Author's Note:
Triggers warnings for Astrid and Steve getting down and dirty in the woods. Otherwise, this is pretty much a plot chapter. Setting up some things that will pay off later. Next chapter we're going to be starting the Polish arc. Enjoy the fluff in this chapter. Because the angst is definitely going to be dialed up soon. As always please review and let me know what you think. Chapter overview at the end for those who want to skip.
"Come on," Shamira beckoned. "I know you can do better than that." Astrid shook her head with a smile. Watching Shamira train Steve. Sparing with him. Both of them holding their fists in the air. Circling around each other. It was a sight. Bucky watching beside her. Leaning against a tree. Having already made an attempt to train Steve earlier that morning.
Currently, they were in the thick Bavarian forests. Being ordered there to pick up supplies after they destroyed the base in Germany. While waiting for the supplies to show up it gave them time to train Steve. So far, each member of the team has had a go. Each of them coming to the same realization. Steve was really, really, really, strong.
"I don't want to hurt you," Steve replied. Despite his tone, he wasn't letting his guard down. Holding his fists up. He was definitely a quick learner. Picking up everything that they were teaching him.
"Steve I can take a punch. And even if you did hurt me Astrid is literally right there." Astrid gave him a small wave. He turned to look at her and gave her a smile. Allowing Shamira to sneak in and get a punch in the gut. But it was like hitting a brick wall. Astrid was fairly sure that it hurt Shamira more than it did Steve. Not that Shamira showed it. "What have I told you?!"
"Don't get distracted," Steve replied snapping back to Shamira. The two of them trading a couple of blows. At this point, Shamira and Bucky were the only ones who could keep up with him. Being the best hand-to-hand combatants in the unit. Outside of Steve
"He's really improving," Bucky commented. Still breathing hard from his last bout with Steve. "Hard to believe this is the same punk who kept getting beat up.
"No kidding," Astrid replied watching him continue his fight with Shamira. All those bullies would turn and flee at the sight of him now. Even after a few days, he was almost Shamira's equal. A little more finesse and he would be one of the best combatants Astrid had ever come across.
"Maybe you could teach him a thing or two," Jones said walking into the training glade. Steve had Shamira pinned to the ground. Though an elbow to his side caused Steve to release her. Allowing her to quickly get back up on her feet. "You haven't had a turn yet have you Doc."
"That's a really bad idea," Shamira interjected dropping her stance. Arms hanging by her sides.
"Why?"
Before Astrid could respond Shamira beat her to it. Stretching out her arms. "Well for one Astrid is a professionally trained torturer. They fight on a completely different level. While we're just trying to get a punch in, Astrid can break ribcages and stop hearts with a few quick jabs or a flick of her wrists."
The men all looked doubtful. Even Steve couldn't quite believe what Shamira was saying.
"It's true," Astrid added on standing up straight. "For me is all about targeting pressure points. Knowing exactly where and how to break the body." She shot Jones a wicked smile. "Most people don't last long when I'm their opponent."
Shamira nodded along. Dropping her arms back down along her sides. "Exactly. You have to have very specialized training to be able to defend yourself."
Bucky looked concerned. Furrowing his brow. "Okay, so what happens if we come across one?"
Shamira snorted. "If they are stupid enough to attack us with Astrid around then they won't be a problem." She gestured her head in Astrid's direction. "Astrid is a gold marked torturer. The highest rank there is."
"There is also the fact that almost all of the official Nazi torturers are kept away from the front lines," Astrid continued turning to face Bucky. "Don't want to spend years training someone only for them to get shot and die instantly." No. They had far worse uses for their torturers. "And I was Hydra's only so I don't think it's going to be a problem." Bucky still looked a little bit unsure. Glancing back at Shamira. Astrid knew the two of them were going to have a longer conversation about this.
Jones however seemed way more at ease. "Well, I doubt we'll be running into any while we're in Poland."
Astrid arched an eyebrow. Jones's words capturing everyone's attention. "That's where they are sending us next?"
He nodded. "We got some intel that Red Skull might be there."
Shamira groaned. Pinching the bridge of her nose. "I hate that one. This time of year, it will take us like a month to get there. Trudging through the snow." Unfortunately, Shamira was right. It was going to be a long cold journey. Germany was easy compared to Poland.
"They sent over some winter gear and other supplies." They were definitely going to need it. Winter came early to the part of Poland they were going to. Lovely they at least had one more day of warmth. Relatively. It was still cold and rainy. "Colonel has ordered us to move out tomorrow. Which at least gives Astrid time to teach Steve a trick or two."
Steve smiled and shook his head. "All of you are missing the obvious." Now it was Steve who held their attention. "The one reason why Astrid and I shouldn't train together."
"And that is?" Astrid asked giving him a playful smile.
"A man should never even attempt to hit his wife." Astrid felt her heart almost explode at that point. Mouth going dry. Eyes wide. Processing the weight of those words. Wondering how deeply someone could fall in love.
Bucky chuckled. "You're right you know. There is that little fact."
"Though I think Astrid needs a moment," Shamira teased placing a hand on her shoulder. Snapping Astrid back into reality.
Astrid gave him a small smile. "I don't know. I could maybe teach you a thing or two."
"And that's our cue to leave," Bucky stated. Taking Shamira's hand and heading out. "Where did they drop off the supplies?" Jones was already on the way out. Beckoning Bucky and Shamira to follow. Chuckling lovebirds and rolling his eyes playfully at Steve and Astrid.
As soon as the two of them left Astrid undid the belt around her jacket. Carefully putting her various packs and supplies on the ground. Before starting on the first couple of buckles and buttons. Exposing her neck and some cleavage. Steve already licking his lips in anticipation. Working on shedding his own outfit. Managing to get his top off.
'You know I can also bring intense pleasure as well as pain,' Astrid sent over. Stepping towards Steve who was still standing in the middle of the glade. Surrounded by trees and undergrowth no one would spot them unless they were looking for them.
'Is that so?' As soon as she was close enough, he reached around. Grabbing her and wrapping an arm around her lower back. Placing the other on the back of her head. Wrapping his fingers in her hair.
'Though I should tell you. I don't share these techniques with just anyone.' She ran a hand up and down his chest. 'As a matter of fact, you might be the only person I ever show.'
That got to him. Further undoing her top. Revealing the top of her bra. Kissing the now exposed flesh.
'Here I thought I was supposed to be showing you a thing or two,' Astrid stated craning her neck to give him more access.
'Can you blame me? Considering where we are going this will all be covered up soon. I want to take advantage while we can,' Steve replied. Not that Astrid was complaining too much. His hand moving down and around. Unzipping her pants. Yanking them down with her undergarments. Now gripping her ass.
Astrid's hands were also busy. Fingers dancing up and down his spine. Though her focus was elsewhere. On the bundles of nerves. Pressing on them to ease tensions. Relaxing his back. And riling him up.
It didn't take long at all before she was pinned to the nearest tree. Steve's hands on her sweet spot. Playing with her slowly. Astrid barely able to continue her work. Trailing her fingers all across his body. Knowing exactly where to push him. She could feel how hard he was against her. But that didn't matter to Steve. Speeding up his fingers. Until she came around him. Clawing at his back.
"There you go," Steve teased. "Only the best for my girl." Not only for her though. The connection really was powerful. Steve's own release occurring with Astrid's
Not that she was done with him. Wrapping her legs around him to pull him in closer. Undoing his zipper with her mind. And also sending out a mental barrier. Everyone who came close would be encouraged to turn around. Which was a good thing. Astrid moaning as Steve entered into her.
"Steve!" Astrid exclaimed. She could never get over how good he felt. Or how good she felt. Steve's own sensations coursing through her.
"Lost for words, my love?" Steve asked with a smile. Placing his forehead on hers. Astrid smiled. Steve could fight off a thousand men and not break a sweat. But as soon as the two of them got started he turned into a panting mess. A faint blush on his cheeks.
"Strange, I was going to ask you the same thing." He thrust in again. Astrid tightening her grip on him. Losing all her focus. Just being wrapped up in Steve.
"You know I am." Tightening his grip on her hips.
'That all you got for me, Steve?' He then began in earnest. Astrid lost in the midst of it all. Despite the tree starting to dig into her back she never wanted this to stop. Kissing him fervently. Hands still moving around his body. Showing just how much pleasure one can experience. Minds fully connected to one another. Until they were both sated enough. Chests heaving. As much as Astrid wanted to keep at it they still had a mission.
Steve gently put her back down on the ground and Astrid worked on getting her clothes back on. Steve doing the same. Though occasionally glancing at her with a smile.
"Shall we join the others?" Astrid asked once she got everything back on and looked somewhat reasonable.
"We should," Steve countered slipping back on his shirt. "I have a feeling we have a hard time ahead."
"Shamira downplayed it." She really did. The cold and bitter trek into Poland.
She felt Steve wrap his arms around her. Pulling her into his chest. "Is it wrong that I just want to take a moment?" he asked. Clutching onto her tighter. "We don't get many with just the two of us." It was true. They were almost always surrounded by the others. Not that it was a bad thing. Just didn't give much time for Astrid and Steve to be Astrid and Steve.
"It's not wrong at all," Astrid replied giving him a gentle kiss. "We just need to grab each moment we can."
He was silent for a moment. Twirling a lock of her hair in his fingers. "Just stay safe okay?" He seemed to be struggling for words. "When we were separated I…"
She looked up at him. Seeing the worry in his blue eyes. Letting out a sigh. "Steve we are at war. We aren't going to be safe until we are back home." She placed a hand on his cheek. "But like I promised you. Nothing in this world is going to stop me from returning to your side." He seemed calmer after that. More at ease. Giving her one last kiss on the top of her head.
"Come on then," he said grabbing onto her hand. "Let's see what Peggy and Stark have sent us."
Seemed like more people than Peggy and Stark arrived. Phillips was here as well. Directing an entire squad. While Peggy was talking with Dernier about the supplies. Peggy looking up when Astrid and Steve walked into the chaos. Her features softening slightly before turning back to her work. Astrid smirked. When Peggy was devoted to something nothing could pull her away.
"Clean up crew," Falsworth said gesturing towards all the men milling about. "Going to go through the base and make sure we actually destroyed it."
Morita shook his head. "It's like they don't trust us."
Steve put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Don't worry about it too much. Once they see our work it will be more than enough."
Morita bobbed his head back and forth. Contemplating Steve's words.
"By the way," Falsworth continued. "Stark wanted to see you, Cap." He gestured towards Steve. "Meanwhile Colonel wanted to see Doc." Well, that couldn't be good. After one last squeeze of their hands, Astrid broke off from Steve. Heading straight towards Phillips. Busy with his own work. Leading all the men from the command tent.
"You needed me, Sir?" Astrid asked walking in. Catching the glances of the other two men in the tent.
"Doc," he stated turning towards her. The walls of the tent plastered with maps and other plans. "A successful first mission?"
Astrid raised an eyebrow. "If you consider the fact that the base is a smoking pile of rubble then I would say yes."
Phillips let out a sigh. Turning back to the map. "Judging by the terrain and the weather it will take a month for you to reach your next target."
Astrid walked up so that she was standing next to him. Tracing the route, they would take with her finger. "Longer if we run into any trouble."
"You all up for it?"
Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be asking Steve these questions?"
Phillips had an expression like someone stepped on his foot. "Rogers is still new to commanding. And I know he has an authority problem."
"And you think I'm a better resource?"
"Yes." Phillips scoffed. "I've even tried to convince the higher-ups to give you command."
Well, that was flattering. Astrid shook her head. "Need I remind you Phillips why I'm here in the first place. I'm a torturer, not a leader. Which is one of the things my husband excels at." Phillips turned to face her head-on. "If it helps, Steve Rogers is one of the best commanding officers I've ever seen. People just flock to him." She gave him a half-smile. "Trust me, Sir. You got nothing to worry about. Captain Rogers is a natural."
"I hope so. For your sake." Now here was the bad news. "All eyes are on you right now. One slip up and you're done. I'm not sure there is a hole big enough for them to bury you in." Astrid nodded. Not surprised. She would just have to prove herself. "Just be careful."
"Understood Sir." Astrid didn't even wait to be dismissed. Turning around and leaving. Phillips had nothing to worry about. Not from her and certainly not from Steve.
"Astrid," Peggy called out. Astrid slowing down her pace. Allowing for Peggy to catch up. "I'm assuming Phillips told you.
"That he thinks my husband is an idiot or that I got a target on my back?"
"I was thinking more of the latter." The two of them stopped surveying the camp and all the activity. Hard to believe that just a few hours ago it was just the nine of them and a single campfire.
"Relax, it's not the first time I'm threatened."
"Nor am I sure it will be the last. Though I'm sure you'll be able to handle it."
"Especially since I also got you looking out for me."
Peggy flashed her a smile. Tightening the grip on her shoulder tightly. Before letting go. Lingering only slightly. Astrid felt at ease. A little harmless flirting. The game her and Peggy played. Never going any farther. Astrid wouldn't allow it. Her heart belonged to Steve.
She felt Peggy nudge. Gesturing her head. "Come on now. You wouldn't believe what Stark has come up with." Hopefully, something that would make sure they would survive. Last thing Astrid wanted to freeze to death. And considering where they were going it certainly was a possibility.
The Howling Commando's take turns training Steve in the woods. Currently, it's Shamira's. Once Jones interrupts Shamira reveals that Astrid is one of the most highly trained torturers. She and the others leave to collect supplies. Astrid and Steve have fun in the woods. Once sated they join the others after promising to try and stay safe. Astrid reiterating her promise to always return to him.
She has a conversation with Phillips where he reveals that she is under scrutiny. Can't afford any mess-ups. Later she finds Peggy and the two engage in some harmless flirting.