Now that the war's over

[stephrogers]

Steph had taken to hanging out at Howard's workshop these days. Usually with her sketchbook or with whatever assignments her class had saddled her with that week. Really, she just liked idly sketching him in graphite, almost feeling like a schoolgirl with a crush again. But no. Howard was the brilliant mechanical engineer she knew during those days of trenches and jumping into the fray. They had spent countless nights and days huddled over this or that new invention that would keep her team safe.

But lately, she's noticed a pattern to her sketches and studies. He was looking worn. Talking of Maria or Tony, whenever she could get two words out of him, hurt him deeply. As did other things.

"There's a marathon of movies by Ginger Rogers on tonight. Wash up and we could catch Shall We Dance," she offered.

Comments

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"No, I won't," she insisted. "I'm not above carrying you over."

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Oh, that will kill the rumor you're in love with me, no doubt." He snickered, despite the seriousness of the situation, defiantly picking up a bottle of Southern Comfort and reaching for a glass. "Nobody on the internet would giggle about that one." He pours it, reaches for the apple juice and rolls his eyes, determined to at least mix something festive. It was snowing outside, after all.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

She grabbed the soco out of his hand and held it away. "In love with you?" she sputtered. Steph set the bottle far away before picking him up and hauling him on her shoulder.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Wait, are you? Because I really think the bridal position might be a little more appropriate. And, you know, less likely to pull my pants off considering these are my work sweatpants, not something with a belt," he pointed out, mind reeling.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"Why does everyone think I'm in love with them?".She set him down in the couch.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"A guy can hope."

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"And are you hoping, Howard?" she asked, teasing him. As long as she can keep him away from the liquor, then things would be all right.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Well, what's a guy supposed to think when you drop him on a couch... in a dimly lit room... while it's just us in the building..." Howard could go on, if it got a blush out of her.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"But we're friends! It's not the same!" That got her flustered and she kept her attention on him. "Now come on, Ginger Rogers waits for no one."

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Have you not seen any romance movies lately? I'm the dark and swarthy best friend you realize was there for you all along after your current boyfriend doesn't pay proper attention to you." He pauses. "And the man you've spent the most time with besides me is probably Fury, so. I guess you don't like dark chocolate?"

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"No, I'm not interested in director fury. And I've seen plenty of men at SHIELD. Like Phil," she scowled.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"You do know Phil's taken, right? Or is that your thing?"

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"No! I'm not interested in Phil!"

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"So who are you interested in?"

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

Steph decided to busy herself with the blue ray player instead. "I don't see why that's so important."

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Well, you meet nine out of ten criteria for being my live-in girlfriend, at this point. Color me curious on whether it's accidental or..."

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"There's ten whole qualities?" she asked.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"According to the Internet, yes." Because that's where he does his research on the subject.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"Does one of those qualities require being an asthmatic?" she asked.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Might help you swoon into my arms better."

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

Steph shook her head as the movie started up. "You want swooning gals, I'm sure the city's chock full of them."

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"But I don't want them," he replies quietly.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

It was strange to hear him say that. But then, it was strange to hear most things these days. "Oh yeah? What or who do you want then?"

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

He looks over at her, amazed at how oblivious she is. "Someone a little more permanent."

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

When the movie started up, she sat down beside him, giving him room as she always did and easily tucked herself on the couch, ready to spring up if he made any move toward the booze. "A little more permanent?"