The Animal Lover ~ Steve Rogers

Chapter 12

"Bucky!" Steve yelled as he saw Bucky hanging on the broken handles. "Hang on!" Steve climbed out as and held his hand our for Bucky.

"Grab my hand." But before Steve could grab Bucky's hand, he watched his best friend fall down.

"No!"

Steve jolted awake from his nightmare. "Baby?" He heard your voice and looked to his right. "You okay?" You asked, your voice full of concern.

"Yeah." Steve said. "Just had a nightmare." He said.

"You want to talk about it?" You said.

Steve nodded, "It was about Bucky. When he fell of the train." He said. "I could see the fear in his eyes. He was so scared. That guy always saved me from trouble and I failed him when he needed me."

"Steve...." You trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"It's fine, love." Steve said, "I know Bucky wouldn't want me to mope over him like this. Can you just hold me?"

You gave him a small smile and opened your arms for him. "You don't have to ask, Steve." Steve immediately cuddled on your chest and closed his eyes in relief when he felt your warmth.

"Do you miss him a lot?" You asked Steve as you ran your fingers through his hair.

"A lot." Steve said, "He was all I had after I lost my ma."

"Can you tell me about him?" You said. "I understand if you don't want to."

"No." Steve shook his head and turned to look at you. "We met in kindergarten. I was being bullied by some kids and he just scared them off, even though he didn't know me. Since then we were inseparable. He used to help my Ma to take care of me when I was sick. Bucky was like a protective friend and everyone should have a friend like him in their lives. He was always there for me. That's why I feel bad for not being able to save him."

"He sounds lovely." You said.

"Yeah." Steve said and chuckled, "Everybody loved him. Especially the ladies. Buck tried to take me on double dates just he could drag my ass out of my apartment. But in the end the girl that was my date just ended up going home with Bucky."

"Wait, so you are saying you didn't have any girlfriends back then?" You asked.

"No." Steve said. "Why would anyone date a weak and small guy?"

"I find that impossible to believe, Steve." You said.

Steve scoffed and shifted on his elbows, "You wouldn't have dated me if you saw how I was back then, Y/N."

It was your turn to scoff now, "You really think I am with you just because of your muscles and your status?"

"Why else would you be?" Steve said, "Yes, I know you love me but if you had met that scrawny guy I was before you wouldn't have even looked at me." You gulped down your emotions and pushed Steve away from you and made your way to the door. "Where are you going, love?" Steve asked as he sat up on the mattress. But you didn't answer him and left the bedroom. "Sweetheart?" Steve stood up and followed you out to the kitchen. "What's wrong?"

You turned around with a angry and confused look, "Seriously Steve? What's wrong?!"

"What?" Steve really couldn't understand the problem.

"You really believe that I am with you because you are the Captain America?" You said. "You think I'm with you because you are famous? Is that what you think about me?"

"No. You've got it all wrong." Steve said, "I know you are not like that. But why else would you date me?"

"I'm with you because I love you, Steve. I love you because you're a good guy. You're honest with me, you've always treated me with respect, you are everything a girl wants!" You yelled out. "I fell in love with the man, not the title."

Steve stayed silent as he understood his mistake. "I-I'm sorry, honey."

"How could you think like that, Steve?" You said, tears now flowing down your face. "I know nobody gave you a second glance back then but if I'd have met you I would've given you a fucking chance. I don't give a shit if you are small or weak or a nobody."

Steve said nothing as he looked down at his feet. You were right, he shouldn't have thought about what he said. Back in his time all women wanted was a big, tall and successful man. It made him very insecure and doubt himself. But that didn't mean you were like that too. Now you were mad at him. "I am sorry, Y/N."

You sighed and rubbed your hands on your face before looking back at Steve, "I am gonna go. I need some time."

"No, sweetheart. Please just stay. We can work this out." Steve said walking closer to you.

"I'm not in the mindset to work it out right now, Steve. I will be back in some time." You said, walking past him and grabbed your jacket and keys before leaving the apartment.

"Damnit." Steve smacked himself on the head and sat on the couch in the living room. He just had to mess up. He had something good in his life for once and he messed it up. You were going to leave him. And he'd be all alone again.

Steve looked to his left when he felt some movement next to him, Mazie came up on the couch and settled on his lap, "Hi girl." Steve scratched her head, "I made a big mistake today, Maze. Said some things I shouldn't have. Y/N's really hurt because of me." Steve smiled as he heard Mazie meowing to him in response. "I'm gonna do my best to apologize when she comes back home."

Just then his phone rang. It was Tony. "Hello?"

"Hey, Capsicle. I need you to come to the tower. Right now." Tony said.

"I can't, Stark." Steve said. He had to stay home and deal with his mistakes.

"Why? Is everything okay?" Tony asked.

"Yeah. It's alright. Everything's okay." Steve said. "Why do you need me anyway?"

"There's something you need to see." Tony said, "I've called everyone. They're on there way. Except for Thor."

Steve sighed, "Is it important?"

"Yes. I wouldn't have called the whole team if it wasn't." Tony said.

"Okay. I'll be there." Steve said, getting up from the couch after picking up Mazie from his lap and setting her on her small bed, only for her to go and cuddle with Cooper on his bed.

"Sure." Tony said and hung up.

Getting ready, Steve made his way to the kitchen where you had small post it notes. He quickly wrote a message for you to see and stuck it to the refrigerator.

Going back to the living room, he checked on the gang and left the house, praying he would be back before came.