《The Compound》Chapter 23
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You ran into the penthouse, rushing over to Steve. There he stood in his uniform, his face had blotches of dirt, his hair going every which direction. You quickly grabbed him, hugging him eagerly. You weren't sure whether the action was more for the benefit of him, or yourself.
When you grasped onto him you heard a slight hiss coming from him, prompting you to pull away. You studied his face further, a few small scratches and bruises scattered around him. "You're hurt." You commented, running your fingers very lightly on his delicate now frail skin, "Very hurt." He lightly laughed.
"It's not that bad doll." You rolled your eyes at him.
"You're ridiculous sometimes." You looked around briefly seeing everyone else with their loved one. The essence of just being near to them was enough to satisfy any soul, but the relief of Steve being alive was a feeling you would never forget.
"Will you two be alright?" Bucky came up to you and Steve, Rachel tightly under his arm.
"Yeah, I think so Buck." Steve sighed, "What about everyone else?"
"We're all going to head out, ya know, try and reel from all this." You and Steve nodded.
"Just stay safe, man." He sighed and Bucky nodded with a tight smile. It took less than five minutes for everyone to leave to be in the comfort of their own homes. Something everyone needed right now.
You led Steve to your bathroom, going to the bottom cabinet on the large vanity and pulling out the first aid kit that was always there just in case. You pulled out some of the alcohol wipes, having him sit on the closed toilet lid while you began lightly dabbing his wounds. He hissed harshly in response.
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"We need to do this Stevie." You said lightly as you continued to attend to the wounds on him. He just looked up at you watching every move you made while trying to heal him.
"How are you?" He finally broke the silence with a small smile.
"How am I?" You asked grabbing a few bandages. "Steve, you just saved the world, and now you're asking me how I am?"
"Yes," He replied, "And don't lie to me."
"Fine," You sighed, placing a bandage on the last cut on his forehead. "I was really scared that I was going to lose you." You admitted.
"Hey," He said, grabbing your hips so you would face him, "You'll never lose me."
"Steve, I almost did."
"No, no," He sighed, "Darling, I'm okay."
"You just got back bruised and battered Steve!"
"And I'm okay."
"Stevie," You sighed, "You may be okay but that was fucking scary." You admitted, your voice frail and eyes filled with tears. "I really thought I lost you."
"Hey, hey, take a deep breath, okay? It was a close one but you didn't lose me and that's what matters." You sucked in a shaky breath, a few tears began streaming down your face. Steve immediately engulfed you in a hug, pulling you down and onto his warm lap. He cooed you, playing with your hair trying to calm you. "It's okay bubs, it's okay." He let you sob into him, his suit still on.
"I was just scared." You admitted with a small sniffle.
"I know, I know." He said, "I won't put you in a situation like that ever again. I promise." You finally got off of him, going back to put the medkit away. You sighed as you stood back up, looking at him as he was now standing. "C'mon, love, let's go to bed." You nodded but first stopped to take off your makeup. Most of your mascara and eyeliner was already smeared across your face, showing black blobs across your elegant skin.
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You wiped all of it off, the light sting from the alcohol still lingering as you walked into your own closet, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. You climbed into bed next to Steve, curling up pretty close to him, so he naturally threw his arm around you, squeezing you closer and tighter to him. "We'll go on a nice vacation in a few weeks, and relax, okay? Get everything off our minds."
"Are you sure?" You sniffled, "You're busy and-"
"And not too busy to have a much-needed vacation after all of this."
Those very words were what led you to a vacation in Bora Bora. It was a mutual choice that you and Steve were both happy to choose. Somewhere tropical and nice, relaxing. You had a completely secluded, small hut. Being right next to the water was a dream, the warm breeze had filled your bedroom every morning.
You groaned as you woke up, the warm and humid air transported inside as a large ray of sunlight did the same. For once, Steve was actually still sleeping next to you. You lightly stretched in the large bed, grabbing your robe from next to the bed and placing it on, walking out onto the balcony to sit for a few moments.
You began thinking and reflecting on everything, the soft wind brushing any loose hair from your face. It was so strange that not long ago you feard someone of Steve's stature and position, yet he was now your person.
"Darling," You heard Steve's morning voice from behind you. You turned around from where you sat to see your lover there and standing in just a pair of sweatpants. You lightly smiled. "You're actually up before me?" You nodded.
"Yeah, for once." You lightly laughed as he took a seat next to you, a few minutes of silence between you two. "So what's next?" You asked. Steve looked over to you, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"What do you mean 'what's next'?"
"Well, ya know, we get married in three months, go on a honeymoon, go back home. Then what?" You turned to him. He lightly smiled.
"I don't know," He admitted, "We look to having pups."
"That fast?" You asked and lightly laughed with a smile. "How about six months."
"Six months?" He asked next, "After the wedding?"
"Yeah six months after the wedding," You sighed, "That way we'll be a happily married couple for a bit and then start a family. I would like to have you alone for a little while longer." He chuckled and looked from you to the ocean.
"Sounds perfect to me."
"Should we find another house?" You asked next, turning to him once more, "Ya know, for the kids. They need some outdoor space right?"
"Don't worry about that." He smiled at you, leaning back in his chair, "We'll figure it all out. Or we'll just install another section of the balcony as a playground and make it kid-proof."
"Perfect." You sighed in pure bliss and happiness.
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