The Choice (Steve Rodgers x Reader)

Fifty One

All you had to do was put on jewellery, and then you'd be ready to go. Ready to spend the night with the team. But there was a barrier. Something repelling you from reaching into your jewellery box.
You're engagement ring.
"You ready?" Steve called from the front door. He had been waiting 15 minutes for you to come out but you were stuck in one space. When you didn't answer, he walked over, knocking and peering round when you didn't protest.
"Everything okay?" He asks softly as he walks in the room.
Your trance is broken and you nod. "Yes. Sorry. Just trying to decide what jewellery to wear." You answer and he stands behind you, looking at the box and then to you.
"It's not open." He points out and you turn away. He pauses and then walks ahead. "I'll help." He states before opening it, pausing when he sees the glistening ring, shining right at him, almost mocking him. He swallows and looks back at you. You don't look at him.
He closes the box gently and stands before you, sliding his hand down your arm until he can hold your hand in his. "I don't think your need to put any on. You already look gorgeous. You're practically a jewel yourself." He smiles and you shake your head, snorting.
"Great line, Rogers." You smile up at him.
He smiles back. "A man can try." You look away. Was he flirting with you? The answer was yes. You knew exactly what Steve flirting looked like and that was it. "Come on, we're gonna be late."

The evening started out well. You weren't in the mood to drink and just wanted to catch up with everyone. It was nice, you didn't realise how much you missed them.
Somehow you had been convinced to dance with Steve, some classic 80's song had come on that he became obsessed with when he woke up from the ice. "We have to dance to it!" He yelled over the tune and you had only rolled your eyes as he lead you to the dance floor.
Tony and Nat watched as you wailed with laughter at Steve's dancing, soon following by him making you spin him. "I don't know why they don't just get back together. It's obvious they're made for each other and I can't stand anymore of this love sick staring and giggling. I thought that stopped when Dot was born." He grumbled and Nat silently agreed.
"You may be in luck. With the way they're practically eye fucking right now, I'd say it wouldn't be long." She pointed out, and sure enough, as Tony looked, he saw your arms wrapped around Steve's neck, his hands on your waist as you giggled at what he was saying.

It felt good to laugh this much, especially with Steve. And to be in his arms again was beyond amazing. But all things come to and end. You step away to get a drink, sipping greedily at it to make up for everything you'd sweat out on the dance floor, and you turn around to look at Steve. Only he's talking to a girl.
Your smile drops as she rests a hand on his arm and clearly flirts with him. You know you have no right to be jealous, you gave up that right when you told him to leave, but you are.
"You know you could just go over there. The death glare normally doesn't do anything." Bruce chimes in next to you.
You turn back to your drink, face as hard as stone. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Hey!" Steve makes you jump as he sits next to you. You don't respond. Why you're acting petty, you don't know. Too many emotions probably.
"Are you okay?" You nod immediately and Steve's smile drops slowly. "Okay...well I'm just going to go to the restroom." He says, almost defeated.
He walks away, and you sit there for a minute before you get up yourself, not really sure what you're doing, but letting it happen anyway.
You walk through the men's toilets and stop when you see Steve washing his hands.
There was no turning back now.