Avengers compound, several days later.
Sam brings up some news footage on the screen, jerky footage of a man with a shield leaping through the air.
"So, there is a lot of cellphone footage of Captain America punching a werewolf through a funfair from the weekend."
Steve shrugs "Yes, it was pretty unexpected turn of events, but we handled it." He says, glancing at Nat.
"We've had a word with the armoury and we'll be issuing silver bullets to everyone who wants, just in case."
Sam shakes his head "It's crazy that I don't even think that's crazy anymore"
Nat brings up a picture of an old, stern faced man in a generals uniform
"Well General Ross looks like he's going to be a general pain in the ass about it" She explains.
Steve puts a report on the table. "He's suggesting to the WSC that the Avengers need a reliable replacement for the Hulk while Dr Banner is AWOL"
As everyone looks at the report Wanda asks "Has anyone seen or heard anything from Banner?"
Nat shakes her head "No messages, but no rampages either, so we're still hoping he's ok and just laying low"
Steve carries on "Ross is suggesting a career soldier, smart, capable, well trained. Captain Emil Blonsky. Russian born, moved to the UK as a child, joined the army, British Royal Marines, Special Operations, inter-force transfer to US SOCOM. A decorated veteran." On the screen is a picture of a man with the wiry build and confident stare common in elite military groups, in the dark green of a Royal Marines dress uniform, the chest thick with medals and ribbons.
Steve nods at Nat who changes the picture on the screen
"Or, as the New York Times called him, the "Towering Abomination of twisted bone and muscle" that destroyed Harlem"
The picture on the screen is now of a huge humanoid shape towering over the wreckage of burning cars, hunched back covered in bone spines
Sam gives a Low whistle "What happened to him?"
Steve looks unhappy. "Experimental Super soldier serum. It doesn't always go smoothly. General Ross has a new version, he tried it on Bonsky with limited success… he became faster, stronger, tougher. But lost his common sense to the point where he stood up to the Hulk in a full on rage and taunted him to fight. The Hulk kicked him across a field and broke pretty much every bone in his body. He took it personally and took another dose of serum, mixed with a load of samples biological samples in the lab, including radioactive Hulk blood."
"We think the first dose increased his physical abilities but magnified his temper and ego, making him more aggressive and prone to taking risks. Like fighting the Hulk or taking overdoses of experimental drugs"
"He fought the Hulk in Harlem. The Double dose of serum plus Hulk blood sent his whole body into a growth spurt. Unlike Dr Banner, it looks like it was a permanent change. After the Hulk beat him he was locked away in a maximum security cryo-prison in Alaska, permanently frozen as he was deemed too dangerous to be held anywhere else."
Wanda is enraged "So they experiment on him and when it goes wrong, he is the one punished? Did he ever have a fair trial? Was Ross not punished for this?"
"As far as I know there was a military court as he was a serving member of the armed forces, but I don't like it either. General Ross kept a lot of it classified but we know he first sent Captain Blonsky and his squad after Dr Banner in Rio without briefing him about the nature of the Hulk."
There's a chilled silence that descends across the table.
Everyone who's ever seen the Hulk in full rage knows the terror facing him unprepared would be.
Finally Rhodey quietly asks "How bad was it?"
Natasha shakes her head "We're not sure. Ross redacted the reports but I have channels. Intel suggests Five dead, four seriously injured from Blonsky's squad of ten. Plus several other locals. And serious property damage"
Rhodey and Sam exchange a knowing glance. As the unenhanced Avengers who rely on technology, facing the Hulk unarmoured would be suicidal. "I can see why he took the serum when he went after the Hulk."
Steve leans forward and grips the table "The whole mess is on Ross, but he's pretty much untouchable"
Natasha brings up the picture of General Ross again, and a picture of an attractive dark haired woman in a white lab coat "It's a personal vendetta. Before the accident, Bruce was working on a project for General Ross and dating his daughter, Elizabeth, a Biochemist. Rumour is that Ross wasn't impressed she was seeing a civilian and would have preferred she was with someone career military instead. The desire to prove himself to Ross may have influences Bruce to take risks; it's also possible General Ross had things sabotaged to get Bruce out of the picture. Whatever happened, during the accident she was seriously injured and several other members of staff were killed."
Wanda hugs her arms around herself and leans on the Vision "That's why Bruce always wants to know if he hurt anyone when he changes back."
Nat nods "He feels a lot of guilt about the people 'the other guy' kills. "
"So Ross has a vendetta with the Hulk, that's why he's pushing we have Blonsky?"
"He tried when the Avengers were first formed, SHIELD agreed and sent an independent contractor to set up the transfer, control and containment needed."
"But Blonsky never joined? What happened?"
Nat looks mock serious "SHIELD sent an expert consultant = Tony"
Steve looks shocked "But that's a terrible idea!"
"Exactly" Nat smiles
Steve catches on "Deliberate sabotage?"
"It went so badly that Tony got thrown out of the bar they met in. So Tony bought Ross's favourite bar and had it bulldozed"
Rhodey laughs "oh, yes, that's Classic Tony"
After the meeting, Steve and Nat are heading over to Operations when Steve glances round and asks "
"That information about Betty Ross wasn't in the files. I know, I read them all. How did you find out? Your back channels?"
Nat looks him in the eye and simply says "Bruce talks in his sleep"
Steve blinks rapidly, almost blushes. "ah… I.. oh. Right"
When Nat turns in that night, Steve wishes her goodnight with a smile. By the time she'd got back to her room her phone had chimed once. A message from Steve saying just "Midnight"
Promptly at midnight there is a quiet knock on her door.
He had not specified she wear anything particular so she was just dressed for bed, barefoot in Baggy t-shirt and boy shorts. She'd set her comms to Emergency calls only, just in case.
She opens the door to find him standing there is basic black – Black vest, sweat pants and sneakers. It makes him look more massive than usual, though she puts that down to her expectant mood. She beckons him in but he gestures her to come out instead.
She hesitates, asking "shoes?" In case they're going outside.
He shakes his head.
"No, come as you are"
She nods and follows him, closing her door.
The base is asleep, the lights down to a minimal glow. Everything is silent and subdued. The two of them move like purposeful ghosts.
She glances at the security system indicator lights; glad they're showing monitoring is off but on standby. He disabled them in advance, but they'll trigger if the base goes into alert. Careful but competent.
Following a few steps behind him she can't help but smirk at his sneaking technique; he's good, fast, quiet and light on his feet for someone his size, but his body language screams "I'm sneaking". The real art is a casual stealth that even if people notice they don't think anything of it, as you're acting like you should be there.
He leads her through the shared kitchen and lounge and out into the complex, past the offices and into the museum and gallery where the Avengers artefacts are stored.
Steve touches his earpiece. "Operations. This is Captain Rogers, please give me Privacy mode and secure the gallery. Cameras off. Comms to emergency only. Then Open cabinet 5 please."
The gallery is a long hall with glass display cases, as the armoured shutters slide into place the spotlights start to illuminate each in turn. Nothing in here was dangerous or classified; it was more a display for visiting dignitaries.
Steve closes and locks the door, finally they have privacy. The hall has a hushed silence as she waits to see what is on his mind, there's tension in his shoulders she recognises from him worrying too much..
He takes a chair from against the wall and beckons, leading her to the fifth case.
In it is a dummy wearing his World War 2 Captain America armour, one of the original suits though the shield it carries is an aluminium prop.
He puts the chair down then orders her "Strip. Put your clothes there."
His tone is strangely distant and that puts her on edge as she hurries to obey. The Shirt comes up over her head in an instant, letting her breasts swing free as she leans forward to push down her shorts. Her trained instinct is to show off, to pose and turn as she moves to look her best, but his focus tells her that speed and obedience is more important than posing.
She steps out of her shorts and putting them and her shirt on the chair. Naked she faces him, unsure how to stand. Wanton? Demure? Scared girl trying to cover herself? All are unnecessary manipulations, she doesn't need to overthink this. He's in a military mood, so she goes for parade rest. Right foot still, left moves 12" apart, hands clasped behind her back. Clearly obedient and patiently awaiting orders. She can't help a quiver of nervous excitement, what is on his mind?
He glances over at her and smiles.
"Good girl. Now Kneel"
She's almost offended he's so unimpressed with her naked body so exposed and at his mercy, but by the time she's thinking that she's already dropping to the floor. His order seemed to go right past her overthinking mind and to her obedient body.
The marble slabs were cold underfoot but feel worse on her knees, but she's suffered far worse for far more trivial reasons. She keeps her knees apart, back straight, hands behind her back. She's a wonder of submissive poise, how can he resist?
He opens the case, looking at the suit within, seemingly troubled. She fights down the urge to ask what's wrong, he's obviously been thinking and will get to it at his own pace.
Not looking at her, he starts to talk "I've been thinking about what you've said about things, Dominance and Submission. Of roles and power dynamics, on the power of symbols."
Looks at his old uniform, touches the star on the chest.
"I realised it's become a part of my life, being a symbol and upholding the values it stands for. How a symbol is something you hold onto, an idea made solid. Without undermining the faith people have in me I need to find a way to express the way I'm feeling, how I feel when I'm with you."
He turns, looking down at her and tenderly strokes her upturned face.
"There is a tradition between Dominant and Submissive that confused, almost repulsed me at first, but i now think i understand it better. It lets them know what frame of mind to be in, helps separate things in day to day life from private pleasures. Provides structure. Distance yet Intimacy"
She realises suddenly that her mouth is dry and her stomach is a knot of molten heat. He's serious about this.
He reaches into the display case and unbuckles the thigh strap from the bottom of the pistol holster
He holds the length of dark brown leather and looks at it.
"I felt this would be fitting. Strong but flexible. Part of who I was, who I am, something I've relied on in countless battles"
"Natalia, I hold in my hand a collar. The one who wears it would be mine, completely. My girl, My slave, My property, to do with as I please. Do you submit to me?"
His words are soft but cut deep into her chest, paralysing her with joy and panic and sudden terror. If he's serious, truly serious, this could be the last free choice she ever makes. Does she trust him enough? Does she want to be his like this? She manages to draw a ragged breath and takes the final step. Looking up at him with tear bright eyes she says
"With all my heart"
She leans forward, lowering her head and moves her hair away, offering her neck to him.
He loops the leather round her neck and pulls it tight, so she can feel its grip. She tries not to choke but the implication is clear. He holds it there a moment then slackens it slightly, closing the buckle. There is no hole but he simply pushes the metal spike through the leather, closes the buckle and gives the collar a tug.
"You are mine."
"I am yours Master"
She lowers her head until her forehead touches the floor at his feet
"I am yours."
Eyes closed tight she hears him take a deep breath. Had he actually been worried she's say no? He had! She almost laughs into the polished stone, the most perfect man she knew had such doubt in his ability. Though that's part of what makes him perfect, the lack of swagger, the ego that knows only truth and never lies to itself.
Then she feels him hand grip her by the hair and lift her bodily up into the air. She grabs at his hand, trying to take some of her weight but he's already lifting with his other hand, carrying her two quick steps and casually setting her down on her back on the glass of a table display case. His strength makes her seem weightless.
Steve grins, taking a grip of her hips and tugging her ass to the edge of the table. The look of shock and surprise on her face as he grips her knees and lifts them, spreading her legs. He tugs down his sweat pants, pulling his cock free and sliding it into her in one hard thrust.
"Oh Fuck! Master! She cries out, clutching at his shirt as he leans down over her, as his hips thrust he keeps her legs pressed down so she's folded in half, pinned down under him.
Steve slams into her with a fierce joy, letting go of all the worries, fears and doubts that have been plaguing him, no worries for the past and future, not having to care about anything but his own pleasure for once. He can just fuck her as hard and as fast as he likes, safe in the knowledge she longs to give him pleasure and trusting her to let him know if he goes to far. She's slick and tight around his cock, moving up to meet each thrust as if she wants him harder, deeper, her hands clutching at him trying to cling tight to him.
He feels all the tension in his shoulders, the tightness in his gut all flow together and then burst from him in a release that leaves him gasping, legs set firm, balls drawn up tight, erection huge and pulsing as he comes into her, gripping her in his arms.
He thinks she came in all that, but he doesn't give it any regard. She served well and there's plenty of time for that later. He whispers "Good girl" to her as he pulls free and she makes a happy moan as he lets her slide off the display table and down to her knees.
Nat leaned forward, pressing her face against his half flaccid cock, rubbing her face against it. Gods she loved the feel of it, how it felt in her, how he made her feel. She started to kiss it, sucking the head into her mouth and tonguing it as it slid free. His recovery time is mere minutes; soon he'll be ready to go again. This is going to be a night to remember, she swears it to herself. She is going to rock her Masters world.
He picks her up and throws her over his shoulder, patting her ass possessively.
"We'll carry on in my room"
"Yes Master"
He tucks his rock hard cock back into his sweat pants
"Don't worry; I can do this all night"
She smiles happily. As he carries her off she looks back and realises she's left a sweaty slick print of her ass on the glass case holding original document of the Avengers Charter
BE IT KNOWN
That we, the Avengers, have banded together to protect and safeguard the planet Earth, its inhabitants and resources, from any and all threats, terrestrial or otherwise, which might prove to be beyond the power of conventional forces to handle.
That we shall tolerate no interference in the growth of humanity in meeting its rightful destiny.
That we dedicate ourselves to the establishment, growth, and preservation of peace, liberty, equality, and justice under law.
This is our solemn oath.