Lavender Haze (Actor!Steve Rogers AU)

1

Steve leant against the bar whilst Bucky ordered their drinks. It was Pepper's birthday and their co-star Tony had organised the party for her, work colleagues and other friends the couple knew, coming out to celebrate.

"Tony told me that he's got Arizona Allen to come and perform for Pepper tonight". Bucky now said as they took their drinks from the barman and sipped them.

"Oh geez". Steve muttered.

Arizona Allen was a man eater. Her latest break up and been with their co-star Brock Rumlow, and it hadn't been pretty. Coming here was only an invitation for her to sink her teeth into her next victim in Steve's view. He didn't think highly of her to say the least, plus there was always something in the press. If anything she thrived off the attention - and that was probably the only reason why her music was as successful as it was.

Writing about guys who had done her 'wrong'. It seemed to sell.

"You never know, you might be in with a chance pal". Bucky clapped his friend on the back and laughed.

"Shut up, she's not my type anyway".

Bucky made a face. "Coz you only go for girls like Sharon Carter - when was the last time you two hooked up anyway?"

"A few weeks ago when she came to see us on set. She's away filming".

"So what are you two? Fuck buddies? Dating?"

Steve shrugged. "I'm happy as I am for the moment - too busy to get fully involved with someone - casual dating maybe".

As one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood along with his Avengers co-stars, Steve Rogers was currently riding high on the waves of success that the films were bringing him and his friends. It also meant that he was under constant watch from gossip sites that had nothing better to do with their time. It came with the job - Tony had been in the public eye for years and even now was coaching and dishing out the advice to them if something cropped up on the internet.

Steve didn't really go on the internet - his team and manager, Nick Fury, dealt with anything that was linked to him. He much preferred to keep himself to himself, sit and sketch in between takes, or hang out with Bucky and Sam - and lately, Sharon.

"You're as 'casual' as they come". Bucky chuckled. "Thor! What can I get you?" He now asked as the muscular man now came and stood next to them at the bar.

"Bloody Mary, always a blood Mary" He smirked. "So...are we enjoying ourselves?".

"Well Sam and Scott are doing some orange slice challenge - I passed on that one, did you hear Tony's got Arizona Allen to come and sing to Pepper tonight?"

"Ah! Arizona Allen, she used to date my brother..." Thor now drifted off into his own little world.

"And how'd that pan out?" Steve smirked.

Thor nodded. "Nice girl, we follow one another on the errrr instant grammar thing? Shame it ended really, but what can I say - my brother's a snake."

Steve chuckled. "And I thought I was shit at technology, Instagram?"

"That's it!" Thor pointed at him. "Ah yes...been a while since I checked that - oooh Doritoes!" He noted the bowl of chips on the bar for people to snack on, and began to eat some.

They left Thor to grab his drink and headed over to a free table, Tony now catching them. "You fellas enjoying yourselves? Rogers, your face looks like you're attending a funeral rather than a party".

Steve shook his head. "I'm fine Tony, when's your entertainment arriving?" He questioned, wondering whether to take a break to go have a cigarette when Arizona appeared.

"Already here, she's on soon".

Excellent. He could make his escape then.

**

Arizona breathed in the night air after coming off the stage and heading out the back of the venue to take five, only having come tonight because Tony was a friend who had asked a favour. She'd been more than happy to provide, even declining to take any money for it. But the truth was that she wanted nothing more than to get home.

Unfortunately Phil, her manager, had said she needed to stay and socialise - something she wasn't in the mood for as of late. The break up with Brock had been tough - ok, Quentin's had been predominantly worse (and she wasn't going to get started on Loki either), but in Phil's view, this would take her mind off all of the negativity she'd found herself shrouded in.

She glanced across, seeing some guy having a cigarette who then looked to her and then away, stubbing it out on the wall.

"You don't happen to have a light do you?" She asked, recognising him as Steve Rogers. Arizona had seen most of the films he was in, and if she was honest, he had been her first crush when she was a teenager.

He walked over and passed the lighter to her, saying nothing. Instead acting as though it was the most inconvenient thing in the world. "Thanks". She smiled, trying to see whether friendliness would actually make him smile. "I really shouldn't be doing this". She held up the cigarette.

"Why you doing it then?" He frowned, looking at her like she was stupid.

She shrugged. "Just needed a releif".

He nodded, putting the lighter back in his pocket. "Well, have a good night..." He said and turned to head back inside.

"You're Steve, arent you?"She asked, knowing full well he was but just needing to talk.

"Yeah?"

She smiled. "Arizona".

"Yeah, I know who you are".

"Oh..." She smiled weakly. "I er...well, I really enjoyed the last Cap film. Tony said you're going straight into the filming the next soon?"

Steve had no idea why she was even trying to be friendly. Was this how she lured men in? "Yeah, in about a month or so".

"Cool. I can't wait to see it". This was awkward as hell and now he realised perhaps he was being too much of an ass.

"Thanks...I wouldn't have put you down as a fan".

She shrugged but looked a little hurt. "People always assume the worst of me". Now giving him a look that told him she knew that he did. "Thanks again for the light...I needed it".

Steve watched her for a moment, but nodded all the same. "No problem. You sticking around for much longer?"

She shook her head. "I've heard people say some things, so I think I'll just slip away quietly. I only did this because Tony's a friend".

At that moment, Phil came out and saw Arizona. "there you are, ready to leave?" He smiled kindly.

"I thought you'd never ask". She sighed with relief. "This is my manager Phil, your number one fan".

"Traitor" Phil grinned and nodded to Steve. "Pleasure to meet you, I've watched everything you've been in - in fact Ari and me like the one where..."

She hissed at him to shut up, causing Steve to smirk in amusement at this. "Nice to meet you too, and thanks - anyway I need to get back inside". He pointed back to the door and saying goodbye to them, returned to the party.

Arizona stubbed out the last of her cigarette, watching him go and feeling a little disheartened by the meeting. "Somehow I don't think he's going to be pleased when his manager tells him about the music video..."

Phil looked at her. "Why not?"

She turned to him. "I think he made it very clear to me that he doesn't like me".

Phil shrugged. "Nick's already got it in the diary. If Steve doesn't like it then he'll do it regardless. He's a pro, and it'll be good for the music - new album, new songs - you have Steve Rogers for a music video and that will sell the song before it's even been released".

Arizona sighed. "We'll see about that..."