White gloves
You feel a hand patting gently your cheek. As the blue light fades, you start to focus your gaze on something, a set of gently blue eyes etched with concern. Slowly, your vision gets clearer, and a familiar face is in front of you. A lock of golden hair falls carelessly over his forehead, and you smile at him. The smile he returns is still tinged with concern as he switches from patting to caressing your cheek.
There's no one else in the room, you're still sitting on the couch, and he's on his knees in front of you. Delicately you adjust the rebellious lock. He pulls you closer and puts his arms around you, and you cling to his back like the last piece of wood in a shipwreck "You scared me. I never thought I'd hear you scream like that."
You don't say anything, your heart gallops wildly in your chest, and you're afraid of what you might say if you open your mouth. You don't look at him either, being so close you don't know what you're capable of "Are you okay? Your heart rate just soared" He steps back and holds you by the shoulders at arm's length. How could he have realized that? You think with your eyes on the floor while he checks you out. "Hey look at me" He puts a finger under your cheek and gently lifts your head until your gaze is level with his.
"Soon you'll feel better honey" He has never called you honey before, but you can't argue that it makes you feel warm inside, all the pain gone. With his finger still under your chin he leans in with a smile "God! You're gorgeous" Your ears buzz at the sound of the words you've ever only hoped to come out of his mouth.
He smells like smoke, clean linens, and wood, it's the best smell you've ever scent and you close your eyes to enjoy it. The warm sensation in your chest grows hotter as it travels to your nether regions.
The moment his soft, pillowy lips press against yours you melt into a puddle. It's like everything you ever dreamed of and more, the hand under your chin moves to the back of your neck while the other grabs you by the waist and pulls you closer.
Steve's mouth opens against yours and his tongue glides through your lips inviting you to do the same. When you oblige he pushes his tongue inside your mouth and the kisses become hungry, your arms exploring each other. He moves his lips from yours down your jaw and reaches your neck, and you let out a soft moan when he presses soft kisses on the spot where your neck and shoulder meet.
Clothes start to bother and you take off his jacket, he does the same with yours and continues his attack on your lips.
A million thoughts run through your mind, but one remains Why? Why now? As much as you would like to let yourself go, something tells you this is not right, then a face pops up in your head... Peggy.
Steven's hands reach for the zipper of your overalls, pulling it down to your waist.
Your mind goes into override when his hand cups your breast, his thumb flicking your nipple through the soft fabric of your underwear. You moan loud and throw your head back, he seizes that moment to leave a trail of kisses up and down your throat.
As much as you're enjoying the moment, the uneasiness lingers in the back of your brain, and when his kisses are reaching the top of your cleavage you grab his cheeks and pull his head up, eyes meeting yours.
"Steve" Your voice is hoarse with desire, but you need to know "Steve, what are you doing? What about Peggy?" He smiles and caresses your cheek "Making you feel better. Isn't this what you always wanted? For him to kiss you? To see you? To make love to you?" He gives you another tender kiss, but now something is definitely off and you push him back.
"Him? What?... What are you talking about?" A chill runs down your spine, but he remains still, smiling softly, which makes it all the more terrifying. "Steve, haven't you always wanted him? Or maybe you are interested in someone else?"
All of his features become blurred and his form changes to a leaner, softer one. Now, brown eyes stare at yours and a confident smirk has replaced the soft smile, in a second Howard Stark, or at least his image, stands before you.
"You like this better dear?" He leans in and kisses you...again? Your eyes are no longer closed in blissful delight, but wide open in shock and horror.
You kick him in the chest and send him away, you instinctively recoil into the couch and arrange your clothes covering yourself. He gets up, smiling still "Sorry if I make you feel uneasy. I was only trying to make you feel better"
"Who are you? Wh... What are you? Why are you doing this to me?" Your voice reveals the panic you're feeling. He tries to approach but you recoil once again as if his hands could burn you, so he stops mid-way "I'm not going to hurt you, I want to help" He sounds sincere, but you can't get yourself to trust him.
"Get away from me! Leave me alone!" desperate tears fall down your cheek and you start to shake. "What is happening to me?" You demand. A soft smile appears once more on his face "We're still too far apart, but we'll meet again, you will find me. Now you have to wake up"
His form blurs once more, leaving only a soft blue light. Your shake becomes out of control and you close your eyes trying to control yourself. After a few seconds, you feel hands on your arms shaking you and when you open your eyes you see Bucky's face.
"For God's sake Victoria, you're back" All the team has gathered in the room worry painted all over their faces, including Steve who walks up to you and puts a hand on your shoulder. You wince a bit at his touch and avoid eye contact. Instinctively, you put your hands to your chest trying to cover yourself to discover that you are still dressed in the same way, jacket and all. "What happened?" you ask, your throat sore.
"You screamed as I've never heard you before, but when I ran inside you froze and remained that way for the past ten minutes" Steve explains, brows furrowed. "I don't remember screaming, but it would explain why my throat feels like sandpaper" You grab your neck as if that action eased your pain, but without realizing it you're retracing the route of Steve's kisses. You shake your head trying to clear it up, it wasn't Steve who kissed you, in fact, you don't know what kissed you but it wasn't the man standing near you.
"We have to check you, see if you have any internal injuries," Jim says, in his hands, he still has the medical kit he was looking for. You nod. "Is there any chance I can take a shower first?" Bucky stands up and extends a hand to you, which you take to get up. "Come, I'll take you" He guides you outside, still holding your hand as if you were a little girl. Like when you were kids and you were afraid to walk down the street to the store.
"There are towels and soap inside," Bucky says when you get to the bathroom. "Call me if you need anything, anything," he remarks. You nod silently and when he is about to turn to leave, you grab his hand and pull him closer to hug him "You have to tell me what was that" he says "I will, but shower first" You point to yourself and the miserable state you're in.
"Thanks, Buck" It's all you can mumble your arms once again around him. "You don't have to thank me, dear. I'll always be here for you" You step back and smile caressing his cheek "And I for you."
You watch him walk away and an awful feeling comes over you, like neither of you is going to keep the promise you've made to each other.