Lavender Haze (Actor!Steve Rogers AU)

15

Steve had only had a couple of hours sleep when he woke to find Arizona's side of the bed empty. He couldn't hear any movement from the en-suite so she wasn't likely to be there.

4am. Seriously? Did this girl not sleep?

Pulling his underwear on, he made his way downstairs where he could hear something, following the occasional piano sounds to where he saw her at the piano in room adjacent from the living room. She was humming to herself as well as quietly singing a couple of lines, and then grabbing her phone, typing everything on there.

This was her.

Stripped down (not physically for once).

Raw.

The real Arizona Allen behind closed doors.

She was at ease with herself and it was probably the most relaxed he'd seen from her uptight ass since they'd first met.

"You always do this at 4am?" He asked tiredly, leaning against the archway and seeing her now turn. She had no witty comeback but instead shrugged.

"Sorry...couldn't sleep".

To him, she sounded more low in spirit than tired, and now he walked further into the room. "You alright?"

She nodded silently. "Sometimes I can't sleep much, so I come down here and try to write, tie up loose ends of songs until I finally feel drained enough to go back to bed".

"Not exactly the writing process I expected..." He said, looking at what she'd put down. "Who's this one about?" Wondering who was her victim of choice - hopefully not him.

Arizona glared at the piano keys. "Quentin". She muttered.

Steve frowned. "Still holding a grudge eh?"

The keys stopped abruptly. "It's not that". She said, now turning to him. "With the amount of shit he put me through? Long story short he broke my trust in guys ok?"

Now he took a seat next to her, a bit more intrigued to find out a little more about Quentin, and while they were at it? Probably Brock. "What actually happened?, C'mon, it's clear you don't have many people to talk to about this other than your mom, Phil and Wanda".

"Eros knows, but that's about the only person who does". She sighed and paused from her playing for a moment. "You know how I was 19 and Quentin was a hell of a lot older when we got together? Well, I was naive - I felt pretty honoured to have him actually turn his attention to me, I liked his songs, his films he'd done. But he took advantage of it, and as a result he ended up paying me. He was controlling, narcissistic and in the end it took Phil and a few others to make me realise that this wasn't healthy. Since then I haven't been able to keep a guy because I can't trust them, I'm scared that they'll just take advantage again...it sucks to say the least. The problem is me, even I know that, but to have someone understand? It would be great for once."

Steve listened and nodded, "He certainly gives off the player vibe, and as for narcissism? I see that too. I'm sorry that he's made you feel the way you do".

"And Brock? Well it was him who dumped me, not the other way around if that's what he's been saying". She said, "Found a better model - and I think she actually is a model if I remember".

"If it's any consolation, he's never said anything about it to anyone on set". Steve told her, and that was the truth. Never once had he heard Brock speak about Arizona, probably wanting to be rid of all aspects of her.

She nodded. "Well, now you know".

He watched as she studied the lyrics she'd written on her phone. "You want me to get you a drink or anything?"  Now offering as well as seeing one line that hit hard.

Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first.

She shook her head. "I'm fine, you go and get some more sleep. I'm not expecting anyone today so you're cool to stay how long you want".

Steve closed the lid of the piano down on the keys and looked at her. "You look like shit, and to be honest I don't wanna be dealing with your cranky ass later on". Then sighing. "If it helps? I'll chow down on you as a last resort".

Arizona eyed him. "You're fine Rogers, but I know you're not gonna shut up until I come back to bed, so I suppose I should".

"Everybody wins".

"Do they?" She questioned, making her way with him back upstairs.

Steve shrugged. "They do if we both wake up refreshed".

"I've never seen you look like that". She jested as he now looked at her with no amusement to his expression whatsoever.

"Thanks". Narrowing his eyes at her. "If you don't go to sleep then I'll sweet talk you again".

"Ok, ok, I'm closing my eyes!" She complained, lying back and shutting her eyes. The bed dipped as she felt Steve get in next to her. "Just don't snore".

His tired reply sounded through the darkness of the room. "I don't snore".

"You do, I'm gonna record it the next time I hear it".

"Would probably make for a better song than what you've been putting out".

She chuckled. "Might sample it in an upcoming one."

"How much of a cut am I getting? Copyright-wise?"

"Depends on how much of an asshole you are". Arizona retorted. "Anyway I thought we were going to sleep?"

Steve glanced across at her. "You finished yapping?"

He was met with her turning away from him. "Fine. Night".

Shaking his head, he settled down to try and get a few more hours sleep, needing to get home by at least lunchtime so he could prepare for a meeting about his new project he'd be starting once he'd finally closed the book on Cap.

And scarily enough? Sleep came easier than than it had done for the last few weeks.