unspoken thing |STEVE ROGERS 2|

6

When I woke up, Steve was sitting next to a bed I was laying in. He wore a worried expression as I fluttered my eyes open. I just smiled softly as he reached out to touch my hand.

"Hey, sleepy head." He said, a lopsided grin on his face. "You ready to get up?"

"How long was I out for?" I groaned, sitting up with Steve's help. He slid into bed next to me, leaning against the headboard. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and I out my head on his chest.

"Seventeen hours." He replied, stroking my hair and leaning his cheek on the top of my head. "How are you feeling?"

"I'll survive." I replied, looking up at him. "I hope I didn't miss Stark's party."

He just chuckled. "Oh no, you certainly didn't miss that. You still have another twenty four hours." Steve looked down at me, fingers running through my short locks. "Did I tell you I really like the haircut?"

I arched an eyebrow. "You do?" He nodded while smiling fondly, twirling it between his fingers. I just hummed and sat up, stretching out my back. "Thanks for looking out for me, Rogers. You're probably the best ex I could ask for."

He just laughed as I slid out the bed, but I could see a twinge of pain in his features. I was dressed in Steve's shirt still and what I assumed was her sweats as I followed the scent of food  through the tower till it lead me to the Avengers sitting around a table, passing out around.

"She lives!" Clint announced and all eyes turned to me. There was applause and hoots as I walked into the dining room. I took a seat next to Natasha and she slung an arm around my neck.

"Hey, hot stuff, how are you feeling?" Tony asked while passing me a plate.

"I feel ravenous." I replied making the group laugh. Thor, who was on my right, dished me up and placed my plate in front of me. "Thank you, dear." I patted his cheek absentmindedly and there was wolf whistles.

I looked up, confused, but then I realized they were all looking at Thor and I.

"Alright, everyone settle down," I rolled my eyes and dug in. "What happened while I was out?" I asked, my mouth full. My eyes met Steve's and he had his chin in his hand, looking at me fondly. I felt my cheeks warm and I looked away.

"Nothing much, Banner and I looked over Loki's scepter seeing what it was used for by our friends in Sokovia, Natasha sparred, checked up on you, Thor checked up on you, I checked up on you, Banner checked up on you." Tony said, listing people on his fingers. "Hell, kid, Jarvis checked up on you."

"Looks like maybe you are part of the Brady Bunch." Bruce said, taking a sip from his glass.

"Capsicle here just camped out by you and watched you sleep like a creep." Tony nodded towards Steve, whose ears were now pink. Dinner after that went on without a hitch, Thor and I doing light flirting, making Steve tense slightly. I could see the effect it had on him, but I didn't know what to make of it.

Banner and Tony retreated back to the lab while Natasha said goodnight, retiring for the night and Clint and Thor crept off to god knows where. It was just Steve and I sitting at the table. I stood up and put my hands on my hips.

"You wanna play cards?" I asked and he chuckled, standing up as well.

"As long as you're ready to get crushed," He laughed at the sight of my jaw dropping. "Face it, sweetheart, I've got a lot of years on you when it comes to playing cards."

"You were asleep for seventy years, how much better could you be?"

✪ ✪ ✪

Much better, apparently.

Steve and I were sat on his bed, cards and various other board games around us. I hadn't laughed and smiled so much in years, and Steve felt the same way. I love him, and I was just falling for him all over again.

What the was point of trying to stop myself when I already fell in love with him again when I was saw him at the lake? Or when he swept me off my feet while riding a motorcycle? Or when he climbed into the medical bed with me?

"It's late." Steve said and I looked at the clock. It read 2:52 am and we both giggled like teenagers. We quietly put everything away, chests aching with contained laughter as we tiptoed our way around the common space of the Avenger's tower.

We ran back to Steve's room, and ever so softly closed the door. Then collapsed into a for of giggles on his bed, laying down facing each other. The laughter died down, and we were just staring at each other.

"Stay with me?" I asked and he nodded, his eyes trailing down to my mouth. I quickly shut that down and slipped under the covers, turning my back to him. My heart was racing and I felt my cheeks turn red.

My chest started to twist with longing and I realized just how much I missed him.

"Goodnight, Maeve." He said softly. There was a moment of silence before he reached over me and shut off the bedside lamp. He didn't move for a moment, and hesitantly put his arm over me. It was lightly, as if he was asking permission without words. 

 I reached up and pulled his arm down on top of me and he curled his body around mine. His face nuzzled into my shoulder and rested there, a sigh of contentment escaping his lips. I've haven't fallen asleep so quickly in years.

✪ ✪ ✪

When I woke up the next morning, I was in Steve's arms, who was still asleep. I turned around slowly and just studied his features. Why was he acting this way? He must still love me, but what if it wasn't the way I loved him? Maybe he loved me like a best friend.

"What's got you looking so worked up first thing in the morning?" I was so lost in thought that I didn't even realize he was up.

"I was just thinking about Tony's party." I lied, slowly retracting my body from his. "What am I going to wear, if my body will be recovered by then, how I'll mingle and introduce myself." Steve propped his head up on his hand so he could look down at me.

"Everything is going to be fine, Mae." He said gently and tucked my hair behind my ear with his free hand. "You're an amazing people person, you'll take little nap before the party so your body will recover in time."

"As for my outfit?"

He just grinned down at me. "You can just leave that to me."