There's Someone I'm Waiting For (Steve Rogers x Reader)

Chapter 3 - Displacement

You laughed too. It had been a while since you'd done that. "Thanks, Bruce."

"We had a talk a little while ago and I just want to let you know that he spoke about Peggy." He looked at you, waiting for a reaction. But there wasn't one because you already knew Steve's history with her, he was open about his first love. You never had secrets and after all, it wasn't like they'd had a bad breakup. "I thought he was strong enough to have the discussion so I made sure I was firm about that. So he knows when he crashed the plane, she moved on ...and I also mentioned that although she's still alive, she's very old. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the alive part but I don't want to lie to the guy."

"Okay, thanks for letting me know," you said. "I said nothing about being his girlfriend. It didn't seem right to do that to him."

"I haven't said anything either," he confirmed. "The next couple of days could change a lot of things here, let's just see how this plays out. I'll tell you though, I think he appreciated your visit today, I noticed a shift in his mood."

"That's good... I guess," you said, looking away. "I was going to offer help getting him settled back into his room but..."

Bruce put his hand on yours.

"...I don't think my heart can take it right now," you finished.

"No one can blame you there," he said, in a near whisper.

***

The next morning brought you new hope. Even you weren't sure where it was coming from but you were determined to be a rock. Getting upset wouldn't help. You chose to believe that this was a temporary setback.

You were walking towards Steve's room to check in on him when you saw him walking towards you, talking to Tony. They were moving slow, a much slower pace than Steve usually kept.

"Good morning," you smiled. Steve returned the gesture and Tony gave you a nod.

"Just giving him a little tour," Tony said.

You observed Steve, who seemed to be pretty bruised still. It wasn't lost on you that normally, he would look like nothing had happened to him by now.

"I need to take a conference call," Tony said, looking at you.

"I'd be happy to take Steve on the rest of the tour," you said. Tony gave your arm a little squeeze before he walked away. You looked at Steve who was waiting patiently for you. "How's the head?"

"It's a hell of a headache," he said. "I mean, it's bad... sorry... sorry to be crude in front of you."

"It's okay, Steve, really. We don't know what happened to you exactly, we found you strapped to a table, you were already unconscious and bloody, your helmet was never found. So you could have taken a pretty good beating." It wasn't easy for you to say that to him. He stood there, thinking about it, maybe trying to remember. "Are you hungry?"

"I think I am," he said.

"Well, I will show you the highlights as we walk to the kitchen then," you said, trying to be comforting.

He was pleasant to talk to, and you knew he would be. He always treated people with respect. By the time you neared the kitchen though, he looked overwhelmed... or maybe he was in pain. Clint and Wanda were having breakfast and you took a minute to show him around the kitchen. You opted for cereal and after showing him everything, he only chose an apple. Not his normal hearty breakfast but you were still happy to be sitting next to him having breakfast like it was any other day. It wasn't but...

You watched him as he spoke to Clint, noticing that the button down shirt he was wearing was one you had bought him. You wanted to reach over and lay your hand on his arm just to feel his warmth through the shirt. Busy trying to keep your thoughts together, you weren't listening to their conversation and then you became aware of Steve saying your name.

"(Y/N)? Would you mind if we finished later?" His eyes looked heavy and he was squinting. "The light... it's too much."

"I'll walk you back," you said, picking up your plate to take it to the dishwasher.

You walked him back to his room, he looked like a lost man. At his door, you offered assistance again, not knowing what else to say. "If you need anything, pick up that phone and dial 432," you said. "That's me."

He looked at you with a face that told you he would struggle to remember this.

"Why don't I write it down for you?" you asked. "May I?" Walking to the desk, you went straight for a post it note and pen, writing your name and extension down and placing it on his landline phone.

"Do you know where everything is in here?" he asked.

"Somewhat," you said, downplaying it.

"I can't seem to find my hair cream," he said.

"Oh," you said, "you don't use that anymore... different haircut..."

"Oh," he said. You'd burst his bubble and hadn't meant to.

"Why don't you get some rest? It's my turn to cook dinner tonight so I will be up in the kitchen this afternoon." You watched for his reaction as you had an idea about dinner. "I'll see you later, Steve, I'm going to run to the store for some things now" you said and headed off.