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

Ground Rules (for Love and War) - Pt.1/2

"...that we would," Steve agreed, blinking at you, seemingly a bit dumbstruck, but a twinkle of mischief reflected in his irises. "Looks like the coffee is kicking in pretty quick. You have no problem with wording now."

You couldn't help but chuckle self-depreciatingly. He wasn't wrong. What threw you off balance was that he was... having a conversation with you, a playful one, so atypical of him – at least as far as it was concerning you – and... it felt truly nice. It did things to your stomach, a pleasant fluttery sensation and you quickly downed the rest of your cup, wondering if it was the shot of caffeine. You were about 97% sure that it wasn't the cause.

"Har, har, Captain Rogers. I'll have you know that it's only my human skills that gets progressively pathetic with my caffeine levels running low, not my ability to say big words. Anyway, what's got into you tonight? There's something different about you... not that I'm complaining!"

Once more, his reaction took you aback. He flashed you a quick smile before lowering his gaze, holding up both of his hands in gesture of surrender. "Guilty as charged. Sam might have found me making coffee for two and decided to give me a pep talk. He told me, and I quote, to suck it up and just spit it out. ... And then made me take a sip from Thor's flask."

Your heart started beating its way out of your chest, a mixture of panic and excitement at his admission.

"Sounds like he's a good friend than. Is there something on your mind? That you need to... spit out?"

"Yeah," he confessed, peeking at your from under his rich eyelashes, shy but determined gaze settling on you as he leant onto the counter behind him. "I feel like... things I want to say tend to come out wrong. I... I'd like to know you better. If that would be alright with you."

You felt endlessly grateful that moment, that the words 'my jaw went slack' were only a figure of speech, because otherwise you would have looked very comical and very much stupid. Still, your lips parted, the flutter in your stomach growing in intensity.

"...oh," you breathed out intelligently, only to realize he had actually asked a question. Kinda. And was waiting for you to answer. "Uhm... yes. Yes, I'd love to do the same. I... I admit I thought that maybe you just weren't interested in further interaction, because I'm not on the team-"

"No! That's not it at all, I swear," he rushed to reassure you, sending a tiny pleased smile at your approval. "It's just... like I said. I'm always tripping over myself around you, putting my foot in my mouth and- and things I want to say sound less awkward in my head."

Tripping over himself around me? That sounded... nope, that couldn't be it. Right? Except your heart was now hammering against your ribcage in excitement at the possibility, turning more real every second he was looking at you and dammit, do not give into the silly hope that Steve Rogers might actually like like you.

"Steve, you're literally the nicest guy I've ever met. I like to think about you as sweet, not awkward." Now wow, that was way too much, dummy. Except he smiled shyly, his eyes lightening up at the compliment and your fingertips tingled at the sweet display of delight. He relaxed further, settling more comfortably against the counter. "Now, what do you want to know?"

"Anything," he shrugged, the corners of his lips still up in invitation, an encouragement to share with him anything you were willing.

"Well, you clearly already know how I take my coffee..."

Hint of darker pink coloured his cheeks, much to your glee.

"How did you end up working for Tony?"