Y'all. This is around 2,630. DUDE. No words. Enjoy. I couldn't cut it, it's best as one piece.
I think it's really good and I love the interaction between Steve and Lori :') reminds me of my relationship in a couple ways LOL xD
As night grew near, the members of the Howling Commandos gathered around the map Lorelei had painstakingly made the night before.
Steve's gaze was intense as he went through the plan one last time.
Jacques Dernier, their explosives expert, held the remote detonator in his hand, his face set with grim determination.
"Alright, Everyone." Steve began, voice steady with authority. "Jacques and Gabe, you two will set off the diversion here, where the supply building is," Steve pointed to the building that sat at the north of the base. "Jim, Dugan, and Falsworth, you'll take out the agents that investigate, then move in to rescue the prisoners on the first underground level. Bucky will remain up high in the snipers post to pick off any agents that remain. Lorelei and I will plant the explosives inside."
His gaze went to each of the members in the fading light, making sure they understood their roles. "Once the prisoners are out, set off another explosive above ground. That'll be our signal to start the timer on the explosives inside . We have twenty minutes to get out before this place goes up in flames. Everyone clear?"
The Commandos nodded, their faces reflecting the determination everyone felt.
"Good. Then let's move out." Steve ordered.
Each member moved into their position, the dark of night concealing their movements.
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
Jacques and Gabe kept their head on a swivel, having snuck by the lights and patrols on the north wall to reach the storage building within the fence.
Gabe took watch while Jacques worked the explosives swiftly, his fingers surprisingly nimble despite the freezing cold.
They retreated a safe distance away, gaze on the buildings in the distance.
"Ready?" Jacques asked.
"Ready." Gabe confirmed.
Jacques triggered the detonator, a series of controlled explosions destroying the supply building and rocking the north side of the base. Alarms blaring, HYDRA agents rushed to investigate the sudden attack.
The diversion had begun.
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
Lorelei and Steve slipped through the perimeter, keeping to the shadows to avoid the searchlights above.
The chill of the winter night was biting, but the adrenaline pumping through her veins kept her warm.
They reached the base's entrance without incident, Lorelei phasing under the door and unlocking it from the inside for Steve.
The two of them moved silently, their footsteps barely making a sound on the concrete.
Descending into the base, Lorelei took the lead, her senses heightened by her adrenaline.
She led them through corridors, the layout still fresh in her mind from her journey before.
They reached the first target: a support pillar in the main hall.
Steve set the first explosive, securing it tightly to the pillar.
They moved quickly through the base, the process repeating each level they went down.
Lorelei's ability allowed them to avoid detection, allowing Lorelei to swiftly dispatch any agents that were in their way.
Reaching the second underground level, Lorelei's nerves were frayed from the proximity of the Hydra tech.
She pushed through the discomfort, guiding Steve to the next target.
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
Jim, Dugan, Falsworth and Bucky took their positions, picking off the HYDRA agents who came to investigate the explosion.
They moved in quick efficiency, eliminating the guards and making their way toward the prisoner containment area.
Bucky remained up high, eliminating any agents he could see.
Jim, Dugan, and Falsworth reached the cells on the first underground level.
The sight of the prisoners bolstered their resolve. Working quickly, they unlocked the cells and helped the prisoners out of the cages.
"Let's move! Follow us!" Dugan urged as the group guided the prisoners towards the exit.
Jim kept a lookout, his rifle at the ready.
As they moved Dugan and Falsworth they planted an explosive, ready to signal the team inside.
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
Back on the inside, Steve and Lorelei reached the final target location.
Lorelei's fingers trembled as she set the last explosive, her body aching from the proximity of the Hydra machinery. She fumbled once, twice, before taking a steadying breath and giving it one last try.
Placing the explosive, the base rumbled from the distant explosion. The signal had been given.
"We're out of time," Steve spoke, urgency in his voice. "Lorelei, trigger the timer."
Lorelei pressed the button on the remote, beginning the twenty-minute countdown.
They turned to leave, halting as HYDRA agents poured into the corridor, blocking their escape.
Steve sprang into action, his movements a blur as he fought off the HYDRA agents.
Steve threw his shield with all his might, the shield bouncing off two of the men.
Lorelei used her abilities to get behind the enemies, re-forming behind the agents and killing them swiftly with her daggers.
She vibrated their atoms, blending the bodies into the shadows, ensuring they wouldn't be discovered.
They fought their way through the base, the clock ticking down.
They burst through the main door, racing into the night. The prisoners were already being guided to safety by Jim, Dugan, and Falsworth. Steve and Lorelei covered the rear, ensuring no HYDRA agents followed them.
As they reached the perimeter, the ground shook with the force of the explosions.
The HYDRA base erupted in flames, debris raining down around them. They didn't stop running until they were far from the blast zone, the roar of the explosion echoing in their ears.
The Commandos and prisoners trekked to the safety of a distant village, in which a few of the prisoners called home, guided by the moonlight.
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
When they arrived at the village it was silent and still. Lorelei approached one of the houses, knocking gently on the door.
It took a few tries, but a wide-eyed, frightened woman opened the door a crack.
She widened the door slightly as she saw a woman in the doorway.
"Hello, I have refugees from the camp up south. Do you have shelter?" Lorelei kept her voice steady as she spoke broken Dutch.
"Refugees? No one has come back from the camp." The woman eyed her with suspicion.
"We destroyed it." Lorelei reassured.
The woman didn't believe her.
"Take a look at the prisoners, see them for yourself." Lorelei said.
The woman craned her neck around the door, letting out a gasp as she recognized neighbors.
"Come, come! We must alert the others!" The woman exclaimed, dashing out in nothing but her nightdress in her urgency.
The next hour passed in a blur. There were crying reunions, grateful hugs and handshakes, and warm food.
The prisoners who arrived were fewer than those who had left.
The villagers insisted they use the now ownerless homes to get a good night's rest, a small token of gratitude for bringing them back.
The other prisoners were also placed in homes to get the first good night's rest that they had probably had in a long time.
The team ensured the freed prisoners were settled before regrouping.
In a location where they wouldn't have eyes on them, Lorelei used her sling-ring to gather their equipment. As she stepped through the portal with the last of their things, Gabe gave an appreciative whistle.
"That's a pretty nifty thing." Gabe said.
"It's nice, saves time traveling." Lorelei said, setting the last items by her feet.
"Why don't you use it more often?" Dugan asked.
"I'd rather not give intel away to the HYDRA agents." Lorelei said.
The group nodded in agreement. After a brief conversation, the group retired for the night.
Steve, Lorelei, and Bucky entered the house, tired due to the mission, but grateful they had a roof over their heads.
Bucky grinned as he looked around.
"Well, it's no Ritz, but it'll do," Bucky joked, dropping his gear by the door.
Steve grinned, clapping Bucky on the shoulder.
"Get some rest, Buck. You deserve it." Steve said to his childhood friend.
Bucky nodded, heading towards one of the bedrooms.
"You two behave yourselves." He teased with a wink, disappearing into the room and closing the door behind him.
"I'm gonna change. I'll be back." Lorelei said to Steve.
She retreated to the vacant bedroom, changing into clean, comfortable clothes.
Lorelei desperately wanted to wash up, but as the village had no running water she would have to make do with clean clothes.
Lorelei rejoined Steve in the small living room. He had lit the fireplace, warming the room. Lorelei moved to the fire, extending her hands towards the warmth.
"It's warm." She hummed, stating the obvious.
Steve watched her for a moment, then joined her by the fire.
"It's been a long week," he said, standing shoulder to shoulder with her. "You did great out there, Lorelei. We wouldn't have made it without you."
"You would've done fine without me." Lorelei chuckled.
Steve shook his head.
"Lorelei, you were incredible. The intel you gathered, the way you worked through that base… You were crucial in gathering and executing the plan."
Lorelei looked up at him, the gold in her eyes prominent in the reflected firelight.
"Thank you, Steve. It means a lot to me." She smiled faintly.
"It's getting late." Steve observed.
Lorelei hummed in agreement.
"I'll let you get changed. I'd like to sit by the fire a little longer." Lorelei said.
Steve nodded.
Lorelei dragged a chair over, closing her eyes and bathing in the warmth of the fire.
Lorelei enjoyed the peace, knowing the calm would be few and far between.
Lorelei opened her eyes as she heard Steve step out of the bedroom, having changed out of his gear into a loose dry of clothes.
Lorelei pushed herself out of the chair and headed into the bedroom.
Steve paused at the door, gaze on Lorelei.
"You can take the bed. I'll sleep on the floor."
Lorelei gave him a look. " Steve. It would be better if you slept in the bed. Besides, it's no different than sharing a sleeping bag."
Steve opened his mouth to protest, but Lorelei's gaze hardened, and she folded her arms. "Bed. Now. I *will manhandle you to the bed and tie you there."
"Yes ma'am." Steve said, approaching the bed.
"Don't call me ma'am. It makes me feel old." Lorelei said.
"Doll?" Steve asked, the hint of a mischievous grin on his face.
Lorelei stuttered to a halt.
"Sweetheart?" Steve's grin widened, finding a new source of entertainment in calling his Soulmate pet names.
Lorelei flushed, hitting him on the arm.
"Babydoll?" Steve said, holding up his hands defensively as Lorelei charged.
"Stop!" Lorelei hissed, turning an interesting shade of puce.
"Why? Do you not like it, sweetheart?"
Lorelei's jaw dropped. He was doing it on purpose now!
"Steven Grant Rogers. You are such a little shit!"
"Gosh, Doll, I didn't know you had such a mouth on you." Steve teased.
Lorelei huffed, glaring at Steve.
"Alright, alright I'll stop." Steve chuckled, still grinning.
He chuckled, his laugh soft but genuine.
He sat at the edge of the bed, a playful glint in his eye.
"You, Captain Rogers, are insufferable," Lorelei muttered, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips.
"And you, Miss Lorelei, are stubborn. Now, let's both get some rest." Steve said.
"Fine. But only because I'm tired." Lorelei relented.
Steve climbed into bed first, holding open the blanket for Lorelei to slide in beside him.
The bed was small, forcing the two to huddle close. Lorelei shifted around, resting her head in the crook of Steve's arm to get comfortable.
Steve pulled her close with a sigh.
"You know," Lorelei began, voice barely above a whisper, "I was kinda scared in there, you know? Scared something could go wrong, that I wouldn't make it back to you."
"I was worried, too, but I knew you could do it. You're strong, Lorelei. Stronger than you realize." Steve squeezed her arm.
Lorelei turned, sitting up so she was leaning over Steve. Her black hair fell around the two like a curtain, separating them from the world around them.
She looked into his eyes, seeing the truth in his eyes.
"You give me strength, Steve." Lorelei admitted. "Knowing you're by my side, it makes me feel like I can accomplish anything."
"And I'll always be by your side," he promised, hand tangling in Lorelei's hair. "No matter what."
Their faces were inches apart now, the tension between them palpable.
Lorelei braced herself up, hand reaching across Steve to keep herself as she leaned down, her lips brushing against his in a tentative, tender kiss.
His hand closed into a loose fist around her hair as Lorelei melted into him, feeling the warmth and security she had longed for.
When they finally broke apart, they were both breathless.
"Steve," Lorelei whispered, voice filled with emotion. "Thank you for believing in me."
"Always." Steve said with a smile, thumb brushing against her cheek.
They lay there for a while longer, the comfort of each other's presence easing the tension from their bodies.
Steve eventually closed his eyes, his breathing evening out as he drifted off to sleep.
Just as she was about to drift off, she felt Steve shift beside her.
"Lorelei," he murmured, voice thick with sleep.
"Yes, Steve?" she whispered back.
"I'm glad you're here," he said softly, his grip on her hand tightening slightly.
"Me too," she replied, a smile tugging at her lips as she fell asleep.
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
The light of dawn filtered in through the small window, giving a soft glow to the room. Steve woke first, blinking against the light.
He turned to look over at Lorelei, still asleep. Her face was peaceful, free of the usual tension, her lashes casting shadows on her cheeks. He smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
Steve carefully slid out of bed, not wanting to wake Lorelei. He stretched, feeling the aches from the mission, but also a renewed energy. He moved quietly to the small living area, finding Bucky already awake, sipping on a cup of something hot.
"Mornin'" Bucky greeted, looking up as Steve entered the room.
"Mornin'" Steve echoed, grabbing a cup of the steaming liquid and taking a sip. The drink was bitter, but it did the job of waking him up.
"How'd you sleep?" Bucky asked, a knowing smirk on his face.
"Better than I have in a while," Steve admitted, taking another sip, gaze lifting to Bucky. "You?"
"Like a log. Feels good to be somewhere safe, even if just for a night."
Steve nodded in agreement.
"We'll need to move out soon. Make sure everyone's ready." Steve said, sitting across from Bucky.
Bucky nodded, finishing his drink. "I'll start waking the others."
As Bucky left to rouse the rest of the team, Steve took a moment to reflect on the mission.
They had succeeded, but there were always more challenges ahead.
A shuffle brought his attention behind him. He turned to see Lorelei standing in the doorway, still a bit groggy, but with a small smile on her face.
"Good morning," she murmured, voice rough with sleep.
"Morning," Steve replied, smiling back. "Sleep well?"
"Better than I expected," she admitted, moving to sit beside him. She picked up a mug of the mystery liquid, taking a whiff and grimacing.
"Definitely reminds me of the mystery coffee we used to have working late nights at NASA." Lorelei observed. She took a sip, making a face.
"Tastes like it too." Lorelei eyed the mug, "do they have a universe traveler?"
Lorelei grinned at her own joke.
Steve chuckled, reaching out and taking her hand.
They sat there for a moment, savoring the quiet before the day began.