I can't read your mind though I'm trying all the time

There's something I don't know, I can see it in your eyes

As the night descends, it's always slow again

I am left in awe of the woman I adore, oh

Steve's eyes were transfixed by her. He hoped he didn't look too much like a creep but he couldn't bring himself to look away. He hadn't known when these feelings had awakened in him. Well, that's not true, he knew exactly when it had happened. He simply couldn't bring himself to accept them.

They were at a celebration for the reunification of the tribes. The whole thing was mesmerizing to him; the colors, the music, the different dances but most all her. Okoye.

When Steve had first arrived with Bucky, he could see her reluctance and mistrust. Steve had tried very hard not to overstep, but every encounter they had had been quite distant and short. That is until the day he had stumbled upon her on a mountain top crying.

Okoye had turned around upon hearing his footsteps. As soon as she saw who it was, she spun right back around, her back straight and rigid. Steve had noticed the annoyance flash in her eyes, perhaps it was shame of being caught by him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone would be here. I can go if you…"

"It's fine, I was just leaving" She said, cutting him off while standing up. Okoye brushed past Steve without giving him a second glance.

Then these meetings happened more frequently. In the beginning, she would leave the moment he arrived, not bothering to say a single word or spare him a glance. Eventually, she seemed to accept his presence, albeit reluctantly. Steve would always stand in the back, eyes fixed on her, taking in her beauty. But one night, Okoye invited him to sit beside her. Hesitantly, Steve made his way next to her.

"I am tired of hearing you breathing behind my back. If you're going to be here every night, you might as well be somewhere I can see."

They would sometimes talk, sometimes sit in silence, and Steve cherished each and every moment. He wouldn't say they were close but he had gotten to know her a little and got to see a part of her she didn't allow most people to. That part being how lonely she was. Something they had in common. Ever since, Okoye had been invading his every thought, day and night.

Steve's eyes were glued on her, she truly was mesmerizing. Okoye was dancing with Nakia, surrounded by the other Dora Milaje, her movements fluid and careless. It felt so good to see her so carefree, as if all the weights that had been on her shoulders had been lifted. All that he could think of was putting his arms around her waist pulling her closer as they danced. His eyes slowly traveled from her thighs to her hips. The way she danced completely enthralled Steve. His eyes moved to Okoye's face not expecting her to be staring him down. He knew he should look away but he just couldn't bring himself to. She kept dancing, not once breaking their eye contact, daring him to do it first. As soon as the last note of the song played, Okoye left the dancefloor and Steve tried his best to follow her but soon lost her in the crowd.

Arriving in the empty hallway, Steven spun his head from left to right trying to find her. He had no idea how she could be that fast, and there were so many corridors for him to go through that he thought of just giving up and going back to the party.

"You must stop looking at me like that" He heard her voice echo, still not being able to pinpoint where she was.

"Look at you like what?" Steve asked innocently.

"Like a man in love" she whispered "Don't think I haven't noticed all this time" Okoye said finally coming into view.

"And what if I can't, what if I don't want to? What then?" He said moving closer. He fully expected her to put distance between them but was caught off guard by the look on her face. He had never seen her looking so vulnerable. The woman who was always in control, always so assertive and confident looking so unsure.

"It doesn't matter what you want Steve, my situation has not changed. Complicated as it may be, I am still a married woman." Okoye answered in a shaky voice so far from the commanding tone she usually had.

Undeterred, Steve closed the gap between them. Pressing their chest together, pushing until her back touched the wall. He gently put his hands on her hips drawing circles on the exposed flesh. Okoye lifted her hands and placed them on his chest, having all the intentions to push him away. Instead, she balled the fabric of his shirt in her fists pulling him closer. Without any hesitation, Steve lowered his head and kissed her. He did not expect her to kiss him back, honestly, he thought he'd be laying on his back by now with her knee on his neck.

Taking this opportunity, Steve pressed his lips harder against hers, digging his fingers into her hips. He could feel her pushing into him finally letting her guard down. Okoye brought her hands to his face, holding him closer before gently pushing him away. She left out sight while pressing her forehead to his.

"As I said before, it doesn't matter how we feel," she whispered while looking into his eyes "This is the life that I've chosen and do not make me regret it, please."

"And what about your happiness, what about all the sacrifices you've made, don't you deserve to be selfish for once?"

"This will be just one more sacrifice that I will have to make." Okoye uttered softly while creating distance between them. Steve gently grabbed her hand stopping her from leaving. He had no idea what he could say to change her mind but one thing he knew for sure was that he was not ready to let her go.

With her back to him Okoye said "Steve, know that every moment spent together were the highlights of my days." She squeezed his hand before letting go and leaving him in the hallway alone.

Steve watched her as she made her way back to the party knowing that letting her go was one more sacrifice that he'll have to make too.

And I don't know the loneliness she long

I don't hear the frosty words that call inside

When you're gone again