We fall. We break. We fail. But then, we rise. We heal. We overcome. Unknow
After that afternoon, I did not really have time to see Steve again.
I had been taken by my job and the dropped from the mission with Khallahan. I was totally unable to get in touch with Steve. And since I did not have any casual encounters with my neighbor, I assumed Steve was just as busy.
Who really knew with his government agency.
Honestly, I did not really care about his other status until now. I relied solely on the man and not on the super soldier who was part of the Avengers.
Anyway, I decided to start doing what I promised myself.
Try.
Of course, if he was not there then I should just postpone the big change.
Encouraging!
Okay, so maybe I was not very enthusiastic about this big change. But who could possibly blame me for that?
Robbie? Sat ? Davis? Kate? Alm-
Okay, shut up internal voice, I get it.
I held a shudder as I realized I was literally talking to myself before whispering under my breath. "I really need a friend."
I couldn't start talking to myself. It was the beginning towards the end of the woman with seventy cats. I winced at the thought before quickly making my way into our living room before suddenly pause at the sight of Kate basking in front of the television. I wrinkled my lips as I weighed the pros and cons before advancing shyly to the couch. I sat quietly on the armrest to avoid annoying her during her usual little Saturday marathon before crossing my arms over my chest as I took a look at her selection today.
Right, Supernatural.
It was a series about supernatural beings and monsters of all kinds. It was almost not as boring as most of her other programs. And to be honest, the two main protagonists were particularly nice to watch. I remember spending some nights with Kate watching two-three episodes with her.
Nevertheless, since I had something personal enough to ask her, I chose to play the ignorant."Sooo ... what are you looking at?"
"Supernatural." The blonde simply replied as she picked up a new handful of popcorn.
Of course, she already knew I was there. It was absolutely disconcerting how she always knew where I was. I was supposed to be the private detective not her. Sometimes I suspected she was a kind of super spy. Anyway, I let a low hum as acceptance before I froze as she suddenly focused her attention on me.
I was not long in meeting her eyes with an arched eyebrow for innocence. "What?"
"You want something." She guessed without a shadow of a doubt making me squint my lips in a tense smile. "You never stay after asking me what I'm looking at. Unless we are in the middle of the night and you're trying to fight against sleep."
Dammit! I hated how she could read me so easily!
I let a dramatic sigh as I slid further on the couch casually rocking to the right before spreading more with a small rebound. I was now with the upper part of my body lying on the rest of the sofa while my legs were hanging on the armrest. I could see Kate in an inverted angle leaving me a clear view of her jaw cleared by the ponytail in which she had tied her hair.
I was quickly turning my attention to the ceiling with my hands crossed over my abdomen as I chewed the inside of my cheek.
I kept my eyes on the ceiling looking for a way to bring the subject without sounding suspicious. "So, I have this friend-"
"You have friends?" Kate quipped, giving me a sharp look visibly incredulous.
I took a deep breath clearly bored by her interruption before giving her a sharp look in my turn. "So, I was saying before I was rudely interrupted that I have this friend trying to make another friend. But she doesn't really have any expertise in this area- "
"To make friends?" Kate interrupted again, making my eyes roll in frustration.
"Yes!"
"And we don't talk about you at all." The blonde commented again with sarcasm this time.
"No, we don't talk about me." I insisted despite the obvious fact that I had been unmasked before giving her a petty grimace since she could not really see me. "Can I continue? Or you want to add something else?"
Kate seemed to sense my bored tone as she leaned over to retrieve the remote before pausing the TV to fully turn to me. I immediately composed my grimace in a patient expression leaving the blonde raise an eyebrow in the interrogation. I let a breath in response before straightening up with my back against the back while I crossed my legs in Indian style on the top of the couch.
"So this friend ..." I turned to Kate as soon as she sat before narrowing my eyes in annoyance."... hypothetical. What does she really want?"
I was looking for a way to get Steve without explicitly saying it was him before shrugging my shoulders in uncertainty. "Well, she doesn't really know what friends do to pass the time. Especially when this other friend is someone ... let's say… old games?"
"Old games ?" Kate repeated doubtfully letting me wince in response. The blonde rolled her eyes at my lack of explanation before sighing.
"Fine. I guess it's already too much information knowing you."
"Kate ..."
"What?" Defended the blonde with the same look heard on her face as me before rolling her eyes to my persistence. "I think they should start with something simple like ... a movie?"
I immediately scratched my nose at the idea before shaking my head. "It looks like a first date for a meeting on the internet. Impersonal and practical if the date doesn't match your expectations."
"Have a nice dinner in a restaurant then."
"I'm trying to- I mean ... my friend is trying to become friends with the guy, not to get laid." I corrected myself quickly, avoiding her eyes in the realization.
Technically, you've already finished in his bed!
Okay, it's irrelevant.
Would that damn voice in my head stop?
Not anytime soon.
Nobody asked you !
I could feel her sharp eyes on my profile as I tried to keep my frown on the frozen image of the television. "I thought we were not talking about you."
Obviously, she had caught on my slip. I jabbed my jaw in annoyance before loosening my legs and arms to get up.
I pretended to remove the fluff from my sweater as I gave a sarcastic look on the blonde."Thanks for the help, roommate. It was very informative."
I immediately turned on my heel without really waiting for an answer before closing myself in my room again. It was not today that I was going to find an idea to connect with the super soldier.
Finally, after spending more than half of my night surfing the internet for the perfect type of activity, the idea appeared on its own.
Hence the reason I was currently getting through my dresser looking for something to wear that was little less work-related. I was sure that I still had some outfit that did not scream angry woman-danger! I ended up grabbing a simple brut skinny jean that I had not worn for some time with a black V-neck t-shirt. I added the finishing touches with a pair of square-heeled riders and a leather jacket. It was comfortable and a bit more feminine than my usual cargo pants and my baseball cap.
Surprisingly, I did not feel so ridiculous in this outfit that I had first imagined it. After all, it was a style I had adopted before.
Anyway, I decided to keep my hair loose along my back leaving me wearing those hair before looking through the mirror. I still had a stack of bags under my eyes and my face was thinner than it had been, but I assumed it was going to do it for today.
After all, it was just a day with friends. A day in a museum exposing the life of one of the friends in question.
I was not sure that this was the best way to break the ice with the big blond or even if he was going to be open for this kind of intrusion into his past but I had already planned to go there for Future reference and I assumed it could be ... fun?
Anyway, I quickly finished adjusting my curls around my face before finally getting out of the bathroom just to take a break from Kate's surprise expression. The latter slowly took in my outfit with a shrug of her eyebrows growing closer to her hairline as she turned her attention back to my face.
She swallowed the piece of bread she was currently chewing before letting her surprise eloquently. "Whoa."
"Hey, you too." I said as I went past her to get the keys from the counter before giving her a look over my shoulder as I headed for the entrance hallway. " Don't wait for me. Oh, and I'm taking your car."
I did not give her time to answer as I slammed the door behind me before straightening my jacket as I turned my attention to the next door. Part of me really hoped he was still absent.
However, I soon came to realize that a larger part of my brain could already sense the disappointment at the thought of his absence. I frowned at this strange thought before making up my mind as I stopped at his door with my fist raised. I hit three free knocks before going back a bit in the meantime. For my greatest relief, I was not slow in hearing footsteps coming from the other side, letting my fists loosen by my side.
Steve was not slow to open the door timidly not used to receiving the visit before surprising me again as he hastened to open his door bigger in my view.
A slight smile curved his lips as he motioned me to enter. "Hey, Danae."
"Steve." I recognized with a small grin of my own as I passed him to enter his little hallway before stopping in his living room by taking a turn on myself to announce the color of the day."So, I hope you had nothing planned today. In fact, if you had planned something you will have to cancel because you and I are going to leave on a small experience."
"An experiment ?" Repeated Steve visibly caught off guard, letting my smile widen mischievously.
"Awesome ! Take a jacket, we're leaving now." I said as I was about to overtake him again before giving him another exam in the realization. "And perhaps something to go unnoticed, it wouldn't be very subtle."
Steve immediately turned on his heels to this new piece of information with a frown. "Will your mystery place involve breaking into a car?"
"I look dressed for a surveillance?" I said, emphasizing my outfit for the first time to the blond's attention.
I frowned as he seemed to take in my form carefully before clumsily clearing my throat in uncertainty.
"Anyway, are you coming or are you staying here?" I asked in impatience.
Steve seemed to come out of his observation as he nodded before asking me to wait a moment. I leaned my head slightly to the side as I was once again facing his muscular back. I had to admit that he was nice enough to watch. It was almost disconcerting when you knew how old he was.
Honestly, the world was not what it was.
I shook my head at this thought as I walked back into his living room as I could vaguely hear him move into his room before stopping in front of his library. I gave an appreciative look at most of his reading choices before suddenly stopping my attention on an old leather notebook. I bit down my cheek with interest before casting a suspicious glance over my shoulder to watch for him. I assumed that a little search never killed anyone.
Honestly knowing the guy, I almost expected to come across the usual diary but was pleasantly surprised by an intriguing drawing of a monkey on a unicycle. He seemed dressed in the costume of Captain America allowing me to imagine the rapprochement without much difficulty. The pages seemed aged and yellowed showing its passage through the years.
I was about to turn a new page when Steve's strangely distant voice surprised me."What are you doing ?"
I suddenly slammed the notebook closed before turning on my heels with a guilty expression.
I quickly put the notebook back on the shelf before lifting my hands up in the air as a sign of mocking-surrender. "It wasn't me; I swear. Word of scout."
I raised three fingers in the scout's sign to accentuate my words, receiving at once a flat look from the blond. "You just rested my notebook. I saw you."
"Really?" I insinuated in my skewed innocence before shrugging my shoulders maliciously."We all see things at one time. This is the kind of thing that happens with age."
This time, Steve rolled his eyes openly, yes rolled his eyes with attitude before putting on his blue baseball cap letting me raise an eyebrow with judgment.
A fact that had the gift of challenging the tall blond with slight annoyance. "What? That's what you thought when you told me to go unnoticed, right?"
"Believe me, it's not going to be enough." I assured by tightening my grip on my satchel litter my right shoulder before I freeze in the realization. "But ... it could do it if you had something extra."
I focused my attention on my bag as I pulled the closure to take my old aviator-style Ray Ban sunglasses before heading to Steve to give it.
He gave a critical look at the glasses in uncertainty before turning his eyes to me. "It's a bit outdated, isn't it?"
"It's vintage, okay." I said, somewhat offended by his judgmental expression before shaking my hand in his direction again. "Plus, I thought you could enjoy. It's closer to your style."
Against all odds, a slight smile appeared on his lips as he took the pair of glasses before trying on it simply to let me give him a shared expression between annoyance and total disbelief.
"Oh fuck!"
"What? What's the matter ?"
"Look at you! You are even hotter than before." I exclaimed in indignation as I turned on my heels for the exit, completely ignorant of the soldier's amusement on my heels as I continued to whisper under my breath. "It shouldn't be allowed. A real eye candy. Did they plan to enslave women at that time? I mean, come on…"
I was still a little steaming as I pushed the doors of the lobby of the building before taking out the keys of Kate's car to unlock the doors.
Conversely, Steve was fully entertained at this point as he wore a real hilarious smile on his lips.
I climbed behind the wheel, pushing the key into the ignition before giving Steve a look as he spoke again. "So ... where are we going? "
"The Smithsonian." I answered as I put on my belt. "Ever been?"
Steve tied his belt before shrugging his shoulders. "I planned to go there at some point."
I could not help but let a small smile curl my lips as it seemed that I had chosen well. With this idea in mind, I took out my phone to connect it in Bluetooth before taking a break as I saw the blond watching my action with attention.
"It's a phone. It's for-"
"I know what a phone is." Steve interrupted me immediately before making a point to take out his own to show it to me.
I recoiled immediately in my seat with a small smile teasing. "Look at you, a real little nerd, huh?"
"Nerd?"
I paused this time as I lost my smile a little before giving him a disillusioned look. "You'd make me almost lose the pleasure of insulting you. Really, it's sad."
I put the ignition on once the connection beep sounded before launching a playlist as I got into the DC traffic.
Unsurprisingly, a wide, hilarious smile crept over my lips as the famous song of the Star-Spangled Man with a Plan resonated between us.
I had made a special playlist for this day and I could already see the emotions dancing on the big blond's face as I literally giggled with laughter. I literally had to fight my laughs to keep driving properly as he hastened to try to figure out how to change the song.
"Seriously? How do we stop this thing?" He grumbled in frustration as he seemed unable to extinguish it before giving me an indignant look. "Danae! "
"Okay, okay ..." I said more as I tapped his hands away from my phone before moving to the next music with an amused breath. "Oh, you should see your head. "
"You think it's funny?"
I immediately gave him a smile of pure satisfaction before arching an arrogant eyebrow. "I think I'm adorable."
A fresh breath of laughter escaped me as Steve raised his eyebrows visibly caught off guard before quickly turning his gaze on the windshield in a word loss. I gave him an incredulous look as he seemed to wear a childish pout before rolling my eyes as I tried to fight my smile.
It seems that the Captain was rather susceptible.
I shook my head at the thought before giving him a new teasing look to try to make him see the good side. "Oh, cut it grumpy. You know it could have been worse. I originally planned to make a playlist of the Backstreet boys."
"Of what?" Steve asked visibly confused again.
I let a puerile smile on my lips as I pointed at him. "Ah, ah, you talked. "
"Mature. "
"Buzzkill. "
I turned my eyes smiling on the road as I entered the highway completely unconscious of the slight smile curving the lips of the tall blond.
Once again, he could not help but connect this with his time with Bucky. It was something they did together regularly. Go on an unexpected adventure and share a light banter during the trip. He had to admit that it was becoming easier for him to share a real conversation with Danae. It was nothing compared to the discussion he had with Natasha or even the other agents of the Strike team.
For once, he did not feel like a Shield pawn, but as a simple guy having a good time with a friend.
The museum was rather full as I had planned, even for a Sunday. I felt a small note of complacency for remembering to warn Steve for a pseudo disguise.
Surprisingly, he did not seem as disturbed by the crowd as I was. He had just lowered the cap on his face a little further to enter it before pushing his hands into his pockets as we headed for the first exhibitions.
It was not the first time I came here so I just followed Steve where he wanted. I added some mental note to the way his shoulders stretched each time we came into contact with a reminder of war before trying to remind me that he too had probably suffered the same after-effects of the war.
In the end, the silence between us was not uncomfortable or even forced. It was something I noticed between him and me. Every time we lost ourselves in our thoughts, there was this silence of understanding between us. It was nice to feel comfortable for once and not guilty of escaping in one's own mind.
As much as I loved Robbie, I could not help feeling guilty about ruining the mood when I finally fell back into my tormented muteness as soon as Ben was raised or remembered in a conversation.
Steve was different. A good different.
It was therefore without an ounce of surprise that I suddenly felt apprehensive as I saw the next sign leading to the Captain America exhibit. I could not help but feel an ounce of doubt about bringing him here. Especially when he began to realize that there was indeed such an exhibition. I could see his movements slowing down as a row of emotions crossed his angular face. Surprise, sadness, recognition and then ... guilt.
I did not need to know for his part of the show they were directed to easily understand it. He was like an open book at that moment and I felt almost ashamed to introduce him into his old life like that.
Nevertheless, I found myself take in each of the exhibitions with a slight fascination. For an old man, he had certainly lived well. At least in terms of heroic accomplishment.
However, I could easily recognize some quotes. He was as determined and stubborn as ever.
I read an interview about his childhood life in Brooklyn when I saw Steve stop a little further. I hurried to join him before making a sudden stop at the sight of an image of a skinny young man looking a little like the man by my side. He was visibly unhealthy in his army uniform of the time. His sandy blond hair was longer on his face and his cheekbones stood out. Honestly, he seemed about to collapse with the slightest gust of wind. Nevertheless, I found myself leaving a small fond smile on my lips as I could see that true kindness of heart in his determined look.
Certainly the serum had made him damn right attractive but for some reason, I could easily see myself falling for a little guy like that rather than the big one by my side.
Maybe I would have been just as easily fooled by his now advantageous physique but now I preferred to see the suffering and the life experience. If only to not feel so alone. It was probably selfish but it was who I had become and I was not ashamed to say it.
Hence the reason why I decided to share my thoughts in the open. "Damn, I think I fell in love. Look at this little guy. So cute."
"Huh?" Steve exclaimed visibly surprised by my intervention letting me give him a small smile."Very funny."
This time, I raised an eyebrow before frowning lightly."It wasn't a joke. If I had lived in your time, I would have tried something."
I could feel his incredulous and slightly embarrassed look on my profile as I continued to read Steve's pre-serum measurements.
The latter turned to the old version of himself with a critical expression as he let out a sad breath. "You would have been the only one. I didn't really have much luck with the dames."
"It's a joke, right ?" I doubted instantly before feeling a sudden ounce of anger as he nodded."Well fuck these women of your time and their criteria. They were blind."
I shook my head visibly frustrated before turning my heels in the attention of continuing to cross the ramparts of his life. Only, I was a new unaware of the look that Steve was throwing at me as a tiny smile curved his lips. He gave a last glance saddened on his pre-serum version before catching up with his mysterious neighbor doubling in surprise.
He had to admit that he was a little relieved to have her at his side. The more he walked through the exhibition telling the beginning of his life to his sacrifice in the ice, the more he could feel the emotions assail him in a whirlwind. He could feel a slight weight settle on his lungs making it a little more difficult to breathe every minute. And he did not even speak of thoughts swarming in his head. He needed to hear more of Danae's remarks to keep a hold against what was happening to him.
He immediately sought for the brunette through the crowd to discover his life exposed for the public before slowing his steps as he spotted his partner in front of a panel of glass that he would have missed. He swallowed hard as he looked at a picture of his fallen best friend before stopping by Danae's side. He could instantly feel her concerned gaze as he took in the panel in front of him. He could almost even imagine her hand moving towards him but he was too disoriented at that moment to think straight.
He could feel his breath becoming more and more worked as he listened to the robotic voice recounted basic details about his best friend, his brother when he knew much more than all that. He knew everything about Bucky and hearing this impersonal voice recounted these facts were enough to remind him that he had not been able to save him. He should never have come out of the ice. He too should have died in battle as his friend.
Sudden contact with his forearm forced him to take his transfixed eyes off the picture of his best friend. He was not long in meeting Danae's strangely dark brown eyes before shifting his attention to her hands holding him. She applied gentle pressure to pull him away from the show on the Howling Commandos before making a straight line to the exit. He let himself be pulled without a word.
Honestly, he did not have the strength to do any fighting.
He sincerely thought that he had acclimated himself to the world. Certainly, he was missing some reference but he was good. He had never felt anything like right now. It was as if he was asthmatic again, his lungs refused to work on their own as Danae guided him through the parking lot.
It was only when they reached Kate's car that she let go of him and Steve collapsed against the driver's door as he grabbed his chest in a fit. He was trying to find his breath, but it was as if his lungs were closing on their own.
"Steve?" Danae called at once visibly concerned by his condition. "C'mon, old man, answer."
He could vaguely see her face in front of him but his vision was suddenly blurred. He was losing more and more strength as he slid slowly against the car until he was sitting on the ground. I could not do anything except watch the big specimen of a man crumble in front of me. He seemed to have trouble breathing and barely aware of my presence.
I realized now that bringing him to this exhibition was probably not the best idea of the century.
I was trying to remember Sam's advice at these veteran meetings but just cursed instead as I realized I was completely helpless. Ben was the one who managed with my little attack of panic. It was never the other way around and I could not really use Ben's methods with Steve.
Obviously, kissing him was a big no, no.
This could only leave one solution.
I glanced around in a panic before turning my attention back to Steve. "Steve? Steve, hey, listen to me, just breathe."
I knelt to be at his height before trying to straighten him as best as I could with his imposing stature. I was honestly happy to have had a workout before that because otherwise I would never have been able to carry his little ass in the back seat. I installed him as best as I could with a deeply concerned expression as he waved his eyes in panic. Clearly, he did not understand what was happening to him. I was not even sure that the panic attacks had been diagnosed in his time.
Finally, I hastened to close the door behind him before going around the hood to enter the other side. I quickly removed my leather jacket and my T-shirt leaving me in a simple Calvin Klein bra before throwing me on the big blond. I lifted his T-shirt to put my hand on his chest where his heart was before taking one of Steve's hands to place it over my heart.
Ben had always told me that skin-to-skin contact and the soothing harmony of a heartbeat could take anyone from a dark place.
I sincerely hoped that it would work out as I gave a slight pressure on his wrist while gently rubbing the tips of my fingers against his breastplate."Steve? Steve, you must listen to me. Feel my heartbeat. Concentrate on my heart."
As Steve could feel a gentle, soothing beat under his fingers, he was quick to recover his vision. He would probably jump at the sight of Danae in a simple bra but he was still too worked to even pay attention.
Instead, he leaned his hand against her chest just above her left breast as he closed his eyes to catch his breath. He could feel and hear his own heart slowing down in his ears.
Suddenly, he was very conscious of the warm, soft hand under his shirt, letting his eyes open just to quickly remove his hand from Danae's chest. The latter did the same with her hand leaving him strangely missed the heat and comfort she gave him.
Nevertheless, he looked away with a faint red hue as she dressed silently. He felt honestly embarrassed for the way he had reacted. It was the first time he had reacted that way and he still did not really understand what had happened to him. He sincerely thought he was fine. He had not had an asthma attack since the serum and it still seemed completely surreal for him since he was supposed to be cured of any disease.
Suddenly, Danae let out a deep sigh as she dropped back against the back seat. He timidly turned his head away from his cap as he gave a look at her profile in hesitation. He looked apprehensively as she opened the closure of her little bag before taking out a packet of cigarettes.
A small look of judgment crossed his face as she lowered the rear window with the handle before bringing a small white stick between her lips. He almost seemed to be enjoying the lighter flame dance as she lit her cigarette. However, he was not slow to freeze as she released a puff outside before glancing sideways at him.
He swallowed to share between embarrassment and guilt. "I'm sor-"
"You don't have to apologize." She interrupted quickly, forcing him to look shyly at her in surprise as she spoke with the stick between her lips. "I'm not even sure you really know what happened to you."
Steve frowned quickly with a slight frustrated feeling towards himself. "And you know ?"
"Yeah. It's called a panic attack these days." She answered without a shadow of a doubt before putting her expression on the window as she wrinkled her lips hesitantly this time."It's usually triggered by a traumatic event. Most soldiers returning from the war suffer. A surprise attack, the atrocities of war, men lost in battle ..."
She leaned her head in his direction at the end of her explanation, letting him look away again as he realized her point.
He swallowed again as a new silence settled between them. He could vaguely feel the smell of tobacco sneak between them and hear the slight burning of the paper. He moistened his lips with a slight frown on his forehead at the thought of what she had just said. She almost seemed to speak from personal experience.
It reminded him of what he had learned in Fury's office."You were also a soldier."
"A commander in the navy. I saw more than enough to annihilate a man. And yet, it was Ben's death that eventually destroyed me."Danae nodded to the bench before releasing the smoke between her lips to the open window." Probably because I lost everything with him."
He could hear and feel guilt so like his as he looked at Danae. He remembered her words perfectly when she told him about her miscarriage.
He could not help but frown in the objection. "It wasn't your fault."
"Just as it wasn't yours for what happened to Bucky." Danae immediately told Steve to object.
"I-"
Danae immediately gave a nod, once her point had been proved. "Nevertheless, we are too damn stubborn to accept the truth."
In fact, Steve found himself copying her position as he dropped back against the backseat. He leaned his head against the headrest and took a moment of silence to regain control of his mind. It was almost not so disturbing to talk about this topic especially with Danae. Especially when she could be understanding his story. Again, he was forced to find that they were much more similar than he thought.
It was almost too coincidental for him. Nevertheless, he could not imagine the Shield looking for someone as damaged by life as he was to trap him. It seemed too much, even for the Shield.
Danae suddenly finished her cigarette throwing it out the window before forcing him into motion as she got off the car to rejoin the driver's side. He tried to do the same before attaching himself as she made contact.
The drive to their apartment complex was spent silently as Steve found himself enjoying the September breeze on his face and the music specially selected for him from Danae's cell phone. He was quick to realize that she had chosen old soul and jazz songs.
Finally, I stopped on the threshold of my door before giving an indulgent look at Steve as he walked to his own door with his shoulders down.
"You know, maybe I should start investing in better underwear if I'm going to finish half-naked at each meeting."
I literally had to stop giggling as the tall blond stopped in his steps before suddenly turning on his heels in an embarrassing coughing fit.
However, he was not slow to leave a genuine grateful smile on his lips as he took in my own smiling face.
He raised an almost defiant eyebrow before giving me a teasing smile. "You're the only one who ends up undressing you."
I left a shocked gasp at his teasing since I was usually the only one to have fun at his expense before narrowing my eyes slightly to him."I definitely preferred the little guy."
"You aware that I'm that little guy?" He replied with a light, amused frown.
"Nah, now you're that mountain of muscles." I said, pointing at him sarcastically. " No interest. Not attractive. At all. Huh, huh. Absolutely not attractive."
Steve let out a laugh before composing his expression in a grateful little smile." Thank you."
"What for?" I asked with an arched eyebrow before giving him another mischievous look."Because I don't drool over you like most of the female population? You're welcome."
Steve redoubled his amusement again before shaking his head as he reached for his door.
He seemed about to open it before turning back to me in uncertainty, "Do you want to come in? We could order something to eat. I mean if you want."
"I vote for pizza." I did not give him time to recover from his surprise as I entered his apartment before stopping to look at him impatiently over my shoulder. "Are you planning to stay there? Without moving ?"
Steve shook his head at my rudeness again before entering his apartment, reminding me that it was technically his and I could not boss him around his apartment.
I was content to remind him who held the supreme authority in this friendship. Super soldier or not.
