My eyes shot open and I was gasping for breath trying to keep the pain at bay. The three people in the room all shot to their feet ready to tackle me back to the itchy bed.
"Jayson? Are you okay, are you in any pain?" Tony asked.
"Yes," I said almost laughing.
"Uh, I don't think the painkillers wore off," Clint said holding the arm I'd bit into.
"Yes, they have. Can I get some water?" I asked feeling how dry my throat was.
Fury handed me a cup with water in it and I sipped it slowly feeling the cooling sensation on my burning throat.
"Do you need more pain killers?" Tony asked quietly.
"No, it's bearable," I said not wanting to go to sleep.
"You've been in a drug induced coma for the last five days so your injuries could heal faster. We had to switch the drugs on day three because your system started eating through them and you started waking up." Clint said.
"How's your arm?" I asked.
"It's fine, if you'd bit me nay harder then I wouldn't have an arm left." Clint laughed.
"Good," I said finishing the water.
Fury took my cup refilling it. I thanked him before asking when I could leave.
"You'll either be discharged today or tomorrow morning, you have to take it easy when you get to the house though." Fury said.
"How bad is the damage?" I asked.
"you had a fractured femur and your wrist had torn muscles but they're both healed. You'll be on crutches for a while your foot in shattered and your collarbone is broken. You also had to have fifteen stitches on your forehead just along your hairline, you do have a concussion, both of which were from Tony accidentally punching you in the head. if you have trouble breathing it's because of your broken ribs. Two on the left and on on the right." Fury said.
I just nodded already knowing this information. At that moment Steve, Natasha, and a woman walked in.
"Hi Jayson, I'm Dr. Allen. How are you feeling?" The woman asked.
"I've been better," I told her.
"Alright, we've signed the discharge papers and after some more painkillers and getting you some practice on crutches you'll be free to go." She said giving me a bright smile.
I nodded and my eyes shifted to Steve. He looked tired but like a kid on Christmas. Dr. Allen unhooked the IV in my arm and helped me sit up. Steve sat beside me letting a hand absentmindedly rub my back. I relaxed into his hand and almost missed the smirks that everyone else in the room shared.
"Since you both are here I wanted to know if I could stay with you for a bit. I don't want my wife asking questions." Clint addressed Steve and me.
"I would say yes but we don't have the room..." Steve started.
"It's fine, you can sleep in my room," I said.
"And where will you sleep?" Tony questioned.
"In Steves bed," I answered simply.
If they wanted something to talk about then I was going to give them something to talk about.
"Sure," Steve said too tired to argue.
"Alright, here's your crutches. Have you ever used them before?" Dr. Allen asked handing them to me.
"Yes, ma'am," I said taking them from her.
"Good. here is some medication. I'll send Clint and Natasha back with some painkillers for you. Now take that and you'll be free to leave." She informed me.
As soon as I took the medicine Steve was leading me out of the building and to a car. Once we were driving I looked at him. His blue eyes looked dull and he hadn't shaved in a while. He actually looked handsome with the dirty blond stubble peppering his jaw. I tried and failed to shake the thought away. At that point, I accepted that I was attracted to Steve. He was kind and funny and beautiful.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
"For what?" He questioned.
"Saving my life. You could have let me die." I explained.
"I would never have let you die." He bit out.
"But you could have." I pointed out.
He just nodded as we pulled into the driveway. The painkillers were starting to take effect and I was getting sleepy. Steve helped me up the stairs and into a shower. Once I was clean I went to my room to change clothes. I grabbed extras and went to Steve's room.
"In all honesty, I was joking earlier. I can sleep on the couch if you don't want me in here." I told him.
"No, it's fine. I'd rather you be in here than on the couch." He abruptly cut himself off.
"Awesome then can we take a nap, you look like you could use it and these painkillers are stronger than I thought," I said moving toward him.
He nodded helping me in bed before crawling in behind me. He wrapped one arm around my waist and we both fell asleep. I woke up with the best warmth surrounding me. I turned and came face to face with Steve. he was breathing softly through his mouth and he looked so peaceful. Even with the light stubble, he looked young, almost child-like with his lips slightly parted and his eyelashes fluttering. I smiled lightly pressing our bodies closer and falling asleep once more.
I was startled awake by a soft groan in my ear. I opened my eyes realizing that my face was buried in Steve's neck our bodies pressed so close that I could feel his heart beating in my chest. I took a deep breath accidentally inhaling his scent. He smelt good. I sighed and he groaned softly again. I felt my face flush and carefully pushed myself away from him.
"What time is it?" he asked, voice husky.
"I don't know, can't really see the clock through your neck." I laughed.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to suffocate you." steve said.
"It could have been worse you could have used a pillow." I joked.
"you're really beautiful," Steve said still half asleep.
I pushed myself closer to him.
"Steve, you're dreaming. Wake up." I said smiling.
"I am awake." He gave me a soft smile.
"So you think I'm really beautiful?" I laughed.
"Yes, I do. I also want to date you." He said.
"Okay," I said hiding my face in the pillow.
"Really?" He sounded much more awake now.
"I'm not repeating myself." My voice was muffled by the pillow.
"So we're dating?" He questioned.
"Yes," I confirmed.
"Finally!" Clint yelled from the bathroom at the same time Natasha yelled from the hallway,"It's about damn time!"
"The proper amount of funds have been transferred to your account. Ms. Romanov." Jarvis piped in.
My head dropped to the pillow and the bed shook with our silent laughter.
"Get up boys, I made pancakes," Nat called to us.
Steve and I both got dressed before wandering into the kitchen. Clint and Nat both grinned when we walked in. My cheeks heated and I glared at them.
"What dog boy, you trying to fight?" Clint asked throwing a heart shaped pancake at me.
"Nope, we both know I'd win," I said sitting down.
"That's just because your boyfriend would decapitate me with his shield." He teased.
"Don't be jealous Clint, we all know you just wanted Steve for yourself," Nat said bringing more food.
"Sorry, Clint's not my type," Steve said handing me water.
"Right, you like dogs," Clint said throwing a pancake at him.
"Quit throwing the food I made." Natasha scolded Clint.
"Why are they heart-shaped?" I questioned poking one repeatedly with a fork.
"Because I really wanted you two together," Nat answered honestly.
We all ate and joked until we were finished. Steve reluctantly went to the gym to spar with Clint leaving me alone with Natasha.
"Can I ask you something?" I asked breaking the silence.
"Shoot, Baby." She said smiling.
"What am I supposed to do? I mean I've never been in a relationship." I said.
"Mostly just let things come naturally. If you're not ready for something, say no. If Steve isn't ready for something don't push." She said.
"Okay, but what do people do in relationships?" I asked.
"That depends, what are your intentions?" She shot back.
"I don't know, to be his boyfriend? What intentions should there be?" I was very confused.
"That right there. Every couple is different, use the first few months to figure out what dynamic will work best for you. When you two argue, because you will, fight it out but resolve it before bed. Never go to bed mad at each other. You'll wake up even more pissed. Communicate. Talk to him and listen to what he has to say. Appreciate him. Those are the basics. Everything else is up to you to figure out." She smiled.
"Okay thank you," I said.
"Remember this is his first relationship too." she warned.
"I got it," I said kind of shocked.
There was no possible way I was his first anything. I knew what people thought of Steve. When we'd gone on the walk that ended in bloodshed I could see the people looking at him, smell their arousal. To think that he'd never had a relationship was inconceivable. That day flew by quickly and soon I was laying in Steve's bed, wrapped in his arms. My eyes wouldn't close as I replayed all of the day's events in my head. The blond soldier slept soundly behind me. It was all so baffling. I laid awake for hours trying to sort out everything. Around two in the morning I was finally able to fall into a fitful sleep.
The next morning I woke up to a sharp pain in my left foot as the bones quickly shifted to finalize the healing process. I grit my teeth as the bones finished reattaching. Steve's arm tightened around my waist and the pain slowly ebbed away. I smiled content and now pain-free in his arms.
"Good morning." He mumbled.
"Are you sure you're awake?" I teased lightly.
"No, I can't be awake, I've died and gone to heaven," Steve said sitting up.
"You're so cheesy." I laughed hitting him with a pillow.
He laughed taking the fluffy weapon from me and threw it across the room.
"You disarmed me." I fussed.
"Didn't want you to accidently hurt yourself." He shrugged.
"I wouldn't accidently hurt myself." I pout.
"You're not getting the pillow back no matter how cute you are when you pout," Steve said with finality.
"Please?" I asked softly.
"Are we begging now?" He smirked.
"Yes," I confirmed.
"Hm... No." He denied me.
"Pretty please," I asked quietly, looking at him from under my lashes.
"Pretty sure no." He grinned.
"Por favor, Eu vou te chamar de mestre," I said in a husky voice.
"Seriously? You'd call me master just so you don't have to get up to get your own pillow?" He asked.
"Since when can you speak Portuguese? Besides you would just throw it again." I said face flushed.
"Nat's been helping me. I thought it'd be a good idea to learn." It was his turn to blush.
"Isso significa que voce quer que eu te chame de mestre?" I questioned.
"I wouldn't complain." He laughed.
"Really?" I asked all joking set aside.
"Seriously. Although I much prefer Captain." He gave me a wink.
"You know if people could see what's going on now they wouldn't be able to convince themselves that you just said that." I laughed.
"Why?" He looked puzzled.
"You're captain America, the golden boy. To hear you basically admit you're into something that is to this day still considered taboo would have people either shitting themselves or finding you sexier than they already do." I explained.
"Language." he warned.
"And then there's that." I started laughing.
"Why do you find that so funny?" He demanded.
"Because here if anyone tells you to watch your language now is just ridiculous. Most of us know every curse word by the time we're five," I said trying to contain the laughter.
"Come on we need to get up." He said rolling his eyes.
"Can we just be lazy for one day?" I asked.
he looked thoughtful.