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A fact about Captain Steven Grant Rogers that’s little known is his proclivity for art. The drawn and painted kind, to be more specific. He has always loved drawing, having spent most of his youth making sketches of everything in his immediate surroundings that caught his attention. Being as sick as he was before receiving the Super Soldier Serum, he sometimes could do little more than move a pencil atop a blank paper.
But it was always enough for him, even after he was thrown amidst the chaos of war. Back then, he looked for what little supplies he could spare for his art, and whatever moment of respite he could find to get some work done. Art had always been his favorite way of escapism. Unfortunately, he couldn’t indulge much in it after taking up the shield back in the 40s.
But nowadays he has been doing his best to pick up his favorite hobby once more and practice it more often. That includes drawing or sketching whenever possible for him, no matter where he is at the time. That’s why he tries to always carry a little sketchbook, a pencil, and an eraser wherever he goes; and also why he leaves drawing supplies scattered all over the compound.
At first, the other residents of the private quarters of the Avengers HQ had to remind him to not leave his stuff around common places. Yet after learning how much it meant to Steve and how happy it made him to just draw, they stopped complaining about it. Some of his fellow teammates even started gifting him art supplies as well as buying some whenever they went out for groceries or other necessities. And, of course, on the shopping list, there can always be found various art supplies needing to be bought.
The activity has also proven to be a great bonding exercise for the Avengers since Steve would often ask the other heroes if he could make a quick portrait of them. They all have at least one sketch made by Rogers, that they keep either safely tucked away or displayed somewhere in their room. Tony even has one of him framed and sitting proudly next to the little trophy he won from the “Title Contest” the Avengers held shortly after Peter joined the team, in which the teen kept awkwardly elongating the way he addressed his new teammates.
Nevertheless, the one person most supportive of Steve’s artful passion is none other than his best friend, Bucky. He’s surely the one who has been sketched and portrayed the most, out of the whole Avengers roster. Naturally, given their history and long-lasting friendship, the Sergeant doesn’t mind one bit to pose for the Captain, and he has all the drawings Rogers gifted him either splayed across one of his walls or kept in a drawer.
Still, as time passed and Steve got settled into his new routine back in 2011, he worked on developing his skills as much as possible. That eventually lead him down a path that Bucky initially had his reservations about joining, but ultimately ended up following Rogers’ lead as per usual. At least, in that case, it was for a genuinely good reason, as Steve’s suggestion actually proved to be helpful not only for the artist but the flesh and metal canvas as well.
Cap’s idea to paint the Sarge’s prosthetic metal arm seemed crazy and silly at first, but after giving it some thought, Buck considered it could help him with his own trauma and dysphoria regarding the replaced limb. It only took finding the right paint and then Rogers was off imagining all types of landscapes and designs.
And he chose a special paint that could be easily washed off, obviously, but it was also durable enough in case Barnes wanted to keep it around for a little while. And, of course, since his favorite theme will always be astronomy, Steve opted for starting with some planets and celestial bodies on the metal arm, decorating it with a touch of outer space.
“You sure you don’t mind, Buck?” Steve asked while fluttering anxiously around the room, looking for all the supplies needed.
He was extremely excited and grateful about Bucky allowing him to paint on him, yet he couldn’t stop second-guessing himself.
“Why would I? You’re a great artist,” said Barnes as a means to reassure and encourage his friend, noticing his nervous jittering and babbling.
Whenever Steve felt insecure about something, he would start blabbering about his doubts. All Bucky could do was to reiterate his permission.
“Yeah, but it is your arm,” pointed out Rogers, seemingly trying to look for excuses to get out of his own plan.
After all, he was the one who asked Bucky if he could use his arm as a canvas, thinking it could help the former Winter Soldier to deal with his dysphoria, even if just a little bit.
“Kind of, I guess, but it’ll make it look better.”
Bucky was not only confident in his friend’s skills and talent, but he was confident in his artistic choices. He knew for sure that whatever Steve ended up choosing to paint it would look great on the smooth metal of his left arm.
“I’ll be using washable paint anyway, so you don’t have to worry about it not coming off later,” tried to reassure Steve, wanting to remind the other that if he wanted to take it off it would be easy to wash away.
Still, he hoped that Bucky would love it so much that he would want to keep it as long as possible. But he didn’t dare to voice that thought.
“Then what are you worrying about? Just get on with it, ‘s no big deal,” retorted Barnes, already feeling a little exasperated with Steve’s unsureness and continuous delays.
The Captain hadn’t even gotten his supplies ready yet, as if fearing that the Sarge would change his mind any second.
“I just want to make sure that you are okay with it‒”
Steve attempted to explain, readying himself for an ultimate turn down. Yet all he got in response was an unimpressed-looking Bucky.
“Steve,” warned Buck in a gentle but firm tone, not wanting to come off as angry.
He was just trying to egg on his friend so he would move past his lack of confidence. When it came to his art, Steve always felt self-conscious.
“Alright, alright. I’ll get started. Jerk…” Steve finally yielded, not without muttering a snarky retort to the other man, who of course managed to catch it.
Still, Rogers couldn’t help the playful smile painting itself on his face.
“I heard you, punk!” Exclaimed a jokingly pissed-off Bucky, following Steve’s banter.
And upon seeing his friend’s smile while he readied his supplies, the Sergeant couldn’t help but smile broadly as well. After all, seeing Steve happy made Bucky happy too.