I Guess We're Cool. [Captain America]

Chapter Twenty-One ♡

I came home from picking up some groceries and started putting it all away. Steve walked in and kissed my cheek. I put my hair in a bun then Steve started helping get the ingredients to make homemade cookies. I started to make them on the island. Steve put the cookies in the oven and we started to clean up. Steve grabbed the flour and smiled evilly at me.

"What are you doing?" I asked, suspiciously.

He raised his arm up and I ran around the island, laughing. He chased me and eventually got the flour in my hair and down my front side. I laughed and wiped some leftover flour on him. He laughed and wiped something else on my cheeks horizontally. I pouted my lips out and Steve leaned into them with his.

"I'm going to go take a shower," I said.

"I'll finish baking the cookies then put them in the car," Steve replied.

In the shower, I cleaned the ingredients off myself and sang softly to myself. I got out and wrapped myself in the robe as I searched for an acceptable dress. I sighed and grabbed a random dress then threw it on the bed while I looked for heels. I grabbed my gold heels and set them in front of my bed.

I moved on to my makeup while my hair air dried. Steve walked in and changed into a suit. After my makeup, I blow dried my hair and curled it. I put on my gold dress that looked like shattered glass then my heels and grabbed the bag I was taking to the hotel.

I met Steve in the living room and smiled at him. He noticed me and dropped his duffle bag. He mouthed a 'wow' and bit his bottom lip. I laughed at him and moved my hair out of my way. He made his way towards me and placed his hands on my hips. I smiled uncontrollably and cupped his face.

"You look wonderful," he whispered.

"Decent enough to go to this event with you," I whispered. He laughed and nodded.

"Beyond decent," he said. I smiled. "Tonight will be amazing."

"A night in a hotel over looking the city? Perfect," I said.

I pulled away and checked myself in the mirror. Steve came up behind me and kissed my neck lightly. I giggled then led Steve to the car that Tony sent us to take to the hotel.

At the hotel, we checked into our room and put our things away. I doubled checked my makeup and dress then fixed everything. Steve and I then headed to the ballroom. We signed in and reporters took our pictures. We approached a table with Nycole, Bruce, Bucky, and Michelle. Tony and Pepper approached us and Steve and I smiled at them.

"I love your dress, Pepper," I said.

"Thank you. Yours is amazing, too," she replied. I nodded.

"You two should go with us to Paris," Tony announced. I looked at him, confused, then looked at Steve. "It'd be fun. You know, a little drinking, a little party. It'd be great."

"I don't think Steve and I have the time," I said. I really didn't know if he wanted to go.

"That's too bad," Tony said.

"We'll go," Steve said, looking at me. "If you want." I smiled and nodded.

"Of course," I laughed.

"I'll tell you more details tomorrow," Pepper said with a smile. They left and Steve place his hand on my leg.

"Do you really want to go?" I asked. He nodded. I placed my hand on top of his and kissed him softly.

"Would you like to dance?" Steve asked.

I took his hand and followed him to the dance floor. Steve held me and swayed back and forth to the music. He spun me around then dipped me down. I laughed and held onto him, tightly. He picked me back up and kissed my forehead.

The song we dance to came to an end and someone walked on the small stage. Steve led me back to our table and squeezed my hand. I kissed his cheek, softly, and turned my attention to the speaker who was testing the microphone.

"If only he knew how to speak correctly," Nycole joked quietly. I hit her leg slightly and we giggled at her remark.

The man spoke about the Avengers' and their outstanding work on protecting everyone. He went on and on about each individual then asked them all to stand for their recognition. Steve smiled and waved at everyone. Everyone clapped and stared at the six with amazement.

Steve encouraged Bucky to stand, but Bucky didn't. He didn't think it was his place to stand with all of them. He thought he wasn't part of the team. Michelle and I told him to stand and finally, he did. Steve placed his hand on Bucky's shoulder and smiled at him.

They sat down and the man raised his glass to prepare a toast. Everyone raised their glasses, too, and listened attentively to the toast. Steve took my free hand in his and stared into my eyes.

"Here's to the Avengers!" The man said loudly into the mic.

I tapped my glass against Steve's, lightly, then took a sip. Steve did the same. I took Steve's glass and sipped his champagne. He took the glass and leaned close to my ear.

"Don't drink too much," he said. "Remember last time." I giggled and nodded.

I excused myself and left to the restrooms. I checked my makeup then washed my hands. The door to the bathroom slammed shut behind me. I jumped from my spot and placed my hand on my chest. I laughed at myself and turned to the person, looking down at my feet.

"I'm so sorry," I laughed, finally looking up. My tone changed when I noticed a man. I stepped backwards and started to think of a plan to escape.

"You don't have to speak," he said, his voice deeper than his appearance made him seem. He took a step closer and smiled at me. "I can hear you. I can't feel all the things you've ever felt before." I decided to play along with his game.

"It's been a long time since someone looked at me that way," I whispered. I smoothed my hands down my dress to check if my knife was still against my thigh. "It's like you knew me and all the things I couldn't say."

He placed his hands on my waist. I ran my hand up my leg and quickly grabbed my knife. I cut his cheek and arm and ran out of the bathroom. I ran into Tony on my way out and I almost fell, but he caught me. He noticed the knife that had fallen on the floor and quickly picked it up.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Some guy came into the bathroom and I sliced his arm and cheek," I replied. "I'm not getting raped or attacked. Ever."

Tony took me towards the water fountain and cleaned my hands. Happy approached him and Tony told him to find a man with a cut cheek and arm and bring him to Tony. Happy walked away and Tony cleaned my knife.

"Since when did you start caring?" I asked Tony.

Tony ignored me and handed me my knife. I placed my knife back where it was before and Tony helped me back to my seat by Steve. Tony took Steve aside and whispered something. I sighed and stole a piece of food from Bucky's plate. He smiled and offered me some, but I shook my head.

Steve pulled me out of my seat and back onto the dance floor. I stayed silent as we swayed back and forth. Steve sighed and nuzzled into my neck. I smiled and closed my eyes.

"I promise I'll always be here to protect you," he whispered. "All of us will."

"Is that the honest truth?" I asked. He nodded and I giggled.

"I love you," he whispered. He pulled away and smiled, staring into my eyes. "I love you, I love you, I love you." I laughed and he dipped me down.

"Pick me back up," I laughed. He shook his head and I slapped his arm. "Please!"

"Not until you say it back," he replied.

"Fine!" I laughed. "I love you, Steven Rogers." He smiled and pulled me back up.

"That's what I wanted to hear."