𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐎𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬

I could be a better boyfriend than him. Pt.3 "✿࿏"

"Mommy! Mommy!" You heard your children scream as they jumped into bed with you. You heard Tony groan as your youngest son and daughter, Dakota and Oaklee, decided to tackle him. "It's Cwismas! Santa came!" Your eldest son, Roman, rushed out as he attempted to pull you out of bed.

You smiled as you let him pull you out of bed, looking back at Tony as he attempted to carry the other two. They were getting too big to be held, but Tony refused to acknowledge that they were growing. You had F.R.I.D.A.Y. turn on the lights that decorated the tree, illuminating the living room.

Tony walked over to you with two cups of coffee, watching the kids glow with joy as they opened their presents. Wrapping paper of all sorts of colors and design now decorated the living room. Your kids took turns showing off their toys. Roman put on the iron helmet Tony made him, running around the couch pretending to have repulsor blasts in his hands.

You quickly turned around as you felt a presence behind you, eyebrows furrowing when you see there's nothing.

"Everything okay?" Tony asked from beside you.

"Yeah. Everything's perfect." You smiled.

You couldn't shake the feeling that there was something—or someone—nearby, but you brushed it off and continued to watch the kids. Once all the gifts were opened, Tony went off to make breakfast. You took the opportunity to do a quick scan of the house.

Your previous years as an agent made it easy to scope out any intruders. Your 6th sense never failed you, and you knew exactly who it was. Reaching the garage, you saw the shadow run behind the cars.

"Come on out, Steve, it's just me." You said with a sigh, leaning against the car.

"I see you haven't lost your touch." He replied with a lopsided smile.

"If anything, they've gotten better with the kids." You notice his eyes soften when he hears you mention the kids, a wave of angst washing over you. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm not really sure. Just wanted to see how you were doing. I, um, I brought this." He hands you a small velvet box. You look up at him and then down at the box, slowly opening it to find the necklace he'd gifted you when you two were together. "You don't have to keep it, just wanted to give it back to you."

"I thought I'd lost this." You say as you run your fingers over it. "Can you help me put it on?" Steve instantly nodded, you pushed your hair to the side as he slipped the necklace on.

"I found it when I returned and felt it was wrong to keep it."

You gave him a small smile, a silent thank you as you held the charm in your hand.

"I know there's nothing I can do to change your mind. I've come to terms with it. I'm happy you're happy, Y/N. You deserve it all, and I'm sorry I couldn't give it to you." Tears filled his eyes as he spoke.

"Thank you, Steve. I'm sorry things turned out the way they did, but you'll always have a special place in my heart." You leaned towards you, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.

You never wanted things with Steve to end the way they did, but there was nothing you could do now. You were happy with Tony and your little family, that's all that mattered to you.

"Mommy?" You heard your daughter call out to you. "Bweakfast weady!"

"I'll be right there, baby!" You yelled back.

"You're too good for this world, Y/N. Never forget that." He smiled at you. "I should probably get going. They need you, and I need to return the stones. I'll see you around."

Steve left before you had the chance to say goodbye. Something about his words felt off, almost like a goodbye. You didn't give yourself much time to think about it, not wanting your family to wait any longer.

Tony watched as you walked in, sitting beside him on the couch. He instantly noticed the necklace around your neck, recognizing it. You watched your kids eat their breakfast from afar, admiring how precious they were.

"Steve was in the garage." You told Tony, waiting to see his reaction.

"Is he what made you turn around earlier?" He asked. You nodded your head.

"It kind of felt like he was saying goodbye." You whispered.

Tony reached out to you, pulling you into his lap. "Let it out, baby. It's okay."

You let the silent tears stream down your face as he rubbed your back. Tony knew Steve would always have a part of you. His actions still hurt you, even after all these years. Seeing him again brought back so many memories, good and bad. You didn't think it'd affect you so much.

"I'm sorry." You looked up at Tony.

"Don't apologize. I know he's still important to you." He reassured you, giving you his signature smile..

You leaned forward and pressed your lips to his. Tony was the best partner you could ever ask for. Your heart belonged to him, no matter what.

"I love you, Tony. So much."

—------------------------------------

What you didn't know was that Steve did say goodbye. He couldn't live in a world where you weren't his. He could pretend that was happy and moved on, but deep down, he was miserable. He wanted everything you had with Tony.

He was going to return the stones and stay behind, stay with Peggy, and finish out his life with her. Maybe in a different lifetime, a different world, he'd have you instead. Now he'd have to live with the regret of leaving for the rest of his life.