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

Nothing but the Truth - Pt.4/8

Your heart skipped a beat and judging by the subtle squeeze of your hip, Steve noticed and was trying to tell you to stay calm – despite the fact that this was not planned at all.

What the hell was he doing?

"Other suitors?" the host questioned, intrigued, as she eyed your reaction; which was absolutely genuine, a 100% undiluted shock.

If you were lucky, the audience would think it was you being self-conscious, surprised at the idea of other people being interested, which... wasn't that far from the truth, but seriously, Steve, what the hell?

Utterly confused, you attempted to cover your shock with only thing you could think of; with humour.

"Yeah. There are so many! I can see the line forming right there," you joked lightly, making the effort to point somewhere behind the cameras and the host chuckled when she caught on the playfulness in your voice, knowing all too well what you were doing.

"You'd be surprised," Steve stated lowly, making you pause and blink in confusion. He was just messing around, right? There were no other guys interested in you. Yes, you had been complimented before, yes, you had been in relationships before, but it wasn't like guys fought over you or something.

Once more hiding your inner turmoil, you turned your head to him, eyes narrowed.

"Steve!" you scolded him, mocking offence. "Are you telling me you knew there were others and you didn't introduce us?!"

The interviewer's eyes flickered between the two of you, an expectant smirk forming on her lips. Well, glad you're having fun, because I still have no idea what this is all about, apart from Steve proving a point which I'm not quite getting yet. Though you had to admit, it probably looked natural, a banter between friends turned to lovers and you suddenly realized that this was Steve making this whole one single interview you were willing to give, which was suspicious enough, much more believable.

And damn, was he smooth about it.

Steve's smile was innocent, a glint of mischief in his irises as he shrugged. "What can I say? I just want you for myself."

Feeling heat rising to your cheeks at the confidence he spoke with and at his palm squeezing your hip once more, shifting you subtly and yet visibly closer to his side, you smiled at him and leaned your forehead onto his shoulder. His lips landed in your hair so easily as if he had done it thousand times before.

"I guess you are forgiven then."

"Well, it looks like you two have it figured out," the interviewer, Laurel, because you were all on the first name basis to cut the tension, remarked. "And I suppose the strategy would work, Steve, the ring isn't extravagant, but it is hard to miss." She beckoned to it and looked at you expectantly. "What was it like? The proposal?"

Well, shit. You really wished Steve would get this one to answer, because you would have to lie through your teeth, but it was expected that you'd be the one to be asked about it since being proposed was a big moment in woman's life. Or man's, sure, but in your position... stop trying to distract yourself, big lie ahead! Focus!

"It was... a blur. I mean, we aren't together for too long despite knowing each other for over a year now. But... I guess when you know, you know, right? It was just so sudden! This ring is beautiful, but we actually picked it after the question."

You were meant to say exactly that – just in case someone who was too close to you noticed the absence of the ring before – and overall, you weren't lying in the true sense of the word, only omitting the truth... it was just so damn complicated!