Disclaimer: I do not own MCU.

A/N will be at the end.

Chapter 2: A Flicker of Hope

Orchid's POV

Orchid looked up at the question and noticed a drunken woman leaning between herself and a tall blonde. The man cringed at the question and nodded softly. "OMG! You're like, amazing. Come meet my friends!" she started to pull him away and Orchid scrunched up her nose at the woman's obvious lust filled eyes. She shot the man a sympathetic look before turning back to her drink. She didn't know much about Captain America, only what she read in papers, but he seemed like an actual good person, which nowadays, was a rarity. She wondered if he went with the drunken woman because he wanted to or because he didn't want to hurt her feelings.

Part of her thought because he wanted to and the woman would be easy to bed. Another part hoped it was just because he didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Orchid shook her head. So what if he went with the woman. She let out a frustrated groan and just wanted to go home. Maybe she could slip out before Toni noticed her and face her wrath later. With shoulders back, she paid for her drink then stood, coming face to face with one Steve Rogers.

Steve's POV

Steve had been about to talk to the lady in red when the very tipsy dame had asked the question and pulled him away. He had looked back and saw the red lady giving him a sympathetic smile before turning back to face the bar. As Steve greeted the friends of the tipsy woman, he noticed that they would glace down at his lower parts then back up with something akin to lust in their eyes. So he wasn't surprised when they asked him to join them back at their house. He politely refused and before they had a chance to argue, he bid them farewell before going back to the bar. He spotted the lady in red paying and throwing a quick glance to the dancefloor before turning towards the door. That's when their eyes connected and he was speechless. He stared into her light purple eyes, a rare eye color, and felt like he was drowning in their beauty.

"Evening ma'am" He said with a blush and held out his hand. She looked at him before shaking it with a smile. Her hands were soft, yet strong, as she shook his hand. "Good evening, Captain." Her voice was like liquid honey and he almost forgot to speak. "I didn't expect to find you in a club like this. Business or pleasure?" He shivered slightly as she said pleasure and he gave her a shy grin. "More like I was pulled here by a friend. I don't usually like this type of establishment." Her smile was kind and had none of the leering the others had. "I know a bar not far from here that is way quieter. I can show it to you so next time, your friend doesn't have a say." She said with a chuckle. Steve leaned in and whispered, "Lead the way doll."

Orchid's POV

Orchid's mind was mush as she led Steve outside. His voice in her ear sent tingles up her spine and she felt warmth spread through her lower belly. She had no idea what had made her so bold as to invite him to the bar she owned, but something about him said he needed someone to talk to. Someone who wouldn't try to jump his bones, or be influenced by other forces. So, as they walked down the street, she made up her mind to befriend this man out of time and be a support outside of work. "I hope you don't mind that I asked you to leave your friend. I just figured you might want someone to talk to without techno blasting your brain out. I'd like to be your friend. No ulterior motives. Just someone to talk to without pressures of more. " She said with a soft smile and looked up at him.

He was looking down at the pavement with those piercing blue eyes that looked so wounded and tortured. When he finally looked up at her, they were filled with warmth and appreciation. "Thank you. It's been a long time since someone just wanted to be my friend. But I feel just calling you 'Friend' wouldn't be right." He added with a wink and Orchid burst out laughing. "Quite right Mr. Rogers. My names Orchid Rothchild. But you can just call me Orchid. All my friends do." She said as she squeezed his hand that was still holding onto hers. "Orchid is a beautiful name. It matches your eyes." He said with a smile. "oh, and call me Steve. Mr. Rogers just sounds so….formal." That brought forth another laugh from her.

"Touché Steve. Touché."

A/N:

Another chapter finished! Yay! I want to thank those who favorited and followed my story. It means the world to me. To those who reviewed:

Sleepyhallow01: Thank you for your lovely review! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Stay tuned for more!

Guest: I updated! Yay! Hope you enjoyed!

I can't promise updates every day, but I will try my hardest to update at least once a week. I want to take their relationship slow. I feel Steve wouldn't jump into bed with the first girl he sees and Sam is pushing him to hard. Let me know if you agree with me! If you don't, let me know too! I'm open to ideas!

Till next time!

-Shell