I'M ALIVE! I am so sorry for the long wait! I had quite a writers block and then got swamped with life, but I finally managed to finish this chapter! So, I apologize if it's rushed. Thank you all for your patience!
'What have I gotten myself into?' Ivory thought to herself while slouching in the hard chair in the empty break room that she was supposed to have left thirty minutes ago.
She was still clad in her scrubs, her mind far away in thought, and she was slowly spiraling down into a crisis. Ivory's thoughts kept drifting back to her recent fight, to the Creature and to the showdown with her Soulmates, and the anxiety thrumming through her was an almost constant thing. It had been almost two weeks since the altercation and she hasn't slept much since and the stress was slowly driving her crazy.
'Why did I think I could do this?' she thought before scrubbing a hand across her face with a groan as exhaustion weighed down on her. Her Soulmates have called her since then, they even met for lunch one afternoon, and she hated how she had to be constantly on guard around them. Especially when she knew how earnest they were being.
At the memory of Steve's hopeful blue eyes and Bucky's small but sweet smile had her pressing her palms against her eyes until she saw explosions of color. Ivory had thought about cutting ties with them, but her heart ached something fierce whenever she considered it, and so she kept her suit tucked into a corner of her closet for the time being. She couldn't chance having another run in with them, the memory of their guarded suspicion had her heart clenching in her chest, and she knew that it was only a matter of time before the truth came out.
"I'm an idiot," she said, voice muffled by her hands, and felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Groaning she fumbled in her pocket until she found her phone and then groaned again at the name on the screen. Ivory stared at the screen, debating on answering, before taking a deep breath and accepted the call.
"Did I catch you at a bad time?" Steve's smooth voice had her face growing warm despite her dark mood.
"No…just got off work," she responded while sinking further into the chair.
"Good! I was wondering if you wanted to stop by for dinner?" he asked, in that endearingly hopeful way of his, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Ivory was about to decline when a small pained grunt, followed by a muttered curse sounded faintly from the phone, and her plump lips curled into a frown.
"Everything okay, Steve?" she asked slowly, not able to stop herself from rubbing the name branded on her hip, and she heard his breath hitch slightly as the sound of his clothes rustling filled the silence.
"I'm fine, just a small scratch from a mission," he stated nonchalantly, and she immediately shot upright.
The phone creaked ominously in her hand.
"You're hurt?" she asked, voice a little more forceful than intended, and she couldn't help the horrifying images flashing through her mind.
"It's just a small cut, Ivory. I'll be fine by morning," he said, voice only slightly strained, and the young woman felt nausea roll through her at his words.
"Text me your address and I'll be there as soon as possible," she said while hurrying to her feet, slinging her bag over her shoulder, and marching out the door. She heard him take a breath and she glared at the phone.
"If you tell me you are alright one more time," she threatened, voice quiet so she didn't disturb any of her patience, and a soft chuckle had some of the tension easing from her shoulders.
"Okay, you win," he said and more of her tension eased. Ivory ended the call and by the time she made it to her car, the freezing wind easily cutting through the black thermal she was wearing underneath her marron scrubs, her phone pinged with a text.
It was Steve sending his address accompanied by a smiling emoji.
She couldn't help the fond smile she gave her phone, but she shook her head while starting her car, and made her way to his home. The moon peaked from the clouds, casting the road in silver light, and she let the quiet ride clear her mind. She kept calm as she navigated traffic, reminding herself that if he invited her to dinner then his injury couldn't be so bad, and she had eventually calmed enough that the tight feeling in her chest dissipated enough to take a deep breath. The neighborhood was lovely, beautiful brownstones with streetlights casting a warm glow on everything, and she surprisingly found a place to park. She grabbed her bag and shuffled out of her car and bounded up the stone stairs.
The door opened before she could even lift her hand to knock.
Steve smiled at her and moved to the side, but she couldn't help but to stare. His movements were slow and measured, easily missed if she hadn't been looking for it, and she felt another frown darkening her features. His blond hair was ruffled, sticking up in every direction, and the warm light from behind him made it appear as if he was wearing a halo. His blue eyes were filled with warmth and his smile was bright.
However, she should could see that his face was pale, almost ashen, and pain had tightened his features. He was wearing a dark blue hoodie that complemented his frame nicely, but hid any injuries from her prying eyes, and she suddenly felt heat warm her cheeks when she realized he was watching her.
"Thank you for coming on short notice," Steve said as he ushered her in, looking more chipper than when he first opened the door, and she hesitated at the threshold. Ivory gave herself a mental shake before walking through and Steve shut the door quietly behind her.
Ivory got the barest hint of minimal yet cozy as she glanced around the rather spacious room and she neatly toed off her sneakers by the door. She didn't even realize she picked the spot between the two simple pairs of running shoes.
"Where's Bucky?" she asked, frowning when she didn't see her other Soulmate, and peered into the living room. She half expected the super soldier to pop out of the shadows.
"He went to grab some groceries for our dinner," Steve said with a bashful smile and she noticed how his eyes roamed from the top of her messy bun to her socked feet. He looked particularly pleased that she was standing in his home. She then noticed how he was favoring one side and he chuckled when she narrowed her eyes at him.
"You don't have to worry, Ivory. It'll heal up by morning," Steve said as he shuffled around her and she scanned over his tall frame.
His dark blue hoodie stretched across broad shoulders and a pair of loose gray sweatpants seemed to emphasize his long legs. His feet were bare, and she was struck by the thought that even his feet were perfect, before she resumed looking at the rest of him. His golden hair now resembled molten gold, his bright blue eyes shined in the soft lighting, and a small crooked smile quirked his full pink lips. She also now noticed the pinched expression, the way his jaw was clenched, and she raised her chin stubbornly.
"I'll be the judge of that. Now, go sit and show me where you're hurt," she said, voice brooking no argument, and his smile shifted into a full grin.
It was both beautiful and playful.
Her breath caught in her throat, momentarily struck by the soft look in his eyes, and she shifted awkwardly at the surge of warmth that bloomed in her chest.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied before moving into the kitchen.
He eased into a chair at a kitchen nook that already had a large first aid kit placed in the middle, the room was simple but with shinning state of the art appliances, and she quickly walked to the large stainless steel sink to wash her hands. Ivory took the time to breathe deeply, the buzzing in her ears easing as she went through the familiar tasks of thoroughly cleaning her hands, and quickly dried them on a paper towel that was placed neatly by the sink. She turned just in time to see Steve peeling off a bloodstained white tank top, his hoodie folded neatly beside him, and she was struck dumb by the miles of bared smooth skin.
Her mouth suddenly went dry as she saw her name in her bubbly handwriting scrawled across his upper abdomen. She also noticed Bucky's name peaking from his waist band in neat cursive on his lower abdomen.
The stark black letters standing out sharply against his pale skin, looking both alluring and jarring, and her midnight blue eyes were riveted on his Marks. She didn't realize she'd been standing and staring until Steve delicately cleared his throat.
"Ivory?" he asked softly, snapping her back to attention, and she dragged her eyes up until she met his bright blue ones. Ivory noticed pink dusting his cheeks and she cleared her own throat.
"Sorry," she muttered while digging around in her pockets until she found an extra pair of blue latex gloves she kept out of habit. She tugged them on before pulling items from the kit.
"No need to apologize," Steve said softly, voice warm and kind, and she could feel her cheeks heat at his tone.
"Show me where you're hurt?" she asked, pushing away her embarrassment, and instead focused on helping her Soulmate. He gave her a small sweet smile and shifted in the chair, twisting so she could get a clear view of his side, and she sucked in a sharp breath.
"'Just a small cut,'" she gritted out, eyeing the long slash from one sharp hipbone to ribcage, and glared at him as he flushed.
"It already looks a lot better than what it did," he countered, looking adorably earnest, and she felt her eye twitch.
"You have the self-preservation of a rock," she snapped, causing Steve to blink at her, before a grin began twitching the corners of his lips. She held up a finger threateningly.
"Don't say a word," she grumbled and waited till he nodded before she grabbed some antiseptic wipes.
Ivory reached out before hesitating. She wondered if her body would start glowing if she touched him through the gloves. Usually skin contact with him sent her nerves into overdrive, forcing her to wrangle herself so she wouldn't turn all glowstick, and she seriously doubted that she could keep it under control long enough to clean Steve's injury.
Taking a deep breath, she lightly placed her hand on his side, and felt warmth tingle in her palm. Thankfully, the thrumming she normally felt while having skin contact with Steve, didn't surge to the forefront. She had to push away the giddy feeling of being able to touch him without worry. Tension seemed to leak out of her and she couldn't stop the small smile she gave Steve.
He was staring at her with a warm beaming smile.
Ivory fell into a rhythm as she quickly cleaned and bandaged him, amazed at the well-stocked first aid kit, and soon she was leaning back to study her work.
"Next time you get hurt, call me at least," she muttered as she traced the edge of the gauze, not wanting to stop touching him, and she watched as the muscles of his back tensed and shifted as she ran her fingers over them.
"Promise," Steve murmured, voice soft in the silence of the room, and she looked up. His eyes were bright as he watched her, tracing over her features, and she was shocked to find his eyes glistening. He was tearing up. Immediately she looked over him for any other wounds.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt anywhere else?" she asked, noticing her voice raising in panic, but his large hands captured hers as they fluttered around him. He chuckled, a sound she felt more than heard, and she glanced up in confusion. Thankfully, the tears were gone, and he was looking at her happily. Her breath once again froze in her throat.
"I'm not hurt…it's just that this is the first time that you're not distant from me," he replied softly, running a thumb across her gloved knuckles, and she narrowed her brows in confusion. Steve smiled, a small quirk of his lips, and glanced down to where he was cradling her hands. Ivory noticed how small and slender they looked in his.
"You're sometimes closed off to me…to us," he began, still running his thumb across her knuckles, before continuing softly, "almost like you can't wait to leave…it makes us wonder sometimes."
At his words, a sharp pain flared in her chest, and she felt familiar burning pinpricks in her own eyes.
"Steve," she said, voice sounding a bit strangled, but he just shook his head.
"If you want us to back off, or if we make you uncomfortable, just let us know," he said quietly, and her heart seemed to wither at his soft words.
He looked so self-conscious and she felt a wave of guilt. She made this beautiful, sweet, and strong man doubt himself just because she couldn't get her own life together. Self-loathing ate at her, clawing at her heart and making her constant anxiety ratcheted up until she felt like she couldn't breathe, and she quickly came to a sudden and brash decision.
Throwing caution to the wind, she broke free of his grip, and placed both hands on his face before pressing her lips against his. The familiar buzzing immediately roared in her ears, crashing against her self-control, but the feel of him pressed against her drowned everything out. He breathed a small sigh, warm air puffing against her lips, before he leaned forward and deepened the kiss.
Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, her body trembling, and Steve's hands settled against her waist. Heat soaked through her clothing and she moved to get closer to him. His grip tightened on her, one hand moving to gently cup the nape of her neck, and she shivered at his calloused hands brushing against the sensitive skin of her neck. The feel of his soft lips pressed against hers, the addicting taste and smell of him, overwhelmed her senses and she melted against him.
Ivory moved her hands, wrapping them around his neck, trying to get even closer, and her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest. Her body was thrumming with energy, a pleasant hum underlying the frantic surge, but she couldn't find it in herself to be cautious.
She was finally kissing her Soulmate and she wanted the moment to last forever.
His body heat wrapped around her, the feel of his strong muscular frame pressed flush against her, was intoxicating and she couldn't get enough of the feel of him. The slick slide of their tongues was making her head grow fuzzy, she was surprised about how good of a kisser he was, and she bit back a whine when they parted for air. They rested their heads together and she grinned when he let out a short breathless laugh. She felt a light happy feeling bubbling in her chest.
She opened her eyes and stared at him, watching him do the same, and she stroked her thumb across his cheekbone. His was blushing and staring at her like she hung the moon.
"I like you. I like you and Bucky, both. Probably more than I should," she confessed quietly, feeling his hands settle back around her waist, and she fought the urge to close her eyes.
She fell silent, words tangling in her throat, but she couldn't force them out.
"You know you can tell me anything," Steve said softly, his face earnest and serious and kind.
She felt her heart thundering in her chest, the urge to spill her secrets growing nearly impossible, and she looked him the eyes as she felt tears once again burned her eyes.
"I…I want to tell you everything."
