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

The Best Mistake of My Life - Pt.7/7

"You don't have to do that. You're a guest here," he noted kindly, sighing when you shook your head, continuing your extremely hard work.

"Please. So, you even invented a clean-up duty, huh?"

That made him chuckle. "Yeah. It was Natasha's idea. It was usually her and me and she got fed up with playing housekeeper."

"I do not envy her at all. Living with four guys, occasionally five, if Thor is staying? Not exactly a walk in the park, I imagine. No offence," you remarked, following him to the kitchen.

You weren't lying – you heard enough horror stories about living with too many brothers under one roof.

"Well, Pepper's around sometimes. Believe me, when she teams up with Natasha, I'm not sure it's them who are outnumbered," he exclaimed with a smirk that said it all. You laughed at the mental picture of the two famous women ordering the Avengers around. "Though... they might appreciate your help, the more frequent the better."

You let the lid of rubbish bin close shut, looking up at Steve. His smile was bashful now, displaying the same sheepishness you heard in his voice.

You heart sang at the sweet suggestion. He wanted you around, the more frequent the better. You were at loss of words and he bit the inside of his cheek, the light in his eyes dimmed a bit at the lack of your reaction.

"So you're saying they would enjoy me helping them to keep you guys in check..." you said slowly, earning a raised eyebrow as you took a step closer to him. "Or are you saying you'd like having me around?"

This time both of his eyebrows jumped shortly, his smile turning self-depreciating. Still, you hoped he knew you were teasing. "Something tells me you know which I meant."

"I'm hopeful," you wrinkled your nose and washed your hands, drying them with a paper towel.

Steve went to stand by your side and like a magnet, you couldn't resist and faced him.

"They were right, you know?"

"About?" you asked. You somehow suspected what he was referring to, the idea making your chest full of the lightest feeling. Yet, still in a high spirit, you teased him more. "Are we talking shedding clothes or us being perfect for each other?"

He chuckled, the tips of his ears red. "I meant the latter, mostly."

You smiled at him, your heart swelling in your ribcage with the faintest excitement at the visual of the first suggestion. Crossing the last distance, you kissed him shortly on his lips. His hands fell on your hips in a gentle touch.

"I agree."

"You do?" he whispered, gazing into your eyes, searching for the subtlest hint of doubt.

Joke was on him; he wouldn't find any. Maybe it was just him being perfect, but hey, whatever, potato, potahto; the bottom-line was that you were being over the moon when with him and he didn't seem any different.

"Uh-um," you hummed in agreement, unable to hold back the smile attacking your lips. Clearly, Steve failed at the same, mirroring your expression.

His arm sneaked around your waist then, his thumb caressing your cheek tenderly. The way he was looking at you... it took your breath away and after a long time, you felt the need to lower your gaze, dangerous words on the tip of your tongue.

You couldn't say you loved him. Not yet, right? That wasn't possible, was it? It was too soon. Even if it was somehow possible to feel like that, you couldn't tell him. You would spook the poor man. You couldn't have that.