.21 | Learn As You Go

The moment Merida walked into the large banquet center her stomach flipped twice with nervous fervor, the tiger within was on edge utilizing all its senses to gauge the room, the exits and all the different scents that were floating around the large place. She held her breath at the grandiose and beauty that surrounded her. It was an exquisite place to host a banquet with the gold tapestry and soft Tuscan theme with hints of red. It reminder her of Tony's suit and she smiled softly as she looked around. They had to take an elevator to the sixteenth floor, the top floor at the high rise, which was where the banquet was being held.

There was a large stage at the front with a small podium up front, the banner hanging from the ceiling read in big black block letters 'Stark Foundation Banquet'.  In many places around the room there were sleek flat screens peppered throughout the banquet hall, each flat screen had the Stark Foundation logo on it, along with the names of the organizations and people they were honoring.

In the middle of the room was a large section shaped in a square that was tiled off, above the section was a little disco ball that twirled around showering the tiled section in a strobe of rainbow colors. Scattered throughout the large banquet room were sturdy and thick circular tables, each table had glasses filled with wine and ice water, the centerpieces were red and gold hued candelabra's. Each one held four circular candles on the bottom tier and at the top tier of the candelabra there was a large gold bowl that was overflowing with soft white roses.

The candles were glowing which made the lighting more intimate.

Her breath hitched at the sight.

"Told you Tony liked to do it big," Sam mentioned lowly as he smirked, looking around now at the place as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

His eyes went to the far left of the room and he pointed towards the large buffet table that was set up, accompanied by servers who were dishing plates of appetizers and small bites.

"That's the best part," He added confidently as her own mouth watered at the aroma that floated towards her. She inhaled deeply and looked up at him with wide eyes and a shy smile.

"It doesn't smell like anything I've ever had before..." She sighed whimsically as the beast within stirred with a newfound hunger.

She had been lucky enough that the avengers were providing her with a well-balanced diet and vitamins, all things that she hadn't had previously on the road with Killian and the circus. She had a little trouble adjusting at first to actual food, but now her body was craving more.

It felt as if she were experiencing so many things she had lacked with Killian, all things she hadn't really thought herself worthy of having. Good food, good company, a cozy bed to sleep on with pillows and a mattress, people who seemed to care about her and didn't look at her as a freak like many of the circus guests had each night she performed. She thought it was just dumb luck that Fran and Ansem had been so sweet on her, thought they were the select few that could show her compassion and adoration for who she was.

Especially with Fran's gentle nature having such a profound effect as a stand-in mother figure.

But here she was with a group of people who also seemed to care about her.

Fran and Ansem weren't the only ones.

It was like re-learning and adjusting to a society that had been moving forward without her all those years as she was holed up in a cage.

Life didn't stop during her captivity.

Merida silently scanned the large crowd.

There were many people mingling around, many people who radiated an air of superiority and money. She watched as the men and women chatted one another up, their drinks filled to the brim. Servers came by periodically with small food or refills for everyone.

There were people of all age groups in the crowd, but she stench of a strong cologne made her wriggle her nose. She realized it was the collection of many different cologne's and perfumes. The women were perfectly put together, their hair curled or in up-do style while their faces were painted to perfection. The men were carefully put together in suits and slacks and ties.

This was one of the most fanciest things she'd ever been to in her entire life.

Her eyes widened like a deer caught in the headlights as heads started to turn towards their direction. Merida stood transfixed as the room seemed to be staring at her, her body trembled slightly and she prayed she'd be able to walk in the shoes she was wearing. She could perform at the drop of a hat for people at the circus, but here she was in a room full of people and she was quaking in her fragile frame.

Her anxious chocolate brown eyes were drawn towards the far right of the room where there was a large opening that looked to go outside to what she assumed had to be a balcony. There was a small group of men talking amongst themselves, a few she didn't recognize but one caught her eyes immediately.

He was standing in the group, his left side facing her, but she knew the side profile of that face from anywhere.

Steve.

He was wearing black slacks and a deep blue colored button down that was tucked into his slacks. The sleeves of his button down were folded neatly up to his elbows, revealing his strong taut forearms His left hand hung casually inside the pockets of his slacks. His hair was slightly slicked back, but not too heavily. She could smell the scent of his hair product from where she stood. She silently inhaled and caught a whiff of his cologne; the only cologne in the place that actually smelled good.

As if he could feel her too, Steve shifted to his left and looked her way with an air of wholesome innocence at the sight of her.

Their eyes locked from across the room and she stood transfixed to her spot, watching him watch her. She watched as his mouth slightly opened in surprise and awe. His aura billowed wildly in a mixture of emotions and she felt bad for looking, but it was so intense it was hard not to see the colors that radiated from his person.

Even from her distance across the room she could feel him...see the way his eyes lit up and she blushed a fierce crimson as her stomach felt as if it might fly away. She looked down at her shoes and back up at Steve.

This time Tony turned towards her arrival and smirked. Tony gave an awkward little wave with his left hand, his right hand holding onto what looked like a drink. 

***

Tony turned to look at Steve who was clearly enamored with Merida. 

"Uh-oh," Tony muttered raising a brow. 

"What?" Steve asked quickly, his eyebrows dipped down in concern as he looked at Tony expectantly, as if thought trouble lurked around the corner. 

"I know that look," Tony mused with a sardonic smirk. 

"What look?" Steve asked with an undercurrent of defense. 

"It's the same look I give Pepper when she walks in a room," Tony remarked as he raised his glass to his lips, giving Steve a knowing look and a smirk.

He sauntered off towards Merida, Natasha and Sam, leaving Steve speechless for a hairsbreadth of a second before he finally followed after Tony to go greet the others. 

***

"Look what the cat dragged in," Tony mocked playfully as he intercepted the three in the middle of the room.

Steve was right on his heels, hands in both of his pockets now as he gazed somewhat bashfully towards Merida. She didn't need to say anything, her eyes told more than words could.

Her lips stretched into a slow smile of her own towards Steve's shy demeanor. 

"I knew Pepper had impeccable taste," Tony gloated with a hint of pride as he glanced down at the bracelet on her arm he made for her.

Merida looked down to the bracelet, her free hand toying with it silently as she took it in and the dress before looking back up at Tony sheepishly, "It's probably the nicest thing I've ever worn. I guess I have both you and Pepper to thank for everything..."

"Oh, and also Happy for getting me my shoes," She looked down at her shoes and beamed with rosy red cheeks.

"It's perfect," Steve added with a genuine smile as he glanced down at her dress with a respectful gaze. It was nothing like the gaze that Killian would look at her with.

Steve and Killian were stark contrasts, polar opposites. It was still an adjustment for her to get used to; being treated with respect.

"You look very nice yourself," Merida mentioned as her eyes took in the more formal attire that Steve had on this evening. It was such a difference than the typical jeans and leather jacket she'd see him in, but it didn't take away from his looks.

He beamed at the compliment and she felt her cheeks grow hotter and she had to look down at her wedges again for a moment before returning her gaze to everyone. 

Sam watched the exchange between Steve and Merida with a sly smile.

"Keep it. My gift to you," Tony drawled as he raised his glass and then took another sip. 

"Romanoff. Wilson," Tony addressed with a sardonic smile. 

"Who's the lucky winner tonight?" Natasha asked as her eyes carefully staked out the crowd, already assessing each exit and entrance out of habit.

Merida followed her eyes for a moment, the idea that Killian was here in New York still unnerved her and made the beast within stir with anxious weariness. 

He could be anywhere.

Especially with the reminder in the back of her head that he was here in New York.

"We have two, actually. The Stark Foundation is giving charitable donations to both the under privileged youth so they can work with some of the best technology for their education and our very own hometown first responders," 

"This is wonderful, Mr-I mean, Tony. Thank you for inviting me," Merida nodded as she looked around the room, her eyes moving from the crowd to Tony and then back to Steve for a brief moment. 

"It's a schmooze fest for the socialites, but for a great cause. Food is over there, drinks are at the bar. There's one in every corner, but definitely recommend the one over there," He pointed back behind him near where they had been standing before near the balcony as he leaned forward and added lowly, "She's a heavy pour," 

He wiggled his glass as his ice clinked and Merida couldn't help but smile. 

She wasn't a drinker though.

Never really had been even with the amount of alcohol that was passed around at the circus after hours. She had seen what went on when they were all intoxicated.

It had never really appealed to her. 

Plus, she never liked the idea of being out of control and not in her right frame of mind.

If she were intoxicated it was more of a chance that Killian could do something horrible...an opportunity to take advantage of her inebriated state. So she stayed away from the liquid poison.

On rare occasions, she'd have a half glass of wine with Fran, but it was only because she was in the company of someone she trusted and it was always when Killian was per-occupied with Isabella and her cackling laughter. 

"I'm actually kind of hungry," Merida admitted as she felt her stomach grumble. 

"I can get us a table," Steve offered and she nodded thankfully.  

Sam offered to go with her to get some food while Natasha, Steve and Tony went to go grab a table for all of them. 

As the trio walked towards an unclaimed table, Steve looked at them and then around at the crowd as those delicate baby blue eyes went from soft to soldier in a few seconds, "Let's make sure we're alert tonight. We still don't know where Killian and the others are at," 

Natasha nodded curtly, "Already ahead of you. I've got exits and entrances covered. Fury has the place monitored," Tony looked between the two with mild surprise, his tone indignant, "And I wasn't informed that there would be surveillance at my party?" 

Steve gave him a look, his hands on the back of the chair clenched slightly, "As long as Killian is out there we aren't taking any chances," Tony watched him for a moment and then glanced at Natasha's serious face before taking a swig of his drink, which smelled to Steve a lot like scotch. 

Tony looked at both Steve and Natasha before adding, "Well, if freak show does show his face you know it's bound to be quite the performance,"

Steve made a face at Tony.

Natasha gave Tony a similar look before sitting down at the table and reaching for the ice water, "Yeah? Well, let's hope we make his next performance, wherever it may be, his last,"

***

Merida had never had a meal like she had today; bacon wrapped chicken, squash and zucchini that were slightly toasted with oil olive and a large helping of loaded mashed potatoes. She stared at the mashed potatoes that were loaded with cheese and bacon bits, her eyes were like saucers as she peered up at Steve innocently.

"Since when do mashed potatoes have cheese and bacon bits on them?" She whispered lowly.

Steve smiled endearingly at her as he leaned over and casually whispered back, "I think it's something we both missed while we were away,"

He knew the sheltered life she had lived after her mother passed away. The last thing he wanted her to feel was alone, and to be honest he had missed a lot to when he woke up.

The world had changed completely.

He imagined she was still feeling overwhelmed at all the changes, and she would for quite some time.

Merida smiled and poked them around with her fork before looking back at Steve with a growing excitement behind her smile, her cheeks turning pink in the process, "It's brilliant, don't ya' think?"

She scooped a small forkful and ate quietly, taking in all the extreme flavors that hit her pallet. She couldn't keep up with it all, but she slowed her pace to take it all in. She didn't know how much of this she would ever see again...so she wanted to savor it and take it all in.

However, the beast within her was growing more hungry by the moment, wanting to gobble it all up in a few bites, but she breathed deeply and reconciled with the beast within to savor it all and just take it slow. It didn't go unnoticed by the table as she ate as if she had never a meal before.

Steve just smiled gently and watched as she took it all in, grateful she could have a moment like this without the burden of Killian watching her every single move.

"When I woke up I found out that people now put avocado on toast, and there is something called...rolled ice cream I think," He cinched his brows as he himself looked confused at the concepts.

She wasn't the only person that missed a lot.

Merida looked at him wide eyed and just as perplexed he did while she swallowed her last bite, "Rolled ice cream? Why on earth would anyone do that?"

Steve chuckled and shook his head, "Apparently, creating new food ideas is a booming industry, especially online, but I'm not really caught up to all that yet,"

"Maybe we could try it sometime," She mused, the words tumbling from her lips before she could think them through. She cleared her throat and looked back at her mashed potatoes.

Tony smiled coyly from across the table, watching the interaction between Merida and Steve with observing eyes.

Steve smiled politely, his own cheeks blossoming a red hue as he picked up his water and took a sip, clearly averting Tony's gaze.

"It'd be nice if we could get some good eats like this up in the tower," Sam mentioned as he pointedly looked at Tony while shoving a forkful of chicken in his mouth.

Tony scoffed and placed his tumbler of amber gold liquid down on the table, "On whose dime?"

Sam gave him an incredulous look as if it were obvious, "You're the genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist. Don't look at me,"

Tony smirked at his words before taking a sip of his drink, "Don't I already feed you enough? A fully stocked kitchen, all the innovative tech you could ask for at your disposal and a state of the art rec room for training,"

Sam made a face and shoved another bite in his mouth as Natasha snickered softly.

"If you ate like that every single day you'd get spoiled," Natasha added as she grabbed her flute of champagne and took a small sip before placing it back on the table. Her hair was so perfect and bright.

Merida held her gaze from across the table as she thought back to the conversation she had with her before the banquet.

Steve looked at Merida and she looked up at him with a small smile.

She was about to say something, but the lights grew dim and a man at the podium at the front of the banquet started getting everyone's attention.

She fell quiet and placed her hands in her lap as she watched silently, very aware of the close proximity Steve was to her and how his aura billowed and relaxed in her company, or how his heartbeat steadily beat in time to her own, which he wouldn't be privy to, but she would be.

They were so in sync and she couldn't understand why. She swallowed nervously, fear creeping up in her veins at some of the deep thoughts that crossed her mind before paying attention to the man on stage and ignoring her heart that skipped a few beats.

It ended up being a short and very brief speech about the banquet, the funds raised and all the things that it was going to do for everyone on the receiving end. The man invited Tony to come speak on stage as well.

Tony was greeted on the side stage by a woman with light auburn hair in a deep navy blue silk dress that scooped down on her back, revealing soft pale skin with a beautiful pair of silver stilettos.

The woman pursed her lips and smiled coyly at Tony.

Tony winked at her as he took the stage and Merida wondered if it was the same woman who had got her the dress.

Pepper, wasn't it?

Merida had a feeling it was her.

Tony spoke quickly and efficiently, his natural way with words and charisma shining through in that moment as he took the stage to speak about the foundation and why the specific organizations were chosen this year to benefit from the gracious donation.

Near the end everyone clapped and the banquet carried on like it had been.

Tony walked back to the table, this time with the light auburn haired woman in the blue silk dress. She smiled at everyone, her clutch in her left hand by her side. Merida smiled up at the woman as Tony introduced Pepper to Merida.

"Pep, this is Merida. You know, the really cool tiger girl I was telling you about?"

Merida beamed with a small blush.

Steve smiled lightly and watched the exchange.

"I've heard so much about you. Honestly, he hasn't stopped talking about you since you arrived," Pepper admitted as Tony made a face and took a long sip of his drink, "It's not every day you meet someone that can turn into a really awesome tiger,"

Tony's defensive tone made Pepper smirk.

"It's nice to meet you. And thank you for my dress, it's so perfect," Merida added genuinely as she looked down at her dress and back up at Pepper with a very grateful look to her eyes. She had never had so many people show her such a kindness, even knowing what she was...it was still overwhelming and foreign all at the same time to be treated with such generous care.

Pepper nodded, smiling all the while, "Well, I'm glad. It looks really nice on you," She complimented.

Pepper then tapped Tony's arm and nodding towards a group of people near the back left corner, "The owner of Divergent Aeronautics wants to speak with you,"

Tony turned to look at the men in suits who eyed him and Pepper from their place in the room.

Tony clicked his tongue as if it were an annoyance more than anything, "Do I have to? "

Pepper gave him a look and wrapped her free hand around his arm, leaning slightly into him as she smiled dangerously sweet up at him, "Yes, because I have already had to reschedule three meetings with him so you could go fly around and play super hero," She added more sternly, "He's come all this way to see you since you've been dodging his calls,"

He raised his eyebrows as he groaned aloud, "Gotta' give him credit. He's persistent,"

He chugged his drink and set it down at the table before waving his arm forward for Pepper to walk, "After you,"

Merida watched the way in which he put his hand on the small of her back and the way in which her aura fluttered around, it made Merida turn away as she felt like she was watching something private between them.

"What's the owner of Divergent Aeronautics want with Stark Industries?" Natasha mused curiously as her eyes were now directed towards the business man in the corner that Tony was walking towards.

Steve shrugged, "Stark Industries is even more of a hot commodity now that he came out as Iron Man. Everyone wants a piece of him and the company name," He frowned lightly though as he spoke, a more cautions approach appeared in his blue eyes.

Sam shared the sentiment as he took a long sip of his beer and set it down, "Yeah, and not everyone has good intentions either,"

"Probably why he's been ignoring him. Tony always knows more than he lets on," Natasha added matter of factly as she pushed a strand of bright red hair out of the way of her piercing green eyes before taking another sip of her champagne.

Merida felt clammy all of a sudden.

The room had grown a little more stuffy and heated with all the bodies packed in the room. She hadn't realized it, but the place had definitely become more crowded now that she looked around.

All the bodies in the room were making her nervous, so many auras and the mindless chatter that filled her ears. Her heart started to race ever so slightly, the beast within clawing around with an aggressive demeanor.

She swallowed nervously before feeling a soft feather-light touch on her right shoulder from Steve.

Those patriotic blue eyes were filled with concern as his eyebrows dipped down, "Do you want to go get some air?"

Merida looked up at him, grateful for his keen awareness of what she needed in that moment, and nodded curtly. She was holding her breath, scooting back her chair and excusing herself from the table as Steve escorted her across the banquet room. 

She took notice of people looking at them both, curious glances from onlookers as they tried to figure out who exactly the woman with Steve Rogers was. She bowed her head sheepishly and tried to keep her face away from their prying gazes.

As they reached the entrance to the balcony, she felt her breath starting to return to normal, especially when the crisp cool evening air hit her skin. She exhaled deeply as they both stepped out onto the large overlook, a couple near them started to exit the balcony, which left the two of them alone.

There was a large seating area to the right with a few white wooden chairs and then a thick white ledge that one could lean on as the city lights all around them twinkled softly in a very romantic and intimate way. The lighting on the balcony was soft and just bright enough to illuminate their figures without taking away from the scenic view before them.

Steve leaned against the ledge casually and she placed her hands on the edge, looking down at the busy streets below before looking back up at Steve with a grateful smile and slightly parted lips from steadying her breathing.

"Better?" He asked curiously, his voice still laced with concern.

The night sky did something different to Steve as it illuminated him in a different way. She took a moment to answer, nodding lightly and swallowing, gathering her thoughts.

"You're always rescuing me from my own overwhelm," She admitted with a sheepish smile as she looked up at him.

She leaned her weight against the thick white railing, her eyes returning to the banquet party inside as the guests continued to drink and mingle.

It was quiet where they were at, the soft chatter from the party fell away and the soft lull of the music could be heard faintly.

He smiled lightly, turning away from her for a moment and gazing at the skyline of the skyscrapers and buildings that lined the city before gazing at her curiously, a sliver of guilt lining his boyish features, "I'm sorry if it comes across that way, I just-"

She shook her head, "No, don't be sorry. It's, uhm, nice to have someone who gets me,"

Merida cleared her throat and looked away from him, the magical tether that somehow linked them together was pulsating and she felt her heart skip another beat at the idea that he might be able to feel it too. Merida didn't know why she felt these things, not even her mind could comprehend or make sense of it all, especially when she didn't always feel worthy of all the kindness and treatment she was given by Steve and the others.

It was complex.

Yet here she was..on a balcony overlooking a beautiful scenic view with the same person who scared her because of the foreign feelings he stirred within her.

"If it makes you feel any better I don't see a damsel in distress when I do those things, I just do them because I know it's the right thing to do," Steve admitted sheepishly, but with a sincere glint to his bright eyes. It looked as if he was holding something back though, something maybe he couldn't pinpoint himself.

Or was it because he could feel her energy the way she could feel his and he didn't know how to talk about it?

She smiled and nodded, "I know you do it because you care. I can read auras, remember?" Merida revealed a coy smile.

Steve bashfully laughed lowly, nodding his head, "I guess it would be hard to get anything past you then, huh?"

Merida shrugged, "I try my best not to pry with reading auras, but I do think it comes in handy, and it's helped me become more...observant of those around me."

She had to become this way because of Killian and the others who had malicious intentions with her. Steve knew the underlying reason to her reading auras and understood why it became second nature to read auras, despite the guilt she felt as if she were prying.

She paused and then spoke again to clear the silence.

"How was your photo op?" She asked curiously, shifting her weight and changing the conversation quickly. Steve nodded and shrugged, "It went well. I honestly don't see how Tony does it, with all the photo ops,"

Merida curiously tilted her head to the side, "You're not a fan of the limelight, are you?"

He shook his head back and forth slowly, confirming her thoughts, "That's more of Tony's thing, not really my style. I appreciate it and I'm grateful for it all, but I like to fly a little more under the radar,"

"You're humble," Merida mused with a generous smile that was growing on her face.

His jaw ticked slightly and he looked a bit more serious for a brief moment, taking in her words. Steve grew pensive for a quiet moment as he added lowly, "I'm just trying to be the best person I can be each day. I'm grateful for what I have and this life, but it's not always easy being the one to call the shots and make hard decisions,"

"It does humble you," He nodded in agreement with a thoughtful gaze to his eyes as he stared off towards the skyline again. She shifted on the balcony, her eyes giving him a curious once over as his taut forearms leaned against the white ledge.

"But you're also prideful," She was forward, but genuine and this earned a knowing grin from Steve.

He gave her a look and shrugged, "It comes with the territory of being Captain America,"

Merida let out a breathy giggle and he shifted his gaze to her again, leaning against the railing with his right hip and turning his attention to her, "Can I ask you something?"

Merida felt her heart stop for a moment as she froze in place, the distant sound of music and chatter fell away completely and she could only hear the beating of her own heartbeat. His voice was soft and open, yet so comforting all at once.

She looked at him, nodding silently as a green light to ask her anything.

"When this is all over what would you like to do? I feel like no one has ever asked you what you want to do.." He tip toed carefully around this question and she could see his aura billowing around him nervously, but curiously.

Merida froze, her mouth slightly agape as the idea of when this was over had occurred to her many a times, but honestly, she was only thinking as far as not going back into a cage and she knew Steve wasn't going to let that happen, she could feel that from him since the beginning.

And she believed him when he said he wouldn't allow it to happen.

No one had asked her what she wanted.

Her mind was abuzz, but she turned on her left hip to lean against the railing and face Steve as she took a steadying breath, collected her thoughts and spoke with a coy smile, "Well, the first thing I'd like to do is try some of that rolled ice cream," Steve smiled and she swore his eyes twinkled as she continued,

"Honestly? I don't know..I guess I never really thought about what  life would be like without the circus..or Killian,"

She paused and considered her words as her stomach knotted at the thought of Killian.

A small flare of panic sparked in her mind as the beast instinctively became hostile towards the mere thought of Killian. She waited for the ill moment to pass before continuing as a roller coaster of emotions started to build within her.

"Natasha told me her story about Clint and how he gave her a reprieve,"

Merida fidgeted with the bracelet Tony had made for her.

"You've done the same for me, given me a reprieve, and I'm still trying to process all of that and-," She sighed and continued, "I'm grateful for it all and I'm so incredibly lucky to have been given that kind of opportunity,"

Her eyes shone brightly and Steve saw the raw emotions coming to the surface.

She didn't want to waste what reprieve Steve had given her.

"I'd want to help people..." She spoke truthfully, though her voice was so small.

She didn't know in what capacity that would look like, but deep down, the beast within knew the face of injustice, knew the face of evil and how beautiful things could be ripped apart, how delicate, fragile things could be so easily broken and manipulated.

She also wrestled with the idea of her worth.

"But I'm still trying to convince myself that I'm worthy of an after,"

Her bottom lip trembled as he held her gaze, his own eyes shining brightly as he wanted to so badly to take away the shadows and pain, to take it all away and make his own so she wouldn't have to feel it anymore.

He stepped forward and made the small gap between them smaller, his left hand slightly reaching out to her hands that were wringing themselves raw again, something she hadn't realized she was doing.

His hand steadied both of her own and she felt an instant warmth and connection that made her eyes bounce up from his hand to his face.

He looked as cautious as she felt.

She held his gaze, swallowing thickly as she looked down at his hand upon her own. Her own hands parted slightly, their shaking near disappearing at the soothing and familiar touch that calmed her nerves and lit a fire in her belly all at once. His hand intertwined with hers slowly, exploring their feel as she noticed his own soft, yet calloused hand was so much bigger than her own.

But it fit so perfectly.

She'd never have anyone touch her in such a gentle way like this.

Fran's touch was always motherly.

This...this was different.

It was new.

She looked down perplexed and shocked at the strange sensation.

"You're more than worthy of whatever you want out of life, Merida," His voice was lower than normal, more hoarse as they became transfixed by the energy of the moment.

In a brief moment of vulnerability she swallowed thickly and shook her head, "I just don't want to go at it alone, whatever after looks like,"

The deepest truth was she didn't want to go at this alone, but she also didn't want to be a burden on anyone. But she knew deep down that Steve didn't see her as that, didn't feel she was anything close to a burden.

That both scared her and comforted her.

She looked back up at him and a small little tear escaped her right eye, "The circus was all I had..."

He gave an earnest smile, something so true and pure as he shook his head, "You won't be alone,"

Merida blinked back the emotional tears that threatened to fall. She knew he was a man of his word, especially his promises. He had mentioned before that he would be there for her to help her adjust to the world after all this was all over.

He was holding strong to that promise.

"But, if you want, we can always just start with some of that rolled ice cream," A small charming smile perked at the edges of his mouth and she immediately smiled through the tears that threatened to fall.

She let out a small breathy laugh, the feelings from moments ago fading gently, the heaviness of her heart dissipating as she felt more light and airy from the change of the energy of the moment.

Steve's magnetic blue eyes brightened considerably.

The music flowed out to them as a slow melodic song drifted out to the balcony and she turned to look inside before looking back at Steve with a slow, sweet smile as she used one of her hands to wipe the stray tears off her cheeks gently as not to mess up her make up.

"Or we could start with a dance,"

The beast within purred with anticipation, almost as if coaxing her along in approval.

He looked inside and then back at her as his eyes widened slightly, a small wrinkle appeared in his forehead and for a moment he was somewhere far away, she could feel it.

She didn't know exactly where, but for a brief moment it looked as if he were thinking of a different time, or maybe just caught off guard by her question.

"I might be bad at it," Steve relented with a reserved smile of honesty.

"My mother used to say life is a dance, you learn as you go.." She smiled up at him and looked back inside before returning her gaze to Steve as a small spark danced across his eyes. How looked at her as if he couldn't fathom telling declining.

He looked down at Merida and nodded towards the banquet hall, his answer clear as the evening sky before them.

They walked together, his hand hovering very near the small of her back as people side glanced Steve Rogers with the mystery woman near his side.

She was well aware of the eyes as they approached the small little square dance area, was even more aware of the coy smiles Natasha and Sam were giving as they turned to look at Steve and Merida approaching the dance floor so close together.

She swallowed shyly as Steve approached carefully, closing the already small gap between the two of them.

Ever so tenderly, his right hand grazed her left side, faintly resting on her side respectfully as his left hand reached out to clasp her right hand which they held out lightly at a comfortable distance.

Merida felt her breath hitch in her throat.

She was more aware now of the way in which he towered over her, the way in which his broad chest and shoulders engulfed her completely, hiding her from any onlookers behind them.

He looked down at her with his eyebrows cinched together again.

Without speaking, the way his eyes cautioned and hesitated was his way of silently asking if she was comfortable, as if allowing her a few moments to reconsider if she wasn't comfortable.

Merida responded by using her left to wrap hold herself steady against his upper arm, which ended up bringing their bodies a lot closer together than before and giving him permission to continue.

The music flowed and they moved.

Merida couldn't remember the last time she had ever danced with everyone, maybe as a child when she was with the other children in the circus, they would goof around and play, but it was few and in between.

The person who had taught her to dance was her mother. With her acrobatic background, her mother was like an angel in the air and the same went for her movements on the ground; she was always in flow, always so beautiful.

She smiled thinking about the fond memories of how her mother taught her to dance.

If mother could see me now...

Steve caught on well. He was a quick learner, but she expected nothing less. His aura was both radiant and nervous.

"You catch on quick," She whispered with a bemused smile.

"Well, it was either that or completely embarrass myself, which Tony would never let me live that down," Steve mentioned with a nervous laugh.

"My mother taught me to dance when I was a kid," Merida mentioned as they moved seamlessly together, flowing in tandem as everything fell away for a brief moment.

"I never had anyone to dance with though, so this is a test to what I can remember," She admitted with a little laugh, her eyes looking up and around, taking note of the people who were glancing at Steve with curiosity.

"What was your mom like?" She asked curiously, her mind wondering what the Brooklyn boy that grew up to be Captain America was like in his childhood. Merida found herself curious about his youth.

"My father passed right before I was born so she essentially raised me all by herself. She was hard working and resilient. When my father passed, she worked her hands to the bones to keep food on the table. One of the last things she told me that stuck with me was that a hard life could be a good life, as long as you always do what you can to help others,"

He was more pensive and thoughtful in his tone, a son's love for his mom shone brightly in his reflective blue eyes. He looked in that moment a little lost, those chiseled and handsome features gave way to the boyish heart that he still harbored, making him look so much younger than he was in that very moment.

"She said people were going to take one look at my frail little body and doubt me, that I'd have to work harder than others for what I wanted, but she also said having a heart ten sizes bigger than my body would get me further than anything else ever would," Steve added with a boyish grin that made Merida's own heart skip a beat.

"How did she pass?" Merida asked softly.

"She was a nurse in the tuberculosis ward. She caught it and the rest is history.."

Merida frowned.

She understood the feeling of losing a mother and then never even really knowing your father on such an intimate level.

She didn't realize she'd have so much in common with Steve.

"She'd be very proud of you," She murmured truthfully as the next song played and they continued to sway on the dance floor.

She noticed that other people came to the dance floor now that they were out there and she watched as he took notice as well.

"If she saw me right now I think she'd be curious about how I nearly tripled in size," Steve admitted with a sly smile as Merida chuckled lowly. "I'm sure your mother would be proud of you too," Steve offered with encouragement and she smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes, it felt comforting to know that someone else really did understand a part of her life.

Merida snuck a glance up at everyone and then looked at Steve sheepishly, a little guilt laced in her voice, "Everyone is staring at you,"

She knew he wasn't someone who liked to be in the spotlight, so a part of her felt a tad guilty that everyone was staring. Their dancing was drawing a lot of attention of curious onlookers, some more obvious than others. 

Tony poked his head around a large group of men he was talking to with Pepper, his eyes widened from across the room before an encouraging smile followed as he raised his glass in her direction.

Steve looked around for a brief moment and his eyes landed on her again.

They softened, something around the edges though deepened, and those boyish lips curved up into a demure but sweet smile as he shook his head, "It's not me they're staring at,"

The words made every cell alight in her body and she barely had time to think before he added with a more brave and forward tone, "Can't say I blame them,"

In that moment he made her feel like the only girl in the room. He made her feel incredibly special and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to fight back the prickle of grateful tears that threatened to fall from her eyes again.

Their eyes locked with electrifying effects and her lips parted as she had to remember to breathe.

She didn't know how long these moments would last, didn't know how long until Killian struck again....didn't know how long until her time with the avengers would come to the end...so she held on for dear life to Steve Rogers on the dance floor, held his unwavering gaze and committed the evening to memory as a moment in time she'd never forget.

In that moment though fleeting, she felt the swell of something abundantly warm within her chest, it was like she was bursting from the inside out.

Maybe this was what feeling worthy felt like.

She smiled with an exhale of surrender and clung tight to the moment, the feeling and to Steve. 

Author's Note:

So this chapter took forever and a day. I'm so sorry!!!! But I wanted to reconcile and give you all a very lengthy and extremely amazing cute emotional chapter.

Honestly, I wrote this and cried.

Like literally cried.

I can't remember how long it's been since I've truly connected so deeply to a story/characters and their journey together.

And can we just talk about how beautiful Merida is!?!? She cleans up so well and is truly a gem, like I love love her dress and her hair and make up and ahhhhh she's such a badass gem and I can't wait until she comes into her own badass-ery!

Everything about this chapter was so perfect and I'm so so glad I waited until I could you all nothing but the best.

So much is going on in this chapter...I honestly didn't write her mother passing and not knowing her father so she could bond with Steve over it. It just ended up that way and it fit so perfectly in this chapter.

I absolutely adore the fact that they got their first dance together and we didn't have to wait, no crazy shenanigans happened and they had their sweet moment together. T.T

The fact that they touched hands on the balcony. Her perplexed feelings of how gentle he is just makes me want to hug her so tight, AHHHH. I'm still gushing over the whole chapter.

They are smol beans <3

Divergent Aeronautics is a made up company, but they made an appearance because they will be part of the sequel! ;)

Also, can we just say how awesome Tony, Sam and Natasha are? LOL

I can literally see them all on the sidelines like coyly smiling haha I laughed thinking of how Sam would be looking at them LOL They all ship it even if they don't come out and say it LOL I also love Tony's relationship with Merida! I sense another Iron Dad relationship happening like he has with Peter <3

Thank you all for your support in this story/book and just everything.

You all mean so much to me <3

This story is not over yet and we have more to come. ;)

STAY TUNED!