Chapter Seven
"Stop dropping it in water," Howard told Bucky as he tinkered over the soldier's gun.
"I'm not doing it on purpose," Bucky insisted. "Can't you make it so water won't damage it?"
"I'm working on it," Howard answered with a sigh. "Beth says she has some ideas, but she looks preoccupied to me…"
The two men turned to where Bethany was sitting on Steve's bike, laughing at something Steve—who was leaning against the wall—said.
"I wish they would just hook up already so her focus could be back on work."
Bucky shook his head, "You'd think something would've happened already. Especially after what happened on the mission."
"What? What happened?" Howard asked turning his full attention over to Bucky.
Bucky raised an eyebrow, surprised that no one had told him. Of course, there was only the four of them that knew it happened and Steve had threatened both Bucky and Dum Dum. "They… slept together. Not like together together, but she was cold, and he kept her warm. With his body heat. They kept their unmentionables on however."
Howard leaned back against the table, crossing his arms. "Really?"
"Good thing Steve woke up before Bethany," Bucky concluded. "I've never seen anyone with a morning glory quite like that before. If you don't mind me saying, I mean."
Howard turned back to where Steve and Bethany were, Bethany leaning over the engine of the motorcycle, replacing some gears, Steve standing behind her playing with her hair. Despite the fact that she was his sister, he would never be overprotective of what she decided to do with her body. They had agreed long ago that she held full responsibility over it.
"No," Howard assured. "She's my sister, but I know how men react to her. Even when she's not trying."
"She's breathtaking. Even if she wasn't so utterly beautiful, there's an air about her. All that charm. Hard to say no, even when she's the one deciding for you."
Howard nodded, "I know. The amount of men I've had to pull away from her over the years because they won't back off? More than should be possible."
"Steve was good though," Bucky promised. "Comforted her. Made sure she was warm, but didn't dare take advantage of her."
"Which is why he's good for her. He'll let her be in charge," Howard explained. "She just doesn't see that she loves him."
"I think she knows, but won't admit it. Just look at her," Bucky said with a head nod towards them. Bethany had jumped up on Steve's back, trying to recover the wrench he was holding high above his head. "She keeps insisting that there's nothing between them, but there clearly is."
"Yeah, and their clothes clearly isn't it," Howard answered. "I'll talk to her."
Bucky nodded. "Good, because I can't see him pine after her any more. It's painful. He could have anyone, and the one he wants the most is unknowingly pulling him on a string."
"Hey Beth!" Howard called out, catching her attention. She slid off Steve's back, quickly making her way over. Bucky made his way over to Steve, distracting him so the Stark siblings could have some privacy.
"What's wrong?" Bethany asked cocking her head.
"Nothing," Howard said with a shrug. "Just wanted to ask what you were doing."
Her eyebrows furrowed together. "I thought it was obvious. I'm updating the gears on Steve's-"
"No, you weren't. You and Steve were fooling around."
One of her shoulders quirked up. "Okay, so maybe we were having fun. I didn't know that I was on a schedule. Or under scrutiny."
Howard pushed his hands into his pockets. "Beth, do you realize what you're putting that boy through?"
"Excuse me?" Bethany asked, all traces of happiness slipping away like a balloon string through a child's fingers.
"Do you not see it, Beth? See how much he loves you? How much he wants to be with you? And all you do is led him on-"
"I do not," Bethany insisted, quickly growing upset.
"No? Because you two are surely acting like a couple. And what's this I hear about you stripping down and sleeping next to him? Because if that's not stringing someone along, I don't know what is."
"You better stop talking about things you don't know about," Bethany warned, clenching her fists together. "And better yet, stop being a hypocrite. You do the exact same thing, making a girl feel special and then moving on?"
"But you aren't moving on," Howard stressed. "This has been going on for far too long for it to be like me. Don't you get it?"
"You can't tell me what to do."
Howard gave a dry chuckle. "No, maybe I can't. But you're putting him through the exact same thing that Jaso-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," She sternly said between clenched teeth. "Or I swear-"
"What Beth? What'll you do?" She shook her head and went to turn around, feeling her anger wrapped around her like a cape. "You know I'm right Beth. You're doing the same thing to him as Jason did to you."
That is when she lunged for him.
"You two looked close," Bucky said wandering over to Steve. The man just dug his hands into his pockets. "What? You've got nothing to say?"
"I don't really know what to say, to be honest Buck," Steve admitted.
Bucky patted his back. "Well, how does it feel? To have her be so comfortable around you."
Steve let a small smile tug at his lips. "Really good."
"I can tell," Bucky replied, turning the handles of Steve's bike. "She makes you happy."
"She makes everyone happy," Steve said turning to watch his best friend.
Bucky chuckled, flipping some hair out of his view. "Yes, but she makes you happy in a different way. Why don't you just tell her?"
"That she makes me happy?" Steve asked, raising an eyebrow.
Bucky rolled his eyes at Steve's incompetence towards women and the subject of wooing one. "More than just that. That you think she's amazing, beautiful, funny, smart-"
"Why don't you tell her that?" Steve asked, shifting around awkwardly. "I mean, everyone knows it's true. She's all that and more."
"You don't get it, do you?" Bucky said with exasperation. "It's as clear as the star on your shield. You're in love with her. And lately, men have been backing off her. I know you've noticed that too. They don't flock her like they once did. Because they know that you love her."
Steve took in a heavy sigh. "I don't want to take the chance and ruin our friendship."
Bucky shook his head in an attempt to hold back his frustrated laughter. "Steve, you finally find a girl who likes you for who you are. Who believes in you. And what, you don't want to ruin your friendship?"
"Stay out of it, Bucky," Steve cautioned.
"Not until you admit to yourself that it's idiotic."
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," they heard from across the room. "Or I swear-"
"What Beth?" Howard yelled back at her in such a casual way, it was almost like they didn't know that they were full out yelling at each other, and everyone was watching. "What'll you do?"
"I've never seen them like this," Bucky whispered to Steve.
Steve's brows furrowed as Bethany turned around to walk away, shaking her head. She was fuming. "You know I'm right Beth. You're doing the same thing to him as Jason did to you."
In a blink of an eye, Bethany had turned around and lunged at Howard, throwing the two of them to the ground. Steve and Bucky acted fast as Bethany and Howard rolled around on the ground, Howard holding Bethany's wrists so her attempts to punch him were foiled.
"Hey, hey hey!" Steve yelled as he wrapped his arms around Bethany's waist. "Hey calm down!" He ordered her, only to have her continue thrashing and throwing insults every which way at Howard, some in languages Steve didn't recognize.
Bucky helped Howard to his feet, who swayed slightly and touched the side of his lip where blood shone bright. "What the hell?!" Bucky asked the siblings.
"Let me GO STEVE!" Bethany yelled, her feet kicking in the air as Steve tightened his grip.
"Not until you cool down," Steve instructed, hiking her over his shoulder, carrying her like a sack of potatoes. Her kicks in the air intensified as she struggled to turn out of his grip.
"ROGERS. LET. ME. GOOOO!" She screamed, fists banging on his back. Steve's only response was turning around and leaving the lab, her protests loud and clear.
He knew exactly where he was heading for. A place for her to cool down. People around the halls watched the spectacle, not sure how to respond. They had never seen the girl, or any girl, react in such a way.
When Steve finally reached the communal showers, he opened up the door and commanded everyone to get out. The men in the showers turned to see him, with Bethany over his shoulder screaming and quickly gathered what they could, many running out with just a towel around their waists.
"STEVE!" Bethany screamed again as he walked underneath a shower, turning on the cold water. It streamed down around them as Steve let her down from his shoulder, holding her up against the wall.
"COOL DOWN!" he yelled over her protests. The water was freezing and while it didn't effect Steve like her, it was still uncomfortable.
Soon, Bethany's screams faded away and she stood there, under Steve's grip, shivering from the cold water. Steve's gaze was on her intently, searching for any sign that she was ready to break away and find Howard. Instead, he noticed tears.
He reached around her, turning off the water and letting Bethany slip down the wall, curling into a ball. Steve sat down next to her, wrapping his arms around her as her body began to convulse with every tear.
"S-sorry," she stuttered, her voice hoarse. "I just-"
"Shhh," Steve responded quickly, rubbing her arms in attempt to smooth out the goose bumps. "It's alright."
"No, it's not," she snapped, her head following suit. "I lost my temper. I embarrassed myself in front of everyone. Showed them that I'm nothing but an emotional little girl."
Steve went to tell her she was wrong, but knew that even him saying so wouldn't change the situation. "Maybe just a little."
Bethany gave him a weak smile, his tone clearly trying to cheer her up. "He just…" she let out a deep breath, moving to rest her head on his shoulder.
"What did he say?" Steve asked quietly, resting his chin on her head. "You two have fought before, but never like that."
Bethany, remembering what sparked the conversation, slipped out of Steve's arms, standing up, shivering madly. "Come here," Steve said, standing up, offering his warmth.
She took a step back, holding out a hand to distance herself. "Just…" Bethany trailed off, brow wrinkled, biting the inside of her cheek.
She was fighting some inner turmoil, Steve could tell. But more than just that, her anger was slowly coming back to the surface. "What did he say?" Bethany lowered her hand, wrapping her arms together to try and warm herself up. "Beth, talk to me."
"I can't," she said quietly.
Steve crossed his arms over his wet clothes. "Is it about Jason?" When she didn't react at all, he knew he was right. "He shouldn't have brought him up."
"No," Bethany agreed. "But he did. And he had the nerve to say I was like him."
Steve frowned. "Bethany, he used you for months. Made you believe he was in love with you. He played with your heart. He used you. You're nothing like that."
"Except that I am," she spoke up, moving to lay her head against the shower wall. "I'm exactly like him. And you of all people… you-" She slipped down the wall again, but no tears fell this time.
Steve knelt down across from her, taking her hands. "You're not thinking straight. Let's get you back to your room, and you can clean up and then when you're thinking clearly, then we'll talk. Okay?"
She nodded meekly as he pulled on her hands helping her up. Steve turned to turn off all the water that was left on by some of the soldiers as Bethany took a step forward. The water on the ground and the heels on her feet disagreed, her slipping backwards and hitting her shoulder on the handle for the taps.
"Shit," she let out as she felt her skin rip in half. Steve quickly took his jacket off and put it around her, Bethany's fingers pressing up against the wound. "I swear; my skin is only more vulnerable now that I can heal."
"Hurry," Steve said, carefully leading her out the bathroom. "If anyone sees you with blood they'll want to get you to the infirmary. My room is closest."
Bethany didn't say anything, just let Steve led her in the direction of his room. At every corner, Steve peered around to make sure no one was there, and when they got to his room, double checked it was just them before leading her in and closing the door behind him.
Bethany took the jacket off and hung the wet material around Steve's desk chair. Steve watched as she slipped the shoulder of her dress down, baring the healing skin to him. "Is it healed yet?" She asked, not being able to see for herself.
Steve moved closer, not being able to see it perfectly in the dark room. "I think so. Does it hurt?"
"Just a numbing feeling," she whispered. "There's always a numbing feeling after."
He moved his fingers forward slightly, touching the skin that had just stitched itself together. Bethany cringed a little, Howard's words echoing in her head, but as Steve elected to ignore her slight step away, his fingers continuing to stroke the new skin.
It felt as though his fingers were jolting electricity throughout her, the numbness disappearing and her senses being brought back tenfold. Before she even knew what she was doing, she took a step backwards, drawing her back against Steve's chest. The soldier responded by wrapping his arms around her, holding her tightly to him.
"Steve?" She whispered so quietly, he almost missed it. He let out a soft hum in response. "You're getting me wet."
She could feel his laughter rumbling in his chest. "Let me clean the blood off you, and then I'll-uh, get Peggy to get you some dry clothes."
His arms fell away from her as he turned on a dim light, then moved to his wash bin. Bethany settled herself on the bed. Steve sat behind her, shimming the dress down a little more, secretly glad she couldn't see his face. The image of her bare skin was still as beautiful as the first time he saw it.
"I guess this dress is garbage," she sighed as she felt the water from the cloth on her back.
"I'll buy you a new one," Steve whispered, shifting closer to her.
Bethany frowned, turning her head towards his. "Why? Why are you so good to me? I don't get it."
Steve stopped his movements momentarily before resuming. "Because I want to." When the red was gone from her skin, Steve traced one finger along her neck. "You don't use me. I don't know what made you think that, but you don't use me. You don't force me to do anything. I do them… well, because I care for you."
A pregnant pause passed before a "thanks Steve" sounded.
"I'm going to get Peggy-"
"No," Bethany quickly responded, facing him. "Don't leave. I just… I don't want to get into anymore trouble, and you seem to ground me. I don't trust myself just yet."
Steve nodded, but stood up and went to his drawer, pulling out a white SSR shirt. "Here," he said handing it to her. "I don't know if you can get sick or not, but let's not risk it."
She put the shirt on the bed as she stood up to peel the wet and ripped dress off of her. Steve watched it fall to a pool around her feet, then allowed his eyes to travel up her legs. They looked impossibly smooth.
As Bethany reached for the shirt, Steve moved forward and boldly touched the side of her arm with his fingers, caressing the spot carefully. Bethany looked up into his eyes, his focus on where his fingers were gently stroking her skin. The electricity from earlier reappeared in full force and Bethany suddenly felt a fire in her she hadn't since… well since Steve first transformed.
It was like she was noticing him all over again. For so long she made him her friend, and forced herself to see it that way. But now, with him courageously moving forward, face so innocent yet so incredibly irresistible and the memory of his muscles around her, she was almost blindsided by lust.
She inched forward, placing her hands on his chest, slowly moving them to circle around his neck. This caught his gaze, him looking down at her with the same hunger she felt. Pulling his neck down a little, their lips ghosted over each other's, never touching, but each breath sending shivers down their necks.
"Tell me to stop," Bethany whispered, each word echoing off his lips. "Tell me that you want me to leave right now, and never speak of this again."
"No," Steve whispered back, hearing the fear in her voice. It was something he had never heard from her before. Fear. Bethany Stark was actually afraid of something, something as simple as lust and desire and love.
"Why?" She asked quietly, voice cracking a little, clear evidence of her trying to hold back tears.
"Because," Steve breathed against her lips. "I love you."
The words, words she had heard before from her parents, her brother, Jason and all those one night stands that truly believed it was something special, there was something different about them now. There was something in the way he said it, almost as if him saying it was a curse, but he couldn't hold it back any longer. Something about the way his eyes shone, showing that it wasn't just an attempt to get something from her. There were no ifs, ands or buts. It was three simple words, with a very heavy meaning.
And more importantly, there was something about the way her heart pounded when he told her, in a way it never had with anyone else.
It was something she knew. Something she figured out on her own, had Bucky, had Peggy, had Howard tell her, but him saying it was something else on its own. Because him reaffirming it somehow made it real and permanent.
She moved an inch closer to him, their lips now touching, but neither of them moving. Her lips tasted like coffee and lipstick. His like peppermint toothpaste. It's like they're swallowing each other's breaths, frozen in time, neither wanting to ruin the moment moving one way or the other. It was so perfect, wrapped in each other, tasting each other, and so close to being one.
Despite his wet clothes, his body heat pushed out and enveloped her. She no longer felt the need to shiver because she was cold, only because she was so warm, body on fire from the lust pouring throughout her, every beat of her heart only intensifying it. They were barely touching but she had never craved someone as she was craving him, the pit of her stomach twisting, begging for some sort of pressure. Some sort of release.
Steve slowly brought his hands to rest on her hips, giving her a slight jolt, enough for their lips to press together. Gently, tentatively and carefully, their lips touched, savoring the moment before pulling away. Bethany could feel the adrenaline pumping through her so forcefully, so painstakingly fast that the second their lips were apart again, she felt as if her own two lips had been frozen.
She moved in again, nipping his lips, once, twice, thrice before Steve got the courage to respond, taking her lips in between his, daring himself to run his tongue gently across her lip, just as Private Lorraine had done to him all those months ago, leaving Bethany breathless before it barely started.
Bethany granted what Steve didn't know he wanted, permission to explore her further. His tongue searching the hollows of her mouth, arms enfolding her securely closer to him, tensing when he felt her tongue join his. But Bethany's quiet moan and her fingers tangling themselves in his hair gave him the nerve deepen the kiss.
She broke apart, breathless, pressing her head over his heart, her neck completely exposed. Steve leaned down, his nose running along her neck before closing his lips around the soft spot where her neck and shoulder met. Bethany moved her grip towards his biceps, her small hands barely big enough to get a proper grip, but holding on tightly as he laid wet, open mouth kisses, slowly to the same spot.
"Steve…" she whispered, clinging onto him as her knees became weak. Steve, however, didn't know it was a cry of pleasure and looked up to her. His hair was falling in his face in a way Bethany always found endearing.
"I-I don't know what I'm doing," he admitted with a shy smile. He felt no need to cower and be embarrassed. Not right now. Not with her.
Bethany smiled, eyes drooping slightly, before tugging at the bottom of his wet shirt. "Take this off, and I'll show you."
He followed her instructions, starting with his tie, and suddenly felt very self-conscious. It was stupid, he knew that. He wasn't that skinny kid from Brooklyn anymore, but a built war hero who was history in the making. Steve only felt more reassured when her fingers moved to trace the divots of his muscles slowly before leaning up on her toes and pressing her lips against his neck.
Steve could feel his breath hitch in his throat as she gave his skin a long suck, her breath so incredibly warm and arousing. He felt her teeth nip, her tongue trace and her lips taste everything that was him. Her lips moved up his neck, him lowering his head so their lips could meet again, this time their kisses more reassured.
But despite the heavy, long and deep kisses, it remained slow and passionate, pushing their bodies together in every way they could, trying to get more of each other. All of their senses were heightened and they were aware of every kiss, every breath, every moan. His hands moved up her back as hers moved across his back.
They were both too far gone, too drunk on lust and too swept up on every feeling to even stop and register what their bodies had been made for. They wanted each other. They craved each other, and no other source of release would suffice now.
When Steve's fingers brushed her bra strap, Bethany whispered "take it off" in between their kisses. She was breathless, her lungs begging for air, but she refused to give them that. She needed Steve more than she needed to breathe. Hesitantly, Steve unclasped the bra, Bethany shimming her arms to let it fall away from her.
Their bare chests met, each of them holding back a shiver. Steve pulled her impossibly closer, feeling Bethany trying to pull herself up in attempt to meet his height. With slightly shaking hands, Steve lowered his hands to her waist and pull her up, her legs immediately wrapping around him.
Sensing her struggle to breathe, he trailed his lips down her jawline and to her collarbone, carefully nipping her soft skin. The light sigh that slipped through her lips and the way she pushed her hips in closer to his made him lay his head against her shoulder, savoring the moment.
"You okay?" Her voice came softly, a smile clear through it. Her fingers played with the hair on the nape of his neck, lips placing a delicate kiss on his shoulder.
"Fighting an inner battle," he revealed before looking up at her. Her lips were swollen, parted slightly as her labored breathing pulsed through them. Her damp hair was starting to curl a little, but for the most part clung to her neck and face. Her eyes sparkled with lust, a sly smile gracing her features. She was both a mess and the most beautiful Steve had ever seen her. "I-I'm not sure if we should stop. If we do go on, what to do. What happens after…"
Bethany bit the side of her lip, savoring the taste on them before leaning her forehead against his. "Do you want to stop? Right now, at this moment?"
"No," he whispered. "But my body has taken over my sense of judgment right now."
"The fact that we're having this conversation means it hasn't," Bethany shared with a heart clenching smile. "I'm not going to tell you to stop. But I'm not going to make the decision regarding whether you want to stop or not. It's up to you."
Steve closed his eyes, quietly surveying his body. He wanted more. He wanted it all. And more importantly, he wanted it now. It was so easy to see, with her almost naked body pressed tightly against his why so many men spent nights with women warming their bed. It was so clear, so addicting and so enlightening. Passion, lust, desire, want. All of it coursing through his blood, all demanding the same thing. More. More. And then finally release. He wanted this. Not only to be tangled with Bethany's limbs, to melt into her very being and become one, but to, in simpler terms, make love to her.
He didn't want to be like all the other men, taking her for granted. He loved her, and damn well knew with that came respect. He needed her to know this, to know that she meant more than just one night.
"I just need you to know that I don't want you as an object," Steve finally whispered. "I want you as an equal. I respect you. I love you, and I don't want you to doubt this."
Bethany sniffed slightly, blinking back the stinging feeling in her eyes. "I know you aren't like the others Steve. You're the greatest man I know." Bethany unwrapped her legs and slid down his body, pushing the last of her clothes off her body. "I'm yours if you'll take me."
Steve responded with a soul crushing kiss, the sudden force pushing them downwards on the bed. Careful not to crush Bethany, he held his upper body up as their lips met over and over again, each other's taste blending into one. Bethany's fingers lingered up and down his arms, his chiseled chest, the strong line of his jaw, into his hair and repeated, her fingernails dragging ever so softly. There wasn't pain, but slight shivers at the idea of Bethany marking him, and even if it was only for a little while, the idea so incredibly perfect.
Steve's fingers dusted lightly over her sides, hesitant to touch her now naked body. "Touch me," Bethany said in between kisses. "Don't be shy."
It wasn't mocking but reassuring to hear her ask this of him and blushing, he pulled himself away from her to take in her body. Her perfect skin, the swells of her breast, each one a perfect mount. His breath caught in his throat as he lowered his lips to her shoulders, slowly moving down with each movement, taking in her reaction to him, the labor of her breath, her hips rocking against his stomach, feeling her moist center against his abs and the struggle to hold back her moans.
"Steve," she let out quietly. "Don't make me beg."
Pulling his head up to kiss her lips softly once, he stood up, removing the rest of his clothes. He could feel her gaze on him only intensifying the desire even more. Watching her, the rise and fall of her chest, her hands above her head, legs crossed at the ankles, he knew that this moment couldn't be any better. He reached into his bedside table, taking one of the rubbers the military painstakingly insisted every soldier have. Rolling it on himself, he moved to hover over her.
"Ready?" He felt obligatory to ask, but Bethany just smiled, head rolling to the side. He leaned down to kiss her neck before pushing into her and letting euphoria take over.
The room was thick, even two hours later, and smelled heavily of sex and smoke. Peggy Lee sang quietly in the background, Bethany having turned on the radio long ago. Steve and Bethany lied in the bed, tangled in each other and the sheets. Two hours later and Bethany was still exhausted. She had been drifting in and out of consciousness as Steve played with her hair. They barely said anything to each other since they both became unraveled, but nothing needed to be said.
Bethany reached up, taking the cigarette from Steve's fingers and taking a long drag. "I hate these things," she whispered as the smoke escaped from her lips.
Steve took it from her and crushed the bud out. "Why do you smoke them then?"
"Only when the mood calls for it," she let out, cuddling deeper against him. "It's a social norm."
Steve kissed the top of her head. "You can sleep, Bethany."
"Mmmm," she moaned. "I feel too good to sleep."
Steve chuckled, taking a little pride in himself. "So it wasn't bad?"
Bethany titled her head up to look at him. "No. Not at all. My recovery time doesn't usually take this long. It was different, but in a good way. A very good way."
He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Good. Because it was amazing for me."
Bethany gave him a tired smile, settling her head back up against his chest. His moves had been constantly hesitant, not really sure of what he was doing, but always making sure Bethany was responding well and applying what she liked. She could feel the love. This, paired with the fact he was well-endowed, made for one of the most pleasurable experiences of her life. And her release hit her so hard, so fast and so long that afterwards she couldn't stop shaking, smiling and seeing stars. Her legs ached from clenching around his waist so tightly.
Closing her eyes, she could feel herself drifting away and knew she wouldn't be able to stop it. But she had enough energy to sing along to the last bits of the song. "Lovely, never, never change. Keep that breathless charm. Won't you please arrange it for I love you. Just the way you look tonight."