Combustion ✦ STEVE ROGERS² [✓]

15 | THE MORNING AFTER

STEVE'S EYES FLUTTERED OPEN THE MOMENT HE FELT WARM SUNLIGHT ON HIS FACE.

He blinked a few times, looking around as he tried to recall where he was. Then, it hit him: the date. The kiss. Him staying the night. It all came flooding back to him, and a smile worked its way onto his face before he looked down. And what he saw was Kato, her eyes closed as her sides steadily rose and fell. She was fast asleep.

Steve watched her as she slept for several minutes, just listening to the sound of her breathing. He'd watched her sleep before a few times - usually just for a few moments, when she would take naps at the tower. And before, her sleeping was strange - she was tense and stiff, almost as if she was only half asleep, ready to jump into battle at a moment's notice. But her breathing was calm and peaceful, as if her mind was at ease despite the constant turmoil Steve knew often broiled there. It was a strange juxtaposition of emotions, but he also couldn't help but admire it. He couldn't even imagine what was going on in her head - especially while she slept.

But now, as Steve watched her sleep, he noticed something different. She seemed completely relaxed and calm, as if there was no turmoil at all. To Steve, it seemed as if she was simply... at peace. And it made him wonder why. Was it the fact that VICE was gone? Was it that she had kissed him and admitted her feelings for him? Was it a combination of both? He didn't know what it was for certain, but it was still heartwarming to witness the woman he'd fallen in love with finally sleep peacefully.

Steve reached out, brushing Kato's hair away from her face. He really was in love with her. He'd never really let himself admit it before, but he was in love with her. Steve thought he had found a partner in Peggy, but this... This was different. Kato was different. She was so much more than what he had thought, what anyone had thought. And there were so many things about her that he was just drawn to. She was strong enough to kill yet had the restraint to keep herself from doing so, she was kind yet ferocious, and she was absolutely unbreakable. Over the years that Steve had known her, he'd learned a lot about her past and all the things she'd been through, and all of that would break lot of people. But not Kato. It only made her stronger. And that was something he had a deep respect and admiration for.

She was beautiful not just on the outside, but on the inside, too. And Steve loved and respected her for it.

That was when Kato's eyes opened, and she blinked a few times before smiling. "Hi," she said softly.

Steve smiled back. "Hi." He cocked his head. "So how'd you sleep?"

The smile never left Kato's face. "Good. Still a little tired though." She yawned, then shifted under the blankets before raising an eyebrow. "You?"

Steve's grin widened. "Great." He then reached out again before brushing his thumb over her cheek and saying softly, "Everything is great."

He saw her cheeks tinge slightly pink as she shivered at his touch. Then, she cocked her head, giving him a slight frown. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I dunno." Steve shrugged. "I guess I'm just amazed."

Kato's frown deepened. "Amazed by what?"

Steve grinned again. "You."

Kato rolled her eyes, though there was a playful glint in them. "Oh, stop that. Don't get all mushy on me now."

Steve smirked. "Why not? You were practically a puddle last night."

Kato's eyes went wide before she slapped his shoulder. "Steve!" she cried, her cheeks flushing as Steve laughed. "Why the hell would you say that?!"

Steve shook his head, toning down his laughter. "I know, I know, I'm sorry."