Stars and leather jackets

The New Normal

   "PLEASE! I'M SORRY, DON'T HURT ME!"

"Thalia WAKE UP! You're OK!" I bolted upright and started sobbing as I rocked back and forth on the bed. Steve was right beside me, holding me in his arms and pressing kisses to my forehead every so often.

"He was going to kill me." I whispered "Ross. He was asking me where you were and he kept dousing me in water. He was so angry."

"Shh, it's OK. He's not going to hurt you ever again. I promise." I nodded silently and buried my head in his chest as he rubbed my back softly. We stayed like that for a long time, neither one of us saying anything just being with each other for as long as we could. "Hey Thalia?" Steve asked suddenly "What did you mean when you said Ross wanted to know where I was?"

I paled and quietly muttered "He tortured me to find out where you and Bucky were going." Steve's eyes widened and he looked at me in shock.

"You told him, right? Please tell me you didn't let yourself be tortured just so they wouldn't find me!" I bit my lip and stared at my lap. "Why, Thalia?" Steve asked, his voice breaking "Why didn't you give me up?"

"Because I love you Steve" I cried, tears pouring down my face "I always loved you so yes, if I have a chance to protect you, even if it means risking my own life, you can bet your ass I'm going to do it!" Steve cut off my rant as he grabbed me and pulled me into a long and deep kiss. I will admit I did not see that one coming. He gently tangled his hands in my hair as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Promise me you'll never do something that stupid again." he breathed. I giggled softly and nodded as he pulled me onto his lap. "I love you Thalia."

"I love you too Steve."

"Hey sweetheart where's my sweatshirt?" I bit the inside of my cheek and looked down at Steve's sweatshirt that I was wearing.

"Are you planning on wearing it? 'Cause if so, then no I haven't seen it." Steve chuckled as he came into our room and saw me sitting on the bed with his huge sweatshirt covering me. I grinned up at him guiltily as he pulled the hood over my head. "Hey," I said suddenly "I forgot to tell you, T'challa wanted to talk to you about Bucky's medical history so they can figure out how to get the words out of his brain." Steve nodded and sat down next to me as he let out a heavy sigh. " What?" I asked in concern.

"It's just... Do you ever wonder how we got here? From regular kids to a supersoldier who was frozen for seventy years and his girlfriend who can control electricity and has a brother who can turn into a green giant." I smiled softly and rested my head against him.

"Welcome to the new normal."