Lessons in Rule Breaking and Other Reader-Inserts*Steve Rogers*Reader*

Lessons in Rule Breaking - Pt.2/2

"For god's sake, Natasha!"

"Goodnight, Steve," you whispered.

"Night. See you tomorrow," he whispered back softly. "You're dead, Romanov!"

"Steve, you need to press the red button to actually end the call," she teased him and then you heard a growl and you were cut off.

You burst out into a maniacal laughter and squeezed you phone tighter.

Alright, time to stop sulking. You had a movie to download.

---

Mia knew someone was coming over and since you had a deal with the guards, she didn't question it – she let you check out the exhibit after closing time, grateful she didn't have to do it, and left with a suggestive wink. You rolled your eyes and pretended you didn't blush.

Steve arrived ten minutes after eight, wearing his perfect disguise in a form of a baseball cap, finding you at the desk. Seeing him again – a tiny smile settled on his lips and bright eyes smiling at you as well –, you scolded yourself for thinking he had been trying to avoid you.

"Hey. Welcome to Smithsonian cinema. How can I help you?" you greeted him, not sure where it came from. Steve smiled wider.

"Heard you were playing a great movie tonight. Couldn't resist. Plus, I've been promised popcorn and... some pleasant company. I can see I came to the right place," he started rather confidently, turning bashful in the end.

How the hell could you resist and not read anything into it when he talked like that?

"Oh— oh yes. Come in. I'll get the popcorn."

"Thanks. How much for it?

"About two hours of your time, Captain," you told him the price, rising from your seat. "That okay?"

One corner of his lips rose higher. "More than okay. And for the company? That would actually call me my first name?"

You lowered your gaze, wondering if you were crossing a line. "Smile is enough, Steve."

You were glad you had some time for yourself during preparing the popcorn – you needed to calm down. Your palms were awkwardly sweaty, your throat was dry and your heart was beating like crazy.

Calm down. Just two not-even-friends hanging out. Nothing more. Sure, you're doing a service to your country by educating national hero in pop culture, but you have literally no reason to be nervous, because it's not like you have make him LIKE like you. That's not gonna happen. Loosen up.

By the time you started the movie and handed Steve the popcorn he had insisted he had to share with you, you convinced yourself it was the truth. And within ten minutes through the movie, you got comfortable enough to make a note to the plot, your body getting on with the program of two not romantically involved people sitting in an empty movie theatre. And you had fun. Steve seemed to appreciate the notes, a laugh escaping him from time to time and it was amazing.

When the end titles started rolling down, you turned to Steve, finding him already watching you instead of the screen. He smiled and you smiled back as if it was the easiest thing in the world.

"That's it. You've been educated," you announced, rising from your seat and making your way to the projector. He followed your lead.

"Thank you. It's has been... very enlightening."

You stopped dead in your tracks. "Oh. Was I rambling too much? I was, wasn't I?"

Steve shook his head, still smiling, and his eyes shined even in the dim light of the computer you were turning off.