Fear on Fire - Steve Rogers x Reader (Completed)

Part 1

1,552 words

"Miss Y/N, Tony has requested your presence in the lab." F.R.I.D.A.Y.'s voice sounded throughout your mess of a bedroom and you raked a hand through your greasy hair after rubbing your sticky eyelids. You could feel your three-day-old makeup smear across your face and pulled your hand away only to see it coated across your hand as well. Your incomplete report sat atop piles of extra paperwork fury had assigned you, and your laptop screen's brightness was turned almost all the way down. Your eyelids drifted closed but you forced yourself to remain awake as you used your legs to push your chair from the desk and stood up.

"Tell him I'm on my way," You responded, fatigue clear in your voice, and not to mention your actions, as you smoothed your skirt down and ruffled your blouse. "Thanks, F.R.I.D.A.Y."

"You're welcome, Miss."

Smoothing your (H/L) (H/C) hair down, you stepped from your bedroom and all but walked to the elevator. Your endeavor was to look formal in front of the Avengers, except for when on missions, but this would have to be one of the rare times they saw you tired and the least presentable, besides the skirt and blouse you wore. You sighed and stepped into the moving box that would take you almost directly to the lab.

You had a rare phobia that put you victim to a lot. The only people who knew were your parents, who had done everything but support you, and your best friend throughout high school. The Avengers had yet to know and they wouldn't be told anytime soon. The doctors called it Thalassophobia, but you only saw it as a silly fear of the ocean. You hated it - more than anything - but what was there to do about it? Not much but you would learn to live with it, at least that was your hope.

The elevator dinged softly, informing you that you reached your requested level and you inhaled deeply as the doors slid open. You stepped onto the platform and walked the few steps there were to the lab. You spotted Tony and headed in his direction, making sure to avoid any kind of contraption that could be inflicted on you. You greeted the man whilst eyeing your surroundings, clandestinely, of course.

"Morning, Stark." You watched his expression change and suppressed the smile that threatened to tug at the corner of your mouth. He finally glanced over to you and his eyes widened momentarily.

"Jesus, sweetheart. Rough night?"

"Shut up, Tony."

He chuckled and you shot him a glare, silently asking him why he 'requested your presence'. "I have a mission for you, and it's a tough one so I thought maybe you could use a partner." You lifted your eyebrows when he paused and remained quiet, urging him to continue. "As you should already know, Clint, Nat, Thor, Wanda, Bruce, and Bucky are across the world which leaves one who's just healed from an injury and is excited to get back in the game." Tony winked, clearly seeing the connection between you and Steve and you mentally facepalmed.

"One of these days, I'm gonna kill you, Stark."

"I'd like to see you try."

A heavy roll of your eyes shut the man up and you released a groan, venturing to remain quiet but Tony heard it. And, of course, he teased you about your 'crush' for the rest of the time you stayed in the lab.

Eventually, you had had enough and you left the lab and headed back to your bedroom to freshen up. Turning the knob farther and farther left until the water was the perfect temperature, you released a burdened exhale as the water ran down your back. You cleaned yourself thoroughly, spending presumably an hour under the showerhead before wrapping a fluffy towel around your body and carefully leaving the shower.

Your mind was overwhelmed with thoughts about the mission. You hadn't asked Tony about it and he didn't provide any details about it. You were focused on your nonchalance to guarantee that your secrets remained - well - secrets.