Author's Note:
No outright triggers but there is a conversation about sexual assault. Mostly just some good Astrid and Dugan bonding. As always please review and let me know what you think.
Ten days. Ten days solid of walking. If they weren't there at the end then Astrid was going to kill someone. She just had to decide on who.
"You look like your planning a murder," Dugan pointed out walking right next to her.
"Maybe I am," Astrid replied.
Dugan shrugged his shoulders. "Well if you're taking some recommendations. I have a list of people who are particularly annoying."
Astrid snorted. "Thanks. I might take you up on that."
Dugan smiled clapping her on the shoulder. "I thought you would Lady Liberty."
She let out a sigh. "You know. I think I'm going to murder the next person who calls me that."
"Nah, admit it. It's growing on you."
Astrid rolled her eyes. Like she would ever get used to it. "You need something, Dugan?"
"The wonderful pleasure of your company?" Astrid socked him on the shoulder. "Okay. I actually wanted to give you a heads up. Some of the men are getting antsy."
"As they should. We've been walking for ten days." Through rain and mud and thick forests. It was even starting to wear down Astrid a little bit. And she was used to this. Grateful that they had now found a road. It was easier than cutting through the forests like they were a few days ago.
Dugan let out a sigh. "No, I mean…. Well, there is that but some of the men are getting antsy for another reason. For some of them, it's been a long time since they've seen a woman. Much less been with one."
Astrid was starting to notice that as well. Cursing the society, she lived in. Some of the men were looking at her longingly. A few being bold enough to try and touch her. Language starting to get more and more suggestive. Particularly among those, she hadn't treated. It wasn't everyone. Most were in awe of her. But these men were recruited from all walks of life. And war changed good people. It was a struggle she had to deal with. One that she would continue to deal with for the rest of the war.
"What do you suggest?" she asked.
"I, Morita, Jones, Falsworth, Dernier, and Bucky will stick around you for the rest of our little adventure. Hopefully, it will dissuade anyone from doing anything. Though if I'm being honest there is a better option."
Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"
"Makeup with your damn husband." He shook his head. "While we all know your married some are thinking that it's not going so well. Making them bolder. However, if they think that you and Steve are in a strong relationship then they won't go anywhere near you." Astrid hated the fact that he was right. While she still had her uncertainties not getting sexually assaulted was a bigger priority.
"Care to walk me to my husband?" She gestured towards the front where he was leading them all. Dugan nodded and together they broke off from the main part of the crowd. Skirting around the edges. Was faster doing it this way than trying to push forward. Though by doing so she caught more than one glance from the troops and not all of them were friendly. It made her skin crawl. "You know. I think your one of the few guys that hasn't tried to give me relationship advice."
She could see him stiffen slightly. "I'm not that good with relationships."
"Is it that you aren't good with relationships. Or you aren't looking for the kind of relationship I'm in?" She had suspected it for a while that Dugan wasn't interested in women. Rather focused on men instead. Judging by his reaction she was right. He had stiffened up. His whole body wound up. Astrid cursing herself. Wishing she brought it up in a completely different way. "Relax. I tend to look both ways myself."
Dugan blinked at her a couple of times before completely relaxing. "I thought so… I mean the way you look at Carter kinda gave it away but you never know."
"You never do."
Dugan hummed. Tilting his head back and forth. "So, Cap…?"
"More of an exception rather than a rule."
Dugan whistled. "Damn fine exception."
Astrid paused looking at him. They were close to the front now. As usual, he was talking to Bucky. Find one, you found the other. "He always has been."
Just as she was about to reach him someone called out for her. She groaned glancing at Dugan before heading out towards the voice.
"What seems to be the problem?" she asked coming up to a group of young men. They were unshaven, unkempt but if they cleaned themselves up, they might be a decent set of good-looking guys. It was hard to tell after almost wandering the wilderness for two weeks.
"Robert here got a fever," one of the guys said. Gesturing to a tall skinny guy with a flop of brown hair. Astrid reached out to him. Checking out his lymph nodes as they walked. Now used to treating people on the move. They could never stop moving. "My last commanding officer got a fever. Died within a day."
"Probably had it for longer," Astrid replied pressing her hand to his forehead. Definitely hot. Not a good sign. Last thing they needed was some disease passing through the troops. It would decimate them. "Open up I need to see your throat." He did so. While Astrid could barely see anything in the light it was definitely red and raw. She clicked her tongue. "Normally I would do a more thorough exam but were in the middle of nowhere and I can't risk this being infectious." She took out a vial and a syringe. Filling it up with the clear liquid. "This will help you fight off whatever's bothering you. More importantly, it will make sure that you don't pass it along to anyone."
"Thanks, Doc," Robert muttered coming to a stop as Astrid injected the medicine into him. His friends fretting over him. Thanking her as they started moving with the group again.
"Let me know immediately if it gets any worse but I think you're going to be fine." She turned back to Dugan who had his arms crossed. Surveying the situation.
"You really know your stuff," Dugan stated as she started heading back to Steve. Him following in her footsteps.
"Top of my class," Astrid answered.
"I bet you were," one of the guys near them called out. Greaseball of a character. Looking like he crawled out of the ooze. Big eyes and a really long neck. "Tell me. How many people did you sleep with in order to make it there?" He and his buddies chuckled. Earning dirty looks from several of the men around them.
Astrid barked out a laugh. "If your going to insult me, at least be creative about it. But I guess this is the first time I've been insulted by a bug-eyed insect so there is that." That shut him down immediately. Glaring at her as Astrid and Dugan walked past him.
"You see what I mean?" Dugan asked gesturing to the guy and his group of friends. Astrid could still feel them leering at her. "They are getting bolder."
She rolled her eyes. "If that's the worst they are throwing at me I think I can take it. It wasn't easy getting to where I am. That doesn't even register on my scale. Now if they were trying to touch me that would be a different story."
"Oh yeah? What would you do then?"
"Well, I can tell you they would be walking away with fewer fingers."
Dugan starting laughing. Shaking his head slightly as they made it back to Steve. Who turned to look at them. Curiosity on his face.
"Something funny?" he asked. Bucky also turned to look at them.
"Only the fact that I'm surprised your wife married you," Dugan chucked. "Not sure how anyone can deserve her."
Steve let out a soft smile. Looking at Astrid. "I know. I am the luckiest man in the world. I'm still surprised that she said yes when I asked her to marry me."
Astrid blushed. The man still had a way with words. "How many times have we had this conversation, Steve? I'm the lucky one." She looked up into his eyes. Still hoping that the statement was true.
"You two are saps aren't you?" Dugan asked.
"You have no idea," Bucky answered. "Seriously. Don't get these two going. It can last forever."
Both of them scoffed at the same time. Earning looks from both Bucky and Dugan. Okay so maybe they were really sweet to each other. But that's who they were.
"Anyway," Astrid stated. "One of our guys has a fever. Could be nothing, could be something. But I'm going to be giving those with a weak constitution a boost in case."
Steve nodded. "Good idea. I assume you have a few in mind."
"I do but I thought I would start with you." She looked directly at Steve. "It wouldn't do us any good if you get sick."
He blinked a couple of times. Processing what she said. "Astrid," he said softly. "I don't need it."
Now it was her turn to be confused. "What do you mean you don't need it? Of course, you need it." She shook her head. Steve always hated his medications. This was probably no exception. "I'm surprised you've lasted this long honestly. The meds I made you must be stronger than I thought." Or maybe combined with the serum in an odd way. Astrid would have to look into that later.
"Astrid. I haven't taken meds since the serum."
Both Bucky and her eyes went wide. Quickly glancing at each other before turning slowly to Steve. Her mind turning. "You're healthy?" she replied softly. "You're healthy." Of course, he was. The serum was incredible. Looking at what it already did to him. It wasn't surprising that he would also cure all his ailments. She chuckled. Looking over her Steve. "Steve I… I…" she was having a hard time forming words. This…this was huge. This was everything he wanted. "It looks like you got your one day."
"More," Steve answered back. "But it hasn't meant anything without me being by your side."
She suddenly found herself without the ability to breathe. Placing a hand over her chest. Steve could really get to her. She noticed Dugan and Bucky whispering to each other in the corner of her eye but she paid them no attention. Focusing entirely on Steve.
"Well in that case," she swallowed the lump in her throat. "Would you like to help me treat those with actual weak constitutions?"
The smile he gave her made her feel weak in the knees. A brief thought of taking him into the woods and having her way with him entered her mind. Though it left as swiftly as it came. She had other things to focus on. Astrid held out her hand and Steve took it. Moving quickly through the troops. With Steve by her side, any comments swiftly died on their tongues. Steve meanwhile looked like there was no place he would rather be. Sticking to Astrid's side as she administered the dose. Helping encourage the men when he could.
Once everyone was done Astrid looked at him. Really looked at him. There was no doubt it was Steve. Her Steve. But the nagging thoughts ate at her brain. And she had to be sure. Really sure before she made a move.
"Steve," she said taking his hand into her own. "I know things have been difficult between us and I thank you for being patient. She took a deep breath, letting out a sigh. "But I need to make damn sure. And the only way I'm going to know for certain is-"
"You're going to need to talk to Shamira," he interrupted softly. Another one of the reasons that she loved Steve. He actually understood.
"But in the meantime, I hope you don't mind if I stick to the front. Close to you and Bucky. Unless I'm needed by someone else of course." It was time. In order to fully overcome her doubts, she was going to have to spend time with him.
Steve looked like that was the best news he had heard since they reunited. She intertwined their fingers and they walked back. Holding hands. Just as they used to.
"You know I always wanted to travel with you?" Steve stated as they walked. "See the world with you. I just never expected that this is how we would do it."
She turned to look at him. Big smile on her face. "Really now? How did you expect it to go?"
"I thought that when the war was over, we would go to your hometown. Or what's left of it. Show me your childhood. See your mother. Before we explore the rest of Germany."
Astrid's heart was pounding in her chest. Was it possible to fall in love all over again with her husband? "That sounds beautiful. Makes me sad that our first-time traveling Europe together is the world's worst walking tour of Italy and Austria."
"You know I would say it could get worse but I don't think it can at this point."
She bobbed her head back and forth. "You need a better imagination, Steve. There are still loads of things that can go horribly wrong."
"True but at least you're talking to me again. We've already overcome the worst. Because I know that with you by my side, we'll be able to handle anything."
Astrid's heart was screaming at her to kiss the man silly while her brain was trying to come up with a response that wasn't gibberish or kissing him silly. Apparently, it settled on Astrid's saying absolutely nothing. Instead deciding that she should trip over her own two feet. Meet the ground with her face. Which she would have done if Steve hadn't caught her. Twirling her around so that she was directly facing him. Hands-on his perfectly crafted chest. She felt as if she was a thousand shades of red at the moment. The smile on Steve's face certainly not helping things.
"Brain gone numb again?" he asked with a laugh. Tapping the side of his head. It took her less than a second to connect their minds together. "I always found it adorable when it happens."
She slapped him on the shoulder. Moving so that they were holding hands again. "It's entirely your fault you know."
"My fault?"
She gestured towards him with her free hand. "If you weren't so you it wouldn't happen. Besides, it's not like you don't do it. All I have to do is mention I want to take you into the woods. Strip you down. Get on my knees and-" This time it was Steve's turn to have his brain stop functioning. Turning as red as Astrid was a moment ago. Astrid had to wrap an arm around his waist to stabilize him. "See?" Their new stance pushed them closer together than they were before. Surprising Astrid as all she wanted to do was move in closer. "I'm not the only one that goes all mushy around my partner."
"Please, I lost my mind after our first date. After you closed the door I literally stood there for a few minutes. Trying to get my brain to move my feet."
She laughed and it was like old times once again. Her and Steve. Joking and teasing each other. Just as they always have. And Astrid couldn't be happier. They were definitely getting back to being them. To being Steve and Astrid but until that little piece of doubt went away there would be this gap between them. She could still feel that and she was sure that Steve felt it too. Only one question remaining. What was Astrid going to do about it?
