CHAPTER EIGHT —
( The sleeves, the stance, the hair—you're lethal. )

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        There was something sacred about how New York quieted down in the late morning. It wasn't silent—far from it—but the city felt like it was taking a deep breath. This was what Steve Rogers loved most about Central Park. Despite the towering skyscrapers and bustling subways, the park offered a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

He looked down at Evelyn Parrish, sprawled across a picnic blanket with one leg crossed over the other and her face turned toward the sun. Her blue suit jacket lay discarded on the grass, and her long, dark hair danced in the breeze as she popped a grape into her mouth.

"You know how to pick a spot," Evelyn murmured, squinting at him. The sunlight caught in her hair.

Steve set down the last sandwich, smiling softly. "I've got an eye for shade—and good company."

Evelyn lingered on his face, a warm smile spreading. "Shade, sandwiches, and charm. Dangerous combination."

He leaned closer, voice low. "I aim to impress."

"You do," she replied softly.

They savored each bite on the blanket, stretched out lazily on the blanket, bathed in dappled sunlight. Steve had made turkey sandwiches on whole wheat, cut into perfect triangles that Evelyn found surprisingly careful. "Did you do this?" she asked, holding up a beautifully crafted triangle sandwich with layers of avocado and microgreens.

"Yes, sort of," he replied, a sheepish smile on his face. "Sam helped. He said to 'pretend to be normal people in love,' we needed triangle sandwiches and lemon water."

Evelyn laughed, her eyes bright. "He's not wrong. We're surprisingly good at pretending."

"Are we?" Steve asked, leaning closer, curiosity in his gaze.

She rolled a blueberry between her fingers, her voice soft. "Feels real today."

He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering. "It is," he affirmed, as the world faded around them.

Her hand found his, fingers intertwining in a delicate embrace. They lay there for a while, immersed in each other's warmth, gazing up at the sky where fluffy clouds meandered lazily above the rustling trees. Time seemed to pause around them; the world outside was alive with vibrant activity—people strolling with cheerful dogs, children giggling as they chased iridescent bubbles, and a jogger gliding by, the catchy beat of her music seeping through her headphones. Yet, despite the spirited scene, everything felt distant, as if the universe had contracted to the small sanctuary created between them.

Eventually, Evelyn shifted, sitting up and brushing away the crumbs that had settled on her lap. She glanced at him, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "You ready to walk?"

Steve rose to his feet, extending his hand to her with a warmth that promised adventure. "Always."

They strolled along the winding gravel path, the soft crunch of stones underfoot mingling with their laughter. Evelyn leaned against Steve, warmth enveloping them in the crisp afternoon air as sunlight filtered through the trees.

"Okay," she said playfully, "serious question. Are you going to dance at Tony's party tonight?"

Steve raised an eyebrow. "Define 'dance.'"

"You've got moves," she teased.

He rolled his eyes. "Not with a crowd watching."

"You fought a Nazi in front of a crowd!" she reminded him, laughing.

"That was different. He didn't expect the Charleston," Steve replied, mock-serious.

"Just one dance. For me," she urged, her eyes sparkling.

"How do you always get your way?" he asked, a smile creeping onto his face.

"Because you love me," she said confidently, squeezing his hand.

As they crossed a quaint bridge, they paused to watch sun-drenched turtles on the rocks and rowboats gliding across the lake.

"Have you ever rowed a boat?" she asked.

"No."

"We should do it sometime. Thirty minutes of trying not to argue over our technique," she suggested.

"Sounds romantic," he said dryly.

Evelyn beamed. "Everything's romantic with you."

His expression softened as he pulled her in for a quick kiss, their laughter blending with the rustling leaves around them.

They strolled along the winding path, free from the weight of the world. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of wildflowers. Evelyn spotted a delicate daisy and playfully tucked it behind Steve's ear.

He blinked, surprised. "Really?"

"It looks adorable on you," she teased, her eyes sparkling.

He smiled but didn't remove the flower. Without a word, he spun her around, halting with her in his arms.

"You remember your dance lessons," she teased.

"Only because they bring me this close to you," he replied, leaning in for a gentle kiss. Their lips met in a tender embrace, their connection timeless. As they pulled apart, her forehead rested against his.

Their tender moment was abruptly interrupted by an excited gasp that echoed behind them, followed by a burst of animated chatter. They turned, still entwined in each other's warmth, to see a young couple—likely in the throes of college life—hurrying towards them, eyes sparkling with delight. The girl sported a high ponytail that bounced with each step, her expression one of sheer wonder, while the guy beside her, clad in a cozy Captain America hoodie, looked as though he might faint from excitement.

"Hi! Sorry—sorry, we don't mean to intrude," the girl exclaimed, her voice almost bubbling over. "We're just... are you Evelyn Parrish and Steve Rogers?"

Steve instinctively straightened but kept his arm around Evelyn, a polite smile spreading across his face. "It's no bother," he replied warmly. "We are."

"Holy crap," the boyfriend breathed, clearly overwhelmed, his eyes wide as saucers. "Can we get a photo? Please? You guys are like... I mean..."

"You're total goals," the girl added, her enthusiasm palpable.

Steve rubbed the back of his neck, a hint of bashfulness creeping in, but he nodded graciously. "Sure, yeah."

Meanwhile, Evelyn's face lit up like a Christmas tree, her joy infectious. "Of course you can! Come on, let's do this!"

She slipped beside the girl, leaning in with a bright smile as Steve positioned himself beside her, a friendly warmth radiating between them. The guy fumbled for his phone, nerves making his hands unsteady. Without hesitation, Evelyn wrapped her arm around the girl's shoulders and posed as if they were old friends, her ease making it feel natural. Steve, though slightly awkward, managed a thumbs-up with a charming smile.

Just after the man snapped a selfie, a passerby called, "Want me to take one for you?"

The couple's faces lit up even more, and they eagerly nodded, "Yes, please!"

There was a flurry of exchanged phones, and soon enough, the four of them lined up: Evelyn and the girl shoulder to shoulder, Steve standing next to Evelyn, and the guy beside his girlfriend, all of them grinning like they had just won a prize. Steve's hand brushed against Evelyn's back, her face radiated pure joy, and the couple beside them practically vibrated with happiness.

"Thank you so much," the girl said after the photo was taken, quickly accepting a grateful hug from Evelyn. "You're such a badass. Seriously."

"You're both amazing," the boyfriend said, his eyes still shining with awe.

"You are, too," Evelyn replied affectionately, playfully bumping the girl's shoulder. "Stay safe, okay?"

Evelyn waved as they walked away, her heart swelling with joy as she watched them radiate excitement, all but skipping down the path, their laughter trailing behind them like a warm breeze. Steve looked at Evelyn, a quiet admiration glimmering in his eyes. "You make that look so effortless."

"What do you mean?" she asked, tilting her head with curiosity.

"Talking to... fans," he clarified.

Evelyn reached out, her fingers finding his, warmth radiating as a playful grin broke across her face. "You're better at this than you think, Captain Awkward."

Steve chuckled softly, draping an arm around Evelyn's shoulders as they strolled together. "Today has been the best day I've had in a long while."

"Same," she whispered, her eyes shimmering like the fading summer sky.

Walking hand in hand, they savoured the moment, surrounded by blooming flowers and dappled sunlight. In their little bubble, everything felt serene despite the bustling streets beyond the park.

Steve glanced at her with a smile. "Do we really have to go to Tony's party tonight?"

"You know we do," Evelyn replied gently. "Thor leaves tomorrow, and then it's back to Bucky."

With a resigned nod, he said, "Let's make a deal—how about we dance instead?"

Her smile warmed as she replied, "Only if you let me lead the first one."

"Not a chance," he teased.

"Then we'll just have to argue on the dance floor," she laughed.

Steve pressed a kiss to her temple, his heart swelling with affection. They crossed the final stretch of the park, enjoying the warmth of spring and the heat of each other's presence, not just as superheroes or gods or soldiers, but as two ordinary people who'd discovered something extraordinary worth holding onto.

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        The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the moon to cast a gentle, silvery glow that danced through the tall windows of Steve and Evelyn's floor in the Avengers Tower. The space around them, adorned with polished wood floors and muted decor, felt like a haven untouched by the relentless chaos of missions or looming threats.

Steve stood before the open closet, arms crossed and brow furrowed, staring intently at the small lineup of shirts and jackets as if one of them might suddenly offer the perfect choice.

Evelyn relaxed on the bed, one leg tucked beneath her and her hair artfully half-curled. She glanced up from her compact mirror. "You've been staring at them for five minutes," she remarked, a teasing smile dancing on her lips.

"I just can't decide what to wear," he replied with a hint of frustration. "Should I go for the full suit, something semi-formal, or—God forbid—Tony's idea of casual, which I'm pretty sure means loud and overpriced?"

Evelyn's laughter floated through the air like music. "Definitely steer clear of Tony's version of casual. You'd end up in leather pants and oversized sunglasses indoors."

Steve raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I've worn worse."

"Like the Stars and Stripes," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

He groaned playfully. "That was far from comfortable."

"Looked perfectly fine to me," she shot back, her tone light as she stood up, padding over to the closet in her bare feet, the soft fabric of her robe trailing behind her. She glanced back at the bed where her elegant dress lay arranged as if in waiting.

Evelyn scanned the hangers filled with his clothes with a practised eye until she pulled a vibrant blue shirt from the rack, holding it up like a jewel against the warm light. "This one," she said confidently. Steve tilted his head in question, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "Trust me," she urged, pressing the shirt to his chest. "Buttoned up with the sleeves rolled. Your forearms deserve their moment to shine."

A quiet laugh escaped him as he accepted the shirt from her. "This is precisely why I keep you around."

"No, it's because I'm charming and could take down a man with my pinky," she winked at him.

"Well, that too," he replied, eyes glinting affectionately.

Turning back towards the bed, she caught her reflection in the full-length mirror. Her gaze softened, revealing a vulnerability beneath her usual bravado. "It's strange," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "How normal days can feel so... frenetic."

Now buttoning up his shirt, Steve looked over at her, a mix of concern and curiosity on his face. "Busy how?"

"Just..." She hesitated, searching for the words. "Busy like I'm bracing for something to go wrong. Yet, nothing does. So I am at a loss, not knowing how to fill the quiet."

He crossed the room with gentle footsteps. Touching her wrist softly, he sought to offer her comfort. "You don't always need to be prepared for the next blow, Eve."

"I know," she whispered, her eyes searching his.

His lips brushed her forehead tenderly, his hand grazing her cheek with a warmth that sent a slight shiver through her. "You're allowed to revel in the stillness."

"I'm trying," she murmured, her voice laced with sincerity. "You help."

A gentle smile spread across his face as she squeezed his hand before gliding into the bathroom to change.

Steve turned back to the mirror, tucking in the shirt carefully and smoothing down his hair with practised ease. The familiar sounds of Evelyn in the bathroom reached him: the graceful clink of makeup brushes and the zip of her cosmetic bag punctuated by her soft humming—a soothing melody he didn't recognise but found himself enjoying all the same.

A few moments later, the bathroom door creaked open, and Steve turned, momentarily frozen in place.

Evelyn stood in the doorway, one hand casually resting against the frame. She wore a dress the colour of a deep ocean, the fabric cascading around her body, accentuating her curves in all the right places. A subtle shimmer caught the dim, golden light of the room, making her seem almost ethereal. The neckline dipped elegantly, revealing just enough skin to hint at allure, while the back was still waiting to be zipped.

"Could you...?" she asked softly, turning just enough to lift her hair off her neck in an inviting gesture.

Steve moved toward her as if entranced, his heart racing. His fingers brushed against the smooth fabric as he found the zipper, slowly drawing it up while she exhaled softly, a delicate sound that sent warmth through him.

He didn't step away.

Instead, he leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her shoulder, just above the edge of the dress. Then another, a little higher, and one behind her ear that spoke of intimacy and longing.

Evelyn closed her eyes, surrendering to the sensation, her hands lightly resting on his.

"You're beautiful," he whispered, his voice low and rich with sincerity.

She leaned against him, a teasing smile flirting on her lips. "You're sappy."

"Maybe. Doesn't mean I'm wrong," he replied, finding joy in her playful spirit.

She turned in his embrace, her arms wrapping around his waist, fingers gently tracing the lines of his back. "You clean up nicely, Rogers."

He smirked, exuding confidence. "Oh, yeah?"

"Absolutely. The sleeves, the stance, the hair—you're lethal," she quipped, her voice laced with playful admiration.

He dipped his head, his lips finding hers in a kiss that was slow and warm, filled with a gravity that spoke of unspoken emotions—an anchoring moment amidst the chaos of life.

When they finally pulled apart, she nestled her forehead against his chest, listening to the steady, reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat.

"You sure you want to go?" Steve asked quietly, his breath warm against her hair.

"I do. I need to remember what it feels like to dance without danger," she replied, a hint of determination lacing her words.

"Then let's make it a night worth remembering," he urged, his gaze steady and full of promise.

She smiled up at him, a blend of softness and strength in her expression. "Race you to the elevator?"

Steve stepped back, straightening his shirt, a playful glint in his eye. "You'll cheat."

"Obviously," she grinned, laughter dancing between them.

They gathered their things—her heels glinting with a touch of glamour, his jacket casually draped over his arm—and headed for the door, fingers entwined.

The party was just a few floors away, a world filled with lights and laughter. But for now, wrapped in each other's presence, they were in their own bubble, and tonight, that was more than enough.