And They Were Roommates (STEVE ROGERS X OC)

Chapter Twelve

Standing in the doorway of Steve's room, Taylor crossed her arms over her chest as she watched him pack some things into a small duffel bag. He picked out a couple of spare clothes from his closet, and then threw his phone in as well, looking around the room for more stuff he could take with him. He already told Taylor that the bag was going to be staying in the Quinjet, which he also hastily explained even though she knew what it was, and how he wanted to bring some things so the journey back home wouldn't be too boring.

They walked down the stairs together and Taylor went to the kitchen to grab a couple of bottled waters along with some energy bars she had to dig through the cabinet for and placed it in his bag while he made himself a quick sandwich that he could eat later. It was very early in the morning, and normally, Taylor would have been sleeping at that hour, but she was adamant about sending Steve off herself and helping him get ready since it would be his first mission since waking up.

Steve went to the bathroom to take a quick shower, so Taylor sat down on the couch until then, trying rather hard to keep her eyes open. She was tired and her muscles were aching, especially her arms, and even raising her arms above her head posed a challenge. Before her eyelids could droop, Steve walked out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist, and the mere scene caused her eyes to widen and made her feel more awake than ever.

Since Steve wasn't blind, he probably noticed the way she was ogling him, but if he did, he didn't show it.

"Were you sleeping?" He questioned with a smile, and Taylor attempted to keep her eyes strictly on his. Even if droplets of water were sliding down on his six-pack.

"No," She said instantly. "I was trying not to." She then corrected herself.

"You can go back to sleep, I have a ride to S.H.I.E.L.D., so you don't need to stay up," He told her kindly. "I don't want you to fall asleep at work."

"No, I want to be awake when you leave. I'm your lucky charm for the mission," She blurted mindlessly, then clamped her mouth shut when she realized how stupid her words seemed aloud.

"Well then, I'll go put some clothes on," He smirked her way, and her heart jumped. "Then you can charm me."

They looked at each other for a second, his words registering too late, causing Taylor to flush, and Steve to stammer instead.

"I mean, you are- you said something about being my lucky charm, I didn't mean it like that," Steve hurried to explain himself, and Taylor clicked her tongue as she raised both of her hands in front of her to calm him down. His face was all red.

"Just go dress up or you'll be late." She smiled at him a bit shyly, hoping that the blush wasn't too visible on her cheeks.

Once he was up the stairs, the existential crisis set in, and she hid her face in the nearest pillow, resisting the urge to scream into it. She felt like such an idiot for saying that, as it sounded way too cheesy for her style, and she never actually felt this shy around a guy before. Back in her more reckless days, Taylor was the one making the first move, asking guys out on dates, and leaning in for kisses upon seeing the guy being too shy to do it. Her confidence was through the roof back then, and it considerably lowered, even though she shared the overconfident trait with her brother. But how could she not when he raised her to be that way?

Taylor sprung to her feet as soon as she heard Steve's footsteps coming down the stairs, and when he appeared in front of her, he was fully clothed – to Taylor's luck or dismay, she couldn't quite decide. He threw his duffel bag over his shoulder and grabbed his jacket from the couch, then came to a halt in the hallway as he tugged his shoes on. Taylor fiddled with her hands as she waited for him to be done, standing from one foot to the other.