." Ororo said.
"Yes-" Steve said.
"Last month?" Ororo supplied. Steve hesitated. She was right, of course she was right.
"I told you after." He said. They had suspected it had to do with anti mutant sentiment, but only had the confirmation after destroying the cell. He hadn't wanted to unnecesarilly worry Ororo, or worse, have her insist on getting involved.
Ororo nodded. "The operative word being after." She said.
"You still kept secrets from me." Steve said hotly.
"It was X-men business. You don't see me swooping in with my team when yours is out in the field. Because I trust you and the Avengers to handle yourselves. Do I worry about you? Yes. But I am mature enough to not go running every time you get into a firefight." She held up a hand stopping his protests. "You jumped into the path of an explosion, don't try and tell me you knew what you were doing. I had to distract myself from my mission to make sure you hadn't blown yourself to bits. People could have gotten hurt. People I care about."
Steve stepped away from the punching bag, pulling the tape off his hands. "Ororo-"
"But of course, I suppose not relaying information on a op is truly the problem in." She said. "We don't mix X-men and Avengers business, Steven. We both agreed at the beginning that it would make things too complicated. What's changed?"
Steve swallowed, thinking of the ring he'd bought, that was hiding in his bedside table. The one he'd bought when they'd returned from their vacation, but hadn't figured out how to give to her just yet.
She was waiting for an answer, but he couldn't form the words.
She shook her head. "I have to go home." She turned to leave. Steve knew she was leaving the tower. She meant the Institute.
"So you're just walking away." He said, walking after her. she stopped, shaking her head.
"What is the point of carrying out a conversation where I am doing all the talking?" She glanced over her shoulder.
"Well seeing as you've already made the decision to leave." He growled. "Like you always do." Ororo turned, her mouth open.
"How am I the one at fault here?"
Steve shook his head. "Nevermind." He murmured, backing away. He knew it wasn't fair to ask her to give up the X-men, but until that moment, he never realized how much it hurt to have her leave. She was one of the first things that anchored him to this time. She was the most important...and yet she left him at every opportunity.
She searched his face before shaking her head and going to the door of the gym. She stopped, pausing. "I...I am happy that you are okay, Steven. If I had lost you in that explosion..." She lowered her head before walking out.
They missed each other. He'd call and she'd be busy with institute matters. She'd contact the Tower and he'd be away on a mission. It wasn't that either of them were purposely avoiding each other...they were just missed connections. A week passed.
He looked down at the engagement ring, wondering if he'd ever see it on her finger. He knew he should fight for her, but being back in a place where he could be certain she would say yes. He'd written her a letter but with each passing day that no reply came, he felt colder. "Captain Rogers." He looked up as someone entered his office at the Tower. Sharon Carter gave him small smile. "I tried to knock." She motioned to the door. Steve shut the jewelry box and put it in his pocket.
"What can I do for you, Agent Carter?" He said, sitting up. She looked at the desk where the box had disappeared before launching into an explanation about potential SHIELD cells that had been popping up and the CIA wanting intel on them.
Steve's brow furrowed. "Interesting, but why come to me?"
"Well," Sharon smiled. "You are Captain America..." She tilted her head. "Has no one contacted you?"
"Considering that I made my position on recreating SHIELD extremely clear." Steve said. "I don't think I'm on anyone's contact list."
"Yes..." Sharon said. "But your association with the X-men called that into question."
Steve's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Sharon tossed a file on his desk. "I had them printed out for you." She said. Steve opened the file, hissing as he pulled a picture of him and Ororo, walking in the park, at the airport shopping for a bathing suit, at the painting class, with Misty and Luke... He looked up at Sharon in anger.
"What are these?" He growled, standing and glaring at her.
"The CIA wants to know-"
"The CIA." He growled. "Wants to see whether or not I can give them intelligence about the X-Men." He shook his head. "And they sent you with some lie about SHIELD, no doubt hoping that because of who your aunt is, I'd fold." His brow furrowed. "How stupid do people think I am?"
Sharon kept her expression blank, but Steve saw her fingers twitch towards her pocket. "Captain Rogers." She said slowly. "The CIA agrees with your stance on SHIELD, but the X-Men."
"Are heroes." Steve said. "Just like the Avengers."
Sharon nodded slowly. "Be that as it may, public opinion of them is slightly...less favorable and the Agency wanted to see if there was a means of...opening a line of communication with them."
"By having me use my relationship with Storm to spy on them?" He clenched his fists. "I hope Peggy doesn't find out what her niece is doing because it would break her." He came around the desk, glaring at her. "Let me make something very clear. If I hear of any threat of any kind towards the X-men I will use every resource to make sure that everyone responsible is held accountable." He shook his head. "I didn't like SHIELD operating from the shadows to control heroes. The CIA is no different."
Sharon's face turned red. "We're trying to make sure people are kept safe." She hissed. "This is about more than her getting you off. Or are you so under her control that you can't see that that team and that school are a ticking time bomb."
"When people start throwing baseless accusations about a group of people, relying on propaganda, prejudice, and fear I tend to disagree with them." Steve snapped.
Sharon took a deep breath. "We just...want what's best for everyone."
"Well then." Another voice joined the conversation. Steve looked up, past Sharon to where Ororo was standing in the doorway of his office. She was calm, looking straight at him as she walked into the office, right past Sharon. "The X-men are happy at your offer of help." She crossed her arms. "After all, are we not citizens of this country, deserving your protection?"
Sharon pressed her lips together, turning to Steve's desk to grab the file.
"Leave it." Ororo's voice was commanding and a warning rumble of thunder came from outside. Sharon jumped, her eyes scanning the outside window where the empty, blue sky betrayed no signs of bad weather. Steve stifled a laugh. If Ororo had truly been angry the skies would be blackened with clouds; she was toying with Sharon.
The agent scrambled to leave the room as fast as she could. Steve looked down at her. "We're being surveilled." He said. Ororo gave him an amused look.
"Of course we are." She said, going over to his desk and picking up the file Sharon had delivered. "By the CIA, the NSA, the FBI, the department of Homeland Security, the NRA, the RNC, the Coast guard and..." She looked through the pictures. "The department of Agriculture."
"What?" Steve gaped at her.
"I know, that last one confused me as well." She held up one of the pictures. "Why didn't you tell me this is what my hair looked like that day?"
Steve took the papers from her hands. "Why didn't you tell me we were being surveilled."
"Steve." She said softly. "We are all under a microscope." She motioned outside. "Do you know how many drones I have to blast out of the sky above the Institute every day?" She paused. "You really didn't know?"
The X-men were under constant scrutiny. He had known this, but the team as a whole being under government surveillance was different from her being targeted especially because of him. He sighed. "I did know, I guess-" He hesitated. "I just hate the idea of you being hurt because of me."
Ororo held up a piece of paper. "This came with the morning mail." She looked at it. "I haven't gotten a handwritten letter in a while." She gave him a smile. "And I certainly did not imagine that I would ever receive one from a boyfriend, as an apology." She ran her fingers along the edges. "I've read it more times than I could keep track of." She looked up at him. "It was...beautiful." She put it against his chest. "And while I appreciate the thought and your excellent penmanship, I would prefer to hear this from your lips."
Steve covered her hand, holding it and the letter against his chest. "I love you." He said. "I'm...not really good at expressing myself through words."
"Clearly." Ororo tapped the letter. "You are an utter simpleton." She gave him a shy smile.
"Losing you would be losing the only home I have in this time." He said.
Ororo stepped closer. "Well next time you want to declare undying affection, I would appreciate you expressing it in a way that doesn't take a lengthy period of time to arrive." She leaned closer. "Think of all the ways I could have been expressing my acceptance of your apology this past week." She whispered into his ear, pressing her body against his and grinding slowly.
"You didn't answer my calls." Steve gasped out, feeling flushed.
"And you did not answer mine." Ororo kissed his throat. "Thank you, my love." She whispered. "And I apologize for the things I might have said during our argument."
Steve put his hand under her chin, lifting her face up so her lips could graze his. "There's nothing for you to apologize for." He whispered.
If the next morning a massive hack erased all surveillance on the X-men from every major government agency and Tony's paperwork mysteriously ended up on Steve's desk, then Steve had nothing to say. He was too busy wrapped up in Ororo to deal with such matters.
4- Public outing.
Steve had never understood Tony's insistence on parties. He didn't enjoy being gawked at, poked, and smothered by the guests. Things always got worse after a few drinks. People lost their initial nervousness and approached him...asking questions that were less than complimentary or appropriate.
This time was different. He smiled, looking at the wide berth people were giving him as he walked through the room. Their hesitance at approaching him had nothing to do with his own intimidating reputation...and everything to do with the woman on his arm.
Ororo was enjoying herself, smiling and waving at the other Avengers and various X-men who were at the party.
Whispers followed them. While the other X-men could pass almost undetected, Ororo had no mask...and was quite recognizable. The usually warm atmosphere of the party was markedly different. At least towards him. "Does it bother you?" He whispered in Ororo's ear. She arched an eyebrow. Smiling at a pair of glaring women.
"What? That the people Tony barely knows are judging me?" She waved, causing the women to turn away. "Most of them don't even know who I am." She put her hand on his chest. "The only people's opinions who I care are the ones I love." She pulled him towards the dance floor. "Do you fear me?" She teased.
"You scare the tar outta me." Steve said, putting his hand on her waist and beginning to sway. They weren't really listening to the music pounding from the speakers. He punctuated his statement with a kiss to her forehead. She tilted her head. Tony, of course, chose that moment to sidle up to them.
"Hello, most stunningly attractive couple in this room." He looked around. "Good thing I have insurance, because the two of you are fire."
Ororo wrinkled her nose. "Never say that again."
"Noted." Tony said, taking a sip of his drink. "Your boyfriend has been hiding you from us." He continued. "I almost worried you wouldn't make it to this party."
Ororo gave him a patient smile. "Thank you for having me." She leaned against Steve, her cheek pressed to his. Tony was still watching them. Ororo arched an eyebrow. "Something I can help you with?"
"Yeah." Tony said, waving his hand in front of them. "This...is boring."
Ororo pulled away from him. "Excuse me?" She said.
"This two step the two of you are doing." Tony said. "You're bringing down the mood."
Ororo dropped her arms from Steve's shoulders. "Tony, just admit that you want to see me in action."
"The idea has its perks." Tony wagged his eyebrows. Steve's nostrils flared and it was only Ororo's hand on his arm that kept him grounded.
"Stark." He warned.
"Going to defend your lady's honor?" Tony looked delighted. "Excellent, nothing gets people talking like a throwdown between two Avengers."
"Wouldn't be much of a contest." Ororo said, giving him a forced smile before her eyes flashed white. Tony jumped back."I defend my own honor."
Steve grinned, wrapping his arm around her waist and leaning his chin on her shoulder "I hold her cape."
Tony stepped back, suddenly very interested in something far away from them. Ororo pulled him towards the balcony, away from prying eyes. "I've been doing a lot of thinking." She said. Out of the eyes of the rest of the party goers, their dancing became decidedly less appropriate. She ground against him, grinning as he parted his lips, desperately trying to focus on what she'd said.
"Uh huh?" He gasped.
"I've got a present for you."
He barely heard her words, his eyes darting around the balcony, worried someone would come out and see them. Ororo's hands slid down his chest and deposited something into his pocket. His hips stuttered involuntarily towards her hand. She patted his pocket before pulling away. He frowned, pulling out a key.
"What is this?" He asked.
"The key to my parent's house in Harlem." Ororo said. "After I came to live at the institute, Charles bought it." She was suddenly nervous, a small wind danced around them, lifting Ororo's hair slightly. "I realized that distance has caused strain on us. This way we are close enough to our teams so we can help should an emergency arise, but have a place of our own." She threaded her fingers through his.
Steve looked down at the key, grinning as a feeling of warmth spread through him. "Your childhood home?" He asked.
"Not exactly." She said. "I did not live there long before..." She broke off, but he understood. "We could make it our home." She squeezed his fingers.
Steve grinned. "Can we see it now?"
Ororo looked back at the inside. "And leave this lovely party?" She was teasing, but he could tell she'd been apprehensive about asking him. Lifting his arm, she used it to spin in front of him, before summoning a wind to carry the two of them off the Tower balcony. They rode the winds towards their new home.
5- Moving in together
The apartment in Harlem was actually a brownstone. Luke Cage and Misty Knight lived not too far from the house. Luke had offered to help with the move and Misty had offered to assist Ororo with the watching of the gun show. It was a hot August day and Steve, Sam, and Luke were sweating as they unloaded the moving truck. Ororo and Misty were organizing boxes inside.
"The two of you having fun there?" Luke grunted as he and Steve carried in part of the bedframe. Ororo and Misty were in the kitchen, smothering laughing.
Misty put her hand on her hip. "We are doing a very important job." She said, sticking up her chin.
"And that is?" Sam had come in behind them. "Besides standing there looking fine."
Misty patted the side of her fro while Luke glared over his shoulder at Sam. "Watch it, Falcon." He said. "That's my woman."
"Let him keep talking, Luke." Misty smirked. "He's cute and how can he help it when faced with a Queen like me."
Sam looked over at Luke. "No disrespect, man." He looked around. "It's not my fault that every beautiful sista here is taken."
Ororo shook her head. "Smooth, Wilson. But it won't save you from Luke." She walked over to Steve, examining the bed. "I was thinking the large bedroom on the end of the hall."
Steve nodded. "The one with the large windows and view on the garden." Ororo grinned, giving him a kiss on the forehead. He flushed, his grip on the bedframe slipping slightly. Luke grunted with effort.
"Ro, wait until we put this upstairs before jumpin him." He gasped out. Ororo stepped back.
"She wasn't jumping him." Misty wrinkled her nose. "She barely touched his skin."
"Yeah, but for his time that type of touching would have come with a marriage proposal." Sam said. Steve glared at his friend. A warning gust of wind made him shiver and the grip on his box slipped.
"Storm." Sam pleaded, but Ororo walked back to the kitchen with Misty, laughing. Luke and Steve began going up the stairs.
"Let's leave them, Ro." Misty said. "They are setting up the most important part of the house." Steve frowned in confusion.
"I thought you were plugging in the stove." He called over his shoulder.
"Bed's more important." Misty shouted up. Steve had just made it to the landing and was pulling the bed up.
"Guess it will be nice to have a place to sleep tonight." He remarked, leaning the bed frame against the wall and preparing to go down the stairs. Luke and Sam burst out laughing.
"Yeah." Luke clapped him on the shoulder. "Sleep."
Sam shook his head before following Luke downstairs. Misty had found a radio and was fiddling around with the stations. Ororo was unpacking the plates. Sam jumped to sit on the counter top next to her, nudging her with his elbow. "I was promised food." He said.
Ororo didn't look up from the box. "And here I thought you wanted to help because you're our friend." Sam snorted.
"You grew up with too many white people, Ro." Luke said, leaning his elbows on the counter. Ororo arched an eyebrow at him. "That IOU bull doesn't fly around here." He gave her a smile. She shook her head.
"Sylvia's does catering. I ordered a buffet selection." She looked up from the box and fixed Luke with a look. "Black enough for you?"
Luke shrugged. "It's a start."
Steve looked around. "What's Sylvia's?"
The others laughed. Ororo smiled at him. "It's a famous soul food restaurant." She explained. The doorbell rang. "And that would be them." She put her hand on Steve's back as she passed. "You boys bring up the rest of the bed, we'll take care of serving the plates." She leaned in to whisper. "After all, it is the most important part of the house."
Hours later, Steve collapsed onto the mattress, groaning as soreness spread through his limbs. "Moving is exhausting." He declared. Ororo laughed at him from inside the bathroom.
"Have we found the counter to your super strength?" She asked, amused. "I'll be sure that Hydra never finds out that all they have to do is hand you a few boxes."
"It's more than a few boxes." He groaned, staring at the ceiling, unable to muster enough to roll over and look in her direction.
She came into the room, sitting next to him. "Hi." She said.
"Hi." He said, leaning his hand against her arm. She tangled her fingers in his hair, his eyes closed as he was soothed by her touch. "This is our house." He said, testing the way the phrase felt. "Ours." He repeated, liking the sound. Ororo hummed, her fingers caressing down his throat, over his chest and into his boxers. He let out small moan as he felt his body respond, even as the rest of him was lethargic.
"Ro." He moaned, arching his hips upward. "Don't think I can-"
"Shhh." She kissed his throat, her hand stroking him to hardness. His legs trembled. Her hand was warm and she smelled amazing, Steve groaned, his head, lolling against the pillows. He felt cool air cross his flesh as his boxers were pulled down. Then something warm and wet drew up the side of his dick. He jumped up, looking down in surprise. Ororo winked, pressing her lips to his lower abdomen, nipping his skin. He jerked his hips upward, a small cry of surprise tore from his throat.
"Ro." He groaned. She licked him, slowly cupping his balls. His hand fell to her hair. "Oh...Ro." His eyes shut as he was enveloped in warmth, Ororo's tongue sliding against his length as she swallowed him. It was all he could do not to thrust upwards. She went slowly, her lips soft, her throat warm. His chest was heaving with the effort of keeping still. She was going to make him lose his mind.
She pulled up, straddling his lap. She rocked her hips against his length. She was wet, no doubt enjoying having him completely helpless and at her mercy. He drew his hands up her thighs, pushing her nightdress up.
"Relax" She whispered. "Let me do this." She threw her head back, rocking her hips. The friction of being against her made his head spin. "It is our first night in our house." She lift off, guiding him into her. Her mouth opened and her eyes fluttered closed. "Steve." She clenched. Steve tensed, drawing his legs up. She settled back against his legs, undulating her hips to get him deeper. He could feel himself come alive as they made love. It was tender, heated. He'd always suspected that the serum had made his skin more sensitive, but feeling Ororo's body flush against his as they moved together was almost too much to bear. She was moving faster, her mouth open as she drove her hips hard against his, clenching around him as wetness coated their thighs. She arched her back, her head falling backwards. Only his arms held her up as she trembled, her pleasure making her cry out.
Steve felt his breath leave his lungs as she brought her head back up, her eyes opening, completely white. Outside a light rain fell. Steve's head swam as he thrust upwards, moving faster and faster until-
"RO." He lifted her up, as he partially came off the bed. His body shaking as he pumped into her. He collapsed, Ororo settling on top of him. Lying back, he held her close. She kissed his collarbone.
"Hi." She whispered, her breathing still heavy. He could hear her heart hammering in her chest as she came down from her orgasm. He stroked her back.
"Hi." He let out a breath, grinning down at her lazily. She rolled over, extracting herself from his hold. He reached for her, frowned as she stood. Her nightdress sliding down to cover her bare ass. "Where-" He began. She grinned.
"Don't move." She stretched, walking, shakily he noted, to the bathroom. "I'm going to get a wash cloth and clean us up." She opened the door. "Time to open up one of those many boxes you so heroically brought up." There was the sound of a box opening.
Steve shook his head. "Truly my most important accomplishment." He said, looking at the ceiling. Ororo didn't respond. He frowned, then bolted upright. The bathroom box. That was were he'd hidden the... He jumped out of bed, rushing to the bathroom. Ororo was sitting on the closed toilet, the box of wash cloths and towels opened in front of her. As he came into the room, she pulled out a towel that unrolled. Out fell a black jewelry box. It cracked open, the content clearly visible to Ororo who was directly above the open box. She gasped. Steve's lungs constricted. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. She reached down, picking up the box, bringing it up so she could see better. His pulse hammered in his ears.
She pulled the ring out of the box, holding it up and looking at Steve, large sky blue eyes, wide.
"I-" He began. "This wasn't how I wanted to ask."
A smile broke out on her features as she stood, her arms wrapped around his neck as her lips fell on his.
