Warnings: Angst! bit of fluff! Descriptions of Injury! Mention of Suicidal like thoughts!
Steve kept his head down glancing around as he picked up some groceries. As he walked to the cashier he pulled down the cap he wore.
The lady smiled at him warmly and he gave a small smile back as she rung up the shopping.
"Danke schön" Steve thanked as she passed him his bag.
Stepping out of the small shop he started the long walk back to the cabin he was staying in.
When he left Wakanda just under 2 weeks ago T'Challa had given him some money and Steve had settled in the village of Stoos. The place you said you'd hide away from world in.
His cabin was on the edge of the village. Close enough that he couldn't be considered an outsider and raise suspicion but far enough away for privacy.
As he approached he glanced up to spot someone standing outside his cabin. He slowed down slightly as he tried to work out who it was. He watched as the person turned around lowering their hood when they saw him. Short platinum blonde hair is revealed. Steve furrowed his brows as he began to recognise who it was.
"Hey" Nat greets as Steve walked over to her.
"Been waiting long?" He asked as he began unlocking the door.
"Not too long" Nat shrugs as he opened the door.
"Well let's get in from the cold" Steve said gesturing for her to step inside.
He followed her in, shutting the door behind him before turning back to Nat and hugging her.
"You okay?" He asks.
"Been better, you?" Nat sighs nodding her head.
"Been better, Ross been after you?" Steve asks as they walk into the kitchen.
"Pretty nonstop, but he never got really close," Nat says leaning against the counter.
"Well, thanks for keeping him off my back," Steve says smirking slightly as he put the groceries away.
"How did you know I was here?" He asks turning to face her.
"I remembered Y/N telling me about this place, thought you'd come him, sentimental bastard," Nat says muttering the last bit under her breath.
"Heard that," Steve says chuckling slightly.
"So I'm guessing things didn't go exactly to plan in Siberia?" Nat asks him making him sigh and drop his head.
"No, the only reason the doctor wanted us there was to show Tony the footage of Bucky killing Howard and Maria" Steve sighs.
"And Tony didn't take that news well" Nat sighed.
"Very, very badly, I hated it, I just wish I'd told him already" Steve admits shaking his head.
"Hey don't beat yourself up over it, both me, you and Y/N were there when Zola told us it wasn't an accident, and none of us told him and even if we did he probably would have hunted him down still," Nat tells him.
"He'd have time to cool off though" Steve points out.
"True but we'll never know, it's in the past, just gotta move on and try and fix this mess," Nat says.
"Speaking of which how are we breaking everyone out of prison?" Nat asks crossing her arms.
"I don't know, I've been trying to plan something but I can't work it out, not something that won't just land me in there too" Steve sighs in annoyance.
It had kept him up at night trying to work out a way, but he found nothing. There was a reason it was the most secure prison on the planet.
"Well, it's a good thing I'm here because I have this" Nat says holding up a key card.
"How did you get that?" Steve asks shocked.
"Got a bit too close for comfort with Ross in Hungary, but I was able to swipe it" Nat shrugs as she passes it to Steve.
He flips it around in his hands looking down at it.
"So we can get them out, now we just need to get in, find them," Steve says as he passes back the key card.
"I have an old quinnjet we can use to escape in, had any thoughts about getting in?" Nat asks pocketing the card.
"A couple, I thought about handing myself get in that way but-" Steve explains.
"But they wouldn't let you go in unrestrained" Nat finishes with a sigh.
"They're not gonna come to the surface for an unexpected arrival either" Steve points out.
"So we need to sneak in when they're expecting something," nat says thinking out loud.
"Like when they get supplies, like food" Steve agrees.
"They're not gonna be common," Nat says.
"Let's hope there's one soon then" Steve sighs crossing his arms over his chest.
"Let's get to work," Nat says.
Over the next week, Steve and Nat worked around the clock formulating their plan. With the help of Nat's contact, Rick Mason, they had the tech they needed to break in. They had schematics of the prison, as well as some gas to knock the guards out.
They also had identified the next food shipment into the raft. Which luckily was within the week. Before they went out though Steve had one last thing to do. Something he'd been putting off since leaving Siberia.
"What are you doing?" Nat asked as she walked into the kitchen.
"Writing a letter" Steve states.
"I can see that gramps but to who?" Nat asks sitting down at the table.
"Tony" Steve sighs as he signs the letter and slips it into the envelope.
"Is that a good idea?" Nat asks.
"I don't know but what's the worst that can happen? We have to go on the run?" Steve states raising a brow.
"Yeah that would be terrible" Nat deadpans with a small smirk.
"Exactly, now I'm gonna go post this, want anything from the shops?" Steve asks holding up the box that contained the letter and a burner phone.
"Surprise me" Nat smirks making him chuckle.
*
Steve was surprised at how easy it was to break into the raft. All it took was some spare uniforms from the supplier. Once inside Steve used the gas to knock out the guards before making his way down the halls to where his friends were being held.
The lights were off when he entered the room but he instantly spotted Sam in his cell pacing back and forth. As he turned back towards him Steve took a step out of the shadows. A smile grew on Sam's face when he saw Steve.
"You took your time" Sam smirks as Steve unlocked the cells.
"I came as soon as I could I promise," Steve says glancing around.
He saw Clint moving to Wanda helping her up, undoing her straight jacket. Steve then notices the collar around her neck and moves over to rip it off.
"You're all safe now," he says putting a hand on Wanda's shoulder.
"Where's Y/N?" He asks when he notices you weren't with them.
"They took her fairly early on, they've been interrogating her constantly," Clint tells him.
"She looked in a bad way when they last dragged her past" Sam sighs.
Steve's jaw clenched in anger hearing all of this "where is she?" He asks.
"The floor below I think, we're not sure," Scott tells him.
"I'll get her, your gear is on the floor above, Nat will be waiting with a quinnjet to escape in," Steve tells them.
"Go get her," Sam says patting Steve on the shoulder.
Steve nods before heading back out and in the direction you were in. Since he wasn't expecting for you to be separated from the others he didn't have any more gas to knock the guards out. Leaving him with brute force alone.
As he made his way down the corridors he threw guards into each other, knocking their heads together. Throwing them into the walls and knocking them out instantly. He worked methodically through the guards, knowing he must be getting close by the number of guards.
When he rounded the corner he spotted you in your cell. His heart stopped when he saw your lifeless form on the floor. He was only able to take a breath when he saw you take a shallow one.
As he got closer he saw how beaten you were. Your face is covered in bruises and cuts. One eye swollen shut, your lip split. He unlocked your cell bending down beside you.
"Y/N, doll it's me, it's okay I'm here to get you out," he tells you gently cupping your cheek.
The only response he got was a weak groan. He removed the collar from around your neck knowing it would help you regain some energy, but when he did his blood ran cold when he spotted the burns on your neck. It was a shock collar.
"Nat I have Y/N, the rest are making their way to you now," Steve says into the comms as he scooped you into his arms.
"On it" Nat responds as Steve carried you out of your cell.
Steve ran through the corridor kicking down anyone who got in his way. Finally, he got to the landing pad, the jet already waiting.
"Go!" Steve shouts once he was aboard, placing you down on the medical cot.
"Shit is she okay," Clint asks moving to stand beside Steve.
"I dunno, I don't even know what they've done to her," Steve says as he quickly grabs the first aid kit.
He tried to set up and drip for you, but his hands were shaking too much. Leading Sam to step in and take over.
"Sit down Steve let us help," Sam says taking the kit from Steve.
Steve just nods moving to sit beside you gently taking your hand and bringing it to his lips. Waiting as patiently as he could while Sam checked over your injuries.
"She's gonna need to go to a hospital" Sam sighs glancing over at Steve.
"We can't exactly rock up at a hospital considering we just broke out of prison" Clint points out.
"Yes we can," Steve says glancing up at everyone.
"Steve I don't-" Sam starts.
"We have an ally, trust me," Steve says glancing over at Nat who nods her head.
"Just give me the coordinates and we'll head straight there" Nat agrees.
Steve nodded getting up and moving to the front of the jet. He inputted the coordinates that T'Challa had given him from before. Once the course was set, he wordlessly returned to your side.
He wanted nothing more than to hold you close but he didn't know the extent of your injuries. The last thing he wanted was to harm you anymore. So he sat as close as he could hold onto your hand. His eyes fell to your face, and he almost couldn't bring himself to look. This was the worst he'd ever seen you and it was all his fault.
"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry" he whispered, voice breaking slightly as kissed your knuckles.
"Steve-" you croaked out weakly.
Your eyes open slightly as if you were fighting for to keep them open. You search around for him, eventually settling on his blurry figure.
"I'm here, it's okay you're safe now," he tells you kissing your forehead.
Even in your weakened state, you could feel his tears falling onto your skin. Your own eyes fill with tears when you realise it was actually him, not another hallucination.
"Steve I-" you cry out but Steve silences you.
"Shush, shush it's okay, save your energy we're gonna get you some proper help, everything is gonna be okay I swear" he promises you, squeezing your hand gently.
You could only nod your head holding onto his hand tightly, scared to let go. You could feel yourself falling back under but you desperately fought it trying to keep your eyes on his.
"Get some rest doll, I promise I'm not going anywhere, I'm not leaving your side ever again," he tells you.
You nod your head allowing yourself to finally rest for the first time in weeks.
When they landed in Wakanda the Dora Milaje instantly met them as the jet landed. Steve carefully picked you up and carried you off the jet walking straight towards the guards.
"Okoye, Y/N needs a doctor and quickly," Steve tells her.
"Of course captain, what about your friends?" She asks nodding to the rest.
"We're fine just need to rest," Sam tells her.
She nods her head and shouts orders to the rest of the Dora Milaje "come with me captain" she tells him.
Okoye leads Steve inside towards the medical labs. As they walked down the corridor they passed T'Challa and Shuri.
"Captain I wasn't expecting you so soon," T'Challa says following Steve into the medical lab.
"Yeah sorry for not calling ahead but it was urgent," Steve says as he sets you down.
"Of course, you've brought her to the best place," Shuri says as she scans your body.
"There's internal damage that's going to need surgery to correct it" Shuri reports as she looks over the scans.
Steve nods nervously leaning down to kiss your forehead nervously. More doctors enter the room and begin to prep you for surgery. Steve kept hold of your hand as long as he could until your bed was wheeled out of the room, your hand pulled from his.
"Don't worry Captain your wife is in the best hands," T'Challa says putting a hand on his shoulder.
"She's a fighter, I just wish I had gotten there sooner" Steve sighs shaking his head.
"We can't change the past, you got her and the rest of your friends out, that's the important thing," T'Challa tells him.
"Yeah, thank you for all your help, I really appreciate it" Steve thanked him.
"Happy to help, get some rest Captain" T'Challa smiles before heading out of the room.
Steve sighs moving to sit down in the chair in the corner of the room. Taking a deep breath he leant back, his head resting on the wall. Settling in for the long wait until he could see you again.
**
You slowly woke to the dull ache over your entire body. It wasn't as bad as it had been the past weeks. So much so you could almost fall back asleep. Continue the most peaceful sleep you've had in weeks.
As you came around some more you could feel something warm against your hand. It held your hand tightly, before lifting it and kissing it.
The sensation made you wake with a start panicking that the guard was in your cell as you slept. Your panic only grew as your eyes darted around the unfamiliar room.
"Hey, hey it's okay" you heard someone say, their hands moving to your shoulders.
"No, get away" you mutter in a blind panic.
"Doll it's okay it's me, you're safe now" you hear.
Your eyes follow the sound of the voice eventually falling and focusing on its owner. Seeing Steve looking down at you worry filling his eyes.
"Steve" you whisper not really believing he was here.
"Yeah it's me, it's okay, you're safe now" Steve reassures you cupping your cheeks.
Your hands move to his wrist gripping them tightly scared he was gonna disappear.
"You're here, you're actually here" you stutter, "I-I thought it was a dream"
"I'm sorry, I should have gotten you out sooner," Steve says pressing his forehead against yours tears collecting in his eyes.
You just shook your head as you cried in relief that he was here and the hell of the raft was gone.
"It's okay," you tell him looking up at him.
"No, they hurt you because of me if I ever see the person who did this I'll kill them" Steve states his jaw clenching.
"No you won't," you say making him let out a small huff of laughter.
"No but I'll want to" he reasoned with a small smile.
"And they didn't hurt me because of you, they hurt me because I didn't tell them anything, it's on me and if I had to..." you say before taking a deep and shaky breath "I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat"
"You won't, I can promise you that, I'm not letting you leave my side again," Steve says kissing your forehead.
"I love you" you smiled.
"I love you too" Steve smiles kissing you gently.
You take a deep breath looking around the room taking it in for the first time. When you looked out the window behind steve all you could see were lush forests.
"Where are we?" You ask looking back over at Steve.
"Wakanda, T'Challa has offered us shelter and help" Steve explains making you furrow your brows in confusion.
"But last I knew he wanted to kill Bucky," you say shaking your head slightly.
"He followed us to Siberia and heard Zemo admit to the bombing, he wanted to help to make up it," Steve tells you.
"What happened in Siberia, I know something must have gone wrong since we're on the run but I don't know what," you ask him "is Bucky okay?"
"Bucky's fine, T'Challa and his sister Shuri are helping get rid of what Hydra put in him, he's gone back under in the meantime" Steve sighs looking down slightly.
"Oh, Stevie," you say squeezing his hand "you've saved him, don't forget that, he's safe now because of you" you remind him.
"I know, it's just-" Steve sighed "Siberia was bad"
"I know Tony was there, he came to raft asking to know where you were so he could help," you say, Steve, nodding his head.
"He did, but the doctor wasn't there to wake the soldiers, he'd killed all of them before we even got there," Steve told you making you look at him confused.
"He'd done all of the things he did, killed those people just to show Tony the footage of Bucky killing his parents" Steve sighed dropping his head.
"Shit" you mutter dropping your head back onto your pillow and looking up at the ceiling.
"It's my fault, I shouldn't have told him where you were, if I hadn't he wouldn't have been there," you say shaking your head and tears pricking in the corner of your eyes.
"Hey, hey no, don't do that, it's my fault I should have told him about Bucky straight away, as soon as Zola told us," Steve says squeezing your hand and getting you to look at him.
"But-" you say going to argue but Steve interrupts.
"But nothing, remember after Largos you told me we can't change the past, we can only go forward," Steve tells you with a small reassuring smile.
You nod your head giving him a small smile "what happens now?" You ask him.
Steve sighs gently shrugging his shoulders "I don't know, all I know is that I won't be letting you out of my sight again, no more stunts like what you did at the airport" steve says with a playful glare.
"I had to get the two of you out of there" you smirk making him chuckle.
"I know but next time you're coming with me" Steve smiles.
Your conversation was interrupted by the door to your room opening and the doctor stepping inside.
"Glad to see you awake," the doctor says as he walked.
"How are you feeling?" He asks as he looks over your charts.
"Sore, but I'm good," you say smiling over at Steve squeezing his hand.
"I'm glad to hear it, were you seen to by a doctor during your time there?" The doctor asks but you shook your head.
"Wow, okay," he remarks in surprise.
"What is wrong with me?" You ask him.
"Well you had a few broken ribs, some were already heeling but some left fragments behind which we needed to extract. There was some minor damage to your lungs, what concerned us the most were the injuries that were already healing" the doctor explains.
"What why? Are they not healing right?" Steve asks confused.
"No they're healing perfectly well, but the number of injuries you sustained, mixed with your malnutrition, lack of sleep and other non-physical forms of torture should have killed you. We believe that if it wasn't for your Asgardian blood you wouldn't be here right now" the doctor explained.
Steve practically growled in anger hearing this. They hadn't interrogated you, they'd tortured you. The fact that you'd even been able to bring yourself to smile was a testament to how strong you were.
"Steve I'm fine," you tell him reassuringly.
"Yes, and we believe you should make a speedy recovery, we want to keep you in overnight and then a week of bed rest and you should be good, just take it slow" the doctor smiles.
"Well, I don't think we have any missions planned" you smirk making Steve chuckle.
"Good well rest up and call if you need anything" the doctor smiles.
"Thank you," Steve says.
Once the doctor was gone Steve turned back to you holding your hand in both of his. He held you tightly pressing his lips to your skin repeatedly.
"I missed you so, so much" he mutters shaking your head.
You swallow the lump growing in your throat. Guilt was washing over you, you'd missed Steve terribly during your time in the raft. But there were points where you wished you'd died, unable to take much more. Seeing Steve now you felt terrible that you were willing to put him through that.
"You okay?" Steve asks noticing how quiet you were.
"Yeah I'm perfect I'm with you," you say unable to bring yourself to tell him the truth.
Steve smiles brushing some hair out of your face "hungry?" He asks.
"Yeah, I could eat" you smile nodding your head.
"Okay, I'll go see what I can get you," Steve says standing up and kissing you gently "I'll be right back"
While Steve was gone you looked out of the window taking in the beautiful view. You didn't realise how much you missed the outdoors during your time locked in the raft. Smiling slightly when you saw a flock of brightly coloured birds fly past.
"I brought some food," Steve says as he steps back inside.
"And a friend" Nat smirks following him in.
"Nat, what are you doing here? And why are you blond?" You ask her confused.
"Kinda betrayed Tony and helped Steve and Bucky get away, and everyone knows me as a redhead" Nat shrugs "which reminds me you should grow a beard" she adds pointing to Steve, who frowned.
"So you're on the run like us?" You ask as she perches on the edge of your bed.
"Yep, I was in Norway for a bit before I had to sort a couple of things," Nat says clearing her throat slightly "then I found this one in Stoos and a week later we broke you guys out"
"You were hiding in Stoos?" You ask Steve with a small smile.
"Couldn't think of anywhere better" he smiles passing you a bowl full of fruit.
You smile to yourself as you start tucking into the bowl of fruit. Grateful for the first tasty thing you've had in weeks.
"The rest of the team are fine, all resting up and freshened up," Nat says looking over at Steve.
"Good I know T'Challa is working to try and get us a deal, so we don't have to be on the run forever," Steve says nodding his head.
"Ross probably won't let that fly, but public interest may sway him" Nat shrugs her shoulders.
"Well see, whatever happens, we'll work it out" Steve sighs,
As you listened to their conversation your mind went to the rest of the team, and the fight at the airport. Suddenly remembering how it all ended.
"Nat, do you know how Rhodey is?" You ask her.
"Rhodey?" Steve questions, brows furrowed.
"While you were escaping in the jet Tony and Rhodey tried to follow you, me and Sam tried to stop them but Vision tried to shoot us from the sky, but it hit Rhodey instead," you say swallowing the lump in your throat before continuing "he fell, we all tried to save him, but he hit the ground, he's alive but-"
You shook your head slightly before looking over at Nat hoping she could finish the story.
"He's okay, last I heard Tony built him special leg braces, it'll be a long road but he'll be okay," Nat tells you.
"I'm sorry I had no idea that happened," Steve says putting his hand on your shoulder and squeezing.
"It's okay, I'm just glad he's okay, for a moment god... I thought he was gone" you sigh shaking your head.
"C'mere" Steve sighs standing up and wrapping his arms around you.
You sigh into his embrace burying your face in his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. Focus on the feeling of his arms around you, hands rubbing your back soothingly.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," T'Challa says walking in.
"No not at all, thank you for everything" you thank him.
"It's nothing, I want to do everything I can to make up for my wrongdoings," T'Challa says.
"I'm assuming you're not mad at me for shocking you then?" Nat asks looking over her shoulder at the king.
"Well you're on the run because of me so I think we can call it even" T'Challa smiles.
"How are you feeling?" He asks looking at you.
"Tired and sore, but I'm good" you smile.
"That's good to hear, I promise I won't keep you long, I just wanted to inform the captain that a room has been made up for him but I have been informed by reliable sources that you two have the habit of sharing hospital beds," T'Challa says, Natasha giving you both a knowing look.
"Therefore I've arranged got a bed extension to be brought in so you're more comfortable tonight" T'Challa smiles.
"Thank you, that means a lot" Steve smiles reaching out to shake T'Challa's hand.
"It's nothing, rest up the kingdom of Wakanda is open for you as long as you wish" T'Challa smiles.
"I'll let you guys rest, I bet cap hasn't been sleeping well the past couple of weeks," Nat says standing up.
"I'll have the extension brought in now" T'Challa agrees heading out with Nat.
A short moment later a couple of nurses wheeled in the bed extension which was basically half the width of the hospital bed. Once it was attached your hospital bed became a small double ready for Steve to join you.
"Have you really not been sleeping well?" You ask as he kicks off his shoes and climbs in.
"No, well, I have been sleeping but not as well as I normally do" he shrugs as he carefully wraps his arm around you and pulls you closer.
"Nightmares?" You ask.
"A couple, but not really bad ones" he admits looking down at you.
"But don't worry about me and get some rest" he smiles kissing the top of your head.
You nod your head snuggling up closer to him, wrapping your arm around his waist. You took a deep breath as you listened to his steady heartbeat. The constant reminder that he was here with you.
"you know I love you don't you?" You say quietly.
"Of course I do, always will," he says looking down at you.
"Good" you sigh closing your eyes.
"I love you too" Steve whispers kissing the top of your head.
You nod your head gently hoping now that you were back with Steve. The horrors of the raft were behind you, no longer able to affect you. Or at least you hoped so.