Avengers: Reader Inserts

Sketchbooks ~ Steve Rogers x Reader

Word Count: 1,300ish

Summary: You and Steve won't part with your sketchbooks, or your feelings.

~~~

You loved to sketch. You wouldn't call yourself the greatest artist in the world, but you definitely enjoyed some time with a sketchbook and pencil. It helped you filter through your thoughts and emotions, especially as an Avenger. After tough missions, you could usually be found someplace in the Tower, curled up in a blanket, sketching. Sketching also helped you to fall more in love with your captain, Steve Rogers.

The sketch book that you were currently working in was filled with just sketches of Steve. His large calloused hands, the sparkle in his eyes, his mouth when he was laughing. The concern on his face with something wasn't right, the look that he got when he was working on his own sketches. Both Natasha and Tony had teased you about your sketchbook dedicated to Steve and your undying love for him.

What you didn't know though, was that they did the same to Steve. He also had a sketchbook full of sketches of just you. Your smile, the way your eyes shined when you made someone else happy. Your hands, that could be so gentle and yet could also snap someone's neck when they needed to. The way you curled up in the couch on movie night. Every part of you he sketched, had him falling more and more in love with you.

But the both of you were oblivious to the other's feelings. You two were friends, yes, and never had a hard time speaking to each other or spending time together. But neither of you were willing to ask the other out, out of fear of denial and losing a friend. So you two hung out, talked about anything and everything, including art, and never did anything about your growing feelings. And that annoyed Natasha and Tony.

"You know instead of drawing Capsicle's lips," Tony said one day, after finding you in a corner of his lab, sketching Steve yet again. "You could just run up and kiss him."

"Tony," Y/N whined. "You know why I can't do that."

"No. I know your excuse as to why you can't do that. Why you can't do it is not an actual fact."

"You and Capsicle kill me," Tony shook his head.

~~~

"You know," Nat said, peeking over Steve's shoulder to look at the sketch of your hands he was currently working on, "I'm sure Y/N wouldn't mind if you asked her to actually model for a sketch. It might get you to finally confess those feelings you have for her."

"I don't want to make her uncomfortable," Steve excused, still working on his drawing. "About her modeling for me or my feelings."

"So you just plan to harbor feelings for her forever? Never acting on them."

"Maybe, one day-"

"Maybe?" Nat scoffed. "You two lovebirds are the worst."

~~~

"I think I have an idea, Red," Tony said as he burst into the gym where Natasha was training alone.

"Oh great," Nat muttered.

"I think I know how we can get Y/N and Steve to confess their feelings!"

Nat stopped what she was doing and faced her friend. "Okay, I'm listening."

"We switch the sketchbooks! When they aren't here or not looking, we switch them. Then they'll see the sketches and return them, they'll finally have to talk about their feelings!"

"That's actually not a terrible idea, Stark. When do you think we could grab the books?"

"Both of them just left on a mission with Barton. They'll be back in a few days. We can switch them tonight."

~~~

The mission went better than they had hoped, which was wonderful. But that still didn't mean they weren't completely exhausted. You felt the hunger for the warmth of your bed as you made your way down the ramp.

"Hey, Y/N!" Steve called behind you. You stopped and waited for him to catch up. "I just wanted to say that you did an awesome job out there. I was very impressed."

"Thanks," you replied, a tiny blush rising onto your cheeks. The two of you began heading to the residential part of the compound. "You going straight to bed?"

"I'm not too tired right now. I think I'll do some sketching until I fall asleep."

"That sounds nice." You nodded. "I'm exhausted, but I'm afraid my mind won't shut off and my hand won't stop tingling until I do a few sketches."

Steve let out a small laugh as you neared your room. "Well, don't stay up too late."

"Same to you. Goodnight, Steve."

"Goodnight, Y/N."

You smiled at each other before entering your separate bedrooms. You quickly showered, got into your favorite pjs, and curled up with a pencil and sketchbook on your window seat. As you flipped through the notebook to find a blank page, you realized that the sketches were all of you. That couldn't be right. You flipped through them again, this time more slowly. They were all gorgeous, and so very detailed. And each and everyone was you.

You soon came to the conclusion that this had to be Steve's and that, somehow, the two of you had switched sketchbooks. Which was almost impossible, because you never let Steve have a chance at looking at yours and Steve did the same with you. Which meant that if you and his, then he had-

Your spiraling thoughts were halted by a gentle, yet quick, few knocks on the door. You slowly got up, closing the sketchbook yet keeping it close, and moved towards the door. Opening it, you saw a recently showered Steve, with a sketchbook in hand.

"I think this is yours," Steve said, handing the book to you. He looked as embarrassed as you felt.

"And I believe this one's yours," you replied, handing his over as you took yours. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but look through it. They're all-"

"Of you. Just as yours is all of me. Why?"

"I- cause..." You looked down with a deep sigh. Now or never, you guessed. "Cause I love you," you whispered, still looking down.

"What?"

You clenched your eyes shut. "I love you," you said a bit louder. You kept your eyes shut, missing the shocked look on Steve's face, and waited a moment before continuing. "I have for a long time. And instead running the risk of losing you and sharing my feelings, I've just drawn them..."

"I love you too." Your eyes went wide as your head snapped up. When had Steve moved closer to you? "That's why I draw you. I love you." He chuckled. "I can't believe they were right."

"Who?"

"Tony and Natasha."

"They bugged you too?"

"All the time."

"Same... well, what do we do now?"

"I take you out on a proper date. Say, Friday?"

You couldn't stop the grin that seemed to cover your face as you answered, "Sounds perfect."

"Well, I guess there's one more thing I need to do tonight."

"Really? What is it?"

"This."

Steve cupped your cheeks and quickly brought his lips to yours, for a soft, loving kissing. Your hands came up to hold his wrists in place. You guys stayed like that for a while, not wanting to part from each other just yet. When you finally parted, you both had goofy grins on your faces.

"Good night, Y/N." Steve gave your lips one last peck before backing off.

"Good night, Steve."

In the lab, at the same time, the two master minds were watching the security cameras.

"Do you think we can get them to name their kids after us?" Tony asked. "Wouldn't want all our hard work to go to waste."