Readers Assemble!

Safe and Sound (Steve Rogers x slight!fem!reader)

(a/n: This is a songfic based off Taylor Swift's "Safe and Sound". I apologize for the angst...you've been warned.)

The HYDRA agents attacked the tower when the others were out on a mission. You were hopelessly outnumbered. Steve was the only thing going through your mind as you fought. You'd promised each other than you always be there for one another and you were determined to keep that promise. You didn't notice the HYDRA agent behind you and the next thing you knew, the sound of a gun went off and then you heard Steve's frantic voice. "Y/N?!" You felt the warm sensation of blood seeping through your clothes and your husband was at your side in seconds. "Stay with me, Doll. I'm not ready to let go yet!"

I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said, "I'll never let you go"
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone"
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Steve fought back tears as Bucky placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He gazed down at your face, so peaceful it was as if you were sleeping. Your (h/l) (h/c) locks spread out like a fan on the satin pillow. He couldn't seem to form the words to tell his friend that he was alright. He wasn't. He didn't want to be here, looking at your lifeless body in the casket. He couldn't look at you without thinking that this was all his fault. You begged him not to leave you that day, but he did anyway, promising that he'd be back. It had been a trap and he'd come back too late.

Don't you dare look out your window darling
Everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby
Even when the music's gone
Gone

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Bucky never left Steve's side as mourners made their way into the church. All the people that loved you in one room was too much for Steve. The realization that you were gone hit him. The guilt hit him hard. He hadn't protected you from the outside world like he promised. Steve ran from the room, Bucky at his heels. "And where do you think you're going, Rogers?" Steve stopped and turned back to Bucky. "I can't do it, Buck. This is my fault. My wife is dead because of me! I failed her!"

"You don't think we all feel that way, Steve?! We all walked into that trap! Y/N wouldn't want you to do this, you know that! She's gone, but she fought a tough battle while she was with us. If anything, you had something the rest of us never dreamed of having. A happy marriage. Finding that one person that makes us whole! Y/N was happy, Steve and now she's at peace! Nothing can hurt her now. You are going to get through this because you have no choice!"

Oooh, Oooh, Oooh, Oooh
La La (La La)
La La (La La)
Oooh, Oooh, Oooh, Oooh
La La (La La)

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

Bucky's speech struck a chord.He was right. You were never going to have to fight again. You were never goingto be hurt again. You were gone, but you would always be with him. He saw youeverywhere. In the beauty of the blue sky, in the glow of the lamp you'd usedto read and most of all, he saw you in the (e/c) eyes of your little girl."Daddy, where's Mommy?" Steve stooped to pick up his four-year-old."Mommy is somewhere special. Somewhere she can look after us and make surethat I keep my promise." The little girl looked between her father and heruncle Bucky. "What promise?" she asked, her big innocent eyessparkling with tears to match Steve's. "My promise to keep you safe andsound."