I CAN DO THIS ALL DAY 🎀 21+

"I don't know yet, but I'm sure it'll be exactly what's needed," you shrugged your shoulders while taking a step towards him, wishing to close the distance between you. It was a distance that hadn't existed until now, and it made you sick to your stomach it existed at all.

You stopped the instant his body grew more rigid than it already was. A look passed over his features that you wished you could read. Before these past few weeks, you would've been able to, but that day had been just the thing to disconnect the two of you. If what you had planned helped at all, you would take whatever risk you needed. Sure, your plans weren't on the level of some life-saving mission, but you hoped it would be enough to get your marriage back on track.

Your hands came up in a non-threatening gesture, hoping to soothe that rigidity in him. "We haven't been exactly in-sync with one another. It occurred to me that we need some time alone to reset, you know? Pepper's already signed off on a generous vacation, and I'm hopeful this will help with moving past what happened."

"If this is what you need, sweetheart."

"What we need, my love," you countered, allowing yourself a small smile. You couldn't help it as you took in the way his eyes widened before he schooled himself again. "Now, I could really use your help. Can you bring those cases into the bedroom? I already have a few piles ready to pack. You'll need to catch up."

"Catch up?" He shook his head, his composure slipping once again. An almost stern expression slipped over his face, but you knew him well enough that he was trying to work out whatever puzzle he'd just been handed. His head shook once more a moment later. "Sweetheart, you've lost me."

"You and me," you motioned with your finger between you two, "are going away for a few weeks."

His brows drew tighter together, creating crinkles that you used to smooth out with your thumb.

It beckoned you as it always did, but you stayed where you were. You didn't exactly want a repeat of his earlier rigidness when you attempted to erase the space between you. A space that hadn't existed since the early days of you two getting together. A space you couldn't help hoping this vacation would help ease in ways that time had only managed to increase these past weeks.

"I thought…"

His voice trailed off, unable to continue with whatever he'd been about to say, but you had to know. "You thought what?"

His throat bobbed again, and his gaze dropped to the floor near his feet. His words came out thick, raspy, and stammered, "I thought you were leaving me."

Even as you suspected those were the words he would speak, they still slammed into you.

You swallowed back the soft cry that came with the pain of those words spoken aloud.

Nothing stopped you then from closing the distance between you. Wrapping your arms around his neck, you tugged him close until you felt his arms wrap around you, pulling you equally close. Not an inch of space remained between you as you settled in his arms, anchored by your legs hooked around his hips. Your fingers wove their way into his hair until you could grip and tug his locks. You did so until his gaze met yours.

"Steven Rogers, you really think I'm some meek little mouse? That I married you without knowing the risks I'd be taking by being yours and you mine? That I haven't had Nat and Bucky training me since the day we officially announced we were dating? Or doubling my training when their schedules allowed after we got engaged?"

"No, but—"

You cut off whatever protest he might've given with a kiss, quick but firm against his lips. While you'd never consider the kiss one meant to lead toward a night of passion, it worked as if it had been. He reciprocated after a fraction of a second, his mind quickly recognizing and following your lead. Even when you pulled away, he tried to follow you, having missed this simple intimacy as you had.

A smile threatened to tug your lips upward, but you fought the urge.

With Steve now so receptive, you took this moment to finally have the talk you two had been circling without actually confronting. This was so unlike the two of you, and that was the hardest truth you'd had to confront earlier that day when it'd smacked you.

"My love, my darling husband, please do me the greatest favor and stop taking advice from Tony. He may have slept with more women than there are in Manhattan, but he knows very little about them. All you need to do is ask Pepper and she'd tell you the same."

When his brows drew together this time, you didn't hesitate in smoothing the crinkles that appeared as he asked, "How did you…"

"FRIDAY patched me into the lab earlier. I was hoping to have lunch with you since I missed you, missed us." You met his widening eyes with an arched brow. "Imagine my surprise hearing you two discussing how I wasn't acting as Tony was all too certain I would be after being kidnapped. To hear him say how much Pepper clung to him, which she was so thrilled to hear herself when I sent the recording not long after I asked FRIDAY to cut the connection."

Pink stained Steve's cheeks, a rarity anymore but gave him away without saying.

"Is his bad advice why you've been hovering so much these past weeks?" you asked in a voice barely above a whisper. You didn't need to be louder for his enhanced hearing to pick up your words. At his nod, you sighed, "Oh, my love."

His grip on you tightened. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

You knew his apology went far beyond the hovering or the lack of communication. It encompassed all you two had dealt with the past few weeks, the kidnapping, the loneliness, and everything between. Just as you would with him, he wanted to make all your fear, hurt, and pain go away. He wanted to make it his and his alone to bear.

With a shake of your head, you pressed another kiss to his lips, softer this time.

This one lasted far less time than the first, but it was no less potent as you two continued to rediscover the smaller parts of yourselves that you'd lost but missed dearly.

"You nearly got yourself blown up to save me. Completely unnecessary from what Bucky's told me since then," you started, frowning at your husband. It was the only way to show him your disapproval that he'd listen to from your experience. Only when his face shifted into something resembling an apology did you continue, "I thought you needed me to be okay. It's what an Avengers' significant other does. I even convinced myself that I was okay."

Steve whispered your name when you paused to take a breath.

You shook your head. Your fingers weaved through his hair, taking comfort in the way it shifted and curled around them.

"It didn't even hit me how miserable I've been until I overheard your little convo with Tony. I didn't realize that by trying to prove I was okay, I've been putting you at arm's length. I've been hurting you, haven't I?"

The stricken expression that shifted over his previous one was answer enough.

"I'm so, so sorry, my love," you said, your voice breaking as several shameful emotions washed over you. You'd been just as blind to what you'd been doing as he'd been. It hurt to realize that you had, but at least, you knew you could do better going forward. You would do better.

Your head dropped to his shoulder as several shudders passed through you.

Though, you couldn't be fully sure they all belonged to you as Steve mimicked your actions. His body finally released the same tension he'd been holding as long as you had. Warm tears trailed down your shoulder to your collar just as warm tears trailed down your cheeks.

You both remained like that for several minutes. It was as if time slowed just for the two of you. It gave you those precious minutes to just be with one another again, to reconnect what you thought lost. What you had lost and almost lost.

A rumbling stomach pulled you apart with soft huffs of laughter.

"I might've skipped lunch," you admitted softly. "I just wanted to get everything set in motion, and I did. All that's left is packing what we're taking with us once you decide where we're going."

Expecting a reprimand for being neglectful of your health, you weren't prepared for the gentle shake of Steve's head or the sweet smile that graced his features. You definitely didn't expect the teasing glint that came into his eyes as he tilted his head to study you.

"Are you the reason Bucky and Sam cornered me before I left? They both declared they were under strict orders to bench me. Then told me that they'd be handling all my missions for the next few weeks. They even went so far as to lock me out of my office."

You gasped. "They didn't?"

"They did," his smile grew, "and I'll show them my gratitude later."

He took his first step into your home, causing you to squeak and grab onto him tighter. His rich laugh echoed off the walls in genuine pleasure at hearing you. His grip never faltered but rather tightened, keeping you safe. His giant steps brought you to the kitchen where he soon set you on the counter, patting your thigh.

"Now, sweetheart, let me whip something up for you while you tell me this grand scheme you've devised for us."

Over the next thirty or so minutes, you watched him whip up a grilled chicken salad with a few extras. Your eyes never left him, enjoying the view as he easily maneuvered around the kitchen with such ease. The sight was one you never wanted to take for granted as you recalled his earliest efforts and the progress he'd made since then. Plus, you just loved looking at him with the apron he insisted on wearing. How one man could look both so cute and so sexy at the same time was beyond you.

While he worked, you kept up your end of the bargain, outlining your plans for you two over the next few weeks. You didn't leave out one step in either itinerary you created that held activities you both enjoyed. It was truly an effort of love to create something to reconnect you both. You even made sure to leave some alone time should either of you desire it.

"So, mountains or beach?" you finally asked as he handed you your bowl and a fork.

He took a bite of his food, chewing while he carefully considered the two options you presented.

"Well, sweetheart, it seems to me you've already decided."

You frowned at him. "I haven't."

"Didn't you say something about me needing to catch up on packing earlier? If you've already started, then you must have a destination in mind that you'd prefer. So…"

Your smile returned with a hint of mischief. Leaning into him, you caught the way his smugness shifted into a bit of neediness. Staring a little too long at his lips tended to do that as you well knew. You used it to your advantage, too.

When he leaned in, you moved so your lips caught his cheek instead, earning a muffled groan.

It also gave you the perfect angle to whisper into his ear, "Well, I may have done a little shopping before coming home earlier. I thought some new lingerie that went well with either destination was called for."

"Do I get to see this lingerie before we head out?"

You shook your head. "Nope. Gotta wait until we get there, but first, stud, you gotta decide."

"They both sound so good, sweetheart." He took your empty bowl from you and set it in the sink. His hand, now free, reached into his pocket, fetching something you couldn't quite make out. At least, until he held it up for you to see. "Heads Carolina, Tails California?"

You nodded, your smiling growing until your cheeks hurt.

Whatever side the coin landed, you couldn't wait to see what this next adventure would bring for you two. You just knew that you'd do it together like you were meant to, and that's all that mattered.

The TV played some show that you'd gotten into recently, replaying one of the older episodes. The volume turned down low so it wouldn't bother your rest. Knowing you as he did, you probably had it up while you fought to stay awake, leaving Bucky to lower it once you were completely out.

Leaning against the wide opening from the hallway, Steve crossed his arms and just enjoyed the scene before him. If he had his sketchpad, he might've taken up residence in the nearby chair and sketched until he had both of you permanently down on paper, a memory no one could take from any of you. But, he didn't so he settled for mentally drawing this moment to revisit later.

"You gonna keep staring at us, or you actually gonna say something, punk?"

"Admiring the view." Steve pushed off the wall and crept closer, taking care not to disturb your slumber. "How long has she been out?"

Bucky closed his book though his attention focused solely on you for a moment. The arm holding you drew soothing patterns on your back as he mumbled, "About an hour or so. Found her trying to fall asleep at her desk in the office."

Sinking into a squat, Steve dropped a quick kiss on Bucky's forehead before turning his full attention on you. He could make out your red, slightly swollen nose as well as the puffiness that lingered around your eyes. The softest snores left you, telling him that your allergies had truly gotten the best of you.

"Her meds not working?"

Bucky shook his head. "I don't think she's been keeping up with them like she should. Her bottle's almost full, and it's almost a month old."

Steve's brows drew together. It wasn't a secret that your allergies could get bad, and you were usually on top of taking your medication to keep them from overwhelming you. Plus, you knew they worried about you whenever you weren't feeling up to your usual self.

"She took some before I made her lay down with me." Bucky's voice broke through Steve's thoughts. His own worry peeked through despite usually being the more level-headed of the group when it came to these matters. "Maybe it wouldn't be the worst to take her in and see if there's something a bit stronger out there. Nothing over the counter seems to help her anymore."

"I'll call Dr. Cho." Steve pushed to his feet, pulling his phone from his back pocket. "If she can't help, then she'll know who we can talk to."

"Tell her our girl didn't sleep well last night either. She tossed and turned pretty good. I'm that didn't help."

"Or you two can stop worrying and just let me sleep for a little longer," you groused, having been roused by your bladder to hear your boyfriends fretting. "It's the wind. Once it stops blasting away and blowing pollen around, I'll be back to normal."

"Sweetheart," Steve started.

Having had this conversation before, you lifted your head until your gaze could meet his. A steely determination stole over your features that had Steve stopping in his tracks.

"I'm going to be fine," your tone softened as you moved to capture Bucky's eye as well, "I promise."

"One week," Steve vowed.

You nodded, knowing he meant it. One week to get better, or they'd be taking you to the doctor. The last thing they wanted was to lose you when they'd worked so hard to rebuild their lives after having their old ones ripped away from them.

"Now, that's settled," you pushed up from your position against Bucky, "I'm going to the bathroom. Then, we're going to discuss dinner. I'm too gross to be touching food, so I'll let you two roshambo to see who's got kitchen duty tonight."

The bedroom door had barely closed behind you when Bucky turned towards Steve. His expression morphed into one of the softest looks he kept solely for his two loves. "Don't worry about it. It's my turn to cook anyway. Besides, you look like you could use some of her cuddles."

"You sure?" Steve couldn't help asking.

While the day hadn't been bad per se, it hadn't been a great one, either. So many reports had been perched on his desk first thing. All needed his immediate approval before missions could move forward. Sure, that was typically either Fury's or Hill's job, but they'd both gone on some mysterious vacation, leaving him to handle it.

Then, there'd been a small crisis or two where Tony's latest invention had gone a bit awry. It wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't set Banner off, transforming him into the Hulk. A quick call in to Nat had helped, but it'd taken some time for Hulk to fully retreat and allow Banner the chance to return.

To say Steve was a bit wired would be an understatement.

Bucky tapped his shoulder, pulling Steve from his thoughts. "Yeah, I'm sure. Let her help you."

As if summoned, you stepped out of the bedroom. Your appearance looked a bit more put-together than it had when Steve first arrived home. Hair dampened and your face scrubbed. While your eyes still retained a bit of puffiness, they remained bright and alert as you closed the distance between you and Steve.

A cheeky smile flitted over your features as you asked, "Bucky lose, or did you pull rank on him?"

"He offered actually," Steve huffed, shooting you his best glare.

It had little effect as usual, but that didn't mean he didn't try now and then.

Your fingers slid between his and gently tugged him closer.

He went willingly.

His free hand dropped to your waist when you rose on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his jaw. Your gaze roved over his features. A soft frown formed as you murmured, "You're looking a little piqued yourself. Off day?"

"Something like that, sweetheart."

A soft noise escaped you. Your hand tightened around his as you tugged him toward the couch.

"Koala or weighted blanket?"

Steve's entire being sagged at the way you so easily read him. He honestly had no clue what he'd do without you and Bucky in his life, and he really didn't want to find out.

Bending slightly, he pulled his hand out of yours so he could grip you around the waist and lift. Your arms and legs wrapped around him without hesitation, allowing him to do what he wanted most. He dropped onto the couch, his legs stretching out on the floor. His arms snuck around you to hold you as close as he possibly get you while his head sank to your shoulder.

Your fingers inched their way up his neck until they scraped against and through his hair. Soft kisses pressed into his shoulder and neck where you could reach within the cocoon of his arms.

"I'm sorry," you whispered at some point, breaking the silence that had settled between you. "I'll do better about taking my allergy meds. It's just been a crazy week, and I hadn't meant to forget. It honestly didn't hit me that I had until the winds kicked up a few days ago. Please, don't worry about me."

Steve tightened his hold. "Always gonna worry about you, sweetheart. That's what you do when it's the people you love."

"Okay, that's a fair point, but I'm still going to do better. I don't want you to worry unnecessarily." You pulled back enough to meet his gaze. In the same cheeky tone as earlier, you added, "How's that?"

"Better," he murmured, shaking his head and huffing with pure affection.

You must've been satisfied because your cheekiness turned impish. "You are quite tense, Captain, and Bucky missed his workout because of me. It seems only fair after dinner that we have a special training session. Get all these kinks worked out and make sure you both stay in top physical form. What do you say?"

As if to further your suggestion, you wiggled in his lap until Steve moved his hands to grip your hips. A groan slipped past his lips when you managed to wriggle once more before he could fully keep you still.

Stealing a quick but searing kiss, Steve's grin grew. "I'd say I hope you've kept up your stretching routine, sweetheart, because it's going to be a long training session tonight. May even last until the early morning before I'm fully relaxed."

"Oh, my poor Captain," you crooned sweetly, pressing a kiss to his lips. "We won't stop until you and Bucky are fully satisfied."

"And what about you, sweetheart?"

"Oh, don't worry about me," you pressed another quick kiss to his lips before trailing down his jaw towards his neck, "I know I'll be properly taken care of in more ways than one tonight. My two super soldiers never let me down."

"Damn right, we don't," Bucky said from the doorway. "Dinner's ready. Better eat up fast because that special training starts in an hour."

Steve let you scoot out of his lap after claiming one last kiss, patting your butt as you moved towards the kitchen.

You tossed Bucky a salute, saying, "Yes, sir, Sergeant."

Steve's heart had never felt so full as he watched Bucky sweep you up, your giggles spilling out as you traded kisses with him before he sat you like the precious being you were in your spot. All three places had been set while he'd held you with the small candelabra his mother had left him burned brightly with the new candles you'd chosen a few weeks ago.

Home.

He was home.

Fuck

Alpha Steve. It's inevitable - both because you can't take control of your body's reactions to the beastly man and because he decided he wants you whimpering on his cock. Whether your will loses the battle with the pulsing of your cunt and you crawl to him begging for ruin; or he forces your body into full compliance, that fucking will be forever branded on your pussy. And ass. And mouth.

Marry

Mafia Steve. Not that you had a choice. Especially not after your escape attempt, when he easily intercepted you and stretched your virgin pussy on his cock, proving to you that it belonged to him all along. You can wear black to the wedding for all he cares, because you'll be full of his white, thick cum anyway as you walk down the aisle to him. That's only a drop of all the ways he's going to spoil you with, so why fight him when you can have all the protection, care, luxuries, and holes dripping with cum.

K...neel for

Amongst the few people Curtis trusts, Gilliam is the only one who has anything akin to court experience.

"I would recommend you marry one of the nobles," he suggests. "The people will see it as you showing an interest in the kingdom itself and the nobles will appreciate some level of status quo. A usurper king who marries a foreign bride is seen as not interested in his own people."

"A bride..." Curtis grumbles.

A mate, the beast thinks.

"We can have each duchy bring their tribute, swear their oaths of fealty. If they're smart, they'll send their daughters to help present those gifts. I'll choose from them."

"Good plan, Your Majesty," Tanya teases. "And I can get you more information on the ladies the day before; who's polite, who can kiss my ass. That sort of thing."

"Good thinking," Curtis nods, hiding how his inner beast is practically frothing at the idea of a mate.

"You're not going!" Father orders. "The new king is rumored to be a beast, a monster! How can I send my daughter, my only child, into his claws?"

"I have to go, Father," you argue, trying to keep your voice level. "You need to stay because Duke Snyder is trying to push you out. If you go to the palace, he'll seize the opportunity. We don't know anything about this new king so we can't trust he'll support you should Snyder make a move "

Father's shoulders slacken in defeat.

"I wish your mother were here to go with you," he sighs.

Placing a hand on your shoulder, Father looks you in the eyes. "I will send the best of guard with you," he promises. "You are my greatest treasure. I will see you safe."

"Thank you, Father. I will get things ready for the trip "

Despite the risks you were far more afraid of King Everett than the journey. Father sent you along under the protection Sir Conrad, well versed in combat and loyal to his last breath. Initially you were supposed to go with both Conrad and his half brother Pine but you insisted Pine stay with Father. He will need the protection and insight of the older brother. And the journey wasn't so far that you worried about Conrad and his small squad becoming too tired to keep you safe.

For added protection you were dressed up as a young man. Should any ask, you were soldiers doing your duty and bringing your Duke's tithe to the new king. The britches are a bit uncomfortable but you're grateful for the protection from prying eyes.

As you make camp the first night you feel truly helpless. You can't assemble a tent. You don't know how to make a fire and you can barely cook. The best you can do is simply stay out of the way.

Then you notice the berry bushes. They're low to the ground, easy to miss. Perhaps you can gather some and share them with your protectors.

Kneeling in front of the bushes you ask in a whisper, "may I be allowed to pick some of your berries? My friends and I would love to try them as they taste much better than travel rations." Many would consider you crazy but you're not one to give up wisdom your mother taught you before her passing.

Several berries drop and you make sure to thank the bushes before gathering them up. Though Sir Conrad warns you against going off alone again, he does not begrudge your addition to the night's meal.

The next day's journey is cut short by a rainstorm. It's too dangerous to travel and camp must be made up early. It's slow, wet, tiring work and the rains are too heavy to light a fire to warm up with.

In the privacy of your own tent you shiver in just your undergarments as you manage to light a lamp. Your blankets are a small comfort as you force yourself to drink water and eat some of the travel rations. All you can do is wait for the rain to let up.

Amidst the thunderous rain you hear mewling cries and they're getting closer.

Carefully you take a peek through the flaps of your tent. It could be a predator luring you in, but it could also be a poor creature in need of shelter. You need to keep the light from the lantern minimal for your safety and dignity.

As the mewling gets louder you're able to make out a baby fox.

"Oh you poor thing," you gently call to it. "Please, share my tent. We'll get you to your mother when the rain stops."

Lifting the tent flap more, the kit is drawn to the light of the lamp and quickly joins you.

"Here, I have some food as well. Not as good as fresh game, I know. But you'll need your strength if you're going to find your mama."

The kit accepts the food offered, seeming to eat it too fast to taste.

"Let me get one of my cloaks so we can try to dry you off. Must be hard to keep warm when you're soaked."

After you've dried off the little fox to the best of your ability it curls up in your lap and falls asleep. You feel honored and hum it a lullaby you remember your mother singing to you.

"Your Grace! We need to get an early start on the day to make up for yesterday."

Conrad's voice pierces through your slumber and you quickly sit up.

"I'm up! Give me just a few minutes to dress!"

As you get up to get dressed you quickly look around for the kit only to see that it's gone. You're disappointed but hopeful that, once the rain stopped, it went and found its mother.

It isn't until late in the morning, well on your way to the castle, that you spot fox and her three kits. Your heart leaps at the thought that one of them was the one you shared your tent with.