The Choice (Steve Rodgers x Reader)

Thirty Eight

Both parties were reluctant for it to happen. A guys night wasn't acceptable anymore but you were adamant that they needed to recreate a friendship if they were going to be a part of the same family.
You had gone to Nat and Sam's for the evening, taking Dot with you. You had all shared a great evening meal and watched some brilliant tv before you got the call.
A concerned neighbour had found your number that you had given without thought when you moved in.
"Mrs Patt, please slow down." You sighed, rubbing your forehead.
"They're fighting! The noise is frightening! Please do something about it or I'll have to call the police!" She pleaded, scared out of her mind.
"With all due respect, how is a pregnant lady going to solve this?" You answered.
"I don't know!" She bit back. "He's your husband!"

"What the hell is going on here?" You yelled as you walked through the door, both men standing opposite each other. They were in stances ready to fight again and had equal scraps across their faces.
"Stay out of it sweetheart." Bucky growled, eyes trained on Steve.
"Don't talk to her like that." Steve hissed, stepping closer to him.
"Okay. Okay. Let's put our extra testosterone away and use it another time." You intervened, stepping between the two of them and holding your hands against their chest to keep them apart. "I don't even wanna know what happened. What I want is for you to keep your goddamn cool and not scare the old lady who lives next door!" You demanded.
Steve sighed as Bucky rolled his eyes. "Pretty hard to do when he's being such a punk." Bucky growled.
Your face screwed up in anger. "Just shut up!" You yelled, walking away from the both of them. "What if Dot had been here? Do you think she wants to see her dads fighting?" You asked desperately. You sighed and put your head in your hands. "I just wanted one night. Just one night to feel like this family could work. That you two could get along again and that I wasn't endlessly falling into a pit of drama. I am pregnant for god sake." You looked around at the mess of an apartment. "So I am going to go back to Nat's. I'm going to stay there tonight with Dot. And when I get back tomorrow this place better be spotless and you both better have made up." You pointed at the two of them before leaving.
Steve watched you leave with an intense feeling of shame.
"She's a good mom." Bucky mused.

Half an hour earlier...

Bucky and Steve had done what you asked. They ordered pizza, drank beer, and sat like old friends. They spoke of the old times, and as always, Bucky brought up you.
"Although I'm not happy with the choice, I'm glad you've finally found someone." Bucky had struggled to say.
Steve felt as though a slight weight was lifted. "Thank you. And I am sorry, for what it's worth." Steve offered, smiling softly.
"No. I'm sorry." Steve became hopeful for a second. Was Bucky really remorseful for his actions? "Because she's still in love with me." He looked up at him. "And I'm going to do everything I can to get her back. You're not her first choice. Your the choice she had to take to replace me." He sneered.
Steve didn't mean to hit him. He only ever used violence when it was needed, but he couldn't help it.

After you left, he began to tidy, staying away from the areas Bucky was fixing things. When it was finally done, they both sat in silence, eyes turned away from the other.
Had this what It had come to? Not being able to even talk to his best friend? He supposed that Bucky wasn't his best friend. Not anymore. The Bucky he knew had been killed long ago, no matter how hard anyone tried to bring him back. And maybe that's why this hurt so much. Not the home wrecking or the lies, but that now this behaviour was expected from a once funny, generous and warm hearted person. It all just emphasised that fact that Steve no longer had a best friend.
And nothing could fix that.