Chapter Text
More than anything, Peggy was frustrated. She was strong, fast, her mind was sharper than ever, the serum had worked better than Doctor Erskin had thought it could. And the new colonel had made it clear that she was confined to base, her ‘contributions’ to the war effort limited to either proving just how much she could lift in between giving blood or joining a USO tour to prance around in tights. And she was absolutely not going to wear tights. They weren’t even letting her keep up her intelligence work. Colonel Philips would never have stood for it. God, she’d kill for some cryptography work.
She bit the inside of her lip as she let herself out of her tiny private room in the base’s hospital. It wasn’t just the frustration. She was also lonely. She missed the girls in the codebreaking office. Missed the tight team she’d worked with for Project Rebirth, most of whom had been reassigned. The nurses were lovely, but they also had more important things to worry about than one person in the building who was completely healthy.
Of course, she wasn’t the only one currently dealing a future that wasn’t living up to expectations. She had a companion in this at least. Assuming Steve didn’t resent her for stealing his future. He’d been slightly too drugged the last few days to get a solid read on him. She didn’t think Rogers would though. He’d been there. He knew there hadn’t been another choice. He was too reasonable and too sweet to hold a grudge.
Peggy knocked softly on the door to his room. At least she hoped he wouldn’t. It was possible he was just being polite the last few times they’d talked.
“Come on in.” His soft voice called from the other side.
Peggy eased through the door. She was sure he could use a distraction as much as she did. If not more. He looked so small and fragile in the bed. “How are you shaping up?”
“Still can’t breathe, still diabetic, and now I can’t particularly walk.” Steve sighed and scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Bullet only nicked my spine. Doc says there’s a chance I’ll get some movement back, but we won’t know anything until the swelling goes down.”
“I’m sorry, darling. It’s all my fault.” Peggy sank into the room’s rickety little chair.
“Yeah. I mean, I can’t believe you brought a diehard Nazi to the procedure, helped him plant a bomb, and then handed him a gun so he could shoot me and three other people.” He reached towards her invitingly, his fingers long and graceful. And when she slipped her hand into his, so much stronger than people thought. “Shit happens. And now you have a better chance of being able to stop it.”
“That assumes anyone will let me do anything to stop it.” Peggy glared out the window. She was tired of being a pin cushion while good men were dying.
Steve squeezed her hand. “Come on, Pegs. You’ll figure out how to make ‘em dance to your tune.”
Peggy turned back towards him in surprise. No one had ever had that much confidence in her. Maybe Michael, but he’d grown up with her. Steve had just met her a few weeks ago.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have. Pegs... It was too familiar.” Steve blushed and tried to pull his hand back.
“No.” Peggy tightened her grip to stop him withdrawing. “Not at all. I think we’re there… Steven.”
His bright blue eyes sparkled as he smiled at her. “It’s Steve.”
*****
There really was no getting around it, Peggy could not for the life of her find bras or panties that fit. At least not ones that were comfortable to exercise in. And given that exercise was basically all she actually did these days it complicated matters. She’d switched to wrapping her chest in bandages. Which helped. She could run comfortably now. Well, mostly comfortably, things… rubbed... And applying Vaseline to stop them rubbing raw only served to make things slippery. She desperately needed to find a different style of underwear too. These ones kept riding up. The seam brushed against her clit every time she bent over.
Now was a bad time for her newly sensitive nerves to be driving her crazy. This was her and Steve’s time alone in the gym. She loved having his company in the afternoon. He was such a little wit. Terribly clever and snarky once he got comfortable. Perfectly adorable in his stubbornness and determination. The swelling around his spine had started to go down and he was already able to make it back and forth between the parallel bars two or three times in an afternoon. He wasn’t back to where he’d been, and he might never be, but he was better every day.
She had also caught him watching her more than once while she added weights to her bar. And from the way he blushed and looked away when she caught him, she didn’t think his growing confidence in talking to her was because he’d written her new body off as sexless. She was glad. It was anything but. As it insisted on reminding her when she bent to replace the medicine balls she’d been throwing around.
God, her underwear was drenched.
Why was it doing this to her? Because she was thinking about Steve watching her? Steve and the sweet way he wrapped his arms around her neck when she helped him into his wheelchair. His soft smile when he was falling asleep. How good that smile would look on the pillow next to her rather than her only seeing it from the chair when they read the newspaper together in the evening. She half smothered a whimper. Oh, these thoughts and feelings were going to be a problem.
“You alright, Pegs?” Steve called concerned. She turned to see him hesitating, hands on the very end of the bars. Clearly torn whether he should move to his chair to come check on her or try to walk.
“I’m fine. It’s just…” Peggy trailed off. She’d almost admitted to him that she was aroused beyond reason. “All of my senses are heightened. It takes some getting used to.”
“Is it the light? We can close the blinds. Or—” Steve looked down at his shirt and sniffed. “Is it me?”
“No. Nothing like that.” Peggy’s lips curled into an involuntary smile at his earnestness. He really was terribly sweet.
“It’s me. I—" Peggy paused. She wasn’t sure why she was hiding it. She and Steve had gotten close in the last few weeks. They talked about his wound dressing. She carried him to and from the bathroom. There was no reason they couldn’t talk about this. It really was getting out of hand. She’d thought she’d dealt with it before she’d left her room this morning. Apparently, some quick fun with her fingers hadn’t done the trick. “Frankly, I’m bloody horny.”
“Pegs!” Steve spluttered, his grip on the bars slipping.
“Sorry, darling.” Peggy hurried over to help stabilise him. “I didn’t mean to shock you.”
Steve curled his hand around her biceps. Keeping her close rather than relinquishing her help as quickly as possible the way he usually did. “I’m not a delicate flower, you know.”
“I never thought you were.” Peggy assured him. He was so much stronger than those idiots thought he was. He really should have been the one to get the serum. He would have been so amazing with a physical strength to match his mental one. Not that she was heartbroken that she’d gotten it. She loved everything it had given her. With the exception of the constant tingling between her legs, and even that she didn’t hate as much as she found it inconvenient. She just would have preferred if they’d both gotten it. And that they be allowed to do something useful with the abilities.
Steve’s fingers danced over her skin. Sliding up and down her arm as he took another small step to get himself more comfortably upright. His gaze shyly averted from hers. “Just because I’m short, and skinny, and I have some health problems, doesn’t mean I don’t understand physical… appetites. I get it. I have them too.”
“Unfortunately, my appetites seem to have increased along the same scale some of my other needs. I don’t think my little problem is going to go away until I deal with it.” Peggy smiled at him. She’d known he wouldn’t judge her. It was one of the things she adored about him. And why she hated to abandon him now. His rehabilitation, her exercise, it was their time together, but if she didn’t do something the sensation was only going to get worse. “Do you want me to take you back to your room? Or would you rather push yourself in your chair?”
“Or… or I could… help. You...” Steve offered hesitantly, his cheeks flaming red.
Peggy blinked and looked down at Steve’s body, rather than just focusing on his face. The front of his kaki pants was distinctly tented. Several inches of something hard pressing against the fabric. “Oh. I see I’m not the only one with a little problem.”
“Don’t call it little.” Steve grumbled, his blush deepening.
“Apologies, darling. Poor choice of words.” Peggy smiled and lifted him off his feet. His hot, hard, erection pressing into her side. It was doing absolutely nothing to quell her own arousal, but then if he was offering to help, she didn’t need to dampen the feeling. “A respectable and frankly quite tempting problem.”
Still blushing like a schoolgirl, Steve hooked his arms around her neck and cuddled into her. “My bed is closer.”
Peggy brushed her lips against his. Not chaste exactly, but not drinking him in the way she wanted to either. Not yet. Not until they were safely alone in that beautiful bed. She’d never thought of his regulation infirmary bed, with its standard issue green wool blanket and white enamel frame, as beautiful before. Just now she couldn’t think of anything she’d rather be looking at. “I’ll come back for your chair later, shall I?”
*****
He was every bit as lovely in bed as she’d thought. Dutifully stripping off his shirt as soon as she set him down. Peggy licked her lips. He was delicious little snack. All big innocent eyes, with those temptingly plush lips. And his hands. Artist’s hands. She wanted them all over her. She also didn’t want to do anything that would hurt him. Which, as the white strips of cloth wrapping his abdomen reminded her, was entirely possible. “Are you sure you’re up for this, darling? You’re still healing. You can just lay back and watch if you prefer.”
“I’m not about to run any marathons, and sit ups are off the table,” Steve stroked her side, still covered by her thin shirt. As nervous as he was reverent. “But I can help. I want to help. It’s just… I… I’ve never… never… with a woman before…”
“Don’t worry, darling.” Peggy drew him in for a kiss. She started slow, deepening as he encouraged her along. Sweet whimpers and a rather talented tongue heating her blood even further. She’d been with a man, but only one. And frankly, he’d been disappointing. She doubted her sweet Steve would be disappointing. The way he kissed her made it clear he’d rather die than let her down. “We’ll figure it out together.”
Steve slid his hands up her sides, pushing her shirt up over her head. With that out of the way, he kissed along the curve of her shoulders.
Peggy hastened her efforts to get her breasts unwrapped. Her already sensitive nipples desperate for attention.
Attention Steve was evidently happy to give them. He buried himself in her chest as soon as it was exposed. Cupping and squeezing her heavy breasts. Pressing them to his face and muttering gravelly praise for their weight and how soft they were. First his fingers found a nipple. Pinching and twisting, sending electric jolts of pleasure through her. Then his mouth found the other. Drawing it between his lips and sucking. Peggy’s knees went weak. All her nerves aflame as she sat down heavily on the edge of the bed.
Steve spread his attention between both breasts. Taking evident pleasure in the gasps and moans she didn’t even try to smother. His free hand wandered over her skin, trailing stars in its wake. She was closer to orgasm now, with his kisses and caresses confined entirely above her waist, than she ever had been with another partner.
She lay back in the bed. Managing to draw Steve with her and shimmy out of her pants and the infuriating panties at the same time. He pressed himself along her side. His lips back on hers, greedy and demanding as his confidence grew. She sighed into his kisses. For someone who pled inexperience, he was terribly skilled. His tongue absolutely filthy when it slipped between her lips, the better to devour her.
Peggy guided his hand down, sliding those clever graceful fingers between her legs. He’d offered to help. And she was absolutely burning for his attentions.
He took her hint. Stroking and probing experimentally to start. Then with growing confidence and conviction.
Her eye lids fluttered closed. Waves of bliss and contentment washing over her, making it hard to do anything other than arch into his touch. It was better than touching herself. Better than anything she’d ever experienced. Her whole body sang as his fingers slipped in and out. His thumb found her clit before she could think of asking. His mouth still making pilgrimage across her chest and shoulders.
The fire in her loins grew, from a deep burning smoulder to a raging inferno. The very blood in her veins was on fire. Her voice strangled in her throat for long moments. Air stilling in her lungs. Finally, the tension snapped. Pleasure exploded out of her, along with a scream flavoured with Steve’s name.
Steve stopped. The fingers inside her stilling, but not yet withdrawing. “Can—can I taste you?”
Peggy’s eyes snapped open. She’d heard. But she hadn’t thought. Steve was so sweetly innocent. The idea of it… Peggy spread her knees wide to give Steve space between her legs. “If you like.”
He settled on his stomach. One hand curled around the back of her thigh, pushing it even further towards her chest. His other hand stroked tentative fingertips against her wetness. He’d been so bold a moment ago. Now he was sweetly hesitant.
Peggy propped herself on an elbow, running a reassuring hand through his hair and along his sharp jaw. “What is it?”
Steve kissed the inside of her wrist. “Never done it before. All your bits are different. Don’t want to get it wrong and let you down.”
“I’ve never had it done.” Although she’d heard great things. Whispers between women that made her skin tingle. And sweet Steve, who kissed her lips like morning light, and her breasts like a fire in the winter. How could those kisses be disappointing anywhere? “First time together, shall we?”
He nodded, then looked down. Tipping his head from side to side. A tactical mind surveying the terrain. The first flick of his tongue was tentative. A quick taste of something unfamiliar when you weren’t sure how hot it would be. The second was deep. A long lap of something new, but delicious.
His hesitance fell away. Replaced with something like joyous enthusiasm. As if he was the one getting pleasure from the absolutely magical lapping of his tongue. He devoured her. A glutton at a feast. Moaning and purring into her. The sounds blending with her own to form an absolute symphony. Eventually his fingers joined his tongue. Sliding into her as he nibbled and sucked at her clit.
Her whole body tensed. This orgasm even stronger than the one he’d drawn from her with just his fingers. She might be flying. Her new overly sensitive body finally pleased with something. Not sated. But closer than she had been since her nerves came to life. And possibly at any point in her life before.
Steve withdrew his fingers, pressing a kiss to the inside of her thigh. “Was that okay?”
Okay? Peggy licked her lips. She was going to keep him in her pocket so he could do that every day. Maybe twice a day. She would definitely have to return the favour. And soon. “You might be a natural, darling. Remind me not to tell my friends. They’ll be terribly jealous.”
He blushed. “You really think so?”
Peggy reached down and dragged him up her body. “I know so.”
Steve stretched himself out along her body, nuzzling sweetly against her neck. “The gave me a condom ration with my kit.”
“Oh?” Peggy’s body flooded her with excitement. She quite liked that idea. “It would be a shame if they went to waste.”
For someone who’d never been with a woman, Steve certainly knew his way around a condom packet. He tore it open with his teeth. All hesitancy gone from his hands. Smooth movements got it aligned and started unrolling it to cover him. She helped him settle the sheath into place. Playfully stroking the membrane over his shaft. He was hot and firm in her hand. An absolute delight to touch. She’d feel guilty for neglecting him if he hadn’t seemed to happy with his face between his legs.
“Peggy, please.” Steve whimpered, tucking his face against her neck. His hips thrusting involuntarily into her grip.
“I don’t know, darling. I’m having fun.” She teased. She was rather enjoying stroking him. So hard and hot in her hand.
“Peggy.” Steve whimpered.
True. She was only tormenting both of them now. She lay back, reaching for him in invitation.
Steve answered her invitation enthusiastically. Stretching out on top of her, he slid into her slowly. Giving her time to grow accustomed to each inch. Or possibly giving himself time. He seemed just as overwhelmed by the sensation as she was. His gorgeous plush lips parting and eyes fluttering.
Then he was fully in. Her breath caught, the bones of his hips digging into her. Hands pressing into the mattress either side of her ribs.
Then he started to move.
And her world went white. He felt wonderful inside her. The fullness. The heat. The slick slide of him. His body over hers.
But she could feel him struggling to support his weight. The angle awkward for someone who’d very recently had abdominal surgery. She cupped his face, turning it towards her. The last thing she wanted was him over exerting himself. She’d rather stop this moment than see him in pain. “Darling—"
“No.” Steve cut her off, gritting his jaw stubbornly. “I can do this—just-- Roll over. I—I can do it better from behind.”
Peggy wasn’t one to question him. Not when his request was so reasonable. And she was so close. Plus, if she was on her knees, she could touch her aching clit. God, she wanted to finish on his cock. And to feel him finish inside her.
She rolled over, arranging herself on her elbows and knees. Steve between her legs, their hips aligned. She let out a long contented sigh as he slid back into her. The change in angle made it feel like he was reaching even deeper. He felt it too. Swearing under his breath as he found a new steady rhythm.
Steve didn’t abandon her to find her own pleasure. He was right there with her as he wrapped himself tight around her. His fingers finding the place she most needed to be touched. Rubbing firm determined circles around her clit.
Peggy moaned and pressed her face into the pillows. That was it. That was exactly what she needed.
She gasped and moaned. Another fire kindling inside her. With Steve kissing her back and whispering her name, she felt the weight of the world melt away. Nothing existed outside the two of them and this eternal moment.
Their climaxes came in the same moment. Peggy tumbling over the precipice. Her knees collapsing out from under her. Steve slipping free and landing heavily on her back. His smaller body deliciously warm against her. He was welcome to sleep there every night for the rest of their lives.
For that matter, she fully intended to invite him into her bed tonight. Even if he didn’t have the energy for a repeat performance, she liked the feel of his body against hers.
And who knew what the morning would bring.
Steve rolled onto the bed wheezing a little. The exertion to much for his still recovering body.
Peggy was a little out of breath herself. “Are you quite sure you haven’t done that before?”
“That?” The tired smile he gave her was generously laced with mischief. Certainly, she was going to let him get her into trouble all over again. And again, and again. As long as they could find a way to be together. “No. I’ve never done anything like that.”
Peggy curled around him. She should go back to her room, or get them both up and ready for dinner, but just now… Just now she was enjoying laying with the sweet boy who had adored her so thoroughly. The only one who had shown any faith in her since the accident. “You really think I can do this. Be everything you should have been?”
“No. Peggy.” Steve wrapped both of his hands around one of hers. Bringing her knuckles to his lips. “I think you can be so much more than I ever could.”