It was evident to everyone except for you and Steve that you were a couple.

you thought he was just an incredibly affectionate friend. He thought you were just an incredibly affectionate friend.

And sure, Steve was protective of you, but he was the one who recruited you, and was, for a while now, the only Avenger who liked you.

That was normal, right?

But it's been about a year, and he still keeps you close during public events; A hand on your waist, not too low, or lips pressed to ears to whisper comments back and forth.

It's like that now.

You two saved a senator's life. Steve's getting all the credit, per usge, and he's had to point out the fact that you were a bigger part of it, per usge, but either way, you were asked to attend a gala in Washington because of it.

And after talking to all the people you had to talk to, you were walking just a little too close, Steve holding your shoes because they started to hurt your feet, his free hand on your back as you traverse through the crowd to find somewhere to sit.

You manage to find a table in the corner, and Steve sets the shoes down gently on the floor, pulling out a chair for you.

God, he's such a gentleman.

"Take a load off."