Nothing Sweeter Pt.1
Pairing: Steve Rogers x Black Reader
Plot: Steve has an interest in you ever since he first saw you working at a cozy cafe and even though he doesn't want a relationship due to his job, you're too much to resist.
Warnings?: pining, sweet, slow burn
Finally, he's all done. All the daily reports, meetings, debriefings, sparing, and missions. He has spent month after month in a constant state of tiring work. He was always on, always 'Captain America', never Steve. He just needed a break from it all.
He grabbed his things, casually saying hellos and goodbyes to the other agents and staff. The ladies fawning and tripping over themselves when he mutters a 'goodbye ma'am' with a small smile. You would think after all this time, he would get used to women practically throwing themselves at him but he still feels like that skinny kid getting his teeth punched in, in a dead end alley.
Shaking off that feeling he continues making his way to the parking lot, his phone pinged with the boys' group chat. Sam and Bucky are doing what they do best, bickering. "You don't even like sushi." Bucky said rejecting Sam's sushi night proposal. Steve laughs to himself because he can hear his deadpan. "That's not the point, let's try something different and who knows second time is a charm."
Steve has been looking for spots for them to check out, and he conveniently found a cozy nature-themed cafe on one of his daily runs. "What about here?" He shares the link, quietly thanking Natasha for showing him how. Luckily, they both agreed, coffee and pastries it is.
He fastened his duffle bag and swung his leg over his bike. He got to his apartment, dropping his stuff and quickly freshen up. His phone pinged again. Sam and Bucky were outside waiting for him.
The stress of the past couple of months slowly started chipping away, and he now lazily strolls to a new cafe spot a couple of blocks away from his apartment. Bucky on his right and Sam on his left, both determined to help decompress along with him.
"Talk about touching grass," Sam said, "You know like the kids say." he rubbed the back of head. As they stopped, it's like they were teleported into to nature, the sign read 'Moss and Mug'. "Umm, let's just go in" Bucky said leading the charge.
Steve really appreciated the dense forest design of the cafe dressed in warm lighting. Very much different than the hustle and bustle of NYC. His eyes wandered around the cafe floor, taking notes of the exits or possible cover. Forever it's in grain in him to search for these things.
As he scanned some more that's when he saw you. Your white shirt rolled up, flour and coffee stains dotting your deep green apron. Your hair is pulled back, but a coil frames your round face. Your brown eyes are rich in colour and of course your skin is glistening.
You reached out to hand the customer her coffee, who then turns and whose eyes scan Steve, but he is too busy observing you. How you move, how your voice sweetly greets customers and takes their orders. Or even how you try to push the coil away from your face but it always manages to spring out away from your ear.
"Welcome to Moss and Mug, how can I help you?" You said sweetly with a smile. Seeing your smile up close, he wished he could see it all day. He loved how your smile met your eyes. "Umm, can I have a blueberry muffin and a latte?" Sam said.
You took his order, and shifted your eyes to Steve. His eyes already on you, he rocked on his heels, "I'm not ready yet, Buck." He gestured to Bucky. "Well, I will take a black coffee and a cinnamon roll." You nodded and then shifted your eyes back to Steve, "Are you ready yet?"
He stood staring. Couldn't focus on what you were saying. "Sir?" You questioned. Your eyebrows creasing together, he noted how cute it was. "I'm sorry, just a bit overwhelmed with the choices. What do you recommend?" He said, his voice like velvet. You grew nervous under his gaze, even though it didn't creep you out.
You know the gaze of creepy men all too well. You took notice of his face, strong, as God himself chiseled away at it, until He was pleased. His blue eyes are bright, staring deeply into yours.
"We are well known for our matcha, so I will recommend the chocolate matcha." You said proudly, knowing you made the matcha perfection, but all were uniquely delicious. He nodded, eyes still dancing across you. Sam and Bucky looked to each other, noticing the 'connection'. You finished ringing up their order and began making the different drinks.
All getting a pinch of love, well, the chocolate matcha got more than a pinch...
"Blueberry muffin, latte, cinnamon roll, black coffee, chocolate latte, matcha, and scone." You called out the orders, pleased with your work. They stroll over, grabbing their orders, thanking you. Steve stops, pulls out his wallet, sticking a five-dollar bill into the tips jar. "This tastes good. Thanks again." Tipping his head to you, walking away.
He was determined to stay even though they wanted to go to the park. "I think we should stay for a bit," Steve said. "Why? I thought cafes were 'too stuffy?” Sam questioned using air quotes. Bucky turned his head to the side, a smug smirk plastered on his face. "No particular reason. I need to rest." They burst out laughing.
Your head snapped in the direction of laughter. His back was to you, but you could see the other two smirking at you and then back at him. "Steve, just admit why you actually want to stay." Steve followed their eye line and met your brown eyes again, brown like the chocolate in his drink, or like your skin. He sighs, "Yes, it's because it's her."
He looks down sheepishly, "She's beautiful." He continues. A big grin spreads on their face. "Ask her out, man!" Bucky whispered yell. Sam nodded furiously. Steve laughed to himself, amazed that they agreed on something.
"I can't, I'm too busy with everything." Sam hummed in response, knowing all too well how much time this job eats up, leaving barely enough respite to breathe. "I get that, but you have one life, why deny yourself? Plus, it's not like you're marrying her by asking her out."
Steve nodded his head to your direction. Small smile on his face, turned back and left. You had a feeling bubbling in the belly that this won’t be the last time you saw him.