The Miracle || STEVE ROGERS [3]

03; Peggy

2014 ― Washington D.C.
"He's always so dramatic."

"Are you still not talking to me?" Katherine asked her boyfriend as they were on the phone. Steve was walking through the Smithsonian Museum, while Katherine was in their shared apartment, waiting for him to come back. He hasn't said much since they got back from their mission.

"Are you still keeping things from me?" He asked, and Katherine sighed.

"Steve, we were on mission. If you didn't know why I couldn't tell you, are you even really a soldier?" She asked him, and Steve sighed, knowing she was right.

"I know, I just don't like when we're not on the same side." He said.

"Babe. . we're always on the same side. My mission didn't make me not on your side. You just didn't have all the details." Katherine said.

"And that's the problem, Katherine! If I'm supposed to be a leader, how can I do that when me and the people I'm leading have different agendas?" Steve said.

"Steve, I've been in this game a lot longer than you have. So don't take it personally when I'm not always on 'Captain America's' agenda." She said.

"What did you need to save intel for?" Steve asked.

"Do you trust me?" She asked back.

"Of course." He said.

"Then don't worry about it."

"Do you want to go see Peggy today?" He asked, changing the subject. He knew she wasn't going to tell him anything, so they may as well not fight over it. Katherine smiled. Her dementia was getting worse, but of course she still visited her friend.

"Yeah. . I'll meet you."

―

"You should be proud of yourself, Peggy." Steve said to her, sitting by her bedside, while Katherine stood behind him, resting her hands on his shoulders. It was hard for her to see the woman who was her best friend for so long losing a battle with something she couldn't control. Seeing her the age that Katherine should be, but here she is, well and alive, thanks to Howard and the infinity serum.

"Hmm. . I have lived a life. My only regret is that you didn't get to live yours, together like you should've." Peggy said to the two of them, and then she noticed the look on Steve's face. "What is it?" She asked.

"For as long as I can remember, I just wanted to do what was right. I guess I'm not quite sure what that is anymore." Steve said. Katherine was gently massaging his shoulders and she could feel how tense he was. It was just something she did as a comfort to him and to her. She always felt comfort when she was touching him, whether it was sexual or sensual touch. She just took comfort in Steve.

"Steve. . you always do what's right. You always have." Katherine whispered to him.

"I know. . but I thought I could throw myself back in and follow orders. Serve. It's just not the same." He said, which made Peggy laugh as she looked at Katherine.

"He's always so dramatic." She said, which made Katherine smile.

"I know, Peggs." She said. Peggy looked at Steve.

"Look, you saved the world. We rather. . mucked it up." Peggy said.

"You didn't. Neither of you did. Knowing that the two of you helped found S.H.I.E.L.D. is half the reason I stay." Steve said. Peggy reached out for both their hands, so Katherine came from around Steve, and went to Peggy's other side to hold her hand, while Steve held the other one.