Chapter 16
The whole gang was gathered in Tony and Pepper’s penthouse and the current discussion was about Steve and Nat.
“So you and Red talked? Does she know about the past now?” Tony asked him.
Red, he missed that nickname that was what Tony nicknamed her when they all got to know her and for Tony to give you a nickname means he’s got your back no matter what. He was glad that Tony started using that name again like it was the most natural thing to call her.
“Kind of?” he answered, and everyone gave him a confused look waiting for him to explain.
He told them how he was able to somehow give his side of the story from years ago. Why he had left her that day without letting her know that it was him who left her that day. He also told them how she broke down that day and that seeing her that way killed him inside.
“I messed up everything, I broke her and there’s not a day I don’t regret it.” He told them sounding so defeated. The look on Nat’s face when she broke down came rushing back to him. It was a scene he does not want to witness ever again. The determination to make it up to her intensified within him.
The determination that flashed his face didn’t go unnoticed by everyone they knew that he will do it right this time.
“Now that you’ve talked to her indirectly about that matter, what do you have in mind now?” Bucky asked.
“I’m not backing out of my plan, I’m more determined to make it up to her now more than ever,” Steve said with finality.
“Why didn’t you tell her about it though? That was your chance to tell her.” Tony retorted, Steve thought of it and he was right, but he just couldn’t bring himself to tell Nat just yet. He was afraid that if he had told her that night, he’ll lose her again and this time he might not get the chance to reconcile with her not that he was expecting her to forgive him just like that. He was scared of losing her again without letting her know or showing how sorry he was. He knows it was selfish of him to do this to Nat, but he will take whatever he can just to spend more time with her until he can’t anymore.
“I wasn’t ready to lose her again.” He said with all honesty and they can see how vulnerable Steve was at that moment.
“You wanna know something, Steve?” “True love is only for the brave,” Tony said patting his back.
Steve looked up to him, “So I’m a coward?” he asked knowing exactly the answer himself.
“YUP!” everybody answered him, he lowered his head shaking it smiling down agreeing to them.
“You were a coward, but I think you’re ready this time.” Bruce gave him a small sincere smile encouraging him. Steve answered him with a tight-lipped smile grateful for the support he’s giving him.
After a moment of silence, Bruce broke it and asked what his next move will be.
He told everybody about how he wanted to make it up to her and how he needed everybody’s help to do so. Pepper volunteered to prepare most of the things while the others planned their part of the plan. After the planning was settled Bucky asked him once again if he was sure about this and Steve answered him with an unwavering determination and that was enough for him to know that he will do the right thing this time.
“But why this plan though?” Thor asked out of nowhere.
“I just wanted to make her feel that not everyone is out there to come and hurt her,” Steve answered hopefully. “That there’s still someone out there who wants to make her happy, that will not make her cry or abandon her.” He added with glassy eyes. “Not like what I did.” He thought, tormenting himself.
“But, what if that person is not you?” Bucky asked.
“Ouch! I know I’ve done things I’m not proud of, but I still want to try Buck I wanna be able to tell myself that I’ve done everything I could then later regret with all the what-ifs and what could’ve been later on.” He said solemnly.
“A man who doesn’t fight for what he wants deserves what he gets.” Bucky patted his shoulder showing support for him.
“If she can’t take me back, I understand I can take care of myself the most important thing is her, that she be happy and she won’t close herself to love. I just want to see her happy again even if that means me not being in her life anymore. She deserves to be happy, to love and be loved.” He said smiling genuinely.
Hearing Steve say these things shows how much this means to him and they would do anything in their power to help him get Nat back or the least they could do is bring out that once bright smile she exudes. If making her smile and be happy would bring peace to their friend's heart they will support him in any way they could. They knew Natasha and he was right she deserves all the love in this world for she was an amazing woman with the most beautiful heart and the kindest soul. They just hope that he gets her back, for they all missed her too.