"What? Are you trying to go back on your word?" Steve retorted, staring at Fury like a stubborn worker demanding fair wages from a black-hearted capitalist.
Fury's forehead was lined with stress. "Alright, Captain, I'm glad to see you awake and unharmed. We'll settle your wages, but you haven't reached retirement age yet. The world still needs you."
"Okay, but give me five hundred first." Steve didn't waste any time and reached for the money.
Hill, sitting across the table, watched quietly. Normally, she would handle this as Deputy Director, but since she had agreed to be his temporary girlfriend, she automatically assumed that role.
Fury sighed and pulled out five U.S. dollars.
"Here!"
"Thanks. We'll discuss the specifics in your office later. Right now, I need to make up for a date with my girlfriend that's seventy years overdue. Give us some private space, thank you." Steve pocketed the money, ignoring the special forces standing outside. Arrest him? What a joke!
Fury paused. Something felt off. He glanced at Steve, then at Hill. "What do you think?"
"I'll just have dinner with my boyfriend for now," Hill said, subtly winking. This was a delaying tactic. Since Steve called himself her boyfriend, she would go along and see how things unfolded.
"Good. Enjoy your date. Let's go." Fury decided to leave the matter in Hill's hands.
The couple left the restaurant quickly, drawing curious glances from other diners.
They really did look like a perfect match.
Familiar dishes—pan-fried steak, chicken sandwiches, fish and chips—and a glass of mango juice completed the picture. Hill ordered a fish omelet with strawberry juice.
Outside, traffic flowed as neon billboards changed daily, advertising coffee, clothing, and cosmetics—a bustling concrete jungle with a hint of ruthlessness.
Hill ate quietly, noticing that Steve kept glancing outside. Next to him was a listening device Fury had placed—every word of their conversation was being monitored.
"Captain, why aren't you eating? Is it not to your taste? Or are you still adjusting?"
Steve noticed the device but ignored it. From corporate drone to Captain America, everything felt surreal, like a dream—or a game. But if it were a dream, why did it feel so real?
The pan-fried steak was well-done and delicious. The sandwich, with chili and lettuce, was excellent. Eating quietly, he felt his body becoming more alert.
"It takes time to adjust. Times change quickly. It seems we won that war," Steve said, admiring Hill's every expression.
Hill, a cold beauty who kept most people at a distance, offered a faint smile—rare and mellow, like fine wine. Steve's gaze made her nervous. She straightened up, then looked down. "This is all thanks to your heroic combat, which allowed us to achieve victory."
"Thank you. And thank you for having this meal with me. I'm very happy. Let's formally introduce ourselves. My name is Steve Rogers."
Hill was amused by this unique way of flirting. She extended her hand. "Hill Maria."
Walking hand in hand toward the S.H.I.E.L.D. office building, they looked like a genuine couple. A refreshing feeling and a long-lost flutter returned to Hill's heart.
"Ding! Mission complete. Trait activated: Leader. Reward: Novice Skill: Friendly Aura."
Leader: As a captain who has fought for many years, your sense of justice makes teammates see you as their leader. You can activate an aura to buff yourself and allies; if used on yourself only, the buff doubles.
Friendly Aura: You are kind to others and can start as friends with anyone. Enemies' hatred is eliminated, and they become friendly acquaintances.
Steve considered the reward thoughtfully. Not bad—one more friend meant one more path. He might just become a social butterfly.
Sure enough, Hill's small hand gripped his tightly.
"Captain, I…"
"Call me Steve. Only use titles at work."
Hill lowered her head, glancing at her toes. "Heh… Steve, are you mistaking me for Ms. Carter?" She felt a flutter of attraction she couldn't explain.
This was completely impossible. Hill's graduation results had been excellent, and she had transferred from the military. She had seen countless scoundrels pretending to be respectable professors. She never focused on relationships, only her career—which made her achievements possible.
Yet, just now, her heart had skipped a beat.
Brave and decisive—she wanted to clarify if it was her unrequited affection or if Steve had mistaken her for someone else.
"You are exactly who I'm looking for. Actually, I woke up earlier. I was listening to a baseball game on the radio and didn't know what era I was in. I heard your voice and remembered you. If you don't mind me being a centenarian…"
Steve stopped, turned her around, and looked into her blushing face. "Then be my girlfriend. Help me adapt to this era again, okay?"
Centenarian? Well, that joke was fair—he'd been frozen for seventy years and added his original age.
"I'd be happy to," Hill said softly, feeling his sincerity. She had been an agent long enough to recognize the truth. Besides, this boyfriend wasn't bad at all.
In the S.H.I.E.L.D. office, Fury and Coulson were eavesdropping.
When they heard Hill accept him as a boyfriend, they exchanged surprised glances.
Hill, the notorious ice queen of S.H.I.E.L.D., had rejected even the children of executives. She could wield her authority to crush anyone who annoyed her. Yet now… a late bloomer?
"Director Fury, this is a good thing," Coulson whispered.
"I just think this Captain seems a little strange," Fury muttered, frowning.