The Shield and the Rose || S. Rogers

Candlelight

🌶️ I promise 🌶️

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Worry still settled against Katherine's shoulders as her time visiting the base in Sokovia came to its end. After Kurt's promise to her that he was going to help prevent Wanda and Victoria's threats from coming true, Katherine had realized how dangerous the line had become. Yet, she didn't much care.

As she sat on the plane, she let her mind roam throughout the possibilities that could take place. Her telepathy was her advantage. She would know when people were around and what they were thinking. She would know if people suspected her and could easily lie to dissuade concerns. It wasn't like she was in the spot that anyone else would be in.

Still, there was that concern of when she could even begin to think about putting a distance between herself and the others. They were watching her movements, the way that she interacted with the Avengers. Her relationship with Steve was something that was known and watched, the thought causing a tinge of anger and hurt to settle in her stomach.

Then there was Steve. She knew that he was completely capable of defending himself if things came to it. The memory of him not even hesitating to throw himself in front of her that day in Washington D.C. made it completely clear to her. He had a since of bravery to him that she hadn't truly seen in people around her before. If Wanda were to try and go after him, he would be okay, right?

She couldn't seem to focus on anything else throughout the flight. Despite trying to distract herself with a movie, eating the meal they provided, pulling out a book to try and read at least a chapter, none of it kept her distracted for very long. Even as she found herself gathering her belongings at the terminal and finally heading home to her own apartment, she couldn't shake the thoughts of the week off of her.

It was almost robotic the way that she opened her front door and placed her keys down on the table in the entryway. The way she closed the front door behind her before taking her suitcase back to her bedroom and unpacked it. She didn't quite pay attention to anything more than the moment she decided to send Steve a text that she had arrived back home safely.

All it took was the response from Steve telling her to come over to his apartment that evening for Katherine to feel any ounce of anything more than the worry that had taken place in her mind. Smiling to herself as she replied that she'd be there, she found herself taking a new blouse and pair of jeans from her dresser and going to her bathroom to freshen up.

As she fixed up her appearance and looked at herself in the mirror, she found herself coming to the decision that whatever worries that may come with what had taken place or had been said to her, she would worry about at another time. Missions could wait, her date could not.

The sky had darkened by the time that Katherine had made it in the direction of Steve's apartment. His text was still open on her phone as she took in a deep breath and walked into his building. The front door of his apartment came into view as she took in the dimmed light that shone in the crack underneath the door. Raising a brow, she gave a confused grin to the glow.

Opening the door, she walked inside and placed her purse on the small table in the entryway like she always did, carefully closing the door behind her. Walking through the hall, she heard a melodic hum streaming from the living room. Katherine stood in the archway and looked at Steve who was still placing a few snacks out.

"Well Captain," Katherine's voice held a smile in it. "I never took you as one to fret over the little things."

"Katherine!" he stood in surprise, tipping over a plate of fruit in the process.