kristybauer7: I know he is too cute. Olivia addresses that in this chapter so that should please you xD. Aw thank you so much, and yes I am feeling much better. Still have a slight cough but it should clear up this week, hopefully ^^.
lovelybreath0735: Sweetheart your English is a lot better than you think. I am bilingual myself so don't stress it ;) you will get around to improving :). Thank you so much! I hope you like this chapter :D.
Debatable-cerealkiller: No problem :D Yesss I will be needing your help when I eventually get to writing that particular chapter ^^. I'll keep you updated, thanks again and I hope you like this chapter too :3
Jo: Awwww well they meet again here, briefly though xD. Thank you!
dancindonna: OMG thank you so much, I love writing about them ^^.
supesfan18: lol I was just about to update when I saw your review, thank you :D.
Hey guys, new chapter this week as promised. I'll be releasing the next chapter next week on my usual day. The next chapter is a bit of a fav so yay ^^. Please keep the reviews coming :)
xx
SSC
Despite the grand ebony length from the outside, the limo was surprisingly compact within. Steve and Thor sat a little cramped within the car. Darcy and Jane were seated comfortably. The intern was chatting rapidly on some topic with Jane. The doctor was listening and occasionally responding. The two women were dressed formally in expensive, dresses, adorned with sparkling jewellery.
Steve on the other hand, despite being well dressed and groomed, found his black Italian suit even more restricting. He had matched the outfit with a simple white shirt and dark purple necktie.
"Where does young lady Olivia reside?" Thor abruptly asked from beside him, distracting the Captain from his nervous state. The handsome demigod was dressed just as neatly. His dark suit was paired with a velvet blue vest beneath, the colour brought out his eyes.
"Just at the building on that turn there." He noted glancing out the window.
"Her apartment is just the cutest, I wish I could stay there forever." Darcy chimed in longingly pressing her hands together as a dazed wonder took over her eyes.
"Lady Darcy spoke very eloquently about her outing with your love." Thor noted factually with a large smile. Steve nodded aware of Darcy and Olivia spending time together.
"Your love?" Darcy echoed, bewildered by Thor's choice of words. Her eyes widened, piecing together facts from Steve's blushing face alone.
"Oh my gosh, are you guys dating?"
"Well yeah, it happened just last week though." He admitted abashedly.
"That is just the cutest, congrats!"Darcy exclaimed and then fixated a stern look onto Thor and Jane.
"You two owe me twenty." She reminded firmly.
"I was hoping you would not remember our wager."The Norse God grumbled disconsolately.
"Well you thought wrong, hand it over big guy." The intern demanded, gesturing her open palm at them. Jane rolled her eyes and reluctantly placed a ten dollar bill on Darcy's palm, followed by Thor's contribution. The intern grinned maniacally and stuffed the notes into her silver clutch purse.
"You guys bet on us getting together?" Steve cried, floored by the discovery.
"Uh huh. See I had faith in you to ask her out before Christmas, unlike Blondie." Darcy informed, glancing at the God of Thunder.
"Christmas huh?" Steve repeated directing a flat look at Thor.
The long haired man chuckled nervously and patted his friend on the back.
"Do not take offense, my friend. You are a hushed and reticent individual, much like a friend of mine back on Asgard. I did not think you had realized your own feelings yet."
Steve sighed and nodded in agreement, the man made sense. He turned his attention to Jane.
"Doctor you were in on it too?"
"Well yeah, you two had sparks flying all over the place." Jane stated factually with a shy smile curving her mouth.
Steve blinked at this. Were they really so obvious to everyone but each other?
He smiled, it was amusing.
"It seems we have arrived." Thor announced when the car came to a slow stop.
Steve quickly pulled out his cell phone, to call her and let her know of their arrival.
"I am like so excited, I can't stop shaking. What is taking her so long?" Darcy cried after a few minutes.
"We just got here." Jane bit back shooting annoyed glares at her intern.
Thor and Steve were stretching their legs by pacing the length of the door, along the side walk. It had only been less than three minutes since Steve told Olivia that they were downstairs. She had said she would be right down. Steve had no doubt she was already rushing down the stairs.
"She is probably already..." The excuse he had prepared died on his tongue when Olivia's appearance at the top of the steps, rendered him speechless.
He watched her dazedly as she closed the door behind her.
Her usually wavy, silky hair had transformed into soft, spiraling dark curls, framing away from her pretty face. Her dress lacked sleeves or straps and showed off her smooth, slightly bronze shoulders. The gown was black and began at her chest in a elegant sweet heart neckline. The bodice hugged the curves of her torso. The skirts of the dress were chiffon with a black petticoat beneath, keeping her modest underneath the thin material. She had paired the dress with golden strapped heels and a simple gold chain and pendant.
His entranced stared feasted on the sight of his enamoring girlfriend, looking like the stunning, mischievous, belle he knows her to be.
"Hey Cap." Her coy greeting snapped him out of his reverie. He dragged his haunted stare to her face to find her watching him, her honey eyes dancing comely.
"H-hi." He cleared his throat, cursing himself for sounding clumsy, again.
She offered him a rueful half smile while descending the steps. Steve's mind screamed at him to step forward and extended a helping hand, but Thor abruptly stepped forward, causing him to miss his chance.
"Lady Olivia." He boomed "You are the very warmth for my drying eyes on this cold October night."
Olivia's dark winged brows lifted in surprise from behind her frames. Steve gaped, both dumb struck and appalled by the tall man's inflated accolade.
"Wow thanks, you look pretty good yourself." She noted scanning the grinning God's prim attire.
"You are really rockin' that pony tail." She complimented, finally reaching the landing.
Thor beamed, his chest puffing proudly.
"Even Lady Jane is quite fond of it. Observe the skull." He noted jutting out the lapel of his jacket to draw attention to the miniature white skull, with dark hollowed out eyes. He had it pinned to his matte black suit.
"In celebration of this festive night." He explained.
"Hey I got one too." Olivia announced, gesturing to similar small but rounder skull. She it had fastened to the left side of her bodice, on the peak of her neckline.
"Marvelous!" Thor exclaimed exuberantly, admiring the brooch with a keen eye.
Steve felt a wave of male possessive instinct surge through him. He silently side stepped to his date.
The two men allowed Olivia room to climb into the limousine before them. Steve followed in after her and took the seat beside her. The women sat in the middle and Thor took the free seat on the far right, beside Jane.
"Olli you look smokin." Darcy observed appreciatively beside the female.
"Look at you." Olivia gaped marveling over her tight, short ebony dress with long sleeves.
"Your dress is bitchin'"
"I'm aware." Darcy noted with a pompous flick of her flowing, rich brown hair.
Olivia chuckled and moved her stare to the scientist. Jane sat elegantly in a V neck, velveteen dress and her usual tumbling down hair held up in a chic bun.
"Jane you look amazing." Olivia said in awe, causing the shy doctor to blush heavily.
"Thanks Olli you look gorgeous too."
They finally arrived at the venue. Olivia was surprised by how low key the event was. The last time she had arrived at one of Stark's parties there were flashes of blinding lights and strangers yelling out the names of the arrivals. However, the Halloween party lacked all the extravagance.
The car came to a slow halt the spacious entrance to the Avengers HQ. Steve had visited the place many times, but it was still amusing to witness Olivia's wonder when he helped her exit the vehicle.
Darcy was practically a bouncing ball of excitement as she admired the sleek, towering mass of glass and concrete. Her enthusiasm doubled when they passed the glass entrance and stepped into the well lit interior, decorated with fake web and metallic skulls.
Thor escorted the ladies further in to the household as Steve and Olivia lingered behind. Stark arrived with Pepper to greet his new guests. They made their way to the ballroom within the top floor. As Tony provided verbal commentary to his tour of the Avengers Tower. Steve took the chance to admire his date beside him.
Olivia was too distracted by the hanging pumpkin lanterns and skeleton painted robots that were strolling about tending to various tasks, to notice Steve's yearning glances.
The moment they entered the large ballroom, filled soft string quartets and heavy chatter of the guests. Thor, Jane and Darcy branched off and Steve observed the room to see who had arrived. He spotted Kevin, Hawkeye and Natasha talking by the bar. The rest of the bustling people he did not recognize and guessed they were people from Tony's elite crowd.
"You alright there Cap? You've been awfully quiet." Olivia observed, grabbing his attention. He smiled and nodded in assurance.
"Yeah I am fine, sorry." He murmured and gently weaved his fingers through her free hand. Olivia was surprised by the touch at first but then eased into the warmth of his hands. She raised her gaze and their eyes met, blue to amber.
"You look beautiful." He said earnestly, his voice barely above a whisper. Olivia beamed and pressed up against his strong arm.
"I was wondering when you were going to admit that." She murmured playfully. Steve grinned, abased by the observation.
"Thor beat me to it, and he did a better job." He grumbled a little irately.
"Nah, I like hearing it from you." She insisted in a caressing tone. Steve smiled as she moved closer, her dancing eyes turning into a darker, smoldering approval.
"You are very handsome tonight Cap." She mused skimming his body before meeting his gaze once more.
He wanted to thank her with a kiss but his chance was robbed when Sam Wilson approached them.
"Hey girl." The man greeted grinning from behind Olivia. Startled, she spun around to acknowledge the man. Her grin widened immediately at the sight of him.
"Sam!" She exclaimed, releasing Steve to accept a friendly embrace from the tall male. Sam stood looking sharp in his dark, navy blue Italian suit paired with a red shirt and a white tie. The tie was adorned with printed black skulls.
"I didn't know you were coming." Olivia announced stepping back to Steve's side.
"Yeah, I got a invite which was pretty random. Figured you had something to do with it." Wilson explained sending an all knowing glance at the Captain.
Steve shrugged modestly "I figured you'd enjoy this more than waiting for kids to knock on your door all night."
"Damn straight, thanks man." Sam expressed his gratitude with a hearty clap on to Steve's back.
"So, where are we sitting?" He asked curiously looking to the champagne clothed tables that lined the outskirts of the dancing space.
Kevin was happily chilling by the bar, occasionally tapping his shined, ebony shoes, to the music. His drink had just arrived and he was about to accept it when he noticed a pouting Steve Rogers on the seat next to him. Smiling curiously, Kevin approached his leader.
Steve was glowering at the dance floor. Kevin sauntered over and followed the direction of the man's gaze. His attention landed on Olivia and Sam, dancing animatedly to a recent Pharrell tune.
"Olivia seems to be having fun." the Agent observed.
"She is." Steve grumbled dejectedly.
"Feeling left out are you?" Kevin noted slyly.
"They keep hogging her time." Steve muttered exasperatedly, crossings his arms over his broad chest.
When am I going to get a dance?
Steve Rogers only had himself to blame. He had spent the entire night up to dinner with Olivia. They were seated at a large round table with Thor, Jane, Darcy, Stark, Pepper, Banner, Natasha, Clint, Kevin and Sam. The group got along famously, becoming fast friends. Steve was a lot more distracted by his date and in turn Olivia was extremely entranced by him.
After dinner they were served desserts. Steve had every intention of asking her for a dance afterwards. He left her side for a moment to give her time to finish her plate of chocolate caramel tart. He had departed briefly to socialize with Stark and Thor. He returned, horrified to find her being asked to dance by Clint.
Steve never had chance to because men came one after the other, requesting a dance from Olivia.
"When you ask." Kevin advised kindly, grabbing the Captain's attention.
"Come on level up." The Agent enthused "Even I got a dance from her."
"I noticed." Steve muttered, fixating a glare on the male.
Kevin gulped and then grinned nervously.
"You are going to make me do laps on Monday aren't you?" He asked, paling.
"Yup." Steve nodded but he perked up to find Olivia had returned to the huddle group of women by their table. He quickly took the opportunity and practically raced in her direction.
One of the many Stark service robots appeared, offering Olivia a tray of water. She gratefully accepted the tall glass of aqua and downed it with one gulp. She had never been asked to dance so frequently in her lifetime. She knew it was a trick from Steve's friends to get to know her, it was sweet in a way. Clint wasn't subtle in the least.
Darcy's laughter drew Olivia's attention away from her thoughts. She looked to the intern and found the rest of the group were laughing equally amused by something Hawkeye had uttered. Natasha was smirking silently amused while looking stunning in her tight black dress. Her head of crimson curls stood out against her pale complexion.
"Ladies." A shiver of delight rushed up Olivia's spine at the sound of a deep, familiar voice.
She turned to find Steve standing right behind her like ever the pristine soldier.
"Clint." He observed noticing the only male among the group of women. Hawkeye winked and took a swing of his champagne glass.
"Hey Cap you here to join us for a drink?" Darcy asked from beside Clint.
"Thanks but um." He cleared his throat and finally fixated his dancing blue eyes on to his date, a sudden glimmer of uncertainty taking over his chiseled face.
"Olli, would you like to dance?" He asked his voice soft and vulnerable.
"Hell yeah." Olivia announced and looked for means to dispose of the crystal in her hand. The robot suddenly returned and accepted the empty glass before whizzing off. Steve grinned as Olivia accepted his hand and then followed him to the dance floor, unsuspecting of the ladies who giggled at her enthusiasm.
Steve chivalrously escorted Olivia onto the center of the room. He shyly avoided the fascinated stares of the many other couples among them. Especially the smug gaze of Tony Stark.
As if predicting their arrival, a slow, gentle, harmonious tune began to play through the speakers. It was a calm beat that Steve was grateful for, it was easy to sway to.
He reeled her in and Olivia gladly acquiesced. Recalling his lessons, Steve held her hand with his right while posing the other on the curve of her hip. Olivia placed her free hand on the breadth of his broad shoulder and stepped a little closer. Then, sinking into the lulling beat, they began to sway.
"You know I was starting to wonder if I brought you as date or the rest of the fellas." Steve teased feigning annoyance.
"Aw were you jealous?" Olivia countered, her eyes sparkling in mischief. Steve sighed, there was no point denying it.
"Truth be told I was trying to come over to ask you to dance."
He was surprised by her solemn confession.
"You were going to ask me?" He marveled, his fair brows lifting.
"Why not? It's the twenty first century, feminism and all that. But Kevin and Sam kept getting in the way, not that I am complaining, it was fun." She uttered in her usual, charming babbling. Steve grinned and craned down his head a little closer.
"I am glad you are having fun." He murmured earnestly, his blue eyes a gleam.
Her cheeks pinked, abased by the affectionate gaze.
"This is my favourite part though." She declared. Steve agreed silently.
"Have you been practicing?" She abruptly observed, noticing how easily he was gliding her over the glossy tiles.
"I didn't want to forget." He said defensively.
Olivia felt her heart literally melt under the adorably, vulnerable look in his eyes, not to mention the sweetness of his actions. Her eyes pinched shut, unable to withstand his painfully, delectable ways.
"Why are you so damn cute?" She whispered exasperatedly under her breath. Steve was both amused and surprised when she pressed her forehead to his chest and then groaned in aggravation.
"It physical frustrates me." She cried bumping her head against his chest a few times. Steve couldn't help but laugh at her antics as she continued to mutter nonsense into his chest.
"Not as frustrating as when you flirt with me." He murmured furtively.
Her head immediately shot up and she fixated her keen eyes on him.
"What's wrong with flirting?" She questioned softly.
"It's great, but you end up rendering me speechless that I don't really know what to say. It's not really above my pay grade." He confessed reluctant to admit he lacked the talent.
"What are you talking about?" She exclaimed beaming up at him.
"Sass is in your daily vernacular. You are probably just in your head too much, I've been there too. I haven't always been the smooth talker that I am now." She uttered with a arrogant lift of her chin that Steve couldn't help but roll his eyes at. She laughed assuring him that she wasn't entirely serious. Her honey gaze scanned him lovingly, her smile softening.
"Besides..." She drawled, leaning up to him to the point where he felt her warm breath brush against his skin.
"You are the rare type of person that doesn't need words to render me speechless." She stated, her hungry gaze climbing up is fine lips till they met his eyes.
He held her stare dazedly, his face moving in a spellbound state closer to her. Enticed by both her words and pretty face.
"And there you go again." He managed to force out, his voice a trifle hoarse.
Olivia bit her lower lip, suppressing a impish laugh but her shoulders trembled in protest.
"They are really cute together." Natasha noted while taking a sip of her cocktail while her forest green eyes admired the smiling couple. Steve was twirling Olivia in a grace that the spy was surprised to witness.
Clint nodded agreeably from beside her as they observed the rest of the couples on the dance floor.
"No kidding, never seen Steve smile so much before. What a goof ball." He muttered humorously under his breath. Natasha smirked, unable to defend the Captain without sounding like liar.
"The nights festivities have come to a conclusion too swiftly. On Asgard my people celebrate for nearly a fortnight." Thor boasted as they stood outside the building, in front of the limousine. The ball had come to an end and everyone was saying their goodbyes by the cars.
The late October chill wrapped the guests in a blanket of cold air. Steve was in the middle of tucking his coat around Olivia's shoulders when Thor's announcement grabbed his attention.
"Well I don't know about a fortnight buddy but if you want we can still do shots." Stark challenged, he was also coat-less with leggy Pepper beside him, happily wrapped in his jacket.
"Oh." Thor suddenly uttered uncertainly "I was merely searching for a means to gloat. Truthfully I am anticipating the return home with Lady Jane."
"Sure you are bud." Stark winked.
Olivia sniggered and looked to Darcy beside her.
"Bom-chicka-wow-wow." They chimed simultaneously and then laughed.
"I am not familiar with the suggestion in that verbal tune." Thor noted, his eyebrows knotted in concern.
"We should be heading out too." Steve announced when their car arrived.
"Oh right." Olivia was alerted into action but then her enthusiasm deflated.
"Aw I am sad to go."
"Same here girl." Sam stated lightly clapping her on the back.
"Thanks for the dance."
"You too man." She hugged him around the shoulders and then leaned back to place a chaste kiss to the side of his face.
"I guess I'll see you again the next time I head to Washington." She mused thoughtfully.
"Which is soon I hope." Sam responded looking to Steve. The captain was wistfully eager for the same.
"Come see me too." Grinning Kevin Odell abruptly chimed, appearing from behind Sam.
"Heck yeah." Olivia enthused embracing the male.
"Apparently you inhale ice cream, that sounds like something I want to see." She teased.
Kevin's excitement deflated as he shot a flat look at Steve. Then the agent rolled his eyes and leaned down towards Olivia as if to share a secret.
"Your boyfriend is really petty." He whispered in pretend annoyance.
"What was that Agent Odell?" Steve countered sternly. Odell was jolted into attention.
"Nothing Sir." He stuttered out and then slyly wandered off. Olivia bit her lower lip, suppressing her mirth.
"Ah Thorne." The host appeared with his CEO at his side. Olivia smiled reservedly at Tony.
"Thanks for the party Stark, it was fun." She stated earnestly.
"Not as fun as the launch eh?" He joked his dark eyes glinting in mischief. She rolled her eyes, not wanting to relieve the memory.
"Well I can't exactly stuff my face with spider cookies at the party of a guy I dislike. It just wouldn't be right."
Tony smirked, happy that they were coming around to forming some sort of friendship. Steve was pleased too, he didn't want tension between two people he cared deeply for.
"Pepper!" Olivia cried joyously when Potts came into her view.
"Olivia!" The strawberry blonde laughed and gathered the smaller female into a hug.
"We should totally meet for lunch sometime." She insisted while releasing the web designer.
"Yas I'd love that." Olivia accepted and the two women began to chat amiably.
Steve took the chance to say his goodbye's.
"Great party Tony." He appraised his friend, gripping him brotherly on the shoulder.
"Glad you had fun Cap." Stark responded, clapping the male on the back.
"So I'll see you back at HQ or should JARVIS expect the walk of shame tomorrow morning?"
Steve frowned, not amused by the suggestive tone of Stark's words.
"It's only our second date." He noted factually.
"How is that a valid excuse?" Tony questioned bluntly, scandalizing the captain.
"Please ignore him." Pepper added crossly, having heard the conversation. Steve grinned, amused by the two. He was suddenly alerted of Olivia's absence only to spot her talking to Clint and Natasha.
"You guys couldn't even if you tried." Tony drawled and hugged Pepper to his side.
Steve escorted Olivia up the steps to her apartment. A evolution from their normal goodbye's at the front of the building. Steve liked this better, it gave him a little more time with her. Olivia was silently thanking for the same.
But each step they took closer to her front door, hand in hand, made his heart sink slowly in discontent.
"So that was fun." She said turning to him with their hands still locked tightly.
"We should have parties more often." She suggested cheekily.
"I would agree, but the hassle to get ready is a pain in the neck." He argued playfully.
"I don't know." She feigned indecision, her eyes skimming over the suit that accentuated his already impressive physique.
"It's pretty worth it to me." She insisted winking coyly up at him. Steve stared back dreamily, thinking the same.
"Thanks for taking me, Cap." She murmured appreciatively, leaning into his body.
"Thanks for agreeing." He responded sounding equally breathless. Her smiling lips neared his and Steve met her half way. Steve always marveled over the lightning he felt jolt through his body, every time they kissed. But he was no longer surprised by it but accepted it, like it was a part of him, a part of them.
He closed his eyes and fell in sheer surrender as the kiss deepened. Olivia ran her fingers through his soft, blonde hair. She felt the tremors of desire his body released and heard the low moan emit from the back of his throat. She wondered if he knew he was making such a delicious noise and knew how he made her feel. She was suddenly aware of her door, just an inch behind her. The promise of a warm bed in her room and a even warmer man in her arms.
She began to wonder if he would let her have him because all she wanted in that moment was to give herself to him. It would be so easy with Steve, that's what was so terrifying. The sense of connection was something she had never experienced before, the surety.
Even though the temptation was great and her mind screamed and her body ached for him. She knew she couldn't. She didn't want to rush it, not with him. She could taste the inexperience in him, in the uncertain timid way he held her, or the way he kissed. As much as she loved kissing him, she felt it was something new for him.
So, as agonizingly difficult as it was, she released him. Resisting her desires were all the more taxing when he searched for her lips again and stole one last chaste kiss.
They pulled away but remained close, still trembling and desperate for more. Olivia couldn't help but laugh a little, softly and under her breath. The sound of her merriment coaxed a sweet grin from the blushing Captain.
His long lashes swept open and met her honey brown eyes, shining lovingly for him. Steve chuckled and pressed his forehead against hers.
"This is crazy." He uttered breathlessly, grinning while tucking a thick strand of her hair behind her ear.
"I'll be seeing you tomorrow." He reminded as if mainly to himself.
"I know right, we are such a pair of saps." Olivia responded jovially while nuzzling his cheek. Steve smiled and nodded.
"Yeah." He breathed reluctant to release her.
"Good night Olli." He said, gazing deep into her swirling amber eyes. Olivia's head bobbed in agreement while slowly sliding her hands out of his hair and down his arm.
"Night Steve." She murmured and gave his warm, large hand one last squeeze.
Steve gazed at her longingly for a moment and then stepped back. Olivia allowed his fingers to slip through hers. Steve sent her one fleeting smile before beginning the trek back down the stairs. She waited for him to disappear from her line of sight before turning to her front door.
A big dreamy sighed escaped her lips as she unlocked her front door and stepped inside. She was instantly greeted by a wailing Anakit who had no doubt be waiting on her arrival. She smiled lovingly at the cat as he rubbed up against her leg and continued to wail in a condemning manner.
She neglected her cat for a moment to lock the door. Then she bent down and gathered the feline into her arms and then stood up. Anakit fell silent in her arms and Olivia hummed dazedly while stroking her cat and strolling towards her bedroom.