Chapter 7
Their food was devoured. Wine bottle was emptied. Dinner plates and cutlery were stacked, ready to be picked up. The waiter came and asked if they wanted dessert. They both declined, but asked for water instead. They continued talking, laughing at some story about how Harley stole her dad's car to go to a rock concert when she was 15. Harley's face lit up as she told her story. Bob listened to her intently, with a grin on his face. “So, I ran out of gas along the way and walked home. I hopped over a fence, my pants got caught. It ripped in two, underwear showing. My father was furious. He grounded me for two months.” They laughed harder. “Totally worth it.” The waiter eventually came, gave them their water. Bob asked for the check.
“We can split the bill”, she said. She pulled out her purse, and was about to take out her wallet.
“I got it”, Bob said, already handing the waiter his card. He left a tip in cash under the salt and pepper shakers. They drank their water. Harley noticed the bus boy was working his ass off tonight. Coming and going, cleaning tables. The bus boy came to their table, picked up their mess and took the tip. He gave the couple a small thanks and left.
“What time is it?”
Bob checked his phone, looking at the time. He realized they missed their movie.
“The movie started 20 minutes ago”, he said. He scratched his head. Looking kinda bothered. Thinking that he ruined the date.
“Eh, don't worry about it. We could always go next week.”
“Are you asking me out on a date?”, he said, perking up a bit.
“Yeah, maybe I am”, she said.
Harley and Bob just smiled at each other. She couldn't believe that she was on a date with Bob right now. She wanted someone to pinch her. She wanted to make sure this was real and not some dream that she was having.
“Come on. Let's go before they kick us out”, Bob said. The waiter came back with his card.
She gets up. Grabbing her purse and flowers. They start walking out of the restaurant. He placed his hand on her waist, but immediately removed it. Unsure if that was okay.
“Sorry, I shouldn't have done that.”
“It's alright. I don't mind”, Harley said calmly.
She felt excitement run down her spine. She wanted him to touch her again. She wanted him. She prayed to the Gods that he wasn't listening to her mind at that moment. She didn't want to sound needy. He places his hand back on her waist. The familiar warmth returned to her.
The sky was turning dark, the moon began to rise. They stood outside of the restaurant. Not knowing their next destination. Should they go home? Should they walk around the city? Maybe meet up with the rest of the Thunderbolts? These questions ran through Harley's mind. Suddenly, a chill ran through her. The wind began to pick up. She was cold. She realized she left Yelena's jacket at home. Bob noticed this. He took off his jacket and gave it to her. He said he didn't need it. She wanted to protest but she was really cold.
“Now what? What do you want to do?”, he said.
Harley looked at Bob. Her eyes went down to his slightly unbuttoned shirt. She looked at the two unbuttoned buttons, then back to his face. Her face turned pinkish.
“Let's go home”, she said.
They waited for a taxi. It seems like everyone in NYC was taking a taxi today. Every single taxi that they stopped was already in use.
“Come on. Let's walk.”
“Or we could fly…”, Harley said grinning.
“I don't think that's a good idea”, he said sheepishly. Bob was a fantastic flyer. He was fast like a speeding bullet. “That would be drinking and flying”, he added. They did drink a whole bottle, but they weren't drunk. It took a lot to get them drunk, a side effect of being super. Or in Harley's case, magical. Harley did not understand why Bob was reluctant to fly.
“I’m just… cautious”, Bob said.
There he goes again, he’s always holding back. Not wanting to hurt anyone, Harley thought.
“Please, pretty please”, she said. She batted her eyelashes. Harley loved flying. Sometimes she would ask Sam or Joaquín to fly her around with their wings. “You're gonna make me walk in these heels”, she added, pointing to her heels. She put her hand to her forehead. She exaggerated her movements, pretending she was distraught. “Please.” She continued, trying to persuade him. “We'll get home faster. We're not even drunk”, Harley smiled. Bob caved. He can't say no to her.
“Okay”
He guided her through a dark alley. He made sure no one saw what they were about to do. The only light in the alley flickered pathetically. Stray cats ran around them, ducking into their hiding spots. Garbage bins were overfilled with trash and junk. The squeaks of rodents can be heard, but not seen. Broken glass littered the floor. The smell of trash and urine filled their noses. Not really romantic.
“Ready. I got you. I won't let you fall”, he said.
“How are we doing this? Piggyback ride or-”
He swept her off her feet, carrying her like she didn’t weigh a thing. His arms wrapped around her, making sure she didn't slip. He carried her bridal style. Harley blushed. Bob had caught her off guard. She wrapped her arms around his neck. They stared at each other for a moment. “Is this okay?”, he said. All she could do was nod. She did not trust herself to speak in fear of something stupid coming out. She didn't want to ruin the moment. Bob just made a content hum. This felt natural to her, comfortable. She felt safe with him. He nodded. He levitated off the ground, and after a few seconds, they were in the sky. Harley held tighter onto Bob. They made their way to the tower. She looked down, the ground seemed so far away. People paid no attention to them, and were going about their business.
“Harley, look over there”, he said. Harley could make out fireworks coming from Hunters Point which was across the East River from Midtown Manhattan. Reds and Blues lit up the sky.
“Is there a game today?”
“Probably”, Bob said. He didn’t care much for sports. Harley didn't either. Maybe it was the reason why the traffic was bad, but then again, it's New York.
“Do you think- No! My heel!”, she screams. Harley’s heel fell onto the street below. Bob stopped and hovered. They both look down trying to find the heel.
“We can look for your heel”, he said. Harley sighed.
“No, just forget about it.”
“You sure.”
“Yeah, let’s just go home”, she said. Bob felt bad about it. He asked her again but she declined. He continued flying.
After 20 minutes, they finally made it to the tower. Bob landed them on the Quinjet’s landing pad. Valentina took it for a meeting she was having with the President. She had left after giving John and Bucky their mission details, she did not seem thrilled about it.
Bob was still carrying her. “I could walk, you know. You could set me down”, Harley said. Bob was carrying her into the building. “Like I said I got you. I'm not gonna let you walk like this”, he said. They take a short elevator ride to their floor. Bob walks them through the hallways into the lounge area.
Bob sits her down on the couch gently. He takes the empty spot next to her. He faces her, his elbow propped up on the couch, hand supporting his head. He watches her take off her heel and places it on the floor. She puts her purse and flowers on the coffee table. She moves closer to him, getting comfortable. She grabbed his other hand, the one with the ring on his finger. She studied it.
“It was my grandfather's. He gave it to my mom and when she passed, I inherited it… I've been planning to visit them. Put some flowers on their headstones. I haven't had time.”
Bob was alone. She didn't want him to be alone.
“I could go with you… if you want.”
He smiled a bit, but his eyes were still sad. It hurts Harley to see him like this. He cleared his throat.
“Yeah. Yeah, I would like that. But we got to pack you a lot of sweaters. The weather is different in Canada”, he said. He tried to brush it off, but Harley could hear the pain in his voice. A moment had passed, the silence felt heavy.
Harley lets go of his hand. She brought her hand up to his face. She looked into his eyes while she caressed his face.
“I don't want you to be alone, Robert”, Harley said softly. She wanted him to understand that. She wanted- no she needed him to understand that. She hated the thought of him being alone. “You understand that, right?”, she added.
He didn't say anything. He just looked at her. With his ring finger, he grabbed the hand that touched him. He brought it to his lips, kissing the palm of her hand. “I know”, he said reassuring her. A wave of relief crash through her. Harley felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. She was lost in her thoughts, when Bob brought her attention back to him. The air in the room shifted. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She felt electricity run through her. He continued kissing her hand, leaving a trail of kisses until he reached her wrist. Until he reached her pulse. Their fingers intertwined. Her breathing hitched. Soft and wet kisses consumed her thoughts. Harley's heart was beating fast, he could probably feel it. His eyes were fixed on her. He was breathing hard. Blushing hard and needy. His hand slid back to her wrist. Her hand slid through his soft hair. She resisted the urge to tug on it. All she could do was watch him. All she could do was want him.
“Bob”, she said breathlessly. He stopped. Harley could feel his breath on her wrist. It drove her crazy.
“Sorry, I-”
“Please”, she interrupted him. He didn't understand what she meant. He watched her patiently for the next set of words to come out of her mouth. “I want you”, she added.
He moved from her wrist back to her hand. Bob gave Harley's palm a small kiss before he leaving her hand completely. Her hand went back to nestled further in his hair. Bob was the first to lean in, then Harley followed. Closing in the space between them. Harley's other arm slid around his neck, now both hands were in his hair. Bob lightly grabbed the jacket that Harley was wearing, wanting to pull her closer. His strong hands snaked down her torso, then settled on her hips. He rubbed little circles, feeling the material of her dress. He couldn't take it anymore. He pulled her even closer to him, closer to the point where she was basically sitting on his lap. Their bodies were almost pressed up against each other. She closed her eyes as they kissed. Soft lips on hers. It's slow and sweet. There was a hint of wine on his lips. Gods, it was intoxicating. She wanted more. Excitement ran through her spine, arousal pooling in her lower belly. She couldn't help it. She lightly tugged on his hair. He moaned into the kiss. It was music to her ears. She had never heard such a sweet sound. She was determined to get more out of him. The kiss quickly got heated. Both clearly wanting more. It was driving them crazy. It was driving them mad. His hands moved, they dipped lower towards her ass. Her legs were on either side of him. Dress riding up. Harley moved her hands from his hair, cupping his jaw. Bob lightly squeezed her ass before moving them, settling them on her thighs. Harley broke the kiss. She would have kept going if it weren't for needing air. They opened their eyes, staring at each other. Both flushed pink, breathing heavily.
“Harley, please”, he said softly. Bob felt his blood rush downwards, warming up his lower region. He felt a dull ache below his abdomen. “Sweetheart” He could feel there was a bit of tightening in his pants. He was getting hard. He shifted his legs a little, wanting relief. “I need you.”
By the Gods, she wished she could freeze this moment. Seeing Bob all needy and desperate, made her feel a certain way. She desperately wanted to please him, love him. She loved him. She wanted him to hold her and never let go.
“Take me to bed”, she whispered in his ear.