Sophia Strange: The Newest Avenger (Steve Rogers x OC)

12 - Reconciliation, Part 1

Sam Wilson opened his door, not surprised by the hunched over man standing at his doorway. Bucky was already sitting on his couch. He turned, leaving the door open behind him sure enough the man took it as a sign he was being allowed entry and limped in.

"Sam, I–I'm so so sorry," Steve said as he shuffled his way in.

"Yeah, I should think so." Sam said with a sigh as he sat at the other end of the couch from Bucky and picked up his glass of whiskey.

"I'm an idiot." Steve continued as he moved to stand uncomfortably in front of the men.

"Yeah, that too." Sam continued before taking a sip. Bucky remained quiet, watching his friend carefully. He'd seen Steve do some stupid things, but this one might have topped them all.

"I... I shouldn't have done what I did.... I didn't mean what I said," Steve whispered hoarsely.

"I didn't really think you did," Sam said, matter-of-factly.

"You didn't?" Steve asked, confused.

"We've got enough history, Steve. I know you man. I also know... love makes people do crazy things," Sam said as he waved his glass around a little.

"Love?" Steve questioned.

Bucky groaned and rolled his eyes, burying his face in his hand. "You are so slow, punk."

Sam sighed. "Yes, Steve.... Love... keep up, buddy. Repeat after me.... You... love... Sophia..." Sam spoke slowly.

Steve frowned, his eyes darting back and forth as he considered what two of his closest friends were saying to him.

"Steve, please tell me you aren't this dense, buddy. Everyone else knows you care about her," Bucky said. "Surely even this idiotic display shows that."

"Well, yeah I care about her, but love..." Steve said as he plopped into a chair across from Sam and Bucky, blowing out a breath.

"Whatever you wanna call it Steve... it's about time you admit it and do something about it. And you need to hear what Bucky was just telling me." Sam said, leaning forward.

Bucky sat up more to fully join in the conversation. "Yeah, buddy, um... let's just say you picked a heck of a time to go all primal if you want her to be your girl."

Steve frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Right before Sophia started her training session with Sam, she had just told me about an ex-boyfriend of hers..."

"Really? Sophia's never talked about any exes before," Steve commented.

"Yeah, well, you know she's just starting to open up about some stuff, and that's why it was pretty surprising," Sam said.

Bucky nodded. "And this particular one, Steve... used to get real jealous of her guy friends. Especially if they touched her or anything."

Steve groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Oh god, I am an idiot."

"What got into you Steve? You know I don't think of Sophia like that. I mean, she's gorgeous but seriously, she's as much like my sister as Sarah is," Sam said as he looked at his friend with serious concern.

Steve sighed. "I know that, really I do. I think... I've been so annoyed at myself today... in my head thinking about her... I should have made a move sooner. Asked her out."

"How you gonna recover from this man? She seemed pretty ticked. You're a super soldier and she slammed you against that wall like you were a rag doll. That was pretty impressive, you gotta admit."