Chapter Text
Another red carpet, another fundraiser, another night of shaking hands, fake smiles, and feigning interest in the lives of people with too much money and not enough personality. TJ had been going to these events all his life, but that didn't mean he liked them anymore today than he had when he was a kid.
Beside him, Steve lightly nudged his elbow. Like TJ, Steve was impeccably dressed in a bespoke suit, but Steve wore his with the sort of regal bearing and command TJ would never have. He looked good enough to eat. "You alright?" Steve asked, low, concerned.
"Yeah." TJ looked out the tinted window of the limo as it rolled to a stop. Cameras flashed from the photo pit, and along the red carpet there were seemingly endless miles of reporters and even more cameras and video cameras. "It always reminds me of a gauntlet," he observed.
Steve chuckled, and took TJ's hand. "At least we're running it together."
"There is that." Then TJ straightened his already straight tie, did the same for Steve. "You know I've got to stop and give a few interviews. If you wanted to go on ahead and go in…"
"Are you kidding, I love being your arm candy," Steve said with a wide grin. "It's kind of fun standing there and letting you do all the heavy lifting."
"You're terrible," TJ chuckled, but Steve's words did the trick. He felt better already. "You ready?"
"Yep," Steve answered, and followed TJ out of the limo and onto the sidewalk. Instantly, they were both blinded by flashing lights, and besieged on all sides by shouted questions and comments. Luckily, they were both used to tuning out the cacophony.
TJ took a slow breath, turned on the megawatt TJ Hammond smile, and was just getting ready to walk on the carpet and step up to the first set of reporters when he felt Steve's hand slide over his and squeeze. "Knock 'em dead," Steve told him, then brushed his lips over TJ's, the kiss light as air, but unmistakable for anything else.
The lights and shouts around them grew louder, but they could have been the only people on the planet. Steve was looking at him with a small, private smile, his eyes shining with adoration and love TJ knew he'd never deserve, and his fingers were warm, callused, and dry. Steve Rogers, who could have anyone, was with him. Had chosen TJ, of all people, with whom to build and share a life. Most days, it was still so surreal that TJ expected he'd wake up at any moment.
"Love you," he murmured, barely moving his lips. Those words weren't for anyone else to hear.
Steve's smile grew brighter. He leaned in, brushed another kiss to TJ's jaw. "Love you, too," he whispered. "Let's do this."
"Yeah, okay." TJ nodded, gripped Steve's hand tight, and they stepped onto the carpet as one.
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