S.H.I.E.L.D ACADEMY

14. Washing Machine

It has been days, if not a weeks since your last conversation with the Steve. His words had burnt into you. Not cause you agreed about his advice to keep distance to other men around you, cause that you truly believed was bullshit. What you had taken to heart however was the fact that you now were aware that people talked about you, you were on people's lips. They had opinions about you, and not always good ones. It made you focused, it made you work even harder. Instead of looking at Ward like a hinder, you worked together with him. You asked to shadow him, the same you did with Stark. If people thought you got good grades because you slept with the teachers, then that's on them. You made connections with great people and learned from them, the academy gave you the tools, you're only using them – like they asked you too.

But tonight, tonight you were only going to relax. Recharge. Clean the dorm, wash your clothes and eat some delicious food. The perfect way to reset your life. The only step left on that list was to wash your clothes, but your stupid washing machine was broken. You partly blamed your roommate for that one, she had left some stones in her digits in her pockets, which of course got stuck in the machine and broke it. Luckily for you, James was just down the hallway and had welcomed you to borrow it. You had your casket full as you walked out the door, with your phone on your shoulder as you were chatting to James.

"Hey," You suddenly hear the familiar voice say as they appear closer and closer.

You turn around, already well aware who it is.

"What are you doing here at these hours?" You asked as you put your phone down in your casket and look up at the Captain.

"I'm actually on my way to fire a recruit," he answered.

Sucks for them.

"Could never be me," you laughed off.

"Could never be you," Steve repeated as he gave you a slight smile.

He had given you space. He didn't like how micromanaging he had become. He went too far the last time. Lying was a line, he didn't like to cross, and he did that with you. Lied in hope that you would stay away from other men, it wasn't fair. People didn't talk about you sleeping to get good grades, if anything they only talked warmly about you – as they should. Steve struggled with his own moral compass around you, and he needed time to adjust back to normal. You should be treated with the highest standard, that's what you deserve.

"Well good luck, Captain," You said with a smile.

You had seen Steve around, after all he was your mentor, but finally you were back to a more normal relationship with him. One where you didn't need to feel like you were doing something wrong constantly. This way was healthier. Still, you had to admit you had kind of missed... his attention. You liked being seen by him, acknowledged. He had a special way of treating you, and though you enjoyed being around Ward, it was nothing compared to the way that Steve made you feel. You gave him a nod, alluding that you were on your way off.

"Better question is what your doing alone at night in the hallways?" Steve didn't want you to go yet, he wanted you to stay... talk.

"Our laundry machine is broke, but James is letting me borrow his down the hallway," you replied back, straighten yourself.

"If you want, your welcome to use my machine, then I can come by tomorrow and fix yours," Steve offered.

You looked up at Steve surprised. He was being very kind. This was a very new side of him that you hadn't really seen before. You liked it. His eyes had never been bluer than in this moment, and his smile was warm, comforting. You wanted to say yes and just go with it, but also James lived under 1 minute away, and Steve lived far away. This was irrational and not practical at all.

"You live like 20 minutes across the city," you pointed out.