Chris and Co. Oneshots

Checkmate - Steve Rogers x Reader (Medieval Royalty AU)

Warnings: Light Angst! Mention of Arrange Marriage! Fluff! One bed trope if you squint!

You had given up hope that you'd be rescued, or at least rescued alive. In the weeks you had been held captive in this dungeon you had come to terms that your death would spark a war that would result in the deaths of countless others. A thought that you hated, you didn't want the blood of innocents on your hands.

But with every passing day that thought became your reality. You weren't even sure how many days had passed. Your cell was damp and dark all hours of the day, the air stale and thick with the stench of decay. You couldn't even use meals to determine the passing off time, they were so sporadic. Your gown hung loose on your body, ripped and caked in mud making the chill in the air even worse.

You were huddled in the far corner, the only one that seemed to avoid the breeze. It was a silent night, with the exception of quiet groans from those who were also imprisoned in this dungeon. The sound of keys rattling had you curling up further.

"Princess" the guard said as he walked into your cell.

"Please, please leave me alone" you whimper with a small shake of your head.

The sound of his boots approaching made you curl up even more, shivers running through your body. You flinched and whimpered when you felt his large hand on your shoulder.

"Princess, I'm here to get you out of here" the guard said, his tone much softer than before.

You hesitantly look over your shoulder at him, first noticing how poorly his armour seemed to fit. All the straps were as loose as they could be so the metal could fit over his large frame. None of the pieces seemed to match either, it was as if he'd just picked up random pieces as he came across them. Your eyes finally met his through his helment, you blinked a couple of times at the warmth that they held before realising you actually recognised them.

"Steve?" You whisper in disbelief.

"Yeah, it's me" Steve nods a small smile playing at his lips "I'm here to rescue you" he says holding out his hand for you to take.

"My father sent you?" You mutter not able to believe it.

"No, I'll explain later but lets get you out of here" Steve says as he wraps a shawl around your body, pulling the hood up so it hung low over your face "i need you to stay completely still and don't say a word" he instructs you, you had barely nodded when he swept you up into his arms, repositioning the shawl so every inch of you was covered.

Despite your surprise, you did what he said remaining silent and still as he carried you to freedom. Relaxing into his arm feeling safe for the first time in weeks.

Steve had carried you halfway out of the dungeons when someone called out "Hey where are you going?"

Steve didn't even flinch "the vagrant in cell 23 died, I'm dumping his body in the woods for the wolves," he told the other guard.

The other guard laughs "oh they'll love fighting over that, barely any meat on him" he chuckles.

Steve hums "i'll make sure to make a hasty retreat" he says as he continues his journey out of the dungeon.

When he stepped out into the open night air you instantly began to shiver. Steve wrapped his arms around you more and held you closer to him.

"Not long now, once we're over the border we'll stop for the night and I'll build a fire" he reassures you.

He walked for a few more minutes before stopping and setting you back down onto your feet. His arm wrapped around your waist as your weak knees buckled beneath you.