𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

𝟑) 𝐈'𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲 | 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐦

The war had been happening for a while now, and Bucky had been enlisted into the army. It was hard having to see him go as he meant so much to not only me, but Steve as well. We both wished him well as he left, both of us silently praying that he would come back in one piece.

Steve was still having no luck with enlisting. Each place he went, he was declined because of his small figure and his long line of illnesses. It wasn't easy for him as all he wanted to do was protect his country, and he hated the fact that he couldn't. I offered him comfort when he needed it, knowing how upset and disappointed it made him feel.

Each time his eyes screamed jealously and disappointment, and every time he'd come back from a fight, all bloody and bruised, my heart would break. I hated seeing him injured, and I just wanted to protect him and keep him safe with everything I had.

...

I was in the middle of helping Steve clean himself up after I found him in yet another fight. I had bought him back to his apartment and had ordered him to sit and wait as I grabbed the first aid kit from the cupboard. Bucky had made sure there was plenty of stuff in case Steve got into another fight while he was gone. I opened it up, pulling what I needed and headed to the sink, running a fresh rag under it before squeezing the majority of the water out.

"Again, Steve?" I ask worried and slightly disappointed as I walked over to him. I placed one hand on his cheek, cupping it, and used the damp rag to gently clean the blood off of his busted lip. He winced slightly, to which I mumble an apology, sighing softly.

"I'm worried for you, Steve. Now that Bucky isn't here to help. I'm scared you're gonna get into trouble" I sigh, opening a bottle of ointment. "You can't keep doing this, you know. Running into fights" I breathe a shaky breath, using my thumb to rub some onto his lip.

He sighs softly. "I'm sorry" he mumbles, his voice quiet, and his eyes showing he was buried in guilt.

"I don't wanna lose you" I whisper. Steve listens to what I say, paying close attention.

He rests one hand on my arm. "I can look after myself" he said. "You won't lose me" I want to believe him, I really do. But seeing what happens when someone isn't there to look after him proves my point.

I nod, moving to the graze he had on his forehead. "I know you can, Stevie. It's just-" I start having to hold tears back. I sniff before clearing my throat. "You mean so much to me, Steve. So much" I say, gently dabbing the rag over the cut. He gave me a soft look, a loving expression on his face.

"And you mean so much to me, (Y/N)" he whispered. I look at him, smiling softly, before putting the rag down on the table and cupping his other cheek.

I pull him into a soft, delicate kiss, one of my hands going to the back of his head, playing with his hair as well as guiding him. I feel him kiss me back just as softly, no passion, just love and kindness, and I smile into it.

I brake the kiss, resting my head against his. I look at him softly, and a blush creeps into his cheeks, and then to the tip of his ears. He returns the smile, his blue eyes watching my every move. I chuckled softly, smirking softly as I caressed his cheek. He smiles, and I can't help but pull him into another soft kiss. Once again, it wasn't a passionate one. Just a gentle, loving kiss.

After I brake the kiss, I pull him into a warm embrace, nuzzling my head into his hair, giggling softly at the feeling of his hair tickling my face.

"Thank you, Stevie. For everything" I whisper, closing my eyes for a moment and just enjoying this moment. He just nods as a reply, returning the hug by wrapping his arms around me and leaning his head on my shoulder.

I sigh softly, running a hand up and down his back, to which I feel his body shiver slightly. I smile as he relaxes into me, fully succumbing to the feeling. I place a soft kiss on his head, wanting him to feel safe and protected.

"I'll keep you safe" I whisper to him as I continue rubbing his back.

Steve's pov

"I'll keep you safe" she whispered to me, and I felt my heart flutter. I was fully into her embrace, loving every moment of it.

She pulled me closer, and I hugged her tighter, not wanting this moment to end. I sighed when she pulled away, her perfect eyes looking into mine. She looked down at me as she was a couple inches taller than me.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'll make us some tea" she said to me. I nodded, not wanting to say anything to ruin the moment. I could still feel the warmth on my cheeks as she walked into the kitchen.

I watched as she made the tea, glancing over at me every now and again, making my cheeks flush even more. I wanted to tell her how I felt about her. I really did. Bucky used to tell me that I should, but I would always back out. I was too scared that she would say no.

As she handed me the tea, the warmth heating up my hands, I smiled at her. I needed to tell her how I felt.

"I have to tell you something" I tell her after we both sat down on the couch. She looks at me, and I feel everything panic. I bite my lip before taking a deep breath.

"I love you, (Y/N)" I blurt out quickly, my eyes widening when it finally hits what I had told her.

Y/N's pov

I freeze. Did I just hear that right? Did he just stay he loved me? I look over to him, his face showing almost as much shock as me.

"You love me?" I asked breathless, my heart beating a hundred miles an hour. He nods slowly before leaning closer to me.

"I have for a while now" he said nervously.

I smile softly at him before pulling him into another soft kiss, my lips pressing against his. It took him a moment to relax before he kissed me back. One of his hands caressed my cheek as I moved one of my hands to the back of his head.

I break the kiss, keeping my face close to his.

"I love you too"