Touch me

Fandom: Marvel, Captain America.

Ship: Steve Rogers X Reader.

Word count: 974 words.

Square: 18 "Touch me."

Rating: Teen.

Summary: Steve doesn't dare touch you.

Major Tags: Kisses, Shy!Steve, implicit smut.

Additional tags: This is my entry Valentine's edition.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains of the small coffee shop where you and Steve Rogers used to meet.

That day, however, something about him was different. You noticed it in how he kept his eyes fixed on his mug, his fingers playing nervously with the rim of the ceramic cup. It wasn't unusual for Steve to be quiet, but today he seemed more distant than usual.

"Steve, are you all right?" You asked softly, leaning a little closer to him.

"I'm fine," he finally replied after a while.

You didn't believe him. You knew Steve too well to accept that answer. So, you reached out a hand toward him, placing it gently on top of his. However, Steve immediately tensed up. His eyes dropped quickly to where your hands were, and then, with an almost imperceptible movement, he withdrew his.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

You frowned, confused by his reaction, and slowly withdrew your hand.

"Why are you apologizing? "you asked in a gentle but concerned tone.

Steve sighed; his gaze still fixed on the table. He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture he made whenever he was nervous.

"Because..." he hesitated for a moment. Because I'm not what you deserve.

"Steve..." you began, leaning a little closer to him. Don't say that. I love you just the way you are.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

"But I want to give you more," he finally confessed. I want to be someone who can protect you and who can make you feel safe. But look at me... how could I even touch you without feeling like I'm failing you?

Without thinking, you got up from your chair and walked over to him. You bent down slightly to be at his level, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. This time, he didn't pull away, though you could feel the tension in his jaw.

"Steve, you don't need to be more than you already are. I don't care if you don't think you're not enough; to me, you always will be.

Her eyes filled with unshed tears, and for a moment, it looked like she was going to respond. But instead, she simply nodded, leaning her face toward your hand.

Your hand was still on Steve's cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin under your fingers.

Without another thought, you leaned your face toward him, letting your lips brush his gently. Steve was frozen still at first, his eyes widening slightly in surprise.

But then, little by little, he began to reciprocate.

When you pulled away slightly, his eyes remained closed for a second longer, as if he wanted to prolong the sensation.

"Y/N..." he whispered, his voice still trembling. "Why...?"

You interrupted him softly, with a quiet smile.

"Because I love you, Steve. And because I want you to know it, not just with words, but with every part of me."

"But I... I don't want you to settle for me. I want to give you everything, and I don't know if I can.

You caressed her face again, your thumb tracing soft circles on her cheek.

"I'm not settling, Steve. I'm choosing you. I want a man who gets up again and again and who doesn't give up. I want the Steve who stands here, in front of me, no matter what he thinks he's missing.

They left the coffee shop and headed for Steve's apartment; just as he was opening the door, he let out a shaky sigh. You walked in and sat down on the couch, and then his hands, trembling slowly rose to wrap around you. He allowed you to snuggle closer to him, resting your forehead against his.

"I never thought anyone could see me like this," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

"I've always seen you like this, Steve. Always.

At that moment, as his arms closed a little tighter around you, you knew you had to give him one more push.

Steve held you in his arms,

"Y/N," he whispered again, "I don't know how to thank you for... for this. For everything.

"You don't have to thank me, Steve. All I want you to understand is that you're not alone. You never will be as long as I'm here.

Steve nodded slowly. Slowly, one of his fingers traced a gentle line down your cheek, as if he were memorizing every detail. You stroked his hair gently, letting your fingers glide through his blonde hair.

"All I want is for you to be you. That's more than enough for me.

When he kissed you again, it was different from the first. More confident, more determined. His lips moved sweetly.

You clung to him; the kiss slowly began to intensify. Your hands slid from his shoulders to his neck, caressing it as you leaned closer. Steve responded in kind; his trembling hands now clasped around your waist as if afraid to let go. His hands slowly moved up, his fingers brushing the curve of your back.

"Y/N..." he murmured.

"Touch me," you commanded.

Before he could say anything else, you silenced him with another kiss, this time taking control. Your tongue brushed against his gently, and you felt his hands cling to you tighter as if he wanted to make sure you didn't pull away.

You began to caress each other over your clothes until you began to take them off. When he entered you, you felt him tremble, and you kissed him again to give him confidence.

When you finally broke apart, you were both breathless, your foreheads touching as you tried to catch your breath.

"You don't know how much I've dreamed of this," he confessed.

You smiled, gently caressing his face.

"Then it's time we stopped dreaming, Steve. I'm here with you, and I'm not going anywhere.

He held you tighter.