Chapter Text
Did you want to meet up and have some Thai food? My treat.
That was the text message you received from Natasha. Seeing how it had been a few weeks since you last heard from her and you had the day off from work, you decided to take Natasha up on her offer. Free Thai food certainly beat whatever leftovers you had in your fridge.
Sure, I’m game. Could you send me the address of the restaurant?
It didn’t take long for Natasha to text you back with the restaurant’s address when you texted back your reply. After you made a mental note to do some grocery shopping and clean out your fridge, you made a beeline for the bathroom to get ready.
“She’s late…” You grumbled to nobody in particular. You checked the clock on your cell phone for the umpteenth time before you sighed in frustration.
Despite you and Natasha agreeing to meet at one-thirty at the Thai food restaurant, she failed to keep her end of the bargain. It was already two and you were getting starting to get a little irritated. It wasn’t like Natasha to be late for something she planned. It wasn’t until you saw Steve walk into the restaurant that you wondered if something had happened to Natasha.
“Hey, Steve,” You greeted.
“Hey, [Name],” Steve returned the greeting with a polite smile. “Funny seeing you here.”
“Likewise.” You replied. “Did something happen to Natasha?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” Steve knitted his brows in confusion. “She actually insisted that I meet her here since I’ve been meaning to try some Thai food.”
“Really…? Natasha said she would meet me here too and offered to treat me.” You blinked in surprise. "It's not like her to be late."
"Yeah, it's not. Why would she…” Steve trailed off.
It didn’t take long for you and Steve to figure out that Natasha had no intention of treating you or meeting you at the restaurant.
“Well, this is awkward.” You said with a nervous laugh. “If I had known I was going to be set-up, I probably wouldn’t have dressed so… casually.”
“Hey, it’s no worries. You look great, I mean, fine.” Steve said, a light blush dusting his cheeks.
“Thanks,” you blushed. “So, uh… since we’re already here did you want to eat together? We could go Dutch.”
"Sure, but since Natasha promised to treat you, how about I treat you instead? It's only fair if that's what you were promised."
"That's nice of you, Steve. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
After you approached and spoke with the restaurant’s hostess, you were seated to a small booth by a window.
"So, have you ever had Thai food before, [Name]?" Steve opened his menu and looked at you.
"I haven't." you shook your head before you scanned your own menu.
"I guess that makes two of us then. I don't really know what to expect."
“Me either. But judging by what’s on the menu, the dishes sound pretty good.
After your waitress came by and took your drink orders, you requested to have a few more minutes to decide what to eat.
“So, have you decided what you’re going to get?” Steve asked.
“Yeah, the Pad Thai looks really good, so I think I’ll get that.” You nodded. “How about you?”
“The stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts.” Steve read from the menu.
“Sounds tasty,” you nodded. "For a guy that's never had Thai food before, you certainly have good taste."
"I don't think you can officially say that until we've both tried the meal." Steve chuckled.
"Fair enough."
The waitress returned shortly with your drinks after you made your decisions on what to eat. She took your orders and menus before she headed off to the kitchen, but not before she shot a glare in your direction. If her glares aimed at you and looks of longing at Steve were any indication, she wished she was the girl sitting across from Steve. And who could blame her? You were on a date with Captain Friggin’ America!
“I hope the waitress doesn’t tell the cook to spit in my food or something.” You said half-jokingly.
“Why would she do that?” Steve frowned.
“C’mon, don’t tell me you didn’t see the way she looked at you. She was pretty taken by you, Rogers.”
“Well, I don’t see how that matters considering I'm here with you.”
“…touché.” You blushed.
Ooh, he was good. Damn good.
“By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you. How did you meet Natasha? She never told me how you both met.”
“Oh, that’s a funny story actually. Well, not so much funny as it was a cliché right out of a movie.”
You proceeded to tell Steve the same story you told Tony: Natasha came to your rescue by persuading your sexual harasser to stop bothering you, and giving you a stun-gun disguised as a lipstick.
“It doesn’t look like much, but it definitely gives me a peace of mind.”
Steve nodded before he leaned back in his seat. “Have you ever considered taking a self-defense class? I’ve heard those are pretty popular alternatives nowadays.”
“To be honest, I haven’t.” you shook your head before you smiled. “But hey, maybe I could cut out the middle man and let you teach me a few self-defense moves instead?”
You frowned when Steve looked at you surprised, so you quickly dismissed the suggestion with a wave of your hand. “I-I’m joking of course, but—“
“I wouldn’t be against it.” Steve interjected.
“Really?”
“I’m just not sure if I’d be cut out to be a self-defense instructor.” Steve admitted. “Being able to defend yourself and teaching someone to defend themselves are two different things.”
“Hey, you should have a little more faith in yourself, Steve.” You said with a reassuring smile. “Plus, it could be a learning experience for us both.”
You knew if Steve could hold his own against HYDRA agents and aliens, he could certainly teach you a thing or two about defending yourself.
“I suppose that’s one way to look at it. I’m always up for learning something new.” Steve nodded thoughtfully. “I can give you a run-down on some of the basics I know.”
“Perfect, that’s all I need. I guess all that’s left to do is figure out the time and place. We can work out the details later by phone… if that’s okay with you I mean.”
You hoped that you weren’t being too forward asking for Steve’s phone number, even if it was just to schedule a self-defense class with him. Much to your surprise, he nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, that would probably be easiest.”
“Cool,” you mentally sighed in relief.
You both pulled out your cell phones and exchanged numbers with each other. It took you a moment to process what just happened.
Steve had given you his phone number.
And he had yours.