Chapter Text
+~ November 22nd ~+
Aria Thomas sighed excitedly as she stared up at the apartment building that would soon home her. She grabbed her suitcases and entered the tall building as the sun seemed to beat at her back harder.
As she trudged up the never ending stairs, Aria pondered whether or not she'd be able to make friends, as she usually preoccupied herself with her work. She was an author working on a series that never seemed to end, along with the public's demand for more of the fantasy world she had created.
She sat down on a step halfway up the third set of stairs, and rubbed her tired arms. She was close to her apartment already but her legs didn't want to give her permission to stand up yet.
"Do you need help, ma'am?" Aria startled as a sweet voice came from above her, and shook her head, her breath caught in her throat as she stared into sparkling, baby blue eyes.
"I'm alright, but thank you." The blond man smiled kindly and went to stand in front of her, offering one hand out to help her stand up as his other hand grabbed one of her suitcases. "It's alright, I've got time to spare. I don’t mind helping out."
Blushing, Aria grabbed his hand and stood up, her legs protesting as she grabbed her other suitcase and started up the rest of the stairs.
"Well, thank you. I'm moving in and I didn't think my apartment would be so far up. Now, please, tell me your name, I’d like to know who it was that helped me on my first day in New York." He followed behind her and charmingly announced his name as they stopped in front of her apartment's door,
"Steve Rogers, ma'am."
Her plump red lips stretched out into a smile as she reached a hand out to shake his, "Aria Thomas. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Steve! Would you like to come in?"
He nodded and smiled back at her while she showed him into her unfurnished home with gray walls, and they set both of her suitcases against the wall. They stepped back out to gather a large amount of boxes and bring them back up into her new home. After hours of carrying boxes, even Steve’s arms were a little sore.
-¥-
“Mm I’m in the mood for Chinese, how do you feel about it?” She asked as they stretched out on her new, but comfortable, blue sofa.
“Definitely Chinese for tonight, but do you have anything fun to watch?”
They spent the whole evening together, getting to know each other over food and old movies. It was only as Aria was struggling to keep her eyes open and their second movie was at its end that they realized what time it was.
Steve Rogers left early in the morning, or late at night, and stayed up staring at his ceiling. He thought of his new neighbor. His heart pounded.