Ascension (Dark!SteveRogers AU) 18+

34

Steve sat there, drinking glass after glass of wine as the court was gathered in the hall, all of them nervously awaiting the news that a new Prince or Princess of Hydra had been born. She had been labouring since the early hours of the morning, Steve taking his leave as an army of midwives had entered the room. Yelena had situated herself outside of the door to make sure that she could quickly get any news to the Hydra king.

"You'd think that being stuck in their mother's belly for so long that the kid would wanna bust right outta there". Bucky said as he stood with Sam and Ronan. "What's taking so long?"

Ronan shrugged. "Haven doesn't do anything by halves, seems the baby won't either".

Sam chuckled at this. "If he's anything like Steve then that's a good thing".

"I heard that Wilson". Steve now spoke, sipping at the newly poured wine that a servant handed to him.

Ronan glanced to him. "My sister said that there was a chance that the baby could be like you...is Doctor Zola in there with her, just in case..."

"In case what? It comes out and strangles her? No - Zola doesn't need to be there, but I think we'll be able to tell in time if the baby does have any abilities like I have".

"Do you prefer it? Being this way as opposed to before?"

Steve looked to him and smirked. "Beats being dead", he sat back on his throne and Ronan noted the look on his face.

"You're worried about her, aren't you?"

"She's my wife, of course I'm fucking worried". He snapped and then massaged his temples. "What do you think I'd be doing anyway? Preying that she dies?"

Ronan shook his head. "I didn't think that at all. If anything I was thinking that my sister made the right choice...she's changed, more sure of herself. She needed that". He glanced at Steve. "She's strong - she'll be ok. They both will".

Everyone knew the risks. Childbirth was risky business, and sometimes it resulted in the loss of the mother, the child or worst of all - both.

"I know". Steve nodded and took another sip of drink. "I have no doubt about that".

**

The pain had become unbearable, but Haven bore it as best as she could. Her focus on delivering the baby safely being her number one priority. She didn't care what happened to her, not when things were intensifying. The head midwife had her walking around the room, bracing against the bed whenever the contractions came. Finally, after hours the time had come, and Haven channelled her focus once more, before she knew it the wails of child filled the room - the midwife passing her the baby swaddled in blankets.

"Oh my goodness..." Haven muttered in awe, looking down at the little red and angered face from the blankets.

The door opened and Yelena walked in, looking to Haven. "What do I tell the King?" She smiled on seeing the Queen holding the bundle in her arms.

"Nothing". Haven shook her head with a smile. "I shall tell him myself".

"Your majesty...that is not wise, you..."

"I don't care how long it takes me to get down there. I will go myself, and I will present his child to him". Haven said adamantly, gingerly moving to get up as a couple of midwives helped her. Her husband could see for himself just what she had gone through, and to give him an heir.

The soreness between her legs made her all but hobble along - the servants looking a little shocked at the sight of their Queen in a bloodstained nightgown, carrying the child barely two minutes old down to the great hall. "Open the doors!" She commanded as she hobbled more towards them, the guards doing so and everyone turning, gasps sounding around the hall as she walked in.

"Haven?" Steve stood up, seeing her stop in the middle of the hall. Her face exhausted, skin glistening with a sheen of sweat, and her arms filled with their child.

Her own battle fought and won. And it showed.

"I wanted to present your child to you myself...our daughter". She smiled tiredly as he stopped in front of her and then passed him the baby.

No sooner had he laid eyes on the face in the blankets, he felt a rush of pride overcome him, a new and different feeling of protectiveness setting itself inside of him.

No one would ever hurt her. He'd burn the entire world if they did. Rip bones apart, break them slowly and painfully. "Well done sweetheart". He told her and passed their daughter back to her, turning and addressing the court. "We have a new Princess of Hydra!" To which the hall erupted with cheers.

Haven smiled and  pulled the blanket gently over their daughter. "Sam and Bucky will accompany me back".

Steve nodded and beckoned them over. "See that the Queen gets safely back to her room". Then turning back to his wife. "You shouldn't have risked coming down here".

"You don't tell me what to do".

"I do when you are clearly bleeding". He said, noting the trail of blood she had left behind her. "Back to your bed now - I'll visit you later".

Sam and Bucky appeared by her side, now walking her out, the trail of blood following her. Steve shook his head at his wife's stubbornness and returned to his throne, the celebrations beginning and the servants coming to clean up.

"Told you she was strong". Ronan smiled, "no other woman would have left the birthing bed and bled freely all the way down here just to show her husband their heir. She doesn't stand for nothing".

Steve nodded, his head spinning and needing another drink.

"No..." he said, a smile playing on his lips. "She certainly does not".