Author's Note:
Trigger warnings for mention of lynching, past trauma, and our favorite couple getting down and dirty. As always please review and let me know what you think.
Astrid rubbed Shamira back as the two of them stared out into the ocean. Watching the waves lap at the ship. Currently on a British warship. Philips having chartered it to get them from Poland to Estonia. He was somewhere on board. Along with Peggy, Stark, and the rest of the boys. The salt air leaving Astrid feeling refreshed. Despite how cold it was. She wouldn't be able to stay out here much longer. With them going even further north it was only going to get colder. Why couldn't they be heading to Tunisia?
"I hate boats," Shamira groaned looking a little green. Even with the medicine, Astrid gave her she wasn't having a good time.
Astrid smirked. "You rather we walk?"
"At this point yes." They hit a particularly nasty wave. Shamira resting her head on the railing. Astrid nudging her shoulder.
"Keep your eye on the horizon. It does help."
"Is dying an option?"
"No."
Shamira held out her hand. "Fine. Then give me those sleepy pills so I can at least pass out through this nightmare." Astrid did do. Fishing around her bag and taking out a vial filled with small green pills. Handing two of them to Shamira. Downing them immediately. She stood up straight. Stumbling as she did so. Astrid wrapped an arm around her waist. Stabilizing her until she got her below deck and into her bunk. All the Howling Commandos sharing a room. Collapsing immediately.
Astrid let out a huff. "I told Phillips the ship was a bad idea." Pulling out the covers she tucked Shamira in. She would be out for several hours at least. Leaving the room and closing the door behind her. Only to immediately run into Jones.
"Hey Doc," he said. "Shamira doing okay?"
She shook her head. "Seasickness." Jones winched. "She'll be fine as soon as we get off the ship."
"Miserable until tomorrow then?" Astrid nodded. She was surprised she convinced Shamira to even get on board. "If you want a few of us are playing cards in the galley. Though Carter has managed to clean most of us out. I think Stark and Bucky are the only ones still in the game." That didn't surprise Astrid. Bucky was surprisingly good a poker.
"I'll watch," Astrid replied with a smirk. "Most people don't want me playing."
"Because of the mind-reading thing?"
"Because of the torture thing." Jones gave her a surprised look. "I've been taught to read people with just a glance. Pull information from the smallest phrase."
Jones nodded. "Which would make you very good at cards." Which was putting it mildly. Before Astrid found her job, she made rent playing cards. Got them through some hard weeks.
The two of them continued walking down the narrow corridor. Chatting quietly. Swaying with the ship. Seemed like they hit some rough waters. They weren't the only ones affected. A man coming down the hallway in the opposite direction. One of the many Petty Officers onboard. Astrid and Jones moving out of their way. It was their ship after all.
"Well, well look what we have here," he said. Looking at both of them. Dark hair and dark eyes. He was a pretty big guy. Tall and broad though still smaller than Steve. Though virtually everyone was smaller than Steve. "Shouldn't expect to see the two of you together."
"What the hell does that mean?" Astrid bit back. Already getting a bad feeling about this. Jones stood next to her. Squaring his shoulders. He wasn't going to back down either.
He took a step closer to her. Bad choice. Any closer and he would find a knife in his gut. "Just saying. You don't often find a pretty white woman and a n-"
Astrid grabbed him by his throat and slammed him into the opposite wall. Startling him
"You even think about finishing that sentence and I'll make sure you'll be eating meals through a straw for the rest of your life," she snarled. Her voice dripping with rage. Hand constricting his throat. This was no game. She was going to end this here and now. There was a lot of things Astrid could take. But she drew a hard line at racism. "Is that understood Petty Officer," she quickly glanced at his uniform. Catching his name. "Hardwick."
"Yes Sir," he groveled. Astrid letting him go. Causing him to fall to the floor in a heap. Coughing heavily.
"Consider yourself lucky I'm not reporting you to your superior officer." Astrid finished continuing to walk down the corridor. Jones spared him one glance. Shaking his head before following Astrid. Right on her heels.
"You are extremely terrifying," Jones stated their shoulders brushing. "Though you didn't have to do that."
Astrid shot him a look. "Yes, I did." She shook her head. "Hatred and bigotry aren't just going to go away unless we do something about it. Show that it's not tolerated."
"Wish more people thought the way you do." He stopped in the corridor and Astrid followed suit. Turning to look at him. He bit his lip and shook his head. Debating himself. Before tapping the side of his head. Having learned that cue a while ago. 'I've been called a whole lot of things Astrid. Been threatened with a whole lot of things to. My grandfather was actually lynched when I was a young boy.' Astrid let out a shuddering breath. Watching Jones tremble. 'I'll never get that image out of my mind.' He took a minute to compose himself. 'Being in this squad. With all of you… it's actually the first time I've felt on equal grounds.' He took a deep breath. 'You and Cap. You treat us all like family. Regardless of where we are from or what we look like.'
Astrid chocked up. Reaching over and placing a hand on his shoulder. 'You are family Jones. Someone goes after you. They go after all of us.'
He gave her a big bright smile. "Big mistake on their part." She dropped her hand and the two of them continued down. "They should know better than to mess with Captain America and Lady Liberty." That dumb nickname. Astrid rolled her eyes and socked him on the shoulder. About to counter when they ran straight into Phillips. Arms crossed. Staring down the two of them.
"Not causing any problems, are you?" Phillips asked. He already knew. Somehow. If Astrid didn't know better, she would almost say that Phillips was psychic himself.
Astrid smirked. "No sir. Just pointing out a sailor's poor attitude."
Phillips shook his head. "Rogers," he muttered under his breath though he gave her a fond look. "If there was any trouble, you'd let me know?" He glanced up at Jones. "For any of you."
"Just a reminder that all our team stands on equal footing. And if they have a problem with it then they can talk to Steve or me directly." Phillips gave her an amused smile. While Jones suppressed his laugh. Both of them knowing exactly what that meant.
"I'll be sure to pass along the message." Phillips started to walk past him. "Along with a few choice words of my own." He shook his head. "It's about time that things around here started changing. We have a war to win after all."
The two of them watched him walk past. Unsure of where he was heading to.
"That man is the best colonel I've ever served under," Astrid stated. Walking back down the corridor.
Jones nodded. Taking the lead. "Between him and Cap I couldn't ask to serve under finer men." That was true. Now that he was given a chance Steve was one of the best commanders.
Astrid feeling like this grey nondescript corridor was going on forever. Honestly surprised she managed to even get Shamira to her room. After a couple of more nondescript hallways and more than one staircase, they finally made it to the galley. Which was just as drab and boring as the rest of the ship. Astrid grateful Steve didn't join the Navy. She would probably go crazy if she had to stare at grey walls all the time. Finally making it to the galley with Jones's help. Who was silently laughing at her.
Only the Howling Commandos were inside. All other crewmembers at their posts. Making the room feel massive. Rows and rows of tables and benches. Stark, Bucky, and Peggy still going at their game. Sitting at the end of one of the long tables. Peggy clearly winning. Her side of the table stacked high with chips. Morita, Falsworth, Dugan, and Dernier standing over them. Offering commentary. Also catching sight of Steve sitting in the corner. Chair back against the wall. Pencil in hand. Probably drawing the scene in front of him.
"Hey!" Dugan called out. "Look who finally managed to show up. Thought you got lost for a moment there."
Astrid walked over and clapped him on the back. "Nah. Just had to get Shamira settled." Jones settling next to Dernier. Getting caught up with what he missed in rapid-fire French.
"Where is Shamira anyway?" Morita asked.
"Seasick," Bucky answered putting down his cards. Looks like he won that round. To the grumbling of Peggy and Stark. "Can't even get that gal in a canoe. She basically has to be drugged the moment she gets on a boat." They all hissed in sympathy.
"Care to join our game?" Stark asked looking at Astrid. Gesturing towards the table. "We got plenty of chips."
"Uh no," Peggy answer with a shake of her head. Flashing Astrid, a smile. "She's never allowed to play."
"Because of the mind-reading thing?"
"Because of the torture thing."
Jones and Astrid shared a glance. Chuckling.
Stark rolled his eyes. "Maybe you could get Cap to play." They all turned to look at Steve. Completely oblivious to what was going on.
"You don't want him to play either," Bucky replied looking over his hand.
"Why?"
Astrid snorted. "Because he's terrible." Bucky nodded. "You just feel bad playing against him."
"Plus, when he gets like that there's no pulling him out," Bucky continued. Laying down his hand. Stark won that round. Earning himself a few glares.
"I'm pretty sure I could strip down naked, get on my knees and he still wouldn't notice," Astrid stated watching the game. Peggy definitely had the upper hand right now. She sat up a little straighter when she had good cards.
The rest of the men chuckled. "I don't think that's true Astrid," Jones pointed out. Astrid raised an eyebrow at him. "You're the kind of woman that would make happily married men question their vows." Astrid scoffed rolling her eyes.
Morita pointed at Jones. "He's right you know."
"Oh, come on, that's not true."
"Yes, it is." They all replied. Even Dugan and Peggy. Who had absolutely perfect cards. Gathering up all her winnings with a smirk. Bucky and Stark weren't completely out though. Dugan dealing them another hand.
"If both Carter and I are saying it then it definitely is true," Dugan emphasized. He may have a point there. May.
Jones crossed his arms. Glancing between her and Steve. "Why don't we make a bet of it?" He gained all their attention. "I bet all Astrid has to do is walk over there, drape herself over Cap and she'll be dragged out of here in a flash. Don't even have to say a word. If I win free drinks the next time, we find ourselves in a pub."
Falsworth shook his head. Chuckling. "Nah. Cap actually pretty dense. She's going to actually have to ask him to bed first. Then he'll drag her away."
"I'm with Jones on this one," Morita added. "Won't take much at all."
"Agreed," Stark added on.
Dugan raised a glass of whatever he was drinking. "Safe money is with Falsworth." Dernier nodded along. Throwing himself in with Dugan and Falsworth.
Astrid couldn't believe where the conversation was going. "Fine. If this is where we are going with this, I bet that I'm going to have to crawl into his lap. Take the notebook out of his hands, look him dead in the eyes, and ask him to take me to bed." She held up one finger. "And he'll still ask me if I'm sure."
Bucky snapped his fingers and pointed towards Astrid. "That is where the safe money is. Have fun paying for our drinks."
Astrid turned to look at Peggy. "Where are you with all this?"
She shook her head with a smile. "Obviously I'm with the wife on this one." Astrid gave a slight bow. Ruffling up her hair slightly and undoing the two top buttons of her jacket. Might as well look the part. Winking at all of them before slowly strutting over. The game now completely forgotten. All focused on her and Steve. Completely oblivious to everything. Focused on his drawing. Pencil flying across the paper. She almost didn't want to interrupt him. But the temptation of free drinks was too much.
Not looking up as Astrid approached. Just letting out a sigh of contentment as she draped her arms across his shoulders. Placing a hand on his knee. Astrid wasn't surprised. She often did things kinda thing back home when he was drawing. Often cuddling up next to him. Smiling at the sounds of Jones, Morita, and Stark groaning. Knowing that they lost. No free drinks for them.
"Hey love," Astrid said loud enough for the boys to hear. "What do you think about taking me to bed?"
"Bit earlier isn't it?" Steve asked. She could almost hear the sounds of them shaking their heads. Scoffing They really didn't understand how dense Steve could be. Particularly when he was drawing. "Though I'm almost done here. Maybe after-"
His words died as Astrid crawled into his lap. Finally looking up at her. Mouth going dry. Astrid took the notebook and pencil out of his hands. Closing it with a snap and placing it safely in her bag. Looking at him straight in the eyes. Blue matching green. Trailing her hands up his chest. "I asked if you wanted to take me to bed." She heard him swallow the lump in his throat. Placing his hands on her hips.
"You sure?" he asked. Right after the question left his lips. Bucky jumped up. Whooping. Both Astrid and Steve turned to look at him. Confusion etched on Steve's face.
"I called it!" Bucky stated to the groans of everyone else. Except for Peggy. Grinning at her victory. The others shaking their heads. Still not quite believing it.
"What's all that about?" Steve asked.
Astrid shook her head and laughed. "You just won Bucky, Peggy and I free drinks for a night." He looked even more confused than before. "I'll explain later. Right now, however…" She leaned forward. Smirking slightly. Astrid had already planned for her night to go a little something like this. Though she didn't figure this was how it was going to turn out. "Now that it's actually kind of warm, I was planning on showing you a real good time."
He picked her up and carried her out of the room. Ignoring the gleeful shouts and wolf whistles of the others. Somehow Steve knew how to navigate the ship with ease. Opening up one of the spare officer quarters. Perks of being a Captain. And the room actually looked nice if small. At least it wasn't more gray but a shade of blue. Porthole looking out towards the sea.
As soon as the door was closed Astrid beckoned for Steve to put her down. Landing on the floor softly. He slowly started moving backwards to the bed but Astrid stopped him. Connecting their two minds together.
'I want you to stop there for a moment.' Steve nodded. A curious look on his face. His eyes going wide as Astrid dropped down to her knees. Quickly undoing her top and bra. Throwing it into a corner.
'Astrid, what are you?' His thoughts ceased as Astrid undid the zipper. Already fully hard. She looked at him for a moment. Taking a deep breath before fully taking him into her mouth. Relaxing her gag reflex. She had to. Breathing fully from her nose. Hands-on his ass for stability as she moved up and down his shaft. Tongue running down the underside.
'Figure it out now?' She asked him. She got no coherent response back. Just a hand on the back of her head. Other hand clenched into a fist. Licking and sucking all around him. Paying special attention to his head. Circling around it with her tongue. Lapping at all the precum. Tasting so good. She couldn't get enough. Continuing to bob up and down. 'If you want you can also thrust.'
Steve wasted no time on her offer. Gripping her hair tightly. He thrusted himself into her mouth. Letting out a cry in delight. His pace slower than usual but enough. Astrid having to relax even more to take him all in. Finding it a bit of a struggle to breathe. Continuing to lick and suck. Steve tightening his grip on her hair. Head thrown back. Panting heavily.
'Astrid I'm…' She didn't need the warning. Pushing him even further into her mouth. Letting his seed spill down her throat. Feeling her own release at the same time. Moaning around him as she took him in. It was a lot. More than any other man she been with. Including Steve himself but she swallowed it all. Pulling off of him with a pop. Lips red and swollen. Breathing hard as she looked up at him.
Steve himself was still hard. Panting slightly. Shaking his head. 'You didn't have to do that.'
'I wanted to do that.' She stood up and kissed him. Letting his tongue roam her mouth. Tasting himself on her. Slowly walking to the bed. Shedding clothes along the way. Until he was sitting on the edge. Astrid in his lap. Sinking herself deeply on him.
He buried his face in her shoulder as she bounced up and down on him. One hand on her breast. Circling her nipple with the pads of his thumb. The other moving down to her sweet spot. But she stopped him. Taking his hand and moving it to her other breast.
'You are so good Steve I can get there from your dick alone.' His body started trembling. Astrid picking up the pace. Loving the feeling of him inside her. Cursing the snowy weather. Otherwise, she would have done this much sooner. Already starting to feel the buildup. Steve rubbing that bundle of nerves inside her. Clawing at his back. Steve groaning. Adjusting her slightly in his lap. Placing one hand on her back. Lowering his head. Allowing him to take one of her nipples into his mouth. Circling it with his tongue. Pushing Astrid over the edge.
Letting out a cry as she came. Feeling herself twitch and pulse around him. Steve taking over. Moving her up and down. That alone was enough to push her over the edge the third time that night. Burying her own head in Steve's shoulder. Feeling him lose control as well. Grunting as he released his seed into her.
'What's gotten into you?' He lifted up her head so that she was looking at him. He was filled with such warmth and love. Feeling his steady heartbeat under her fingertips. He placed a finger under her chin. 'Normally I have to spend at least an hour on my knees before you get on yours.'
'What a woman can't know what her husband tastes like?' Steve snickered. Running a hand down her face. Confusion entering his features. She rested her forehead against his. 'I wanted to see if I could get on my knees. For my own sake.' In fact, it was easy. Astrid would do it again in a heartbeat. Because it was for Steve.
'As long as you wanted to.' Still, he looked uncomfortable. Adjusting the two of them. Placing her down in the bed. Feeling her back hit the mattress. Some rocks were more comfortable than this thing. Continuing to thrust into her. Slowly. Building up the anticipation.
Astrid wrapped her arms around hick neck. Determined to get to the bottom of what was bothering him. 'What's wrong Steve?'
She felt a flash of panic run through her body that Steve wasn't enjoying himself. Quickly quelled by a kiss. Steve tightly clinging to her body. Giving her a nice heavy thrust. Astrid letting out a cry in response.
'I just…' Steve broke off the kiss. Shaking his head. 'I just wish you didn't need to.' Oh, her dear sweet Steve. 'I get that you needed it but I just feel like I'm using you.'
'Never.' Astrid ran her hands down his back. 'I've lost track of how many people I've...' She took a deep breath. Steve flinching. Running his hands across her body. 'But during our first time together. In your apartment. That was the first time I actually came because of another. Hell the first time I've ever felt good.' He had a self-satisfied smirk at that. Astrid sat up. Pressing her forehead against him. 'You have never used me. I would never let you.' He kissed her lightly on the forehead. She smirked. Bringing him back down for a kiss. 'So let me treat you on occasion.'
'Only if I can do the same for you' Astrid nodded. Steve unable to resist anymore. Picking up speed. Soon she was lost in Steve and he in her. The two of them working to please each other.
She wasn't sure how long they were at it but by the time they were done both of them were covered in a layer of sweat. Laying side by side. Astrid resting on top of Steve's chest. His hand trailing down her back.
"Have I mentioned that I love you?" Steve asked with a smile.
"Several times," Astrid responded. "I love you too." He reached over to kiss her again. Interrupted by a knock on the door. Steve glared at the door as he stood up. Grabbing his pants off the floor while Astrid ducked under the covers. Which might have been one of the itchiest things Astrid had ever been in contact with. But it was better than nothing. Steve glancing at her. Making sure she was completely covered up before opening the door. Letting Bucky in. Bringing two plates of food.
"Thought you two would be busy," he chuckled. Placing the plates on the tiny bureau in the corner of the room. "Shamira is still completely out and the others are asleep as well. Wanted to make sure you two are taken care of before I collapsed myself."
"You didn't have to Bucky," Steve replied. Astrid zoned out as the two of them chatted. Floating the food towards her as she tucked in. It wasn't actually completely terrible. Corn, potatoes, and some sort of meat variety. At least it didn't taste like it came out of a can. Completely.
"Have a good night Astrid," Bucky stated. Astrid waved him goodbye. Steve closing the door behind him. Immediately taking his pants back off. She floated the plate back to the bureau. Oh they were definitely going to have a good night.