Irreplaceable (Resiliance Book 3) (Avengers Fan-fic) [COMPLETED]

Chapter 10

Sam

I took a rasping breath, as pain tore across my neck. I shut my eyes tighter, holding my breath. Someone took my hand and squeezed it gently.

‘Sam?’ Steve’s voice called softly, thick with worry. I opened my eyes, and looked right at him, where he stood, beside me.

‘I’m not moving, but hi.’ I rasped, looking up at the ceiling and sighing. ‘How bad is it? On a scale of scrape, to cardiac arrest.’ I asked quietly, my voice sounding like it was grating over stones. Steve sighed, reaching forward, and brushing a strand of my hair off my face. He smiled gently.

‘Your random super-healing kicked in. It’s nothing more than a little scratch now. Or so Bruce says.’ He said softly, squeezing my hand. ‘But you still have to take it easy.’ I sighed to myself.

‘This is one of the few times, when I’ll argue with myself when I want to do stuff.’ I croaked. Steve smiled softly, as Bruce walked in. He smiled at me as he walked over, placing my board at the end of my bed, and coming up to beside my head.

‘How’re you feeling Sam?’ he asked gently. I pursed my lips.

‘Been better.’ I croaked, before sighing. ‘I think people are beginning to develop an addiction to hurting me.’ I groaned, covering my face with my hands. Bruce chuckled gently.

‘I think you may be right there.’ He said, and I split my fingers, peeking up at him.

‘Will we check and see how bad it is?’ he offered. I sighed, and let my hands drop to my sides. He smiled softly, and reached over, gently peeling back the bandage. His eyes went wide and I closed mine, opening one and squinting up at me.

‘Scale of one to ten?’ I squeaked nervously. Bruce shook his head, trying to find words.

‘Minus four?’ he offered, taking my arm gently. ‘Come here, sit up. I need to get a better look.’ He told me. I did as I was told, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. He put his finger under my chin, and gently raised my head. I winced as pain shot through my neck.

‘That…. Is unpleasant.’ I told him, and he frowned.

‘It shouldn’t be. Your neck is completely healed, not even bruising or scarring.’ I frowned at him, raising my own hand to my neck. Sure enough, there wasn’t anything there, but it was still sore.

‘Painful nonetheless. Maybe it’s only healed on the outside?’ I suggested and he nodded.

‘Maybe. Either way, I want you to take it easy, just in case.’ I nodded at him, and he picked up the clipboard, smiling, before leaving the room. Steve walked around the bed, to me, taking my hand. He tucked my hair behind my ear and bent down, looking intently into my eyes.

‘You alright?’ he asked gently. That one small question, and I was undone. I shook my head as my lip quivered, and leaned forward into his embrace. He wrapped his arms tightly around me as I cried quietly.

‘Why do they all want to hurt me? I never did anything. They were the one who tortured me. I just sat there and took it…’ I sobbed against his chest, my defences completely obliterated. He held me tight, shushing me and soothingly rubbing my back.

‘I don’t know Sam. I don’t know.’ He told me quietly. We stayed like that for a while, he just let me get it all out, and off my chest. When I calmed down, he stepped back, and gently wiped the tears from my cheeks. I sighed heavily and he kissed my forehead.

‘How long was I out?’ I asked quietly. Steve sighed, tucking my hair behind my ear.

‘Bruce kept you down for two days.’ I sighed and nodded, before stopping, my neck hurting. I sighed, standing up, off the bed, as Steve took a wary step back. I wobbled a little, and he took hold of my arm. I smiled softly up at him.