Author's Note
No warnings for this chapter. Though some slight sexual tension between Steve and Astrid. It's only going to get worse from here. Still taking requests so let me know what you would like to see in the life of young Astrid and Steve. And as always please review and let me know what you think.
Astrid pinched the bridge of her nose. She was ready to go home and crawl into bed. But alas she still had patients to see. It was clinic day after all. Where she had to see whoever walked through the doors of the hospital. All the docs rotated and today was her lucky day. So far she hadn't treated anything more major than a slight cough. She was so much more suited to surgery.
"You're going to like this next one," Betty stated coming out of the examination room after the initial exam. Prim and proper. She was one of the oldest nurses in the place and the person that kept the hospital running most days. Naturally, Astrid sought to befriend her the first week she was here.
"I better," Astrid replied walking towards the door to the exam room.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
Astrid chuckled as she opened the door. Her eyes widening when she saw who was inside. Quickly shutting the door behind her.
"I honestly did not expect to see you today," Astrid said walking to the exam table. "I must say it's a welcome surprise."
Steve let out a small grin at that. "I figured I'd wait to see the best doc in this place. Make sure I'm doing okay." Steve had just recovered from the illness he had. Astrid was going to do a follow up with him tomorrow but now seemed as good a time as any.
"I hope you didn't wait too long." She put her hands on the exam table and lowered herself so that she was at eye level with Steve.
"Oh, the wait was well worth it."
Astrid let out a chuckle. "Well, I have to conduct a very thorough examination."
Steve raised an eyebrow. "I certainly hope so. Where are we going to start first doc?"
Astrid tipped her head as if pondering the question. "How about the inside of the mouth? Don't worry I have the perfect tool for it." She kissed him pressing her tongue inside his mouth. He let her in. Letting out a moan at the experience. Wrapping his legs around her to try and draw her in closer.
Astrid had wanted to do this for a while and finally had the confidence to do so when she realized Steve loved her. Only he was sick and in no condition for it. But now seemed like the perfect time. She knew that Betty wouldn't let anyone in. Giving them all the time in the world. He had already taken off his jacket and tie. Allowing her to start unbuttoning his shirt.
Steve broke off the kiss and looked up at her. Pupils blown out. "A very thorough examination remember?" she asked him once she got it fully unbuttoned. Allowing her to finally soak it all in. Biting her lip as she looked him over. "You are gorgeous." He really was. His skin was flawless. A pure milky white. Though Astrid could clearly make out his collar bone and the clear outline of his ribs. But that was nothing some good food on a daily basis couldn't help fix. She traced his ribs over with her fingertips causing his breath to hitch.
"Your breathing actually does sound better," Astrid noted pleased. She placed her ear against his chest to listen to his heart. Not normal procedure but this was Steve. "Definitely better." She pulled her head back up.
"I know exactly who to blame for that," Steve replied. "I hope you don't do that for all your patients."
"Only one very special one." She placed her hands back on him. One on his back. The other on his thigh as she pulled him closer to her. "Maybe we should also test to make sure that all the other equipment is also working."
That caused Steve to turn red. Astrid chuckled. His whole body really did blush. "Astrid," he gargled unable to say anything else. Astrid waited a moment for Steve's brain to catch up with what was happening. Didn't seem like it was going to.
"Steve?" she asked after a minute of him not saying anything. "You doing okay?"
"I'm fine," he squeaked.
Astrid frowned. Seemed like Steve wasn't comfortable with that aspect of the relationship yet. No matter. She would give him all the time he needed. All the time she didn't get. She ran her hands down his shoulders. That seemed to ease the tension in his body. She gave him a quick peck on the lips before going through the actual examination.
Unfortunately, Steve's previous doctors were right. He was in pretty poor condition. Astrid always had an inkling that they were wrong or maybe it was hope. But there was no turning back now. Steve Rogers would always struggle with his health. Getting more and more difficult as he got older but Astrid wasn't going to give in. She would do everything in her power to keep Steve with her for as long as possible. Growing old with him.
Since the confession, she has been thinking more and more about the future. About Steve and how he fit in it. It seemed more permanent now that she knew that he loved her. Like there was a future worth thinking about. A bright future given the look he was giving her. She felt her heart swell. She had his complete and utter trust as she examined him. Finally finishing up.
"You are good to go dear," she stated smiling at him. "As much as I wish I could spend all day with you I have other patients that I need to look at."
"Actually you don't," Steve stated starting to button his shirt up. "I spoke with your boss." Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Shamira spoke with your boss and she learned that you were pulling extra shifts lately."
Shit they were not supposed to learn about that. Astrid huffed lowering her head. Yes she was pulling extra shifts but Astrid couldn't help it. There were patients that she could help. Hell patients that only she could help. So she pulled a couple of extra hours here and there. Maybe not taking her breaks. Did it really matter? Steve and Shamira also worked long hours. And she still found plenty of time for both so why did it matter.
"So Shamira asked if she could steal you for half a day. He replied that we could take you on your clinic day."
Well, that was nice of him. He knew how much she hated clinic day.
"Shamira also asked if he could schedule your clinic hours on a particular day." Astrid didn't know where he was going with this. He was fully dressed again and hopped off the table. "Happy Birthday my love."
Astrid blinked a couple of times. She had genuinely forgotten today was her birthday. "Shamira told you didn't she?"
"Actually, she told Bucky who told me and together we came up with this plan."
"This coming from the person who hates making a big deal about his birthday that you didn't even tell me."
Steve shook his head fondly. "Coming from the person who loves birthdays." He softly smiled and held out his hand. "I know that you haven't officially celebrated it in years."
12. Astrid hadn't officially her birthday since she was 12. Mom always made a big deal about it. Something about her reaching a certain age and all would be revealed to her. Unfortunately, she never reached that age. Her mother was killed and Astrid kidnapped and for years she dreaded each birthday. One year closer to reaching 18 and being forced to marry that vile man. When that didn't go as expected birthdays didn't really matter. Becoming nothing except Shamira and Astrid quietly reminiscing together.
"But I want to change that," Steve continued. "Now come on. Get changed. We got a celebration at the Barnes to go to." Of course, they would be roped into it. The two of them left the room holding hands. Betty giving Astrid a little wave as they went. They parted ways in the waiting room. Astrid heading to the locker room. Quickly getting changed.
As she smoothed out the creases in her dress she took a deep breath. This was actually happening. She was actually going to her own surprise birthday party. Excitement bubbling up in her chest. She rushed out of the locker room and joined Steve. A smile on her face. Swept up in her happiness they made there way to the Barnes.
Shamira and Bucky were already there. Ushering them inside. Astrid had to take a minute to take it all in. Even from the doorway, she could see that Winnifred really went all out again. Bucky dragged Steve away. Something about a surprise.
'You really didn't have to plan all this you know,' Astrid projected to Shamira who draped an arm over her shoulders.
'I did,' Shamira replied. 'You deserve your birthdays to be a happy occasion. Or if you want you can think of it as revenge for mine.'
'You loved it as I remember.'
"Come in, come in," Winnifred gestured dragging them both inside. "Birthday girl needs to be shared with the rest of us."
Astrid laughed and moved out of the doorway to inside. Surrounded by Bucky's family. It was a joyous occasion. Filled with fun and good food. Near the end of the meal, they were sitting around the living room. A raging fire going on in the fireplace.
Steve and Astrid were sitting on the floor together. Curled up next to each other. Bucky and Shamira across from them also on the floor. Everyone else on couches or chairs. Astrid could feel her eyes start to droop. It had been a long day.
"You two are so cute together," Winnifred stated. That woke up Astrid and she turned to face her.
She heard George chuckled from the chair next to her. "When's the wedding?"
Astrid snorted. "Don't know. Get this man to propose first and then I'll have an answer for you." That let out a round of chuckles but she felt Steve go rigid against her. Her stomach dropped. Feeling that she had said something wrong. Her and Steve have never discussed marriage. Not surprising considering that they had only confessed their love for each other. As the conversation delved into other topics Astrid turned her mind to Steve. Nudging him slightly first.
'Did I say something wrong?' she asked Steve. He jumped slightly but managed to cover it well.
'Still have to get used to this,' he replied. 'No, you didn't say anything wrong. It's just… you want to get married.'
'Yes. Why is that so surprising?'
She felt him shift slightly against her. 'I thought given your past.'
'I decided a long time ago that I wasn't going to let that man ruin my life. But did I expect to ever get married? No. That was until I found you. So yes I do want to get married. When the timing is right and we are both ready for it.' She felt unspeakable joy flow from Steve to her and he curled up closer to her. His mind starting to fill with ideas and Astrid cut the connection. Not wanting to snoop on his private thoughts.
"There is one more surprise," Bucky stated getting up and leaving Shamira on the floor. Steve got up as well. Untangling himself from Astrid. Leaving the room with Bucky. Shamira scooched her way to Astrid. Laying her head on top of her shoulder.
"You are going to love this," Shamira stated as Steve came in carrying a rolled-up piece of paper. A light blush coming across Steve's cheeks. Astrid carefully took it from his hand and slowly unfurled it. Letting out a gasp when she saw what it was.
It was her. From the chest up. In perfect detail. Wearing her surgeon's gown. From the soft curls of her hair to the way she held herself. She had a determined look in her eye. Ready for whatever challenge was ahead of her. But it was more than her. It was how Steve saw her. He could have chosen any pose but he chose this. And that made Astrid's heart swell even more.
Done entirely in pencil each stroke was perfectly placed. It was like a masterpiece. Like she was about to step out of the paper. Astrid had no doubt in her mind. This belonged in a museum.
"Steve," she mumbled. "How long did it take you to make this?"
"Several hours," he answered rubbing the back of his head. "I didn't know it was going to be your birthday so I had to throw something together. It's not perfect but I hope you like it."
"Not perfect?" If Astrid had several weeks and all the time in the world she couldn't come up with something even 1/8th as good as what she held in her hands. Steve didn't just have talent. He was a genius. "Steve this is one of the most beautifully done pieces I have ever seen in my life. And you know that I go to a lot of art galleries." The blush deepened on Steve's face and Bucky gripped his shoulder. Keeping him upright.
"It's only because I have the perfect muse." Screw getting married later. Astrid would marry him right damn now if he asked.
Astrid carefully rolled up the paper and handed it to Shamira. Standing up from the floor. Bucky backed off from him and Astrid embraced him in a hug. Clutching his tiny frame into her. "That was one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever been given."
"Hey, I got the frame for it," Shamira stated passing it along so that the others could look at it. Too oos and ahs of the others.
"I'll talk to you later," Astrid replied still embracing Steve. He clung to her just as tightly. She could feel the worry fade away from his bones. Even now he was worried that the relationship was just a figment of his imagination. She held him tighter promising to do all she can to show him that she was here to stay.
After wrapping that up it was time to head home. Saying their goodbyes to the Barnes. Shamira keeping a hand on Astrid's present. Waiting patiently for Astrid to join her side. Astrid however had other plans. Gesturing towards Steve. Shamira let out a huge smile tugging Bucky towards her. Whispering something in his ear. He glanced between Astrid and Steve who was still busy with Winnifred and gave a wink to Astrid. Taking off with Shamira.
"Those two are definitely getting up to something," Steve stated joining Astrid's side. "Shall I take you home?"
"Actually I'm thinking that we should head to your place." She swore she heard Steve gulp and tugging at his collar. "Relax. Nothing much is going to happen. I just want to spend the night with you."
"Would you want something to happen?" He sounded a little chocked.
"That's entirely up to you." Judging by Steve's reaction nothing was going to happen. He wasn't quite comfortable yet. Didn't matter. All she wanted to do was sleep next to him. "If you're not okay with it I can head home." She felt the wind catch in her hair. Nights were starting to get a little chilly. "It's starting to get cold at night."
"Might need some help keeping warm." He looked at Astrid and took her hand. Walking her slowly back to his place. Once they finally got to his place Steve couldn't open the door fast enough. Astrid pulled him inside and they made their way straight to his bed. He laid down first and Astrid laid on top of him. Slotting her knees by his hips. Hands on either side of his head.
Leaning down and kissing him. He snaked a hand into her hair. Another one resting on her hip. Unconsciously starting to hike up her dress. Astrid got the message and sat up taking off her dress and slip. Leaving her in her brassiere, all in one and stockings. Steve let out a gasp. Hardening quickly beneath her.
Steve sat up as well. Taking off his tie, and suit jacket. Pulling down his suspenders. Unbuttoning his shirt and letting him clothes fall on the floor next to Astrid's. Astrid actually hopped off of him for a moment. Unzipping her all in one and rolling down her stockings. No way she was going to be able to sleep in that. Astrid longed for the day where women's undergarments didn't involve several intricate pieces and like 20 minutes of hassle getting them on.
She curled up next to Steve in bed. Covering all of him that she could. He was like a solid block of ice. She drew the thin quit over them. Making a note to get Steve a thicker one. Couldn't have him freeze when winter hit. Steve keeping his hands to himself. Rotating so that his back was facing Astrid. She drew him in closer. Pressing her face into his hair. This really was her best birthday ever.
