In a move he never would have even considered trying before now, Steve lifted their joined hands just enough to drop his arm around Rogue's shoulders, keeping their fingers twined together. For the first time, when he wasn't fighting for his life, Steve was starting to feel perfectly at ease in his body. He attributed the new feeling entirely to her.

He stretched out a little on the bench, slightly over-exaggerating his casual, arrogant pose, and said airily, "Well, then my diabolical plan is working. 'Cause I plan on keeping you forever." He kept his voice light, but he meant every word. She didn't need to know just how serious he was, though, so he kept up the teasing. "Yep. I've caught you now, nothing for it. Just gotta accept the inevitable; you're stuck with me."