Chapter Text
You had not been expecting this. It was supposed to be an easy mission. Nat was watching from above and Steve was covering you. But the sudden rush of Hydra agents told you they had been expecting you. You grimaced as you ducked, just as gunfire ricocheted off the wall where you had been standing moments before.
“We’ve been compromised. Everyone head back to the roof. Pickup in five.” Natasha’s voice rang through the coms.
You looked around for an exit, and noticed that Steve still hadn’t responded.
“Cap?” You called.
There was silence.
“Steve!”
“Just go, I’ll be behind you,” came his muffled voice into your earpiece, interrupted by the sound of fighting.
You pulled the pin on a grenade and rolled it in the opposite direction as you ducked out of the room and made your way up the stairs. You were almost at the roof, but Steve wasn’t. Sighing, you turned back.
You followed the sound of bullets, finding him behind his shield, being shot at by three agents from above. No one had noticed you yet, and he was stuck. Pulling your gun out, you took a deep breath as you blew your cover. Two of them fell down, the third ducking out of the way just in time and firing back at you. You ducked and hissed when you felt a bullet graze the side of your arm.
The last surviving agent threw a grenade in your direction as you were recovering, but before you could react Steve jumped in, knocking it back with his shield and shielding you from impact.
“That was pretty stupid of you,” He scowled, brows furrowed at you as he patched you up when you were back in the helicopter.
“And you’re welcome,” you shrugged, grimacing at the movement when you realized how sore you actually were.
“Hold still,” Steve scolded.
Steve’s eyes flitted to you, the disappointment replaced by concern.
“But yes, I do owe you a thanks, for getting me out of there,” he sighed. “Although I maintain it was pretty stupid of you. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
For a moment you were distracted by how close he was as he continued wrapping the bandages around your arm. You could feel his breath on your neck, and his scent overwhelmed you. Your heart beat faster, and you grew nervous. His eyes twinkled as he saw his effect on you, and the corner of his mouth curved upward in a small smile.
“I know you’d do the same for me.” You said quickly, turning away before he could see you blush.
You didn’t know how it happened, but sometime between meeting him and maybe the hundredth time you fell asleep curled up next to him talking, you fell in love. With Steve Rogers. And it definitely showed.
Tony teased you, and Nat was sympathetic, but would still throw knowing smiles at you whenever you were alone with him. And even though you knew he cared about you, and liked you - as a friend if nothing more- you didn’t know how he felt.
“Just tell him,” Tony had suggested, after listening to you whine and complain about your frustrations.
“Hey Steve, can we talk?” You asked, one night when the two of you were alone. He shifted on the couch to make room for you. You didn’t sit as close as you normally did, and your tense posture didn’t go unnoticed.
“What’s up?” He asked, worry crossing his face at your apprehension.
“I-think-I-love-you,” you blurted, relived that you finally got the words out. You stood with baited breath, and saw the conflict in his eyes.
“I know,” he said, after what seemed like an eternity.
“You know?!” You shoved his chest playfully, but he didn’t laugh.
“I think I’ve known for awhile…”
“Oh.” You frowned. This wasn’t going how you thought it would, and you weren’t sure what he was trying to say. “Wait… what does that mean?” You asked.
God, this was embarrassing.
“I-I… think I like you too.” Steve didn’t sound overly enthusiastic when he spoke, though.
“You… think you like me.” You repeated, emphasizing the two key words. You stayed silent, heart sinking as you tried to comprehend what he was saying.
“God, Nat is going to kill me.” He shook his head. “She warned me not to lead you on.”
“But you… like… me.” You said, a little hopeful, searching his eyes earnestly.
He nodded. “I do. I’m not going to deny that.”
“But not love,” You exhaled, expression pained.
“I don’t think love is in the cards for me. At least, not right now. I still have a lot to figure out… and it wouldn’t be fair to you if I asked you to wait while I did that. I’m not ready for a relationship. I don’t know when I will be. Sorry.”
“Ouch,” you breathed. He reached for your hand and you let him take it. “I won’t say that doesn’t hurt, but I think I understand.”
You swallowed, and forced a smile back on your face. “Thanks for being honest, Steve.”
You could see the guilt in his eyes, and the torn look on his face, so you decided to put his mind to ease.
“I’ll be honest too- I think it’ll take some time. But I’ll be fine.”
To his relief - and yours- you were right. It was awkward for a few months after, but you eventually got over it. You fell back into your easy routine with him. The two of you meshed together seamlessly, and that hadn’t changed- whether it was on the field or as friends.
You understood each other, and still confided in each other. You dated other people, and he was as supportive and kind as he had always been through all the highs and lows.
Over your years with the Avengers, you felt yourself changing. Tony taught you confidence. He showed you how to trust your judgment, and made it clear that even if you made mistakes, he would still have your back. Natasha taught you how to fight- and how to use what you were born with to your advantage. Steve… he taught you to hold on to your kindness. For someone so powerful, with so much strength, who had endured so much- he was still soft. Still always willing to lay his life on the line, to make sacrifices for others and unwilling to budge when it came to his values.
Neither of you had expected that he would change your life most with one line:
“This is my best friend- Bucky.”