Once A Warrior Princess

Chapter 21~ Life Choices

Steve's POV

It had been months since Thanos had tried to murder half the universe. Months since Melody had managed to rip the gauntlet off at the expense of her hands. As soon as she touched the gold her hands began to sizzle and burn but she didn't let up. She began melting the metal glove as it burned. By the time the gauntlet was nothing but a puddle at her feet, her hands looked like they'd fall apart at any minute. They were chared, but they now had orange lines that looked like lava rivers. But she didn't seem to be in any pain. She just threw five of the Stones into holes that had appeared out of nowhere and then she took off Thanos' head with practiced ease. After we got her home, we found Tony and Peter already there. Peter panicked when he saw the state of Melody's hands but she waved him off.

"It's hurt worse than this, Pete," She smiled.

"How do we fix this?" Tony asked.

"Got any pure silver?" She asked. She managed to heal her hands with the help of the grey metal and then she started acting like nothing had ever happened. And then she had been taken and beaten. Her back was red and raw and still, she didn't seem to mind. It broke my heart. She was enduring so much pain for the sake of Human existence when she should feel far superior. And yet, she allowed herself to be the scapegoat. I couldn't imagine what she was going through.

But that was months ago and it was again February 13th. Melody was 18 today. And as selfish as it was, I was going to lay my claim on her. If she'd have me, of course. I found her in her bed, curled up in the blankets. I smiled to myself and crawled in bed with her. She latched onto me and smiled.

"Are you waking up today?" I asked, my voice soft and I ran my fingers through her hair.

"Not right now," She answered, her eyes still closed.

"As long as you wake up at some point. I wanna take you out today."

"Oooh, where are you taking me?" She asked, opening her gorgeous eyes. It felt like I was drowning in her eyes every time she looked at me. And now, when she looked at me with such adoration and love, I didn't think I'd ever be able to stop drowning in them.

"You will just have to wait and see," I smiled, kissing her forehead.

"I hope you know that you can actually kiss me," Melody smirked.

"I can, can't I? You are an adult on this planet now," I said, rolling on top of her.

"Uhuh, I am. What are you going to do?" She asked. I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her with pent up passion and she returned the kiss with fervor. We kept going until I had to pull back to breathe. Even with super-soldier lungs, Melody still managed to out kiss me.

"That was quite the kiss, Captain."

"Anything for a princess," I replied, capturing her lips again. We kept going like this for a while until Melody kicked me out, claiming that I was a distraction. A little while later, she found me and off we went. We walked around New York, talking and laughing. But the whole time I was so nervous that she'd say no. Would she reject me? No, she was always looking for an excuse to be near me, to touch me even if it was only platonic touches. And she loved it when I threw caution to the wind and kissed those perfect lips of hers.

I don't think she noticed my shift in behavior. Or, if she did, she was ignoring it. Or maybe she thought it was because of everything that had happened a few months ago. She knew that it was a lot to process, and I knew that she still had nightmares about not killing Thanos in time. But, she also had nightmares about killing Thanos. She was really in a lose-lose situation. That's why, most mornings, I'd find her in my bed, clutching me. She said I was the only thing that made the nightmares go away. With all of that, why would she say no?

Suddenly, I stopped walking. This was it. The perfect moment I had been looking for. I couldn't keep worrying, I just had to do it.

"Steve, what are you doing?" Melody asked, noticing I wasn't by her side anymore.

"Melody, ever since I met you, I have been head over heels in love with you. And after everything we've been through, I realize that the future is uncertain. But I don't ever want to lose you," I told her, getting down on one knee. "The past two years have been the best of my very long life and that was because you were with me. Through thick and thin. What I'm trying to say, well ask, is Melody Luna Lupine, will you marry me?" I held my breath as I presented the ring. Shock was etched onto her face. Oh no. Is she going to say no?

"Of course I'll marry you," She laughed, breaking the facade, a huge grin overtaking her gorgeous face.

"You scared the crap out of me," I sighed as she hugged me.

"I know. You should know by now that I like to play mind games," She answered.

"You're right. I should know that," I agreed, slipping the diamond ring on her finger. It looked like it belonged there. I couldn't believe she said yes.

"Happy birthday, Melody," I said and she laughed.

"Of course it's a happy birthday. You're my present," She answered and I grinned.

"Forever," I said, taking her hand.

"Get off the ground, Steve. You're getting your knees dirty," She playful chastised me, helping me get up. Not that I needed the help, Melody just wanted an excuse to touch me. She was right, I did know her well. That's why I knew she was it for me. Even if she had only been 18 for less than 24 hours.