Sheilded (Steve x reader)

15.

After you'd finished your story, you sat in silence. Steve was holding your hand very tightly. "You could have died." Tony said eventually.

"I know." You mumbled.

"I could have lost you, the team could have lost the most powerful Avenger." He continued, you looked down at the floor. Steve said nothing. "You should have waited, planned with us. Like you said they were going to kill the Shadow anyway." You shook your head.

"If I'd have left it any longer, Wanda and Pietro would be dead. I'm fine and that's all that matters." You said going to leave, but Steve pulled you back down. He cupped your face in his hands.

"Y/N, you cant keep throwing yourself into danger, so many people love you and need you here." You jerked your head and hand away, you stood but couldnt bring yourself to move. Tears were leaking down your face.

"You just dont understand how horrible it is to be locked up like that, not knowing if this is going to be it. Most times hoping it is. The pain, the feeling of hopelessness. It kills all sanity people have left. Tony saved me, otherwise I'd be dead. I had to save them because....because I felt guilty for leaving and never thinking about the others there, still suffering when I have the ability to save them."

You said quietly. Tony's face softened, he opened his arms, and you fell into them. A sob escaped your lips as you started to cry properly. Tony rubbed your back in small circles. "Shush darling, its okay. It's done now. Your okay, everything's going to be okay." He soothed.

You pulled away wiping your tears away. "Thanks dad, I know I'm okay." You whispered. Nat stood up engulfing you in a hug. You smiled into her shoulder.

"I get shot, and I'm out of one mission and you run away to do crazy shit." She muttered.

"I need you to keep me in check." You replied, with a weak smirk. She laughed, pulling back to wipe the remaining tears from your face. Clint coughed.

"Not to break this shit up, but I think someone just died downstairs." You frowned before you heard the series of shouts, bangs and swearing coming from downstairs.

"I'll go." Tony said, recognising Peter's voice.

"I should see the twins." You muttered, Nat shook her head.

"I'll take care of them for now, why don't you and Steve have some time alone?" She offered, relenting at the thought of Steve, you agreed. Steve kissed your cheek and took your hand. He led you to his room where he asked Jarvis to play some music.

As you stood there swaying to the music you felt finally at peace. The guilt was fading as you knew you'd full filled your role, and the happiness of the family you had was settling in your heart. So when you muttered those three words to Steve it felt so natural. And it felt great when he said "I love you too."

~~~~

The room was dark, machines made loud beeps as you crept down the dark tunnel. Dust filled your lungs with every breath, you wanted to cough but didn't dare. Steve, where's Steve? What even was this? The memory on how you got here was lost to you, but your tried to focus. You'd fill in the gaps later,turning the corner you saw a large room. All long the walls, were the team. All strung up by their wrists to chains hanging in the ceiling.

For a moment you were completely caught off guard. The more you stared the more people you realised filled the room. Everyone you'd ever met and liked, even If it was just a little bit. A grunt snapped you from your horrified daze. Glancing to you left, you saw Steve. His head was bleeding, his eye swollen. His suit was ripped in many places, and his shield lay broken on the floor underneath him.

Stepping on the cold tiles, you noticed you were bare foot. Ignoring the occasional sharp pain as you stepped on some rubble you walked to Steve. He didnt open his eyes, but his mouth twitched again. "Stevie?" You muttered quietly. You reached out to touch his face but he was gone. Spinning round the whole room had gone too. For a moment you were suspended in completely nothingness.

When your senses came back, you were in the tower. Shouts came from the living room. You made your way there. You saw, to your surprise, yourself. A young child in your arms, he was crying, his face buried into your chest. Steve was shouting. "How could you expect me to stay!" He screamed. You felt your heart drop.

"Because of our son Steve!" Your voice was broken, and hoarse. Tony entered the room and led you away without a word. The scene changed again, this time you were sat by a pond. Tony's ark reactor was lying in a wreath of flowers. Glancing down at your lap you saw you were wearing a black dress. Looking behind you, you saw everyone in black. Realisation dawned on you, your hand flew to your mouth. A strangled cry left your body as you screamed his name.

You felt your body being shaken. How?

Your eyes shot open to see Steve looking at you woriedly. "Nightmare?" He asked softly. You nodded, debating whether to tell him or not. Your stomach clenched, running to the bathroom you threw up in the toilet. Steve followed you without a word, holding your hair back, as you wretched. "Are you feeling okay?" Steve asked kissing your head as you staggered to your feet.

You nodded breathlessly, but all you could think about was the dreams. And right now, the one with your son. Steve leaving you...

"Steve? I love you." You said with more force than you'd intended. He frowned but opened his arms to hug you.

"I love you too Y/N, are you sure your okay?" You nodded again against his chest.

"Never leave me." You breathed. He lifted your chin to look into your eyes.

"How could I?" You smiled weakly. "I promise." You nodded and hugged him again, but the feeling didnt go away, and it wouldn't not until you were sure. But the fear of knowing was too much, so you decided to leave it. To forget it. With a quick wipe of your mind the dreams were gone....