Chapter Text
You were sitting at one of the tables near the window and watching the tiny snowflakes slowly falling down from the sky, covering everything they landed on under a thick white blanket. The hot cup of coffee in your hand smelled deliciously like cinnamon and warmed your hands that were still freezing from the cold outside that you only managed to escape a few minutes ago. While you were waiting for him and admiring the beautiful view you heard the Christmas Carols playing from the speakers and filling the entire coffee shop with their wonderful sound.
Three playing children that were throwing snowballs at each other had occupied your attention so much that you didn’t even notice it when he sat down across from you.
“So distracted that I don’t even get a ‘hello?’” He asked after you still didn’t seem to respond to his presence. Surprised by the sudden sound of his voice, you turned to the other side of the table to see Steve sitting there grinning at you. You couldn’t help it, but chuckle a bit.
“Sorry, don’t worry, my attention is all yours now. I was caught up thinking about the holidays.”
“It’s fine, y/n. You must have interesting plans for the holidays then, if you’re getting so caught up by them. Are you going to visit your family this year?”
“Yes, my parents are inviting everyone home over the holidays. My brothers, my aunt and uncle and all of my cousins are going to be there, I haven’t seen them for so long,” you thought about your dad’s birthday, when you saw all of them the last time. It was great and you really missed them, but you also had to thought how exhausting they could be. Your mother constantly being worried about you living in New York City. Your dad not taking your job as composite sketch artist serious. Your cousin bragging about her amazing boyfriend. Your aunt constantly asking you when you were going to bring someone home, the only question that could also stop your mother from ranting about all the dangers of New York. You could already see their worried looks in front of your inner eye. You were just praying that your mother wouldn’t try to set you up with one of her friend’s sons again.
“And yet you don’t really seem to be looking forward to it,” your worries must have shown on your face, because Steve was giving you a concerned look. One thing you’ve learned about Steve in the past year was really observant when it came to the people around him. It was a trait you admired a lot, but that could be really annoying when he was noticing things you didn’t want to talk about.
“It’s complicated. I love my family and I’m really looking forward to see them again, but I don’t want them to ask me things about my love life, like why I’m never bringing anyone home and stuff like that. It’s annoying and exhausting. But enough of that, they’re not here now, so I don’t have to think of that. What about you? Any plans for the holidays?”
“Not really,” you could see it in his eyes that he still wasn’t fully convinced you’re fine, but he also didn’t want to force you to talk about things you didn’t want to talk about. “Everyone I used to know is dead and I haven’t met a lot of other people except the other Avengers yet. Tony was thinking about throwing a party, but then he and Pepper decided to go on vacation over the holidays. Nat is on some sort of secret mission, Thor’s obviously not here and Clint and Bruce are gone without anyone knowing where they are. Well, at least they didn’t tell anyone, I’m sure Fury knows where they are anyway. So I guess I’ll just spent Christmas on my own.”
“I’m sorry,” you were staring at your cup, trying to think of something to cheer him up, when it suddenly hit you, “Wait, I got an idea. You can come visit my family with me and we’ll pretend you’re my boyfriend.”
While you were totally convinced of your plan and were grinning from ear to ear, your eyes sparkling with excitement, Steve just looked more confused than you have ever seen him before. You were sure that he must have thought you’ve gotten out of your mind, so you decided to explain to him why this was such a great idea.
“Listen, I know this sounds crazy, but it’s actually perfect. You won’t have to spend Christmas alone and will be with one of your friends instead. And I won’t have to listen to stupid complains about when I’m finally going to get a boyfriend and in case they complain about something else, I got moral support from you.”
You weren’t entirely sure if he would actually agree to your plan, so you were just hoping for the best. It seemed like forever until he finally responded to you.
“Alright, I guess I’m your new boyfriend then.”
After it was settled for Steve to come with you, you actually started to relax. You didn’t even realize how tense you were before and how much all of this had stressed you. But during the next weeks you couldn’t wait to see your family and were completely calm. Your plan was to arrive at your parents’ at the evening of the 23rd. You had to work that day, so you couldn’t make it earlier, but you wanted to be already there on the 24th, so you could help your parents prepare everything for Christmas Eve.
Steve and you had already arranged that you would pick him up after work and then start driving to your parents. It was a six-hour ride, but luckily you could leave your work at 4pm. You sent him a text as soon as you left work and got into your car. You’ve spent the last day wrapping all the presents and packing your bag, which were now all laying safely in the trunk of your car. When you reached Steve’s apartment, he was already waiting outside the building, a single bag in his hand. He quickly put it to your pile of bags and got into the car.
Over the last couple of years, those car rides to your parents always seemed so long and could get boring really quick, but having someone by your side to talk to made this whole thing really entertaining. The fact that you and Steve took turns driving also made it a lot easier for you to finally relax after work.
“How did your parents react when you told them I was coming with you?” Steve looked over to you shortly and then turned his head back to the road. The last weeks had been very stressful and you two didn’t have time to actually talk, except for a few short phone calls.
“My mum was delighted. She wouldn’t stop asking me questions. She was actually a bit mad that I didn’t tell her earlier, so I had to tell her we wanted to keep it secret for a while. My dad wasn’t so sure about what he should think about his little girl bringing home a guy, but when he found out it is Captain America, he was thrilled. He loves you ever since he’s been a child.”
“Really? Wow, I would have never thought that people would still be excited by this whole Captain thing 70 years later. I understand why people get excited again, but I was still stuck in ice when your dad was a child. It’s unbelievable,” you tried to read his expression. You knew he loved that he was able to inspire people and maybe get them to do some good as well, but you also knew how uncomfortable this whole Cap thing could make him feel. You’ve already begged your father not to pelt him with questions.
“My dad’s not your only fan in the family. My little nephews and my niece were also head over heels when they heard you’d come. You’re their hero.”
“Well, I hope I’ll still be after they’ve met me,” you both started laughing and kept on driving.
It was 7pm when it started snowing. At 7:30pm you heard the first warning on the radio because of heavy snowstorms all over the east coast and you already started to have troubles seeing everything clearly. At 8pm the warnings went from snowstorms to actual blizzards. It was during that time that you both decided to better stop driving and spend the night in the next motel. Even though you only had two more hours to go, you both agreed that it was irresponsible to keep driving. While Steve was driving the car into the parking lot of the motel, you called your mom to tell her that you two wouldn’t be able to make it today and would come home tomorrow morning.
When you opened the door and got out of the car, you were immediately hit by a wind gust. You heard the slamming of the driver’s door and turned around to see Steve getting around the car to you. You both grabbed your bags from the trunk and walked forwards the motel, hoping they’d still have two rooms for you.
As you were walking over the parking lot, you suddenly felt some ice under your feet. Unfortunately you realized this too late, slipped on it and were already falling down to the ground. You could feel Steve’s hand trying to catch you, but it seemed like luck wasn’t on either of your side, and he started to slip on the ice as well. Only seconds after you hit the snowy ground with your back, you could suddenly feel Steve’s weight on top of you.
Other than you he had been able to stop himself from hitting his head on the ground – or better said on your head) – by reaching out his arms to stop his fall. Now his arms were resting on each side of you, while your faces were only inches apart. You could feel his warm breath on your skin, while he was hovering above you. For a moment you just lay there, staring at each other. As you looked into his eyes, you noticed that they weren’t entirely blue as you always thought, but instead had a bit of green in them as well. You were so caught up in each other that you both seemed to forget the heavy wind around you.
When Steve realized he couldn’t catch you, he was hoping that you didn’t get hurt by either the fall or by him landing on you. His first instinct after falling on you was to ask if you’re alright, but before he had the chance to he suddenly got distracted by how close you were to him. As he looked at you his eyes wandered down to your lips for a split second. A sudden desire to lean down and kiss those soft lips of yours overwhelmed him.
He was already about to get closer to you, when something pulled him out of his trance. He didn’t know what it was, maybe the cold snow under his fingers, maybe the sound of some door slamming, as someone else left their car to find shelter at the motel. What he knew was that even though he wanted to kiss you, it wouldn’t have been the right thing to do now. And so he resisted the urge to kiss you and decided to get up again instead.
Before you knew what just happened Steve was already off of you again. He was offering you a hand to help you get up that you gratefully took. As you were standing again, you felt a sudden dizziness. You thought that maybe you just hit your head a bit, but you also weren’t sure if a certain blond had something to do with that as well.
“Are you okay?” Steve looked at you worriedly.
“Yes, I’m totally fine. The fall just took me by surprise and I was shocked for a moment, but I’m fine, don’t worry,” you couldn’t tell him about your dizziness, because you know he would think you’ve hurt yourself in the fall. Besides, it was already getting better and you definitely didn’t want him to know that he was the cause of your current state of mind. Luckily Steve didn’t ask any further questions and you two entered the motel.
“Good evening, can I help you?”, the receptionist seemed nice and smiled at you as you walked forwards her.
“Hello, we need two rooms for one night.”
“I’m sorry. We’re almost fully booked, because of the blizzard. A lot of people showed up here today, hoping that the storm will be over until tomorrow. We only got one room left, could you two share one?”
You looked at Steve. Normally you wouldn’t have a problem sharing a room with him, but after what just happened, you were hoping for some space alone to clear out your thoughts. Steve didn’t seem to care and just gave you a shrug with his shoulders, so you told the receptionist you would take the room. After she gave you the key you walked up to the second floor.
When you opened the door and entered the room relief fulfilled your whole body. There were two single beds in the room. At least you wouldn’t have to share one. You didn’t know what you would have done if you would have to lay in the same bed as Steve. Your thoughts were still circling around the fall and around Steve and his beautiful dreamy eyes. For sure you wouldn’t have been able to sleep if you knew he was this close to you.
Steve was relieved as well. He wasn’t able to stop thinking about kissing you, since your lips were so close to his. When the receptionist said you would have to share a room his mind had wandered to you to laying close to close next to each other. His arms wrapped around you and his lips finally touching yours. But you were his friend and he didn’t want to risk that. He also couldn’t say that you shouldn’t have to share a room, because this would mean he’d have to explain why. And he didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable around him. Having separate beds at least saved him from having to lay next to you, but being unable to touch you.
After you put your bags in the room, you decided to go get something to eat from the little bistro downstairs and go to bed afterwards, so you’d be able to keep driving tomorrow as soon as possible. While putting your stuff in the room you had also realized that there weren’t any blankets in the room, so you decided to get some as well after you grabbed something to eat.
As you approached the reception you couldn’t see the woman from before at first and were already concerned that she might have left and you would have to spend your night without any blankets. But only a second later the woman appeared behind you.
“Hello, I’m so sorry, we just had a few technical problems, because of the blizzard, I hope you didn’t have to wait to long. What can I do for you?”
“No, it’s fine, we just came here. There weren’t any blankets in our room and we wanted to ask if you could give us two.”
“Of course. I’m so sorry. We were in such a rush preparing all the rooms, because so many people came here today, that we must have forgotten to put some in there. But don’t worry we got a pile of extra blankets, I’m going to get you some from there,” she left and went into one of the rooms nearby. It didn’t take long for her to return, but when she did she looked somehow guilty, “I am so so sorry, I really have to apologize to you. A lot of people asked for some extra blankets today, so we only got one left. Could you two maybe share one? It’s big enough for two.”
You didn’t know what to say. It obviously wasn’t the woman’s fault and you weren’t angry at her and yet you were upset about this. Would you and Steve have to share the blanket now? Definitely not, not after what happened before. And Steve didn’t seem to think about sharing the blanket as well.
“You should take it. I’ll be fine, I mean we can just turn up the heater,” Steve obviously wanted to leave the blanket to you and you were sure that he wouldn’t let you talk him out of that. But before you could even try to, the receptionist interrupted you.
“About the heater, remember those technical problems I mentioned? Our heaters aren’t working at the moment, that’s why so many people wanted a second blanket. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” it wasn’t, but you didn’t want to be rude, “We’ll figure something out.”
You took the blanket and the two of you walked to your room. As soon as you closed the door behind you, you both turned towards each other and said: “You’re taking the blanket.
“Y/n, I’m not letting you freeze.”
“We’re only here, because we wanted to visit my parents, it’s my fault, so you’ll get the blanket.”
“This is not your fault. Just take the blanket. I was frozen for 70 years and even before that the cold never bothered me anyway.”
“Fair point, Elsa,” Steve gave you a confused look, reminding you that he still didn’t get most pop culture references, “Doesn’t matter. Anyway, I’m not letting you sleep without the blanket.”
“I’m not letting you sleep without one,” you already knew that there was only one solution to your problem and yet you didn’t want to admit it. The blanket was big enough for both of you, but you would have to cuddle together really close to both fit into one of the small beds. Now you wished you would have had only one bed, but at least a full-size one.
Steve also knew what the only solution to this problem was. Just like you the thought of sharing one of the small beds with the other sent shivers down his spine. At the same time he was looking forward to being this close to you and was also extremely scared by it.
None of you had said anything yet, but you both knew what the other was thinking. You were the one to finally say the words, both of you were trying to avoid.
“Maybe we should just share the blanket.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“Why not? We’re both friends. We can lay in the same bed without a problem, right?”
“Right.”
You both weren’t fully convinced, but you tried to cover it up. While Steve was getting ready in the bathroom, you slipped into the bed. It was actually pretty comfortable for a motel and you usually would have started falling asleep right now and there, if your thoughts wouldn’t have wandered to Steve all the time. Knowing that he would slip under the blanket to you soon, made your heart beat faster.
You didn’t know why you were suddenly feeling like this around him. You’ve been friends for so long and you’ve never had this kind of feelings for him before. Of course you had noticed how absolutely breath-taking he looked and how kind hearted, brave and compassionate he was, but still you’ve never seen him as anything else than a friend. Maybe you really just hit your head when you felt down.
When you suddenly felt the mattress moving, you knew Steve was laying down next to you. Your back had been facing the room and he must have left the bathroom so quiet that you had neither seen nor heard him. While he was laying down you felt his arm brush against you, making goose bumps appear on your skin. His back was against yours as you both lay there, trying not to get to close to one another.
“Is this okay? Do you have enough space?” Steve asked you with sincere solicitude in his voice.
“Yeah, just don’t steal all of the blanket,” you’ve heard him chuckle at your little joke and actually started to relax a bit again. For a while you both just lay there. You knew Steve wasn’t sleeping because his breathing was way too heavy and you couldn’t sleep because your head was still filled with too many thoughts. The fact that Steve was moving around at one point didn’t make this any better. Now you could feel his warm breath tickle your neck, driving you absolutely insane.
Before you could even think about what you were doing, you were turning around as well. You both were now face to face with one another. Your thoughts started fantasizing about his lips only inches away from yours. One movement of your head would have been enough to touch them and explore them with your own. For a second you thought you saw Steve leaning in forwards you, coming closer to your mouth. But your lips never met. The dim light coming through the window wasn’t enough to be sure anyway.
You both kept looking at each other like you did earlier that day outside in the snow. Without knowing what you were doing your hand started touching his arm. As your hand started wandering down from his upper arm to his hand you could hear him stop breathing for a moment only for it to get faster afterwards. And when your hand reached his, you felt his fingers entangle with your own.
Steve couldn’t even comprehend what was happening right now at first. While he was laying there he wanted to look at you again before sleeping, only for you to turn around to him as well. And when he felt your little hand touching his arm, he was completely losing his mind. Every cell of his body wanted to kiss you, wanted to cup your beautiful face in his hand, wanted to hold you close to him. It already took him a lot of restraint to stop himself from leaning down any further when you turned around forwards him, but now that you were touching him, it seemed almost impossible.
While your hands were holding each other, you started moving your head and resting it on Steve’s chest, which was rising heavily. While you were listening to his heartbeat that was slowly starting to slow down again, he started to put one arm around you. Steve wasn’t even thinking about what he was doing anymore. His arm was now wrapped around you, holding you close to his body. From time to time his hand would brush over your head until both of you started falling asleep.
To be continued…