The Choice (Steve Rodgers x Reader)

Fifty

He didn't move back in, but he got his key back, and he was round almost every single day to see you and the kids. Things were good, and it seemed this is how it would be if you decided you didn't want to be with him.
But things could be better.
Every second you were around him, you just wanted to have him closer, kiss him, laugh with him like lovers, not friends. You wanted to still get married one day, but was that really the best thing right now?

You had huddled yourself on the couch after Steve had left. These thoughts seemed to occupy your mind most nights.
You head shot up as you heard a floorboard creek. Dot stood in her pyjamas, teddy tucked under her arm as she looked at you.
"Sweetheart, what are you doing up? It's past your bedtime." You say softly, sitting up a bit more.
Her lip begins to tremble and suddenly your daughter is sobbing in front of you.
"Hey." You coo as she walks over to you. You softly stroke her back. "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"
She shakes her head quickly and wipes at her eyes. "I'm sorry I was so mean to you mommy." She manages to get out. Your tense shoulders relax at her words and you shush her, pulling her on to your lap and laying her head on your shoulder. You start to stroke her hair and try to get her to calm down.
"I was really sad that daddy had gone away. That they both went away." She carried on and you let her get out what she wanted to say.
"That's okay, my sweet. I'm not angry at you. And you need to know that neither of them left because of you. They both love you so so much. Things are just a little hard at the minute. Something you're too young to understand and dad just needed some time to realise what he wants." You explained as best you could to a seven year old. She nodded against your shoulder. You rubbed her back until she stopped crying and then sat her up.
"Do you want to watch a film with me?" It made her smile and she immediately agreed, cuddling into your side as she decided what movie you should watch.
From that night, she had been as good as gold, even helping out more than she ever had. It made things a lot easier and you were thankful.

"One. Two. Three." Dot began to count and Wanda, you and Steve ran to find a hiding place. You were quick to take the cupboard in the laundry room and listened as Steve scrambled around outside trying to find somewhere to hide.
You tensed as you heard him come towards the cupboard and fling it open, shocked to see you there.
"Go away!" You whisper as Dot has almost finished her countdown.
"I can't find anywhere!" He answers and you sigh heavily, dragging him in by his shirt just as Dot announces she's on her way.
It's dark and you can feel Steve's breath on your face, he's that close.
"This takes me back." You whisper.
He laughs quietly and you think you see him nod but you're not sure. "You always get so competitive during hide and seek."
"Do not." You argue playfully.
He laughs again and it falls quiet. He's toying with something to say. "It was that first hide and seek game that I realised I love you." No words get caught in your throat. You almost expected that sentence. You only smile to yourself and feel your heart begin to race. You jump slightly at something touching your hand, and then your realise it was just Steve.
It was just Steve's hand reaching for yours. And you don't even think as you reach back and hold his big hand in your petite one.
It didn't feel like fireworks, or some big moment from a romance movie. It felt like coming home. It made you smile again.
The doors fly open and your hand leaves Steve's quickly. Dot stands in front of you and cheers at her victory, Wanda standing behind her, eyes almost in a squint at the sight of you and Steve in a closet together.
You smile awkwardly and pick Dot up, carrying her out of the laundry room.

Your phone buzzed beside you as you and Wanda prepared dinner. You peer over and see Tony's ID come up. You pick it up and answer sweetly.
"There she is." Tony cheered at your voice.
You're confused. "Tony I literally called you a week ago." Why was he greeting you as if he hadn't seen you in years?
"No, gloomy, sad, heartbroken Y/N called me a week ago. I'm talking to happy, love sick puppy Y/N now, right?" You're silent. "Thought so. Anyway. I feel like the team hasn't been together in a long time and so we're all meeting tomorrow at a bar. Yes, going out in public. Yes, getting drunk until we can't see and hopefully making some bad decisions." He says almost excitedly and you chuckle.
"Oh great. Hope you have fun." You answer back.
He sighs. "You're coming too. Pepper doesn't want to come so she's going to watch the kids and Wanda already said she'll hypnotise you if she has to, so." You look over at Wanda and she only shrugs in response.
There was really no way out of this. "What time?" You sigh and Tony cheers on the other end.