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

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

"Right after his ass and muscles, no doubt mesmerized by his sky blue eyes," Tony hummed from the background, effectively startling Steve who had honestly let the fact that Tony was even there slip from his mind, too lost in your love declarations.

"Fuck you, Tony. And his eyes are not sky-blue, they have a little green in them."

"Really? Jarvis, show me a good picture..."

"Anyway. You give so much and don't ask anything in return. Sometimes I can see how much you'd want to, but you never do. It's like you don't expect to get it anyway, not even the little things. As if you didn't deserve it. Newsflash, Stevie, you do. You deserve the world. I wish I could give it to you..."

Oh, you're doing that, sweetheart, Steve wished to tell you, but even if he had you on the phone at the moment, he wouldn't be able to say a word with his throat constricted with the overwhelming emotion.

"And the world itself won't come crushing down over a mistake that wasn't even in your power to avoid and it won't break down if you take a breath and relax. I always think I'm on the right way to convince you about that, but then you shy away from it. You matter, Stevie. You, Steven Grant Rogers, matter so much. Everyone pointed out at least one thing about you and not the Captain and that's not a coincidence. Despite everything, you're only human, we remember that and we all love you for it."

"Some more than others..." Tony interrupted again, his voice carrying a hoarseness as if he was affected by your speech as well. You pointedly ignored him.

"Don't forget that. I have it from a good source that a guy once told you that everything special about you came from a bottle. We both know that's a load of bullshit. Even Doctor Erskine recognized how special you were and decided to choose you. Good becomes great, you told me he said. Well, sure. It just needed an opportunity to show. Let's be honest, I have no doubt your stubbornness and other tiny flaws amplified too, because you're unbelievable sometimes, but that's okay. In the end, you're the best man I have ever met and I am lucky and feel proud to be called yours. I love you, Stevie. So much," your voice lowered to a whisper and with a tight smile, you lightly kissed your fingers and nearly touched the lens of the camera.

Steve choked on a watery laugh. You really were too cute for words. A brilliant scientist, one of the most intelligent women the world knew, and here you were being adorable for him.

Christ, he didn't deserve you.

"Stupid allergies..." Tony complained, fooling no one as his voice came out scratchy from the lump that no doubt formed in his throat. "You done?"

To Steve's utter surprise, you shook your head, drying a stray tear that escaped your eyes as well, but the corners of your lips twitched in attempted smile.

"Just a sec. I'm sorry, I want to edit this video more, cut some parts out, but I'll probably run out of time and I want you to have it in the morning. It's a bit messy, but I hope with all my heart that you received the message loud and clear." You have no idea. "Also, sorry for the killer dose of painkillers and sneaking out without a goodbye. I'd be pissed if you did that to me, so... you know, sorry. I promise to make it up to you when I'm back-"

"Ouch, ouch! That's what I was talking about, I did not want to hear that! I'm scarred for life!" Tony howled dramatically and Steve didn't even had energy to roll his eyes. He was a complete mess.

"Tony? You're an asshole."

"And you're too good to be true, doc. I think you gotta get on the plane in like thirty minutes, so-"

A look of utter shock and horror appeared on your face and you jumped from the chair with admirable energy for such early hour. "Shit, shit shit-- I'm not gonna edit it at all then, dammit-"

"Nah, I bet it's better without it, more authentic. Go write a note or something equally sickeningly sweet you romantics do-"

"Turn it off, you goof!" you giggled, reaching for the camera and the screen went black as if on command.

Steve sat on the bar stool for several minutes, staring on the screen absently, grinning and feeling... so indescribably loved he couldn't quite contain it.

What you had done-

Feeling like an idiot for not doing it earlier, he sprang towards the bedroom to get his phone, typing a message to you. If he remembered correctly, you might still be on your way, but sometimes it was hard to tell with Tony's inventions.

S: Have a safe flight and nice stay, sweetheart. You'll rock. x

S: And thank you for what you've done. I don't deserve you.

His heart skipped a beat when the phone instantly chimed in response.

♥: Clearly, you weren't paying enough attention when watching. Go play it again, Stevie.

He grinned. Apparently, despite the lack of sleep and the nerves he had seen every time you had thought of your presentation, you were fine.

His heart felt too big for his ribcage, squishing his lungs as it grew in size, barely being able to let out a laugh.

S: I did!

S: Correction then: you are the best thing that ever happened to me. I'll always be grateful for you and I love you more than anything.

This time, he expected the early comeback.

♥: Love you too. Miss you already! xxx

Steve set the phone down with a goofy smile plastered over his face and went to watch the video again – the part with you anyway.

He could go and check on Natasha later. After all, she told him not to do that again anyway.

Notes:
What have I done?! So. Many. Words. So. Much. Cheesiness. Oh god. I should change my username to monsterwithakeyboard or something like that.

But hey, Steve deserves some love from his girl and from his teammates. I actually considered rewriting it later with few alternations so it was Peter doing the video (as a non-relationship kind of thing).

Any feedback really is always appreciated. Thank you for reading! :-*