Author's Note
We are starting to hint at the non-con in this chapter but there are not any overt descriptions. On another note, if anyone has any scenes of scenarios that they would like to see I'm taking requests. And as always let me know what you think and where I can improve.
Astrid was exhausted. Heading home from her latest shift at the hospital. A seven-hour open-heart surgery would do that to a person. Especially when one of the other surgeons was leading. It was only after Chief showed up and told them to let her take over that they actually managed to save the patient. Damn Alister. She could strangle him with her bare hands. He was also always flirting with her. Despite knowing that she was going steady.
Plus, the budget meeting, the other budget meeting. The staff meeting to discuss the results of the budget meeting. Honestly, bureaucracy could be a form of torture. Now only if Astrid had the ability to synthesize it.
Regardless all Astrid wanted to do at the moment was to go home curl up in a chair with a mug of tea and a good book. What she really didn't want to hear was her boyfriend's voice down an alleyway and another much louder, threatening voice saying they were going to kill him.
"Steve, what have you gotten yourself into?" Astrid asked herself heading immediately down the alleyway. She was right. Steve had got himself pinned into the corner by four pretty buff guys. How did Steve manage to get himself in these situations? But despite the size of his opponents, Steve wasn't backing down. Glaring at the guy in equal measure. He also didn't seem to be injured yet. 'Good,' Astrid thought. 'Let's keep it that way.'
"What's going on down here?" she called out walking down the alleyway. Exuding the do not mess with me stance. The four men turned to face her. Sneers on their faces. She got several wolf whistles in response. But she forced herself past them towards Steve.
"You shouldn't be here," Steve stated looking between her and the guys that were eyeing her up like meat.
"Like I was going to leave you here alone," Astrid replied before turning to face his attackers. Her blood ran cold once she saw the looks they were giving her. She had known those looks many times before. Usually, before she ended up being stripped bare and forced to perform. Astrid got the feeling of what Steve was trying to prevent. She was more grateful than ever for him. He was truly something special. A lot of people would pretend that it wasn't happening. But Steve was among the brave few who would actually step in.
Her hand automatically drifted to her blades strapped to the outside of her mobile kit. Gut these people and leave them dead in the alley. Starting to figure out who she should go for first. Until even she realized the obvious. Even she couldn't cover that up. Four dead bodies would definitely cause talk. Though she had gotten out of more dangerous situations. Way, way, way, way more dangerous situations. Plus given how the police were in the city they probably believe some guy came in and murdered the men in the alleyway before they believed it was her. One of the few ways being a woman was an actual benefit. She glanced at Steve and knew her answer. Taking her hand away from her blade. She couldn't do that to Steve. When you see someone die in front of you, it changes you. Her mind flashed back to her mother. In times like this, she could still feel her mother's blood on her. And she wanted to spare Steve from that. So she used the other weapon at her disposal. Her mind.
"I suggest that you boys back off," Astrid stated her voice like liquid. Seeping into their brains. Controlling them. "Otherwise we might have a problem." She could already see them starting to fold. They had the mental defenses of a napkin. A little push with her mind and she had them. The sneers being replaced by dull looks. She pushed it farther. Implanting the idea in their minds. "Why don't you all go talk to your mothers and explain exactly what you have been up to? Or better yet the police. That sounds like a great idea."
"You know that's not a bad idea," One of the guys said. The other three nodded and the four of them started walking down the alleyway. To the nearest police station. That would take care of the problem.
Steve meanwhile collapsed in the alley hyperventilating. She immediately whipped around and started checking on him. Calculating how long it would take to get him to the hospital. Holding a hand to his chest.
"It's okay Steve, it's okay. Just follow my breathing." Luckily, he didn't need to be taken to the hospital. After a little bit, his breathing started to calm down. Much to Astrid's relief.
"I wish you didn't step in," Steve hacked looking up at her. His breathing calm enough for him to talk. "Those guys." He swallowed a lump in his throat. "Those guys aren't like the guys you usually deal with."
Astrid gave him a small smile. He was trying to protect her. "Steve. Trust me on this. Those guys are exactly like the guys I'm used to dealing with." He looked up at her with a frown. Probably thinking about the worst-case scenario.
"Who?" He started to ask but she interrupted him.
"I'm from Germany remember? Not exactly filled with good men." That calmed Steve down but he still looked a little leery. Hands cupping her face. Astrid closed her eyes for a brief moment. The time was coming where she was going to have to tell him soon.
"How did you manage to do that?" Steve asked once she opened her eyes back up.
Astrid shrugged. No point in playing around with it. "I'm pretty convincing." Steve let out a laugh. The sparkle in his eye-filling her with warmth. "I did convince you to date me."
"You didn't need to do any convincing. The moment I saw you I fell in l-" He shook his head. "The moment I saw you I knew you were the one I wanted to go steady with."
Addy felt her melt soften. Steve always had a way with words. She stood up. "Come on." She held out a hand to help him out. "Let's go back to my place. I want to make sure that you are alright."
The two of them walked hand in hand back to her apartment. Steve's breathing steadying as they went but Astrid was still concerned. Or maybe she wanted a chance to make out with him. Both were distinctly possible.
Though it seemed like Shamir and Bucky beat them to it. Finding the two of them on the loveseat. Both of them looked up surprised when both her and Steve walked in.
"Didn't know you had a date tonight," Shamira stated. It was getting harder and harder to find them not together. The only reason that Astrid wasn't on a date tonight was because she had to work late. Even then Astrid and Steve found themselves together.
"We didn't," Astrid replied. "I found him down an alleyway. Four guys trying to beat the living daylights out of him."
Bucky groaned and went straight to Steve. Looking over him. "You're not too hurt are you?"
"Not at all," Steve answered gesturing towards Astrid. "They hadn't launched a single punch before Astrid showed up. She managed to convince them to leave with only a few words."
The look Shamira gave her could vaporize a person. Astrid knew she was going to get yelled at as soon as Bucky and Steve left the apartment.
"What were you doing down that alley anyway?" Bucky asked.
Steve tugged on his shirt collar, eyes shifting to Astrid. "I knew Astrid was going to be late so I thought I would surprise her." That made Astrid melt into a puddle. "I got sidetracked."
"Obviously. Astrid, can you look him over?"
"That was my plan." She laid down Steve on the couch and checked over his chest. His breathing was much steadier.
"I'm fine. Really." He said slightly aggravated. Steve never really like being fussed over. Not that Astrid could blame him. She hated it herself. But in times like this, it was necessary.
"I know dear, but I'm also paranoid. So indulge me will you." Steve rolled his eyes fondly at her. Pulling her in for a quick kiss.
"That enough proof for you that I can breathe?"
She gave Steve a quick smile. "I'm not sure. Can you do it for longer?" A fond look passed over Steve as he pulled her in. This kiss was different from the ones before. It was like he was trying to see that she was safe. Possessive. Running his hands up and down her arms. What those guys were doing must have really scared him.
"I get your point." She looked up at Bucky and Shamira who were standing over them with soft smiles. They were used to this by now. Astrid directed her eyes towards Bucky. "He's fine but I would like it if you saw that he got home safe and sound. And not involved in another fight."
Bucky nodded and he and Steve started heading home. As soon as the door shut behind them Shamira whirled around to face Astrid. Tapping the side of her head. Astrid sighed and connected their minds.
'What could you possibly have been thinking?!' Shamira thought shouted at her in their native tongue.
'What else was I going to do?' Astrid snapped back.
'I don't know. Maybe kill them?'
Astrid rolled her eyes. 'Right because murdering four people in front of Steve is a great way to remain inconspicuous. And in a relationship. He would totally want to keep going steady with me after that.'
'Please, that man is so in love with you that you could murder four people and he'd help you bury the bodies. The only question he would ask is where to bury them.'
Astrid was taken aback at that. Quickly disconnecting their minds to give her time to think. Her mind a whirl. Steve was in love with her? She shook her head. Shamira has clearly lost her mind. Astrid spoke out loud. "You don't know that."
It was Shamira's turn to roll her eyes. "We'll work on your obliviousness later. Right now, you're an idiot." She scoffed. "Did you even think about the consequences? About what might happen if this was to get out?"
"I become known as the woman with the golden tongue?"
"Or that your fath-" Shamira stopped herself. "If he gets word of it. He could have spies everywhere. Hell, he probably does have spies everywhere. What do you think will happen then? How would you explain it to Steve? Did you even think about what that would do to me if he found you."
Astrid huffed. "I would rather risk that than have any harm come to Steve. And you know I would do the damn same for you." Astrid knew that Shamira had some kernel of truth to it. He was still hunting her. Probably always will be. Which is why she and Shamira agreed to lay low. If he actually found her…Astrid didn't want to think about how brutal that fight would be. Because she would die before willingly going back. But when she saw Steve her priorities changed. And all that mattered was making sure that he was safe. The thought of Steve being hurt made her stomach twist in knots. If he got hurt and there was something that she could have done about it… she would have never forgiven herself. It was not only Steve either. She would willingly cut off her own hand if it would keep Shamira from danger.
Shamira sighed leaning against the wall pinching the bridge of her nose. "We have to keep a low profile. It doesn't help that your boyfriend draws so much attention. Next time Steve is in trouble just stab them. We can always run away to Kanas if you are charged with murder."
"Right I can imagine that conversation with Steve. Sorry that I just murdered people in front of you. I guess I have to go farm corn now for the rest of my life. Care to join me?"
"Steve on a farm would be amazing. He might actually be able to go a week without someone trying to beat him up."
"Please, Steve will always find someone to fight regardless of where we are. He could be a 90-year-old man and he'll still be trying to beat people up." The two of them chuckled. Tension easing. Astrid gave Shamira an appreciative smile. She always helped keep Astrid's head on straight. She always had and always will. God knew what she would do without her.
Shamira wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "Come on. Let's go get food and you can tell me how terrible work was."
Astrid let her head fall back and groan. "You have no idea. Some days I wish I could just quit."
"Don't. One of us has to make money. And volunteering does not bring it home." Astrid smiled at her friend. Shamira volunteered with an organization helping Jews and others who managed to flee the Nazis. Helping them settle into the city. Most of the time Astrid wished she could join her cause but there was the ever-looming specter of money.
They started heading out the door. Heading to their favorite little diner around the corner. "You and Bucky are getting along," Astrid pointed out. "I haven't seen you with any other guy for a while."
Shamira tsked. "That's because you're at work all the time. Trust me. There are more guys than just Bucky."
"Still haven't seen them around the house like I used to." Astrid nudged her.
"If your complaining that much about it maybe I'll bring them around." Astrid shook her head. She knew that Bucky and Shamira were starting to focus on each other more. Granted they still saw other people but it was becoming less and less frequent. Astrid may be an idiot when it comes to love and dating but Shamira was an idiot when it came to commitment.
"As long as they don't clash too badly with Steve I won't complain."
Shamira chuckled at her friend. She was so in love it wasn't even funny. It might take 100 years to recognize it but that wasn't too surprising. If Shamira was honest with herself she was surprised Astrid was in a relationship at all. Considering…everything. But Steve made her genuinely happy. Something Shamira couldn't argue with. Now if only those two would actually confess to each other that would make her day. More importantly, Astrid could finally shed her last name and be completely free from the past. Embrace the future and all the joys that are in it. For that is what she really wanted for Astrid. And why she was eternally grateful for Steve for leading her into that bright future.