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

State Your Name (for the Record) - Pt.1/1

And the video was far from being over.

Surely enough, the scenery changed again, the camera aimed at a computer screen this time. Steve didn't understand until he recognized Thor, who was currently spending his time with Jane Foster in New Mexico, video-chatting with you.

"Unbelievable," Steve muttered under his breath, amazed.

"What is it, lady of Captain's?" the alien demigod asked, frowning at the screen of his own computer. "This way of communication is still confusing, why are you writing when we can talk together? ...Oh."

The blond was silent for a moment, appearing in deep thought, before smiling broadly.

"Very well. What is of the Captain's qualities. He's a mighty warrior. Brave man I would always follow into battle without question. Phenomenal leader, always having his garrison's safety on mind-"

A sting of guilt hit Steve's consciousness at that.

Did he? He always tried, sure... but was it enough? Yesterday's incident was proving the opposite, yet he had been acting in utter belief that what he had decided was for the best, confident the risk for his teammate was minimal. That was the problem with bad intel; they never knew it was bad until something blew up in their faces, sometimes literally.

With each minute of this video, Steve felt he was letting a piece of the guilt go, along with doubt.

He wasn't stupid; he knew that was the point of this thing, but... yeah, that realization did nothing against the fact that it was working.

"Steven radiates strength, both bodily and mentally and he is a great friend of all," Thor on the screen continued in his loud voice. "I feel blessed by the Allfather and all Gods above for I encountered him and fought side-by-side with him as well celebrated victories. I look forward for more to come, always delighted by reconnecting with him."

By the time Bruce in his lab coat appeared (seriously, how did you manage to get a hold of everyone? Steve wasn't sleeping for that long, though it probably helped that half of his team, if not all, was insomniac), Steve was breathless with anticipation, greedy of hearing what others had to say, no matter how selfish it made him.

He craved comfort and since you weren't there... you obtained a different kind of comfort for him and shit, was it working.

"Uh. I'm not good at this-"

"Try? Please?" you asked the scientist softly and Steve could imagine your soothing smile, the gentle hope and plea in your eyes. Steve could never deny you when you asked something of him like that and when you stoop even lower and used your puppy eyes, he stood no chance.

"He's lucky to have you, you know," Bruce noted and Steve's smile widened when you sounded flustered at that remark.

"Bruce..."

"What? You're an important part of him we appreciate. But I understand complimenting you isn't the point of this. Just let me... eh. Alright. I think I got it. I'm not good at talking, but I'm gonna try," he exclaimed, clearly determined. He wasn't looking directly to the camera, but that didn't steal any significance from his words.

"Steve, I hope you don't beat yourself over what happened yesterday. I mean... I know you do, but my point is – don't. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't anybody's fault. You do what you believe is right and we know you long enough to know that that moral compass of yours is as important as your quick decisions in the field – right ones. But what is even more important and why I appreciate you is that... you try to see that piece of goodness in everyone. You see it in Nat, who sure made some questionable things in the past. You see through Tony's façade and... you see good in me. You look and you see good in people – and every creature – and that's the best thing about you. Ugh... yeah, I don't think I can do more."