Warning: this article contains spoilers for Marauders #21!
Captain America accidentally delivered the X-Men's Emma Frost the ultimate insult. Steve Rogers and Emma Frost couldn't be any less alike. He may be one of the world's most celebrated superheroes, but Steve Rogers had a humble beginning, and he's always fancied himself a man of the people. In contrast, Emma Frost has always wanted to walk among the upper classes, and she looks upon the masses as nothing but sheep - to be led by a shepherd. And with her telepathic powers, she views herself as that shepherd.
And yet, for all that's the case, the X-Men's Hellfire Gala is an opportunity for men and mutants to come together in strange and unexpected ways. In Marauders #21 by Gerry Duggan and Matteo Lolli, Emma Frost mingles with the guests at the gala - and is quite surprised when Captain America catches her eye. "The man usually does nothing for me," she tells Kate Pryde, "but the way Rogers looked at me when we were with Doom, I can tell there's something there." Kate is incredulous and prompts Emma to read Cap's mind.
"You and I are too busy for relationships these days," Emma observes happily, "but they're still fun for us to fantasize about and--" She then breaks off, horrified at what she learns from her telepathic probe. "Oh no," Emma declares, scandalized. "I remind Rogers of his mother. She was born at the turn of the previous century. I need a drink. I need another!" It's a hilarious moment, all the funnier because Captain America unwittingly gives Emma Frost what she would consider the ultimate insult with just a thought.
The moment works as a hilarious gag, but oddly enough there's a serious point underpinning it in the way Emma Frost interacts with Kate Pryde. When Emma first joined the X-Men, Kate - then still calling herself Kitty - was distrustful, and the relationship between the two was characterized by acerbic sarcasm. But the age of Krakoa has changed everything, and the two are not just fellow X-Men anymore; rather, they are true friends. Here they are, chatting happily about their fantasy relationships, with Emma confiding her shock and horror when she discovers the truth of Steve Rogers' thoughts about her. There's still a lot of sarcastic humor in Kitty's responses, and her description of Captain America is hilarious, but nothing feels sharp or pointed.
It's amusing to imagine the idea of a relationship between Captain America and Emma Frost. Back in 2019, Marvel teased the wedding of Emma and Tony Stark, and those two are a far more natural match; they both move through the same circles, they both share the same values. But a romance between Steve and Emma would certainly be a case of opposites attracting. It would be fun to see how it worked out, though, because Emma could potentially ground Steve in a way that helps him avoid rash decisions, while Steve would encourage Emma to be aware of her own mortality. Presumably, that's off the cards, though - because Emma reminds Captain America far too much of his mother.