Chapter Text
The quiet hum of the apartment was comforting, the kind of calm that had become a sanctuary for the three men who had found peace in each other’s company. It was a rare moment of tranquility in their hectic lives as superheroes. Steve Rogers, Matt Murdock, and Bucky Barnes had forged a unique bond over the years built on trust and love. Despite the chaos that came with their work, they had found solace in their shared home, a space where they could be themselves, without the weight of their public personas.
That morning, they had just finished breakfast together, Matt teasing Bucky about his habit of slurping his coffee, Bucky laughing in return. Steve had just gotten up to grab the last cup when his phone buzzed on the table, interrupting the moment.
He picked it up, and the screen flashed with a message from Sam : "Steve, turn on the news. Now. You’re gonna want to see this."
Steve frowned. His mind raced through potential reasons Sam might be reaching out with such urgency. Without saying a word, he unlocked his phone and went onto a news site. The first headline he saw made his stomach drop:
"Captain America, Matt Murdock, and Bucky Barnes: The Superhero Throuple People Didn't Know They Needed"
The article included a picture taken from a private moment : a candid shot of the three of them laughing together at Josie’s, clearly unaware that they were being photographed. It wasn’t even an intimate photo, but the caption told a different story:
"Sources have confirmed that Captain America (Steve Rogers), former Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes) and Matt Murdock (a lawyer from Hell’s Kitchen) have been in a long-term relationship. The trio has been living together in New York, and while their private lives have remained largely shielded from the public eye, their love story has now come to light."
The image was innocent enough, just the three of them looking content and happy, but the headline felt like a bombshell.
Matt, who had been quietly reviewing a case file across the room, looked up as he felt blood leaving Steve's face.
"What is it?" he asked, concerned.
Before Steve could respond, Bucky noticed the change in Steve’s demeanor. He walked over and peered at the phone. His expression shifted from confusion to disbelief.
"You’ve got to be kidding me," Bucky muttered under his breath, but the weight of the words on the screen was undeniable.
The reality of the situation began to sink in. Their lives, which they had worked so hard to keep private, were now on display for the entire world to see and judge. It suddenly felt like their love was now no longer theirs alone.