Part 2 to Fuelled by Hope! ENDGAME SPOILERS.
In which the reader waits by Steve’s bed, waiting for him to wake up.
A/N: thank you so much for the amazing support and comments. you’re all very sweet and made writing this even more of a pleasure!
Steve looked peaceful as he slept, his long eyelashes casting shadows on his cheeks, pink lips relaxed. It was refreshing to see him stress-free, as if he wasn’t carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. You prayed that when he woke up, he would finally get his happy ending. Perhaps with you.
You draw small circles on the palms of his hands, playing with his fingers to pass the time. It was around midnight, a couple of hours since you’d found him. Since you’d found Steve. You couldn’t quite get over the fact that he was here, with you.
Dr Pym, Scott and Hope had arrived a few hours ago. Dr Pym had evaluated Steve’s state, to conclude he had just passed out from the stress of the timescale. Luckily, the serum in his veins allowed him to withstand strains unbearable to normal men, and so he just needed to catch up with some sleep to recuperate.
“I’m gonna turn in,” Pepper yawns behind you, a tired smile on her face. She walks towards you, placing a hand on your shoulder. “The guest bedroom is all set up for you, whenever you’re ready.”
“Somehow I think this is going to be a long night,” you chuckle, placing one hand on top of Peppers.
“I’m so glad you found him,” she tells you, pausing, “don’t let him go.” You look up at her to see her eyes glazing over.
“No, don’t,” she half-smiles, “I know what you’re going to say.”
“But you need to hear it,” you softly whisper, “he’d be so proud of you. He loved you more than words can say.” She looks down at you, mimes a ‘thank you’, and leaves the room. She comes back around five minutes later holding a strong, hot cup of coffee. She places it on the side-table, patting your shoulder one more time before retiring to bed.
An hour or so passes, and still Steve hasn’t stirred. You feel your eyelids drooping every so often, fighting the exhaustion. “Y/N?”
You startle awake, standing and turning quickly to see Morgan sheepishly standing behind you. “I’m sorry!” She squeals.
“Don’t be silly Morgan!” You whisper, giggling a little. You sit down and prop her on your lap. “Now, why are you still awake little one?”
“I couldn’t sleep,” she yawns, gazing at Steve quizzically. “Is he dead?”
Her giggle is infectious, “why don’t you check his pulse?”
You push her onto the bed, and she places her fingers around Steve’s wrist, raising it up into the air. She waits for a few seconds, frowning. “I can’t find it,” she shrugs, letting his arm fall back onto the mattress. She falls back onto the bed, resting her head on one of the few empty pillows.
“Can you tell me a story? I can’t sleep without one,” she sighs, cuddling up to another pillow. You smile, heart swelling a little.
“Of course, what do you want it to be about? Witches or dragons or wizards?”
“Can you tell me a story about my daddy?” She asks, eyes wide and desperate. You look at her for a second before nodding.
“How about I tell you about the day I met your daddy?” You propose, and she nods excitedly, pulling the pillow closer to her chest.
“We were all called into the S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters to meet with Director Fury. There were about ten of us stood in a room no bigger than this one, waiting for Director Fury to speak. Eventually, he waltzed into the room and told us all about the Avengers initiative. Everyone there was chosen to be a part of it, a part of a group, a family. We had a sole aim to save the world and protect it from all evil. We were left to mingle with each other, when your daddy came and spoke to me.”
Morgan’s face lights up, a grin covering her features.
“He said, ‘I hear you run fast’, to which I eagerly nodded my head. I was completely star struck by your dad, I was probably his biggest fan!” You chuckle, “and he replied; ‘I know who’s going to do the coffee runs’.”
Morgan laughs at that, before covering her mouth when you remind her she’s supposed to be asleep.
“So every day, I would wake up at nine in the morning, run across town to the best coffee shop, and pick up a black coffee for your daddy. And every day at five past nine, it’d be sitting on his desk waiting for him. Eventually, I think he started feeling a bit guilty for encouraging me to run errands for him – not that I minded. So you know what he did?”
“He brought me my own Starbucks shop.” Morgan’s mouth drops, eyes widening in awe.
“So you can get me free muffins?” She asks, sitting up excitedly.
“Wow!” she pauses, trying to process the story you’d just told her, “do you have any other stories?”
You spend the next hour or so telling her of all the amazing things Tony Stark did for you, for the Avengers. An overwhelming feeling of gratitude washes over you as you remember just how much Mr Stark did for you all. It’s then replaced with a feeling of pride, Morgan was hearing new tales of her father and truly believing how spectacular he was from another point of view – and that was partially down to you. You were repaying your debts to Tony, in a beautifully nostalgic way.
Morgan’s eyelids begin to shut, and soon, she fast asleep. You decide you should put her to bed, before Pepper notices she’s gone. You take her in your arms and carry her to the next room, placing her in bed and tucking her under the duvet. Just as you’re about to leave, she stirs.
“Y/N? Will you be here tomorrow?” She asks, eyes barely open.
“Of course! We can climb trees, explore or go running if you want.”
“Yes please,” she looks at you, “I miss my daddy.”
“Oh Morgan, I miss him too,” you tell her, brushing the hair from her face. “But he’s still here with us all. We’re a family thanks to him.”
“Of course. The Avengers are my family and he is an Avenger. Since he’s you’re daddy, I guess you and I are kind of related.”
“I’m glad. I’m glad you’re my family,” she whispers before drifting off to sleep. You only allow yourself to cry when you know she’s dreaming, probably of Tony. You kiss her on the forehead as you leave, shutting the door behind you.
A deep breath is all you need to return to Cap’s room. You sit on the side of the bed, pulling the covers further up around his chest. “I love you,” you murmur, vision growing blurry. You look to the wall to see a hanging photo of the Avengers. It reminds you of all the fond memories you shared before the snap, before Thanos, before the stones. When Nat was still alive and well, kicking ass whilst still poking fun at Steve - much to his dismay. You’d often join in, which is one of the main reasons as to why you and she got along so well. That and you were her biggest fan.
You’re pulled out of your trance by a warm feeling around your hand. Steve rests his hand on top of yours, one eye peeking through his lashes at you. He smiles, the muscles in his face relaxing. “Hey stranger,” he croaks. You widen your eyes, laughing in shock.
“I have to get someone, I’ll be back!” You say.
“No, stay,” he mumbles. You touch his cheek lightly, the skin underneath your fingertips turns pink. “They can wait,” he adds.
He brings his free hand up to your cheek, his blue eyes looking into yours. His long fingers creep behind your neck, causing all hairs to stand to attention. He pulls you closer, so that you can feel his calm breath feathering your face. “I love you,” he murmurs, eyes flickering to your lips.
Within seconds he closes the distance between you both and his soft lips brush against yours. You pull back then, resting lightly against his chest. Another tear freely falls from your eye, but this time, Steve wipes it away with his thumb. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.
“It was never your fault, but thank you for coming back to us,” you tell him, eyes never leaving his. He chuckles a little, showing his pearly white teeth.
“I will always come home.” A few strands of blonde hair fall onto his forehead, and you push them back, kissing his forehead.
“I’ll let you sleep,” you tell him.
“Stay here tonight, please.”
You place one hand on his chest, lying on your side. Steve looks down at you, pressing his lips against the top of your head. “I never gave up on you,” you told him.
“I’m here to stay now Y/N, I promise you,” he says.
“So no more time travelling?”
“No more flying into ice, subsequently being forced cryogenic freeze for seventy odd years?”
His chest moves as he laughs. “I’ll try not to. Are you tired?”
“Not really,” you shrug, enjoying the feel of his body against yours.
“I know what to do to pass the time,” he whispers and you can practically visualise his smirk.
“How about you tell me about that Starbucks restaurant you own.”
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