Friendly Face

Chapter 8

You, the tiny shoeless doctor, sighed and sat up when the van stopped and the door slid open. It was just the shield agents telling you that you'd arrived. You huffed grumpily; you'd been comfortable and warm with your head pillowed on the soldier and now you had to give up you cuddle. And put you shoes back on. You sighed and slipped the rainboots on and climbed out of the van after Steve. You gathered your bags from the other van and started back to their rooms. "I know you mentioned that you don't want to live on shield property forever and I don't blame you. The offer stands that you can stay in my apartment, I have an extra bedroom..." You reminded Steve. You'd kept your apartment even after you'd been drafted by shield. "No pressure, though," you added quickly. You wouldn't force him to move in with you.

Steve looked down at you and saw you shift nervously as you waited for his answer."You're sure?" He asked.

You grinned in delight "Of course!" You exclaimed.

"Then if you really don't mind, I'd love too," Steve said and your grin grew larger than your face should have allowed. Steve smiled. Maybe he would get to see you smile a lot more. Maybe he could even be the reason.

You arrived at their rooms and split off into your separate rooms. You changed into soft pajama pants and a tank top, glad to be dry and unpacked from your trip. That done, you settled down on the bunk issued to you and began leafing through you book. It was one of your all-time favorites but something was off and you couldn't quite get into the story.

You finally realized why.

Steve wasn't there.

You were so used to Steve sitting next to you in the evenings, sketching or reading or just sitting while you read. The large super soldiers presence was reassuring. And now you didn't feel the comfortable weight of his arm on your knees, his warm presence at the other end of the sofa. And it was a lonely feeling

So you padded barefoot out of your room to Steve's room. You knocked quietly and waited for him to let you in. Steve came to the door with a hard expression but it melted when he saw you clutching you worn and obviously well-loved book. "Could I read in here?" You asked in a small voice.

"Of course." Steve replied warmly and stepped away from the door to let you in. You saw his automatic scanning of the hallway behind you as you slipped in, always alert of potential danger.

His room was more furnished than your was. You had neglected to move anything from your apartment into your shield room, since you weren't planning on living here forever. Steve had a bedspread other than standard regulation, a dark navy blue that fit him. A bookshelf with some books and various odds and ends, a record collection and player. He also had some draft posters hung on the walls. Mixed in with the 40's memorabilia was some modern additions. A starwars movie poster (you had watched it together and Steve had fallen in love) as well as a coffee maker and mini fridge.

Steve moved over to the record player and put on some soft jazz. You didn't know the artist as jazz wasn't something you usually listened to, but it was relaxing. You settled on the couch as usual and Steve sat at the other end by her feet. He smiled when you tucked your freezing toes under his warm leg and his arm rested across your knees. You laid her head back and began reading, content in your quiet activity with the soldier.

You read together in Steve's room for a long while. It was a nice relaxing way to end the evening, even if you didn't speak while you were both enjoying your own quiet activities. Plus your toes didn't get cold when they were under the very warm super soldier. The music from the record player was soothing. You didn't know exactly when your eyes closed so you could focus on the music. You really didn't know when you couldn't reopen them again to return to your book. It was just so safe and comfortable around the super soldier and you'd had a hard day being stressed out from the fight. You weren't used to fighting or being in that much danger and you were more worn out than you'd like to admit. As noticed by the fact that you fell asleep on Steve's couch, you book falling to her lap as you did.