The Shield and the Rose || S. Rogers

Trust

"You know, if you take any longer to get ready, I'm going to start wondering if you're hiding," Steve called from the other room, a smile in his tone.

"Can you blame me if I'm trying to make myself look completely presentable? This is a fresh start for me, Steve. Going for what I enjoy instead of just something that easily pays the bills," Katherine was fussing with how to wear her hair to the Tower that day. 

Steve's laughter was small and hidden under his breath as he came to wait at the door of the bathroom. He didn't say a word as he simply watched her frowning at her own reflection before holding her hair in different positions before sighing and letting the brunette locks of hair fall against her shoulders. She noticed him and tried to not to smile as confusion washed over a bit.

"What?" she asked softly.

"You're beautiful," Steve shrugged softly.

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Katherine teased.

"It will? Oh, then it that case," he walked over and wrapped his arms around her, his chest to her back as he leaned down and began to leave kisses against her neck. "How long can I flatter you for?"

Katherine seemed to give into temptation for a moment as she tilted her head back for Steve to continue kissing her. As his hands began to roam, she gave a small laugh before she turned around and faced him. 

"As much as I would love to continue this," she looked him in the eye. "And believe me, I would really love to continue this, we should save it for tonight."

"Tonight?" he pretended to feel despair wash over him. "That's so long."

"I mean, we could always find a supply closet at work," she shrugged. "I did say I would get you to be more adventurous."

"We'd have to be quiet," he teased.

"Good point," she nodded. "I guess tonight it is."

Katherine turned back to the mirror and began to just pull the front of her hair back and away from her face. Taking in a breath and straightening out her appearance, she looked at Steve and gave him a smile. 

"What do you think?" she asked before biting her lip.

Steve just seemed to smile at her. Katherine had never appeared to be anything other than confident when he saw her. She knew who she was and what she was going to do. But something about having an internship made her worry about something like her appearance. He found it endearing.

"I think you look beautiful," he smiled.

"Really?" she glanced back to the mirror once more.

"Yes," he nodded. "And I think that we should get some breakfast on our way over there."

"Will that make us late?" she questioned cautiously.

"You'll be with me," he shrugged. "It'll be fine."

"Alright," she nodded.

Steve reached out his hand for her to take. As Katherine slipped her hand into his, she felt a pound of excitement coursing through her. He didn't need to know the truth about why there seemed to be a pep in her step. As they left his apartment, she quickly grabbed her bag as Steve grabbed his keys.

As they left the complex, Steve began to give a brief overview of who the different people that they would see on their way in would be. Katherine took in as many details as she could, prodding a bit at who she may expect to run into around the Tower as the day went on. Even as they stopped at the local cafe that Katherine loved so much and picked up their breakfast and coffee, she was still eagerly learning about who she would see.