A Love Never Forgotten

Chapter 4

Another long and uncomfortable ride to Steve's apartment. Why was it so hard for Steve to communicate? It bugged him beyond words that he let his last relationship damage him so bad. He wanted to know more about this woman, he wanted to be more open but.. Whenever he was given the chance he shut down. He couldn't do it for some reason. He didn't even understand what he was so afraid of.

My thoughts are more slurred than Bucky's words when he's drunk. Steve thought, which caused him to laugh a little.

"Bless you?" Peggy said with confusion.

Steve smiled, it was weird for him. He felt a slight ping of happiness and it made his stomach feel funny. He wasn't complaining but it scared him a little so he cleared his throat and tried to keep his face serious.

"Thank you." He said too 'masculine.'

What should I do when we get there? Steve thought. Let me make a list. 1) I should get Bucky ready for bed. Or should I help Peggy first? What if I take too long with Bucky and she gets bored then snoops around the apartment? But if I help her first what will I do with Bucky? Oh god this is too complicated. I should help Bucky first. I could just tell her to wait for me and I'll be back with some clothes or something. Crap she's going to have to wear my clothes. I hope I have clean ones. Okay, Steven, shut up and think.
1) Tell her to wait while you help Bucky.
2) Get Bucky ready for bed and lay his clothes out for tomorrow.
3) Uh.. Should I ask her what she wants? Maybe she wants to eat first or maybe she doesn't want my clothes, maybe she wants to sleep in her dress? What the hell is wrong with me.. God, what if she wants to shower?

He had no more time to think over the events that were to unfold because they were at his apartment. In a rush as if someone was after him, he hoped out the car and opened the door for Peggy.

"Thank you." She smiled closing the door after her.

As a response Steve gave a shaky breathe, an awkward smile, and ran to the other side of the car to get Bucky out. He pictured he looked like an old man with Parkinson's disease trying to find his seeing eye dog. He even felt the awkwardness in his half run as he opened the door and his best friend spilled out of it like a dead body. He took in a breathe and pulled him up and slugged him over his shoulder.

They walked up the stairs to Steve's apartment and when he realized what he had forgotten his heart felt as if it would explode..

My keys.. He thought. I forgot my keys. In my pocket.

"Uhm." Steve voice cracked, "c-could you-you, could I-I n-need to. My-" he stopped when Peggy's face twisted with confusion it made him feel bad that he couldn't ask her to reach for his keys that were in his front pocket.

"What is it?" Peggy asked.

"I just." Steve was out of breath and he could feel his face getting red. "Keys."

"Oh!" She said in surprise. "Your keys? Where are they?"

"Front. Pocket."

Without questioning why Steve was acting different Peggy reached inside his left pocket, it took her awhile to find because his pockets were abnormally large, but just as Steve thought.. He started to get excited and his face was a bright shade of pink. He just hoped Peggy didn't notice or he would probably die. Literally.

"Got 'em." Peggy said holding up the keys. She looked up at Steve and she couldn't tell if he was sweating and was he drenched in rain even though it only drizzled. "Is everything alright?"

"Mhm." He nodded. "Could you. Open the door. Please.. Uh. He's a lot heavier than he looks."

"Right." Peggy said as sincerely as possible. Unlocking the door and walking to the elevator they stood there in silence until the 3rd floor.