Author's Note:
No triggers for this chapter either. Just some sexual tension and more Astrid and Steve fluff. We'll need all of it that we can get for what's coming up ahead. Expect a couple more super fluffy chapters in the near future.
Shamira was right. The dress did make everyone act like an idiot. She walked into the bar first. Catching some attention. Which wasn't surprising since she was a pretty woman. Her brown hair perfectly curled, matching her dark eyes. However, when Astrid walked in the door every man stopped what they were doing and stood up. Even the piano music stopped playing. Looking directly at her. One guy even dropped his mug. She swiftly caught it and placed it back on the bar. Not spilling a drop.
It was a bit of a dingy place. Somewhat dark but extremely cozy. Packed with people. All of whom were looking at Astrid.
"At ease men," Astrid stated out loud breaking the silence. "Just looking for my husband." There were some grumblings as everyone returned to what they were doing. The music resuming and so did the chatter. Men muttering about how all the pretty ones were already taken. Nothing that Astrid hadn't heard before.
Though what she was more surprised to hear was Dugan calling out to her. "If it isn't our favorite Doc," he stated while holding a flagon. Astrid smiled walking up to the table. Shamira by her side "And her lovely companion." He raised his glass to her as did the rest of the guys. Falsworth, Dernier, Morita, and Jones. All of them havening bonded during their crazy journey. "Cap is in the back." Dugan gestured towards the back of the bar. "As is Bucky." He winked at Shamira. Their relationship clear as day.
Astrid saluted him. "Thanks for the tip."
Shamira and her turned towards the back of the bar. Into another more private section. Walking in further she caught sight of Peggy, Steve, and Bucky talking. Something about Stark meeting Steve in the morning. Astrid took a moment to catch her breath. Looking at the three of them in front of her. Peggy was gorgeous. The red dress she was wearing a perfect fit. Any man or woman would be lucky to have her. Astrid had to admit she felt something for her but it quickly disappeared once she got a look at Steve. He caught a glimpse of her as well. His reaction more extreme. Mouth hanging open before shutting it with a snap. Eyes roaming her body. Peggy turned to look at her as well. Her eyes went wide. Licking her lips unconsciously. The dress really had that effect on people.
"Perhaps you could reschedule to early afternoon?" Astrid asked walking to Steve's side. Trailing her fingers down his chest before gripping his arm. Turning to face Peggy directly "I think he'll be indisposed until then." She swore she heard the man gulp. Bucky also stared at the sight of her though his attention was quickly diverted to Shamira. Who wrapped an arm around him. Those two would be busy tonight.
Peggy flashed her a smile and gave her a wink. "Not an issue," she replied. "I'll let him know." Peggy glanced back into the other room. "I see your top squad is prepping for duty." Astrid glanced over as well. Smiling. Didn't surprise Astrid that they were Steve's pick for his squad. Considering everything they were having a real go of it. Drinks freely flowing. Astrid couldn't blame them. After all they had been through. And the fact that they were willing to go back out spoke highly of them. They were some good picks. Peggy smile deepened as she looked at Astrid. "I'll see you in the afternoon as well. Colonel Phillips wants to make sure that we've gone over everything."
Astrid chuckled. "Try and spare me from answering the same five questions again?" Astrid was flirting back. She knew she was flirting back. The only person who didn't notice was Steve. But it was the kind of flirting that didn't mean anything. She saved that for Steve.
"Least I could do for you. I'll see you later." Peggy walked off. Swaying her hips as she left. Probably preparing for more work. The woman was always busy.
"So should Steve be worried?" Bucky asked. Steve shot him a confused work.
Shamira scoffed. "Definitely no. Those two have always been like that. Since they met."
"Right… when did you two meet?"
"We first met when she was undercover. Infiltrating Hydra," Astrid replied turning to face Bucky. "I knew immediately that she was a spy. But if the Allied powers wanted to spy on my father then I wasn't going to stop them. Whatever helped the cause. Besides, we were too busy trying to save everyone we could." Shamira nodded along. It was the truth. "We never told her that we knew but I suspect she had an inkling. She was too busy trying to complete her mission after all. It was after the explosion that everything changed. My father became Red Skull and Peggy broke Erskine free."
"That's not all," Shamira interrupted with a smile.
Astrid huffed. "I ran into Peggy when she was escaping. Guards right on their tail. I pointed the guards in the wrong direction. Allowing Peggy to escape with Erskine."
"Which delayed our own escape," Shamira continued with a shrug. "Which started a chain of events that have ended with us standing in this bar."
Bucky wrapped his arm around Shamira and the two of them turned. Facing Steve and Astrid. Steve had his arm around Astrid as well. Pulling her in close. Hand on her hip.
Astrid glanced at the boys. Who had started singing some song Astrid wasn't familiar with. "You got a good squad there," Astrid stated. "They should be able to keep you from doing anything too stupid."
"Actually, there is something I wanted to ask you. And you can say no," Steve started to say moving so that he was facing her. His free hand taking one of hers. "Would you be willing to join us?" He seemed to be slightly hesitant in his words. "I know it's Hydra and that you left that world behind, but we could use all of your skills." Steve left that vague knowing fully well what Astrid was capable of and what he might need her to do.
Astrid and Shamira glanced at each other before starting to laugh. Turning back to their original positions. Leaving their two fellas confused. Honestly, Astrid shouldn't have been too surprised but it still wasn't something that she quite expected.
"What's so funny?" Bucky asked.
Astrid stopped laughing for a moment to catch her breath. "We were about to tell the two of you that we were going to be heading out restoring our old unit. Though I think we can do more good destroying Hydra." She smile dropped into a frown. "It's my legacy after all."
Shamira rolled her eyes. "Not this again. How many times do we have to go over this?"
"Wait, both of you?" Bucky asked looking at Shamira.
"Careful with your words sweetie," she teased. "It might change how your night is going to go."
Astrid smirked. No point in not letting them know. "Shamira is one of the best hand-to-hand combatants I have ever met. She has taken out entire troops of SS on her own." Shamira curtseyed slightly. "Besides wherever I go she goes. No questions asked. She's my executioner after all."
"Executioner?" Steve asked.
Astrid drew her focus back to Steve. "The torturer's code that we swear by prevents us from killing our victims. That is where the executioner comes in." She nudged her head in the direction of her soulmate. "In my case Shamira. She is the person who kills my victims after I'm done with them. Spare them from having to live with what I just put them through. It's supposed to be considered a mercy."
"Luckily I don't have to do it that often," Shamira added on. Leaning on the bar. "Astrid can get people to tell her what she wants just by talking to them."
"Of that, I'm well aware," Steve replied. "So, you'll be joining us then?"
"You would have to try and stop us," Astrid stated. "Just do me a favor, Steve."
"Anything."
He may regret that choice of words. Taking a quick glance at the poster on the wall. "Lose the uniform. It looks like you got dressed in the dark in a factory where the U.S flag had an accident."
"Oh, come on." He nudged her slightly "It's grown on me."
"Maybe we can get you a matching one Lady Liberty," Bucky added in with a smirk.
Astrid pointed a finger at him. "Say that again and I will definitely liberate you from something." She turned back to Steve. "I'll let you have the uniform but I'm never calling you Captain America."
"Yeah, being Dr. America is not quite as catchy," Shamira replied.
Astrid rolled her eyes at her friend. "Anyway, you two." She pointed to Steve and Bucky. "Are you going to get us drinks or just leave us standing here? Nothing too strong. This is going to be a night worth remembering." Steve closed his eyes and cleared his throat. Turning a slight shade of red. Well, at least that hadn't changed.
"Agreed," Shamira added on giving Bucky a knowing smirk.
The boys were slow to let them go but eventually, they headed to the bar. Grabbing something for their ladies. Astrid and Shamira taking a second to check out their asses.
"We definitely have a fine pair of men, don't we?" Shamira stated biting her lip.
"We always have," Astrid replied. Shamira shot her a sappy look.
"So, did you really stay mad at him for two weeks? Or did you just want that dramatic kiss?"
Astrid huffed. "I really did stay mad at him. But could you blame me?"
"No, I know you." Shamira tapped the side of her head and Astrid connected. "You needed to be sure. But now that you are remember to take your time. You've got a lot more man to work with now. And I just don't mean in that department."
Astrid socked her in the shoulder but she had to admit Shamira was right. She was definitely going to take her time with Steve. Or better yet let him take his time with her.
"More importantly are you ready to head back out there?" Astrid asked.
Shamira sighed. Closing her eyes for a moment before turning to look at Astrid. Taking her hand. "With you by my side, I'm ready for anything."
The boys showed back up at that point. Glasses of beer in their hands. Astrid took hers from Steve. Taking a sip. Wasn't her favorite in the world but couldn't be too picky when they were at war. Bucky and Shamira were soon wrapped up in each other. They would not remain at the party for much longer.
"You know you got every person here talking about you," Steve stated softly. Running a hand down her side. "You may have to fight a few of these guys off." That was kind of the point. She had gotten more than just a few stares after all.
Astrid smirked. Taking another sip. "It's only fair. You got the entire world talking about you. Men dying for a chance to shake your hand. Women draping themselves all over you."
Steve smirked. "Yeah, well I only care about one." He tucked a curl of hair behind her ear. "Her opinion is the only one that matters."
She drained her glass down in one go before looking around. Bucky and Shamira laughing together quietly in one corner. Astrid getting envious looks from all the women. While Steve got equally jealous looks from the men. Both of them ignored it. Focused on each other. They had gotten used to ignoring it.
"What do you say about getting out of here?" Astrid asked. "Taking a walk by the Thames. See where the night leads us." She glanced over at Shamira and Bucky. "Those two are about to go out dancing any moment now. Might as well head out also."
"I would love that." He drained his drink as well. Leaving it at the bar. Taking Astrid's hand. Turning to face Bucky and Shamira. "The two of us are heading out."
"Have fun you two," Shamira laughed leaning against Bucky. Bucky winked at the two of them. Raising a glass.
Steve and Astrid chuckled. Leaving the bar. Earning themselves wolf whistles from Dugan and the others.
Astrid chuckled shaking her head. Walking up to the table. Steve by her side. "Don't get too drunk boys. We all need to be ready when they ship us out."
"You joining us then?" Falsworth asked. Astrid nodded.
"Good," Dugan replied. "Now we have a chance of actually making it back alive."
"Don't wear him out too much Doc," Morita teased. Earning a round of laughter from all of them.
She glanced at Steve. "Unless you're blind Morita, I don't think wearing him down is going to be a problem. But I'm damn well going to try." They all burst out laughing even harder than before. A faint blush on Steve's face.
"You are one lucky man," Jones stated pointed at him.
Steve nodded. "Don't I know it."
After chatting a bit longer, the two of them headed out. Astrid feeling a slight chill. The dress may be gorgeous but it wasn't exactly warm. She felt something slip over her shoulders. Taking ahold of the fabric she recognized Steve's jacket. Astrid looked up at Steve noticing that he was now only wearing his shirt and tie.
"I've always wanted to do that," he stated quietly. Taking her hand into his.
Astrid arched an eyebrow. "You aren't cold?"
"Not really. Besides, I've always liked the cool air." That was true. If it wasn't for him being sick all the time he would have thrived in the cold. "You on the other hand hate it."
Yes. Yes she hated cold. Old memories floating to the surface. Of a long walk through the snow. Bodies falling by the wayside. Memories of a life where she had forgotten what it actually felt like to be warm. She shook it off. Now was not the time.
There were a few people out on the streets. What few there was were quickly heading home. Occasionally glancing up at the sky with nervous looks. Even though curfew was an hour or so away people were still on edge. As if waiting for the alarm system to start blaring. Astrid sighed. There was no escaping from the war. No matter where one went.
They found themselves walking by the Thames. Side by side. Felt they were the only two out in the world. What surprised Astrid more was how at ease she was. It was her and Steve walking the city streets. Just as they used to do. Except instead of Brooklyn it was London. With all the dangers it possessed.
"Steve?" she asked sending a thought to his mind. Not wanting to disturb the quiet. "Why don't we head back to our room? See about getting me out of this dress."
Steve closed his eyes for a moment. Taking a deep breath. "You sure you want to?"
Her heart softened. Even when she made it blatantly obvious that she wanted him he would always ask.
"I'm sure Steve." She looked up at him. "With you I'm always sure."