this mess is mine and yours ▪

[relicta]

It's overwhelming and nerve-wracking to be in charge of the New Avengers, or at least be second to Steve. She and her brother were sort of like his lieutenants in this new world order. She watches the exchange with Tony and hopes they'll be okay -- she knows no matter what he's done that Stark means a lot to Steve. And if she's honest, to her as well. Not to mention her own burgeoning interest in Steve's happiness that is inexplicable as it is all-encompassing. All her efforts to take his mind off Peggy for another woman had been thwarted though, and after she'd been forced to use her own feminine wiles on one of the team, well. Maybe she can take a break from matchmaker for a little while and do as he said.

How about a friend?

Her hand brushes his arm on her way past, though she immediately regrets her little quip about them. Steve knows it's how she deals with things she's uncomfortable with. Feelings, friendship, they're all hard for her. She's never trusted anyone outside Nate and Clint, but she's starting to make a place for herself here. A real family. She would never do anything to jeopardize it, maybe especially so with him. Still, she teases him and they bicker because it's how she shows she cares.

"I'm going to make coffee. Come with me?" It isn't really a question, or even a suggestion. If he says no she'll just drag him with her to the kitchen anyway.

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[valuedstrength]

Steve in turns puts his hand on the side of her chair to brace himself as they kiss. Once her lips part, he gently pushes his tongue inside her mouth, sweeping tentatively as if unsure if that's quite right. He really doesn't know what he is doing, but he tries albeit in an amateur fashion.

Steve pulls back a moment later, still close enough for their noses to nearly touch and waits for her verdict. He honestly wouldn't be surprised if this one doesn't meet her standards either.

[relicta]

A little out-of-breath, her eyes open back up, nose bumping against his as she tries to piece together her thoughts. Oh yeah -- she's supposed to say something now. Her heart is pounding fast, eyes unerringly drawn back to his mouth. "Maybe it's easier if I just show you." Her hand trails up over his shoulder to his neck, dragging him down for a rougher version of the kiss they'd just shared. She draws his lower lip into her mouth and sucks briefly, before chasing his tongue into his mouth as she holds on tightly, fingers catching in the short hairs at the back of his neck. It's only after she pulls back again, forehead leant against his and breath coming in heaves, that she realizes she didn't kiss him to show him anything, but because she'd wanted to.

"Any questions?"