Surprisingly, Steve not only goes unpunished for his unorthodox rescue, he gets a deafening cheer from the whole camp, at Bucky's lead. Peggy's gaze is openly admiring and even… inviting. She smiles up at him and warmth blooms inside his chest.
Women don't look at him like that.
Women have never looked at him like that.
And here is the most incredible woman he's ever met, looking like she'd very much like to kiss him senseless right here and now…
He finds himself lost in the unexpected moment, the unexpected praise… not realizing until he turns to say something to Bucky that his friend has vanished. He just catches sight of the back of an unmistakable dark, matted head of hair disappearing into the infirmary tent, followed by a stern-faced medic.
He won't see Bucky again for more than three full days.