Author's Note:
So it certainly has been forever but don't worry. I haven't forgotten about Astrid and Steve. As always please review and let me know what you think. No triggers for this chapter either though if something does bother you, let me know and I'll tag it.
Shamira was tugging at Bucky's clothes. Pulling off his jacket while he undid his tie. Throwing it in the corner of the room. They were in Astrid's and Shamira's apartment. Home after a night of dancing. Astrid was working the late-night shift. Wouldn't be back for hours. Giving Shamira and Bucky plenty of time.
Shamira was ready to get out of this dress and get down to business. Bucky was her favorite partner by far. He actually knew how to please a woman. A surprising number of men had no idea. Shamira made sure that Steve wasn't going to be one of them. Insisting that Bucky tell him exactly how to make a woman happy. Astrid should thank her when they finally get to it.
Pushing him on the couch he threw her a wicked grin. Spreading his legs. Shamira ready to slip out of her dress when she heard the door start to open. She whipped around to see Steve coming in with the spare key. Both he and Bucky had one just in case. They actually all had keys to each other places.
Shamira had to chuckle. Finding herself in a similar circumstance as she did when she first met Steve. Except instead of him being beaten up and bloody his eyes were rimmed red. As if he had been crying. Shamira frowned and move to the couch. Sitting next to Bucky.
"I think I really messed things up," he chocked out wiping his eyes with his arm.
"What happened?" Shamira asked.
"Astrid and I got in a fight." That took Shamira back. Those two never really fought. Sure, they had their arguments about Steve taking care of himself but that was more playful. Actually, arguing on the other hand.
"What did you guys fight about?" Bucky asked.
"I'm such an idiot," he mumbled leaning against the wall.
"We won't know that until you answer the question, Steve," Shamira pointed out.
Steve took a deep breath. "We were at my place this morning." Astrid had taken to spending some particularly cold nights with Steve. Shamira knew nothing much happened other than sleep but it was still progress. Considering Astrid's intimacy issues. "And Astrid mentioned maybe getting some stuff for my place." Okay, Shamira didn't see what the problem was yet. "I stated that I was working on it and asked her what she would like around my place." Still didn't see what the problem was. "That's when she said that I didn't have to worry about it. She would take care of it."
"Oh, I see where this is going," Bucky said rubbing his forehead. "You told her that you could take care of yourself and that you didn't need her." The looked Steve gave him confirmed it. Shamira winched. Astrid would not have been happy hearing that.
"Okay look," Shamira brought up. "If this has anything to do with you being the man in this relationship and it's your job to take care of her then she is going to be-"
"That's not it at all," Steve replied. He gulped. "Astrid takes care of so many people. So many depend on her. I depend on her. But I shouldn't for everything. She shouldn't have to feel that she has to give everything to me. Serve me." He physically shuddered as he said those words. "She's her own person and deserves to be taken care of too. She doesn't have to be strong all the time."
Shamira's eyes softened and she looked over at Steve. "Steve you're going to be fine." He looked sharply at her. "I've had that exact argument with her several times and I'm still around." She let out a sigh. "You got to remember that Astrid had to be strong for years. She wouldn't have survived if she wasn't. So it's really hard for her to let that go." The same was also true for Steve. Honestly, the same thing he was saying about Astrid could also easily apply to him.
"I know. I try not to push her but the idea of her spending that kind of money." He went silent. Closing his eyes. "I'm not a charity case for her to take care of."
"She doesn't think you are Steve," Bucky pointed out. "She just wants to take care of the one she loves."
Steve scoffed. His sadness changing to anger in front of them. "That might not be the case anymore."
"I'm pretty sure that one fight isn't going to cost you everything," Shamira replied arching her eyebrow.
"That's what I thought. Until…" he wiped his eyes again. Tears springing to his eyes. Steve was a real mess. The worst Shamira had ever seen him. "I went to the hospital to apologize. I knew when she had a break in surgery. So I went over and was pointed in the direction of the break room. Just as I was about to enter I saw her through a crack in the door." He was starting to hyperventilate a little bit. Bucky springing immediately into action. Helping Steve slow down his breathing.
"Easy Steve, just tell us what happened. It can't be that bad."
The look that he gave Bucky said otherwise. His breathing slowing down slightly. Still going to quickly for their liking. "I saw her in civilian clothing talking with a man I have never seen before."
"And?" Shamira asked. "Could have been a coworker or a patient." If Steve was troubled by her speaking with another man than their relationship might be in more trouble than Shamira thought.
"That's what I thought until I saw him walk right up towards her. Placing a hand on her shoulder. And one underneath her chin." Okay, that was odd. Astrid didn't let anyone into her personal space. Shamira was majorly surprised that she had let Steve in so quickly. "I couldn't hear what they were saying. They were speaking too softly for me to hear. But Astrid didn't seem opposed to what he was doing."
"What happened next?"
Steve shook his head. "I don't know. I ran here as soon as I saw him try and go for a kiss."
Bucky shot Shamira a look. But she shook her head. There was absolutely no way.
"So you're upset that she might be seeing someone else," Bucky asked.
Steve nodded in response. "I need help winning her back. Seeing that man so close to her. Touching her." Shamira smirked. Jealously. Pure and simple. But unlike other men, Steve actually seemed to be handling it well. Not blaming Astrid for it but instead taking it upon himself. To do better. To make himself better. Astrid was incredibly lucky to have such a guy in her life. The exact kind of guy she needed. Which is why the situation that Steve just described made no sense.
Bucky patted him on the back. "Why don't you get yourself cleaned in the bathroom and we can brainstorm ideas." Steve seemed to perk up at that idea. Heading to the bathroom. Leaving Bucky and Shamira alone for the moment.
"There is no way right?" Bucky asked looking at Shamira.
"Absolutely no possible way," Shamira responded. "You know Astrid. Something else might have been going on." That's the only possible explanation Shamira could think of. Because she would know if Astrid was seeing someone else. Unless she was panicking about her relationship with Steve and was looking for something or someone to help her cope. But even then it would be more likely to be a woman rather than a guy.
While both her and Bucky were pondering the situation. Shamira heard the door opening up. Drawing both her and Bucky's attention. Her eyes widening as Astrid stumbled in. Her chest covered in blood.
"I have royally screwed up," Astrid stated to the stares of shock from Shamira and Bucky.
"Okay Bucky we need to go get a shovel," Shamira told him. Bucky nodded. "Astrid we can lay low someplace for a few days until this blows over."
"Wait what?" Astrid asked. She looked down over herself. Pulling at the massive spot of blood on her dress. "Oh, this. This doesn't matter. I'll get to this. No, the problem is that I think I've screwed things up with Steve." There looks turned from shock to confusion. Astrid let out a sigh. "Okay look. I was staying over at Steve's place this morning. And I mentioned that he could use a thicker quilt since its getting colder outside and perhaps a nice thick jacket as well. He replied that he was working on it and I told him that there wasn't any need. I would take care of it. That's when he snapped at me that he could take care of himself and I may have snapped back and…" Astrid shook her head. "It doesn't really matter. Point is that we had a really stupid fight that didn't get resolved and I had to go to work." She leaned against the wall. Pinching the bridge of her nose. "I've spent most of the damn day trying to figure out how to make it up to him."
Shamira and Bucky glanced at each other "And you're here for ideas on how to make things better?" Bucky asked.
Astrid held up a hand. "It gets worse. I decided that I was actually going to switch shifts. I couldn't go another minute without trying to fix things with Steve. I got dressed for home finally figuring out what I was going to say to Steve. Only to realize that I forgot my keys in the staff room. So I went there to quickly grab them. Only to see Alister holding onto them." Now Shamira had a pretty good idea of what happened. She let out a smile. Steve had nothing to worry about. "I told him to give me back my damn keys. Alister being the dumbass that he is pocketed my keys and touched me." Astrid shivered. "He said some bloody nonsense about playing games. I told him that I wasn't playing games. That's when the bastard tried to kiss me."
"What happened next?"
Astrid gave him a what really look. "Seriously? I stabbed him. Isn't it obvious?"
"… you stabbed a guy who tried to kiss you?"
"Like I ever am ever going to let anyone other then Steve kiss me. I honestly should have stabbed him as soon as he touched me. I feel like I need a hot shower just to get the feel of him off of me."
Shamira couldn't help herself and started chuckling as Bucky was still processing the situation.
"Anyway our boss heard the commotion and stepped in. The bad news is that he repaired the stab wound. Good news is that at least I'll never have to see Alister again since he also got fired. But that's not the worse part. Steve actually came to the hospital even after I treated him like garbage that morning. I saw him take off after Alister tried to kiss me." She slid to the floor. "He probably thinks that I'm cheating on him."
"Oh, I doubt that," Shamira stated still sitting on the couch.
Astrid looked sharply up at her. "How can you possibly know that?" She shook her head. "I need ideas on how to make this all better. Show him that he's the only person I ever want to be romantically involved with for the rest of my life. How can I show him how wonderful, brave, and spectacular he his? How much he absolutely means to me." Neither Shamira or Bucky could hold back. Both of them chuckling. "That is not helpful."
"Astrid you've got nothing to worry about."
"What? Why?"
"Because Steve's been here the entire time listening to your story as well." Astrid's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "He showed up shortly before you did." That's when Astrid looked up and saw Steve standing behind the loveseat. His stature previously blocked by Bucky.
"He didn't you hurt you, my love?" Steve asked running his hands over where he saw Alister touch her.
"No. I'm fine." She cupped his face and looked up into his eyes. "Have you been crying? Who hurt you?" Astrid looked like she had been punched in the gut. "Was it because of our fight? I can't apologize enough. I have never ever wanted to hurt you."
"You two are both idiots," Shamira remarked looking over the two of them. Both Steve and Astrid turned to face her. "You both have the same damn problem of letting people take care of you. Neither of you have to be pillars of rock all the time. You can both take care of each other. So stop being so damn stubborn and lean on each other every once in a while."
Astrid and Steve turned back to look at each other. "I could use a new jacket," Steve noted. All three of them gave him a look. "And maybe a few other things too."
Astrid sighed. Looking at Steve for a moment before embracing him. "I feel like my skin is trying to crawl off my body."
Shamira thought she literally heard Steve growl. Running his hands over Astrid who was soaking it in. She shared a glance with Bucky and the two of them shrugged. Those two still had a lot to figure out but they had their entire lives to do it. Even a blind person could tell that those two belonged to each other. For they were both strong enough to handle each other's worries and they knew it. And hiccups like this were bound to happen as they learn how to be in a serious relationship. Shamira had faith in them. There would be ups and downs but they would make it through.
"Now can you two please leave so that Bucky and I can continue what we were doing." Steve and Astrid snorted. Glancing between the two of them.
"Let me get changed first," Astrid stated. "You wouldn't believe the looks I got on my way over here."
Shamira gestured towards Astrid's bedroom and Astrid went inside. Ready to get changed. Leaving Steve to look somewhat sheepish.
"Told you it would work out," Bucky said gripping Steve's shoulder. "Maybe you'll get lucky tonight."
Steve turned a bright crimson and stuttered. Shamira laughed. She knew that Astrid was more than ready. Being with Steve had let her explore that possibility. That and the many lengthy conversations she has had with Shamira about it. She was just waiting for Steve to be ready. Bucky meanwhile making Steve more comfortable with the idea.
"I can't," he mumbled softly rubbing the back of his head as Astrid walked into the room. Deciding that pants and a blouse were in call today.
"Come on Steve," Astrid stated walking towards the door. "Let's leave these two to their fun. We need to get you a new jacket anyway."
"Only if I can hold your hand the entire time," Steve noted. Shamira rolled her eyes. Those two were ridiculously sweet. Astrid smiled at him. Taking his hand and leaving the apartment. Those two would definitely be staying at Steve's place tonight.
Bucky and Shamira glanced at each other before getting back to it. Bucky stripping off his pants while Shamira got rid of her dress dragging Bucky to her bedroom. Just another night per usual. Shamira and Bucky getting down and dirty while Astrid and Steve competed to be the sweetest couple on the planet. Shamira briefly wondered if their roles were ever going to be reversed. Until Bucky pinned her to the wall and attacked her neck. She stopped thinking at that point.