Author's Note:
I actually wrote this chapter awhile ago though I'm only now getting around to posting it. Just some good fluffy goodness with our favorite crew. No triggers unless your bothered by sprained ankles. As always please review and let me know what you think.
"I mean this is slightly ridiculous," Morita exclaimed. "You would think that our own people wouldn't have us walk half-way across the country just to meet up with them." Astrid agreed. After burning down another Hydra base and taking on what felt like half the Nazi forces stationed in Estonia she felt like they could at least land a couple of planes near them. Alas they had to walk back towards the ocean. Crossing the border into Latvia first. Something about encountering more resistance than expected.
Luckily, they were almost there. At least that's what Astrid kept telling herself. In reality they had at least one more week of cold, miserable wilderness in front of them. Getting used to the sounds of the men griping. Even Steve wasn't completely immune. Though Astrid wasn't sure if it was the woods or everyone's complaining that was getting to him.
"We definitely need a break," Shamira stated walking next to Astrid. Speaking in German. "Before we start killing someone."
"You mean before you start killing someone," Astrid replied, carefully stepping around a pile of loose rocks Careful to not fall into the ravine right next to them. Not wanting to think about what it would be like to tumble down that slope. All of them following Steve. Compass in hand. Bucky right next to him as always. Astrid took a brief moment to smile at the two of them. Those two were always inseparable.
Shamira shrugged her shoulders. "What can I say? Walking through the woods all the time wasn't exactly my favorite part." She was right. Boredom easily setting in. At least for most of them. Astrid keeping Steve plenty occupied during the nights after they set up camp. Shamira doing the same for Bucky. She contemplated setting up for camp now. If only to avoid listening to the same conversation again. Usually one of five topics. Home, how much the woods suck, Hydra, relationships, and guns. Right now, they were on woods. "Now if you told me that-"
Shamira's thought interrupted by a shriek. Four different voices shouting Doc. Though it was unneeded. Astrid quickly pivoting towards the sound. Watching as Morita tumbled down the ravine. Eyes immediately latching to part of the cliff that had crumbled away.
Before Shamira could even stop her, Astrid launched herself in that direction. Taking off down the ravine. Feet skidding on the loose rocks. Trying to kept herself upright. Didn't want to have two people injured. Stumbling right as she hit the bottom. Making her way to Morita. Groaning in pain.
"Only you Morita," she stated kneeling right beside him. Checking his head for any injuries. By some miracle he didn't hit his head. "What hurts?"
"Everything," he groaned. "But mainly my right ankle." Astrid moved down his body. Checking everything to make sure nothing was broken. Other than a motely of bruising he was actually okay. Until she got to the ankle.
Having to partially slice his boot to get access. Too swollen to slip off. Morita letting out a hiss of pain at the slightest touch.
"Yeah you definitely twisted it," Astrid stated handling it as gently as she could. She chuckled. "Kinda amazing. You fall down a ravine and the only thing that you get is a twisted ankle."
"Lucky me."
She smirked in response. Fishing around her bag for a small bottle of clear liquid. Filling up a syringe and injecting it straight into his ankle. "That should help with the swelling."
"Think it could help with the pain?" Astrid was about to respond but Morita beat her to it. "Don't bother asking. Just do it."
"Are you sure? When it all comes rushing back-"
"Yeah, I'm sure." He glanced at her bag. "I know we're running low. We've been out here too long without restocking." He was right. Even if they didn't get some leave, they would definitely have to restock. Astrid doing as he asked. Numbing the pain and all sensations to the ankle with her mind. Morita letting out a sigh of relief. "You're a miracle worker."
"Astrid!" Steve called down. She looked up. Seeing him stand far too close to the edge for her liking. As a matter of fact, they were all standing far too close to the edge for her liking. Considering what had just happened. "What's the status?!"
'Twisted ankle,' she replied in everyone's mind. Creating a makeshift splint out of bandages at the same time. Something to support his ankle and keep it from moving. 'He'll be fine but won't be walking for two weeks.'
'That's…that's just great,' Dugan replied. 'Now we just have to carry his ass the entire way there.' He wasn't wrong. Everyone else pretty much thinking the same thing. She wasn't entirely sure what was worse. Having to walk the rest of the way. Or waiting here for backup and then walking the rest of the way. Though she would worry about that later. Pulling out of their minds. Focusing back on Morita. Propping his foot up on a rock. At least there was snow around so she wouldn't have to worry about ice.
"Jones!" Steve stated. "See if you can radio in to base! Tell them we got an injury and that then need to meet us." Jones scurried off. Heading towards the radio equipment. "Dugan, Falsworth, patrol the area. Make sure there are no surprises nearby." With two short nods they disappeared from view. "Bucky, Shamira, Dernier, set up camp."
"Aye Aye Cap," Bucky teased.
Shamira peered down the cliff. "Don't do anything else stupid, Astrid!"
"Will try not to!" she answered back. Though she did have one slightly pressing concern.
How were they actually going to get out of here? She looked up the ravine wall. Too steep for her to climb up with Morita. Not confident in her abilities to float him up either. Since she was also focused on blocking the pain. She might have been able to walk up the ravine on her own. Though even that would be a struggle. With Morita there was no way. Looking further into the distance. Trying to spot a place where the climb might be more feasible. Only to watch her husband come running down into the ditch. Using the same exact she did but with a lot more grace.
Astrid had to blink a couple of times as he crouched down next to her. Out of all the plans she wasn't quite expecting that. Now there was three of them stuck in a ditch.
Steve giving her a cocky smile. "I'm here to help."
"Yay. Lady Liberty and Captain America to the rescue," Morita responded. Astrid huffed and rolled her eyes. "Though now there are three of us stuck instead of just two." Steve glanced back at the cliff. Shrugging his shoulders.
"Shouldn't be a problem." He picked up Morita. Carefully hoisting him over his shoulders. Flashing Astrid a smile before starting the climb back up. Completely effortless. As if he was just going for a stroll. She just sat there dumbstruck for a moment. Marveling at Steve. He didn't even hesitate. Starting the climb up herself.
Panting by the time she made it up. Her thighs burning. Astrid was pretty fit but even that was a chore. Steve grabbing her hand and pulling her up for the last bit. Resting herself against his chest.
"I could have come and gotten you," Steve said. Astrid just huffed and slapped him on the shoulder. Walking over to Morita. Lying next to the fire Bucky set up. Shamira packing snow around his ankle. Making sure it was elevated on a nearby rock.
"How are you doing?" Astrid asked. Crouching down beside him. Checking his pulse.
"Well, I can't feel it so I'm doing great," he responded. "Though I guess moving is out of the question."
"For the next few days." Falsworth and Dugan returned at that point. Giving in their report. Nothing. They were alone out here. Astrid letting out a mind pulse to be sure. Only confirming what they had found.
"Hey everyone," Jones shouted out finally done with the radio. "I got good and bad news. Good news, they're going to have Stark fly over here and pick us up." That was great news actually. Would save so much time. "Bad news. It will probably be three days till he gets here." All of them groaned. Meaning they were stuck here for three days. Steve immediately giving out orders about patrols and setting up perimeter defense. Everyone immediately moving into action. Astrid staying by Morita. Treating all the other cuts and scrapes. Luckily his uniform protected him from more serious injuries.
"It's funny you know," he stated as Astrid patched him up. "I can survive being shot at, bases blowing up, everything else we get into. But it's a pile of loose rocks and a hole in a ground that gets me."
"Don't be too ashamed," Astrid replied. "Shamira once took out an SS commander, proceeded to trip over a root and give herself a concussion."
Morita burst out laughing. "Oh, are you serious?"
She nodded. Finishing up. "And that's not even getting into all the stuff Steve got into." She shook her head. "I swear. At least once a month I was bandaging him up."
"More often than that," Bucky interrupted walking up and standing right next to Astrid. Wincing when he got a look at the ankle. Badly swollen and a lovely shade of red. "How are you holding up?"
"You know I was just thinking that this would be a perfect way to spend a few days. Rest, relax, stay off my feet." Bucky chuckled in response. "But seriously I'm fine."
"Only because I'm numbing your brain," Astrid added on. Injecting him with pain medication. "Once I start returning sensation to your ankle that won't be the case."
"Do you have to?" Morita winched as the pain started to come back.
"Sadly yes." She stood up. Giving him a sympathetic look. "The pain will let me know if something else is the matter." Letting out a sigh. "I'm hoping it's just a twisted ankle, but I'll know more once some of the swelling goes down."
"Whatever, you say doc." Dugan coming up. Patting Astrid and Bucky on the shoulder before sitting down next to Morita. Helping to distract him from the pain. Numbing it always provided temporary relief. Helpful in circumstances where medication wouldn't. Until it all comes rushing back at once. And the result is excruciating. Morita would be fine. But some of the others Astrid used this technique on in the past, much less so.
Bucky nudged her. "Come on," Steve wants us to make sure the perimeter is fully established. Astrid nodded. Walking along with Bucky. Shoulders brushing. The crunch of snow underneath their feet. Tracing the area surrounding them. Making sure all of Denier's traps were in place.
Bucky whistled. "You got to give him credit, Dernier is really good."
Astrid shrugged her shoulders. "We all are." She smirked. "It's actually kind of amazing. Steve really knew what he was doing when he brought us all together."
"No kidding." Bucky hung his head low. Closing his eyes. Taking a deep steadying breath. Cold enough to see it. Before lifting himself back up again. "Do you miss the way he was before?"
Astrid's demeanor softened. Looking over at Bucky. She knew that the moment she married Steve she in a sense married him as well. They were a part of the same package. Which is why he was the only one who truly understood. Both of them avoiding this conversation for a while now.
"Sometimes, in some ways," she answered leaning into him. Resting on his shoulder. Feeling him wrap an arm around her waist. Watching the snowflakes fall from the trees. "But as you said yourself. He's still Steve. That hasn't changed." Bucky hummed in response.
"Do you think things can go back to the way they were?" His voice begging for an answer Astrid couldn't give. Shaking her head.
"War changes people. It's changed you, changed me, changes all of us." She let out a sigh. "Things would never be the same. Even without the serum. But that just means will establish a new normal. You, me, Steve, Shamira."
"Whatever, little one may come along." Astrid blushed. There was that too. It wasn't like Astrid hadn't thought about it. Though it would have to wait until after the war. Bucky resting his head on top of hers.
"That goes for you and Shamira as well you know." She felt Bucky still against her. "I know neither of you are ready yet but don't tell me you haven't thought about it."
"Like you've said before. Some things may just have to wait till the war is over." And that is when Astrid truly knew. Bucky was deeply in love with her. "I just hope that it can wait."
"For you? Definitely." She nudged him in the side. "So don't worry about that." She broke off from Bucky. Earning one of his rare smiles. "Now let's finish this up before everyone thinks we've been kidnapped."
Bucky smiled. Shaking his head. Gesturing for her to lead the way. The two of them completing the circle. Finding everything in place. Making small talk as they did so. Until returning to the campsite just as the sun was setting. Finding everyone sitting around. Playing cards. Even Morita who now had his foot propped up on a bigger rock. Only exception was Steve. Sketchbook in hand. Pencil whirling across the page.
"Was wondering what was taking you two," Shamira said standing. Placing her cards down.
"That counts as a fold," Dugan called out. She didn't even bat an eye. Walking over to Bucky she linked their arms together and dragged him towards the small fire. Sitting him down next to Steve with Shamira curled up next to him. Astrid looking over them with fondness. Shamira loved Bucky just as much as he loved her. Settling down in Steve's lap. Immediately making space for her. Astrid watching him draw with a lazy smile. Even after all this time he was super protective of his art. She could tell he was looking at her from the corner of his eye. Finishing up and putting the sketchbook down. Wrapping his arms around her chest. Splaying his hands across her stomach and resting his chin on her shoulder.
Astrid leaning into him. Letting out a sigh. Running her hands up and down his arms. Keeping one eye on Morita. Though it wasn't needed. He was doing fine. Well as fine as someone with a twisted ankle could be. She would check on him before going to sleep for the night. But other than telling him to rest there wasn't much else she could do.
"Partner," Steve whispered in her ear. Drumming his fingers against her skin. Astrid connecting there two minds together. 'You looking forward to a few days rest in the woods?
'Yes. Or at least until I finish going over all my supplies and the boredom sets in.' Steve chuckled into her skin. 'Though I guess I also have you to help keep the boredom at bay.'
Steve clicked his tongue. 'I can definitely do my best in that regard.'
'Maybe show me a few of your drawings.'
'Ah now I see what you're up to.' The two of them continuing to tease each other. Cuddling and looking out after the others. Maybe these few days wouldn't be so bad after all.
