A Lost Marriage|Romanogers AU

Together

Italics = language other than English(only when spoken)

Steve couldn't help the gasp that came from his throat, and he was sure there was similar surprise from the others in the group. His eyes locked onto her, and for a moment, he couldn't see anything else.

Her ankles were bound together  with ropes that were cutting into her skin, and her wrists were tied behind her back. She was gagged and Annika was dragging her out of the truck by the hair. Steve was too awestruck to speak.

Natasha grunted as the Annika shoved her to her knees and held her there in front of them. If Natasha was surprised to see them, she didn't show it. 

"What the hell are you doing?" Steve asked threateningly. Annika smirked.

"Will you give me what I want?"

Steve straightened up and raised his gun up at her. She smiled. It reminded him of the way that Natasha had smiled before she shot a Hydra officer several times to get information out of him.

Annika roughly grabbed a handful of Natasha's hair and pulled her head back. Steve winced at the sight, but Natasha had no visible reaction. Her neck was now completely exposed and Steve could see bruises all over it. She had been choked recently. 

"This is what I did to her three days ago. You want to see what I can do when I'm trying?" Steve didn't move, and Annika moved her hand to Natasha's neck, beginning to squeeze lightly. "What will it be, Captain? Your blood or her life?"

"You wouldn't," Bucky spat.

"I would. Drop your guns, or I will snap her neck." Nobody moved. She squeezed a little bit harder. "Testing me?" Steve saw how serious she was, and he slowly put down his gun. Natasha's eyes widened as she watched them drop their weapons one by one. 

She turned her gaze to Steve and there was a warning in her eyes. She wanted him to stop. 

"Please let go of her," Steve said assertively. Annika didn't move her hand. 

"I will do no such thing. Not until I have what I want." Steve glared at her. "Don't look at me like that. Do what I say and she'll be fine," Annika drawled. Natasha rolled her eyes, and Annika saw that from the corner of her eye. Without freeing Natasha's neck, she kicked her in the side. Hard. Natasha's face briefly crumpled in pain before Annika started to squeeze harder. 

"What the hell are you doing?" Bucky demanded before Steve could. Steve felt his heart jump when she bent down to look at Natasha from eye level.

"Do you have something to say?" She growled. "You should forget it, because you won't get to say anything ever again." Upon hearing those words, Steve picked up his gun from its place on the ground in front of him and pointed it at Annika. Barely another moment passed before the other two girls had their guns up pointing at him. 

"Drop it, Captain," Annika ordered, not turning back to look at him. "Or they will shoot." 

"Let go of her first," he demanded. "Or I will shoot." Annika seemed to realize that negotiations were going to take an ugly turn if she attempted to hurt Natasha any further, so she let go of Natasha's neck, leaving her to wheeze painfully. She kicked Natasha in the side once more and she lost her balance and fell on her side.

Steve had to stop himself from shooting Annika right there when he heard Natasha whimper slightly.

"Don't you dare touch her again," he growled. Annika scoffed and turned around, revealing the malice in her eyes.

 "She's used goods. Surely you should know that, Captain." 

"Don't. Touch. Her." He dropped his gun and stepped forward, inciting protests from his team behind him and a stern look from Natasha. "I'll give you my blood," he conceded, ignoring the pull on his arm from Bucky to stop. Annika smiled victoriously. "On a few conditions." Her smile dropped.