Friendship
His skinny knees were practically knocking when his name was called. When the Hat started making a hmm sound he thought as hard as he could:
“Put me wherever you're gonna put Bucky. Please I need to be with Bucky”
“Hmm, Are you sure? With him you might miss out on the greatness you would found in other houses.” The Hat replied
“I don't need greatness. I need my best friend.” Steve all but begged.
“Very well,” the Hat said to him and out loud, “Not yet.”
Steve made his way back to the other first year students and waited. Bucky threw his arm around Steve's narrow shoulders and said, “Let me guess you argued with that thing.” Steve can't help but look guilty. “That's my Stevie.” They share a laugh. A few kids later Bucky was placed in Gryffindor. Steve was the last to be called and he climbed back up he steps and the hat was placed on his head a second time.
Once again he heard the voice of the Hat, “Are you sure child? I say again that you will give up the greatness that you could do alone.”
“I don't want to be great by myself. I don't wanna be by myself, I believe that it's better for people to work together.”
He could almost feel the Hat smiling as it called out, “Gryffindor.”
When Steve took his place by Bucky the bigger boy squished him so tight he cold barely breath and he knew he'd made the right decision. Because no solitary greatness could compare to friendship.