The Pursuit of Liberty
AN: Thanks to Torilovesu, PirateShipForever69, blown-transistor, Midnight Chamber, and ThoughtlessRage for reviewing the last chapter. Cosmopolitan is mentioned in this chapter. I don't own it. To my knowledge Katie's boutique – Flash Fashion – does not exist. This may be my last update for a few days – I have homework and other things I need to attend to.
To make up for that, though, I've made this one longer than usual. I may make Saturdays my update day for this story. It doesn't have many chapters left. This isn't proof-read because I don't have time (babysitting duties await).
To PirateShipForever69: Oh, I see! I get it now. Glad you liked the chapter :D.
To Midnight Chamber: Katie might be working for Caroline :D. But, the question is: is she a willing coconspirator or not?
To ThoughtlessRage: I did so enjoy the cookie dough line. I'm glad I wasn't the only one to get a laugh out of it.
Ten: Pretty and Patriotic
Liberty wanted to kill someone. She'd been woken up early for the second day in a row. Someone had to pay. Peeling her eyes open, the redhead stared blearily at Pepper. "Time to wake up! You need to eat, wash your face, and do all that good stuff before going to Katie's boutique." reminded Pepper.
"I don't wanna." mumbled Liberty, dragging the sheets over her rumpled and twisted hair. It was a ruby red rat's nest around her head. Sadly, for as messy and covering as it was, she could not feign deafness. Her mind was beginning to whir with thought, things like 'Katie' and 'wake up!' stirring her. Would it be terrible of her to deny that photo shoot?
Liberty didn't think so, but was conflicted. Katie never laid a hand on her. And yet, she grew up in the same environment. Caroline groomed her like a beloved pet, and Katie could do no wrong. Seeing her just reminded Liberty of the double standard.
Of the way Katie never questioned anything. Caroline did well to punish her discretely, but Liberty imagined Katie would've caught on. Children were more aware than adults ever gave them credit for. Katie, at the very least, should've realized Caroline's frequent chilly remarks and slight sneers at her deceased mother were in bad taste. But, Liberty reasoned, Katie likely couldn't discern Caroline's comments as wrong.
Katie's mother, Polly, was a full-blooded Ramsey. She and Katie were raised completely in the Ramsey environment. Like Polly, Katie had been groomed. Caroline's opinions and requests of perfection didn't seem that torturous or far-fetched to either of them. Though Liberty never complained directly, she would voice her distress in a vague way by using the snooty private school as a stage.
Spinning tales of snobbish students speaking negatively about her partial Ramsey origins did little to move Polly. Her main responses were to silence them by becoming the portrait of an elegant woman. Hints of physical altercations were rewarded with a roll of her black eyes. According to her logic, well-learned people of wealth would never stoop to such things as abuse. In the end, Liberty just clammed up.
Polly had the same ideas as Caroline. Both women insisted that she conform to relieve her problems. Liberty felt trapped and alone. Eventually, she caved. The Ramseys refused to acknowledge anything but success.
They wouldn't recognize things that didn't interest or benefit them. Yesterday marked the first time in three years that Caroline truly looked at her. Polly and Katie, too. That made Liberty frown. Am I interesting or beneficial? wondered Liberty, knowing how they thought.
"Get that hair! Yum, yum!" laughed Pepper. Julienne leaned out of his mother's arms, snapping a strand of Liberty's long, uncovered hair like a reign as he nibbled on the end. Using a kid was cheating, but effective. Liberty gently extracted her hair from his tiny fist and sat up. She followed Pepper to the kitchen where a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast waited.
I've gone out for a little while, but I'll be back. Enjoy breakfast everyone!
— Steve
The note sat by several identical plates covered with napkins. Steve would leave a note, wouldn't he? It was cute. Liberty spliced an egg idly with her fork, chasing it around the plate. "Now that you're up and eating, here." Pepper dropped September's issue of Cosmopolitan on the table.
Liberty nearly choked on the egg. The woman on the cover didn't matter; the luring article titles did. Sexy things were common in the modern culture, but Liberty didn't exactly like it advertised. Sex was something she thought should be kept private. Staring at the cover boasting fifty couple moves, tips for a better orgasm and the like was a bit unnerving.
It was akin to watching porn live, Liberty imagined. "Wh…why is this here?" she asked, ignoring it in favor of breakfast.
"I thought you'd like to read it. There's confidence tips, success stories, and interesting psychological articles on how the body is absently empowered by certain things."
"I don't really want to know how to increase my orgasm." Liberty mused dryly and ate a layered stab of bacon and egg. Pepper rolled her eyes. It was a good thing Julienne wouldn't remember any of this.
"It's not for that."
"Really? I was under the impression that Cosmopolitan loves naughty things." Liberty chuckled, teeth scraping lightly against the fork as it split her crooked grin.
"I know how you feel about Katie…about that part of your family. I figured this would help. Aside from that, well, you're going to a contemporary photo shoot. Gone are the days of modesty, which you value. This may mentally prepare you for what Katie might ask." Pepper did have a point there, Liberty admitted. Few photographers encouraged wearing full attires nowadays.
If she was totally alone, and knew that, Liberty had no qualms with running around half dressed. Sometimes it even felt good. But….to do it in front of a camera? Where people may see her or her back? That was unsettling.
Maybe reading the magazine would help. Pepper watched Liberty hunt several segments of bacon-topped eggs. Watching the introvert quietly pick at her breakfast gave Pepper an idea. Liberty could be outgoing and vivacious if given an opportunity and a push. "I'll take the awkwardness out of it for you. Hopefully one of the boys will walk in within the next ten seconds," she cleared her throat while propping the magazine up on the table and flipping to a random page, "'experts believe that girl-on-top can provides the perfect mix of feminine control and pleasure…'"
"NONE OF THAT! I don't need to hear that!" Liberty slapped her hand down on the article, preventing Pepper from reading anymore. Julienne giggled at the motion. Some of his favorite things to do were clapping and popping random things. Pepper grinned wickedly. Flushed, wanting to give Pepper nothing else to read, Liberty pinched the edge of the closest page and pulled the magazine towards her plate.
"Keep reading!" encouraged Pepper, planning to deposit Julienne in a bouncer after grabbing a plate for herself. Liberty groaned, hiding a blush by tilting her head towards the informative but somewhat scandalous magazine. It was really only scandalous because society had trouble with people sharing their sexuality and experiences. The world was gradually leaving the 'closed door' policy behind, but was doing so at an incredibly slow rate. She considered herself to be in that category; reluctant to reveal herself to anyone but the person she intended to marry.
If someone wanted to marry her. Liberty didn't think men would line up to be with an abused girl. Psychological backlash was a deal breaker for anyone. She combatted her unsettling thoughts by reading the magazine. Surprisingly, it had more to offer than sex tips and erotic fiction.
Inside Liberty found out how to deal with backstabbers, ensure office success, and glean personality information from shoes. Liberty barely finished her breakfast because she was so transfixed. Tony came in chuckling, breaking her concentration on the magazine. "Coriander's out shopping. Would you like me to call and ask her to pick up cookie dough?"
"Not funny, Tony." frowned Liberty. She fought down meaner things to say, the impulse to retaliate, by cleaning her plate. Tony just cackled. Sipping orange juice gave her the silence needed to think. It was six forty-five. Why would Coriander be at the store?
"How is Cori at the store? It's not even seven!" Tony looked up from his steaming coffee, disappointed that his latest sip had been interrupted. Stark was grateful he had a good poker face. Pepper and Coriander were quick to point out Liberty would clam up at the teasing. He hadn't expected her to actually think and retort. Coriander, Clint, and Steve were supposed to be with Dr. Abbot right now.
"We're Avengers," Tony shrugged casually as he praised himself for the reply, "we get special privileges, especially considering we have kids to feed."
"Ah." Tony could tell Liberty didn't totally buy that. She looked to be considering the validity of that comment. It was his job – and Bruce's, Thor's, Pepper's and Natasha's – to make sure she didn't ask about the missing house members. The task was doable, he thought, when considering Liberty had to be ready for Katie's photo shoot.
"Here." he passed her a second plate of food. Clint would stop and get something on the way home, Tony knew. Hawkeye didn't really like cold food, and wanted to abuse the luxury of being grounded in Stark Tower. It gave him a chance to sample the many fast food places instead of relying on SHIELD's kitchen or the cheap meals he stocked while on missions. "You'll need to load up for the shoot. They don't go by quickly. Trust me." Tony looked sagely for a second, nodding to assure Liberty of his experience.
She ate the second plate, returned Pepper's magazine, and indulged in several stress-reduction techniques compliments of Bruce and Pepper. Keeping Liberty's stress levels low would prevent a family catastrophe. Happy drove her to an impressive four-story building titled Flash Fashion. In the window sat a sign: free wine samples for buyers! Spend one hundred dollars and get a massage! Her gut twisted uncomfortably. Like Katie, the store would be needlessly extravagant and draw in wealthy people.
In short, it would be an uncomfortable hell.
The first floor was massive – big enough for an Olympic swimming pool, she thought – and home to all sorts stocked shelves, pedestals bearing shoes, stylishly dressed mannequins, jewelry cases exploding with color, and racks of clothes divvied by style. Some hung on wall-mounted brackets while others were grounded and dangling from circular metal supports.
Liberty wasn't sure of the current theme, but found herself surrounded by pastels, lace, and floral items. She felt lost in a maze of cloth and color. Hoping her idle browsing would attract a sales rep, Liberty picked through the nearest rack. It was a pale caramel camisole with white trim that bore a fifty dollar price tag. Why, she couldn't imagine, but the camisole boasted breast padding and organic material.
"You must be Liberty." a young blonde woman approached, wearing a tight peach button-up shirt and black pencil skirt. She smiled, tan skin splitting to reveal insanely white teeth. "Katie said you'd be coming. Come with me." her black heels clicked across the wooden floor, around the checkout counter displaying more jewelry, towards the back and to the left where an elevator waited. Liberty was surprised to see an elevator, but noted it must be for wheelchair accessibility. "You'll want floor two." informed the woman.
"Okay." the faster the doors closed, the better. The attendant seemed overly perfect and amiable. It was almost scary. Adding that to the overly lavish décor and ridiculous supply of clothes, Liberty felt trapped in some stuffy rich kid mall. Labeled elevator buttons answered her curiosity as to what lie on the other floors.
Enjoying the quiet, Liberty took a few seconds to read the buttons: Store, Photography and Development, Storage and Design, and VIP Services. The glitz and glamour caused the origin of Katie's store to seem irrelevant. Clearly the VIP services and prices weren't hurting business. Customers of Flash Fashion obviously had money to spend. She stepped out of the elevator and into an equally large floor packed with expensive cameras, large lights, a wide green screen, and colorful prop areas located at the opposite end of the room.
Four people scuttled around, all assisting Katie as she stood impatiently sipping a coffee. An expensive camera that could easily be the width of Liberty's torso hung from her neck. "There you are! Finally! Now we can get started!" Katie closed the distance between them with brisk, predatory steps. Her smile was wide and perfect, but seemed tight. "Jordan, what's our lineup?" Katie half-turned to eye one of her assistance, a hand placed firmly on Liberty's shoulder.
An iron hold just like Caroline, Liberty frowned, refusing to cringe.
"One secretary outfit, a file clerk getup, teacher ensemble, social worker, nurse, telephone operator, saleswoman, one or two mechanical shots, and two performer costumes."
"Sounds perfect. Let's get started!" Katie ushered Liberty towards a massive vanity lit well enough to be a catwalk. It was carved from a cold, glossy pale-peach material and stacked with various cosmetics. Liberty wasn't really one for makeup since the only thing she wished to cover was her back. She was able to recognize eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, and eyeliner, but little else. Her mother didn't wear a lot of makeup, either (from what she remembered), and Liberty never cared to go into Caroline's room and investigate what she wore.
She was given ibuprofen, waxed, exfoliated, steamed, had a facemask applied, and wore cucumbers over her eyes before any dressing occurred. The process of primping was exhausting in itself. Her long hair was thoroughly scrubbed and coated in several products to give it flexibility and a shiny, silky texture. Liberty's naturally tight curls were loosened by creative styling. Once her hair was finished Katie deemed her ready for makeup.
Her first outfit mimicked a secretary. Liberty had no objections about representing a polite and modest time period. Most of her objections came from the way Katie tried to modernize and sexualize the key pieces of 1940s womanhood. It was disgraceful, Liberty thought. Any disagreements she had were voiced carefully, politely, and coolly.
They were all written off. Katie claimed she wasn't disgracing the jobs so much as she was spicing them up. Because Liberty was the model, however, she got final say in what went on. Katie wouldn't have a shoot without her. Liberty didn't think it was wrong to indulge in such a smug feeling, and did as she met Katie halfway on the spied up forties costumes.
Women in the 1940s could easily be sexy, but didn't want to be for everyone. People back then had a special someone to save themselves for. Keeping that in mind, most of Katie's modifications were nothing more than two loose top buttons or a slightly provocative pose that showed no extra skin. A pouty expression or partially parted mouth worked wonders, as it had for Marilyn Monroe. Overall, though, it was hard to make a 1940s secretary sexy.
The file clerk was easier to breathe life into, especially with the props. She wasn't stuck behind a desk! Liberty changed out of her long-sleeved blouse and pencil skirt prior to shooting the scene. It seemed Katie and her attendants had a different wardrobe for each impersonation. Her blouse and pencil skirt was traded for a light blue blouse, peplum black jacket, heels, and a pair of slacks.
She liked that 1940s women were light with their makeup. It kept her from getting her face scrubbed off in between changes. Liberty wasn't completely crazy about the red lipstick because of her red hair, and the fear that there could be such a thing as too much red, but Katie wasn't stopping. After several 'innocent but sexy' poses with the files Liberty found herself in the shoes of a teacher. Katie bounced between the old, strict 1940s fashion and the luxurious, colorful "New Look" wardrobe inspired by post-war events.
A handful of children were brought in to be her students. She received a brief explanation of the green screen while more muscled assistants situated six desks in front of the screen according to Katie's directing. With computer editing the green screen would seem like a packed, old-fashioned classroom. Liberty was merely playing the part of the teacher. Pointing at the board, saluting the flag that would be added in later, stooping to 'help' students, and crossing her legs while grading papers were some of the motions Katie requested.
A separate shot void of students had Liberty taking a bite of an apple in slow motion. She felt a bit naughty biting into the apple, but that was likely because of the way Katie had her sit on the desk. Or lay, rather, because her feet were tucked in towards her bottom as she propped herself up with one arm and nibbled on the deliciously real apple. Her breakfast had nearly left her due to Katie's perfectionism and pickiness. Tony warned her that the process would be long, but Liberty thought this was absolute murder.
She'd only been through three costumes and she was already beginning to perspire. Her breaks consisted of wardrobe changes, makeup touchups, and drinking plenty of water. Katie constantly checked her watch and phone, pausing occasionally to review pictures on her camera. Shooting someone mentioned by Steve Rogers was clearly increasing her business and stuffing her schedule. She looked quite content with all the recognition, her inner spoiled child slipping out by the way she giddily eyed her phone and mumbled something about accepting and rejecting like she was playing a game.
It made Liberty want to vomit. Or maybe that was the lack of food setting in. And the bright lights. "Shit. We have a half-hour, guys! Let's speed this up!" she was acknowledged by a chorus of garbled noises. Liberty wasn't sure what made ten in the morning special, but didn't have much time to think.
She was dressed, undressed, redressed, tugged, pulled, bent, carried to new props, directed, and photographed into near blindness. Liberty's head spun something unmerciful. There was only a vague recollection of being the social worker, nurse, telephone operator, saleswoman, mechanic (that one she remembered because of the bandanna bundling her red hair up), and Andrews Sister-like singer. Katie had significantly decreased her pose shots for whatever reason, taking only three to five where earlier she'd taken seven or nine. Should she be grateful or worried that there was so much emphasis on ten?
I hope we're finished soon. I'm STARVING! Liberty incompletely refrained from threading her lower lip through her teeth after another snippy reminder from Katie. The eager assistant known as Linda darted over to hide the light gashes creasing the layer of red on her lip. Linda squealed joyously at how perfect the shoot was going to be, praising the color scheme and matching aspect. Matching? Liberty blinked, sparing a quick look at her blue collar studded with white stars, the white body wrapped in red at the waist, and a skirt fanning out in a ruffled white and blue alternating pattern, who's matching? I'm the only one here!
Instead of giving her a blue helmet blazoned with USA, she received a little blue hat that could easily perch on her red hair. Katie took her time on this costume, Liberty noticed. Liberty felt like a puppet as she raised her red gloved arms up and down, put one on her hip, lifted them high in the air, and jumped to showcase complimenting white-silver shoes. "Can I take a break now?" Liberty tried not to moan as she graciously accepted a hanky to blot at her heated neck and face.
"I suppose. Laura, keep her spritzed and hydrated. The second half of the shoot won't go well if she's sweaty and disgusting." Katie instructed, picking idly at her nails before scrolling through the plethora of pictures. YOU'RE sweaty and disgusting, Liberty thought childishly as she sighed through her nose. When hungry her 'niceness' barriers often crumbled and let out the opinionated, emotional beast within.
"Second half?" Liberty couldn't help but parrot. Wasn't an hour long enough? She would surely snap if left under these conditions any longer. Katie wasn't feeding her! The breaks were hardly long enough for her to run off and find something. Asking one of the assistance for something small was out of the question, too.
Katie, like Caroline, required a full and constant staff devoted to her. She came first because she was the photographer and was doing all the hard, important work. "Don't worry," smiled Laura as she led Liberty to a nearby chair and offered her another bottle of water, "this part will be fun!"
"If you say so." Liberty mumbled unenthusiastically. "Will it be long? I'm kind of hungry." she admitted sheepishly, dulling her near-automatic brusqueness. Laura hadn't done anything to her, after all.
"I have some trail mix." Laura fished around in her pocket. It wasn't much, just something unused and left over from her morning yogurt and oatmeal.
"May I? Would you mind?"
"Not at all." Laura handed the bag over. It was hardly enough to miss.
Steve thought he did a fine job avoiding Liberty. It was an order, not a choice. Well, there was a speck of his own will in there. Katie suggested his appearance at the photo shoot be a surprise. Seeing their chemistry at the parade had her itching to do a set just for Liberty and a set for them together.
Scheduling Liberty's set first gave her time to plan for their combined shooting. It prevented Steve from suffering through the menial things like makeup renewal and wardrobe changes, too. Personally, Steve wouldn't have minded any of that a bit. He'd always been rather curious as to how women in the 1940s primped themselves, and the curiosity had never been answered because of their desire to overlook him. The process was likely more complex now than it had been, but it still would've been interesting to watch.
She'd probably make nice faces during the primping, too. Opening her mouth for the lipstick, half-lidding her eyes for the mascara…all sensual things Steve couldn't get out of his head. How many posters of Marilyn Monroe's famous pouty, beckoning smile had he seen in his day? Too many to count. He remembered the posters of his time clearly, so much so that they almost felt tattooed in his mind.
Women of the 1940s had nice, lean legs, narrow waists, gorgeous smiles, and eyelashes that could stop a man's heart. Waiting to see if she'd stop his heart at the photo shoot didn't take long. He'd eaten an early breakfast, dropped his bag off at his apartment, gone for a run, showered at his old apartment to prevent waking anyone in Stark Tower, and met with Dr. Abbot for a personal session before Clint and Coriander arrived. He was looking for professional. feminine advice on what to do next since coming to the realization that he would pursue a relationship with Liberty. She was overjoyed, reveling in his advancements and even lightly teasing him about his modern crush.
She'd seen the parade footage and thought Liberty showed healthy improvement. Liberty was joking, smiling, and letting a bit of her true personality out. Dr. Abbot thought Steve's photographed intervention between Liberty and Caroline was immensely encouraging to the both of them. Steve was asserting himself in a baser male way that was innately familiar; it would be comforting and understandable.
If anything, it was something he could fall back on. Men weren't always emotional, but they understood emotion. Steve coming to her rescue like he did activated the soldier part of him, which is what Abbot wanted to see. That brief experience as a dominant male, as soldier Steve, likely cleared his head. Maybe not as much as he wanted, but Dr. Abbot had a feeling Steve had untangled some of the more complex inner workings of his own mind.
The fact that Liberty didn't back down showed strengthening confidence, Dr. Abbot jovially reported to Steve. Whatever they were doing was working. She was delighted to receive Coriander's report on the Burlesque movie night. Liberty related to Tess on a level typically only reachable by extensive therapy. Dr. Abbot then deduced that this happened because she linked movies with her grandfather, who was a good influence.
She was ascending to normality at an unexpected but beneficial rate. The tender encouragement of her housemates was constantly reinforcing the invisible and subconscious damage evident in her Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. They ended up talking more about Liberty than Steve, but through that Dr. Abbot could really tell he cared about her. He'd flush slightly or flash a boyish, crooked smile as her name was continuously mentioned. It was cute.
Dr. Abbot could offer nothing less to Steve than for him to trust himself. She could glean 1940s traditions and mindsets from books, but couldn't force an answer from that like Steve wanted. Reading about the past was one thing; dealing with a person from the past was another. The 1940s were wildly different from the modern world. As a man from the 1940s Steve would know his own feelings on right and wrong; he would be able to decode the messages of his own body, virgin or not.
Pepper faxed over her humorous account of the Cosmopolitan tactic. Dr. Abbot was highly amused. She told Steve that – however he decided to approach this matter, if it all worked out and they became a couple – it would be an interesting adventure. Steve blushed heavily, taking a small break before Coriander and Clint arrived for an official meeting on Liberty's recovery status. He was sent out at some points due to Dr. Abbot's wish not to cross-contaminate her psychological studies, and Steve would spend the quiet minutes outside her door thinking about the rest of his day.
He was used to being on a schedule. Ever attentive, Steve would mentally check and recheck until he was comfortable. There was a certain comfort to be had in knowing everything fit and that he'd parceled his time out to get it all done. Dividing the hours between his Avengers duties, the public, training, and himself was very taxing. We'll be at a photo shoot together very soon, Steve always found himself thinking while he waited.
"Here I am." Steve whispered to himself, ducking out of the duffle bag strap and his reminiscing as the floor attendant led him to the elevator. He smiled politely, largely ignoring the feasting look of appraisal she gave him. It reminded him of the one woman who kissed him as Peggy rounded the corner. And the rounds she let out into his unpainted vibranium shield as he stood next to Howard. Two helpers were waiting on him when the doors opened.
One set to work unpacking his duffel bag and hanging it up as the other led Steve to the nearest bathroom. He emerged dressed as Captain America. Steve's heart galloped slightly when he saw Liberty in a chorus girl uniform. Katie could've only gotten the design from the museum, as photos back then had no colors. It brought back fond memories, the sight of that uniform.
Steve assumed it'd been made just for Liberty due to the snugness. Her little breasts were hugged by the white material of the chest, and her nipped waist was perfectly wrapped in red. "Can I take this off now? It's really hot. If not, can we get some fans going?" Liberty frowned, her back to him as she fanned herself.
"I'd hate for you to take it off. I just got here." Steve grinned. Her eyes lit up as she turned. Delight warmed Steve's chest as he realized she felt that way because of him.
"Steve! What are you doing here?" her fingertips touched her perfectly red lips in a brief moment of shock. She crossed over to him within a matter of minutes, blue eyes sparkling like firelight as she approached. They ignored the flash of Katie's camera. Liberty held her arms out for a gleeful hug and Steve complied. He was pleased to see she'd survived her hour-long session alone.
"Katie's going to take my picture." Steve flashed a close-lipped grin. It amused him that she didn't know. Her childish enthusiasm was bleeding through and he couldn't love her more than he already did. Many modern things confused him, but not Liberty. She was wonderfully simple; understandable, but not forward.
Relaxed, but not 'easy' (as Tony put it). "Our picture." corrected Steve. He couldn't do this without her.
"And I'm going to start with the two of you saluting." Katie broke in, motioning for them to step closer together as she adjusted her lens. Steve hoisted her onto his shoulder at Katie's request, holding his shield up proudly as she snapped the next picture. The next three pictures mirrored his old stage days; someone dressed up as Hitler and tried to make off with Liberty instead of sneaking up on him. She spotted her kidnapper in the first picture, was captured in the second, and saved in the third.
Katie called for a quick costume change. Steve stayed in his Captain America suit; apparently she still had use for him in it. Liberty was thrown into a modified version of his old army uniform. The alteration included leaving the front open to reveal an earth-colored tube top. He bet there was a similar, matching scanty bottom to that set, but said nothing.
His blue eyes drank her in, hypnotized and riled by how she made his uniform look. It was sexy. Her stomach was flat, but not toned. She looked soft and out of place when he considered what the uniform represented. But her spirit was there, he knew.
Her spirit fit the bill just like his had. Steve couldn't help but laugh at the fact that his chinstrap didn't touch her. It hadn't on him either. The pants of his uniform looked painted on her. He was tempted to ask if she'd been oiled and forced into them.
His old physique was petite for a man, bony too, and totally different than hers. Liberty was petite, too, but possessed curved hips. Hips that seemed attractively large and compensating for her lack of breasts. He expected – hoped – the button and zipper of his pants to snap any moment. Katie took another salute picture, having them face one another this time instead of standing side by side.
"I'd really like to button this up. In the 40s you couldn't get away with this in the army." Liberty pointed out. "And I really don't feel like being on the receiving end of media backlash for disgracing the uniform."
"You don't disgrace my uniform." assured Steve throatily with a grin, pinning her with lust-darkened eyes. He tried not to let his eyes roam over so blatantly, but felt that he was failing. His eyes greedily commemorated every little detail of her in his clothes. The red of her hair against the fabric, her pale skin made luminescent by the colors, and how the pants hugged her lower body. Steve could feel the desire welling up in him as his heart pounded.
Heat laced his blood, warming his body until standing still was unbearable. He had so much love and admiration for her, for what she'd accomplished and how she acted. Steve felt like keeping quiet, keeping his nervous secret, would kill him if nothing happened soon. Katie had Steve piggyback her in front of the green screen, setting the illusion that he was carrying her from a warzone. Her thighs were relaxed at his side because he supported her with ease, but Steve couldn't help but wonder how they would feel clenched around him in desperation.
In need. In passion. The idea made him smack his lips and swallow thickly, body already beginning to feel the effects of the large lights without his blood boiling. His skin began to sweat lightly, prompting Katie to set up fans so his costume wasn't drenched before the shoot was finished. Steve was grateful to have the cool air circulating; it would keep any problems at bay.
He hoped.
Liberty sighed blissfully and languidly at the presence of cold air. Steve bit his lower lip slightly, relishing the sound. She was on his back, unaware of his condition, and elicited the noise deathly close to his ear. It made everything in him tremble with hunger. The threads of rationality and propriety holding him together were unraveling at a mind-numbing speed.
Katie sent Liberty to the makeup station to prepare for the next picture. Steve was left feeling slightly frustrated and charged with something primal. He could feel the descriptions cycling through his head on repeat as they threatened to put him in a trance: love, want, touch, feel, hold, taste. The curiosity would drive him insane, Steve feared. He wanted to know how her lips felt and tasted more than anything.
If he was allowed one thing in the modern time, it would be her kiss. Those rarely painted lips had been bugging him for quite some time. His craving was exacerbated by the perfume he could smell lingering alongside him. Katie snapped a shot of Liberty covered in fake blood, draped limply in Steve's arms. Dr. Abbot had long since talked him through any signs of delayed PTSD, but the sight gave Steve an icy feeling in his gut.
Seeing her dead wasn't something Steve ever imagined. It certainly wasn't something he wanted to see, even if it was fake. He felt his stomach plummet. "Mmm…it's just not right. Mind changing into your army uniform, Steve? I think that will resonate better." Katie spoke mostly to herself, but indicated that she wanted him to change. Changing came quickly - too quickly - for Steve.
In a matter of minutes he was back to holding Liberty in his arms. She had her eyes closed, arms hanging down like she was nothing but dead weight. The fake blood painting her bare torso was unsettling. Katie made it look like she'd incurred a fatal bullet wound. Steve's strong imagination was perfect for drawing, but awful for reality.
Part of him couldn't seem to remember that this was all fake. He felt tears burning at the back of his eyes as she lay perfectly still. She was holding her breath until Katie took the perfect shot. It felt like hours, not seconds, until Liberty could wash the mess off and return to normal photos. "Now that you're dry let's do a costume change." Katie nodded her head to Liberty and the clothes rack set up not too far away.
"Give her the Andrews Sister uniform, but leave the hat."
"Sure thing, Katie." Steve didn't know her assistants' names and didn't want to. Liberty returned in an outfit that reminded him of Peggy. It was the wrong color, and Peggy would never wear a skirt that short, but the look was still uncanny.
"Okay, in this one you're going to run to Steve and jump into a hug. He's just been…um…he's recently returned and you're overjoyed to see him. Something like this actually happened to you, didn't it?" Katie lowered her camera for a second, waiting for Steve to answer. "You liberated a camp or something, right?"
Or something, Steve resisted the urge to snort and correct her. He'd done far more than liberate a camp that day. Katie was annoying with all her finery and modernism. With her half-hearted interest in history. It was almost insulting to Steve and who he was.
"Um…duh!" Liberty rolled her eyes as she looked to Katie. "What didn't he do? He's Captain America!" Steve grinned. Oh how he wished he could nuzzle her without Katie snapping a picture. She was always there for him, dog or not.
"You're just so talkative today!" laughed Katie. She meant the noise to sound jovial, but Steve detected tightness. He got the impression that Katie could care less about Liberty's input. Steve was already less than impressed with her directing style. The soldier knew little of modern processes such as photo shoots, but knew they shouldn't be run like a cruel dictatorship.
Liberty ignored that barbed reply. "So am I literally jumping to him or what?" her stomach growled softly. Steve could only imagine how hungry she was, being here an hour before him. Living under the ever-changing whims of her cousin was draining. Especially in the steamy conditions barely relieved by small fans.
"No. You jumping will just give me a blurry shot. "Jumping" is just the term I'll give for my inspiration. Steve, do you mind picking her up?" he could thank her for that, at least. Steve was always looking for a reason to hold her. He could actually feel her thighs through the soldier uniform. There were no gloves to contain his broad fingers. Folding his palms around the back of her upper thighs, Steve resisted the urge to wiggle them around and explore.
The idea was incredibly tempting. So much so that he could barely keep his fingers still. He was sure they were already moving against her, stroking the tight material ever so softly and discretely. Or maybe his imagination was running off on him again because he wanted it to happen. "Good," Katie broke the spell their eyes made, one Steve didn't even realize he'd been sucked up in, "now kiss him."
"Um…what?" floundered Liberty, turning her head to look at Katie as Steve inched his face forward. He wasn't about to deny orders. A kiss required two people, and he would do his part. His mouth watered eagerly for her as his brain began to repeat the tantalizing descriptions from earlier.
"Kiss him. Think about it, he's been gone for months! You want to love people who've just returned like he did! It'll be a good emotional hook. Now kiss!"
Liberty swallowed, looking up at Steve. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd been kissed. Now that she thought about it, was there ever a time that she had been kissed by someone she didn't consider family? It was hard to remember. But…Steve was a friend.
What if this messed things up? Or, worse, what if he somehow came to resent her for an unwanted kiss? Terrified and uncoordinated, Liberty pecked him on the lips quickly. There…it was over! I think I hit his head, she thought with slight horror as the light throbbing started in her forehead.
The touch of his lips to hers was like a spark. It happened, but the sensations processed a few seconds later. His lips were soft and plush, pliable because he'd put no force behind the quick kiss. She could smell the Aqua Velva and a scent that was distinctly him. Liberty tried not to shiver, her legs already twined tight around his hips as Steve held her close.
"Seriously? What, are you kissing your grandma? That's not how you kiss someone." Katie scoffed.
"Well, I don't suffocate them with my tongue on the first kiss." retorted Liberty coolly. Steve could tell she was aggravated by hunger. It was amusing to see her fight back, though. The shock on Katie's face was priceless. He watched the two cousins slip into a brief glaring match; it led him to believe Liberty's comment had a base Katie wasn't fond of.
"Kiss longer." huffed Katie. "Long enough for me to get a shot. It's really not that hard."
"It's not hard to be polite, either." Steve couldn't help but say. Disrespect rubbed him the wrong way, and always had. Katie didn't dare say anything, not to Captain America. She held up her camera again, waiting on them.
"You're bad." Liberty smiled, resting her forehead on his. Steve's body tingled as her lips brushed his. Who knew speaking could be so sensual?
"Just keeping her quiet." he mused. Proud of putting Katie in her place, Steve felt like he had enough adrenaline and testosterone to kiss her. Like he wanted to, not how Katie asked. "You want to really piss her off?" asked Steve.
"Steve!" Liberty didn't think he was one for coarse language. Everyone had their moment, she supposed. "Sure." the idea was too tempting to pass up.
"Do you trust me?"
"Would I let you hold me if I didn't?"
"I doubt it." Steve readjusted her. It was mostly to reestablish his grip. Part of him was dying for friction. He was so hard it hurt. Rogers though she could feel it, but didn't really care if Liberty could or not.
She did this to him. Drove him wild. It was simply a side effect of his feelings. He'd tried too long to fight it, and was now beginning to understand that it couldn't be subdued. He couldn't be sated until the truth came out.
Until she understood and hushed all of those curiosities that had never been answered seventy years ago.
"Ready?" Steve smirked against her lips, enjoying the shiver his warm breath inspired in her. Just a taste. Give me a taste…the little voice begged. He would get his taste. Liberty nodded, nearly melting when Steve's mouth fitted to hers. His lips were soft, belying the strong clench of his hands against her thighs.
The mixed sensations made her tense as the electricity and heat pooled between her thighs, carried on the shudders running through her. She gave a soft, breathy moan that Steve swallowed with gusto. It stroked his inner male to hear such a noise. Made him feel focused and greedy as he sought to wring more of those from her. "You guys are wooden! Come on!" whined Katie, disappointed as they shared a third lip-to-lip kiss.
What were they, twelve?
You just need to shut up, Steve thought. Katie wanted more and he'd give her more. His hand tentatively traced up the curve of Liberty's back, causing her to straighten as he did so. It evened out their lip-lock, making Steve smile. She was all nerves and innocence, something Steve wanted to hold, cherish, and claim for himself.
Did that make him a bad person? If so, well, he would gladly go evil for this. His hand came to rest in her hair, fingers tangling deeply in her tresses. It kept her anchored to his seeking mouth. He felt Liberty press trustingly into him as she slid her arms gently over his shoulders until she cradled his neck.
Relieved and mildly encouraging instructions from Katie fell on deaf ears. Steve funneled all of his focus and memory on this moment. His tongue poked questioningly at her bottom lip, tasting sweet lip gloss and something rich he could only assume to be lipstick. Liberty gradually opened her mouth, shocked by Steve's tongue. She'd never felt like this!
She registered the audible inhale of air through her nose. Her mouth was completely occupied with the taste of him. With his tongue. Liberty breathed in heat, electricity, excitement, his exploring tongue, and a taste that was notably Steve. The press of his lips was determined but soft, much like the perusing of his tongue across every inch of her mouth.
Her body tightened with the need for air. Liberty couldn't bring herself to ask for it. Steve didn't look like he wanted to release her. Hopefully it was by his own choice and not because Katie wanted another picture. His tongue left an addictive trail of numbness and heat, coating her mouth with a craving and burning only he could quench.
His hands massaged her thighs, fingers daring to dip in the concealed space between her legs. Liberty uttered another shaky moan. The ragged inhale he gave didn't help, either. He was suffering just like her, desperate for air but unwilling to break away. Her body became impossibly tighter as he lifted her legs, increasing the insistent press of the pants against her throbbing clit.
Steve moved his hips as inconspicuously as possible, hoping to drive the rubbing the material against her until she caved. It was the only way he could accurately show her what she did to him. This feeling happened to him every time. She had to understand. It was killing him!
But it was the sweetest way to die. Steve took the light clawing at his shoulders as a sign. She was building up just like him. About to explode and finally release some of the heat threatening to burn him up from the inside. His body trembled, enticed by her quaking hips and the moistness he could feel at his groin.
Her orgasm triggered his, and there was no sweeter feeling than shaking together. Steve thought he was most turned on by the fact that they were quiet about it. His boldest action involved ripping his helmet off so she could clench handfuls of his hair. The frustrated collision of her fingers against his helmet hinted at her quest to feel him, to anchor herself against him. He buried the satisfied growl in the column of her throat, tilting his head up to breathe a few seconds later.
He could throw her down and make love right now and have no issues with it. Steve wanted to love her, to protect her, to prove that she was worth more than what Caroline thought. "Great! That was fantastic! Now if you could just–"
"We're done." Steve croaked. He refused to be exposed to her snippy nonsense after such a blissful experience. "She's hungry and I have other things to do. We're done." and that was final. Dr. Abbot said to trust himself, and right now he wanted to get her away from Katie. Steve wanted to get her alone and find a spot to maybe – finally – speak his mind.
If he couldn't manage that in the full, he'd be able to share his intentions. Trusting himself included believing his gut. All he really knew was that he loved her, and what happened after this would be the start of his pursuit. "But I—" Katie started.
"Done." Steve stooped to retrieve his helmet, wrapping one arm tightly around Liberty as he did so.
"I'll get back to you when the pictures are developed, then." Katie replied weakly. Protesting Captain's leave would hardly change anything. He set Liberty down long enough to repack his duffle bag and led the way to the restroom. Steve took a few extra moments to clean himself as best he could before waiting outside for her. Once she joined him Steve took her to the motorcycle waiting out front in a reserved spot.
They were both dressed in civilian clothes now, evading excess attention as he drove to an old-fashioned diner he liked. It had nice music and a familiar color scheme of black, white, and red. The modern blend of wood, plastic, and metal, of tile and concrete, was comforting. It was slightly embarrassing to be sitting in a booth with a girl, facing her. Most of his dates in the 40s never got this far. Steve was beginning to get a little nervous despite what just happened, and stole glances of Liberty as they browsed the menu.
He reasoned that it was the whole 'love before sex' concept retaliating. A waitress smiled brightly, hair done up in a polka dotted ribbon to match the red of her skirt. They surprised her by readily ordering. Steve couldn't stop the grin of surprise when Liberty ordered a vanilla milkshake to go with her chicken tender and fry basket. Vanilla was his favorite flavor.
It wasn't too rich like chocolate, and tasted fine with most toppings whereas strawberry sometimes mixed and became too flavorful. In a brief moment of childish indulgence he ordered a vanilla milkshake with a loaded burger. They talked absently of the weather and smaller things while waiting on the food. Both wanted to dissect the ferocious kiss, but silently decided the restaurant was not the place to do so. Steve knotted the straw wrapper after poking the straw into his vanilla milkshake.
It kept him from reaching over to hold her hand. Such a thing might seem like too much too soon after what just happened. Steve didn't want to take his chances until they had an opportunity to talk about what happened. Liberty ate nicely as possible, hunger dulled by the milkshake. She had fun drowning her chicken in Dijon mustard.
She offered Steve a chicken tender, but he declined. Liberty supposed it was too small and dissatisfying when compared to the massive burger clenched between his hands. They finished nearly a half hour later, intending to beat the noontime rush. "No, no. Put that away." chided Steve as she reached for the wallet within her purse.
"It's fine. I can pay for mine."
"I didn't say you couldn't. I want to pay for it." Steve dropped his large hand over hers adamantly.
"I don't like things being handed to me." explained Liberty.
"It's not being handed to you." grinned Steve. "I owe it to you after that kiss." his smile was boyish and slightly wolfish. Liberty blushed, quietly tucking away her wallet. So he enjoyed that right, judging by what he said? That was comforting.
She liked it, too.
The urge to confess was strong. Steve fought it off, but barely. Sitting in a restaurant wasn't how he imagined asking out his first modern girlfriend. Hell, she was technically his first girlfriend ever because he and Peggy never went on that date. "I like…" he started, panicking when his lips betrayed his mind.
Liberty's eyes widened. Was he going to say it? Was he? Could people even like each other after what she and Steve had been through? Finding an Avenger as a dog wasn't how people usually met; it was even less likely to be a base for dating.
"I like your hair." Steve winced slightly as his voice lifted. It cracked too, but he was worried about what came out versus how it sounded. She didn't expect to hear a compliment, but accepted it graciously. He was a sweetheart; the fumbling and stuttering only made him cuter. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his dignity and shift the air of confusion and quietness around them.
"Want to head to the tower?" Steve questioned after paying for the bill. No pressing calls had been made. He assumed everything was fine at the tower; a calm environment might help him recover from whatever that was. They had the opportunity to travel since he'd taken his motorcycle. It would be a quiet, close ride anywhere they went.
"Sure." giggled Liberty. "I can sleep off this stomach." she joked, rubbing her wonderfully stuffed stomach.
"What stomach?" Steve chuckled as he offered his arm and led her to the motorcycle.
"You and your sweetness." Liberty shook her head. "Guess I don't need to make you any pies. You'll be a diabetic if you get too much sugar in you."
"Hey, there's always room for pie." Steve spoke up as he revved the engine, checking one last time to make sure her hands were secure around his torso. Liberty's laugh was lost in the air as Steve took off to Stark Tower. They were met with Tony's large, shit-eating grin. That was never good, and Steve became instantly suspicious.
"Hello, lovebirds." Tony beamed. Steve frowned. How did that get out so fast? "Don't you just love camera phones? And our status, of course, because anything Avengers makes the news almost instantly." he cackled.
"Yay Steve!" Pepper wrapped him in a big, happy hug. Liberty was nearly tomato red with embarrassment. A picture of their lengthy kiss had quickly gone viral because of Katie's assistants sending it to their contacts. Steve really, honestly hated technology.
"I'm going to go lay down now." Liberty combed her fingers through her red hair. And die, she thought, and maybe squeal into my pillow before I die. Steve didn't have the luxury of a quick escape. Tony wouldn't dare pass up an opportunity to tease him. They let Liberty slip away, confirming Steve's unspoken belief that he was the main attraction.
"Good for you, Steve!" Coriander cheered, bouncing Emery as he clapped. Everyone else was happy, so obviously he had something to clap about. Julienne giggled, but that was largely due to Tony's raspberry on his stomach. Stark would make his child laugh at Steve, wouldn't he? Sorrel busied herself with babbling in baby gibberish and gumming Thor's beard while the god clapped him on the back with a meaty hand.
"Dr. Abbot will be delighted to hear about this." Bruce mused, pushing his glasses up on his nose. That made Steve nearly explode with embarrassment. He saw an awkward session in his future. Clint chuckled at that, enjoying the mental image of the forward therapist prodding Steve about his first modern kiss. Natasha drank in his mortification with delight.
Watching men squirm was always funny to her. That was likely due to her warped sense of humor, of course. "Spill." demanded Tony. "I want it quick and dirty. Give me the details." Tony waved his hands as if trying to draw Steve in. Steve frowned at his choice of words. He'd go out of his way to avoid anything 'quick and dirty' with Tony.
"Katie had us do some poses and wanted us to kiss. It was something about emotional hooks." Steve shook his head. He didn't really understand Katie, but that was mostly because he didn't want to know her. Rogers had no desire to know any Ramsey after watching all of that abuse footage.
"Okay, but how did it get to that?" Tony pointed happily to the screen. JARVIS alerted him of Steve's television presence far before Tony saw it. Once the genius billionaire tricked Julienne into another diaper and looked up, he froze the frame. Steve had a hell of a tale to tell when he got home. And now Tony wanted to hear it; he'd been waiting long enough.
Tony Stark did not like to be kept waiting.
"She said we were wooden. And told Liberty she kissed me like a grandma. As much as I hate speaking ill of others—"
"You do it to my face all the time." Tony reminded.
"You're a special case, Stark." laughed Steve. "Anyway, as much as I hate speaking ill of others, Katie isn't very accommodating. Or polite. She's rather pushy and insistent. We gave her what she wanted to keep her quiet."
"I don't think she wanted it." teased Tony. "Looks like you did."
"Shut up, Stark."
"Dr. Abbot is going to have a field day." Tony spun Julienne around. His son giggled.
"You can't tell Dr. Abbot!" Steve protested firmly. "I don't want her to know – or to tell anyone – until I've found the right way to mention it to Liberty."
"Wait. So you did that—Tony pointed to the screen—and haven't established that you want to be an item?"
"I don't really like talking about personal things in a restaurant, Tony." Steve growled.
"Don't you think she already knows?" Tony gave Steve one of his signature smartass looks.
"Maybe." Steve fidgeted. "But that's not the point. I want to tell her, and I want it to mean something."
"You're so adorably romantic!" gushed Pepper. She then paused thoughtfully. Tony pouted as she slapped him. "Why can't you do anything sweet like that?"
"I got you strawberries!" defended Tony.
"Which I'm allergic to!" Pepper snorted.
"The point is: I made the effort. And it's kind of your fault for forgetting to remind me what you're allergic to."
"Excuse me? What was that Anthony Edward Stark?"
"Woah-oh." Clint snorted through his nose, "She used your full name. You're in the doghouse."
"I don't remember everything about you, Pep! I get distracted by other things!" Tony knew this was just playful banter, and was glad for that.
"So I suppose you're fine with me knowing more about you than you do?"
"Of course! You're my assistant. You're supposed to know more about me than me. Also, I'm Tony Stark. Who doesn't want to know about me?"
"Me." sighed Steve with light agitation. Pepper giggled. Tony frowned.
"So what's your plan, Cap?" Tony redirected his focus and happily poked his nose into his favorite Capsicle's love life.
"To not take your advice." Steve answered absently. Pepper giggled again. Thor chuckled, too; the deep rumbling in his chest tickled Sorrel.
"We're going to the park tomorrow. You can do something there?" Clint offered. Steve puckered his lips thoughtfully. That would certainly be a surprise, but did he really want to do it in public?
"I'll think about it." Steve nodded to Clint. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to train." he gave a pointed look to Tony. Iron Man wouldn't dare interrupt him and his vibranium shield for mere teasing. He knew better.
"Giving the rest of your body a workout to play catch-up with your lips?" kidded Tony curiously. Steve glared at him, wishing Julienne wasn't cuddled like a fleshy shield.
"Shut up, Stark!"