Colour my heart
Pairing: Steve x F Reader
Summary: Steve picked up an old hobby – and it might helped that he was looking forward to see the woman selling the art supplies
Warnings: a robbery (nothing graphic, Steve just enters the crime scene and reader tells shortly about it), jealous Steve who might pulls his rank
Word Count: ~2.6k
A/N: Covid sucks – but it kind of gave me the time to finally finish one WIP. Also thanks to Nika @intrepidacious who pushed me to continue writing
In his youth Steve had loved drawing. He collected old stumps of pencils and sharpened them until he finally couldn’t hold them anymore. Even then he used the last of the pencil lead to shade something. It was hard for him to get new drawing materials, but it always brought him comfort.
Now there were many more colours and pens he could use. Currently he was trying his luck with oil painting. A few months ago, he had given graphite chalk a try, but he wasn’t really confident with what had appeared on the paper. And there might have been another reason for always trying new stuff.
„Hey Steve,“ a voice greeted him when he opened the door to the art supply store and a few seconds later the sound from the street was silenced and he could only make out the soft music that was playing in the background. His nose was filled with smells of fresh paint and he saw you with a brush in your hand at the counter.
„Hey sweetheart,“ he greeted you with a smile on his lips. The first time he had called you that it had been an accident and he had been mortified, but you didn’t complain and he thought he had seen a small smile on your face so he was brave and stuck to his new nickname for you.
„How are the oils treating you? Better than the chalk?“ you asked and put away the brush to give him your full attention.
„Better than the chalk, but I’m still not sure,“ he said and walked over. „Wanted to pick up a few more colours though.“
„Yeah, you know where they are. Or do you want my opinion?“ you offered, not wanting to overstep anything.
„I’ll take a look. I know where to find you, if I need your help.“ You nodded and he walked over to the station where the colours were. It didn’t take him long to find the colours he was missing. The shade of blue wasn’t the exact one he had in mind, but if he would mix them with the darker blue, he was sure he could create the colour of the shirt you had been wearing last week. But this was just a coincidence because he really had liked that colour on you. He strolled a little bit more through the store until he made his way back to you.
„Quiet day?“ he asked once he reached his destination.
„Yep, but it’s only the quiet before the storm. Tomorrow is Wednesday so the senior citizen group will make their biweekly visit. And we’ll get lots of new stuff tomorrow, so enjoy it while it lasts,“ you explained with a little laugh and Steve nodded as if he knew exactly what you were talking about.
It was about five minutes until your usual Wednesday group would arrive and you were busy moving the boxes that had just been delivered so they could at least walk into the store without bumping into them when the bell above the entrance told you you had a customer.
„Hello, welcome to... Steve?“ you asked confused as you had seen him just yesterday.
„Hey sweetheart, I just wanted to drop something off. You mentioned you had a busy day today, so, I ugh brought you some coffee.“ He rubbed his neck nervously, but you found it endearing. „I thought about getting you one from the café around the corner, but I didn’t know what you liked and we have a really good coffee machine. You know Tony, always buying the best,“ at this point he was only rambling. Of course you didn’t know Tony! The only other Avenger that you knew was Bucky and that was only because he came in with Steve when he decided to start drawing again. „So I hope you like it and the label said it should stay warm for a few hours, so even if you don’t have time to drink it immediately it should stay warm,“ he placed a coffee mug on the counter. You spotted some pink on the mug and took a closer look. Homemade Coffee Therapy stood there in black letters and you blinked a few times.
„Thank you so much, Steve. You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it so much!" Before you could collect your thoughts, the bell rang again and the group entered the shop. Steve took it as his sign to leave and waved at you – after he held open the door for the older people and left.
„What a handsome gentleman,“ Betty said and eyed the mug that was still standing on the counter before you quickly put it behind.
That wasn’t the only time Steve brought you coffee. The next time he came over he handed you a mug – black, used but clean and without a sticker at the bottom that told you it was a new purchase. He traded it with the pinkish one and asked you if he should change the coffee. And after some time, Steve brought two coffees. One in a black mug for him and another on for you in a more colourful one.
„Hey,“ you greeted him with more enthusiasm. The bag with the washed coffee mugs was already standing behind the counter as Steve came in almost every Tuesday.
In return you were greeted with a big smile and the nickname you came to love. After exchanging pleasantries, you told him about an upcoming art class in the store. „If you want there’s still room. They’re using oil colours to learn a wet in wet technique.“
„Will you be there?“ he asked, which caused you to nod in reply. „Then you can count me in.“
„I didn’t even tell you the date,“ you laughed and after making sure that he was free that day, he told you he’d come again.
“Oh, this looks good,” he heard your voice behind him. You were quiet as you didn’t want to disturb the other painters, but you had to make sure that Steve know you liked what you saw. His shoulders dropped.
“This is nothing what hers looks like.” He sounded defeated. And when does Captain America sound defeated? Not that you could remember, so you just had to make sure that Steve knew that his was just as good – if not better. You bent forwards so your lips were near his ear, so he would hear you.
“It isn’t supposed to look like hers. This class is to learn how to use the colours. How you can blend them and you can create whatever you want with it. This is the beauty in art. It isn’t supposed to be a certain way. You can do whatever you want with it. There isn’t a right or wrong way. These are only pointers and I really like what you did with it,” you said and pressed his shoulder. It did take you some self-control to not press your lips against his cheek.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” And he didn’t sound as sad as before. “I’ll stay and help you clean afterwards. Maybe we could grab something to eat at the café the street down?”
“Psssshh,” the woman next to Steve made and he excused himself, but you couldn’t help to whisper that you’d love to get something to eat with him.
The café was pretty empty and you managed to pay for Steves order as well. He tried to protest but you told him he brought you coffee each week so you wanted to give him something too. The both of you took a seat in the corner of the room where you wouldn’t be disturbed.
“Tell me something about you that I don’t know. What made you pick up painting again?” you asked once your first hunger was sated.
“Oh that’s actually... Will it stay between us?” he asked and turned a little bit more serious.
“Oh, of course,” you said and put your fork down. You had thought it was an easy start into a conversation.
“I’m about to step a little bit down. I’ll hand over the shield, it’ll be a slow transition. I’ll still be an Avenger and I’ll still work, but I do have some more free time and Bucky thought it would have been a nice way to calm down and pick up an old hobby.”
“Wow,” you said not expecting that. “And is that okay for you?”
“Yeah, I feel like its time. I’ve done this for a while and I’m kind of tired. And I’m sure they need someone else. Someone from this time, who gets them. Who knows their problems and I think Sam is exactly the person they need.” He said and you had no doubt about that he meant it.
“As long as you are happy.”
“I’m starting to get there,” he smiled at you and you picked up your fork again.
“Are you okay?” Steve was out of breath once he reached you. If the door hadn’t been open Bucky would have been afraid that Steve would have ripped it out. He didn’t have any eyes for the police officer standing next to you or the other persons in the room, his only focus was on you.
“Steve,” you breathed. “What are you doing here?” If Steve wouldn’t have known you by now, he wouldn’t have noticed the light tremor that accomplished your voice.
“Are you okay?” he asked again once he reached out to you and his big hand cupped your face which cause you to feel safe.
“Yeah, I am,” you said but he wasn’t reassured.
“Sir, this is a crime scene,” the police officer next to you interrupted and it caused Steve to go rigid. He straightened his back, pushed out his breast and put on his Captain America face.
“It’s Captain to you and I am very aware of that, so I’m making sure that my girl is okay. I’m sure you will understand that, officer.” The stare he was giving the other man didn’t let him much choice other than to nod and take a step back. Despite his harsh behavior the hand on your cheek was still soft and his thumb was slightly stroking you skin.
“I’ll ask you for the last time and I’ll expect an honest answer, sweetheart. Are you okay?” The way he stood in front of you made you feel safe as he was shielding you from most of the gazes.
“A little shaken,” you admitted.
“Okay, I’ll get you out of here,” he said softly. “She’s done here today,” Steve said loudly and took a look at the office who had spoken to him before.
“Sir,” he started, but a gaze from Steve let him change the title. “Captain, we’re not done here.”
“But she is. If you have further questions send them to me,” he said and started to push you towards the exit.
“Steve, my bag,” you started to protest.
“Buck, will you grab it? It’s behind the desk.”
“Of course, pal. I’ll catch up to you,” his friend agreed and because he was so focused on you, he didn’t even see the smirk that was sitting on his face after he knew you were alright. Oh, Steve didn’t even know how deep he was in. But Bucky had a slight idea. He wasn’t even sure that the two of you were aware that you were holding hands when he caught up towards you.
“Why were you even there?” he heard your voice once he fell into step next to Steve – which made it almost impossible for anyone else to walk on that sidewalk.
“It’s Tuesday, I was on my way to you to bring the coffee,” he said but stopped when he spotted some shards on the floor.
“Is that my mug?” You stopped and picked up the shards before someone would injure themselves.
“Actually, we were on our way to deliver a coffee order when we heard the news about a robbery in a bypassing police car and Steve recognized the address and then there was no stopping him and nothing to do to save the mugs,” Bucky told you without an ounce of shame to rat out his friend and his worry about you, but held out his hands to take the pieces from your hand to drop them in the next trash can. “But at least you’re okay,” he added to make sure that you were more important than a cup. “What happened?” he asked.
“Buck,” Steve warned, but you said it was okay and told them about a robbery that had happened in the store. “A craft store? Who would rob out a craft store? I mean he got like 100 bucks from the cash register and he took like three pens that were lying on the table. Who does that?”
You didn’t realize it yet, but you had reached the Avengers tower. Steve navigated you through the hall and towards the elevator until you reached the floor. “I’ll grab you some water and something with sugar,” Bucky said and Steve lead you towards his room. Steve’s room was not what you had expected. You knew that he was painting – he was buying supplies at your place a lot. But you weren’t ready to see his art that was in front of his window.
“Steve, these are... You told me you didn’t like painting with the chalks but this is beautiful,” you said not being able to express what you felt when you saw his art.
Steve had some people who saw his art. They were like “This is nice”, “I like that colour” and that was it. But having you seeing it meant a lot more to him. You were busy looking at the pictures so you didn’t notice Bucky coming towards the room. He pushed a glass of water and a chocolate bar in Steves hand, placed your bag that he still carried next to the door, winked at Steve and closed the door after him.
Steve walked over to you and handed you the glass of water. “Thank you,” you replied and took a huge sip while you still looked at that painting that had caught your eyes. It was of a building and it featured a person with a very blue shirt. He might have thought of you, but it wasn’t noticeable in the painting.
“You said something in the store. You actually called me your girl and I wanted to ask if that was only to get me out of there or if you meant it?” You quickly took another sip of water as not to show how nervous you were.
“I did?” You face fell at Steve’s question. “I mean, I didn’t notice I did that. I’m sorry if I overstepped, I should have asked you out first,” he mumbled and the chocolate bar started to melt inside the wrapper as Steve’s body temperature and his grip tightened around it.
“You could still ask,” you offered.
“Would you say yes?”
“You’re asking me if I would say yes to a date with the handsome man that brings me coffee every Tuesday? You mean the man that makes me look forward to the second day in the week although I do have to do inventory of the materials which is the most boring part of my job? Of course I would say yes. I would take any chance to spend time with him.” You searched for a safe place to place your cup down.
“So, should I cook something for you? I heard my Mac ’n’ Cheese is mean,” he held out his hand to you and realized only when you wanted to take it that he still held that chocolate in his hand. You took it from him and placed it next to the water.
“I’ll be the judge of that, but lead the way,” you grabbed his hand and both of you left his apartment for your first kind of official date – because Steve still hadn’t officially asked.
Masterlist | Library Blog
divider by @fireflygraphics













