The Truth About Love

twenty-three

 As you continued to heal, a nagging thought kept finding its way to the forefront of your thoughts. Where was the hospital bill? You decided that maybe it took a few months to receive. By the time you had the cast-off and had started physical therapy, the question was nagging you more.

"Okay, that's it for today," your physical therapist said at the end of your first session. "Just remember to do the exercises at home and I'll see you in a few days."

"Thanks," you said, heading over to the reception desk. "Hi, I need to schedule my next appointment as well as pay today's fees."

"What's your name?" The receptionist asked.

"Y/N L/N."

The receptionist hummed as they typed away. "Let's see here. They want you back in three days. Does 1 pm work in three days?"

"It works great."

"And it says here that all of your bills have been covered."

"Uh, what?"

"Yes, someone has already paid your needed bills."

Your heart stopped for a moment. Though you had been getting used to Steve's money, he had promised not to spend large amounts on you without talking to you first. On the way home, your frustration only built towards Steve. How could he have done this? Again. You called the hospital on your way, only to find out your bills had been paid. When you got to the apartment, you stood outside the door for a long while. You knew you shouldn't go in very hotheaded, but you couldn't stop yourself.

"Hey!" Steve greeted from the kitchen. "I'm making dinner. I thought you would want something to eat after physical therapy."

"Thanks," you muttered.

Steve immediately stopped what he was doing, sensing that something was wrong. "What's going on?"

"I thought we were done having this fight..."

"What fight?"

"The spending money on me fight. The paying my bills when I am perfectly capable of doing it fight."

"I don't know what you're talking about—"

"My hospital bills. My physical therapy bills. All paid for. I don't understand why you couldn't have just talked to me about this before you went ahead and made decisions for me."

"Y/N, I don't have the faintest idea of what you're talking about."

You scoffed. "Don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying. I did not pay your bills."

"How am I supposed to believe you when you've continually thrown money at my problems without speaking to me first?"

"You're tired, you're hungry. Why don't we table this conversation—"

"No! Steve, just tell me the truth!"

"I am telling you the truth!"

"I don't believe you!" Tension grew as silence fell between the two of you. "I need to go."

"Go?"

"I need a moment to myself... maybe the night."

"Y/N," he reached for your arm, but you pulled away. "You can't be serious."

"I'll call you later." You left. Slipping out the door and across the hall to your old place.

~~~

After telling Natasha about what had happened, she let you stay in the old apartment while she went to work. You had fallen asleep on the couch before Bucky arrived. He sighed upon seeing you, Steve having already told him about what happened. You woke up as he came around, sitting on the other end of the couch.