Guilt and Apologies
Steve stayed in the guest room for the rest of the day. He felt so guilty for what happened to Kat. She tried to tell him over and over that it wasn’t his fault, that she was worried about him and that’s why she came to find him. She was in the kitchen when Pepper and Tony got back.
“Hey Sparkles, is Cap awake yet?” Tony asked her. She nodded. “Yeah, but now he won’t come out of the room. He saw what happened to me and he feels like it’s his fault. He feels so guilty Tony, you know how he gets.” Tony nodded and gave her a hug. “Just give him time. You know he is gonna beat himself up about it. Just be there for him.”
Pepper set some bags on the table. “I think we got everything you guys might need. Clothes, toothbrushes, deodorant, all the essentials. We’ve also got extra chargers for your phones if you need them.” She told Kat.
“Thank you Pepper, this is great. I’m gonna go check on Steve, take this stuff to him. I’ll see you guys in a little bit?” Tony nodded at her. “Yeah, were grilling steaks for dinner, I’ll come get you when it’s ready.”
Kat walked down the hallway and stopped at the door. She took a deep breath before knocking and opening it. “Steve, can I come in?” She asked quietly. He looked up from where he was sitting on the bed with a book he had found in the living room, nodding at her. She came in and sat the bags down on the floor next to the bed.
“Tony and Pepper got us some stuff for while were here, clothes and other things, since Tony wouldn’t have anything that would fit you.” She told him, pulling some jeans and t-shirts out of the bag for him.
“Tell him I said thank you.” He told her. She looked back up and found him staring at the book again, but not reading it. She sighed and went over to the other side of the bed and crawled in it, taking the book from Steve and taking his hands in hers.
“Hey. Look at me, please.” She told him. He looked up at her and she noticed that his eyes were red and puffy. He had been crying. “Oh, Steve.” She said, pulling him forward into a hug, minding her arm.
“I’m okay, please believe me when I tell you that this wasn’t your fault. I don’t blame you for what happened to me.”
She pulled back to look at him and he nodded. “I’m still sorry. And thank you, for taking care of me after I got shot.” He told her. She looked down. “I was so scared; I didn’t know what to do. Yeah you can heal fast, but you’re not immortal and you were losing so much blood. Please don’t be mad that I called Tony, I just didn’t know what else to do.” She said, her voice cracking.
He lifted her chin with his finger to look at him. “I’m not mad. Calling Tony saved my life.” She nodded, wrapping her arm around him and putting her head on his chest. “I was so scared you were going to die. I’ve never seen so much blood before, I’ve never been so scared.”
He ran a hand up and down her back. “Shh, it’s okay sweetheart, I’m okay, I’m already mostly healed. Just sore.” She nodded against him, wiping a stray tear away. She found the remote on the end table and turned on the tv, finding Beauty and the Beast on the movie list and pressed play, leaning back into Steve, drawing little circles on his hand.
Kat woke up to the sound of knocking on the door, it was Tony, telling them that dinner was ready. She lifted her head and looked at Steve, who was also asleep. Her head had been laying on his chest and her legs were tangled up in his, she also noticed that his arm was around her. She smiled a little.
Kat slid as slowly from the bed as she could, trying not to wake Steve and have him see the position they had been in. She wasn’t sure how he would feel about it. Hell, she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. She knew she definitely cared about him as more than just a friend. He was her person.
She walked over to his side of the bed and gently shook his arm. “Steve, wake up, Tony said dinner’s ready.” He groaned softly and opened his eyes, looking up at her. “Okay, I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Kat nodded and left the room, and Steve pulled the blanket off him, revealing his hard on. Kat had fallen asleep before he had, and he loved how she fit into his arms, and against his body. It was perfect.
He got up and went to the bathroom, desperately willing his little problem to go away. It finally did and he made his way outside on the deck where Kat, Tony and Pepper were.
Pepper looked up at him and smiled. “Hello Steve, how are you feeling?” She asked. He smiled back at her, taking a seat next to Kat. “I’m feeling a lot better Pepper thank you. And thank you both for everything you’ve done for us. Tony, I know that we didn’t leave things on good terms, but I wanted to tell you how grateful I am to the both of you.” He told them.
Tony shrugged and waved his hand. Typical Tony style. “It was nothing Cap. You needed help. You’re family, all there is to it.” He said. Steve nodded and began to eat, not seeing the little smile Kat had been giving him.
She knew it was a lot for Steve to come out and say something to Tony about what happened. While she knew they weren’t going to apologize to each other, she knew that things would be better now.
“So,” Pepper started, taking a drink of her wine. “While you guys are here…would you be interested in coming to our wedding?” She asked casually. Kat’s eyes went big and Steve almost choked on his beer. “You’re finally getting married?” Kat asked excitedly. Pepper nodded. “Yes. We were just going to go to the courthouse, but now I think we should do something small here. You guys are here, and I’m sure Happy would come. Maybe Nat and Rhodey?” She asked, looking over to Tony. Kat knew Tony hadn’t been in contact with Nat, but she wasn’t sure about Rhodey.
“Oh, what the hell, I’m feeling all mushy. Why not. Let’s invite the whole family.” He said. She smiled at him, happy that he and Pepper were finally tying the knot. Kat furrowed her brow. “I don’t have a dress.” She said. Pepper smiled at her. “That’s okay, I have to go to town tomorrow to pick my dress up anyway, we can get you one while we’re there. My Maid of Honor has to look good.” Kat’s mouth dropped. “Really? Maid of Honor?” She asked. Pepper nodded. She looked to Steve, then to Tony. “Sorry Spangles, Rhodey will be my best man. No offense, I’ve just known him for a long time and he’s saved my ass almost more than Pepper.” Steve laughed. “None taken.”
Tony face looked like a lightbulb went off in his head. “Oh my God.” He said. “What?” Pepper asked him.
“I just realized something. Spangles and Sparkles. Oh my God! That’s amazing.” Tony told them, laughing his ass off. Kat rolled her eyes, but smiling slightly anyway, thinking the names sounded cute together. Steve’s ears were turning pink.
“Tony, you’re insufferable.” Pepper told him.
“Yeah, but that’s why you love me.”