After All We've Been Through (Steve x reader)

Walking Away

Steve throws himself back into his fitness routine. Unfortunately, his super soldier genes don't guarantee permanently chiseled abs and he seems almost offended when he realizes that he is getting flabby.

This should make you laugh. It is so testosterone driven male, its unreal.

Steve really is trying. Oh, how he tries!

But its hard to transition from independence to total dependence and back again. Your habits of doing things for him must be minimized and discarded all together.

It hurts! Not only that he didn't tell you he was recovering, but now he's become secretive and intensely moody.

He doesn't need me anymore.

It was nice to have a man like Steve so helpless and dependent on you, but that's over, really and truly.

Worse still, you have to tell him.

"Steve?" You walk in on a particularly intense workout, where Steve is on his 545th right arm push up.

He glances up, shaking sweat from his eyes like a dog "Y/N? What are you doing here?"

"I'm going home, Steve" You sound as tired as you feel.

"So suddenly?" Steve gets to his feet instantly "Y/N! Don't go!"

He starts for you, hands reaching.

You dodge and step out of his reach "I don't have anything to keep me anymore. I've enrolled in classes for the year and Tony will help me find a job. I'm going back."

"I still love you, Y/N! I just-" he clenches his fists "- I messed up, really bad!"

You choose to stay silent, despite the pain in Steve's eyes.

Your resolve to leave frightens him deeply and in a desperate attempt to change your mind, blocks your path.

"Let me go, Steve!" There's a quiver in your voice "I need to leave."

He looks so heartbroken that you almost want to take it back.

I need this! I need some time away. That's what this was supposed to be!

"Y/N! Please!" He begs "I'll do anything!"

Your already fiery temper flares up "Get out of my way, Steve Rogers!"

Steve cringes, bracing himself for the full impact of your sonic powers as well as the anger in your voice.

When it doesn't come, he looks on in mournful surprise, and it is an easy thing to brush past him and walk away.

He let me go!

The realization brings a mixture of pain and relief.

You've already discussed your plans with T'challa's, and you've been packed for three days.

No one stops you on your way out of the building, and only T'challa waits for you on the tarmac.

"Be strong, my friend. The world will be much changed for you." His warm brown eyes are full of sympathy.

"I don't want to leave him, T'challa" you sniffle "but I can't stay here. I have to go somewhere I can think clearly."

"Ah" The King of Wakanda pulls you into a comforting embrace.

"Thank you for understanding. I won't forget what you've done for us." You say, softly.

The dark figure on the ground fades to nothingness as your plane pulls away from the ground.

Here's to starting over.

You force yourself away from the window and pace the cabin for a phone.

Your fingers trembling you dial the number.

"Hello? Nat? It's Y/N. I think I'm reconsidering that offer to train."