It would be lying to say Steve didn't procrastinate going to see his soulmates. It would also be lying to say that knowing both of his soulmates were together, without him, didn't hurt. Even if he had expected it, it still hurt knowing he was right.
He took the stairs instead of the elevator to reach their apartment. Was he just delaying the inevitable? Yes, definitely, but he'd rather have that over the rejection of both Bucky and Skye. The thing was, even though he was seen as some American war hero, Steve was still the scared little kid from Brooklyn. No matter how hard he pretended, that's what he would always be.
So now, here he stood, outside of HIS apartment door, too scared to go in. Captain America wouldn't have hesitated to barge through the door and face whatever problem there was head-on, but at that moment, he wasn't Captain America. He was Steve Rogers. He wasn't the hero that his reputation bragged of, he was the sidekick.
Steve looked down at his feet, contemplating what to do. He could go inside, and face rejection from his soulmates or he could wait out in the hallway, and let his imagination tell him all the different ways they would end the relationship.
He ran his fingers through his hair, still thinking, when suddenly the door swung open, revealing Bucky on the other side.
"What the hell are you doing out there, Steve? I was just about to go look for you."
"I just... I uhmmm..." He stuttered, failing to get the words out of his mouth.
Bucky ignored his excuse and pulled him inside. "We have a problem."
Steve looked up at him, knowing the rejection was coming.
"Skye doesn't think she deserves us. She said you're too good for her."
That was not what he was expecting.
Skye? Perfect, beautiful, enchanting Skye thought she wasn't good enough for him?
"What?!" Steve's voice grew louder with shock. "Why would she think that?!"
Bucky grabbed his arm tightly and put a finger to his lips. "She's sleeping!" He whispered.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the doorway of their bedroom. "Not anymore, she's not."
His eyes flew to Skye's shadowed form slouched against the doorway, while Bucky cursed under his breath.
"Goddammit, Steve. I told you to keep your voice down!"
"Buck it's fine. Let him be." Skye stepped towards them, her form being lit up by the moonlight through the window.
She was wearing his shirt, though it fit her like a dress.
"I hope it's ok, the hospital gown was a little uncomfortable." Steve looked up to meet her eyes, realizing he was staring at the clothing.
"Doll, of course its ok." Its better than ok.
A pink blush colored her cheeks as she started to inch back towards the room. "I'll just let you be..."
"Skye, it's ok. Please, stay out here with us, we should talk." Bucky urged, motioning for her to come over.
She tiptoed around the edge of the room until she reached a barstool farthest from where they were standing. It was obvious to Steve that she was used to being punished after she made a mistake, and that that was why she had tried to protect herself from them.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, looking down at her feet.
"You have nothing to apologize for." Steve told her, Bucky nodding in agreement. He stalked over to her and pulled her small body into a hug, taking in the lavender smell of her hair. She was stiff for a moment, before relaxing in his embrace.
"I understand if you don't want me anymore." She said after Steve had released her. He could see Bucky's jaw clench at her statement.
"Skye, I'm saying this once and only once, so you'd better listen," Buck demanded, stepping towards her. He could see the fear in Skye's eyes but knew that Bucky was saying what had to be said. "We" Buck pointed to Steve and then back to himself, "Will ALWAYS want you. You can't do anything that will change that, I promise you."
Her eyes lit up at Bucky's message. "I've just never really had a family before."
"Well that's going to change, from now on, we're your family." Steve told her, "But in order to have a family, we have to agree to always tell the truth."
Skye gulped, knowing what was coming next.
"Skye we need to talk about your SHIELD file."
She sighed. "I'll tell you, but you have to promise me that you won't tell ANYONE this. Not even my dad." He and Bucky nodded, before motioning for Skye to sit on the couch.
"When I was 16, I didn't run away from my dad, I was taken. By the red room."
