steve had a rough summer, to say the least. after wallowing in self pity for a few days, he fell into a routine. he did just enough to get by at work, then would release his tensions at the gym before going home and drinking whatever bottle of alcohol he had grabbed from the grocery store in a futile attempt to forget her. when he closed his eyes, all he saw was her. when he tossed and turned in bed at night, her smell lingered. he didn’t know where it wafted in from or if it was just a figment of his imagination, but he reveled in every moment of it. on the rare night that he was sober, he would take his motorcycle out for a ride through the city. the fresh air cleared his head.
almost three months after he had returned from the trip, he finally began to unpack his suitcase which had been thrown in the hallway closet. he began shoveling the clothing into a laundry hamper when he came across the shirt she had worn to sleep. he ran his fingertips over the faded graphic. he could taste their champagne laced kiss on his tongue. he closed his eyes and released a deep breath. he felt his cells tingling as he relived the moment; the feeling her waist under his hands, the smell of the blooming flowers and the aftermath of rain, the way the dim lighting caused her eyelashes to cast a shadow on her face.
“oh, y/n,” he whispered.
he had never gotten his heart broken, before. he had always been the heartbreaker. he had never felt pain akin to the one that he was experiencing. it was as though he had left a piece of him on the curb outside of her apartment with her and her belongings. why didn’t she want him? what was holding her back?
often enough, he wondered where he went wrong. the question bounced around his head when he would thumb through his camera roll, looking at pictures of her, when he would be on his commute to work, and when he was in the shower.
the scalding water thrummed against his back as he washed the shampoo out of his hair. the temperature was almost painful, but he didn’t notice. suddenly, he heard her laughter ringing around the house. he paused, making sure he was hearing correctly.
“y/n?” he called out. he strained as he searched for her voice. he was craving her. he turned the water off, trying to hear better. “y/n?” no reply. he stepped out of the shower and quickly wrapped a towel around his hips. he threw open the bathroom door and stepped out into his apartment. “y/n?” he looked around and discovered that his tv was on. she was not there.
he sat down on the couch and switched the tv off with the remote. he put his elbows on his knees and held his head in his hands for a moment. where did i go wrong? he thought.
that night, he drank more than he usually did. his foggy mind decided that he wanted to go out for a ride. he looked at himself in the mirror above his dresser. he didn’t know who was staring back at him. he had bulked up due to the hours at the gym. he shrugged on his leather jacket and a pair of shoes, tucked his helmet under his arm and went off to the parking garage.
the drive started off as smooth as it could be in his inebriated state. the roads were mostly empty, the faint sounds of traffic in the distance. the fresh air wasn’t clearing his thoughts. he felt like he was being suffocated. he switched gears and accelerated. then, he saw it out of the corner of his eye; a cat. it darted out in front of him. he slammed on the brakes and attempted to maneuver the motorcycle to skid to halt, but he lost control. it slid onto its side and out from under him. he rolled to absorb the impact and saw, just in time, the motorcycle hitting a pole.
he stood up, catching his breath and patting his stomach and his sides. he examined himself. there was not a scratch on him. he released a shaky breath and approached the motorcycle. on the other side of it, the cat sat. it meowed at steve.
he sat down on the curb and removed his helmet, scratching the back of his head. he couldn’t process what had just happened. he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out his phone. the screen illuminated his face in a wash of blue light. he went to his recent calls, clicked on the contact on the top, and put his phone to his ear. he pressed his other hand against his thigh to keep it from shaking.
“hey, man. can you pick me up?”
sam came to steve’s rescue in his truck. they loaded the totaled motorcycle into his trunk and drove to sam’s place in silence. sam unlocked the front door and gestured for his friend to enter. “we’ll talk in the morning,” he told him.
he nodded while nudging his shoes off then headed for the couch. he draped his jacket over the arm and grabbed a throw pillow to clutch against his chest. he closed his eyes and when he fell asleep, he dreamt of y/n.
the following morning, sam woke steve up. the blond freshened up in the bathroom and returned to a cup of coffee. “what you did last night was unacceptable,” sam told him. “you could’ve gotten hurt or you could’ve died. what if there was a car? you could’ve killed somebody, steve.” the man stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the counter. “what’s going on with you?”
“i keep asking myself that,” steve answered. “i don’t know.”
“well, you have two options. go to rehab or i’ll file a police report. you can’t go on like this. you’ve been drinking heavily since you came back from bos-”
“i know,” steve cut him off. “you’re right, sam. it’s time for a change.”
and so steve took sam’s advice. he took a leave of absence from work and checked into rehab. he stayed there for two weeks and when he checked out, he felt more at peace with himself. his heart was still captivated by y/n, but his thoughts were no longer completely plagued by her. he would still lie awake at night thinking about her soft skin and the twinkle in her eyes right before she told a joke. most of the time, he was able to shake the thoughts off, turn onto his side, and fall fast asleep.
that is, until he saw her at sam’s house. the second he saw natasha enter his heart began racing. he didn’t see her but he could feel her heart calling out to his. he nervously greeted natasha and began fidgeting with a napkin. a minute later, she entered with sam, eyes trained on the ground. he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her. she looked up, her eyes meeting his. the floodgates opened and all his feelings for her came rushing back.
steve had a rough summer, to say the least. after wallowing in self pity for a few days, he fell into a routine. he did just enough to get by at work, then would release his tensions at the gym before going home and drinking whatever bottle of alcohol he had grabbed from the grocery store in a futile attempt to forget her. when he closed his eyes, all he saw was her. when he tossed and turned in bed at night, her smell lingered. he didn’t know where it wafted in from or if it was just a figment of his imagination, but he reveled in every moment of it. on the rare night that he was sober, he would take his motorcycle out for a ride through the city. the fresh air cleared his head.
almost three months after he had returned from the trip, he finally began to unpack his suitcase which had been thrown in the hallway closet. he began shoveling the clothing into a laundry hamper when he came across the shirt she had worn to sleep. he ran his fingertips over the faded graphic. he could taste their champagne laced kiss on his tongue. he closed his eyes and released a deep breath. he felt his cells tingling as he relived the moment; the feeling her waist under his hands, the smell of the blooming flowers and the aftermath of rain, the way the dim lighting caused her eyelashes to cast a shadow on her face.
“oh, y/n,” he whispered.
he had never gotten his heart broken, before. he had always been the heartbreaker. he had never felt pain akin to the one that he was experiencing. it was as though he had left a piece of him on the curb outside of her apartment with her and her belongings. why didn’t she want him? what was holding her back?
often enough, he wondered where he went wrong. the question bounced around his head when he would thumb through his camera roll, looking at pictures of her, when he would be on his commute to work, and when he was in the shower.
the scalding water thrummed against his back as he washed the shampoo out of his hair. the temperature was almost painful, but he didn’t notice. suddenly, he heard her laughter ringing around the house. he paused, making sure he was hearing correctly.
“y/n?” he called out. he strained as he searched for her voice. he was craving her. he turned the water off, trying to hear better. “y/n?” no reply. he stepped out of the shower and quickly wrapped a towel around his hips. he threw open the bathroom door and stepped out into his apartment. “y/n?” he looked around and discovered that his tv was on. she was not there.
he sat down on the couch and switched the tv off with the remote. he put his elbows on his knees and held his head in his hands for a moment. where did i go wrong? he thought.
that night, he drank more than he usually did. his foggy mind decided that he wanted to go out for a ride. he looked at himself in the mirror above his dresser. he didn’t know who was staring back at him. he had bulked up due to the hours at the gym. he shrugged on his leather jacket and a pair of shoes, tucked his helmet under his arm and went off to the parking garage.
the drive started off as smooth as it could be in his inebriated state. the roads were mostly empty, the faint sounds of traffic in the distance. the fresh air wasn’t clearing his thoughts. he felt like he was being suffocated. he switched gears and accelerated. then, he saw it out of the corner of his eye; a cat. it darted out in front of him. he slammed on the brakes and attempted to maneuver the motorcycle to skid to halt, but he lost control. it slid onto its side and out from under him. he rolled to absorb the impact and saw, just in time, the motorcycle hitting a pole.
he stood up, catching his breath and patting his stomach and his sides. he examined himself. there was not a scratch on him. he released a shaky breath and approached the motorcycle. on the other side of it, the cat sat. it meowed at steve.
he sat down on the curb and removed his helmet, scratching the back of his head. he couldn’t process what had just happened. he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out his phone. the screen illuminated his face in a wash of blue light. he went to his recent calls, clicked on the contact on the top, and put his phone to his ear. he pressed his other hand against his thigh to keep it from shaking.
“hey, man. can you pick me up?”
sam came to steve’s rescue in his truck. they loaded the totaled motorcycle into his trunk and drove to sam’s place in silence. sam unlocked the front door and gestured for his friend to enter. “we’ll talk in the morning,” he told him.
he nodded while nudging his shoes off then headed for the couch. he draped his jacket over the arm and grabbed a throw pillow to clutch against his chest. he closed his eyes and when he fell asleep, he dreamt of y/n.
the following morning, sam woke steve up. the blond freshened up in the bathroom and returned to a cup of coffee. “what you did last night was unacceptable,” sam told him. “you could’ve gotten hurt or you could’ve died. what if there was a car? you could’ve killed somebody, steve.” the man stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the counter. “what’s going on with you?”
“i keep asking myself that,” steve answered. “i don’t know.”
“well, you have two options. go to rehab or i’ll file a police report. you can’t go on like this. you’ve been drinking heavily since you came back from bos-”
“i know,” steve cut him off. “you’re right, sam. it’s time for a change.”
and so steve took sam’s advice. he took a leave of absence from work and checked into rehab. he stayed there for two weeks and when he checked out, he felt more at peace with himself. his heart was still captivated by y/n, but his thoughts were no longer completely plagued by her. he would still lie awake at night thinking about her soft skin and the twinkle in her eyes right before she told a joke. most of the time, he was able to shake the thoughts off, turn onto his side, and fall fast asleep.
that is, until he saw her at sam’s house. the second he saw natasha enter his heart began racing. he didn’t see her but he could feel her heart calling out to his. he nervously greeted natasha and began fidgeting with a napkin. a minute later, she entered with sam, eyes trained on the ground. he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her. she looked up, her eyes meeting his. the floodgates opened and all his feelings for her came rushing back.
y/n never ended up sending steve the venmo request. upon the arrival to her apartment, she kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto her bed. she sobbed into her pillow. she could not handle the pain of her consequences. there was nothing else in the world that she wanted more than steve. she had never yearned for anything so badly. she felt as if she had ripped out a piece of her soul and left it in his car.
an hour or so later, she collected herself and stepped out of her room to find herself home alone. she let out a sigh of relief, and returned to her room. she opened the window and unpacked her suitcase. she changed her sheet, put on a load of laundry, and took a quick shower before sitting down in front of the television with a glass of wine in hand. she has been through enough heartbreaks to know that the world would not stop for her. she did not realize that she had been shaking the whole time until she brought the wine glass to her lips. after taking a small sip, she placed it on the coffee table and wrung her hands out.
“no more crying,” she told herself as a tear slipped down her cheek.
things were not much better for steve. he drove straight to the gym. he parked, popped the trunk, and opened his suitcase to look for work-out appropriate gear. all of his clothes had been neatly folded by y/n. his heart skipped a beat and then broke a little more. he rummaged through until he found a pair of sweatshorts and a t-shirt. after changing, he went straight for the punching bag. he wrapped his hands and set it up with no effort and then began his assault. he let out his pain, frustration, and sadness with each jab. her words echoed in his head and he could not shake them off. he swung around and kicked his leg out, nailing the bag a little too hard and causing it to fall from the hook. he glared at it, chest heaving. he could feel the stares of the other people there. he put the punching bag away and unwrapped his hands. he was shaking.
steve called into work the next day, saying he had a headache. it was true. he spent the day in his room, a glass of scotch never too far away.
y/n forced herself to get ready for work. she felt like shit. she was exhausted psychically and emotionally and her mind, body, and heart all screamed at her to stop but she pushed through. when she emerged from her room in the morning, natasha was in the kitchen, her morning coffee in hand.
“you look like shit,” she commented, bringing the mug to her lips to blow on the steaming contents.
“traveling is exhausting,” y/n replied. she headed to the fridge and opened in, glancing inside to see if there was anything that would make her appetite return. there wasn’t.
“how was it?” the redhead asked.
“it went,” she paused, searching for the right words, “as expected. we argued a lot.” she sent out a little prayer to any god that was listening that her roommate wouldn’t press the matter. she would fall apart if she had to talk about it. she grabbed a can of cold brew from the door of the fridge and cracked it open. she hoped it wasn’t obvious that her hands were shaking.
“i guess my predictions were off,” natasha chuckled.
y/n exhaled a small sigh of relief and offered her a small smile. “you can say that,” she remarked.
she made it through the workday with only three breaks to the bathroom to cry and wipe her snot away with scratchy toilet paper. after she left, she went home where she threw ingredients from the pantry and fridge into a pan to make some semblance of a meal. she poured herself a glass of wine, picked at her dinner, then stepped into the shower. she retired to her room where she watched a random show. eventually, she was lulled into a dreamless sleep. she awoke the next morning to a text from an unknown number.
Hello. It’s Thor. Steve gave me your number :)
she deleted the text.
all of her days blurred into one. she did the same thing everyday, with the exception of a grocery run and trip to the liquor store once a week. natasha would invite her to go out and she would politely decline. soon enough, summer neared its end. it hung over her like a storm cloud.
she was laying in bed with a throw blanket on and watching a sitcom when there was a knock on her door. she paused the show. “come in,” she called.
natasha pushed open the door and leaned against the wall. her curtains were drawn, but a cool breeze caused them to flutter. she knew something had happened between her and steve, as they were both in the same state of melancholy but neither of them told anyone the events of the trip. she knew she would find out eventually. she was an expert at the waiting game. “you have two options,” she began. “come with me to sam’s labor day party,” she held up her index finger, “or let your social life die in this room with you.” her middle finger joined the other and she wiggled them in the air. “choose wisely.”
y/n sucked in a breath. “work has been so stressful. my social battery is completely drained.” same excuse as always.
“two options,” natasha repeated. “bye-bye friends or hello free alcohol and dinner.”
“i want to stay home.”
“okay then, say it,” she crossed her arms over her chest. “say, ‘i choose to let my social life die in this room with me.’”
“i-” y/n opened her mouth and then shut it. she stared at natasha for a moment before kicking off her blanket. “damn you’re good,” she grumbled.
“i know,” she grinned. “you have thirty minutes to get ready.” she turned around to leave and closed the door.
“hello free alcohol and dinner,” y/n mumbled to herself.
she rolled out of bed. she found a summery midi dress in the back of her closet and changed into it. it was a hand-me-down from a friend who didn’t want it and hadn’t zipped the last time she attempted to wear it, but now the zip easily glided up. her lifestyle change had caused her to lose weight. she did minimal makeup and brushed her hair, which was, for the most part, styled from when she last washed it. she stared at herself in the mirror and couldn’t seem to recognize herself. her face was thinner. she reached up to touch her cheek but was interrupted with another knock.
“ready to go?”
“i don’t know if this is a good idea,” she replied.
“okay, then say it. ‘bye-bye social life.’”
“no,” y/n responded. “i’m ready.”
the pair stopped at the liquor store for a moderately priced bottle of wine before they reached sam’s house. natasha pressed the doorbell and a moment later the door swung open to reveal the smiling man. “long time no see!” he pulled y/n in for a bear hug.
she had been lost in her mind for so long that she had forgotten what comfort felt like. she melted into him and reciprocated the hug.
“i’m here too,” natasha joked, poking sam’s arm. “and i brought wine.”
“great to see you, too,” sam rolled his eyes then pulled away from y/n and gave her roommate a hug. “come in, we’re just about to get started on dinner.”
natasha had no problem sauntering into the house where y/n heard the sounds of everyone greeting her. she lingered in the entry-way for a moment, trying to pick out steve’s voice from the symphony. sam noticed her hesitation.
“what’s been keeping you away this summer?” he asked.
“work has been really hectic. everything just keeps piling up. i’m putting in overtime but i still can’t manage to get on top of things. by the time i get home, i’m too tired to do anything else,” she told him. it was true. she had been pouring herself into her work.
“that’s a shame. we’ve missed you around here, but i understand how it can be,” he nodded. “sometimes, when there’s a mountain of things to do, there can be just one thing that lightens the load. oftentimes it’s buried deep underneath and you have to dig around to find it and fix it,” he paused, letting his words steep in her mind, “maybe there’s some neglected or forgotten project. when you get around to it, it’ll make the mountain moveable.”
she wanted to burst and tell him about all the events that had transpired on her trip to boston. tell him about her regrets, her fears, and her heartache. instead, she took a deep breath and gave him a close-lipped smile. “thank you for the advice. i take it that things are going well at the V.A?”
“as smoothly as they can. it’s one day at a time for a lot of those folks. i just try to help and make those days a little more manageable.”
“since when have you been bashful? i like this new sam,” she joked, nudging him.
“whatever,” he chuckled. “now, are we gonna stand here all night or are we gonna go eat some dinner?”
just on cue, her stomach grumbled. they both dissipated into a bout of giggles. “does that answer your question?”
“okay, then let’s go!”
she mustered every ounce of courage in her body and followed him into the kitchen. she kept her eyes on her feet and focused on putting one foot in front of the other. although, she hadn’t heard his voice, she knew in her heart that steve was there. she could feel it. it was as if his heart was tugging on hers, begging to be reunited. she put her feelings aside as best as she could.
when she entered the kitchen, she raised her gaze up and locked eyes with steve. the feelings all came rushing back.
I Know Exactly Where This Leads - Steve Rogers (Smut) (One Shot)
Summary: Congratulations to Tiff @barnesafterglow on hitting 1k, this my submission for her #all’s well writing challenge. Honestly songs always set the pace for how my piece goes and the delicious combination of taylor swift and marvel just has me highly motivated. The song I have picked is style - taylor swift, 1989, the lyric is “I should just tell you to leave, cause I,”. I had so much fun writing this and listening to Taylor.I hope you enjoy reading! (this piece delves off course to the events post civil war)
Pairing:Steve Rogers x fem!Reader
Warnings:Smut 18+ Minors DNI, angst, fluff, Steve is a good dom regularly checking in, praise kink, size kink, swearing, edging the reader, oral fem receiving, also mr. steve rogers is a filthy filthy dirty talker and it shows here, aftercare, spoken feelings(gets a lil angsty), nomad steve (idk if this is a warning)
Returning back home during the late hours, there is a sense of calm. No one else is awake, and thoughts, those can finally crash away.
You take off the jacket, stolen from him. Before he left, left you all alone. You walk through the apartment, grabbing a bottle of water from the kitchen.
A figure shifts across the living room, “Who the fuck is there?” You move along the wall demanding an answer; hand trying to find the light switch.
Strong hands grab your waist just as you turn the lights on and form a fist to punch the intruder.
Your raised right hook stops midway. Mischievous blue eyes, crinkle with mirth as they gaze into your own.
Steve.
“What the fuck, Steve?” You’re nothing short of bewildered. For all you knew he was supposed to be gone with the wind. Undercover. Unseen. A Nomad.
“I can’t return to see my best girl?” He raises an eyebrow.
“The best girl you left?” You question voice full of defiance.
“Doll, you sided with him.” Steve feels the distaste in his mouth at the memories that surged.
“You could have told him.” You argue again, Steve’s grip on your hips tightens.
“Doll, I’m not here to talk about bygones.”
You gaze up at him confused, he steps closer, you feel the heat of his chest against yours, your palms on his biceps.
“I’m here for you.” Steve’s voice is in the deep baritone, that he always uses to coax you, that whispers dirty nothings into your skin.
Hey babes, I hope you’re all having a lovely day. Today is my first day back from winter break, and let’s just say that I wish I could still be at home watching movies all day long. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the first official chapter of “Why Not Me?” and I love you all. xx
Summary: You and Steve have been together for three years and a seemingly pleasant day turned sour when disaster hits the city. When having to choose between saving you or a civilian, he doesn’t choose you..
You unraveled your earbuds from your bag and placed them in your ears. Although it was New York City, it felt good to go outside, to breathe in the smell of the flowers that lined the window sill of the small businesses that were on your street. The sound of cars were overwhelming, but it was all drowned out by some of your songs that you put into a playlist for you and Steve. Ever since the two of you were together, it became one of your things to share music with each other. It felt like you were giving a piece of yourself to him with every song. And well, this playlist was filled with songs the two of you shared with each other, as well as ones that happened to be playing during special moments in your relationship.
As you rounded to corner, a small smile tugged at the corners of your mouth when the song that was on the moment Steve first kissed you started playing. That was almost three years ago.. And it had been three years of pure bliss and happiness.
The small bell of the coffee shop door rang as you walked in.
“Ah, good morning, Ms. F/N.” The man behind the counter gave you a nod as you walked over to the register, taking out your headphones.
“Good morning, Mr. Sherman.” You gave him an adoring smile. Mr. Sherman had owned the coffee shop for over thirty years and ever since you and Steve started coming there, both of you had been two of his favorite customers.
“The usual? And let me guess, Steve wants his usual order, too?” He rubbed his graying beard. You puckered your lips to the side, casting your eyes to the ceiling playfully. The two of you burst into a fit of laughter as you nodded. “I’ll get that ready for you.” Mr. Sherman went to making your coffee while his other employee warmed your pastries.
You leaned against one of the tables, pulling out your phone. You texted Steve that you were going to be on your way back in about five minutes, and he responded with:
Okay baby. Maybe after breakfast we can finish what we started? ;)
You rolled your eyes, stifling a laugh as you replied.
Oh Steve.. *eye roll*
Your attention was drawn away from your phone when you heard Mr. Sherman’s voice. “I got your order ready for you, F/N.” He had walked out from behind the counter to personally hand it to you. You thanked him, and gave him a warm smile. “Be safe on your walk home, okay? And tell that stinker Steve that he needs to stop by soon. I haven’t seen that guy in a while.”
“I am always am. And I’ll be sure to kick his butt out of bed next time, so you can see him.” He smelled of coffee beans and sugar as you hugged him goodbye and went on your way.
That day was going so well that you were even humming a tune on your way back to the apartment. You waved at all the shop owners you knew, greeting them good morning, saying hello. All the people who worked or lived on your street loved you. You were so radiant and beautiful, you brightened everyone’s day.
As you crossed the street, there was a loud rumble from beneath you. The people around you screamed, but you were silent as you began to lose your footing on the ground. This was no earthquake. No earthquake could tear buildings apart with such force and have it all crumble in one blow. You were frozen in the middle of the street as you watched the book store get torn apart; pieces of glass being ripped through the air, and sticking wherever that may have been. Tears welled up in your eyes as the beautiful place you lived was being destroyed right in front of you. The fear inside you crept up from your chest and lodged itself in your throat, making you unable to speak, and unable to move.
You felt a warm liquid on your shirt, thinking it was just your tears. But as you looked down, the burgundy color of your blood was spreading itself over your shirt. A large shard of glass had lodged itself into your abdomen. There was no pain. You were in a state of shock and the adrenaline had numbed your whole body. All you felt was the lightheadedness that ultimately won the battle in your body, and the next thing you knew, your cheek was pressed against the black concrete. The glass had been pressed even further into you when you fell on your stomach. The spikes of pain began to surge through your muscles, and you were pulled out of shock.
Your mind was still going at a hundred miles an hour and the only thought on your mind was Steve. Was he okay? Did your apartment building get swept away while he was still in it? Or did he make it out?
Maybe he’s coming.. he’ll find you. It’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay. You’ll see him again.
You couldn’t move. The glass was beginning to rip apart your insides as it was being jolted back and forth as you laid on the ground. The sounds of what felt like the apocalypse were deafening, and soon everything began to move in slow motion. You coughed, the taste of iron hitting your tongue. The pain began to fade away, and soon, you were no longer hurting. You watched as the adjacent street cracked, tearing it in half.
There was another woman in the distance, stuck under a fallen light pole. You saw the crack ran down the entirety of the street, the concrete crumbling into the gap. The pole was pressing harder onto her as its weight was being drawn into the split, wanting to take her with it.
Your eyes flitted away, landing on a tall blonde man standing on your side of the street.
“Steve…” Your voice gurgled as the blood collected in your throat. You lifted a finger towards in with the little strength you had left. Tears were welling up in your eyes. He’s here. It’s going to be okay. You saw his pained expression, the dread painted on his face. His attention was then drawn to the woman beneath the light pole. He looked back at you, conflicted.
As darkness began to envelope your vision, the last thing you saw was Steve running away from you to the other side of the street. The last thing you felt was something that felt like a massive blow to the chest, like someone had thrown a brick at your ribcage before everything faded away. And the last thing he saw when he looked back at you, your now lifeless form, was a single tear rolling down your pale cheek.
“What have I done?”
I hoped y’all liked it! Sorry it’s a day late, I had an audition last night and wasn’t able to write anything till 11pm. But, I’ll keep this updated as much as I can. Hopefully, I can have the second chapter up by early next week. xoxo I love you guys.
Hey babes, I hope you’re all having a lovely day. Today is my first day back from winter break, and let’s just say that I wish I could still be at home watching movies all day long. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the first official chapter of “Why Not Me?” and I love you all. xx
Summary: You and Steve have been together for three years and a seemingly pleasant day turned sour when disaster hits the city. When having to choose between saving you or a civilian, he doesn’t choose you..
You unraveled your earbuds from your bag and placed them in your ears. Although it was New York City, it felt good to go outside, to breathe in the smell of the flowers that lined the window sill of the small businesses that were on your street. The sound of cars were overwhelming, but it was all drowned out by some of your songs that you put into a playlist for you and Steve. Ever since the two of you were together, it became one of your things to share music with each other. It felt like you were giving a piece of yourself to him with every song. And well, this playlist was filled with songs the two of you shared with each other, as well as ones that happened to be playing during special moments in your relationship.
As you rounded to corner, a small smile tugged at the corners of your mouth when the song that was on the moment Steve first kissed you started playing. That was almost three years ago.. And it had been three years of pure bliss and happiness.
The small bell of the coffee shop door rang as you walked in.
“Ah, good morning, Ms. F/N.” The man behind the counter gave you a nod as you walked over to the register, taking out your headphones.
“Good morning, Mr. Sherman.” You gave him an adoring smile. Mr. Sherman had owned the coffee shop for over thirty years and ever since you and Steve started coming there, both of you had been two of his favorite customers.
“The usual? And let me guess, Steve wants his usual order, too?” He rubbed his graying beard. You puckered your lips to the side, casting your eyes to the ceiling playfully. The two of you burst into a fit of laughter as you nodded. “I’ll get that ready for you.” Mr. Sherman went to making your coffee while his other employee warmed your pastries.
You leaned against one of the tables, pulling out your phone. You texted Steve that you were going to be on your way back in about five minutes, and he responded with:
Okay baby. Maybe after breakfast we can finish what we started? ;)
You rolled your eyes, stifling a laugh as you replied.
Oh Steve.. *eye roll*
Your attention was drawn away from your phone when you heard Mr. Sherman’s voice. “I got your order ready for you, F/N.” He had walked out from behind the counter to personally hand it to you. You thanked him, and gave him a warm smile. “Be safe on your walk home, okay? And tell that stinker Steve that he needs to stop by soon. I haven’t seen that guy in a while.”
“I am always am. And I’ll be sure to kick his butt out of bed next time, so you can see him.” He smelled of coffee beans and sugar as you hugged him goodbye and went on your way.
That day was going so well that you were even humming a tune on your way back to the apartment. You waved at all the shop owners you knew, greeting them good morning, saying hello. All the people who worked or lived on your street loved you. You were so radiant and beautiful, you brightened everyone’s day.
As you crossed the street, there was a loud rumble from beneath you. The people around you screamed, but you were silent as you began to lose your footing on the ground. This was no earthquake. No earthquake could tear buildings apart with such force and have it all crumble in one blow. You were frozen in the middle of the street as you watched the book store get torn apart; pieces of glass being ripped through the air, and sticking wherever that may have been. Tears welled up in your eyes as the beautiful place you lived was being destroyed right in front of you. The fear inside you crept up from your chest and lodged itself in your throat, making you unable to speak, and unable to move.
You felt a warm liquid on your shirt, thinking it was just your tears. But as you looked down, the burgundy color of your blood was spreading itself over your shirt. A large shard of glass had lodged itself into your abdomen. There was no pain. You were in a state of shock and the adrenaline had numbed your whole body. All you felt was the lightheadedness that ultimately won the battle in your body, and the next thing you knew, your cheek was pressed against the black concrete. The glass had been pressed even further into you when you fell on your stomach. The spikes of pain began to surge through your muscles, and you were pulled out of shock.
Your mind was still going at a hundred miles an hour and the only thought on your mind was Steve. Was he okay? Did your apartment building get swept away while he was still in it? Or did he make it out?
Maybe he’s coming.. he’ll find you. It’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay. You’ll see him again.
You couldn’t move. The glass was beginning to rip apart your insides as it was being jolted back and forth as you laid on the ground. The sounds of what felt like the apocalypse were deafening, and soon everything began to move in slow motion. You coughed, the taste of iron hitting your tongue. The pain began to fade away, and soon, you were no longer hurting. You watched as the adjacent street cracked, tearing it in half.
There was another woman in the distance, stuck under a fallen light pole. You saw the crack ran down the entirety of the street, the concrete crumbling into the gap. The pole was pressing harder onto her as its weight was being drawn into the split, wanting to take her with it.
Your eyes flitted away, landing on a tall blonde man standing on your side of the street.
“Steve…” Your voice gurgled as the blood collected in your throat. You lifted a finger towards in with the little strength you had left. Tears were welling up in your eyes. He’s here. It’s going to be okay. You saw his pained expression, the dread painted on his face. His attention was then drawn to the woman beneath the light pole. He looked back at you, conflicted.
As darkness began to envelope your vision, the last thing you saw was Steve running away from you to the other side of the street. The last thing you felt was something that felt like a massive blow to the chest, like someone had thrown a brick at your ribcage before everything faded away. And the last thing he saw when he looked back at you, your now lifeless form, was a single tear rolling down your pale cheek.
“What have I done?”
I hoped y’all liked it! Sorry it’s a day late, I had an audition last night and wasn’t able to write anything till 11pm. But, I’ll keep this updated as much as I can. Hopefully, I can have the second chapter up by early next week. xoxo I love you guys.
Request: Could I possibly get a sequel to Mermaid? Possibly using powers or diving off a tall bridge/into water to save someone? Possibly sunken car or child in danger?
Warning(s): None
A/N: Again, I apologize for the late post. I had work yesterday and was unable to upload this work. I hope you enjoy!
After Steve Rogers found out that you were a mermaid, he also discovered the fact that you had powers as well. You thought that if Steve knew your biggest secret, you might as well show him the powers that you also had from being a mermaid. He thought that it was really cool, and fell in love with you even more.
Steve always claimed that you were his hero. You never really thought that you were much of a hero because outside of being a normal human being, you were a mermaid. You didn’t really know what a mermaid did except just swim around with the fish.
Every weekend Steve would take you out on a date. This weekend, he didn’t tell you what the plan was. All he said was to meet at a certain location at a certain time. You did as he said and met at the bridge he instructed you to meet at.
As you arrived, you saw that there were candles lit all along the wall of the bridge. It was romantic. You already knew what was going to happen. You started making your way onto the bridge, and you finally noticed Steve in the middle of the bridge. He had a bright smile on and held a bouquet of flowers.
“You look beautiful [Y/N].”
“You don’t look too bad yourself Steve,” You teased flirtatiously. You walked up to him and he handed you the flowers. “Thanks Steve. This is a cute date.”
Steve nodded and placed a small kiss on your nose. He turned and moved a few candles off the bridge. He assisted you onto the bridge and you sat down on the edge with your legs dangling off the edge. Steve soon followed and sat beside you, his legs dangling off the edge as well. You laid your head on his shoulder as you looked out into the sunset.
“I love you [Y/N],” Steve softly whispered, laying his head against yours. You smiled. “I hope you know that I always will.”
“I’ll always love you too Steve.”
All of a sudden, you heard a faint noise. You looked around, but couldn’t quite tell where it was coming from. You looked down, gasping at the sight of a little boy struggling to stay above the water. The water was moving quick below the bridge. You looked over at Steve who seemed unaware of the situation.
You spun around and got off the bridge. Steve raised an eyebrow, asking what you were doing. You didn’t respond and jumped over the edge of the bridge. Steve watched you fall from the high ledge. You did a few flips in the air before finding the right position. You gracefully dove into the water.
You immediately transformed in the water. You knew that there was a huge waterfall at the end of the river. As you were swimming to look for the boy, you noticed that the water was moving at a lot faster rate than you expected. You just hoped that the little boy didn’t hit his head on a rock or anything.
You swam to the top, still being taken by the river toward the large water fall. You scanned the area, instantly noticing the little boy. He was gasping for air, but a large wave came and swallowed him back up. You nodded and dove back into the water. You used all the strength of your mermaid tail to swim to the little boy. As you got to him, you saw that he was passed out.
You gripped onto his body and closed your eyes. It was time for you to use your powers. As you held onto the child, you used your free arm to make the movements that was required to move the water. You soon started to feel yourself get elevated out of the water. Steve watched in awe from above as he saw the water practically carry you and a little boy out of the water.
You delicately placed you and the little boy onto the land. The water returned to the river and you looked over at the child. He still didn’t seem like he was breathing. You dragged yourself over to him since your legs haven’t returned yet. An idea soon came to your mind. You wondered if you could get you and the little boy out of the water, you thought you could get the water out of the little boy’s lungs.
You placed your hand on his chest and closed your eyes once more. Your eyebrows furrowed as you focused. You finally found the correct mindset and the little boy suddenly sat up, spitting out the extra water that was stuck in his lungs. You smiled as you saw that he was breathing again.
“Wh-What happened?” The little boy coughed, looking over at you. Luckily, your legs were able to return before he saw you as a mermaid. “W-Who are you?”
“She’s the woman who saved your life,” A voice said. You turned around, seeing that Steve had arrived to the scene. “Her name is [Y/N].”
“You saved me?” The little boy asked, his face lighting up with a smile. “You’re my hero!”
The little boy threw himself and hugged you tightly. You chuckled as you hugged him back. You looked up at Steve who had a genuine smile on his face as he saw the happiness you brought to the little boy. It was another thing Steve loved about you, you wouldn’t hesitate to help someone in need. He was glad that you had another person think that you were their hero. He just hoped that you always knew that Steve was always going to be your number one supporter.
Warning(s): Size kink, daddy kink, service dom!Steve Rogers.
Word Count: 887
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
YOUR POV
Finally, you and Steve were taking the big step. Penis in Vagina sex, or just P in V. Steve was particular about things like that. It was always just oral and hand stimulation for you. Yeah, you only. Never him. He only ever wanted to please you.
Sometimes, he would make you cum at least five times in an hour. His fingers just curled inside of you so nicely, hitting your g-spot with a force and precision that your own smaller fingers could never manage. And your clit? Oh…Steve was well informed on how to treat a clit.
Between rolling, rubbing, and lightly smacking it, he made you even more sensitive and responsive than you ever thought would be possible.
You thought maybe his aversion to fucking you or letting you see his cock was for religious and/or self conscious reasons. Until you saw him. Whether or not the serum had an effect on his member, you didn’t know. But you did know that it was long, thick, and throbbing.
The head of his cock was in perfect (huge) proportion to the rest of his length, a perfect red mushroom head with a few veins trailing up the shaft. His balls were so heavy and round, presumably full of hot cum ready to impregnate you.
“Y/N…” he trailed off when he saw your wide eyes. His dick had sprung out, slapping him on the hardness of his abs. “Do you understand why now?”
You could only nod in response, reaching out a hand to lightly trail your fingers from base to tip. Steve shuddered, grabbing your wrist.
So he was pent up, evidently. Did he never masturbate? You guessed not, since you two did sleep in the same bed. Maybe he did it in the shower…but he took military style five minutes ones.
You were right, Steve rogers was sexually frustrated™️.
“Please—“ The plea left your lips, Steve swallowed lightly.
“I just need to be inside of you, baby,” he replied, reaching out to hold your face with his big hands, pressing his lips to yours softly. You nodded, stripping your underwear off and laying down for him.
“Y/N, I need to prep you first,” he shook his head. “If I tried to push inside of you before that, you might just break in half.” You laughed, but his expression stayed the same serious one as before.
“Then get me ready for you, daddy,” you smirked, causing him to grab your thighs, yanking you down to the edge of the bed. His tongue licked you from your entrance to your clit, sucking the growing nub in his mouth to cause your cunt to contract.
“I need—“ you were cut off by Steve pushing one finger inside of you.
“Baby girl, daddy knows what you need,” he curled it, making a ‘come here’ motion with it as you began to cream on his finger. “Look at that, already so wet.”
He continued his preparation, finishing off when you came around three of his fingers. Thrice.
“Okay, I’m going to get lube,” his cheeks turned pink.
You felt the cool substance around your pussy before watching him stroke his jumping cock to thoroughly apply the lubricant. He began to rub the tip up and down your folds.
“Sweetheart, if it gets to be too much at any time, tell me. It’s never too late to stop. I don’t want to hurt you, but it’s going to hurt at the beginning. Daddy will be as gentle as possible,” he smiled softly, pecking your nose.
He began to push in, the head being the widest part of his cock, and the hardest to get in. You gritted your teeth, bracing yourself. He stopped.
“Uh uh, baby. If you brace yourself, it only makes you tighter. I need you to relax. Here, breathe in,” he lined himself up with you again. “Now breathe out,” he instructed. You did as he said, and once you breathed out, he pushed inside of you.
The entire head of him was now inserted, and you were seeing stars.
“Look at you baby—taking daddy’s big cock. Such a good girl,” he pushed in, but not all the way. “I can’t get any further inside. Looks like this pretty little pussy is too small for my dick,” he smirked.
You teared up, the intensity of everything making your eyes roll back into your head. “S-Steve—you’re so—big…”
“I know, princess. I know, but look at you,” he put your legs over his shoulders, getting a couple centimeters deeper inside of you. “Dammit, I’m not going to last—“
“Language—“ you laughed somehow, the movement making you squeeze around him.
“Hush—fuck I’m cumming!” Two more thrusts was all it took. Suddenly, you felt thick, warm semen shoot deep inside of you. And there was a lot of it. Steve groaned, his balls pressed against the roundness of your ass, slapping into you as he continued to thrust.
Your own orgasm came soon after, with help as Steve rubbed your clit quickly. You came down from your highs, looking at each other with love.
“You were so good, sweetheart. I love you so much,” he moved your hair out of your face, kissing your forehead. You collapsed into his chest, tracing his skin.
CW: This contains SFW depictions if age regression. Non-verbal regressor, reader is embarrassed at first. Agere is not ddlg, which is a kink. This is a coping mechanism. If you are in little space while reading this, please do not look at the rest of my blog which has a lot of nsfw content.
YOUR POV
Even though Steve was already aware of your involuntary age regression, you still got a little bit embarrassed each time it happened. It was happening now, you knew, as you lowered yourself to the floor.
The floor always made you feel so small, and you loved that. You absentmindedly brought your thumb up to your mouth, sucking on it as you got deeper and deeper into that space.
You heard footsteps outside of the door, but not just any footsteps. They belonged to none other than your boyfriend, Mr. America himself. You heard a knock.
“Y/N?” He called, pausing and waiting to hear your expected answer. You panicked, not knowing what to do. Luckily, the door opened anyways.
Your thumb was out of your mouth now as you sat on the floor with an almost frightened look on your face.
Steve’s face had a moment of realization as he crouched down to you on the floor.
“Hey, sweetheart. Are you okay?” He asked with a light, caring voice.
You put your head in-between your thighs, cheeks blushing as you hid your face.
“Hey hey hey, babygirl. Look at me. Look at daddy,” he cooed.
That word always made you instantly feel safer. Daddy. Steve was your daddy, and you could trust him.
You lifted your head, eyes watering as you made grabby hands towards him. He smiled, picking you up effortlessly and putting you on his hip as if you were a toddler.
“Are you hungry, sweetie?” He pressed a kiss to your forehead, smoothing your hair out of your face.
You shook your head, holding him tighter to you instead and putting your face in the crook of his neck.
“Oh, I see,” he sat down on the bed with you. “You’re sleepy, honey,” he said softly, rubbing you back. You nodded into him, a faint chuckle escaping from his lips.
“You want daddy to tuck you in and leave you to nap?” He asked.
You shook your head suddenly, looking at him with puppy eyes.
“You want daddy to stay with you?” You nodded this time, resuming your previous position on him.
“Alright baby, let’s lay down then,” he whispered, laying with you on top of him still like a baby, your ear right above his heart. You focused on the steady beating of it along with his deep breathing.
“Sleep, princess. Daddy will be here when you wake up.”
Y/n just wanted a nice Thanksgiving dinner with everyone together since no one really had a family to go home to.
· Wanda had never celebrated Thanksgiving before and was doing her best to help Y/N in the kitchen
· Vision was trying the discuss the deeper meaning of Thanksgiving with an already tipsy Tony.
· Steve thought the idea was wonderful but when Y/N realized how horrible his cooking skills were she kicked him out.
· Rhodey and Sam would try to steal bites of food, but Wanda would literallythrow them across the room.
· Y/N appreciated Wanda wanting to help cook but no Wanda there is no Beef Stroganoff at Thanksgiving!
· Steve ended tried hiding the alcohol from Tony again, but Tony had put a tracker in the cart.
· Y/n furiously whipped and peeled potatoes because Sam liked his, but Tony only ate the box kind, Clint didn’t like his without a bit of garlic, but Natasha hated garlic, and Steve would not eat them unless every lump was gone!
· AND HEAVEN FORBID THEY DID NOT HAVE PUMPKIN PIE BUT HOW COULD THEIR BE THANKSGIVING WITHOUT PEACON PIE AND THAT ONLY LEAD TO SAM AND RHODEY ARGUING ABOUT THE CORRECT WAY TO PRONOUNCE PEACON.
· Y/N’s hands shook with anger as she peeled another potato. She’d be damned if she let these idiots ruin her Thanksgiving. She was an agent of Shield! A feared assassin! She could make five kinds of mashed potatoes, bread dressing, a turkey, two kinds of pies, and cranberry sauce even if it killed her!
· The fifth time Y/N caught Clint reaching towards the turkey from the vent above she chucked a potato at him
· In the end though once everything was finally cooked and they all sat down and ate it wasn’t that bad. Everyone laughed, joked, told stories, and all five kinds of mashed potatoes has been eaten by the end of meal
· It didn’t even matter they didn’t eat dinner till twelve in the morning which meant it wasn’t even Thanksgiving anymore (Y/N threw another potato at Clint when he pointed this out)
Steve was constantly traveling. Doing shows in every major city in the US. He wrote when he could, and Y/N even got to go to a few of the shows. It took quite a bit of effort on her part to not laugh every time she saw him on that stage. She knew this was not what Steve had in mind when he was asked to help America win the war.
Y/N glanced at the today’s newspaper that laid on her bed. There was a picture of Steve in his costume, wearing an awkward smile and holding a crying baby. She couldn’t help but chuckle. Y/N finished packed her small bag and set it by the door. Tomorrow she was headed out to an army base where Steve was performing one of his shows. The Times was sending her to get some inside details about where the army is at in the war. She had just conveniently chosen the same weekend Steve would be there. Y/N had decided to surprise him, figured she might be able to cheer him up a bit.
“Oh God,” Y/N muttered watching Steve up the stage. Agent Carter shook her head in agreement. Steve was dying up there.
“Hey, Captain! Sign this!” A soldier shouted. He stood up, turned around, and pulled down his pants. The crowd laughed, both Y/N and Agent Carter cringed. They threw a couple of tomatoes a Steve, who held up his shield to protect himself. Steve sighed in defeat and marched off the stage as the showgirls walked on.
It had started to rain. Y/N pulled her coat closer as she made her way to the stage setup, where Steve sat on the steps talking to Agent Carter. As Y/N reached them Agent Carter stood and smiled at her.
“I’ll leave you two alone,”
Y/N nodded in thanks as Agent Carter walked away. She sat down beside Steve who kissed the top of her head.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,”
“Was hoping to come cheer you up,” Y/N responded starring up at him. She would never get over how tall he was now. “You did well.”
“I sucked,” Steve grunted turning back to his notebook. Y/N noticed a drawing of a dancing monkey wearing a costume like Steve’s. “All I’ve ever wanted is to serve my country, travel. And when I finally get everything I wanted, I’m wearing tights.”
“At least your ass looks good.”
Steve laughed at that. The sounds of shouting and an ambulance interrupted him. They looked over to see injured men being brought into the hospital tent. “They look like they’ve been through hell.”
“These men more than most,” Y/N commented. “Agent Carter told me Schmitt sent out a force to Manzano. Two hundred men went in, and less than fifty returned. Your audience contained what was left of 107. The rest were killed or captured.”
“The 107?”
“What is it?” Y/N asked surprised.
“Come on!” Steve shouted tossing her coat to her and taking off.
“Colonel Phillips,” Steve spoke as they entered the tent. They walked over to the Colonel’s desk where Agent Carter stood beside him.
“Well, if it isn’t the Star-spangled man with a plan. What is your plan today?”
Y/N made a mental note to tease Steve about that later.
“I need the casualty list from Manzano.”
“You don’t get to give me orders son.”
“I just need one name, Sargent James Barnes from the 107th,” Steve asked.
Y/N bit back a gasp. How did she not realize it before!
“You and I are going to have a conversation later that you won’t enjoy,” Philips stated pointing at Y/N.
“I’m not revealing my source.” Y/N acknowledged. She would never throw Peggy under the bus, especially since she was Y/N’s top source for info.
“Please sir, just tell me if he’s alive. B, A, R- “
“I can spell,” The Colonel interrupted Steve. He stood up and began looking through a stack of papers. “I have signed more of these condolence letters than I would care to count, but, the name does sound familiar. I’m sorry.”
Y/N blinked away her tears, this was no time to be emotional.
“What about the others?” Steve asked. “Are you planning a rescue mission?”
“Yeah, it’s called winning the war!” The Colonel exclaimed.
“But if you know where they are then why not- “
“They’re thirty miles behind the lines, in some of the most heavily fortified territories in Europe. We’d lose more men than we’d save. I don’t expect you to understand that because you’re a chorus girl.”
“I think I understand just fine.”
“Well, then understand it somewhere else,” Philips grunted before walking away. “If I read the poster correctly, you have someplace to be in thirty minutes.”
“Yes, sir, I do,” Steve stated before walking off.
Y/N glanced at the large map and then at Steve’s retreating form. “Oh, hell no!” She whispered before going after him with Peggy by her side.
“What do you plan to do? Walk to Austria?” Y/N asked entering the tent full of costumes. Steve was putting on his Captain America costume.
“If that what it takes.”
“You heard the Colonel, your friend is most likely dead,” Peggy spoke up.
“You don’t know that”
“Even so, he’s devising a strategy that takes- “
“By the time he’s done that it could be too late!” Steve exclaimed putting on his coat.
“Steve!” Y/N insisted running after him.
Steve threw his bag and shield into the back of a jeep.
“Y/N, you gotta let me do this.”
“Who said I was stopping you?”
Steve looked at his fiancé, feeling slightly surprised.
Y/N turned to Peggy, “Can you fly him?”
“No, but I know someone who can,” Peggy smirked and rushed off. “Be back in a minute!”
“What is- “
“I want a full detailed report when you get back. If anyone is putting this in the papers it will be me! You’ll be in the fighting in no time.”
Steve didn’t know what to say. “Y/N I- “
“If you die, I’ll kick your ass!” Y/N growled.
“You could get in a lot of trouble!”
“Oh please! I’m a reporter for the times! They can’t touch me.”
Steve stepped forward and cupped her face, kissing his girl. “Love you, darling.”
“Love you too, now go be a hero!
“You!”
Y/N looked up from her notepad to see the Colonel walking over.
“Where’s Rogers?”
“How should I know?”
“You’re his fiancé!”
“Fiancé, not his mother,” Y/N stated calmly.
Before the Colonel could respond they turned at the sound of an approaching jeep. Agent Carter and Howard Stark were in the front seat.
“Where is he!” Y/N shouted sprinting over. Peggy climbed out of the jeep and shook her head.
“Stayed in the air for as long as we could, but the plane sustained too much damage and Steve never contacted us.”
Y/N shook her head in disbelief, trying to hold back her tears. “Excuse me,” She whispered walking away. Peggy rushed over and walked with her.
“Y/N, I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s okay,” Y/N responded. “He died for something he believed in.”
“Do you know what he asked me?”
“What?”
“If Stark and I ever fondued?”
“You mean- “
Peggy nodded, quietly chuckling.
Y/N shook her head, “Classic Steve. Kindest man I know, but doesn’t know a thing about women!”
“You’re leaving?”
Y/N glanced at Peggy who stood in the doorway of her small tent. “It’s been three days. I need to go home and hand in my report. There’s nothing keeping me here.”
“Y/N, I’m so- “
“Don’t say you’re sorry.” Y/N ordered. “Everyone’s sorry, they’re always sorry when someone dies! Well, I’m not! Sad? Of course! But I could not be prouder of him. So, don’t you dare insult Steve’s memory by saying you’re sorry!”
Before Peggy could respond, they both stepped outside to find out what the commotion was all about. Men were running and shouting. Peggy and Y/N followed to see what they were going after. They reached the tent where the Colonel stood, looking at all his men lining both sides of the road. A large group of soldiers walked down the center of it. Steve Rogers was the one leading them. People shouted and cheered as Steve made his way over to the Colonel.
Steve gave a salute. “Some of these men need medical attention. I would like to surrender myself to disciplinary action.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Yes sir,” Steve answered, slightly surprised.
The colonel turned to Y/N, “Go kiss that stupid fiancé of yours.” He grunted before walking away.
Y/N smiled at Steve and stepped forward. Steve leaned down and kissed her. Causing a few whoops and cheers to come from the crowd.
“Alright! Move! I want to hug her too!”
Y/N quickly stepped back from Steve and rushed over to Bucky, hugging him as tightly as she could. “Glad to know you aren’t dead.”
“I thought you were supposed to take care of him for me!”
“He’s alive,” Y/N responded stepping back.
“After undergoing an experiment that turned him into a giant and then charging into enemy territory by himself!”
“Guys, I’m right here.”
“You know how he gets, stubborn as a bull.”
“I’m not a child!” Steve sighed in frustration. Bucky and Y/N laughed.
“Oh, and I owe you this!” Y/N punched Steve in the arm. She thought she actually saw him wince.
“Hey!”
“I thought you were dead!”
Steve reached into his pocket and brought out a broken transmitter. “Couldn’t call my ride!”
Y/N snatched the tiny thing from him and chucked it at his helmet. It shattered on impact.
“Hey, let’s hear it for Captain America!” Bucky exclaimed. The crowd cheered in agreement. People clapped Steve on the back and congratulated him.
A few days later Y/N headed back to New York and Steve went on to fight in the war. Y/N’s boss was ecstatic when he read her report. A firsthand account from Captain America himself on how he saved those men was good enough for the front page!
It was a few weeks later when Y/N received a letter from Steve saying he’d be back home for a few days and asked her to meet him. She, of course, chose to wear her red dress and even put on a little more makeup than she usually did.
Upon walking into the bar, some men who were singing loudly quickly calmed down at the sight of her. Y/N walked into the next room where Bucky and Steve sat at the bar. Steve quickly got up and walked over to her, giving her a peck on the lips.
“Hey, Darling,”
“Hey,” She smiled at Steve and then turned to Bucky who kissed her on the cheek.
“Glad you could make it Y/N!”
The three ordered some drinks and sat down at a table. They talked, laughed, and told stories. It was like how it was before the war. If Y/N blocked out the drunk singers and music she could almost imagine they were back at Joe’s.
“So! When do you two plan on tying the knot?” Bucky demanded.
“After the war.”
Bucky looked at Steve in shock. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Why?”
“After the war? Who knows how long this thing could last! Not to mention the chances of us surviving it!”
“Bucky!” Steve growled.
“I’m perfectly fine with waiting, Bucky so stop your worrying.” Y/N insisted.
Steve nodded in agreement, though Y/N could tell Bucky’s words had gotten to him.
They had a few more drinks and told a couple more stories before saying goodnight to everyone. Steve, of course, insisted on walked Y/N home.
“Are you really okay with waiting?” Steve asked as they made their way down the sidewalk.
“Yes, if you want to wait till after the war, then we can wait.”
Steve nodded but did not respond. Y/N could tell he was thinking hard about this. “Maybe, we could, at least, go to the court and get it done. You know? Just so you could get the benefits if something does- “
“Absolutely not!” Y/N exclaimed stopping in her tracks.
“I’m not marrying you just, so I can get a little help if you die! I will marry you because I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. And I will do so when our friends and family can be there, and you can come home!”
Steve nodded and took her hand in his. “I’m sorry darling,”
“All is forgotten,” Y/N muttered kissing Steve’s cheek before they started to walk again.
Steve left the next morning to head off to a meeting he had with Stark, promising he would come back later that evening. Y/N spent her day in the office working on her next article.
She arrived at her home to find Steve sitting on her couch with his head in her hands. “Bad day?”
“I have to tell you something,”
His tone made Y/N stop what she was doing and sit down beside him. “What happened?”
“I… I was waiting for Mr. Stark while he was finishing up a meeting with Colonel Philips… And his secretary was sitting there, and she kept talking me being a hero and how I saved those men, and how thankful their wives must be and…”
“And?”
“Y/N she kissed me!” Steve exclaimed. “She kissed me, but I swear I didn’t kiss back and, and I…. wait, why are you laughing?”
Y/N waved her hand as she tried to calm herself down but only ended up laughing harder. She finally calmed herself down and took a deep breath. “Steve, I’m not mad!”
“Obviously, why is this so funny! I- “
“You didn’t cheat,” Y/N interrupted. “Some crazy fan kissed you, that’s all.” Y/N giggled. “If I got mad about every girl who tried to make a move on you I’d go crazy! Besides, I’m the girl who gets to have you come home to her. I’ve got nothing to be jealous of.”
“Could you tell Agent Carter that? Because she shot at me because she thinks I’m cheating on you.”
Y/N began laughing again. “I’ll talk to her.”
Steve smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. “You’re the best darling,”
“I know,” Y/N giggled making Steve roll his eyes.
Steve left a week later to head to the war with the team he had assembled. Y/N once again poured herself into her work, though her bosses weren’t complaining about it. She was quickly climbing the food chain of journalism! Following leads that took her all over the world. She saw the chaos in Europe and even narrowly escaped Austria as Hitler’s men took over the country. Steve wrote when he good, but he was usually off on some mission he couldn’t tell Y/N about and she was usually following a lead that had details she could not share. She hated the secrets between them but knew it was for the best. After all, they were both doing what they loved so how could she complain?
Peggy visited Y/N occasionally. Sharing stories and bringing trinkets Steve had sent from his travels. Everything was going well until there was a knock-on Y/N’s door one early morning.
“Peggy?” Y/N groaned rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Peggy’s tone instantly grabbed Y/N’s attention.
“Come inside,” The two women headed inside the small home and sat down in the living room. “Now, what is it?”
Peggy took a deep breath, “There is no easy way to tell you this, but, Sargent Barnes is dead.”
Y/N gasped in horror, “No! It can’t be true!” She exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes.
“I’m sorry Y/N, it happened during a mission.”
“What about Steve?”
“He made it back. In fact, he’s currently in London. I came to tell you in person, so, that I may ask you to come back with me. You could tell your boss you’re going on another assignment, I just need you to come talk to Steve. I know you are dealing with your own grief but, he needs you!” Peggy pleaded.
Y/N wiped away her tears and took a shaky breath. She had to be strong, for Steve. “Let me go pack.”
They left Y/N’s home fifteen minutes later and boarded a plane to London. Y/N had made sure to send a message to work, letting them know she was headed to London to follow an important lead she had found. Hours later they arrived late at night. Took them a while to figure out where Steve was, but they finally learned he was hiding out in an area of the city that had been evacuated due to the bombing.
Y/N walked through the rubble to a destroyed bar. She stepped over large pieces of rock and entered the building through a large hole in the wall. Y/N walked further into the building and found Steve sitting at the table, with a bottle and glass before him.
Steve looked up at the sound of her footsteps but did not seem that all surprised to see his fiancé. “Dr. Erskine said that the serum wouldn’t just affect my muscles, it would affect my cells. Create a protective system of regeneration and healing.” Steve poured himself a drink as he spoke. “Which means, um, I can’t get drunk. Did you know that?”
Y/N walked over and stood in front of him. It was obvious he had been crying for hours. “I did read about how your metabolism burns four times faster than the average person,” Y/N picked up a chair and then sat down. “Dr. Erskine wrote that he did think that could be one of the side effects.”
Y/N wasn’t sure what to say. How do you comfort someone who just lost their best friend? That’s the thing, you can’t. “It wasn’t your fault.”
Steve scoffed, “Did you read the report?”
“Yes.”
“Then you know that’s not true.”
“You did everything you could,” Y/N spoke softly. “Did you believe in Bucky? Did you respect him? No need to answer because we both know you did, and because of that you need to stop blaming yourself. Allow Bucky the dignity of his choice. He damn well thought you were worth it!”
“I’m going after Schmidt. And I won’t stop till all of Hydra is dead or captured.”
“I would be disappointed if you did anything less.” Y/N slightly smiled and reached across the table, taking Steve’s hand in hers. “But you won’t have to do it alone.”
Steve looked at her with more sadness in his eyes then Y/N had seen in her whole life. She then realized why Peggy had been so determined to get her here. Because she knew Steve wouldn’t have felt free to be this vulnerable with anyone else.
“I’ll be back soon,”
“I know.”
“Darling, I’m going to be fine.”
“I know,” Y/N answered again, her voice showing no emotion. After arriving back at base, Steve was pulled into an emergency meeting and was heading out on an emergency mission he could tell Y/N nothing about. Y/N was terrified and Steve knew it.
Steve sighed and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing their foreheads together. “You know why I’m so sure I’ll come back?”
“Because if you don’t I’ll kick your ass?”
Steve chuckled, “Because, when I get back we are going to get married.”
“But I thought we were- “
“No more waiting. I love you and I want you to be my wife. We don’t know when this war will end, but I know I can make it through this with you by my side.”
Y/N smiled up at him and stood on her tip toes, so she could kiss him. “I love you too,” She whispered against his lips. “Still not used to how tall you are though.”
Steve threw his head back in laughter.
“Come in, this is Captain Rogers! Do you read me?” Steve’s voice came in through the intercoms.
“Captain Roger’s what is your- “
“Steve is that you? Are you alright?” Peggy asked pushing the man aside. She sat down in front of the mike.
“Peggy, Schmidt’s dead!”
“What about the plane?”
“That’s a little tougher to explain,” Steve answered.
“Give me your coordinates. I’ll find you a safe landing site.”
“There’s not going to be a safe landing, but I can try and force it down.”
Peggy bit her lip, trying to come up with a solution. “I’ll get Howard on the line. He’ll know what to do.”
“There’s no time. This thing is moving fast, and it’s headed for New York.” Steve explained. “I gotta put her in the water.”
“Please, don’t do this. We have time. We can work it out.” Peggy pleaded, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Right now, I’m out in the middle of nowhere. If I wait any longer a lot of people are going to die. I have to do this.” Steve reached into his pocket and took out his compass and set it up before him. A small picture of Y/N was inside it. “Peggy?”
“I’m here.”
“I need you tell Y/N I’m gonna be late to the courthouse.”
“I’ll tell her,” Peggy whispered.
“Tell her this was my choice, she’ll understand.”
“Okay.”
“Tell her she can wear her red dress if she wants. She was never much of a fan of white any- “
Static came across the air. “Steve?” Peggy whispered. “Steve!” She exclaimed, tears now rolling down her cheeks.
Y/N paced in her small room she had been staying in. She had been up all night, hoping to hear word from someone! But nothing had come. Y/N froze at the sound of someone knocking and rushed to the door.
“Yes?”
“Colonel Philips would like to see you in his office.” The soldier explained.
Y/N nodded and quickly grabbed her coat.
“Colonel,” Y/N spoke upon entering the small office. The Colonel sat behind his desk with a grave look on his face. Peggy sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk, Y/N sat in the one beside her. “What’s this about? Where’s Steve?”
“Our goal for this mission was to take down Schmidt’s plan once and for all. He had a plane, that had bombs for major cities all over the world,” The Colonel began. “Captain Rogers was able to get on the plane before it took off and take control. But, he then realized there was no way to land the plane. And it’s first stop, New York, was getting close.”
“No,” Y/N whispered. Peggy reached over and grabbed Y/N’s hand, squeezing it hard.
“Captain Rogers made the decision to put the plane in the water, we have no reason to believe he survived. Captain Rogers died so thousands could live. Your finance is a hero.”
“Oh, don’t I know it,” Y/N scoffed tears rolling down her cheeks. He said he would come back, but Y/N had a feeling this mission was going to be different.
“He said to tell you that this was his choice,” Peggy whispered. “And that you would understand.”
Y/N closed her eyes, no longer able to hold the pain back. As she began to sob, Peggy stood up wrapped her arms around Y/N. Colonel Philips quietly left the room to give Y/N some privacy.
“He promised he’d come home,” Y/N sobbed. “He said we were going to get married.”
“I know,” Peggy whispered trying to soothe her friend. But how do you comfort someone who just lost the love of their life? That’s the thing, you can’t.
Steve couldn’t stop his hands from shaking as he approached the familiar home in Brooklyn. The battle of New York had only been a few weeks ago, but when Nick Fury approached Steve with a file containing a name he knew all too well, Steve nearly cried with joy.
Steve’s breathing was shaky as he rang the doorbell. A nurse opened the door.
“Hello, how can I help you?”
“I’m a, um, old friend of Miss Y/L/N’s. I was wondering if I could see her?”
The nurse smiled, “You picked a good day. She’s been getting worse and we aren’t sure how much longer she has, but she seems to be doing well today.” The nurse held the door open wider so Steve could step inside.
The house had barely changed. There were some photos on the walls that hadn’t been there before, and there were more books and records in the living room. Steve followed the nurse up the stairs and down a hallway he knew like the back of his hand.
“Y/N, you have a visitor,” The nurse spoke softly as they entered the bedroom.
Steve had not known what to expect, but when he saw her laying there, it was like nothing had changed. Her skin may have had wrinkles and her hair was now grey, but somehow, she didn’t seem different to him.
“Y/N,” Steve whispered sitting down in the chair beside her bed.
“I’ll leave you be,” The nurse said before leaving the room, shutting the door behind her.
Steve took Y/N’s hand in his, not sure what he should say. “They found me frozen in the ice, not sure how I survived, to be honest. I also just fought an army of aliens. Bet you would have written a good article about that,” Steve chuckled, with no real emotion in his tone.
“I’m… I’m sorry I missed the wedding.” Steve whispered, running his thumb over the dainty engagement ring he had given her all those years ago. “Would have loved to see you in that red dress one more time…”
Steve glanced up at the heart monitor as it continued to beep. The sound of a ventilator filled the room, as it breathed for Y/N. Steve had read about the car accident that had only happened two months before he had woken up. How she had been put on life support and that Fury had decided to personally pay to keep her alive so Steve may be able to say goodbye. But he didn’t want this to be goodbye.
“Y/N,” Steve croaked, struggling to hold back his tears. “Come on darling, just open your eyes for me, just this once.”
But Y/N did not move.
“Please Y/N,” Steve cried. “Please…”
Nothing changed. The heart monitor stayed the same. The machines continued to breathe for his love.
Y/N Y/L/N was a simple girl who lived a not so extraordinary life. She was not a well-known journalist who wrote famous articles. She made the front page only once. She didn’t have any family, never got married or had children. But, she meant the world to someone. Once.
“See you tomorrow!” Y/N called as Bill left the diner. He had been coming there for his lunch break every day for the past five years. Regulars were Y/N’s favorite customers. It was always nice to see friends come in. Y/N cleaned the table and took the dishes to the back before heading back out to the other customers.
“Hey, doll!”
Y/N turned and rolled her eyes, “Bucky Barnes, you know not to call me that!”
Bucky just chuckled and gave Y/N a peck on the cheek. “How are you, Y/N?”
“I’m doing good, and you?”
“Great! Sent in my application for the army today, so hoping I’ll hear from them soon.”
Y/N nodded as he spoke, doing your best to hide her fear. Y/N was proud of Bucky, of course, but that did not stop her from fearing for her friend’s safety.
“Hey, do you have any plans tonight?”
Y/N stopped cleaning and looked at Bucky placing a hand on her hip. “We’ve been down this road, I’m not- “
“No no! Not asking you out for me!”
“What?”
“I’m going to a party tonight and my friend needs a date. He’d be perfect for you!” Bucky exclaimed.
Y/N rolled her eyes, “We’ve been down this road as well. I said no more blind dates!”
“Oh, come on Y/N! This is the last one I swear! He’s my best friend! Do you think I’d be best friends with a jerk?”
“You are a jerk,” Y/N muttered, making Bucky chuckled.
“Well, he’s not. He’s one of those humble, shy guys. You’ll like him, I promise!”
“I haven’t said yes yet!”
“Party is at 7! We’ll pick you up at 6:45!”
“At least tell me his name!”
“It’s Steve!” Bucky called as he left the diner.
Y/N let out a sigh in frustration, praying she wouldn’t regret this.
Y/N checked her makeup in the mirror one last time, admiring her light blue dress and black heels. Before she could do anything, else there was a knock at the door.
Bucky whistled when Y/N opened the door and she rolled you rolled your eyes. Beside him stood a man you had never met before. He was barely an inch taller than Y/N, skinny, with blond hair and blue eyes. Then there was Bucky’s date, a pretty brunette with her arm linked with his.
“Hey, sweetheart!”
“I told you to stop with the pet names!” Y/N chuckled making Bucky smile. She turned to the other man, “You must be Steve, nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Y/N” The two shook hands.
“If you two don’t kiss by the end of the night I’ll be disappointed!”
“And if you don’t kiss Sally by the end of the night she’ll be disappointed!” Steve shot back making Sally blush.
“Let’s just go,” Y/N chuckled. The boys nodded in agreement and the group headed off.
The party was at a friend’s house not too far away, which you were thankful for since Y/N was walking in heels. Bucky walked with his date in front of you and Steve, Y/N could hear her giggle as Bucky told a joke.
“So, how long have you known Bucky?”
“Since we were kids, been best friends all our lives,” Steve answered. “What about you? How did you two meet?”
“He spilled coffee on me at the diner” Y/N quietly laughed at the memory.
“Oh yeah! He mentioned you worked at Joe’s. How long have you been a waitress?”
“Five years now.”
“Do you like it?” Steve asked.
“It pays the bills, but I certainly don’t wanna work there for the rest of my life.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I want to be a journalist, but you know how hard it can be for a woman to get anywhere in life.” Y/N muttered.
“What would you want to write about?”
“Anything, honestly. Anything that allows me to travel. What about you? What do you want to do?”
“I want to join the army,” Steve answered.
“That’s an admirable thing, have you applied?”
“I have but, I was turned down for… reasons.”
Y/N nodded, deciding it was better not to push the subject. They arrived at the party before Steve and Y/N could continue the conversation.
Music played loudly, people drank, and couples danced. Y/N had lost Bucky and his date in the crowd and Steve had seemed to disappear. She leaned against the wall and watched the people around her. Y/N was perfectly content to people watch until someone decided to disturb her.
“Hey there sweetheart”
“I’m not your sweetheart” Y/N muttered to the drunk stranger, but he didn’t seem to hear her.
“Wanna dance?” He placed a hand on her hip that Y/N quickly pushed away.
“No thanks,” She moved to walk away but he grabbed her wrist.
“Oh, come on doll, I promise to show you a real good time” he whispered in her ear making her cringe.
“I said, no!” Y/N tried to shove him off, but he wouldn’t budge. Suddenly, the man was pulled off her and Steve was standing between the two of you.
“I believe she said no.”
“Mind your own business!” The man growled.
“Leave her alone!” Steve demanded sizing the man up or at least trying to. He was a good foot taller than Steve.
“Steve, can you walk me home? Please?” Y/N whispered in his ear, trying to stop this from becoming a fight.
Steve glanced at the man one last time before nodding and leading Y/N outside.
“Thank you, for saving me,” Y/N said quietly as the two walked down the sidewalk.
“Wouldn’t have to save you if I hadn’t disappeared, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not! I was just so nervous and was afraid of screwing this date up that it took a ten-minute pep talk from Bucky to get me to find you.”
Y/N slightly smiled at his words. “Well,” you looped your arm through his as you spoke. “I’m glad my hero decided to come to the rescue.” She could see a small blush appear on his cheeks at your words.
“Seems I messed up the date anyways, barely got to know you.”
“I wouldn’t mind a second try.”
Steve looked at Y/N surprised. “You mean, you’d like to go on another date with me?”
“If you’re asking, then yes” She giggled. Steve’s face broke out into wide grin.
“I’d like that very much Y/N” He answered as you two stopped. Y/N now stood in front of her front door. “Would Tuesday work?”
“Tuesday’s perfect” Y/N stepped closer and gave Steve a peck on the cheek. “Goodnight hero.”
Steve stood outside Y/N’s door a for a few moments after she had already gone inside. “Goodnight,” he whispered, touching the place where her lips had just been.
Y/N looked up from the register at the sound of the door opening and smiled.
“Hey cookie,” Steve walked over and pecked her on the lips.
“Told you not to call me that!” Y/N giggled. Steve rolled his eyes.
“Right. So, how’s your day going?”
“Alright, tips are low today, but Billy said his wife is pregnant!”
“Make sure to give them my congratulations”
“I will,” Y/N assured. “So, what did I do to earn this unexpected visit?”
“Can’t a man visit his girl while she’s at work?” Steve walked around the counter and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“He sure can,” Y/N smiled up at him as his nose brushed hers. Thank God Joe had gone on an errand!
“Hey, love birds!” The couple groaned and stepped away from each other making Bucky chuckle.
“Now, this was an unexpected visit I could do without.”
“Oh hush! You love me!”
Y/N just smiled and shook her head.
“Hey! we should go dancing tonight!”
“Bucky, you always wanna go out!” Steve chuckled.
“Yeah, but you two never come! Come on! It’ll be fun!”
“I’d be up for some dancing.”
Steve looked at Y/N a little surprised. “Seriously?”
“Yeah! Come on! Bucky’s right, we haven’t gone dancing in ages” Y/N pleaded.
Steve sighed in defeat, “Fine.”
Y/N let out a squeal and hugged Steve who laughed.
Y/N was putting on her lipstick when there was a knock at the door. She slipped on her shoes and walked over.
“Right on time!” She exclaimed opening the door. Steve’s smile widened at the sight of his girl. Y/N was wearing a red dress, which was Steve’s favorite, that she had worn on their first date. Well, it had really been their second date but since the first one didn’t go so well they considered the second one to be their do-over.
“You beautiful,” Steve whispered kissing her cheek. Y/N linked her arm with Steve’s as he waved a cab over.
“You made it!” Bucky exclaimed waving his two friends over. He hugged Steve and kissed Y/N on the cheek. She ordered some drinks and started up a conversation with Bucky’s date while Steve talked with the guys.
“Oh, I love this song!” Karen, Bucky’s date, exclaimed. Bucky held out his hand and they made their way towards the dance floor.
Steve smiled at Y/N and raised his eyebrow. “May I have this dance?” He asked dramatically making her giggle.
“You may,” Y/N did a little curtsy and took Steve’s hand. The two spun around on the dance floor. Laughing and joking as they tripped and stepped on each other’s twos once or twice.
The band started to play a slow song and Steve pulled his date close. Y/N rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the smell of his cologne. Steve kissed Y/N’s forehead and rested his chin on the top of her head.
“Can I ask you something?” He whispered.
“Sure,”
“Why don’t you like pet names? Like Baby or sweetheart.”
“I just don’t like them. They sound so fake to me you know? Those are things guys call out to girls to their attention. Doesn’t sound very endearing to me.” Y/N explained. Steve hummed in response.
“What about darling?”
She looked up at Steve in confusion. “What?”
“Can I call you darling?” He asked. “Don’t hear guys shouting that one too often.”
Y/N smiled, “Darling… I like it!”
Steve chuckled and kissed her nose. “My darling.”
Y/N checked herself in the mirror for the hundredth time, making sure everything was okay with her appearance. “Well, either I leave now or risk being late,” She muttered to herself. Y/N grabbed her bag and headed outside, looking for a taxi.
“You’re late,” Joe stated as Y/N entered the diner. She hung up her hat and coat.
“I’m sorry, I had an… appointment that went longer than I expected.” Y/N apologized as she tied on her apron. Joe leaned against the counter and crossed his arms, giving her a knowing look.
“So?”
“So, what?”
“How did the interview go!”
“How did you- “
“I’ve known you for five years, did you honestly think I wouldn’t figure it out?” He chuckled.
Y/N smiled and shook her head. “Well… I got the job!”
Joe let out a shout of joy and hugged her. “That’s amazing! Wait till I tell Hellen! Your dad would have been so proud!”
Joe and Y/N’s father had been old war buddies before her father died a few years ago. He had worked as a journalist after leaving the army and after growing up hearing her father’s stories and travels Y/N were eager to follow in his footsteps.
“Have you told Steve?”
“Not yet, I never even mentioned the interview because I didn’t want to get his hopes up” Y/N explained. “Not to mention if I get assigned closer to the war, I know he’ll worry out of his mind!”
“Would the New York Times send a woman so close to danger?”
“They like what I write, and the boss says I’ve got the ambition and smarts to survive out there. Besides, you know how I am, I like to be where the action is.”
Jo chuckled at Y/N’s words. “Just like your father…” He muttered. “You should tell Steve soon though, with the way he’s been talking, he may be asking a pretty important question soon.”
Y/N bit her lip and could feel herself begin to blush. The two had talked about getting married of course, and maybe even the possibility of kids being in their future. But Steve still wanted to join the army and, so it seemed he would not propose till the war ended. At least, that’s how it seemed to Y/N.
“I’ll tell him tonight. We’re going to the Stark Expo with Bucky and then dancing later. It’s his last night before getting shipped off so we wanted to make it special.” Y/N answered. Bucky had gotten his papers a few days ago. She had of course been happy for Bucky, but could not the fear that filled her chest every time she thought of Bucky out on the front.
“Ah! There she is!” Bucky exclaimed as Y/N approached. “Fashionably late as always!”
Y/N laughed, “Sorry, had to help Joe with the cleaning tonight.”
Steve smiled and pecked you on the lips. “Glad you could make it, darling.”
“Me too,” Y/N gave Karen a hug and Bucky a kiss on the cheek. “Look who’s looking smart in his uniform!”
Bucky stood up straight and did a salute making the girls giggle. “Now come on! Or we’ll miss the show!”
Y/N took Steve’s hand in hers as they started to head towards the stage. “I have some news to tell you later.”
Steve glanced at her and raised an eyebrow, but Y/N just smiled.
The group walked around looking at the different displays before making their way towards the stage as the music began to play. Steve offered Y/N a peanut which she gladly took. The crowd clapped as Howard Stark walked onto the stage, kissing one of his showgirls before taking the mic from her.
“Ladies and gentlemen, what if I told you that in just a few short years, your automobile won’t even half to touch the ground, at all?”
The showgirls removed the tires from the car that sat on stage.
“With Stark Gravitic Reversion Technology, you’ll be able to do just that.” Stark turned on a knob on the small panel before him and pushed a lever up.
“Holy cow,” Bucky whispered at the sight of the car rising into the air. There was a spark and a loud bang as the car came crashing down onto the stage.
“I did say a few years didn’t eye?” Stark commented making the crowd chuckle as they clapped.
“Hey, Steve, what do you say we treat our girls to- “but Bucky stopped when saw Steve was no longer there. Y/N sighed, already knowing where he had run off too.
“Why does he keep doing this?” Karen muttered. Her and Y/N stood by a street light watching Steve and Bucky argue outside the office where you could apply to join the army.
“Because he’s a hero” Y/N groaned shaking her head. She admired Steve’s integrity and perseverance to join the war. He had all the right reasons too. But it didn’t prevent her heart from stopping every time Steve mentioned he had applied or the sleepless nights she had spent worrying about him.
Bucky turned to walk away, and Y/N heard Steve shout something about not winning the war. Bucky turned back to Steve, gave him a salute and walked back to the girls.
“He’s doing it again,” Y/N stated. Bucky nodded.
“Do you wanna come dancing with us?”
“No, it’s alright, I’ll wait for him.”
“We can wait with you if you want,” Karen offered. Y/N smiled and shook her head.
“You two go have fun, make sure to show Bucky a good time!”
Bucky smiled and hugged Y/N. He kissed her cheek before pulling away. “You take care of him for me.”
“And you come home in one piece!” Y/N responded squeezing his hand. She hugged Karen and then watched as Karen and Bucky walked off.
Y/N walked over to a bench outside the building and sat down. It was going to be a long night.
“Darling!”
She looked up to see Steve jogging over.
“What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you” She stated standing up. “So?”
“I got accepted!” Steve exclaimed. The smile on his face crushed her heart.
Y/N forced a smile, “That’s amazing! When did you get shipped out?”
“Three days!” Steve was still grinning. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her. “Hey, didn’t you say you had some news too?”
Y/N cleared her throat and nodded, taking a small step back from Steve. “I, um, I applied for a job at the Times. Had the interview today, and I was hired as a journalist.”
“Y/N that’s amazing! Why didn’t you tell me you were applying?”
“I didn’t want you to get your hopes up,” Y/N laughed.
Steve kissed her again, barely able to contain his excitement. It took every bit of strength Y/N to not cry then and there.
Y/N turned off the lamp at her desk and grabbed her coat. It had been a long second day at the office and she just wanted to go home and sleep. But she couldn’t. Her Steve was leaving tomorrow to fight the war and there was nothing she could do to stop him.
“Hey, Darling!” Steve pulled Y/N close and kissed her. They stood in her doorway for a moment enjoying each other’s embrace.
“So, what does my brave soldier want to do for his last night?” Y/N asked adjusting the color on Steve’s uniform. She had to admit, he did look handsome.
“Oh, I have a few ideas.”
Y/N let out a squeal as Steve grabbed her hand and took off running.
“Hey, you two!” Joe called out as they entered the diner.
“Hey, Joe!” Steve responded as he and Y/N sat across from each other in their usual booth.
“Joe’s?”
“Our favorite place” Steve smiled as he spoke. Y/N could not help but smile back. This was Steve’s night, so she was up for whatever Steve wanted.
They ordered their favorite meals. Talked about the silly pigeon man who was always outside the supermarket. Y/N talked about her work day and the story she was working on. It was just how it had been every evening they had eaten dinner together.
“So where to next?” Y/N asked as they stepped out into the cool night air.
“You’ll like this one,” Steve smirked. He took Y/N’s hand in his once again and they walked off.
“Dancing? But you hate it!”
“But you don’t,” Steve answered. The two headed inside the building and hung up their coats. “You wore the red one.”
“It is your favorite,” Y/N commented, doing a little twirl in her dress. They walked onto the dance floor and Steve spun her around and around. Y/N couldn’t remember the last time they had had this much fun.
They danced for hours, through every song, till they were the only couple left on the floor.
Steve had his arms around her waist. Y/N had her hands pressed against his cheeks as their foreheads touched. She wished this moment could last forever. Just a for a moment, there was no war to fight, nothing to be afraid. They were just two people in love, enjoying each other’s company.
“We should leave,” Steve finally spoke, breaking the trance.
Y/N nodded.
They walked in silence. No words in the English language seemed right to describe what they were feeling in this moment, how they felt for each other. Which is the cheesiest thing in the world, but love is even cheesier.
They arrived at Y/N’s front door and they stood there staring at each other, knowing this would be the last goodbye said for a long time. And maybe, a small chance though it may be, this goodbye could last forever.
“Darling…”
Y/N let out a sob and jumped into Steve’s arms, kissing him as hard as she could. Pouring every unsaid thing into him. Steve held on as tight as he could.
“I have something for you,” Steve whispered, forcing himself to pull away. He reached into his pocket and brought out a small black box. Once opened, it revealed a gold ring, with a small diamond on it. “I know it’s not much to look at, and I told myself I’d do this after the war, but I”
“Are… Are you asking me…” Y/N couldn’t even finish her question. Steve smiled down at her and nodded. Y/N let out a giggle. “You have to do it properly! Or I won’t answer!”
“Properly?”
“Get down on one knee!” Y/N laughed. Steve rolled his eyes but did as she asked.
“Y/N, my darling, would you marry me?”
“Yes!” Y/N laughed through the tears. Steve got up and slipped the ring onto Y/N’s finger before pulling her in for another kiss.
“When I get back, we’re going to have the best wedding. And Bucky will give the worst best man speech, we can dance all you want, and hell, I wear whatever tux you want no matter how uncomfortable it is.”
Y/N tried to laugh but all that came out was another sob as the tears once again welled up in her eyes. Steve held her in his arms trying to soothe her.
“I’ll come,” He breathed against her hair. “I swear it.”
“Stay,” Y/N whispered against his chest, tears now rolling down her cheeks.
“Y/N… I can’t- “
“I don’t mean don’t go tomorrow, I mean just stay for tonight.”
Steve bit his lip and closed his eyes. He let out a sigh and nodded. Y/N opened her door and the two walked inside.
Y/N woke the next morning to find herself alone. She looked over to the right side of the bed to find a piece of paper where Steve’s head once laid. She picked it up and unfolded it.
I’ll come home to you, my darling, I always will.
All my love,
Steve
Y/N put all her energy into her work. Taking every story, she could find. Anything to keep her distracted was very much appreciated. Y/N, of course, received many letters from Steve. Talking about his training and one even contained a humorous story about him pushing down a flagpole. Of course, he could not give any details about where he was or the specifics of his training, but Y/N loved each letter all the same. She did her best to write about happy things like work, Bill’s newborn son, Joe’s. It was comforting to know he was not yet in the line of danger. But she knew that time would come.
“Y/N! Boss wants to see you!”
“Thanks, Clark!” Y/N called back, getting up from her desk. She took a deep breath and smoothed out her skirt before making her way to the office door.
“You wanted to see me, sir?” Y/N asked poking her head into the office.
“Miss Y/L/N! Yes, come in. Have a seat.” The large man motioned to the chair in front of his desk. Y/N quickly sat down.
Nervous was an understatement for how she felt. Being unexpectedly called into the boss’ office could never be good.
“I’ve been looking over your work, and this is good stuff. You have a good eye for details and you’re not afraid to be blunt.”
“Hard truth is always better than a pretty lie is what my dad always said,” Y/N let out a nervous laugh.
“Glad to hear you say that, because I have a job for you, and I don’t want someone who will hold back!” He exclaimed. “A friend of mine, who’s a scientist that works with the army, has given me permission to send in one journalist to observe his new experiment tomorrow. Apparently, he has created a serum that will give a man incredible strength, making him a super soldier essentially.”
Y/N nodded, “And you want me to be the journalist you send?”
“If you’re up for it. You’re good at getting answers, which is damn near impossible to do with those army people. Got all their secrets under lock and key they do.” He grumbled.
“I have question sir, why did you pick me?”
“Because you’re new, untested waters. I don’t know how you are under pressure, how you deal with a hard story. The stuff you’ve been turning in is great, but I need someone who can go deeper. Who isn’t afraid to break a rule or two.”
“And you think that someone could be me?” Y/N asked, sounding a bit surprised.
He smiled. “Well, we won’t know unless you try, now will we?”
Y/N bit her lip, pondering the situation laid out before her. “I’ll do it!”
“Excellent! My friend’s name is Dr. Abraham Erskine. I’ll have my secretary send you the details you’ll need for tomorrow. You’re going to do great Miss Y/L/N, I can feel it in my bones!”
Y/N only wished she had the same feeling in her bones. Instead, she felt like she might vomit.
Y/N woke up early and put on her best suit, did her hair, and makeup. She wanted to look professional. Like she knew what she was doing. Which she did! To an extent…
Y/N called a cab and gave the driver the address she had been given. Not long after the cabs stopped in front of a small shop called Brooklyn Antiques. She paid the driver and made her way to the shop. A small woman, who stood behind the counter, smiled at her.
“Wonderful weather this morning, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but I always carry an umbrella” Y/N answered, making sure to say it exactly as she had been told to.
The old woman reached under the counter and pressed a button. Y/N walked through the curtain into another room. Where there was a large old bookshelf. A few seconds later, the bookshelf swung open revealing a hallway that resembled a military hospital. Y/N showed her ID to the soldier at the door who then led her into a small room that overlooked the laboratory. She couldn’t help but notice that she was the only woman in the room.
Everyone began to quiet down as the doors opened and a woman and soldier, who was presumably the one who would undergo the experiment, entered the lab below him. Y/N felt a breath get caught in her throat. She would recognize that man anywhere. She walked in shock as Steve removed his hat, shirt, and tie before climbing into what looked like a large metal casket.
“Jesus. Somebody get that kid a sandwich!” Y/N heard one of the men comment.
The woman who had entered with Steve walked into the booth. Upon seeing Y/N she walked straight towards her.
“Are you Miss Y/N Y/L/N?”
“I am. I’m here representing the Times.”
The woman smiled, “I’m Agent Carter, Steve talked about you the whole drive here. Even showed me a picture, which is how I recognized you. You’ve got a good man.”
“Yes, I do,” Y/N whispered looking down at her fiancé.
“Can you hear me? Is this on?” The Doctor spoke into the microphone. Everyone stopped talking and turned their attention towards him. “Ladies and gentlemen, today we take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path of peace.
Y/N watched as they strapped Steve down and a nurse gave him a shot.
“Serum infusion beginning in, five, four, three, two, one!” The doctor ordered. A lever was pulled by one of the assistance and the blue liquid hooked up to the machine Steve was in was shot into his arms.
Stark pulled another lever and the thing Steve was in raised itself till he was in a standing up position. The metal coffin closed.
“Steve? Can you hear me?” Dr. Erskine asked tapping on the small window.
“It’s probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?”
Y/N couldn’t help but slightly smile at Steve’s humor.
Stark turned a dial and put on some glasses before slowly turning a small black wheel. “Ten percent! Twenty percent…Thirty!”
The light shining through the small window grew brighter and brighter. Y/N held up her hand, trying to shield her eyes from its harshness.
“Vital signs are normal!”
“Fifty percent! Sixty… seventy!”
Steve began to yell out as if he were in pain. Y/N sat forward, barely able to breathe. Agent Carter rushed out of the room.
“Steven! Steven!” Dr. Erskine shouted banging on the container.
“Shut it down!” Agent Carter ordered, now in the laboratory. “Shut it down!”
“Kill it Mr. Stark! Shut it down!”
“No!” Steve shouted making everyone freeze. “Don’t! I can do this!”
The Doctor nodded to Stark who started to turn the wheel again. Upon reaching one hundred percent, sparks began to fly from the machines and the light suddenly died out.
Everyone climbed to their feet as the container opened. But Y/N’s fiancé was not inside. In his place was a man who was about six feet tall, with muscles as large as Y/N’s head!
She couldn’t wait any longer. Y/N rushed out of the booth and made her way into the lab below. “Steve!” She exclaimed now standing in front of him.
“Y/N…” Steve fell into her arms, nearly crushing her. He would have if Dr. Erskine and Stark hadn’t pulled him back up. “What are you…”
“Never mind that! How do you feel?”
“Taller…” Steve muttered, looking around as if he were in a daze. A nurse handed Y/N a shirt that she passed to Steve. Once he was he got the shirt on and could stand on his own, Steve turned back to Y/N.
“What are you doing here?”
“Reporting for the Times!” Y/N exclaimed. “Also, what the hell!” Y/N punched Steve’s arm which hurt her more than it probably hurt him. “Since when did you decide to go and do a dangerous experiment?”
“Y/N I- “
“I’m your fiancé! Soon to be wife! You don’t keep things like that from me!”
Steve just shook his head and smiled before kissing her.
“Rogers!”
“Colonel Philips,” Steve answered turning to his boss. “May I introduce my fiancé, Y/N.”
“Nice to finally put a face to the girl Rogers won’t shut up about,”
“Did you tell everyone about me?” Y/N laughed shaking the Colonel’s hand.
Suddenly, there was an explosion in the booth. Steve shielded Y/N from the glass as they all crouched down.
“Stop him!” Dr. Erskine shouted. He was pointing at a man who had grabbed one of the vials contained the serum. He raised his gun and fired, hitting the doctor, before turning to run. Steve and Y/N rushed to the Doctor’s side.
The bullets had penetrated his chest. He could not speak. Dr. Erskine tapped Steve’s chest before taking his last breath.
Steve took off after the gunman with a look that scared Y/N. She said a quick prayer for the gunman’s soul.
Y/N paced outside the building waiting for Steve. He was getting tests run, or at least that was all anyone was willing to tell her. At the sound of a door opening Y/N stopped and turned. She rushed over and hugged Steve.
“It’s weird hugging such a tall guy,” She whispered making him laugh.
“God, I missed you” He pulled back just enough so he could kiss her. Once the need for air became too great to ignore, they pulled away from each other.
“So? What happens now?” Y/N asked holding his hands. They were so much bigger than her own!
“Well, the senator gave me job.”
“You’re not going with the Colonel?”
“No, says I’m not enough,” Steve muttered.
“Hey,” Y/N put her hands on his cheeks. Was it just her or did his jawbone somehow become even sexier? “Don’t listen to that asshole.”
Steve smiled, “You have no clue how much I missed you, darling.”
Y/N let out a squeal as Steve picked her up and spun her around. “Bigger you is going to take some getting used to!”
Jo’s hand began to shake as she reached for her coffee. She quickly withdrew her hand, spotting the waitress who was glancing at her.
“You alright hun?”
“Yeah, just waiting for it to cool down.” Jo smiled at the woman. The waitress nodded and walked on.
“Says the girl who likes her coffee so hot I’m pretty sure it could be considered lava” Phil mumbled as he sat down across from Jo. “How’s rehab going?”
“As good as to be expected,” Jo held up her hand that was still slightly shaking. “Tony’s mentioned some experiments he could do to repair the nerves, but I turned him down.”
“You still wear the gloves.”
“The scars are a bit more than most people’s stomachs can handle.”
“I still don’t understand,” Phil shook his head as he spoke. “Why’d you, do it?”
Jo sighed, “I’ve talked about this.”
“Yes, yes, you wanted to make it bleed! But you kept hitting even after you knew it wouldn’t.”
“I couldn’t make it bleed, so I made me bleed,” Jo stated, looking out the window of the diner. “How do you like being the director?”
“It sucks!” Coulson spat. “Kind of wish I was an agent again.”
Jo shook her head and smiled. “But we all know you’re the best man for the job.”
“So, where’s your dad?” Phil asked ignoring Jo’s comment.
“On a mission.”
“And you’re not there because…?”
“He doesn’t think I’m ready,” Jo growled, recalling her argument with Steve.
“It’s been a year! Doesn’t he know about the solo missions you’ve been on?”
“Of course not! He’d flip! Honestly, the man looks at like a broken child. Makes me miss the days of being alone.”
Phil nodded in understanding. “You always have a place at Shield, if you want it.”
“That’d be going from one team to another,” Jo shook her head.
“Are you actually considering leaving?”
Jo did not have an answer. To be honest she had thought about it, but knew Steve would scour the Earth for her if she did.
“Jo? What’s going on inside that head of yours?” Phil asked gently. He reached across the table and took her trembling hands in his.
“I miss him,” She croaked. It hurt to say it, but it was true. Everywhere she looked was another reminder of the love she had lost. And time didn’t seem to be healing anything.
Before Phil could respond, everyone’s attention turned towards the small television as the waitress raised the volume. A news reporter was talking about an explosion at a hospital in Lagos. The explosion, she was saying, was caused by the Avengers.
“I gotta go!” both Phil and Jo whispered before rushing out of the diner.
Jo jumped onto her bike and its engine roared to life. She sped off towards the Avengers facility.
“Friday! Where’s Steve?” Jo shouted upon entering the compound.
“Captain Rogers is with Miss Maximoff. But Mr. Stark has called a team meeting in the conference room.”
“Thanks!”
“You’re welcome Supreme Leader Jo.”
Jo smirked at the title. She had figured out how to change her name in Friday’s system within the first week of living at the compound. Although she had received a disapproving look from Steve, it had made Tony laugh.
“Ah! Agent Carter, Glad you could join us!”
“Mr. Secretary,” Jo muttered sitting down beside Sam who smiled at her. She ignored the look she was getting from Steve.
“As I was saying. About five years ago I had a heart attack and dropped right in the middle of my backswing. Turned out it was the best round of my life because, after thirteen hours of surgery and a triple bypass, I found something forty years in the army never taught me.” The Secretary of State paused as if to add dramatic effect. “Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives. But while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some, who would prefer the word vigilante.”
“And what word would you use Mr. Secretary?” Natasha asked.
“How about dangerous? What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals, who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose, and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?” Mr. Secretary stepped aside as the screen behind him flickered on. Showing footage from New York, Washington D.C., Sokovia, and Lagos.
“That’s enough,” Jo stated, noticing Wanda’s reaction. Jo had read up on what happened before entering the meeting. Going in unprepared was never an option for her.
Mr. Secretary nodded and turned off the footage. “For the past four years, you’ve operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That’s an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution.” He turned to his assistant who handed him a large folder. “The Sokovia Accords,” He slid the folder over to Wanda. “Approved by one hundred and seventeen countries, it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. Instead, they’ll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel only when and if that panel deems it necessary. “
“The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we’ve done that.” Steve spoke up.
“Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?”
Steve did not have a response for that.
“If I misplaced a couple of thirty megaton nukes, you can bet there’d be consequences.” Mr. Secretary stated. “Compromise. Reassurance. That’s how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground.” He pointed to the binder, that was now held by Rhodey.
“So, there are contingencies.”
“Three days from now the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the accords. Talk it over.”
“And if we come to a decision you don’t like?” Nat asked.
“Then you retire.”
Jo held back every sarcastic, smartass remark she wanted to make.
“Secretary Ross has a congressional medal of honor, which is one more than you have!”
“And medals are what gives him the right to control us?” Jo growled. Rhodey glanced at Jo with an annoyed look. Steve sat in one chair looking over the accords while Tony lounged in another chair across from him.
“So let’s say we sign this thing. How long do you think it’ll be before they low-jack us like a bunch of common criminals?”
“One hundred and seventeen countries want to sign this thing Sam, and you’re just gonna be like “No it’s cool. We got this.””
“How long are you going to play both sides?”
“I have an equation,” Vision stated.
“Oh, this’ll clear things up,” Jo muttered.
“In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Ironman the number of known enhanced persons has grown exponentially. And, during the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate.”
“Are you saying it’s our fault?”
“I’m saying there may be a causality.” Vision answered. “Our very strength invited challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict breeds catastrophe. Oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand.”
“Boom,” Rhodey stated looking at Sam who rolled his eyes.
“Tony,” Nat spoke up. “You’re being uncharacteristically non-hyperverbal.”
“It’s because he’s already made up his mind,” Steve stated.
“Boy, you know me so well,” Tony grunted standing up and walking to the kitchen sink. “Actually, I’m nursing an electromagnetic headache. That’s what’s going on Cap, it’s just pain. It’s discomfort. Who’s putting coffee grounds in the garbage disposal? Am I running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang?” Tony placed his phone on the counter and tapped the screen. An image of a young man sprang up. “Oh, that’s Charles Spencer, by the way. He’s a great kid. Computer engineering degree, 3.6 GPA, had a floor level gig at Intel planned for the fall. But first, he wanted to put a few miles on his soul, before he parked it behind a desk. See the world. Maybe be of service. Charlie didn’t wanna go to Vegas or Fort Lauderdale, which is what I would do. He didn’t go to Paris or Amsterdam, which sounds fun. He decided to spend his summer, building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where. Sokovia.”
No one spoke. There was nothing to say.
“He wanted to make a difference, I suppose. I mean, we won’t know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass. There’s no decision-making process here. We need to be put in check!” Tony shouted. “Whatever form that takes, I’m game. If we can’t accept limitations, if we’re boundary-less, we’re no better than the bad guys.”
“Tony, if someone dies on your watch you don’t give up,” Steve spoke up.
“Who says we’re giving up?”
“We are if we’re not taking responsibility for our actions. This document just shifts the blame.”
“Sorry, Steve. That is dangerously arrogant!” Rhodey exclaimed. “This is the United Nations we’re talking about. It’s not the World Security Council, it’s not Shield, it’s not Hydra.”
“Right. Because the United Nations is apparently some higher overlord who we should bow down to!” Jo shouted.
“Jo- “
“No! We don’t need to be put in check, he does!” Jo pointed to Tony as she spoke. “You started this! You built Ultron! It’s your mistakes that got us here. Don’t take the rest of us down with you!” Jo growled
No one knew how to respond to Jo’s outburst. Tony just stared at her with his mouth slightly opened.
“She has a point about the UN,” Steve finally spoke. “It’s run by people with agendas and agendas change.”
“That’s good! That’s why I’m here!’ Tony exclaimed walking over, regaining control of himself. “When I realized, what my weapons were capable of in the wrong hands, I shut it down and stopped manufacturing.”
“Tony, you chose to do that!” Steve shot back. “If we sign this, we’re surrendering our right to choose. What if the panel sends us somewhere we don’t think we should go? What if there’s somewhere we need to go, and they don’t let us? We may not be perfect, but the safest hands are still our own.”
“If we don’t do this now, it’s going to be done to us later,” Tony warned. “That’s a fact. That won’t be pretty.”
“Are you saying they’ll come for me?” Wanda asked.
“We would protect you,” Vision answered.
“Maybe Tony’s right,” Nat said. “If we have one hand on the wheel we can still steer. If we take it off…”
“Aren’t you the same woman who told the government to kiss her ass a few years ago?” Sam asked in complete shock.
Jo noticed Steve’s face fall as he realized Natasha was not on his side.
“I’m just reading the terrain. We have made some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back.”
“Focus up. I’m sorry, did I just mishear you or did you agree with me?” Tony asked.
“Oh. I want to take it back now.”
“No, you can’t retract it!”
Jo’s phone buzzed, and she took it out of her pocket. It was a text from Sharon. She opened the text and felt her heart drop at what appeared on the screen. “I have to go.” Jo didn’t wait for anyone to respond before walking away.
Jo made it to the bottom of the stairwell and leaned against the wall. She looked at her phone, making sure she hadn’t misread the text.
“What happened?”
Jo looked up as Steve reached her side. She shook her head. “She’s gone,” Jo whispered handing him the phone.
Steve froze as he read the text. For a moment, neither of them said anything. Steve pulled Jo into a hug. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Jo pulled herself away from him. “It was bound to happen sooner or later.”
“Are you- “
“I’m fine,” Jo growled walking back up the stairs. The last thing she wanted was someone else asking if she was okay.
The flying city was in chaos. Jo tore down another robot, the metal cutting through her knuckles. The ground began to shake as a jet from above opened fire on them. She took cover behind a statue, grunting as Jo slammed her back into the concrete. She saw Clint a few yards away holding a small boy, standing directly in the path of the jet. She stood, ready to rush to his aid when there was a gust of wind and suddenly, Clint was gone. The dust settled, and everything seemed to become quiet.
Pietro stood where Clint had been, who was now safely behind a car still holding the boy. Pietro looked at Jo and she could see the shock in his eyes. She could feel the scream building up in her chest as she ran to him. He hit the ground before Jo could reach him
“No”, Jo whispered dropping to her knees. She turned Pietro over, there were too many bullet wounds to count. Clint checked for a pulse but shook his head. Now, the scream came belting out and the tears flowed freely.
“Such a pity.”
Jo jumped to her feet at the sound of Ultron’s voice, turning to see one of his minions standing before her.
“Jo,” Steve warned. But she didn’t hear him.
All she could hear, all she could feel, was her rage.
Jo sat up gasping for air. Pietro looked over at her with a concerned expression.
“I was just coming to wake you, we’re here. Are you alright?”
She nodded and stood, trying to shake off the effects of the dream. But how do you forget watching the man you love die? It couldn’t have been like the others. There was no way this one would come true!
“See you soon” Pietro whispered kissing the top of Jo’s head before zooming off to warn city officials.
Wanda used her powers to make people evacuate. Thor and Banner left for Ultron’s lair to find out his plans and to find Natasha. Steve and Jo worked on the streets, directing traffic and people to safety. Iron-man began his search for Ultron.
“So, you and Pietro?” Steve shouted over the chaos.
“If we get through this, then, you can ask about my dating life!” Jo growled jumping out of the way of an oncoming car.
Suddenly, robots began climbing out of the ground and up the bridge. One flew at Jo and she jumped up, tearing off its head. Cap blocked a blast and took another down.
“Run!” He shouted to the bystanders. People began to scream and grab their children.
The ground began to shake, and Jo and Cap stood on the edge of the bridge as it broke away from the ground. Sokovia was going for a ride.
A robot flew straight at Cap and threw him into a car.
“Cap you got incoming!” Tony warned.
“Incoming already came in!” Jo grunted running to help. She took out her gun and shot at the robots, drawing their attention away from the civilians.
“Stark you worry about getting the city back down safely, the rest of us have one job,” Steve ordered. “Tear these things apart. You get hurt, hurt them back. You get killed, walk it off.”
“How encouraging,” Jo muttered as she tore the arm off another robot. She used it to beat the other one to death.
“Jo!” Steve shouted as he ran towards a car about to fall off the bridge. He grabbed the bumper and tried to pull the woman up, but the bumper broke off and both cars fell. Thor flew down and threw the woman up to Steve who was now hanging off the edge of the bridge.
Jo knelt to the ground and pulled up the woman.
“You can’t save them all” a robot spoke as it landed behind Jo. Steve threw his shield into its chest as he climbed back up. “You’ll never- “But before he could finish Steve grabbed his shield and Jo kicked the robot off the bridge.
“You’ll never what? You didn’t finish!” Jo shouted. Steve slightly chuckled. They both jumped back as Thor dropped the second car beside them and landing on top of it.
“What, were you napping?” Steve asked as they headed back to the battle.
“Father like daughter,” Thor grunted.
They continued to fight. Cap threw his shield taking down multiple robots at once. Thor threw his hammer at a gas truck causing an explosion.
“We’re all clear here!” Clint reported.
“We are not clear! We are very not clear!” Jo shouted. She threw a metal pole and it went straight through a robot’s chest.
“Alright, coming to you,” Clint responded.
“Romanoff!” Jo shouted. She grabbed Steve’s shield and threw it, taking down the robot behind Natasha.
“Thanks!”
“Stop taking my shield!”
“Then move faster old man!” Jo chuckled before taking off.
“The next waves gonna hit any minute. What do you got Stark!” Steve demanded.
“Well, nothing great. Maybe a way to blow up the city. That’ll keep it from impacting the surface if you guys can get clear.”
“I asked for a solution, not an escape plan.”
“Impact radius is getting bigger every second. We’re gonna have to make a choice.”
“Cap these people are going nowhere,” Nat spoke up. “If Stark’s found a way to blow this rock- “
“Not till everyone’s safe” Steve responded.
“Everyone up here versus everyone down there? There’s no math there.”
“I’m not leaving this rock with one civilian on it” Steve stated. Jo knew there was no changing his mind.
“I didn’t say we should leave.” Jo and Steve looked at Natasha surprised. “There are worse ways to go,” She shrugged as she spoke. “Where else am I gonna get a view like this?”
“Glad you like the view, Romanoff. It’s about to get better.”
The three of them looked towards the sky in shock as a helicarrier fly into their line of sight.
“Nice, right? Pulled out a couple of mothballs with a couple of old friends. She’s dusty, but she’ll do.” Nick Fury spoke.
“Fury, you son of a bitch.”
“Woah! Steve! Teach your daughter some manners!”
“I’ve tried, but you know how she can get” Steve chuckled.
Pietro zoomed over to them as they watched the lifeboats fly towards the city.
“This is Shield?”
“This what’s Shield supposed to be” Steve answered.
“This is not so bad,” Pietro smiled at Jo as he spoke. She couldn’t help but smile back. They were saved! The chances of her dream coming dream seemed to become smaller with every passing second. They might actually have a chance at winning this thing.
“Let’s load them up,” Steve ordered. They got to work.
Jo worked tirelessly, running back and forth between groups of people and the lifeboats. Shouting orders and helping people along. Pietro helped speed things along by carrying people onto the boats.
“We’re running out of time! They’re coming for the core!” Thor reported.
“Avengers, time to work for a living!” Tony ordered.
Pietro grabbed Jo and rushed them to the church. They arrived just as Clint and Wanda did.
“You good?”
“Yes,” Wanda nodded as she spoke. Cap and Tony entered.
“Romanoff, you and Banner better not be playing hide the zucchini,” Tony warned in a teasing tone.
“Relax shell head, not all of us could fly.” The truck skidded to a stop and Nat jumped out. “What’s the drill?”
“This is the drill,” Tony answered pointing to the metal cylinder sticking out of the ground. “Ultron gets a hand on the core we lose.”
Hulk landed on two robots and entered the church. They all turned at the sight of Ultron flying before them.
“Is that the best you can do!” Thor shouted.
Ultron glanced at him and raised his hand. An army of robots came running up behind him.
“You had to ask,” Steve muttered.
“Now, you sound like a dad.” Steve glanced back at Jo who smirked.
“This is the best I can do” Ultron spoke. “This is exactly what I wanted. All of you against all of me. How can you possibly hope to stop me?”
“Well, like the old man said, together,” Tony answered glancing at Steve.
Hulk let out a roar as the army came charging towards them. Jo stood her ground between Natasha and Clint. Adrenalin pumping through her veins, the feeling of the metal body parts crumbling in her grasp like they were no stronger than a cracker! Oh, how she missed the battlefield.
Jo turned in time to see Hulk punk a broken Ultron into the sky and his goons retreat.
“They’ll try to leave the city!”
“We can’t let them. Not even one. Rhodey!”
“I’m on it!” Rhodey responded. Jo caught a glimpse of the war machine as he flew into action.
“We gotta move out!” Steve ordered. “Even I can tell the air’s getting thin. You guys get to the boats, I’ll sweep for stragglers. I’ll be right behind you.”
“What about the core?”
“I’ll protect it” Wanda stated. “It’s my job.”
Clint and Nat took off, Steve glanced at Jo.
“Right behind you” She reassured. Steve nodded and left.
Pietro rushed in a few seconds later.
“Get the people on the boats.”
“I’m not leaving you here,”
“She can handle this” Jo reassured as Wanda took down another robot.
“Come for me after you get everyone off, not before,” Wanda ordered. “And you go help the Captain look for anyone who might have been left behind.”
“You know, we’re both older than you.”
“Doesn’t change the fact she’s always been the one in charge” Jo chuckled. She gave Pietro a peck on the lips. “See you on the boats!” She called heading in the direction Steve had gone.
“Find anyone else?” Jo called as jogged over to Steve who was ushering people out of an apartment building.
“No, this is it” He answered as the two took up the rear of the group heading for the boats. “Jo, listen if we- “
“I know where you’re going so don’t”
“No, I need to- “
“I don’t do goodbyes. I think I’ve told you that. Did I ever I tell you why?”
Steve shook his head.
“Because goodbyes are finale. They end something, and nothing is every finale in our line of work. You were frozen for seventy years, Coulson was brought back from the dead. I don’t do goodbyes because I don’t want to believe something could actually end. It’s one of the few hopes I have left in this life so don’t take that from me just because you need some kind of bullshit like closure.”
“I was just going to tell you I love you.”
“Love you too pops” Jo whispered as they approached Thor.
“Is this the last of them?” Thor shouted over the chaos.
“Yeah, everyone else is on the carrier.”
“You, this works, we maybe don’t walk away.”
“I just gave Steve no goodbyes speech so don’t pull this shit right now Stark!” Jo ordered, making all three men chuckle. “Glad to know even in the face of death I’m still funny.”
Jo let out a gasp as she realized something.
“Jo, what is it?” Steve asked, clearly concerned.
Steve was there, and so was Thor. Jo looked to her left and saw a statue that looked familiar. She spun around looking in every direction.
“Jo what’s going – “
“Where’s Clint!”
“What?”
“Where’s Barton!” She demanded again. Suddenly, the ground shook and dust and rubble filled the air as a jet opened fire on them. Steve shoved Jo behind the statue. She let out a grunt as her back hit the concrete. And then she saw him.
Clint stood directly in the path of the jet, holding a child in his arms.
“The rules have changed.”
“We’re dealing with something new.”
“Well, the Vision’s artificial intelligence.”
“A machine.”
“So, it doesn’t count?” Steve asked as he, Tony, and Thor walked down a hallway in the Avenger’s facility in Upstate New York.
“Right. It’s not like a person lifting the hammer.” Tony answered.
“Right, different rules for us.”
“Nice guy. Artificial.”
“Thank you!”
“He can wield the hammer, he can keep the mind stone” Thor stated. “It’s safe with the Vision. And these days, safe is in short supply.”
“But if you put the hammer in an elevator…”
“It would still go up!”
“Elevators not worthy” Steve muttered.
“I’m gonna miss these little talks of ours” Thor chuckled.
“Not if you don’t leave.”
“I have no choice. The Mind Stone is the fourth of the Infinity Stones to show up in the last few years. It’s not a coincidence.”
The three of them walked outside onto the front lawn of the facility.
“Someone has been playing an intricate game and has made pawns of us. And once all these pieces are in position…”
“Tripe Yahtzee!” Tony exclaimed as they came to a stop on the grass.
“You think you can find out what’s coming?” Steve asked.
“I do. Besides this one, there’s nothing that can’t be explained!” Thor exclaimed slapping Tony on the chest. Thor nodded and raised his hammer. A beam of blue light surrounded him as he shot into the sky. A few seconds later, Thor was gone, leaving a circle with weird marking burned onto the grass.
“That man has no regard for lawn maintenance,” Tony muttered. “I’m gonna miss him though. And you’re gonna miss me. There’s gonna be a lot of manful tears.” Tony clicked a button on a small remote and his car drove over to them.
“I will miss you, Tony.”
“Yeah? Well, it’s time for me to tap out. Maybe I should take a page out of Barton’s book. Build Pepper a farm, hope nobody blow’s it up.”
“The simple life.”
“You’ll get there one day” Tony reassured.
“I don’t know. Family, stability… The guy who wanted all that went in the ice seventy-five years ago. I think someone else came out.”
“What about Jo?”
“I highly doubt we’ll be getting that apartment in Brooklyn anytime soon. Not when I can barely get her to talk to me.”
“Give her time. This is the first time it’s been peaceful since we rescued her, and considering what she’s been through… just, don’t give up on her. Not when she needs you most.”
Steve raised his eyebrow slightly. “Thought you two hated each other?”
“In a weird brother-sister way, yeah, but, she is family.” Tony opened the door to the driver’s side as he spoke.
“Glad to know she has someone like you watching out for her.”
“You know, most people wouldn’t see that as a reassuring thing.”
“I do,” Steve stated. Tony slightly smiled and nodded before getting into his car.
Steve watched the dust settle for a moment after Tony left before heading back inside the compound.
“I have missed you every day” He whispered.
The sound of her fist hitting the leather filled the empty gym.
“When this is over you and I are going far away. I’m going to take you on a real date.”
She punched harder, probably ripping open the wounds on her hands.
“Where?”
“Anywhere you want to go my luchik (Russian for little ray of light)” He answered before kissing her again.
The punching bag snapped off its chain and flew across the room, its contents spilling all over the floor. Jo stood there with her eyes closed, breathing hard. Trying to hold onto the memories, but she could feel them slipping away. Becoming what they now were, no longer hopes for a future, but pieces of what could have been.
“I think my record is twenty-six.”
“What?” Jo spat turning around. Steve stood in the doorway with his arms crossed.
“How many bags I’ve broken, twenty-six.”
Jo ignored his words and unwrapped the dirty bandages from her hands. She reached into her bag and took out the roll of clean ones and started to wrap up her hands, but she could not stop the shaking.
“Here, let me help,” Steve spoke gently as he approached Jo. He carefully took the bandages from her and held her hand as he wrapped them.
“Thanks,” Jo muttered.
“You probably just added a few more weeks of rehab to your list. You need to give you wounds time to heal properly or there could be permanent damage.”
“The damage is already done.” Once Steve finished Jo took the roll and tossed it into her bag.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Might help.”
“I said no,” Jo growled grabbing her things and turning to leave.
“Why did you keep punching it?”
Jo stopped walking and turned back to her father. “What?”
“The Robot. Even after you knew it was dead you kept punching it, why? Just wanted to get your anger out?”
Jo sighed and pushed her sweaty hair out of her eyes. “I wanted to see it bleed.”
“It was a robot.”
“And I wanted it to feel pain, I wanted the feeling of satisfaction as its blood coated my hands.” Jo was pretty sure her words scared Steve slightly, but she could care less.
“I understand what- “
“Oh don’t! Don’t try and relate to what I’m feeling because you can’t!” She shouted dropping her bag. “You were robbed of your chance to live a life while I am stuck living! I don’t age! I’ve been stuck at sixteen for seventy years! I don’t get to grow old and build a life with anyone! I’m an agent and that is all I can ever be! There is no place for in this world.”
Steve shook his head, “I’m sorry.”
“Everyone is.” Jo scoffed. She reached for her bag but stopped when she saw Steve walking over to the pile of punching bags.
He picked up one and hung it on the chain. “Want to see if you can beat my record.”
Jo’s jaw opened slightly in shock. “Thought you said I should let my wounds heal?”
“Each person heals differently.” Steve was still standing by the bag.
Jo took a small step forward, “Why are you doing this?”
“Because talking doesn’t help you, actions do, and I want to help you, Jo. I want to be there for you in any way you’ll let me” Steve pleaded.
Jo slightly swayed on her feet for a moment, before walking towards her dad.
Summary:Jo Carter is Shield’s top agent and biggest secret. Though nothing as big as her own secret. She is the daughter of Captain America and Shield’s own founder, Peggy Carter. Her father never even knew Peggy was pregnant before he went into the ice, so what will happen when he wakes up? More importantly, how will Jo handle meeting her father for the first time?
Ever since Chris learned your name he seemed to suddenly know lots of things about you. He knew how you liked your coffee and would occasionally show up with a cup when he wanted to come over and chat. The guy always seemed to have chocolate on him, not that you were complaining. Especially since he did not mind sharing. You two finally had a real friendship and you could not be happier. Of course, you tried not to get your hopes up but were completely failing. Because every time you saw him approach your door, or he smiled at you, or you heard his laugh you could feel your heart stop. You could feel yourself trying not to blush and you didn’t realize you had been smiling the whole time he’d been there until your cheeks started to hurt.
You were arranging the new roses that had just come in when your phone dinged. You walked over and opened the text, not bothering to stop the small smile at the sight of Chris’s name on your screen.
Up for an adventure? - C
You chuckled and quickly typed back a reply.
Always! – Y/N
Great! So here are the rules! I’ll send you clues on how to find my super-secret locations and then you send a pic letting me know you’re there before I send the next clue! Are you up to the challenge? – C
Bring it on Evans! – Y/N
You bit your lip anxiously awaiting his reply. What was Chris up to? Was this one of his silly pranks?
First clue: White chocolate raspberry cheesecake – C
You had to laugh out loud at this.
You could at least make it hard! – Y/N
You threw on your coat and closed up shop before heading your way. You knew exactly where Chris was talking about.
You arrived at the little café and headed inside. The man behind the cash register, Tony, instantly began to watch your every move. You couldn’t blame him considering what had happened last time you were here.
“Relax, Chris isn’t with me”
Tony sighed with relief. “I figured since he stopped by earlier and told me to give you this,” Tony reached under the counter and brought out an Amaryllis and handed it to you.
“Thanks!” You called before heading outside. You took out your phone and held the flower up and took a selfie, making sure to get the café’s sign in the background.
Found your gift! – Y/N
AnAmaryllis, which means beauty, for a beautiful girl – C
You feel the heat rising in your cheeks as you typed back a reply.
Quit your flirting Evans and tell me the next clue! – Y/N
Anxious, are we? Alright then, your second clue is: Pigeon - C
You could at least make this hard – Y/N
You put your phone away and headed to your next destination.
You arrived at the pigeon park and smiled at the memory of Chris being chased by a whole flock of them because he refused to give them more food. You could almost hear him yelling about how they needed to stop being selfish and share the food with each other.
“Oh miss! Excuse me! Miss!”
You spun around and noticed an old woman sitting on a bench who was waving at you. “Yes?” You asked approaching her.
“Are you Y/N?”
“I am, how did you- “
“Chris asked me to give this to you” She smiled at you as she held out an Aster.
“Thank you!”
“You’ve got yourself quite the boyfriend” She gave you one of those knowing looks old women give.
You smiled and thanked her once again before heading towards the pigeons. You took another selfie with the flower and pigeons before sending it to Chris.
Saw your old pals – Y/N
A flower that represents patience because those damn birds need to learn some patience! – C
Is this scavenger hunt leading somewhere? – Y/N
Patience. Now, your third, and FINALE clue, is: Popsicles – C
You rolled your eyes and put your phone in your pocket before calling an uber. This was not a location you could walk to.
“Thanks!” You called to the Uber driver as you climbed out. He gave you a quick wave before driving off. You headed down the trail that leads into the woods. Why Chris had chosen this place, you didn’t know. The two of you had hung out here a couple of times and had even brought popsicles to enjoy one warm day like you had done as a kid. That had been one sticky disaster.
You finally entered the clearing where a small, white gazebo sat in the center of it. When you got closer, you gasped.
“You found me,” Chris smiled and stepped out onto the grass. You couldn’t believe what you saw.
The gazebo was decorated with multiple kinds of flowers. Gillyflowers, Gardenias, and even some yellow acacias could be seen. Then there stood Chris at the center of it all, holding a red rose.
“I know they don’t all match, but they all mean relatively the same thing and the website these were good ones to give someone you love.”
“Love?” You whispered, eyes going wide.
“Yeah, love” Chris bit his lip and swayed a bit on his feet, obviously nervous.
You stepped closer and took the rose from him, smiling down at the bouquet you now had. You stood on your tiptoes and lightly pressed your lips against his. Chris placed his hands on your hips pulling you closer.
“Does that mean you love me too?” He breathed when you pulled away.
“I wouldn’t have kissed your stupid face if I didn’t.”
Chris laughed and kissed you again.
“You’re squishing my flowers!” You giggled.
“I’ll buy you more,” Chris ignored your complaint and wrapped his arms around you. “Love you flower girl.”
“Love you too dumbass.”
“Can I have a different nickname?”
“Why? The current one suits you.”
Chris rolled his eyes, “Just shut up and kiss me.”
You had no complaints about complying with his request.
Request: Could you please do a one-shot where the reader and Chris are married with twin boys? Thank!!!
Requested by: Anonymous
Warnings: Swearing
You sat on the bathroom floor, enjoying the first moment to yourself you had had in weeks. Don’t get the wrong idea. You loved your life, husband, and kids, but, sometimes you just needed a moment to breathe.
“Y/N!” Chris called. “Can you come help?”
You sighed and got to your feet. Well, at least that was longer than last time. “Coming!” you answered as you exited the bathroom. You walked into to the kitchen to find Chris standing there with an expression that was a mixture of “I’m sorry” and “I’m trying not to laugh”. You turned to your right at the sound of giggles and clapping.
“Mason! Noah!” You exclaimed in shock. Your twin boy sat in their high chairs, happily slapping tomato sauce on anything within a five feet radius. “It’s even in your hair!” You laughed walking over to your boys.
“Mama!” Noah giggled reaching out his arms. You shook your head and smiled.
“I turned around for one second, heard a boom, and then found this” Chris chuckled motioning to the mess.
You picked up the bowls off the floor and set them on the counter. “I think it’s time for a bath.”
Chris nodded, “I’ll get it ready.” He walked over to the sink and rinsed it out before putting the drain plugs on both sides. For some reason, it was easier, and faster, if you each took a kid and bathed them separately in your sink.
You cleaned up the floor and walls, deciding to not even bother with the high chairs till the messy one-year-olds were out of them. You took Mason out of his chair and stripped off his sauce covered cloths. “Oh no, you don’t!” You chuckled as Mason tried to rub his hands on your face.
“You can put it him,” Chris announced. You walked over and placed the giggly baby into the warm water. You used a plastic cup to pour some water over his head, using your hand to shield his eyes. Beside you, Chris put Noah into his own bath. Both boys laughed and splashed around in the water.
“Hey!” You laughed dodging some water. Mason smiled up at you with an innocent expression on his face. “They learned that from you.”
Chris simply looked at you with the same innocent expression Mason had and you could not stop yourself from chuckling. He grabbed the bottle of body soap and squirted some into his hands before scrubbing Noah’s arms and tummy. Noah broke out into fits of giggles as Chris tickled the little boy’s sides.
Sadly, all of Noah’s squirming caused some water to be splashed at Mason who was not happy about this. Mason let out a whine and slashed his brother. Noah took this as a declaration of war. Before you or Chris could say anything, the toddlers were splashing each other at an increasing rate.
“Boys! No splashing! Sto- “You gasped and stepped back, your chest now covered with water. You looked to your husband, who now had that damn innocent expression on his face. Oh, now it truly was a war.
“Okay, I’ll admit, the extensive use of soap was uncalled for.”
“And, I guess, so was dumping ice from the freezer down your pants.”
“You didn’t have to do it down the front” Chris muttered, shuddering at the memory.
You shook your head and smiled before turning back to the squirming toddler before you. “You know, this would go a lot quicker if you would just stay still!”
“Ah, but where would be the fun in that?” Chris laughed. Mason blew bubbles up at you and smiled.
Somehow, the two of you manage to get the twins in their second pair of dry pajamas. Do not ask about the first. It was a traumatic experience for Dodger and he does not like to talk about it.
You lay the boys in their cribs and make sure the baby monitor is on before quietly exiting the room. Both you and Chris let out a sigh of relief when you plop down onto the couch.
“Does this ever get easier?”
“Doubt it, how’s Dodger?”
You look over to the dining room, “Still hiding underneath the table.”
“I’ll get him out from under there if he hasn’t moved in the morning,” Chris sighed. “Do you think he’ll ever recover?”
“He did okay last time, might take a while before he’ll play with them again though” You giggled. You snuggled closer to your husband as he wrapped his arm around you. You felt Chris kiss the top of your head and you smiled.
“You wanna watch- “The sound of two babies screaming interrupted Chris and he sighed.
“Told you we shouldn’t have tried this”
“But the book said it’s not healthy to- “
“I don’t give a damn about those parenting books because right now, their advice is why my sons aren’t sleeping” You growled as you made your way upstairs.
You entered the bedroom and walked over to Noah. “It’s okay, mama’s here” You soothed as you took the child in your arms. His screams came down to a small whimper as you walked across the room. Mason calmed down as well when his brother was finally laid beside him. Both boys were asleep within seconds.
“I don’t understand,” Chris spoke, now standing in the doorway. “They’re over a year old and have yet to be able to sleep apart.”
You shrugged. “Maybe they don’t like being alone. I think it makes them feel safe.” Chris walked over and wrapped his arms around your waist.
“I have never known any siblings to act like this, and I have three.”
AN: I’m considering writing a sequel to this one so let me know if I should!
It all started when it was girlfriend number one’s birthday. She loved flowers. He knew nothing about flowers. She knew what each flower represented, which just made the task of buying her some even more difficult. What if Chris accidentally sent her a flower that told her he hated her? Then he would never get laid.
When it came the time to buy flowers for girlfriend number two, it was because Chris was going to meet her parents and wanted to be seen as a respectable gentleman. And girlfriend’s mothers love it when the boyfriend shows up with a nice bouquet.
By girlfriend number five the woman who owned the flower shop Chris frequently entered was known as Flower Girl. She was the woman who saved Chris from picking flowers that meant death and she is also the one to send him off with a beautiful bouquet of lilies for multiple dinner parties. She helped Chris get flowers for his mother, sisters, girlfriends that lasted a for months or even the ones that lasted a week.
Yet, Chris never took the time to learn her name.
This didn’t bother her, per say. Sure, she only had a tiny crush on the guy, okay, maybe a bit bigger than tiny. But Chris was a busy man. A famous actor with little time to get to know people such as a girl who owns a flower shop. Y/N could understand that. So, she did her best to put a smile on her face and bury those feelings.
Chris may have been horrible at remembering or even asking for someone’s name, but he was good at noticing the little things. Like, how Y/N always had a cup of coffee within a five feet radius of her. How she wore blue the most and that must be her favorite color. He noticed how if he came in at lunch she was always eating the same thing, so he assumed that was her favorite food. He also knew that when her day was particularly tough, she would sneak a piece of chocolate from the secret stash behind the counter. Yes, Chris may not know Flower Girl’s name, but he knew lots of other important things about her.
Things began to change one cool spring morning. It was a bit cloudy out, and the air smelled like rain. Y/N was just setting out some new arrangements when Chris burst into her humble shot, face flushed and eyes bulging.
“How do I passive-aggressively say fuck you in flowers?” He demanded.
“What happened?” Y/N asked, turning to face the angry man before her.
“She cheated on me”
“Karen?”
“With Scott!”
“I thought your brother was gay” Y/N inquired.
“So, did I!” Chris yelled, throwing his arms up in frustration.
Y/N nodded in understanding. “Well, we should start with some geraniums.”
“What?”
“They mean stupidity. I say we add some foxglove, those mean insecurities. Then we should get some meadowsweets and yellow carnations, the perfect combination of uselessness and you have disappointed me. Finally, we shall put in some orange lilies which stand for hatred. Quite a striking bouquet don’t you think? And it’s filled with loathing!” Y/N hadn’t noticed the smile that had appeared on Chris’s face as she bustled around the shop grabbing flowers till she turned back to him.
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
“I’ve been told once or twice” Y/N smiled as she took the bouquet behind the counter and wrapped it up with a black ribbon and then some plastic.
“How much?”
“This one’s on the house. No way am I letting you spend any more money on that bitch” Y/N stated. Chris threw his head back in laughter.
“I owe you one flower- “but Chris paused, not finishing his sentence. “What’s your name?”
“Wha-what?”
“What’s your name?” Chris asked with a small smile. “You must think I’m a total douche bag for never asking you this.”
“No, it’s okay!” You reassured. “My name is Y/N.”
“Y/N…” He whispered, his smile growing. “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”
You could feel your cheeks heat up as you blushed.
“Well, Y/N, I’m off to passive-aggressively tell Karen to go fuck herself! I’ll see you later!”
“Bye” Y/N whispered as the door closed behind him. You couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day.
The Avengers were all in Clint’s house as he sat in the living room with his family. Tony threw darts, Natasha and Jo sat at the dining room table, Banner stuck to a corner, and Steve leaned against a wall.
“Ultron took you folks out of play to buy himself time. My contacts all say he’s building something. With the amount of vibrainum he made off with, I don’t think it’s just one thing.”
“What about Ultron himself?”
“He’s easy to track. He’s everywhere. The guy is multiplying faster than a Catholic rabbit. It still doesn’t help us get an angle on any of his plans, though” Fury explained.
“Is he still going after launch codes?”
“Yes, he is. But he’s not making any headway.”
“I cracked the Pentagon’s firewall in high school on a dare!” Tony exclaimed.
“Yeah, well I contacted our friends at the Nexus about that.”
“Nexus?”
“It’s the world internet hub in Oslo.” Banner answered. “Every bite of data flows through there. Fastest access on Earth.”
“So, what’d they say?”
He’s fixated on the missiles, but the codes are constantly being changed?”
“By whom?” Tony asked. He flinched as an arrow sped past him, hitting the bullseye on the board. Clint slightly smirked.
“Unknown parties”
“Do we have an alley?”
“Ultron’s got an enemy. That’s not the same thing.”
“Still, I’d pay folding money to know who it is” Jo muttered.
“I might need to visit Oslo, find out who our unknown is.”
“Well, this is good times boss. But I was kind of hoping when I saw you, you’d have more than that” Jo remarked.
“I do. I have you.” Fury responded. “Back in the day, I had eyes everywhere. Ears everywhere else. You kids had all the tech you could dream up. Here we all are, back on Earth, with nothing but our wit and our will to save the world. Ultron says the Avengers are the only thing standing between him and his mission. And whether or not he admits it, his mission is global destruction. All this, laid in a grace. So, stand. Outwit the platinum bastard.”
“Steve doesn’t like that kind of talk”
“You know what Romanoff?” Steve groaned.
“So, what does he want?”
“To become better,” Steve spoke up. “Better than us. He keeps building bodies.”
“Person bodies. The human form is inefficient. Biologically speaking, we’re outmoded. But he keeps coming back to it” Tony added.
Jo noticed Banner stepping towards the table. He was looking at the drawing of a butterfly Clint’s daughter had made Natasha.
“When you two programmed him to protect the human race, you amazingly failed.”
“They don’t need to be protected,” Banner muttered. “They need to evolve. Ultron is going to evolve.”
“How?”
“Has anyone been in contact with Helen Cho?”
“I’ll take Natasha, Clint, and Jo” Steve spoke as he attached his shield to his back.
“Alright, strictly recon. I’ll head to Nexus and join you as soon as I can” Tony answered as the two walked towards the front door.
“If Ultron’s really building a body, he’ll be more powerful than any of us.”
“Maybe all of us” Tony added. “An android designed by a robot.”
“You know, I really miss the days when the weirdest thing science ever created was us,” Jo remarked as she approached the two men. Steve nodded in agreement.
“I’ll drop banner off at the tower,” Nick said as he slipped on his coat. “You mind if I borrow Ms. Hill?”
“She’s all yours. Apparently.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. Something dramatic I hope,” Fury smirked as spoke and then headed out the door.
Cap and Jo climbed onto the roof of a building as the quinjet flew off.
“Two minutes. Stay close.” Steve ordered.
The two rushed into the lab, Jo glanced around, noticing the dead scientists and broken equipment.
“Doctor Cho!” Steve exclaimed, rushing over to the injured woman. They knelt before her, Jo grabbed a towel and applied pressure to her wound.
“He’s uploading himself into the body,” Cho gasped.
“Where?” Steve demanded, but Cho shook her head. He moved to get up but Cho stopped him.
“The real power is in the cradle. The gem, it’s power is uncontainable. You can’t just blow it up. You have to get the cradle to Stark.” Cho explained.
“First, we have to find it.”
“Go,” Cho croaked.
“Did you guys copy that?” Jo asked as she and Steve moved through the building.
“We did” Clint answered.
“I got a private jet taking off across town. No manifest. That could be him.”
“There, it’s a truck from the lab” Clint spoke up, looking down at the highway below him. “Right above you Cap. On the loop by the bridge. It’s them. Three with the cradle, one in the cab. I could take out the driver.”
“Negative!” Steve exclaimed. “That truck crashes the gem could level the city. We need to draw out Ultron.”
Jo and Steve made it to the highway above the road the truck was on. They waited for the truck to get closer before raising across the road and jumping down. They landed on the truck with a thud. Cap climbed down onto the back doors just as they were blasted open. They hit the ground with Steve on top.
“Well, he’s definitely unhappy. I’m gonna try and keep him that way.”
“You’re not a match for him Cap, even with Jo’s help”
“Thanks, Barton” Jo grumbled, the sarcasm in her tone was obvious.
Ultron blasted Steve onto the car behind them. He grabbed onto another car and flung himself onto the roof of the car.
“You know what’s in that cradle?” Ultron asked. Steve and Jo hid behind his shield as Ultron shot another blast of energy at them. “The power to make real change. And that terrifies you.”
“I wouldn’t call it a comfort,” Jo snatched the shield and threw it at Ultron. It bounced off the robot back to her.
“Hey, that’s my move!”
“Then move a little faster old man!” Jo grunted as she rolled out of the way of Ultron’s blow. Steve threw the shield this time and it got lodged in Ultron’s chest.
“Stop it!” Ultron growled. He tossed the shield onto the road and blasted Steve onto the top of the cab. He struggled to climb back up.
Jo swung her arms around the robot’s neck from behind and they wrestled. Ultron grabbed her arm and spun Jo around before picking her up by the neck. Jo glanced down in time to see Natasha on a motorcycle, who tossed her Steve’s shield. She used it free herself and rolled out of the way as Ultron fell. Steve made it back up shoved Ultron back down just as he tried to stand. A blast of energy shot Jo onto the car following them. Before she could stand, Ultron lifted the ground causing the car to flip. Jo scrambled to her feet and moved out of the way of the flying vehicles. She jumped off a moving car and back onto the roof of the truck. She grabbed Ultron by the head as she flew through the air and flipped him. Steve caught the shield and brought it down on the platinum bastard.
Suddenly, the quinjet came around a building and Clint fired on Ultron. The guards who were still with the cradle now flew towards the quinjet.
Steve grabbed Ultron and threw him into a concrete pillar. The metal man flew back and he and Steve tackled each other, falling into a nearby train. Jo followed.
“I’m going in, can you guys keep him busy?”
“What do you think we’ve been doing?” Steve sighed as he dodged another blast.
Natasha jumped off her biked and into the back of the truck. Before she could do anything, the two robot guards grabbed the sides of the truck and lifted it into the air.
“Package is airborne, should I take the shot?” Clint asked once the truck was over water.
“Negative, I am still in the truck!”
“What the hell are you-”
“Just be ready” Nat ordered. “I’m sending the package to you.”
“How do you want me to take it?”
“Um, you might wish you hadn’t asked that,” Nat remarked as she cut off the straps.
Jo ducked and kicked Ultron’s feet out from under him. Wit in seconds he had her against the wall. Jo tilted her head, dodging another punch. She grunted in pain as one hit her on the side. Out of nowhere came a flash of blew and Ultron went flying. Red energy controlled the luggage racks, trapping Ultron on the other side of the train. Jo looked over at Pietro who winked at her. She couldn’t stop the small smile from appearing on her face. The interaction did not go unnoticed by Steve, though he knew this was no time to bring it up.
“Please, don’t do this” Ultron pleaded.
“What choice do we have?” Wanda asked. Ultron fired at Pietro who moved out of the way in time before he flew out of the train.
“We lost him! He’s headed your way!” Steve exclaimed as him and Jo raced to the other side of the train. They found a dead conductor and saw the end of the tracks quickly approaching. The train went off the tracks, people held onto whatever they could.
“Cap, have you seen Nat?”
“If you have the package, get it to Stark!”
“Do you have eyes on Nat!”
“Go!” Jo screamed, trying to keep herself from flying off the train. “There are civilians in our path!” She shouted at Pietro who nodded before speeding off.
“Can you stop this thing?” Steve asked looking to Wanda. She nodded.
Jo watched as her friend shot red energy from her hands. She heard the creaking of the train as Wanda struggled to bring it to a stop, but she was successful. Once the train stopped people began to help one another off. Wanda and Jo rushed over to Pietro who was bent over panting.
“I’m fine, I just need to take a minute” He assured them, leaning against a wall.
“I’m very tempted not to give you one,” Steve remarked.
“The cradle, did you get it?”
“Stark will take care of it.”
“No, he won’t.”
Jo didn’t like the look on Wanda’s face. “What is it?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Stark’s not crazy.”
“He will do anything to make things right!” Wanda exclaimed. Steve looked at her for a moment before stepping back.
“Stark come in. Is anyone on coms?”
“Ultron can’t tell the difference between saving the world and destroying it” Wanda explained. “Where do you think he gets that?”
“I’m gonna say this once” Steve boomed as they entered the lab.
“How about nonce”
“Shut it down!”
“Nope, not gonna happen.”
“You don’t know what you’re doing!”
“And you do?” Banner asked. “She’s not in your head?” He motioned to Wanda as he spoke.
“I know you’re angry- “Wanda began.
“Oh, we’re way past that. I could choke the life out of you and never change a shade.”
“Banner, after everything that’s happened- “
“Is nothing compared to what’s coming!” Tony shouted.
“You don’t know what’s in there!”
“This isn’t a game!”
Pietro glanced at Jo and she knew exactly what he was thinking. She slightly smirked and nodded. Pietro sped around the room, turning things off and pulling giant plugs out of the cradle.
“No, no, go on. You were saying?” He asked. A gun went off and a bullet shattered the glass floor beneath his feet.
“Pietro!” Wanda exclaimed.
Clint placed his foot on Pietro’s stomach, stopping him from getting up. “What? You didn’t see that coming?”
A computer started to beep.
“I’m rerouting the upload!” Tony exclaimed. Steve threw his shield at the computer and Tony fired using the hand from his suit as the back attached itself to him. Steve attacked. Wanda moved to stop it but Banner wrapped his arms around her from behind.
“Go ahead, piss me off” He taunted. Jo grabbed Banner and pulled him off Wanda, shoving him aside.
Before they could do anything, else Thor came into the room and jumped onto the cradle. He raised his hammer and lightning appeared. He shot it down into the cradle. Once he stopped, the cradle exploded and Thor went flying. A man came out of the white smoke. His skin was a mixture of metal and red. He slowly rose to a standing position. He set his eyes on Thor and dove towards him. Thor threw the man through the glass window and into the living room. They all quickly followed, to find the strange man floating in midair. Staring at his reflection in the window. Grey cloths appeared on his skin as the man floated down towards them.
“I’m sorry. That was, odd” He spoke, now standing on the ground. “Thank you” He added nodding towards Thor. A golden cape appeared on his back.
“Thor, you helped create this?” Cap asked.
“I’ve had a vision. A whirlpool that sucks in all hope and life and its center is that” Thor pointed towards the yellow stone on the man’s forehead.
“What? The gem?”
“It’s the mind stone. It’s one of the six infinity stones. The greatest power in the universe, unparalleled in its destructive capabilities.”
“Then why would you bring it- “
“Because Stark is right.”
“Oh, it’s definitely the end times,” Banner remarked.
“The Avengers cannot defeat Ultron.”
“Not alone.” The man added.
“Why does your vision sound like Jarvis?”
“We reconfigured Jarvis’s matrix to create something new.”
“I think I’ve had my fill of new” Steve grumbled.
“You think I’m a child of Ultron” The man spoke as he and Tony circled each other.
“You’re not?”
“I’m not Ultron. I am not Jarvis, I am…I am.”
“I looked in your head and saw annihilation” Wanda spoke up, stepping towards the man.
“Look again”
“Yeah, her seal of approval means jack to mean” Clint sneered.
“Their powers, the horrors in our head, Ultron himself, they all came from the mind stone. And they’re nothing compared to what it can unleash. But with it on our side- “
“Is it?” Jo interrupted. “Are you? On our side?” She asked the man.
“I don’t think it’s that simple”
“Well, it better get real simple real soon” Jo demanded.
“I am on the side of life. Ultron isn’t. He will end it all and- “
“What’s he waiting for?” Tony asked.
“You.”
“Where?”
“Sokovia. He’s got Nat there too” Clint answered.
Banner stepped forward with a dark look in his eyes. “If we’re wrong about you, if you’re the monster Ultron created you to be…”
“What will you do?” But Banner didn’t answer him. “I don’t want to kill Ultron. He’s unique and he’s in pain. But that pain will roll over the Earth. So, he must be destroyed. Every form he’s built. Every trace of his presence on the net. We have to act now. And not one of us can do it without the others. Maybe I am a monster, I don’t think I’d know if I were one. I’m not what you are and not what you intended. So, there may be no way to make you trust me. But we need to go.”
The room fell silent and Thor looked a bit awkward at the sight of this man holding out Thor’s hammer. He took it, and the man walked away. No one knew what to say.
“Right. Well done” Thor patted Tony on the shoulder before walking off.
“Three minutes,” Steve ordered. “Get what you need.”
Jo changed into fresh clothes and strapped on clean weapons. She made sure she had extra bullets and her favorite knives. She was about to meet up with the group when Pietro hesitantly entered the room.
“I came to- “
“All is forgiven” She quickly said. Pietro relaxed. He held out his arms and Jo rushed into them. He held her tightly before Jo pulled back and kissed him. She never realized how much she had ached for him till now.
“I have missed you every day” He whispered. He moved his lips to her cheek and then her jaw, before leaving a trail of kisses down her neck. “When this is over you and I are going far away. I’m going to take you on a real date.”
“Where?” Jo whispered. She tugged on Pietro’s locks, bring his lips back to hers.
“Anywhere you want to go my luchik (Russian for little ray of light)” He answered before kissing her again. Jo pressed herself closer to him, taking in every moment of this and burning it into her mind. Never wanting to forget this feeling. She felt safe and loved in his arms. Forget saving the world, if he asked her to run away there was a part of her that might have said yes.
“I love you,”
“And I you.” He answered. “We will make it through this, I promise.”
Jo didn’t answer because she knew that was a promise that couldn’t be kept. She kissed him all over his face. Pietro chuckled as Jo kissed him on the nose.
“Hey, love birds!” The two jumped apart and Wanda chuckled. “You are lucky it was I who caught you and not the Captain.”
Jo rolled her eyes and walked over to Wanda. The two embraced.
“I’m glad the three of us are together again” Jo smiled as she spoke. Wanda nodded in agreement.
“Come on, we better go before your father sends a search party,” Wanda stated.
“Do you think he likes me?”
“No!” Both Jo and Wanda laughed as they walked out of the room with their arms linked.
