Avengers The Captain's Secret Book 2: Waiting for Thor

Part 14: Reminisce in Reverie

LESSEDI POV

I was sitting in bed, watching Steve dress for the day. We were to go hiking. When he moved I saw all these muscles coordinate in a  physical symphony I could watch forever. He was tucking in his shirt. "Outta bed, sleepy head." He smiled at me in the reflection of the mirror. I tried to put on a smile, but I was too late; he'd seen my true expression, and his turned to concern. "Sedi?"

"I don't know if I can do this."  I started scooting toward the edge of the bed. It was bigger than a California King.

"Do what?" Steve asked ,turning toward me. 

That was when I realized I'd said it out loud, so I decided to be honest. "Let you go. I mean--" I took a deep breath. "You leave tomorrow, and I--don't know if--how can we see--when--"

In that instant, he came back to me, and took me in his arms. I took a deep breath, inhaling his scent, feeling my whole body relax in his embrace, so safe. When he left, would I ever feel that again? I couldn't imagine being without it. His expression was soft, a little sad, but he managed a smile. "We have today, Sedi. Nothing more is promised to anyone, and in some cases, not even that."

"I know," I whispered, closing my eyes. "I just don't know how I can survive--"

He pulled away from me, kneeling next to me on the bed. "If there is someone I believe that can take care of herself, it's you, Sedi."

"How can you--"

"You're not easily broken," Steve shook his head, smiling. "You have survived a lot, whether you realize it or not. You have powers that you don't use for selfishness or greed, but only to survive and help others. Before I even got here, you'd managed to find allies in Jotunheim who helped us get out of there, and then you used your powers in a rough situation to help us get back." 

I laughed as he took my hand. "You make me sound like a hero."

"You are, and you don't even need the accolades, you just do what you have to do," He shrugged. "I do the same thing. I don't believe that I fell asleep for decades just to wake up, find you and lose you, I don't."

"I don't believe that either, but--"

"Till it gets better, we will find a way, we will  see each other again, we just--"

"Have to believe it," I said with him. "And until then, I'll think of you everyday, remember these days."

"I will, too, every day." He looked at me, and I could tell he was promising me that. His eyes went back to our joined hands. "You've given me more than I thought I'd ever have."

"You've given me more than I thought I'd ever have." I repeated, looking at them too.

"We're part of each other now..." He said softly, caressing my hand. His eyes rose to mine, his expression making my heart skip a beat as he leaned closer. "Speaking of creating memories..."  He began nibbling on my ear.

"Ste-eve!" I giggled, feeling ticklish  caresses on my skin but also feeling a new flock of butterflies awaken in my stomach. "I thought we were going down to breakfast."

He pulled away, looking puzzled. "This isn't breakfast?"  

I laughed as he pushed me back onto the pillows. "No, I don't think so!" But my arms had already gone around him, pulling him down, and making him laugh, too.

"Lesedi, I'm telling you this is breakfast," Steve went on nibbling my neck, and his hand landed on my thigh, slowly trailing upward.  His kisses traveled my jawline  and then to my chin. "We go downstairs for brunch...right?"

"Oh...oh...." I reveled in his closeness, barely getting words out between kisses. "Yeah--right..."

I woke up, looking around my room. It was barely dawn. I sat up, feeling that usual pang of loneliness of realizing I'd been happily remembering in a dream and that Steve was not there next to me. I tamped it down. I had so much to do today, to face. I started getting dressed, enjoying the effects of my aromatherapy bath last night, but my mind's eye was on my husband, replaying things I'd seen him do and say in tough situations. I could do this.

We're part of each other now.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Yes?"

"The others are starting downstairs, my lady," Heimdall called softly. "Are you up?"

"Yes," I said. "I'm just about ready."