The Truth About Love

twenty-one

When you woke up, you looked around your room. Though, you realized it really wasn't your room. It looked similar to your room, it had your items in it, but there was something different about it. You pushed yourself up to lean against your headboard, groaning as pain shot through you. As if he was standing outside the door waiting for a sound from you, Steve burst through the room.

"Are you alright?" He asked, coming to your side. His hands hovering over you, not willing to touch you yet in fear of hurting you.

"Where—" You paused, clearing your dry throat. "Where am I?"

Steve sighed, "I knew it wouldn't take you long to figure it out, despite Natasha trying to make it look exactly alike. Bucky and you switched apartments."

"Steve, that's—"

"I know, I know. You hate when I make decisions for you, but it's easier this way. It doesn't have to be permanent, just until you're healed. We'll move you back as soon as you can take care of yourself completely." Steve sighed. "I just want to take care of you, please allow me to do this."

"Steve... I... This is a lot..."

"I know. I can get everyone back here to help move you back, if that's what you really want."

You were silent for a moment, thinking over everything. "There needs to be boundaries, if— if this is all going to work."

Steve perked up. "Of course."

"Like, I can shower myself."

"You will put a robe on and I'll help you get settled on the shower chair with your cast covered."

"Fine, but you're staying out of the bathroom, waiting. Same when I need to use the bathroom."

"I'll be outside the door in case you need me."

"Wow, you really have thought this all through."

"I will only do those things until we're sure you no longer need my help."

You nodded, trying to see if you were forgetting anything. "Oh, no! My classes!"

"Already taken care of. You're allowed to finish the semester online."

You gave Steve a light smile as you took one of his hands. "Why are you so ahead of me?"

"Well, you've needed time to rest and I'm not going to take that away from you." He moved his hand so that he was better holding yours. He brought it up to his lips for a light kiss to your knuckles. "I love you."

You don't know if you'd ever get used to Steve telling you how much he cared. "I love you too."

~~~

Though you knew that Steve was just trying to take care of you, after day three, you really needed a few seconds alone. Like, actually alone, where he's not waiting on the other side of the door or around a corner for you. Yes, moving around was hard with your leg in a cast, but it wasn't impossible. You used crutches when you were feeling mostly good, but that had only been a few times. Most of the time, you were using the wheels of your wheelchair to get around yourself or Steve would push you.

Currently you were laying in your bed while Steve was doing something in the kitchen. After a few moments of mentally debating with yourself, you decided to use your crutches to go to the bathroom. You pushed yourself to the end of the bed and grabbed the crutches. Using the crutches for leverage, you stood up on your one okay leg. You were a bit wobbly but you continued on to the bathroom in the hallway. As you entered, one of your crutches slipped. You had no ability to balance yourself in your current state so you went falling onto the floor.

"Y/N?" Steve called as he rushed to the hallway. "Y/N!" His voice got louder and more concerned once he saw you. "Why didn't you call for me?"

You whimpered, a few tears slipping out of your eyes. "I wanted to do something myself."

"I'm going to lift you up and take you to the bed."

"No. I'm sick of the bed. Please not the bed."

"Alright. How does the couch sound?"

You nodded. "Great."

Steve picked you up and carried you to the couch. He ran back to the room and grabbed some blankets and pillows. Bringing them over, Steve helped you get situated.

"Steve?"

"Yes?"

"I still need to use the bathroom."

He chuckled. "Do you want help?"

"Please."

"As you wish, milady."

~~~

After taking a small nap on the couch and having dinner, you and Steve decided to watch a movie. You were cuddled up to Steve the best that you could be, focused on the movie. Meanwhile, Steve's mind was elsewhere. The movie was almost over when you finally took notice.

"Steve?" You called.

"Mhm?" He hummed, looking over at you.

"Are you alright?"

"Of course."

"Have you paid attention to the movie at all?" Steve sighed. "What's going on? Talk to me."

"You left."

"What?"

"The Gala, you left and I don't exactly know why. I mean, I can assume but it's not the truth... it's not from you."

You nodded along. "I was upset watching you with Peggy. I was jealous and insecure... Guess I still am... Tony wasn't helping."

"He never does."

"Who is Peggy? Who was—is she to you?"

Steve sighed. "I met Peggy in London, when I was traveling the world after graduation. London was my first stop. I met her at an art exhibit. We continually met up after that, the relationship growing though we were never official. We kept in touch after I left to my other destinations. I ended up in London again and we met up. I extended my stay there because she asked me too. It went fine at first but then her career became more of her focus. She found out my relationship to Stark Industries and began bugging me for a job there. I told her that I would think about it and left for the next leg. Our relationship ended no long later. It was her idea but it didn't end badly."

"Did you... Did you love her?"

"No. At the time I maybe thought I did, but it was just a fantasy." You nodded, taking a moment to let everything sink in. "Peggy cares more about her career. I've tried to leave that life behind. It's not for me. I need a balanced life."

"I get it... Thank you for telling me about her."

"I'm sorry that I didn't sooner. You deserved to know."

"Can we promise each other something?"

"Anything."

"We need to communicate more—communicate better. The both of us. Before we make decisions that could affect the other or when we have concerns and fears. Or even when we feel successful. We need to promise each other that we will work on that."

"I can promise that." He leaned in and kissed you softly. "I promise to communicate better."

"I promise to communicate better as well. I love you."

Steve smiled before kissing you again. "I love you more. Now, should we pick a different movie or go to bed?"

"Different movie. I don't want to move from this spot anytime soon."

"Alright. What about the cartoon The Little Mermaid? It's like the best Disney princess movie ever."

You laughed. "Whatever you want, Steve, just don't make me laugh too much at your singing. I'm still not healed completely."

"Can do."