The weather couldn’t be more perfect for your pumpkin patch date with Steve; a beautiful sunny sky and crisp air greeting you two as you walk around. You watch as families, couples, and friends pass by and can’t help but smile. Nothing is better than a fall day spent with someone you care about, especially when that person is Steve Rogers.
“Do you want some apple cider? This place has the best I’ve ever tried,” he offers when you pass the stand.
“Sure, thank you.”
You wait over on a bench while he orders two cups. The date was his idea; he came here a lot as a kid, and when you mentioned you haven’t been, he insisted on taking you. You’ve been going on dates for the last two months now after meeting in an art class in college. He took the class for his major, but you just needed the credit. Right before you considered dropping it, Steve introduced himself and you knew you had to stay. It had definitely been worth it.
Steve watches intently as you take your first sip, your eyes widening at the taste. “You weren’t kidding, this is amazing.”
“Told you. We’ll have to try and make our own, see if it’s better.”
Knowing he wants to continue hanging out warms your heart. Part of you can’t help but wonder when (or if) he’ll want to make things official; it’s something you’ve wanted for a few weeks now, but you can’t bring yourself to ask.
“Sounds like a date,” you say with a soft smile.
The two of you walk hand in hand down the rows of bright orange pumpkins. Every few steps you think you see a perfectly round one, only to turn it around to see a dent or weird spot. After this, Steve is coming over to carve them so you need the best one.
“Hey, maybe we should give the ugly ones some love too,” Steve says after you put one back that’s mishapen.
“Is that what you’re doing with me?” You tease.
“Don’t talk about yourself like that, you’re beautiful.”
The compliment makes you feel flustered, and you feel your cheeks heat up. “Thank you.”
“Of course, sweetheart.”
After a few more minutes of walking around, he finds the best pumpkin you’ve seen so far. He gives it to you instead of taking it for himself and you thank him. Steve eventually finds one that’s dented on one side but fine on the other, deciding to just turn it around. He pays and then you two drive back to your place.
You set out old newspapers to cover the hardwood floor and grab the carving kits while Steve sets up the movie Scream.
“We should have this be a competition to see who’s pumpkin looks better.”
“I’m already at a disadvantage because you’re an artist. Not fair,” you huff.
“Let’s make it more interesting,” he proposes. “If I win, I get to kiss you. And if you win…”
You drop the carving tool and clear your throat, trying to hide your excitement about what Steve just said. It would be your first kiss together; something you’ve been wanting to do since the first date.
“If I win, I get to ask you something, but I’m not saying what.”
“It’s on,” he smirks. “I’ll try and go easy on you.”
The movie plays in the background but you’re both too focused on the competition at hand. Steve is trying his damn hardest to win; he knows he should’ve kissed you by now, you just make him nervous (in the best way) and he chickens out every time. He’s determined to finally just make the move before you lose interest.
Once the pumpkins are finished and the reveal is about to happen, you realize something. “We don’t have any judges besides us, and we’re clearly going to vote for ourselves.”
Steve hadn’t thought of that. “Let me FaceTime Sam and Bucky.”
You had met his two roommates a few weeks ago at dinner and clicked with them right away. They were both so kind and inviting, making you feel like part of the group. It was adorable seeing Steve’s rosy cheeks while Sam and Bucky shared embarrassing stories about him.
Sam answers the call almost immediately, and Bucky pops into the screen to greet you guys. Steve explains the competition and you impatiently wait to see what his pumpkin looks like.
“Now for the big reveal,” he announces before turning his creation around for you and the camera.
“Wait, is that…,” you can’t even finish the question.
Steve carved your face into his pumpkin.
You don’t know how he did it; every little detail is there, and it amazes you how intricate it is for the tools he had to work with. Sure, he’s an artist, but using a pencil for sketching isn’t the same as using a cheap carving kit from the store. It’s clear who the winner is, not that you’re complaining if he’s finally going to kiss you.
“Yeah,” he answers shyly. The tips of his ears turn a blush red that creeps down to his cheeks.
“I love it, Steve.”
Both of you forget Sam and Bucky are on FaceTime until Bucky clears his throat. Steve looks down at his hands with a sheepish smile on his face, feeling embarrassed that his friends witnessed an intimate moment. They’ll never let him live it down.
“Well, I think we know who the winner is,” you laugh before revealing yours. It’s a simple cat design, nothing fancy or out of the box, but not terribly done.
“Yeah, sorry, but I think Steve won here,” Sam says, and Bucky nods in agreement.
“Thank you guys, I’ll be home later.”
You say goodbye and he hangs up the call. A silence fills the air; you both know what’s coming next but neither of you knows how to initiate the kiss. Steve feels pressure to make it perfect, it is your first kiss together after all.
“So, I guess this means I get to kiss you now,” Steve says awkwardly.
“Yeah, I guess it does.” You smile at him to ease his nerves.
He takes a step closer, resting one hand on your waist and the other on your cheek. Closing your eyes in anticipation, your heartbeat quickens while you wait for his lips to meet yours. And when they do, it’s magic.
Steve is gentle with everything; the way he’s holding you, how his lips navigate yours, and how his thumb gently grazes your cheek. The flavor of the apple cider from earlier still lingers on his mouth and you can’t get enough of it.
You can’t help but feel disappointed when he pulls away, but you know that kiss wasn’t the last, or at least you hope. He grins and hides his head like he’s embarrassed or flustered.
“Do I get to know what you were going to ask me if you won?”
“Oh, uh,” you pick at your nails to avoid looking at him, “I feel embarrassed about it now, it was stupid. Plus, I lost, so according to the rules I can’t ask.” Hopefully Steve doesn’t pick up that you’re trying to find a reason not to tell him.
“Well since I won, I’m changing the rules so you have to say it.”
“Not fair! You should’ve added that before we started.”
Deep down you know he isn’t leaving until he hears the question; you can tell by the look in his eyes. You let out a defeated sigh. “Fine, I was going to ask if you wanted to make us official.”
The words feel stupid coming out of your mouth; the vulnerable feeling makes you want to curl into a ball and hide from him. You never thought asking someone to be your boyfriend would feel so awkward.
“I do, I really do,” he answers. “I wanted to ask you that tonight, actually.”
“Really?”
Steve nods. “I like you a lot.”
“I like you a lot too, Steve,” the confession makes your cheeks hot.
This time you kiss him and it’s somehow just as perfect as the last. As much as he wants to stay and kiss you all night, he needs to get home and prepare for work tomorrow. You walk him down to his car, giving him a goodnight kiss before he drives off, and you feel giddy walking back to your apartment knowing Steve Rogers is officially yours.