Worship Her - Steve Rogers (AU)

Chapter 13

Maggie emerged from the guest house to the usual quiet the next morning. It was another warm day but the slight breeze made it tolerable. She looked to the pool, hoping not to see Steve floating in there - thankfully he wasn't, but was most likely still asleep.

Her mind went back to their discussion last night. It had been raw. He'd been honest when it came to how he was.
He couldn't keep a promise, and so he never made any. She'd wanted to ask him why, but knew it was mostly because he usually let people down anyway.

He had written her a song...

Maggie wondered whether she'd actually get to hear the full version. That? That was better than any bouquet of flowers (or funeral wreaths).

Had he written songs for girls before her? Did he do the same thing for long standing groupies? There were so many questions.

"If you're looking for Steve, he's actually in the garage". Wanda said as she came outside to empty the ashtray beside the sun lounger.

"He's awake?" Maggie frowned

"I know right? It's a miracle - I thought it was insomnia and he'd been in there all night, but turns out he just couldn't sleep properly anyway and got up early". She said. "He's running on caffeine currently - won't be long before he'll ask for the whisky".

Maggie sighed. "Think I could go and see him?"

"Sure, go ahead, just follow the sound of the music". Wanda smirked as Maggie listened hard, hearing the slight sound coming from the garage at the front of the home.

Making her way there, it seemed as though Steve was listening to 'Money for Nothing', a song that she also liked. It made her wonder whether he was into the music he played or if he had any other favourites that would surprise her. Then again, with Steve it seemed as though everything was one big surprise.
The garage door was open and she could see Steve crouched down and changing a wheel on the motorbike he was working on.

No shirt was in sight, so instead she once again had a clear view of his tattooed torso. She'd seen more of Steve topless than she had dressed. His muscles flexed slightly as he worked away, but he soon realised he wasn't alone and looked up. "Morning Magpie..."

"I'm surprised you're up this early, and working on a bike? Can you ride it?"

He snorted. "Course I can, this here? She's my baby". Putting down the wrench he had in his hands, he wiped his oil covered hands.

"This what you do when you're not on the road or in bed with groupies?" She asked.

"People say I should go to rehab, but this? This is my therapy". He patted the bike, "You ridden one of these before".

She smirked. "Are we talking about you or the bike?"

His brow raised in amusement. "Well, well - Magpie made a joke, and we both know I'm talking about the bike, however if you're offering..."

"I've never ridden a bike". She confirmed.

"Never ridden me either, but there's a first for everything". He said, turning the music down slightly that was playing on the radio. "You're welcome to come with me to take her out for a spin tonight - mood is much better riding along the coast as the sun's going down".

Maggie nodded. "Sounds quite sentimental", and listened a little more to the song on the radio, "Can you play the riff of this one?"

Steve came out from the garage and offered her a cigarette, which she took and lit up, both of them smoking on the driveway. "Sure can. Other than you loving the best band in the world - Asgard of course - who else you into? Hydra isn't an option". He stared at her devilishly.

"They're good, I mean I'm into a lot of things, quite like new wave music. My thing is if I hear a song and like it? I like it. Doesn't matter what genre".

He nodded to himself in thought. "But Asgard is still your favourite right?" Shooting her a grin.

"Of course". She rolled her eyes and leant back against the wall of the garage. "Seems your dunkin' in the pool did you some favours. Perhaps I should do it more often to keep you sober".

"Gonna take a lot more than that". He said and took a drag. "You gotta work this evening?"

She nodded. "I'm in later than normal. Sam's hired a few more people which means less running around like a headless chicken for me".

"Yeah but you make a hot headless chicken at that". He paused for a moment. "Will you come out for a ride with me? Before work that is - I promise I'll have you back for that curfew".

Maggie thought about it, knowing that if she said no then he'd only keep on asking until she finally agreed. "Ok...guess it wouldn't hurt - but I need to be back by 7pm. Otherwise Nat's gonna kick my ass".

"If you're late then she can kick mine". He promised and stubbed out the cigarette, returning to where he had been working on the bike, humming to the radio that was now playing 'I Wanna Know What Love Is'.

"I'll leave you to it". She said, but he looked up.

"Nope, you're staying - unless you have other things to do?"

She bit her lip. "I mean, I do need to pick up some groceries".

He continued working, "Get Wanda to do it, that's what she's for".

"She's here for you - not me. And do you keep asking her to restock my fridge sometimes?"

"Not sometimes- all the time". He looked up at her. "aaaaaaand there's the Magpie look of disapproval - you trying to get me hard on purpose".

"Apparently when I'm around it's easy for you than it is with others". She mused, "And I told you I don't want charity. I can buy my own groceries".

"So can I, which is why I brought yours". He replied flippantly and then turned serious. "Maggie...can't I at least help out with that while you're here. You wanna get that place of yours so badly? You're gonna need all the money you can get. Can you at least swallow your damn pride and let me do this for you? Perhaps as a sorry for being such an asshole when we met and for all the shit I've done up to now?"

Maggie contemplated it. Once again it was a case of where he'd go on asking until she'd just let him do so - and for a quieter life she may as well just let him have his way. It didn't mean to say that he would have her. "Alright..." she finally told him. "Ill give the list to Wanda..."

"Good girl". He said smoothly, the satisfaction oozing with every word. She bit her lip and then went to leave, Steve only calling her back. "Maggie..."

She turned. "Yeah?"

"This isn't some sentimental bull crap I'm about to spew, but I'm gonna be honest with you. I think that having you here could be good for me. A different kind of therapy than the bike or even rehab could give".

There was a pause before she replied with a knowing smile and walked away. "And here was me thinking that I was your new addiction?"