The Shield and the Rose || S. Rogers

Intern

Katherine woke up wondering if the night in Steve's apartment had actually happened or had been just a dream. The soreness she felt told her their night had very much happened. When she glanced down at herself, the way her body was covered in marks left by Steve, it was visually confirmed as well.

Shaking her head with a soft smile, she glanced to her side where he had slept beside her. Noticing that he was missing from the room, she glanced at the alarm clock he had on his nightstand. It wasn't too early in the morning or too late, but she figured he was in the other room. The smell of breakfast food drifting through the bedroom door that stood cracked open confirmed her deduction.

Going to stand, Katherine shivered before glancing around the room. Snatching one of Steve's undershirts off of the ground and quickly slipping into it, she brushed her hair away from her face and stood up. Sucking in a breath after feeling wobbly for just a moment, she steadied herself and left the bedroom.

Steve had placed a record on his record player in the living room, the music softly bouncing along the walls of the apartment. When she glanced over to his kitchen, Katherine found herself biting her lip with a smile. He was making her breakfast. That was a first for her. He was focused on the meal in front of him, his back to her as if he hadn't even heard her step into the room.

"Something smells good in here," Katherine smirked as she made her way into the kitchen.

"Good morning," Steve glanced over his shoulder. Looking Katherine up and down as he took in the sight of her having found one of his undershirts to wear, he gave her a small smirk. "I think that shirt's a little big for you."

"It's like a blanket," she shrugged, her smirk still placed against her lips.

"I'm almost disappointed to see you in it," he shrugged as he continued to cook.

"I know," she nodded to herself. "As much as I know that you would love that sight, I'd be cold and miserable."

"I said almost," he glanced back at her once more. "I think you should wear that around here more often."

"I guess you'll have to invite me around more often then," she smirked.

"I guess I will," his smile was evident. "Sorry to leave you in there on your own. I just thought it might be nice to make some breakfast for when you woke up."

"It looks good," she smiled as she glanced around Steve and looked at the food being fried. "You really are too good to me."

"Too good?" he gave a confused smile.

"Yes," she nodded. "Sometimes I have to contemplate if you're real."

"Is this about what you told me last night? About how you treated before?" Steve seemed cautious of the question, almost as if he were probing to see if the concept made her uncomfortable.

"You are the first man to treat me well," she shrugged. "I'll leave it at that."

"I was serious last night," he frowned. "You deserve the world."

"I don't know about that," she smiled with a small laugh. "But thank you."

Steve gave her a soft smile as she made her way closer to stand beside him. Offering to grab plates and drinks, he directed her around the cabinets before she set the table. Happily helping to plate their breakfasts, Katherine took her seat across from Steve at the table. Taking one simple first bite of food, she found that that moment was a piece missing from her life. She enjoyed the food, smiling to herself that Steve really did make it for her.

"You know, this is the first time a man's made me breakfast," she grinned at him and took another bite.

"In general or after making your legs shake?" he asked and Katherine found herself choking on her food at his response.