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

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"You've always been a truly good person. I don't believe in much of anything anymore, but I know I can believe in you," he explains softly, voice a quiet murmur. He can't stop looking at her even though he knows he should shut up before he creeps her out. Or is this creepy? Howard has been off the dating market for so long he can't remember. Everything about this moment seems surreal, like it came from someone else's life. "And even though I know you don't need it, when we're on missions together now I'll always protect you. Not because you're a dame, but because I know you'll do the same for me."

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

If it was creepy, she wasn't showing any acknowledgement of it. "Of course I will, Howard. We've had too much together. We've got...oh shut up and kiss me," she blushed.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

He needs no further prompting to close the tiny gap between them. He's read the romance cliche about energy and jolts, but kissing Stephanie is the opposite, calming. Inherently right. It feels like some great weight has been lifted off his shoulders. They're together, and there's something amazing about that he can't explain.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

She kissed him back and felt a rush go through her. No, not lightning or anything like that. But like being caught in the whirlwind that Howard could be and she held on to not be blown away.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

He shut his eyes, feeling the tension leaving his body. Stephanie is strong, he can feel it in her grip, and it's just so good to truly connect with another human being he doesn't care how sappy he must have sounded earlier. It doesn't matter. All that matters is the present.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

She shut her eyes and continued the kiss, knowing she wouldn't be torn away. He wouldn't be torn away. They had all the time in the world, really. Steph gave more of herself into the kiss and brought him closer. This was Howard. Her Howard. Her Howard with his crazy machines and wacky ideas, who constantly smelled of engine grease and this side of singed.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

They could probably outlive all their friends. That used to be a terrifying idea to him. It had hurt to know he was going to be the last one standing. But now that he knew he wouldn't be standing alone in the end, he knew things would be okay. Stephanie made things okay. Even though she still had a lot to catch up on, he'd be there with her every step of the way. And she would be there to remind him of his own humanity.

He smiled against her, contentment welling up. For the first time in a long time, everything felt alright.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

She smiled back and continued to kiss him. The future was terrifying at first. Everything was new, loud, bright. When she broke out of SHIELD the first time upon waking up, she ran. She broke through walls, doors, ran until she was standing in what everyone was saying was Times Square.

It wasn't in the records anywhere, out of respect, she suspected, that she holed up in her new apartment, laid down on the floor and cried, desperately wishing she could click her heels together and just go home.

Then Howard happened in her life again. Howard who was a breath of fresh air, who was familiar, who helped her navigate this world.

She smiled back and kissed him more, moving closer to him.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

This makes me want to play their hypothetical kid. You converted me into this ship, you know.

It wasn't in the records, out of fear of how much money and lawyers he had, that Howard wasn't doing as well as everyone thought. He wasn't dealing with the future as well as he tried to act like he was. There were days he couldn't get out of bed to face the world. There were days he was only proud of himself as Iron Man. For a long time, he'd given up on even finding friends. It hurt too much to see them die one by one. It was easier to drown himself in technology. The water was over his head when Stephanie was found. Now, he can breathe.

I'm terribly sorry. Exceptnotreally. My bad. Did I twist your arm?

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

Steph held him close, movie forgotten as she continued to kiss him. She gently reached up with one of her hands to cup his face as the slow kiss went on. She can now see the appeal as to why those girls flocked to Howard even when he left them in the dust.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

Before LJ, I shipped nothing. Now I ship EVERYTHING. XD

He can't help sighing against her, his arms wrapping tighter around her without even realizing it. He doesn't want her to leave. He doesn't want this moment to be over, ever.

ALL OF IT

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

She held him back, careful not to hold too tight so that she would hurt him. Steph continued to kiss him, feeling it down to her toes. "Howard," she sighed against his lips.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Stephanie," he murmured, feeling the reality of this wash over him. This was really happening. Stephanie, who could probably charm her way into anyone's heart on accident, had actually picked him. That threw him for a loop, it really did.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

A small whimper escaped her and Steph pulled away. She was breathing a bit hard even though she knew she wasn't going to be fatigued easily. She blushed and glanced at him. "Wow," she said dumbly.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Only you could make that sound cute." He smiles, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

Steph blushed and laughed softly. "Hey, cut me some slack, I haven't kissed like that in...I don't think I've ever been kissed like that."

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"I wasn't teasing. I mean it. For having punched Hitler two hundred times, you're surprisingly adorable."

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

She laughed and nuzzled his cheek. "Let's not count how many HYDRA agents I knocked out."

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Hey, I made the shield. I deserve a little credit," he pouted.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"You want to fight over credit or would you want to kiss again?" she teased. "Of course, you could've lost your touch after all these years," she laughed. Okay, so Steph couldn't keep a straight face when saying that.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"I have decades of experience over you. You're just jealous," he shot back, smiling.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"Me? Oh I don't think so," she laughed. Steph pushed more of her hair out of her face. "But if you'd rather." She picked up the remote to try and work her way through the different menus.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"I'm trying to take things slow with you - hey, Mythbusters is on!"

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

Steph shook her head and cuddled him once more, stretching out on the couch, as the fellas went about explaining how things blew up.

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"I love this show. These guys have my dream job." Even Howard has idols.