Super Secrets - Part 1
Pairings this chapter: Platonic!Steve x Reader
Warnings this chapter: Mentions of physical abuse
Words:1.4K
Chapter Summary: Reader met Steve in an odd sort of way, but at just the right time.
Super Secrets Masterlist
Masterlist
The music blares in your ears as you wipe the dripping sweat from your brow. The dimly lit Gym had become your safe space, and allowed you to focus on the bag in front of you. You had worked out here for six years, never missing a day. The small space allowed for you to feel safer because it had one entrance, and the company was the same as it wasn’t as widely advertised as some other gyms. It gave you a focus in your life. You had stumbled upon the gym one icy afternoon, literally falling down the stairs.
Finding yourself in an old boxing studio, a young man had looked up from the bag.
“Are you okay?” His grin was intoxicating, but did little to shake the images in your head. He began walking towards you, pulling off his glove and offering me a hand.
“I’m, I’m sorry, I just… Fell.” You gestured towards the door that had been propped open, the only moving air in the stifling gym. There wasn’t much besides punching bags, a treadmill, and a rather large collection of weights. Taking the man’s hand, he easily helped you up.
“My names Steve, and no worries. You’re sure you’re okay? That was quite a fall.” He hadn’t let go of your hand, and there was something warm about him. His concern was genuine, pure, and his eyes told you stories you’d only dream of.
“I’m sure. Thank you.” You answered, taking your hand from his and smiling softly. Casting your eyes back to the floor you heard Steve shuffle beside you slightly, as if debating something. Eventually, he went back to his punching bag, seemingly back into his own world. You lingered, watching how he moved. It was different, his style of punching much different than… him. Steve’s punches were aimed, controlled. You stood in the doorway, watching as he seemed to lock his eyes on the target before placing a punch there, already looking at the new space. His whole body moved with him, but his feet stayed rooted into the concrete below him. His eyes caught yours every now and again, before he stopped and smiled at you again.
“Would you- do you box?” Steve shook his head clear in the middle, his tone swinging up at the end in a hopeful gleam. His loud voice startled you slightly, but you remained looking at him, his soft expression intoxicating. Shaking your head no, you wrapped your arms around yourself and looking down at your feet as he came closer. Holding out one of the gloves to you he caught your eyes again. “Would you like to learn?”
You looked at him, thinking of what he said. Nodding slowly, you moved closer, your arms still hugging your torso.
“I Promise, I don’t bite.”
Ever since that day, you pounded out your demons into the bag. Steve had helped you put a lot of your past behind you, allowing this space to be a best kept secret. His easy demeanor and softness made it easy to let him into your life. In the beginning, Steve would be there when you arrived, training three or four days with you a week. As the years went on, he seemed to be missing more, not that you minded. You had a set routine now, and when both of you were there you’d square off. Today was no different. A handful of people were there, mostly trainers, finding their own recluse to work out without being interrupted. No one ever talked to you. Then again, you were so focused perhaps they had tried and not noticed your earphones, not that it was easy to see the small Comms bugs in your ears. Steve gave them to you after your headphones broke, and they were your favorite gift that Christmas. Closing your eyes and swaying with the music, you swung another punch from the left, only to connect with something softer than the bag you had been expecting.
In front of you stood a smiling Steve, his hand wrapped around your fist he had just caught. You tapped on the comms to turn them off, laughing at your best friend. “Stevie, you scared me!” His face turned a bright shade of red at his nickname, which brought your attention to the man behind his shoulder.
The man was dressed all in black, an eyepatch covering a scar on his eye. His trenchcoat flapped slightly in the breeze. Your face fell as you realized this must be the infamous Director he talked about. His aura screamed in charge. You grabbed the towel Steve held out to you, frantic to clean up.
“Y/N, this is Director Fury.”
“Sir.” You nodded your head at him, looking quickly back to Steve, fighting the urge to slink behind him.
“I was hoping to watch the two of you Spar. I have only heard good things about your skills.”
Steve’s eyes were glistening, a pleading and confident gleam with his lower lip stuck out in a slight pout, a look being one he knew you couldn’t refuse. You nodded your head once, looking down at your feet. You could hear Steve taking the bag down, and busied yourself unrolling the mat. Fury stood to the side in the darkness, but you could feel his presence, his attention on the two of you. Pulling off your shoes, you grabbed the small box and placed your comms inside before throwing it back in your bag. Stretching, you moved to join the waiting man on the mat. You couldn’t help but feel the insecurity in yourself from the past and couldn’t help but fall into yourself. Meeting Steve’s eyes, his face softened, and you knew he could tell.
“Just pretend like he isn’t here.” You nodded again and got into position to start. Steve moved down into defense and you both did what signals the start of the match, mentally you counted to three.
The two of you moved like water, easily blocking and swinging punches at each other. Using your small size, you maneuvered and reserved your strength. You got lost in the movements, allowing the Gym to fade away. This was about winning. Steve threw you down on your back, his leg holding you down. You gave him a wicked grin and flipped him, using his strengths to your advantage. You saw the air be forced out of his chest, and the blood dripping from a well-placed punch to his lip. You straddled him holding his hands down, breathing hard. You waited to see if he was okay to continue when a slow applause brought you back to the present. Scrambling off him, you stood quickly, offering your hand to Steve. Taking it, he turned towards the man, now joining you all beside the mat.
“What did I tell you?” Steve smiled wrapping an arm around you, allowing the comfort to loosen up slightly.
“You were right, Captain. Y/N, how would you like to be a part of an exclusive group of, gifted, individuals?” You looked up at him shocked. Words couldn’t be formed. “How about you think it over, and if you choose to accept, Steve knows where to find me.” You nodded again.
“Director.” Steve shook his hand before Fury turned and walked out of the small gym. You punched Steve in the arm and grabbed your shoes, sliding them back on.
“Ow, what was that for?” Steve moved beside you, throwing his belongings in his bag.
“You know what, Captain. You know how I feel about being surprised with…” You gestured towards where Fury Disappeared.
“Hey, I trust him. I was right here. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know, but a job? What exactly is this ‘group of gifted people’?” you asked, exasperated.
Steve looked down, then back at you. “My team.” He whispered.
“Wait, you don’t mean… That was an interview for… You’re Joking.”
“No, we aren’t. I told him about how well you Box in these past few years, and how I think you would be a good addition to the Avengers Team.” Steve sat beside your bag on the bench, grabbing a water bottle out of it. “I thought you’d like the idea.” He took a swig of your water, and watched you.
Plopping down beside him, you placed your head on his shoulder, closing your eyes.
“I don’t know. I’ve been running, invisible, for six years. I don’t know how I could still do that and be a Superhero. I’m too timid, I have too many panic attacks, I’m too messed up, Too-” Steve placed his hand on your cheek, making you look at him and shut up quickly.
“Please, think about it?”
