Little Star // a Steve Rogers, Captain America, Avengers story

Tell Her

Steve opened his door for her and looked searchingly at her face.

"You've been crying. Did Tony make you cry? I'm going to kill him."

"Homicide is not necessary. We just had to talk about my past a little bit so he could get a peek beneath this perky exterior. Did you get your paperwork finished?"

"What? We don't have... Busted."

"It's ok. I know you only said that so I could be alone with Tony without feeling abandoned."

"You're right, as always. Are you ready for tomorrow? You need to get some sleep."

"I am ready, and I do need to get settled for the night, but first I need to tell you something, and it's not nice. Can we sit?"

Half an hour and another damp Natasha hankie later, Ellie had said her piece and Steve had told her the exact same story as Tony about choice and freedom. The weight of that confession off her shoulders, they walked to her door. He declined when she invited him in, saying that he needed to go tie up the day with Tony.

"I'm going to take a shower now so I can sleep an extra twenty minutes in the morning," she said. "Knock when you come back and if I'm still awake I'll give you a good night kiss. This one is just a see you later smooch."

~

"Did she tell you?"

"Yes. I don't like that she had to tell it twice, Tony."

"Do you understand why is was important?"

"Of course. We've all told our own truths for the sake of trust, but she's not one of us. She doesn't want to be one of us. You will not cajole her into anything, do you understand that?"

"Look, Cap, your girlfriend's people radar is off the charts, and she can't – or won't – admit it. Let's just get through tomorrow and re-group in the evening. I guarantee it's going to be fascinating. You, however, are going to go stir crazy if you're here for twelve hours unable to see her. Natasha's bike is here. Why don't you take it and go somewhere peaceful?"

"No, thank you. If she's here, I'll be here. I still have several decades worth of movies to catch up on." With that, he walked toward the hallway with a determined step.

"I wonder if Ellie knows how lucky she is to have a man like you standing by her?"

Steve paused and looked over his shoulder, "No, Tony. I'm the lucky one."

"Tell her. I mean it, man. Let it go."

When Steve entered Ellie's room she could feel it, even before he had crossed the room straight to where she was sitting. It was overwhelming. He lifted her until she was standing on the loveseat, looked her in the eye, and said, "I love you, Ellie."

She was consumed for a moment by his emotions. Love, fear, guilt, tenderness, protectiveness, desire, peace. She took a moment to collect herself and pulled his face to hers. They kissed, then sat, leaning into one another, silent and happy.

They were both exhausted and nearly nodding off when Ellie finally broke away and told him it was time to go. One goodnight kiss led into another, until Steve made himself walk out the door.