#not strictly necessary but good flavor for this- that one fic I read a while back that made cyrus and guzma cousins

[slowdrippingnoise]

did I ever outline my ideal rainbow rocket social dynamics chart (major groups, obviously theres lots of threads connecting everybody which need elaboration as well) mean girls club: giovanni, lusamine(she's here fight me), ghetsis, lysandre assortment of weirdos/dad moment: archie, cyrus, guzma(hes here on weekends) maxie: maxie

[i-am-a-closet-fanfic-fiend]

The Art of Love (Part 5) ~ Steve Rogers x Reader College!AU

Updated A/N 10/17/2020: Formerly algorithm knows best and companion to cupid’s code. Whether an updated version of Cupid’s Code will be a companion is TBD.

A/N: Hi lovelies! Happy hump day Here’s some fluff to get you through.

Summary: You finally make it to those dinner reservations.

Characters/Pairings: Steve Rogers x reader (Platonic - for now)

Rating: T

Warnings: Language, TOOTH ROTTING FLUFF

Word Count: 1473

Main Masterlist | The Art of Love Masterlist | Broken Hearts and Robot Parts Masterlist (Companion Fic) ​

Being out with Steve made you giddy. The two of you rarely went out alone. It was normally nights in on the couch, which you loved. But this was something special. It felt like… a date.

No, you scolded yourself. Not a date. A celebration between friends.

“Sweetheart?” Steve called softly, breaking you out of your thoughts. “Where’d you go?”

“Nowhere important. Sorry,” you laughed looking down at the menu. “The chocolate lava cake sounds delicious.”

“That’s why I ordered you one while you were daydreaming,” he grinned.

Your jaw dropped. Surely you would have heard him do that.

“No you didn’t.”

“Yeah, I did.”

“How did you know what I wanted?” you asked, embarrassed that you had spaced out that hard.

“I picked the most chocolatey thing on the menu.”

“That’s fair,” you laughed, shaking off the momentary awkwardness you’d felt. “So I assume you got the angel food cake?”

“We are creatures of habit.”

You were laughing at that comment when the waiter returned with a plate that had different flavors of sorbet and “Congratulations” written in chocolate sauce.

“The desserts you ordered will be out in a moment. But this is on the house. And here is your champagne,” he smiled as another waiter who’d been trailing him, passed him the bottle.  

“We didn’t order any champagne,” you told him.

No restaurant was that nice.

“Your boyfriend requested this especially before you arrived. Congratulations on your new job.”

“Oh. Thank you.”  

You were so caught off guard by Steve’s gesture that you didn’t even process that the waiter called him your boyfriend.

“Thank you, Gregory,” Steve smiled at him as he uncorked the bottle and he poured two glasses.  

“Enjoy.”  

“Steve, you really shouldn’t have,” you whispered once Gregory had disappeared.

“Yes. I should have. We’re celebrating your new job. You deserve all this and more.”

You held back your natural argument when you saw the pride and love in his eyes.

“Thank you.”

He raised his glass to you, clear blue eyes dancing.

“To my best friend, the new dance captain and assistant choreographer of the Howling Commandos Stage Troupe.”

You clinked your glass against his and sipped the champagne, savoring the moment.

 Steve’s POV

Once you were home Steve took your coat and hung it in the front closet.

“I didn’t think you knew that was a coat closet,” you teased.

“Oh shush, you,” Steve huffed making you giggle.

“Thank you for everything tonight. You sure know how to make a girl feel special.”

“You deserve to always feel special,” he promised as you threw your arms around his neck.

His wound around your waist reflexively as you swayed, clearly a little tipsy from the champagne. He felt a bit wobbly as well, but he was fairly certain that it had more to do with you than the champagne. Steve held you close as you nuzzled your nose against his neck and stifled a yawn against his shirt.

“Tired, sweetheart?”

“A little,” you mumbled.

“Why don’t we get ready for bed then?”

“Mmkay,” you assented but didn’t move.

“Y/n?”

No response.

“Alright, up we go I guess.”

He swung you up into a bridal carry and you hummed contently. He set you down on the bed and knelt in front of you so he could unbuckle your heels, sliding them off and setting them neatly in the closet.

“C’mon, darlin’, you don’t want to ruin your pretty dress by sleeping in it.”  

“Fine,” you sighed holding your hands out so he could help you stand up.

“I’ll leave you to change.”

He strode out of the room grabbing your water bottles from the fridge and making sure the front door was locked. He’d just turned out the front light when he heard you call his name.

“Steve?”

“What’s up, sweetheart?” he called as he moved through the apartment.

“I need you.”

Steve chuckled at your dramatic whine.

“What the matter, darlin’?” he asked as he set the waters and your phones down on the bedside table.

“I can’t get my zipper undone,” you pouted, arms twisted awkwardly behind your back.

“S’alright. I’ve got it. Turn around.”

You spun obediently and Steve stepped closer, probably closer than strictly necessary, brushing your hair over your shoulder and dragging the zipper down your back. He couldn’t help but look at your reflection as your eyes drifted shut and a soft smile graced your features.

He had to stop himself from pushing the straps off your shoulders or pressing a kiss to your bare skin. That would be crossing far too many lines and he was already in too deep.

“I’m going to go change in the bathroom.”  

You hummed an acknowledgment as you rifled through your duffel bag for your clothes. Steve tried not to stare at the expanse of your back he’d revealed, closing the door a bit more aggressively than he intended to.  

There was a soft knock on the door a few minutes later while he was brushing his teeth.

“Steve, can I come in and start taking my make up off?”

He leaned over to unlock the door and pulled it open and then grabbed your pack of makeup removers from his top drawer. You sidled in, already half asleep and started your nightly routine.

When you were done you both crawled under the covers, and he paused waiting for you to situate yourself. He frowned when you turned away from him, but it disappeared as you wriggled closer to him so you were pressed against his front and you placed his arm on your waist.  

“Good night, sweetheart,” he rumbled in your ear as he pulled you even closer.

“Good night, Steve. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Steve was surprised to wake up and find you still in his arms. Normally you’d be up and baking or heading back to your apartment. But not today. You’d agreed to sleep in and mosey over to the store when you were ready, although when Steve glanced at the clock and saw it was only 5 AM he knew he’d failed on the sleeping in. But the view was certainly worth it.  

He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face as he watched you sleep.

Steve had long since memorized your features in lots of moments. The way your brow furrowed when you choreographed. The way you smiled and hummed while you baked. The way you yelled at the TV during a hockey game – despite “not caring about sports”. He’d also seen how your eyes got red and you pursed your lips when you cried, although that wasn’t a memory he relished.

But this was new. Your hair was splayed out around you on his pillows and there was a small smile on your lips. He had never gotten to see you so completely at peace, and he was certain he’d never felt so at ease.

You clutched his shirt more tightly and followed when he rolled onto his back so he could grab his phone. When he accidentally opened the camera app on his phone he froze. You looked so beautiful, he had to capture the moment. He knew he’d try to sketch or paint it later on, but he suspected it wouldn’t do the moment justice. He quickly snapped a photo before scrolling through his notifications.

The boomerang he’d posted of you sipping champagne on Instagram had well over a hundred likes.

Champagne Fridays are the best Fridays. Finally getting to properly celebrate my best friend @danceyourfeelings getting her first grown up job. You’re going to be amazing (like always). I love you! #BeautifulandBubbly

There were also plenty of heart eyes emojis in the comments.

He rolled his eyes at the stream of texts in his group chat with Bucky and Sam calling him an idiot. He also noticed a new tag notification and realized you’d posted a picture of the two of you that the waiter had taken. You were on one foot, tugging him down by his tie and kissing him on the cheek and he was laughing at god only knows what. You could easily be mistaken for a couple in love.

So lucky to have this guy in my life. He’s been with me through it all for the last three and a half years and I’m so glad I got to celebrate some of the best news of my life with him. Thank you for everything you do for me @ArtsySteveRogers. I love you so much! #MyBestFriendIsBetterThanYours #MCE (Man Crush Everyday) #Stud

Steve immediately went to the comment section. Everyone was commenting #goals and the like. He saw more than a few pointed remarks from your closer friends. He quickly responded with a sappy message in return and then put his phone down, opting to enjoy the quiet moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed !

Tag Lists are Open (Please send an ask)

Update 3/15/2021: Hello, Lovelies. As some of you may have seen on the blog I have decided to suspend tag lists. If you would like to receive updates about new content please follow @naynay-writes​​ and turn on notifications. Thank you! Xoxo, Naynay

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[zecretsanta]

Fic: Something I need

 To: @eatingfireflies

From: @hardcoreprince

Merry Christmas, D!!! I was super excited to get you as my giftee! I hope you like what I’ve put together!

Notes: In my mind I kind of continued off what I established in The Knowledge Argument, but you definitely don’t need to read that to read this. It’s really just a bit of pure fluff. Enjoy and Merry Christmas, D!!

AO3 LINK

“Do you really need another boyfriend? You’re so greedy!”

Carlos blinks as he tears his eyes away from his phone and stares at his sister, who is grinning maddeningly at him. They’re sprawled out on the couch at his apartment as a cheesy Christmas movie plays in the background. They’re only about twenty minutes in. The city slicker main character is still adjusting to life in a small town.

“What—”

“Don’t play dumb.” Maria sits up and examines him critically. “No morphogenetic field required, I can tell you like Aoi. You’re texting him now, aren’t you?”

Carlos goes a little red as he stares down at the phone in his hands. “Maybe I am,” he mumbles. “But it’s not like that! He wanted to know what we needed at the store.”

Maria shakes her head. “I wrote him a list. It is like that. Geeze, maybe I should become a firefighter. I can’t even get one boy to date me.” She sighs and shakes her head ruefully.

“We’re not dating!” Carlos laughs a little. “Maria, anyone would be lucky to date you.”

She scoffs. “Don’t give me that line. Anyway, we were talking about you. Why not? What’s the harm in one more? Junpei’s dating him too, isn’t he?”

The phone vibrates in Carlos’ hands, only further incriminating him. Another message from Aoi. It had started out with Aoi asking Carlos to remind him what he wanted from the market… but it had quickly devolved into a conversation about what brand of crappy instant coffee is better, which turned into what Carlos thinks could be flirting…

“He is,” Carlos says carefully. “But I don’t want to assume that just because Junpei is dating him means that I should, or that he even likes me. That’s too complicated, right? This thing with Akane and Junpei… that’s enough without me getting involved with someone else.”

“He’s not a stranger or anything, he’s Akane’s brother. And I think he does like you.” Maria lifts her eyebrows a little and leans closer, as if she has a secret. “Anyway, I know you like him because you forgot to check the roast.”

A jolt of panic goes through Carlos as he leaps from the couch. “Oh sh— shoot, the roast!”

Maria’s giggles follow him into the kitchen as he scrambles to the oven. “I’m not twelve anymore!”

But all his haste was for nothing. When Carlos cracks open the oven, the roast looks fine, despite the fact that he was supposed to check on it ten minutes ago. As he pierces the skin with the thermometer, he tries to put what Maria said out of his mind. But it’s hard when Aoi is coming back in about ten minutes…

Junpei, Akane, and Aoi have been visiting for the past few days and his apartment has never been more crowded. Junpei keeps telling him to get a bigger place but Carlos insists the housing market is terrible and he doesn’t have enough time for that. So, they’ve made do. Carlos, Akane, and Junpei sleep in Carlos’ room and Aoi gets the couch. Aoi initially complained, saying he didn’t come all the way to America to couch surf, and almost got a hotel. But Akane sweetly reminded him that hotels did not offer five-star breakfasts and cute firemen to cook them. Carlos had blushed at that and Aoi had rolled his eyes but agreed to stay.

How Aoi ended up in America in the first place was all Junpei’s doing. The official line is that Junpei insisted it would be pathetic if Aoi spent Christmas alone, so he dragged him all the way out to California. Maria suspects Aoi tagging along has less to do with that and more to do with Carlos. But Carlos doesn’t think it’s too much of a stretch to bring your boyfriend when you’re visiting your other boyfriend with your girlfriend…

What has his life become?

The door squeaks open in the other room just loud enough for Carlos to hear it and he smiles. He washes his hands and leaves the kitchen to find Aoi, Junpei, and Akane coming in the front door with probably more groceries than strictly necessary. Aoi had only proposed the trip to get some (good) wine to go with dinner, and Maria made up a list of a few things they could use, but it looks like they’ve come back with much more than that.

“Blame Junpei,” Akane says when she sees Carlos’ questioning gaze. “He was the one who insisted on getting three flavors of instant ramen like he’s still at University.”

“I’ve never seen those flavors,” Junpei scowls, brushing past Carlos to drop his bag in the kitchen. “Besides, Akane bought a lot of coffee creamer.”

“I’ve never seen those flavors,” Akane parrots innocently.

Carlos shakes his head, but he’s smiling. He looks to Aoi, who’s struggling with an overpacked bag, and takes it from him effortlessly. “What did you buy too much of?”

Aoi grins and there’s something about that expression that’s so inviting and teasing that it makes Carlos a little bit flustered. “Alcohol. Too many flavors and all that shit. Americans really like that flavored crap, don’t they?”

“I guess…” Carlos says with a little shrug. He peers into the bag and sees a variety of holiday flavored wines and vodkas. Are you planning on drinking all this?“

“Oh?” Aoi steps closer to Carlos and even though he’s shorter, Carlos can’t help but feel like he’s being loomed over. “Can’t hold your liquor?”

Carlos can only stare as Aoi brushes past him to bother Junpei in the kitchen. Now without Aoi in front of him, Carlos can see Maria and Akane watching him.

“Told you,” Maria says, giggling.

Akane grins. “You were right. My brother and your brother… we’ll be, double sisters in law?”

That really makes Maria laugh. Carlos goes red as the both of them giggle at his expense. “It’s not like that,” he insists.

Akane steps forward and cups Carlos’ face. He leans into her touch. “Sorry, just teasing. I know how you are, don’t worry, okay? It’s Christmas Eve.”

But Carlos is very good at worrying.

During dinner, Aoi serves Carlos a generous helping of a very sweet wine that tastes off puttingly of peppermint. There are three bottles of various flavors open at the table and it seems random who has gotten what.

“Pumpkin spice wine?” Junpei sputters, looking scandalized. “Aoi… you’ve really gone too far this time.”

“Don’t blame me,” Aoi says with a little shrug. “I’m just the messenger. You should really be blaming this fucking sinful country for concocting such an abomination.”

“Mine’s not bad,” Maria offers. holding it out to Junpei for a taste. She’s sitting next to Carlos. Across from them are Akane and Junpei, and right next to Carlos at the corner of the table is Aoi.

Junpei sips the dark liquid suspiciously and pulls a face. “Is that supposed to be chocolate?”

“You’re so uncultured,” Aoi says with a long-suffering sigh as he clinks glasses with Akane.

In turn, Akane drinks her white wine and blinks. “Cheesecake. Here, Jumpy, maybe this is more to your taste.”

After Junpei decides he definitely does not like that one either, he looks to Carlos, who shrugs. “No, you won’t like mine. Peppermint. A lot of it.”

Junpei turns to Aoi with disgust. “Why did you even buy that? Anyone who drinks that better not kiss me.”

Before Carlos knows what’s happening, Aoi is reaching for his glass. He downs the rest of the wine in one go, not breaking eye contact with Junpei. “Whoops. Guess I don’t get to kiss you now. Big fucking loss. I’ll just have to kiss Carlos.” Aoi leans over and slips an arm around Carlos.

Carlos goes a little red and even redder as Maria catches his eye and raises an eyebrow at him. He coughs and averts his gaze as Junpei fumes.

“You’re a dick,” Junpei grumbles. “I didn’t want to kiss either of you anyway.”

“Liar.” Aoi idly refills the wine glass and passes it to Akane as Junpei’s eyes go wide.

“No, don’t do it, Kanny, please. I swear I’ll shift right now to some other timeline where you don’t ruin the taste of your lips.”

Akane grins at Aoi and takes the glass. Junpei gapes at her as she brings the glass to her lips ever so slowly. Even Carlos holds his breath with anticipation. But she doesn’t take a sip. Instead she giggles and puts it down. “Jumpy, you’re so dramatic.”

Carlos starts tuning out the rest of their banter because Aoi’s arm is still draped tantalizingly around him. He serves himself some more of the offending wine and drinks it too quickly. The roast is good, no harm done for ignoring it for a little while, and the meal passes by comfortably with Aoi’s arm around him. Every time Carlos thinks he’s going to pull away… he doesn’t. If anything, he draws closer.

Towrds the end of the meal, everyone is a little tipsy and Aoi leans close to Carlos’ ear to whisper, “Meet me outside in two minutes.” He gets up from the table and stretches out like a cat while Carlos stares bewilderedly after him “Be right back,” he tells the table. “Gotta take a piss.”

“Go wash your mouth out,” Junpei gripes. “Plenty of mouthwash.”

Aoi flips him off as he leaves, and Carlos is left with a growing pit of dread in his stomach. He watches the next two minutes crawl by as he stares at the clock on the wall. When it’s finally time for him to get up, he lurches unsteadily to his feet and Maria looks up at him with concern.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah.” Carlos waves her off. “Just need to get some air.”

“Okay…” Maria is looking at him with too much scrutiny, so he hurries out of the kitchen before she can pick up anything weird from him. They’re so much more in tune these days that he’s had to ask her to stop prying into his mind. She complies… most of the time.

When Carlos gets outside the front door of his apartment, Aoi is waiting there, bathed in his porchlight and smoking a cigarette carelessly as he leans against the railing. “You actually waited two minutes.” He shakes his head and grins. “What a fuckin’ dumbass.”

Carlos falters. It’s cold outside and he’s just wearing a stupid holiday sweater Maria picked out for him. He shoves his hands in his pockets and averts his eyes. “I’m good at following instructions,” he offers.

At that, Aoi snorts and takes a drag of his cigarette before stubbing it out. “I just didn’t want the others to get suspicious. You blush too easily.” He takes a step towards Carlos, who instantly gets tense. “Relax. Jesus.” Aoi reaches forward and brushes a piece of hair from Carlos’ face.

“Oh,” Carlos says softly. A puff of his breath materializes between them. He tries to look anywhere else but Aoi is so close. “This won’t… this doesn’t complicate everything, does it?”

“Goddamn, you talk too much,” Aoi says, slipping one of his hands behind Carlos’ neck. His hands are cold, and it makes Carlos shiver. “I’ve already stolen one of my sister’s boyfriends. Another one isn’t going to hurt, right?”

“I-I guess?”

“You like me, right?” Aoi’s words are more of a demand than anything. He already knows the answer, obviously. His brazenness makes Carlos laugh helplessly.

“Y-yes, but—”

“Then quit fuckin’ talking! Jesus, I’m trying to make out with you at a holiday party. I shouldn’t have to say anything except ‘you, me, outside.’”

Carlos doesn’t have time to say anything to that before Aoi is leaning up and pressing mouth firm against Carlos’. He tastes strongly of peppermint wine but it’s not off putting anymore. Carlos slides his eyes shut and winds his arms around Aoi’s waist. He lets himself relax and the cold melts away as Aoi digs his fingers in Carlos’ hair. He’s not as tall as Carlos, so he’s pulling him down, pressing his body up to meet him.

When they break apart, Carlos is breathless and pink and Aoi is grinning at him like the Cheshire Cat. “Alright, fix your face, they’re going to wonder where we’ve been. I’ll go first.”

And then Aoi is gone and Carlos is standing on his porch wondering what the hell just happened.

The next ten minutes pass by in a blur. Carlos returns to his kitchen. Maria raises her eyebrows over and over at him, Junpei is still complaining about the wine, and Akane is giving him a knowing look. Finally, Maria excuses herself, saying she’s meeting up with some friends, and she winks at Carlos not so subtly as she leaves. Now, left with a mountain of dishes, Junpei says they should clean up later and the four of them end up crammed together on Carlos’ couch.

Carlos ends up exactly where he does not want to be, stuck between Akane and Aoi. Akane curls into him at once and Aoi slings an arm around him.

“Of course, I’m on the end,” Junpei mutters as he makes himself comfortable on Aoi’s other side.

“Quit whining, you’re going to have to learn to share this solid asshole.” Aoi pats Carlos’ shoulder appreciatively. “You two have really been holding out on me.”

“I knew something happened when you both disappeared,” Akane says, looking up at Carlos brightly. He’s trying very hard not to look flustered. “You have my full support. Jumpy? Tell him you support him.”

“What? Hell no. I can’t let Carlos date this… this degenerate.”

Aoi swiftly elbows Junpei in the stomach and Junpei starts swearing at him and Carlos can only watch in mild horror as the two of them start wrestling on the couch, right there next to him. Akane puts a hand on his cheek and gently guides his gaze to her.

“Jumpy’s joking. It’s alright. We’re both happy for you. I know it seems like too much, but you don’t have to worry.” She smiles at him and her eyes are so soft and gentle as she leans forward to give him a chaste peck on the lips.

As Akane pulls away, Carlos is smiling. “Uh, thanks, Akane. Guess it’s too much to ask for a normal Christmas, huh?”

Akane grins back him and puts a hand on his chest as he slips an arm around her. “Don’t worry. This is as normal as it gets.”

After a moment, Aoi settles back against Carlos, apparently done wrestling with Junpei.

“You see what he’s like?” Junpei grumbles, resting his head on Aoi’s shoulder and closing his eyes. “But if you must… I guess I support you.”

“Didn’t need your approval, asshole,” Aoi breathes into Carlos’ neck.

Carlos laughs. He’s comfortable and full and still a little tipsy and maybe just slightly overwhelmed to suddenly find himself entangled with Akane’s brother but… he’s happy above all else. And as the four of them eventually fall asleep on the couch, watching a movie that none of them were paying attention to, Carlos can’t believe how lucky he is.