Combustion ✦ STEVE ROGERS² [✓]

03 | PARTY TIME

"COME ON, KATO, IT'LL LOOK GREAT ON YOU!"

"No."

"What about this one?"

"Hell no."

"Okay, well, what about this one?"

"Ha, you're funny. You know I don't wear anything low cut."

"True. So what about this?"

"Hill, you can see practically everything in that!"

"I know, that's kind of the point!"

It was later the next day, and Kato and Hill were at the mall, looking for outfits for Kato to wear to Tony's party. However, Kato was being difficult about the dress. Tony had insisted that Hill go with her to help pick out something to wear (despite Kato's protests), but Hill's taste in clothing was much different than hers.

Hill huffed. "Dear God, Kato, you gotta work with me here. I'm just trying to help."

"Which I appreciate, but can we at least get something longer?" Kato asked.

Hill shook her head. "Don't whine, you're a grown woman. And no, we're not getting anything longer. It's a cocktail party, not a royal ball." Kato snorted, and Hill went on, "Listen, Kato, you need something that pops. You are a gorgeous woman and we need something that shows that off. You need something that catches people's attention - specifically that one super soldier who seems especially interested in you." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Kato rolled her eyes, shaking her head as her forehead planted into her palm. God, not this again. "What the hell are you talking about, Hill?"

"We all see it, Kato," Hill said. "I don't know how you don't."

Kato sighed, shaking her head as she thought back on all her interactions with Steve. True, he was a good friend and Kato appreciated his support, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized that what they had was turning into more than friendship. The way they looked at each other, the trust they had... Not to mention Cherry seemed to like him, and to Kato, someone getting her finicky cat's approval spoke volumes. But were they grounds for love? Kato doubted it. Besides, who knew if Steve even felt the same way? For all Kato knew, Hill could've been blowing smoke up her ass.

"Well, we have a good friendship going right now," Kato told Hill. "If I were to ruin it, things would never be the same between us."

"And you're not willing to take that risk?" Hill asked.

Kato shook her head. "I can't take that risk. I really don't want to destroy our relationship."

Hill shook her head as well. "Love is all about taking risks. You have to take a leap of faith and see what'll happen." When Kato looked away and sighed, she went on, "You know, you miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take."

Kato sighed again before waving her hand dismissively. "Let's just get this dress thing overwith."

Hill frowned at her, but thankfully she chose not to continue on with the conversation about Kato's relationship with Steve. Instead, she turned and lifted one particular outfit off the rack before holding it up. "What about this one?"

A smile broke out on Kato's face. "That, my friend, is perfect."