Second Best

prologue

"Steve, I know you love Peggy, but i need to say this now. I've been in love with you for years, long before the serum. Before we even joined the war, back when you were picking fights in allies. We gotta put her in the water, but I just had to say it once." Betty gave Steve a half smile, before turning and walking over to his shield.

Steve came out of his shocked stupor when he heard the radio crackling.

Steve said his final goodbye to his love, promising a date he's going to have to miss.

*nearly 70 years later*

She leaned against the railing next to Steve. As they looked out over their changed glittering city, Betty sighed. "I'm leaving," she blurted, making his head snap towards her.

"What do you mean, 'I'm leaving'? Leaving where?!"

"I don't know yet, I think I'll start in California. Heard they've got this thing called coachella, apparently it's a big music festival. After that, I don't know, but I do know I need to go. For me." She said calmly, turning to Steve, giving him a melancholy smile.

"But what about me? You're just going to leave me here, alone!" He nearly shouted, waving his arms in the air.

"You already left me alone", she exclaimed with a fire deep in her hazel eyes.

Turning back to her he said, "and another thing, are we just not going to continue talking about what you said before we went down! You're apparently in love with me, and I-", he stopped for a moment to look at her. "I don't even know what to say", he whispered.

"That's the reason I need to go. I can't keep doing this to myself, I can't keep pining after someone who will never see me that way." Betty threw her arms in the air, "Steve I've been in love with you for 80 years. For decades I've been waiting for you to feel the same way, but I can't do it anymore", she laughed mirthlessly. "Bucky knew, he even tried to set us up on a date or two. God! He asked me out in front of you, to try to get a reaction. Every time I told you 'I love you', I didn't mean it as a friend or in a sisterly way. I meant what I said that day, but I can't keep hurting myself hoping for something to change!" Betty sighed. "I stood by and watched you fall in love with Peggy, while I sat there listening on about how beautiful you thought she was. I've cried to many tears over what could never be. Hell! I was awake down there for 5 years, pulling the entire hangar to the surface. I had a lot of time to think, but when you woke up asking about Peg...", she breathed out, letting her arms fall to her sides with a resounding smack. After a pause she said, "that was it for me. My wakeup call that I had to do something for me, that I need to get over you. I'll still be your best friend, I'll only be a phone call away if you need me or want to talk, but I have to go. I can't be the girl I was before the ice, the girl who waited for someone who never noticed. I'm not looking for permission, and I shouldn't be guilted into asking for forgiveness. Why should I sacrifice a way for me to finally be happy, just so you can hurt me more?" Betty tilted her head, looking at Steve, asking him to understand. When he didn't say anything, she turned around and walked back to the door. She paused for a moment, turning her head, she whispered, "I love you, but I need to put my well being first. I'm sorry." With that she walked through the door, tears brimming in her eyes. She felt a weight off her shoulders.