Forever and Always

Chapter 5

My eyes fluttered open slowly, turning around feeling disappointment wash over me when noticing the bed was empty. Still feeling extremely tired from not getting much sleep due to my restlessness, I made my way to the bathroom to clean myself up. Going back to the room to grab a pillow and my blanket, I went to the living room and frowned seeing that it was also empty. I walked over to the kitchen and saw a small note. 'Morning doll, sorry I had a meeting this morning, I'll be back soon. - Rogers.' I put the note down and walked over to the elevator and stepped in. "Jarvis?" "Good morning, what can I do for you?" "Can you take me to the common room?" "Yes I can" It was so weird talking to an AI rather than just pressing a button on the elevator. The doors closed leading me up to the common room. Holding my blanket close to me as it was cold in the building.

The doors opened and I walked out hearing some voices come from upstairs. I remember Steve telling me they used the upstairs for group meetings so I didn't want to intrude. Instead I looked over to the couch and saw Steve's shield. I went over and picked it up. It was heavy but not as heavy as I thought it would be, the metal cool on my fingers. An idea popped into my mind. I took his shield and walked out to the balcony with the helipad, it was warmer out here than inside. I went to the corner out of the sun, putting the shield down face first and curled up on the inside putting the pillow under my head and wrapped the blanket around myself. It was more comfortable than it seemed. I'm almost a foot shorter than Steve so I didn't have a problem fitting into the shield with ease. I was going to nap on the couch but this is so much better. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

Not knowing how long I was asleep, my eyes fluttered open, but when I awoke I was still curled up in the shield but in the common room on the couch. Stretching while sitting up I hear a chuckle next to me. Looking over to see Steve sitting back on the couch smiling at me. "Did you have a nice nap?" he asked, still chuckling. I got up a bit to bring the shield around me and hand it back to him. "That was one of the best naps I've had in a long time" I turned to him sitting with my legs crossed, "How did I end up here? I thought I was on the balcony" Steve leant the shield on the couch, "You were. After the meeting I went back to my flat and panicked when I couldn't find you. I asked the others to help me find you and funny enough Bruce found you curled up in my shield. He said I should see it for myself and Doll. I've never seen anything so adorable in my life.' My cheeks were on fire as he kept talking, 'I brought you on the couch and stayed by you so you wouldn't have to wake up alone again." My heart swelled at the sentiment. "Thank you for staying with me" he smiled sweetly, putting a hand over mine, "Are you hungry?"

My stomach growled and I nodded. He started getting up from the couch, "eggs, toast, coffee, and fruit sound good?" "That sounds delicious!" I followed him to the kitchen and took a seat at the island while he started taking out ingredients from the fridge. "Where is everyone else?" "Tony and Bruce spend a lot of time in the lab and I believe Nat and Clint are in the training room" I nodded, "Do you train everyday?" "More or less" I rested my head on my hand, "did you train today?" "No, it seems like you want me to train today?" he chuckled. "Well I mean, I'm not opposed to seeing you workout" I blush as Steve continues cooking, "That could be arranged." I waited for Steve to finish cooking while I made small conversation with him. He placed everything down, taking a seat next to me. "Is there anything you can't do?" I laughed. "I can't juggle," I shook my head while taking a bite of my breakfast. It tasted so delicious, not surprised that he could cook as well. After breakfast I insisted on cleaning the dishes since he cooked. We went back to the room so I could change. I put on leggings and a tank top with some slip on shoes, putting my hair up in a high ponytail. I followed Steve to the training room.

The training room looked like a proper gym. Every piece of equipment you could imagine with a huge space covered in mats to spar. Steve wore a white T shirt and light gray shorts. He led me to a place to sit down. He went over to a locker and grabbed something walking back over to me. "I like to take some time to use the punching bag." He started taping his knuckles up. "ooh okay" He walked over and picked up a punching bag with ease putting it up on the hook. He started punching the bag and I could see the muscles in his back through the shirt perfectly, I was mesmerized. He's so gentle with me, so seeing him hit this punching bag is a whole different side of him. I can only imagine the power behind his punch. After a few minutes of him gaining up the speed and power the punching bag flew off the hook and sand flew everywhere. "I'm never gonna hear the end of this," he muttered. I jumped up, "I'll get you another one!" I went over to the other punching bags that were lined up and went to yank one up off the floor but it wouldn't move. I took hold of the string with both hands and pulled with all my strength, groaning while my shoes slid forward on the floor.