A/N:This is the second part of an MCU story I’m working on. The first part can be foundhere if you want to catch up.
Synopsis:Steve learns more about you, but you have your eyes on someone else.
Word Count: 3.2k
Mentions:Alcohol, sexual tension, adult themes in conversation, slight fluff & smut
Part Two - Just Like Starting Over
The following morning you make your way to the kitchen again. You’d rather avoid it but considering you haven’t eaten anything for almost 24 hours you have no choice but to go. You smile softly as you hear the familiar sound of a voice you’ve missed. Turning into the room, you see Tony poking Bruce in the ribs and regarding him playfully, Natasha rolling her eyes a the pair and laughing. Thor shovling a spoonful of eggs in his mouth, but it’s Steve who notices you first and looks at you with slight concern in his eyes.
Wanda’s face lights up at the site of you “Y/N…Hey.” You smile warmly at the woman, one of the few people who understands what it’s like, to an extent, to share powers similar to yours. Tony and the others look up at you then, Steve standing up and Thor following suit.
Natasha smirks and Wanda raises her eyebrows at the same time as Tony, looking between the two men. You feel your cheeks flush with colour.
“Uh…Hi.” You walk further into the room, and make your way to the coffee pot. It’s Tony who speaks next as you pour yourself a drink.
“Y/N…Have you met Capsicle yet?” Thor’s laugh rolls across the room as you turn and see Steve scowling at Tony. You rest your butt against the counter, thankful that you’re at least covered up today. The feeling and memory of Steve’s eyes as they moved over your body, causing to you blush more.
“Yes, actually…We met last night.” You take your coffee and move over to the table, sitting in between Wanda and Thor. Thor sits down as you do, Steve following a second later. Tony’s tone is playful his eyebrow raised.
“Uh huh…And?” Your midway to bringing your cup to your mouth and frown.
“And what? I met him last night, that’s it. That’s the story.” Wanda stands then and puts a hand on your arm.
“Let me get you some eggs.” You smile at Wanda and Thor leans forward in his chair, crossing his arms and bringing his elbows to rest on the table in front of him.
“It is nice to see you Y/N.” You smirk and take a sip of your coffee.
“You saw me yesterday.” Something flashes over Thor’s face but his smile quickly replaces it.
“I know, but it is still nice to see you.” You smile at him as Wanda brings over your eggs and sits down next to you.
“Thank you, I didn’t know I could be this hungry.” The woman tilts her head.
“You’re not eating?” Before you can answer Steve leans forward.
“She didn’t eat her sandwich last night. And I offered to make her new one.” Nat settles back in her chair, crossing her arms and smiling playfully.
“Ok, I need to hear this.” Even Tony and Bruce stop and look over.
“Great, everyone’s staring at me. Thanks Steve!” You sigh and reach for your fork, Steve opening his mouth in protest but he stops when your eyes meet his. “I came to make some food and had my music on. Steve walked in, made me jump and I lost my sandwich.”
“I did offer to make you another one.” You ignore the man and take a bite of food, turning to Wanda who wraps her fingers around her own mug of coffee.
“So what are your plans for today?” Smiling at Wanda, you tilt your head.
“Actually I was going to ask if you’d do some more meditation training with me. I’ve found things a little hard to control recently.” Wanda nods her head and puts her hand on your arm.
“Of course. I’d be happy to help.” You offer her a friendly smile before turning to Nat.
“Oh also, I’m down for some sparring too.” Nat smiles at you.
“Fine by me. Thor? Steve? Want to join us?” You bristle slightly, you were kind of hoping it would just be you and Nat. You still felt uncomfortable after the emotions you felt from Steve last night, and whilst you liked Thor, you were finding yourself thinking about him more recently, and can’t be 100% sure the feelings are returned. You watch as the two men nod their head in agreement, Wanda stifling a laugh as she hears you whisper.
“Put me to sleep Wanda!” - You’re pleased when you get the gym and see Nat already there, the two of you talk and spend some time sparring. By the time Thor and Steve walk in, the pair of you are already flushed with thin layers of sweat on your body. You feel a rush of warmth ripple through your cheeks, as you eye the two men wearing grey joggers and tight tshirts. You’d be both blind and stupid, if you didn’t admit that they were both very attractive. Nat nudges you with her elbow and raises her eyebrow.
“Close your mouth!” You smile softly and shake your head. As she walks to the men.
“Started without us?” Steve’s voice is light and he smiles at Nat. It makes his face look different, you’ve only ever seen him looking stoic or concerned. Or like last night, overcome with emotion. You can’t help but smile along, Thor catching your eyes and smiling at you.
“Maybe you’re getting old Cap!” Nat teases back as Steve laughs, you lower your eyes to the floor blushing at the look in Thor’s eyes.
“Actually, we could do with mixing up partners. What do you say?” Nat turns to you, looking for your acceptance and you nod your head.
“I choose Y/N!” Thor’s voice booms out and Nat smirks and nods her head. “Looks like you’re with me Cap!” There’s a moment where you and Steve look over at each other and he looks as though he want’s to say something, but you turn on your heel and walk to the opposite side of the room.
“Is she going to be okay with him? She looks pretty small.” Nat looks at Steve for a second, before bringing her arm forward, he blocks it easily.
“Are you judging someone on their appearances Steve? Really?” Nat spins and connects her hand with Steve’s neck, he bounces on the balls of his feet and moves forward, ducking out of the way of one of Nat’s other punches. He smiles at her, the pair of them light on their feet, fists raised.
“No, but Thor is a God.” Nat raises her eyebrows and smirks, ducking as Steve swings for her.
“She’s stronger than she looks…Watch.” The pair lower their arms and perch on the side of the boxing ring that stands in the centre of the room. Steve has to admit it, Y/N is light on her feet, she moves gracefully and is blocking every move Thor is coming at her with.
“You’re not going easy on me are you big guy?” You ask Thor as you duck another swing, moving behind him and kneeing the back of his legs causing him to fold and lose balance.
“I would never insult you by going easy on you tiny lady.” He moves quick and grips his arm around your neck, your back flush against his body. You move your hands up and wrap your fingers over his forehams, his breath warm against your neck. You feel him hesitate slightly and you bite your lower lip in an attempt to ignore the need that is washing through you. You grip harder on his arm and bend your body sharply, flipping the demi-god on the floor in front of you knocking the wind out of him.
Across the room Steve stands up straighter, his mouth open slightly and Nat grins at him “Told you.” He watches as Y/N looks down at Thor, slight concern on her face.“Are you ok? Do you need a hand standing up?”
Steve can hear the smile in Thor’s voice as he reaches up to grab Y/N’s hand, but instead of using it to pull himself up, he pulls Y/N down on top of him. “Give me a hug, I am proud of you!” You place your hands on either side of Thor’s head, arms straight. Stray pieces of hair caging your face, your eyes on Thor’s as he smiles at you and wraps his arms around your waist.
“You know this isn’t how people usually hug right?” Thor’s thumb brushes against your lower back and you bite down a smile at the look on his face. He nods his head and you stand up, your hand outstretched. This time Thor takes it and allows you to help him up, despite not really needing it.
Steve feels something wash through him, as he watches you and Thor breathing deeply and keeping your eyes on each other, your hand still in his.
“Shall we swap?” Nats question snaps you from your reverie and you pull your hand from Thor’s. The two of you looking away from each other shyly. You cross the room and grab your towel.
“Actually…I’m doing some meditation training with Wanda, so I better shower and change.” You head to the door and glance back once. Nat smiling at you, Thor watching you admiringly and Steve frowning slightly.
“See you guys later.” And you walk out of the room, your mind rushing with a million questions.
-
You always feel better after your sessions with Wanda. So when you enter the main room of the compound that night, you feel lighter and even a little excited. As it was the last Saturday of the month, all of you got together and dressed up a bit, sharing food and drinks. All of you spaced out doing your own thing but still together like a family. It’s one of the things that made all the bad stuff bearable, having these people around you.
You’ve opted for fitted jeans, heeled boots and a backless top. Your hair in loose curls over one shoulder and a simple red lip. Your eyes scan the room and you see Wanda and Nat but before you cross over to them, Steve stands in your way. He looks really good in brown boots, jeans and a plaid shirt. Once again his eyes scan your body, lingering momentarily on your breasts, before he snaps his eyes up to yours. His cheeks turning pink.
“Hi Y/N. I was hoping to talk to you before but didn’t get round to it. Mind if I bend your ear for five minutes?” He smiles at you warmly as you place your hands in the back pocket of your jeans.
“Okay, sure.” He looks relieved and takes a step closer. When his eyes meet yours they look sincere.
“Last night, I wanted to apologise. I came across as rude and old fashioned. If I upset you, it certainly wasn’t my intention.” You smile softly at his words, the phrasing all very formal and kind of sweet.
“Actually, I should apologise too. I shouldn’t have rushed out of there like that.” Steve smiles and the effect when aimed directly at you, is slightly mesmerising. “I can’t recall what I said, but I remember saying something and your face falling and then I felt all these things.” Steve frowns slightly.
“What do you mean?” You take a moment to think of how to word it and tilt your head.
“Well, part of my thing, like you with the super strength and the muscles.” Steve’s smiles amusingly here. “Is that I can pick up on peoples emotions, which can be quite useful as hard as it is…In fact if it’s strong enough, I can even pick up on feelings from something that may have happened years before. Whatever I said brought back a feeling of great sadness in you and it was kind of overwhelming for me after all that had happened that day.” You go quiet for a moment, Steve’s eyes watching you, his face empathetic.
“I’m sorry, for whatever I said that may have brought those memories back and for whatever caused those memories in the first place too.” He holds your gaze for a second before giving you a smile.
“ I appreciate your sweet words and no need to apologise. I’m sorry that I made you uncomfortable.” You laugh easing the tension slightly and shake your head.
“It’s fine…It’s just something we’ll both have to get used to if we’re going to work together.” Steve smiles and straightens up, hooking his thumb on to the belt of his jeans. Your eyes snap down quickly but soon come back to meet his.
“I’m sure we will. So? Anything else I should know about you?” You purse you lips and look like you’re thinking and close the distance between the two of you. There’s only an inch between you and you see Steve’s cheeks flush with colour as you bat your eyelashes and whisper.
“I’m not as sweet as I look.” You flash him a smile and walk away. You hear the man let out a breath, his eyes watching you, they widen slightly as he takes in the tiny symbols tattooed down your spine.
A few hours later, you’re sat around one of the tables laughing with Wanda, Nat, Sam and Thor. Thor sat beside, he knee resting against yours. Sam’s eye brows are raised as he shakes his head.
“I had no idea you were so wild Nat.” The woman smirks and playfully replies.
“Oh trust me, I have alot more stories. But it’s not my turn…” She turns to you then.
“Ok Y/N, three truths and a lie.” You’re thinking of what to stay when Steve walks over and takes a seat.
“What are we playing?” Nat smiles at him and looks back to you
“Three truths and a lie, it’s Y/N’s turn.” Steve smiles and shuffles closer to the table.
“I know this one.” Thor leans back and rests his arm behind you, his fingertips brushing your shoulder. You give Nat a mischievous look.
“Okay….I can speak fluent French. I can play the guitar. I’ve had a sex dream about someone in this room and I have pierced nipples.” Steve chokes on his beer at the same time Thor sits forward. Wanda laughs and Nat takes a pull of her beer.
“I already know so I’m staying out of this.” Sam laughs.
“Ok, more stories I need to hear.” You laugh and shake your head and take a sip of your drink. Steve looks at you, his face red.
“Uh nipples?” You nod your head. Steve’s mouth opens and he glances at your breasts again before looking at the ceiling awkwardly.
“That’s one of the truths, well done Cap.” Thor shifts next to you and when you glance at him, he catches your eye and smiles at you. You hold his gaze for a moment before Wanda speaks.
“You can play the guitar…Very beautifully too.” You smile at your friend, a thank you in your eyes.
“Another truth.” Sam smiles at you.
“I had no idea, how long have you been playing?” You tilt your head in thought.
“Uh about five years.” You go to take another pull of your beer but realise your bottle is empty. You stand to grab another one, Steve looking up at you, eyes wide and shining, his lower lip pink.
“What about your other truth?” You smirk over at Nat before brushing your hand through your hair.
“I don’t speak French…I’m awful at it actually…Terrible!” You walk over to the bar and lean forward to grab another beer, you twist the cap off and take a sip. Nat and Sam breaking out into laughter.
Turning back around, you see Thor’s eyes on you and you hold his gaze, a small smile playing on your lips, your smile gets bigger as you see him stand and cross the room. Leaning his elbow on the bar next to you. The others don’t seem phased and are talking amongst themselves, but Steve can’t take his eyes off the two of them. His shackles raising slightly as he watches you lean in close and whisper something in Thor’s ear.
The golden god nods his head at your words and Steve feels the breath catch in his throat as Thor places his hand on the small of your back for a moment before you stand.
You smile at Thor as you get off the stool and walk from the room. Steve watches you, his brow furrowed slightly. A few moments later Thor stands and yawns theatrically.
“I am going to bed. Goodnight.” He strides from the room, oblivious to the look exchanged between Nat and Sam. Steve leans forward.
“Does anyone else find it strange that Thor clearly isn’t tired and has left the room moments after Y/N?” Wanda smiles and leans forward her chin resting on her hand.
“Interesting.” Steve frowns and sits back slightly.
“Are you…Are you in my mind?” Wanda looks innocent and shakes her head.
“I would never.” Nat smirks at him, eyebrow raised.
“Why does it matter Steve?” He wipes his hand against the leg of his jeans and stutters slightly.
“Well…I don’t think they’re courting and put it this way, I don’t think they’re just talking..” His cheeks flush here but he looks pleased with himself, straightening up slightly. Sam shakes his head looking over.
“You really need to get out Cap!”
-
When you get back to your room you kick off your boots and tug your jeans off, turning the lights down so it gives the room a more relaxing vibe. As you press play on your playlist you hear two sharp knocks on your door. Taking a deep breath you open the door and see Thor standing there, a smile on his face.
“Come in.” You reach forward and grip the front of his tshirt, pulling him through the door. Your eyes holding each others gaze. He kicks the door shut with his foot and reaches his hand behind him, to turn the lock in place. You jump into his arms and your lips crash against each other, Thor holding you as though you weigh nothing. You pull away from the kiss and rest your forehead against his.
“The bed.” Your lips meet his again then as Thor carries you to your bed. He places you down gently on the edge and steps back, pulling his tshirt over his head and unbuckling the belt of his jeans. You bite your lip and watch him as he kicks off his boots and pulls his jeans down his legs. You stand up and Thor brings his hands to your hips, gripping them slightly. You place your palms against his chest, the feeling of his firm body pressed against yours, sending a heat somewhere low and intimate.
“You are very beautiful midgardian…I am very fond of you.” You feel your cheeks flush, a flicker of a smile running across your mouth.
“Well…The feeling is mutual.” Thor moves his hands over the curve of your butt, before gripping the hem of your top and pulling it over your head. His eyes darken as they scan over your face and body and your lips find one another once more. You brush your fingers against the nape of his neck, as he lifts you and positions you both on the bed. Your hands wandering over every inch of his body, you moan into the kiss as he eases your panties down your leg. The feeling of his pleasure combining with yours.
Masterlist - Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures
Plot summary :An Agent assigned to work with the Avengers is exposed to a new Hydra neuro-toxin and needs intimate assistance, but who should help them? This is my take on the sex pollen trope.
Choose your favourite - Thor or Steve : There are two options shown below, the reader gets to choose whether Thor or Steve will be the one to offer NSFW assistance.
Note : The two Times stories are very similar but the two versions of Measures are almost completely different, because let’s face it Thor and Steve will have a different approach to sex!
Desperate Times is the build-up to the story with sexual tension and some dirty talk, whilst Desperate Measures has all the really filthy smut. They can be read as stand-alone fics but are better read together.
Warnings - NSFW, 18+ only, smut, more smut, swearing, sex pollen so sort of dub-con
Tony throws a party, and you have no shortage of admirers. But where does your heart really lie? And why does Thor have a glittery beard? (Reader is Tony’s sister)
Masterlist - Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures
Plot summary :An Agent assigned to work with the Avengers is exposed to a new Hydra neuro-toxin and needs intimate assistance, but who should help them? This is my take on the sex pollen trope.
Choose your favourite - Thor or Steve : There are two options shown below, the reader gets to choose whether Thor or Steve will be the one to offer NSFW assistance.
Note : The two Times stories are very similar but the two versions of Measures are almost completely different, because let’s face it Thor and Steve will have a different approach to sex!
Desperate Times is the build-up to the story with sexual tension and some dirty talk, whilst Desperate Measures has all the really filthy smut. They can be read as stand-alone fics but are better read together.
Warnings - NSFW, 18+ only, smut, more smut, swearing, sex pollen so sort of dub-con
Summary:Harper Lee “Harley” Barton had always been the hunter, but when the tables are turned on her, Harper must put aside her natural instinct of protecting her family through distance by coming out of the shadows and admitting the truth. Will she survive the challenges that lie ahead of her? Or will she fall prey to her own darkness once more?
Pairing - Bucky X Harper (OC)
JUST ABOUT DONE!!! Should begin positing by next week!
Five years ago, Maura walked away from Hydra for good. She never imagined that, after everything, the Avengers would welcome her back as one of their own. But here she was.
She worked hard to rebuild a friendship with everyone on the team. She enjoyed spending time with Nat and Wanda when they were off duty, thanks to their shared histories with Hydra; she had even grown fond of Steve and Sam. The two had taken her under their wings like an older brother would a younger sister, despite her being a few years older than Sam. Her work in the lab provided plenty of opportunities to spend time with Tony and Bruce, too.
Maura’s relationship with Morgan grew as well. She watched her niece grow from a small girl into a teenager. They shared a lot of the same interests, both having similar personalities. It was easy for them to talk for hours, and sometimes they didn’t need words at all. When they needed it most, they could just hear each other speak.
Nothing could have prepared her, though, for the relationship she formed with James Barnes. Their connection was more profound than any she shared with the others. He was the only one who truly understood what she had gone through. As the weeks, months, even years went on, she and James grew closer each day.
Their relationship eventually took on an intimate nature, something Maura had not experienced before with anyone else. Sure, she had flings in the past, but they were never like this. There was never love involved, no romance, no feelings of passion, attraction, or anything. With Bucky, however, Maura found all those feelings and more. For the first time in her life, she felt safe. She felt loved. She felt wanted.
Sitting on the couch, the main room of the penthouse of the Avenger’s Tower aglow from the holiday decorations, surrounded by friends and family, Maura knew there was no place she’d rather be. Everything in her life, she now knew, had happened for a reason. It had happened to lead her to who she had become and to where she was now. To a place where she finally felt whole, complete, and free. Where she finally felt content.
Resting a hand on her growing belly, Maura looked around at everyone as they opened gifts, laughing and having fun together. This is where she belonged. This is where she is supposed to be. And she couldn’t be happier.
Maura sat at the conference table with Clint, Steve, Natasha, and Bucky. Tony stood at the head of the table in front of a large screen. The image shown was one Maura knew well.
“This is our next mission,” Tony stated. “Hydra seems to have acquired some information and is trying to replicate my technology.”
“What do we know about the location?” Nat asked.
“From what we can tell, it should be a fairly easy job. There are a few scientists and only about four guards protecting the entire location. Now, that doesn’t -”
“Your intel is wrong,” Maura cut in.
Tony looked over at her. “What?”
“Your intel is wrong,” she repeated.
“How do you know?” Steve questioned her.
“Because… I spent a fair share of my time there.” She glanced down for a moment, then up again. “I know the place inside and out. There are about half a dozen scientists at any given time, usually all working on the same project, but not always. The main lab alone has at least two guards. The small lab on the west side will typically only have one guard when it’s actually in use. You’ll find another dozen agents spread around the grounds and watching the main gate.” Maura looked around the table, meeting each of their gazes before continuing. “It’s not the most heavily guarded facility on Hydra’s roster, but it’s not as empty as your intel would lead you to believe.”
“I don’t understand. Why would our information be so far off?” Steve questioned.
“Well, whether you like this news or not, you have several Hydra agents working within S.H.I.E.L.D.. Some of which work rather closely with your team on occasion,” Maura shrugged. “It wouldn’t surprise me if one of them was the one putting the information together for this little mission and was trying to send you into an ambush.”
“What do you suggest then?” Tony asked, taking a seat at the table.
Maura took a deep breath, not wanting to screw up this chance her brother was giving her. “I’d say you’re better off being safe than sorry. Take more team members than you think you might need. Or at least take the right ones.”
“Who do you suggest then?” Natasha pressed.
“Honest opinion?” Maura asked, watching as each person at the table nodded for her to continue. “If you want to use the smallest number of teammates, I’d send Barnes in to start. With his marksmanship skills, he can easily take out most of the guards on the outside. However, it couldn’t hurt to have Romanoff as a backup. She could take out a couple of them close up while Barnes picks off the rest from a distance. As for the two at the door, if Barnes is positioned right, he could take care of them too. Otherwise, they should be easy enough for anyone to take care of, really.”
Maura sat back in her chair, secretly enjoying having them all pay such close attention to what she had to say. “Once inside, Steve, Tony, and Nat should have no problem taking out the remaining agents.”
“What about the scientists?” Tony questioned.
“They shouldn’t give you too much trouble. Most of them don’t like confrontation. But if you want security, I can tag along and keep them contained while the rest of you do what you need to do.” Maura offered.
“Are you sure, though?” Steve asked cautiously.
“Yeah,” Bucky agreed. “It still sounds pretty risky.”
“Maura,” Tony stood from his chair, “I’m taking your lead on this. If anything goes wrong, I trust you to fix it.” The room grew silent, everyone looking between the two and waiting for a response. A nod was all Tony needed. “Good,” he turned to walk away. “Everyone suit up,” he called over his shoulder as the door closed behind him.
Natasha, Clint, and Bucky made quick work of the Hydra agents patrolling the base’s perimeter. There were far more than just the four guards they had been led to believe would be there. So far, Maura was right in what she told them.
Maura proved to be helpful getting into the building as well. It seems they hadn’t removed her from their systems, so she was able to get the doors open with a simple hand scan. Once inside, she led Tony and Steve to the central lab, where Steve quickly subdued the two guards at the door. As they entered the room, the scientists looked up in surprise. Before any could say anything, however, Maura gave them all a stern look. “Leave,” she demanded.
Tony and Steve watched as the six men scurried out of the lab, leaving the trio alone, save for one other person. Someone Maura had not expected to see at the facility.
“Scientists are making their way out. You three contain them. We’ve got company to deal with in here,” Tony spoke through the comms to the team outside.
“Ah, Raven. So nice of you to join us,” the lone Hydra agent smiled at her.
“Malick,” Maura replied coldly. “What are you doing here?”
“I have been overseeing this project personally, as you well know. And unfortunately, after your little escape, you left me in a rather tight predicament. I could no longer send you here to work on things and bring me updates, so I had to start coming by myself. Lucky me, I just happened to be here on the day you decided to visit as well.” He smirked.
“Who is he?” Steve asked quietly, stepping up to Maura’s right side.
“He was, essentially, my boss. The Malick family ties run deep in Hydra. There always seems to be one lurking around,” she explained.
“Is he going to try anything?” Tony asked quietly, also keeping his voice down.
“No,” Maura shook her head. “And he won’t make any moves against me.” She looked at Malick. “So, what’s the real reason you are here, Malick? You didn’t come here just to check on the project.”
“Not entirely true,” Malick said. “You see, Raven, this project was far more than just a suit. I had received some interesting reports regarding your whereabouts, and I knew you wouldn’t miss the opportunity to return here when given the chance.”
Maura stared daggers at Malick. “You’re right. I didn’t miss my chance to destroy the place that made me.” She took a few steps toward the center of the room where the man stood, “And I don’t have time for your games. I know you’re trying to stall, and it won’t work.” Maura lifted her left hand, and a purple glow sparked around her fingertips. “Steve, stand behind me and put your shield up,” she instructed. Once he was in place, Maura stepped in a small circle where she stood. In seconds, a giant blast of purple energy shot out in a wave around the entire room. The computers shut down as smoke rose from the back of each monitor, and Malick found himself thrown back against the wall.
Lifting her right hand, her palm facing her former boss, a blue ball of smoke encompassed the man and lifted him off the floor. “I think you forget just how strong Hydra made me, Malick,” she growled, “I am always going to be miles ahead of your games. But I do love a challenge, sir,” she mocked him.
“You know if you kill me, there will be more to take my place, Raven,” Malick tried to reason.
“I am well aware of how Hydra works,” she lowered the man back to the floor. Closing her hand into a fist, the cloud around him disappeared, “That’s why I’m not going to kill you. But take this as a warning, Malick.” Maura looked to her left and right as Steve and Tony stepped up next to her, “If you come for my family again, it will end bloody.”
Maura looked at her reflection in the mirror. She hadn’t even been back a year yet, but each time she donned her Hydra uniform on, she felt a greater sense of discomfort than she had the time before. Hydra had been her home; she had worn the symbol proudly for so many years. She had been happy to do her part, fulfilling her duty to an organization that, in her mind, saved her life.
But now? Knowing what she now knew about her family, about S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra, she saw no reason at all to wear the symbol, nor to serve Hydra any longer. Maura had hoped that the feeling would fade the longer she spent back in the black, but it had grown stronger by the day. She now knew that to some extent, for better or worse, both Hydra and the Avengers had raised her. How could she help her friends if she failed to do what she felt was right?
She thought of her entry into Hydra after she was left in that hospice, alone, without any family to keep her grounded. They had taken her in, given her work and a sense of purpose. She had been a special ops agent, trained to a level only the best were allowed to reach. Intensive study under the likes of the Winter Soldier himself. She even taught young agents the ropes and how to be good spies. But that was all behind her now.
Maura patted her uniform, feeling the outline of the emblem on her waist and a small hidden knife she kept in the right side of her belt. Something about it all felt - wrong. She knew what she had to do.
Changing into regular clothing, she quickly packed a small duffel. Maura didn’t have much, she didn’t need much, but she knew she’d have to leave most of her treasured weapons behind if she was going to be able to take the essential things. So, she placed her daggers, small knife, and a couple of small guns, along with whatever clothing she could stuff inside the bag. Maura checked her desk drawers and grabbed her copy of the flash drive she had made from Tony’s computer. She opened the long center drawer and took out the only item inside; it was a small, five-by-eight-inch piece of paper with a drawing. Maura folded it in half and tucked it into the outer pocket of her bag.
Quickly making her way to the parking garage, Maura did her best to remain unnoticed. Maura hopped inside once she found her car, set her bag on the passenger seat, and turned the car on. She sat for a few minutes in silence, just listening to the engine, while she thought about what she was doing. This is for the best. This is the right choice. Maura backed the vehicle from its spot, threw it in drive, and drove away from the home she had known for so long.
After several hours of driving, Maura finally arrived back at the Tower. Getting out of her car and heading towards the main entrance, she could hear a few guards talking to each other as if she was not there. Hearing their warm tones, in contrast to the cold, odd ones many of her Hydra brothers and sisters spoke, made her feel welcome, even if they weren’t talking to her. With some smooth talking with the guard at the elevator, she made her way up to the top, where she knew the team would be.
Hearing the ding of the elevator, each of the Avengers stopped what they were doing and turned to see who had arrived. When Maura stepped out of the elevator, she put her hand up just in time to stop a knife that was soaring toward her neck, courtesy of Wanda. “I deserve that,” Maura muttered as she grabbed the knife out of the air.
“We have nothing to say to you, Maura. Just go.” Tony was cold, distant. He turned his back to his sister and walked toward the doors for the balcony. It may have been a front, but he had been hurt.
“There is a lot I need to explain,” she tried to reason. “To all of you.” Tony kept walking away and ignored her, having given up on her when she betrayed the team for Hydra.
“Tony, please - ?” Maura pushed, but he wasn’t giving up easily. “Damn it, Stark! Set the fucking attitude aside. Just hear me out.” At the last word, Tony turned to face her. “I’m not going to hurt you. I would never have come to see you if I had wanted to do that.”
He stopped just inches from the door but kept his guard, still trying to decide if he wanted to give her a chance.
“Tony, please. Just listen to me.” She knew her brother was upset, and he had every right to be. “I swear, I-”
“Don’t,” Tony cut her off. “You betrayed the team. You betrayed S.H.I.E.L.D. You played both sides, wove some bullshit tale, and destroyed what hope we had.” He had a point, she thought.
“Yes. I did,” she agreed. “And I’m sorry. But -”
“I don’t believe you!” He yelled, cutting her off again.
“Why? Why can’t you -” Maura tried.
“Because you’re a liar!” Tony yelled again, letting his emotions get the better of him. “You are the worst kind of liar because your lies sound so much like the truth I can’t tell the difference.”
“Why don’t we just hear her out, huh?” Natasha stepped up.
“You’re right,” Maura sat on an empty chair, slumping forward. The team never took their eyes off of her. “I am a liar, alright. I’m the black sheep, you know? The defective twin that nobody wanted.” She looked up at her brother, tears brimming her eyes, “It must feel real nice for you to stand here judging me. Surrounded by all the things that you got out of life while I spent decades as the family reject, not to mention the ten years I spent in isolation before Hydra took me.” Maura’s eyes turned cold and dark as she let out a low growl while continuing, “Well, let me tell you, every inch of me wants to kill you for that. Every part!” Her eyes began to glow a deep blue color as her anger stirred.
A small voice came from behind them, “Maura? Wh-what’s happening?”
Maura glanced over, seeing her beautiful niece standing by the island in the kitchen. The glow in her eyes faded, and her anger melted away, “But I can’t,” she finished softly.
“I mean, that’s a good thing, right?” Sam chimed in.
“Because I made a promise to someone special. Someone who never looked at me as anything more, or less, than a person she could look up to.”
“That’s right, daddy. Maura pinky promised!” Morgan exclaimed as she ran to Tony.
“You can’t break a pinky promise,” Maura’s voice was almost a whisper, the tears threatening her eyes once again. The team stood and watched, trying to see what the next move would be from either side. “Look, I left Hydra, and as soon as they realize that, I’m going to be in real danger. The only way that I am going to be able to survive is if you help me.” She says, looking up at her brother, almost pleading, “And, personally, I’d like to live. Because I didn’t get to do a whole lot of it before everyone else decided I wasn’t worth it.”
There was a long pause. Tony looked between Morgan and the team. “You’re right,” Tony finally spoke up again. “You didn’t get to do much of it before, being all alone with no one around. But that doesn’t excuse what you did to the team and to me. You lied to us. All of us,” he continued. “I won’t -”
“Please,” Maura begged. “Tony, I’m begging you. It’s just Hydra,” she breathed in, trying to keep herself together while she explained herself. “Hydra, they had such -”
“I don’t want to hear it!” He snapped.
“Fine!” She yelled, rising to her feet, balling her hands into fists at her sides. “I understand you feel pain and betrayal. I feel the same. I was naive. I fully admit that, but Hydra was the only family I knew. Then, I found you. My brother, my blood - I trusted you, I trusted the Avengers. I wanted -”
“So what then?” Tony cut her off, his voice rising. “You come back here, knowing they will follow, putting all of us in danger, for what?”
“Because,” she continued, looking at him, “I’m… I’m sorry. Okay? I knew, even if you - all of you - couldn’t forgive me, I at least needed to say it to you all before disappearing.”
Morgan left the comfort of her father’s grasp and walked to her aunt. Reaching out, she took Maura’s hands and repeated the words she had shared months before, “Good isn’t a thing you are.”
Maura couldn’t help but feel the corners of her lips curl into the smallest of smiles, crouching down to be level with Morgan as she recited the words with her niece, “It’s the things you do and the choices you make.”
There was another long pause. The team looked between each other and at the duo in front of them. Tony continued to glare at his sister until she looked in his direction and his eyes finally locked onto hers. “Maura…I don’t know what to say.”
“Then say nothing,” Maura pleaded as she stood again. “Just please, don’t send me out that door.”
“Tony…” Natasha spoke up, her voice soft, “Barton and Fury gave me a chance when I sure as hell didn’t deserve one. We should give her a second chance. Besides, don’t we owe it to her?”
Tony sighed, letting out a long breath, and ran one hand over his face, “I guess we do.”
“Thank you,” Maura smiled.
“But,” Tony continued, pointing at her, “That doesn’t mean we’re going to just let you walk back in here and rejoin the team like nothing happened. You betrayed us during a mission; we can’t just let that slide.”
“I know, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to earn your trust again. Start over at square one and work to be someone you can all count on.”
“I’m willing to work with her, Tony. I can’t speak for everyone else, but I’m willing to take her with me and take responsibility until she can get back in everyone’s good graces.” Natasha announced, “I’ve been there, Maura.”
“Fury?” Clint spoke up. “You’re the final say in all this.” Everyone turned to where he was looking, not realizing the director had arrived at the Tower.
Nick walked up to Tony. “What’s going on here?”
“Maura,” Tony started, “Wants to start over. She wants a second chance.”
“Is she telling you everything?” Fury pressed.
Tony looked at her, a silent look of confusion on his face. “It seems so anyway.”
“Is there anything else you’re not telling us, Maura?” Fury asked, ignoring the confusion from both of them.
“I swear to you, Nick. I am sorry for everything I caused. I’m done being Hydra’s pawn. I want my family back - my real family.” She looked around at the faces staring back at her.
Fury looked over to Tony, who shrugged. Turning to look back at Maura, Nick thought about what to say next. “We can’t trust you yet,“ he said coldly. "You’ll still need to prove yourself before we can allow you back into our ranks.”
Maura nodded silently, tears starting to build in her eyes again. She understood his reasoning and was glad he was at least giving her a chance.
As Fury turned to leave, Maura spoke up once more, “I have one last request, though, sir,” her voice shaking slightly. He stopped at the edge of the room and glanced back at Maura. With a deep breath, she continued, “I need a different name.“
"And why is that?” he questioned.
“I want some distance from my past. From Hydra. Some distance from the roles that I have been filling my whole life. I don’t want to be the Raven anymore; that was someone they created. I want… no, I need to be someone new. Someone that Hydra hasn’t had a hand in.”
“I’m sure we can come up with something,” Fury offered, understanding her need to recreate herself.
It had only been a couple of weeks since Maura left. Tony was taking it harder than the others. He’d tried to keep up his act of normalcy, but he wasn’t fooling anyone. Every time he thought about the events that went down, he questioned what he missed.
How could she do something like this? We were family. We are family. We’re blood. I welcome her into my home and onto the team, and this is how she repays me?
“Tony?” Pepper called from the door.
“Yeah?”
“Are-are you okay?” she stepped into the lab, walking toward where he sat slumped over at a table.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” he looked up from his hands, locking eyes with his wife.
“I just…” she sighed softly, taking in his disheveled appearance. “You know you can’t blame yourself, right?”
“Then who do I blame, Pepper? Huh? Who? Tell me!” he snapped. He had been trying to keep it together all week, not wanting to show how upset he was. If she hadn’t come in here, then maybe he would’ve kept his emotions at bay until he calmed down.
“I don’t know, Tony. Your parents? Hydra? Regardless, it isn’t your fault.” She reached out, laying a hand on his shoulder.
He leaned into her touch. It felt good to have someone there, someone that cared enough to try and understand him. “Maybe before, I could have blamed them all. But she was here, Pepper. She spent two years in our home. I trusted her. I let her into the family; I let her onto the team… I let her meet our daughter. I did all that, no one else.” He shook his head, running a hand through his hair, letting go of his anger.
“You’re right. You did. But Maura made a choice to betray that trust. Nothing you did or didn’t do could have stopped that.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and gave him a comforting squeeze before leaning forward, planting a kiss on his temple.
“It’s been months, and we’ve done nothing to try to save her,” Tony argued with the others, all sitting around the large conference table. “I have to do something. I can’t just leave my sister with them.”
“We can’t risk it, Tony, you know that,” Steve tried to reason.
“And why not?” he questioned. “You risked everything multiple times for Barnes,” Tony countered. “This is my sister we’re talking about here.”
“It’s different, Tony, and you know it.”
“Steve’s right, Tony,” Bruce added, “Maura made a choice herself to go back to Hydra. No one forced her to leave.”
“We all know how Hydra is. They brainwashed her for years! She -”
“Tony!” Natasha interrupted, her voice loud and commanding as she stared at him, “Maura was here for two years. She made the conscious choice to go back.”
“What if she didn’t, though? What if they sent her here? What if everything she told us at the start was a lie?”
“Then that’s on us. We opened ourselves up to that infiltration. But the bottom line in all of this is that Maura betrayed us, Tony. She lied, she manipulated, she took advantage of us. That’s on her,” Natasha said firmly. “Look, I get it. But she’s been gone for four months. You need to come to terms with the truth, Stark. I’m sorry.”
Maura had been gone for six months already. Morgan had slowed in her asking about her aunt, which meant she was doing much better. Tony had tried to make peace with Maura’s betrayal, but every time he thought about it, he felt angry again. It didn’t help that every time he saw Morgan, he couldn’t help but feel guilty, too. Maura’s betrayal of the team and of Tony was one thing. But for her to betray her niece? It was something else entirely. Tony could tell Morgan still missed her aunt, even if she didn’t fully understand what was going on.
“Daddy?” Tony heard Morgan’s soft voice, breaking his train of thought.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
She walked into his office. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” he answered as he lifted her into his lap.
“Is Aunt Maura a bad guy again?” she asked softly.
“I don’t know how to answer that, kiddo. I don’t know what your aunt is doing or planning,” Tony said.
“Do you think she will ever come back?” Morgan asked innocently.
“I don’t know, sweetheart,” Tony responded truthfully.
“Daddy, if she does come back, you won’t hurt her, will you?” Morgan looked up at him with big brown eyes full of fear.
“No, no, sweetie,” he tried to assure her, though even he didn’t know what would happen if Maura ever showed up at the Tower again.
“Good,” Morgan nodded solemnly, settling into Tony’s arms.
“No matter what happens,” Tony began, causing Morgan to look up at him, “You still have all of us here.”
“I know, daddy,” Morgan smiled weakly, “I just miss Maura.”
“I know, kiddo,” Tony pulled his little girl closer and kissed the top of her head, “Hey, why don’t we ask Nat and Wanda to take you to the park or something? Huh? Get you out of the Tower for a bit and have some fun?”
Morgan nodded eagerly and hugged her father tighter. The pair walked out of the office and went to find the two women. Tony gave Natasha a credit card to use and told her they could take Morgan anywhere she wanted to go.
Maura sat in the conference room of Hydra’s current headquarters, with three members of her command. It had been quite a while since she had sat around a Hydra table, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something didn’t feel right about it any longer.
They discussed her time with S.H.I.E.L.D. and with the Avengers. She gave them all the information she had about the team, what their next targets were, as well as giving them all the details she managed to gather about Tony’s latest project. She set a flash drive on the table, “This is everything I was able to extract from his system about the suit. He hasn’t perfected it yet, but he’s getting close.”
Malick nodded his head once. “Very well then, I believe we are done here. Raven, you may go.”
Raven stood quickly and began heading for the door. After the door closed behind her, the room fell silent for a minute before Sergeant Batrel spoke. “Are we sure that we can trust her to take down her own brother?”
“Only time will tell. Even if Raven does betray us, it won’t really matter any longer. We have what we need,” Saltz assured the others.
It had only been a couple of weeks since she had returned to Hydra. Maura sat in her room in silence, like she had done any time she was free. Though she wasn’t being sent out on any jobs yet, she still assisted in the lab when they needed her. Maura looked at the flash drive sitting on her dresser, having made a duplicate before giving one to her superiors. She had already memorized every detail on there, but still, she could not help but feel uneasy. What did Hydra want with the suit? What purpose would they use it for, and why would they attempt it now? Even Tony hadn’t perfected it yet. There was no telling what could happen or the consequences if it failed. A knock on her door startled her.
“Raven,” she heard called from the other side.
“Yes?”
Her door clicked open, and Malick stepped inside. “Sorry if I’m disturbing your evening. But I need to speak with you in private for a moment.”
Maura nodded and got up from where she’d been sitting on her bed. “Of course, sir. What’s going on?” She asked, following Malick out of her room.
“There has been some… development concerning the current project,” Malick said as they made their way to his office.
“Is something wrong with the suit, sir?”
“The suit is working just as we had hoped, and the project is progressing smoothly. However,” Malick paused and opened the door to his office for her to step inside, then followed after her. They both took seats at his desk, and he continued his thought. “The suit won’t be ready before your next mission, and I need to know you will be able to do your job, Raven.”
Maura looked up at him, “What do you mean by that, sir? You don’t think I can handle myself in combat?”
“I know you can handle yourself. But we are trying to dismantle a team that you have spent the last two years getting rather close with. I am worried you won’t be able to separate yourself. Not to mention that we don’t know how they will react when they see you again.”
“Sir-”
Malick held up his hand, silencing her. “It isn’t a matter of not being able to put those feelings aside. It is a question of whether or not you want to. If you aren’t ready, Raven, you aren’t ready.” He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest.
“I understand the concern, sir. But I can do this.” Maura tried to convince him as much as she wanted to convince herself.
“Very well. Your next assignment is in two days, and I expect you to be ready for it. Understood?”
She nodded, “Understood, sir.”
“Good.” Malick turned back to his work, “You’re dismissed.” She nodded and left Malick’s office.
Maura had been back with Hydra for six short months, but it seemed like she had never left. She was back to doing missions, working in the lab, and training some recruits.
Malick was cautious. He still wasn’t sure she was ready for the larger tasks, so he only sent her on small missions. She was taking out low-level S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, infiltrating locations, and recon missions. But never on anything that involved members of the Avengers specifically.
Though Maura kept busy with her tasks, she couldn’t help but wonder what her family was doing. What her brother was working on, what Morgan was learning in school, what Banner was doing in the lab, or what mindless training everyone was going through. A part of her missed reading stories to her niece at bedtime, going for runs in the morning with Sam, teaming with Tony to take down their enemies.
A knock on her door drew her from her thoughts and brought her back to reality. Looking around her room, trying to remember what she had been doing before her mind had carelessly wandered elsewhere. “Yes?” she called out.
“We’re ready to go, Raven,” a deep voice responded.
“I’ll be there shortly,” she replied.
Maura stood from her chair at her small desk and walked to her closet. She grabbed a couple of daggers that hung on the wall and placed them in their proper places on her uniform. Reaching for the small pistol, she placed it into its holster on her thigh. Though she hated using the gun, she still brought one on each mission. Then she finished putting on her boots, picked up her mask off the desk, and walked out of the room.
Maura knew, though, that she couldn’t continue to dwell in the past. She knew that she couldn’t continue to care about the Avengers, nor her family back at the Tower. Maura was back with her rightful family. The family that didn’t abandon her, that took care of her when she had nothing. Maura was home… and she was more determined than ever to prove herself to Hydra. Or so she hoped.
Pairing: Prince!Bucky x Princess!Reader (Royal AU)
Summary: Obedience, duty, pristine smiles—raised as the princess of an oppressive kingdom, you knew nothing else. Your father signed your life away at the ripe age of five, black ink bleeding into a contract between nations, fate cemented with the flick of a quill. So when the time came to fulfill the promises you were too young to make, you expected much of the same in the land of Brookshire. But Prince James had other plans, as did the enemies looming outside the castle walls.
Word count:5k
Warnings: Some rising tensions, corset drama, and a little more fluff <3
a/n: I love love feedback, so let me know what you think!! There’s some angst on the horizon
“Darling, have you seen the view from the east window?” Bucky called, his voice distant from the other end of the dining table.
“Prince James, this is the third morning in a row you’ve asked me that.”
“Well, this is the third morning in a row that you’ve sat so far away.”
You glanced up from your breakfast with a small smile, your brow arched. “It is customary for us to sit here,” you explained, motioning toward the chairs opposite to each other. “That’s why your staff set the table this way.”
“Customary for who?”
“Royals, Prince James.”
Bucky scoffed, his chair scraping the floor as he got up, his plate clinking against his fork as he gripped it between rushed fingers. It took about four, long steps before he reached the seat to your left, and then he pulled it out with just as much dramatism.
“Perhaps, as a pair, we do away with royal customs that have me sitting a mile away from my wife,” he concluded, plopping down on cushion and wood with a grace he certainly hadn’t learned from a court tutor. “Besides, I’m thinking that whoever created that rule must not have been married to you.”
Your face burned as it usually did when he made comments like that. Bucky seemed to love making your relationship feel like a casual affair, as if your union hadn’t been set in stone for years, the pairing a political tactic your father used to send you away. He seemed to love making you feel like he was falling for you by choice.
“We are not even married,” you reminded him. “No matter how many times you call me your wife.”
Wife—a word he used with frequency, as of late.
He hummed. “Not yet, my princess.”
His foot slid to meet yours under the table; a small brush, but a purposeful one. You lost your breath for a moment as Bucky continued to eat his breakfast, feigning indifference with a bite of bread just as his ankle brushed yours. And then his eyes turned up to yours with a knowing glint. But before you could say anything back, the dining room doors opened with an echoing boom.
“I apologize, Your Highnesses,” an unsure voice sounded. “But… well Prince James, the queen is going over a few last minute preparations for tomorrow, and she said that you insisted on being the one to confirm the guest list.”
Bucky’s eyes refused to leave yours as he replied, “Thank you, Peter. You can tell my mother that I—”
“She told me not to come back unless you were with me,” Peter interrupted, a small, apologetic smile etched onto his face.
You bit back a laugh at the vexation blooming along Bucky’s brow, his jaw ticking as he finally tore his eyes from you. He went back and forth with Peter for a while, trying to demand more time with you since he was the one that decided whether or not Peter got knighted. But the witty squire took those empty threats in stride, further insisting that the queen was still the one he reported to.
Well, until the coronation anyway. And the wedding.
“Fine,” Bucky finally huffed, discontentedly. “If my mother truly needs me at this very moment, I suppose I will miss out on my fleeting, invaluable time with the princess here.”
You suppressed the urge to roll your eyes. “I will see you tomorrow night, Prince James.”
“Yes, but there will be so many people there. And they will all want to dance with you. I hardly think I will get a moment of your time before you are whisked away in the arms of some old commander or nobleman.”
If you were being honest, the night was going to go exactly as Bucky described it. It was a ball to welcome the new princess to court; a way to introduce you to the neighboring lands and get the government of Brookshire acquainted with their soon to be queen. You would have to laugh at bad jokes and dance with old men and wear those heels that Bucky insisted you shove into the far corner of your closet.
You would have very little time with the prince, and while that saddened you, it also afforded you a sliver of unkind reality.
This night was what your entire life had been—your life before Bucky. So it would be easy to fall back into the routine, to smile when you didn’t want to and dance with those you didn’t know. You’d dance the waltzes ingrained in your muscle memory and slink back into dark corners when the men started discussing the country’s politics. And it would be okay. Because back in Hyland, you’d end these nights alone in your quarters, feeling empty and used.
But tomorrow night, you had a feeling you wouldn’t have to feel that way. That maybe, if you asked, Bucky would be there, ready and willing to make you feel whole again.
“Perhaps you would be better off finding a moment of my time after the ball then?”
Bucky’s smile was vibrant, his hands reaching out to brush your hair from your eyes as he stood from the table. He kept your cheeks between his hands for a moment longer, admiring you with your spoon still held out in front of you, an unexpecting expression on your face.
“I will,” he affirmed, leaning down to press a kiss on your hairline. You almost dropped your spoon. “I’ll see you tomorrow, darling.”
Yes—you were positive that while the ball would be draining, Bucky… Bucky would be everything you needed to fix that. Everything you needed all along.
~~
The corset pulled tighter around your ribs, Natasha wincing with each tug as she kneeled before you, lacing the shoes you surely couldn’t reach anymore. The royal dresser let out a huff from behind you before wiping her brow and tying off the ribbon. She bowed, handed Natasha the rest of your formal wear, and then left with a smile.
“She was nice,” Natasha hummed, helping you into the rest of your dress.
“I don’t think I have ever had a dresser apologize so many times,” you remarked, trying to relieve some tension on your waist. “I think she thought I was going to pass out.”
“Well, it has been some time since you last wore a corset.”
“I cannot believe I used to wear these every day,” you exasperated.
Natasha grumbled at that, replying snarkily, “You used to be forced to wear them every day.”
She laced together the final pieces of your dress, the tool and silk falling in beautiful waves along the floor. You adjusted your posture once more, trying to find a comfortable position to breathe. You were sure you looked like the perfect picture of the monarchy, but you truly were out of practice when it came to royal dress; Bucky and the ladies of this court were quite adamant that day dresses and comfortable footwear were more than acceptable for your daily life.
It was nothing like back at home, with metal binding constantly strapped to your back and your toes constantly pinched together in tiny shoes.
You comforted your friend with a hand on her shoulder and an understanding look. You knew how much she hated your treatment back in Hyland. But she knew that if she ever said anything, the small privileges she was afforded would’ve been taken from her in a single blink. And her position would’ve dropped as well, sending her far, far away from you.
“It’s okay, Natasha. It’s different here.” You took careful steps to the door, reaching for the brass handles, knowing the guards were waiting for you on the other side. “I think it will stay that way.”
The walk to the ballroom was glistening—the floors, the walls, the lights. You were in the south wing of the castle, where the balls were held and the guests resided, and—apparently—where all of the marble in the kingdom was held. You found yourself missing the charming cobblestone and tile that made up the wing you stayed in. You missed the wide open windows and the linen curtains that rustled each morning. The ocean that woke you up with a different kind of gleam… the kind that lit up the oil paintings on your walls and slid along your skin in delicate patterns.
When Steve gave you a tour upon your arrival, you hadn’t noticed the contrast as much; the castle was so large and you were taken into so many rooms. But it was jarring now—the stiffness of the guest wing. You wondered why your wing was so different, since Bucky obviously stayed there as well. You wondered who the designers had in mind when they put together the comfort that you loved so much.
“Are you ready?” Natasha whispered by your ear. You hadn’t even noticed the grand doors in front of you, their intricate wooden patterns waiting to be pushed open. You could hear the music on the other side, the sounds of expensive shoes against polished marble.
“Of course,” you replied, but your voice wasn’t as strong as you remembered it to be just moments before.
The doors were opened anyway.
Immediate silence. Violins stopped, the people parted; you stood just beyond the doors, head held high in a feigned confidence—a product of years and years of practice. The announcer called out your name and title in a voice you were so used to, and your next job was simply to smile and walk in. To make your way to the seat at the head of the room, and sit until you were asked to dance by one of the expensive shoes.
But then Bucky was there, stepping in your path with his hand held out in offerance. Bucky was there and he was smiling at you with those boyish eyes, still so youthful even when paired with his royal military uniform.
You took a glance back at Natasha, questioning your next move; she had never led you astray. With a small smile, she nodded her head, and you turned to take the hand you never quite let yourself believe would be there when you were growing up.
The music began the second Bucky took your waist. It was the Merry Widow Waltz, a dance you’d learned just after you were able to walk. An admittedly glance dance, one to welcome you to the festivities, surely, and you were glad when other couples joined the floor soon after—less attention on you, were you to mess up the steps.
Bucky guided you along the floor with practiced ease, tugging you closer to his chest around others, smiling down at you when you risked a glance up at him.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered by your ear, when the dance took you farther away from the center of the floor. “You always do.”
For the first time at any ball, you let a laugh free, “I wasn’t expecting a dance so soon, Prince James. I only just entered the room.”
He released you, using one hand to twirl you away, but quickly capturing your waist back in his grip. This was supposed to be a fast-paced waltz, with the couple leaving distance between each other for quick moves. But Bucky kept the two of you about one step behind the rest of the room, his desire to keep you close slowing you down. You couldn’t find it in yourself to care as his nose brushed yours.
“I told you, princess. You are the star of the evening. I must take all the time I can get.”
The dance ended long before you wanted it to, Bucky parting from you with a bow and wink that left you feeling privy to some information you had never even shared. Maybe that’s just how it felt to be falling in love—like you had some secret that no one else could ever understand.
You ruminated on the thought as the evening progressed. When you were spun around the room and asked about your homeland, all you could think about were the eyes tracking you from the far side of the ball, how they looked at you in a way that no one else did. When your gloved hand was kissed by noblemen and governors, you were reminded of the way Bucky kissed your hand, and your head and your fingers… how each touch of his lips sent you falling down a well of uncharted feelings.
You thought about kissing him back.
You were only pulled from your clouded daze when it was time to actually meet the other royals in the room—the whole purpose of the evening. Steve stood beside you on the steps leading up to the thrones, his shined and polished shoes just a tad bit untied.
“This is King T’Challa. He rules over Wakanda. Brookshire does a lot of trade with his kingdom.”
“It is lovely to meet you,” you greeted, shoulder slightly pressing against Steve’s chest in familiarity. “I am so excited to become more acquainted with you and your people.”
The king gave you a firm handshake and a smile, but didn’t stick around for small talk. He was one of the easier royals to meet—kind but to the point. The rest of the gentlemen were more chatty, some of the women were more stiff. A few younger royals came up to speak about future prospects and Steve had to shoo them away with a small laugh. Natasha joined you on the steps after the fourth group that came to bow and meet you, and you relaxed more then.
“Almost done,” Steve promised, a strong hand placed on your arm. “I believe there is only one more guest we have yet to meet. She arrived a little late but I saw her and her—ah, Sharon!”
You looked up from your shoes, eyes falling on the blonde in purple silk making her way to the front of the room. You recognized her; she danced with Bucky three songs after you arrived. Not that you were keeping track. A lot of people were dancing with Bucky tonight.
She reached you and offered a small smile, one you reciprocated with ease and a bow. “It is nice to finally meet you, Princess y/n,” she said, her head dipping.
“Finally?” you questioned. Queen Sharon was the ruler of Madripoor, a place you only learned about after arriving in Brookshire. You definitely hadn’t had any correspondence before this.
“Yes, I feel as if I already know you!” she laughed. “Bucky speaks of you so freely. I swear you were on his mind before he even got the chance to ask poor Steve what you looked like.”
You blinked, the use of Bucky’s name surprising you. Well—the use of his name along with Steve’s, and of the familiarity this queen seemed to have with your fiancé. But Bucky had an entire life before you came along, and you needed to remember that. It was just jarring since the past weeks had been secluded to the two of you. This was the first time you had come into contact with the outside world since you arrived in Brookshire, and a small kind of bubble was bursting.
“Oh, of course,” you conceded, with a laugh you had practiced many times. “I suppose there is much to talk about when you’ve been engaged for so many years.”
“Yes, many years.”
Her tone confused you, its slight bite unwarranted and out of place. You pretended it didn’t with another fake laugh. You couldn’t quite mask the tightness in your throat, however, the night verging on overwhelming, especially with this queen’s terseness. You took half a step back to reach the comfort of your friends.
“Well, it was so nice to formally meet you. I’m sure we will be seeing each other often with how close you are to this court.” Almost through gritted teeth. Almost. Natasha’s subtle hand on your wrist kept you polite.
Sharon’s exit was as graceful as her entrance, this time with Steve following behind her with an invitation to dance. You were fairly certain he only did that for you, Natasha’s quick glance over at your cousin conveying all that it needed to.
You turned to your lady in waiting the second Sharon was out of ear shot. “I know I’m not too versed in this kind of thing, but was she…? She didn’t like me, did she?”
Natasha gave you a sympathetic smile. “I’m sure there are many here tonight that are—wanting for your situation. It can make them bitter.”
“Wanting for my situation?” you questioned, baffled. “And what situation is that?”
“Y/n, your fiancé would be the most eligible bachelor in the continent if not for you. You must know that. A crown, a kingdom, a face like that—he has it all, and you took it before they even had a chance.”
You reared back at her insinuation. “It’s not as if I had a choice. You know that better than anyone here.”
“I know, I know,” she placated. “But it does not help when all of the women in the room keep trying to catch his attention and he won’t stop staring at you like that.”
You snapped your gaze in the direction of her hand, spotting Bucky in the center of the ballroom, a champagne flute between his fingers and a dazed look on his face as he seemingly ignored the nobleman talking his ear off. He was ignoring him in favor of watching you, and he didn’t show any signs of getting bored.
Your eyes turning to him was all the confirmation he needed to end his mundane conversation, his drink suddenly pushed into the hands of an unexpecting man. He weaved through the crowd with small apologies and light smiles until he found the base of the stairs, and you did as well, your feet guiding you down to him subconsciously.
“Princess,” he greeted, breathless. “Am I correct in assuming that this next moment of time belongs to me?”
Your smile was contagious, any ill feelings left by the thrones, far away from Bucky. “Completely.”
And even though your feet hurt terribly and your chest struggled to capture a full breath, you felt lightheaded as he whisked you to the floor, carefree. He gathered you in his arms and you were transported to the horses and the flowers and the rays of canary-colored sun that usually came with his citrusy scent, the hints of early morning tea and comfort all wrapped up in the man holding you so closely.
But then the music started, and you were very abruptly thrown out of the dreamy solace you loved so much.
“I do not know this dance,” you panicked. “Prince James, this waltz—what is it?”
Bucky shook his head with fond eyes, his thumb brushing down your temple. “There is no waltz for this dance, my princess.”
You gaped. “I will embarrass you. I’ve never danced without a waltz before. I’ll look like a fool, Prince James, I cannot—”
“I requested this song for you.” Bucky kept his voice low, and you struggled to maintain a calm state with others dancing around you, apparently so sure of the next steps to take. “They play it at every ball, but there isn’t one dance for it.” He let both of his hands trail down to your waist—certainly not a proper position. “Let me show you.”
Your heart beating out of your chest, your palms damp from panic, you nodded your head because as much as you hated to admit it, you’d let Bucky show you just about anything.
And so he showed you.
His hands never left your waist, even when the rest of the room parted to spin and take up hands with others. He consistently held you to him, and his laugh echoing against your chest was the sweetest sound, surpassing any melodic flutes or violins in the space.
You had no idea what pattern your feet were making, nor how many times you had spun around in the same spot on the floor, but Bucky didn’t seem to care. His fingers ran up the boning of your corset and brushed the small bit of exposed skin above your shoulders; they trailed there until he pressed his palm to your neck as well, ushering your head to his chest.
The music kept its upbeat tune, but you did not, because Bucky held you there instead. The reverberation of heels and leather pounded into the soles of your shoes, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to move—couldn’t find it in yourself to be embarrassed when the consistent thud of Bucky’s sweet heart was there against your cheek and wholly, completely yours.
You pulled away slightly, head light from the champagne or your fiancé’s touch, you couldn’t tell. “Bucky,” you whispered, a secret in the air between you, one he would surely keep. “Shall we leave?”
And although it was long before the others would turn in, some guests even staying the night due to how long they would dance, Bucky couldn’t help but give you anything you ever wanted.
“Of course, my darling.”
He would think about the way his name sounded on your lips every night for the next week, but for now, he held your waist as you giggled and pretended to sneak around confused party guests. He fell in love with you just a little more, watching your dress slide against unused marble, knowing that the girl he chased through the halls was just that—a girl. Not a royal or a pawn to be moved around.
But you were his girl, and that made all the difference.
~~
“They are sleeping, princess.”
“You told me there were ducks here.”
“I am very sorry to disappoint,” Bucky laughed, feigning sincerity with a hand over his chest.
You hummed. “You don’t seem very sorry.” You stepped back from the pond, taking a seat on the bench under the aging willow. “In fact, you appear to be very amused by my sorrow.”
Bucky scoffed, rounding his side of the tree to come and join you. He was mused from the night, his hair disheveled and his collar askew; he looked kissed by joy and roused by the dim shine of the moon, and you were having trouble conjuring any other picture of beauty.
“I can assure you,” he spoke out to the pond, his thigh pressing to yours. “Your sorrow could never amuse me. Shall I find a groundskeeper to wake the ducks? Would that appease you, my princess?”
“Of course not. Then the ducks would resent me.”
He turned to you, adoration shining with the stars in his eyes. “We wouldn’t want that.”
With the crickets blaring amongst the high brush by the spring pond, the water rippling with small life, you leaned your shoulder into his. Bucky responded with a brush of his fingers against yours on the surface of the bench, capturing them after only a moment’s hesitation. When he pressed your palms together, words were falling from your mouth before you could stop them.
“I would paint this,” you admitted, only a little embarrassed. “I used to paint. In secret.”
Bucky’s thumb brushed the back of your hand before he responded, “I know. Steve would tell me of your works—how beautiful they were. I don’t know if you got my letters—”
“I got them,” you interrupted. “I just… I didn’t think they were coming from you. I thought they were a ploy from your court. Some obligatory correspondence.”
“They were from me. All of them.”
You knew this. After all of your time with Bucky, you knew that those words were his and his alone; that his sentiments were sincere and that he was a kind prince that would turn into an even more benevolent king.
Minus the ducks of course.
“You could still paint here. If you’d like to, of course,” Bucky whispered. It was almost lost in the rustling willow leaves.
You took in a large breath, gearing up for a long protest about why that was unnecessary—your hobbies were not something that should take up the time of others—when a sharp pain sprouted just below your ribs. The corset, of course; sitting too long with your chest confined in such a way was never good for heavy breathing. You attempted to ground yourself with a steady hand to your stomach, but Bucky was more observant than that.
“Are you alright?” he stressed, standing and bringing you along with him. “Did the tasters miss something? Have you been poisoned?”
Your laugh was stifled by the steel boning along your waist. “No, Bucky, I am fine. It’s nothing to concern yourself with.”
“Thank you for the dismissal but everything to do with you is my concern.”
You focused on the soft pressure of Bucky’s hands on your hips as you steadied your breathing; you had a lot of practice with this kind of feeling, and after a few moments it would pass. But with Bucky tilting his head to catch your eyes, the worry set deep in his brow, you were having a hard time with the otherwise simple task. When he brushed his touch up to your chin, angling your gaze to his, you were no longer sure if the corset was the problem.
“What is it?” he asked, so gently you almost fell into the words
“My corset. I’m just not accustomed to the restriction anymore. It will pass, Bucky, just give me a moment.”
“It’s so tight that it’s hurting you?”
“That is typically the purpose of a corset,” you jested, a grim smile passing over your face.
Bucky shot forward, quick hands coming around you to find the hooks of your gown. “You must take it off.”
It took you a moment to register his words, but as his nimble fingers found the top clasp of your dress, you knocked his arms away at the absurdity.
“I cannot!“ you exclaimed. “If someone were to see me undressing out here with you, there would be an unstoppable onslaught of rumors.”
Bucky huffed, now a slight tightness in his jaw, more concern shining through. “Rumors about what, darling? A couple, engaged to be married, having a secret rendezvous by the pond? I’m sure there is more interesting court gossip than that.”
“We are not yet married.”
“And I am simply trying to ensure that my fiancée doesn’t suffocate,” Bucky rushed, attempting once again to free you from the uncomfortable garment. He got a clasp free this time.
You slid back, unraveling yourself from his arms. “Prince James!” you scolded.
“Back to that? I’ve become so fond of hearing you say my name.”
“Fine,Bucky,” you tried. “Either way, you cannot take my corset off. It is… extremely improper. The dressers have to do that, and they typically prefer to do it inside.”
With all of your frustrated huffs and helpless quips, you found yourself struggling more and more to capture a full breath. Your chest rose and fell at an alarming rate, your hands coming up to set comfort into your stomach, but finding little solace there. You were panicked at the prospect of someone finding you out here, half dressed, but the alternative—keeping the corset on—was becoming impossible.
What surprised you, however, was your lack of discomfort at the idea of Bucky pulling the laces from your back. You hadn’t even given that aspect of it all a second thought when he reached for you, instead focusing on the humiliation of discovery. You didn’t have time to unpack those feelings; Bucky was talking again, low and comforting.
“You trust me, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.” An answer without hesitation—without thinking.
He smiled, softly. “Then turn around.”
Your gaze flickered between his eyes a few more times, your skin resisting the soft breeze on your cheeks. Bucky’s lips parted before he reached for you, and the sword he had strapped to his hip on the way out the door clinked against the metal of his belt. It took one final, nervous wring of your hands and you were facing the willow again, blind to Bucky’s actions.
His fingers touched you first—tentative against your neck, sweeping the ties from your necklace away from the laces of your corset. They lingered there, and you could feel the gentle puff of his breath prickle your skin. He trailed down the indent of your spine until he met the base of the ribbon.
The first pull left a sound resonating past the pond, silk brushing against silk, cotton releasing from its bind. Bucky’s left hand came up to steady your waist in an unnecessary touch. It warmed you through your dress, consumed you like a fire that bloomed up past your neck and spread through your mind.
And then he pulled again and again and again, each tug loosening your chest and constricting it for a completely different reason. You held the corset against you when it fully released, and Bucky let his hands slide up your arms as you stood there, lashes fluttering for someone that couldn’t see it.
“Is that better?”
“Yes,” you breathed out, unable to turn around. “Much better, thank you.”
Lips behind your ear, stealing all of the air from your body with their gentle pressure. “We must get you back in your room before others see you in such a state of undress.” His hands squeezed your arms. “I think my quarters are closer.”
Your face burned, turning on the heel of your shoe with gusto. “I think you are pushing it.”
Bucky reached up to brush a strand of hair behind your ear, playful eyes never straying lower than your lips. “I was only joking, my darling,” he hummed, cupping your cheek in his hand. You leaned into it instantly. “I’d wait forever for you. You know that, don’t you?”
And a part of you, the part that was growing and becoming so used to Bucky’s sweet disposition, did know.
You were his first follower and you were given your price for that.
You were the first to ever make him think differently, to see humans as they were and not just the bad.
You were the only one to even steal his heart.
Khonshu, the God of the Moon. Not many liked him, but he was okay with that. During the ancient days, while other Gods and Goddesses hair temples, statues and even tombs raised for them, he wasn’t loved.
No one cared for the God of the Moon as he was feared. Night was his domain, and everyone knew only bad things happened at night.
And yet, there you were, nothing but a young miss in your house’s humble little garden, after a long day at work, looking at the sky, dreaming about it, seeing the stars and the moon, you fell in love with the night sky.
And so, you found Khonshu.
Or rather he found you.
He became interested more so when he first heard prayers. Your voice rang in his head, even if he didn’t know it was you at first.
He wasn’t used to people praying to him.
But he thought he could get used to hearing your voice every night.
Then, he headed out to find you, walking in the desert as he heard your words ring in his head. Your prayers were simple and kind.
It didn’t take long for Khonshu to find you. One evening, he noticed you as you watched the sky, you looked so happy, comfortable and unbothered. Not like the others during the night.
You made him interested.
In your prayers, you wished for health for your family and friends, in case of trouble you prayed for the people involved to be safe.
He noticed how you never asked for anything for yourself. Never. Not once.
Until one day, which he couldn’t ignore. You begged for your mother to be saved from a disease.
“Please Khonshu, please save her and I will do anything you wish for.” You said as you were crying and praying in front of a candle and a small wooden sculpture of Khonsu that you made with your own hands.
“Anything?” he asked at it made you just so quickly that you knocked the figure over. You looked at the huge God standing in front of you, you felt like you were going mad, but it was him, no doubt, Khonsu was standing right in front of you and you suddenly knew what you needed to do.
You knelt on the floor, eyes fixed onto the ground.
“Anything.” You said with a shaky voice.
“For your mother’s life, I will take yours in exchange.” A cold wind ran down your spine from his words. “You will be by my side, you will dedicate your life to me. You do notquestion my decisions, forever till the end of time.” He said.
For your mother, you’d do anything. For your mother’s health this seemed like a small thing in comparison. To dedicate your life to a God, just when you thought your life would have no point.
“Of course, Khonshu.”
—
Days, months, years, decades, centuries passed.
And you were still by his side. After a couple years you were sure Khonshu would get bored of you, but it never happened. He really wanted you by his side.
You were through it all. His little priestess. You were there when the Gods decided they won’t walk with the humans any longer. You were there when they decided to take avatars and when they all banished Khonshu because of his beliefs.
You were there by his side when another god tried to take you away from him, jealous of the relationship you had with Khonshu.
But you were his.
Then, he started to take avatars. One after the other, although you were not a fan of his cruel methods, you were blinded by your feelings for the God of the Moon.
Something about his possessive nature made you feel incredibly safe and you really liked it.
Over the many many years, you grown to love Khonshu, you loved him for the God that he was and for the protection he gave you.
Seeing him in the modern world was something that made you laugh. As the world changed, so did you, well, at least your looks.
But seeing him standing next to a bus or watching as he sat on top of a big statue, when you always feared heights.
And he knew that.
So, one evening he brought you to the very top of the Empire State Building.
You felt sick.
“Please, can we just go down.” You said as you hugged a pillar, feeling sick to your stomach.
“Look at the view.” He said.
You opened one eye, barely seeing anything through your tears before you closed your eyes again.
“Beautiful, now can we leave please?”
He sighed before he put his staff down and grabbed your waist, pulling you away from the pillar, you hugged him instead. He was hugetowering over you like a giant. But you were scared. Extremely scared.
“You are safe with me, I told you before, I proved it to you before during the wars.”
“Yes, but this is very different. I’m terrified of heights and you know that.”
“Of course I do. I know everything about My Little One.” He moved and you tightened your hold on him. “But you have nothing to fear. The night sky will always protect you, Iwill always protect you.”
“I know that, but I am still scared.”
“Or you just like to hold me.”
“No, I prefer it when you hold me. Makes me feel more safe.” Just as you said that his arms moved around you, immediately making you feel a little better. Good enough to make you open your eyes, but you felt dizzy.
“Look at the sky. It will forever guide you to me.”
“Not like I’m allowed to leave your side.”
“No, but I found a new avatar. I have things to deal with.” You nodded, this wasn’t the first, nor will it be the last.
But you managed to take a look at the view from the top of the building, seeing everything and the people below you, you were scared, but him holding you so secure, you felt a lot better.
—
Technically, his next avatar wasn’t supposed to be Marc Spector.
You assumed Khonshu would hide you from Marc just as he did before, but surprisingly, he didn’t. Because when the man turned up in your home, you were both confused and happy.
Marc was a handsome man, yes, you weren’t blind, but he had so many inner demons, you just wanted to hug him.
“This is my wife, Marc so behave.” Khonshu said as he sat down in the corner where he always preferred to sit, to oversee everything.
Wife? Khonshu often called you by cute names. Little One or My Priestess, but he never once mentioned you being a wife or anything like that. Even if you basically was his wifehe never said that before.
Marc looked confused from the God at you, you looked like a normal human as you smiled and waved at him.
“Are you hungry Marc?” you asked.
“Don’t feed him, come here. Marc will think about his next step.” You smiled again at Marc before walking over to Khonshu, who pulled you to sit on his lap. He was completely showing off to Marc just whoyou belong to.
And Marc respected that.
He truly did.
Even in the upcoming weeks, months.
—
You knocked on his door, finding it to be open, so you went in. You never expected to see him almost naked on the floor with a bottle of whiskey in his hand. He looked at the mirror, you closed the door behind yourself, you looked into the mirror but all you saw was Marc.
“Steven?” you asked as you knelt down next to him.
“No.”
“Oh, Marc. What happened?” you asked as you looked him over, trying to find an injury, finding nothing you let out a relieved sigh.
But instead of answering, he took a big gulp of the almost empty bottle.
“You can talk to me you know?”
“I know but Khonshu might not like that.” Of course Marc would be a hard egg to crack, but you had time.
“You know, I used to be human. I lived in Egypt with my family. My mother got really sick, healthcare wasn’t as great as it is nowadays. She would have died if it wasn’t for Khonshu. I gave my life to serve him, so she would live a happy life. That was my deal.”
“So, you are not his wife then.”
“Technically no. But in a way, I am. He wants good for us, he never once hurt me.” You grabbed his hand as he looked into your eyes. “He saved your life as well.” That made Marc scoff as he took another shot from his bottle.
“He tricked me. And used me.”
“Well, duh. He said he was looking for someone. Someone to carry out his work. Of course, he would use you to hunt people Marc. What did you think he meant? Tea parties and cookies?” Marc pulled his hand away from your hold as he tried to stand but he failed. “I know you are in pain. Even the blind could see that you are suffering, but you have to know you are not alone. You have Steven, Khonshu and me. The moon and the night sky will always be there to keep you company.” You offered him a kind smile. And just as the sun was setting and the moon started to rise, you knew Marc was about to leave for another mission.
And surely enough, he had his suit on.
“Thank you Y/N.” he said before he literally jumped out the window.
“You are too kind to him.” Khonshu said from behind you.
“He needs it. You know just how broken he is. Even the smallest push would make him lose it, and I don’t want to lose him.”
“Youlovehim?”
“I do. But my heart belongs to you.” You turned to look at the God standing in front of you.
“You belong to me.” He said and you nodded as he walked closer and hugged you. “Mine.” He said before the two of you headed to the roof, he left to look after Marc while you watched the sky.
Summary: You and Marc got married a long time ago, even before all this mess happened and he got the suit.
A/N: Potential SPOILER warning for those who don’t know about Marc in the comics.
Marc wanted to keep you safe.
The less you knew, the better it was. At least that is what he believed. But you knew it all.
You weren’t blind or stupid you noticed your husband changing, sure he was always a little weird, but you could read him like a book.
You could, yet it still hurt whenever he left you behind, telling you not to look for him, call him or so anything to even be close to him.
And you listened, you sure did.
Only sent him texts, to which he responded a couple of days later. Then a call came. Suddenly out of nowhere.
“Hi, Honey.” you said picking up.
“O-Oh Sorry.” the guy on the other end said with a heavy accent. It made you tilt your head and he quickly hung up.
You tried to call him back but he didn’t pick up, so you just let it go.
Then Marc came home, saying he will spend the weekend with you. And you were happy.
Happy enough to bring that strange call up.
“Soooo, are you going to tell me who the sexy English man was?”
He looked at you questioningly as he stopped the movie you were watching.
“You called me last week, I picked up but a British guy answered and after babbling he hung up.”
“Oh.” was all he said, and you just waited.
And then, slowly he stood up, sitting down at a chair by the table and started to talk.
He walked about his childhood, his life and his mental issues. He told you about his identity disorder too.
And it all made sense.
Your heart broke for him. Marc was such a great person, kind, affectionate and trustworthy. And yet, here he was breaking down like a child.
You on the other hand was the kind of person who would rather laugh than cry. And your aching heart needed a distraction.
So, after Marc finished explaining what happened to him, you sat there for a moment, thinking about what to say. And the best you could come up with was.
“So, you are like a two for one special?” you asked and Marc just stared at you. “You know like those special offers in stores. I got you as a husband but I also got Steven and Jake, or how does that work?”
This was probably the first time in your life that you have seen Marc confused and not sure what to say.
“Don’t get me wrong your trauma is awful, I’m here if you want to talk about it more. I’m just not sure how to help. Maybe Jake or Steven wants to talk?” he just blinked, and it made you sigh. “Did I say something weird again?” you had a tendency to say weird things when you wanted to defuse the tension. But you two just stared at each other.
This went on for about five minutes.
Then he finally moved his arms from his legs.
And he laughed.
“I can’t believe you said “like those special offers in stores”. Who do you think I am?”
“You’re my husband, and I just want to know, how- IF this will change things. D.I.D. is serious, Marc, and I just want to be sure you are at least okay.”
“You know I’m okay, Sweetheart. And this will not change a thing. I always will be okay as long as I have you. This-“ he said gesturing to his head. “Is something you have to learn to live with. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I’m sorry, I was scared of your reaction.”
“You shouldn’t be, Marc. I love you, all of you. Even if they might not love me.”
Marc made a motion with his head like someone just told him something before he smiled.
“They do, at least Steven does. And you met Jake before.”
“I sure did. He is a flirty one.” you did, but you only realized now that it was him and not Marc. You laughed and stood up to hug him. He hugged your middle while you ran your fingers through his hair, slightly scratching his scalp. “Thank you for telling me all of this.”
“I love you. We love you.”
“And I love all of you too.”
You would be lying if you said you weren’t worried, of course, you were, but you also knew that you loved him and as long as you had him and he had you, everything will be okay.
A/N:Masterlist + My inbox busting at the seams and I’m writing this that nobody asked for. BUT IM COMIN I SWEAR IM TRYIN IM TRYIN IM TRYIN
Summary: Steve handles big boy things on a call while handling you. Who says married couples don’t make time for each other?
“Hello?”
His palm held your hip tightly to keep you against him, caressing your swell of you ass, admiring the soft skin of his woman. With his thick thumb, he slid his finger down your slit coating his fingertip in your anticipation.
He didn’t know he could fall in love with different parts of you. But he did. That pretty face, prettier personality, and perfect pussy. This vacation would give him the time to do everything he needed to do, like pumping you so full of him - “Yes, this is Steve Rogers calling, my wife and I have a reservation for May beginning the third.”
Your hand slid down his leg as you waited, resting over his lap, legs spread open for your husband while he made some calls. You know how annoyed he can get so why wouldn’t you offer up a calming pastime. What kind of wife would you be if you hadn’t?
No matter how many times, day or night over the years experiencing that sweet wetness that leaked between your thighs thrilled him. He was a man, who loved a woman who loved that his heart wasn’t the only thing of hers he was trusted with.
“Yes, I’m calling because there was some type of mix-up with bedding. In the villa, we requested a King and a Queen sized bed.” My wife needs to be able to ride me as wildly as she likes, so when she’s hanging her head off the bed beautifully she has space to stretch her legs, so that when I’ve finished and have this pretty little thing - He circles your nub under his thumb the sunlight streaming in from the window in his office hitting you perfectly from the angle offering him just the right view of his favorite toy glistening. I want her to be able to leak like a faucet and be able to lay down and rest bath without needing a sheet change first.
Pressing your lips against his leg in an attempt to keep quiet while he stroked your clit. You held onto the arm of the chair to help keep yourself some sort of still.
“I’m sorry sir could you excuse me?” He pulled the phone away from his ear and mouth and held it far enough that the sound could be mistaken for anything and bent over to spit on your sex. “He brings the phone back to his ear, laughing. “I’m babysitting my nieces and nephews and they’re just running amok.”
He hummed places the phone between his neck and cheek, amusing himself by patting your slick opening with his fingers just watch to watch the sticky recoil. “Always so wet for me.”
“I’m sorry sir what was that?”
“Nothing, talking to the kids.”
In Steve’s silence to you, you filled in the words you know were guaranteed to have come from his mouth had he not been tied up in conversation.
You take me so well. “You fuck me so good.” While he watches his beefy fingers slide in and out effortlessly.
Think you can take some more sweetie? “Please.”
“Everything’s all cleared up?… Thank goodness. Appreciate all of your help… You too have a good one.” He clears his throat as he hangs up the phone. “Should I call the phone company next?”
If you’re not a writer, that’s okay! You can make moodboards, playlists, art, whatever you want! Just please tag all triggers appropriately if there are any! All fandoms are welcome to join well!
When you post your work, please tag them with #ChristmasCreationCalendar2021 but we all know how broken tumblr’s site is so feel free to message us with a link to your work!
