Steve/Delaney
“Welcome to your new home, Dr. Evans.”
“Thank you, Miss Potts,” Delaney said as she slipped her jacket from her shoulders and draped it across the back of the armchair. Stark sure doesn’t skimp on accommodations.
He definitely didn’t. Her suite consisted of a bedroom, bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. It was more like what she imagined the rooms in a ridiculously expensive hotel would look like. Not that she had ever been in one personally, only seen them on TV or been bragged to about.
“Please, call me Pepper. I’ll leave you to get settled in. When you’re ready, let FRIDAY know and he’ll direct you to your labs.” The other woman exited Delaney’s rooms without another word.
My labs. The thought was almost laughable; she was barely into her thirties and she had been hired as the Avengers’ physician. She had been quite startled when Fury approached her with the job a month earlier. He had assured her, however, that it was the best way to keep the Avengers under a careful watch. After all, who would suspect the doe-eyed doctor?
After Delaney changed into clothes more suitable for work, she cleared her throat. “FRIDAY?” she asked tentatively.
“Hello, Doctor. I am FRIDAY. Do you wish to see your labs now?” The voice was Irish, pleasant. It reminded her of her mentor at the Academy.
“That would be nice. Thank you,” Delaney said as she exited her rooms. “Um, how do I-” She made a locking motion with her hand.
“No need, Doctor. The residential suites are programmed so that only you and those you wish can enter.”
Delaney’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of quiet laughter. She turned around, ready to chew whoever it was out; Maria Hill had warned her that Agent Barton would try to push her around. However, she hadn’t expected Captain America himself to be standing there. She chuckled nervously and crossed her arms across her chest. “Um, how long have you been standing there?”
He looked shocked for a few moments before he regained his composure. “I’m sorry,” he said, smiling despite himself. “You’re handling all the tech stuff better than I did. It’s like a whole different world.”
Delaney couldn’t help her little gasp as she stared at him. Captain America is my soulmate? Lucky me… She blushed when she realized she’d said those particular thoughts aloud.
He laughed again, this time his mouth forming into a devastating grin. “I think I’m the lucky one, Miss…?” He slowly approached, and Delaney could tell in the soft light in the hallway that his cheeks were pink.
“Doctor,” she corrected as she looked up at him, internally kicking herself for sounding so self-important. He doesn’t care about that, you idiot! “Dr. Delaney Evans.”
“Delaney,” he said, testing her name. It didn’t sound so boring, the way he said it. “There’s no need for titles here. Call me Steve.” He hesitantly took one of her hands in his, thumb running back and forth over the back of it.
Delaney gave him a bright smile. “FRIDAY was just about to lead me down to my labs. Would you like to come with? Pepper’s going to show me around, but…” she trailed off, looking anywhere but at her soulmate.
He squeezed her hand lightly. “Of course. I’d love to keep you company,” Steve said. “FRIDAY?”
“Please follow the illuminated floor tiles. They will bring you to your intended destination.”