And Then I Wrote Marvel

Pájaro (Part 1) (Sam Wilson x Reader)

You were hearing noises outside your cell again. In the beginning, it had made you feel hopeful that your people were coming to rescue you. With your hope disappeared your memories, and you were left with nothing. You didn't know who you were expecting to come and get you out of this hell, but after a few months, it was evident that they weren't coming.

Usually the noise was just the prisoner across from you using his new-found super strength to bust out and try to escape. He never succeeded, but his determination had yet to fail in making you feel a little bit happy. The first time, he'd tried to help other people get out with him--which was how you knew what the sounds were--but when you and the others were punished for his actions, he'd taken it on himself to get out and get help. The guards always managed to subdue him enough to put him back in his cell.

The sounds outside today were no different than every other day; shouting from the guards, clanging, a couple of thunks, then footsteps racing down the hall.

You started counting the seconds that it took the guards to get Number 73 back in his cell. He'd set his record back a couple of weeks ago at 7,084, just shy of two hours. You'd almost been fooled into thinking that he'd escaped, but kept counting just in case. No one had ever escaped before, but you figured that they'd have some emergency protocol if someone ever did.

There was something different today, though. There was some messing with the handle on your cell door, and it creaked open. The harsh light hurt your eyes, and you instinctively raised your arm to provide a little shade to make the transition easier.

"I found her, Cap," the man that opened the door said to no one. "We're here to rescue you, (Y/N)."

"Who's we? Who are you?" you asked suspiciously, your voice gravelly from lack of use.

Sam Wilson's heart shattered at your disbelief and inability to recognize him. He swallowed the emotions that had just exploded, and replied. "Doesn't matter right now. We're getting all of the prisoners out. Let's go."

"No. If you know me, I want to know how."

"We're kind of limited on time here," he hinted.

Your ears picked up on something quiet coming from the man's direction. "Aw, Sam, is she holding you up? The couple reunited?" You frowned.

"Not like that," he muttered to the guy on the other end of the comm. "I'll tell you on the way out, okay?" he said to you. He helped you to your feet, resisting the overwhelming urge to pull you into a tight hug and never let you go.

"Sam, what do you mean, 'not like that?' Is she okay?"

"Cap, I'm sorry, but you're going to have to see for yourself." He switched back to you, handing you a small device. "This busts the locks," he explained. "I take one side, you take the other?"

"Can-do, Pájaro," (Birdman, bird) you commented on his suit. He stiffened noticeably. "You don't like that nickname?"

"No, no, it's fine. I just haven't heard it since...well, it's been a while."

The two of you opened all of the cells in the hall, and Sam directed the prisoners to where the Avengers were waiting to take them to safety. The rest of them ran out with what little energy they had, but you had expended yours in opening the doors. You were becoming fatigued quickly, and were using Sam as a much-needed crutch to get you away from this awful place.

"Hey, Sam?" you grabbed his attention.

He looked at you in bewilderment. "I thought you said you didn't know who I was. Are you remembering?"