Author's Note:
No warnings for this chapter. Just a whole heaping amount of fluff. As always please review and let me know what you think.
Astrid wanted to curl up in a corner and die. Groaning at the headache pounding between her eyes. Sweat pouring down her body despite the chills that were ravaging her body. Nausea coming along in waves. On top of sore throat and congestion. What felt like a dozen other symptoms. Dying sounded good right about now. She was curled up on the couch. Wrapped up in their warmest blanket. While Shamira mocked her from the comfy chair.
"You know most people when they get a cold, they drink hot tea, rest and eat soup," Shamira noted. Flicking through the pages of her book. She had planned to go out with Bucky until Astrid got sick. "Not shove experimental drugs that they just invented into their body to see if it cures the simple cold they have."
"I needed to know if it would work," Astrid sent over. Her throat too sore to talk. "And who else was I going to test it on? Live human experiments are considered immoral. And we haven't arrested any tortures lately. Though maybe-"
"How about no one because it's a stupid idea," Shamira continued to chastise. "It's a cold. People get several a year." Shamira scoffed. "Besides you make the absolute worse patient."
Astrid glared at Shamira before snuggling back into the blanket. Not even bothering to look up when the door opened. If someone was breaking in Shamira would take care of it.
"Hey Shamira," Bucky greeted probably kissing her on the cheek as he usually did.
"Astrid still at work?" Steve asked. It wouldn't be too unusual. Except that she didn't even go in today. Not that she didn't want to but Shamira basically forced her onto the couch. Once it was determined that Astrid wasn't able to make it all the way back to bed.
"No," Shamira answered. "She's curled up on the couch wishing for the world to explode so that she could stop being sick." Shamira wasn't wrong.
"Astrid's sick?" Great. Now she's got a worried Steve. Last thing she needed. "It's me my darling." She felt a gentle hand touch the front of her shoulder. Astrid pulled the blanket away from her head and looked at Steve blearily. He pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. Letting out a soft hiss.
"You are really warm," he noted bring his hand down. "Have you been drinking enough? We should probably get you to drink more."
Shamira let out a laugh. "Now you sound like her."
"I took care of my mom when she was sick. I'm not completely lost." He placed a hand on Astrid's cheek and she leaned into it. Enjoying the coolness of his skin.
"Still why don't you and Bucky head out to dinner," Shamira suggested getting up out of her seat.
"I'll take care of the world's worst patient."
"No, you and Bucky go out and I'll take care of my fiancé." He wiped away some of the damp hair from her face. "In sickness and in health, right?"
"We aren't married yet," Astrid pointed out. Steve gave her a small smile.
"Good practice then."
She saw Shamira bob her head back and forth. As if actually considering the proposal.
"You aren't going to win this one Shamira," Bucky added in. "When Steve gets in this mood theirs no moving him." Shamira let out a sigh. Pinching the bridge of her nose. "Besides he is actually really good at this."
Shamira bit her lip. Looking at the two of them. Astrid curled up on the couch looking miserable and Steve hovering over her.
"Fine," Shamira grumbled. "Fair warning though. You'll probably want to kill her before the night is out."
Steve scoffed. Not even turning back to look at them. All his attention focused on Astrid. "Go now. Before you are late."
Shamira held up her hands in surrender. "See you two later."
"Feel better Astrid," Bucky called out. "Don't get Steve sick. Don't want to have to take care of both of you."
"Can't," Astrid replied. "Not contagious." Despite her state, she was surprised Bucky was willing to leave the two of them alone. Considering what happened less than a week ago. It either spoke to the amount of trust he had in her or how sick she was.
She closed her eyes as the door shut. Snuggling into the blanket. Grateful for the warmth that it provided.
"I'm going to make you some tea," Steve stated getting up.
Astrid groaned. "You could also go find my bag. Shamira hid it somewhere. I've got something in there that should help."
Steve looked at her with a smile. "You did this to yourself didn't you?"
"…..Maybe." He knew her far too well.
She heard his gentle laugh through the apartment. A sound that she would never get tired of. "I'm going to make you tea."
"Traitor." She buried her face back in the blanket before peaking back out again. "Make sure that you mix in some honey. We have some in the cabinet. Though… first, you may want to mix some salt with warm water first. If I gargle that it will help. Actually, maybe some lemon water would help more. I think we have a spare lemon somewhere. Oh! Even better! I have something in my bag-"
"Astrid," Steve interrupted her thoughts. "Stop being a doctor and be a patient. I am making you tea and you are going to drink it."
Astrid grumbled sitting up and glaring at the back of his head.
"What kind of tea though? Because I have some in my bag that will-"
"Astrid." Steve filling the kettle with water before putting it on to boil. He came back once that was done. "It does not matter what kind. It is hot. It will help your throat and you will drink it."
"But-" He interrupted her thought with a kiss on her forehead.
"One advantage I have over Shamira." He ran his hand through her hair. Sticky with sweat. "Want to try and get into bed? Or just another blanket?" He took her hand and started rubbing circles with his thumb. He could almost watch as Astrid debated the pros and cons of each choice in her head. By the time she actually made a decision the tea would be cold. "How about a bath instead? You like those."
"A bath would be nice." Her body was achy. It was like she had all the symptoms of the flu without actually having the flu. "A nice warm bath." She was so cold. So very cold. Oh how much she hated the cold.
She felt Steve kiss her forehead again. "I'll go run it for you." Astrid hated that she was making Steve run around like this. She pushed the blanket off of herself and sat up. Fighting off the wave of dizziness. She hated being sick. Just made her feel so useless. Pain and torture she could bury. Use. Turn into a tool. But sickness was a whole other story. It ate away at the body until there was nothing left.
She slowly made her way to the bathroom. Clutching the robe tightly around her body. Watching from the doorway as Steve tested the water. Steve noticing her presence when the kettle went off in the kitchen.
Astrid tilted her head towards the kitchen. "Go make the tea. I can get in myself."
"You sure?" He took her hands into his. "I can help you if you like."
Astrid smirked. Even sick she could still tease him. "You just want to see me naked."
Steve flushed pink. "No! I mean yes but-!"
Astrid kissed the side of his head. Walking towards the tub. Grabbing a bottle on the side.
"Astrid."
"Relax. It's bubble bath." Pouring the liquid into the tube. Immediately bubbles started to spring forth. Filling the tub up. "See? Just regular bubble bath." Slipping the robe slowly off her body. It dropped immediately onto the floor. She could feel Steve linger from the doorway. Drinking in her backside. Unable to keep his eyes off of her. Kettle still whistling.
"You better check on that. Before the water boils off."
"Right." He dashed off to the kitchen. Astrid let out a sigh before stepping into the hot warm. Submerging herself in the bubbles. Letting it warm herself up. Steve came quickly back with the tea. Handing it to her gently. Astrid smiled. He used her favorite cup as well. The pretty blue one. Sipping at it gently before giving it back to Steve. Putting it down gently. He swallowed a lump in his throat. Removing his jacket and tugging on the collar.
"Something wrong?" she asked.
"Just remembering the last time I saw you in a bathtub," he said out loud. Astrid could read some of his dirtier thoughts. Withdrawing her mind for a moment to allow him some privacy. "Is it hot in here?"
Astrid gave him a smile. "Afraid I'm not feeling well enough to put on a show." Steve blushed even further. Sitting on the bathroom tile. Back pressed against the tub.
"Ju-Just give me a moment," he stuttered. Astrid did so. Allowing him to cool down before turning to face her. Tapping the side of his head once again. "Is there anything more I can do for you, my love?"
Astrid looked at him fondly. Bubbles coming up to her neck. Covering up the rest of her body. "You don't have to wait on me you know? I can take of myself. Not the first time I've done this. Nor is it going to be the last. Unless we start arresting more torturers that is."
Steve took her hand from the edge of the bathtub. Intertwining her fingers with his. Kissing her hand.
"I'm sick all the time Astrid," he replied. "You always the strong one. Taking care of others. Helping me when I am sick. Let me take care of you for once. Pamper you. Make you feel better."
She looked at Steve absolutely flabbergasted. Rolling her eyes. How did he still not get it? "You take care of me every day. Just because my problems aren't physical doesn't mean that you aren't helping." Steve looked up at her. Patiently waiting for her to finish her thought. Astrid had no idea how she was going to. Even on a good day when she wasn't so muddled. "I'm a mess. I've always said that. Valentine's day revealed how bad it was." He squeezed her hand harder before letting her go. Astrid pulled back his sleeve. Checking the scar. Just as she did every day since the incident. They could barely see it now. Astrid tracing the length of it. Feeling a deep pain in her chest. She would never hurt him like that again. "For the longest time, I never wanted to be married, have kids, or even be with anyone. Ever." Her breathing was picking up. Despite how shallow it was. "I couldn't even imagine wanting that kind of life. Until I met you. You… you make me feel safe. Safe enough to want all those things. And you do that every single day. Just by being you." She tapped him on the nose with her other hand. "You already take care of me, Steve. I'm the one who should be taking care of you. It's only fair. After all that you have given me." A series of coughs racked through her body and she clutched her head. She had been pushing herself too much. And all she had really done today was take a bath.
Steve handed her back the mug of tea and she took another sip. Giving it back to Steve once she was done. Her thoughts were a mess. Astrid wasn't sure that she could string two sentences together.
"You want me to go get your book and read to you?" Astrid smiled at him. He kissed her hand one more time before getting up. Quickly grabbing her book and returning. Astrid closed her eyes and sighed. Listening to Steve softly read. It was like listening to a melody. He had a perfect reading voice. An image of him reading to their kids appeared in her mind. Curled up in his lap. She closed her eyes. It was such a beautiful picture. At least until the water-cooled and she started shivering. Steve picking up on it immediately.
She got out of the bathtub while Steve made more tea. Curling up in bed. Waiting for him to join her. Though she wasn't sure that she would stay awake long enough. Astrid could feel herself getting dozy. Unable to keep her eyes open.
"How she's doing?" Shamira asked. Astrid could feel her come into the room. Sitting down on the bed. Running her fingers through her hair. She was too tired to respond.
"Sick, but what do you expect?" Steve answered. She felt two other people sit on the bed with her. Another hand playing with her hair. "I think she was doing a little better after the bath."
"Ah her one weakness. Warm water." All three of them chuckled. "Seriously though it's the only way to cope. Otherwise, she goes all doctor on you until you're ready to strangle her."
"I noticed that." Another round of laughter.
"She is going to be an absolute pain when she's pregnant," Bucky noted.
Shamira groaned. "Oh, you have no idea. I do not envy you."
She felt Steve reach over and squeeze her hand. "We'll get through it."
Bucky tsked. "I don't know. If you think she's bad now just wait until she's giving us lectures on baby's health care."
"Not only the baby's," Astrid sent out to all three of their minds. "I'm not entirely asleep you know."
"We know that now," Shamira stated. Astrid opened her eyes and rolled over to look at her. Flashing Astrid a mischievous smile. "If you weren't' sick I would yell at you."
Astrid groaned and sat up. Looking at all three of them with bleary eyes. Steve handing her another cup of tea. She looked at it. "You know I have some immune boosters in my bag. If I dissolve them in hot water it might-"
"No," the three of them stated. She glared at them. Drinking the tea. Once done Shamira and Steve gently encouraging her to lie back down. She didn't give them much of a fight.
"Now lie there and be pampered like the rest of us regular sick people," Steve said with a smile. Well, there was no way that she could resist that. Letting him tuck the covers around him. She would figure something out when they were all asleep. They couldn't stay up the whole night, now could they?
Though apparently neither could she. Astrid already felt her eyes slip back closed. Curling back up into her favorite position. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep. Surrounded by the only three people in the world she felt safe with.