By the time Friday rolled around, you were a complete mess. You tossed and turned all night worrying about all the possible outcomes, good and bad. Well, mostly bad. You just couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. You knew the team would protect you at all costs, but that little voice in the back of your head kept asking 'What if they couldn't?'. You pushed those thoughts away and got ready for your busy day ahead.
When you got to the Tower, you started your day off as usual. Tony didn't say if you had the day off or not so you assumed not. You hoped the familiar routine would distract you from your worries. You dropped your coat and belongings off at the receptionist's desk. You made you way towards the elevator and up to the Avenger's private kitchen. Although it was much out of your way, you preferred their kitchen over the one your coworkers used. You enjoyed seeing the team every morning before you started your busy, repetitive day.
When you got to the kitchen, you were surprised to see Steve already there, sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in one hand, a newspaper in the other. "Morning, Steve," you greeted. He looked up from his paper and smiled.
"Morning, doll." You loved when he called you that. It made your heart flutter every time.
"What are you doing here already?" you questioned as you made your way to the coffee pot. He was usually out on his morning run at this time. You normally wouldn't see him until a few hours into your workday.
"I wanted to make sure I saw you when you first got in," he replied.
"Oh," you raised your eyebrows. He got up and walked over to the counter where you were pouring yourself a cup of coffee.
"Look, Y/N, I just-are you sure you're okay going through with this tonight?" he asked, his blue eyes never leaving yours. "I feel like no one really asked how you felt about the whole matter." You sighed and looked down at your now full coffee mug. If you were being honest, you were terrified. Going on a date with a man who was a threat to the Avengers and had the potential to kill you was not something to scoff at. But you knew if you told Steve how you really felt, he would take you off the mission in an instant. You knew the team desperately needed more information on HYDRA. You were their only chance. You had to do this for them. If you told him and by some astronomically small chance he'd actually let you go, he would be worried sick the entire time. You couldn't do that to him.
You looked back up at him, "I trust you guys will protect me if anything goes wrong. Like you said before, you'll be right there with me," you offered him a smile. He gave a hesitant nod and smiled. You could tell he didn't fully believe you, but you knew he wouldn't push the matter further.
"Alright. If you change your mind, you just let me know."
"Aye aye, Captain," you laughed as you gave him a salute. He laughed and looked down at the ground, rubbing the back of his neck. You noticed he was doing that a lot more often recently, which confused you. He only ever did that if he was nervous around someone. Why was he nervous now, especially around you?
You caught yourself staring at him too long and turned your focus back to your coffee, pouring just the right amount of cream and sugar into the mug. You took the mug in both hands and raised it towards your face, enjoying the warmth and aroma. Before you could enjoy your first sip of coffee for the day, you were interrupted by someone bellowing in the doorway.
"Good morning, my oblivious lovers! How are we on this lovely Friday morning?" Tony announced cheerfully. You sighed, deciding to ignore the nickname he called you and Steve. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Steve give Tony a stern glare.
"It's way too early for you to be this chipper, Tony," you muttered. "Actually, I'm surprised you're awake already."
"Who says I went to bed?" he smirked. All you could do was shake your head. He probably was up all night. Typical Tony.
"Anyway, I'm glad you're here. We need to start getting ready for tonight," he said.
"Now? It's only 8:00. Can't we start this later? I've got work to do," you protested.
"Work is for the birds," he waved his hand in dismissal.
"Well, this bird has bills to pay," you said as you started walking out of the kitchen. Sam walked through the doorway just as you were about to make your escape.
"Mornin', Y/N," he greeted with a smile. You smiled back at him. You saw his smile start to falter when Tony walked towards him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Speaking of birds," Tony started.
"Nuh-uh, leave me out of whatever this is. It's too early for your nonsense," Sam objected.
"This bird here can fill in for you," Tony continued, ignoring Sam's protests.
"You want Sam to answer the phones all day?" you asked.
"Sure, why not," Tony shrugged.
"Sorry, man," Sam brushed Tony's hand off his shoulder. "I don't work for Tony Stank," he smirked. You and Steve both chuckled.
"I see respecting your superiors is a thing of the past," Tony scoffed.
"Tony's right," Steve cut in with sternness in his voice. "We should start getting ready for tonight. Better safe than sorry. We'll have everyone meet in the common room in ten." He gave you a final look before leaving the room.
"Yes, sir," Sam nodded. He turned to Tony, "See? I do respect my superiors." With a sly smile, he left the room.
"Wilson!" Tony yelled after him.
"You two are infuriating," you groaned.
Roughly ten minutes later, you made your way to the common room. Sam and Bucky were already there sitting across from each other talking. It was no surprise that Tony wasn't there yet. He was always late, or as he liked to call it, "fashionably late". You were surprised; however, that Steve wasn't there already. He was the most punctual person you knew, always on time for everything. So, his absence was slightly concerning.
"Where's Steve?" you inquired, hoping at least one of them would know why he was uncharacteristically late.
"Oh, he's talking to Tony. Said it was important," Bucky replied. You nodded. His tardiness was definitely explainable then.
"Why? You miss him?" Sam asked with a smug smile.
"What? No," you replied defensively, your cheeks turning slightly pink. "He's just usually always on time." Sam and Bucky gave each other a knowing look. Before you could protest further, Tony entered the room.
"Your fearless leader has arrived," he exclaimed with his hands in the air.
"No he hasn't," Bucky retorted.
"Yeah, where is our fearless leader?" Sam smirked.
"He's right-," Tony paused, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance, "He's been tasked with something else." You felt yourself stiffen at his words. What could he possibly have to do today of all days? You thought he'd be there through the entire process, since he seemed so invested in the plan in the first place. You knew he was busy and as an Avenger, things always came up unexpectedly. But deep down, you wanted him to be there for you.
"But, my other task force is back and ready for action," he smiled at you.
"Wait," you paused, a smile creeping on your lips. Tony nodded towards the door. You looked and saw Natasha and Wanda in the doorway with big smiles on their faces and shopping bags in their hands. You ran towards them and enveloped them in a hug. They instantly dropped the shopping bags and eagerly hugged you back.
"Sorry we've been MIA for so long," Wanda professed.
"Tony asked us to do something that we just couldn't say no to," Natasha gave you a sympathetic smile.
"It's okay, really. I'm just glad you're here now," you reassured them.
"I'll leave you ladies to it," Tony spoke. "As for you two," he narrowed his eyes at Sam and Bucky. "Come with me," he motioned as he left the room. They grumbled in response, but followed anyway.
"So what's with the bags?" you motioned to the pile now splayed across the floor.
"We did a little shopping," Wanda shrugged.
"And you didn't invite me? I'm hurt," you clenched your chest. Natasha rolled her eyes.
"You won't be after we show you what we bought," Natasha smirked.
"Oh?" you quirked an eyebrow and smiled.
You were currently doubled over on Wanda's bed wiping tears from your eyes from laughing so hard.
"Ridiculous, isn't it?" Wanda grinned.
"I can't believe it," you wheezed. "What does he think this is? Prom? Why are there so many frills?" you gestured towards the godawful dress Wanda held up. The dress was red, probably the only good choice on Tony's part. It was strapless with a sweetheart neckline and a mermaid style cut with so. Many. Frills. The entire bottom half looked like a giant shower loofah.
"He was serious about this one," Wanda noted.
"Can you see why we had to help him when he asked?" Natasha asked.
"Yes!" you exclaimed.
"He did say we couldn't stray too far from his original idea," Wanda said reluctantly while grabbing the bag next to her.
"Oh no," you murmured. She reached into the bag and slowly pulled out the next dress. You closed your eyes and grimaced, preparing yourself for the worst.
"Oh please, Y/N, do you really think we'd willingly let you wear a dress like that?" Natasha questioned.
"You're right, you're right," you admitted. You opened your eyes and gasped when you saw the new dress Wanda held. This dress was also red. It had an A-line cut just above the knee and a jewel neckline. Simple and elegant. But most importantly, there were no frills.
"Wow," you whispered.
"Definitely an improvement," Natasha commented.
"I'll say," you stood up from the bed and walked towards Wanda. She handed you the dress and you took it. You walked towards the full length mirror next to Wanda's bed and held it in front of your body to get a vague idea of how it looked on you.
"It looks good," Wanda grinned.
"You two are the best. Thank you," you smiled, placing the dress on the bed and gathering them into a hug.
"Anything for you," Wanda beamed.
"So," you paused. "What's in the other bags?" Natasha and Wanda looked at each other and smiled.
A few hours later, you, Natasha, and Wanda had gone through all the bags and completed the perfect outfit. They ended up buying numerous accessories, shoes, and jackets to pair with the dress. You all decided on black opaque tights, black heeled ankle boots with silver accents, silver studded earrings, and a gray wool coat to complete the ensemble.
"So," Natasha spoke as she put the wool coat on a hanger. "What does Steve think about all of this?"
"Take a wild guess," you said flatly.
"Not a fan, huh?" Wanda asked.
"Nope," you said, popping the 'p'.
"Did he say why?" Wanda asked.
"He's just worried is all," you replied. "But I guess that's understandable. I don't blame him. I'd be worried, too if he was going on a date with a HYDRA assassin."
"He wasn't worried when I did," Natasha stated as she hung the coat in the closet.
"Okay, but you can hold your ground. You're a trained assassin. I, on the other hand, am not."
"True," she hummed as she sat next to you and Wanda.
"I think he's a little extra worried, because it's you," Wanda commented.
"And jealous," Natasha added.
"Jealous?" you asked in disbelief, furrowing your brows. "Why?"
"Oh, I think you know why," she said firmly. Were they implying what you thought they were implying? Was Steve really more worried because it was you going on this mission? Was he really jealous that you were going on a date with another man? Did this mean he felt something more than friendship for you?
"You know," Natasha continued, "I think you'd be jealous, too if he was the one going on the date."
"No," you laughed nervously.
"That isn't very convincing, Y/N," Natasha replied.
"I can get to the bottom of this real fast," Wanda raised her hands as they started to glow red.
"You stay out of my head," you shot a look at Wanda. The red glow instantly disappeared.
"When were you going to tell us?" Natasha asked.
"I-I don't know," you sighed, feeling embarrassed and defeated. "I didn't want anyone to know. You know how people get around here when they know too much." They both nodded in agreement.
"Well," Natasha gave you a sheepish grin, "you haven't been very subtle about it."
"Dammit," you muttered under your breath. "I was so careful. What gave me away?" You asked sincerely, hoping it was something only Natasha and Wanda would notice and not everyone else.
"The longing looks, the laughing, inside jokes, innocent touches, the flirtatious-"
"Okay" you blurted, cutting her off. You took a deep breath, collecting yourself. "How long have you known?"
"Awhile," she replied and Wanda nodded. You sighed.
"Why didn't you guys ever say anything?" you asked.
"We wanted you to tell us when you were ready," Wanda replied. You smiled. You appreciated that they knew and didn't pry.
"Who else knows?" you asked.
"Pretty much everyone," Natasha answered. You groaned and put your head in your hands.
"Except Steve," Wanda added.
"But that's no surprise," Natasha shrugged. "You two are the definition of 'oblivious lovers'".
Oblivious Lovers. Tony called you and Steve that just this morning. It all started to add up. Tony's nicknames and snide comments, Sam and Bucky's suggestive remarks and glances. That meant Natasha and Wanda were right. Everyone did know. And you were just now realizing it. But Steve didn't know. You were thankful he was pretty clueless. You didn't want him to know. It was almost shameful that you liked him. He deserved someone strong and skillful. Someone who could hold their own. Someone he didn't have to worry so much about.
"You know," Wanda spoke, distracting you from your current thoughts, "he does deserve someone like you."
"Wanda," you cried, "I told you to stay out of my head," you gave her a sharp glare. She gave you a guilty grin.
"So, when are you going to tell him?" Natasha butted in.
"I'm not," you responded flatly. You stood up and walked towards the closet.
"You can't avoid this forever," Wanda pleaded. You turned back to face her and Natasha.
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him," you stated with a shrug. You really didn't want to tell him. Definitely not today. Or ever. You turned back to the closet to grab the dress. "I'm going to get ready." They both sighed at your response.
"Alright, but as soon as this date is over, we're revisiting this conversation," Natasha announced.
"Okay," you mumbled. You knew they were right. You should tell him. You told each other everything. You were mad at him earlier this week, because he wasn't upfront with you. And yet, you were acting the same way. But you were scared. Scared of rejection. Scared of losing him, losing his friendship. Scared of what would happen if he did feel the same way. But that had to wait. Getting intel on HYDRA was your main priority for the day. That and surviving this date.