The moment Seren stepped into Steve's apartment, she couldn't imagine anyone else but him living there. It was completely him in all aspects. It was warm, cozy and very neat. She even spotted the old record player she'd gotten him for his birthday 2 years ago. Warmth blossomed across her chest knowing he actually used her gift. He had a decent amount of records to choose from, having began a collection almost immediately after getting the record player.

"Seren, do you want something to drink?"

Seren tore her gaze from the record player to find Steve waiting for her to answer. He was being cautious with her and with good reason. She was well aware of her erratic behavior tonight. "I'm good, thanks," she smiled lightly. "I like your place. Some of the furniture is familiar, actually."

Steve nodded. "Yeah, I wonder why…?" They shared a small laugh. Seren had chosen most of his furniture for his first apartment. Back when he was just getting used to the new world, she'd done almost everything for him.

"I really like it," Seren reiterated. She set her purse on the coffee table. "I think you've made it very you."

"Is that a good thing? Because I've gotten several complaints from Chloe that it could be a little less old…" Steve shook his head at the memories. Sometimes, Chloe Winters was too much.

"You can kick her out any moment," Seren said, making them laugh again. When they got past it, Seren grew serious. "I don't think I've thanked you for keeping an eye on her while I was gone. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've just been pretty rude these past days when it comes to her."

"You don't have to—"

"I know Chloe can be a handful sometimes and the fact you let her stay here — in your room while you take the couch — means a lot. Anyone else would've just sent her on her way already. So, really, thank you so much."

"I've already told you — she's become like a little sister to me. Plus, I got a secret too…" Steve made a nod towards the couch. "It's a pull-out."

"Aah," Seren chuckled.

"Better than just a normal couch. Sometimes I forget how much better this world is in terms of inventions."

Seren started making her way to the couch. "But other things are far worse, aren't they?" She gave him a sharp look just as he was about to say that it wasn't true.

"Some things could stand to change a bit…" He said with his hands raised in front of him. Seren smiled at him and sat down. She patted the empty spot beside her for him. "The cellphone things could be a little less, uh, brainwashing?" He came to sit with her. He would continue the random subjects with her if it meant easing her nerves from the event. "I've seen so many people crash into others because they won't look up from their phones."

Seren chuckled. "Yeah, that tends to happen a lot. It's so weird, when I was growing up, there weren't cell phones like these. The first ones were so big and then suddenly we switched to these small things. Early 2000s is when we got cell phones with cameras in them."

"Did you have one?"

Seren snorted. "No! They were expensive. Plus, my parents didn't want me getting used to having all that stuff around me. They thought S.H.I.E.L.D. was plenty." At the mention of the organization, Seren fell silent for the next minute. It seemed like his distraction attempt wouldn't be working out so well.

"Seren, what is it?" he asked her. "If you ask me, the night went really well. You said everything exactly how it should've been."

"Yeah, I did. Everything went perfectly," Seren nodded slowly. Her bottom lip became chewing gum at that moment. "Maybe that's the problem."

Steve tilted his head at her for that last remark. "What do you mean? I thought you wanted—"

"If I get the approval, then I'll be off to another country again. I'll be starting over, meeting new people, making new colleagues — I'll be surrounded by strangers again. And when that's done, I'll go to another country...and then another…"

"You don't know that—"

"That's the plan, Steve. Rebeca and Fury already told me," Seren said, her voice falling into a whisper. "Will I really get to have a life that way?"

Oh, that was a good question that Steve unfortunately didn't know how to answer.

"This is exactly what my parents always talked about and I never really thought about it until now." Seren drew in a breath, feeling the weight of her future the more she considered what her life would be like if she was always on the move. She wouldn't have a real home anymore. Her friends would always be changing. Her family would be so, so far away from her. She could say goodbye to everything else. Once upon a time, it didn't really matter but today...it hurt her more than anything.

"Seren, I think that whatever you want to do should be just that: what you want to do," Steve said. "It doesn't matter what the 'plans' are. You are the only one who matters and you should value your happiness over whatever plans Fury and Rebeca have." He could say that he would love to have her at home again but that would be completely selfish. He meant what he said — she was the only thing that mattered in those plans. If she was happy going on with the plans, then so be it. He'd have to learn to live completely without her and move on.

"That's what I'm confused about." Seren sighed and shifted on the couch to face him. "I have always been with S.H.I.E.L.D. I've always known where my place is, what I want to do. There's never been any doubt but...something changed."

Steve felt something in his chest. "What did?"

Seren's eyes drifted to the side, landing on the record player. She swallowed hard — she knew exactly what changed. Chloe was right. She couldn't keep on denying the truth, denying the fact she hadn't been able to move on and forget. She had to understand that her thoughts about the future had changed. She no longer saw herself alone. She never considered what it would be like to be serious about someone. There was always an underlying fear that her significant other would lash out at her because of her Celessian side. It wasn't easy getting over the fact you were dating someone who was half alien. She wouldn't lie to herself and say that she didn't have that fear — just an inkling of it — with Steve too. But for that fear to even be spoken about would imply what she wanted to be with him.

Steve absolutely hated watching Seren in this position. She was so conflicted and he had no idea what to do to help her. He followed her gaze to the record player and, for one moment, he debated whether or not to go with his first gut feeling. Usually that's what he would do on a mission but Seren always made him feel like he should do more. He should go above and beyond to see her happy, and it pained him that he was ridiculously clueless.

Just do the first thing that pops into your head. Steve knew the answer before he even finished the thought. Without saying a word, he got up from the couch and walked around.

Seren blinked when he came up to the record player. "What are you doing?"

"You know back then, I struggled so much to talk to women...it was a nightmare." He was sifting through records so he missed the look Seren sent his way.

"As far I can see, you don't seem to struggle so much anymore. Everyone loves you." Seren felt her face flush remembering what Chloe had said earlier in the night. She wasn't one of those crazy women who only saw him and a bed. He was simply so much more than that and no one had a clue. He was someone you could talk to for hours. He was someone who would listen and try to comfort you however he could. He was so kind, and so loyal. If he said he had your back, then he did. Seren's heart wanted to burst the more she thought about Steve. She could literally spend hours thinking about him, and on most days she typically did. "Steve, I lo—"

"Yeah, but that's different and I'm still not that great." Steve seemed to find exactly what he was looking for. He never noticed Seren covering her mouth behind him.

She'd almost slipped! Dear God, what the hell did I almost do? Seren felt so embarrassed, despite the fact Steve didn't notice.

"I couldn't even ask a girl out to dance. I mean, she would've probably said 'no' anyways but I could've at least tried to ask, you know?" Steve went on, chuckling to himself.

"Sometimes courage is hard..." Seren said, "Sometimes the bravest people can also be the shyest. And I definitely know that you're the bravest man I know."

"Unfortunately, it can come back and bite you. I wasted time — I did that with Peggy — but I'm trying to use that experience and everything else as a guide to right my mistakes." Steve glanced over his shoulder to see Seren had laid her arms over the top of the couch and was resting her chin over her hands. She was smiling at him, clearly listening to his every word despite them probably being all over the place (and obscure). She was always so attentive to him. He wanted to show the same gesture towards her, and perhaps more. "I don't know exactly what's confusing you but if I can say a piece of advice—"

"Please do," she practically begged him. "Anything you say will help me organize my thoughts."

"The things that have made you unhappy in the past concerning S.H.I.E.L.D. should serve as a way to help you make a better choice this time 'round. They're mistakes, try to right them in a way that makes you the happiest."

Seren considered the idea. She could look back in her life and avoid making a decision that would bring her to the worst moments. "Thank you, Steve." She met his gaze with another smile — it was even prettier this time. "So, have you been able to right some of your mistakes?"

"I'm hoping to in a way," he said as he let the record spinner finally drop. He turned to face her just as the music began to play. Put Your Head on my Shoulder. "Would you like to dance with me?"

Seren knew exactly when her blush bloomed over her face. She pulled her arms from the top of the couch as Steve came around with a hand held out for her. "You bought the song?" She couldn't help the light laugh that slipped through her lips.

"I had to. It reminded me of you." God knew that Steve wanted as many reminders of Seren as he could get, even though it probably did his heart no good.

The blush grew deeper over Seren's cheeks. "Why would you want that?" she asked.

There were a million things that Steve could say to her that would hide the truth. He gulped.

Seren saw it. Seconds of courage helped her rise from the couch with a taunting smile. Her blue satin dress seemed to shine under the light. It was just like that, that Steve felt his heart thump a bit stronger. She was beautiful..and she wasn't his.

Because he was almost like a statue, Seren walked up to him and ultimately took his hand. "I'd like a dance," she raised her head to meet his gaze. She felt a rush of pride knowing that this time, nobody else would get a chance to look at him. Only her.

Steve brought his arms around her waist and planted his hand against the small of her back. Even though he was beyond nervous — Seren had yet to lift that alluring look off him — his feet actually moved at a decent pace to the song. When her hands moved to the back of his neck and they actually touched his skin, he felt an insane heat rush through him.

"You're a better dancer than before," Seren spoke quietly, especially considering what happened the last time they danced together in London. "Have you been dancing with other people during these past 2 years?"

"Umm…" Steve raised his eyebrows as he thought, "Not...not really, no."

"Mm, I don't know, I've heard you're quite popular with the ladies…"

That was the second time she said something like that and it was only now that Steve realized it. If he wasn't completely off, one could say that it sounded like Seren was...a bit jealous? Why would she be jealous, though? They were in his apartment, slow-dancing to a song that he clearly said reminded him of her (the whole reason he even bought the record in the first place).

"I honestly don't notice that kind of stuff," he said.

She smirked. "Really? Every man always notices when women trail after them."

"I think I've made it clear that I've never been good with women. Not smart at all," he shrugged and earned himself a light chuckle from her. He felt an irrevocable surge of courage then, seeing her so casual and at ease with him. She'd been so conflicted earlier and now it seemed like a thing of the past. He was responsible for that. He had to believe it in order to keep that courage from leaving him and being unable to say what he wanted to. "If I ever had been smart, I wouldn't have let you go 2 years ago."

Seren's eyes widened, the air in her lungs stilling. "What…?" She may have been having an odd night with her internal struggles but she was pretty sure that she heard right.

Steve held her closer to his chest. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be bringing this up after such a long time but if I'm being honest, I haven't had such a good time since London. I'm terrible at this stuff and it's awful because it means my chances with you are even lower than possible."

"Wait—"

"I don't know if you've already moved on. I mean, it wouldn't be that surprising considering how much time it's been but I think you needed to know what's been going through my head. I miss you, Seren, and I would want nothing more than to be with you." Steve was terrified of what Seren would say to him. He could be very right about her moving on. If that was the case, then he just completely ruined this relationship and he would have to move on for real.

But Seren didn't answer right away. Instead, she rested her head on his shoulder. "This is our song," she whispered. "You're way braver than I am. You go out and you buy things that remind you of me. I don't. I-I can't. I never did...because the thought of having something like you but not you hurts me too much."

They swayed slowly to the song for the following seconds. Their grip on each other tightened and the music seemed to overtake the apartment completely. Neither realized what ran through the other's heads. Steve was trying to process what Seren had just said and the implications that went with it. Seren struggled to come up with a good way to express her conflict — the job proposal, her future — but neither wanted to end their dance just yet. The fact was they loved where they were and the idea of separating (again) was too painful.

Can you really do it again? Leave without looking back? The mere question terrified Seren. No, no she couldn't do it again. She barely did the first time. She raised her head from Steve's shoulder and looked up at him. "It's you," she said quietly.

"What?" He blinked.

"What I'm confused about? It's you...you and my job."

"I don't-I don't want to ever put myself between you and your job, Seren—"

"I know that, silly," she smiled sadly. "It's what we were talking about earlier. We both know that if I get the approval from the Council, I'm going to be travelling nonstop. I won't be coming to D.C. for a very long time. And I'm not sure I want that. I don't know if I want to be alone for such a long time."

"You wouldn't be. If you want to try something, I'd support you. I'd make the visits myself." He wouldn't necessarily be making a sacrifice there. He'd love to visit her wherever she was and see the sights with her.

"I know. I know that you would do God knows what just to make me happy but it's not just about us, you know? My family's here. They're in New York and if I was here, in D.C., it'd be a lot easier to see them than if I were in France or Brazil or wherever else the Council would send me to. Natasha's here, Chloe — even though her schedule is a mess — would be easier to see here. I'm just not sure if I'm willing to give up my life for this Initiative, not when I already gave up so much before." Her childhood was gone, a good and honest relationship with her parents was never going to be possible because of the Initiative. "I may be thinking of a future that might not even happen but...what if one day I want to settle down and...I don't know...have a kid or something…" Her face warmed up with the idea once it expanded to include who that possibility might be with, "...do I really want to be that mother who's never home? It's really in the future and it might not even happen but—"

"It's a valid thought, Seren, don't be ashamed of it," Steve said. It was of course very into the future but something that had to be considered. He simply hadn't realized that she was thinking about so many things.

"It was easier to say 'yes' when it was just a 2 year plan but now that it could potentially be an all-my-life plan…" Seren bit on her lower lip, "It's hard to give things up. And that's never happened to me."

"I understand. Trust me, I do." Without even thinking of the implications, Steve left a kiss on her temple and lingered there for a few seconds. He'd heard the fear in her voice admitting to that. "You've been asked to give up so many things before and it's never been fair. You deserve so much more, Seren. You deserve more than what S.H.I.E.L.D. gave you."

"You are the one thing that I can truly thank S.H.I.E.L.D. for," Seren said, lifting her gaze again. "It gave me the opportunity to meet you."

"I yelled at you when we first met…" Steve would always hate that it was how their first encounter went. That was definitely not his finest moment. "I ran out on you, actually."

"Yeah, you did," Seren chuckled. "But I completely understood you. I didn't really like the method Fury went with your awakening. And trust me, there were meetings about how we were going to wake you."

"You guys had meetings about me?" Steve blinked. He couldn't imagine having a whole room of people talking about him.

Seren giggled. "We had the CIA in there too."

"Oh God..."

"A couple of us were against the idea that was made, and, honestly, I definitely did not pull off that 40s outfit." She shuddered, making Steve laugh.

"You looked fine to me," he said and she knew that he meant it 100%.

"However it happened, I'm glad that it did," she reiterated. She licked her lips nervously and cupped his face, having to lean on her toes for it to actually be possible. "Because if it had been any other S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in that room, we might not be where we are right now. And do you know, it actually wasn't going to be me."

There were way too many things happening at once that Steve felt his head spinning. Seren's soft fingers were on his face, gently stroking his skin. She was looking at him with warm eyes and a captivating smile. Her perfume was filling the air around him, drawing him closer to her.

"Did you just say" — he was blinking fast, trying to snap himself out of the trance — "you weren't supposed to be in the room when I woke up?"

Seren seemed to know what she was doing because she leaned closer to him, pressing a kiss on his cheek. "Aha," she murmured.

Steve's heart was racing again. "I-I — who — do you — who was...who was supposed to be there?" He couldn't imagine anyone else but Seren being in that room with him.

Seren kissed the corner of his mouth and that was the end of any thoughts Steve had. "One of our friends from the CIA, but does that really matter right now?"

Nope. Steve grabbed the sides of her face and kissed her completely. He might have crashed their lips together and he would definitely apologize for the brusque manner but later. Right now, he wanted to — no, he needed to — kiss her until he ran out of breath. There were 2 years of longing to get over and luckily for him, and her, their lungs were significantly strong.

Seren moved her arms around his neck, helping deepen the kiss. Every tensed nerve she had a minute ago disappeared, and how could it not? All her heightened senses were sharp and on fire, all caused by one Steve Rogers. Any other moment she might have been embarrassed at how easily and quickly she moaned into a kiss, but it was impossible to feel uneasy around him. Even with a rough kiss, Steve held her gently and carefully. Seren almost felt like reminding him there was more to both of them than the average human.

They stumbled down on the couch and still didn't let go of each other. Steve lowered his arms around her waist, hand pressing against her back and part of her exposed skin. Her skin was so smooth it felt like a crime to grip it or mark it in the slightest. He just wanted to hold her in his arms for as long as he could — hold the moment for as long as—

Seren recognized the buzz of her phone. She'd sat right over her bag (and hadn't realized a thing until now). "I—" She actually had to take in a big breath.. The fact someone had literally managed to steal her breath away was exhilarating.

Steve couldn't make out her facial expressions and what she was feeling. His mind was still trying to catch up with what had just happened. "Seren, I'm—"

"Shh," Seren held a finger to his lips while she pulled her bag out from underneath her. "I just gotta make sure it's not Rebeca." She pulled out her phone and only a few seconds of reading the text message on her screen, her entire expression fell flat.

Steve had no idea what happened. "Are you...are you okay?"

But just like that, she smiled at him and melted his heart. "You know, I say the first thing we should do together is...plot murder." Her lips curled into a frown as she showed him the message she'd received.

Steve read it quickly — it was just two short sentences — and frowned as well. "That's definitely not Rebeca."

"No, it is not." Seren looked at the message again.

Just a note, but if you're not already making out with Steve, then I'm coming over and locking you both in the room. We've had enough.

- Chloe

"I'm going to kill her. I'm really going to do it this time." Seren dangerously gripped her phone until Steve gently took it out of her hand. "She's — eugh!" She curled her hands into fists. "Would it kill her to stay out of my life!?"

"That would be too easy," Steve said, leaving her phone on the coffee table. "Plus, I'm pretty sure it's under the duties of a best friend. God knows that Bucky screwed me over so many times just to get me to go out with girls."

Seren lifted an eyebrow at him. "And just who exactly did he put you up with?"

Steve blinked at her. How had this turned around to him now!? "I didn't — that was — weren't we — we—?" he gestured between them. "Weren't we fine a minute ago?"

A smile stretched across Seren's face watching him fumble over his words. "Lovey, you're going to be fun messing with. Forget those other girls and kiss me instead."

As soon as he heard her, Steve stopped altogether. Lovey. That same word that kept slipping from Seren each time they were in a compromising situation. It was the word that gave Steve the courage the first time to actually kiss her 2 years ago. It was her fond name for him. And he was oh-so-fond of her too.

"Yes, ma'am." He leaned over and kissed her again.

Seren happily rejoined her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. Their kiss was slower now, leaving room for giggles and words here and there.

"You do realize we're not getting cinnamon rolls tonight, right?" Steve said to her, pressing his forehead against hers.

"Mm, that's fine by me," Seren shrugged. "I'm suddenly not in the mood for cinnamon rolls anymore."

"New craving?"

"Something like that…" Her alluring smirk was something that Steve never thought he would need in his life.

"You are…" He started already without much breath, which led to a fit of giggles from Seren.

"Adorable?" she finished for him with a wink after.

"Something like that," he settled for. He wouldn't want to waste any precious moments with her, not when they were like this.

They kissed again and with no interruption whatsoever — maybe it was really good that no one would be coming by after all.

Seren enjoyed every minute that passed by without them fully breaking apart. It was refreshing being that close to someone without fearing an accidental display of non-human traits like extra strength. Because right now she was using every last part of her strength to keep Steve right where he was. He was, unsurprisingly, hesitant to let his hands roam when they clearly wanted to. She moved the hand reluctantly touching her left knee higher up until it was settled prominently on her thigh.

"Sorry, I—" Steve mumbled, much to her amusement.

"You're fine." She tilted her head up to capture his lips in a sweet kiss. "I've been there, trust me."

"You?" Steve raised an eyebrow at her, clearly unconvinced with her promise.

Seren pointed to the prominent star birthmark on the right side of her neck and her shoulder-bone. "Look who you're talking to, lovey. I don't have serious relationships because not everybody would be able to see past my out-of-this-world traits. I always have to hold back, whether it's the truth or physical things like strength and my powers."

"Not with me," Steve said automatically. "I don't know what's going to happen but you will never have to hide anything from me. I promise you that." He let his fingers run through her soft ginger hair. "Not even your real hair color…"

Seren burst into laughter. "Brunette-Seren thanks you."

"I mean it." Steve's fingers came down to her star birthmark at the end of her shoulder. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss over it.

Seren's eyes closed with the contact. "Mmm…" She could have said 'yes' to anything he wanted right there and then. Burn the entire building? Sure thing. "Can I stay with you tonight?" The question slipped from her before her brain could discourage her from asking it.

Steve pulled back to look at her, of course surprised with the question. "Uh, I mean…"

Seren would soon find reality again and flush with embarrassment. "Oh my God, I'm sorry. I didn't...of course not — I don't even — I haven't even given you any explanation—"

"What explanation?" Steve said, making a face at her.

Seren sighed. "Well, you know, what happened the last time we saw each other."

"Seren, that was then. This is now. I'm not all great reading signs but I want to say that I understood this one pretty well."

"I just don't want you to think this is me changing my mind back and forth because I promise that's not it," Seren said, shaking her head. "I've...I haven't been able to forget what happened and I couldn't forget about you. It's actually pretty scary."

"Scary?" That wasn't exactly the feeling that came to Steve when he thought about her. "Why...why would it be scary? Did I do something?"

"No!" Seren exclaimed. "God no! You...of course you didn't do anything. It's my stuff, my weird out-of-this-world stuff. Look, I've said it before multiple times. I didn't exactly do a lot of dating and a huge reason for that is because of my fear. My fear of being honest about what and who I was. In the past, I've been able to push away any guy who was genuinely interested in me — and trust me that number was pretty low to begin with — and not think twice about it. I moved on like nothing. I couldn't for the life of me do that with you." She jabbed her finger against his chest. "You with your ridiculous smiles and pretty eyes and comforting ways...I...I couldn't do it. I couldn't forget about you. That's never happened to me."

Steve gently pulled her finger off of him and wrapped his entire hand around his. "I'm sorry..."

Seren chuckled, throwing her head back. "No, lovey, that's not to mean you did anything wrong. You don't have to apologize to me."

"I don't like seeing you conflicted," Steve said simply. "Especially if I'm the cause."

"But you're not — not in that way, anyways." Seren sighed, pulling her hand out of his and bringing them to rest on his shoulders. "I want you to know that this isn't something I just thought about this morning. I haven't stopped thinking about you. I'm in...I love you. I'm sorry I didn't say it before. And I'm sorry that I hurt you."

Steve's eyes had widened, his throat going completely dry. His heart was doing no better seeing as it really wanted to burst from his chest now.

Seren looked no better herself. Her eyes were filled with fear for his response. She kept talking about her mistakes, after all. She hated how stupid she'd been. "I'm sorry," she whispered, lowering her head. She felt hands slide over her cheeks not a minute later and lift her head up. The moment it happened, she had lips on hers, kissing her for dear life.

"I love you, Seren," Steve murmured against her lips. "We have one very similar flaw. We're both so afraid because of the past, because of who we are. I'm willing to try and learn a better way to live if you are..."

Seren didn't think twice as she nodded. "Yes, please," she said in a strained voice. "Can I stay with you tonight?"

Steve smiled like he had already thought about it. He never answered her, just went straight for a kiss again. Something changed in that moment. Where their kisses had slowed, they'd intensified again. Heightened senses and urges were raging to be met and appeased.

Steve kissed the crook of Seren's neck, over her star birthmark, and the second one. What she felt like she had to hide from everyone, he adored. He loved her whole and realized he could only love her with that intensity. He had no idea about the feeling until now. He needed her to know that; he needed to show her. This time, his hands roamed her body with no hesitation. He gripped her waist, pulling her on his lap. One of the straps of her dress had fallen down her shoulder. He met her gaze for a moment, making sure that she was okay. Without saying a word, she flicked her other strap down her shoulder. The act was so quick, so innocent, that it brought a laugh out of Steve.

"I love you," he said, in case she doubted him.

Seren was very proud of herself. "I love you," she spoke in a language that Steve had only heard once before. The day he caught one of her training sessions with Atria. It was Celessian.

"If I'm going to love you, I'm going to do it with all of my sides," Seren said a minute later, earnest. "And this is who I am, as much as it frightens people."

"Doesn't frighten me," Steve assured her. "I'd love to hear more of that language..." He cupped the side of her head. "Everything about it, actually."

Seren nodded, a smile growing across her face. And relief. She was guilty of testing him just to verify that he really meant what he said. It was hard letting the fear go altogether but she would have to work on it if she wanted things to work. And she really wanted things to work.

So she kissed him again. Hard. He matched her strength and soon they were ripping the zipper off her dress and the buttons off his shirt. Seren felt Steve's hands crawl down her legs until they found the straps of her heels and pulled them off her. She pulled her legs up and around Steve's waist. No words were exchanged as their mouths were practically mushed against one another's. The only real thought that would make them come out for air — maybe — was to ask whether or not they would move.

~ 0 ~

Chloe tossed and turned in bed, squeezing her eyes shut as if the extra pressure would bring her closer to a peaceful sleep. The bed was comfortable, the pillows were beyond squishy like marshmallows, the room was nice and cozy, and yet here she was still unable to sleep. Every time her eyes closed, or she got a bit comfortable, she saw flashes of places and things.

First, there was an explosion. Then, it was a highway in broad daylight. Then there were men fighting on a street. Another moment, it was a bank and she walked through it. Then there were a series of needles, flashing lights, an insane throb of pain, and she heard herself scream.

Chloe gasped and shot right up from bed. Her breathing was fast and ragged, eyes wide with shock and horror. As she calmed, she heard one more thing in her head.

'Be ready. There's a 98% chance they are coming.'

Chloe shook her head as if that would shake the thoughts out of her head altogether. She looked at the window and saw a sliver of light peaking through the curtains. For a moment, she forgot where she was and why she was there. Once she got her bearings back, she went in search of her phone. She had a bit of a headache from last night. Natasha always wins the wine competition.

Chloe got out of bed, only to get a repeat of those flashes. She stumbled back, almost falling down on the bed.

I need air. She felt like she was suffocating.

She looked around the room, seeing Seren's suitcase lying in the corner of the room. Without thinking twice, she hurried towards it and ransacked it for some more suitable day clothes. Going out in a party dress simply wouldn't do it.

Natasha was still lying on the couch, unconscious, when Chloe tiptoed towards the door.

"Hold it right there," Natasha's smooth voice stopped Chloe just as she had reached for the doorknob.

Chloe made a face and looked back at Natasha who had not moved from the couch. "Okay, how do you wake up and not have that weird morning voice?"

Natasha turned her head in Chloe's direction, opening her eyes and smirking. "Because I'm good like that." Chloe groaned. "Where are you going?" Natasha exhaled a breath and sat up on the couch, reaching for her phone on the coffee table. "It's not even 6 yet. Don't tell me you're going back to Steve's?"

"Ha, no," Chloe rolled her eyes.

Natasha looked through her phone again. "Well, I've got no death threats sent. You?"

"No, I checked."

"Then it might be safe to say mission accomplished," Natasha smirked.

"Yeah, I guess," Chloe said pretty quickly and made to open the door.

"What's up with you?" Natasha stopped her again. "Thought you'd be more happy or something?"

"No, yeah, of course I am," Chloe nodded. "Who knows, if they're eager to catch up on wasted time, we might end up with a super-soldier-half-human-half-Celessian baby 9 months from now! Whom — by the way — I," she pointed at herself, "will be the godmother to."

"Tell you what, I'll gladly step aside if you tell that to Seren's face," Natasha said, standing up from the couch. "And Steve's."

"Don't feel like dying yet, thanks." Chloe opened the door, about to step out when Natasha called her.

"Where are you going?" Natasha frowned. "If you're not heading back to Steve's, then where to? Are you wearing Seren's clothes? Bit small for you, don't you think?"

Chloe tugged on her shirt. It barely covered her waist. "Give me a break, I'm like 4 inches taller than Seren. I'm surprised her pants fit me and even then they're a bit snug."

"Where are you going?"

"On a walk, sheesh. What is this? Twenty-one questions?" Chloe didn't stick around and headed out.

Even then, she continued to see the same images in her head, hearing her screams.

~0~

She was doing everything she could to free her mind. Meditation, counting, stretching — it didn't work.

Chloe sat down on the grassy ground and leaned against a tree. She groaned. She was going to go crazy if she didn't get any sleep soon. She balled her fists and pressed them above her head.

You need to sleep. I also need to get my shit together.

"Well, well, well, the not-running girl around here — again?"

Chloe lowered her hands and opened her eyes just as Sam was walking over. "Sam, hey…" She was about to pull herself up bit Sam made a gesture that she stay there.

"What are you doing here? I thought you don't run?" Sam set his hands on his waist. "Or did Steve drag you out here again?"

"Nah, he's busy this morning," Chloe shrugged. "It's just me today."

"And you ran?"

"Hey, I don't appreciate the tone there…" Chloe mock-glared at Sam, making him laugh.

"Sorry, last time I heard you weren't the running kind. Almost thought you'd murder Steve that day."

"I would, but my best friend would be pretty pissed then — it's a whole thing."

Sam chuckled again. "Alright, so why are you here then? The real reason, because I'm not buying the 'I came for a walk'."

"So do you just think I'm fucking lazy or something?" Chloe made a face.

"I think you look like someone who could do with some rest..." Sam remarked, leaving Chloe quiet for a moment. "I know the faces — I see them all the time down at the center."

"Right..." Chloe sighed.

"You okay?" Sam asked her gently, but not at all prying. Chloe figured he had tons of experience with that too.

"Yeah..." she leaned her head against the tree, bending one leg up. "It's just been a hard couple of nights. I keep, uh, having bad dreams." At least she hoped that they were just dreams. She didn't forget the fact she saw the bomb coming on the Lemurian ship.

"What do you do for work again?" Sam said.

"SHIELD, like Steve. There's a lot of things I see and sometimes it just gets to me. Nothing new."

"For some reason, I don't quite buy it..." Sam remarked, earning a glare from Chloe. "You're out here, early, and without your track-star friend. You don't want him to see you."

Chloe swallowed. "I like being alone. For your information, I actually do a lot of my mission solo."

"Oh, age doesn't deceive me," Sam said, hands raised in front of him. "Age doesn't matter when you're skilled. But it does lead to a higher risk of getting hurt. Bet SHIELD doesn't know about this, right?"

"Seriously, you know everything or something?" Chloe cocked her head to the side. Sam smirked.

"Call it experience."

Chloe groaned. "Trust me, you don't have experience on this matter. Nobody does."

"Try me," Sam said, and began to sit down on the grass in front of Chloe. She lifted an eyebrow at him, not quite believing he would give her the time of day for this stuff.

"You're a weird kind of guy, Sam Wilson," she said.

"Yeah," Sam half smiled at her. "But I'm a good listener too."

"I'm sure that you are..." nodded Chloe, "But my stuff, it's a whole thing and...I don't even tell my friends about it. No offence but I barely know you."

Instead of being offended, Sam laughed. "Well, sometimes it's actually easier to tell your problems to a stranger. C'mon, try it. What's the worst that could happen?"

"You could send me to the psych ward."

Sam smirked. "Try me."

Chloe raised an eyebrow at him. She didn't expect his determination but maybe he did have a point. She had the worst trouble trying to come clean to Steve, Seren, Natasha and just about anyone else. Tony was easier because she didn't see him every day...

Maybe this guy's smarter than he looks, she thought. She met Sam's gaze and smirked. "If you send me to the psych ward, I'll kick your ass."

Sam chuckled. "Lay it on me."

~ 0 ~

When Seren woke up, she was in the best of moods. Granted, she was still a little sleepy when she felt a kiss in the crook of her shoulder, but she would make an exception.

"Good morning to you too, lovey," she turned in bed with a grin to see Steve already looking a her.

"You're cheerful even in the morning..." he noted.

Seren watched him reach a hand on her cheek. "That a bad thing?"

"Not at all. Chloe's not a morning person. I'm used to the morning grumps."

Seren laughed lightly. "Yeah, well, not with me — at least when I get my full sleep. Although, with my schedule, that doesn't happen a lot. Anyways, good morning."

"Good morning." Steve rubbed gentle circles on Seren's cheek, just taking the moment in. Just as he neared her lips for a kiss, he heard a quiet grumble of a stomach. He pulled back, meeting Seren's gaze, and chuckled as she groaned.

"And leave it to me to ruin the moment!" She pulled the covers over her face.

"What are you talking about, Seren? Trust me, nothing can ruin this moment." Steve gently pulled the covers down, though it was a momentary tugging match between him and Seren. Ultimately, he won and he was able to see her face again. "It sounds like you need some breakfast. You didn't actually eat dinner last night, did you? At the event?"

Seren shook her head. "You stopped me from having drinks, remember?"

"Oh, so now it's my fault?" Steve laughed. "Well, since it's my fault then, let me take you to breakfast! A date."

Seren nodded right away. She really was hungry (and she may have worked an appetite). "I'll have to borrow clothes from Chloe..."

Steve's brows raised when he remembered the state of her satin blue dress that was in the living room. "I will — I will definitely get you a new one. Sweetheart, I'm so sorry—"

Seren grabbed the sides of his face and kissed him. "I'm not," she whispered. "Let's see what Chloe has in the closet. You want to help me?" She smirked seeing how quickly the red tint spread across Steve's face.

The two ultimately got out of bed to get dressed and ready to head out. Seren found a dress amongst Chloe's things that she could more or less wear. It was slightly bigger than her normal size but decent. The shoes were a bit more difficult but she managed.

"You look adorable," Steve laughed when she came out into the living room. The dress was big, period.

Seren groaned. "I know it fits weird. Why is Chloe so frikin tall? She's like a pipe-cleaner with blonde hair!"

"You really do look adorable," Steve insisted as he grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss on the back of it. "I'm thinking cinnamon rolls. I do owe you some from last night."

"That sounds great to me!" Seren nodded quickly.

With that decided, they headed out of the apartment. Just as they were coming into the hallway, one of the other tenants was coming down the opposite end.

"Morning, Kate," Steve politely greeted the woman.

"Morning Ste—" Kate stopped in her tracks when she met Seren's gaze. The latter froze as well.

As surprised as Seren was, confusion soon seeped through when she realized what Steve had called the woman. "Hold on, Ka—"

"Nice to meet you, I'm Kate." The woman held her hand out to shake with Seren.

With brows pinched together, Seren slowly shook Kate's hand. "Seren...?"

Kate seemed to swallow hard, though she quickly smiled at the two. "You guys heading out?"

Steve nodded. "Breakfast. Did you just get back from a shift?"

"Mhm..." Kate said. Her eyes would flicker to Seren every so often.

"Kate's a nurse," Steve told Seren, "And about the only friend I have in the building."

"Mhm..." Seren hummed, "Nurse." Kate ducked her head.

"You must be tired, Kate. We'll see you later," Steve said and started leading Seren down the hall.

Seren looked over her shoulder and saw 'Kate' getting her keys out. "Hey Steve, I forgot to grab my phone. Can I go back quickly?"

"I'll get it for you, sweetheart," Steve said, dropping a kiss on her temple.

Seren stopped him from leaving. "Actually, I can get it. It's fine."

"But I—"

"I can get it, Steve, it's fine," Seren smiled. "Keys?"

Steve reluctantly handed her the keys to the apartment, still volunteering to go get her phone for her. Seren assured him that she could do it and she would catch up with him downstairs.

As soon as he was going down the stairs, Seren was heading back to the apartment. It seemed like Kate had overheard because she stood by her apartment door...waiting. When she saw Seren, she leaned off the door and walked to meet Seren halfway.

"I didn't know you were back in town," Kate said, taking note of the odd dress on Seren. She was pretty sure it was Chloe's.

Seren instinctively tugged on her dress as if it was anything close to being short. "I came back a few days ago to present the new team I created in London." Seren leveled a hard look on the woman. She was familiar with 'Kate', crossed paths occasionally but not enough to be on a friendship basis. "Did Fury post you here?" She went straight to business, and she wasn't happy about it.

Kate closed her mouth and just nodded.

Seren's lips curled down into a frown. "And Chloe?"

"She knows who I am. Natasha too."

"And they didn't tell Steve anything?"

"Fury gave the order, Seren. You know how it goes."

"I do but this isn't any ordinary agent, Sharon." Seren rubbed her fingers against her temples. "Steve has never trusted SHIELD to begin with and when he finds out that Fury put a frikin bodyguard next door to him—"

"He can't know about this," Sharon said, shaking her head. "He thinks Fury stopped."

"Stopped?" Seren made a face and before she could ask what Sharon had meant, she got a delightful piece of news.

"Fury had Steve's apartment bugged."

"Bugged?" Seren brought a hand over her chest, feeling absolutely mortified. "Like—like the whole apartment?"

Sharon nodded. "But Chloe took them down. Fury was not happy about it."

Suddenly, Seren forgave Chloe for absolutely everything she'd ever done in the past. She would just die if that apartment had been bugged.

"Chloe negotiated with Fury about this stuff, alright? You can be mad all you want but I'm just following orders from Fury. If you're worried that I'll say something about you guys—"

"I don't care," Seren said flatly. "Fury has nothing to do with what Steve and I do, okay? You report what you gotta report." She turned to leave when Sharon called her back.

"Wait! Are you going to tell Steve?"

"Uh, I sort of have to!" Seren snapped. "Steve hates being lied to and I don't exactly like it either!"

"Seren, if you tell him who I am, he'll be furious!"

"I'll talk to him, I know what it's like following orders. It'll go back to Fury."

"And Chloe," Sharon pointed out. "She's known the whole time."

Seren shook her head. No, she didn't want Steve to be upset with Chloe but she didn't want to be part of the unnecessary lie. It was so pointless having a bodyguard. Fury was being ridiculous.

"Seren, please..." Sharon said, looking genuinely fearful of the matter.

Seren sighed. "I'm sorry, but I'm telling him. I can't lie to him — not anymore. I'll take the heat from Fury but trust me, he'll have a lot more coming from Steve than you will from them both. I'll make sure of that." She turned away again and went to catch up with Steve downstairs.

~ 0 ~

As much as they ate at the pastry shop as well as having samples — Seren was guilty of beating Steve in that aspect — they decided to bring back another box of cinnamon rolls to continue munching on at home. All throughout their date, Seren tried finding the right moment to tell Steve about Sharon and what Fury had ordered her to do. She didn't want to ruin their perfect morning, especially not with SHIELD business. But apparently, Steve knew her better than she thought.

They had just returned to the apartment when he brought up her strange, shifty feet.

"My feet aren't shifty," Seren argued weakly. "And even if they happened to be, it's because these are Chloe's shoes."

Steve chuckled at her. He dropped the box of cinnamon rolls on the coffee table. "Maybe, but you're still acting weird. Did I do something? Did you change your mind?"

"No, of course not!" Seren exclaimed. What she wasn't going to allow was for SHIELD to ruin something so good between them. "Come here..." She took his hands and sat down on the couch together. "I, uh, I need to tell you something but...it's...it's not going to make you happy."

"And it's not about us...?" Steve needed to make sure that nothing had changed between them. Anything else didn't matter.

"It's not," Seren assured him again. "You, um, you know that neighbor of yours? Kate?"

Steve nodded. "Yeah, what about her?"

"I really hate to be the one to tell you this, and honestly it makes me feel like a snitch but—"

"Is there something going on with Kate? I-I don't understand—"

"She's a SHIELD agent, Steve," Seren blurted. She squeezed his hands while he reacted. "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry to tell you but I can't — I can't lie to you. It feels so wrong after everything and I—"

"She's a SHIELD agent?" Steve said slowly, eyes flickering towards his door. "Kate?"

"Her name's actually Sharon..."

"Sharon?"

Seren nodded.

"Did—why? I don't..." Seren saw the exact moment it donned on Steve and braced herself for his true reaction. "It was Fury wasn't it?" His voice hardened. Seren nodded. "What? She's supposed to be my babysitter?"

"I know it's irritating but you shouldn't get upset with Sharon — or even Chloe, or Natasha—"

"They both knew!?" Steve gawked. "Are you kidding me!?"

Seren squeezed his hands again. "They were following orders, Steve. Fury was the one who commanded it."

"Of course!" Steve scowled. "You know, I'm getting real tired of Fury and all his secrets. And Chloe — and Natasha — they just keep secrets so easily and I—"

"I know, I know," Seren sighed. "But it comes with the job and it sucks but it's the truth. I'm sorry."

"What? Seren, it's not your fault. You weren't even here..." And for that matter, Steve tried his best to calm down. As angry as he was, it had nothing to do with Seren. "I'm gonna have a word with Fury next time I see him..."

"Please don't get into arguments because of this..." Seren could only plead at this point. "I know it's irritating but—"

"It's for another moment," Steve said, deciding to push the matter away. "Right now...you're here, and I want to take full advantage of that."

"Are you — we could go to SHIELD right now if you want? I can come with you and we can—"

Steve was shaking his head already, refusing the idea. "I am not going to give SHIELD any of my time when you're around." He pulled his hands out from hers and slid them over her face. He had priorities now, and he was learning from past mistakes. He would not waste anymore of his time. "Besides, the cinnamon rolls might get cold..." He pressed a kiss on her lips.

"Well...who can deny a kiss..." Seren sought out another kiss from him, and got one...and then two...

Before they knew it, they were lost in a series of kisses.

"Mm, the cinnamon rolls?" Seren murmured, bringing her hands over his on her face.

"Right..." Steve leaned back, clearing his throat. He'd left the box on the table and grabbed it.

"Oh! Chloe's chocolates, remember?" Seren spotted the box of chocolates she'd left on the table last night. "Good thing we can take the sugar, right?"

Steve chuckled. "I'll say."

Seren opened up the box of chocolates and was delighted to see a dozen little pieces assorted inside. "Where to start, hmm?"

Steve watched her go through a process just to pick one piece. She was so adorable...

"Chloe's too lucky," Seren said after taking a bite. "Girl gets gifts left to right from admirers."

"Oh, I've noticed," hummed Steve. Even though Chloe was always in and out of D.C., he was often around her when she was being flirted with or given the occasional gift. It was bemusing to see such straightforwardness but Chloe seemed quite at home with it.

"She's got the Angel face, you know?" Seren shook her head. "She used to be head cheerleader in high school and I'm sure a popular girl too."

"I remember those girls, sans the cheerleaders. Those were hard to talk to…of course none of them were ever really in the mood to talk to me."

Seren scooted herself closer to him. "I think you and I would've been good friends if we were in school together."

Steve would have loved the idea but given his history, he doubted it would happen. "I don't know about that…"

"I'm sure of it. Those eyes of yours, one charming smile, the 'ma'am' thing and I would've been all yours." Seren popped in another chocolate piece.

"Really?" He was already smiling at her with fondness. None of those traits were enhanced with the super serum.

"Mhm. They're my favorite things about you!"

"Things would've been very different if you'd been around back then." The first thing Steve thought of was the horrible double-dates Bucky always set him up on. Of course then he realized how nervous he'd be having an actual date with Seren in those days.

"What?" Seren raised an eyebrow at him once his thoughts started seeping through his face. "You wouldn't have liked me?"

"What?" Steve laughed. "Are you kidding me? I was just thinking how nervous I'd be asking you out on a date."

Seren cocked her head. "Seriously?"

"You better believe it. I'm sure I'd be fumbling over my words — don't be fooled, I might be doing that in the future too."

"Duly noted." It was Seren's turn to laugh.

"That's funny to you?"

"Kind of, yeah…but sweet too!" Seren cleared her throat after swallowing another chocolate piece. She decided to try one of their cinnamon rolls instead.

Steve wrapped an arm around her waist as she took one cinnamon roll from the box. He imagined all the dates they would have with cinnamon rolls and grinned from ear to ear.

"Oh gosh, they're so good..." Seren hummed, "I love them!"

"I can tell," Steve chuckled. Seren flushed and tried to slow down on her eating. "Keep eating, sweetheart. They're for you." He leaned over and kissed her forehead

Seren cleared her throat again, feeling like something had gotten stuck. She started rubbing circles on her chest, and coughed.

"You okay?" Steve watched her for a moment.

"Yeah," she cleared her throat. "Um, I just…" She lowered the cinnamon roll in her hand, and took in a breath only to come halfway. She shifted on the couch to try and get a better position to take in a bigger breath.

Steve grew concerned the more he watched her continue to take these breaths only halfway. She let her cinnamon roll drop on the ground suddenly and tried taking in an even bigger breath but, just like before, she couldn't do it.

"Okay, Seren, what's wrong?" Steve didn't know whether to help move her to an easier breathing position or anything else.

"I-I don't know but I can't…" Seren started clutching her neck, mouth wide open and gasped for breath. "I can't breathe! Steve, I can't breathe!"


A/N:

Soo a couple things happened here :)). They finally stopped being idiots but don't be fooled, they are idiots so expect some things in the future. However, it's not all bad, there's some good in the future! In the meantime, poor Seren, Chloe & Sam might be bonding, and of course poor Steve lmao.

P.S. As always, I have an AO3/Wattpad account under "noblecrescent" and a tumblr account under "saiilorstars" if you'd like to follow :)