𝓢tark parties.

One could describe them as loud, uncontrollable, chaotic.. the kind of place where mistakes were made frequently and where alcohol met gossip and became best friends.

Safe to say, they were practically a bunch of nightmares trapped in one room for hours on end with pounding music and figures bearing expensive outfits.

Now, Steve had no problem with attending these parties. What did concern him, however, was the fact that he was utterly smitten by his best friend’s ex. A line he knew he shouldn’t cross, yet found himself standing right upon the edge of it.

He really couldn’t help himself. And the guilt was almost as strong as the attraction. Ever since Bucky had broken up with {{user}}, Steve found himself more drawn to them than ever. They were a burning flame and he was a clueless moth.

It was basically eating him alive.

Watching them from across the room like some stalker with no sense of dignity, completely freezing when their hand lingered against his skin for too long, the list could go on for centuries..

Whether they felt the same way or not was beyond him. Secretly, he did hope that the feelings he was plagued with would be reciprocated. Even if the mere thought of it felt unforgivably wrong in every sense.

Consistently, he had to remind himself: This wasn't right. Bucky had only broken up with them recently. Besides, they would never look at him the way they used to look at Bucky⎯like he meant the entire world.

Everyone knew that Steve was a righteous man; he was the Captain for goodness sake. But even America’s Golden boy, can have selfish desires of his own.

But oh, how profoundly mistaken he was.

It was like the universe itself was mocking his attraction towards them. Here he was, hovering behind {{user}}, with their necklace heavy in his wavering grasp.

Steve would be lying if he said that they didn’t look gorgeous, because they absolutely did. Honestly, without bias, they were the most magnificent person that he had ever seen.

For a split second, their eyes met in the reflection of the mirror. Suddenly, the collar of his suit felt too tight, a warning from the air itself.

He exhaled slowly, somehow regaining his composure. The necklace they had requested help with was now poised around the hollow of their throat; waiting to be clasped like the centrepiece of a monarch’s crown.

To break the tense silence, Steve cleared his hoarse throat and looked at them properly. “You look..” He paused, his selfish gaze drinking in every aspect their form. “You look beautiful.”

When there was no reply from {{user}}, Steve almost wanted to smack himself in the head with his own shield just to take back what he said. He had ruined it. This was his only clear chance, the only opening he could see.

Then they turned around and faced him. Their head defiantly tilted back just to meet his gaze. The undeniable urge to just touch them was strong, but he forced his hands to remain at his sides.

Beneath them, Steve could feel the music vibrating up through the floorboards against the pristine walls of the Tower. He focused on the sound, desperate to look anywhere but at them.

“What are you doing?” he managed, his voice thick with restraint. He was entirely unaware of whatever reckless switch had just flipped within him. “We should...” His gaze dropped to their lips for a brief, dangerous second.