America's Sweetheart (Steve Rogers) - 1

17

"So what's the deal with you and Carter?" Bucky waited until later that evening when he and Steve were drinking in his cabin. They'd decided against going out that evening in favour of just sitting drinking some contraband alcohol that Dugan had retrieved from the recent facility raid.

Steve said nothing for a moment, wondering whether to tell his best friend about everything. Perhaps he'd spare some of the details and just keep it as breif as possible "Not much..." 

Yep. That was brief enough. 

Bucky snorted, knowing that there was more to it than just a simple. 'Not much'.  "Yeah right, I've seen the way you look at her."

"It's...complicated."

"How?"

"Well for a start we're in the middle of a war." Steve poured himself another glass. "In case you forgot."

Bucky frowned. "So?" And saw his friend's conflicted look. "She's certainly one of a kind..."

Steve nodded. "She certainly is."

"Do you love her?" There it was. The question. Steve didn't reply to which Bucky now threw him a look "Wait...have you even told her?"

"Getting there..."

"Steve!"

"What? I've had a lot in my diary recently."

"You don't even own a diary." Bucky retorted, "How the hell haven't you told that girl that you love her yet? How long has this even been going on?"

Steve sighed. "Because I don't know how to tell her, ok? She knows but...I just haven't actually said it." He didn't wanna screw up what they had. 

"Has she?"

"No."

Bucky put his head in his hands. "Oh my god, you still suck so much when it comes to girls." He half wailed. "Have I taught you nothing? Did you not even take notice of a single word of advice that I gave you before I left?"

"Not really." Steve shrugged.

"I told you not to do anything stupid – you went and joined the army through some science experiment. I suppose I should've prepared myself for that one. The army part not the science bit." At least he didn't have to step in when people were trying to beat him up anymore. Steve was now more than capable of handling that himself. 

Steve shook his head. "Buck...look, I'll tell her, I just haven't found the right moment. Most of the time I'm either planning out missions, in meetings or destroying Hydra facilities."

"Don't forget the part about trying not to get killed in general." Bucky added and then filed his glass. "Whatever you and Mo do is your own business, not mine or anyone else's, but you've gotta tell her those three words. If you don't then you're gonna regret it."

They were three words, but ones that would confirm to her his feelings out loud.

"Coming from a man who was on a date with a different girl every week, sometimes two."

"The most was three actually, two in one night – still an impressive record for me." Bucky nodded in approval at his own actions. "That your plan though? After the war just settle down with her?"

He shrugged. "If she wants to."

Bucky frowned. What kind of woman didn't wanna settle down with a guy like Steve? "What do you mean?"

"I'm still not sure whether she wants the whole marriage and family thing. When we first met she hadn't wanted it – she was more focused on her job."

"Has she said anything else about it?"

Steve shook his head. "Not really, but it's not something we really speak about. I don't know whether I can change her outlook on it or if I have?"

"So ask her? What have you got to lose?"

"Her."

Another snort escaped from Bucky's lips. "Carter's not stupid, if we sent her into the next Hydra facility alone she'd probably end up doing more damage than all of us put together. She's a girl who knows what she wants, and I bet you any money after this is all over with, she'll wanna stay here, settle down and have loads of scrawny kids with you." He grinned as Steve chuckled at that.

Was he getting too ahead of himself in thinking about the perfect life. And with her?

"As long as they're not suffering with half as I was before the serum."

Giving his friend a clap on the back, Bucky finished the rest of the bottle. "I wouldn't sweat about it pal; you'll get your happy ending. I know it."