Steve Rogers / Reader (2) - part 2
There had been plenty of teasing about the fact that you and Steve “clicked”. You had been working quite closely together for 10 months, just a week to 11 months and when you had started to work the Avengers you had become great friends quickly. Then you had fallen in love with him quite sneakily. You had not meant it to happen, mostly because of the friendship –thing, which you had not wanted to put in any kind of risk, but also because you worked together and you were worried that if something went wrong, it would surely cause bad vibes at the office.
Besides you assumed that Steve saw you only as his friend and co-worker and it was fine. However your working colleagues kept teasing you both about the obvious spark of attraction which neither of you had admitted. But against everything you assumed, Steve was attracted to you, no, more than attracted. He respected you and knew that you were a wonderful person who deserved so much love. He knew in his heart that he wanted to be that special person for you, besides he was jealous at every guy you had gone out on dates with. You were friends, very good friends indeed and talked about your dates occasionally.
One day you were both at the office. You were collecting papers after a meeting without knowing that Steve was spying on you in the doorway. He liked the way you mumbled always something to yourself when you were alone. He could had watched you forever but this time he had something he had to ask you and it could not wait. He knocked the wall three times very sharply which caused you to jump a bit because you got spooked. After swiftly recovering from the heart attack you turned around and saw Steve standing a little further away.
- Oh, Steve! Please, come in. I am just trying to collect these papers after a meeting.
- Shouldn’t you have someone taking care of cleaning, an assistant or-
- I like to clean up my own mess, you know that! Besides it helps me to concentrate to the next meeting. But enough of that, how may I help you?
- I have been thinking… he began and rubbed nervously his chin. You watched his body language curiously. You had never seen him this nervous.
- Yes?
- I think it would be time for me to gather courage to ask you out. he said after inhaling and exhaling slowly a couple of times.
- Sure… That would be great! Shall I organize something? Like a team-building –evening? you asked and assumed that he meant to ask you out for a “friendly get-together with the whole team”.
- No! I mean, it is not what I meant. I am trying to ask you out on a date here. he answered. You managed to let a small, surprised “oh?” which led into an awkward, rather long silence. “Did I hear right? Did I understand right? Did he ask me out, on a date?” you kept thinking until you recoiled and had to say something because the look on Steve’s face was turning from shy but hopeful into disappointed and embarrassed.
- I… I would love that. you answered with a smile and you could see the relieved look appearing on his face when he heard your answer.
- Great! So, well… Tomorrow. he said and tried to keep his cool and not to sound too overly excited about the date.
- It’s a date! Uhm, Steve, dress code? you asked.
- Clothes... you know... date... clothes... he stammered and smiled with a light blush on his face.
- I see… Are we talking about a dinner in a fancy restaurant or… a paintball match? Something in between? You must give me something. you teased. You had seen many kind of dates and sometimes you had even attended a “hiking –date” in high heels because the date had not told you anything about his plans.
- Well, you are the first girl I am taking out so I am thinking something quite traditional. I am sure you got the idea. You… are an expert on dating, aren’t you? he asked and you could hear that he was getting annoyed about his own nervousness.
- Yes, expert on countless of first dates… Not on “serious dating” with someone I care about… very much. you answered and blushed a little. Steve got courage from your answer and the look on his face softened.
- Alright… Uhm… Traditional… Dinner? Relaxed, casual dinner. you suggested.
- Yes, that sounds good. he commented and flashed a shy smile. He usually looked into your eyes when he talked to you, but now he was lacking courage to meet you gaze.
- Don’t stress! It’s just me. you chuckled.
- But that’s the thing. It is you and therefore I don’t want to screw it up. he replied. You blushed for real this time and played with your necklace nervously. The silence continued until you noticed the clock on the wall. You had to get on with the rest of the day.
- Okay... Listen, I don’t want to push you out, but I really need to get ready for the next meeting. you said and walked Steve out from the conference room.
- Yeah, good talk. he said. The moment was a little awkward.
- Indeed... you commented and watched Steve walking away. Then you realized that you had no idea where and when you were supposed to meet him. You called his name and ran to him. He stopped and turned.
- So... where and when? you asked.
- I'll come to pick you up at seven. he answered with an shy smile on his face.
- Sounds good. I'll see you then. you said, walked back into the conference room and closed the door behind you. You needed a moment to think this through and calm yourself down. It was not professional of you to smile like an idiot or blush at work.
Steve went to do some training but his mind was occupied to the point that he had to excuse himself to the bathroom where he washed his face with cold water and did a couple of victory-moves before returning to the combat-practice. He was happy that he had finally asked you out and even happier that you had accepted his invitation.
It was the next day and half past three when you went home. You had managed to take a couple hours off and get home earlier than usual. You usually worked overtime anyway and since you managed your hours yourself, you had decided to take some time to get ready for the date. Besides Stark did not care when you worked as long as you got the job done.
You quickly took a shower and then started to get ready. You had not been nervous but as you began to look for suitable clothes and then work on your face, you started to feel those small butterflies in your stomach.
It was almost time, just five minutes to seven. You heard the doorbell ring. One final look and then you went to open the door.
- Hi... Steve said and smiled shyly.
- Please, come in... I just have to... you said and walked to the living room. Steve came in and followed you. You turned around and were surprised to see him right behind you.
- Here... he said and gave you one deep red rose. You looked at him surprised and then smiled.
- Oh-wow… Thank you... I'll put it to water right now. Just a second. you said and opened the plastic, see through wrapping and put it to a bottle-vase.
- It's so beautiful! I’ve never gotten flowers from anyone… Thank you… that is very thoughtful of you. you said and the longer you talked the more mumble your speech became. You put the vase onto your dining table. Steve smiled. You took your coat, put on your shoes, took your purse and then followed him out. He was not driving a motorcycle this time but a black car. He opened the door for you and helped you to sit. Then he went around the car and got in to the driver seat.
He drove to Brooklyn and parked the car outside of a cozy-looking restaurant.
- I used to come here when I was young... he began.
- You still are... you commented.
- I'm over 90...
- Hey, age is only a number anyway. you said and got out from the car. Steve escorted you to the door and opened it. He motioned you to enter first and then followed you.
- Good evening. Do you have a reservation? the waiter asked as you stepped into the restaurant.
- Yes... The name is "Rogers". he answered her.
- This way, please. she said and lead you two to a table in the corner, by the window. The restaurant played old-styled music and it was half empty currently. The waiter brought you some ice water and menus.
- They haven't changed the menu. Steve said and smiled. You both ordered the food and some white wine to go with it.
- So you're from Brooklyn? you asked or more like stated.
- Yeah... but I'm sure you knew that already. It's in my files. Steve commented.
- Hm, I guess in this line of work you meet the people by their files. you mumbled.
- Let's forget the files. We're not here for business... right? he begged for your confirmation because he needed to know that you understood that he was there with you on a date, not as friends and definitely as co-workers.
- Yeah... sure! So Brooklyn... has it changed a lot? you asked with a curious tone.
- Yes it has... like the whole city has. I actually live here, nearby.
- You do? you asked with a surprised tone. You had not seen that in the files.
- Oh that's right. You have never visited my apartment. he commented. He had visited your apartment many times since you had been hanging out as friends from the beginning. He had never invited you over because he was not the type of guy who would “invite ladies over”.
- No I have not. So... I take you were not exactly a ladies man, before you became Mr. Still-Not-Ladies-Man. you continued and tried to come up with topics to talk about. It felt different to talk to Steve knowing that you were supposed to make a good impression on him, in a romantic sense.
- Ah.. you've seen my photo before the science experiment...
- Has nothing to do with that... Sure you were not the tallest or strongest of guys, but with your personality, I'm surprised that the ladies haven't been running after you... you stated.
- Haha... thank you...
- I would had... you commented.
- You would? he asked with a surprised tone.
- Yeah... totally. you said and blushed. Steve felt like he had to comment something so he said
- I would had asked you out, although I'm not and was not a womanizer -type...
- That, in my opinion, is good. you said and sipped your wine.
- How about you and your countless first dates? Should I be afraid of competition? he asked.
- Haha... you laughed, covered your mouth and had to struggle to keep the wine in and not burst it on Steves face.
- I bet you have eaten guys like me for breakfast... he teased.
- More like for every meal... but actually no... Countless first dates, yes, but... That's about it... you replied after you had calmed down.
- Oh come on... A woman like you...
- What's that supposed to mean? you laughed.
- Smart and funny... beautiful even... very beautiful... he said and blushed.
- Well thank you, flattery will get you anywhere, Mr. Rogers. Just keep 'em coming... you joked and made a sign with your hand that said "go on, go on".
- Would you like to dance? he asked suddenly.
- Uhm, wow this is getting serious, isn't it?
- Please... he said and stood up. He offered you his hand. You stood up and took his hand. He led you to the dance floor.
- I don't know the steps... you commented nervously.
- Don't worry... usually dancing is just an excuse to hold the lady... he said and placed his hand on your waist. You put your hand on his shoulder and he held your other hand in his. You swayed to the music for a moment keeping a friendly distance and then he spun you around a couple of times. After that he pulled you very close and wrapped his arm around you. You leaned your head against his broad, muscled chest. The moment was interrupted by the waiter who had come to tell you that the food had been served. Steve led you back to the table.
- Thanks for the dance. he said when he sat down.
- Thank you... it was... very... nice. you stammered. Your heart was about to burst and your head was spinning, but it had nothing to do with the actual spinning that you had been part of the dance.
- First of many, I hope. he said shyly. It was so strange to see Steve, mighty Captain America, so shy and cute. You started to eat. The food was a bit old fashioned, but very good. The atmosphere was like you had fallen through a wormhole into a time during the Second World War, the music and decor matched the atmosphere. You talked about your childhood and you told Steve about your family and that you missed them. After finishing the main course, Steve asked you to dance with him a couple of times and after eating delicious dessert, you left the restaurant and walked to a park nearby to let the alcohol levels drop. You had drank one bottle of wine, about two glasses for each, but Steve did not want to take any chances, although he knew that he could not even get drunk but in his mind you were too precious to take any risks, plus it was a valid excuse to continue the evening with you by taking a walk by the river.
The night was calm and there was a moon shining in the horizon. The city lights blocked the stars but you could see a few airplanes flying high up in the sky and you pretended that those were very slow shooting stars.
- Oh, there's one! you exclaimed and pointed your finger at it.
- Now you get to make a wish... he said with a smile on his face.
- I wish... wait... I cannot say it out loud, or else...
- Or else "what"? he asked with soft tone.
- It will not come true...
- Is that so? he asked.
- Yeah... Duh!
- Well it explains then why any of my wishes haven't come true... Oh, there's another... he said and pointed a news helicopter.
- Haha! you said and turned to face him. Steve took your hands in his and looked down. Then he raised his head and looked into your eyes. Or maybe he was staring at your lips, both most likely. He did not smile, but he did not look sad or bored either. There was sort of longing in his eyes. Your smile faded away as you could see that he was gathering his courage to kiss you. You let go of his hand and ran your fingers softly on his cheek and ran your thumb on his lips just barely touching. You smiled.
- You’re too tall, so I cannot reach to kiss you… I’m sorry but you really need to lean closer. you joked to make him laugh. Steve chuckled.
- Not to put any pressure… but some say that a woman can know everything there is to know about the nature of their relationship and the man from the first kiss… you teased. Steve was still nervous.
- You know, it’s the first impression… if you’ll screw that u- you said and Steve stopped you from finishing the sentence by finally leaning closer and pressing his lips against yours. He did not dare to move at first but then you encouraged him by pulling him closer yourself. He put his hands on your neck and moved one to the back of your head. He ran his fingers in your hair while his lips gently explored yours. Then he gasped for air, so did you. It was better than any of the countless first kisses ever and your feet were about to turn into mush.
- So… What did that tell about me? he asked as he stepped further away from you. You were breathing heavily and touched your lips with your cold fingers. The look on your face was surprised. Then you started to smile.
- You really should say something… he teased. You tried to form a sentence but it was impossible.
- Maybe… you’re still evaluating and need more “material” to form an opinion… he said and walked to you. He wrapped his arms around you and kissed you again. He was gentle and possessive at the same time. He was clearly enjoying this kissing-thing and you enjoyed it very much too.
- You’re speechless. he teased.
- Yeah… That really rarely happens… you managed to say.
- So there’s hope for a second date?
- Absolutely… you answered and smiled widely.
You walked to the car and Steve drove you back home. He kissed you once more at your door before leaving.
- I had a lovely night… thank you. you said. Steve smiled and wished you sweet dreams. You went in and hurried to shower and then to bed. It was a work day tomorrow anyway. It was difficult to get any sleep when the night played over and over in your head. Steve had watched you going inside and then left home as well. He kept smiling to himself all the way back to Brooklyn.
You kept seeing him regularly, at work of course, but also on dates few times a week and then after six months of going on dates he had asked for a permission to call you his girlfriend, officially. After that you started to hang out at your place and at his place as well, but he had never stayed the night and neither had you.
He got more comfortable being close to you and even put his arm around you when you were walking publicly, although he always kept his identity unknown when he was off duty. It was smart because Captain America had fans, Steve Rogers however wanted to keep his privacy, and you did too. In your PR-work you had been forced to wash the dirty laundry of the relationship between Stark and his girlfriend and you did not want to do the same with yours.
You were rather private person but with time you had even managed to let him closer and did not shut him out when you were sad or unsure. You had noticed that it was important for him to be able to be there for you. He saved lives almost daily bases but he was not happy if he suspected that there was something bothering you but you weren’t comfortable to telling him. He most likely could not do anything about it, but he wanted to know anyway.
You had not taken things more physical; even after almost a year of dating officially you had never even slept with him. You had fallen asleep a couple of times during a movie night and he had put you to bed and then went home after watching you sleep for a moment. You had been taking it slow because Steve was an old fashioned guy and you did not want to push him to do anything he wasn’t ready to do. He sometimes told you how strange it was to him that the world was so “openly intimate” nowadays when he came from the era when the good guys waited until the marriage. There had been a lot of hugging and kissing as well as innocent –kind of caressing but nothing more daring.
Now however he had decided to suggest a sleepover; he had been on a long mission and you had not seen him for three weeks that was a long break considering that you had been seeing each other on regular bases at work, where you were always strictly professional, but you had been spending most of the evenings, when he was not on a mission, together since you had started to date officially. Sharing the bed with you was the next step and after being away for three weeks he was more than willing to spend the night with you. You had agreed that he would come to your place and you would cook dinner together.
He rang your doorbell. You went to open the door and were greeted by a man in the uniform. He stood there with his hands on his belt buckle looking at you with a calm look on his face. The sight made you lose your train of thought completely.
- Ma’am… he said.
- Captain… you answered.
He took a bag and a rose off the ground and stepped in. You went to the living room to give him space to get off his combat boots. He put his shield on the floor to lean against the closet door. You very rarely saw him like this, in his uniform and it always caused you to stumble in your words and make your feet weak. Of course, he was hot even in his regular clothes but the uniform made him look very confident and in-control.
The reason why you had not gotten used to seeing him dressed like that was that he did not really walk around in his spandex-suit at work either; only when he was not going to a battle or returning from one. You were the head of PR, busy with your own assignments and projects so it was not like you had been spending every moment together at work. Quite opposite, actually. Sometimes a week or two passed by that you did not see Steve at work at all and usually you saw him there in the meetings or just accidentally passing by your floor.
- How was the-uhm… you stammered. You knew that the mission had been difficult and dangerous.
- The mission?
- Yeah… the mission… you corrected yourself and tried to mask the fact that you had been quite worried about him. Although you knew that Steve was almost undefeatable it was still difficult to be left behind to keep up the fort.
- It was good. Pretty standard.
- Were you in… danger? you asked although you had decided never to ask that.
- No…
- Liar… you said and smiled.
- Well… I got shot at a couple of times… he said and showed you the shield that had taken hit from the bullets and the paint had been scratched off.
- You and your shield… you chuckled sarcastically. You knew that your sarcasm annoyed him but it was your way of dealing with his dangerous job. You knew the dangers all too well, hell, you were the one who had to write press releases about their missions and sometimes there was so much violence in the mission reports that you burst into tears because you had been so afraid and you were the one who had to iron out all the horrors from the public eye. As far as the public was entitled to know, the Avengers never doubted anything or feared for their lives. They were the heroes, they were the ones who never failed or gave up.
- You and your sarcasm. he replied. You laughed and flashed that gorgeous smile you had. With that he pushed you against the bathroom door and put his hands on both sides of your head.
- Gorgeous smile, beautiful dress and an attitude… take that away, what are you? he asked and looked deep into your eyes. He was calm and very assertive, firm and heroic.
- Naked… and yours… you answered with a trembling voice.
- Oh… your voice is shaky… it seems that you’re not as cool as you let show… he commented. He fought blushing because when he was wearing that uniform, he did not blush and his voice did not tremble.
- Uhm… you said and got interrupted by a hungry kiss. He had missed you and needed to feel your lips against his. His kissing style, no matter how hungry, was always sweet and gentle. He never let his hands wander off and although he did like to caress you, he always stayed on the innocent areas. The kiss that had started as slightly heated and fast-paced one subsided into a sweet, slow but very loving, intimate kiss. Even when he parted his lips from yours he stayed close.
- May I take a shower. he asked.
- Uhm… Yes… yes of course. you answered trying to catch your breath after a long, surprisingly passionate kiss. He kissed you briefly once more, gave you the deep red rose and then took new clothes from his bag. You secretly watched him taking off his uniform down to his waist. He glanced at you and you turned your head away immediately. You had never seen him without a shirt although some of his training shirts were quite tight and did not leave too many details out.
- I will just… the dinner… I need to… you mumbled with your heart racing, causing you to blush uncontrollably. Steve chuckled and went to the bathroom. You had put a towel there for him in advance.
He took a long shower and washed the mission off him. You listened to him singing in the shower and laughed. You did the same thing but you could not help thinking that it was Captain America singing. The sound of running water stopped. You sat on a sofa reading something on your tablet. He came out from the shower wearing loose pants and no shirt. His skin was still clearly wet from the shower and his hair was all messy. You tried to pay no attention but it was difficult because he came to sit next to you and put his arm on your shoulder. He smelled fresh and you noticed that he had used your shampoo.
- So… How are you doing? he asked. You shut off the screen of the tablet and gave it to Steve who put it on the table.
- I’m doing well. The work is fine, nothing new there… my family is doing alright…
- Did you miss me? he asked and brushed your arm slowly.
- Well of course.
- How much?
- Oh well… you know… just a little bit. you answered although it was clear that you had missed him more than anyone before. You did not even miss your family members that deeply, mostly because you had gotten used to not-seeing them that often.
- Oh… just a little bit? he asked and lifted you to sit on his lap sideways. You put your arm behind his neck on his shoulder. He had his one arm wrapped on your waist and the other relaxed on your knee. You were wearing a short dress that left your shoulders and lower thighs exposed. Your hair was just casually loose and you were not wearing makeup. You ran your fingers in his hair and then down to his jaw and neck. You looked deep into his blue eyes that were framed with long, dark eyelashes. His eyes were your favorite part of him and you could had just stared into them for hours.
- Are you going to stay the night? you asked and examined the look in his eyes.
- Yes… if that is still okay with you.
- Yep… you said and smiled.
- I think it’s time that I’ll spend the night at my girlfriends home, don’t you think?
- Well, we’ve been dating almost a year, roughly, so yes… I’d like to fall asleep with you and wake up with you.
- Maybe I will not let you sleep… Steve teased.
- Really? you chuckled.
- Maybe I’ll make you listen to me babbling about how much I… he said and paused to inhale deeply.
- You…?
- …how much I actually love you. he said with a soft, slightly shy tone.
There was a silence. You felt your heart bursting.
- I… you said and smiled.
- …love you too. you replied finally. Steve noticed that his hand had traveled from your knee up to your thigh and was playing with the hem of your dress. He pulled his hand away immediately and placed it on your cheek as he kissed you.
You took the dinner out from the oven and he put on his t-shirt. You ate and then went to sleep soon after. Your pajama was just tiny shorts and a tube-top. Steve was going to sleep in his loose pants that he had put on after shower. He sat on the bed and listened to you brushing your teeth in the bathroom. Soon you turned off the lights and walked into the bedroom. He stood up.
- You look beautiful. he said and gave his hand to you. He pulled you to stand in front of him and ran his hands on your sides and back. You turned off the light and it was dark. Suddenly his hands grabbed the hem of your top and pulled it off slowly. You raised your hands and the top came off. Then he ran his fingers on your back, making you shiver a little. He pulled you into bed and whispered “skin on skin”.
You lay there next to him, on your side running your fingers on his arm, shoulder and chest, drawing invisible shapes with your fingertips. His arm that was under your neck caressed your naked back under the blanket. You both fell asleep quite fast.
It was morning. You had rolled on your stomach, hugging a pillow and Steve was still sleeping on his back. He woke up first and turned on his side to see you still sleeping. He removed your hair off your shoulder and pressed a kiss on it.
- Not yet… you mumbled. Steve chuckled and kissed your shoulder again. He slid his hand on your side and turned you around on your back.
- Nooo… you pleaded and did not open your eyes as you were turned around against your will.
- You’re distracting my dreams… you mumbled. Steve kissed you and wrapped his arm around you placing himself partially on top of you.
- Go on, sleep then. Don’t mind me. he said and kissed your neck. He ran his fingers on your collarbones and then pressed feather-like kisses on them. Then he returned to kiss your lips. This time you pulled him closer making his chest press against yours.
- I was thinking… he began.
- Uhuh? you asked since he looked like there was something he wanted to say but did not dare to.
- Would you like to come and stay the night at my place tonight? I could cook dinner… light some candles… Maybe a relaxing bath… Lots of kissing… he said and as you dissected his words and the tone of his voice you came to a conclusion that he probably was thinking about something else as well.
- I’d love that… you answered. You snuggled for a moment and then got up from the bed. §Steve got up first and then you got up. He tried not to look when you picked up your top from the floor. You decided to tease him slightly and walked topless to your bathroom, stretching your arms as you passed him. Steve blushed. You laughed and put the top on.
- You took it off, remember… live with the consequences. you stated.
- Copy that. he answered after clearing his throat.