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

Hug It Out - Pt. 1/4

His outfit was screaming runner, yet he walked to you in slow pace, hesitant. You gave him a tiny encouraging smile. (Because who were you kidding, you wouldn't mind hugging him. A little reward for the altruistic hugger?)

"I'm sorry," he started in pleasantly low voice, gulping before he continued. "I just... I couldn't help but notice... what exactly is happening here?"

You eyed him curiously, surprised by his genuine confusion. Was he being serious? He definitely did seem to wonder what was going on. Was it possible he had never heard of this initiative? He wouldn't be the first one, neither would be the last, you guessed.

The look on his face was an answer on its own, to be honest.

"Well," you hummed, rudely turning your back to him, showing off the sign on the t-shirt and pointing at it before facing him again. "It's exactly what it says on the tin. I'm giving away free hugs to anyone who wants."

He opened and closed him mouth, no sound coming out. It looked kinda funny, but also cute. Plus, laughing at him wouldn't be nice, so you tried your best to wait for him to figure out a response to that.

"I... can see that, but... why?"

The blond appeared perplexed as if such an act was something alien-like, making absolutely no sense. Though you had a feeling that he approved of that behaviour at least, despite not understanding what possessed you to do it.

"To spread the joy?" you suggested, half teasing, half unsure. He tilted his head, still perfectly confused (in a very puppy-like manner, read utterly adorable), but intrigued. "Because... everyone just needs a hug sometimes?"

He considered your words for a moment before a smile appeared on his lips.

"Yeah... I—I guess. I know the feeling. It's a really nice thought."

Huh. He truly was a tabula rasa when it came to Free Hugs. You felt honoured to introduce him to it.

Also, you couldn't but notice the softening of his voice when he said he knew the feeling. A flicker of something in his baby blues made your heart clench. He did know, didn't he?

"It's not my idea originally... Juan Mann was the first one to do it. Anyway... uhm... would you like one?" you asked, half on autopilot, half because you actually wanted to hug him, hoping whatever was bothering him would go away for a moment at least.

"Oh—uhm, I mean... okay? I never really... it's been a while," he admitted slowly, gulping.

A while since he had been hugged? Maaan, now you wanted to hug him and hold him for eternity.

If he would be comfortable with that, of course. Not everyone was as touchy-feely as you were, after all. Some people found it creepy.

Then again, maybe he was a hugger and missed it as badly as you would have. Also, not being hugged didn't necessarily mean not hugging anyone for a while, only not receiving the affection back. Which would be even sadder; hugs needed to be reciprocated.

"We don't have to," you whispered, lowering your gaze so you wouldn't make him uncomfortable by staring too much thus hinting having any kind of expectation of him.

It was just an offer – and neither accepting nor refusing was wrong.

"No, I—yeah, I could use a hug, I guess. No harm in trying, right?"

You nodded, charming a smile, suddenly shy. "No harm in trying," you muttered, taking the first step, but letting him raise his arms to initiate the real thing so he could back out in the last moment if he wanted.

He didn't.

It was a bit awkward at first, as if he wasn't sure what to do, but then something clicked. Your thinner arms wrapped around his torso, while one of his circled you waist easily, the other embracing your shoulders.

He held you carefully, as if he was afraid of breaking you – or not remembering what hugging was supposed to feel like, which you found awfully sad –, so you added a bit of pressure to let him know it was okay to actually hold you. His grip tightened a fraction, his chin lightly resting against your temple, nearly on the top of your head.

His chest was freaking huge and honestly a bit sweaty, but nothing too bad; almost as if he hadn't been running before. He was just... warm. Pleasantly so. So much you almost forgot to let go. You allowed yourself to inconspicuously caress his back, only a bit, but his response was overwhelming. He melted into your frame, squeezing in return – it felt like a thank you, warming you from inside.

When you started letting go, he immediately picked up on it, releasing you too. He was smiling gently, holding your gaze nearly hypnotically. Neither of you said a word, but you could feel something radiating from him, so many unspoken words...

"Excuse me?" a boy's voice sounded on your low right and you automatically looked that way, breaking the spell. Trusting hopeful chocolate eyes of a tiny person – the boy could be barely six years old – were watching you and you scanned the park for the person responsible for him. You found a woman about your age running your way. "Can I get a hug too, miss?"

You smiled at the boy, crouching so you were his height.

"Depends, mister. Who's the girl right there?"

"That's Maya. She's my babysitter," he hummed, pouting. "She's always so slow."

Eying the girl's shoes, you couldn't really blame her. The heels were at least three inches high. Not exactly a suitable shoes for when looking after a kid.

"Well, if Maya allows it, then you can."

The boy huffed, but waited for the girl to catch up with him.

"Christopher!"

While the scolding happened, you glanced at the stranger you had hugged. He had an unreadable expression on his face, watching you and the kid, but it seemed somewhat soft. He gave you a tiny wave and you returned it, quite sorry he was leaving. He seemed like a nice guy. You wouldn't mind to chat with him for a while longer. Or hug him for a while longer.

Shut up, creep.

"So, Christopher. Did you and Maya clear it up? Are we hugging?" you addressed the boy quietly, earning a grin and an eager nod. You checked with the babysitter once more and only then spread your arms.

Christopher fell into them so enthusiastically you almost fell backwards and landed on your ass.

You laughed it off, feeling as much joy bursting in your chest as you hoped you were bringing to the kid by such a simple thing like a hug.

It was a reward on its own. 

----Notes:
Another meet-cute. Oops. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ But hey, I got The Devil on Our Backs in motion, right? I deserve a break :D (still working on it when I can ;) )