The Fierce Vendetta- Chapter 2

"Nt01…"

"My name is not NT01…!"

"It is time for your medicine…"

"It's Steve!"

"I am sorry…I didn't want you to get involved in this…"

"Don't leave me alone!"

"Emma…" the brit slowly uttered under his breath as he was "gazing" down the bathroom sink, letting the water poor out of the pipe. The visions of his horrific past, the images of needles and figures wearing lab boats never seem to fade away. With his blue optics slowly rising towards the mirror, he dropped a heavy and washed his face. The woman from his past, the only one who cared for him was his best memory from that horrific time. It seems like that best memory came in another form. Leo looked so much like Emma; the blonde hair, piercing yet soft blue eyes and the soft smile.

The first time he and the blonde met would seem like an everyday accident. People bumping into each other was something that happened from time to time. Leo was an adventurous soul, someone who enjoyed to explore everything around her. Not even her silent and calm disposition could hide it. Steve found that very charming and it rubbed off on him very quickly. One would assume that exploring caves wouldn't be anything special or fascinating. Hwoarang and Paul did make jokes on the two spending time together, especially when they would go on a spelunking trip. No matter the case, Steve enjoyed spending the little free time he had with Leo. Everything Steve discovered with Leo, from cave gems to underground structures, Steve couldn't help but to admire all of it. It was like an escape from the reality he and the German had to face every day.

Many people would say how silence gets uncomfortable for them. Leo's silent and soft spoken nature never bothered Steve in the slightest. With most of his friends being very loud and brash, the quiet and calm moments he shared with Leo were something he welcomed and appreciated. As the two spent more time together, Steve and Leo became closer and more trusting of each other. Steve became attracted to the blonde, something he didn't expect to happen. His protective nature was showing through, especially when Leo joined Rebel Force. Steve never saw the blonde as someone who is capable of killing, someone who is innocent and pure of heart to get dragged into a war. The first time he heard the news from her, he couldn't help but to be in shock. However, with all his worries he could never dissuade her or tell her to stop. The boxer bitterly remembered the last time the two had a harsh argument over it.

"Reconsider…Ask Lars if you can't be assigned to something else. Leo, you could die if you keep at this."

"I am aware that it is dangerous.. I can't change that.."

"I've half a mind to go and have a bit of a chat with Lars about this…"

"No… Steve, please-"

"Please what? I don't know what he is thinking…"

"It's not easy for him either…He needs all the help he can possibly get."

"He's got manpower enough as it is. You needn't be another potential casualty."

"Potential casualty..? I can fend for myself, I am not a child!"

That was the only moment both of them almost snapped at each other. He never wanted to yell at her, or insult her capabilities. The fact that Leo might not come back from the rage of war made him anxious and more worried. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Leo, the only person who made him genuinely happy. As the time passed, the young German became silent, the spirit that Steve once knew faded. It gutted him badly to see someone he loved became so distant and cold.

Closing the water in the bathroom sink, he recalled the first kiss the two shared. It was possibly the best and weirdest way for him to win a girls heart, if one can call it that.

He was returning from the gym, needing to make a stop on the shooting range to get some water. Much to his surprise, Leo was there. She was with her group waiting on her training to start. It was good see a friendly face in such a daunting area, at least to him. What he didn't expect was to see Leo in her uniform. He was weak to his knees, hopelessly smitten with the figure before him. The dark plates covering her torso that accentuated her body in a striking way and the familiar red fabric of her scarf draped in the contrast of red on black had him at a loss for words. The way he was behaving had Leo worried, leading her to believe that he might have had a fever. Steve garnered some inappropriate thoughts, having been so powerfully attracted to someone.

Being worried for Steve's wellbeing, Leo offered herself to escort him back home. The poor boxer could barely keep his thoughts together, even after Leo changed to her regular outfit. After managing to make some coffee for both of them, Steve tried to calm his own inappropriate thoughts. That only led to much more embarrassment, having the brit fall of the chair as Leo tried to measure his temperature with the palm of her hand. The guy was red as a tomato. Leo had him lie down on the sofa to take a rest and that didn't help at all. Steve simply took her hand gently, rubbing his thumb along the blonde's palm. With his eyes blown wide with the desire, he looked deep into her eyes. Without much thought, the boxers hand ghosted over her neck as he pulled her closer and pressed her lips against hers. With the Germans cheeks gaining red hues, it felt like a giant rock fell both off of their hearts. That was at least visible with Leo. After the two broke the kiss, Steve felt embarrassed. He covered his face and sunk into the sofa, thinking Leo was mad at him.

"I'm so sorry. I just - I don't know what came over me. If you - want to leave, I understand."

After saying those words, he felt Leo gently embracing him and lowering her head on his torso. Steve was left speechless, trying to figure out what happened.

"Leo…? You are not-"

"No… Stop worrying…" Leo cut him off as she gently kissed his lips again. Steve was prone to overreacting and Leo was familiar with that. Steve simply relaxed and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her gently to his chest. He felt at ease and it's the only thing that mattered in that moment. That day felt like a dream, a dream that could have gone completely wrong thanks to his impulses.

As he stepped out of the bathroom, a soft giggle and happy barking could be heard from the living room. Wiping his face with the towel around his neck, the sight of Leo smiling and taking care of the little puppy immediately brought a smile to his face. He simply stood there near the sofa and watched as Leo and the little puppy bond. Seeing Leo smiling so brightly over a small creature really was a sight to behold. As Leo dried the little fur ball, the fur was revealed to be brown-white. The puppy was a little husky, having blue eyes just like Leo. The huskies were always a little bit cheery and it was no exception with this one. There was some splashed water on the table around the tub.

"There you go…" the blonde smiled as she dried up the little husky who was happily barking and wagging his tail. He seemed pretty happy when Leo is around. The blonde yawned loudly as she covered her mouth. Her face had a slightly pale complexion and she looked a bit worn out. Steve knew how badly the training would its toll on her, even if she was that strong.

"Come on… You need to get some sleep…" he walked over to her and gently patted her shoulder. "Go to my room and get some sleep, I'll do the cleaning up..."

The blonde waved her hand, took the puppy and gently placed him in a small dog bed near the sofa. "I'll sleep here…" she replied in a raspy voice, covering the puppy with a blanket and patting his head gently. "Leo…" The boxer dropped a heavy sigh shook his head. It was late for yelling and bickering and waking up the neighbors was not the most ideal thing. He then picked her up in a bridal style, with a sly smirk painted on his lips.

"Hey!" Leo flailed her arms, angrily glaring at him. Not only was this unexpected, but it was also embarrassing. "Put me down right now!"

"No can do." The brit replied while chuckling a bit at her reaction. "Bad children need to be punished." He carried her over to his bed room, laying the angry German down on his bed. Leo wasn't happy, not in the slightest. The one thing she hated is being treated like a child.

"I hate you…" she growled a bit as Steve handed her a shirt and pants for her to sleep in. The boxer simply smiled at the blonde and kissed her forehead gently, wanting to calm her down a bit.

"I love you too, love…" he replied as he laid down next to her. As Leo was changing, Steve turned his to the other side, trying not to look. With a short grumble Leo laid down and covered herself in the bed sheets, facing away from the boxer.

Steve turned towards her and gently brushed her cheek gently and kissing it. "Hey…" he spoke up a bit "Come on… Don't be mad… I was just kidding around…" His voice sounded pretty innocent and soft, like he tried to suck up towards her. "I am sorry…"

Leo turned towards him, her angry expression fading away. She couldn't stay mad at him for too long; especially after he said he was sorry in such a tone. She snuggled him close, burying her head in his chest. The boxer fondly smiled as he gently brushed the black of Leo's messy hair. The small, gentle gesture got her slowly close her eyes and fall asleep. Leo didn't get to have decent shut eye and it was evident in the fact that she fell asleep really fast.

"Sleep well…" the boxer murmured softly and hugged the blonde close to make her sleep more comfortable, his fingers gently brushing through Leos blonde mane.

The silence was quickly broken by a high pitched howl coming from the living room. The lovers got startled at the sudden howl.

"Was that…?" the blonde sat up with a worried expression. The puppy she tucked into the bed earlier didn't want to sleep. She could only guess that it missed its mother.

"Yea…" Steve replied "He is always like this when he is alone… I'll bring him here…"

Steve then got up and when to the living room to see the puppy sitting in the small bed. The boxer sighed and picked him up, gently patting him. "Come on…" he whispered softly as he tried to calm the little fur ball. After entering the room again, Steve handed the puppy to Leo and sat down on the edge of the bed. The blonde took him and placed him next to her on the bed, patting his fur and paws gently.

"No need to cry…" she whispered to the little puppy as she wiped the small tear. The puppy laid down and closed its eyes. Steve laid down on the other side, looking with a genuine smile as Leo tended to the little fur ball. She was as gentle and caring as Emma was, like a mother nursing its child. He couldn't help but to smile at the sight before him. The images of him spending his time with Emma came flashing to him. He remembers Emma lulling him to sleep, as he was afraid of the dark as a child.

"You look just like her…" Steve spoke up gently as he looked at Leo's gentle smile, which was strikingly similar to Emma's. The blonde looked up in confusion, not knowing who he was referring to.

"Look like who…?" she asked with a hint of curiosity in her faint voice.

"You look just like Emma…" he replied in a soft voice as he reached out his hand to gently brush her cheek. Upon hearing his response, Leo blushed and smiled nervously while looking away. She didn't know how to respond to that. With her cheeks gaining a red hue, Leo felt Steve press his lips near hers with his hand ghosting over her neck.

"I love your smile…" he spoke up again, brushing Leo's hair a bit. "I just wish I could see it more often…" Given how stressful it has been for her, Leo knew that Steve was looking for her wellbeing. Even if she didn't want to show it, Steve knew her all too well. He knew how stubborn she could be at times, especially in regards to her missions she did for Lars.

"Hey…" the brit lifted up her chin and directed her gaze towards his. "If all of this too much for you… Promise you will tell me… I'll be here for you if you need me…"

Leo couldn't bring herself to say anything. She simply nodded with a sorrowful smile directed towards the man. She felt like she was using him and that ate her up. It was evident in her pained expression.

"Don't worry about me…" he assured her with a soft voice, his hand brushing her cheek gently. "Just promise me you will stay alive… It would be awfully empty without you…"

The last words stung badly, not just to Leo but also to Steve who tried to his best to be positive about it. He never doubted Leo as a fighter nor did he believe that she couldn't overcome the obstacles on her difficult road. While he felt terrible for doubting her, Steve still feared for the blonde's life. What brought him back to his senses was the unexpected and gentle kiss from Leo.

"I will…" she spoke up in a shaky tone, with a smile on her face. "Promise…"

"Good…" Steve murmured softly as he laid down next to the puppy, careful not to lay down on it. The little fur ball was sleeping like a log as Leo softly brushed its soft fur.

"Do you have a name for him…?" she asked, looking towards the brit with a small smile.

"I was thinking of naming him Milo…" he replied while patting the husky. "What do you think?"

"It's a good fit…" the blonde giggled silently, trying not to wake the dog up. "I like it…" Leo gently scooped up the little bundle of joy and held it close to make more space for Steve to sleep on the bed. The blonde yawned a slowly closed her eyes, falling asleep quickly. Steve got close to Leo and snuggled her carefully.

"Good night…" he whispered softly and kissed Leo's forehead, falling asleep shortly after.

FINALLY DONE! Sorry if this took so long to write. I was suffering a terrible writer's block. This chapter mainly focuses on establishing Steve's and Leo's relationship and I hope I did okay on it. Next chapter will come soon!