rodrikstark's headcanons (part 3)

s. rogers + taking care of a plant together

"what about this one?"

you spin on your heels to see steve lifting a towering tropical evergreen in a heavy clay pot with laughable ease. a few other shoppers gape at his strength, then avert their eyes when they realize it really is captain america shopping at their local home improvement store.

crossing your arms, you watch steve examine the plant, a couple of its fat leaves brushing against his forehead. "it's gonna be a little hard for you to hide the body, isn't it?"

his brow scrunches. "hey."

your hands find his wrists and push, doing their best to coax steve to put the green giant back on the ground. of course, he refuses. "there's plenty of fake ones inside." you smile warmly. "they'll look great in your office."

steve touches one of the thick stems. "but i like this one."

you shake your head. "don't think just because it's your birthday and you're using your puppy eyes on me that i'll let you kill another innocent plant."

frowning, he glances over your shoulder and notices a phone camera or two aimed this way, a toddler pointing directly at him. steve replaces the plant sheepishly, using the movement as an excuse to duck behind you. "can you not talk so loudly about me killing things? it's not a good look."

"y'know what i was thinking?" you take steve's hand and walk him to the succulent aisle, poking a small aloe vera on the third shelf. "it's a cactus. you barely have to water it."

steve looks defeated. "it's so small."

"sometimes you gotta start small, baby."

he sighs. at least he's found peace in this aisle, no one around to gawk at him as he encloses your waist in his arms. "i want four."

you scoff, a little unsteady on your toes as he squeezes you. "steve."

"please?"

a good squirm dislodges you from his grip after he kisses your temple, your cheek, then behind your ear. "okay." you smack away his grabby hands. "we have to keep one at home, though. so i can show you how to take care of them."

his smile brightens, boyish and sunny. "good deal." he hands you two, then grabs a couple for himself. "thank you."

you elbow him. "happy birthday, stevie."