Synopsis: Maria wakes up from a nightmare. Steve comforts her.
The man held the gun to Steve's chest, and the battered and weak super soldier lifted his head, shooting their tormentor a weak glare. Maria held back a sob, and kept a strong demeanor, staring angrily at the man threatening he lover.
It had been a simple, routine mission. Go in, get the info, get out. SHIELD would send in a different team later, to exterminate the threats. But it had all been blown to hell. The two had gotten themselves captured, and they'd been knocked out. Once they'd both come to, men had come in, and started to torture them for information. It was ironic, really. The Captain and Hill were supposed to b the ones getting info, but now they were being tortured for it. Maria would have laughed, had the situation not been as deadly as it already was.
"Give me the info I need, or Golden Boy here dies." the goon said firmly.
Steve shot Maria a quick look, silently telling her not to give him anything. She bit her lip, and then glared at the bastard.
"I'm not talking." she growled.
The goon merely smiled.
And pulled the trigger.
The gunshot echoed throughout the building.
Blood blossomed on Steve's chest, spreading rapidly.
Maria froze, her breath hitching.
The goon laughed cruelly in the background.
Her world shattered.
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Maria woke up screaming.
"STEVE!"
She sat bolt upright in the bed, gasping for breath. She felt movement next to her, and her lover sat up, blinking groggily. As soon as he realized that something was wrong, he put a hand on her back, rubbing soothingly.
"Shhh...it's alright." he assured her.
She threw herself at his chest, holding his tightly.
"You were dead!" Maria sobbed. "You died! And I was alone!"
Steve's eyes widened, and he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist as she pressed her face into the crook of his neck.
"It was just a nightmare." he soothed her. "It's not real. I'm right here."
"B-but it was so real!" sh whimpered.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Well, it's not. I'm fine, and so are you."
Steve continued to whisper reassurances in her ear, holding her in his arms. After a few minutes, Maria calmed down, and exhaled. Carefully, he lay down, pulling her down with him. She smiled, pressing close to him and closing her eyes.
"Thank you, Steve...I love you."
"Your welcome, Maria. I'll always be there for you. I love you too."
