#then he helped her when her S.H.I.E.L.D. mission went awry

[daydreamerdrew]

Tales of Suspense (1959) #86

[anika-ann]

A Matter of Trust

Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader    Word count: 5470 (oops)

Summary: You and Steve get to go to a mission together after a while; free drinks, partying, dressing-up nicely, stealing blueprints, the usual. You might even enjoy this as a couple.

Or… not really. Of course something would go awry. What else did you expect when wearing these killer heels anyway?

A/N: Written for or @wkemeup​’s 4k writing challenge; congratulations! Well-deserved, no arguing here; shall the number continue to grow ;) Thank you for letting me participate!

Prompt: “Get in the closet, now!” (bold in the text)

Warnings: suggestive language, mentions of a kink, objectification, gun violence (brief), swearing (always), attempt at humour, fluff…?

━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━ 

In your whole history as an operative of S.H.I.E.L.D. slash Avenger, time had never dragged so slowly as it did at this party.

Not even Steve’s presence cheered you up, mostly because he was busying himself with being everyone’s company but yours despite you two coming here together. For a mission. To work, you reminded yourself.

It wasn’t like you hadn’t been there for the plan-making which had resulted in mutual agreement of Steve falling into the role of an honourable man whose infamous good nature prevented him from saying no to anyone who asked for a moment with him even if it meant leaving you alone. Which you supposedly mind, because you were here with him only to sneak in here and possibly get your five minutes of glory if he stood by your side long enough

And that was only an act for people who would have noticed you had arrived together.

For the others, you simply attended the party – a known cover-up for a place of business in arms-deal among the powerful men of the underground world – to have fun and seduce some rich businessman.

Sipping from the very same glass of champagne you had helped yourself with about an hour ago, you scanned the room in the search for the big boss. No, not Steve, but the man of the hour, the one whose blueprints you were meant to steal. The blueprints of a potentially large bomb that could kill tens of thousands if it went kaboom and released the nanoparticles of a dangerous virus to the air.

Lovely. Someone clearly had too much time on their hands coming up with crap like that only to make your life miserable.

“What’s a gorgeous lady like yourself doing at this party alone?” a velvety voice interrupted your dark musing and you vainly tried to cover the shudder running down your spine, cursing at the heat curling in your stomach.

Was this how he was talking to all the women who were throwing themselves at him tonight? Probably.

Had you been through that before? Yes.

Had you expected it to happen tonight? Sadly, yeah.

Was it bothering you? Hell the fuck yeah, even if you knew it shouldn’t and that it didn’t mean anything but Steve doing his job right.

You cursed mentally at your weakness and sighed out loud, spinning around to face the man.

“Waiting for a bulky blond supersoldier to come save her, naturally,” you hissed back, hating yourself for letting your jealously get the better of you.

Steve had never ever made you as much as doubt that you were the one for him, but that green bitch of an emotion still intruded on you tonight. You blamed the upcoming visit from aunt flow and the rush of hormones arriving with it and the fact you were itching to leave and go home just for getting rid of those ridiculously high heels alone.

You usually enjoyed wearing high heels, they gave you confidence as gazes of many men and women followed you, but the stilettos you had got chosen tonight could be used as murder weapon.

Ha, maybe you could try and sell them here, you’d make a fortune!

A frown appeared on Steve’s face, one of curiosity, regret and surprise when he registered your irritated tone.

“What’s wrong?” he demanded quietly, whispering to your ear intimately, only making the situation worse.

“You shouldn’t be talking to me, Captain Rogers. You’ll blow it.”

His eyebrow jumped ridiculously high and you realized what you said; you groaned both at his cheekiness and your stupidity.

“Blow our cover. Get your mind out of the gutter…” you muttered, putting some distance between the two of you for the sake of the cover.

“Maybe I’m feeling a bit reckless tonight,” he hummed back, his large palm resting on your lower back and you had to take a moment to swallow the blissful groan at his gesture. You loved his hands and the heels were not only killing your feet, but also you back, and the warmth radiating from his skin felt like heaven. “But seriously, are you okay?”

“You could have asked through the comm.”

“I wanted to check up on you personally.  So?” he insisted and you couldn’t but sigh again, finishing your glass of champagne when you spotted Wagner, aka your target. You stepped away from Steve.

“Just tired. Want this to be over with. Go mingle, Steven.”

Pausing when you took a note of the harshness in your tone, you found his concerned gaze over your shoulder, whispering as softly as you could: “Thank you for your concern… Captain.”

You caught a glimpse of his discreet lopsided smile before turning away fully.

As you walked into the crowd, your long crimson dress curled around your feet with every step due to the provocative – read practical – slit ending mid-thigh. You hoped that the memory of watching you go would occupy his brain for some time while he talked to the flocks of both male and female admirers.

━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━ 

Two hours. It took you another two hours to ensure you’d be safe sneaking into the Wagner’s office slash bedroom.

Of course his bureau would be his bedroom; men like him knew nothing about good old sleep hygiene, because the thought of their money distracted them from the evil they were doing to the world and had them sleeping like babies.

Using the key-card you had snatched about three minutes ago, you easily entered the over-decorated room.

Looks like someone’s compensating for something, you noted mentally, not losing any time and activating the no-prints mode on your gloves; one of the perks of working with Tony Stark. You were wearing the nanotech the whole evening and no one had a clue, because the particles were imitating your skin. You’d leave a print on the glass of champagne if you wanted; if you planned on rummaging someone else’s office, leaving a trace was a different case and you wouldn’t take any risks.

Systematically starting on the right from the door and working your way through everything that looked even remotely like a possible hideout, you didn’t forget to gingerly place your palm over the wall-length closet so Friday could run scans.

God, you loved that Tony Stark was on the side of the angels despite not quite being one himself; according to him at least.

“No signs of anything else than overpriced shirts, tuxedos and sets for dom-sub play,” the AI announced, barely audible, and you cringed. Not what you needed to know. “Cuffs are men’s size. Dominatrix set for a wom-“

“Enough, enough! Gee, Friday…” you muttered under your breath, not liking the visual of Wagner in the middle of enjoying-

Gross.

“No need for that much detail…”

Shaking your head, you moved onto the desk; an obvious, perhaps too obvious choice, which was why you wouldn’t place your bet on it. But hey, you could never be sure enough until you checked.

The sudden noise on your right had you drawing your gun at instant, your pulse skyrocketing.

The first thing you saw was a large frame of the newcomer and neatly combed blond hair. Your shoulders slumped.

Steve raised his hands as he moved from the doorway to stand inside, his face visibly relaxing at the sight of you searching another man’s desk.

The door clicked shut behind him and you forced yourself to breathe in, shoving your gun back to the holster placed on your covered thigh.

“Jesus, Steve!” you whisper-yelled exasperatedly and resumed your inspection, paying him no mind anymore. You had more important things to do at the moment; not that you wouldn’t do him; Steve in a tux was sight to behold, like hold onto THAT, literally get your hands on it, but you were here for a job.

“You weren’t responding!” Steve replied in the same manner, causing you to freeze.

He had been trying to contact you? And you couldn’t hear him? But-

“Oh,” you let out intelligently, doing the math easily. “He must have some sort of a jammer in here, makes sense.”

“Uh-huh.”

“But I’m fine,” you stated, shutting one drawer, opening another. “How did you even ge– never mind. You should go-“

“Don’t wanna cloooose my eyeees!”

The distant howl-like shout from the hall turned your blood into ice, your eyes widening.

You had studied Wagner the whole evening; you’d recognize his voice anywhere, even when he was singing ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’ out of tune.

“-before THAT happens! Shit!”

As you pulled out your phone, the live-feed from the camera in the hall offered you a marvellous view.

Two gorilla-men were dragging Wagner towards his room as his feet barely kept him standing. Gorilla number three was walking behind them just in case that their boss’ face decided to meet the floor despite the support offered to him.

Shit, shit, SHIT-

Closing the drawer you were currently scouring, lips pressed into a tight line, you eyed Steve; he was already bracing himself for the fight, caught in the middle of the process of discarding the jacket to have wider range of movements.

You whined internally – firstly, what a sight, it would always make you weak in knees no matter what. Secondly, if this was to end in a fight, the chances were that you’d make it out without the plans and you had spent the night in those killer heels for nothing.

Oh no, you don’t-

“Cause I’d miss ya’ BABY—I don’t wanna miss a THIIIIING!”

Scanning the room once more, your mind running hundred miles a minute, your gaze fell on the huge-ass closet of which contents you had learned more than you’d like to.

Your lips parted in surprise at the plan forming in your own head.

This is a terrible idea.

It’s yours!

Exactly.

Yeah, okay, fair enough-

NO TIME TO COME UP WITH A BETTER ONE-

Steve was kind enough to follow when you grabbed his arm and pulled him from his spot in the middle of the room, though he did shoot you an utterly confused look.

You met his eyes and gulped when the singing approached the room way too quickly to your liking.

“STILL MISS YA’ BABY–“

“I need you to trust me now,” you pleaded in hushed tone, seeing Steve’s pupils go wide, covering the somewhat always warm blue of his irises.

“With what?”

Well, he asked for it.

“Get in the closet, now!”

A second of shocked silence followed your request before his brain made the connection and a scowl twisted his handsome face.

“What? No! I’m not leaving you alone to face them!” he raised his voice minutely and you covered his mouth to remind him that there were ears present, inching closer with each second passing.

“DON’T WANNA FAAAAALL ASLEEEEEEP-!”

“That’s exactly what you’ll do! That’s easier to play off.”

Steve very much not agreed if his eyes flashing with anger were anything to go by. His hand pushed yours away as he towered over you.

“I’m not leaving-“

“Look at the gorillas, Steve!” you shoved the phone to his face, unlocking the closet and throwing its door open. “One word from them to the rest of security and we’re screwed. Get in!”  

Something between a whine, a groan and a growl – neither of those sounds sexy given the circumstances – escaped his lips and you assumed he had to admit to himself that you were right.

Taking a mental note of his resistance diminishing, you easily pushed him towards the limited dark space.

“CAUSE EEEEEVEN WHEN I DREAM OF YOOOOOOOU- THE SWEETEST DREAM WILL NEEEVER DOOOOOO-“

“We can still play it off toge-“ he tried to protest one more time but you pushed against his chest adamantly.

“And say what? This isn’t what it looks like? We just happened to choose your office to get freaky? I’ll handle it. Trust me.”

Steve gave you his unfairly disarming pleading look, his puppy eyesTM, but backed into the closet without another word, clutching his previously stripped jacket to his chest, because he did trust you.

Fingers on the handle, you hesitated when you realized what could ruin the charade you came up with and planned on pulling off.

Swallowing hard at the terrible idea, you gave Steve a tiny encouraging smile as you drew your gun and three knives from your leg holster/sheath and pressed it to his hands.

“Hold these for me.”

Swiftly closing the door, the last thing you saw was the horror on his face.

As the door swung open and you spun on your heels, he had no chance to react.

The loud song which had been reaching your ears for seemingly endless time died on Wagner’s lips and the third extra gorilla of a man behind him instantly pulled out his gun.

And aimed it right at your face. While you had nothing to defend yourself but your bare hands.

Yay.

“Who are you?!” he thundered and like a charm, Wagner stood straight so the other two guards could have you at gunpoint as well.

Yet, what sent an unpleasant shiver through you was Wagner’s sleazy eyes travelling from your killer heels to your ankles, up to your partly exposed thigh, your waist and finally settling on your cleavage, not bothering to make it higher to look into your eyes.

So. He’s a pig. Shocker.

For once, you were grateful. Not that he was supposed to know that.

A sweet innocent smile spread on your lips as you eyed the weapons with what seemed to be almost a satisfaction, you hoped.

“A government agent, of course,” you said, voice pitched just a bit higher than usual. You felt a bit sorry for Steve at the moment; you were well-aware of nearly giving him a heart attack by saying that. “I work with Captain America.” Scratch the ‘nearly’. Poor Steve’s heart. “I was given the task to scour this place… very… thoroughly.”

Your tone husky now, your teeth bit down on your lower lip, your eyes watching Wagner with faked interest. He hypnotized your red lips before shaking his head as if snapping from a haze.

“They told me you’ve been a bad, bad man. I kept my eye on you all evening,” you admitted, not even having to lie.

The following smile you sent his direction was perhaps too predatory, but that could work. For him anyway.

“Who do you work for?!”

The guards were not as easily fooled as their drunk boss apparently; then again, you hadn’t expected them to.  

“Oh. A.R.M.O.R. America-Related Manpower Operatives and Reinforcements.” God bless their hearts if they were going to buy that, seeing you were obviously trying to imitate the SHIEILD acronym. Very poorly. Playing it up, you let a giggle escape you before your expression turned serious, guilty even. “Oh. Probably shouldn’t have said that. It’s only my first time, you see. I finished my training few days ago.”

“Mm… look at ‘dat…” Wagner drawled and nope, it had nothing on the way Steve spoke when his accent peeked through while he was drunk on Asgardian liquor or lust alone.

Not relevant.

Wagner waved off his guard dogs, gesturing to one of them to approach you. “Why don’t we search you first?”

“Make it quick. I have…” you let your eyes trail over Wagner’s body, licking your lips when visibly lingering on his crotch, “more important tasks at hand. I came here for a mission. I’d like it to… finish.”

Two men instantly went to inspect you, patting you from the back, from the front, up and down, way longer and more thoroughly than necessary.

And they found what they were looking for.

One large palm harshly slipped between your thighs and you closed your eyes, willing yourself not to throw up at the pawing.

Gorilla One’s head snapping up to you, he pulled out the only weapon left on you, handing it to his boss and Gorilla Two grabbed your wrists and locked it behind your back, causing you to nearly hiss in pain.

“Oops,” you shrugged instead, burning gaze locked onto the man who was holding both your weapon and your life in his hands.

Your heart was beating frantically in anticipation, your confidence wavering as Wagner inspected the knife.

A slow smile spread on his face, his left eyebrow rising and then he finally, finally burst out laughing.

A confused ‘what’ sounded from behind you as the man’s utterly smashed boss howled in hysterical laughter.

“This—this is GOL-DEN!” he choked out, tossing the item to the very man who had handed it to him.

“It’s a stage-prop,” Gorilla One sighed.

And that it was. Thank you, Natasha Romanoff.

“Oh. So it’s fake.”

“Told you I have more important things at hand… so if—my hands could find some release please…” you asked sweetly over your shoulder. The very next second, you remembered just what was in the closet; and you weren’t thinking Steve. So you switched tactics. “That’s an order, actually. Let. Me. Go.”

“What the agent said, Greg,” Wagner beckoned, still chuckling, a new twinkle appearing in his eye, his face free of mistrust. Gorilla Two, Greg apparently, released your hands with reluctance. You didn’t bother thanking him. “And let her work. Off you go.”

When the gorillas wavered for few moments, you felt your impatience grow along with the pain shooting up your calves. Damn heels.

“Have you not heard your superior? Do I need to teach you some discipline?”

Wagner licked his lips, taking two wobbly steps towards you. It seemed to seal the deal for the guards, because they left the room.

“Someone went out of their way to get you… Must be my birthday then,” he grinned sleazily, his fingers twitching as if he craved to touch you, his hands stopping few inches from your hip. “I’m all  yours, agent. Why don’t you go on with the… thorough inspection?”

Straightening your posture, chin stuck up, you nodded curtly.

“Of course. Sir, I’ll have to ask you to raise your hands to your head. Don’t move otherwise. I’m gonna feel for weapons now.”

“Yes, madam,” he responded breathlessly, but the second you started the process, his hand landed on your hip.

You stopped in your search, locking serious gaze with him. His pupils were blown, eyes dark with lust. His fingers squeezed, his gaze flickering to your mouth as you stood nearly chest to chest.

“Sir, this is highly inappropriate. I’m gonna have to ask you-“

His palm slid to your bottom, fingers digging into the flesh.

You narrowed your eyes, not even having to pretend you didn’t like that. You slapped his hand away, earning a sly grin. He didn’t try again immediately, which you were endlessly grateful for. Instead, he obediently raised his arms so he looked ready to be either searched or crucified.

Oh, you’d gladly.

“Sorry, Agent, I couldn’t help myself. What is such… pretty face like yourself doing in business like this?” he questioned in a husky voice and at that moment, you knew that your time spent around Tony Stark had taken its toll on you, because you simply couldn’t resist that pass.

“Stealing intel from pricks like you,” you mumbled under your breath, giving him just enough time to realize something was wrong.

A fraction of second later, the edge of your hand hit his throat, bruising his larynx and causing him to release a shocked huff of air. Kicking his knee next, your elbow met his face. A choked groan escaped his lips and you prayed to god he didn’t truly find his voice to call the guards.

You elbowed him in his right temple for a good measure, incapacitating his other knee so he nearly sunk to the floor. You slipped around him in one swift movement; your arm sneaked around his throat and cut out his airways.

Too stunned, he barely fought you and you felt all tension leave his muscles in no time.

Wagner’s body hit the ground as he slipped through your hands despite your best efforts. You winced at the thud shaking the floor; you quickly giggled loudly, playing it off as a drunken fun-time shenanigans. Just in case the guards were still at the door.

Satisfied and relieved when no one burst in with guns blazing, you walked to the closet, losing those damned stilettos on the way.

As soon as you unlocked the closet, Steve nearly hit you with the door when abruptly leaving the limited space. His eyes scanned you head to toe to find any sign of an injury, the flames in his glare fading only a bit when he found none.

“You almost gave me a heart attack!” he whisper-yelled and despite the circumstances, you couldn’t but giggle, this time from honest amusement as he proved your earlier thoughts right.

There we go…

“Worked, didn’t it? Now help me since you’re here, he’s fucking heavy…”

Steve gave you an incredulous look, one promising a storm coming once you had the time for it, but he went to pick Wagner’s body up without protest.

━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━ 

Steve was kind enough to have you use the bathroom first, so by the time he emerged – around half past three a.m. – you were already tucked in bed, waiting for him. His feet shuffled against the floor and he seemed utterly spent, as if he had been fighting an army from space.

You had both left the party unharmed; then again, you could imagine that socializing the way he had had to could be as tiring as an alien invasion itself. Also, he had been the one leave Wagner office-bedroom through the window, while you simply walked out of the room, winking at the guards who had indeed stayed by the door.

Steve slipped under the covers and turned off the bedside lamp, the warm light replaced by inviting darkness. Your eyelids felt heavy after the long night and you couldn’t wait to enter the blissful land of sleep.

Having Steve’s arms around you, a pleasant habit of his, you knew you’d be out in no time, but you made the effort to shift further into his embrace, sighing in content and murmuring ‘goodnight’.  

Already halfway out as soon as you closed your eyes, you still registered his arm winding tighter around your waist, his nose pressed to your nape. A deep inhale, then another, warm breath and his lips inching closer with each second.

Pulled out of your slumber, limbs already heavy and yet floaty, half-hearted question left your lips.

“You ‘kay?”

“Uh-huh,” he hummed, his foot wedging between yours to pull you impossibly closer, his exhale long and wavering.

The tremble in it alarmed you, urging you to check up on his expression, on him. Willing your body to move, your heart skipped a startled beat when he wouldn’t let you turn around.

“That didn’t sound-“

His fingers wormed its way under your side laid on the mattress, flexing on the flesh of your waist.

“I’m fine….” Bullshit. “It’s just… you have no idea how hard it was to stay put while listening to all that, do you?”

Eyelashes fluttering in surprise, you took in his words, the subtle taste of fear in them, concern for how your abrupt plan could have easily go awry.

You allowed yourself a few moments before responding, forcing your memories, the images of you helplessly lying pinned to the ground after you saw a building explode – a building with Steve still in it – out of your mind.

“I… I think I can imagine. I’m sorry. I came up with an idea and thought it was for the best,” you whispered.

Honestly, you were still convinced that it had been the best thing to do given the circumstances, but that was momentarily beside the point.

“You literally told him you worked with me. I swear to God- I–“

Hearing the shift in his voice, a different emotion interfering – the pure horror, laced with exasperation – you softened your next words even further, running your fingertips over the back of his hand coaxingly.

Without any real hope, you attempted to turn in his firm embrace; this time, he reluctantly let you, your palms instantly trapping his miserable face.

“Hey. Hey, Steve, it’s fine. We handled it. We’re good. I just remembered Friday told me that he was a kinky bastard-“ Steve nudged you at the word and you fought hard the eye-roll he had coming at that “-and decided to use it.”

“You gave me your weapons and went against him empty-handed– never ever do that again,” he demanded, voice equally pleading and firm. You couldn’t help but nudge him back, because in your line of work, promising that technically equalled lying. “If there is any other option.”

You sighed, understanding all too well how he was feeling, willing to promise the latter to ease his mind. And to erase the worried wrinkles on his forehead. You kissed him there, the tension resolving under your loving gesture.

“Noted. I didn’t do that to get off, to have a high.“ Unlike some people, who seemed to do that sometimes. "I promise.”

“I know you didn’t,” Steve said, having the decency to add an edge of guilt to his voice, your verbal call for hypocrisy not going unnoticed. He kissed your left collarbone, tender and greedy, his lips sliding an inch lower to faintly feel your heartbeat and lingering.

“You know me well,“ you stated, running your fingers through his still damp locks, musing. "It’s… nice. Not as scary as I expected once.”

“Thanks…?” he murmured against your skin unsurely and you chuckled, a tired but oh so content sound.

“I love you.”

“I love you too,” he whispered, heavy-lidded eyes boring into yours, finding your lips with his to deliver a lazy but heartfelt kiss, one you felt reaching your very soul.

Shifting so your head was tucked under his chin, you nestled into the most comfortable position possible and Steve hummed into your hair, once more pulling your body against his, not an inch of space left between you. You melted into his warmth and finally, you felt his muscles fully relax as well.

As you once more walked the fine line of dozing off, a sudden thought caused you to snap your eyes open, your heart skipping a curious beat.

“Steve?” An absent hum was his only response, but encouraged by any reaction at all, you continued, knowing that you wouldn’t fall asleep without having the answer. “When you said it was hard… you weren’t referring to a… certain situation of yours, right? … or were you?”

Even with his body turning rigid, a rock-solid prove he was fully awake, he put effort into sounding sleepy.

“Just go to sleep, woman.”

“…were you?! Do you want me to… do some thorough inspection of y-“ you teased, fascinated, never finishing your thought as Steve’s large palm covered your mouth.

You resisted the urge to release the surprised laugh bubbling in your chest. It wasn’t that you thought Steve’s desire was ridiculous; you were just that amazed that it never came up; a true wonder given your line of work.

Momentarily incapacitated, you didn’t speak, but grazed your teeth over his palm so he would release you.

“Hush!”

“ ’khay-“ You muttered and he removed his palm, sleepy blue watching you in warning. You strained your neck to kiss the previously teased skin of his hand. “We’ll explore that another time. I’m beat. Still love you. Goodnight.”

With that, you curled back into his body, feeling the wide expand of his chest followed by an exasperated puff.

“Goodnight, you maniac. I love you too.”

━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━ 

Pins and needles in your toes ripped you harshly from the dreamland and you groaned quietly, rescuing your foot from the vice created by Steve’s own.

Shared sleep was blissful, releasing endorphins, the feelings of comfort and safety it provided irreplaceable and all that, but having your limb pinned to the mattress by a supersoldier was no joke.

You checked the clock on the nightstand; 8:27 AM. Sparing a glance at the man sleeping beside you, his arm wrapped around your waist, palm sprawled over our abdomen, you smiled despite the early hour.

Any other morning, you would have shaken off the cramp and scooted over to get even closer to Steve; however, determined to do something nice for him and make sure he was alright with what he had clearly considered an irresponsible stunt of yours yesterday, you thanked heavens for the unexpected get-up call and planned on wiggling out of Steve’s grasp.

“Where ya’ goin’?” he mumbled sleepily, the inches you had managed to put between your bodies erased as his arm pulled you back, his nose nuzzling your hair with a sigh.

“Bathroom,” you lied easily, lightly patting his forearm. “We’ve barely slept for five hours. You still have thirty minutes till your usual start of the post-mission day, you crazy-ass lark. I’ll be right back.”

“Mm-hmm… I’ll be waitin’.”

Chuckling silently, you freed yourself fully, this time without his protests.

“I’m sure you will, Steve,” you whispered, your smile widening when only ten seconds later, your words were followed by his quiet snort.

Grabbing one of Steve’s hoodies thrown over the backrest of a chair and sliding into it, you made your way to the communal kitchen instead. Your mission was to make Steve breakfast, secretly hoping you could talk him into skipping the usual run today and actually spending a day in bed. You thwarted big bad’s plans yesterday, for god’s sake, you both deserved a break…

As a reminder of the past events, a bruise the size of a boot on your thigh – which you didn’t remember getting – stared accusingly at you when you passed a mirror. You inconspicuously pulled the hem of Steve’s hoodie an inch lower in attempt to cover it. Vainly.

Rolling your eyes, you wondered just how nice you needed to be today; Steve had seemed more freaked out than anything else; nevertheless, the anger could come today and you rather if it didn’t.

Deciding pancakes, eggs and bacon were a safe bet, you hummed and opened the fridge.

It was the exact moment something caught you eye, a change in decorum; right above your head on the top of the fridge.

A big fat zero stared at you from the sign you had got Steve a while ago, a memorandum of your first first-hand experience of his utter recklessness on missions. Ever since then, you and the rest of the team made sure to have the board up-to-date, sometimes proudly and sometimes regretfully rewriting the number of ‘days without Steve doing stupid life-threatening shit’.

Now there was a zero. Your jaw went slack, your heartbeat skyrocketing.

It was not the only change on the sign.

Someone, and you had a very good idea who that might be (hint: he was sleeping in your bed), plastered your name over Steve’s.

Your smile froze on your lips and at that moment, you could have been knocked out with a feather.

Unbelievable.

Un-fucking-believable.

Shutting the fridge with a loud thud, bottles in its door clinking, you strode back to your shared room, sputtering curses.

The audacity of him!

When had he even- how had he done– all night— you had woken up before him-!

Forget pancakes, eggs and bacon; snark was on the menu today.

“STEVEEEEEN!”

You heard his laughter before you even reached the bedroom.

Looking at the bright sight of things, Steve being a little shit was a positive shift from his late-night anxiety. A brief smile crossed over your face before you stormed into the room, finding the blond culprit muffling his chuckles in a pillow.

Your pillow.

Jumping to the bed, you grabbed his own and opted to show him just how stupid you could get.

Because trying to take down a supersoldier in a pillow fight? The zero might have to stay on the board for one extra day.

As Steve’s carefree laughter echoed within the walls of your bedroom, filling you with pure joy, you decided you could live with that.

━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━  ━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━

If you’d like to know the origin of the board, I kindly point you towards my S.R. masterlist, specifically to Challenge Accepted…? Fair warning: it has more drama than this one.

Thank you for reading! ❤️

[hockeyblogg]

Crying Blood: ‘Mistakes Were Made.’ (MCU)

Authors Notes: Hey y’all, this is the first part to a fic I have. I’m still debating on if it’s either a BuckyxReader fic or StevexReader fic, but for now, this is what I got. A couple things to clarify, reader is enhanced. I will explain more of what her powers are in the next chapter, and the way I have this set, Infinity War and Endgame haven't happened (yet?) and Tony and Steve have made up already. I do not know how many chapters this story will bring nor will I have a schedule of when I post. Requests are OPEN (for now)

Summary: After being enhanced at a young age, your parents abandon you and S.H.I.E.L.D takes you in as their own. After failing a mission, Fury decides it’s time you join the Avengers, and hopefully make a new family. 

Warnings in this Chapter: A little angst.

Sniffling, you wiped at the tears falling down from your eyes. Stupid S.H.I.E.L.D. Stupid superhero shit. Stupid Test. You bring your knees up and rest your head on them, taking in the surroundings around you. After running from Nick, you came to the back of the compound, sitting on the dock by the lake, thinking.

You have known S.H.I.E.L.D since you were nine years old, your dad worked with S.H.I.E.L.D, he was an ex agent. After he met your mother, he decided it was best to stay home, to help your mom when they had you, then two years later they had your brother, then a year later, your sister. He didn’t necessarily retire, he still kept up with them, still helped them navigate people and files, he just never went on the missions himself.

You loved your younger siblings, always showing them new stuff, teaching them things, playing with them and taking them to the park behind your house. Your parent loved how close you were with them.

You often heard your parents fighting when you three were sleeping, always curious as to why. When you finally had the courage to listen, you tiptoed to their bedroom door, and put your ear against it.

“She’s only nine years old, she’s just a kid!” You heard your mom say, and you heard a sigh coming from your dad, “You tell S.H.I.E.L.D that! We don’t have much time; we need someone now and what better person than their ex best agent’s daughter?! They will train her; she will grow stronger and stronger!” Your dad yelled, “She’s the only choice we have, child or not. I’m sorry my dear, but we have no choice.”

You heard your mom crying, and you wanted to walk in to tell her to stop, that everything was okay, but you knew you couldn’t without them getting upset with you for listening in on a conversation not meant for you.

The next morning, your dad woke you up and told you to come with him. On the car ride to the S.H.I.E.L.D compound your dad told you that he was sorry, that you had to do this. You didn’t know what he meant or what he was talking about, but as you arrived at a tall building, you knew it wasn’t exactly good.

All you remember after arriving was someone was taking your dad and they took you to a room with a big chair and light, you sat on it and looked, seeing your dad on the other side and a man with an eye patch on his left eye. You heard the door open and two nurses walked in, one holding a big needle. Your face drained and you tried to get out of the chair, but the other nurse came and shushed you, telling you it was going to be okay.

You expected them to be mean, but they were really calm and nice with you. They ended up having to put you sleep because of how terrified you were, and when you woke up, you were in another room, your parents beside you. When you lifted your hand, a purple source came out of it and out of fear you shook your wrist, only for the purple flare to zoom cross the room, blowing a few other beds toward the wall.

You yelped and tried to climb out of bed, your parents waking up beside you. Your father tried to calm you down, but you couldn’t, absolutely terrified of what was coming out of you. Eventually, your father had to call a nurse in and they stuck a needle in your arm, and the last image you had was of your mother crying, and your dad hugging her telling her it was going to be okay.

The day you got your powers was when everything changed; you were brought home for a few days before you would start training, but you had to wear gloves to conceal your powers, and you didn’t have enough energy to play with your siblings. It was only after the second day home that your father was informed that HYDRA was sent to find you, they wanted to capture you and try and make you into another winter soldier, they thought you could be of more use to them than the others ever were. Your parents tried everything they could to hide you, you all moved to a remote location and you didn’t leave the house. Your father made sure that no one but S.H.I.E.L.D knew where you were, and your training was put off until HYDRA was taken care of.

What you failed to notice was that your parents were growing more and more afraid of your lack of control, pretty soon the gloves did nothing to conceal your powers, and when you got angry or sad, your body would have a purple glow around it and everything around you would start floating. They couldn’t handle the risk of your siblings’ lives, or their own and one morning you woke up to find them all gone, leaving you by yourself.

When Nick came to the house and found you he took you in and moved you to the S.H.I.E.L.D compound, but it took time for you to open up, as it always does when someone has been abandoned before, you were also only a kid, but after he trained you, made you stronger not only physically but mentally as well, you accepted the fact that he wouldn’t just leave you in the dust. You were useful to him, to the organization, and you grew accustomed to being everything they wanted and needed. They let you onto the field when you were only fourteen, but you took the guys down like a champ, you became their best agent just like your father once was. That is until, the last mission you were sent on went awry, with Loki escaping with the scepter, exactly what S.H.I.E.L.D didn’t want.

“Loki, put it down.” You warned, curling your fingers and bringing your powers out, silently telling him you’d use them if necessary.

Loki smirked and chuckled, “Or what? Do you even know what your powers are capable of, dear?” He gestures around him, at all the chaos he’s caused, “You can do all this with just the flick of your wrist, and you know what, it would be nice to have a sidekick for once.”

You shook your head, “I’m not like you, I’m no villain.”

Loki tilts his head back as he laughs, holding his stomach, “Oh darling, you’re much more of a villain than I am. After all,” he looks at you with venom in his eyes, “your own family left you because they were scared.”

Freezing, you clenched your jaw, “No, that’s not true.” But he kept going, “Your family was scared of you, they knew you would hurt them.”

Shaking your head, you tried to drown out his voice, “I would never hurt them, they knew that.”

Loki came closer toward you circling around, “They were afraid of you, they hated you, they didn’t want you anymore, you were useless to them.”

Flicking your wrist, he flies to the wall, “NO, That’s not true! They loved me; we were happy!” Walking toward him, you move your hands and he flies into the other wall, “You’re the one everyone is afraid of Loki, not me.”

He tries to stand but you flick your wrist again, and a purple glow is cast around his neck, “I’m the reason everyone is living in peace, and I’m not about to let you ruin that.” You move your fingers and tighten your muscle, choking him. But this is Loki we’re taking about, he’s full of surprises, or tricks rather.

He closes his eyes and goes limp, and you let your hand relax, seeing him drop to the ground. You go to grab the scepter and as you turn to walk away, he’s right in front of you, “Boo.” You gasp and step back but then you feel arms around your stomach and neck, he tightens his hold and you drop the scepter, putting your arms around his arm, gasping for air, “You know darling, you’re quite easy to trick.” He sees your hand lighting up with your powers but before you get the chance to use them, he uses his own to knock you unconscious, and this time it’s your body hitting the floor.

Chuckling, he picks up the scepter, and just as Nick and some other S.H.I.E.L.D agents come running into the room, he’s opening the portal and disappearing.

___

You had him; you really did. The jerk brings up your past and suddenly you’re just a scared little kid again, waking up to find your parents left you. Tears spring to your eyes when you consider Loki’s words, were they really that scared? To just leave their child like that, all alone. You think back to your talk with Nick, and wonder why he thought it was good for you to leave him and go to another team.

“Agent 14, Fury would like to see you in his office.” You hear a voice call out, interrupting your work out and you look to see an agent awaiting your response, “Tell him I’ll be right there, I just have to quickly shower.” With a nod, the agent left you to your own and you picked up your water, taking a few sips while heading to the showers.

After washing up you were heading up to Nick’s office, already knowing what was about to ensue as soon as you walked in.

“Ah Agent, take a seat.” Fury spoke, looking out of his big office window.

You puffed your cheeks and let out a breath, planting yourself on the chair in front of his desk, leaning back and folding your arms, “What’s up?”

Fury glanced over his shoulder to look at you, “What’s up? What’s up is you let Loki get away with the scepter, which means you failed the mission!” He speaks loudly and you huff, sitting upright, ready to take the lecture, “You could have been killed Y/N, and it’s just your luck that Loki let you off easy.”

You roll your eyes, pfft easy, “I had it under control, if I had just-�� Nick cut you off, “Yeah, but you didn’t.” Avoiding his gaze, you’re about to tell him what happened but he didn’t let you, “We decided that it’s about time you joined the rest.” You stood up, “The rest, what you mean those wannabe superheroes in stupid suits who I always have to clean up after?” Nick sighed, “We sent you on this mission to see if you can do it alone, these guys already experienced him and took him down as one, we wanted to test you on your abilities to fight someone who isn’t your usual bad guy.” You scoffed, “A test? So, what then, you hired Loki to trick me?” Nick rolls his eyes, “No, we got him to fight you, to give you all he had so that we could find out if you can handle your own out there.” “I had him, I just got distracted-” “No, you got tricked Agent, which is something that we can’t have happen with this type of fight we’re going up against.”

“It was one time Fury, I don’t need any sort of backup, especially from them.” You narrowed your eyes toward your boss, who was looking at you with his signature glare, “I’m aware of how strong you are, but the way that things turned out, you’re not ready for this higher form of war we’re talking about. These new villains are from space, somewhere unknown to us.” You cut him off, “Where do you think I got my powers? These villains have the same amount of power I do, if not, are weaker than I am.” Nick slammed his hands down on the desk, standing up, “We don’t know that! A higher form of war is unknown to us, and that makes it dangerous, you can’t argue with that.” You crossed your arms and looked away, arguing again, “It was one time.” Nick sighed, “I’m only making you apart of this team so that you have help on missions that require it, you’re only seventeen kid, I’ll be damned if anything happened to you.” What he was saying made sense, but your anger wouldn’t let you see past it, “I was your best agent for the last three years, hell I was only fourteen too when I started! One slip-up and now I need a whole team? It’s not fair, all my hard work going to waste.”

“You will still have separate missions, but when we need to fight something unknown to us, you will have the Avengers for backup.” Nick knew he wasn’t going anywhere with this, so he stood up and walked to the door, “I understand how sudden this is, but I’ve made my decision, take it or leave it.”

Hearing the door slam shut, you were left in your thoughts. It was all a test, a stupid test to see if you were strong enough and you failed. Was Nick right? Did you need backup?

Sighing, you walk out the door and head down on the elevator.

___

That’s how you ended up here, thinking about what life would be like if your dad was normal. You sniffle once more, wiping away the remaining tear streaks and stand up, are you really agreeing to this? I mean, Nick said you would still get separate missions, but will you have to stay at the Avengers compound? You have to admit the avengers are pretty good, and they are pretty nice. They are nice, right? Even so, you don’t need another family, if anything these guys will abandon you just as your real family did. Still, it would be pretty nice to have people to talk to, or just be around. Being alone at this compound can be pretty sad, and the other agents are always too busy, never around.

Sighing, you look at the lake once more before turning and walking toward the compound again. Fine, they win.

[loki-subterfuge]

Irked

Title: Irked Author: lokilover9 Chapter: #16 Rating: Mature After leaving the shop and discussing their interaction with the ladies, Loki silently revisited Shandis comment from the park. ‘Whenever possible, I avoided you.’ It struck him like an unforeseen, blow to the stomach he'd caused her such distress and vowed it mandatory to apologize for. Wanting the right moment and words, time would allow him to plan. Shandi had taken a cool shower, then suggested they call Tony while Loki poured himself a triple whiskey. The strength of Midgardian alcohol was nothing compared to Asgards and took several bottles to have any effect. “Soon, perhaps. Care for a drink?” He asked. “You don't think he'd wanna know everything, ASAP?” “I should start dinner first.” “Why? It's only just three.” Loki began gathering some salad ingredients and placing them on the kitchen island. “Perhaps he already knows.” “You called him without me?” She asked. “BOO!” Shandi nearly jumped out of her skin and spun around. “HOLY SH..Clint? Hey guys! What are you doing here?” Nat hugged her. “Hi beautiful. Tony knows all and is thrilled.” “He is.” Affirmed Loki. ...“Cactus, you tell that Doll, she's awesome.”... “Then he belched loudly into the phone and Pepper took it away from him again.” Shandi chuckled. “Oh no.” “Oh yes. At least this time he didn't threaten to suit up on her to retrieve it, but he seems heavily into the drink again.” “He what?” Clint amusedly, asked. Loki nodded. “I kid you, not. There's still no news from S.H.I.E.L.D about Shamus vending at the fair yet, either.” “Wait.” Said Shandi. “‘Tony’ called ‘you?’” “Yes, to warn of heavy rains and high winds, developing overnight here and remaining throughout tomorrow.” “So we've the day off.” Said Nat. “And now that we're friends, Cactus invited us to be bunkies for the night. We already received a tour of the main floor, might I have one of the upper?” Shandi enthusiastically, lead her up the back stairs. “Wait ‘till you see my jacuzzi tub, it's huuuge.” Clint looked at Loki. “That must've put Tony in the dog house.” After the tour, Shandi and Nat, collected some bed linen and headed to the guest room. “I wonder if Tony’s alright? I know he likes to indulge at times, but twice in one week?” Nat knew from the beginning, this mission weighed heavily on Tony’s mind. Seriously enraged after learning his Tasers still existed, he’d kept that well concealed from Shandi. This being her first big mission, why instill a sense of worry she’d disappoint were it unsuccessful? Being forced to use Loki as her partner, only added to his plight. As a result, he’d secretly consulted with Nat, prior to delegating everyone's roles. To help Shandi feel more valued as a new team member, she'd be placed as Elizabeth, then presented the option to switch. When she didn't bite, Tony panicked and ordered reports on Loki's behavior from Nat, whenever possible. Yet Kroshka had a secret all her own. A gut feeling, she'd never revealed to anyone. “He's probably just pissed at S.H.I.E.L.D.” She passively, remarked. The two began making up the bed. “You're quiet, beautiful.” “I'm fine.” “You sure? Nothing's gone awry between you and Cactus, has it?” Shandi sighed. “No, which presently has me perplexed.” “About?” “If I say, I worry you might think I'm naively letting my guard down.” Nat gestured for them to sit. “Your past doesn't permit you to let your guard down easily about anything, I know that. What are you referring to?” “The significant difference in Loki's behavior. He's gone from being a gargantuan dick towards me at the Tower, to being the opposite and it's..well, weird.” “Considering who you're referencing, define ‘weird.’” Shandi revealed everything from the food poisoning incident, to the peonies, including their discussion about the mission and her safety, positively confirming Nats gut feeling. These two stole each other's hearts, the moment they first met and had chemistry beyond comprehension. Yet amusingly, Shandi appeared intimidated by Loki's sex appeal. Being well educated in the art of seduction, Nat recognized a fellow dominant and felt Shandi could use another lesson in overcoming her shyness. Especially after receiving an A+, for the first. “I keep waiting for some hidden catch to appear.” Said Shandi. “One I'm going to feel like an idiot, not foreseeing.” “You worry too much.” Said Nat. “Personally, I think you should just fuck him already.” “Scuuuse??? I said hidden catch, not snatch, woman. Where did that come from?” “I'm your best friend, dummy. Do you think I'm blind?” Shandi walked to the nearby dresser and checked her hair. “I don't know what you're talking about.” Nat chuckled on approach and stared at her from behind. “You can ditch the facade, I know you want him. Why don't you live a little, beautiful?” “Really? I'm on a mission trying to discover if a Federal Court judge is selling dangerous weapons while pregnant by an Alien God, whose abilities far exceed the unusual. I'd say that's living a little.” “All the more reason for a stress release.” “Wouldn't that only complicate things? And what makes you think I want him?” Nat smiled slyly, her tone becoming sultry and alluring. “Instinct and how complicated could it be? Tall, dark and handsome. Always smells amazing. Oozes charisma and sensuality from every pore.” Holding Shandis gaze, Nat eased a hand up her inner thigh. “Remember what I taught you that night alone in my apartment, after drinking too much vodka?” Shandi nodded and bit her bottom lip when Nat moved beyond her panties, penetrating the warmth of her folds. “And what about this?” “Mm hm.” She began drawing languid circles over Shandis clit, watching as her eyes become hooded. “You're liking this aren't you, beautiful.” It was more a statement than a question and when Shandi expelled a soft moan, Nat didn't need an answer. “Shhhh, listen. Close your eyes and think of everything we did, but instead of me, picture Loki.” Her fingers moved faster and Shandis head fell back against her shoulder. “Music blaring in the background as you tease him with an intimate lap dance, your exposed flesh close enough to taste, yet he's forbidden to touch. Watching the alluring, seductive way you move, his cock begins hardening, aching to…” Nat stopped suddenly, retrieved her fingers and backed away, when hearing Clint call out. “Shit.” Shandi whispered, straightening herself. “Damn tease! I need fresh panties.” Nat whispered back. “I need a vibrator, but they'll both have to wait.” “You’re bad.” “Damn right. Really though woman, you need to let loose.” She snorted at Shandis arched brow, just as Clint knocked on the door. “Hello? We poured you girls drinks and Loki's making spaghetti and meatballs.” He opened it and eyed them, suspiciously. “One of these days I'm going to catch you two.” Shandi smirked and stepped into the hall. “Doing what?” Asked Nat, tucking her moist fingers into a pocket. “We were making your bed.” “Mine? But It's a single.” She kissed him. “I know baby cakes, but you like sucking the blinds off the windows after too much vodka. Remember?” “Then where are you sleeping?” Taking Shandis hand, Nat winked at him and started down the stairs. “With my woman.” “I'll spy on you!” He shouted. “I brought the spanking paddle, you've been warned!” Nat replied. They all reached the bottom to see Loki, curiously staring amidst rolling a meatball. “What the hell did I miss?” Clint took a big gulp of his drink. “Nothing in particular, they're just evil.” Loki noticed Shandis mischievous smirk and pointed a finger at her. “I knew you were far from innocent.” A hand went to her hip. “And how did you come to that conclusion? Was it me you heard threatening to give someone a spanking? Nooo.” “That has nothing to with it. I threatened to give you a spanking and I'm obscenely far from innocent.” Shandis face went scarlet and Nat coughed on her drink. “Fess up, beautiful. What the hell did ‘I’ miss?” “Nothing, he's kidding.” Loki snickered. “That's what you think.” “I can loan you the paddle.” Nat casually stated. “It's in my bag at the front door.” Shandi turned to Clint. “Care to ditch these bitches and set up some music for the night?” “I like the way you think darlin,’ lead the way.” Nat followed and after visiting the washroom, returned to help Loki. They'd rolled a couple of meatballs in silence, when she locked eyes with him. “You care about her, don't you.” “I suppose.” Loki casually replied. “We seem to be working well, together.” “Good to hear, but I think it's more than that.” “Oh? I think you speculate, Kroshka.” She smirked, sipping her vodka. “Liar. I've known for some time now.” Loki went quiet, struggling to conceal bewilderment at how the hell, she'd figured him out. “I see. ‘If’ your speculation were true, I gather like Tony, you intend to demand I treat her with respect and remind me she is not here for my ‘entertainment?’” “No, I don't believe I need to.” Suspecting he was being tested, Loki returned the gesture. “What if I were to act upon your ‘speculation?’ Are you insinuating, threatening to inform him?” “Only if you mistreated her.” “Natasha, please don't play me for a fool?” He kindly asked. “I know he's fond of her and you both think me vile.” Nat wasn't surprised Loki harbored such thoughts. He hadn't exactly been welcomed back, nor regarded with much decency, since. “I'll admit I once did, but you've changed quite a bit since returning. As for Tony, try to imagine being in his position. ‘Thee Allfather,’ drops in from outer space, requesting he shack you up for a chance at penance? He was intimidated, to say the least.” Loki seethed at the thought of Odin negotiating his return and responded, sharply. “Which appeased Odin's ego, I'm sure. Intimidation is a favorite past time.” From bits of conversations Nat had overheard between Loki and Thor after he'd return from visiting Asgard, anger, bitterness and resentment seemed deeply ingrained into the trickster. She'd come to suspect, Odin was the main reason why and the icy look in Loki's eyes, confirmed it. Hoping to refocus his thoughts, she lightly clinked their glasses together. “Hey, I didn't intend for this conversation to be offensive. This hasn't been easy for Tony either and this thing with Obadiah...” She sighed, heavily. “He's sick with worry over what else from Stark Industries that prick may have divulged.” Loki understood Starks predicament, more than letting on. Many were outraged by his return, forcing the Avengers to endure harsh local and international criticisms. Tony took the brunt of it, including some death threats and since, assigned Pepper, personal security. Observing how he adored her, treated coworkers like family and continued a valiant effort to help people, Loki came to respect him. “Tony's alright and I’m hoping our mission resolves some of his plight.” Nats smile returned. “That's good to hear too and regarding Shandi, you're right. He's very fond of her, in a big brother kind of way. Even Pepper’s never seen him take someone beneath his wing so much.” “Had he felt a need to?” Loki asked. Nat cautioned her reply. “Before I answer, can you guarantee our conversation will never leave this room?” “You have my word.” “He did and thought the world of her from the start. She tends to have that effect on people.” Nat went momentarily quiet. “Shandi hasn't had an easy life. Not by any means and that's all I'll say.” “Fair enough. Why are you telling me all this, Kroshka?” “Because her heart is more..beautiful, than any I've ever encountered. Please don't forget that?” Loki was grateful Nat confided in him. This was the longest conversation they’d ever engaged in and it wasn't like the little Russian to show sentiment. “I agree and again, you have my word.” Hearing footsteps, they ceased talking and Shandi entered, sipping her drink. “You guys done yet? Clint kinda lost himself in Mr. Prestons vinyl album collection.” Nat shot Loki a quick wink. “I should rescue him then. As a collector, he could be there for hours. The chef could use more help though, right?” “I could, indeed.” Ten minutes later, he was teasing Shandi about her meatball shaping abilities. “You cannot convince me those deformed orbs are edible.” “They appear so to me.” “Come now. I've seen five year olds of this realm, roll better snowballs.” “Excuse me? I'm doing my best.” She tossed one onto the baking sheet and it partially collapsed. “That's your best? It's a good thing both of us aren't culinarily challenged. We could starve.” “Pfft, well then. Take it away, oh master of meatballs. I’ll just pour another drink and watch.” “Eh he he he, perhaps I could teach you?” He stepped in behind her. “May I?” Shandi nodded and Loki positioned himself just close enough for warmth to emanate between them. “You're going too fast. Relax, hm?” “I’m relaxed. What makes you think I'm not?” He smirked at the subtle pulse increase in her neck. “Nothing in particular.” Finding her hands rigid, he gently tapped them. “Shandi.” “Hm?” “Open a bit?” She did a little too much and dropped the chunk of beef back into the bowl. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news darling, but you need to hold the meat in order to shape it.” ‘Mind out of the gutter Shandi, mind out of the gutter.’ “You said relax, so I relaxed.” “I assumed you already were. Am I making you nervous?” “What? No.” She scooped up the meat again. “There, see?” ‘You'll need to be a much better liar than that Pet, if our mission is to succeed.’ “Follow my lead then, hm?” Molding her hands into position, he guided them into a rhythmic, circular, motion, until a sphere began forming. Then he let go and she deformed it again. “You must require an entire winter to make a snowman.” “Do not...only part of it. I start right after Christmas and it's usually done by the end of January.” They chuckled together and Loki took her hands again. “Perhaps you’ll need extra lessons in sphere shaping.” “Then ‘you'll’ need a lot of patience.” “And I've plenty.” Luckily this was true as his heavenly scent and close proximity, were seriously messing with Shandis focus. Not to mention, his gorgeous hands. Capable of such strength, she was awed they could maneuver, so gently. Imagining what those dexterous fingers were capable of, wasn't helping either, nor was the sound of his voice. “That's it, keep going. Just enough pressure to shape it, without losing grip.” ‘Oh lord.’ Dinner took longer than expected, but no one minded and afterwards, the four decided to play darts. A few games in, Clint started losing and blaming it on Loki. “Are you fucking with me?” “I assure you, I am not.” His turn came again and this time he missed, completely. “Ya rigged the fucking thing, didn't ya?” “Let me guess.” Teased Loki. “You've shot arrows into people's asses or hats perhaps, after too much vodka?” “Okay, now you're being a dick.” Loki patted his shoulder. “Hush now baby cakes and I'll bake you a coconut cake.” The music became louder and when Clint got into a detailed discussion with Loki about varied Midgardian types, Nat and Shandi ventured to the kitchen, for refills. “Clint should keep him busy for a while, ya think?” “I suppose. Why do you ask, beautiful?” “Stay here, I've an idea.” She returned minutes later. “What are you up to, woman?” Shandi whispered. “I kinda feel like..havin’ a swim, but you know, the kind with bubbles?” Nat smiled, realizing she was drunk. “Are you running water up there?” “Yep, on low, but wait. Give things a wee minute.” It wasn't even that long, before Loki appeared in the hall and Shandi put a finger to her lips. He entered the kitchen and started pouring another drink. “Planning to rejoin us, ladies?” “Soon.” Said Shandi, resting her chin in her palm. “We're kinda havin’ a in depth conversation about..menstrual cramps.” “Ahh. Very well, I shall leave you to it.” Shandi waited until he vanished into the entertainment room, then gestured towards the back stairs. “You carry the drinkies, I got the bottle.” Nat obliged. “How did you time that so perfectly?” “I saw him almost empty before we left and took a chance. Hurry, before I flood me ensuite.” “I applaud your sneakiness.” Shandi stopped at the top stair and turned, almost knocking their drinks asunder. “Whyyy..thank you. Guess I'm gettin’ better at it. We’ve vanilla scented bubbles by the way and I found ya a big fluffy towel, too.” Her finger went to her lip again. “Oh and shhh, I've an orange chocolate stash we can enjoy some of too.” “How sweet of you beautiful, but weren't we hurrying?” Shandi glanced down the hall. “Uh oh.”

[consoledacup]

Mine and Mine Alone

Chapter 3: Deliverance

-

Fitz read the message quickly and flicked his eyes back to hers in understanding.

He gave her the slightest of nods.

She cleared her throat, and when she removed her hand, the message was gone.

Somehow she had formulated a certain ink that could only be seen when it came into contact with a glasslike substance.

It was child’s play, compared to what they were used to creating, but he couldn’t hold back a small, impressed grin.

Schwartz came back then, informing them they had one more minute.

They both silently acknowledged the man, but he didn’t walk away this time.

Fitz attempted to keep things light, knowing their time for private conversation was over.

“Until next time, Anne James,” Fitz said warmly, savoring the way her appointed name sounded. 

She nodded. “Bye, Fitz.”

They hung up their respective phones, and she put her sunglasses back on.

She issued a small wave, and then Fitz watched her turn around without a second glance his way.

Bye, Jemma.

-

Jemma left the facility and kept walking until she was completely alone, away from surveillance of any kind. 

The Zephyr uncloaked right in front of her and touched down, giving her enough time to climb aboard. 

Coulson looked at her expectantly. 

“Message delivered,” she informed him.

He nodded and then twisted around to face the cockpit. “Okay, May, get us back up in the air.” 

When Daisy had approached her, explaining she had hacked her way in the system, she and Jemma brought the team together and shared their idea. 

After weighing the pros and cons, Coulson had given them the green light, and the others quickly offered their support and expertise. 

And if all went according to plan, the fallout would be minimal. 

At the appointed time he was given, Fitz would literally be able to walk out of his cell and escape into the night without a single obstacle in his path.

The public wasn’t as familiar with Jemma’s face as they were with the infamous Quake’s, so they figured simple was best in terms of a light disguise. And they were right. She wasn’t even given a second glance. 

Daisy was in charge of the security feed and was planning on jamming said feed by rigging it with a prerecorded loop. She also sat down with Mack, explaining the inner workings of the locking system he needed to hack, and he filled in any of the missing information regarding the actual mechanics of the locks. She didn’t leave his side until they were both confident he could open and close the necessary doors. 

Coulson would be monitoring the rest of the inmates and the staff, prepared to alert the team should any one of them notice something awry.

Yo-Yo was the back-up muscle, willing to get her hands dirty and physically break into the establishment to extract Fitz should things go south. 

May was to wait in the cockpit, so she would be ready for liftoff at a moment’s notice.

Jemma had already done her part by relaying the day and time.

But she still insisted on standing with Yo-Yo outside the facility to greet him. 

No one tried to persuade her otherwise.

-

Schwartz led Fitz back to his cell and left with a grunt, ignoring Fitz’s small “thanks”. 

Conrad watched the officer go and then turned to Fitz. “Who the hell is Anne?” 

Fitz rolled his eyes.

But apparently, Conrad had been starved for company because he didn’t let Fitz’s blatant lack of response deter him. 

“You missed breakfast.” 

“What a pity,” Fitz grumbled. “Breakfast” was a very generous term to describe what they were served. 

“Other guys in here know who you are. Overheard them in the chow hall.”

Fitz’s eyes widened at that, and he tried to mask his reaction, but Conrad’s smug little smile told him he was terribly unsuccessful.

“Is it true what they say? Did you really murder the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.?” 

Fitz sat down heavily on his bed. “My actions and motives led to his death, so yes. I’m guilty.” 

“What a bullshit answer.” 

Fitz shrugged. “Take it or leave it. It’s the truth.” 

“You just don’t seem like the type is all.” 

Fitz narrowed his eyes. “You’d be surprised what I’m capable of.” 

“I'll take your word for it, Doctor,” Conrad chuckled in disbelief.

Fitz tensed.

...

We have him, Doctor.

It’s ‘Dr. Fitz’.

My son, the Doctor himself.

...

“Don’t ever call me that again.”

“What, ‘Doctor’? That’s what you are, right?” 

Fitz sighed. “Yes. But I’d just as soon take the name ‘Leslie’ over the... the other thing.” 

Conrad stared at him, mouth agape. “You’re a strange son of a bitch, you know that?” 

“Yeah,” Fitz forced out a laugh, content to be veering toward more familiar territory. “Yeah, I do.” 

-

Wednesday afternoon, Jemma sat at one of the computers in the control room, triple-checking all aspects of their mission. 

She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a moment, implementing the breathing exercises May had taught her. 

She wasn’t lying. He did look paler than usual. 

He had grown more of a beard and had clearly lost a little bit of weight since she saw him last. 

And... he had such a defeated look to him. 

It stung to see him like that. 

In a prison of his own making.

She knew the love he had for her.

Yet he still wouldn’t accept hers. 

It stung, but she steeled herself to focus on the immediate. 

Her phone started to vibrate, and she looked at the screen. 

She debated on answering but ultimately took the call, preparing for the onslaught of questions. 

“Hi--” 

“Jemma? He’s in jail?! What’s happened? Is he okay?” 

“We’re doing everything we--” 

“Imagine. Just seeing his face plastered all over the news.” 

“I know. I know. He--” 

“And what’s this about S.H.I.E.L.D. being labeled a terrorist organization?” 

“That wasn’t Daisy. It was--” 

She stopped herself short. She didn’t want to provide any more ammunition to those determined to keep Fitz locked up for life. 

Or worse.

Her phone was secure -- as secure as Fitz and Daisy had fashioned it to be -- but... she couldn’t take anything for granted.

“Is she how he wound up in prison?” 

“No. Not exactly.” 

“Have you seen him? Is he okay?”

Jemma took a wavering breath, unable to stop the incoming tears. “He’s... he’s okay.” 

“You can’t tell me anything more, can you?” 

“I wish I could. Just know that I love your son very, very much. And I won’t let anything happen to him.” 

The woman sighed on the other end. “Take care of him, Jemma.” 

“I will,” Jemma’s voice was thick with emotion.

“And take care of yourself, too.” 

Jemma chuckled hollowly. “I’m getting there.” 

-

Lights out were at 11:00 p.m. sharp. An officer always completed his walk thru one hour later. 

And Conrad always passed out roughly thirty minutes after that. 

All of this meant if he lost track in his countdown that night, he had two semi-reliable timestamps to get him back on track. 

Counting three hours and thirty-seven minutes to the second was incredibly tedious, but at least it gave him something to do. 

When he estimated he was near the 2:30 mark, he gingerly stood up from his bed and inched closer to the door. 

He knew he was being watched, but he wondered when Daisy would inevitably take over the feed. 

He didn’t want to press his luck by doing something too out of the ordinary (he had the oddest urge to wave), but he figured standing by the door, looking out forlornly to the dark abyss painted him as a tortured soul and not an almost escapee.

And then it hit him. 

He was going to escape.

The team had rallied together and were going to spring him free. 

He looked back at Conrad and wondered how much trouble Conrad would get into once the officers discovered Fitz was gone.

He thought about the staff and wondered who would get sacked for negligence. 

He thought about his team and wondered who ran the risk of winding up behind bars themselves because they wanted to help him.

If he already wasn’t wide awake and near the door, he would’ve missed the small noise that penetrated the quiet.

The telltale clicking sound.

He stepped closer to the door and carefully tested his hypothesis. 

The door opened easily. 

He looked back at Conrad and looked at the other sleeping inmates and then finally, apologetically, looked at the little blinking camera in the hallway. 

And then, with a gentle finesse, he shut the door until the lock latched back into place. 

-

Read from the beginning here or here, and join in on the pain.

[justwomenimagines-blog]

Can u please write a fic where natasha romanoff proposes to the reader on like a national interview on tv with all of the avengers (reader is the pr boss or whatever and went with them but is standing off the stage or whatever) and she (natasha) comes out on tv when the interviewer asks about it and then proposes to the reader super fluffily?❤

okay so I’m going to do this after the avengers (2012) since rn everything is sort of fucked so here we goo..

The Avengers had slowly but very surely become Y/N’s life. Being their Public Relations director and babysitter all in one led to a hell hole of public disasters that Y/N and a select few had to clean up but it never went unnoticed by a Russian spy that had fallen love with Y/N. It didn’t take long for Natasha’s charm and beauty won over a very smitten Y/N and soon, they were the tower’s power couple. Natasha and Y/N shared a room decorated in Y/F/C and Natasha’s memorabilia from over her years as an agent for S.H.I.E.L.D. They shared the same music taste, film taste, food taste and were a perfect match.  

With the recent events of ‘The Incident’ or the very public show of The Battle of New York, everything had gone awry for Y/N. Her team became a mess under the pressure and she had to hire more… advanced members to help her. The Battle of New York was a spectacular show especially to all those who had front row seats but it was one of the scariest moments of Y/N’s life as Natasha Romanoff was dead center of everything, even riding a stupid, flying thingy or whatever it was called. Y/N was distracted, worrying for her lover’s life and if she’d make it out okay.

Y/N was bunkered in Stark’s tower, a place to live until “Tasha Bear put a nice, chucky ring on it” according to Tony and she watched everything live, something that they would deal with later, Y/N being PR after all but she could never take her eyes off the screen trying to even catch a glimpse of Natasha. As soon as the camera cut to some 60 year old man with more than on than that should be legal, Y/N stood up and got herself the bottle of whiskey from Tony’s bar after the damage done by Bruce and sat and cried and cried a little more and drunk a lot more than what was intended.

~~~

It was over. The Battle. The Incident had finished and ended with the borrowed Chitauri army fallen and Loki and the cube being put away in a safe and secure location. Y/N was awake, slightly drunk but awake none the less meaning it was time to check on Natasha and make sure she didn’t die in the Battle.  

After a tireless amount of stairs to even try to sober up, Y/N ran outside and straight into her woman’s arms and kissed her with everything in her body. It took a while to readjust her eyes to Natasha’s scuffed face but Y/N was home again and Natasha held her for what seemed like a lifetime. After a while of soft whispers coming from Natasha and Y/N, Tony perked up with a, “Have you ever tried shawarma? There’s a shawarma joint about two blocks from here. I don’t know what it is, but I wanna try it. “ and the rest was history.

~~~ Present Day

After the aftermath of The Incident, everyone finally knew about the existence of other life forces and no one could deny it. No matter how hard Y/n and her team worked, there was no chance of erasing this from anyone’s memory meaning everyone wanted answer’s…meaning there was a shit ton of interviews, press conferences, paparazzi and camera’s from every angle any of the Avengers looked. Many caught on to Y/N and Natasha’s relationship but no one dared comment on it from the fear of God that Natasha gave everyone.

It was an average April day but a bit chillier. Natasha and some of the boys were in the middle of a press conference and Y/N was standing behind, guiding them in earpieces they had in, the ones that they used on missions because Y/n insisted on Fury letting her use them. About midway in, the inevitable happened. the topic of relationships. Y/N had already guided them before with only using simple answers and keeping it ambiguous, something that Y/N learned Tony could not do. The interviewer had asked all but Natasha and Y/N thought they were about to skip over her as they were possibly afraid of making a wrong move but Y/N was wrong. “ So Black Widow, I know it is none of my business at all so please, ha-ha don’t hurt me but do you have anyone special to you? Maybe a special Y/N Y/L/N?”  

Y/N’s face was bright red. Natasha looked at the interviewer and looked at Y/N and stated, “Yes.” The interviewer looked puzzled as if what he asked was rhetorical and he then moved on but Natasha interrupted and again stated, “ Y/N, come up here.” Y/N blindly obeys, more due to stage fright than anything else. Once Y/N was in the public view, everyone went wild. Y/N heard clapping, screaming and she was pretty sure there was booing somewhere in there. “ This woman has been here through it all,” Natasha started, “ Through thick and thin. Through bad time and even worse times, Y/N has stuck through it but more importantly, with me.” The crowd awed and Y/N was defiantly burning up. Natasha then got down on one knee and lovingly said, “ Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N, I’ve loved you since the moment I’ve seen you and I want to keep on seeing you, whether it be in the mornings whilst I’m making breakfast or whether it be in ten years, when we’re collecting the kids from school. I want to live my life with you, Y/N so can you, no, please do me the honors of being my other half?” Y/N and Natasha’s eyes were wet, there was no lie there but Y/N slowly shook her head and let out a welp that sounded like a “Yes”. The crowd erupted, the cameras were flashing and the gang of superheroes behind Natasha and Y/N were laughing and jumping over the table to hug the two newly engaged and Y/N was almost positive Barton shed a single tear with the world’s, biggest shit eating grin.  

Once the conference was over, Y/N seemed incapable of leaving Natasha’s side and called Clint over. “Clint, I know you were happy for us but crying, really?” Y/N teased. “If you must know, Mrs. Y/N Romanoff, I was only crying because I made a $100 bet with Steve so now, I’m going to the bar. You and Tasha wanna tag with me and my girl?” Just as Y/N was about to respond, Natasha did for her with a, “We’d love to.” and gave Y/N a peck on the cheek.

——————

kay so, i know that Natasha wouldn’t do this, it would put her boo’s life at risk n there would never be a conference like this cause all her assassin buddies would be like “ooo there’s were she went!1!!!!” so please idc dont comment about that part, its a bit a of hypothetical fun okay?

also thank you anon for asking, it was v v good :;)