Steve Rogers x reader (sort of)
Steve pulled up in the lot and parked under the shade of an oak tree that looked to be even older than he was. Climbing off his motorcycle, he ran his hand through his short blonde hair with a sigh. He had been dreading this day for months, but he had something he had to do and he couldn't put it off any longer. It was either now or never.
Pulling the invitation out of his inner jacket pocket, he focused his attention on your lovely, smiling face. He thought back on a night about a year ago when you had worn the same expression. It had just been the pair of you that evening as you play-wrestled in the training room at the facility. He had pinned you easily, and while you lay under him laughing, he’d experienced the overwhelming urge to kiss you, which wasn't so surprising considering he did love you, after all. But, he had chickened out at the last moment, something he had regretted every day since, and today more than ever.
Glancing up, he saw a familiar redhead in a bridesmaid dress standing several yards away, staring back at him with furrowed brows. He knew what she was going to say before she even reached him. It was going to be the same argument they'd had about three times already.
Before she could open her mouth, he said, “Hey, Natasha. You look nice. The dress is beautiful.”
“Then don't try to ruin my occasion to wear it.”
Sighing and looking down at the ground, he replied, “It wouldn't be fair to either of us not to tell her the truth, and it would be wrong to wait until after she's married. This is my last chance.”
Letting her voice grow softer, Natasha said, “I know it's hard to accept, Steve, but she wouldn't be marrying him if she didn't love him. This is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Don't take that away from her.”
Breathing deeply, he simply replied, “I’ll see you later, Nat,” then he turned and walked towards the building that he knew you'd be in.
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“Hey, Tony,” Steve said, patting his old friend on the shoulder. “How are you?”
“Well, my little girl is marrying one of my teammates today, so you could say I’ve been better.”
Steve wondered to himself about how Tony would feel if he knew that, assuming things didn't go as he hoped, he wouldn't be the only one giving you away today.
“But, he makes her happy,” Tony said, pulling Steve out of his thoughts, “and that's all that's supposed to matter, right? It's not about my feelings. It's about her finding someone who will love and take as good of care of her as I've always tried to...someone who will put her first.”
They both went quiet when the door opened and you stepped out in your bridal gown.
“Well, how do I look?” you asked, directing your attention to your father and not yet noticing Steve.
“Perfect,” Steve supplied.
“Steve, what are you doing here?” you asked, brightening up at his presence. “I didn't expect to see you until the reception.”
“Y/n, I need to talk to you. I need to tell you that-” he began. But, when he looked into your bright eyes, Tony’s words resounded in his mind, and he knew there was only one thing he could say. “I just wanted a moment to wish my dearest friend all the happiness in the world.”
“Oh, Steve,” you said, tearing up, “thank you.” You stepped forward, placed your hands on his large shoulders, stood up on your tip-toes, and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
Taking a deep breath, you looked at your dad and said, “I guess it’s go time. You ready, Daddy?”
Offering you his arm, which you gently took, Tony replied, “Ready as I’ll ever be, Princess.”
As you began to walk away, you stopped, looked over your shoulder, and asked, “I know my husband gets the first dance, and my dad the second, but could I bother you for the third?”
“I’d consider it an honor,” Steve said with a small smile which you returned. Then he watched as you turned and walked away.
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“Here, I thought you might be needing this,” Sam whispered, sliding into the last aisle beside Steve and passing him a small, metal flask.
“Thanks.”
Sam didn't say anything else. He didn't ask if he was alright or what happened. He simply sat quietly beside his friend...just like Steve wanted it.
Staring at the flask, Steve unscrewed the top, tilted it ever so slightly in your direction as you made your way down the aisle, and said softly with a smile, “To the bride.”
So I'm in my black suit, black tie, hiding out in the back
Doing a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask
I'll try to make it through without crying so nobody sees
Yeah, she wanna get married
Yeah, she gonna get married
But she ain't gonna marry me