And Then I Wrote Marvel

Pájaro (Part 2) (Sam Wilson x Reader)

You looked all around the cabinets for a hot chocolate packet for the Keurig machine on the counter. You'd always had a distaste for coffee, but that was all you could find. They were probably kept in a specific spot, and not being able to find them was definitely a tell that you didn't know what was going on.

You kept searching so frantically that you didn't notice Vision walk in the room. He watched you going through the drawers for a few seconds before he decided to speak up.

"Are you all right, (Y/N)?"

You jumped and hit your hand really hard on the edge of the granite counter. "Ow! My gosh, the counter is hard," you complained. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine! Just great! Why do you ask?" you inquired, cradling your hand. It felt like it had just been broken in half along a horizontal line. Stupid granite.

"You seem agitated. I assure you, we didn't move your hot chocolate. The packets are still in the cupboard above the microwave," he confirmed, although it felt like he was reminding you.

"Why do I keep them so high?" you wondered aloud. "I'm definitely not that tall."

"You ask yourself the same question every morning. I've concluded that you do it because you don't want anyone else getting into them if they're fine with coffee. Considering that you buy the special packets yourself, you keep them up high to discourage the others from stealing them. Is that accurate?"

You smiled somewhat nervously. "Yeah, that sounds about right." You stood on the tips of your toes to grab a hot chocolate packet, then set it down in the machine. What happened next felt so natural that you knew that you'd done it at least a hundred times before.

You grabbed your favorite mug from the lowest shelf in the cup cabinet, set it down on the machine, and pressed the right setting to make the drink just the way you liked it. Then came the miraculous part.

You remembered. You had so many memories of mornings spent fighting over the hot chocolate rights, the use of specific mugs, and who got to use the Keurig first. There were some days when someone would get up a little bit earlier than everyone else and make a special breakfast, preparing drinks specially and everything.

So this was how you were going to remember your life; it was going to come piece by piece by doing things you did every day, unlocking memories associated with the action.
--
Unbeknownst to you, the Avengers had planned a special welcome-home meal for you for the second night that you were back. You kind of ruined their surprise by walking in on a three very confused superheroes bent over a note card. You leaned over it too, reading the ingredients and directions for the recipe written on it before you read the name of the dish. They didn't notice.

The title sparked a small memory. It was your favorite dinner, something that your mom had taught you how to make. You didn't really need the recipe card, but the other Avengers wanted to know how to make it. They tried, but it never was quite the same as when you made it.

"You want some help there?" you asked Wanda, Tony, and Thor. It was an odd combination, but they were the ones who liked the dish the most.

"(Y/N), you're supposed to be resting," Thor boomed.

You flinched and brought your hands to your ears. "Would you mind talking a little quieter? Hydra enhanced my hearing a lot, so it's like everything's on full volume."

"I apologize. I should have noticed. You're much more quiet than you used to be," Thor noted.

"We're all just used to talking a little bit louder around you," Tony explained. "I'm sure we'll adjust quickly."

"To answer your question, though, yes, we could use your help with this," Wanda smiled. "It was supposed to be a surprise, but if you feel like helping, I will not turn you away."

About an hour later, everyone gathered at the dinner table. They sat in specific spots, and you wondered if they were assigned or if it was just a regularity. Just in case, you waited until everyone else was seated so that you could find your spot.

"Oh, (Y/N), this is perfect, as always," Tony complimented you.

Your cheeks heated slightly, and you replied, "Well, I had no shortage of help tonight. It would be dishonest to take all the credit."

"Funny thing," Natasha spoke up. "Before you were taken by Hydra, you would have gladly taken it, or at least in a joking manner."

You smiled and laughed nervously. "I guess I've changed a little bit. Near solitary confinement for two months can do that to you."

Natasha's playful nature turned deadly serious, her gaze turned to ice. "A little more than a little change. You don't seem to know your normal habits, don't go through any déjà vu when we try to recreate conversations, and overall have a shifty demeanor. Who are you?"

"I-I'm me, of course. Who else would I be?"

"A Hydra agent," she stated. "Now give me proof that you're really (Y/N)."

You stood up and tried to get as far away from this woman as you could. She anticipated that move, and pinned you against the wall.

"Nat," Sam tried to stand up for you, "I don't really think this--"

"Shut it, Bird-Brain. This has happened before, and I'm not anxious to repeat the experience. I don't think you are, either."

He lowered his head in both acceptance and grief. You looked at the both of them in shock. Hydra had taken you, then sent an imposter in your place? You were pretty sure that you were who Sam thought you were, but now you were beginning to doubt the memories that had begun to resurface. Were you just really another Hydra pawn?

"Who are you?" Natasha asked again.

"I-I--"

"Who are you?"

"I don't know!" you finally shrieked. Tears began to pour down your face as the redhead released you and you slipped down the wall. "I don't know," you repeated, sobbing.

"(Y/N), I'm sorry," she told you.

"No, I'm sorry," you rebutted.

"(Y/N), why would you be sorry?" Steve asked. "We're the ones who didn't believe that it was really you. We were the ones that took our own sweet time to find you."

"Because you did find me, and expected to have me back, just like before. I'm different, though. I don't know who I am anymore, and even though I have bits and pieces of what it was like, I don't really know anything."

"You really don't remember anything?" Tony questioned. You shook your head. "Guess who's reusing all the old jokes."

"Tony!" everyone else chastised him while you actually laughed.

"No, do that. It might make me remember something."

"Sure, but then we have to suffer through them again," Rhodey complained.

"Whatever happens, just know that we have your back. No matter how fast or slow this happens, we're here for you," Natasha said. She had gone from your worst nightmare to your best friend in a matter of seconds.

Sam sat down next to you against the wall and laced his fingers in between yours. "Don't think for a second that we would ever hurt you abandon you, okay?"

"Okay. Thanks, guys."