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I shucked off my jacket, stripping down to just my tank top again so that I could slip into my suit.
The door creaked open before I could.
"Oh, dammit, I'm sorry, Al," Steve said, quickly lowering his gaze to the floor.
I laughed, rolling my eyes as I crossed the room toward him. "You don't have to apologize, Steve, it isn't the 1940s anymore."
He still didn't lift his gaze, but his stiff posture relaxed.
"Steve," I said, folding my arms. Finally, he lifted his eyes. But not all the way to meet my gaze. I gaped, chuckling as his eyes lingered on my chest before moving to my face. "Damn, maybe you should be apologizing, perv."
"I—I didn't mean—"
"Oh my God, Steve," I placed a hand on each of his shoulders, "I'm joking."
"Sorry, guess I'm just a little tensed up," he answered sheepishly.
"Yeah, well, fate of the world resting on your shoulders tends to have that effect," I shrugged.
"You're nervous too, huh?"
"Nervous is an understatement," I sighed, "But as dumb as it sounds, I'm more worried for Nat right now."
My eyes flickered away. A feeling I quickly realized was guilt burrowed into my chest.
"Hey," Steve said, gently taking my chin and angling my head so that our eyes met, "It wasn't your fault. Besides, we'll get her back. And Nat doesn't take crap from anyone, she'll be okay."
"She's probably already crushed Ultron like a pop can by now," I joked, heat rising into my cheeks when Steve didn't drop his hand from my face.
"That's not all that's on your mind though, is it?"
I looked away again, but again he pulled my face back.
"Al," he urged gently.
"Every time I've used my powers, and I mean really used them... One of two things have happened. Either something big enough to take up all my attention happens... First Coulson," I shuddered at the memory, "Then Nat getting taken. But if nothing is there to take my focus off of that feeling I get when I use my powers... They always get the better of me until I collapse from pure exhaustion."
"You're worried you'll lose control," he summarized. I nodded. "Alivia, you've been training. That won't happen again. And if it does..." The corner of his mouth kicked up, "I'm sure I could come up with something to get your mind off it. Keep those powers in check."
"Oh, yeah?" I smiled, looking up at him, "Like what?"
His smile widened at that, and his head lowered. There was a spasm in my chest as I realized what he was doing a fraction before it happened. Oh, I thought. Something like that.
His mouth pressed against mine, and there was a staggering difference between his kiss, and Loki's. Where Loki's had been dangerous, heavy, hot, Steve's was kind, soft, warm.
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Fanfiction"You are unimaginably precious when you're flustered, my dear," he said lowly, "And I can assure you that while I often find you distracting, you are much more than just a distraction to me. Why do you think I haven't killed you yet?" "Because you'd...
