Forever and Always

Chapter 20

"I..I..I saw you die" Steve was standing in front of me. "You saw what they wanted you to see," he replied, taking a cautious step toward me. The team took seats watching the event unfold as there wasn't much else they could do. I shook my head, "You collapsed, you were lifeless!" I raised my voice as tears left my eyes and a headache crept up into my head. He took a step closer and I started pulling down his shirt but he stopped me to take it off fully. I put my hand over where I saw them shoot but instead I saw a gun shot in the shoulder that was already bandaged.

I jumped up wrapping my arms around his neck as he supported my weight. I squeezed him as tight as I could, "I thought I lost you" I sobbed. He held me just as tight, "I'd never leave you my love" he mumbled putting his head in the crook of my neck. I pulled myself back cupping his face with my hands and locking our lips. His soft lips against mine as he drags his tongue against my bottom lip. I open my mouth, giving him access, missing the way his mouth tastes on mine. We pulled back leaning our foreheads against each other panting. "I love you. I miss you. I don't ever want you to leave again" I pecked his lips between sentences as he smiled at me. "I love you too, I'm not going anywhere"

I rubbed my thumbs against his cheeks feeling the facial hair between them. Now taking a good look at him. His hair looked good longer as some strands of hair in the front fell over his face. His beard and mustache perfectly connected, feeling more soft than coarse. He looked perfect. "I don't want you to shave," I whispered, admiring him like it was the first time I was seeing him. He chuckled, "I won't if you really like it" I pecked his lips again, "You look perfect" I wrapped my arms around him again putting my head in the crook of his neck sniffing in his musky scent. I felt him take a seat in the quinjet and he rubbed circles in my back occasionally playing with the bottom of my hair. I felt so relaxed, in one piece that I let myself drift to sleep in the safest place I could be.

I awoke feeling strangely energized. Stretching, I felt smooth sheets under me and smiled feeling very comfortable. Feeling an arm around me pulling me toward them I look over and see Steve with his eyes closed. I took in our surroundings seeing we were at the upstate compound. I've slept in this bed once before but it felt cold and lonely then. Now it feels warm and comfortable. I turned on my side instead of my stomach and gently rubbed the back of my hand to Steve's cheek. Thinking about how I went hours feeling as though I'd lost him forever and now he simply lays next to me breathing softly, heart still beating. My chest felt tight, feeling so grateful that Steve is still by my side, I couldn't hold back the sob as it escaped my lips.

Steve's eyes opened and he scrambled up wrapping me in his arms while trying to wake up more to see what the threat was. "What's wrong?" he said with a serious tone. I calmed down feeling bad that I woke him up. He was pushing hair out of my face to get a better look at me. "Doll, what's wrong?" This time he said it softer. "I'm just so grateful that *hiccup* you're next to me" He put his hand on my head and pulled me as close as possible. "Shh Shh, it's okay. I'm here and I told you I wasn't leaving. You're okay, it's okay" I took a shaky breath, "I'm sorry" he pulled back putting a finger under my chin to make me look up at him. "Do not apologize. You were traumatized. They made you see me die. I can't imagine how painful that must've been" he leaned down, connecting our lips.

He pulled back, "Let's shower" I smiled thinking about taking a shower with Steve. Then I noticed he was still in the same clothes from before like myself. "I could use one," I chuckled. We got off the bed and I glanced at Steve while gathering clothes, scared that if I look away too long he'll disappear forever. He caught my eyes and smiled, coming over to grab my hand and lead me to the bathroom. He put our stuff down and turned on the shower and came back over to me. I grabbed the hem of his shirt pulling it over his head with his help. He turned around and I started undoing the bandage on his shoulder before walking around to the front of him to see the gunshot wound once more. It still looked raw but it was healing fast. I kissed just below it so it wouldn't hurt him.