Chapter Text
Captain sat on the bed and put whatever was left of his things into the small cabinet of the night stand. The sky outside wasn't it's classic orange tint anymore, rather a navy blue one. It was cold, though it was the type that's comforting, just the perfect temperature to sleep in. He opened the window slightly to let the air in and sat down to observe Steve's room. It rather smaller but really wasn't much different from the other barracks. A nightstand beside the bunk bed, in which the top bunk's mattress is missing, so are it's other pieces of wood. It looked destroyed, not preferable to sleep in. Then a cabinet across the bed and a full-length mirror beside it. Doesn't it get a little lonely here? He's been sleeping here, alone, for years now. Steve wouldn't have been alone if Bill didn't die so early.
The door then opened and revealed the pretty-boy-looking Steve. He was out asking the other soldiers if they had any spare sleeping bags (that one of them could sleep on) but unfortunately, they either lost theirs or just couldn't find it at the moment. The man sitting turned his head to meet his eyes, still tired from having to deal with all this.
"Oh heya Steve! Thanks again for letting me in. I would've been sleeping outside if it weren't for you!" His mouth formed a smile and his hand waved in a welcoming manner.
"Anytime Cap!" He smiled back, still standing in the door frame.
"Erm... about sleeping.." Looking of to the side, putting his hand on the back of his head and scratching it a bit. "I didn't find anyone who had a sleeping bag. Those bastards didn't take care of them properly and they either lost theirs or it wasn't in a good shape." He frowned, Captain only replied with a 'hmm' and placed his hand on his chin.
Finally breaking the silence, Steve suggested that he could sleep in the other barracks instead, while Captain stays on this (more private) room. Which does make sense, he is the sergeant after all. It would be fitting to have the room for himself while Steve hopefully finds an unoccupied bed in the other barracks. But for some reason, Captain won't follow through with the boy's suggestion.
"You don't have to, private. That's unnecessary. Look, the bed is big enough for the two of us!" Signaling towards the bed. Right. It's unnecessary. That's the reason Captain wanted to believe. Deep down, he knew the reasons like the back of his hand. He knows that he feels something towards Ste-
That's an unusual suggestion, kind of sus, Steve supposed. "Dunno Cap, that sounds kinda gay" He protests, chuckling and raising an eyebrow at the very slightly flushed man.
"Just don't make eye contact, soldier." Captain joked back. "Plus we have a mission tomorrow morning, we gotta get rest ASAP". He hopes that he didn't seem suspicious at all. Well, he could've been but his reasoning might have saved him. Safe to say it did.
"Alright alright you're the sergeant here. Just don't do anything weird, okay?" Steve chuckled again.
"Oh Stevie, I may never get this chance again you know! Gotta make the most out of it" He jokingly winked, earning a laugh from the two, whilst making the bed he--- they were going to sleep on.
After the long silence between them, not hearing anything but the sounds of armor being taken off, they finally decided to lay in bed. Steve laid to the side that was close to the edge while Captain was at the other. Time went by agonizingly slow, both turned away from each other, both avoiding eye contact, and both knowing none of them is asleep. Jesus, this is really awkward. Captain was starting to regret his choices, but there's no going back now. The thought echoing in his head, he may never get a chance like this again because of many possibilities that may happen. He has to make his move, no matter how awkward it might be after or during all this, he doesn't mind it. Now or never, John. Here goes nothing.
Captain forcefully closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh. His whole body shuffled to turn to Steve's slender back, he must admit, it's one gorgeous back he has. Heart beating faster every second that passes, he snapped out of his thoughts, he slowly placed his hand over the twink's man's waist.
He could hear his own heartbeat thump in and out of his chest, he wanted to squeal like a little girl excited for ice cream. His smile reaching from ear to ear. This all made Captain want to explode. Steve was quick to notice this, of course. He never would've expected Captain to do such a thing. He stared at the mirror with wide eyes, searching for the arm that had him melting like a popsicle. Yep, it was Captain's. He wanted to return the same energy, a way to show assurance to the other. So he placed his arm over Captain's and held his hand. He held it tight but not too tight, just right.
Captain felt safe under Steve's arm. He thought this was gonna make things awkward but he sure was wrong. Never have he had something like this in a while, especially during all this fighting in war. This is what he needed. He hugged Steve closer, not wanting to let go. He could feel his warmth that was all so comforting. How he wishes they could stay like this forever, where he doesn't have to worry about charging enemies and possibly dying in the process. Where it's just him and Steve, sleeping away in life.
Steve turned around to face Captain, trying his best to keep everything in place. He placed the smaller man's head in his chest, making them both comfortable enough to finally sleep. It was already late at night and they were both exhausted.
"Good night, John."
It had been a year or so since then, regrets still coming back to hunt Captain. How he wishes every night that he could go back to save his right-hand man, or how he wishes that they didn't go to that mission. But it was too late, they can't go back now. All he can do is accept his death and move on. Obviously, Captain wasn't going to. Why would he forget him? He still sleeps in the billet they once cuddled in, despite his office looking good as new, hoping that it was all a bad dream and that Steve would be there when he wakes up.
"Night, Steve."
He drifted off to sleep.