Hey, thought I'd publish this story a little earlier. In a hurry to finish this story so I can move on to the good stuff pluuuus the Bucky story. ^^. Thanks for everyone who reviewed.
Deathbbeauty: yay a new reader ^^ you are new right? :) thank you so much my dear. I hope you like this one :D.
Jo: Aw thanks, well I'll try not to let you guys wait too long ;).
kaayrakoi: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. Lol jk...but seriously.
kristybauer7: GIrrrrrl you tried Cinnamon rolls with coffee? Tsk tsk. That's too many tastes man. A cinnamon roll is perfect on its own. Like Anthony Mackie.
Let me know what you guys think of the Widow ;)
xx
SSC
Steve and Olivia went to the hardware store on Sunday.
They had spent most of Saturday exploring Washington together.
They had managed to pin down the location of the Monarch's store that Fury had recommended. It had an abundance of materials just for the purpose of home making. Olivia was thoroughly impressed by the collection. In fact, Steve had lost her in the store at one point. It was even more tedious to convince her to leave the store, he had to practically drag her out.
They had bought the necessary equipment to paint a wall. A large bucket, roller handles, paint, brushes and tape. Steve had picked a light, grayish blue for the living room. He decided that he only wanted to paint the living room for the moment, he didn't want to push his luck with Fury.
Once they got back home they changed into clothes that they weren't afraid of ruining. Steve gave her a plain grey t-shirt from his collection, one that he wasn't so attached to. But the moment she wore it, he felt a strange affection at the sight of her in his clothing. She paired his t-shirt with one of her plaid shorts.
He decided to ask her about her love of plaid later.
Steve felt more comfortable in his loose, navy blue pants and white top. He was quite eager to start painting.
They picked the wall in the cozy corner where his single leather seat was. Steve did most of the heavy lifting and dragged the furniture away from the surrounding walls and towards the center of the room. Olivia neatly arranged the newspapers across the wooden floors, along the edge of the wall and then began to mix the paint.
The Captain was in the process of taping up the edges of the door frames so they didn't accidentally taint the wood. That was when he noticed the big smile that stretched across her face as she poured the paint into the roller tray.
"Are you shaking?" He observed in concern, seeing her trembling fingers
"I am so excited." She uttered in a hushed excitement "I haven't painted a wall since the one in my room."
Steve chuckled, delighted by her enthusiasm
"Yeah I've noticed that, it's nice."
"You wanna do something like that or just keep it simple?" She asked looking at him from her kneeling position on the floor.
Steve glanced at the blank wall, then down to the matte paint and then nodded confidently.
"I'm a simple guy so I think just plain is fine." He answered.
"He says despite having fought a battalion of Hydra's forces in nothing but red, white and blue tights and a Shield made of Vibranium."
Steve's gaze narrowed playfully down at her as she grinned mischievously.
"You know what? One day I am going to narrate for you." He clipped out lightly. Her eyebrows raised in wonder, a challenging smile curving at her lips. Steve was a little dumbstruck by the sight of it, she didn't know how her simple expressions made him feel weak.
She rose up to her full height, crossed her arms over her chest and then raised her chin haughtily and stared him dead in the eyes.
"Leave that to the pros, bright eyes." She insisted smugly.
"You think I can't do it?" He demanded a sense of warning in his words.
"I'd like to see you try." She defied bravely.
"She says even though she knows that Steve Rogers has proven her wrong." He raised two fingers into the air, a artful sparkle in his eye.
"Twice."
Her smile fell suddenly, she stood surprised for a moment and then rolled her eyes. The sardonic action was betrayed by the amused curve of her lips.
"Did you just refer to yourself in third person? That is so weird." She noted dryly.
"She comments despite having a habit of frequently narrating other people's lives for comedic relief. Which is also technically, weird." He narrated arrogantly, sending her a sly glance.
Olivia stood stunned for a moment then glowered up at him. Even though she seemed impacted by the blow to her ego, her eyes gleamed in disbelief and interest.
"I'll show you relief." She abruptly exclaimed. Steve didn't have a chance to move away when she picked up the wet paint roller and rolled it down his chest. He gasped, scandalized and took an instinctive step back.
He glared down at the wide, obvious, streak of paint down his body and then looked to her.
"You did not just do that." He remarked in stunned indignation.
"I like totally did." She countered cheekily with the roller handle still in her grip.
"That shade really brings out your eyes." She insisted flirtatiously, smirking up at him.
Steve's gaze narrowed further.
"Yeah?" He opposed she nodded agreeably.
"I bet it looks even better on you." He said quickly. Steve worked quickly and ran his hand down the wet blue on his shirt and then wiped it across her face. Olivia's attempt at turning away failed when his palm brushed across the side of her face.
Steve grinning victoriously as she stood in a stunned silence, gaping at him.
"Someone is looking a little blue."
She groaned from both the appalling pun and the fact that she had paint across her cheek and down her mouth.
It took them a while to actually get to the painting part, considering Olivia had chased him around the apartment, determined to get paint on his face. Steve had made a jab at her height disadvantage which made her all the more resolve to hunt him down.
They eventually called it truce, when Steve provided her with a wet cloth to clean her face. She reluctantly accepted it, grumbling all the while.
Once they eventually got down to the painting. Olivia was enthusiastically using the rolling device and Steve used the wide brush to paint the edges.
Steve was meticulously running the wet brush over the wall when her voice caught his attention.
"You are pretty pro at this, have you painted stuff before?" Olivia observed curiously, with her arm stretched above her head, streaking the wall.
"Yeah Bucky and I used to make some extra cash painting homes. Well extra cash for Bucky, that was technically my wage." Steve smiled reminiscently "He was just there to make sure the fumes didn't make me pass out."
"Aw."She cooed fondly "Bucky is a sweetheart."
He cast her an ever so private smile. He enjoyed such simple tasks with her, a pleasant peacefulness around them. It gave him the chance to ogle her without being caught. Little did he know that when he wasn't watching her, Olivia took the chance to glance at him.
Olivia bit her lower lip, trying not to laugh at the sight of the blue down his t-shirt. She smiled, it really did bring out those gorgeous eyes of his. She averted her attention back to the wall, determined not to be continuously distracted by him. Him and those damn hands. The man was a living breathing contradiction to what muscular should be capable of. She had never seen a man handle a brush as delicately as Steve Rogers. It made her feel things, dangerous things.
She sighed, brushed back a forelock of her hair and then continued to work. Despite the raging hormones, Olivia enjoyed being around him. It was comfortable, the last time she felt so homely with another human being was Norah.
Olivia hastily pushed aside her forlorn feelings and focused on the task at hand.
They completed the task efficiently and then stepped back to admire their work.
Steve liked it, the simple splash of colour made his apartment seem more interesting, lively even.
"What do you think?" He asked, looking to the female.
"Copen blue dude, great for... Copen." She responded jokingly.
Steve snorted and pushed her lightly. The gentle shove caused her to tumble a little and bump into the short shelf beside her. He quickly apologized and pulled her carefully away from the furniture. Olivia was laughing, mainly at her own jab and kindly insisted there was no harm done. But then her attention was caught by the black, leather journal that had fallen from the shelf due to her impact.
"Hey what's this?" She wondered out loud, tucking a thick strand of her hair behind her ear and then squatting down to retrieve the book.
Steve followed her hands and was startled by the sight of her picking up his art journal. The one Coulson had returned to him along with a few other things.
"Wait that's nothing it's just-" His protest died, it was too late. Olivia had already opened the book and was marveling at the sight of his illustrations.
"Steve." She breathed in astonishment, slowly raising her honey gaze to meet his.
"Did you draw these?"
"Well I-Yeah." He admitted reluctantly, his shoulders shagging in mortification.
"Don't be embarrassed, these are amazing." She insisted in awe, her attention fixated on the sketches. Olivia lowered herself to the floor and sat down, the newspapers crumpled and rustled under her weight.
Olivia placed the spine of the book on her crossed ankles. Her eyes were wide, absorbing every detail with the utmost fascination. She took her sweet time, flipping through the pages silently and running the tips of her fingers over the drawings.
Steve stood awkwardly for a moment and then followed her to the floor. He situated himself in front of her and watched her cautiously.
The sketches he had done of the trains and planes he took on his tours. Strange but interesting people he met. His comical caricatures of his manager, the Choir Girls and the Senator.
"I didn't know you were this talented." Olivia murmured marveled by his work. She looked to him, her eyes gleaming in a new found admiration.
"They are alright." He uttered, feeling abashed by her praise and admiring gaze.
"Something to do." He added.
Olivia sent him a dimpled smile, amused by his modesty.
"Do you work with any other media or just pencils?" She asked curiously, her head tilted to the side.
"Well pencils were what I had access to and this is just a hobby I didn't think of it as a serious thing." Steve answered soundly.
"Did someone teach you?" She inquired.
"Not really." He confessed while palming the back of his neck "I just see something and I draw it or whatever is in my head."
She flipped to the drawing he had done of a monkey on a unicycle. The mammal was dressed in his infamous suit, with the shield in one hand an open umbrella in the other, held above its head. Steve tensed and watched carefully as she studied the drawing, taking in the grinning chimps face and then smiling gently.
"Is this how you really felt?" She posed looking to him expectantly.
"For a while." He admitted.
"Now?"
"I haven't decided yet." Steve stated hesitantly.
It was his turn to be studied by her honey gaze. Steve felt naked under her stare, yet he was determined not to shy away. He noticed that even though she was staring at him, it seemed like she wasn't actually looking. Olivia had a far off look in her eyes, as if trying to decide something. There was a momentary flash of pity in her gaze that immediately disappeared when she blinked.
"Norah liked to draw." She abruptly announced.
"Really?" He was intrigued by this.
"Hm." She pulled out her phone and averted her attention to the screen.
"I took a pictures of my favourite ones." She stated, her thumb swiping over the screen for a few seconds before coming to a halt.
"She drew a lot when she had nothing else to do in the hospital." She explained and then handed the phone to him. Steve accepted the device and looked to the brightly illuminated screen.
Steve was stunned by what he saw.
"That's me." He whispered, marveled by the image.
It was a picture of ten year old Norah. She was grinning, but her skin was ghostly pale and a bandanna was wrapped around her rotund, bare head. She was lying on the bed holding up a sheet of paper on display for the camera.
It was a drawing, done in a style he had only seen once. In the animation that Olivia wanted him to see. The art was similar to that in the slanted eyes, broad shoulders and slim arms, but it was him.
'Captain America' it stated proudly in red crayon, outlined with a (what he guessed was a) thick black sharpie. The title was at the top of the page. His character was posed majestically with the shield at hand and staring up at a distance.
The coloring of his suit was amateur, it was a obvious a child had done it. He could tell where the most pressure was applied on the pencil. But the tenderness that went into the drawing was clear in the gentle sweeping lines and shading.
"Yeah." Olivia murmured, crawling over and sitting beside him so she could see the picture too.
"Norah was a huge fan of yours." She stated.
"But aren't I a little old fashion for her?" He worded apprehensively, looking to her for an explanation. Olivia grinned crookedly, her gaze lowered to the floor for a moment.
"Papa's influence, he is a huge fan of yours too. All they did was watch World War documentaries." She confessed slanting him a smile "Anyway my point is that during her cancer battle, you were her main inspiration."
He averted his attention to the drawing again. Cupping the phone just a little tighter, he smiled at the image. The child was so proud of her self, it was the most endearing thing he had ever seen.
"I wish I could have met her." Steve said, his heart clenching in sorrow. Longing for a meeting he knew he could never have.
"I've been wishing that a lot lately too." Olivia muttered her voice tight and restraining her true sadness. Steve carefully looked to her, she was avoiding his gaze wholly and was rubbing her thumb furiously into the palm of her hand.
Steve wanted to reassure her and he was about to. He took his hand off the phone for the sole purpose of comforting her, but her actions abruptly stilled and she directed a pained smile up at him.
"You two are practically the same person." She voiced, surprising him.
"You never mentioned that before." He mentioned tenderly.
"Well it kinda hit me last week. I mean it's not like the obvious things but mannerisms and heart." She recounted, her eyes were quivering. She sighed and her shoulders slumped forward in a silent defeat.
"Is it weird how we attract people like the ones we lost?" She mused.
Steve gazed a far, his mind trying to think of ways to answer her question because he knew there was an explanation. He had pondered the same life changing topic when he first realized Olivia's similarities to his friend.
"I met Bucky when I needed him and I met you the same way." He confessed whole heartedly. Olivia was staggered by his words and looked to him with ample wonder in her eyes. Steve simply smiled lovingly.
"I just didn't know it." He added.
She winced as if his words had struck a deep, sensitive part in her. She lowered her gaze, smiling haplessly with a vast understanding in her eyes.
After a while she turned to him, studying him quietly with a certain fondness in her stare.
"Are you always this honest?" She asked, her voice heavy with emotion. Steve was caught under her soulful gaze.
"Yes." He stated without skipping a beat. She smiled, delighted by his enthusiasm.
"Don't ever change."
Maybe it was her sensuous tone when she uttered those three syllables, maybe it was the soul deep pleading emotion in her eyes. All he knew was that he did not want that moment to end. He studied her, unsure of what to say or do. Speaking felt impossible from how hard and fast his heart was racing.
She held his longing gaze with the same intensity reflected in them. The blood burned through his veins when her stare dropped to his lips.
In that instant he thought maybe, just maybe she would kiss him.
"Man painting is real thirsty work."
Steve flinched at her abrupt declaration. Even though she was blushing red and cast her eyes downward, equally floored by their intimate moment. Steve had the fleeting feeling she would never take the initiative. Unless...she wanted him to. Or...He was just one sided in all of it.
"Water?" Her gentle inquiry dragged him out of his thought. Steve looked to find she was already on her feet, staring expectantly down at him.
"Yeah thanks." He murmured distractedly. She smiled and turned and headed towards the kitchen. Steve watched her walk away with a heavy heart.
But then she stopped and then slowly revolved around to face him.
"By the way." She began to say and Steve stared back, hope glittering in his eyes.
"I needed you too. Just FYI." She smiled sweetly and resumed her task of retrieving water for them and just like that, Steve was experiencing the same rush of emotions.
He knew he had to tell her, one way or another, he couldn't keep his feelings bottled up any longer.
He just didn't know how.
They were done painting by five in the evening. They were both exhausted and ready to eat a hearty meal. Olivia announced that she was paying for the pizza and Steve argued it was his turn but she insisted that it was her right to. She placed the order hastily and Steve suggested they freshen up and watch a movie while they wait.
Olivia went to his room with the intention of finding a new pair of clothes to change into, when her cell phone rang. She prayed it wasn't Aaron and was ecstatic to see it was Claire, she quickly answered the call.
"Hey Claire." She greeted cheerfully.
"Hi baaaabe." She flinched at the stressed, high pitched mockery from Charlie. Olivia laughed instinctively
"Wow Claire what a deep voice you have." She responded teasingly.
"All the better to seduce you with my dear."
Olivia burst into a fit of giggles and simultaneously she heard Claire's laughter resonate from the phone.
"Why are you laughing?" Charlie demanded crossly to Claire "You are my girlfriend, it is contradictory!"
There was a moment of muffled scrambling noises and then Claire spoke soundly.
"Sorry about that but you don't have to live with him." She stated dryly
"How are things babe?"
Olivia knew from the slight distance in Claire's voice that she was on speaker phone. She didnt mind, she liked hearing from the both of them.
"Good, great actually. How is my little love muffin?"
"Anakit elected me to inform you not to call him that, it makes him very uncomfortable." Charlie stated factually.
"I thought that was your job." Olivia countered.
"Haha"
"How is Captain Dreamboat?" Claire asked eager to know.
Olivia smiled and began to pace the length of the small room.
"Steve and I were just done painting the wall."
"Ooo you guys are decorating together? How cute." Claire cheered.
The dark haired recipient of Claire's enthusiasm, blushed a deep red.
"Says you, didn't you guys just by new kitchen tiles?"
"Yah and they are gorgeous." Charlie added abruptly "We shall send Pics."
"It was Charlie's idea. We haven't even moved in together and he is remodeling my counter top." Claire added and Olivia knew she was rolling her eyes.
"Why what happened? " The web designer inquired curiously.
"We had a little...incident." From the surreptitiously coy tone of her voice, Olivia knew Claire was referring to something indecent the lovers had done.
"Oh ew nasty." Olivia grimaced, her lips shaping down into a hard frown as if she had tasted something particularly disgusting.
"You say that now but wait till you get down to doing stuff with Steve. Then let's talk. But of course you two have to start going out first."
Olivia tensed, all expression leaving her face as dismay clouded her eyes.
"No Claire, it's not-it's not like that with him. " She insisted hesitantly, her heart thudding loudly in her chest.
Charlie's joking kissing noises in the background came to an abrupt stop.
"What do you mean Olli?" Claire asked, her voice was soft, confused and extremely concerned.
"It's just, I..."
There was a sudden knock at the door that rattled and silenced her. She looked to find Steve's blonde head of hair peeking in from the gap between the door and then look to her with those blue eyes of his.
"Olli is it okay if I- Oh sorry you are on the phone." He apologized, noticing her standing with the phone pressed to her ear. She grinned and shook her head dismissively.
"Hey Steve, come on in its fine" she insisted, waving him forward.
"It's just Claire and Charlie."
"What do you mean just?" Charlie demanded, feigning indignation.
Steve's fair brows lifted in intrigue and he began to approach her. Olivia pressed down on the speaker button.
"Hey guys." Steve called when she pointed the talking end towards him.
"Hey Cap!" They simultaneously exclaimed, this caused Steve to chuckle.
"Wow, couples really do speak in sync." He mused slanting Olivia a private smile. Her head bobbed in frantic, eager agreement, her eyebrows lifted in awareness.
"So Cap you happy to have Olivia around?" Claire inquired eagerly.
"Yeah" The apples of his cheeks began to burn a little. He glanced at her and grinned.
"The world is just a little bit brighter."
Olivia lovingly shoved him at the bicep, of course this was as ineffective as a kitten trying to push a block of cement.
"Don't you mean colourful?" Claire teased.
He laughed "That too."
"What are you guys up to?" Steve asked inquisitively, slyly turning the attention away from himself.
"Charlie's work buddies are coming over so we were just-" A sudden, faint chime emitted from the phone, rendering the two silent.
"Oh I think that's them." Claire announced.
"Yup, we shall talk to you guys later!" Charlie exclaimed his voice fading away like a sailor's cry lost at sea.
"Yup, have fun oh and say hi to Lola for me." Olivia quickly cried.
"Will do." Claire stated "Bye guys."
"Bye." Steve responded in a friendly farewell.
"Good riddance." Olivia grumbled in mock annoyance.
"Oi!" Was Charlie's final refute before the call ended. Steve's eyes were glimmering from the hilarity of it all. Olivia was equally amused as she returned her phone back into her pocket.
"Man Charlie will not shut up about you to his friends, it's a miracle he didn't pass around his phone." Olivia gushed making him smile modestly.
"That's flattering."
"So did you need something?" She asked, remembering his sudden arrival.
"Yeah I just have to grab a shirt from my cupboard, I hope that's okay." Steve announced, nudging a thumb over his shoulder, in the direction of his wardrobe.
"Hell yeah, go right ahead." She responded. Steve uttered a quick thanks and hurried to his wardrobe. He wanted to be efficient so he wouldn't be in her way. His closet was located in the furthest corner of the room, in the right side, just behind the headboard of the bed. The bed was placed with its side against the wall and not the usual centered manner. He reached his cupboard in four quick strides and opened up the doors and began to search through the contents.
Olivia rolled her eyes in a fond exasperation. Rely on Steve Rogers to ask permission to access his own furniture.
She was about to make a teasing comment on it when a familiar object within the closet caught her eye.
"Is that the-?"
Steve was in the middle of riffling through the folded clothes in the shelves on the left side of his closet. However her question brought him out of his concentration. He glanced back at her to find her staring intently at something to his right. He followed her gaze till his attention landed on his helmet and shield.
The alloy of the circular armor was gleaming under the warm, bedroom light. He smiled, looked to her and nodded in confirmation. Steve was surprised by how quickly she was on her feet and by his side.
"So cool." She whispered in lush amazement. Steve laughed, amused by her enthusiasm. He decided to make things more interesting but picking up his equipment and taking them over to his mattress. She followed like a lost, eager puppy and waited till he laid them down neatly on his bed.
"Oh my gosh look at this helmet, it is adorable!" She exclaimed poking the empty helmet, tracing the bold white letter 'A' on the forehead .
"Oh please can I?" She asked, looking to him with wide pleading eyes.
Steve laughed and said "Go for it."
Olivia practically pounced at the opportunity. She picked up the head gear while grinning avidly and shaking with an uncontrollable excitement.
"Aw man. This is really something." She murmured to herself while bringing the device over her head. Steve observed affectionately as her disheveled hair disappeared behind the headdress and masked around her eyes.
"How do I look?" She demanded while adjusting the slipping helmet.
He desperately stifled a laugh and tried to seem like he was seriously deliberating the new look. She looked like a little kid who was trying on clothes in the adult section. The head gear was far too large on her, the eye holes didn't even align properly.
"It's a little big." He choked a little on his own words. Olivia was oblivious to the flaw, to wrapped up in her own fantasy come alive. She lowered her gaze, trying to see past her chin and the clasps at the bottom.
"They are adjustable straps right?" She inquired, her fingers toying with the buckles.
"Yeah, here." Steve stepped to her, ready to assist. Olivia's hands dropped to her side and she raised her chin as Steve worked on buckling the helmet for her.
"Though I don't think it can do much, your head is a lot smaller than mine." He cautioned after securing the strap and then taking a step back to admire his work.
"Odd, Mama always warned me about my big head." Olivia commented with a cheeky grin. Steve flashed her a smile, amused by her banter.
"What do you think Cap?" She asked posing her hands gallantly on her hips and looking to a far off distance.
"Figure I can take on the world?" She added with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
"You can take on anything."
Olivia was caught off guard by the earnest, demure tone of his voice. She was even more staggered under the worshipful glow in his sea blue eyes. They seem to silently promise her more than just admiration, the sight made her heart race and face heat.
"So uh." She quickly looked away, abashed and overwhelmed by his adoring stare and the intimate silence.
"Where is the infamous shield?" She felt silly for asking such an obvious question since the object she searched for was right beside her. But Steve didn't comment on the strangeness of her request and jumped at a chance to busy his hands and mind.
"Right here." He announced, picking up the gear with both arms and gestured it to her.
"Dude." She cried out in amazement, her cheeks still felt hot when she smiled. She ignored the sensation and focused on the shield.
"This is dope!" She enthused fighting her arms through the thick, brown leather handles and gripping tightly. Steve cautiously released the alloy, worried that it would be too heavy for her, but she held it surprisingly firmly.
"Whoa." She breathed in amazement and looked to him.
"This is a lot lighter than it looks."
"It does make travelling easier." He noted.
"No kidding." She mused, impressed but the structure as fingered the rim of the shield. Steve watched as she posed in multiple ways to test out the metal, as if he no longer existed in the room. It was thoroughly laughable and endearing.
He liked this. Sharing his alter ego with her in an environment where he wasn't expected to share the gruesome details of war, or be stared and admired like he was some angel descending from the skies. She liked the flare in a child like fascination that he couldn't help but compare to Tony Stark. He knew she didn't approve of the man for some past errors of his, so he didn't dare voice this revelation.
She asked him several questions about the suit. If some special material was used, the technical aspects of things. Steve felt greatly in adequate and only answered to the best of his knowledge, but she didn't seem to mind and smiled respectfully whenever he got stuck.
The door bell sounded, cutting into their conversation.
"I think that's the pizza dude." Olivia exclaimed in reaction to the confused expression on his face.
"My treat!" Rogers announced and dashed out the door.
"Hey wait" He heard her yell out and then curse under her breath, struggling with the helmet.
"How the heck do I get this thing off?"
Steve chuckled sportingly and headed to the main door, swiping his wallet of the neighboring shelf along the way. He passed through the short entrance hall and then reached the door. He opened the door, fully expecting to find a lanky male in a cap holding a flat cardboard box.
Which was why he was surprised by the sight of the infamous red haired spy.
"Natasha?" He questioned disbelievingly, his brows lifted.
Sure enough the Russian female stood at the threshold of his home. She was dressed inconspicuously in a pair of tight black leather pants and a green V neck blouse, coupled with her signature brown jacket.
"Hey Rogers." She greeted in that usual vague acknowledgment. She pulled out a manila folder from inside her coat and presented it to him.
"Sorry for the intrusion I just came to drop off the file you requested."
"I told you it's my treat toda-"
The Widow's hawk like gaze immediately snapped to the unfamiliar voice from behind Steve. He looked as well to find Olivia staring at them with the helmet still on her head.
The two women blinked, astonished by each other.
"You are not the pizza dude." Olivia pointed out modestly.
"No I am not. "
Steve did not like the wicked grin that stretched across Natasha's face. She scanned Olivia's attire, from his t-shirt down to her plaid pants. Her eyes danced in utmost fascination. Olivia blushed and slowly took of the helmet. She self-consciously tucked a few loose strands of her hair behind her ear, uncomfortable and embarrassed under the agent's probing gaze.
The red haired beauty's attention diverted to the Captain. Her gaze seemed to silently question the nature of Olivia's presence in his home. From one long look, Steve knew Natasha had already jumped to venereal conclusions.
"Pizza?"She echoed ,sending a sly teasing look his way. Her emerald eyes glittering in delight.
"How homey."
"Natasha-" Steve's warning tone was interrupted when she abruptly slammed file against his broad chest and pushed him aside. Her entire focus was on the timid female and she strolled confidently in her direction.
Olivia took an instinctive step back. A little intimidated by the cool confident air the red head possessed.
"You must be Olivia." Natasha breathed all knowingly, stretching a hand out in greeting.
"Hi." Olivia beamed shyly, reaching for her hand and shaking it once. She had the helmet pressed to her side with her left arm.
"Natasha right?"
"That's right." The Avenger consented with a nod of her head. She returned her hand back into the pockets of her leather jacket and smiled.
"So you visiting?" She asked conversationally, but Steve knew better, the woman was gathering Intel.
Steve frowned, shut the door and then strutted towards the females. He stood on guard behind Olivia, ready to defend her if necessary. Unfortunately they were unaware of his possessive ways.
"Yeah just for the week though. Are you going to join us for dinner?" Olivia wondered. Steve was astounded by the hopeful tone in her words.
"Oh no I have plans." Steve sighed in relief.
"But they don't start till later... I can kill time here." Natasha responded amiably.
Steve frowned and Natasha noticed and smirked tauntingly.
"Great." Olivia enthused smiling brightly "I made lemonade."
"I love lemonade."
Steve saw through the niceties. He didn't know of Natasha's feelings towards that particular beverage, but he knew she did care to know more about Olivia Thorne.
Olivia was her usual hospitable self and gestured towards the glass jug of lemonade she had made sometime during their painting hours. It was on top of the clean, bare kitchen counter, sweating precipitation.
Natasha smiled and casually strolled towards the counter, Olivia and Steve lingered behind.
"Oh my gosh." Thorne exclaimed in a hushed whisper and spun around to face the Captain. She grabbed him excitedly by the arm and squeezed.
"I'm about to have lemonade with the Black Widow. Do you think she will mind if I ask for a selfie?"
Steve sighed. Despite feeling like the pleasant imaginary bubble he had made around his time with Olivia had despairingly burst. He was still warmed by her continued enthusiasm towards people. His annoyance evaporated away and he looked down at the ecstatic web designer gazing hopefully up at him.
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind." He murmured reassuringly while taking the helmet she loosely hugged to her stomach and placing it on the shelf beside him.
"Invading people's privacy is part of her job description."
Okay maybe the irritation lingered.
"I heard that." Natasha clipped out from her seat on the stool. She narrowed a glare in his direction while sipping at her glass of juice, that she had helped herself to.
Olivia suppressed the urge to laugh nervously and approached the spy. She rounded the island into the kitchen and stood on the opposite side of the counter, facing Natasha.
Steve reluctantly followed and stood beside the dark haired female.
"So Olivia." Natasha spoke grabbing the woman's attention. "Steve has talked about you so much I feel like I know you already."
"Really?" Olivia blinked looking to the Captain.
Steve tensed, blood rushed up his face under Olivia's wide eyed stare.
"Well just occasionally you had come up." He admitted embarrassed by Natasha's suggestive tone.
"When he sits alone, smiling like an idiot." the Black Widow added, earning a glower from him.
"What time are your plans again?" He demanded through gritted teeth.
"Eight-ish?"
"Maybe you should head out to avoid traffic." He faked a smile, she smirked.
Olivia's peal of laughter grabbed their attention.
"I think you are embarrassing him." She pointed out softly, directing a fond glance at Natasha. then she looked to him and Steve felt his tenseness melt away under the warm glow of her gaze.
"It's fine Steve, I talk about you all the time too." She insisted dotingly.
He perked up, his pulse quickening.
"You do?"
"Yeah." She stated factually "We've had some great times."
Steve's hopeful little smile fell a little and he clenched his jaw muscles, determined not to let his disappointment show. Natasha was quick to see this.
"I don't think-"
Steve cut her a quick pleading glance, rendering her silent.
"What?" Olivia inquired, perplexed by their abrupt stillness.
Natasha flashed her a pearly white grin.
"I don't think half a glass of this is enough." She drawled raising up the tall crystal in praise.
"Great lemonade by the way."
"Thanks." Olivia beamed gratefully. Her lips parted with the intent of uttering more when the bell rang again, cutting into her prepared thoughts.
"Oh that must be the pizza." She declared.
"I'll get it." Steve insisted, but she patted him on the arm, grabbing his attention.
"Chill, I said it was my treat, you paid for Chinese last night." She slanted him a sweet smile and then hurried off to answer the door.
The two Avengers waited till she disappeared into the short entrance hall before looking to each other.
"She is cute." Natasha murmured behind the brim of her glass while smiling coyly. Steve shot her a flat look.
"Honestly Natasha, I didn't tell you all that just so you can use it as leverage to embarrass me." He grumbled, crossing his arms defensively over his chest.
"Oh come on it was fun." She conceded in a lazy yet amused tone "Besides I don't think she has a clue."
"Clue about what?" Steve demanded.
Natasha's eyes gleamed in warning.
"Your obvious feelings for her." She stated factually
Steve frowned, but he had no words of reproach. The talented spy cocked a thin, dark winged eyebrow at the male.
"You are not going to deny it?" She challenged.
"That would be dishonest." He insisted begrudgingly.
Her smile broadened.
"Ever the boy scout." She commented earning a exasperated look from him. She grinned and then downed the remainder of the drink, and then set aside the stemware before leaning forward, onto her arms.
"When you going to make a move?" She asked furtively.
Steve anxiously chanced a glance behind him. Satisfied that Olivia wasn't likely to hear, he averted his attention back to Natasha.
"It's not like that's something I planned." He answered cautiously. After all he had only skimmed over the idea that afternoon.
"Well you better. A cutie like that doesn't stay single for long." Natasha warned.
"Unless of course she is waiting for you to say something."
"You said she has no clue." Steve countered innocently.
"Yeah, it doesn't mean she doesn't think about you that way." She pointed out. Steve was a little floored by that revelation. The idea of Olivia liking him just as much was no longer a fantasy, a woeful whisper in his mind. If Natasha (A woman who can see an attack coming a mile away) thinks that Olivia has feelings for him, then it must be true.
He smiled, there was hope.
"Don't you just love that fresh pizza smell?" Olivia proclaimed to them. She returned, carrying in two large boxes of pizza. Steve was dragged out of his thoughts and looked to her, staring longingly at the sight of her smiling at them. The brooding intensity on his face. melted away.
"Well I must be off." Natasha abruptly announced.
"So soon?" Olivia asked despondently, her smile fell.
Steve saw it, the sudden gentleness in the Black Widow's eyes. Even the world's greatest spy she couldn't help but be wrapped by Olivia's winning mannerisms.
"I have to pick up my dry cleaning." She said.
"Well at least take a slice for the road." The web designer insisted, pulling up one of the boxes and offering the contents to her. The delicious scent of fresh hot bread and spices wafted out into the air, beckoning her. Natasha couldn't resist and tore a triangular slice and held it in her hand.
"Thanks." She smiled down at Olivia.
"It was nice meeting you, as brief as it was." Olivia responded. Natasha nodded in agreement, sent a glance at Steve and then brushed past Olivia towards the door.
Steve was expecting to hear the sound of the door opening only to be surprised when Natasha abruptly appeared again.
"Oh before I go." She startled Olivia by posing just behind her shoulder and stretching an arm out with a phone at hand.
"Smile." She cooed and there was a unscripted flash.
"Huh?" Olivia blinked, blinded and confused for a moment. She was even more stunned when Natasha placed the phone in her hand. Olivia looked down to find it was actually her mobile.
"Bye. " Natasha added and then rushed off with the pizza slice.
Steve and Olivia stared silently until the door shut and they were once again alone in the apartment.
"Man I wish I could pull off leather pants the way she can." Olivia murmured longingly. Steve snorted in amusement and looked to the female.
"You don't seem like the leather pants kind of person."
"Yeah, I can't be fit like her, too committed to bread." She woefully patted her stomach. That's when she remembered her phone and gaped at it.
"My cell phone was in my back pocket." She stated slowly, absorbing the fact. Then her passive expression took a turn for the wild and excited. Her head snapped up and she was grinning manically up at Steve.
"I can't believe the Black Widow frisked my butt!"
Steve stood staring at her, utterly bewildered by her frenzied ways. She was pressing the phone to her chest with one hand, like it was a large diamond.
"I feel like you are channeling Charlie." He pointed out.
Olivia stilled and shot him a flat look.
"If I was channeling Charlie I'd be a drooling mess on the floor. Though I'll admit, I did feel a little faint." She mumbled the last part to herself while rubbing her chin in thought. She glanced back at the door and then looked to Steve to find him watching her fondly.
"What?" She demanded.
"Nothing." He insisted his lips pressed down in a tight lipped smile, like he had a secret he did not wish to share with her. Olivia's eyes narrowed playfully, his twinkled charmingly.
It was honestly nothing, Steve was just caught staring and he didn't know how else to explain without sounding like a creep.
"Let's eat, that pizza smells good." Steve announced determined to change the subject. He swiped the box out of her hands.
"Dominoes man, there is nothing else like it."
"What about Jim's?"
"Oh yeah...you have a great memory for a old guy."
Steve's victorious grin vanished and he dead panned at her.
"Hilarious."
He turned and headed to the kitchen counter. He had just placed the food on the counter when he heard Olivia groan miserably.
"Aw man." She whined staring down at her phone and then looked to him with eyes clouded in despair.
"My eyes are closed in this photo!"
Natasha was grinning wickedly as drove her car, speeding across the asphalt. Keeping her hands steadily on the steering wheel, she commanded the voice activated AI.
Under her instructions the program dialed the contacts she requested and put them all in a group conversation. The ringing tone echoed within the interior and then came to a abrupt stop.
"Code red, white and blue. The eagle is attempting to fly, I repeat the eagle is attempting to fly." She announced firmly.
"Oh my God it's really happening, everybody stay calm!" Clint Barton shrieked in the intercom.
"Has the eagle spotted his prey?" Tony demanded curtly.
"Affirmative, but he is reluctant to initiate due to his inexperience." Natasha smirked, amused by her own wording.
"This calls for drastic measures." Ironman stated
"Avengers I believe we have a mission to complete." He took a dramatic pause and added.
"Let's begin Operation Cupid."
"Does this mean I can use my Halloween costume?" Barton asked, feeling hopeful. Natasha groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Yes. But avoid wearing the diaper." Tony advised.
"Roger that."
"First things first, who is the lucky lady?" Stark inquired practically a giddy mess.
"Her name is Olivia Thorne." Natasha answered swiftly.
There was a long, pensive pause from Tony's end and for a moment she thought the call had disconnected.
"Why do I know that name?" He inquired.
"She is Miss Feiffer's friend Sir. From the brandy incident in twenty ten." Jarvis cut in politely.
"Oh shit." He cursed sharply.
Later that evening, despite the work they had done the whole day. Olivia and Steve didn't feel sleepy yet. To pass the time till they did, Olivia suggested people watching.
Steve liked the idea. He hadn't stepped out into the balcony in a while. To make the evening more enjoyable, he made two mugs of hot chocolate. He was abashed by how truly impressed Olivia was by his accomplishment.
She held the two mugs as he propped open the window frame and then exited. He quickly dusted off wicker bench for two and then hurried back to the window to assist her.
It was a cold October night. The chilly wind brushed past relentlessly, beckoning goose bumps across their skin. But eventually they grew accustomed to the cold, considering the hot ceramic between their hands and the warm liquid kept their temperatures regulated.
The night sky was especially dark and the imminent winter made the starts shine brighter every day. The balcony had a particularly great view of the Washington monument that had Olivia gazing out in awe. The bleach white building of the presidential house stood prominent and proud against its dark canvas. They could see the way the wind made the mysterious silhouettes of the tall trees sway.
Steve Rogers sat on the edge of the bench with his knees comfortably spaced out. He lazed in to the back rest and stared out, not particularly looking at anything and simply enjoying the peace.
Olivia Thorne was curled up cozily. Her legs were pulled in on to the seat and crossed in a meditative position. The mug was situated in the empty space between her thighs and ankles, held in place by her dainty hands. She seemed almost restless, her amber eyes darting about, skittishly searching for something to observe.
Steve would send her subtle glances of amusement.
"Now that guy is up to something suspicious." She announced her keen gaze focused on someone.
He followed the direction she looked to and his eyes locked on a man. At least he guessed it was a man judging from his broad shoulders. His hair (if he had any) was hidden under a black hood. The only thing Steve could see was the whiteness of his trainers and laces.
"How can you tell?" He asked glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
"I have a feeling." She murmured covertly, leaning towards to his side while pointing to the man "Look see he has something suspicious hidden under his coat and he is looking around to make sure no one is around so he can do his suspicious deed."
Steve didn't know what was more laughable. The strangers attempt at hiding a brown paper back under his sweater, giving him the appearance of a large belly. Or Olivia's over use of the word 'suspicious'.
"Where you going suspicious guy?" she questioned expecting no real response from the man who was hurrying off, twenty feet away.
"I feel like this guy should have his own theme song." She added. Steve snorted and then they continued to observe. Steve couldn't help but feel a prickle of anxiousness. What if the man actually was up to something?
"It looks like he is feeding a puppy." Olivia declared excitedly, snapping him out of his thoughts. Sure enough the strange man was knelt down beside a small, stray dog. The animal didn't find the nameless man threatening and eagerly ate the treat while being petted.
"That is too cute." She mused, laughing to herself and leaning back into the seat.
"You go suspicious guy." She enthused and then brought the brim of the mug to her lips.
Steve smiled fondly and took a sip of his own drink.
They fell into a companionable silence, watching the man interact with the dog. A few minutes passed and the animal and man went off in separate directions. The streets were once again empty, except for the occasional blaring lights of a passing car.
"This is a neat spot, I haven't sat on my balcony in a while." She stated, breaking the stillness.
"How come?" Steve inquired.
"I've been avoiding being in my thoughts for too long lately. So I've been keeping my mind busy."
He nodded agreeably.
"Idle mind is the devil's playground so you are doing the wise thing."
"What about you?" She countered turning her profile to him.
"I am not a stranger to the devil's playground." Steve smiled haplessly, staring down into his cup "It's just, keeping busy is a little hard when you don't really know anyone here. Books have helped but sometimes it gets a little repetitive."
"Steve..." She called softly sending a rush of longing through him "I didn't know it was this hard for you."
"It's not really, I can manage." He insisted a little too quickly "It was silly for me to make it sound like I was completely alone, I am not. I mean I have you, and Sam. I went for drinks with Kevin and Natasha once."
He didn't want to seem like his was whining.
"No I get it you don't need to rationalize your emotions Steve." Olivia stated immediately reassuring him with that sweet smile of hers.
"I thought I was the introverted one." She added jokingly.
Steve grinned and shrugged.
"I think you know how to balance the two well." He averted his attention to the sky. "I'm in my head a lot."
"Well then I fooled you." She said, grabbing his attention.
"I am more scared than you think." She admitted softly and avoiding his gaze.
Steve stilled for a moment, carefully studying her reactions.
"What are you scared of?" He asked carefully.
"It's nothing." She laughed dismissively. Steve frowned and reached out, gently placing his fingers on her wrist. She tensed under his touch and her eyes snapped to him.
"Tell me." He spoke in a kind insistence "Please."
Her eyes were quivering in uncertainty and Steve worried that he had asked too much.
"It's, it's not the being alone part I mean yeah I can manage around that too. But it's the being left alone." She responded in a quick rush of words that took an abrupt stop. She gasped out a nervous laugh and palmed her throat consciously.
Her words hit deep. He was all too familiar and empathetic to what she had described.
"I don't know if I made any sense." She confessed reluctantly.
"No you did, it makes perfect sense." He smiled in assurance.
She returned his smile shyly and lowered her hand back to her mug and slanted him a coy look.
"I didn't want to say it because you pretty much covered the basis of that." She acknowledged softly, earning a smile from him. Steve was consistently amazed by her compassion.
"Yeah but it's nice to know I am not the only one who fears that and I think I'm the one who had done the leaving." He declared. Steve paused, lost in his thoughts. There was more he wanted to say and normally he wouldn't.
He had created a shell around himself. When it came to deep thoughts he had usually relied on Bucky and then there was Peggy. But when he woke up in the twenty first century he had no one he could relate to, and in return no one related to him. He didn't blame them, it was hard for them to see him as anything but the Nations Hero. It was flattering sure, but it was also lonely.
Olivia on the other hand. Their experiences were different but...
Steve looked to her. Her shinning honey brown eyes were watching him patiently, ready to hear all he had to say. They sight of them made him ache.
She made him want to open up and he didn't want imagine a future with her by being letting his insecurities cage him.
"The fella's took me around town once. Tony wanted to teach me about the wonders that is this century and at one point someone had said this is a great chance for me." He shyly averted his cobalt gaze to his mug.
"To start a new, fresh plate, leave everything behind so to speak." He repeated with a crooked, sad smile.
Olivia felt her heart clench at the sight of it, saddened by the sight of his smile slipping away.
"But all I really wanted in that moment, after the war and being away from home for so long. I just wanted to be in a familiar place. Thinking that made me feel ungrateful, I mean I am alive and that's a miracle on its own." He continued on "I was in such a hurry to get out of Brooklyn, I falsified papers to get into the war and now there is no way of ever going back. Maybe I deserved it."
"Like what is the point of living if the people you want to share that life with isn't around?"
Steve froze not expecting the statement to slip from her lips. Seeing the stunned recognition in his eyes, Olivia smiled knowingly. Her stare lowered and she thumbed the brim of her mug. Steve studied her very carefully, it was hard to read her thoughts behind her stoic expression.
"I had deliberated that question a lot after she died. It came up again when I was rescuing Anakit."
His eyes widened in alarm.
"You mean, you were actually going to-"
"Nah." She quickly cut in with a dismissive laugh.
Steve sighed in relief.
"Well..."
He tensed once more.
"It was a thought but with my fear of heights I doubt I would have actually made that jump." She confessed.
"But you've considered other ways to?" He countered.
"Dark times Steve, they bring up dark thoughts." He was irked by how calmly she had said such a heartbreaking thing. The thought of Olivia Thorne, bright and happy as she usually was had actually contemplated suicide.
It made him miserable.
But at the same time he was shocked to find he was surprised by this mysterious side to her. He knew all too well that she hide more than she exposed. He didn't want to judge her, after all she was confiding in him the same as he was with her. He couldn't help but be worried though.
"It's not like I was reading books and finding elaborate ways to, it's just the whole. The pain wouldn't be so bad if I no longer had to feel." She insisted seeing the troubled look in his eyes.
"But that's all they are, thoughts." He protested with his big, blue eyes widening. Fearful of the jaded shadow that was slowly rising in her beautiful eyes.
"You have to chose how much you let the problem effect you." He added hastily.
"I think you just found the answer to your own problem."
Steve stilled, stunned. She gazed back a smile curving up her fine mouth.
He was marveled, by the glimmering pride in her eyes and it was all with regard to him. Steve knew in that moment, Olivia Thorne possessed more earthly wisdom than he couldn't have imagined. The lack of shared experiences didn't matter to him anymore. Not when she knew exactly knew what and when to advice him without really advising him at all.
He was half in love with her already.
"By the way, this chocolate milk is amazaaaaing." She praised ardently.
"I think I'll call you Captain Dairy from now on."
Steve was jarred out of his daze and rolled his eyes, groaning in feigned despair.
"Please don't call me that." He begged, wincing at the title.
"Well I can't call you Captain Chocolate, you are as white as a snow flake."
"Why do you have to call me Captain anything?" He demanded smiling.
"This is revenge for teasing me about that narrating thing." She countered haughtily.
"You are not going to stop doing that on my account are you?" He pouted. He really hoped not. Despite his teasing it was his favorite strange phrase in her repertoire of phrases.
"Maybe." She murmured with a deliberating tilt of her head "She said at an attempt to intentionally manipulate Captain Dairy's emotions and send him on a guilt trip."
Steve chuckled as she tried to seem aloof.