AN: Happy 2020!
Thanks for reading! Hope you like the chapter.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from Marvel Comics world, which is trademarked/owned by Marvel/Disney. All characters created and owned by Marvel and I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Marvel. I am not profiting financially from the creation and publication of this story. Just a story based on great characters. I only own any original characters.
Chapter 25: The Cold Water Will Give You a Chill
Steve sighs and looks around, he spots Nat and Bucky trying to out drink one another. He wonders where the hell Tony is and smiles as he catches a glimpse of Pepper, frowning at the thought that she's alone and so is he. This is the second event this week and he's bored. He misses Amelia and can think of more than twenty other places he'd rather be right now, including on a mission in the field. He frowns thinking about Andi earlier this week, wondering where she went and hoping she and Amelia aren't fighting any further. It's been a few days, he's been working and he's only had messages from Amelia but they seem to be happy ones, she assures him everything's fine. He looks around the room, only recognising around five percent of the guests and thinking how work gets in the way of real-life.
He looks down at the glass in his hand and swirls the liquid, he's becoming dependant on Amelia and Rosie and it's not good. He misses her when she's not available, or when he works and he is consumed by thoughts of her and their blossoming life together. He questions Andi's reaction to Amelia not attending and he wonders if there is a pattern, a reason for Amelia's non-appearance. When he is just Steve, their relationship is relaxed and easy, perfect even. But when he is Captain America, things seem to get complicated. He used to worry someone would only want him for the stars and stripes part, but now it appears to be the opposite. He sighs, looking around, knowing he can't blame her, he still finds this lifestyle uncomfortable.
There's a gentle tap on his shoulder and he prepares an excuse to escape. As he turns he splutters at the sight of Amelia. She looks small, stood in front of him. She's wearing a black, lace dress, off the shoulders, with long sleeves. Her hair is pinned up in a bun, with a swept over fringe.
He's confused, 'what are you doing here?' he asks bluntly and in a surprised tone. She smiles, 'I came with Tony.' He looks even more puzzled now and casts an eye around, spotting the billionaire, leaning in to kiss Pepper's cheek. Steve looks back to Amelia and she is tugging her dress at the arms, trying to straighten it. She stops and looks at him warmly, she blushes a little, 'thank you for inviting me, sorry, it took me a while to get here,' she says meaningfully. She grabs his drink and knocks it back, gasping and wincing at the taste. She quickly tucks her hair behind her ears and shakes herself, smiling at him again.
Steve stares at her quietly and uses a finger to follow the line of her hair across her forehead, down to the shell of her small ear, tapping the silver teardrop earring and tracing down her neck. Amelia shivers and just watches him, waiting for him to say something. 'I'm glad you're here, but…' He starts to speak and Amelia places, soft fingers gently to his mouth, 'let's not do this here', she whispers quietly. 'I'm here now, that's all that matters, we don't need to get deep.' Steve looks dismayed, but feels heat flush through him as she confesses, 'I've missed you so much this week,' he smiles bashfully at her. She steps closer, enjoying his warmth.
'You look... wonderful, your hair looks so different.' Amelia relaxes a little and giggles letting out a comfortable snort, 'makes me two inches taller as well,' she beams proudly 'shows off my cap tattoo at the back of my neck.' He really hopes she's joking. When he refocuses on her, she's looking at him and chewing her lip, 'you look amazing,' she strokes the lapels of his velvet jacket. Beyond Steve she can see Bucky at the bar, leaning over, swirling an amber drink in a small glass. Steve looks behind him and realises who she is looking at.
'Hey, he's ok, he gets it. What about you and Andi? How's things?' He asks nervously. Amelia is still watching Bucky and just casually answers, 'yeah, she's home, all sorted.' Steve looks confused, unsure of how and when they fixed everything so quickly, it seemed like the end of the world last week. Then he remembers when she arrived, 'wait, why did you come here with Tony? As in you bumped into him outside, right?' Amelia is still staring at Bucky, waiting for an opening to approach him, Nat is leaning in trying to get him to engage. 'No, no he picked me up, chose the dress actually,' she says distractedly. She resumes eye contact with Steve and smiles sweetly. Steve scratches his head and asks 'should I be worried that my girlfriend arrived with another man?' Amelia laughs, 'no, not at all. It's who she leaves with that counts,' she says suggestively. She pecks Steve's cheek and waltzes away towards the lonely Sargent, 'I'll be back.'
'Hey...' Amelia says as she slides on to a stool next to Bucky, 'last time we were at a bar, it didn't end too well, did it?' He looks over and holds her gaze. There's a moment of quiet, 'Bucky, I'm really sorry, I was such a bitch to you. You helped me and snapped and I may have got arrested had you not grabbed me.' Bucky is surprised by her strong words, but doesn't let it show on his face. 'I didn't mean to bite your head off, it's not your fault, any of it. Apparently, I can be a bit rash, I'm working on it. I hope we are still friends?' She asks nervously. Bucky watches her, then slowly leans towards her and confirms 'friends.' Amelia laughs at his serious face and reaches to hug him, for the first-time Bucky doesn't resist or strain, but he doesn't hold her back. She thinks she feels a brush of his lips against her temple. She stays with her cheek against his shoulder and speaks in a muffled tone, 'thank you for looking after her, she's home now. All sorted.' Bucky frowns, knowing who she means. He didn't even realise Andi had left, until the next day. He abandoned her asleep in the morning and he's been working since, as well as avoiding her like the plague. He distracts himself, 'can I still call you Amelia?' She vibrates with laughter against him, 'my family call me Mia.' Bucky smiles down at her, 'I didn't think you were coming?' she smiles shyly, 'I wasn't sure I was, but I had a rethink.'
Someone settles behind them and coughs in an over the top manner, Amelia doesn't move, she feels safe with Bucky. Tony leans his head in between them, ruining the moment, 'Miss Miller, I'm impressed, three men, one night.' Amelia drags her head away from Bucky, straightening, knees still touching. Bucky looks at him for an explanation, Tony says proudly, 'she's my date.' Amelia goes to interrupt and explain further, just as Steve joins them and calls over the waiter. He subtlety traces a finger across Amelia's shoulders and flicks a piece of loose hair from the back of her neck, carefully checking for a tattoo, just to be sure. Tony shouts 'hey, stop touching my date.' Steve looks annoyed and Bucky has no idea what's going on. 'Tony picked me up...' Amelia elaborates before Tony interjects, 'I nearly brought legs with me as well, Sarge, but she was busy watching paint dry.' Tony continues, 'doesn't this woman look fantastic? Wasted behind the camera. Happy picked the dress, Rogers paid, but the hair is all Miller here and I got a glimpse of what's underneath and you won't be disappointed, Cap.' Steve looks tense and his jaw clenches, his throat constricting and bobbing. 'Not like that!' Amelia hurries to reassure, 'he's kidding!' Amelia stands and nods, excusing herself for the restroom. Steve kisses her forehead and thanks her for coming sincerely, muttering love you as she drifts into the crowd.
Bucky's eyes are wide and hidden by his glass of whiskey, Tony goes still and blinks repeatedly. Steve is still smiling watching her walk away and knock into someone, when he turns back to his friends and notices their stunned faces, he asks 'what?' Bucky's no fool, he knew this was where they were heading, but him and Steve don't exactly have sleepovers and breakdown their love lives. He smiles eventually, it's good to see Steve relaxed and happy. Tony whines, 'you never tell me you love me when I go to the bathroom.' Natasha joins the three gossiping men, stating 'there's already rumours about that, I don't think that would help your case.' Steve and Tony look aghast.
'What are we talking about, that good looking brunette that Steve's in love with or how she arrived with Tony?' Natasha orders and receives a drink instantly and Steve frowns remembering he was still waiting for service. Tony shakes his head slowly, 'she does look good, Cap, you're a lucky boy and to think, she was sat at home sorting through her wardrobe until I saved her, thinking she wasn't good enough for this world. She is literally Cinderella.' Steve can't keep up, 'can we just slow down please? What are you talking about, Stark?' Tony grabs a glass of something and explains 'not hot enough or too short? I don't know, or care, I'm not her gal-pal.' Bucky looks sad and quickly checks Amelia hasn't reappeared. Steve's hurt and then looks at Natasha for answers, 'please, I didn't read your diary or anything, your borderline obsession with this woman is as clear as daylight. I don't know what she's thinking. Your chum isn't much better,' she looks towards Bucky.
Clint strolls over and leans into the group, 'Cap, your girl looks like a knockout, why did she come in with this loser.' Tony looks harassed, 'hey, this loser paid for this shindig and your wages, so the ass kissing can resume when you're ready, Katniss.' Steve isn't really listening anymore, Bucky stands and tells him 'give her time, Steve, it's a lot to step in to, trust me.' Steve nods, wondering when Bucky became so wise and the one who comforts him. Clint pipes up to ask 'what about this kid you roughed up in a lift?' Bucky and Steve go quiet. Natasha explains 'some ex of legs and he had eyes for Amelia.' Steve appreciates her facts only version, but questions once again how she knows this, she just gives him a look that asks really? Tony sips his drink 'nasty little shit actually. I assume our date in common doesn't know about this? She was way too peppy in the car.' Steve shakes his head solemnly, allowing the date joke to slide. Clint asks 'sorry, who is dating this girl? And does this mean Pepper is free?' Tony's eyes go wide.
Amelia returns and nearly backs away at the growing group of Avengers, shaking herself she returns to the bar confidently and asks brightly 'what did I miss?'
In the limo on the way back to her flat, Amelia fiddles with her dress, toying with the sleeves and smoothing the fabric. Steve looks over and grabs her hand. They left through a back entrance and Amelia relaxed a little when she saw there was no press or people waiting for them. But now sat in the back of a lavish, black car with just Steve, she knows he is going to want answers from her. 'Can I drink one of these?' She asks, leaning out of her chair towards a cooler of water. Steve nods slowly and she shakes his hand loose, to grab one. Steve watches her gulping the water and she lets out a loud, refreshing sigh looking around for more distractions. He starts to open his mouth and she says, 'Pepper works a lot, doesn't she? She's hardly ever with you all.' Steve stumbles over the swerve in conversation, but answers slowly 'yes, she works hard, harder than Tony anyway,' he says with a small laugh. Amelia nods and looks around again. 'Does Clint have a partner?' She asks quickly. Steve cups his chin and rubs it, as if he's tired. 'Yes, he has a family.' He's brief and Amelia wants to groan, he's giving her nothing to work with. 'Amelia...' he starts, 'Steve, don't. I know what you are going to say, let's do this at home, please?' She looks at him with pleading eyes and he can't say no, she's on the edge of her seat, glugging water and he's a little worried she is going to jump out at the next stop.
They ease to a stop and Amelia presses her hand and eyes against the tinted window, 'I think this is home? You're coming in, right?' She asks anxiously. He smiles warmly and assures her. As they step out she tells the driver, 'you can go. I'll take care of him.' Steve's eyes widen and he gives the driver a small nod. He watches the limo pull away and Amelia grabs his hand, darting through the door and pressing the lift button urgently. Tapping her foot and muttering to herself. Steve watches her and wonders why the rush? Amelia pulls him out when the doors open and she kisses him hotly, Steve returns the kiss, but tries to pull back, calling her name. 'Amelia, I need to talk to you.' She ignores him, kissing his neck and putting his hands forcefully on her, 'later,' she breathes. Steve's eyes double and he has a hard time of remembering what it was he wanted to say.
He steps back slightly and she pouts at him, 'you're no fun,' she teases. He smiles a forced grin and readjusts his suit. He tries to speak as the lift opens but she tells him to be quiet, mouthing 'neighbours!' She leads him to the front door and when she opens it, she pauses looking around. It's a mess, the TV is on loudly and Andi is passed out on the couch. Amelia kicks her shoes off and like a switch has been flicked, she busies herself with the upset. She switches off the TV, drapes a blanket over her sister and collects the empty candy packets from the littered floor. Steve comes up behind her and says quietly, 'come on, this can wait.' She looks tired and the sultress from the hallway has gone. She trails behind him and follows him into her room, he stops just inside the door and she gasps, covering her eyes, remembering the mess she left earlier. Her bed is covered in clothes, there's shoes all over the floor, sprays, clips and make-up leading into the bathroom.
'Shit,' she mutters, pushing past Steve and kicking stuff to one side and sliding it off the bed and into a pile on the floor. She turns back to him and looks embarrassed. 'Amelia, we need to talk about a few things.' She sighs, giving in, knowing this has caught up with her finally. 'Tony said some stuff about you not feeling good enough, or pretty enough? How could you even begin to think those things?'
Amelia sighs and shrugs dramatically, dropping the clothes to the floor. 'Steve, look at you and look at me! You belong in a magazine, I am behind the camera for a reason, my legs are short, my ass sticks out and I have child bearing hips, which we all know is a polite way of saying...' Steve reaches a hand and covers her mouth. 'I don't like it when you are so mean about yourself, none of that is true. You've said this kind of thing before and I have let it go, but not anymore. I know what it's like to feel like you aren't good enough.' He sits on the bed and beckons her to join him, she sits down beside him shyly.
'When I was trying to enlist, I was constantly rejected, too sickly and too small and even when I made it, people questioned why I was there. They thought it was a joke.' Amelia looks at him sadly, 'and then this happened to me.' He says looking down 'and I felt like a fraud, a science experiment. All I ever wanted was to serve my country and I became a side show attraction. I understand how it feels to be out of place, to be the odd one out, but that's not you.' Amelia's head drops and she sniffs a little. 'Amelia, you are beautiful. I thought it the first day I met you, shuffling awkwardly in your seat, nervously crossing your ankles.' Amelia rolls her eyes, he had to notice that, she thinks. 'And since then I have just thought you were more and more attractive, everything about you is beautiful and honest.' He strokes her hair and tucks it behind her ear. 'I wish you could see what I see and every other person saw tonight.' Amelia huffs and looks at him 'this dress cost more than my apartment and I'm sucked in under here like nobody's business.' Steve laughs and kisses her cheek, whispering in her ear, 'you are stunning, with or without the dress.' She smiles and looks at him properly. 'What will people say? People like me get picked apart on the internet.' Steve cuts her off 'I don't care what any of those people think, who are they to comment? I happen to think we are perfect for one another.' Amelia giggles and mumbles 'you're perfect more like...' Steve shakes his head, having heard her, 'not even close.' He watches her and says 'promise me you will try to believe me and believe in yourself, you want Rosie to grow up to be confident in herself, don't you?' Amelia pauses, she's knows he's right, it hits a nerve and it feels like new ground for them, family, the future, Rosie. She shakes herself a little and kisses his cheek. 'Oh, and your legs aren't short, you are just the right height. Your a… ass curves out just perfectly and I'd lie in bed and trace your hips all day if I had chance.' Amelia wants to laugh at him spluttering over the word ass, 'not that I've been looking,' he jokes dryly. Amelia places her head on his shoulder, he seems so honest and genuine and she wonders if she is too harsh on herself.
'You're right. I'll try. Now, seriously, not joking about the dress. Help me out.' He laughs, and she turns her back to him and lifts her loose hair in one hand, it's falling down and she drops her head waiting for him to help. There's a long pause and then she feels the zip gently tug down her back. He kisses her imaginary tattoo and she thanks him, standing slowly. She pulls the dress down one arm at a time and holds it against her chest. She reaches up with one hand and unclips her hair, it hardly moves and she sighs thinking it's nothing like the movies. Her hair is solid with spray and gel and she runs a hand through it roughly. 'I think I'm going to shower,' she says suddenly. Steve is sat watching her and his eyes trace the curve of her shoulder and the way her chest is being pushed up. He stands and starts to pull at his tie, she stares at him, wondering what he is doing. He shirks his jacket off and drops it onto the bed. 'Can I join?' Amelia nearly has to pick her jaw up off of the floor, she's not sure she's ever showered with a man, let alone a man that looks like this one. She tells herself off, remembering his earlier words, a voice mentally chanting 'you're good enough...' She musters all the confidence she has and says 'sure.'
He steps in close to her and peels her dress down to her waist, exposing her strapless bra. She feels a little anxious, she wasn't joking about the shrink wrap beneath her dress. Maybe he senses it in her, but Steve starts to unbutton his shirt and steps past her and into the bathroom, asking her to follow with his eyes. She turns and looks at him, 'I'm just going to make sure we are all locked up.' She picks her dress up at the top and holds it over her bra with an elbow and she grabs the bottom with her other hand, running into the lounge. She tucks around the corner and praying her sister doesn't wake up, she reaches under her dress with both hands and struggles out of her control shorts. By mid-thigh, she's panting and once they are at her ankles, she can kick them off easily. Nearly losing her balance she picks them up angrily with a loud exhale. Looking at the flesh coloured monstrosities she decides the best place for them is in the trash. She dumps them in the kitchen waste and returns to her room, securing the door behind her. She smiles, hearing the shower and knowing Steve is waiting for her.
When she steps back into the small bathroom, Steve is leant with his back against the sink and his shirt hanging open, his fly is undone and Amelia bites her lip. 'I waited for you,' he says warmly and in a wave of confidence, she pushes down her dress, all the way to the floor. He offers her a hand and she steps out of it. Steve glances down at her underwear and Amelia turns the shower temperature up, as the room begins to heat up and mist slightly. She reaches for his shirt, pulling it off steadily and making quick work of his pants. She reaches behind and unhooks her bra, slinging it out of the way. Steve groans, pushing her hair away from her shoulders and asks her 'how can you think you are not beautiful?' His hands reach for her waist and he helps her shimmy out of her underwear. She's completely naked and now eye to eye with him, she smiles seductively, 'shake a leg, Captain, there's only so much hot water, I'm not Tony Stark.' She steps into the shower, pulling the glass door closed.
Steve drops his head 'you had to mention him, really? Right now?' When Steve looks up he can see her outline, through the glass. She laughs loudly and he can see her running her hands through her hair, he wants to remember this moment.
Amelia pulls the glass door back and leans her head out, 'I also wasn't kidding about the water, better get in, Captain.' She has a little black eyeliner dripping from her eyes, but she has tried to keep her face out of the water in order to preserve her looks. Her hair is dark, damp and flat to her head. It parts at the back of her neck and is sat over either breast. Her arms shield her chest and she pulls the door shut again with a smile.
Steve laughs and pulls his boxers down, before stepping in. She has her back to him and water trickles from the top of her head, down her spine and caresses her soft behind. She bends down to grab a shampoo and he wonders if she knows he is there, when she backs up slightly and into him, still bent down, it becomes apparent she knows exactly what she is doing. Standing quickly and flicking him with water, she looks over a shoulder and gasps dramatically, 'oh, hi!' She fills her hands with shampoo and carelessly drops the bottle to the shower floor. It hits with a thump and Amelia starts to scrub her hair, and it foams up. Steve stands under the spray and watches her as the water hits his back. She looks a little cold, stood slightly out of the water and he reaches out to comb his fingers through her lathered hair. She puts her head back, sighing and closing her eyes. Steve is mesmerised by her long hair, his fingers glide through it and she moans when he massages her head. Soapy foam slipping down her arms and chest.
'I don't think I've ever showered with a man,' Amelia thinks aloud, 'or a woman' she adds quickly. Steve laughs, 'I've never showered with a woman and I always kept my head down with the men, trust me.' Amelia laughs loudly and puts a hand against the shower wall to steady herself. Steve smiles and can see her tattoo with her arm up. He touches it lightly 'I really like this and I like that only I know it is here.' Amelia doesn't want to get awkward, but technically Andi knows. She turns to him, stepping under the stream of water. 'Do you have any tattoos or secret scars?' Steve shakes his head, but the jokes die on his tongue as he looks at her glossy skin under the spray. Amelia almost thinks fuck it and wants to step under the water fully in order to wash her makeup away. But then she notices Steve's heavy eyes and she decides to keep her face water free and her confidence at it's peak. Reaching up to stroke her hair free of shampoo, her skin tightens and once again he touches her tattoo. 'Maybe you should get one?' He raises an eyebrow, 'like what?' She thinks about it and says 'property of Stark?' Steve pretends to be hurt and reaches behind his back subtlety, then she suggests 'I love Amelia.' He smiles 'that's a little better.' He hits the dial and the water switches tempo and she squeals as the cold spray hits her face. He laughs and quickly changes it back to warm. Amelia's mouth is open with shock and her hair is plastered to one side of her face. She whines his name and steps under the spray fully, warming herself back up and pushing her hair out of her face. Steve steps in close behind her and strokes her waist. Reaching to stroke her neck, she moans and rolls her head back onto his shoulder.
The water starts to cool and Amelia opens her eyes, announcing 'that's your lot! Time to get out.' Amelia looks down and smirks at Steve, 'maybe you should stay in here,' she quips.
AN: I like the idea of Amelia being under confident, it feels real and she's suddenly in a world she doesn't know. Hopefully they have turned a corner and I think it's really sweet that Steve can relate.
But…Something is brewing between Bucky and Andi, coming to a head in the next chapter
Thanks for reading! x