"No... no... it's alright...", Steve said as Peggy smiled. "I'm glad. I've really enjoyed the evening, Steve... I do apologize still for my secrets before...", she apologized as he nodded.
"It's alright; I understand. I'm glad though that you let me see the real you for much of this night at least.", Steve commented. Peggy smiled, "The real me, huh? It has been rare to be the real me between orders and such. Being an agent is exciting at times, but more than often, I get stuck with the wrath of orders; paperwork...".
Steve laughed softly, "I hear you. Homework during school was rather torture for me when I got sick...All I wanted is playing card games with Bucky, drinking hot cocoa, not that nasty medicine, and sketching when I got my drawing pad...".
Peggy giggled, "I actually can see that easily...So, you're good at poker, solitaire, crazy eights, even gin rummy?", and Steve replied, "Rather good at solitaire, crazy eights, through Mom would have killed me if we were caught doing gin rummy, so we did pop soda instead.".
"Very clever there. My brother had the guts to do wine one time when we were doing gin rummy...Let's say that I was let off easily by being grounded for a week, but Michael, my big brother, he was forbidden from using the family car for social dates with his girl.", Peggy smirked.
Steve chuckled, "Would've been a sight to see, I think.". Peggy nodded, "Yeah... I think Michael would've liked you... you two were fairly similar in a lot of ways; at least personality wise.".
Steve smiled sadly, "I'm so sorry, Peggy...I lost my father to the war, I think...", and Peggy looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean by that, Steve?".
"He was in the first world war. He took a bullet while fighting in France, and he recovered from it physically, but mentally and emotionally, he seemed unable to return to the man he was that Mom talked about...He drank because he lost his job...I managed to avoid him most of the time like Mom, due to playing with Bucky and Mom, to her job as a nurse, but I still remember his yelling when he was drunk...There were times he was not, like my birthday, the anniversary of Mom and his wedding, Christmas...He died when I was six. Influenza.", Steve sighed deeply.
"Steve...", Peggy sighed as she gently rubbed his leg as Steve nodded. "It's alright; we both just have our familiar tragedies. We just keep going for them, that's what I think.", he explained.
Peggy smiled softly, "I believe you, Steve, and you know what? I think your mom will be proud of you, doing what you love in sketching and drawing, doing what you believe in, by helping Erskine and the army any way they got for you, and of course, doing what you're feeling and having right now...A classy, brave dame by your side.", squeezing Steve's free hand just between their knees.
Steve blushed as Peggy chuckled. "Sorry, not making you nervous, am I?", she asked as Steve shook his head. "No, just... it's obviously unfamiliar territory for me.", he told her.
Peggy whispered softly, "It's okay. I hope I'm doing good this far...Has been quite some years since my last official date...And the tough chew-out by my then-fiancée...He was in the mind that I was made for typewriting and the housewife stuff...It was right after I lost Michael...I wouldn't mind being a mother, but a housewife? I still got a lot of years left in me for being an agent, and I love it for the good stuff.".
"You honestly don't give the housewife vibe... you have too much of an adventurous spirit to be trapped into that kind of lifestyle.", Steve smiled as Peggy blushed, "And you certainly have something like that too despite your body...".
Steve has seen Peggy blush so much tonight, and somehow, he is getting more comfortable with her enough to compliment her thoroughly.
"Well, you could say that as I couldn't resist exploring all this city, and there's always something new around the corner...but well...I suppose another reason I wanted to go out there and help the Allies, to help our army somehow, is seeing the whole other side of the world...you know, just one long adventure to hold to my heart and memories before I drop down...", Steve whispered softly with a sigh, "Damn it...I'm sorry...You make me feel able to give out my worst feelings before they fester in me...".
Peggy looked up in somber surprise and realization, and she replied, "Steve...", trying to think of something to say before she saw the only thing that she will have to convince Steve through...She leaned in to kiss him on the cheek gently and short, respecting Steve's old-fashioned notion, hoping that Steve isn't upset at her for being a little bold.
Strangely, she didn't want to move too fast with Steve, yet she wants to make sure every precious moment lasts for him as she feels something growing in her heart, not quite love, but it's like fondness and affection.
Nothing was said for a moment before Steve gently placed his hand on his cheek where she had kissed him. She smiled when he did that, "Hope that wasn't too fast for you...". He shook his head, "No... no... that was... that felt right...".
"Not rushed?", Peggy asked as he shook his head. "No, not at all...", Steve smiled. Peggy smiled happily when she heard that, "I'm glad...", before they heard sounds of loud crying, and Steve blinked, "What was that?".
Peggy frowned, "I don't know, but sounds like they're close. Come on.", getting up, with Steve nodding, and they walked to the source of the sounds, turning around a corner on their path, and their eyes widen, with blushes on their cheeks as they are seeing two foxes near a dimmed path lantern, mating, well, like the animals they are.
Steve cleared his throat quietly, "Ahem, I think we better give them space, Peggy...", with a reddening face, as Peggy nodded, "Right...At least I know now what foxes sound like when they're, ah, occupied...", with a chuckle, "Foxes are common back home, but I never got a chance to see them at night, as I was at boarding school or had to be home before dark...", as she turned around and strolled with Steve, seeing him still blushing as the sounds were loud.
Peggy whispered softly, "Steve, are you alright? I'd think it's normal for you to sketch animals when they're distracted by eating food or something...", thinking that it's an occasional surprise for him, unless he's wondering about something else of relation that is making him blush.
Steve cleared his throat, "Yeah, it's normal to sketch them when they're eating or playing, but I do it in the daytime...And I'm okay...It's just...I think I'm still dreaming as I have never been with a beautiful dame like you...And I just realized that you had a fiancée...An adventurous girl like you...How could I compare?".
"Believe it or not, very well already.", Peggy told him. "My fiancée, it was more of a sort of rush into that sort of thing; we only went on a few dates then the war began, and he proposed shortly before he left for Europe. He made it back from Dunkirk but... things had changed a lot for us.".
Steve exhaled, "Your brother's passing, and the argument...", and Peggy nodded, "Yes, among other things...Mum was worried for me while Dad...I suppose he was confused...And no, I haven't gone all the way to home base...I suppose I was somewhere on 2nd base...he was hinting at more beyond that when he proposed, and he was upset when I declined his offer for a make out to get practice. He gave in eventually when I said that I wanted it to be special when he returns home, as we had sort of rushed.".
"I understand. I suppose the war really does cause people to kind of rush things; especially if they fear they may never be coming back.", Steve said as she nodded.
"I've known quite a number of girls back home who married their sweethearts right before they shipped out. I guess the same will probably be seen here too.", Peggy commented.
Steve nodded, "Sounds about right to me. New York City is sort of a fast-paced place, but slow at times when you look for it. You think I'm very well compared to him?", looking at Peggy kind of pensively yet hopefully.
Peggy smiled at him, "Steve, you're 100% better than he was...Was it okay that I sort of led you around instead of the traditional way? It's just that I feel strangely more comfortable with you, if that makes sense...".
"It does. And it's alright; you had your orders after all, I don't blame you for that. Besides, you came clean fairly quickly, it's not like you led me along for months or something.", Steve chuckled.
Peggy chuckled, "True, and if there's a very good reason to keep a secret, I'll do it, but you...you're different...", and Steve smiled, "I'll take it...", before seeing her rub her hands with a shiver despite wearing Steve's jacket.
Steve thought quickly before an idea came to him, "Wanna grab some hot cocoa? There's usually a few carts still around before it gets really late.", and Peggy beamed happily, "Oh, yes! That sounds divine!".
Smiling, Steve replied, "Come on.", grabbing Peggy's hand gently, "I'll help you until we get there. I know where there's usually one near the park.", taking a deep breath and bravely kissed the palm of her hand just like how she did to him earlier.
Peggy blushed, gasping softly under her breath at the feel of Steve's impossibly soft lips on her skin, her heart skipping a beat once more at the affection, surprised yet pleased to see Steve having such confidence now around her as he was much nervous back at the bar.
Steve was proud to see her blushing, and so, he got a bit more confident as he took Peggy around, drinking hot cocoa, seeing the lights among the city buildings, conversing with each other as they enjoyed each other's company for a few more hours, the rest of the evening continued to be wonderful without a snag.
Eventually, much to their surprise yet disappointment, it was getting very late, and Steve escorted Peggy to her temporary apartment which isn't far from the SSR secret location.
"Well, this is it, my apartment building...", Peggy smiled softly as they stood before the front door, and Steve exhaled, "Do you want me to walk you up to your apartment, just to be safe?".
Peggy replied, "Such a gentleman, Steve...You probably didn't hear this part from your friend, but escorting a woman to her apartment specifically means a full lead-on to a make out and an invitation to come inside if the woman is hinting for a one-night stand, but that doesn't happen all the time, but it happens occasionally, I hear, as it's more offered by the men escorting them...".
Steve widened his eyes in surprise, "Oh...But I'm not like Bucky...If that happens one day, I will intend for it to be special, not a one-night stand or a fling...", and Peggy blushes brightly, "You are really much better than him on that offer...Someday, I'll take your offer if we're still together...that is, if you're still up for it in the future...".
"I'd like that.", Steve nodded. Obviously, he had no idea what the future would bring for either of them; but he certainly hoped that they would get another chance like this again someday.
"I'm glad. Thank you for the night again, Steve... be careful, alright? Wouldn't want you to get hurt or anything.", Peggy smiled, and looked at him seriously.
Steve smiled, "Don't worry, I'll hail a taxi. Brookyln's not far. And I'm glad you enjoyed it so much, Peggy...You made my first date wonderful, and here's a bit to show that I am awaiting our second date.", before leaning up and kissing tenderly yet sweet on Peggy's cheek for a moment.
Peggy gasped softly as she was stunned for a moment before blushing and placing her hand on her cheek, smiling brightly, "Steve...", and Steve smiled, "Was that okay?".
"Okay? Steve, that felt so right!", Peggy whispered, and Steve exhaled, hearing the echo of his words back at him from Peggy's lips. Are they truly destined to be with each other?
He blinked softly, "I'm glad. Good night, Peggy...", as Peggy gave the jacket back, smiling as she adjusted it for him, "Good night, Steve.", and they squeezed their holding hands together for a moment before Peggy turned to head into her apartment building, with Steve watching to make sure she's in, and then exhaled with a beaming smile, almost skipping on his feet as he searched for a taxi, hailing it.
After several minutes, Steve paid the taxicab, and headed upstairs to his and Bucky's apartment, humming a tune, anxious to use his drawing pad for a while before he goes to bed, intent not to forget her nor the places they strolled through.
"Looks like somebody had a good date...", Bucky's voice replied as Steve was drinking a glass of water, and he nearly choked, "Jesus Christ, I thought you were conked out...Let me guess, you had a doubler.", casually replying after a glance as Bucky was covered in hickeys and such while wearing long pajama bottoms and a tank top.
"Well, let's just say that our double date was kinda up for sharing me...", Bucky chuckled as Steve rolled his eyes. "So, I'm guessing things with Eva also went well?". Steve nodded.
"Honestly, it was quite a wonderful night.", Steve told him. "She's quite an amazing woman.", with a fond smile. "Sounds like your type from the look on your face.", Bucky smirked as Steve blushed. "Guessing you didn't exactly do anything too crazy with her, right?".
Steve smiled, "Nah...Just showed her around the sights after we checked out the Expo, some conversation, giving her some of my favorite things to do like having hot dogs, drinking hot cocoa, and strolling through Central Park...She made me feel confident, Bucky...We didn't go for a smacker on the lips, but she kissed me on the cheek, and vice versa...It felt so...excuse me for the cliche here, but it felt so perfect...".
"Fair enough, I guess... just surprised you even got so far with a girl without my help at least.", Bucky said as Steve nodded, "Yeah... a bit of luck in the fact that Eva actually likes me without you having to coax or something like you tried to with our double date before.".
Bucky grimaced, "Sorry, bro...I...I was trying to watch out for you...You know I promised your ma that I would protect you when I can, and make sure you're fine and all...I thought having a girl would brighten your spirits when you're already occupied with art school...".
Steve smiled gently, patting his shoulder, "Bucky, it's not your fault, and I appreciate all what you did for me through our lives since we were kids, but you know I'm all grown up, and I can take care of myself just fine which includes taking a dame out on a date at my pace, you know?".
"Well, I guess you've proven me wrong tonight at least.", Bucky said as he took a deep breath. "So, did you try signing up once more?", he asked as Steve sighed.
"No... no, I didn't...", Steve admitted. "I don't think it will work out for me, Bucky. Those recruiters and docs clearly can tell that I'm not built for combat.".
"Hey, look, Steve, don't give up; I'm sure you could be able to perhaps get a staff job somewhere around here. Isn't the whole phrase that logistics wins wars or something? It's important that we on the front lines still get everything we need to fight and that can all come back here.", Bucky told him.
Steve chuckled lightly, "Good point. And Eva even suggested that I'd sketch out maps and faces to help out the Allies after I told her that I'm doing art school.".
"That's a brilliant idea. No wonder why she's your type.", Bucky grinned, and Steve blushed again, smiling, "Thanks, Bucky...And strangely enough, I have the feeling that Mom would have loved her if they met...", before yawning, and noticing the time, "We better get to bed. Any day now, you'd have your orders for training and all.".
Bucky nodded, "Yeah, you're right. And you really got it bad for this dame.", with a chuckle as he then headed back to his own bedroom, and Steve whispered to himself, "You have no idea...", before heading to his own bed, and went to sketch for a while.
Steve exhaled deeply as her beautiful face in charcoal smiled at him, and he wished he had money enough to buy colored materials, but it's expensive...For now, it's enough for him to just remember her delightful smile and her stunning dress.
He gently kissed a finger to Peggy's lips, whispering, "One day, Peggy...", with a smile before closing his drawing pad, and put it in his drawer, and went to sleep, dreaming of his wonderful memories of the date.