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Conditions for Business | Yandere CEO Steve Rogers x Male Reader (Part 3)

Pairing: (Verse) Steve Rogers x (Verse) Male Reader

Summary: Steve Rogers is one of the most prominent tech geniuses in the United States after his idea in software broke the industry. But he couldn't have done it without the encouragement of his high school best friend and secret crush- you. Unfortunately, you and Steve had a falling out, and after that, you two were out of each other's lives for good.

At least it seemed that way until Steve needs a new assistant and posts a vague job listing on LinkedIn. Steve's surprised when your application comes across his desk, but he's not going to let you get away this time. Not without any answers, anyway.

Warnings: Another Dark Series I fear. Light for now, but I will tag accordingly when the time comes. Vulgar language/profanity will be featured in this chapter (I saw people including that in warnings now?)

Feel free to like, comment, and reblog if you like what you're reading, y'all KNOW I eat that shit up! It also makes me feel more reassured in my writing so help a brother out! During my mini break, it was the notifications of the lovely comments y'all were leaving that really encouraged my lazy ass to write! More love = more content so thank you guys! (Only math equation in my life that made sense to me)

Disclaimer: I don't own any Marvel characters and this fic is for the enjoyment of myself and others! Don't sue me! 😃

Tagging: lemme know if you want to be added to/removed from my general taglist: @romeoandromeo , @smurfingonthem , @blurredx18 , @namjooncrabs , @glitchybrit , @awkward0ghost , @v0idl1nq , @deadhead404 ,@mcahri , @hirayag , @raspberryyuuki , @aesthetic-history , @teaologyzzz @he4rtfill3dbra1n, @n-e-o-w-r-i-t-e-s , @abbatoirablaze @drainfury , @qlqstqr , @tkishcabral , @marxenash , @evilive , @baka-daa , @stevieuwu @anonymouswolf87 @averyraretatse , @marilynmonroefanfics, @mfairycow, @mysticalzombiecheesecake, @iridescentjt, @dhaialenezi, @saturnsbabe69, @mightbeadisaster, @cheesecakelover13, @theythems-blog, I hope I got everyone and reminder that these are no pressure tags, but thank you all for showing love!

Author's Note: Yeah, this took helluva long time bc I wasn't really sure which direction to take it in (so I decided to try my best butttt maybe in the future when I finish this series, I'll add a special chapter where's it's outtakes/what got cut out). Thanks for continuing to read and trust me all of the support/comments on the last chapter were really motivating me through a tough time! And to that anon that sent an ask in my box saying "Update, bitch 🔪!" ... Sleep with one eye open tonight.

I hope y'all are ready for some DRAMA because this shit really gone escalate 😭 and I'm looking so forward to the comments because it's gone get messy up in here. Fun fact: I almost titled this chapter "You A Bitch, Steve Rogers" 😭

Enjoy this long ass chapter, y'all! 🙋🏾‍♂️💞

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Part Three: Here's To New Beginnings... And Even Newer Ends

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Previously:

"Hello, Y/N," he says in a low voice that conveys nothing, "it's been a while."

And for some reason, prompted by his words, you're given a little moment where you relive your friendship with him, how much things have changed over time.

"Yeah, it has," you sigh, feeling a bit nostalgic and for a second you shed your professional armor. You want to talk to Stevie, your ex-best friend, not your boss.

"So… How you've been, Stevie?" You ask sincerely, and you flinch when his neutral expression turns cold in an instant and his eyes narrow into a glare that's there for a second, maybe two, before it's gone, and this honestly says a lot more than any detached tone Steve may take with you. He's pissed at you. You feel like you've made a miscalculation.

"You don't get to call me that anymore. It's either boss or Mr. Rogers to you," Steve coolly responds, and although the heat of his glare makes you flinch, it's nothing compared to the "anymore" in his sentence. Shit. You're already fucking this up. You knew he'd be mad-

"As a matter of fact, while you are working for me, you are not to address me unless it is to tell me vital information. You do not come to me with problems, you come to me with solutions. You can't solve a problem? You're gone. You can't meet a deadline? You're gone. There's no excuse for failure," Steve continues on his little power trip.

"It won't happen again, boss," you're quick to spit out before he gets any angrier. This is a well-paying job. You're not going to fuck it up because of your emotions, even though you find it weird that the man in front of you used to be your best friend, and now the two of you aren't even on a first name basis. There's a part of you that wants to say "get outta here with that dumb shit," but you know better. It's Steve's way of establishing distance between you two, which is to be expected because this is his, and now your, workplace.

But if that was the case, why hire you? This is going to cause tension in the office and wouldn't it be better for there to be a calm, cooperative environment? You're so confused.

You nod demurely, waiting for him to be finished.

"Do you understand? Use your words, Y/N," and you have to hold your tongue because this fucker is testing you- you can hear it, the smallest hint of a condescending tone after years of hearing it in any and all social subtexts directed your way.

And he's allowed to call you by your first name? Noted. Steve's already letting it be known that in this relationship he's going to get away with a lot more than you will.

"Yes, boss," you answer, and he nods.

"Good. And under no circumstances are you to reference any past relationship you had with me, under any circumstances," he orders and you can't help but feel a little hurt by that because isn't that why Steve wanted you here to work with him?

If Steve doesn't have any intentions of reconnecting with you, then why is he offering you the job?

"Why did you hire me?" You can't help but blurt out because you've already held your tongue enough and Steve looks at you startled.

"What?"

"I said, why did you hire me?" You step closer and watch as Steve takes a step back, expression guarded.

"Because you were qualified for the position, end of."

You snort, and Steve's eyes snap to you.

"That's a load of shit. I'm sure there were thousands of other applicants that applied for this job, but you went with me. You wanted me enough to make an insane offer-" Steve's eyes snap away from yours, and he looks down and straightens a stack of papers on his desk.

"You're overthinking this," Steve scoffs, but you've done a lot of thinking and you're not going to be swayed.

"Tell me why, then," you insist and Steve breathes out hard.

"There's nothing to tell!" Steve says in a loud voice, hand banging on the desk, and you jump. Steve is acting really unstable, but that's only because he's nervous. He's nervous because you're right. You're like a shark though, having caught the scent of blood already so you press him one last time.

"Tell me why you hired me, Steve!" You shout right back and Steve yells, "I told you not to call me that!" right back and wow, Steve must really hate your guts because the stare he is giving you is sharp enough to kill. Steve looks as shaken as you feel, though, and he turns around to try and compose himself, taking in and exhaling deep breaths you can hear before turning around. His face is relatively calm now.

"Now listen here, Y/N, either this conversation is over or your employment here is," Steve threatens in a smooth voice.

You balk at Steve's statement, at a loss for words because you don't want to lose your job already but it's fucked up of Steve to dangle your job in front of you to stop you two from having a clearly needed conversation.

"Understood, boss," you spit and Steve frowns at you but you just send him a thin-lipped smile and step out the office to see Jessica who looks at you, obviously shocked.

You don't know how much she's heard, but it's clear that she knows something's not right.

"Everything alright, Y/N?" She asks slowly, and you stare at her for a moment, feeling some urge to suddenly spill everything to her, but you hold yourself back. You don't know her.

"Of course, Jessica. Just had a clarifying conversation with Rogers," you answer and you can see the curiosity in Jessica's eyes as she nods and hums. She decides to mind her business, though, which you find surprising.

"Hm, I see." Jessica straightens her shoulders and paints a bright smile onto her face. "Well, first things first, congrats on getting the job! In a week from today, you'll be starting work so for the rest of the week, I'll train you to understand exactly what being an executive assistant for Steve Rogers means," Jessica kindly says.

"Jessica, would you mind directing me to the bathroom?" You ask politely because you really need a moment.

You're confused as hell and something about this situation feels so damn contradictory. It's clear that Steve has some sort of chip on his shoulder, but he wants you to work for him? No. It doesn't make sense. So you do what you whenever you need a second opinion; you call your best friend, Monica.

"Heyyy, Monica," you greet her sweetly, because a lot has happened since you last saw her a few nights ago and you know Monica's going to want to know why you didn't tell her everything from the beginning.

"Oh hey, Y/N, how you've been? Don't think I haven't noticed you ignoring my texts…" Monica says with a 'cut the shit' tone so you decide to come clean.

"I'm sorry, it's just, a lot has happened, and I was trying to wait until I had a handle of the situation before I bothered you with it," you ramble nervously.

"Y/N? What's wrong?" Monica asks, alarmed and you sigh.

"It's a little bit of a long story…" you hear loud rustling on the other side of the phone and you can't make out what that is.

"Well, that works for me because I'm supposed to take lunch now anyway, so start talking, bestie."

And while you're on the phone with Monica, Steve is making a phone call of his own.

"Hey, Buck?"

"Yeah, Steve?" Bucky's quick to answer.

"I think I know what I want to do with Y/N."

"He fucked up, didn't he?" Bucky asks smugly.

"..." Steve doesn't want to deign that with a response.

"Well, what do you have in mind?"

"Something that's a bit not good," Steve says hesitantly and Bucky laughs, a sharp and quick sound.

"Ooh, do tell," Bucky urges and Steve does. He knows just how to play Y/N and leave him high and dry for once.

…

Later, when you're trudging up the stairs of your apartment building, you see Mr. Velasquez who smiles and waves when he sees you.

"How did it go, Y/N?" You want to be able to tell such a sweet guy that today went well, but your throat feels thick and you can't do it; you can't lie to Mr. Velasquez.

"Well… " you start with a heavy sigh, and just like that, Mr. Velasquez's expression absolutely drops and it makes you feel horrible.

"Oh no… you didn't get the job?" He asks gently and that question catches you off guard.

"No, I got the job! It's just, I don't think my boss likes me," you admit in a quiet voice, and Mr. Velasquez sends you a sympathetic look.

"I see," he says, and then he thinks for a moment before his face brightens and he claps his hands. "Then there's no reason for you to worry at all, the answer to your problem is simple- you just have to make him like you, and then everything will be bien!" Mr. Velasquez enthusiastically suggests and honestly, it's a good suggestion.

Except... Steve doesn't stop being a dick. Long after your training finishes and Jessica leaves, his treatment of you only worsens. Everyday he's perfectly cordial but also dry. He works you to the bone, and every interaction the two of share save for when you're in front of investors, is short and to the point. It drains you so much.

"I'll give it a try," you tell Mr. Velasquez who gives you a smile and a thumbs up before entering his apartment. You don't hear the sweet old man calling your 'jefe' a 'pendejo,' though. (Although you would agree).

Make Steve like you?

It'll be a piece of cake, and will only work as long as Steve stops being a dick.

You try your best to get him to like you, trying to use your knowledge of what he likes to his benefit, but he blocks each and every attempt for the two of you to get close ruthlessly.

One morning, you get up extra early to visit a cafe to pick up the type of coffee you know Steve lived off of in college, and you have it hot and steaming on Steve's desk by the time he comes in, heart beating as you see him take the cup and sip it.

"Y/N?" You practically run into the office with eagerness, waiting to be told you've done well, only to see Steve dunk the entire cup into the little garbage can next to his desk, and you can't hold back the gasp that tears itself out of your throat at the motion.

"I-" you're speechless. The man's evil.

"Don't pull another stunt like this again. The coffee in this office suits me just fine, thank you," Steve says, adjusting his watch as you look at him in horror. That coffee cost you seven dollars but also an extra hour of sleep! You close your eyes against the unnecessary image of throttling Steve, and take in a deep breath and release it quickly.

"Whatever you say, boss," you tell him in a light tone before leaving the office quickly and proceeding to sit down in your desk, quickly reaching for the complimentary stress ball you received your first week of working here. The poor thing's all squeezed out but you latch onto it anyway and get to squeezing until the anger you feel passes.

He pulls more stunts like these, and your only saving grace is lunch time, your escape.

You typically coordinate lunch dates with Salma, aka Ms. Chaudri, the nice receptionist from your first day, because not being able to work with anyone else but Steve really sucks when he's being such a dick towards you, and Salma goes out at the same time as you do.

And the two of you get along well to the point that you two are called work spouses by Salma's colleagues since the two of you look out for each other and have given each other small treats and trinkets. Within two weeks of you working at Cap Incorporated, you do manage to get her that fruit basket, just like she had requested. She loved it, and kept hugging you enthusiastically even though there were either people in the building she had to tend to.

You can't wait to introduce her to Monica, or to ask if she has any nice guy friends she can introduce you to. Salma is good people, so by association, everyone she knows should be good people as well.

One morning, you're walking to the building from the train and to your surprise you can see Steve in the distance, exiting a fancy looking vehicle.

Does Steve have a car? You wonder to yourself, but you're surprised to see it drive off.

Must be a rental, then.

Seeing this makes you think for a moment about how different things are between the two of you now. Steve rents a car to work. You take the train. Is there really a way to bond with him? It feels like you two are galaxies away.

As if he could feel you thinking about him, Steve turns around and catches the sight of you staring, and in the distance you can make out him waving you over so you jog over to him.

But why is he here? His work day starts unofficially at 10 or 11, but here he is, anyway. Maybe he wants a headstart at torturing you. You wouldn't put it past him.

"Morning, boss," you tell him, gripping the strap of your crossbody satchel tightly.

Steve does nothing, just stares at you a moment and then says, "Let's go."

The two of you walk in and you give a little wave to Salma and you don't catch Steve's frown at her.

"What's the matter?" Steve asks and you look at the turnstile and push down the urge to suck your teeth in frustration.

"It's my ID, it won't scan," you answer with frustration, trying to repeatedly scan the card without success.

"Well, you better handle that with the security department. But for now, go to reception for a temporary access pass; I'll wait," Steve says in a huffy voice, crossing his arms and you nod, although you wonder why. He can just go on upstairs, you're not asking him to stay. He steadfastly ignores the curious and interested looks he get as more of his company employees file into the building for their shifts and see THEE Steve Rogers. They're all wise enough to give him a wide berth, all entering through the turnstiles farthest from him.

"Hey, Salma!" You greet warmly, and Salma who's been looking at her computer screen intensely, pops up her head to smile at you.

"Hi, Y/N!" She responds, before leaning in closer to ask, "Are we still on for lunch at one?" And you give her an incredulous look because lunch with her is the one of the reasons you stay sane at this damn job! Sure you can vent to Monica but nothing beats spilling the tea to a friend that's also works on-site the place you're complaining about! There's no way you would willingly cancel.

"Of course, girl!" You say before snatching your ID out of its plastic protective case.

"I take it this isn't a social call, then?" She asks and you shake your head.

"Unfortunately not, Sal. I'm afraid my ID just decided to stop working on me today!"

"No!" She gasps, affronted, and you go along with her theatrics.

"Yes! I couldn't believe it either!" You gasp, clutching at your chest and then you switch to a lower voice because you remember Steve's watching, "So would you mind printing me a temporary access pass with all of the same permissions until I can get Security to print me out a new one?"

"Of course I can! What do you think I'm being paid for?" Salma jokes as you hand over your ID to her so she can type in your information into the system.

"Well, I thought you were being paid to just stay here and look pretty on that little desktop of yours," you playfully flirt and Salma grins at you.

"Well…" Salma pretends to think about it, "that too!" And the two of you laugh some more when the nice moment between the two of you is rudely interrupted.

"Ms. Chaudri," Steve's voice, cold, snaps the two of you out of your conversation and you sigh and turn around, already knowing that Steve is going to say some dumb shit. That's his pissed-off voice.

"Yes, sir?" Salma turns and gives Steve her best 'customer-service' smile. You know it well after seeing her handle a guy that was a dickhead a week ago, and she had thrown the same smile at him while she called security to escort the guy out.

"Please just print out Y/N's access pass. We have a busy day ahead of us," Steve continues, tone a bit more cordial, but still short and you frown. Why is Steve taking an attitude with Salma?

"Right away, sir," she responds, sweet as pie, returning to her work, but when she looks up at you, her eyes are practically screaming 'what's his problem?'

You shake your head and lean in, feigning that you're looking at her computer when you're actually murmuring to her, "I'll tell you all about it at lunch." Salma gives you a small nod and continues to tap on her computer, flashing another smile at Steve.

"One access pass ready for use!" Salma presents it to you and you thank her for it, before quickly scanning it and joining Steve. It appears his patience has worn thin, and you don't want to push him any further, (although you didn't ask him to wait for you).

"Y/N." Steve says once the both of you are in the elevator.

"Yes?" You ask, scrolling through your phone. You're not allowed to check it while on the clock so this is your last opportunity to make sure that your affairs are in order.

"Do I need to remind you that this is a workplace, not a club. You're here to work, not flirt. Please don't engage in such unprofessional conduct like that again, or I'll be forced to-" Steve starts and you look at him in disbelief.

"Flirt? Unprofessional? Salma's my friend! What you overheard was simply friendly banter, boss," you sass with a sugary sweet tone, but Steve's face remains unchanged.

"Well, you can banter on your own time, outside of work."

"I think I will! Let me see if she's free tonight after work," you make a point of saying, and Steve's face tightens. You hold your smirk back because you know he wasn't expecting you to say that.

So is he mad because he thought you were flirting or because he thought you were wasting company time? It doesn't matter anyway because it's such a bullshit thing to get mad at. Technically you weren't even on the clock downstairs, so exactly what company time was wasted?

Besides, you've caught the doofus playing Candy Crush on "Company Time" so you know the guy's full of shit and just wants to give you a hard time.

"That won't be possible," he counters, face pinched.

"And why not?" You ask, crossing your arms, and Steve huffs.

"Because you're working late, tonight," Steve answers and you scoff. What? You had no plans to do overtime tonight.

"Says who?" You ask before thinking and Steve turns and gives you a smug smile.

"Says me. My file cabinet needs re-sorting and trust me, it'll take a long, long time. Unless," Steve steps closer to you, and he's in your personal space now, "that's a problem, Y/N?"

And why was he so close to you? It's this some other kind of intimidation tactic? You're not afraid of Steve, not when you've known him since he was a teen whose head barely came up to your shoulders.

"No, it's not. I'll get on it right after I handle some correspondence between us and Shinigami Corps," you tell him with a bright smile because you're determined to not let Steve get to you. One way or another, you need him to warm up to you so he'll stop being an ass.

He leaves at four, but makes you stay until eleven. Bitch.

...

Steve doesn't know why he is so bothered by that front desk receptionist. She's always been polite to him and others in the past but Steve couldn't help feeling annoyed when watching the two of you interact like you were close friends, or even worse, flirting. Steve knows nothing about your love life or your outside life because you haven't shared anything with him but that's his fault for shutting you out from the first day.

And to be honest, he almost regrets it… he kind of misses being your friend. Having you around all of the time isn't enough, because Steve is reminded of the good old days when you two were as thick as thieves, which forces him to dwell on why you two are so estranged now. Remembering how you suddenly cut him out of your life is something that never fails to make Steve's chest feel tight with anger and hurt so he makes things even worse by being an ass of a boss, but it's not easy. He still wants to share things with you, talk to you, joke around with you. Sure, he had a small crush on you then, but he's gotten over it, and he's definitely not affected by being in your presence, at all.

Nope, not a bit.

God, Steve wishes he could lie to himself.

...

The tension between you two doesn't improve over the next week after that, and as a result, you can't but anxiously wait for the end of the workday everyday. It sucks, having to communicate with someone for nine hours who hates your guts but is also the one signing your checks. Especially since you've been overworking yourself, trying to go above and beyond trying to be his friend again.

5pm rolls around much faster than you're expecting but you hurriedly pack your crossbody satchel anyway because you feel braindead from all the data entry today. While you pack, you don't notice your wallet falling out onto the floor. Secretaries never leave ahead of their bosses and typically lock up, but tonight is a different night seeing as how it looks like Steve will be staying here all night to finish tying things up with the accounts.

"Night," you say to alert Steve to the fact that you're leaving as you head to clock out for the day, and as usual receive no response. He's such a dick.

...

Steve does notice something falling out of your bag as you leave but he's too preoccupied to call out to you and alert you when he has to get these accounts done right. When he finally finishes going through then, he gets up and walks over to where he had seen something drop out of your bag. To his surprise, the item is an old leather wallet, and for some reason, it looks familiar to him.

If it Y/N's, why does he remember it? When he goes to pick it up, it slides out of his hand, and to his surprise, everything falls out of it, cards and bills sliding out across the floor.

Steve curses and goes to pick it all up, when he notices something, a small folded up paper amongst the pile.

He can't explain it, but something just compels him to open up that paper, despite knowing it's an invasion of privacy and that if you were here, you'd rip him a new one, but you're not, so…

Steve opens up the paper and gasps.

It's the picture of a tree, one he sketched many years ago, and the first drawing he's ever shared with anyone else, a drawing he wanted to share with a nice guy who had decided to come and talk to him of all people when he was just an anxious kid in high school. And for a second, Steve is transported back to that day, when he was wondering if anyone would come sit next to him, and there you were, all smiles and compliments, talking to Steve, making him come out of his shell with ease.

You still had this?

"Why is he still carrying this?" Steve asks himself, looking over the picture. It's obvious you cared about it enough to keep it, and Steve's heart starts to race. Could it mean that you do care about Steve, and have all these years?

And all of a sudden, Steve can't help but think everything over, remembering the past month, how he's treated you coldly and shut down your every attempt to get close. Embarrassment washes over him as he recalls how you actually tried to connect with him in that first meeting and how he shut you down and asked you to call him Mr. Rogers. Perhaps, after all this time, you weren't the one to close the door, he was.

Steve is hit with this overpowering urge to make everything right, so he calls you.

...

Steve calls you.

Yes, boss?" You answer, not bothering to hide your exhaustion. For some reason, you couldn't find your wallet so that meant you had no cash, no cards on your person so when it was time to take the train, you had to hop the turnstiles, something you hadn't done since years back as a teen. Only thing was that you were a bit rusty and ended up banging your forehead as you did and so you had a killer headache that stuck with you even after you got home, and now you had to talk to Steve.

Steve flinches at the annoyed tone of your voice, but thinks he deserves it anyway with the way he's been acting.

"Y/N?" Steve sounds weird. You sit up straighter in your seat.

"Yes? Is everything alright?" Sure, you're mad at the guy but it's not like you wished him wrong. There's no response from the other end of the line.

"I can't hear you… is everything alright Steve? Sorry, I meant bos-"

"You can call me Steve. I wanted you to know you left your wallet behind." That explains why you couldn't find it! But why is he calling to tell you that? He could've waited until tomorrow to tell you but he's calling you now.

Unless he saw the picture.

"So you saw…?" You ask, training off because you know he knows what you're talking about.

I did." Steve goes quiet for a while and then he speaks again but his voice is softer now. "I never knew you kept it," he continues and you sigh. You really weren't expecting this turn of events.

"Yeah, I did," you answer, voice almost as soft as Steve's and the silence between you two is really loud now, and it feels like you're on the precipice of something unknown.

"Well, why did you?"

"Why? I'm surprised you even have to ask, Steve," you say in disbelief. "You were my first real best friend and that is the first, no, the only drawing you ever gave to me. The only drawing I've ever seen!" You add, bitterly thinking of how Bucky must've been able to see so many more, but you shake your head and continue. "Of course I'm going to hold onto it; there's a lot of sentimental value attached to it. Besides, even if you're a techbro now, I've always thought you were going to go down the art route," you add because you genuinely did think that at one point.

You're surprised that there isn't a gallery somewhere hosting Steve's art, even if you've never really gotten to see it after years of seeing Steve draw furiously in that notebook of his. Steve, on the other hand, currently feels shaken.

"Oh."

"Yeah," you say, feeling a bit like you revealed more than he expected.

"Well, thank you," you add suddenly, remembering your manners.

"For what?" Steve asks confused, and you frown, even though he can't see it.

"For letting me know about the wallet."

"Yeah, no problem."

Steve's frozen. All that's on his mind is whether or not it's too late to salvage the relationship that, in his mind, was once a lost cause.

"Steve?" You snap him out of his stupor.

"Hmm?" Steve hums.

"I asked if there was anything else."

"No, no that's it," Steve insists.

"Okay then, goodnight," you say awkwardly before you end the call, and Steve's there looking at the phone, thinking.

...

The next morning when you arrive at the office, there's a scent of coffee and fresh baked pastries that hits your nose.

*Steve?" You call out, confused because almost Steve's never in the same time as you are.

"In here," Steve calls back and when you open the door, there's steaming boxed coffee and dishes filled with pastries and fresh fruit.

"Is there a meeting I forgot to schedule?" You ask panicked and Steve chuckles, and his voice sounds closer and when you look

"No, I just felt like having a really nice breakfast today," Steve answers but you feel like that's not the only reason.

"Well, that's a lot of food," you comment.

"Well, it's not going to be just me eating. Help yourself," Steve gestures to the table and you look at him, surprised. The way he's been acting, you thought he would've let you starve first.

"Thanks…" you say cautiously and look at the food with suspicion. Maybe it's poisoned.

"Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with it so go ahead and eat," Steve urges with a smile on his face, and you nod and cautiously grab a plate and start to pile foods on top of it before scampering back to your desk like a squirrel.

Steve is weirdly nice to you after that, and you keep on side-eyeing him because you're wondering where this kindness is coming from. He encourages you to eat breakfast before work, and has surprise lunches delivered to the office so you don't have to go out. You're allowed to leave earlier. Steve's even talking to you like a human being with emotions. It's really, really nice.

It's also really fucking suspicious, and one thing about you- you are not Boo Boo the fool. But it all becomes clear next week when Steve's phone starts to ring.

"Would you get that for me, Y/N?" Steve asks and you nod, and head to his office.

"Of course, boss," you give him a small smile before heading out.

A voice comes across the line that instantly makes your mood drop.

"Hey Steve!" James fucking Barnes greets cheerfully, "How's the ruthless firing of y/n plan going? You haven't mentioned it much, lately, or even checked in with me and Sam!"

The what?

'Ruthless firing of Y/N plan'?

What the fuck was that?

Steve is planning to fire you? Why? You're a great employee; rising to meet Steve's expectations with diligence. You work hard, arrive early and leave late, and in return, Steve wants to get rid of you? That doesn't make sense. You know you've made yourself an asset to Steve.

Wait, why did Bucky say it was a plan? Exactly how long has Steve been planning to fire you?

"Hellooo? Stevie, you still there?" Bucky asks and you keep quiet and don't move an inch, hoping Bucky ends the call himself.

"Hello? Can you hear me? I can't hear you," Bucky tries again and you roll your eyes, but you decide to take some sheets of Blank paper and crumple them up near the receiver, 90s style.

"I think I hear static coming from your line, so I'll try to call you back in a couple of hours, by that time your line issues should be fixed," Bucky finally hangs up, and you return to processing his words when you have a revelation.

Steve's been planning to fire you from the beginning.

He only wanted you to sign on so he can get his revenge on you ending things between the two of you.

It makes sense. The absurd requests, the wasting of your time, Steve just being an asshole- the man's probably been enjoying making your life hell the past few weeks. It's so petty- it's so Steve, as much as he tries to play the "I'll be the bigger man" card, he really does have quite the mean streak.

"Oh, that's so fucked up," you groan to yourself, raising a hand to your forehead because you feel the headache brewing.

What are you going to do? This is a high paying job despite all of Steve's shenanigans.

But you can't work at a place where your employment is in doubt, waiting until Steve finally gets bored of playing with you and then firing you. No, you can't do it. You're going to quit on your own terms.

You realize that you're still holding the phone in the air dumbly after Bucky hung up and this makes you only angrier, so you slam the phone down on the receiver. The sound of the slam catches Steve's attention.

"Who was that, Y/N?" Steve calls out, craning his head to look into his office and your mind blanks as you scramble to tell him something, shooting him a fake smile.

"Reception. Just a small login issue. Everything good on your end over there?" You ramble, surprising yourself at your quick thinking

"I logged in just fine," Steve answers, and you nod your head.

"Good, real good," you tell him in a deadpan voice and he raises an eyebrow at you but doesn't push it, which is a good thing because you would've called him a dickhead.

You can't believe this guy, playing hot and cold with you. Who is he to decide to play around with your feelings? To threaten up your literal livelihood because of a grudge?

You never understood why your application has been chosen so quickly when you know your resume wasn't outstanding. You never understood why Steve had made such an effort to bring you in with incentives, just to treat you coldly one day and warm the other. He's toying with you! And lately, he's been buttering you up, being less of an asshole so you can let your guard down so that for the sake of his own entertainment, he can "ruthlessly" fire you when you last expect it.

Must've talked it over with his boyfriend, Bucky, first. And who the fuck is Sam?

Steve thinks he can fuck you over? You'll show him fucked over. You put the files you've been working on for record entry to the side, because from this moment, you're not working anymore.

You don't meet Steve's demands, you "forget" to place an important call bridging Steve's company with all Acords, and you take an extra long lunch break with Salma, lunch that was on you since you charge it to the company expense account, ignoring all of Steve's texts buzzing your work and personal phone. When you get upstairs Steve's waiting for you, looking angry as hell.

Good.

"Y/N! What the hell is wrong with you? You know that today I needed-" Steve starts, and you roll your eyes.

"I quit." You tell him and Steve's eyes bulge in shock. You really caught him off guard it seems.

"What?!"

"Oh, you're surprised that I didn't wait for you to fire me?" You ask, crossing your arms and Steve's face drops.

"What are you talking about?" Steve asks, but his voice is shaky.

"It's nothing… can't believe I trusted you," you say, shaking your head from side to side and Steve glares at you.

"What do you mean by that? And who are YOU, of all people, to talk about trust; the same guy who suddenly ghosted his best friend of 5 years?!" Steve spits and whoop, there it is- the anger you know Steve was holding onto.

"Nothing, you're completely right Steve. Let me not waste any more of your time. Goodbye, Rogers," you tell him, and turn to head to your desk to start and pack your things but Steve grabs your arm.

"No, you're not leaving! This is the same shit you pulled all those years back the last time you visited me after we had a small argument. You said "you're right, Steve" and then snuck out behind my back!" Steve rants and when you turn to look at him, Steve's eyes look glassy. He's fighting back tears. Fuck.

"Steve…" you're shocked, not expecting this reaction from him.

"You never really explained that either!" Steve continues, and suddenly your sympathy turns into anger because why is he trying to flip this onto you?

"Wait! The person who should be explaining themselves is you, not me, Steve!" You direct the conversation, and you snatch your arm out of Steve's hand.

"What?" Steve asks, but his voice is weaker.

"Don't act dumb now. You wanted this conversation, let's have it! Were you planning on firing me or not?" You question him, and Steve squirms under your attention.

"What gave you that idea?" Steve manages to save face at the last second, trying to adopt an unaffected mask but you see right through that shit.

"Bucky." You answer, and that's all it takes.

Steve's face pales and he swallows thickly. Caught him.

"How? Wait, that's not important. If he- if he said something, I assure you he didn't mean it," Steve rushes to say but his words fall on deaf ears.

"Did you know you have a tell whenever you're lying?" You ask instead and Steve's eyes flit around before meeting yours and fleeting away again.

"No?" Steve's nervous.

"Well, you do. You stutter. So why are you stuttering now, Steve?" You cock your head and examine Steve, and he looks more unnerved by the second.

"I'm- I'm not lying, just nervous," Steve stutters and you give him a look.

"Why are you nervous?" You follow up with, although he should've seen that coming.

"Because you're questioning me like this and I don't know why!" Steve yells, and God, he's a good actor. He's almost convincing, and if it weren't the fact that you heard about his plan with your two own ears, you'd believe him.

"So what is it? Why do you really want to quit? Did something happen? Did you get a counter offer? Whatever it is, I'll match it. I just got you back here," Steve says desperately, and he's really putting on a grade A performance.

"Yeah sure, buddy, as if you really want me working here," you easily brush off his pleas and Steve makes a noise of frustration.

"I do!" He insists, but you're not moved.

"Then why did Bucky tell me about your plans to spontaneously fire me? Because that would explain why you couldn't tell me you hired me," you point out and Steve's face just… falls and you curse, because that means you really are right.

Steve never could hold a poker face for shit, ever since he was a teen.

"Oh, so you have it all figured out," Steve sighs, and then he wearily takes a seat.

"Yeah, I do," You tell him in a biting tone, "And since you seem to really want to know, I only ghosted you because you hurt me then and never cared to ask. But what's your excuse for trying to hurt me now?"

"Hurt you?" Steve repeats, confused, and you sigh. You did not come in here expecting to have this conversation.

"Steve, you were so blinded by your love for Barnes that you hardly registered how you did me dirty! And when I tried to bring it up, you brushed me off!" You explained and now you can feel the anger you tried so hard to keep a handle on, start to build.

"Jesus, Y/N. You decided to end our friendship over a small thing like that?" Steve asks dubiously and you give him a nasty look.

"No! It was more than that! It was about the fact that I suddenly couldn't talk to you anymore- you never had time for me! Any time I tried to do something with you, there was always something getting in the way with you, whether it was Bucky," you spit his name out, "or you finding you didn't have time for me. I ended the relationship because it was clear that I was no longer as important to you as you were to me!" And you didn't even realize it, but over the course of your conversation you had started to get closer to Steve and suddenly the two of you were only a hand's distance apart. At some point in time, Steve had stood back up.

"Y/N… " Steve starts but you cut him off.

"No! I don't want to hear it. I tried bringing it up but you were never available and I realized I was the only one present in our friendship. And it hurt. It hurt a lot, Steve," Steve's face is one of guilt and it hurts you to see so you turn away.

"Y/N, I didn't know…" Steve says with the utmost sincerity but it makes your face fall flat.

"Yeah, that's because you didn't care. And now that I think about it, that makes this whole situation twice as fucked up!" You whirl around and place your attention back on Steve who flinches.

"Who the fuck decides to hire someone with the plans to fire them? Do you realize how fucking horrible that is, messing with someone's livelihood?" You step closer to Steve again and this time, you lean in real close so he could understand you mean business.

"I'm not some sort of fucking game you can play, Steve," You warn him in a low voice, because alright he was your pal then doesn't mean he's your pal now and now you have a real urge to fight him, something you've never felt when it came to Steve. Steve only sighs in response, and rubs a hand over his face.

"I know and I feel horrible about it, Y/N," Steve groans, "I couldn't even fall asleep last week. The realization that I was being an ass kept me up." You snort, because his apology doesn't cut it all.

"Was this before or after you found the picture?" You ask candidly, and Steve looks at you, confused.

What?"

"You only felt guilty because you saw that I still had the drawing, didn't you?" You press, crossing your arms and Steve looks down before sighing.

"...Yeah."

"I knew it!" You exclaim and Steve flinches, but you're not done with him yet.

"And what? You just thought that some breakfast and a, may I add coerced, apology would fix everything? Would fix the way you treated me, or the fact that you planned to fire me?" You point out, and Steve shakes his head.

"No, of course not, but I wasn't giving to do it anymore. Last week made me realize that I had you figured out all wrong and -"

"But what if I didn't drop my wallet last week? You would've just went on with your plan, wouldn't you?" You ask, and Steve stays silent a long time.

"Yes," he finally answers, and all the fight just leaves you. He can't even meet your eyes.

"God, what's happened to you?" You ask in disgust.

"Actually, on second thought, I don't care." You walk over to your desk, and start to shove things off your desk into your bag.

"Y/N…"

"Don't even say my name right now, Rogers," you spit, feeling dangerous.

"I'm sorry," he says weakly and you were tired of his dumb fucking apologies.

"And what exactly does your apology do for me, Steve? Does it fix anything? Because I'm telling you right now that it does not!" You tell him sharply, and Steve flinches and he's definitely tearing up again but you're done.

There's a mean part of you that wants to taunt him and ask, "Oh, so you want to cry now?" But you hold back. You're not going to stoop his level.

"I'm so outta here," you sigh, tired of this headass situation.

"Y/N, don't go!" Steve tries, but you're almost done packing.

"Why should I stay?" You ask, without caring to hear Steve's answer.

"Because I'll treat you right, now! And besides, you're the reason I'm CEO of this company. More than anyone, you deserve to be here, Y/N!" Steve rants and what? You can understand him saying that he'll treat you right, but the part about belonging at the company? That doesn't make any sense.

...

Right now, Steve's mind is spinning; he needs you tunderstand what he means.

"It was you, Y/N, all those years ago! You were the one who encouraged to pursue my idea and get it started. You're the reason Cap Incorporated is even a thing!" Steve rambles and you gasp, remembering that night long ago when you and Steve had bared your hearts to each other.

To Steve, it's all crystal clear.

Can't you see that he's just want to make it up to you? YOU'RE the reason he's so successful.

YOU'RE the reason he's a CEO.

YOU'RE the reason his business runs so well because YOU'RE taking care of him, even when he was a horrible boss to you.

He needs you, don't you see that? And he'll do anything to keep you with him, especially now that he knows that you did care all of these years. He feels frantic with his desperation, and starts babbling.

"What do you want, Y/N? I'll give it to you! What is it- is the salary not enough? Are there not enough benefits? Are the hours too long? Do you need a vacation?"

"Steve-"

"No! You don't just get to tell me that you quit, Y/N!" Steve yells, and you jump, because what the fuck?

"Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. It's just- you can't quit, not when you've just come back into my life after 5 long years," Steve says softly and you look away, heart breaking again because all you can see in front of you is the same Stevie you met in that high school classroom years ago back before your relationship went to hell.

"So I'm going to ask you, Y/N, and I want you to think before you answer- what can I do to make you stay? Because the answer is yes!"

Steve's desperate and it's breaking your heart but you can't do this anymore. Working with Steve means putting him first and you can't. Not when he had no problem mistreating you when he thought you had wronged him. And the fact that he thinks he can just buy you, only strengthens your resolve.

"I'm sorry, Steve. There's nothing you can do, because I can't work for you anymore-" you tell him mournfully, and Steve's face turns red from rage, and his expression is the coldest you've ever seen it.

"Get out." Steve turns away from you.

"What?" You can't believe it, man was just begging you to stay and now he wants you to go?

"I said, GET OUT!" Steve yells, turning to look at you and his eyes, red and teary, scare you because you've never seen Steve get this angry.

"GET OUT!"

"Alright, alright!" You yell and you book it outta there, easily because you're already packed. You hate the fact that there are tears in your eyes as you leave.

You'll find another job, you just hate the fact that you have to experience moving on from Steve Rogers again.

...

On the other hand, Steve thinks of how he came so close again, and how he messed it all up. You came back, and he made you leave.

"Fuck!" Steve yells because who's going to hear him? He's on this floor all alone.

Yes, all alone. Just like he'll always be, no matter how much money or influence Steve has, he always manages to drive people away from him. His short-lived relationships, if they could even be called that, can attest to that. He wish he'd stop, but he doesn't know how.

He heads back over to the gym and he doesn't even bother to change out of his clothes or find his gloves, he sheds off his shirt and sports coat and leaves it on a pile on the floor. He makes a beeline straight to his punching bag and tears into it, punching it bare-knuckled.

How can he fix this? He sends another forceful hit to the bag.

"Think, Rogers, think," Steve pants, breath coming fast from the exertion of his exercise. How can he get you back? You were here working for him and he ruined that-

A light bulb goes off in Steve's head, an idea that's quite morally dubious, but does he really have a choice? How else is he going to show you that he means business?

He freezes and holds the punching bag in his hands, and finally feels stable, centered.

He knows how to get you back. And this time, you'll actually listen to him. He'll make sure of that.

#switch male reader

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