Chapter Text
“Well that film absolutely sucked.” Steve snorted as the credits began to roll. Kicking the blanket away with your feet, you heaved your legs off of his lap. The minute you did so, your calves missed the gentle touch of his hands which he had been resting atop the blanket.
“It wasn’t that bad, was it?” You giggled as you approached the DVD player.
“Yes, (y/n), it was. Frankly, the plot was predictable and the relationship between Reed and Susan was stale.” You rolled your eyes as the device spit the DVD tray back out, almost as if it was rejecting your “The Fantastic Four” DVD. You still didn’t understand why it was so disliked – you thought it was quite an enjoyable film.
“Oh, what would you know about love and all that jazz?” You laughed. You didn’t notice the way his eyes stared longingly at you in silent response to your question. Eventually, he was forced to say something else.
“Don’t even get me started on the actor who played the fire guy – what was his name? Johnny Storm? He was awful.”
“Well alright then, you can pick the next DVD if you like.” You replied. Having returned the disc to its case, you gestured to the small selection of films you had extracted from your ever-growing collection.
“(Y/n), it’s nearly midnight.” Steve pointed out with a smile that suggested he didn’t really care.
“I didn’t say we’d watch all of it… Even if we fall asleep here, I’m not letting up until you have watched a film you don’t complain after.”
Steve’s eyes pored over the films you had piled up on the coffee table in front of him – nothing really jumped out.
“Oh, I don’t know, why don’t you just choose?” He asked rhetorically.
“Because every time I do, I get a bloody monologue afterwards telling me why it’s such a crap film. Now pick something so I can’t be held responsible.” You demanded. Steve smirked at the authority that you were showing.
“Fine. That one.” He said, jutting out his index finger at a box halfway down the pile. Following the direction in which he was pointing, you saw the faces of Gary Sinise and John Malkovich looking back at you.
Of Mice and Men.
“Good choice.” You said before dealing with the disc. As the DVD whirred into action, you picked up the remote and returned to your position on the sofa, draping the thick blanket over your legs. Steve turned to you.
“What are you doing?”
“Well, when people place their asses on a surface and stay there it’s usually referred to as ‘sitting down’. Didn’t realise that was such a novelty in the 40s.” You muttered whilst adjusting the blanket. After playfully hitting you as punishment for your sarcasm, Steve explained.
“No shit Sherlock. I meant that you’ve moved further away.” He sighed. Without realising, you had indeed sat next on the seat next to him as opposed to how you’d initially sat – with your legs across his lap which he fondly stroked. He held up his arm so that you could crawl next to him and you obliged.
“I’ve read the book and I know how this ends – if it’s as sad as I remember then I’m going to need you here to comfort me.” He smiled wistfully.
“This coming from the man who fought Nazis-OW!” You yelped. Steve had pinched you in the rib to stop you being sarcastic.
“Bravery has nothing to do with sentimentality…” He chuckled. With your arms wrapped around his torso and your head on his chest, it was difficult for you to look up at him though it didn’t stop you from trying.
“Wow, that’s actually, surprisingly deep, Steve.” You giggled.
“I do have a brain, you know.”
“Really? Well, let me know if you ever fancy using it.”
Pinch.
Tony and Natasha walked into the living area of Stark Tower just as the sun peeked out from beneath the horizon. Both were fairly early-risers for no reason other than it was their usual habit to be awake. Thor sometimes accompanied them but that was only when he’d had an excessive sugary-snacking session resulting in him being unable to sleep. Two thunderstorms and a smashed window later and the Avengers had become particularly practiced at hiding the sweeter treats.
Which is why the pair were surprised to find they were not the only ones out of bed. As they walked through the corridor together, they were in deep conversation. Natasha only just noticed the foot dangling over the edge of the sofa.
“Tony…” She murmured.
“I know! So that’s why I told him-”
“Tony.” Natasha sung.
“Yeah, let me finish, I said-”
“Tony Stark! If you could act like you have eyes in that thick skull of yours for two minutes, I would very much appreciate it.” She hissed. Taken aback by the sharp words, Tony paused in his tracks and turned to face his friend. She gestured to the sofa by glancing to it subtly. Spinning around, Tony’s eyes also fell onto the bare foot that was hanging over the edge of the sofa.
“Is it bad that I know exactly whose foot that is?” Tony smirked.
“A little.” Natasha smiled her pouty little smile as she surpassed him to confirm her suspicions. Tony remained stationary, awaiting her observations.
“O-ho!” Tony was surprised to hear Natasha’s soft exclamation of surprise. He raised his eyebrows questioningly but the assassin did not respond. Instead she beckoned with a slim finger. Curiosity bubbled within Stark and carefully, so as not to disturb whatever image might be awaiting him, crept towards her. Upon reaching the sofa on which Steve lay, he noticed that the soldier was not alone. Curled up in his embrace – like a little rabbit, Tony couldn’t help but think – was (y/n). Her head was tucked sweetly into the crook of Steve’s neck and her arms were folded against her chest. Her legs were also curled up so that she was in a more relaxed version of the foetal position. Steve’s broad arms were wrapped around his “friend” so that he was holding her body against him by the small of her back. A green cotton blanket was draped loosely around them.
“I will give you $1000 right now to help me swap with Steve.” Tony said, eyes eager for the chance to both flirt shamelessly and fluster (y/n).
“I’m going to hit you in a minute.” Natasha quietly giggled. Expertly, she slid the smart phone from her breast pocket and unlocked it with a quick flick of her finger. A few taps later and the camera was open, silently observing the sleeping couple.
“Okay. I changed my offer. I’ll give you $2000 to let me take that picture.” Tony pleaded, practically falling to his knees. Rolling her eyes, Natasha chucked him the phone.
“Jesus Stark, I don’t care. Just take it.” She muttered.
Three photos later and Tony was satisfied. He’d even dangerously knelt close to you and Cap to get a picture of your faces, peacefully snoozing together. Then Natasha had carried you back to your bedroom without stirring you (despite Tony’s million dollar offers to be allowed to do so himself).
“Morning sleepy head.” Natasha said as you pulled your eyelids apart. You slurred something in response that vaguely resembled the words “good” and “morning”. Natasha was sat on the covers next to you, flicking aimlessly through an old magazine you’d stored in your bedside cabinet.
“How did I get in here? I was in the sitting room.”
“Carried you myself. Figured that you would probably prefer to catch any extra shut-eye in a bed rather than…” Natasha bit her lip to hide a smile. “…than on a sofa.”
You eyed her suspiciously but, too tired to try and make any deductions, decided to ignore it. Rubbing your eyes, you thought about the things you needed to do before the day could begin. Now would probably be a good time to check your phone – having planned to go jogging with Steve later, you wanted to check the weather.
“Nat, can I borrow your phone? Mine must be in the other room – not that it’ll have any charge left, mind you.” You rambled. Now engrossed in a particular magazine article about tending a window garden, Natasha thoughtlessly passed her phone across. As you pressed buttons to wake the screen, the assassin had a sudden thought and quickly turned to you:
“Oh wait, can I just-” Your face had dropped and you turned Nat’s lock screen to face her. You were definitely awake now.
Natasha’s lock screen was a photo of you curled up in Steve Rogers’ arms.
You were blushing profusely and turned your face down to hide it. Nat smirked a little at your reaction before guiltily taking back her phone. She stood up and adjusted her shirt and top, her previous seating position having disrupted them.
“How many people have seen that?” You whispered. To anyone else, it would have been inaudible but Natasha’s hearing was unparalleled.
“Just me and Tony.”
You groaned and thrust your face into the pillow. Tony. Of all people.
“Relax, he’s not gonna tell anyone about your crush on Rogers.” She rolled her eyes and laughed, only stopping when you look up with wide eyes.
“Who said I have a crush on Rogers?” You spluttered.
“Oh come on, (y/n). You’d have to be an idiot not to notice it what with all the time you spend together.” Natasha laughed. As she was halfway out of the door, she turned to face you and said with a wink:
“Luckily, Steve is a very beautiful idiot.”
You plunged your face back into the pillow.
Steve sipped coffee at the bar. Tony was having some form of alcohol that Steve didn’t recognise.
“How’d you sleep?” Steve asked with a gruff voice, hoping to make some polite conversation to pass the time. He hadn’t been awake long and his neck was killing him.
“A far lot better than you by the looks of it. Hell of a night on that sofa, I imagine.” Tony said over the rim of his glass.
“Mm. (Y/n) were having a movie night and I fell asleep. I guess she took herself to bed.” He said, taking another sip of coffee. As a result, he missed Tony’s suggestive facial expression – raised eyebrows, low eyes and a famous Stark patented smirk that curled across his lips like a cat’s tail.
“So nothing… else… happened then?” He asked with a bitter sweet innocence that reeked of innuendo.
“Like what?”
“Oh come on Rogers. Even you should get that – no wink-wink, nudge-nudge?” Stark’s smirk evolved into something reminiscent of a full-blown grin. Steve choked on his mouth of coffee.
“I should think not!” He eventually coughed after using the sleeve of his shirt to wipe away the drops of coffee from his chin and nose. Whilst waiting for Steve to finish clearing up, Tony pulled his phone out of his pocket to see that the preview of a text from Natasha…
“We… are just friends.” Steve eventually murmured, running his finger around the edge of the cup to pick up any stray liquid. Stark rolled his eyes and sighed.
“Oh please. We’ve all noticed. I could cut the sexual tension in the room with a knife when you two are in there.”
“Stark. Please stop. She doesn’t see it like that.” Steve mumbled eliciting a curious glance from Tony.
“But do you?” He asked. He seemed a little distracted and brought his hand to his ear, presumably to scratch an itch, Steve thought.
“I…” Steve dropped his head a little and sighed. “I would kill to have someone even remotely like (y/n) loving me but… we have something good now and I refuse to jeopardise it.” Steve breathed. Tony sighed with relief and smiled. The Captain raised his eyes.
“What?” He asked. The response he got was startling. Tony looked up to the ceiling and shouted:
“Hey J.A.R.V.I.S., did you catch that?” Apparently he hadn’t been scratching an itch at all.
“Yes sir, I did.” The melodious voice responded. Steve suddenly realised what was happening and placed his coffee down.
“Stark, don’t you-”
“Do me a favour J.A.R.V.I.S. and play that back a couple o’ times in whatever room Miss (y/l/n) is in.”
“Of course, sir.”
Steve had fled the room before Tony could even begin to chuckle. As he brought his phone out of his pocket, he glanced amusedly at the text which read:
“(Y/n) saw the pic but won’t admit the obvious. Jfc.”
You and Thor looked up as the recording ended. Both of you shared a look of confusion before J.A.R.V.I.S. interrupted:
“I must apologise Miss (Y/l/n) but I have been instructed to play this twice.” He then proceeded to do so. You and Thor had been chatting idly over a morning cup of tea (which you both preferred over coffee) when the recording began to play out of the blue. Now you could feel yourself blushing profusely as you were forced to sit through it for a second time.
Thor was looking at you suggestively from behind his mug, his long blonde locks failing to hide his raised brow.
“Don’t start.” You snapped, kicking him playfully under the table. He chuckled heartily until Steve ran into the room looking breathless. He held onto the left doorframe anxiously, his chest rising and falling dramatically.
“Please – God – tell me there was a slight chance that you didn’t just hear that.” He panted. Thor abruptly burst into his deep laughter. Standing up, he placed the cup down on the counter next to where you had hidden your face in your arms upon seeing Steve. As he exited the room, he patted Cap sympathetically on the shoulder.
“Not a chance in hell, friend.” Thor laughed again before leaving.
Steve sighed and his head drooped. He looked at you - flopped over the counter with your face buried in your arms – and smiled to himself. You were probably feeling the same way as him and, in an odd way, that was reassuring. Slowly, he stepped forward and took Thor’s place across the table from you. Before he could say anything, you let out a long, muffled groan. Steve chuckled silently and looked down at his hands in his lap.
“I’m sorry…” He whispered and you laughed aloud though it was again muffled by your arms. You lifted your head and let your chin rest on your folded arms. Steve mirrored your actions and slumped. Crossing his arms, he placed them on top of the counter and let his jaw fall on top of them. Your noses were practically an inch away from each other.
“Nah, don’t be sorry.” You eventually mumbled. Steve blinked slowly, allowing himself to become completely lost in your forgiving and beautiful eyes. After a while, you realised that he seemed perfectly content in pretending this never happened and you couldn’t tell how you felt about that. You should have been happy that the awkward situation would be swept under the rug but at the same time, part of you had wondered whether it would mean losing the perfect opportunity to tell Steve how you feel…
Yawning, you sat up and stretched. Steve felt a little dazed after being so quickly ripped from the eyes he was swimming in. However, he eventually recovered and sat up. Steve knew that if he didn’t ask now, he probably never would. Apparently, you were considering ignoring the situation that had occurred, despite the perfect opportunity it gave you both to discuss how he was obviously feeling. Suddenly, an idea presented itself and Steve leapt on the opportunity.
“So uh, how did that film end?” He asked.
“I thought you’d read the book.” You replied coolly, picking up the two mugs and making your way to the sink where you dropped them. Steve swivelled the bar stool so that you remained in his sights.
“Well, yeah sure, but with these film adaptations nowadays, you can’t be sure what they’ll change.” He argued with a pointed and charismatic finger.
“Alright then. We can carry on watching it tonight if you want.”
“I’d like that a lot.” He smiled.
“How about I take you out for dinner first?” He then asked abruptly. You blinked at the unexpectedness of the question.
“Unless you’d rather eat in.” He began to panic when you didn’t respond. “We could get takeaway or I could cook or…”
“No, no!” You blurted out.
“Dinner sounds nice.” You tucked a piece of hair behind your ear and cast your eyes down. It was the most modest Steve had ever seen you – normally you were sarcastic and playful. It was one of the things he loved about you but at the same time, he knew that he was going to adore learning about this modest side of you too.
‘Yes,’ Steve thought ‘This is right.’