Saving Steve (Steve Rogers x Reader)

Chapter 8 - Bad Omens

Quickly running a brush through your hair, you take one final look in the mirror and cringe at the simple eyeliner and mascara you've put on today. 

It's too much. 

Right?

You haven't worn makeup in years. You never wanted to call attention to yourself. To stand out. Hiding always felt like the better option. Staying plain. Blending in.

But now dark lashes and painted waterlines stare back.

And this time, you smile.

Smoothing out your shirt, you grab your purse from the counter and make haste to your car. It's only noon, but knowing you left your stranger in the staff room last night has been driving you crazy. 

Pulling into the back lot, you spot Liam's motorcycle next to a black town car you don't recognize. But as you park you watch the new guy - Casey - step from within and lumber inside. 

You wait a moment, allowing him to cross the parking lot and enter the building before getting out of your own car and following him in, making your way to the kitchen where Liam scrubs the breakfast serving trays, and Casey is still shoving his backpack in the locker in the corner.

"Hi guys!" you call out cheerfully.

Liam turns, his hands still in the sink with water up to his elbows. "Well this is a pleasant surprise! What are you doing in so early?"

"I could say the same. Are you covering for morning shift again?" you ask Liam, casting him a curious glance.

"I am," he says with a tired sigh. "Can't a shelter director catch a break around here?"

You grin at Liam's teasing as he washes the dishes. "I'll be right back to help. I just need to go check on something," you say, slinking towards the door of the kitchen.

"You mean you want to go check on your boyfriend?" Liam chuckles, intending to keep his words quiet enough so that you won't hear them. 

But you do.

"He's not my boyfriend," you retort, your cheeks growing warm.

Liam casts you a skeptical glance and pulls his hands from the sink, drying them off and crossing them in front of his chest as he turns to face you fully.

"I've known you since you started volunteering here, Y/n. You've never broken shelter rules." Liam retorts. "And the day after you do, you show up early. Wearing makeup," Liam teases. 

Your jaw drops as you search for a response. But Liam simply laughs and rolls his eyes at you over his shoulder. "What?" he asks. "I have sisters. I notice these things."

"He needed help, Lee. That's all," you say, starting to regret your decision to put on the eyeliner.

"What are you talking about?" Casey pipes up, a confused look on his face.

"Oh nothing," Liam says. "Y/n let her little friend stay the night last night. And by little friend, I mean that tree-trunk of a human that's been hanging around for the last month."

You smack your forehead and let out a frustrated groan as Casey's eyes grow wide.

"St-...I mean that guy is here? Right now? Hasn't he been missing for a week or two?" Casey asks, his gaze narrowing.

"He came back last night," you say, ignoring Casey's surprise and turning back to Liam. "Listen, Lee, I'm sorry. I know it's against the rules."

Liam puts his hands on his hips and shakes his head, letting out a quiet laugh. "Don't sweat it. I trust your judgment."