August 2012
"You haven't?" Arianna asked curiously, and Steve shook his head.
Normally when people asked him something like that, he became very uncomfortable or embarrassed as he became aware of just how much the world had changed and how much time he'd missed. Sometimes it was just his own discomfort, and sometimes it was also because of the shocked or even condescending (Tony) way people phrased the question.
But with Arianna, it was different. He didn't feel the need to be embarrassed because he knew she meant well and meant it with genuine curiosity. Not to mention determination. Arianna went out of her way to find out what Steve was behind on and help him catch up to present times- and this was no exception.
"You've never seen Star Wars?" Arianna repeated, and Steve nodded again.
"You have to see it." Arianna declared, suddenly looking fired up. "It was incredible, especially for its time, and still remains relevant today because of it."
"You said the same thing about Mickey Mouse." Steve pointed out a little skeptically, and Arianna wagged her finger at him.
"Do not insult the Mouse." She teased. "And trust me, you'll like Star Wars. We'll watch that next time."
Steve still looked a little skeptical but he nodded in agreement. He trusted Arianna and so far she had been very good at guessing his tastes. Even with Disney, she'd admitted she didn't think he would really enjoy it, but had proclaimed it was a requirement of every male in the current century to be subjected to at least one Disney movie in his lifetime. And what better movie than one on the mouse who began it all?
"If you don't have other plans, we could do a movie night this Saturday?" Arianna suggested, and Steve nodded readily.
Another thing about Arianna was that she didn't automatically assume that he would be free outside of his SHIELD commitments. Some (Tony) teased Steve about having no social life, but not Arianna. She always checked that he was free and willing to spend time with her- not that Steve let on quite how willing he was.
He was still working through his feelings for the brunette, but Steve wasn't so naïve that he didn't realize he at least had some romantic interest in Arianna. But he was wary of acting on his feelings yet, not just because he was still unsure about his place in the 21st century but also because Arianna was his friend. The last thing he wanted was for things to become awkward between them.
"All right." Arianna smiled cheerfully, shaking Steve from his thoughts. "Saturday it is. Now, I have a meeting but if you want, we can grab lunch together?"
Steve smiled as he agreed: "That would be nice."
Arianna beamed back at him, and Steve's heart leapt though he tried not to show it as Arianna waved before heading out of their office. Little did he know Arianna was also ignoring the way her heart had sped up at Steve's bright smile.
The following Saturday
"So, Vader was his father?" Steve asked, impressed, as they finished the second movie in the original Star Wars trilogy.
Arianna nodded as she stretched out from her comfortable curled position on the couch, accidentally revealing some of her skin when her shirt hiked up. Steve averted his eyes quickly, cheeks burning, but Arianna didn't notice as she stood up and walked to her kitchen.
"Do you want another beer?" She called as she set about making another enormous bowl of popcorn – Steve's appetite had no end, though Arianna ate an astonishing amount herself – and Steve stood up.
"I can get it." He offered as he moved to the refrigerator. "Do you also want one?"
"Yeah, but better pull out a new pack for the fridge." Arianna advised as she pulled out the popcorn from the microwave. "I think I've only got another one left in there right now."
Steve nodded as he pulled out another six-pack from the small cabinet Arianna kept all her extra supplies in.
"I've always wondered," he commented as he shut the cabinet door, "why do you always keep so much beer in your apartment?"
Arianna laughed and she teased: "You calling me an alcoholic, Captain?"
"No." He blushed a little, and Arianna glanced at him in amusement.
His constant innocence and delicate politeness never failed to amuse her, and she teased him about it often enough that he knew it too. Though it didn't bother him as it did when other people made fun of him, because he always caught an undertone of respect in Arianna's voice even as she joked at his expense. She respected his old-fashioned ideals, and he respected her for that.
"You just don't even drink beer that often." Steve explained. "So I wondered why you kept so many packs around."
"Well," Arianna replied a little more seriously, "both Clint and Nat drink it quite often on our off days. So I guess you could say I started habitually keeping it around for them."
"I see." Steve commented, and Arianna added with a cheeky grin: "And besides, Tony did say no house was ever complete without a secret stash of alcohol."
"Of course Stark would say that." Steve sighed, and Arianna laughed again.
The sound made Steve's heart skip a beat, but he clamped down firmly on the feeling as the pair moved back into the lounge and Arianna asked with an excited gleam in her eyes: "So, ready for the third one?"
Steve chuckled at her enthusiasm as he replied agreeably: "Ready when you are."
Arianna beamed at him as she set the popcorn between them on the sofa and she pressed a button to play the final move in the trilogy, the pair settling comfortably into their seats once more as the opening music blared.
Neither let on how each felt their heart beat just a little bit faster whenever their hands or arms brushed together in the close proximity. And while both would rather die than admit it, each ate more popcorn than they cared for, just so they could have the excuse to touch the other's hand at least one more time.
December 2015
"Why," Tony complained, "can we not celebrate Christmas together?"
"Because, Tony." Pepper sighed. "People have other engagements."
"But it's not even like I proposed spending Christmas Day together." Tony argued, staring down the couple his remark was directed at.
Steve sighed while Arianna just shook her head.
"Tony," the brunette woman began gently in that tone Tony hated- the one that told him she was placating him like a spoilt child, "you know that we'd love to celebrate Christmas with you, but Steve and I already made plans for the day you're proposing."
"What plans?" Tony demanded accusingly. "What's so important we can't all spend it together?"
"Personal plans." Arianna answered pointedly, and Tony growled.
"Look, why is it a big deal?" Arianna sighed. "It's not like it's just us who can't make Wednesday night- Clint and Rhodey have said they have other plans, too."
"But it's because they can't make it." Tony whined. "Without you as well, what kind of party is it?"
"Wow, Tony." Nat said dryly from where she'd been watching while leaning against the wall. "You really know how to make the rest of us feel special."
"You know what I mean, Romanoff." Tony sighed. "I mean, you're great and all, but without Rhodes and Ria, that's all my best friends missing."
"Which is a sad statement in and of itself." Arianna remarked, making Tony mock-glare at her.
"Oh, well in that case: good thing then that I can't make it either." Nat suddenly piped up and Tony exploded: "What's your excuse?"
"Same as theirs." Nat answered, nodding at Arianna and Steve. "We're busy."
"What on earth could you three be doing together?" Tony demanded, before he paused.
Arianna saw his expression and she warned sharply: "Stop right there, Stark, unless you want me to knife you."
Steve wrinkled his nose in disgust while Nat rolled her eyes, and Tony replied childishly: "I couldn't help it- first thought that came to mind. Ugh, just the thought is horrifying. Trust me, I'm the biggest victim here."
"Of course you are, Tony." Steve answered in an annoyed tone. "Anyway, so we won't be here that Wednesday and Thursday, so just let it go."
Tony pouted, whined, threatened, bribed and begged to no avail. Nat, Steve, and Arianna were staunch in their decisions and really they didn't know why Tony was throwing such a fuss- they were all going to celebrate Christmas Eve together at the Stark sponsored charity gala anyway.
The following Thursday
"Yeah, it was great seeing you." Arianna agreed into her cell. "And getting to see my godson in person was the best Christmas present ever."
"Nah, I think the best one was the news of the team's reaction to your pregnancy." Clint chuckled. "I just wish I'd been there to capture Stark fainting on camera."
"Yeah, he had Vision delete that from the security footage." Arianna laughed. "But it was really funny."
"I'm sure it was." Clint agreed. "But anyway, I don't want to keep you too long. Just wanted to say thanks for coming down and helping Laura with the kids for Christmas. And not telling Tony. While they're cool guys, it was nice to just have us together again, for once."
"It was a pleasure, Clint." Arianna answered warmly. "And we really should do it more often."
"Yeah?" Clint joked. "Now that you're also married, you thinking of joining Laura on the farm when you've got a troop of your own?"
"Very funny." Arianna deadpanned, and Clint barked a laugh.
"Movie's probably starting soon." Steve commented as he walked over to his wife, his cap pulled down so no-one would recognize him, and Arianna smiled at him, nodding to show she'd heard him.
Clint also heard Steve over the phone, and he finished: "Enjoy your date, Ria. Don't stay out too late, young lady." He added jokingly, and Arianna rolled her eyes.
"Thanks. Bye, Dad." She teased and Clint laughed as he hung up.
Steve smiled at her as Arianna tucked her phone away with a fond smile, and he kissed her cheek as the pair headed into the theatre where the large movie poser read: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'.
*A/N This chapter was inspired by the fact that Steve's list in Winter Soldier had Star Wars crossed out aka he'd seen it. Also, maybe I should have warned there would be Star Wars spoilers… but if you didn't know Vader was the father, I have no words. Happy (late) Halloween everyone!