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]

She noticed the flinch and let go, sitting up and stretching. "Maybe it's time to turn in for the night. Big morning tomorrow."

[au-avenger.livejournal.com]

"...right. Um. I'm just going to go wrap some things up in the lab..." God, he felt awkward. He really needed to get over this newfound sensitivity in his chest before it killed his love life.

[msrogers.livejournal.com]

"Right and I gotta...grab my...things and--" She awkwardly got up and hesitated. Quickly, Steph planted a kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight, Howard." With that, she scuttled off to gather her things and head back to her apartment.