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

Grease and Pearls - Pt. 1/3

Your mother made a joke about Tony soon kissing a ring on your hand and you closed your eyes, swallowing the panic that didn't leave you until the early hours of the morning, causing you to lose sleep.

Seeing your own exhausted expression in the mirror at the crack of dawn, you came to a decision.

You were to escape the tight bodice of your glamorous life if even for a minute.

And you were sure that your best friend, who happened to live closer to normal part of the city, was about to help you.

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The bell jingled as you entered the diner, black and white tile floor resembling a chessboard, albeit slightly shabby against your heels clicking with each step.

Maximoff's the place was called and besides the funky chessboard floor, the interior was in warm colours, walls painted apricot, the counters, bar, tables, stools and chairs in caramel tones. Your lips automatically spread in a smile as you looked around, heading to the counter built right next to a bar, your eyes running over the specials of the day. As most of the names didn't feel familiar, you took a mental note to kiss Pepper's hands once you would reunite in the gallery where she was momentarily alone, providing you an alibi while you sneaked out.

"What's a pretty thing like ya' doin' here? Ya' lost, dollface?" a male voice startled you and your head snapped the direction it came from, finding a man dressed in a short-sleeved shirt with a strange logo of an eagle on his pocket and jeans. Chin-length brown hair framed his face, stubble rounding his smirking lips, his pale blue-grey eyes fixed on you.

He didn't seem like he wanted to harm you, but the way he talked seemed strange and the fact you weren't even sure if he talked to you made you uneasy. Dollface? Who called a woman that? Who called that anyone for that matter?

You smiled at him reluctantly, your heart speeding up. A sigh sounded next to him, out of your view, and another man spoke up, scolding the brunet.

"Lay off, Buck. You're scaring the dame."

The owner of the voice leaned away from the bar, his kind blue eyes and inviting expression causing your breath to hitch. Gosh, he was pretty with that subtle smile and ruffled blond hair. You figured they were colleagues since he was dressed in the same manner. You felt a bit inappropriate in your almost knee-length sunflower dress; you were sticking out like a sore thumb. The women in this diner sure weren't dressed like you.

"Do you need any help?" the blond asked, his tone gentler and less challenging than Buck's, , instantly putting you at ease; well, as much at ease as you could feel visiting a downtown diner for the first time, on your own, no less.

Your smile grew firmer, more confident, as you beckoned towards the menu above.

"Uhm... perhaps with picking the meal?"

The brunet raised a curious eyebrow at your question. "You want to eat here?"

Yes, you were definitely sticking out and you weren't the only one to take notice.

"...yes."

Nervous under his gaze, your eyes flickered to the blond, who seemed equally surprised, tilting his head aside.

"Well, what do you have in mind?" he asked simply.

You only shrugged in response and the brunet rolled his eyes and sighed, wiping his fingers to the napkin near his empty plate.