Noodle
It was a casual Friday night and instead of going to some bar with the other Avengers, you stayed with Steve to watch a movie in which two dogs tried to find their owner. It was a chilly evening, you were wrapped in your American flag blanket that Steve had bought you for your last birthday.
It was like him, fluffy and warm, and you absolutely loved it.
“We should get a dog,” Steve said, leaning forward to get another slice of pizza.
“Oh, yes!” You beamed, then turned to look at him. “Do you think Tony would let us?”
Steve chuckled, wiping his mouth with his paper napkin. “I know he acts like it, but he’s not our father. Plus, I think it would be good for the team.”
“I agree.” You nodded, making a mental note to visit the animal shelter the next day.
You smiled at each other and kept eye contact when Steve leaned forward. Your stomach flipped, you really thought he was going to kiss you. He raised his hand and dabbed at the corner of your mouth with his napkin.
“You had a little something.” He said with a smile that almost made you swoon.
“Oh, thanks.” You muttered, trying to hide your disappointment.
You both returned your attention to the film. Steve shot you a sideways glance, his heart beating like thunder in his chest. Truth was he really wanted to kiss you, but he misread the look on your face and quickly tried to find an excuse.
Natasha and Clint witnessed the whole exchange from the kitchen. They were always so discreet that you didn’t hear them coming, or perhaps it was because Steve monopolised your thoughts.
“We need to do something,” She whispered to Clint while looking at the both of you. “It’s getting ridiculous.”
“Don’t get involved, Nat.” He warned her.
“Just trying to help.” She smirked.
The next day, you went to the animal shelter with Steve, Sam and Bucky. Pretty much everyone was on board with the whole dog thing. You and Sam were playing with the cutest beagle puppy in the world. Steve looked at you with an adoring smile, which made Bucky grin.
“Why don’t you talk to her?” He placed his hand on Steve’s shoulder, bringing him back to reality.
Steve turned his head so fast he nearly lost his balance. “W-What?”
Bucky snorted. “You guys spend all your time together, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind going on a date with you.”
“No,” Steve shook his head. “We’re colleagues and friends, there is no place for romance in my life.”
“Steve,” Bucky sighed, throwing his head back. “Your life desperately needs romance.”
You stood up, smoothed your clothes and walked over to the super soldiers. “I have to make a phone call. I won’t be long.” They nodded and you were gone.
The boys continued to play with the dog until they heard peals of laughter echoing faintly. Intrigued, they followed the sound and found you playing with a big Bernedoodle. The dog took you by surprise when you tried to leave. The black and white dog was trying to climb on top of you. You giggled when he started to lick your face. The sound of your laughter and the look on your face made Steve’s heart beat faster than any heart should.
“How old is this one?” Sam asked the old woman who owned the shelter.
“Seven.” She replied with a sad frown. “He’s been here since he was a puppy. No one wants him. It’s a shame he’s the friendliest dog I have, but he’s too big for most people. If no one adopts him, we’ll have to... well you know.”
“We’ll take him.” Steve said and four heads immediately turned to him.
“Really?” The old lady asked with tearful eyes.
“Yeah, Steve, really? It’s a large dog.”
“We have a large estate.” Steve shrugged.
“Oh, Sir!” The old lady said with a quiver in her voice. “You are a wonderful man.”
Steve smiled to himself. He saved the dog and pleased you at the same time. It was a win-win situation. And if taking the dog meant that he’d get to hear your lovely laugh again, then this dog was perfect.
Steve heard an excited scream before you wrapped your arms around his waist, hugging him tight. He hugged you back and closed his eyes, nuzzling his nose in your hair as the smell of your shampoo hit him like a jab to the stomach.
A lot of paperwork later, you were returning home with Noodle. The dog was beyond excited. He put his head out of the window, his tail wagging as you scratched his downy fur. Once Sam opened the door, Noddle started to run across the lawn towards the main building. He stopped in front of Natasha, sniffed her and continued to run.
“That’s a pretty big dog.” She said, watching Noddle chase a bee.
“They were going to put him down.” Steve replied, standing next to her.
Natasha and Steve watched you, Sam and Bucky play fetch with Noodle. The dog followed you everywhere, making you laugh as you tried to escape him.
“Looks like you have competition, Steve” Natasha teased him.
“Natasha,” Steve sighed.
“You like her.” She singsang with a knowing smirk.
“No, I don’t.”
“Yeah right, someone should tell your face.” She scoffed.
*
Noddle got along pretty well with the rest of the team. A few weeks later, you were sitting on the sofa, ready to watch a movie with Steve when Noodle jumped up in your lap. With a heavy sigh, Steve entered the living room.
“Need your blanket?”
“Thanks, but I already have something to keep me warm.” You chuckled, feeling Noddle’s warm breath hit your thin shirt.
Steve grimaced childishly at himself as he threw the American flag blanket on the kitchen table.
“Hey, put Lady and the Tramp. Noodle loves that movie.” You said, petting the dog’s head.
“Of course,” Steve mumbled. He pressed play on the remote and sat back on the sofa.
Natasha and Sam were ready to leave when they saw you, Steve and Noodle in front of the television.
Noodle tried to grab Steve’s attention, but the latter purposely looked away. Steve had been rather cold lately and Noddle was desperate for his affection. The dog nudged his little wet nose under Steve’s hand and whimpered for Steve to pet him. With a pout, Steve gave in and Noddle scrambled onto in his lap. You felt suddenly cold without the big ball of black and white fluff. You brought your knees to your chest and curled up closer to Steve who grinned to himself. He petted Noddle’s head affectionately.
Bella Notte played as the two onscreen dogs shared a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. Noddle barked and jumped off Steve’s lap to sit in front of the screen. He turned his big woolly head and looked at you and Steve as if to say ‘That looks yummy. Give it to me, now!’
Natasha looked at the two of you laughing softly and smirked, mentally preparing for her next move.
“I know that look,” Sam scoffed, poking Natasha’s cheek. “You just got an idea.” He grinned when she nodded.
*
You were going back to your room when you noticed that someone had left Noodle’s toy on the ground. It was a very long, sort of, skipping rope. You briefly wondered what it was doing here and picked up the end of the rope. You pulled on it to make the other end come back to you, but it didn’t move. With the rope still in hand, you decided to see what was blocking the other end of the string.
Little did you know that the other end of the skipping rope was in Steve’s hand and he, too, thought that the rope was stuck somewhere behind a door’s edge. You turned the corner and crashed into Steve’s cement-like chest, making him drop his end of the skipping rope.
“I’m so sorry!” Steve cupped your face and examined your eyes for any sign of pain. Your nose felt a little sore. You slowly opened your eyes, smiling reassuringly at him until you noticed how close he was.
Your eyes were fixed on his lips, they looked so soft and lush. His bottom lip was plump and looked absolutely delicious. You wondered what it would feel like to kiss him, to nip at his bottom lip with your teeth. Suddenly his oh so desirable mouth split in a cheeky grin. Wait, did you just say that out loud?
“Do you really want to find out?” He asked, rubbing his thumb over your cheekbone. Yep, you said it out loud...
You let the rope fall to the ground and fisted his shirt, yanking him closer as you crashed your lips against his. To say that the kiss was eager and desperate would be an understatement. He turned you so that your back was pressed against the wall, his fingers tangled in your hair as you kissed the living daylights out of each other. He was so close that you could feel the muscles of his abdomen contract.
You sucked his bottom lip between your teeth, making him growl deep in his throat. He pulled away, struck dumb by the kiss. It took you several seconds to catch your breath.
“Wanna watch a movie?”
He hummed in response, burying his face in the crook of your neck. “That would be a good background noise while I kiss your neck.”
“Oohfuck!” You whimpered when he found the spot that made your knees go weak. He smirked against your skin, definitely pleased with himself.
You caught his hand and led him to your room. Natasha was hiding with Noddle behind a wall. She bent down to rub the dog’s furry head.
“We’re a good team, Noddle.” The dog looked in sheer bliss as she tickled his ear. She straightened up and took a step towards the kitchen. “Come on, you earned your meatballs.”
The dog practically jumped at the sound of the word meatball, which was probably one of the only few words he knew.