Of Love and Lines (MCUxReader)

Forty Eight

Penelope POV

There was a heaviness, a warmth on your chest. Flexing your fingers, you felt soft fur and instantly knew Alpine had chosen you as her bed.

Opening your eyes and looking down at her you were surprised to find yourself in a suite in the medical wing.

"Wha-" The question fell halfheartedly from your lips.

"Hey, sweet girl. Take it easy." Bucky's voice drew your gaze to where he sat in a chair next to Steve beside your bed.

You frowned. "What happened?"

Bucky explained what they knew, and you continued to pet at Alpine's fur as you listened, a nervous tick to combat the anxiety thrumming through your heart.

Your powers had attacked you. Then you attacked Bruce. They'd kept you under for three days, Loki working diligently to figure out the magical problem. Your powers were gone. Suppressed by whatever concoction Bruce had given you and the cuffs at your wrists.

You didn't like that part. The emptiness in your soul and the lack of power thrumming through your veins took you back to your time in captivity. The thrumming sped up as did your petting until Alpine let out an annoyed mewl.

Steve's hand landed on yours, pausing the frantic motion and giving you a gentle squeeze. You focused on that until you were able to see past the memories threatening to surface.

"I'm okay now?" You whispered, holding Steve's gaze.

He didn't answer.

"I feel okay." You answered for him.

"Thats... good." Bucky spoke softly. "You scared us."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize for something out of your control." Bucky reassured you.

But you were still focused on Steve, his jaw set in a hard line.

"Why didn't you tell us you weren't feeling well?" Steve finally spoke.

"Steve-"

"No." Steve cut Bucky off. "I want to know. If you weren't feeling well, you should've come to Bruce immediately. Instead, you came to the gyms and pushed yourself. Why?"

Chewing your lip, you looked away from Steve back down to Alpine's sleeping form. Communication was something the two of you needed to work on though. So begrudgingly, you answered, the words nothing more than a tickling whisper as they left your mouth. "It wasn't that bad. Just a little headache."

Steve scowled, not believing you.

The sigh that left your lungs was heavy, matching the weight you felt on your shoulders. "And some dizziness. But I thought I was just tired from, well, yeah." You blushed. "I didn't think it would hurt."

"You didn't think." Steve repeated.

"You're the one that said I need to be ready for anything. It's probably a normal thing to get a headache or dizziness in the field. I should be able to push through it and focus."

"You weren't in the field, little girl. You were here. Safe. With an entire medical team at your disposal. It was a bad call."

"Are you done?" You sassed, some of your fire returning.

"What?"

"Are you done? Or would you like to sit here and rehash every damn thing I've ever done wrong? Go on. I can take it." You stared him down.

Steve's jaw ticked.

You nodded. "Okay. I'll do it for you then." Holding up your hand, you began to count off on your fingers. "I came to the tower unannounced and snooped. I openly flirted with Peter on multiple occasions just to make you jealous. I got obscenely drunk with strangers when you gave your attention to Bucky."