Marvel: Short stories

Let me help - Part 4 - Steve x Reader

(Y/n)'s eyes scrunched up. The light around her ridiculously bright. When she had gone to sleep, she had been in the arms of Zemo. His lips kissing her forehead, as he brushed his fingers through her hair. As he told her how he cared for her. How he wanted her to care for him. How he thought that together they could both have a real life. A life where they could move on from the pain and loss that they had both experienced. A life where they could have love. The surrounds having been that of her usually dark room. So, whatever was going on. Why the room was so bright. Why a light zephyr had just kissed her skin, she didn't know.  

Slowly the soldier opened her eyes. Taken aback by what met her orbs. A sight that she would never have imagined. For instead of being in her bed. Instead of her room. Instead of having the warm body of the ex-colonel next to her. She was outside. In the sunlight. The wind once again kissing her cheeks. The breath catching in her throat, as she looked around at the scene.

She had been here before. Seen this scene in her mind a thousand times. It was the last place she had been with her brother before his death. The last time she had felt happy. It wasn't that she blamed Steve for doing what he did. She knew how much her brother had loved Peggy. She was happy that he had been able to have the life and love that he deserved. Yet that didn't mean that she wasn't angry at him. That she didn't feel lost without him. That she wouldn't give anything to have him back. For even though she still had Sam. Still had Bucky. Neither of them was her blood. Neither of them would ever be Steve.

"Hi little bug." A calm, and oh so familiar voice came. The tears rolling down her cheeks at the sound of the nickname. A nickname that only Bucky and her brother would ever call her. Would ever dare call her. (Y/n) turning to see Steve sat on the bench that they had sat on that day. A soft smile coming to his lips, as he got to his feet, and made his way over to her. As he wrapped his arms around her. (Y/n) gripping onto her older sibling for dear life. Knowing that this must be some wonderful dream and hoping that she wouldn't wake up any time soon.

"I've missed you." (Y/n) said softly through her sobs. The tears not easing any, as she felt Steve kiss the top of her head. She knew that he was a ghost. A figment of her imagination. But she didn't care. For a short time, she had her brother back with her. And dream or not, she was going to make the most of it.

"I know. I've missed you too, bug." Steve replied, as he pulled her closer to him.

"I want to tell you so much Steve. To ask you so much. To tell you how angry I am that you left me. That I want to join you............"

"(Y/n), don't ever say that. Never say that. As much as I miss you, it's not your time. You have a long life to live. You are (Y/n) Rogers. The world still needs you. The world still needs real heroes. And you are one of them. Bucky and Sam still need you. Sam has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and needs all the support that you can give him. And no matter what Buck says, he still struggles. You are the only thing now that connects him to the past. That grounds him. And Zemo......well, Zemo needs you too." Steve told her. The captain brushing the tears from his sister's cheeks, as sh looked up at him. Steve smiling again, as he saw the blush come to her cheek.

"Zemo!? How do you.........I mean I can explain...........We, er........." (Y/n) spluttered out. Feeling completely embarrassed that her brother would know about what had happened between her and the Sokovian. That he might feel betrayed after what he had done to the team. The problems he had caused for Bucky.

"There is nothing to explain, bug. The heart wants what the heart wants. And despite what you might be trying to tell yourself, you'll soon find out that your heart wants Zemo, just as much as his wants you. Now, come sit down and talk to an old man." Steve told her. Taking his hand and leading her to the bench.

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(Y/n) couldn't help but smile, as Steve took her hand. The siblings had spoken for what seemed like hours. He had told her all the things that he hadn't been able to tell her about his life with Peggy, before he passed. He had told her how happy he had been. And that even though things had taken a turn, he had never stopped loving her. Never stopped being proud of her. (Y/n) in turn telling him about all that had happened since his death. About his shield. About the Captain America wannabes. About her anger and her feelings of loss. About Zemo. Steve doing his best to reassure her, that even though she couldn't be with her in body. He would always be with her in spirit. That she should let down some of the walls that she had built up around her. That she should let Zemo in. That she might be surprised what her life could be, if she could just forgive him a little.

"I have to go now, bug." Steve finally said. (Y/n) fighting back the tears that threatened to fall again. Hating the idea that she would have to let Steve go.

"But don't forget. I'll always be with you." Steve continued. The old man groaning a little, as he got to his feet. The old soldier offering his sibling his hand.

"Tell Tony and Nat that I miss them too, will ya? That I love them both" (Y/n) said, as she too got to her feet. The younger Rogers unable to stop herself from chuckling, as her brother gave her a salute, accompanied by a "Yes Ma'am."

"Time to go back, bug." Steve added. His voice and image slowly fading away.

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(Y/n) groaned softly, as she moved in the bed. Her eyes slowly opening to be met by the usual darkness of her room. She couldn't help but feel sad that her dream had had to end so soon. That her time with Steve had had to end so soon. But at least she had had it. The vision allowing her a chance to tell her brother all the things that she hadn't or couldn't tell him in life. Her heart, her soul feeling a little lighter. Now feeling that there could be more to life than just death. That Zemo could actually help her if she just let him in. (Y/n) looking over to the side of the bed that he had occupied the night before. Her eyes growing wide as she saw he wasn't there. As she heard Bucky shout out from one of the other rooms.

"I'm gonna kill ya. Ya son of a bitch!"