Saving Steve (Steve Rogers x Reader)

Chapter 8 - Bad Omens

A light smile of pleasant surprise plays on your lips as you realize Liam isn't going to scold you for this one. As Liam goes back to putting things away, you take the opportunity to sneak from the kitchen and dash down the hall to the staff room. Quietly turning the door handle, you peek in. But there's no one on the couch.

You flick on the lights and find an empty room - the couch perfectly made up as if no one had ever been there in the first place. Taking a step inside, your foot catches on something and you stumble. You barely avoid falling and look back at whatever had tripped you.

A blanket. And a pillow. On the floor. Near the door. Neatly folded.

What the heck? Did he...did he sleep on the floor?

You frown and pick up the blanket and pillow, tossing them in the dirty laundry cart before casting a final glance around the room and returning to the kitchen. Liam still stands at the sink, but Casey is nowhere to be found.

"Looks like he left," you say nonchalantly. But you find yourself disappointed.

"I have a feeling he'll be back," Liam says, casting you a knowing smile.

"What does that mean?" you scoff.

Liam rolls his eyes and laughs. "He's here because you're here."

"Excuse me?" you ask.

"Listen," says Liam, turning off the water and turning to face you. "I know you struggle to bond with people. But I also know you're not stupid. This guy hangs around the shelter to keep an eye on you. It's pretty obvious."

You feel your heart beat quicken as you try to deny what deep down, you've already realized.

"That's ridiculous," you shoot back. "He comes in to get off the street. He told me so himself."

"Both can be true," Liam says, shrugging.

You clench your jaw and cross your arms defensively. 

"Well, if you're staying, I'm going home to get some sleep before tonight," Liam says, breaking the silence. "But Casey is here. Somewhere."

You scowl at Liam as he slings his backpack around his shoulders and walks up in front of you, holding out a hand above your head. You narrow your gaze at him, but his smile causes your grumpy resolve to crumble. You roll your eyes and sit up straight into his touch. He ruffles your hair and laughs before walking out the back door.

Alone in the kitchen you stand and stretch, looking for Casey. The two of you can at least fill the next couple hours by getting a head start on bedrolls.

You step into the hallway and head up to the staff room. But he's not there. You look around the mess hall and even venture back into the dormitories. But you can't find him.

Confused, you wander back down the hall to the kitchen when a faint, echoing voice from farther back towards the storage rooms catches your attention. You follow it, and it leads you to the closet for dry goods. 

"...yeah I'm sure...not presently...tonight most likely...yes sir."

You wrinkle your brow hearing Casey's demanding and flustered voice coming from inside. You press your ear up against the door, but jump violently as the handle unlatches. You take several steps backward as Casey walks out, a cell phone in hand. His gaze locks with yours as you watch him, confused.

"There are better places to take a call, you know," you laugh nervously, pointing to the phone in his hand.

Casey remains silent, and his eyes linger on you for a moment before he storms out, walking up the hall back towards the kitchen. You let out a sigh, realizing it's going to be a long afternoon.