rodrikstark's headcanons (part 3)

s. rogers + discovering hidden talents

"did we just get hustled?" bucky stares down the long wooden lane, dumbfounded.

sarah lightly punches his shoulder. "you said he was terrible."

he scoffs, gesturing incredulously at the scoreboard. "he was, before the serum!"

several yards away, you remove your shoes by the benches next to the service counter, stealing little peeks at steve. "i can't believe we won."

"i know!" he laughs, removing his right shoe and tucking the leathery laces inside. "i was awful in the 40's. i could barely lift the ball."

the awkward fit of your own shoes prevents you from prying them off, so you settle for tugging the laces. "now you're even better than bucky."

your gazes meet briefly, and even under the colorful lighting of the bowling alley, his eyes are striking. and kind, when he asks, "that was really your first time bowling?"

"yeah."

"impressive." steve stands to place his borrowed shoes on the glass counter.

hoping he doesn't notice, you wipe the sweat from your palms onto your jeans. "i had a lot of fun, steve."

you can barely hear him over the pop music and the heartbeat drumming in your ears. "i'm glad. it's a fun sport, especially when you're actually good at it." steve steps into his regular shoes.

"with you, i mean," you say to the floor, finally catching the knot with your nail. taking it apart with shaky hands, you mumble, "i had a lot fun with you."

a tiny yelp squeaks free from your mouth when steve's massive body clouds your vision. he crouches on one knee, untying the other set of laces. without your permission, your hand flies to his bicep, and you use his support to wedge off your shoes.

he looks up, smiling. "we make a good team."

you blink stupidly.

you could kiss him. he's close enough.

and maybe you should. like, right now.

"alright, cheaters, let's go," bucky says flatly, startling you both. "dinner's on us, i guess."

sarah shakes her head, quickly pulling her grumbling boyfriend out the door. steve takes your rented shoes away as you push your feet inside your slip-on sneakers.

before you can stand, he offers a hand, and you try to hide your smitten face when your fingers weave together.