There's Someone I'm Waiting For (Steve Rogers x Reader)

Chapter 9 - Welcome Distractions

|   Deep breaths, you got this.   |

The team did a great job not letting you sit and get anxious.

Just over three hours, that's how long it took before Bruce came to the lounge with news.

"Reed and Dr. Jensen are getting him ready for recovery. He's out right now. All indications are that we removed everything related to the implant." Bruce looked at you, "It's going to be at least a few hours until you can see him." You were about to get up and hug Bruce but he was already on his way out. "Thank you," you called out to him.

"We need pizza," Natasha said.

"Easy," Tony responded. "Friday, you know what to do."

"Yes, Mr. Stark," Friday answered.

You felt relief but not the relief you would feel seeing Steve in person again... knowing he was safe and his memory was back.

***

Just after 1 am, you woke up, sore from sleeping with your head back on the couch. You looked around and everyone was asleep sitting on couches. It touched your heart that they were willing to sleep in the lounge just to wait with you.

You walked down the hall towards the sick bay, your feet making soft clicks on the hard floor. It was dark outside and the hallway seemed sterile and uncomforting at this hour. You sat down on a hard chair across from the door. If Steve woke up, you wanted to be right there.

During the rest of the night, the others trailed out to join you, one by one. Finally, around 5 am, Bruce opened the door. "He's asking for you, (Y/N)," he said, looking at you. Bruce stepped out into the hallway and let you go in alone.

The curtain was pulled around Steve's bed and you walked around it slowly.

"Hey," he smiled, looking tired. His head was wrapped in bandages. "There's my girl."

"Good morning," you smiled back, leaning in to hug him. "How's the patient?" You sat on the bed gently and faced him.

"The patient is trying to remember things this morning. Bruce said it might come back slowly."

"How's it going so far?" you asked.

"I remember that that's my favorite shirt of yours," he said, pointing to your top. "I remember that you sing in the shower, that you take forever getting ready for bed," he laughed, "...that the first time I saw you, I thought you were so cute, I didn't know how I was going to talk to you..."

You watched his face as he spoke. He seemed sure of all those details.

"I remember seeing your face look so sad the past couple of weeks, even though you tried so hard... you didn't falter, you didn't walk away from me." He held your hand. His stomach growled and he didn't skip a beat. "I remember how hungry I am..."

"I'll ask Bruce if you can eat," you said, walking to the door.

"Bruce, the Star Spangled Man is famished..." you said, staring him down.

"He can eat now," Bruce smiled.

Natasha jumped up and called into the room, "Steve, how about chocolate chip pancakes?"

"Oh hell yes," he laughed. "Thanks, Nat!"

You smiled realizing he knew it was Nat without having seen her. Things were looking up.

"Okay, chocolate chip pancakes for everyone!" she yelled. Natasha looked at you, "Stay... we'll bring you two breakfast."

The team walked away except Bruce, who came in to free Steve from his wires. "You can get up and get cleaned up but take it slow. And don't mess with the bandage at all. Don't get it wet." Bruce then looked at you, "You stick close by him."

Steve threw the blankets away from him and inched to the edge of the bed. You waited in front of him to see if he needed help. He stood slowly and took a step towards you. He wrapped his arms around you and held you tight, "Oh, that's so nice. I needed this." You slipped your arms around his waist and held on tight.

When he finally let go, you walked him to the bathroom. "I'll be right outside if you need something, just yell."

"Wait..." he said, leaning on the doorframe, "just stay." He couldn't understand why you wouldn't. You were glad to know that in his mind, things were going back to normal.

He brushed his teeth and then started taking off his hospital gown. You'd forgotten there would be nothing under there. He started the water in the shower and then turned around to see you weren't looking at him.

"Being shy today?" he asked sweetly.

"No..." you said, not looking at him. "Well... maybe."

"Baby, what's wrong?" he asked.

He hadn't spoken like that to you in so long and it caught your attention, you looked right at him. "For weeks, I had to keep a wall up between us... and..."

"I understand," he said, reaching out for you. A big smile came over his face, "But I'm about to make this so unsexy for you." He reached for a shower cap to cover his head dressing. You both started to laugh and it broke the ice for you.

"Get a shower, you goofball," you laughed. "You don't want to miss your pancakes." You leaned against the sink and watched him step in the shower. Things were starting to feel more normal. "Do you mind if I use your toothbrush?"

He peeked out of the shower curtain. "Go right ahead." He went back to showering. He called over the curtain, "Is that door closed?"

"Yeah, it is now," you said, shutting the door with your foot, toothbrush and tooth paste still in hand.

"You done brushing yet?" he asked.

"Give me a minute!" you laughed.

"Sorry! - Forgot how long that takes you," he chuckled and then got quiet. "I was just wondering if you were going to join me..."

You stopped dead in your tracks. "You're going to get me in trouble with Bruce! And you wouldn't like him when he's angry!"

"Are you sure?" He sounded like a little kid asking for more ice cream.

"... No. I'm not sure." You went back to brushing your teeth and you heard him laugh to himself. He got quiet. You knew his mind was working on this problem.

"You okay in there?" you called out. "Don't push it too much."

He didn't make any sound.

"Steve?" you moved closer to the shower.

"Yeah?" he finally said.

"What's going on?" you asked.

"Maybe the shower's not that great an idea... I'm not as energetic as I thought I was," he said in a low voice.

"Are you alright? - Do you need help?" you asked.

"Getting out... hang on," he turned the water off and you picked up a towel to hand to him as he pulled the curtain back. His face looked a little pale and you reached your arms out to grab him if he needed it. But he just stepped out carefully. He dried off and you leaned back against the sink again.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said, looking up at you from drying his legs.

"No... it's okay. We need to get back to normal," you said.

"Well, I thought about it and maybe a quickie in the shower is not the most romantic way to start back up." He gave you a gentle smile and kissed your cheek after wrapping his towel around his waist. "But really, it's just that I want to be near you... and I am having trouble keeping my hands to myself."

"When are you busting out of this place?" you said with a smirk, raising an eyebrow.

"Woah-ho-ho," he laughed, raising his own eyebrows. "Are you hitting on me now?"

"Captain, would I do that?" you asked innocently.

"You would," he smiled. " I do remember that much." He looked at you again. "I hope I'm getting out of here soon and, if nothing else, I would love to just lay down next to you and hold you."