The streets of New York were unusually quiet for once, which only meant the heroes of the Earth — the ones who lived here in the chaotic state — were able to finally get a night to themselves. The tower was quiet, each member doing their own thing whether that meant they were sharpening their weapons or having the time of their lives outside this residence. Whatever the case was, it just meant time that they never got.

Being one of Earth’s superheroes meant that sleep wasn’t a priority, wasn’t something that came easily or you all got much of. So, you decided to spend this rare free time by taking a nap. You were cuddled up under a fluffy blanket on one of the couches in the main room. The only light that illuminated the room was the soft white glow from the flat screen television that happened to be playing some medical-related show. Your eyes were closed shut, your lips were slightly parted, and your breathing was slow and steady. Of course, you would stay alert even in your sleep — thanks to your own abilities — but for some reason, you never felt Steve’s presence.

Steve had entered the main room, his gaze initially turned towards the television. His gaze shifted once he found your sleeping form. A small, genuine smile had appeared on his face. He stepped closer, his hand reaching into his sweatpants pocket to grab his phone. Even if he physically appeared to be in his thirties because of the super soldier serum swimming through his veins, he truly was an old man at heart. He never knew how to work a damn cellphone or any kind of technology.

Though, he worked it out because he thought you had looked so innocent here. You looked peaceful, so damn beautiful too. It was a moment worth remembering and capturing. He quietly snapped a photo of you, and once he had, he couldn’t help but stare at the picture. He would cherish it forever, but he knew he barely used this rectangular piece of technology, so how else could he look at this?

He needed a physical copy, something he could hold, something he could look at when times were rough and the missions were proving to be too much.

Something he could call “home,” something that would only bring love and comfort to his occasional aching heart.

And you always brought those feelings.

So with those thoughts, he took the time to find and ask Banner to help him with obtaining a physical copy (Steve didn’t know how to operate a printer). Of course Banner had… many and many questions, but eventually, Steve was holding a picture of your sleeping form in his large, rough hands.

He kept that photo hidden away in his wallet. He wasn’t too sure where he wanted to have it permanently, but this is what he came up with. No one except Banner knew about it; not his best friend Bucky, not Tony, no other member, and especially not you.

He even decided to take a pen and write “Home ♡” at the bottom of the picture.

𓂃𓂃𓂃

And now, this is something he’s had for a couple of weeks. His mind had every detail of it memorized. It wasn’t creepy, not to him at least. You and Steve were close. Sometimes, he thought about more than a friendship with you, and this picture wasn’t helping.

𓂃𓂃𓂃

The next morning, you had walked into Steve’s bedroom, carrying a basket of his clean laundry. You were always the one to do laundry; a love and hate relationship with the chore. You set the basket down on his bed, your gaze shifting to the wallet resting on the edge of the bed. The photo was sticking out. You could see the edge of the photo — surely this couldn’t count as snooping — and your curiosity got the better of you, so your fingers gently grabbed the photo and stared at it, shock immediately coursing through your veins.

But of course, Steve walked into the bedroom, his gaze immediately meeting your form. His steps paused, seeing the photo in your hand.

Oh, shit.