"Steve!"

Nothing. Silence.

"Steve, we need to go!" Clasping the back of your earring and checking your hair one last time, you glanced at the clock to find that you were about to be late for your own party. You hurried to the closet and grabbed three pairs of shoes, holding each one against your dress to decide which to take, but you needed another opinion; Steve was terrible at this but Nat was already gone.

"Steven Grant Rogers get your sweet ass out...here..." you stopped, a small gasp escaping when you finally saw him emerge from the bathroom. "Is that...um...is that new?" The shoes you had been so focused on were dropped carelessly to the floor so you could meet him, running your hands down his chest against the silken blue material of his shirt.

He looked down at you with a satisfied smirk, rolling each sleeve up his forearm as he watched you continue to inspect him. "Yes, it's new," he chuckled. "Chris got this for my birthday a few months ago, remember? He just happened to tell me how much you liked it when he wore it in the movie. (Y/N)?"

"Hmm?" you hummed absentmindedly, suddenly jolted back to attention to see him looking at you with a bright smile and that undeniable sparkle in his eyes that was somehow accentuated by the blue of his shirt. "Right! Right...I remember. I'm going to have to thank him myself. And you just might need to wear this everyday," you murmured, pressing yourself against him and relaxing at his arms wrapping around you to hold you there.

"We need to go, doll," Steve whispered into your hair, pressing his lips against it. "But we can pick this up later." He gently pulled away and hurried to your closet, grabbing the pair of bright red heels that you had dropped a moment ago. He stopped and did a small turn in front of you, holding his arms up so you could enjoy the view one more time. "If you get to stare at the goods all evening, then I get to think about you wearing these all night."

~~~

When you arrived at the party in the lounge of the tower, it was well underway. The music was loud, but the conversations and laughter were even more so, with actors and Avengers intermingled together for the first time since meeting at the Civil War press junket. It was a party that you had promised them that day, and with both Steve and Chris incessantly bothering you to set it up, it was finally happening.

"See? We're late to our own party," you huffed, stepping out of the elevator but stopping at Steve's hand around your waist, pulling you tightly next to him with his mouth next to your ear.

"Yeah, but we look so good doing it," he smirked, moving his hand to take yours and leading you into the crowd. He looked around the room, and not seeing who he wanted, he took his phone from his pocket and typed anxiously. "You see Evans anywhere? He should have been here by now."

"I'm sure he's just hung up in traffic or something, calm down."

"He would've texted me..." he mumbled to himself, still watching his phone for the reply.

"You're like an overprotective father, Steve. He'll be here. Let's go." Hooking your arm into his, you led him into the group, passing by the group of Nick and Samuel in an animated discussion with Maria and Cobie.

"Ok, man," Sam said as he leaned in closer to Nick, pointing towards Maria with his drink in hand, "you're gonna sit here and tell me to my face, that you and Hill never...you know..."

Nick leaned back and laughed loud enough to echo through the room with a wide grin that quickly spread through the four of them. "Okay, come on! She's my second in command! That would be so inappropriate!"

"Yeah, but it crossed your mind, right?" Cobie joined in. "There's no way that two people spend as much time together as you two and it hasn't come up."

"He's not my type," Maria said flatly, quickly bringing her beer to her mouth when the group quieted and turned to watch for Nick's reaction. His mouth hung open just slightly and his eye widened at the admission.

"Wait, but you've thought about it?!"

Maria shifted in her chair slightly, looking around the room for an escape from the uncomfortable situation she had just created for herself. She stood and smoothed out the material of her sleek black dress, turning to slip past Nick's chair. "Excuse me, I think I heard Rhodey looking for me..."

"Well, shit, it's gonna be a tough day at work tomorrow, am I right?" Sam laughed, giving Nick a quick punch in the arm as he laughed at his stunned counterpart.

~~~

Steve was still keeping a watchful eye on the door when Bucky joined you both at the bar, looking equally upset that his own portrayer hadn't arrived yet either. Each member of the team had become friends with their actors, but next to Steve and Chris, Bucky and Sebastian were next to becoming the closest. "Hey, Buck. So you haven't seen them either?"

"I talked to Seb about an hour ago, said they were running late," he replied, checking his phone again, though he had done so only a few minutes before. "Shoulda been here by now."

"What is it with you two?" you said, eyeing them skeptically, "I've never seen this before unless you're worried about each other. What are you boys doing? What do you have up your sleeves?"

"Sleeve," Bucky deadpanned, holding up his metal arm, "I've only got one, doll."

"What do you do with those extra sleeves anyway? I've always wondered," Anthony joined in, sliding up next to you and giving you a quick kiss on your cheek. "You're looking mighty beautiful this evening, (Y/N)."

"Woah, hold up," Sam interjected, taking your arm and pulling you towards him. "Cap doesn't like it when guys make a move on (Y/N). I'm doing this for your own safety, man, trust me. He doesn't mess around."

Steve responded and took your other arm, pulling you away from Sam and down onto his lap, wrapping his arm tightly around your waist. "Come on, fellas. You can't blame me, right? You'd all do the same thing." He leaned in and kissed your neck, sending a shivering chill through you. He smiled into your skin at the effect that he had on you, but felt a little bad that he was making such a public display. "Sorry," he whispered.

"Of course, but that's no reason to knock a guy out," Sam laughed. "I didn't know you two were a thing when I met her! And you hit harder than you think!"

"Then don't touch my stuff," Steve smiled back, pointing a quick warning to Anthony.

"Why do I even talk to you guys," you sighed, pushing yourself up from Steve's grip, "I'm gonna go find Tony and Bruce. You boys just sit here and argue over who's is bigger or whatever it is you all do." Feeling a little playful and just to add to the discussion that would ensue once you left, you moved to Anthony and raised up on your toes to leave a kiss on his cheek in return. "Good to see you again, gorgeous," you winked, turning away with a smile at the small growl you heard coming from Steve as you walked away.

~~~

On your way to find the foursome, you passed by Natasha and Jeremy, sitting along the large windows overlooking the city below. Scarlett and Clint soon joined them, with Wanda and Elizabeth in tow.

"Hey, (Y/N), come sit with us for a while," Jeremy summoned, standing and holding out his hand towards you. "I haven't had a chance to talk to you yet."

Glancing across the room, you saw Tony and Bruce take their counterparts into the lab, so you knew you had a good amount of time before they would be back, nodding and accepting Renner's hand. "I'd love to, thanks." Before taking a seat, you looked at Wanda, noticing the bright patterned dress she had on, the colors accentuating her features and giving her an ethereal glow.

"Wanda, is that new? You look amazing."

"It is," she smiled brightly, standing and doing a small twirl for the group. "Lizzy brought it from California for me! Isn't it wonderful?"

"All of her clothes are so dark," Elizabeth joined in. "Not that it's bad, she looks beautiful in that too. I just wanted her to try something a little different."

As she turned, you reached out and touched the material, letting its silkiness slide through your fingers. "I think it's perfect on you, Wanda," you said quietly, happy to see that she was enjoying herself, and thankful that she had made such a great friend after everything she had been through.

"(Y/N), how long have you and Cap been an item?" Jeremy asked, directing you to a seat next to him. "These guys tell me it's been quite a while now."

You looked at Nat and Clint quizzically, wondering why the topic of you and Steve would even come up in this group. "Um, yeah...it's been almost two years now, I think? Why do you ask?" Glancing over your shoulder back at Steve, you started to get more and more curious as to why he was so desperate for Chris to join him, seeing that he was still watching the door with Bucky.

"Just trying to get to know ya, that's all," he smiled. "Barton was pretty clear about watching my manners though, like how we aren't supposed to do this..." he said as he stood, again taking your hand and this time pressing it to his lips, "when Steve's around."

"Oh, you like to tempt fate, do you?" you laughed. "You just missed the conversation with Anthony over there." You nodded your head towards the bar, "maybe you should ask Sam about how Steve can-"

"How Steve can what?"

Your body tensed slightly at the sound of his voice and his hands suddenly on your shoulders as he stood behind you. "How Steve can overreact," you sighed. "Hey, babe, I thought you were standing guard over the door."

"He finally texted back. They'll be here in a few minutes." He reached down and took your hand, still being held in Jeremy's, lifting you to stand next to him. "Excuse us, please. Tony needs us to..." his voice faded as the crowd grew silent around the room. "Well, that's unexpected."

You followed his gaze to the far side of the room where Thor had entered with Hemsworth, standing next to an all-too-familiar face. Chris had brought Tom as his guest, knowing how much the actor wanted to meet the real Avengers that he had heard so much about from his friend, but no one had known that Thor would be bringing Loki as his.

"Shit," you whispered, pulling Steve along towards them. "I thought he was bringing Jane."

~~~

Steve gripped your hand a little too tightly, feeling the nervous shake in it as you approached the Asgardians and their portrayers. You hadn't met Loki before, but you sure knew enough about him after the stories from the team and what Thor had told you about his troublemaking brother. He stood next to Thor, dressed in casual attire that had to have been chosen for him, looking only slightly uncomfortable. You released Steve's hand and instead wrapped your arm around his, holding him closer as you approached.

"Thor," you smiled, "Jane couldn't make it?"

"No, she was unable to leave her work. I hope it's not any trouble, but Loki had voiced a desire to meet Thomas."

"Please, call me Tom," he smiled brightly, his eyes sparkling with an undeniable attractiveness. He stepped forward and kissed your hand with a small bow, ever the gentleman. "(Y/N), I've heard so much about you. I'm so very pleased to finally meet you."

"You have?"

"As have I," Loki interrupted, taking your hand from Tom's and slowly pressing his lips against it, keeping his eyes on you. "And the stories pale in comparison to your beauty when looked upon with my own eyes."

"Oh my," you sighed, taken aback at his forwardness in front of Steve. You were surprised that he hadn't pulled you away yet as he had done only moments before, but when you looked back his eyes were locked with Thor's. "It's my pleasure to meet you both. Wow, Marvel really does master their casting. Tom, are you as mischievous as our favorite villain here?"

"Villain?" Loki gasped, bringing his hand to his chest, feigning shock, "my dear, such harsh terms. I'm no villain. I'm merely determined in my principles."

The crowd behind you had returned to their own conversations, but grew louder when the final pair of guests arrived. Steve turned quickly and released you, hurrying off to meet them. "Finally!" He excitedly waved at Bucky across the room, summoning him to join them.

Tom and Loki had turned away in a quiet conversation, so you took the opportunity to try to get information out of Thor. "Do you know what's going on? Oh, and hey, why do these two know about me? What did you say to them?"

"Nothing that wasn't true, (Y/N)." He took five glasses of champagne from a server as they passed by, handing one to you, Chris, Tom, and Loki. "Here, brother, you'll find that this human alcohol has no effect, but it's customary at this type of event."

"Wait, alcohol has no effect on you at all?" Tom asked with surprise.

"Just wait," Chris replied, "he has this little flask that he carries around. If he asks if you want to try it, say no. Trust me. I lost two days because of that stuff."

~~~

When you left to rejoin Steve, he was huddled tightly with Bucky, Evans and Sebastian, laughing with hands slapping each others backs, and looking very relaxed now that they were there. He finally looked like he was able to enjoy the party that you had all waited so long for.

"Hey, guys," you smiled, sliding into the group next to Steve, "it's about time you showed up. What was the hold up? I thought Steve was headed into a panic."

"Hey, sweetheart," Chris leaned forward, kissing your cheek. His beard had grown back in since you had last seen him now that reshoots for the latest film were done, and it tickled your cheek as it grazed over your skin. "We just had a few stops to make that took longer than we thought."

"Yeah, thanks again for helping with that," Steve said, again reflexively pulling you to him. "Couldn't have done it without you."

Now you had to know what was going on. "Couldn't have done what, exactly? You boys are up to something, and it's been bothering me all evening." You pointed at the four men, all looking at you know like they were completely innocent with no idea what you meant. "And don't give me that look, you four are nothing but trouble. I'm starting to regret bringing you all together."

"(Y/N)!" Tony called to you from the center of the room. "Can you come down here for a minute? Downey and I need you to settle a bet!"

"Wait here," you scolded, "I'm not done with you yet." You hurried to join Tony, waiting for you with Robert, Mark and Bruce. "Okay, fellas, what's the bet this time? Comparing bank accounts? Who has the higher IQ? Who's the biggest smartass?"

"Stark," Bruce coughed under his breath, trying and failing at subtlety.

"No, nothing like that," Tony replied. "We were just betting on what your answer would be."

You paused for a moment, wondering what he could possibly be talking about. "My answer to what?" With a soft smile, he took your arms in his hands and turned you around slowly. You lost your breath when you saw Steve in front of you, lowered onto one knee.

"Hey, doll," he whispered with a small tremble in his voice. "Go easy on me, I'm a little nervous."

Your hand shot up over your mouth, trying to keep control of your own nerves, feeling your heart begin to race and pound inside your chest. "Steve..." With a quick glance around the room, you saw that everyone's eyes were on you, and it quickly fell into place that they had all known exactly what was going to happen. You sought out Evans, seeing him leaning against Sebastian with his hands anxiously clasped in front of this face and full of excitement for his friend.

"I now realize that I was so worried about just getting to this moment that I didn't prepare what to say," he chuckled, his gaze locked on you. "So I guess I'll keep it simple." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, opening it to reveal the ring that Chris had stopped to pick up for him on the way there; now you knew why he had been so anxious for him to arrive. "I love you so much, (Y/N), and I can't imagine not having you next to me every day. I can't imagine not waking up next to you and not having you in my arms as we fall asleep. I owe you for making me this happy, and I want to show you that for the rest of our lives. Will you let me do that? Will you marry me, (Y/N)?"

"Of course I will," you replied immediately. "There's no question."

The room erupted in cheers and applause as Steve slid the ring over your finger and lifted you from the floor, holding you tightly against him. It didn't surprise you that Chris would be the first one at your side, congratulating you and hugging you both with tears in his eyes.

"You're such a sap, Evans," you laughed, wiping your eyes as you pulled away. "You looked as nervous as Steve."

"Are you kidding? Can you imagine if I, of all people, let down Captain America? I could single-handedly ruin the franchise."