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

Hug It Out - Pt.2/4

Damn you, brain-to-mouth filter.

You chuckled awkwardly, running a hand through your hair. Alright, let's try this again.

"Wow, I'm terrible at this. What I'm trying to say is: thank you and I'm sorry for my rambling and my inappropriate behaviour... sir," you followed his suit of 'ladies' and 'madams' which caused the corners of his lips twitch. Not unkindly, though.

"Like I said: I get it. I know that what I did could have been... intimidating and looked like an unnecessary demonstration of power. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Steve."

He offered his huge hand to shake and you accepted it immediately, shyly offering your name in return. How had you not introduced the first time around?

The gentleness of his grip surprised you – or maybe it didn't. The longer you were interacting with him, the more you understood that the violence you had witnessed had only been for the benefit of your safety. Steve wasn't a man seeking violence in everyday life – he was seeing an opportunity to protect.

With his body built, it wouldn't surprise you if he was with some sort of law enforcement. Army even. Yet, you didn't think he joined to cover for his violent tendencies as your psychology major had taught you was happening at times.

Jeez, you needed to stop analysing people. And praising him mentally, because at this rate, you might develop a crush on him. Which... yeah, would be ridiculously easy, who were you kidding.

"Can I buy you a coffee as an apology slash thank you, Steve?" fell from your mouth as you let go of his hand, your inner voice scolding you immediately.

Really? Supporting developing the slowly growing crush by inviting him for a cup? Seriously, woman?!

Steve's face lit up with pleasantly surprised smile, intensified with several confused blinks.

"Oh, you don't have to do that-"

"I really feel like I should-"

"I didn't do that to-"

"I don't think you would. And I didn't mean it like I should invite you based on some... social code or whatever," you clarified, stopping the verbal tennis match. It shut him up, allowing you to speak. Damn him, gentleman. Stop being so crushable! "I would like to. If that would be alright with you, Steve."

"Don't you need to... stay here and give more hugs?" he asked sheepishly, looking around.

Following his suit, you checked for any onlookers. With relief, you noticed people were losing interest in the peculiar show you were offering.

You waved it off, trying to supress the feeling of panic at the idea of another J-whatever arriving – or the man himself coming back – if you stayed here.

"I think I gave enough."

He nodded in understanding, subtly scanning the area around you once more – as if he was looking for any potential Js aka danger. Yep, definitely law enforcement.

"Shall we?" You beckoned your head in the direction of your favourite café, rewarded by another nod as Steve easily fell into step with you. "I think I could use a good coffee as well."

"I think you deserve it," he hummed and you glanced up at his face. His smile grew a bit now, still sweet. An adorable twinkle appeared in his eyes when you casted a small smile right back at him.

He was so freaking handsome you couldn't believe it and for a moment you let your mind wander. Was it the fact he had helped you what was making him so beautiful? Girls were often raised to believe in knights in shining armour (and oh, did he look like Prince Charming) to save them from trouble, automatically falling in love with them after. Was this the case now? Did you only like him because of that?

No, that couldn't be, right? You knew better than that. Because, psychology major. Talk about professional deformation.

"So... I peg you for an Americano type of guy. Am I wrong?" you threw out to the open to start up a conversation.

He snorted a laugh that should be unattractive, and it probably was, but only made your smile widen. Ha! He was a I-snort-when-you-make-me-laugh-unexpectedly kind of person! Now you were falling hard.

"Yeah. Americano all the way. What gave it away?"

For some reason, you sensed an inside joke in that sentence. Instead of being bothered by the lack of sharing, you shrugged it off and answered his question.

"Nothing. I can just tell. It's my superpower."

For a short moment, he seemed to hesitate and consider whether you were only joking. A few years ago, you would have laughed at it, but with aliens falling from the sky in New York and a bunch of actually superpowered heroes fighting them off, you couldn't blame him for the uncertainty.

When he saw you biting your lip so the chuckle wouldn't escape you, he relaxed, grinning on his own.

"What a cool superpower to have..." he hummed, shoving his hands in the pockets of his sweats ad followed you to the salvation in a form of the sacred beverage.

----Notes:
And here comes the heroic rescue... Oh Stevie... :D