#second chances au

“What’s wrong?” He asked, his brow furrowed. 

“Ughh this has been the absolute longest day and all I wanted was a hot shower, but I can’t get it to work” You grumble. 

Which is why after hanging up Steve showed up at your house with takeout and a tool box ready to fix the problem. By the time he was done you decided to postpone the shower in favor of dinner and a movie on the couch with him.  Once the movie was over though Steve knew it was time to go. He insisted you take a shower while he cleaned up.

“Seriously Steve you don’t have to.”

“Sweetheart stop.” You finally looked up at him as he rested his hands on your shoulders  looking into your eyes trying to get his point across. 

“I’m going to clean up this mess, by myself” he insisted when you opened your mouth to try and protest “You go enjoy that hot water that I managed to get working for you.”

He was sure you were going to keep arguing with him, but then he felt your shoulders relax.

“You’re sure? I don’t want to inconvenience you more than I already have”

“It’s not an inconvenience, I’m happy to. Now,” he says, walking you toward the hall. “Go relax, and no rush I’ll let myself out once I’m done cleaning up alright?”

“Alright, thank you Steve.” The moment is heavy, the two of you standing there staring at each other with a mountain of things left unsaid. Steve is unsure what to do when suddenly you  plant a kiss on his cheek and wrap your arms around him in a warm embrace.

“Thank you for tonight Steve, it was exactly what I needed.” Your voice is soft before you pull away and turn down the hall.

It takes all of Steve's strength not to run after you, but he knows it isn’t time, not yet. He makes good on his promise and goes to clean up.

As he goes to put the leftovers in the fridge he notices the save the date magnet front and center. The same one that he has on his fridge.

Steve can’t help the grin that takes over his face. This is it. This is the exact thing he’s been looking for. He’s been trying to find some way to tell you how he feels about you. How he's always felt about you but he wasn't what to say or how to say it. Now he knows exactly what to do. As soon as he’s done cleaning up he heads out the door and starts working on a plan. 

Now there was not a scenario in which Steve would have missed his Aunt Peggy’s wedding, but now he has even more of a reason to go. 

Everyone in town knew the story of Peggy Carter and Daniel Sousa. It was a love story that took the whole town by storm. Peggy and Daniel were high school sweethearts who lost touch after graduation, only to meet once again in the second stage of their lives. Peggy was divorced and Daniel was a widower whose children were grown. Despite all the time, distance and change they managed to fall in love all over again. It will be a night to remember and the perfect time to tell you how he feels. 

It's been a few days since Steve's impromptu movie night with you. He's in the kitchen getting ready to make dinner when he hears his phone ring. He picks up as soon as he see's his mother’s name on the screen.

“Hi Ma, how's Greece?” Steve holds the phone against his ear as he continues to dig through the fridge.

“Ohh it’s lovely, lovely. Keep an eye out, you should be getting a postcard in the mail soon” His mother says.

When Steve went renlisted he wasn’t sure who was angrier at him, Bucky or Sarah. Actually he’s pretty positive it was Sarah. But lucky for him she was still his Ma so she didn’t completely cut him off…even though she wanted to. But she never let you go either and Steve would always be grateful that Sarah was able to take care of you when he couldn’t.

“So a little birdie told me you were inquiring about a certain young lady’s RSVP status.”

“Seriously Peggy told you? I mean I don’t even see how that would be necessary.”

“I am the Maid of Honor dear, who do you think is in charge of the seating chart?”

“Right of course you are.” Steve sighs. “Look Mom, Idk what Peggy told you but…”

“Don’t worry dear, I was just calling to inform you that the eligible former Ms. Rogers  has RSVP’d for 1. And as luck would have it you both happen to be at table 6. What a coincidence.” Steve could practically hear the smirk in her voice but that didn't stop him from smiling thanks to this news.

“Well thank you for letting me know, Ma.”

“Anytime dear.”

It’s the day of the wedding and Steve is sure he has never been this nervous in his entire life. He thought about asking you officially to be his date, but was too nervous. So instead he’s going to spend this entire night wooing you and reminding you exactly why you were so good together in the first place. 

He’s pretty sure the whole town is going to be at this thing. So there will probably be more than a few pairs of curious eyes on him tonight...including his own Mother. But it doesn’t matter, none of them matter, the only thing that matters is you. 

Steve takes one last look in the mirror, takes a deep breath and heads out the door. 

The ceremony was beautiful. Although Steve couldn’t seem to find you. He caught a glimpse of you when he turned to see Peggy walk down the aisle and you were all the way in the back. Then you ran out before he could catch up with you. He’s assuming you have work to do, after all you are both working as well as a guest at this wedding. 

Now that everyone is at the reception, he’s looking for you while trying not to be completely obvious that he is in fact looking for you. 

“She’s out back punk” Bucky says as he hands Steve a drink.

“I don’t know what..” Steve starts but his friend waves him off.

“Yeah cut the crap Rogers. You and I both know who you're waiting for and it’s not the happy couple.” Bucky grabs an hors d'oeuvre off the plate of a passing server before turning back to his friend. 

“I just saw the shop's van pull in so she must be in the back helping Peter and May unload.” He says before taking a bite, “I am sure she’ll be out any minute.”

Steve is about to make a sassy comment in response to his friends meddling, but then he can’t because he sees you. He sees you and his heart skips a beat. You make your way over to them and are immediately wrapped up in a bear hug from Bucky. 

“Hi Buck!” You say with a laugh as your friend releases you. Then finally it’s his turn.

“Hi Steve” You say before wrapping your arms around him and it’s way too quick for his liking. 

“Looks like we're at the same table.” 

“Yeah how is it we are all adults but it still feels like the kids table?” The three of you laugh at Bucky’s grumpy comment. And Steve finally starts to relax because he knows no matter what tonight is going to be a night to remember.  

You are clearly having a blast. You are out on the dancefloor having what looks like the time of your life and Steve knows he needs to get out there. This was always a point of contention in your relationship. You loved to dance and Steve didn’t. Eventually you came to a compromise, he didn’t have to dance to any fast songs, or organized dances, but he had to come find you during the slow numbers. Which he was always happy to do. 

 It’s not that he didn’t like dancing with you, in fact he loved dancing with you. Nice and slow when the two of you were alone. He just didn’t like being surrounded with all the sweaty bodies that were usually present during events like these. So he’s been mingling and keeping an eye on you, the DJ has already made it through the cupid shuffle, and the electric slide so he’s thinking it might be safe to venture onto the floor. He can see the staff over on the far side of the room setting up the ice cream bar and he knows he has to make his move now before you run off to grab dessert. 

He makes his way over to your side of the dance floor and manages to grab a spot of floor near you. When you spin around and see him a look of quiet disbelief passes over your face before you chuckle and grab his hand guiding him on movements to match the rhythm of the song. 

He’s doing his best, but uptempo songs aren’t really his thing when much to his relief a slow song starts up. He looks up to see Peggy standing near the DJ booth with a mischievous grin. He knows he’ll be the talk of the town tomorrow but he doesn’t care now's his chance, with a firm grip on your hand he looks at you and asks, “Can I have this dance sweetheart?” 

“Of course Steve.” you say before wrapping your arms around his neck and sliding in close. 

He gets one more song with you before you have to run off and take care of the cake. While you do that Steve goes ahead and makes you a sundae from the ice cream bar. The two of you end up back at your table laughing and joking with Bucky, Clint, Nat and Pepper. When suddenly a song comes on, Steve recognizes it immediately and before anyone can even blink you and Bucky are running to the dance floor like a couple of maniacs ready to dance it out to your favorite song. 

Clint takes this opportunity to go get his boyfriend a drink and Pepper follows, leaving Steve under Natasha’s inquisitive gaze. But before she can start her interrogation, you're back grabbing his arm and demanding he join you on the dance floor, which he is too happy to oblige. 

Finally the night is winding down and people are starting to head out. You’ve given up on your shoes and have your feet in Bucky’s lap while you lean back in your chair. 

“Doll, how're you getting home? Didn’t you come with the cake earlier?” 

“Yeah I did, I should see if May is still around, she should be able to give me a ride.”  

“Actually I saw her and Happy run out of here about 20 min ago they looked pretty cozy” Clint chimes in. 

“Ohh really damn, and Peter left with the van hours ago.”

Steve clears his throat taking the opportunity before it slips through his fingers. 

“I can give you a ride, if you want.”

“Really Stevie? You sure?”

 “Yeah of course I don’t mind.” The two of you lock eyes and just look at each other. But after a moment Bucky breaks the spell.

“Well it’s settled then Steve-o here will make sure you get home safe. And on that note Clint and I are gonna head out.” He says gently placing your feet in the chair where he sat a moment ago and grabbing his coat. “You two kids get home safe," he calls with a wink, grabbing Clint's hand and heading to the door. 

“How about you? You ready to go?” Steve asks. Honestly he has no interest in leaving but the place is pretty cleared out and the cleaners are starting to make their way in. 

“Ughh I know we should…but I am so very comfortable here at this table.” you groan, and Steve chuckles standing up and offering you his hand. 

“I bet you’d be even more comfortable at home, in bed.” His chuckle turns into a full belly laugh as you huff and make a big show of standing up. With your hands still clasped you grab your shoes and head out. 

“I don’t know if I mentioned it earlier,” Steve says as he eases down the road headed to your house.  “But you look incredible tonight sweetheart.” 

“Well thank you, and thank you for the ride too, and the jacket.” You say starting to fiddle with the hem of it. “I had a lot of fun with you tonight Stevie.”

“Yeah,” He clears his throat, “me too.” Steve turns the car onto your street, he knows exactly 1 minute from now he’ll see your house and just after that he will turn into your driveway. 

Luckily it's basically muscle memory at this point driving to your old house or else he definitely would have made a wrong turn by now. His heart is racing and he can feel himself starting to sweat he is both paralized with fear and also anxious with the adreneline of finally getting to tell you the truth.

Now Steve had a plan for tonight. He had a speech ready and he doesn’t really remember any of it now. He is turning onto your street and he knows he’s running out of time but he doesn’t even know where to start, there is just so much he wants to say to you. 

He pulls in the driveway and parks before jumping out to open your door for you. You flash him a sweet smile and take his hand as he helps you down and he proceeds to walk you to the door. 

The two of you make it to the front door and he is out of time. He’s scrambling to think of something before he misses his chance when you wrap your arms around him. You give him a long lingering hug and he instantly feels his whole body relax. After what feels like forever you pull your head back, and lock eyes him and after a moment you lean up to brush your lips gently over his.

It starts as a chaste goodnight kiss, but then it’s like the dam breaks. He’s not sure which of you moved first but, now your lips are locked. The kiss is passionate and rough and soon you’re moaning into his mouth and Christ, Steve forgot how absolutely amazing it feels to kiss you. 

Your hands are in his hair and his lips are on yours and there’s a fire in his veins, and his heart feels like it could beat right out of his chest. And there is a voice whispering in the back of his head saying the two of you should talk but he shuts that voice up. And instead listens to the devil on his shoulder insisting the both of you are wearing way too much clothing. His jacket falls off your shoulders and he pulls you closer, deepening the kiss.

 After another moment you pull back to turn around and start fumbling with your keys in the door and Steve takes that for the invitation it is. He crowds you against the door of the home you once shared as he starts to trail his lips down your neck.

He hits that spot and you melt in his arms dropping the keys on the ground. And he should care, he does care because he needs to unlock this door so he can take you inside and tear you apart and then slowly piece you back together. But you pull on his hair dragging his lips back to yours and rubbing your ass against him and if you keep this up this he won’t make it past the stoop.

But Steve forces himself to calm down for a moment. He pulls his lips away from yours just long enough to grab the keys off the ground. Putting them in the lock he manages to open the door and push you inside before you end up giving the neighbors a show. 

As soon as the door is closed you pounce. Grabbing him by the collar, dragging his face to yours and devouring him. Your lips are on his in a frenzy and your hands are everywhere. Pulling at his tie, yanking at his belt. You are clearly just as eager as he is, but this is your first time together in a very long time, and he doesn’t want to rush this. In fact if he gets to do everything he wants to then you both won’t be falling asleep till sunrise.