What if...? || 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴

⤷ 2 ...you were found dead? {S.R.}

Steve is walking around the Avengers Compound. He was supposed to join the others at the party tonight, but he didn't feel like partying. He's worried about you because you've been acting strange for the last few days. Distant, in some ways, but also clingy, like you didn't want to be left alone. He was sure you were scared about something but every time he tried talking to you about it, you just laughed and changed the subject.

But the nervous flicker in your eyes never left. You always fiddled around with something and would jump when someone tried to talk to you.

Now Steve had decided to go running, to clear his head and decide on what to do next. The air is cool and helps him calm down a little bit. His breathing is steady, even though he's been running for the last half an hour at his highest speed.

Looking at the forest, he decides to take a bigger lap than usual and starts running towards it. It's completely dark out there, between the trees, and he can hardly see his hand when he holds it in front of his eyes. The noise of the party slowly fades away as the distance between him and the compound grows bigger.

The silence is ear-piercing, and he suddenly realizes how much he missed it. Not having to listen to Stark's comments and to all the beeping of the machines always surrounding them. But with you, he had felt safe. His worries would disappear when he spent time with you, and he would finally be able to relax.

Rustling interrupts his thoughts and he lifts his gaze. A dark shape is moving something around, but he can't see what it is. The other shape is lighter and looks... like a person. His eyes widen in shock.

"HEY," he calls out. The shape freezes and Steve starts running towards it. Then whoever it is turns around and flees, faster than anyone Steve has ever seen running. He thinks of following them but decides to check on the other shape, lying next to his feet.

He kneels and turns it. It's a person with bright clothes but he can't see the face. Frowning, he puts his hand in front of their mouth. The breathing is slow and hard and it feels like it's slowing down. Quickly, he decides to bring them to the compound, into the medical

After a few minutes, he reaches the light of the compound and can finally look at the face of the person.

His steps slow down and his breath staggers in his chest. No. No, no, no, no. This can't be.

It's your face, dried blood sticking your hair to your forehead. The flesh around your left eye is swollen and is slowly coloured dark blue. Blood dripples out of your mouth and on his shirt, but he doesn't care. All he can think about is getting you into the compound and to the medical station there.

But as he checks your pulse while running, his breath hitches and tears fill his eyes.

"Don't do this to me," he whispers. "Please, you need to stay. Please."

There's no pulse. Your body slowly grows colder and the breath he felt is gone. No, this can't be. This can't be. Not you!

He opens the door as fast as he can, not minding the loud crash it makes. Stark walks up to him and looks at him with a drunk smile.

"Cap! Wonderful, so you decided to accompany us?" He doesn't realize something's wrong. He doesn't see the tears Steve tries to suppress, doesn't notice the slack body in his arms. He only raises a glass to his lips and takes another sip of whatever alcohol he's drinking.

"Let me through," Steve mutters and tries to push him aside. With your body in his arms, this seems impossible, and he feels like he's going to punch Stark in the face.

"Who's that?" Tony asks, finally looking at your body. His vision is blurry but he slowly sees the blood and the

"It's them. I found them, in the woods. They're... badly injured and need medical attention."

Stark's face goes pale, and he immediately grabs his phone to call the medics. They arrive less than two minutes later, heaving you on a stretcher and carrying you away. Tony stops the party and sends all the guests away, including the other Avengers. They can't use anyone right now and Steve can't concentrate on anything anyway.

His expression is emotionless, but Stark can see the worries in his eyes.

"They'll make it," he says, suddenly not drunk at all anymore. "I'm sure. They're strong."

"But how did anyone..." Steve's voice breaks and he sniffs. "How could anyone do this to them? So close to the compound?"

He should've asked more often. He should've found out what was wrong. Because now he doesn't think it was a coincidence anymore. You had been afraid and he hadn't done anything.

An hour later a nurse comes in, her eyes turned to the floor. "I'm sorry," she whispers. "It was too late."

With this, Steve falls on his knees, breaking down in the entrance hall of the Avengers compound. 

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