Huntress (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

8

Being a personal guard means that I have to be present at every meal time. Whether Steve takes it in his room or dines with his parents.

Tonight it's the latter, and currently I am stood next to one of the stone pillars that help to keep the construction of the dining hall in tact. Sarah's lady's maid and the Joseph's valet are currently tending to their master and mistress as well as other servants scuttling around, serving the food.

The table is laden with different meats and foods. Venison, grilled chicken, leeks, potatoes, and fruits are only a few of what their is to offer - along with sweet treats like tarts and glazed honey bread. The last is my favourite, although it was something mother and I couldn't really afford, even if we were tempted to use our powers on the merchants so as they could give them to us for a low price, or even for free.

Nothing is ever free in this world though. Not even death itself.

"Have you eaten Hale?" Steve now asks, looking up at me from over the rim of his cup.

"I'll eat once I'm off duty, my lord". I reply as courteously as I can. Not that I have ever been that. We had no time for pleasantries when it came to luring in men. A simple call to them and minutes later they would be ensnared and drowning - souls to feed the water and keep her at bay.

She is never calm these days. Not when most of us now have to live on the land She must have the odd offering though, because otherwise there would be a lot of places underwater by now. Then again even I would take the risk for the water like others seem to be doing.

"Come, sit with us and have a cup of wine - I've run you ragged today". He gestures to the chair across the table from him and I shake my head to decline the kind invitation.

"It would not be proper..."

Steve looks at me sincerely. "I'm not proper - sit."

I purse my lips and cautiously sit down, feeling Sarah's eyes on me as I do. However I do not look at her. Joseph doesn't seem to care about his sons actions and happily welcomes another full cup from the servant. I'm taken by surprise when Steve now reaches over with the bottle and fills the cup in front of me.

"What?" He frowns. "Is it a crime for a lord to pour wine by his own hand?"

"It is when that person is beneath him". I reply.

A small smile tugs the corner of his lips as he passes me the cup. "Well...that's an image that I'm not not going to get out of my head". He says only within earshot of me.

I could die if Sarah or Joseph had heard him and now conceal my own smile (and flushed cheeks) behind my cup as I take a sip. It's sweet, and probably the nicest of wine that has ever had the chance to pass through my lips. "You parents are right there". I mutter.

"I know, it's never stopped me before". He says with a mischievous glint in his eyes. I
finish my wine and go to get up, but he stops me. "You'll need to soak up the wine with some food. Help yourself, there's more than enough - isn't that right?" He looks to his parents who also agree.

I decline this flat out and get to my feet. "A kind offer, but I'll eat once I am off duty".

Steve looks to me. "And what if I tell you that you need to be on duty all night?"

"Then I'll simply eat in the morning". I smirk, knowing that I will not be letting him win this battle.

We simply stare at one another for a moment or two, his blue eyes piercing into my violet ones, but not with intimidation. More so with intrigue. I know I am a mystery to him, I can feel it in his gaze as it lingers over me just a little longer than it should. Only then does he chuckle to himself. "I think you're just as stubborn as I am".

I smile triumphantly. "Would that be such a bad thing?"

"That would depend on the situation". He now dabs his mouth with a napkin and gets up. "Well then, I think I'll head to bed so as Hale can finally have her supper..."

He did not just say that in front of his parents. Not just his parents, but the High Lord and Lady.

Sarah appears to ignore this just as much as Joseph does, and now gets up, kissing her son goodnight on the cheek. "Will you be down for breakfast tomorrow?"

"No, have some papers to look over, so I'll take it in my room". He tells her, now cocking his head for me to follow him out.

I bow my head to Sarah and Joseph before making my way out after Steve, his strides ahead much more wider than my own feet can keep up with.

"You enjoyed every second of that" I note as I now walk by his side, climbing the staircase to the family wing. "You shouldn't talk that way in front of your mother especially..."

He snorts at this. "She's heard worse, even more so when Bucky joins us".

I swear he's walking quicker just to piss me off.

"But don't tell me that you didn't enjoy it". Now stopping and looking straight at me once more. "I could see in your eyes that the same thought also passed through your mind..."

Well this escalated quickly.

"I should be getting back to my room". I now change the subject.

"Your room adjourns mine. We're walking the same way regardless". He now points out to me and then starts up walking again.

Shit. I forgot about that.

I follow coming to my door that is next to his own. Inside my room, another door connects with his - just in case anything happens. But either way I'll mainly be using this one. "Sleep well, my lord". I quickly bow my head and open my door.

As I turn back to close it, I find he's now staring once more at me. But there's a hunger there. The same hungered look that he gave me when we met in the forest.

"How can I when I can't even get those damn eyes out of my mind..."

"Y-you switch your mind off". I stumble over words, still trying to remain formal. "Goodnight my lord".

"Steve", he corrects me. "It's Steve to you".

I nod. "In private maybe, but in public? That would not be so wise".

That would be suicide. This conversation alone shouldn't really be happening. It's dangerous for us both in so many ways, but for me more so.

He contemplates this but accepts it anyway, the sincerity now back in his eyes.

"I'll take what I can, but I'm not sure that it will ever be enough".

I swallow, mouth feeling a little dry. There's something there - even I can feel it a little, but it can never happen. My next words are gentle, but possess the sorrow of cutting the invisible string that is seemingly trying to tie us together.

"It will have to be".