Author's Note: Hey, y'all! This is my second attempt at FF writing and I love the idea of our favorite Marvel heroes in a RomCom style world. Read and review, kids! I hope you guys enjoy it!

Steve turned over for what felt like the hundredth time that night. Along with the usual work stress the upcoming date kept him more awake than usual. April 12th, the day that he lost Peggy.

Four years ago, it had started like any Tuesday. He came home from his morning run to the smell of coffee and Peggy browsing travel sites for flights to Hampstead for Christmas. She was already dressed for work in a crisp, dark blue button-down with her chestnut curls softly spilling over her shoulders. Falling in love with her wasn't exactly what he had expected but when Sam had introduced them 7 years prior, Steve knew he had found his person.

The sound of his alarm broke him out of his memory. A decision had to be made. The comfortable escape of his bed or his usual Saturday tradition, a run with Sam and Bucky? He sighed deeply and silenced his alarm. A morning in bed wasn't worth the endless grilling from his best friends. With Peggy's anniversary coming up, he was surprised that his friends didn't have him on 24-hour watch like they did in previous years.

He made it to the Greenbelt only slightly late and spotted Bucky and Sam warming up next to a park bench. Steve jogged over, looking apologetic.

"Sorry, guys. It was a long night", he said. His apology was met with them both looking too sympathetic.

"Hey, buddy", they said, almost in unison. Their smiles were too saccharine and painfully optimistic. Steve had to nip this in the bud before he was subjected to another therapeutic hug circle or a Spirit Quest in the woods like last year.

"Okay, okay", he started, gently. "I know what next Friday is, you both know what next Friday is and the last thing that I need is for you two to treat me like I'm fragile."

The moisture in Steve's eyes almost betrayed him but with a deep breath he was able to gain his bearing. He looked to the faces of his slightly taken aback friends. Bucky was the first to speak.

"We just want to know that you're okay", he started gently. "For as long as I've known you, you're the one who tries to hold it together for everyone else. But you have to know that it's okay to let someone else shoulder the weight for you once in a while."

"Peggy was our family, too", said Sam while motioning to Bucky. "Man, I wouldn't be doing right by her if I didn't make sure that you were good."

Sam was the person that his employer and friend, Tony, had called when Steve received the news about Peggy at work. As skilled as Tony was at everything, consoling the bereaved wasn't in his wheelhouse. Sam and Bucky had to practically carry Steve out of his office when his body had given way to the shock.

"I'm…."

Steve didn't know how to finish that sentence. They were two of the people that knew him best and he loved them. He just wanted this to be the year where he was going to be able to remember Peggy without his friends waiting for an emotional breakdown. He took a breath and found the words.

"I'm grateful that I've had you guys and everyone else looking out for me but I can't keep drudging up my pain about Peggy just to try to rebury it year after year, it will drive me crazy." He found a new resolve in this admission.

"I know that she was family to both of you. She was the love of my life and if I had it my way, she would still be here. But she's not and I have to let her memory rest in the best way that I can." Steve let out a breath that he didn't know that he was holding in and continued.

"I want to acknowledge and remember her this year but I need all of you to let the life that was supposed to happen for us to rest, too."

Steve took a step back. Not sure what reaction that his confession would bring. Sam was the first to speak.

"Whatever you need."

"We're in for whatever you want to do", Bucky said, placing a hand on Steve's shoulder.

It felt almost too good to admit that he was ready to let Peggy rest but it was time. Four years of trying to live with grief, Steve was ready to live with peaceful acceptance. Maybe getting his friends to see that was the first step.

"Thanks", he returned Bucky's gesture. "Now, I have been waiting all week to see if either of you can beat me in a free run. So I suggest the both of you hit the trail."

Steve took off on the main trail before the last word left his mouth. He was easily the fastest of the three and it frustrated Sam the most. The newfound freedom of his honesty made him feel freer than ever. He was surrounded by the lush greenery of the trees and bushes while passing the casual walkers in the Saturday morning sun. His lungs were filling with fresh air and Steve almost felt high. He heard pounding footsteps behind him and turned, expecting to see Bucky or Sam gaining on him. Instead, he felt a heavy force push him to the ground from behind.

"Rocket, нет", a feminine voice called behind him.

Steve managed to roll to his back only to be assaulted by wet licks from a large, gray mass of fur. He couldn't help but laugh at this furry beast on top of him until he felt the weight being pulled away from him. He sat up to see a woman who was now wrangling the mass of fur named "Rocket".

She was slender with deep red hair that almost looked like fire in the early morning sun. Her curls draped over her shoulders lazily and practically danced against the backdrop of her black workout shirt.

"I'm sorry, Rocket usually knows how to behave himself without a leash", she spoke with a raspy, light tone.