Within the Ashes (17/??)
Summary: You’ve spent your life working for someone else. You watch their back, you protect them, but you’re left feeling empty and unfulfilled at the end of the day. What happens when a freak accident transports you to a different dimension, very nearly identical to your own?
A/N: We're back with a new chapter! I've had this part of the story planned since last year, so I'm really stoked to share it with everyone. I'll apologize now, but it does leave off on a cliffhanger. Hope you like it!
Page dividers by @carryonmyswansong
Pairing: StevexReader, background spideytorch
Word Count: 2.1k
Warnings: None
Part 16
“Wonderful news!” Tony announces the moment (Y/N) steps into the lab. “I have reason to believe we’re mere days away from having a functional prototype. We should be able to start tests by the end of the week.”
Surprised, (Y/N) says, “Really?”
“Yes, really.” Tony frowns. “You seem off. What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head. “It’s nothing.”
“Bull shit, what’s wrong?”
“You’ll think I’m being silly.”
“Never.” She scowls. “Do you not remember who you’re talking to?”
“Right.” (Y/N) sighs. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently, specifically about staying and whether or not I’ll go home. And I think… I don’t think I want to go back.”
Bruce works quietly a few feet away and Tony just stares at her, waiting for her to continue.
“Any thoughts on that?” she asks.
Tony shrugs and folds his arms. “Not particularly, no.”
“Tony-”
“It’s your life, (Y/N). I can’t tell you how to live it or where. I can, however, offer to help you in any way I can.”
“Really?”
“Of course. You’ve been here for the better part of a year now. You’re practically family at this point. Especially with all the baked goods you keep forcing on us.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Bruce interjects.
(Y/N) laughs. “Okay, I get your point.”
“Good. So what can I do to help you with your predicament?”
(Y/N) takes a deep, steadying breath. “How hard would it be to get me a social security number?”
Tony shrugs. “With our connections I doubt it’d be impossible, but it may take a little while.”
“Okay. I’m sure I’ll have to figure out what to do about my missing birth certificate at some point anyway.”
Tony waves her off. “We’ll take care of it.”
“You say that like it’s easy.”
“Most things are when you have the money to make it happen,”
(Y/N) shakes her head. “Spoken like someone with money.”
“I can’t change who I am, (Y/N).”
She smiles and rolls her eyes. “What can I do to help you though? You said you’re close to testing?”
“Are you sure you’re comfortable helping? I wouldn’t want to force you into anything, especially now that you’re planning to stay.”
“I can help. I want to help,” she insists. “Just don’t abandon me anywhere and we’ll be fine.”
“I think she’d appreciate it if we avoided blowing her up,” Bruce adds.
(Y/N) gestures to Bruce. “That too.”
Tony chuckles. “I think we can manage that.”
“Ah shit, is it really five already?”
“Mm…” Tony squints at the clock on his display. “Looks like it, yeah.”
“Well this was lovely,” (YN) says, “But I gotta go.”
“Oh? Hot date?”
She grins and shoves her stool back from the tabletop. “Something like that, yeah.”
“Hope he doesn’t keep you out too late.”
(Y/N) laughs. “Can’t stay out too late if we never leave the tower.”
Tony’s suggestive whistle follows her through the lab doors. She just rolls her eyes, smiles, and heads up to her room to get cleaned up.
By the time she’s done in the shower she has a text from Steve letting her know the food has arrived. She dresses quickly and hurries to the common area to meet him.
When she arrives she finds the couch piled high with soft blankets and squashy pillows. Steve is sitting on the ottoman scrolling through movies. Beside him is a tray with take out containers. (Y/N) quietly walks across the room and wraps her arms around Steve’s shoulders. He immediately leans back against her and gently kisses her wrist. (Y/N) presses a kiss to the top of his head.
“This looks wonderful,” she says.
Steve tips his head back to look at her. “You think so?”
“Mhm, I’m a big fan of being buried alive in blankets. But, even better than that, you’re here.”
Steve smiles. “That’s real sweet.”
“Isn’t it?” Steve laughs and (Y/N) allows him to drag her down onto his lap. “What’re we watching tonight?”
He shrugs. “I figured you could pick one and I could pick one.”
(Y/N)’s eyes light up. “Really? You’ll be okay with whatever I want?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like you’ll choose something bad.”
“Hey, you don’t know that. Maybe I’d pick the gore-iest thing you’ve ever seen in your life.”
Steve raises his eyebrows. You get nauseous just thinking about Human Centipede.“
(Y/N) gags. “Don’t even mention that movie. Reading the Wikipedia article was bad enough.”
“And that’s exactly why I’m not worried.”
(Y/N) sighs. “Yeah, okay… What’d you get me for dinner?”
“Fettuccine alfredo with chicken.”
“You’re so nice to me.”
“I know.”
(Y/N) laughs and Steve kisses her before picking her up and depositing her on the couch behind them. He covers her in blankets and hands her her food and a fork. He joins her soon after, handing her the remote as he settles in beside her. She flips through the movies while Steve repositions her legs over his lap and tugs the blankets over both of them.
She eventually settles on this dimension’s version of Pride and Prejudice that was released in 2005. Keira Knightley apparently looks the same across all dimensions, but the actor who played Darcy in her home dimension is, unfortunately, somewhat pinch-faced and looked like he’d smelled something terrible throughout his performance. The Darcy in this dimension, though, is tall and, mostly, regal. Maybe a little aloof. Overall, (Y/N) thinks he’s more handsome and that makes it easier to watch.
“Didn’t you just watch this last week?” Steve asks when she starts the movie.
“Maybe.” She opens her food and starts mixing the chicken chunks into the pasta. “I really like this movie.”
“I think you have a crush on Darcy.”
“Jealous?” Steve scowls at his spaghetti and (Y/N) frowns. “Steve, answer me.”
“A little, maybe?” He stabs a meatball. “I’m nothing like Mr. Darcy.”
She pauses the movie and reaches out to turn Steve’s face towards her. “Maybe that’s why I like you so much.”
“Are you sure?”
“He’s rude and unsociable and I know for a fact he’d make me convince him I’m worth his time. Why on Earth would I want someone like that? Especially when you’re the polar opposite of that. You’re warm and kind and generous with your time. I never have to worry that I’m annoying you. And sure, the actor is handsome, but you are so much more beautiful than him. There’s literally no comparison.”
“That’s really sweet.”
“And one hundred percent true.”
Steve sighs. “Well now I feel childish.”
“Why?”
“I was jealous of a man who doesn’t even exist.”
“I don’t think that’s childish. If you hadn’t talked to me about it, that would’ve been childish.”
“I still feel bad though.”
(Y/N) shrugs. “Even Captain America is allowed to get jealous sometimes.”
“You’re not upset?”
“No. Why would I be? There was an issue, we talked about it, everything’s fine now. Right?”
“I think so.”
“Then there’s nothing to be upset about.” She gently tugs on his shirt. “Gimme a kiss.”
Steve smiles, leans down, and gently kisses her.
“We should probably start the movie.”
“Probably. I think we should watch a different one though.”
Steve chuckles. “Okay, it’s up to you though.”
(Y/N) pulls up Spirited Away and settles against Steve. They eat and watch in relative silence, save for the occasional comment on how beautiful the animation is. (Y/N) sets her food to the side about halfway through the movie. Steve finishes his food soon after and wraps his arm around (Y/N)’s shoulders. She immediately relaxes against his chest and smiles when he kisses the top of her head.
When the movie ends they clean up their mess from dinner, They spread out fully on the couch before Steve gets to work choosing the second movie. (Y/N) settles heavily against his body and pulls the blanket up to her chin. Once Steve makes his movie choice he sets the remote to the side and gathers (Y/N) up in his arms. She melts against him as the opening credits for 101 Dalamatians roll. She’s never seen it and is immediately invested. She occasionally glances up at Steve to see how he’s reacting only to find he’s already looking at her. Each time he catches her he smiles softly, and each time (Y/N)s heart swells with affection. The final time he catches her she tips her head back, silently asking for a kiss. Steve happily obliges.
“That was insane,” (Y/N) says as the movie ends.
Steve chuckles. “Parts of it are a little out there.”
“A little?” Steve lays down on the couch and (Y/N) allows him to drag her down on top of his body. “Who the hell wants to make a coat out of dogs? Let alone badly enough to go hunting for them in the city?”
“Okay, maybe it is a little insane,” he admits. He gently runs his hands up and down (Y/N)s arms. “Did you like it though?”
“I did. Very much.”
“I’m glad.”
(Y/N) rests her full bodyweight on Steve, crosses her arms on his chest, and rests her chin on her arms. One of Steve’s hands comes to rest in the small of her back. He moves the other to stroke the backs of his fingers over her cheek. She sighs contentedly and leans into his touch. He gently pushes her hair off her forehead before tracing his thumb over her cheekbone.
“That feels nice,” she murmurs. “I’m glad we did this.”
“Me too,” Steve says. “I wish we could do it more often.”
“So do I.”
(Y/N) slides herself up Steve’s body just enough to be able to look him directly in the eye. Without missing a beat, Steve moves his hand to the back of her neck and pulls her down to kiss her. She hums and smiles against his lips as she sinks her hands into Steve’s hair. His arm wraps around her waist and (Y/N) parts her lips just enough to let the tips of their tongues meet. Steve groans and his grip on her tightens, only serving to spur her on.
Somehow Steve’s hand finds its way under the hem of (Y/N)s shirt and she shivers under the force of his hold on her. With each slide of his tongue against hers she just wants more. More of his touch. His kiss. His everything.
He pulls away and she tries to follow him only to be stopped in her tracks at the sight of his dreamy expression. She smiles and tries to catch her breath. Beneath her Steve is flushed and breathless. His eyes rove over her face as if memorizing every part of her.
He gently combs her hair away from her face again and says, “I love you.”
She sits up slightly and searches his expression for any sign he’s joking.
“You do?” Steve nods. “Really?”
He chuckles, the sound comes out slightly breathless. “Really.”
“Steve, I-”
A bright, blue light suddenly fills the room, dominating the glow of the T.V. (Y/N) has to shield her eyes when she attempts to look at it. She finds two familiar faces in the middle of the swirling light. Two of her oldest, closest friends. She sits back on her heels trying to make sense of what she’s seeing.
“Peter?”
Peter grins. “(Y/N)! You’re alive!”
“Of course I’m alive, why wouldn’t I be?”
“We thought you were incinerated when the transport blew up. We’ve been trying to find you for months.”
Dread settles in (Y/N)’s stomach and she reaches out for Steve. He immediately takes her hand. She catches Peter’s eyes tracking her movement. Sees the way his shoulders tense and Johnny’s brows pull together with concern. She doesn’t miss when Peter shifts slightly closer to the portal.
“What the hell are you doing?” she asks, an edge of warning in her voice.
“We want to bring you home,” Johnny says. “Where you belong.”
“Why do you get to decide where I belong?” Steve squeezes her hand. She looks down at him, heart beating at a frantic pace. “Steve-”
“Do it,” Johnny says.
Before (Y/N) can even blink, webbing wraps around her arm and midsection. Steve cries out in surprise and tries to grab hold of her, but it’s no use. Peter hauls back on his webbing, sending (Y/N) hurtling through the air toward the portal. Steve bolts off the couch, but (Y/N) is back in Baxter Tower in mere seconds. The portal closes before Steve clears the ottoman.
WELL I did warn you there'd be a cliffhanger. And I'm sorry about what happened at the end there. It will not resolve for a Hot Minute lmao. Everything to come will be incredibly dramatic, but I had fun writing it so I really hope you'll all enjoy what's to come.
But! As always, I'd love to know what y'all thought of this chapter. What movies would you choose if you had a date night in with Steve? Do you think he would've liked 101 Dalmations? How do you feel about Peter and Johnny not giving the reader character a chance to choose? How do you think Steve feels now that his girlfriend has been kidnapped? Be sure to reblog, comment, and/or shoot me an ask and tell me all about it!
Tag List:
@ghostlyhamlet, @claws-of-vibranium, @buckysendoftheline, @ptprocrastination, @1950schick, @amayasymone23, @arfrona-and-marvel, @ek823, @fanaticfangirl001, @furrywerewolfcollector, @kissofvenom, @dawn-phantomhive, @fangirlwithasweettooth, @mairhof1, @starryeyesbadguys, @trap-house-homiecide, @buckywhitewolfbarnes, @kaepm981, @howdoesoneadult, @pcdmesamidala, @thefandomplace, @sian22redux, @lady-thor-foster, @feelmyroarrrr, @jazzcutie, @gaytonystark, @darling-loki, @geeksareunique, @tofeartheunknown, @queenoftheunderdark, @avengerscompound, @patzammit, @otterlycanadian
This fic:
@brattymum96, @vicmc624
