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swan-of-sunrise · 2 years ago

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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Part IV)

Summary: (Y/N)'s retirement from superhero life proves to be short-lived when Sam calls in for backup as the Flag Smashers disrupt a critical meeting of the Global Repatriation Council in Manhattan.

Pairing: Steve Rogers X Fem!Reader

Word Count: 8k

Warnings/Disclaimers: Disclaimer for a frank discussion of racism/bigotry

A/N: And now, to the chapter we’ve all been waiting for! Thank you for reading, I hope you all enjoy!

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Part IV) May 2024 New York City, New York (Previous Chapter)

“You know, your car’s a little…cramped.”

Instead of getting annoyed, (Y/N) chuckled at Bucky’s observation as she parked the yellow Volkswagen Bug in the first available spot she could find and stepped out onto the bustling Manhattan street. “And you and Sam are more alike than either of you would ever dare admit; that man’s had it out for my poor, innocent car since the day we first met and I just know that a part of him was happy to see it under a pile of rubble after the Battle of Earth.”

“He did seem pretty annoyed when Rocket and Nebula refurbished it for you,” Bucky relented, placing a hand on the small of her back and guiding her down the street while she was preoccupied with adjusting her Widow Bite bracelets. “That Torres kid better be right about the Flag Smashers crashing the GRC’s vote, ‘cause I really didn’t wanna spend my evening in Lower Manhattan.”

(Y/N) hummed in agreement but remained silent, trying not to think too hard about the gala she was currently missing to act as Sam’s back-up. Earlier that evening and just over a week after their departure from Delacroix, she and Bucky were contacted by Sam and informed that there was a high probability that Karli Morgenthau and the Flag Smashers were planning an attack at the Global Repatriation Council’s vote on the controversial Patch Act; the act would force upwards of twenty million refugees back home to their countries of origin, putting further strain on the resettlement camps and on international politics as a whole and ensuring that thousands of the refugees would die over the course of the move. Bucky was spending a quiet night at home in his Brooklyn apartment but (Y/N), who’d driven down from Maine that morning to attend the first annual Romanoff Foundation’s fundraising gala, was at her old house in Brooklyn and in the middle of getting ready when Sam called to ask for her help. She agreed but as she went to retrieve the black tactical uniform and weapons she’d hidden away before moving to Maine, a sudden surge of guilt saw her FaceTiming Steve to tell him about the current situation in Lower Manhattan.

“It sounds like Sam could really use the back-up,” Steve remarked and when (Y/N) wordlessly nodded, his azure eyes filled with understanding. “(Y/N), is this fight something you believe in?”

She sighed and nodded again. “Yes. Yes, it really is, Steve.”

“Then you should suit up and get going before the party starts without you.” He smiled at the surprise written across her face. “You never stopped me from joining a fight that I believed in, and I’m sure as hell not gonna stop you from doing the same. Cari and I will be safe here at home watching the action on WHiH, and Sam will be safer with you fighting by his side.”

“Have I ever told you how utterly sexy you are when you use that reasonable tone?”

Steve chuckled. “No, but I look forward to hearing more about it in the future. Go get ‘em, sunshine, and come home safe.”

With a smile of her own, (Y/N) winked and gave him a small teasing salute. “Yes, sir.”

In a handful of minutes, (Y/N) and Bucky were approaching the towering GRC New York Headquarters, the both of them taking note of the numerous NYPD vehicles flashing their blue and red lights and the dozens of armed military personnel barring various news crews from accessing the building’s main plaza. She noticed several reporters talking amongst themselves and pointing their cameras at them as they walked past, but she kept her focus on the situation at hand; she knew that the Flag Smashers wore masks with red hand-prints stamped onto them, but she also knew that the members were practically unidentifiable without them.

“I’m almost there.”

Bucky held a hand up to his comm link. “What’s the plan?”

“Karli’s gotta be close,” Sam replied over the sound of the wind as he flew faster. “Keep your eyes open.”

“Sergeant Barnes,” One of the soldiers nodded and stepped aside to let them pass through their barricade. “Ms. (Y/L/N).”

(Y/N) squared her shoulders and continued scanning their surroundings as she walked beside Bucky. “I take it that Karli won’t be scared off by all these cops and soldiers barricading the building, will she?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean she’s not too far gone to be peacefully stopped. Speaking of cops and soldiers, I called in some back-up.”

“Excuse me. Are you two supposed to be here?” (Y/N) and Bucky both turned around to face the man who’d called out to them but as they watched, he pressed down on the hidden device panel near his temple and pulled off the nano mask and grey beanie to reveal the recognizable face of Sharon Carter. “It’s me.”

(Y/N)’s eyes widened in surprise. “Sharon, what the hell are you doing here? Sam and Bucky told me that you’re still wanted by the government-”

“Relax, no one’s looking for me here.” Sharon led them over to a nearby planter box and gave (Y/N) a humorless smile. “Honestly, I’m surprised that you even care; all those years spent petitioning the government to revoke the Accords, and yet not a single word about pardoning the woman who sacrificed everything for her boy-toy and his two lackeys.”

A sudden surge of guilt forced (Y/N) to cross her arms over her chest and look away in discomfort; in the year following the signing of the Sokovia Accords, she’d lobbied senators and representatives to try and revoke them so that her fugitive boyfriend and friends could return home, but when she learned that she was pregnant, she was forced to put her lobbying on hold. And in the turbulent years since, she was ashamed to admit that she’d forgotten about Sharon and the sacrifice she’d made to aid Steve and their friends in their time of need. But as she looked into the other woman’s hardened gaze, a small part of her felt as though she was looking at a darker, more ruthless version of the agent who’d once offered her a cup of hot chocolate and a shoulder to cry on.

“Do I hear Sharon?”

“Unfortunately,” Bucky grumbled, glaring daggers at the former agent and inching closer to (Y/N)’s side.

Sharon was unfazed by the super-soldier’s defensiveness as she adjusted the comm link in her ear. “Hey, Sam. I thought I’d get the band back together.”

“Thank you. You’re risking a lot coming here.”

“I hear pardons aren’t all they’re cracked up to be anyway.”

Bucky shrugged. “Depends on the therapist.”

“They’re gonna move on the building soon. Be ready.”

A shadowy figure flew through the sky above and quickly disappeared from view, making (Y/N) smile to herself before looking back down at Bucky and Sharon. “C’mon, we should move in and away from the barricades.”

Bucky nodded and started forward while Sharon slowly fell into step with her. “I, um…I’m sorry for your loss.” The former agent gestured towards the red hourglass-shaped buckle fastened to the belt of her uniform. “Romanoff didn’t deserve what happened to her and as much as I hate to say it, neither did Rogers.”

(Y/N), not wanting to give away that Steve was alive and well in Maine and most likely rocking his daughter to sleep at that very moment, kept her expression neutral as she silently nodded once to acknowledge her condolences. “Guys, what’s going on on your end?”

“Nothing, all quiet,” Bucky replied while he continued scanning their surrounding for any sign of Karli or the Flag Smashers.

Sharon’s hand twitched towards the gun holstered at her waist. “No one’s moving toward the building.”

“Karli’s not coming in. She’s trying to force everybody out.”

Realization dawned on (Y/N) as she watched the officers and soldiers scrambling to clear the building’s exits. “Oh, shit. They staged a threat to capture all the GRC’s members during their evacuation without drawing suspicion.”

“You guys are gonna have to do something,” Sam called out through the comms, slightly out of breath as the recognizable sound of fighting continued in the background; (Y/N) and Sharon followed Bucky into the lobby of the building as her best friend ordered, “Don’t let ‘em out of the building!”

Ignoring the blinking red security lights and the frantic people rushing to exit the building, Bucky marched through the security checkpoint’s metal detector while (Y/N) slipped around it, the both of them whirling around when the device blared as Sharon stepped through. “Oops.”

“Here’s one of them.” Bucky pointed across the lobby at a muscular man dressed in a security guard’s uniform. “(Y/N) and I will get the evac.”

Sharon followed the lone Flag Smasher while (Y/N) and Bucky hurried through the building’s lobby in search of the evacuating GRC members; (Y/N) was more on-edge than the super-soldier walking beside her, distrustful of anyone who passed them by and wary of whatever Karli was planning. Her instincts took over when a woman addressed them both as they turned down another hallway and offered him a cell phone, flicking her wrists to activate her Widow Bites and keeping a suspicious eye on the woman while Bucky took the phone and switched on the speaker function.

“Karli?”

“Aren’t you tired of fighting for the wrong side, Mr. Barnes?”

Bucky scoffed and shot (Y/N) a look as they made their way down the nearest flight of stairs. “I’ve done this before, kid. I know how it ends.”

“And what about you, Ms. (Y/L/N)? This fight that you insist on fighting has done nothing but destroy any chance you had at a normal life. Are you willing to give it all up for the people who are destroying the world you’ve sacrificed so much to try and save?”

“Karli, I know that you and I don’t know one another but believe me, you and I want the same thing. The Patch Act is dangerous and far from the only option for the refugees,” (Y/N) replied while Bucky kept an eye out for the evacuating GRC members and Flag Smashers. “But these methods of yours…they’re wrong and you know it. The people you’re going up against won’t hesitate to stamp out you and your entire movement and when they do, everything you’ve fought for will die with you.”

She could hear the young woman suck in an agitated breath. “It doesn’t matter if I don’t survive this. I’m fighting for something bigger than myself. With all the bodies you’ve collected, Mr. Barnes, have you been able to say the same?”

The super-soldier’s jaw clenched at that. “You don’t think I ever fought for something bigger than myself? That’s all I ever tried to do, and I failed twice. You think your cause justifies all this death, but in the end, the nightmares won’t go away. You’re gonna remember all the ones you killed…trust me.”

“Please don’t do this, Karli. Don’t go down this path,” (Y/N) implored with an almost desperate edge in her voice; she wasn’t sure if it was because of the way Sam had described the misguided young woman to her or how childlike she sounded as she unabashedly spoke of her impending demise, but she couldn’t deny the maternal panic she felt for Karli and the inevitable consequences she’d face for her actions.

“If that’s how you feel, you both should sit this one out.”

“Well, you know we ain’t gonna do that.”

Karli let out a humorless chuckle. “Well, thank you. I’m glad you took my call. You’ve been a big help.”

Realization dawned on (Y/N) and she looked over at Bucky in dread. “The evac. She’s already taking them hostage.”

“Dammit!” Bucky shoved the cell phone into his pocket and they both sprinted down the nearest stairwell that led directly into the underground parking lot; it was practically deserted and dimly lit by emergency lights, but there was just enough light to see two motorcycles parked nearby. (Y/N) hurried over to them and while she quickly slipped a black helmet on, Bucky located both bikes’ keys. “You know how to ride one of these?”

“Yep,” (Y/N) replied with a small grin, popping the ‘p’ at the end of the word as she swung her leg over the motorcycle and straddled it. “Steve taught me a while back. I thought he was teaching me because it was a useful skill to have, but it turns out that your best friend’s got quite the thing for women on motorcycles.”

The super-soldier wrinkled his nose in distaste. “Yeah, that’s something I could’ve gone the rest of my life not knowin’ about that punk…”

“Seriously, guys, you had one job!” Sharon’s outraged voice suddenly came through their comm links.

“You worry about your guy!”

After exchanging a look, they fired up their engines and with a squeal of rubber on the concrete floor, they rode out of the underground parking garage. They came out onto an alleyway in the middle of being blocked off by soldiers, but they raced between the barriers and sped down the street after the hijacked evacuation trucks. The deafening roar of the engine and the feeling of the wind on (Y/N)’s face reminded her of a simpler time, when her super-soldier boyfriend spent his free days teaching her how to ride a motorcycle on the lonely road near their favorite picnic spot by the Avengers Facility, and the happy memories gave her something to focus on as they chased down the armored trucks in imminent danger of being hijacked by the Flag Smashers. There’s no way in hell Steve could’ve predicted I’d be using that experience for something like this, she thought as they took a sharp turn and narrowly avoided another poorly-constructed blockade.

“Well, that’s one down.”

“How’d you manage that?” Sam asked, winded but still amazed by Sharon’s progress.

“Mercury vapor, amongst other things. You better speed things up, Sam; the chopper’s about to take off.”

“Bucky!”

(Y/N) and Bucky skidded to a stop at an intersection and watched the armored trucks carrying the evacuated GRC members rumble down the road ahead. “I don’t fly, man, that’s your thing!”

“Ditto, Birdbrain.” (Y/N)’s fingers tightened around the throttle as she revved the engine and assessed their options. “I’m thinking that I’ll trail the trucks while you circle around and cut them off before the Flag Smashers can hijack them. What do you think?”

“I think we’re lucky we’ve got a bad-ass historical-fiction novelist on our side,” Bucky replied, flashing her a brief grin before peeling away and racing down the street to their right.

You’re a bad-ass, (Y/N) silently recited as she released the clutch and accelerated down the street after the armored trucks, a bad-ass who got her handful of motorcycle skills from her horny super-soldier boyfriend almost nine years ago, but a bad-ass all the same. Nothing appeared amiss with the trucks driving ahead of her until they reached an intersection that bordered a sunken construction site; they came to a sudden stop as several Flag Smashers dragged cement barriers into the street and (Y/N) swore under her breath when they wrenched the officers out of the driver’s seats, leaning over the handlebars and accelerating as they started climbing into the trucks.

The roar of another engine filled the air as up ahead, Bucky’s motorcycle skidded onto the street and raced towards the cement barriers; with a quick prayer to whichever deity in the universe covered dangerous motorcycle maneuvers, (Y/N) pressed down on the rear brake lever while turning the handlebars at a ninety-degree angle, slamming the back of the motorcycle into the nearest Flag Smasher and knocking them to the ground just as Bucky launched himself over the cement barriers and tackled a Flag Smasher. While the two super-soldiers fought, (Y/N) fired a Widow Bite at the Flag Smasher she’d slammed into and hurried over to help the dazed and injured officers to their feet. A fiery explosion illuminated the street and its intensity nearly knocked her to her feet, but the chorus of terrified screams helped to keep her focus; one of the armored trucks had caught fire and a metallic contraption trapped the frightened members of the GRC inside with no escape from the intense blaze.

(Y/N) ran to the doors and tried to wrench the back doors open as the hostages banged on the bulletproof glass, but they wouldn’t budge. “Bucky!”

The super-soldier rushed over and took over pulling on the doors’ handles. “Hold on!” He gritted his teeth and the doors groaned under the strain of his super-strength.

“Let’s go, get moving!”

Seeing the Flag Smashers hurrying towards the second armored truck, (Y/N) started forward to keep them from taking the GRC members hostage but came to a sudden halt when a familiar voice called out, “Morgenthau!”

She looked down the street to see John Walker, dressed in his government-issued Captain America uniform and carrying a poorly-constructed replica of the vibranium shield, striding towards the group of Flag Smashers with an enraged expression on his partially-covered face. “Oh, son of a bitch…” (Y/N) sighed and brought a hand up to her comm link. “Sam, your buddy Walker is here and I don’t think he’s looking for a peaceful resolution.”

“Dammit. Whatever you do, (Y/N), don’t try to engage him; there’s no telling what he might do. I’m a little busy with the air evac, but I’ll be there ASAP!”

(Y/N) bit her lip in nervous anticipation as the unstable super-soldier stopped and fixed Karli with a deadly stare. “Let’s finish this.”

“I didn’t mean to kill your friend,” The teenager tried to reason with Walker. “I don’t wanna hurt people that don’t matter.”

Walker scoffed. “You don’t think Lemar’s life mattered?”

“Not to my fight. I just want the people on that truck.”

With a strangled yell, Walker threw his shield at Karli, who simply kicked it away in midair and slipped her Flag Smasher mask on before joining her companions in their attack against the former Captain America. (Y/N) looked over at Bucky, who was using his vibranium arm to slowly but surely break the device locking the truck’s doors, and she saw that the second truck was virtually defenseless, as the group of Flag Smashers were distracted by John Walker’s unexpected appearance. Just as she started jogging towards the second truck, a pained grunt stopped her dead in her tracks and she glanced over her shoulder to see four masked Flag Smashers kicking and stomping on Walker, who’s only form of defense was his flimsy replica of the shield he’d once carried. Indecision kept her rooted where she stood, torn between helping the captive GRC members escape the armored truck and saving Walker, a traumatized soldier who made some terrible mistakes while suffering under the effects of the super-soldier serum but who also nearly killed Sam and Bucky in cold blood.

“Screw it,” (Y/N) mumbled to herself before turning and sprinting towards the group. She took the nearest Flag Smasher by surprise by slamming her knee into his torso and utilizing his hunched stance to spring-board off his thigh and swing her legs up around his neck; flexing her wrists, she fired Widow Bites from both bracelets directly against his neck and as his unconscious body toppled back, she somersaulted off of him and rolled to her feet just in time to dodge the clenched fist flying towards her face. She aimed a kick at her new attacker’s sternum but she was quicker, grabbing her ankle and flinging her across the street, where she slammed into the chain-link fence blocking off the sunken construction site and landed harshly on the ground; with a groan of pain, she clambered to her feet and fired a Widow Bite at the Flag Smasher who’d thrown her, taking advantage of the woman’s distraction to sweep her legs out from underneath her with one of her own and kneed her masked face as she toppled over onto the street.

Blowing a wayward strand of hair out of her eyes, (Y/N) turned to see Bucky body-slam a Flag Smasher attempting to slam a parking meter down onto Walker and when he jumped to his feet, Bucky punched him with his vibranium arm and sent him flying backwards into the chain-link fence. While the two super-soldiers exchanged blows, a masked Karli kicked the parking meter up into her grasp and swung it at Bucky’s exposed back. “Bucky, look out!” He quickly ducked the blow and blocked a second with his vibranium arm before reaching for a loose section of steel chain draped over a cement barrier and striking Karli across the face with it, but the first Flag Smasher kicked him hard in the chest and sent him toppling over the edge of the sunken construction site. “Bucky!” The Flag Smasher grabbed a section of girder and jumped down after him, and (Y/N) breathed a sigh of relief when she made out the faint sounds of their scuffle. Seeing Walker and Karli engaged in a vicious fight and the second armored truck left defenseless, she hurried over and attempted to pry the lock off the doors, but it refused to budge.

“Hold on!” She yelled to the panicked GRC members inside and frantically scanned her surroundings for a tool or device that could help her break the lock; spotting a metal crowbar lying on the sidewalk near a mailbox, she started towards it but an arm suddenly wrapped around her waist and prevented her from moving. She elbowed her attacker in the face with all her strength and reached back to grab him around his neck, throwing her weight forward and using the momentum to flip him over her shoulder. As he lay sprawled on the ground, she grabbed the crowbar and struck him across the head, stepping over his unconscious form and making her way back to the truck.

Before (Y/N) reached the locked doors, something solid connected with the side of her face and the force of the blow knocked her to the ground. Rolling herself over onto her side, (Y/N) hissed in pain as her fingers gently prodded the skin around her right eye and when she pulled her hand back, she could see the fresh blood on her fingertips. She blinked hard to clear her blurred vision and watched Karli shove the cement barrier out of the way of the truck and climb into the driver’s seat; the teenager drove the truck straight towards the sunken construction site and at the last moment, she leapt from the moving vehicle. The armored truck crashed through the chain-link fence and landed on top of the steel framework, its front half hanging precariously over the five-story-deep pit.

(Y/N)’s heart leapt into her throat and after scooping up her crowbar, she ran as fast as she could after the hijacked truck, skidding to a stop at the edge of the pit and looking out at the vehicle as it inched further over the girder; her eyes flicked down and she swallowed hard when she realized just how high up they were, her old fear of heights momentarily flaring up at the daunting sight. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Walker limp out onto the street and look between the precariously-balanced truck and Karli, a conflicted and almost lost expression etched across his pale face as he considered what to do. “Walker! Walker, they need your help!” The former captain squeezed his eyes shut and gave his head a hard shake, but it was clear that he was freezing up under the mounting pressure of the situation. The terrified screams of the GRC members still trapped inside the armored truck with no escape was enough to shake her out of her own trance and with a steadying breath, she lowered herself down onto the crisscrossing girders and cautiously walked atop the narrow beam.

“(Y/N), what the hell are you doing?!”

Ignoring Bucky’s panicked shout from down below, (Y/N) reached the truck and wedged the crowbar’s beveled end between the locking device and the truck’s metal doors; she planted her feet as she pulled down on the crowbar, but the truck lurched forward again and caused her to nearly lose her footing. Before she could try again, a blur of red, white and blue fell past her into the pit and Walker appeared beside her; he used his super-strength to begin pulling the armored truck backwards across the girders and while he did, she continued to try and pry the locking device off the doors. The lock was finally beginning to give way when the Flag Smashers descended on them; Walker managed to bat one of them away, but Karli and another of her companions latched onto him and all three fell down into the pit below, but not before their flailing limbs knocked an unsuspecting (Y/N) down with them.

(Y/N)’s instincts took over and she was able to grab onto another girder about halfway down, gritting her teeth and ignoring the straining muscles in both arms as she dangled several stories above the construction site and worked to scoot herself out of the way of the teetering truck; the deafening groan of bending metal above caused her to look up and see the vehicle beginning to pitch forward, and the terrified screams of the trapped GRC members were joined by the panicked shouts of the bystanders watching from the street and Bucky standing far below. Just as (Y/N)’s eyes squeezed closed and she began loosening her grip on the girder, the screams and shouts were suddenly silenced and everything was still.

Opening her eyes, (Y/N) blinked in surprise and grinned at the sight of Sam single-handedly holding onto the hood of the truck; his Wakandan-made specialized winged jetpack, upon which the familiar vibranium shield was sheathed, illuminated as its thrusters ignited and two drones broke off to attach themselves onto the truck’s hood. With the assistance of his jetpack and drones, Sam pushed the armored truck back up onto the steel framework and used Redwing’s laser to slice through the locking device while the crowds gathered around the street cheered.

“How’s it hangin’, Booksmart?” Sam jokingly asked after swooping down to where (Y/N) was dangling and wrapping an arm around her waist, his trademark grin and new red-tinted goggles unable to hide the worried gleam in his brown eyes as he took in her various bumps and scrapes.

(Y/N) wrapped her arms around her best friend’s neck and pressed a chaste kiss onto his cheek. “Much better now that you’re here, Cap.”

Grinning widely at that, Sam flew them both down to the construction site to where Bucky and Walker stood watching them; a metal pipe was suddenly launched towards both men but Bucky was quicker, catching it in midair and tossing it aside as he stared determinedly across the site at where Karli and her companions stood. They started forward towards both super-soldiers and in an instant, Sam used his free hand to unsheathe the shield and bounce it harshly off of the chests of three separate Flag Smashers as they landed on the ground beside Bucky.

Karli scoffed in disbelief as she took in Sam’s new Captain America uniform. “You of all people bought into that bullshit?”

“I’m trying something different. Maybe you should do the same.”

Before the teenager could reply, gunfire erupted and while Sam quickly brought his shield up to protect (Y/N), the air began filling with an unnaturally thick smoke and the panicking bystanders above began to flee the scene. (Y/N)’s vision was obscured by the impenetrable smoke surrounding them but when she made out the tell-tale sound of footsteps running further away, she swore under her breath. “They’re getting away, aren’t they?”

“Not for long.” Sam brought his free hand up to the edge of his goggles and seemingly began to track the Flag Smashers’ heat signatures through the dense fog. “This way.”

(Y/N), Bucky and Walker followed Sam through a doorway at the opposite end of the construction site and through a winding network of tunnels that traveled beneath the city streets. While the four of them jogged down what appeared to be a maintenance hallway, (Y/N) stepped on an errant piece of construction sheeting and would’ve tumbled to the ground if not for Walker’s hand suddenly shooting out and latching around her bicep; she gave the super-soldier a small smile of thanks and swiftly shifted her gaze onto Sam’s back ahead of her, still a touch wary of John Walker and his ever-shifting mood. On her other side, Bucky raised a hand to his comm link and quietly addressed their absent companion. “Hey, Sharon. We’re underground; we entered the tunnel on William, heading south.”

They came upon a tunnel that branched off from their hallway and Sam activated his goggles as he looked between both paths. “Looks like they split up. Here.”

Before Sam could finish, Walker ran off down the branching tunnel and Bucky gave Sam a reassuring nod. “I got it.”

“You should go with ‘em, (Y/N),” Sam nudged her arm and nodded towards the doorway the two men disappeared through. “Keep Walker from doing anything too reckless; I’ll be okay.”

Although unsure about splitting up, she did as her best friend suggested and followed Bucky and Walker down the branching tunnel, doing her best to ignore the ominous feeling beginning to form in the pit of her stomach as she jogged after the super-soldiers and away from Sam. She finally caught up to them in a darkened boiler room, placatingly raising her hands when they both whirled around to face her and frowning when she glanced around the vacant room. “They’re fast, I’ll give ‘em that…”

Walker’s hands briefly clenched into fists before relaxing at his sides and huffing out an annoyed grunt. “They could be halfway across Manhattan and we wouldn’t even know.”

“No, Karli and her followers would wanna stick around to finish their mission.” Bucky’s brow was furrowed as he noted the former captain’s barely-restrained reaction and he moved to stand closer to (Y/N). “They can’t go after the GRC members anymore, so now they’re scrambling to figure out an alternate way of preventing a vote.”

Recalling how Bucky tucked the cell phone that Karli had called him on into his pocket and what Sam told her about the Flag Smasher’s unique style of communication, (Y/N) felt herself begin to smile. “Well, if we can’t find them, why don’t we make them find us?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The plan they’d come up with in the boiler room was comically simple and as the three of them led the tactical team to the mouth of the alleyway they’d lured the unsuspecting Flag Smashers to on their app, (Y/N) was reminded of the time she and Natasha tricked a Hydra agent into Steve and Sam’s custody using only a red laser-pointer. She would’ve appreciated the simplicity of this plan, (Y/N) thought to herself with a melancholy smile, her fingers grazing the red hourglass-shaped buckle as she turned the corner of the alleyway alongside Bucky and Walker and came to a stop when they came face-to-face with three unmasked Flag Smashers; they skidded to a stop, their determined expressions instantly replaced with looks of shock when they realized that they were being surrounded by officers and armed soldiers.

“‘Mercy bears richer fruit than strict justice,’” Walker recited with a triumphant grin.

Bucky held up the cell phone and gave it a little shake for emphasis. “It’s a great app.” The tactical team moved in and began detaining the Flag Smashers as the alleyway was illuminated by the flashing red and blue lights of several police cruisers, and Bucky gave the trio a small smile. “Thank you.”

The three of them turned and began walking back to the makeshift command center stationed out front of the GRC New York Headquarters, and (Y/N) arched her brow as she glanced over at Walker beside her. “Lincoln, really?”

“Great man. Great quote.”

Bucky wrinkled his nose and scowled at the super-soldier. “Not when you say it.” (Y/N)’s chuckle soon turned into a groan of pain when the side of her head suddenly throbbed and she felt as though she was about to throw up; concern filled Bucky’s blue eyes and just as he reached out to hold her shoulder, she was overcome with dizziness and he was forced to catch her when her knees gave out. “Shit, I think you might have a concussion. Take a deep breath for me, okay? That should help with the nausea.”

“I’ll go on ahead and let a medic know she needs to be looked at,” Walker remarked before jogging off in the direction of the command center.

(Y/N) breathed in through her nose and out of her mouth, blinking hard to clear her swimming vision and giving Bucky a weak smile. “You know, it’s been exactly ten years since my last concussion? I go up against androids and aliens – two of the Big Three – over the course of ten years, and a goddamn super-soldier manages to be the one to give me my second-ever concussion.”

Bucky rolled his eyes as the corner of his lip curved into a reluctant grin. “I should’ve known that Sam picked that nonsense about the Big Three up from you. So, you’ve never gone toe-to-toe with Gandalf, huh?”

“Does almost puking on Doctor Strange count?”

“No, because he’s a sorcerer, not a wizard.”

“A sorcerer is just a wizard without a hat.”

With a chuckle, Bucky wrapped his vibranium arm around her waist and helped her walk down the street to the command center; he guided her to one of the handful of ambulances and after helping her sit down, he allowed her to squeeze his hand as a paramedic cleaned and patched up the laceration near her eye. The paramedic confirmed that she did indeed have a concussion, as well as an orbital fracture and two pulled biceps, and Bucky did his best to keep her distracted from her treatment by praising her fighting techniques. Walker, looking awkward as he stood by the opposite side of the ambulance but courteously remaining to partially block her from the clicking cameras of gathering journalists and reporters. He’s not such a bad guy, (Y/N) thought as she subtly glanced over at the super-soldier, misguided and egotistical, for sure, but not bad. Unfortunately, she knew that the government nor the Army would ever address how John Walker’s untreated trauma from his years of service led to the regrettable actions he’d taken in Latvia, just as they’d never told the world what they did to Isaiah Bradley and the hundreds of other Black soldiers they’d illegally tested on…but not for long, if (Y/N) and Sam had anything to say about it.

(Y/N) was pulled out of her thoughts by the ringing of her cell phone and when she reached into her pocket for it, she saw that it was Steve. “Bucky, could you give me a second? I’ve got to answer this.” She showed him the name flashing on the screen and briefly glanced over at Walker; he immediately took the hint, patting her knee and asking Walker to accompany him while he checked out the perimeter of the command center for any sign of Sam or Karli. Once she was sure that Walker was out of range, she answered the call and brought the phone up to her ear. “Hi, sweetheart.”

“Are you okay, sunshine? What happened to your eye?”

(Y/N) arched a brow. “How’d you know that I injured my eye?”

“Because Cari and I are watching you on T.V. as we speak; WHiH camera’s at your ten o’clock.” When (Y/N) glanced over at the journalist in the middle of his report and his cameraman’s broadcasting camera, she could make out Steve’s faint chuckle and Carina’s happy coo. “Hi, baby. Are you all right?”

“I’ve got a mild concussion, an orbital fracture and two pulled biceps, but we stopped the Flag Smashers from taking any of the GRC members hostage and that’s what matters. I’ll be home with you and Cari by this time tomorrow, only with a few extra bumps and bruises.” Steve hummed in response but didn’t say anything, and she spared the far-off broadcasting camera another glance. “Everything okay, Steve?”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s just…I’m not used to being the one waiting for an injured Avenger to come home to me, that’s all. But if it means you’ll be able to help people in need like you’ve always wanted to do, then I’ll gladly do my best to get used to it.”

Feeling her face begin to warm at her husband’s sweet words, (Y/N) opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by the sound of Sam’s thrusters descending into the command center. She watched as her best friend flew down from the night sky and landed gracefully in the middle of the street, a mixture of emotions swirling around within her: relief that Sam was unhurt, and sadness that the night’s events resulted in the death of Karli Morgenthau. Sam was carrying the teenager’s lifeless body in his arms and as he carefully placed her on a waiting stretcher, she could see the gunshot wound on her stomach; she was just a child, she thought as her eyes welled up with tears, a child who was fighting for the millions of people that suffered during and after the Snap when the leaders of the world failed to do so themselves. The increased supremacy of her ideals and the gradually radical methods she employed was wrong, yes, but her message was one that every person on Earth should strive to achieve: that by treating everyone fairly and supporting those in need, the world could band together and unite as one.

“What happened to the Flag Smashers? When did the government make you Captain America?”

“Is it still Falcon?”

“Or is it Captain Falcon?”

“Is Ms. (Y/L/N)’s presence here indicative of the Avengers’ support of your new title?”

Instead of answering any of the questions being shouted his way, Sam walked up to three GRC members, which included Senator Smith, the man who convinced Sam to give up the shield only to hand it over to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed John Walker. “Sam, thank you so much, from all of us.”

“Sincerely,” Senator Smith added with a tone-deaf smile. “You did your part in dealing with those terrorists, now we’ll do ours.”

Sam’s jaw clenched in an effort to remain calm, and (Y/N) fought the urge to stand and hurry to his side. “Are you still going forward with resettling the borders?”

The third member nodded. “Our peacekeeping troops will begin relocating people soon. The terrorists only set us back a bit.”

“You have to stop calling them terrorists.”

Senator Smith scoffed at Sam’s statement. “What else would we call them?”

“Your peacekeeping troops carrying weapons are forcing millions of people into settlements around the world, right? What do you think those people are gonna call you?” Sam demanded and as all the broadcasting cameras surrounding the command center turned to film their conversation, Bucky stepped around the edge of the ambulance and leaned against the door beside (Y/N). “These labels – ‘terrorists,’ ‘refugee,’ ‘thug,’ – they’re often used to get around the question, why?”

Looking decidedly less pleased than before, the third GRC member crossed her arms and looked incredulously up at Sam. “Those settlements that happened five years ago, do you think it is fair for governments to have to support them?”

“Yes.”

“And the people who reappeared only to find someone else living in their family home, they just end up homeless?” Senator Smith gave Sam a patronizing head-shake and on the other end of the line, Steve muttered a few choice curse words. “Look, I get it. But you have no idea how complicated this situation is.”

The members started to turn and walk away, but Sam’s calm but commanding tone halted them in their tracks. “You know what? You’re right. And that’s a good thing. We finally have a common struggle now. Think about that: for once, all the people who’ve been begging, and I mean, literally begging for you to feel how hard any given day is…now you know. How did it feel to be helpless? Now, if you could remember what it was like to be helpless and face a force so powerful it could erase half the planet, you would know that you’re about to have the exact same impact. This isn’t about easy decisions, Senator.”

“You just don’t understand-”

“I’m a Black man carrying the stars and stripes. What don’t I understand?” Sam huffed out a humorless laugh and (Y/N)’s free hand clenched into a tight fist at the annoyed expression on the senator’s face. “Every time I pick this thing up, I know there are millions of people out there who are gonna hate me for it. Even now, here. I feel it…” He looked around at the crowd that had amassed as he’d spoken. “The stares, the judgement. And there’s nothin’ I can do to change it…yet, I’m still here. No super serum, no blonde hair or blue eyes. The only power I have it that I believe we can do better.” A smile slowly spread across (Y/N)’s face and as she watched her best friend with unabashed pride, she felt Bucky’s vibranium hand rest on her shoulder and he gave it a gentle squeeze. “We can’t demand that people step up if we don’t meet them halfway. Look, you control the banks. Shit, you can move borders! You can knock down a forest with an email, you can feed a million people with a phone call. But the question is, who’s in the room with you when you’re making those decisions? Hmm? Is it the people you’re gonna impact? Or is it just more people like you?” The third GRC member bowed her head while the first nodded and Senator Smith awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, but Sam’s gaze never wavered. “I mean, this girl died trying to stop you, and no one has stopped for one second to ask why. You’ve gotta do better, Senator, you’ve gotta step up. Because if you don’t, the next Karli will, and you don’t wanna see 2.0. People believed in her cause so much that they helped her defy the strongest governments in the world. Why do you think that is? Look, you people have just as much power as an insane god or a misguided teenager. The question you have to ask yourself is, ‘How are you going to use it?’”

Giving the three stunned GRC members one final look, Sam turned and walked towards the ambulances; he gave Walker a nod as he passed and the former Captain America returned the gesture with the ghost of a smile on his face, looking more relaxed than (Y/N) had ever seen him before.

“Sam’s the Captain America that this country deserves,” Steve softly remarked, his voice thick with emotion as he continued. “I only hope that people will watch that speech and realize it for themselves.”

“They will.” (Y/N) smiled with pride and watched the gathered journalists and reporters continue their live coverage of the speech they’d witnessed. “Seeing is believing, after all, and we all watched as Sam Wilson became Captain America.”

Bucky helped (Y/N), who was still on the phone with her husband, stand and when Sam walked up to them, he shrugged in faux-boredom and let out a dramatic sigh. “Sorry, I was, uh, I was texting and so, all I heard was, um, ‘a Black guy in stars and stripes.’” All three of them laughed and over the phone, Steve chuckled at the super-soldier’s joke. “Nice job, Cap.”

“Thanks.” Sam smiled at Bucky before turning to (Y/N). “You on the phone makin’ plans with your editor to write my biography already, Booksmart? I always knew you were a smart businesswoman but that was fast even for you!”

(Y/N) shook her head and smiled up at her best friend. “Nope, just talking to my husband about the historic moment we were lucky enough to see with our own eyes.”

His eyes widened a little behind his red-tinted goggles. “Steve saw all that?”

“Baby, could you hand the phone over to Sam for a moment? There’s something I need to tell him.”

(Y/N) did as he asked and Sam listened to whatever Steve was saying; it was a brief message but judging by the tears she saw him blinking away and how softly he murmured his thanks, her husband’s message seemed to have an effect on her best friend. Before she could inquire about what Steve had said, Bucky nudged Sam’s shoulder and gestured towards one of the parked cars just past the ambulance, where a familiar figure was leaning heavily against the driver’s side door. “Sharon.”

“I’ll be there in a sec,” (Y/N) reassured them and as both men made their way over to an injured Sharon, she brought the phone back up to her ear. “You’re not gonna tell me what you just told him, are you?”

“Come home in one piece and I just might,” Steve countered with a smile evident in his voice. “Good work out there, sunshine. We’ll see you soon, all right?”

They exchanged farewells and after tucking her phone back into her pocket, (Y/N) joined the trio standing beside the abandoned car. Sharon was indeed injured, holding a bundle of bloody gauze against the oozing gunshot wound on her abdomen and gritting her teeth to stop herself from crying out in pain; despite the agony she was no doubt experiencing, Sharon took one look at (Y/N) and snorted. “You look like shit, (Y/L/N).”

“Says the woman who’s currently bleeding out from an open wound,” She countered and the former CIA agent breathed out a quiet laugh. “Sharon, I’m sorry for how things unfolded after the Accords and the Snap. I know that that probably doesn’t mean much to you now, but I really am sorry and if I could go back and fix it, I would.”

Sharon studied her face for a moment and nodded as she let out a relenting sigh. “You’re right, it doesn’t mean much…but thanks for saying it.” While something in the woman’s hardened gaze kept (Y/N) from fully trusting her, she was glad that she was able to apologize for her inaction all those years ago.

“Uh, Cap?”

The four of them glanced over at the agent who called out to them and (Y/N) beamed at Sam. “I think he’s talking to you.” When Sam returned her smile with one of his own, she carefully wrapped her arms around his waist in a brief hug. “Go get ‘em, Captain America.”

“Will-do, Booksmart.” He pressed his lips to her forehead in a chaste kiss and turned to make his way over to the waiting agent.

“Look, I’m sorry for how things ended down there.” Sharon’s apology was followed by an appreciative nod. “For what it’s worth, suit looks good on you.”

Sam chuckled. “Thanks.”

With a scowl on his face, Bucky cast a furtive glance at their surroundings before addressing the former agent. “All right, look, can we get out of here, please?”

Sharon relented and allowed the super-soldier to escort her away from the command center filled with dozens of agents and officers who would arrest her for treason in the blink of an eye; while they walked, Sam called out after them, “I didn’t forget my promise.”

While Bucky and Sharon argued over which hospital to visit and whether or not they should take (Y/N)’s Volkswagen or an Uber, (Y/N) looked up at the night sky and watched Sam flying overhead towards the Hudson River, a satisfied smile on her face that finally, the shield and the mantle belonged to the right person for the job. Sam Wilson was Captain America, and the world was all the better for it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Thank you all so much for reading and commenting! I’ve created a Spotify playlist inspired by this series, and I’ll be updating it every time I upload a new chapter. Enjoy!

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ziGMhEsAw833GQ9eV44nR?si=6dfead09c76848d5

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Part V)

Stumblin’ In Book VII: “Superhero Snapshots” Masterlist

Stumblin’ In Book I: “The Winter Soldier” Masterlist

Tagging: @mrs-obrien @lahoete @awkward117 @cminr @natdrunk @momc95 @savedbystyle @miraculouscloud @awkwardnesshabitat @marinettepotterandplagg @mangosandmimosas @supersouthy @benakenalove @brooke0297 @hufflepeople @becausewelie @outoftheregular @junipermurdock @ladydmalfoy @mads-weasley @username23345 @crist1216 @capswife @lilmschild @avngrsinitiative @crowleysqueenofhell @y-napotat @mary1raven @groovy-lady @ljej95 @innersublimefury @prettysbliss

#stumblin' in #steve rogers x reader #post serum steve rogers x reader #steve rogers #post serum steve rogers #sam wilson #captain america #bucky barnes #the winter soldier #sharon carter #john walker #us agent #karli morgenthau #the falcon and the winter soldier #captain america and the winter soldier #marvel cinematic universe #steve rogers x f!reader

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dearanakin · 11 months ago

Text

good partner

Summary: You get a call from Sam asking to help him and Bucky find the Super Soldiers, and get Zemo out of prison. You're still not done with your mission, but the former Winter Soldier doesn't like the idea of you around. This is mostly based on episode 4 of the show, "The Whole World is Watching". I wanted to write something light but you can request a smut.

Warning: Angst, mentions of The Winter Soldier, fluff | Word count: 4k

Pairing: Bucky x f!reader

A loud thud echoed through the loft as Zemo hit his back against the hard floor. You stomped your foot on his chest and heard him grunt against gritted teeth.

"I'm in this case as well. You're just a rat who got lucky from getting out of a cell" You spat out. Both Sam and Bucky trying hard not to snort.

The baron still kept his gaze at you, holding your foot so tight you almost stumbled. He got up on his foot and wrapped a hand around your bicep.

"Leaving you to turn on me once we get to Karli. Hmm. I prefer to keep my leverage. I can't trust you" He locked his eyes on yours and squeezed his fingers on your skin.

You let out a dry scoff. They should've let him die in that prison. Behind your back, Sam was about to step in. Zemo had shifted his demeanor to a cold look. "You let them do it. Stay out of it".

"And who are you to say shit about what I should or should not do?" Raising your voice, he didn't flinch.

The man pointed a finger at you as a warning, still holding his damn tea cup. Only a slight second later, Bucky shattered the glass against the wall and pulled him by his collar.

"You wanna see what someone can do with leverage?" The soldier asked him. He tightened his metal wrist and you could see his shoulder grow wide.

Sam stood next to him, resting a hand on his forearm. "Take it easy. Don’t engage him. He’s just gonna extort you and do that stupid head tilt thing".

Bucky still had him in his grip. Zemo didn't hold any expression, otherwise. It was infuriating. "You want some cherry blossom tea?"

You watched as the taller man twisted his collar. "You fucking touch her again, I'll break your neck". He shoved the baron backward and left the living room.

You were surprised, to say the least. Bucky was annoyed you were on this mission with them. He thought you were actually missing a few points and messing with their plan.

But much to his dismay, Sam agreed to have you on board and didn't complain about your work. Said his partner was just being grumpy.

The former Winter Soldier was leaning against the countertop, his hands gripping tightly against the edge. You offered a glass of water, which he denied.

The Falcon was somewhere else making a call, which left you alone with an irritated soldier and a trash bag of an ex-prisoner.

"Don't let him get through your head" You whispered, standing close to Bucky. He didn't look back at you. "It's what he likes to do. Ever since the last time you engaged".

He gulped harshly, it was back when he was being accused of planning a bombing in Vienna. And then, when he was held hostage in Germany, where Zemo broke him and brought Winter Soldier back.

"I don't like him either. But it's easier if we just ignore" You tried to humor him, but he still wasn't in the mood for interaction.

"Would that work if I ignored you as well?" Bucky lifted his eyes to meet yours. He had a stupid faux grin on his face.

As soon as he didn't get a response, he walked past you and made his way back to follow Sam, leaving you alone with Zemo.

You're all gathered around as The Falcon goes through the plan again. Refusing to tag along with Zemo, you had to agree and make Bucky company.

They tracked Karli Morgenthau to a memorial service. But John Walker and his partner figured out the exact same plan. All you wanted to do was get all the serum back.

That is, if you didn't run into the shittiest Captain America while you and Bucky walked up the alley. You could literally hear him tightening his fists, his metal arm already functioning.

"Ah! How’d you find us now?" The soldier carried an unamused tone in his voice. You watched as John and his partner got closer to you both.

"You think two Avengers can walk around Latvia without drawing attention?" He wasn't wrong, but you knew Bucky was past that now.

The Captain motioned his head towards you, measuring you from head to toe. "New Avenger?"

You snorted out loud and cracked a laugh. Your stomach was starting to cramp and the soldier next to you watched as John held a confused look.

"She's just a partner" He shrugged. "Sam asked for her help".

"Yeah, but not just a partner. So you better not step foot on our plans" Bucky knows how much of a menace you are.

He can't disagree with the fact that you can actually start a fight with the wrong people and not fear them.

John snorted and you narrowed your eyes at him. "Yeah, right. You wanna meet Karli, there will be civilians there. There's a high risk of casualties".

"No one's asking for your opinion, Cap. Sam is gonna talk to her and reason her" You tried to face him, but his demeanor didn't go down on you.

"She blew up a fucking building with people in it. If he's in there alone with a Super Soldier, he's getting himself killed".

Bucky rolled his eyes. "He's dealt with worse".

You were waiting inside the building while Sam tried to convince Karli. John couldn't stop pacing back and forth, even Zemo seemed annoyed already.

He started complaining about how dangerous it was, but the soldier next to you made sure it hadn't even been ten minutes yet.

Already done with his bullshit, you shifted on your foot. Bucky looked at you from the corner of his eyes. You weren't supposed to be there in the first place. He knows you're highly qualified and if shit went down you'd protect yourself.

And even though he's still pissed you're there, he can't wrap his head around the fact that this could be really dangerous for you.

John almost towered over Bucky, he was deadpanning at the Captain. "This is all really easy for you, isn’t it? All that serum runnin’ through your veins".

"Barnes, your partner needs backup in there. Do you really want his blood on your hands?" He tried getting into his head, but the man next to you did nothing but chuckle.

"You really don't know Sam, do you?" You chimed in and watched as John narrowed his eyes at you. "You come in here parading this new shield which, by the way, doesn't fucking belong to you and you want to dictate shit?"

By this point, he really wishes he could hit a woman. Bucky notices how John moves his body and tries to face you, but he doesn't let him.

"You better keep your distance" He warned the Captain, who took a few steps back and raised his hands in surrender.

John didn't wait five more minutes and decided to intervene in their conversation. Karli was fast enough and knocked them down before running away. You couldn't find her in the maze, but Zemo made sure to destroy the serums she had. Or he thought so.

Back in the loft, the German man was lying on the couch with a soft fabric covering his eyes. He was talking about how Super Soldiers weren't allowed to exist.

In gets Bucky as he sighs before taking his jacket off. You couldn't take your eyes off his firm body, his strong arms, and perfectly shaped abs.

You were sitting opposite to him as he was on his back, just staring at his entire body. He poured a glass of whiskey before speaking up about his suspicions about John.

"Well, I know a crazy when I see one. Because I am crazy" He says as he rests his lips on the rim of the glass.

"Good thing you recognize that" You let out a laugh, and he snaps his eyes at you.

Bucky rolls his eyes and speaks through the glass. "You should have a look in the mirror".

You're taken aback by his response and open your mouth, ready for retaliation, but he speaks up again. "Shouldn't have given him the shield".

Sam stood next to him and pointed a finger, but you defended him. "He didn't give it".

You're sitting on the couch with your arms crossed against your chest. The former Winter Soldier walks toward you before crouching in front of you.

"Steve definitely didn't. And you're past the point of giving an opinion here. I said this mission wasn't for you".

He was too annoyed today, that's for sure. But that didn't give him the right to be a brat with you all the time. And you should ignore him, but the bickering gets him all the time.

You lift your torso and fill the gap between your faces. His brows are furrowed. "You don't get to say what I should or should not do".

The staring lingers for a while until the new captain barges into the loft asking for you all to turn Zemo over.

"Shield or no shield, the only thing you’re runnin’ in here is your mouth. Now, I had Karli and you overstepped. He’s actually proven himself useful today" Sam walks over to him.

John tries to tease your friend before the Wakandans enter the loft. They peacefully ask to turn Zemo as well, but a fight bursts in the room.

You run towards the corner of the room behind a pillar, while the wakandan knocks the captain and his friend down. The other three men are standing there, watching him get beat up with amused looks on their faces.

"Looking strong, John" Bucky teases and you snort loudly. He snaps his head your way and grins.

The soldier tries reasoning with Ayo, but she pulls herself away from him and continues to fight against John and his partner. Both him and Sam are too busy to notice that Zemo is trying to get away.

You run after him and hold the door knobs before he can lock himself. "Where the hell you think you're going?"

"Let go, or I'll shoot you" He warns, but you paid no mind. Only then, he gripped his gun quickly before shoving you backward, locking himself.

You looked over your shoulders and watched as Bucky was kneeling on the floor, grabbing his metal arm.

"Shit" You mutter and rush to him. "Everything okay?"

He carried a different look for a slight second, almost vulnerable. He reattached his arm back. Bucky looked at you and nodded. You grabbed his limb and carefully inspected it.

"Did you know they could do that?" He was still glancing down at you. His blue eyes were soft and light. He shook his head and clanked his arm.

Later on, Zemo was still nowhere near to be found, while Sam and Bucky were pissed they missed him.

"How could you not hold him back?" Your friend was messaging a few people he knew might know about him.

"I tried. He pointed a fucking gun to my head" You snapped.

The other man sat next to you on the stool by the countertop. He let out a sharp inhale. "Was it even loaded? He could've just tricked you".

"How the fuck would I know?" Your face was millimeters away from his once again. Your breath was fanning his face and you watched as he tightened his jaw.

"Know why I hate this fucking plan? Because you had one job today and you couldn't even do it" You closed your fists and clicked your jaw at his words.

"As much as I know Sam would bow down to you and say you're a great partner. I beg to differ" He got from his seat and walked with his heavy boots against the floor toward the couch.

Your voice cut through the air with bitterness and you immediately regretted it. "Sometimes you're no different from the Winter Soldier".

He stopped his tracks and spun around. Quickly, Bucky captured your face with his metal hand and squeezed your cheeks, making you pout.

"What the fuck did you just say?" His forehead was brushing yours and you could see rage in his eyes.

"Let go of her. She's just disappointed" Sam gave you a cold look before handling his partner. He grabbed Bucky by the shoulder before the man shoved your face.

You were sitting alone in the loft during the night, trying to book a flight home. Obviously, your plan to help with the mission became a disaster, nonetheless, from the beginning you knew Bucky didn't agree on this.

He thought you couldn't keep up with the plan and he was right. You were making things worse at this point. You wanted to help them, you tracked the Super Soldiers and you helped with Zemo, but that was just it.

Now you're debating whether you should just go without warning or not. Sam is going to be pissed at the end of it. He knows you're better than that, and after what you told Bucky there's no way you can face him again.

Your friend watched you from the corner of the hallway. He knows you're hurting from what happened, you wouldn't snap like that if his partner didn't push you. Sam talked to him, but he was too angry to actually forgive you.

He didn't blame him either.

"Hey, you going to sleep or what?" Sam asked as soon as he dropped his weight on the couch next to you. He peeked through your screen and saw it. "Woah, you're not leaving right? This isn't over. I still need you. We need to find Zemo".

"You can do that without me. You did it before. Besides, he's out there because of me. And Bucky is tired of my face".

He closed your laptop, and you glanced at him. "I can do it, but I don't want to. S'why I reached out to you. And we're gonna find him, he needs us too".

"And Bucky... I think it's just his sexual frustration talking" He laughed as you gasped at his words.

"Sam, what the fuck?"

"Dude doesn't even go on dates, he's probably nervous having a woman around. He's always been grumpy, I think it's in his nature. He'll come around at some point" He grinned at you.

"That's not my problem. He keeps pushing me, I'll fight back" You didn't need to look at him to see he was definitely enjoying the playfulness.

"You guys should just have sex. This is so annoying" Sam grabbed his phone as you choked on your own spit.

"For the love of God, drop this conversation before I snap at you too".

He handed the phone to you, saying Karli was threatening his sister and his nephews. She wants to find him, alone.

He has other plans, of course. But you can't even think about accepting the idea before Bucky gets to talk.

"He doesn't need to know. I'll go with him, you meet us there".

You watched as he and Bucky fought the Super Soldiers along with John and his partner. They were beating each other up relentlessly.

One of them pulled a pocket knife and tried stabbing Bucky and you gasped. He shielded himself, dropping the object close to their face.

He had a snapped cut on his nose, and his jaw was split up. His knuckles were bloody red. Sam was in better shape than his friend, though.

You were shocked when you saw John's partner sitting unconscious on the floor. The captain rushed to him, too desperate to make any sense.

You pulled Bucky and Sam away and ran out of the building. "We gotta get the hell out of here now. He's gonna kill the kid" Your hands were shaking, and you almost tripped on your foot.

"Hey, woah. What are you doing here?" Bucky stopped in his tracks, looking back.

"Let's argue later, dipshit" Sam shouted at the soldier as you kept running.

In the loft, you asked Bucky to sit on the stool as you worked on his injuries. Starting on his nose, he hissed at the contact with the wet cloth.

"Keep steady, crybaby" You whispered and he looked up at you.

You cleaned the dried blood from his face and managed to apply some saline solution. The entire time, he kept his gaze on you. He noticed how focused you were on his injuries and how gently you managed it.

He held his hands up as you cleaned up his knuckles. They were red from all the punching, and it surprised you how he was still human besides the serum.

You squeeze his hands lightly, too embarrassed to look back at him before apologizing. "I'm really sorry about yesterday. It was a really shitty thing to say, and you don't deserve it. I was an asshole".

Bucky trailed his eyes to scan your face. He had a peaceful look. "I shouldn't have pushed you either. I was just annoyed Sam brought someone up to this mess".

"I accepted it. There's no right or wrong, I wanted to help". You were both still brushing your fingertips against each other.

"You're not bad after all" He mused and you chuckled. "I just- I don't think I can keep losing people".

You saw his raw personality right in front of you. That man who kept his serious and defensive demeanor was showing his true self. It was hard to miss it.

Your hand grasped his jawline, carefully rubbing his skin. He almost faltered. "That won't happen. I got two Avengers to protect me".

He snorted, showing his teeth when he laughed. "Should've seen that coming".

"And more than anyone else, you deserve that happiness. You just need to stop lying about your nightmares".

"How do you-" He was about to ask and you tilt your head.

"Sam and I talk. I know it's hard to erase the past. But you're James again, you're you" Your other hand is still holding him tightly.

Bucky refuses to look at you for a moment. And when he does, his eyes are glassy. "It means I remember. It means a part of me is still there. Which means a part of the Winter Soldier’s still in me".

You smack your lips. "You need to stop thinking you're making amends. You need to give them closure, be of service for them. Stop thinking like you still owe them just an apology".

He drops his head and bites his lip. You hold his chin up and force him to look at you. "You're not that guy anymore".

You were about to get closer for the hundredth time. Maybe close the gap between you and pull him in for a kiss. Not because you feel bad for him, for his past. But because you feel warmth when you're close to him.

You feel like he could hold the world above your head and fight for you.

That was when his phone started ringing. John killed that kid out of revenge.

You finally meet Sam's sister, Sarah, after he invites you and Bucky home to help him fix his boat. A lot of their neighbors are also helping. There's a gathering with food and drinks by the lake, and every kid is excited to see the soldier. They're all lining up to hang up on his metal arm.

You're watching in the distance as he and Sarah chat about something, while two kids hang themselves on his limb. He seems lighter, happy even.

He has a different look on his face. Especially after Sam finally decided to become who he was supposed to be.

Bucky walks toward you holding two cans of beer in his hand. "You want one?"

He holds one out for you, and you accept it.

"The kids love you, you know?" You speak after sipping on your drink.

"What can I say? I'm pretty charming" He leans against the wall next to you, watching as the sun sets. There's a hue of orange in the sky.

"They only like you because of your arm. Don't get too cocky" You shove him by the arm playfully and he holds your hand for leverage.

Bucky pulls you closer to his body, his chest is heaving against yours. He's taller, so he has to look down at you.

"So you don't think I'm charming?" His words are too soft, but his grip on your waist is almost tight.

"I didn't say that" You smirk and he uses his other hand to rub the pad of his thumb on your lower lip.

The moment you felt his skin against yours, it felt like everything slowed down. Even though he was desperate to finally give you the kiss he'd been wishing for, it was obvious he was too nervous.

Sam's words lingered in your head. He was definitely in need of dates and he refused to accept it. Whatever changed his mind made you realize he had a soft spot for you.

That's what made you take the first step. You finally closed the distance and crashed your lips against his. It tasted like beer. The tiniest movement of your tongue had him groaning in the back of his throat and it almost made you smile.

He slid his tongue against yours and tilted his head for better access. He wished he wasn't holding a beer right now because all he wanted to do was cradle your face and pull you in for a deeper kiss.

Your arms wrapped around his neck and Bucky faltered as you grasped his lip between your teeth. Both tongues were fighting for dominance and you shivered.

The fresh taste of beer in your mouth made his heart flutter inside his chest. His heart was racing and pounding against his ribcage and he felt like the air got knocked out of his lungs.

You both had to pull out for air, his hand not leaving your body for a second. Resting your forehead against his, you watched as he kept his eyes closed.

"I'm glad you're happier now. I can see it right through you"

"Someone gave me a nudge. And Sam is a great friend, much to my disappointment" He joked, giving your lips a chaste peck.

"He said some pretty nasty things about you the other day" You laughed as he displayed a surprised look on his face.

"Oh, he's a dead man".

"Hmm, he might be right" You sipped on your beer, watching as Bucky placed a hand on his hip.

"What was it about?" The soldier mirrored you with his beer.

Getting closer to his face, you spoke against his lips. Voice low and teasing "You'll have to find out".

You gasped as he pulled you harder against his body and kissed you again. This time, it had a different impact, he was rough and needy.

A growth beneath you brushed against your body, and you chuckled between the kiss. Bucky had to pull away from you. He lowered his head and shook it.

"I might know what he meant" He barely had time to laugh as you pulled him in for another kiss.

You didn't even have time to tell Sam goodbye. Next thing you know, you were both in his hotel room, filling the air with a lot of passion and moaning.

You woke up the next day with a weight on you. His metal arm was spread above your body.

Jesus, they needed to get blackout curtains in the bedrooms. You slightly opened one of your eyes and peeked through your lashes as you saw Bucky peacefully sleeping close to you.

A smile escaped from your lips at the thought of the previous night.

Happiness crossed your mind when you cradled his face and traced his jawline. He was definitely happy. And hopefully, soon, the nightmares would go away.

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fluff #bucky x reader #bucky barnes headcanon #bucky barnes headcanons #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes oneshot #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n

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maple-the-awesome · 6 months ago

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We'll Meet Again...I Know When || Chapter 34

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x GN Reader

Words: 4,061

Overview: Given your old-fashioned personality and obsession with all things 1940s to 1980s, it’s no wonder that most people refer to you as an ‘old soul’ who would’ve rather lived back then than in the modern era. Little do they know, you already did, but with your previous life as Hollie Stark cut short, you’ve been left with some…unfinished business, to say the least. Top of your list? Finally getting to marry your thought-to-be-lost fiancé.

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CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: DEARLY DEPARTED

Well fed and partially rested, your quartet makes their way down the windy cobblestone streets of Latvia. There’s an uneventful silence that follows throughout most of the walk - that is, between Zemo’s unprompted compliments of the local architecture and Bucky’s grumbled skepticism regarding your sense of direction.

If it were earlier in the day, you’d likely snap at his doubt, but fortunately for him in this moment, your previous interaction with those children at the refugee enclave and the short nap you took afterwards had smoothened out your mood. Thus, you simply shoo away his queries with confident assurances and only a dash of frustration. You were a scientist in your past life, of course you can follow Google Map instructions!

“Karli Morgenthau is too dangerous for you to be pulling shit like this!”

“Lord give me strength…” Sam grumbles, that once bearable half-silence officially soured by an uninvited fifth-wheel.

With a raised eyebrow, you look up from your phone and follow Sam’s irritated gaze to its source: none other than the same Captain America impersonator you've already heard a great deal of complaints about. You can't say you've been particularly excited to meet him, not too fond of there being a government-issued replacement for your dear friend in the first place, and judging on how swiftly he approaches with zealous coating his every step and spoken word, you don't have much confidence in this introduction changing your expectations.

"How'd you find us this time, John?!" Bucky asks sarcastically, his question having an impressive balance between its volume and lackadaisical delivery.

"You think two Avengers can walk around Latvia without being noticed?" Walker's partner counters, yet the spotlight is immediately switched back to John who shows zero shame in marching directly towards your group with a smile that's seconds away from becoming a scowl as he points to Zemo.

"No more keeping us in the dark. You can start by telling us why the hell you broke him out of prison."

"Well technically, he broke himself out of prison," You correct, unfazed by John’s poor attempt at asserting authority here, in fact you have no problem blocking his path to Zemo by sliding in between them with a hand outstretched cheekily, "Hi, I’m (Y/n). Don't believe we've met."

"I don't really care who you are -"

"- Ouch -"

"- There better be an UNBELIEVABLE explanation for this because -!" John's voice raises. Pairing that with the way he talks while swinging his arms dramatically, you can't say you like the aggressive undertone behind his behavior, especially not for someone wearing the stolen merits of a real hero. You don't care how upset he is, it's not a very good look nor a great sign for his character, and you aren't the only one to think that:

"- Hey, take it down a notch before you attract a crowd, alright?" Sam warns, drawing attention to the civilians who have already stopped to stare at the scene. Some even have their phones out, excitedly snapping pictures of the new ‘Captain America’ and his Avenger 'friends'.

"I know where Karli is," Zemo confesses with little fanfare or interest for that matter, somewhat akin to a parent giving their child a cookie just to shut them up. He attempts to walk past after that, however John’s quick to push him back.

"Well, where is she then?"

"A memorial, that's all we know at the moment. We're heading there now to intercept her," Sam, desperate to maintain the peace, explains while Zemo brushes away John's touch to continue onwards anyway. The rest of you don't hesitate to follow, yet that doesn't stop John and his partner from taking this conversation to-go, keeping up with your steps as if a part of the team themselves. You won't be surprised if he truly believes that, either.

"Memorial? That means there'll be civilians and a high risk of casualties," His partner points out.

"We're not nuking the damn place with her inside," You insist, although you can at least respect that his priorities are in the right place, better tied to his job as a protector rather than his fragile ego. If only his buddy could follow by example, "Sam just wants to talk her and get her side of the story -"

"- What? No...No! Wait! Stop, hold on!" John suddenly rushes to the front of the group, once again preventing anyone from moving forward, "We're way past reasoning with her, okay? Unless you've forgotten this part, she's a terrorist. Her and her little friends blew up a building with people inside of it!"

"You're right. She is a terrorist which is exactly why we need to stop her as soon as possible."

John laughs as if you're the ones making this more complicated than it needs to be, "Alright! Then let's go in there and arrest her -"

"- If we rush in, arms drawn, and corner them like animals, what's stopping her from lashing out right that second?" You challenge, not faltering under his intense stare, "We need to approach this situation with strategy, and Sam's idea works. We go in, let him try talking to her while simultaneously keeping our guard up, and if she surrenders, then yay -"

"- And if she doesn't?"

"Then we kick her ass! I don't know! Have you not seen a hostage negotiation before? You know, ‘The Inside Man’? ‘The Negotiator’? Ever turn on the news maybe -?”

“- The bottom line is: there’s a risk in both scenarios whether we talk or attack first,” Sam steps forward, showing far more patience as he reminds John of his own presence in this discussion, “The difference is, in one, we have an actual shot at ending things peacefully. In the other, people get hurt regardless.

“Why not pick the former then? I'd say we have a pretty good chance with it, I mean, yeah, Karli’s methods are out of line - no one here’s trying to deny that - but her motivations aren't entirely unreasonable. For god’s sake, she's a kid who just had five years of her life flipped on top of her head - We all know how terrifying that can be. I think what she needs most right now is someone who's actually willing to hear her out without casting her aside with more broken promises.”

"It also might be worth mentioning that this memorial is for someone close to Karli, so it’ll likely be attended by others who are important to her, too," You add to aid Sam’s argument, "She's probably going to want to avoid endangering their lives just as much as we do."

"Right. Exactly!"

John shakes his head before turning his attention to Bucky who's remained silent throughout this entire discussion, "...You'll let him do this? You'll just let your partner walk into a room with a super soldier completely alone and defenseless?"

"He's dealt with worse - and he's not my partner."

"Sorry you weren't there, but we're the ones who went up against a murderous purple alien six months ago. I think Sam knows what he's doing," You roll your eyes, walking past John and his partner to continue up the street where you can already see a crowd entering what you assume to be the memorial building.

"I used to counsel soldiers dealing with trauma, okay? I've heard it all - all the accounts of horrific ordeals and stories of lost hope. This is my wheelhouse," You can hear Sam say as he still attempts to reach an agreement.

"I know, and I know those soldiers which is why I say this is a bad idea -!”

"- Wait, John," His partner speaks up again, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him from chasing after your group again, "If he can talk her down, maybe it is worth a try. They do have a point, after all; less people would get hurt if this works."

John scoffs as if he still finds the whole proposal ridiculous, however having his own colleague side with the Avengers must've taken him down some kind of peg, because rather than attempt to stop anyone, he trails behind your group, promising to 'deal with' Zemo later as a last ditch effort of securing at least a fraction of his authority (not that it accomplishes much).

Maintaininga safe distance from the crowd, you observe them file into the building through two heavy wooden doors. Tracing their exact steps by entering the funeral from the front would likely only draw unwanted attention which in return could risk Karli discovering your presence too soon, so a side door leading into the building’s boiler room is your best bet for an unnoticed arrival.

You’re careful to peek into the hallway, catching sight of the same funeral goers as they disappear behind a wall. Hearing the echo of mournful whispers, it can be assumed that the processions will take place right around that corner. If Sam sneaks in after they officially start, Karli won’t have a good opening to run unless she wants to ruin Donya’s celebrated memory. She’ll be forced to at least wait until after the memorial is finished, providing Sam a better chance at getting close enough to pull her ear.

"...You sure you're up for this?" You ask as he stands beside you at the door. His confident nod is all you need for an answer.

After reaching into your pocket, you hold your hand out to him with a small grain-sized microphone, courtesy of the high-tech equipment Clint had supplied you with years ago, “We’ll stay back here. If anything goes wrong or you start getting the heebie-jeebies for some reason, simply say the word and we’ll have John bust down the doors. I’m sure he’s been dying for some real action anyway, poor guy.”

Sam smirks at your joke, taking the microphone and dropping it in his breast pocket, "Hopefully it won't have to come down to that."

"Better safe than sorry," You shrug, not too overly worried for his sake. Sam has always been a laid-back guy willing to listen to even the most outrageous of stories. Assuming that Karli is even somewhat rational, he's the best guy to send in for a heart-to-heart with her. Even if shit does go wrong, you’re certain he’s capable of handling himself in the short amount of time it takes for back-up to arrive. The real question is whether John can keep his pants on for that long.

Before Sam can even ascend the stairs, John harshly grabs Zemo’s arm, bending it behind his back and forcing him against the furnace. His stern ‘orders’ are directed towards Sam, "You have exactly ten minutes until we do things my way, you hear?"

Sam, unsurprisingly, shows minimal interest in that threat, simply nodding to spare John’s feelings before sparing Bucky and you one last look, "Don't let anyone tear off each other's heads while I'm gone."

"No promises," Bucky ribs with an exasperated inhale.

With Sam gone, the boiler room falls into tense silence only made that way through John's increasingly impatient pacing. After a quick glance at each other, you allow Bucky to wordlessly take your place guarding the door, blocking the path Sam took as a wise precaution against John's irritability.

Lemar - as you finally learn his name is - calmly instructs his partner to take a deep breath, the two sharing a brief, whispered conversation that must not have ended in John's favor because his mood fails to change. Even Zemo, despite being forced to awkwardly stand while handcuffed to the furnace, seems more comfortable with his predicament than the paranoid soldier who constantly fidgets and huffs, not that it's making anyone sympathetic towards him.

He eventually sets his sights on you from where you sit on the back staircase, boredly listening in on the conversation that's echoed through your earpiece, "What are they saying?"

You barely blink at his demand nor do you so much as look up at him when he comes marching in your direction. Instead, you keep your jaded expression trained forward, "She's listening to him."

"That's not what I asked. I want to know what they’re saying!" You're not sure what he expects to gain by such an aggressive demeanor, but it's not going to work on you. Not caring to be bossed around or intimidated by some guy in a Spirit Halloween costume, you simply turn your head away from him, covering your ear piece with your hand to pretend you can’t hear it over all his needless blabbing.

"Watch it, John. It hasn't even been ten minutes. Just sit tight," Bucky advises from across the room, his narrowed eyes trained cautiously on John's movements which are too close to you for comfort. His suggestion goes ignored following a rapid shake of the head and disgruntled glare.

"Don't patronize me!"

"Karli's listening to him," You reiterate, already feeling drained of all your willpower to keep dealing with this sort of crap today, "She's not showing any signs of aggression, she's not threatening him -"

"- How would you know that? You're not in there watching. She could be planning something - buying herself and her terrorist friends some time! How's a guy like him supposed to defend himself against a super soldier, huh?"

"Look man, I understand that first days on the job are rough - We've all been there before - but you gotta relax. We know what we're doing, and so does Sam. He's already gone up against super soldiers more than once before. If he needs us, he'll call. In the meantime, our job is to sit quietly and wait."

John rolls his eyes, your words clearly having zero effect on his mental state. He then turns to check the clock hanging on the room’s wall. A more optimistic individual might have hoped this would confirm to him that Bucky is right and that his behavior is irrational, however instead, his quiet pause is just that - a very brief halt before he's spinning the direction of his march towards Bucky and the door with Lamar quickly standing to join him.

Bucky doesn't hesitate to push himself off the stair railing and stop John in his place with a stern hand, his narrowed eyes giving more warning than any words could.

This act is unsurprisingly met with greater frustration and a whisper through gritted teeth, “...It must be really easy for you, right? All that serum just coursing through your veins? Your friend is completely alone in there. You let him go in there with no weapons, no defense, no backup…Do you really want his blood added to your hands?”

Buckydoesn’t respond aloud, although there’s a subtle shift within his eyes. It’s only visible ever so briefly before being hidden by a quick tightening of the jaw, however it sinks deep with the sting of John’s words. It’s the sore ache of insecurity - the shallow doubt that maybe, just maybe, those low-blow claims could actually hold reason.

He wants nothing more than for this situation to end without a fight. God knows he’s had enough of those to last a lifetime. Talking Karli down would offer a peaceful resolution while risking less people’s safety, as Sam and you have said, but that all depends on whether she listens.

Bucky wants to trust Sam’s capabilities, both in gaining the enemy’s trust and defending himself when in a tight spot. Steve sure did, and so do you…yet at the same time, he just can’t seem to shake that memory of how easily the Winter Soldier was able to knock the breath from Sam’s stomach before tossing him like a mere paperweight…

You three are up against super soldiers - eight of them, to be precise, compared to your one. What if you're cornered? What if the Flag Smashers get Sam or you alone, too far from Bucky’s reach to stop the blow? John’s right about one thing: in that scenario, your blood would be on his hands; it’s still on his hands if he stands by to watch it flow…

There’s nothing more said between them as John bumps past Bucky with zero resistance faced. He’s completely free to ascend the stairs and escape into the hallway before you can even shoot up from your spot on the opposite side of the room.

“HEY -! What the HELL, Bucky?!” Why he’d let John past - Why he’d let those stupid weightless words get under his skin like that - You wish you had the time to properly chew him out over it, but you don’t.

“Stay with Zemo!” Catching John before he can ruin Sam’s progress has to be your priority, so much so that you can’t stop to address the way Bucky sighs your name as a half-hearted plea while following your shadow rather than your previous command. Grumbled disapproval is all you can spare in the moment which is promptly hit back in your direction through eye rolls and poor excuses that go in one ear then out the other.

Unfortunately, even at your racing pace (and Bucky’s jogging to match it), you’re too slow to prevent John from bursting into the room where the funeral must’ve been taking place, now long empty aside from Sam and Karli who both snap their direction towards him in shock.

“Karli Morgenthau, you’re under arrest!”

From there, the scene quickly turns to chaos…

“That’s what this was…? To keep me talking until your help arrived?” Whatever middle ground Sam had been carefully forging between himself and Karli is immediately shattered as she now begins backing away from him. He raises his hands, attempting to both reassure her and address John, yet the latter doesn’t let him get more than a few words out before being shut down in a snap.

“- You’ve had enough time to talk,” John declares, his sights set solely on an increasingly apprehensive Karli.

You try to follow after him, calling his name as a last ditch effort to prevent a nasty fight, however Lemar blocks your path from physically getting any closer. It’s nothing more than the slightest shove backwards, only forceful enough to make you reserve a step or two, although that doesn’t stop Bucky from instinctively steadying you with his hands upon your shoulders.

“Don’t -!” You can’t say you’ve ever heard Bucky growl with such venomous anger before. After days of acting as if your presence kills him - weeks of avoiding you like the plague and cutting you out of his life like it’s easy - all it takes is that one single action of someone else putting their hands on you to snap him into a state of fierce rage. One could argue that he just sees you as someone who can’t protect themself - a ‘liability’ as he had said in Madripoor - but would he really react in such a way for just anyone on his team?

He either takes an actual swing at Lemar from over your head or he only tries to push him away from you both - likely the latter given his tone and the way Lemar instantly protects his face with a flash of fear crossing it. You would’ve liked to see the end result so that you could log it in your mental library as a long-missed example of Bucky truly caring about you, however your attention is diverted away when Karli punches John.

Despite all his high talk earlier, he must not have prepared himself to face off with a real super soldier because the second Karli’s fist makes contact with Steve’s shield, John’s violently thrown backwards, catching a nearby Sam in the impact which results in them both hitting the table behind them and tumbling to the ground.

Deciding that this has gone far enough, you slip away from Lemar which is easier to accomplish now that he’s officially distracted between John’s injury and Bucky forcefully knocking him to the floor himself.

With one swift movement, you draw your taser out from your belt and turn it up to its highest setting while rushing Karli. She immediately notices you, bending her body back to avoid the blue glow of your baton. Once it buzzes by, she follows up with a fierce swing in your direction, but this isn't your first rodeo. Between your encounters with a brainwashed Bucky and some sparring training you've done alongside other Avengers, you'd say you're somewhat decent at knowing what to expect when going up against super humans.

Thus, utilizing practiced speed, you duck to dodge her fist, spinning your weapon in hand so that, by the time you pop back up again with a bounce to your step, it's facing forward and prepared to be immediately thrust towards her, the baton's fork stabbing her shoulder blade.

Thank goodness Clint didn't supply you with just any kind of mediocre taser. Rather than deliver a tiny 'zap' to cause inconvenient discomfort lasting a millisecond, it bites with a brutal 'crackle' that has Karli's knees buckling and her pain expressed through loud, stammered cries. Nothing that will kill her, of course, but you doubt she'll be able to feel the sensors in her finger tips for a few minutes after her recovery.

At this point, Bucky’s approaching from behind and even Sam’s already stumbling up to his feet, using the table beside him as a crutch to -

- Karli sees the same sight as you, however for her, it's not so reassuring. Too stubborn to accept surrender, she grinds her teeth and gathers the strength to curl back another fist which she sends plowing your way.

You only have time to gasp, hardly bracing for the hit that throws you through the air and into a shelf. There's a loud crash that comes with this impact, the force of your body knocking various items to the ground where you drop like a ragdoll before the shelf itself wobbles then tips forward.

The sound of your fear was already enough to grasp Bucky's full attention, but only in time to listen to that cruel thud of your limp body and the following slam of the shelf thumbling overtop of you. After that, he can't hear anything else save for the pounding of his own heart in his ears.

His legs decide for themselves where they're going, ignoring the rest of the chaos around him as Karli stumbles off and John races after her. He just needs to make it to your side. There, he effortlessly tosses the shelf off of you, kneeling beside you with muted calls of your name which are equally as shaky as his hesitating hand.

You're not moving, body lying completely motionless against the ground and shattered jars. You're not responding either, face wiped clean of emotion as if you're only asleep. You're not moving at all - He isn't even sure if your chest is!

…This has happened before…This isn't new…

You were there, just as motionless, hunched forward with blood running like a stream down from your forehead to chin. You didn't answer anyone's calls then either, and when he dared to touch you, he swore he could feel the warmth leaving your skin. He's too scared to check that now, though. His hand is frozen unwillingly above you, the world swirling fast enough to make him nauseous or is that the throbbing against his forehead?

…You aren't moving again...

Then you groan, your arms shaking as you struggle to find the ground to push yourself up from. Clenching your side, you let out a whimper from the pain that expands across every inch of your back and ribs. It's a heartbreaking sound, but at least you're alert now, looking at him with a flash of fear before relaxing once realizing it's not the enemy currently hunched over you.

"- Bucky!" Sam appears behind him within the second, his hand carrying no more pressure than a feather when placed upon his shoulder, "We gotta go!”

Swallowing thickly, Bucky watches as Sam carefully tries to help you to your wobbling feet, each movement drawing out an uncomfortable hiss while you struggle to support yourself even when leaning most of your weight against someone else.

Seeing your hurt and that foggy glaze over your eyes, he finally snaps out of his own dizzying state enough to at least step in himself, his movements almost robotic as he hooks your legs over his arm then hoists you off the ground in one shift, easy motion. From there, he lets Sam lead the way, all the while distracted by his own heavy breathing and racing heartbeat which are the loudest sounds in his ears…

NEXT CHAPTER ->

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sarahsmi13s · 7 months ago

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Lieutenant Rogers - part 8

Safe Places

pairings: romantic!neil ‘omaha’ vikander x rogers!reader, platonic!dagger squad x rogers!reader, plantonic!sam wilson x rogers!reader, platonic!bucky barnes x rogers!reader

characters: y/n rogers, neil vikander, bob floyd, dagger squad, sam wilson, john walker (mentioned), lemar hoskins (mentioned), karli morgenthau (mentioned), nico (mentioned)

word count: ~8.7k

chapter warnings: language, murder, grief, isolation, fighting, talk of blood, crying, internalizing feelings, vomiting (no one pukes but there are mentions of it), slightly obsessive behaviors, omaha is a good boyfriend, star really needs a hug, please let me know if I missed any

a/n: hi... hello... i just want to thank you all for your immense patience with me. i'm so so sorry it's almost been a year sense the last update. i hope this chapter was worth the wait 💙

sources: Top Gun: Maverick (2022) , The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

chapter summary: in the wake of the publicized murder of a flag smasher, star has to wrestle with herself as she comes to terms with everything that has happened and anticipate what will happen in the fall out -- all the while omaha tries not to let his feelings overshadow hers

lieutenant rogers universe previous part || next part

You stared at your phone, the video stopped on a frame of the shield covered in blood. Your father’s shield, covered in blood. Covered in the blood of someone who was pleading for their life. It didn’t matter to you that they were a Flag Smasher. They were a fucking person.

Ice ran through your veins, a deathly chill capable of putting out the bonfire in front of you.

The one symbol of hope, the one piece of your father that you thought would keep a flame of his comfort burning in the world, was now smothered to nothing but bloodied ashes. His memory, his legacy, was now tainted.

Swallowing the bitter taste of alcohol rising back up in your throat, you quietly excused yourself from the group.

You knew Omaha was watching you the whole time you trekked up the beach, your phone fighting for its life in your hand. He was going to give you your space, give you a moment to let yourself be angry and let it out before trying to console you. You needed a minute to be angry alone, then you both could be angry together.

He kept his eyes on you the whole time though, even as your face was illuminated by your phone screen as you called Sam.

You tried to take deep, calming breaths as you waited for Sam to pick up.

It was morning time in Latvia, so you knew he would be awake. And if he wasn’t, you’d happily be his wake-up call.

Your thumb tapped on your fingers, index finger to pinky and back again, while your exhales fell out of trembling lips. You couldn’t puke. You weren’t going to puke. This was not the time to throw up.

Saliva built up in your mouth, and your lips began to feel sticky – a tell-tale sign that you were probably going to vomit. Your stomach churned as you felt the buzzing heat of your nerves roll over your skin.

You hated puking; you didn’t do it often. It was hard for you to get sick, and the serum also helped you to keep from puking after being in your plane. So, you being over the toilet or a trash can expelling the contents of your stomach wasn’t an event you experienced regularly. When it did happen, you were absolutely miserable.

You spit the built-up saliva out into the sand, your hand resting over your stomach as you hummed to try and ward away the nausea.

Pick up the damn phone, Wilson, you thought as you closed your eyes and exhaled, head tilting up toward the navy blue sky.

Finally, just as you were about to hang up and try again, he answered, his tone already pleading and desperate.

“I know-”

“What. The. Fuck did he do?”

Sam’s words went unheard by you as you cut him off, hissing harshly into the receiver.

Anger and frustration rose up in place of the bile and alcohol that had been in your throat moments ago. Your words pushed the nausea out of the way.

Was your anger misplaced? You didn’t think so.

He promised you that he would keep John in line. Keep your father's legacy intact despite the catastrophe tasked with carrying it on. Sam gave you his word that he wouldn’t let Walker ruin it.

And now, for John to go and do this? With Sam doing nothing to stop him?

As far as you were concerned, your anger towards him was justified.

“Y/N-”

“No, Sam! Don’t ‘Y/N’ me! What the hell happened?”

You weren’t about to let Sam try to calm you down. That wasn’t his place. Not after he failed to do the one thing he said he would.

Sam sighed, and the weight of it dampened the ringing in your ears slightly, a realization hitting you.

Sam was there. He watched it and everything that led up to it. He was just as angry about this situation as you were, not to mention the guilt and regret that probably weighed on his shoulders now, too.

Had your emotions jumped the gun? Did you lash out at Sam too quickly?

Despite that revelation there were things you couldn’t let go, justifications you were too stubborn to let go of. Stuck on his broken promise.

“Lemar Hoskins is dead. Karli killed him during a fight…”

Your heart sank.

You met Lemar once. It was before you left for the mission and only for a few minutes, but he seemed like such a sweet guy. He was there to support John and have his back; he was being a good friend.

And look where that got him…

You crossed your arm over your chest, your free hand gripping your bicep as your jaw clenched. “That’s-that’s unfortunate… but that doesn’t justify murder.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“He didn’t even kill Karli. Flag Smasher or not, that man was innocent.” You dug your foot into the sand, “He didn’t deserve to die.”

The ringing in your ears came back as the quiet slowly took over the call, Sam’s end unnervingly bare of words. Your jaw ticked in the silence, anger flaring up in your stomach.

You finally broke it, letting yourself ask:

“Why didn’t you stop him? How could you allow this to happen?”

“Oh no, no, no, no. You’re not about to blame me for this,” Sam responded, his tone defensive and sharp.

Your free hand flew out to the side, your own defensiveness coming to light.

“You promised me, Sam! You gave me your word!”

In the midst of your shouting and arm flailing, you didn’t think about the possibility of there being people nearby. Nor did it occur to you that the scene you were making might make them uncomfortable – but, honestly, you didn’t really care.

“Don’t you think I would have stopped him if I could’ve? You really think that I just stood there and let him take an innocent life?”

The wild arm fell limp and slapped against your thigh, a huff escaping your lips. “Sam–”

“No, Y/N, it’s my turn to talk. While I understand your anger towards me, hell I’m angry towards me, but just give me a chance to explain. Please.”

You chewed on the inside of your cheek, your knee bouncing as you looked at the sand, “Okay… tell me what happened.” Your voice was a little softer, not as brassy or harsh, but still firm.

Sam let out a breath, taking a moment to collect the right words.

“After the fight, we all just scattered. Bucky and I got separated from John, and… by the time we got there, we were too late.”

You stayed quiet, your tongue swiping over your teeth as you let Sam continue.

“He ran off after he realized what he had done… Bucky and I went after him, tracked him down to an abandoned train station. When we got there, we confronted him and tried to get the shield back civilly, but John’s pride got in the way… it got ugly, but we got the shield back. It’s with me right now.”

You nodded, your thumb popping your fingers at your side as you drew in a breath.

“What about Walker?” You need to change the focus, your tongue redirecting itself to form the question rather than the comment it really wanted to say.

“What do you mean?” Sam was clearly confused by the shift, but he welcomed it internally.

“Where is John, Sam?”

“They- His handlers, I guess is what they are, took him back to the States. Probably will have a hearing in a few days…” He trailed off, now wondering why you wanted to know Walker’s whereabouts. “What are you planning, Star?”

“Don’t worry about it, Wilson,” you snapped.

“Y/N–”

“You can’t stop me, Sam. Don’t try–”

“Walker took the serum, Y/N.” Your brow furrowed for a second as you processed the words Sam had interrupted you with, and the second you did – it felt like your organs turned to lead.

John Walker was a Super Soldier now? That’s just… fucking great and definitely not a huge problem for you.

You groaned a little and rubbed your forehead after you recovered from the slight shock, “I’m still going to confront him. I can’t sit in fucking silence about this. Not now…”

“And I don't expect you to. But you needed to know what you were walking into.”

You swallow and nod, “Well, thank you for that. I’ll umm.. I’ll keep that in mind.” After another beat of silence, Sam sighed a little, “Look, Y/N, we–”

You shook your head, “Later, Sam, this… this is not a conversation I want to have over the phone with just you. Bucky needs to be in on this, too.”

“Right, right, of course.”

You nodded and shook out your hand, “Bye, Sam.”

“Talk later, kid.”

After hanging up, you rubbed your face before shoving your phone in your pocket and walking toward the shore.

You needed a second to breathe. You just got back from a high-stress mission, and now Walker has desecrated the only thing left of your father in this world that people put meaning to. And you knew that by tomorrow morning, newspapers, magazines, and the news reporters would be on your ass trying to get a statement.

Were you going to respond? Hell no. Why? Because you didn’t need your words twisted and thrown out into the world for people to use for their own agenda.

But you would deal with that in the morning. Right now, you just need to think and take a breath.

A chilled, salty breeze cooled your heated skin and brought notice to the hot tears of frustration on your cheeks.

“Shit,” you mumbled as you wiped them from your face. “Get it together, Rogers..”

“Honey,” Neil said gently to announce his presence before he touched your shoulders.

You sucked in a breath, “‘m fine, baby…” He shook his head and turned you to face him, “No, Star-light, you’re not.”

More tears sprung to your eyes, and you looked down in an attempt to fight them off. “No, Neil, I’m f-”

He tilted your chin up, “Stop lying to yourself. You’re not okay, you’re pissed. You have every right to be upset.” His thumb reached up to swipe a tear away, “Please don’t hold it in…”

Your lip quivered, and you inhaled sharply, shaking your head, “I have to be strong. I can’t fucking cry just because I’m angry.” You pulled back a little and harshly wiped your eyes, not missing the look on your boyfriend’s face.

You knew he was just looking out for you and you knew he was right. But you had a mission and you needed to focus. You could break down later – breaking down would cause you to shut down, and you didn’t have time to shut down.

Omaha sighed and helped wipe away the tears that escaped, “Sweetheart, you shouldn’t hold this in – it’s okay to cry…” He held your shoulders and looked into your eyes, “Scream, yell, cry, punch something-”

“Neil, I appreciate this, all of it. I do. But you just don’t understand what’s going on in my brain and in my heart right now.”

“Then help me understand. I want to be there for you.”

You sighed sadly, “I wish I could explain it, but I can’t. And you are here for me, Neil. Because you’re who I’m gonna fall on when the weight of this crashes down on me, you are going to be my rock.” You cupped his face in your hands, “You are my rock. I just… I need to face this first.”

He nodded and kissed your palm before kissing your fingertips as he moved one of your hands to his chest. “I love you, Star-light.” You smiled softly at him, “I love you too, Oma.”

Omaha kissed your forehead before wrapping his arms around you, “You wanna head home?” You sniffled and nodded against his neck, “Please, if I stay, I’m afraid I’ll ruin the mood…” He nodded and rubbed your back, “C’mon Doll, let’s go home. I’ll send someone a text and let them know what’s goin’ on.”

You nodded and pulled back from the hug but stayed tucked under his arm as you both walked to Neil’s Jeep.

The ride home was nearly silent. The only sound in the Jeep was the radio, which had been turned down as low as it could go while still being audible.

Your left hand was threaded with his right one, your thumb pressing down on his knuckle like a button. The tip of his thumb moved up and down, letting itself be manipulated. Neil always made sure to keep his hand loose and moveable when you were tense or anxious. He knew how little control you felt you had in this situation, how you felt like the entire universe was crashing down on you, and you had nothing to get the pieces back in their rightful place.

So he could give you this. He could let you squeeze and press and twist and pull, trace whatever lines or patterns you needed to to ease your nerves. To let you feel in control of something.

Omaha knew better than to ask you questions. Your conversation with Sam was a private thing and something that you would talk to him about when you were ready. He didn’t need to push you for information or to talk about your feelings right now, and he trusted that if it was something you thought he needed to know, you would tell him.

That trust didn’t stop him from worrying, though.

He could handle your anxious silence. He understood it. But that doesn’t mean he liked it.

He knew that your mind wasn’t putting together coherent thoughts, each one overlapping the next until it was just a cacophony of things that overwhelmed you to the core.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the tears in your lash line, welling up and making your eyes glossy. They beaded up on your eyelashes like dew on blades of grass in the morning. They gorgeously reflected any light that they could catch – the moonlight, streetlights, headlights of the few cars that passed you. But you didn’t let them roll over, catching them on the back of your finger before they had the chance.

Your chest stuttered softly with your shaky inhales, something he would have never noticed if he hadn’t learned all of your habits over the course of your five-year relationship. You tried to keep your breathing soft and controlled, quiet enough so you didn’t worry Neil.

He’d also catch you attempting to pick at your lips, squeezing your hand every once in a while to divert your attention and let you know that he saw you. Usually, you’d give him an absent-minded squeeze back, and your hand would move to your chest, your thumb rubbing against the words scribbled across your collarbone and your heart thumping against it in time with the pulse he could feel against his own wrist.

He almost didn’t want to go home. He could sit in silence in the car, drive around for hours in this silence. In this silence, you were right next to him, holding his hand. This silence wasn’t despair; it wasn’t as heartbreaking as the silence at home.

At home… at home, you had more room to be distant. You had space to be alone, away from him. He understood that you needed space, but he hated it when you would isolate yourself in your own home. You’d tuck yourself into the corner of the couch and just try to figure it out by yourself. You’d completely detach yourself and go into focus mode, locking on to figuring out how to fix this situation – one that couldn’t really be fixed.

When he finally decided to pull into the house, you didn't do what he expected. Omaha expected you to yank your hand from his and bolt into the house to find a corner to hide in.

But you didn’t.

Instead, you swallow, sniffling slightly as you turn from the window to face Neil. He squeezed your hand, letting you know he was still there and he wasn’t going anywhere without you.

“I’m going to DC…”

You didn’t look up at him as you spoke, afraid you’d break if you looked into his eyes. His kindness and understanding swam in them, conveying his feelings so his words never had to. And they were your safe place.

His eyes were kaleidoscopes of colors. The light manipulated them beautifully, capturing each shade in its individuality and in their unity. They were gorgeous. They were home.

They could be the soft dirt, warm, comforting, and inviting – ready for something to hold. Or they were the grass or the trees, fields and forests of serenity and calmness – a place you could find peace. Or they were the sky or the ocean, two of the greatest expanses on earth – a place you felt in control and a place that showed you just how delicate you could be, a place you could relax and let go.

They were all of those things…

They were Neil.

You squeezed his hand, grounding yourself with the chill of his skin against the heat of yours. You took a deep breath, tracing the veins on the back of his hands to focus.

“You-you don’t have to come with me. This is last minute, and we just got home, but–”

“Star-light, I’m going with you. Whether it’s to be your support, your back up, or your alibi – I’m going.”

He knew that you weren’t asking his permission to go to DC, nor were you really asking him to go with you. But he was going. He wasn’t letting you go all the way across the country alone. He’d stay at the hotel or in the Airbnb if you wanted, but he was going to be within reach of you – that was non-negotiable.

“I… This isn’t going to be some fun trip. I think you know why I’m going… So I want you to think about this.”

Neil didn’t need to know and he wasn’t going to ask questions, either. You would tell him why, probably were about to, before he interrupted you. And he could only assume it had to do with that video and your phone call with Sam.

“I don’t need to. When it comes to you, to this, I’m going to be by your side. You want to face John, let him know that you know what he’s done and that he fucked up. I’m just gonna be there so you don’t get yourself hurt or in trouble.”

He squeezed your hand again, “I’m your partner, your wingman. I am here for you, whenever you need me.”

He watched your face carefully as he spoke, catching the quirk of the corners of your mouth before you sobered up and nodded.

“I’ll um… I’ll get the tickets after we get inside. They’ll be shitty, but they’re last minute…”

“As long as they’re next to each other, I don’t care.”

And that was true. He didn’t care where you sat in the plane – just that you sat together. He wanted – no, he needed to be next to you. Being there for you is his priority right now.

You swallowed and nodded once more, caging his hand between yours.

“I will do my best.”

He hated how quiet your voice was. It wasn’t a normal quiet. It was meek and powerless. You sound defeated and scared.

You were none of those things. And seeing you this way broke his heart.

His free hand moved to the back of your head, pulling you toward him gently as he leaned in. He pressed his lips to your forehead, eyes closing as he tried to pour every ounce of love and comfort he could muster into it.

And it seemed to transfer.

Your shoulders relaxed as he felt your shaky exhale brush the skin of his neck.

His eyes stayed closed as he spoke against your skin, “I love you, Star-light.”

You nodded against his lips, feeling comfort in your chest at the vibration of his low voice against your forehead. His voice was smooth with a slight rasp, similar to warm dark chocolate with a shot of whiskey mixed in – it was just… peaceful.

It took over the other voices that were shouting in your head. All it took was the low whisper of those four words to dampen the screaming. Those voices were still there, but Neil’s made its presence known, and that was enough to get them to back off a little.

“I love you too, Oma. So so much…”

Your voice was still soft, but there was a strength that returned to it. It sounded fuller, not as hollow as it had before.

Omaha wasn’t sure how long that would last, but he would take the win.

He pulled back after pressing another kiss to your forehead, and his hand moved to the side of your neck, his thumb caressing your jaw. “Let’s go in. We need some sleep so we can get up and pack.”

You nodded, inhaling deeply to ground yourself before exiting the safety of the Jeep.

Neil smiled softly at you, hoping to get you to smile back. And you did… But he knew that you’d done it out of reflex rather than because you felt like smiling.

You turned your head and kissed the palm of his hand, squeezing the one you were holding before you pulled away completely and got out of the Jeep.

He sighed as your door shut, and he unbuckled himself, getting out to meet you at the front door.

After getting inside, you silently moved around the house.

Both of you had already rinsed your legs and feet of sand and emptied your shoes before leaving, so you didn’t have to worry about that at all. So, you just quietly went to the kitchen and got your laptop before you walked towards your bedroom.

“Hey,” Neil said, gently catching your arm as you walked past him. “I’m gonna take a shower before I go to bed. Do you want-”

“I’ll shower after you. I want to make sure I get these tickets ordered, and that I can snag a decent flight time. I’m hoping there’s still some left for this morning.” Your voice was breathless, almost as if you had been holding your breath as you moved through the house. The words sounded rushed and rehearsed like you had been waiting for him to ask. Your mind was already set on showering separately.

All Omaha could do was nod. He could try to convince you to join him, tell you he’d wait for you to order the tickets – but your mind was made up.

“Alright, I’ll be quick.”

“You don’t have to. Take as long as you need.”

Something in your voice and the way your eyes looked down at where his hand gripped your bicep made his stomach feel heavy.

You were reverting again. Going back to that corner he thought he had pulled you away from. Isolating yourself again when he was right there.

He was right there.

All you had to do was just let him sit with you. Or take his hand and let him pull you up.

You would talk to him when you were ready. He knew that. But he didn’t like that you were trying to face this all on your own because you felt like you were alone. You weren’t.

He was right there.

But he nodded, knowing if he pushed, you would back away or lash out like a scared and wounded animal. The opposite of what he wanted. “Alright…”

You gave him another closed-mouth smile and kissed his shoulder before settling in the bedroom.

He rubbed his face, a frustrated sigh left his lips before he shook his head to himself and went to the laundry room to toss two towels into the dryer before grabbing a clean one for himself.

Walking into the bedroom, he saw you sitting on top of the covers with your laptop on your desk tray as you bit your nails. He sighed sadly and walked over, grabbing a piece of gum from your vanity on the way.

He moved your hand away from your mouth, his grip gentle on your wrist as he held out the gum to you.

No words needed to be exchanged, just a silent moment between you both before he left you alone on the bed to take his shower.

Neil stood under the stream, the hot water drenching his hair and running down his face.

He avoided his music, knowing that it would do nothing to change his mood. He needed the silence – bask in the steam and the rhythmic beating of water on the titles around him.

His head fell back, letting the water pelt him in the face as he took deep breaths. In front of him, his hands balled into fists when he inhaled and relaxed as he exhaled.

Neil needed this. He needed this moment, to be alone and vulnerable behind the closed door – out of your sight.

There was irony in it; he knew that. The irony when he ran off to hide in the safety of the bathroom so you didn’t have to see him break. Didn’t have to watch him replay every moment over and over in his head. You were going through enough, and he wasn’t about to let you see his hurt or his worry just yet. This wasn’t about him, and he wasn’t going to make it about him.

So, that’s why he was here, standing under the showerhead with his eyes closed, the events on the beach replayed behind his eyelids like a movie.

******

His stomach churned as he watched the video from over your shoulder. The pleads of the young man not going unheard. Then, the sickening crack of the shield being driven into his chest. He heard it again and again… and again.

John Walker murdered someone. And the whole world saw it.

Rage drove up in his throat, slamming on the brakes and leaving a disgusting burnt taste on his tongue.

It was almost a metallic taste, a morbid mimicry of the paused frame that lit up your features.

Your expression seemed blank, shocked at the horrendous act. But your eyes told a different story.

As they scanned over your phone screen, Neil could see the pain creep in. He watched them crack, breaking as they reflected the blood-stained shield.

Your nose twitched subtly as your lip quivered. He glanced at your hands, noticing how they shook slightly. He doubted that you noticed the tremor, just staring with unblinking eyes at your phone.

“Honey…”

He wanted to get your attention but not startle you. Your fellow pilots began to stare, concern and pity etched on their faces. He needed to get you out of this, pull you away from the prying eyes and the inevitable questions they would bombard you with.

The squad would try to coddle you. Tip-toe around subjects to try not to make you cry. Or ask invasive questions that you weren’t ready to answer. They meant well, sure, but it wouldn’t help you. It wouldn’t make this situation better. Nothing would…

“Doll-”

You swallowed, your hands dropping to your sides as you excused yourself to trek up the sand wanting a moment alone. Your arm flexed as you had a death grip on your phone.

“Omaha, I didn’t-”

“I know, Garcia,” Neil mumbled as he turned to keep an eye on you, his back to the bonfire. “I know.”

He kept his eye on you as you talked on the phone, most likely with Sam or Bucky, as the others tried to continue on with the party.

He watched your hands and your legs, noticing the near-perpetual bouncing of your left leg.

Neil hated this. Hated just standing here, just being some witness to the damage John’s actions caused. His emotions were collateral damage, only worsening with each minute he watched you stand there in pain.

He couldn’t hear much, distant hissing and muffled sentences mostly. But then he heard you shout, your arm flying out to the side.

“You promised me, Sam! You gave me your word!”

His heart shattered. Even from this distance, he could hear how broken your voice was, how it was strained with unshed tears.

He felt his nose burn, sniffling on reflex as he rubbed it with his index finger.

“Vikander? You alright?”

Omaha hummed absent-mindedly in response, not processing the question or the voice that asked it.

“Neil, hey, are you okay?”

The hand on his shoulder pulled his attention from you, making him suck in a breath out of surprise. “What?”

Bob shot him a concerned look, “Are you okay? You looked like you zoned out for a second.”

*****

His conversation with Bob is a blurry memory.

All he remembers is taking his eyes off you for what felt like a second to talk to Bob and take a sip of the water offered to him. By the time he turned back around to check on you, you had walked down to the shore.

He felt his stomach sink again as he remembered how your arms had been wrapped around your waist, how your shoulders moved up and down with your deep breaths. And how when he approached you, you scolded yourself for crying as you tried to subtly wipe at your tears.

You tried to lie and say you were fine, hiding your tears when he pushed you ever so slightly. You pushed back, dismissed your own feelings and held your hurt in.

Neil’s tears mixed with the water running down his face.

But he didn’t care that he was crying. He didn’t care that he was crying over something he couldn’t fix. Something that was tearing you apart from the inside out, but you hid from him – hid from yourself. You were hurting, and it hurts him that you don’t think you can be vulnerable.

So, he didn’t care that he was crying because it was you – he loves you that much.

His shower was a little longer than normal, but he didn’t think you would really mind right now.

He just went through his routine on autopilot as his mind wandered and raced, recapping the evening. He ended it with a cold shot, letting the freezing water cool his heated skin and hopefully soothe his aching heart.

Omaha got out and dried off, moving languidly as he kept zoning out.

He wasn’t sure what state he would find you in when he walked into the bedroom. That scared him. This whole situation scared him because he had no idea what to expect next. He didn’t know what you were going to do when you got to DC or when you saw John Walker.

It all just made him uneasy.

But he knew that he just had to trust you. Though he wasn’t going to abandon his concerns if he felt that something was dangerous. He’s your partner; your safety matters to him.

After he dried off and got dressed in his boxers and Navy shirt, he exited the bathroom as he ran the towel over his hair.

“You might want to give it a minute or two. Let the hot water replenish a little,” he said as nonchalantly as possible.

He didn’t hear a response, so he looked up to catch the tail end of your nod.

“I got the tickets order. Flight leaves at about ten in the morning,” you responded softly, picking at your lip as you looked at your computer screen. “Um, San Diego International is the airport. It’s the closest but we’ll need to get up earlier so we can pack.”

Neil tried not to sigh out loud at your subject change. He knew you weren’t doing it on purpose; you were just trying to keep what you could in line and control whatever you could. He also knew the frustration in him wasn’t caused by you.

He nodded and sat on your side of the bed, trying not to look at your computer screen knowing he would find articles about John on your screen.

“Baby,” he called softly, hoping you would look up at him. When you didn’t, he repeated the nickname: “Baby, please look at me.”

When your eyes remained glued to your screen, he closed the laptop and grabbed your desk tray, moving it to your actual desk.

“Okay, no, you’re not gonna do that.”

“Neil-”

“No, Y/N,” he pushed, sitting in front of you. “You can’t do that because it is not going to help. You are just going to go further and further down a hole that I can’t pull you out of.”

He grabbed your hands, knowing that you would try to run away if he didn’t. “I get that you're frustrated. That you’re pissed off. I get it, baby. But reading articles that are full of more opinions than they are fact is not going to help you.”

You swallowed and looked at him, “People think he was justified…”

His heart shattered right then in his chest. Your defeated and tear-filled voice crashed into it, sending shards of his heart into his throat.

“How could they find murder justified? John had no right-” He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed that you weren’t looking at him.

He cupped your chin, turning your head back to look at him and moving his hand to your cheek when you did. “That man did not deserve to die. Flag Smasher or not, he did not deserve that. John had no right to kill him.”

“Nico…”

He looked at you, confused. “What?”

Tears filled your eyes, your voice coming out in a soft whimper. “His name was Nico…”

“Sweetheart…”

“He was murdered… All because he wanted to help people. That’s all they want to do is help people, Neil.” Your voice cracked as he watched anger fill your eyes, “He left behind two sisters… Two girls who watched their brother get murdered. They got notified of his death through fucking social media. His murder is viral.”

He stayed quiet, letting you go until you stopped yourself – willing to listen as long as you got your feelings out to him.

“Sure, the Flag Smashers methods aren’t ethical, and Karli hasn’t been a saint. But they’re the only ones actually willing to do anything to help those people. The GRC isn’t doing shit!”

He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t think there was much he could say.

You pulled your hand from his, rubbing your face harshly.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. That… I didn’t mean to blow up on you like that.”

Neil shook his head immediately, resting his hand on your knee. “No, don’t apologize. You don’t have to bottle it up.”

You gave him a weak smile, resting your hand on top of his. He smiled back at you reassuringly before he turned his palm up and kissed your hand.

You just sat like that for a moment. Your hand in his as the water rolled off his dark hair and onto the duvet, letting the silence settle between you for a moment.

“They think he’s justified because Lemar was killed during a fight… They see it as retribution for that,” you said softly after a few minutes while you played with his fingers.

Omaha shook his head and opened his mouth to say something, but you continued.

“It wasn’t even Nico that killed Lemar. Karli was…”

He squeezed your hand, “So then it’s not retribution. And one injustice does not fix another.”

You shook your head, looking down at your joined hands. “It doesn’t…”

A tear hit Neil’s hand, making his heart break – again. But he didn’t make a huge scene. He didn’t point it out. All he did was reach out and gently wipe the tear from your cheek. “Why don’t you go shower, Star-light? The water pressure is nice, and it should all be warmed up now. I’ll heat up your towel and hair towel in the dryer. What do you want to wear to bed?”

You sniffled and leaned into his hand. “One of your oversized shirts and a pair of your boxers, please.” He nodded and kissed your forehead, “You got it, doll.”

“Thank you, Oma, really.”

“You don’t gotta thank me,” he squeezed your hand. “Just go take a shower, relax. I’ll be out here if you need me.”

You nodded and gently pecked his lips, “I love you.” He kissed you back, “I love you too.”

Taking a deep breath, you got up and went to the bathroom, leaving Neil on the bed.

He sat on the bed and waited to hear you turn the shower on before he started moving around the room.

After grabbing the clothing items you asked for and his phone, he went to the laundry room.

He sighed heavily as he tossed the clothes in with the towels and started the dryer, hoping that they would be warm by the time you were done in the shower.

“Okay, now what to–”

Mid-sentence, Neil’s phone started ringing. He didn’t need to check the caller ID to know who it was.

“Hey Bob…” He answered, his voice flat to try and conceal the relief of someone to talk to.

“Hey, I was just calling to check-in. See how you both were holdin’ up.”

Neil sighed, his arm crossing over his chest as he leaned against the washing machine. “Honestly? Not great. I um… I caught her looking at articles.”

Bob inhaled sharply on the other end of the phone, “That’s not good…”

“No, no, it’s not… There are so many who agree with John’s actions and others that don’t. But they’re all just opinions. No one is going to know all the facts. They only know what they saw in that video. And what they saw was John murder someone with the shield in the middle of the town square.”

Omaha harshly ran his teeth over his bottom lip, “I don’t know what to do, Bob. She’s hurting, and she won’t talk to me. She’s said a few things, but the closest I got to her emotions was her voice… Then she fucking apologized for talking about it. What do I fucking do?”

“What you’re doing, Neil. Being there for her. Sometimes, that’s all you can do.”

“That’s not enough!”

“Neil, I know you’re angry…”

That was the understatement of the century.

Neil was pissed. Someone hurt you. Someone’s careless and selfish actions have hurt you – again.

Someone has taken you from him. Their actions have caused you to internalize your feelings and put your guards up all over again. Making you hide from your safe places.

And that started a fire in him.

“I’m more than angry, Robert. She is hurting. She has to mourn the memory of her father after mourning him the first time!”

Neil tends to hold resentment towards the one that hurt you, Bob knew that. He still holds resentment towards your dad for what he did to you. No one will get away with trying to smother out his Star-light.

And now John was at the top of his list.

“Walker had no right to murder that man – even if he were to be the one to kill Lemar. Retribution or not, it’s still fucking murder. And John won’t get away with this.”

Neil couldn’t give less of a fuck if he was Captain America or not. John wasn’t getting away with hurting you or disrespecting something that held so much meaning for you.

Bob sighed again, most likely putting his glasses on his head to rub his eyes. “Omaha, you know she won’t want you to get involved in this… She’s keeping things to herself for a reason. And while you don’t like it, she’s protecting you and herself by doing that.”

“I just want to be there for her. I want her to come to me so she doesn’t face this on her own,” Neil’s voice cracked as tears slipped down his cheeks. “I want to be her safe place again…”

“That is never going to change, Neil. Never. You will always be her safe place. And she knows that when she is ready, she can run to you, and you’ll be there with open arms. She just needs to process this on her own… give her time.”

Neil nodded, wiping his eyes harshly as he tried to regain his own composure.

“Your feelings are justified, Neil. You are allowed to be upset, too. So don’t think that you being scared or upset about her closing herself is selfish or anything, because it’s not.”

Omaha couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle, “Are you sure you’re not a mind reader, Bob?”

“Well, Nick Fury’s not on my doorstep, so I’m gonna stick with no,” Bob laughed.

A beat of silence passed before Neil spoke up.

“Hey, we’re leaving for DC tomorrow morning. Do you think you could go grab my Jeep from the airport and bring it back to the house? Y/N can leave her spare key somewhere for you. And maybe just look after the house since you're only a few houses down?”

“Of course, I can do that for you.”

“Thanks, man.” Neil sighed and looked back toward the bedroom. “I better get going. Calm myself down before she gets out of the shower.”

“Alright, good luck. Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do. Thank you.”

Both hung up, and Neil wiped his face before going back to the bedroom to wait for you to get out of the shower.

You sighed as you tossed and turned in your bed, your body becoming restless the moment you thought you were comfortable. You thought the shower would’ve calmed you down, but the stress was eating at your nerves and making your stomach churn constantly.

The anxiety was making you feel hot, your already naturally high body temperature rising as your mind ran at a million miles a minute.

Huffing, you threw the cover off of you and got out of bed.

Your feet drug as you took yourself to the kitchen.

You got a glass of ice water before going to the living room and sitting in the corner of the couch.

Sleep wasn’t coming to you anytime soon, not with all the thoughts running through your mind… So you sat on the couch and looked out of your sliding glass doors at the moonlit backyard.

Your eyes felt heavy with tears. They were tears of frustration and anger. Tears of heartbreak. It was all so much, and being left alone with your thoughts was probably the worst situation you could have put yourself in. But you couldn’t go anywhere or talk to anyone about this. They wouldn’t understand anyway.

Tears weighed down your lash line, blurring your vision as you zoned out completely. They slowly overflowed, breaking the surface tension and tracking down your face.

But you weren’t crying.

No. Crying involved you actually feeling something, and right now… numbness was overtaking it all. Pushing everything from the last few hours into one blurry mess of static.

You didn’t have time to cry… you had a mission to complete.

The next morning, Neil woke up to see you moving around the room and packing bags for both of you.

He glanced over and checked the time, seeing just how early it was, “What time did you get up?” You didn’t look up from what you were doing as you answered him, “Didn’t sleep.”

“Star-light…”

“Oma, I’m fine. If I need to sleep, I’ll sleep,” you said, still shoving things into your bags.

You didn’t need sleep. Sleep was the furthest down on your list of needs. What you really needed was to get on a plane and get to DC so you could confront the hurricane of emotions that were swirling through your being.

You needed to release the fermenting anger and frustration; it was poisoning you, and you knew it. But you were too damn stubborn, wanting to hold it in and take it out on the true cause of it.

Dumping it all on Omaha or your friends wasn’t fair, not in your eyes. It wasn’t justice in them either. John wasn’t going to miss your wrath. He’d been on your radar since he took up the mantle, and now you were trying to get a missile lock.

That was justice.

Neil sighed and got out of bed, ruffling his hair as he walked over to you. “I know you’re a super soldier, but you’re not invincible. Your body can only handle so much. You need to sleep.” He wrapped his arms around you, “I just-”

“Neil, I don’t want to talk about it right now,” you huffed, leaning on the duffels in front of you.

“I know, and I’m not trying to get you to talk about it. I know you’ll come to me when you’re ready. But I’m not just gonna abandon my duties as your boyfriend. I’m still gonna make sure you take care of yourself because I love you.”

You sighed and dropped your head back onto his shoulder, “I know… I know, I’m sorry.” He kissed your temple, “Don’t apologize. You’re going through a lot. But I’m gonna make sure you’re taken care of.”

Sniffling a little, you rest your hands on top of his. “Thank you, honey… I just–”

You were cut off by your phone ringing.

You huffed again and went over to pick it up. “Hello?... No comment.” You hung up and shoved your phone into your sweatpants pocket.

“That was fast,” Neil pointed out as he started packing whatever was left.

Rubbing your forehead, you sat on the bed as you sighed, “Yeah, that is the… fifth? Maybe the sixth reporter to call me for a statement on all of this. I can’t turn my phone off, so I just answer and say, ‘no comment’. This has been going on since 4 this morning.” You felt your phone go off with a short ring in your pocket.

Neil opened his mouth to say something but you held a hand up, “Don’t get me started on the emails.”

He just nodded with a playful smile and continued to pack.

You both sat in silence for a little bit, but Omaha broke it when he noticed you were fidgeting.

“Hey, what’s going on? You’re a little more fidgety than you usually are…”

Last night, as you evaded sleep, it occurred to you that Neil had no idea that John was a super soldier. You hadn’t told him that very important detail last night. It didn’t change your mind, but keeping your boyfriend in the dark about that wasn't fair.

You swallowed, playing with the worn cuffs of your hoodie, “There’s um…” You scratched your brow, “I didn’t tell you everything last night…”

He stopped packing and came over to stand in front of you, “That’s okay, you don’t have to tell me–”

“No, this,” you nodded as you kept your head down, looking at your lap. “This I need to tell you…”

“Doll, you’re worrying me… what’s wrong?”

You looked up at him, swallowing your nerves before speaking, “John took the serum… he’s a super soldier now.”

Neil’s eyes widened as he took a few steps back, his lips parting slightly in shock.

“I’m sorry?”

It wasn’t a question. Not really. His brow was furrowed, and his hands were up as he tilted his head, but he wasn’t really asking.

He let out a dry chuckle, “Did you just say that John Walker, the man you’re about to fly to DC to confront, was a um… was a super soldier? Or-or am I hearing things? I really, really hope that’s not what you just said.”

“You heard right… John took the serum,” you played with your fingers, looking down at your lap.

Neil put his hands on his hips and nodded, “Okay…” He wiped his mouth before pressing his lips into a thin line and rolling them between his teeth.

He took in a deep breath through his nose, attempting to keep his voice steady as emotion began to rise in his throat. He knew his hands would start shaking at any minute, so his voice couldn’t break or waiver and ruin how serious he was.

“You knew… You knew, and you were still gonna confront him? At probably the most emotionally unstable point in his life! Are you insane?!”

You winced a little and rubbed your face as he started to pace back and forth. “Oma-” “Were you even gonna tell me?” Neil cursed himself for the breathy, almost dejected tone that began to work its way into his voice.

You looked up, desperation for understanding in your eyes. “Yes but-”

“When? Before or after you got yourself killed?”

You stood up, frustrated that he wasn’t letting you explain yourself, “I can handle myself, Neil.”

“It’s not about that Y/N! It’s about whether or not John is capable of murder! And as we learned last night, he absolutely is!”

You scoffed and put your hands on your hips, pointing an accusatory finger at your boyfriend, “You just don’t think that I can do it! You don’t think I can handle this, do you?”

He stayed silent, his brown eyes avoiding you as he tongued his cheek.

Your heart dropped to your feet, and your hands fell limp at your sides. “You actually don’t think I can do this…”

He hung his head, “This is dangerous, Y/N. John isn’t just some dickhead with a shield anymore… He’s angry, and I’m sure whatever the council has to say to him can’t be good.”

In a flash, your anger resurfaced. “A shield? A shield?! It’s more than just ‘a shield’, Neil! It’s THE shield! The shield my father earned! The shield that was made for him! For HIM! Not John! My dad worked for that shield, he earned it! John was handed the shield! So don’t just call it ‘a shield’ because it is so much more than that! And you know that!”

Neil flinched a little at your volume, not expecting you to react that way, but not shocked by it either. “You’re right, sweetheart, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just…”

Finally, he met your eyes, and you could see the emotion swirling in them. “I’m scared…”

You swallowed and stayed silent, your anger smothering out as your expression softened.

“An-and I get that confronting him is the best way for you to get your feelings and emotions out… But we know what John is capable of. We know that he can and will kill someone with the slightest bit of provoking. You are going to be his antagonist, and that scares the shit out of me.”

“I can handle John, Neil…” You protested quietly, still hurt by the fact he thought you couldn’t.

He sighed and rubbed your arms before tilting your head up. “It’s not that I don’t think you can. You’re quite literally the strongest person I know. But I’m scared, Y/N, and I’m not apologizing for being worried for your safety. I just need you to be safe.”

You sniffled, “I’m not changing my mind… I can’t let him slip by, thinking that I don’t know what he did. He has to know-” You looked away as emotion clogged your throat. “He has to know, Neil. He has to know that I know.”

He gently turned your head back to face him, “I know. And I’m not asking you to change your mind. The bastard deserves to see the pain he caused. All I’m asking is that you’re careful and you really think about your approach. I love you too much to keep in my concerns.”

You nodded before wrapping your arms around him. “I love you too. I love you so much.” You pulled back and pressed a kiss to his lips, “I’ll try my best to be careful. But I can’t make you a promise…” He nodded, “That’s all I ask.”

Omaha pecked your lips, “C’mon, we got a flight to catch.”

how do you even describe this...

other than just pain and anger.

star is kicking herself more than she probably should be and omaha is just trying to keep her as safe as he can...

but how will confronting walker turn out?

hi guys! i just want to thank you again for your incredible patience. i can not and will not promise you when the next part will be up and ready to go. but i will be working on it to get it out to you guys 💙

lt rogers tags <33 (i apologize if i missed anyone if i did please remind me in the comments):

@milesdickpic @roosterscockpit @luckyladycreator2 @hotch-meeeeeuppppp @twsssmlmaa

@malindacath @startrekfangirl2233 @indigodaydream @that-one-random-writer @hangmansgbaby

@nikkipea @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby @yourlocalloser-core @mimi-8793 @scalesarenotbalanced

@carnationworld @bethabear12

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quigonswife8 · 2 years ago

Text

Unexpected visitor: Namor x fem reader

While staying at Zemo's place with Sam and Bucky temporarily, an unexpected person shows up after years.

@namorslit I hope you like this!! I'm sorry it took longer than it should have to get out, but I still do hope you like this. Thank you again for request :)

I checked this over but if there are still mistakes and stuff and I messed up somewhere with the Yucatec Maya, just let me know. Also it's been a while since I've seen The falcon and the winter soldier, and this episode, so it may be a bit different.

-----

When Bucky had broken Zemo out of prison, you had helped.

After moving to New York you had become friends with Bucky pretty quickly. He knows almost everything about you...except for the part about Namor. When Bucky had asked for your help, you had agreed pretty quickly. He trusts you a lot, and you didn't want to let him down.

"Turkish delight?"

Zemo stands in the kitchen, standing in front of the jug. Mixtures of different tea sit in a container near the jug, and you would be lying if you said you didn't want to test out all the different teas.

It's only you, Sam, and Helmut, in the apartment at the moment. Buck is running an errand. Baron looks at Sam, but he shakes his head, so he looks at you. A smile creeps onto your lips, and as you raise your right hand, you reply with:

"I'd love one." He grins at you, before tossing you the chocolate.

"Thank you."

He nods, before turning in the other direction to finishing making yours and his tea, as Sam didn't want one. 'You're missing out' you had joked. Unwrapping the chocolate you toss the wrapper into a nearby bin, popping the treat into your mouth, and leaning back to get more comfortable in the chair.

It may not have been the best option to break Baron out, but he knows a lot about the super soldier serum, and that's your best bet to tracking the remaining vials down. While tracking down the flag smasher's too and more specifically, Karli Morgenthau.

To be honest you don't mind working with Zemo. Despite what other people think, you don't think he's a bad person. Has he made decisions that go against the law? Yes. He was in prison for those reasons. Did he do it for a valid reason? You believe so.

You see where he was coming from, why he did what he did, as you would have done the same for K'uk'ulkan. You would have moved mountains for him if you had the ability to. That's why you are able to work with him, even though a lot of people can't or don't want to.

"Is it good?"

Helmut is approaching holding your tea in his right hand, and his in his left. Swallowing the piece of chocolate, you give him a thumbs up,

"Here."

"Thank you."

You take the cherry blossom tea, while Zemo takes a seat in front of you and gets comfortable. He nods again, and replies with "you're welcome" before taking a sip of his tea.

-A few hours later-

"And then I-"

The sound of knocking stops you mid-sentence. Confused you look at the other's, but they seem to have no clue who this could be. It's not Ayo, and it can't possibly be the flag-smashers, plus Walker has no clue where you are. No one comes to mind, which worries you.

"...I can..."

"I'll get it." reaching for your gun you tuck it away, and as you stand, you look from each of them "...just stay here."

Keeping a hand on your gun you approach the door. Slowly. Whoever is out there may be a threat. The knocking continues, until you get to the door, pressing a hand to it, and taking a deep breath.

"...who's there?"

...silence. Gripping your gun tight you remain there, not daring to open the door until you get something in response. Anything.

"Hello?"

It feels like forever when they finally reply. Though, finally, as in a few seconds later. Their voice is slightly muffled but you still can make it out...you can make him out.

"(y/n)..." and you feel like something hits you in the chest, and you suddenly can't breathe.

It can't be him. No, you had parted ways with him years ago. You had cried over him, had mourned the relationship you had. He may have been the one to end the relationship, but you still feel the blame as to why he had ended it.

Now he stands there. Why is he there though? Shouldn't he be ruling his kingdom? Looking after his people?

"Please open up."

How did he find me?

Sighing you tuck away your gun knowing that you have no use for it. Though you don't open the door, not for a minute. You need a minute to ready yourself to see him again.

Does he look different? He's over 500 years old and ages slowly, he probably looks the same. Is he even there for you, though? He could be there to see the other's which is unlikely but, hey, anything is possible.

Okay

You finally open the door: sliding your hand down to grab the doorhandle, you compose yourself for a few more seconds.

Taking a deep breath, and then opening the door, your eyes fall on him. On your love, and he looks exactly how you remember him: from his soft brown eyes, to his ears that point to the sky, to the way he holds himself.

Three years have passed and he still looks how you remember him. Unable to stop the feeling you still harbor from him slowly come to the surface, you look away from him.

"K'uk'ulkan? What...what are you doing here..?"

"I need you to come with me."

So it was you he wanted to see, and obviously it's important enough to warrant him leaving his kingdom to come all this way. Looking at him again.

"Kin wa'alik ti' teech ba'ax ku yúuchul ts'o'okole', ba'ale' súutuka' k'a'abéet a taal wéetel (I will tell you what's happening after, but right now I need you to come with me)."

You sigh softly.

"Namor..." dragging a hand over your face, you lean a hand on the door.

"I..."

"Is everything alright?"

Bucky

Looking away from him for a moment, you look at Bucky. He looks protective- and if looks could kill. Though you seem to notice how Namor seems to stiffen- how he notices that Bucky is a little too close than he likes. Jealousy, that's it. He has no reason to be jealous, you are no longer together, but that doesn't mean the feelings have disappeared.

"Buck..." you bring a hand to rest one of his arms. "...everything is fine. This is my...this is an old friend." it shouldn't hurt as much as it does when Namor hears you call him just an old friend, but it does.

"What's your friends name?" now he's looking at you again. You sigh softly, forcing a smile to fall on your lips.

"...Namor. His name is Namor." turning back to look at him.

"Namor, this is Bucky. Bucky, Namor."

Neither men are trusting of eachother and you understand that: K'uk'ulkan is the love of your love. Despite everything he's still the love of your life, the person you care for most, and the person you think about most often. Bucky? Bucky is one of your closest friends, and you consider him to be like a brother.

"Okay..." you continue, taking your hand away, and stepping forward a little.

"Now that the introductions are out of the way. Let's just talk first."

"(y/n)." he steps forward, which warrants Bucky to step closer. You look at him, however, letting him know with your eyes that Namor isn't a threat. He never could be.

"I am sorry, ba'ale' le ba'ala' jach páaybe'en (but this is important)." putting emphasis on the 'important'. That may be, but what you are doing, with the whole super soldier thing and tracking down the flag smashers, is important too.

"yéetel le ba'ax táan in meentik xan jach páaybe'en (and what I am doing is important too)." a pause. A soft sigh, and you continue.

"So please let's just talk first. That's all I'll ask of you...please."

3 years ago

"Please don't do this.."

You are near tears, on the verge of breaking down hearing his words.

"I'm sorry in yakunaj (my love), but I have to."

Have to? No. More like he wants to. He wants to end the relationship, because he believes you deserve to be with someone better. Someone human, like you. You deserve to grow old with that person, not with someone who's can live as long as he can. No you deserve to be able to live out the rest of your days with someone better.

"I'm sorry but it is better this way-"

"That's a lie." anger seething through your words, but the sadness breaks through more, and you quickly wipe away the tears.

"...just...please. Please think this over."

He has. He's thought this over many times. You deserve better, and he can't give you that better. As heartbreaking as that is, it's true.

"I have..."

Namor doesn't cry. Even though he wants to. He needs to remain strong, he has to make this quick or he'll change his mind. As he turns back to look at you, you can see in his eyes that he's made his mind up. It hurts like hell, and you cover your mouth to stop the sobs.

Taking a step back, you shake your head.

"No."

He steps forward, but you shake your head again, making him to stop.

"If..." you begin, looking at him again. "...if you think this is best, then I'll just go."

Praying that he'll say 'no' .you get your answer when he looks away. Heart breaking you fall into a step past him, brushing your shoulder against his, and walking to the door. You need to wrap your head around everything and the best place to do it is your home that you rarely live, up on the surface.

You try and find the words to say but end up falling short. Instead you just open the door and leave.

"Okay..."

Namor speaks before thinking. You're right, though. You deserve to hear what he has to say. Especially after...

"Can we talk in private?"

You nod, "we can talk somewhere. I know a place." though, before you leave, you turn back to Bucky. He looks...different. He doesn't look as defensive as before, or protective, but he has a look of something in his eyes that you can't quite place. He looks at Namor, then back to you, and it's now that you realise.

"I'll be inside (n/n)."

He places a hand on your shoulder, a hint of a smile on his lips, and then he leaves you and Namor to be alone again. Clearing your throat you walk down the stairs, soon falling into a step,

"This way." and he follows after you.

----

It's silent when you get to where you had been meaning to take him.

A small hut by the sea that you had stumbled across not that long ago. K'uk'ulkan sits in front of you, while you listen to what he has to say. It's nice, you have to admit. To be able to see him after all these years. To be able to listen to him, reminds you of the past.

He comes to a stop, wanting to hear what you have to say. The distant sound of waves crashing brings you back to reality, and as you look up from your hands, you finally decide to say something.

"So what you're saying is. If I don't return to Talokan with you to be your queen, they will...kill me?"

It makes no sense. Why would they need to kill you? They, as in enimes of K'uk'u'lkan. They had demanded he bring you to Talokan or they would go to the surface world and kill you themselves. Is this some sort of sick game?

"Je'el (yes)."

well, great.

"I did not want to come here and put this burden on your shoulders, but I needed to come here and tell you as soon as possible" so that's why he couldn't say it in front of Bucky, or in front of you, or other people may have heard.

"Well what...what do I..."

You want to help Bucky and the other's with the serum and searching for the flagsmashers, but if your life is on the line, staying isn't the best choice. Not that you're not panicking because you are, you are just doing a good job at hiding it.

"I am sorry. Ma'atech ka'ach dejado ba'ax le ba'ala' sucediera, ba'ale' táan a le máako'ob peligrosas yéetel in woojel ba'ax ma' táan u tuus (I would never have let this happen, but these are dangerous people and I know they are not lying)."

Sucking in a sharp breath, you fight back the tears. So I just leave, then? leave the life you have made for yourself. Leave your friends, leave Bucky? It's hard to process and even harder to think about what your goodbye's are going to be like.

"There are no other options?"

With a head shake, you get your answer.

"...okay..."

The only word you can properly get out at the moment without breaking down. Namor stands up, offering you a hand, to which you find yourself taking.

"I am sorry in ya..." he catches himself before he can call you that term of endearment he used to call you, and instead calls you by your actual name "(y/n)."

"I know..." you blink away the tears. "...but thank you."

You stare blankly at the building in front of you. You have said your goodbyes, though now you can't help but just stare forward. Everything is still processing in your mind, but you haven't broken down and that's a start.

You are about to leave to start your new life in Talokan as the queen of the person you broke up with years ago. It's hard but you need to go because you really do not want to die.

"Are you ready...?"

He is understanding, of course. You look at him, noticing a small smile on his lips: the memories of seeing that smile flash in your mind, but you soon focus back on what you have been.

"Not really..."

You stand there for another minute, then you turn to look at him.

"..but I have to go..." with one last look at the building, you look back at him. "...so let's go."

The two of you soon leaving to go to Talokan.

#Namor #Namor x reader #K'uk'ulkan #K'uk'ulkan x reader #tenoch huerta #wakanda forever

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aew-kun-age-regression · 9 months ago

Text

-Marvel Masterslist-

(part 2, cause I can't add anymore links to part 1)

Moodboards

Caregiver!Frank Castle + Regressor!Karen Page

Regressor!Kamala Khan (Ms Marvel)

Caregiver!Bucky Barnes + Caregiver!Sam Wilson

Caregiver!Bucky Barnes + Caregiver!Helmut Zemo + Caregiver!Sam Wilson

Regressor!Karli Morgenthau

Caregiver!WinterWidow

Caregiver!Matt Murdock StimBoard (Birthday Themed)

Caregiver!Frank Castle

Regressor!Amy Bendix + Caregiver!Frank Castle

Caregiver!Peggy Carter + Regressor!Natasha Romanoff (What if..)

Regressor!Kate Bishop + Caregiver!Clint Barton

Caregiver!Frank Castle

Regressor!Karen Page

Caregiver!Wanda Maximoff StimBoard

Regressor!SpiderGwen

Regressor!Clint Barton

Caregiver!Steve Rodgers

Regressor!Monica Rambeau

Caregiver!Sam Wilson

Caregiver!Bucky Barnes + Regressor!Natasha Romanoff

Wolverine Themed StimBoard (Comic)

Regressor!Yelena Belova

Story/Fanfics

Caregiver!Frank Castle X Little!Karen Page (Too much...)

Caregiver!Matt Murdock X Little!Reader (Kid at work..)

Headcannons

Regressor!Matt Murdock W/ Counter Top Thoughts

Caregiver!Frank Castle + Regressor!Amy Bendix Headcannons

Caregiver!Foggy Nelson Headcannons

Tony Reacting To Peter Regressing Thoughts

DNI Banner

Karen Page

Kamala Khan (Ms Marvel)

Miles, Spiderman & GhostSpider?

Wolverine/Logan Howlett

Paci Icon

Amy Bendix (The Punisher)

Matt Murdock (Daredevil)

#agere blog #sfw agere #sfw littlespace #sfw little post #little space #agere little #aewlittlerambles #sfw little community #aewlittlemoodboards #aewlittleheadcannons #aewmasterlist #aewlittlestories #agere marvel #marvel agere

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imaginesandsmut · 1 year ago

Text

Meddle About

Pairing: Karli Morgenthau x fem reader

Summary: After staying with the Wilson’s, Karli begins to fall for y/n, the wilson’s family friend.

Warnings: smut smut smut and more smut. there is a strap and slight mention of possessiveness

Writers note: I am upset that there is like no Karli smut out in the world, my fave lesbian terrorist deserves more attention <3

Also message me if y’all want me to write anything specific.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Well, come and get it now, come and get it now. Baby, show me what you doing, come and turn around. 'Cause it's not just a figure of speech, you got me down on my knees, it's getting harder to breathe out” - Meddle About by Chase Atlantic

Some nights you believe you were made parties; made to be the centre of attention, the mirrorball in the middle of the dancefloor.

The Wilson family were hosting another potluck gathering, their house was filled to the brim with food, music and people, all in which spilt out from their front door and onto the docks. Houses upon houses had partaken in the festivities and the whole neighbourhood were singing songs well past curfew.

You, ever the social butterfly, found yourself in the centre of the party. You were dancing with Sam on the makeshift dance floor on the docks, singing loudly to whatever song someone had put in the playlist que.

“Do you want a drink?” You yelled over the music, still moving your body in rhythm with the song. The air was hot and thick around you, the short summer dress that revealed almost every inch of skin your had did little to cool you down.

“Get the good gin from my cooler in my room.” Sam yelled back, wildly fistbumping the air to the song.

You looked around, the bodies in the crowd blocking your view of the house and caging you in. You started pushing your way through, apologising and smiling sweetly at anyone in your way. The big doe eyes made anyone that looked at you melt instantly, falling over themselves to let you through.

Sam’s house came into your sights, the lights on and more people laughing and spilling from its doors. You moved your feet up the porch steps and through the front door, beelining for the stairs and making your way up towards Sam’s room.

You had found yourself in the quiet hallway, the music from downstairs vibrating the floor beneath her. You weren’t drunk and the tipsiness had long passed, but the buzz from being with friends and being breathless from dancing filled you with a warm fuzzy feeling of love.

Sam’s bedroom door was in front of you, beckoning you forward to the promised cold drinks that will surely cool her down.

But the room at the end of the hallway was making you feel weak and nervous.

Karli Morgenthau has been staying at the Wilson’s house for the past few months, after spending the past year or so in government rehabilitation. The redhead suffered major injuries after being shot by Sharon, gunshot wounds to her stomach and ribs. It was all in luck and the super soldier serum that she managed to survive and get back to health only a few months later.

Sam had to fight hard for Karli to be released from The Raft, a maximum security prison for all super-powered criminals. The only way he pulled strings to shorten her sentence was because S.H.I.E.L.D owed Sam many favours. Instead of putting her out on the streets to fend for herself, Sam took Karli in and has been trying to acclimate her to everyday life.

Karli, once an angry and feverish for revenge 19-year-old, was now a hollow and tired 21-year-old. She kept to herself, hidden in her room and away from everybody all day and night.

“Can you try and get her to open up?” Sam asks quietly one morning, a few days after Karli arrives at the house, before you had even seen her.

“You want me to be her friend?”

“I want you to show her that she’s not alone.”

You knew about Karli Morgenthau, knew what she did and who she was. You couldn't hate the red head for what she did in her past, knowing that she did it for the right reasons, just a terrible execution. So over the past few weeks, you have been trying to put yourself out there and invite Karli to join your little activities; shopping, reading, walking on the dock and helping you study.

Karli had fought at first, sending scowls and snide remarks towards you whenever you offered to show Karli around town or do anything together. But slowly, over time, you had chipped away at Karli’s frozen exterior and gotten her to open up slowly, even earning a smile or two. But just as quickly as it comes, it goes and Karli goes back to ignoring you.

Now, hot and buzzed from the party, all you wanted was to spend time with Karli. To hear her talk, watch her hands move over her book pages, watch her fluffy curls bounce everytime she moves her head.

You just wanted to be around Karli, even if Karli didn’t partially seem to care about you that much.

You walked towards Karli’s bedroom door, knocking on it hesitantly and waiting for any sign of life behind the door. You waited, and waited, and nothing. You huffed before opening the door, knowing that there is no where else Karli would be and she was ignoring the knocking on purpose.

“Hey.” Your voice was soft as you opened the door, very weary that you were definitely intruding in a space that you’re not allowed in.

Karli was sitting at her desk, lounging back in her chair so effortlessly. She was wearing her flannel pants low on her hips, her v-line in full view to the room. Karli’s sports bra equally leaves little to hide.

She looks up from her book, confused as to why anyone would be in her room, ready to send a snide remark but bites her tongue when she realises it was you.

“Hi.”

“You enjoying the party?” You joke, closing the door behind you and walking further into the room. You look around, taking in the sights of the band posters on her walls and books that littered the room.

Karli does speak, only grunting in response as her eyes remain on the page. It was probably a russian classic, or some sort of manifesto, another boring book to swallow her alive and keep her from the real world.

You stayed planted in the centre of the room, afraid to get closer to her but too embarrassed to leave. You watched Karli, trying to dissect her brain and figure out who the person in front of you was.

“Was there something else you wanted?” Karli was bored, almost annoyed that you were there.

Karli hated being here, in her room and in this house. She has grown a lot since her time with the Flagsmashers, understood where she went wrong and how much harm she did. But being coddled, being treated like a wounded stray dog that everyone needs to walk on eggshells around, it annoyed her to no end and made her irritable.

Except for you; out of everyone in the whole town, you were the only one that treated Karli like another person, treated her like a friend.

You were soft spoken and kind, always willing to help and lend a listening ear to anyone who may need it. Karli hated how easily she wanted to fall into you, how readily she was to become your friend and be around you.

Be in your world.

Be in your presence.

Be in you.

Karli wasn’t a virgin, she had fucked a girl here and there before her Flagsmasher days and a lot during. Many girls threw themselves at the redhead, wanting to be the one that could heal the broken parts within her. She never really felt anything for girls, pushing them into her bed and pleasuring them in every way possible. It was all so hot, heavy, and nonserious. She never wanted them to be anything more, never could have them be anything more.

But when you stood in front of her, flushed and sweaty from dancing, it made Karli want to push her over the nearest counter and fuck you sensless.

“I wanted to check in on you,” You played with the hem of her dress, “it’s not too bad out there, with everyone.”

“I’m good.” Karli lifted her hips up from the chair to readjust her pants, the movement caused you to almost choke on your spit. “You can shut the door on your way out.”

This has been the most to your interactions for the past month or so and it was making you irritated. You have tried for so long to open her up and get Karli to enjoy something in life, but all she could do was hide in her room and make you feel like an idiot. A new determination overcome you, forcing you to stay in the room and not be chased out by someone who has nothing going on in their life.

“What band is that?” You pushed yourself to walk towards the desk that remained pushed against the wall, underneath the band posters and random tickets sticky taped to the wall.

“Kyoto Kyoto.” Karli watched your body move closer to her, stopping right in front of her body but looking up at her wall. “Band from London.”

“Cool,” You nod your head like you knew them, “do you like their songs?”

“I wouldn’t have them on my wall if i didn’t?”

“Oh yeah, sorry.” You just stared up at the wall, suddenly feeling chilly in the deathly quiet room.

Karli was lounging on her chair, manspreading with her pants low on her hips and elbows on the armrests. The book lay forgotten in her arms and she looked at you next to her chair, standing up on your tippy toes to get a glance at the writing on some of the other posters. Karli couldn’t help herself, it was just a slight head tilt to the side, a slow dip of her head and she was looking up your dress. The girl next to her was oblivious to Karli’s prying eyes, taking in your butt.

Your underwear, white and lacy, did little to hide any skin of your ass.

Karli couldn’t stop herself, she was like a man starved after being away at war. She hadn’t touched anyone in almost 2 years, let alone felt the smooth skin of a woman - and you were just so pretty.

It was like her hand was moving on its own volition, a possessed limb that was determined to satisfy the need that festered within her chest.

Karli’s right hand reached out to her side and touched the back of your knee, startling you slightly and causing your body to pause - like a deer in headlights. Karli’s breath was heavy, her eyes lidded as her fingers dragged their way from the back of your knee to your inner thigh. She circled her fingers over your soft skin, dragging up higher and higher.

“What are you doing?” Your breath was ragged and heavy, voice barely above a whisper. You leaned forward and placed your hands on the table, holding yourself up as you waited for what Karli was going to do.

“Nothing.” It was an incoherent mumble, almost as if she was doing something as boring as reading her book.

Karli’s fingers were rough, covered in scars and calluses that slightly scratched you as they circled your skin. Getting higher and higher, slowly and surely. You knew that it was probably the worst idea in the world, but you parted your legs to allow for Karli to do whatever she was going to do.

It was like Karli just needed to touch her, just once, and you were a useless doll for whatever the redhead wanted. You knew that you both shouldn’t be doing anything like this with each other, and that Sam will have a fit if he found out, but your mind was nothing but a hum of chants; ‘please, please touch me. Please do something.”

Karli watched the nervous quiver of your legs and had to refrain from laughing. It has been so long since she has touched another woman, she was desperate to put her fingers to work, but you were the one acting like a needy virgin.

Sam would kill Karli if he saw what she was doing now, and who she was doing it to. He would have a conniption saying that you did not deserve to get involved with someone so obviously broken and in need of shackles. He would potentially kick Karli out for possibly corrupting such a pure and sweet soul.

Karli wanted to ruin you.

Karli dragged her fingers up your thigh until she reached your panties, hesitantly touching the damp fabric in case you decided to pull back. All you could do was muffle a small moan from the sensation, earning a chuckle from Karli as she dragged her fingers over the wet lace.

“Have you ever been touched?” It was derogatory in tone, but Karli was genuine in wanting to know the answer. Her fingers were moving slower than a snail, applying pressure slightly when she felt your clit through the fabric, circling it slowly then quickly pulling away.

A groan clawed its way out of your throat at the sensation and the question, Karli’s mean voice giving you mixed feelings about your situation right now.

“No.” It was embarrassing but it was the honest answer. You had kissed a few people, had a grope here and there from a teenage boy, but nothing further.

Karli was a little surprised and expected a slightly different answer; she's seen how many times guys stick to you, how many desperate attempts at your attention are presented to you. Though, Karli couldn’t complain, she could be the one to make you scream and beg for more, not those losers you were probably out dancing with only a few moments ago.

“How has someone so pretty not been touched yet?" Karli whispered into the air, and your full attention was focused on her low and hoarse voice. "Let me fix it, please.”

You felt Karli’s fingers run over your wet panties again, applying more pressure and practically fingering you through the fabric. Your legs buckled in pleasure, your head hung low as the only thing keeping you standing were your shaking arms on the table. Your eyes turned to your side, looking at Karli who was still lounging in her desk chair. The sight of Karli so effortlessly confident, so sure of herself and her skills, it made you quiver in anticipation and nod your head.

“C’mere then.”

You looked to your side and saw Karli had straightened herself up in her chair, her lap inviting you to straddle it. Karli’s hand had also left you, leaving a yearning to be touched again and a new desperation to be closer to the redhead.

You turned around and stood before Karli, putting your hands on the girl’s shoulders so you had support before moving to straddle her. The feeling of your already needy clit in contact with Karli’s crotch made you groan, throwing your head back slightly and closing your eyes.

Karli thought you were a dream, someone so sweet and angelic was moaning at her touch. A sense of urgency came over her, the need to have you say her name over and over so the whole house knew, so that no one could ever think about taking you from Karli.

The Flagsmasher gripped your hips and began moving you, dragging your pussy over her crotch. Your moan filled the air, if it weren’t for the party downstairs you would have been embarrassed, but being on Karli’s lap, you couldn’t think of anything else but the overwhelming pleasure coursing through your body.

“You're so needy, huh?" Karli’s smile only widened at your loud whine, your hips moving faster over Karli’s crotch.

To shut her up, Karli gripped your hair and smashed your lips together, kissing you hard and letting you know that she needed you. She tugged on your hair, earning another moan which gave Karli an opportunity to force her tongue into your mouth, swallowing your groans of pleasure.

“Fuck, I wanted to do that long time ago.” She mumbled against your lips, looking with lust at your body before moving her lips down to kissing your jaw and neck, sucking and biting any piece of skin she could access.

“Please,” your moan of pleasure was much louder than before, “please touch me.”

“Quiet baby, you don't want us to get caught, huh? What would Sam think?" Karli whispered into your neck, chuckling at your annoyed whine. Even though Karli wanted to hear your beautiful sounds, she couldn't wait for another time when the house was empty. Karli had watched you from afar, keeping her distance for your sake and for Sam, for far too long. She can’t let you go now that she’s got a chance.

Karli pulled her head away from your neck and lifted your dress, admiring the lacy fabric that hid what she wanted to see. She used to dream about how the flimsy fabric would cling to your body, but now seeing it in person filled her with cockiness. She could do a lot now that you were here, in her room, on her lap. So many daydreams and fantasies Karli wanted to put into play.

“Stop staring and do something.” Your irritated tone was loud and clear, driving your message home as you gripped onto Karli’s curls and pressed your lips together, a messy and frenzied display of need.

“Yes ma'am” Karli joked and she dipped her hand into your underwear, using her thumb to rub your clit in circles. Her finger pushed into you not long after, earning needy pants as you tried to chase the feeling by grinding yourself on Karli’s hand.

“You look so hot riding my fingers on top of me" Karli sighed, running her other hand through your hair. Karli watches the girl with a smirk, choking on your moans and whines as she keeps her rhythm without a pause. Karli is aware that she can feel you clenching around her digits, indicating that her release is near. Karli pressed her lips back to your neck, leaving love bites in hopes to leave a mark.

“I’m gonna-” it was strained and nervous, as if you was unsure whether you could even speak at this moment.

“I’ve got you.”

It was all Karli needed to say, her own pleasure at watching you had made her fuzzy in the head too, just content in watching you ride her fingers and moan aloud into the empty room. A cord snapped in you and the tension that was rising within you had reached its climax, causing you to grip Karli’s shoulders and shudder, moaning into her curly red hair in hopes to drown the sound out. Karli’s fingers kept moving, pumping you through her orgasm.

There were a few moments of silent bliss, just you shuddering in Karli’s arms as you came, drenching Karli’s lap. But the supersoldier decided that it wasn't enough, that she needed to hear you scream. She wanted the whole party to hear it, to understand that you was hers to keep, hers to pleasure.

Before you could even process your orgasm, Karli had stood up from her desk chair and brought your blissed out body with her, keeping your legs around her waist so you wouldn’t fall. You would normally be surprised at this show of strength, but Karli was a supersoldier after all.

Still you gasped as Karli walked you both over to her bed, dumping you down onto the soft mattress. The sheets were nothing extraordinary, just blue and grey ones you would get for a teenage boy, but the look Karli was giving you as she stood in between your thighs, it made you gasp.

Karli couldn’t say anything, too numb in euphoria, and she hadn't even been touched.

“I need to fuck you.” Karli was rubbing your legs, pushing your dress up in the process. “Please let me.”

You could only nod, wanting so desperately for it to happen that all words seem to fail you. Karli smiled at the gesture and began taking your clothes off, pulling your dress over your head and unclasping your bra. She dragged down your underwear slower, wanting to see your wetness coated all over your legs and lace panties.

Karli only took off her pyjama pants, leaving her in men’s boxers and her sports bra; still, she looked hot.

Karli left you alone on the bed in favour of finding something hidden in a draw, rustling around until she found what she was looking for. You couldn’t lift her head up to see what was happening, too blissed out but horny for more. It wasn’t until you felt a hardness tap her thigh.

“What?” You sat up and saw Karli with a strap on, crawling onto the bed and ontop of you. Karli’s figure above you caused you to involuntarily buck your hips, even if the strap made you nervous.

“I’m gonna make you feel good, yeah?” Karli’s head was buried in your shoulder, moving her hips to tease the silicone head at your entrance.

“I don’t think I can take it.”

“You can.”

“What about you?” You were rambling, you hated yourself for it but the thick tension in the room was making you nervous. You wanted to badly for Karli to just fuck you, but Karli wanted to hear you speak.

“It’s double sided, baby.” Karli chuckled, kissing your lips tenderly. “I will feel everything.”

You looked down, noticing that the other end of the strap went through the front opening of the boxes and into Karli, a sight that made you choke on her own spit. Before you could even comment, Karli pushed into you.

It was slow, but the sheer length of the strap made you grip onto Karli’s back, pulling you closer so that your chests were pressed together. Karli groaned into your neck, trying to silence herself from being too loud by biting her own lip. The sensation felt painful at first, needing Karli to just stay still for a moment as you adjusted.

Karli slowly began to pump in and out of you, gauging for reactions on your face and kissing your cheek everytime you winced. Soon the pain turned to pleasure and you were whimpering and moaning for more, clawing at Karli’s back in an effort for your bodies to be closer.

“Does that feel good?" You can only groan and nod in response, Karli own sounds of pleasure filled her ears, spurring you both on to fuck each other. As Karli’s thrusting became more feverish, desperation overtook all of her senses. Karli began biting your shoulder, groping your boobs and tugging on your nipples. Her hands were all over your body, nothing was left untouched by Karli.

The redhead’s desperate touches turned into desperate ramblings, groaning into your ear and onto your lips.

"Fuck you feel so good, baby. I’ve wanted to do this since I saw you, so pretty in your short skirt. Do you know how long I've wanted to touch you, stayed awake just thinking of you moaning my name?” Karli’s thrusting grew harsher and faster, her ramblings muffled by kissing your lips. “Do you ever touch yourself at night thinking about me? Thinking about how good I’d be to you?”

“Karli!” You could only gasp in response as Karli’s free hand dipped between you both and began circling your clit again, quickening and slowing down in speed to leave you struggling. “Karli please.”

You could barely even focus on what Karli was saying as your climax built up steadily.

"Had to stay away from you even though you were so sweet and good to me; such a good girl.” Karli was still mumbling almost incoherent words into your ear, her voice breaking as she got closer to her climax. "I can’t let you go now, you feel too good to lose. Tell me you’re mine, tell me that you’re mine to have.”

"Fuck, I’m yours." You whine, nails digging into Karli’s sides as your core tightens around the strap.

It was all Karli needed to speed up her fingers on your clit and thrust you harder into your climax, equally bringing her to her own climax. You both came together, moaning into each other's mouths, then trying to silence it by sloppily kissing each other. Karli thrusted her hips a few more times to milk hers and your pleasure, both of you trembling at the overstimulation.

You kissed Karli properly now that your brain could focus on something other than Karli’s hips, hands, mouth, voice. You kissed each other for a bit more as you came down from the highs, both equally groaning as Karli pulled away and took the strap out of both of you.

You grabbed onto the nearest shirt you could find and pulled it over your head before tucking yourself into Karli’s sheets, the cologne and detergent smell that was so inherently Karli filled your senses and lulled you to sleep.

Karli put her strap away and walked back to the bed, climbing in herself and pulling you into her chest, kissing the top of your forehead.

“I’m serious, you know?” Her voice was low, it had you clenching your thighs together.

“About what?” Your voice was equally hoarse and quiet, now keenly aware of the people still in the house and possibly even right outside the bedroom door.

“I’m not letting you go, you’re mine.” Karli sounded possessive and demanding, a switch to the needy and sweet person that was just on top of you a mere minute or so ago. If you had known any better, it would have scared you. But in Karli’s arms, so content and blissed out, you felt safe. Like a blind mouse in a lion’s mouth.

“I’m yours.”

#lesbian #karli morgenthau #karli morgenthau smut #marvel smut #marvel women smut #lesbian marvel #the falcon and the winter soldier #tfatws #lesbian smut

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graktung · 2 years ago

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Pt2 - dancing round an empty room - karli morgenthau

It was a few days before the two of you were alone again, having to share tents with more people the last few nights, and being gracefully interrupted that other night by wyatt needing help with something yet again. but the moment you did get her alone, it took everything in you not to press your lips to hers, feeling the two of you needed to talk about where things were going before kissing again, because if you didn’t, you feared the addiction of her lips would become too much.

you were in a new country now, far far away from the church you last met in, but you revelled in the fact that you were still gazing at the same stars you always had. karli had pulled you into a small room- more like a closet- in the place you were staying; a couple were in favour of the movement and offered their house to support the flag smashers for a night or two, and you took full advantage of that.

“hi”

there was a silence between you after those two words were exchanged, a silence more awkward than before, supposing all the possibilities that could be explored now the barrier is broken caused some tension between you two. you had not much seen this side of Karli, her usual self being confident- and hot- and calm…this was the opposite: her breath was heavy and shaky, her eyes darting between features on your face and anything else in the room, her mind too busy to focus on one thing, before you bring your hands to her face, cupping her checks and forcing her to look at you.

“hey” you start, knowing that the pair of you came in here to talk, and someone had to start or you’d be there for hours (not that you’d mind)

“breath, yeah?” you chuckled, and she let out a huff along with you, not realising she had stopped taking in air.

Once she had collected her breath she gestured for the two of you to sit, or try to, with the space given. There were unspoken words between the two, both knowing you needed to talk but neither wanting to start. ironic really; we were the only people each other could truly rely on to talk to, yet here we were, neither saying a word.

“Look i’m sorry about the other day i just got ahead of myself and- You know what, no. i’m not sorry” she finally started, “i have wanted to kiss you again ever since that night, and honestly, it’s taking a lot for me to not kiss you right now- that’s not the point, the point is, I really like you, and judging by the other night i think you like me too” that made you chuckle, “but i don’t want this to be some kind of fling or friends with benefits situation. If you don’t want a relationship, i respect that, and i want us to still be friends, because the only thing worse than you not being mine, is you not being in my life entirely-“

“would you shut up and ask me out already?” you were impatient to say the least

“okay okay i’m getting there…eh whatever, will you please please be my girlfriend? and if the answer is yes can i please kiss you again?” the fact that she had to ask astounded you, because in your mind you had always been hers, and always will be.

“yes and yes. pleasure doing business with you-“

“oh shut up” and with that she dragged you closer than humanly superhumanly possible, and pressed smiling lips to yours, etching to get out of this closet [cough] as soon as possible and brag to everyone that you were finally hers.

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val-made-a-mistake · 10 months ago

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a little excerpt:

You were honestly impressed with how much Karli knew about the outdoors. She knew what mushrooms to pick that were edible, had been able to lure and then stab a rabbit without sacrificing precious meat, and had somehow maneuvered the poor thing onto a makeshift spit over the open fire. The bright orange flames danced merrily as they roasted the rabbit and the mushrooms, and Karli sat staring at the fire, her face gaunt.

You sensed that she still wanted to be left alone, so you unpacked the paper plates from her bag in silence.

You knew that look on her face all too well. She was plotting her next move, or the murder of John Walker. Probably both. You wouldn’t be surprised if the two coincided.

Karli's intense focus on the flickering flames didn't waver as she rotated the spit, the aroma of cooking meat wafting through the air. The crackling of the fire provided a comforting backdrop to the tense atmosphere surrounding the two of you. As you sat by her side, carefully watching the roasting process, you couldn't help but feel a mixture of admiration and concern for Karli.

"Anything I can help with?" you offered, breaking the silence tentatively.

Karli's gaze shifted from the fire to you, her expression softening slightly. "No, I've got it. Thanks, though."

You nodded, understanding her need for independence in moments like these. The firelight cast shadows across her face, emphasizing the weariness etched into her features. It was clear that the relentless pursuit by John Walker had taken its toll on her.

As the rabbit neared completion, Karli deftly removed it from the spit and began tearing off pieces of meat, handing you a portion that you then deposited onto a paper plate.

"You know," she began, her voice low and contemplative, "I never imagined my life would turn out like this. Always on the run, constantly looking over my shoulder."

You listened, sensing her need to unburden herself, even if only for a moment.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this," she continued, her tone tinged with a hint of regret. "But now, I can't go back. Not after everything that's happened."

Her words hung heavy in the air, carrying the weight of her convictions and the sacrifices she'd made for her cause. You remembered it too, all of the lives lost. And Nico’s life, torn from him in the most jarring way.

You reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Karli. We're in this together, remember? There’s thousands of Flag Smashers behind you.”

Karli offered you a small, grateful smile, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and vulnerability. "Yeah, I remember."

The crackling of the fire and the chirping of crickets filled the silence that followed. As the night stretched on, the two of you ate in companionable silence, finding solace in each other's presence amidst the uncertainty of the future.

Little did you know, John Walker was already en route to Finland, his relentless pursuit closing in on your secluded hideout with each passing moment.

back on my bullshit (writing karli fics)

#karli morgenthau #karli morgenthau x reader #erin kellyman #tfatws #fatws #the falcon and the winter soldier #falcon and the winter soldier

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pixievi · 2 years ago

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begging for some character thoughts/hc's that I can expand upon in a lil post 🥺👉🏻👈🏻 they can be nsfw and/sfw!!

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swan-of-sunrise · 1 year ago

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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Part V)

Summary: Bucky, (Y/N) and the entire Rogers-(Y/L/N) family meets Isaiah and Elijah Bradley when Sam brings them to visit the exhibit that they personally arranged to finally tell Isaiah's story.

Pairing: Steve Rogers X Reader

Word Count: 2.5k

Warnings/Disclaimers: None

A/N: This was an emotional chapter to write, but it’s one that I’m also very proud of! Thank you for reading, I hope you all enjoy!

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Part V) June 2024 Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington D.C. (Previous Chapter)

The month after they successfully thwarted the Flag Smasher’s plans and Sam publicly took up the mantle of Captain America had been filled with several highs and lows. The Global Repatriation Council unanimously decided not to vote on the controversial Patch Act and began working on getting humanitarian aid to the refugees residing in resettlement camps, and they had already voted on providing financial support for those displaced after the events of the Snap; Karli Morgenthau died before she could see her aspirations finally realized, but Sam’s historic speech criticizing the members of the GRC ensured that her sacrifice wouldn’t be forgotten. The four Flag Smashers that had been arrested and taken into custody died in a mysterious car explosion and while both Sam and Bucky suspected Zemo of having a hand in their deaths, he was locked away in the Raft and their deaths were officially ruled an accident by the authorities.

Two days after the incident at the GRC’s New York Headquarters, Bucky came to stay with the Rogers-(Y/L/N) family at their home in Rockport, Maine. The super-soldier had apparently taken Sam’s advice on how to move on from his time as the Winter Soldier to heart, visiting his friend Yori and telling him that he was responsible for his son’s mysterious death; he gave the old man closure and as challenging as it was, he admitted through his tears that he knew he’d done the right thing. In Rockport, Bucky was as relaxed as he’d been in Delacroix and much to (Y/N)’s delight, he and Steve were able to reconnect and take the time to finally re-built their decades-long friendship away from any wars or conflicts. Bucky was beginning to heal and now that he was allowing himself to lean on others for support, he wouldn’t be alone on his journey to self-forgiveness.

While she recuperated from the handful of minor injuries she’d sustained in the fight against the Flag Smashers, (Y/N) worked tirelessly with her connections at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, the editors at the New York Times and Colonel Rhodes to create an exhibit chronicling the lives and sacrifices of Isaiah Bradley and the hundreds of Black soldiers who were illegally experimented on by the U.S. Army. It took several lengthy Zoom meetings, heated conference calls and a handful of visits to the Smithsonian to oversee the construction progress, but the exhibit was completed almost exactly one month after Sam Wilson made history by becoming the first Black Captain America. It was decided by (Y/N) and Sam that although the exhibit was finished, it wouldn’t open to the public until Isaiah himself had an opportunity to see what they’d built in his and his fellow servicemen’s honor.

“You’re gonna wear a hole straight through the floor if you keep pacin’ like that, doll. Just relax, maybe take a deep breath or two.”

(Y/N) shot an easy-going Bucky a withering look and continued pacing the new exhibit’s floor, the clicking of her high heels echoing through the near-empty space as she anxiously smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles of her pencil skirt. “I’m currently filled with enough nervous energy to power an entire arc reactor, and I’m supposed to just relax and take a deep breath?”

The super-soldier let out a dramatic sigh and hitched Carina higher up on his hip. “Your ma gets a little crabby when she’s stressed out, doesn’t she, sugar?” The infant giggled when his vibranium fingers tickled the skin beneath her chin and he chuckled. From the moment he arrived at their home in Maine, Bucky and Carina had become nearly inseparable; he was good with children, having helped his parents care for each of his three younger siblings, and Carina absolutely adored having her Uncle Bucky around more.

“You should see her the night before a book release.” Steve adjusted the bill of his beaten-up Brooklyn Dodgers baseball cap, flashing her a mischievous smile while continuing. “Last time, she tossed and turned so much that she ended up accidentally rolling out of bed.” (Y/N) spared both men a displeased glare but allowed Steve to cross the small room and gently cup her cheek as his other hand rested on the curve of her waist; the reassuring gleam in her husband’s azure eyes helped to begin settling her frayed nerves and she felt her shoulders relax as he softly spoke to her. “I don’t know how Isaiah’s gonna react to all of this, but I promise that everything’s gonna be okay, sunshine.”

(Y/N) released a shaky breath and nodded, taking a moment to glance around the exhibit that so many people had tirelessly worked on so that Isaiah and his fellow servicemen’s history would never be forgotten. Projectors flashed black-and-white photographs of Isaiah’s platoon during their training and years of service during the Korean War and situated before a wall-sized image of America’s first Black super-soldiers standing at attention were two distinct items: a bronze statue of Isaiah Bradley, and a plaque dedicated to telling the truth of his life and what the Army had tried to keep buried for seventy years.

Isaiah Bradley

Isaiah Bradley is an American Hero whose name went unknown for too long.

Isaiah was one of a dozen African-American soldiers who were recruited against their will and without their consent for participation in human testing in pursuit of the super-soldier serum. Most did not survive. The few who lived through testing were sent on secret missions during the Korean War. During the conflict, against all odds, Isaiah Bradley rescued his fellow soldiers and 28 other POWS from behind enemy lines.

However, fearful of the ramifications of a Black super-soldier, some individuals within the government tried to erase Isaiah’s story from history. His family was issued a falsified death certificate and for decades, the truth of his unflinching bravery was buried.

The third and final paragraph etched onto the plaque detailed the thirty years of false imprisonment, experiments and downright torture Isaiah was subjected to by the Army and Hydra, and (Y/N) found herself looking away before the words she’d helped to pen could make her tear up; while dozens of people had been involved in the creation of the exhibit, only she and Sam knew that Isaiah was still alive and living in Baltimore. They wanted to protect his desire to live out the rest of his life in anonymity, which was why they arranged for Isaiah and his grandson Elijah to visit the exhibit before its scheduled unveiling. But for the past several weeks, (Y/N) was weighed down by fears that the elderly man wouldn’t approve of the exhibit or would be offended by its very existence, so she spent many sleepless nights ensuring that the story of Isaiah Bradley and his fellow servicemen would be told with all the respect and gravitas that it deserved.

“Guys, Sam just texted that they’re about to walk in.”

Bucky’s heads-up brought (Y/N) back to reality and caused a fresh spike of anxiety within her, but she masked her nervousness with a smile as Steve led her over to where Bucky stood off to the side. Seeing that Carina was beginning to fall asleep in the super-soldier’s arms, (Y/N) leaned down and pressed a soft kiss onto her daughter’s forehead and when she straightened up, she and Bucky shared an understanding look while Steve’s hand gave hers a brief but reassuring squeeze. All three of them stood at the back of the new exhibit and watched as Sam led the Bradley’s inside, and (Y/N) got her first look at the reclusive super-soldier.

Isaiah Bradley was the epitome of a super-soldier, with a muscular build carefully disguised by a windbreaker and jeans and the striking looks of a man decades younger; there was grief etched into every line and wrinkle and a fiery bitterness in his dark brown eyes, but the hardened emotions seemingly faded away the moment he got his first look at the exhibit. Isaiah’s jaw slackened and his gaze was transfixed on the statue bearing his likeness as he rested a shaking hand on his grandson’s shoulder; he spared Sam a brief look as Eli led him towards the plaque and when Sam gave him a nod, his hand slipped down to briefly grip Eli’s as he struggled to remain composed. The Bradley’s studied the statue in awe and when Eli moved to read the plaque chronicling his grandfather’s life, Isaiah stood behind him and held onto his shoulders, and (Y/N) bit her lip as they read the words she’d helped to pen.

Isaiah soon turned and slowly walked over to where Sam stood, his eyes beginning to water as his lower lip trembled. “Now, they’ll never forget what you did for this country.” Sam shook Isaiah’s outstretched hand and gave him another firm nod. “Never.” The older man finally gave in to the overwhelming onslaught of emotions, pulling Sam into a tight hug and shaking with barely-suppressed emotion. (Y/N) accepted the tissue that Bucky offered her and dabbed at her tear-filled eyes as Steve wrapped a comforting arm around her waist and pressed a chaste kiss onto her cheek, both men sniffling and covertly blinking away their own tears. After a long moment, both men separated and Sam waved (Y/N) over. “Isaiah, I’d like you to meet (Y/N) (Y/L/N). I know my best friend like the back of my hand and since she’s gonna start gettin’ all modest in a sec, I’ll tell you now that she’s the one who made this possible.”

“It was very much a group effort, and one that couldn’t have happened without Sam,” (Y/N) countered, playfully bumping her best friend’s arm with her shoulder and extended her hand out towards Isaiah. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Bradley.”

Isaiah shook her hand and gave her an appraising look. “I saw you on the television tryin’ to save those GRC members. You’re an Avenger, aren’t you?”

“Part-time; I’m a historical-fiction novelist whenever I’m not helping save the world or keeping Sam here out of trouble.” The older man huffed out an amused chuckle and (Y/N) took it as a sign to continue. “Mr. Bradley, Sam and I worked with the Smithsonian to create this exhibit in order to educate the world about a part of history that our government’s tried to hide for decades, and I collaborated with the editors of the New York Times to write an article about you and your fellow servicemen that will hold the government accountable for their actions. However, we’ve made it so that the exhibit and the article will not go ahead without your say-so.”

Isaiah seemed a little taken aback by her words and possibly even touched, but he was quick to mask the sentiment behind an indifferent shrug. “Seems like they’re copin’ with a Black Captain America who’s quick to call ‘em out on national television, so why avoid a little more overdue accountability? But it’s like I already told Sam, Ms. (Y/L/N), Isaiah Bradley is dead and I’d prefer him to be left dead. After those thirty years locked away, I’m not willin’ to put a target on mine or my grandson’s back just ‘cause a Black man’s carryin’ that shield now.”

“I understand. According to the government – and in a week’s time, the rest of the world – Isaiah Bradley died in the 1980’s after thirty years of false imprisonment; Sam and I made it so that no one will ever find out that that nurse falsified your records and helped you escape.” The uncertain frown on Isaiah’s face slowly but surely vanished and (Y/N) felt her own smile return as she continued. “The only people who know that you’re still alive are all in this room: Sam, Bucky, myself and my husband.”

The older man followed (Y/N)’s gaze to where Bucky and Steve quietly stood, arching a brow at the sight of the infamous Winter Soldier rocking an infant to sleep in his arms but returning the super-soldier’s nod with one of his own. His eyes flicked over to the shorter of the two men and after a moment, both brows rose in surprise as a look of recognition crossed his weathered features. “Is that…?”

Sam tucked his hands into his pockets and answered Isaiah’s unspoken question with a nod as Steve slowly approached them. “You see, you’re not the first super-soldier we’ve worked to keep out of the public eye.”

Both (Y/N) and Sam stepped back to give Steve and Isaiah some privacy and as she wrapped an arm around her best friend’s elbow, (Y/N) watched their interaction with a soft smile on her face; there was a certain hesitancy about the way the two men walked up to each other, with deliberately slow steps and a studied gleam in their eyes, and despite the obvious differences in their appearances, it was clear that both men were kindred spirits. When Sam told her about his and Bucky’s mission to track down the Flag Smashers in Latvia, he mentioned how Zemo admitted that Steve was an exception to his personal beliefs about the corruptibility of super-soldiers because ‘there has never been another Steve Rogers’; but looking on as Isaiah shook Steve’s hand and listened to everything he had to say, (Y/N) couldn’t disagree with the Sokovian terrorist more. Isaiah is just as good a man as Steve, she thought as she and Sam exchanged a knowing look, only he was never given the same opportunity to show the world who he was.

“That’s one skinny guy.”

Sam shot Eli a reprimanding glare. “Yeah, you really need to learn some manners.”

“Hey, man, I’m just makin’ an observation,” Eli chuckled as he raised his hands in defense. “All those crazy theories online, and not one of ‘em even comes close to the truth. He really gave up bein’ Cap and went back to who he used to be, huh?”

(Y/N) smiled at the teenager’s curiosity peeking out from beneath the adolescent air of nonchalance. “That’s not exactly how he sees it. To him, he just decided to be Steve Rogers on a full-time basis and pass the shield onto the best person for the job.”

“The best and most annoying person,” Bucky added, joining their trio with a teasing grin on his face and carefully passing a fast-asleep Carina over to (Y/N) before lightly bumping Sam’s arm with his elbow. “But hey, I can personally attest that that’s practically a requirement for bein’ the Star-Spangled-Man-With-A-Plan.”

The four of them stood and quietly watched Steve and Isaiah talk to one another, and while (Y/N) rocked her sleeping daughter in her arms, she indulged in her inner amateur historian and took a moment to appreciate the history that only a small handful of people would ever have the opportunity to know of. The thought of that history being passed down through Eli, Aj, Cass and Carina put a smile on (Y/N)’s face, and she rested her head against her best friend’s shoulder as the lyrics of a familiar uplifting song came to mind:

I’m gonna keep rolling on, no matter what the world may do, ‘cause with a love like this, there’s nothing left to do. So, let me tell ya…Doesn’t matter what you say, I’m still, I’m still gonna float away for real. In a minute, ya’ll, I’ll be gone, right or wrong, I’ma just keep rolling on and on and on and on…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: And there we have it! I had an absolute blast getting into this series and in the future, I’ll definitely continue my re-tellings of various Phase 4/5 projects but for the next one-shot, I’ll be focusing on Steve and (Y/N)’s first date after the Battle of Sokovia! Thank you all so much for reading and commenting, and I hope that you enjoyed it!

If you haven’t checked it out already, I’ve created a Spotify playlist inspired by this series and it’s linked below. Enjoy!

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ziGMhEsAw833GQ9eV44nR?si=6dfead09c76848d5

Stumblin’ In Book VII: “Superhero Snapshots” Masterlist

Stumblin’ In Book I: “The Winter Soldier” Masterlist

#stumblin' in #steve rogers x reader #post serum steve rogers x reader #steve rogers #post serum steve rogers #sam wilson #captain america #bucky barnes #the winter soldier #isaiah bradley #elijah bradley #sarah wilson #aj wilson #cass wilson #the falcon and the winter soldier #captain america and the winter soldier #marvel cinematic universe #steve rogers x f!reader

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