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

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

Your hand acted on its own account, needing to comfort him all of sudden. He covered the back of your hand when it blindly found its forearm. It caused the corners of your lips to lift.

"So much for not getting caught in the middle," you hummed, recalling your words to him from two days prior and you had a feeling he smiled at that.

Bucky sighed, exasperated. "Fuck lockdown. We can figure something out, right?"

At that, your mood fell instantly. It was your turn to sigh, because... you weren't so certain about that. Freeing your hand, you crossed your arms on your chest.

"Well, the power is down," you pointed out the obvious. "The thing is, I'm ninety percent sure Tony didn't synchronize the new protocols with the emergency power unit yet."

"English?" Bucky hissed.

You were pretty confident that he understood, but didn't want to believe it. You rolled your eyes and explained.

"The power won't kick in on its own, because the new security update isn't quite... complete. It has to be done manually. And Tony didn't share how."

"So we just have to call Tony?" Steve asked, relieved.

"Yeah... about that. I might have threatened to all of his Ironman suits if he left his phone on during the date with Pepper he's currently on..."

"Oh," Steve let out, clearly surprised, but at the same time, slightly pleased. Good. He cared for more than just his friends' safety – he also cared about their happiness. Not that it was any surprise to you. "Where's the date?"

You chewed on your lower lip, squeezing your eyes shut as you prepared for the storm which was doubtlessly about to follow your revelation.

"...Richmond."

"WHAT?!" sounded stereo from both sides of your face and you whined, guilt biting at your stomach. But how were you supposed to know this was gonna happen?!

You would bet Samuel fucking Wilson planned it exactly because he knew about the date. And about its location.

"There's a really nice restaurant with great atmosphere, okay?!" you instantly defended yourself. "It had wonderful lobster and Tony actually paid attention to what Pepper said for once, so he knew she would love it there!"

Steve sighed, but assured you that it was alright, recognizing your contribution.

"So we'll just punch our way out."

"...yeah, about that," you shot down Bucky's proposition before he could get too excited about it.

"Oh for fuck's sake! What now?"

"Tony might have lined the walls and doors with vibranium after Ultron, T'Challa provided it to him. He thought it would be safer...?"

"Why would he do that?"

"Because he's a paranoid bastard?" you offered, earning an affirmative hum from Steve.

"Fair enough, I suppose."

"So, let me get this straight. He lines the walls with rare metal, but he still trusts his tech, which already turned against him before," Bucky stated in disbelief.

"Uhhmmm, yeah, sounds about right."

You could feel a gush of wind that probably signalled Bucky throwing his arms up in exasperation.

"So... we're trapped," Steve summed up and you reluctantly agreed.

"Basically."

"In the dark," Bucky added. "Well, for you anyway."