Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count - 418

Warning - Character death.


Never In Question


Even as a young boy, you've always wanted the things that you can't have. You craved your father's affection and approval, and you didn't get it.

You silently begged for your mother's hugs and kisses, but you didn't get them either.

You reached out for friends, and got pushed back time and time and time again because you were the weird nerd that was too clever and too abrupt and too rich.

So from a young age, you've known that a lot of what you want is beyond your reach, and yet, when you meet him, it still surprises you how much it hurts.

"Big man in a suit of armour."

"You're nothing but a laboratory experiment."

It wasn't the best first meeting, but it got better with time. Or you thought it did. The two of you were getting on better, anyway. You counted him as your friend.

At least, you thought that the two of you were friends.

But maybe you never were. Or maybe, for him, you were just an annoyance that he had to put up with.

You don't know, but, for you, it was real.

For him, you think it probably wasn't.

"He's my friend."

"So was I."

The Avengers return and you hide away because you don't want to face him. He left you, damaged and injured in a frozen waste of a facility. You worked for them to return because the needs of the world are bigger than your need to not see him, but that doesn't mean that you want to be anywhere near him.

When you do eventually see him, he's holding Barnes hand, and looking at him with hearts in his eyes.

It's then that you realise Steve could never have been yours because he already belonged to someone else.

It doesn't make it hurt any less.

You face Thanos and you win, but it takes a lot, too much, out of you. When you wake up in the hospital, Pepper is by your bedside.

"Why did you do it?" she asks you, and you only have one answer for her.

"I love him. He doesn't love me back, but I saved him. It was worth it."

You know that when you close your eyes again, they're never going to open but you mean the words you say because it is worth it.

Steve never loved you, but you loved him. Your life for his was never even a question.

It was inevitable.


Written;

Auction - Unrequited Love

365 - 91. Young

1000 - 701. Second Person