ShieldShockFanfic

“They’re just letting their bitterness and jealousy get to them. Block the hell out of them.”

“You bet I did. I guess no more social media for me until after the wedding,” she sighed. “Though how we’re going to pull that off without the angry mobs coming after me, I don’t know.”

“We’ll get through it. You’re the one I love and I get to spend my life with. Nothing will change that,” Steve reminded her softly, kissing the top of her head. “Shall I get the emergency ice cream?”

“You know me so well, babe,” Darcy sighed fondly. “Yes, please. I’m so grumpy, I don’t even care what kind it is.”

“I’ll get the big bowls, then,” Steve declared, extricating himself from the sofa and heading to the fridge.

Despite her irritation, Darcy took the opportunity to shamelessly ogle him from behind.

“Hate to see you go, love to watch you leave,” she crooned flirtatiously.

Steve chuckled as he dished up two heaping bowls of cookie dough ice cream.

“You’re ridiculous and I love it,” he responded, presenting her with her cold treat. Darcy gave him a thank you kiss before diving into her favorite comfort food.

Her mood cleared up and for a couple days, things were chill as rumors quieted down, but then an old photograph surfaced of Darcy leaving a bridal boutique and the furor was rekindled. Darcy deleted all social media apps from both of their phones and holed up in her apartment, calling Jane to inform her she’d have to work remotely for a bit.

The TV was no help either. Steve finally shut it off in disgust.

“I’m calling Natasha,” he finally declared. “This is out of hand.”

“I thought she was in New Zealand?” Darcy queried, trying not to sound too hopeful. She knew Nat would have useful tips for dealing with the crazy and would be there in a heartbeat if she could.

“Got back night before last,” Steve informed her. “She’ll keep the wolves at bay.”

“That she will,” Darcy agreed, flipping aimlessly through a bridal magazine. She’d long ago found her dress, but she loved looking at all the pretty styles and gleaning useful tips from the articles.

Sighing at a very romantic looking pose, she dog eared the page to add to her photo shoot ideas.

Two days later, Darcy found herself unceremoniously being hauled out to a waiting sports car by Natasha herself.

“Am I being kidnapped? Did I finally piss off Fury enough to have me disappeared?” she queried jokingly.

Natasha only smiled mysteriously.

“You’ll soon find out,” she teased evasively. “I assure you it is a good surprise. Now smile for the paps.”

Darcy blew a kiss to the gathered cameras and smirked as she left them in the dust.

“Where are we going?” she asked after they’d left the city well behind.

“Getting you married.”

“What?” Darcy spluttered. “Now? I mean, how?”

“I have my ways and several invested friends. We’re tired of seeing you and Steve so stressed and we’re going to give you a happy day with no paparazzi or snoops.”

“If you can accomplish that, my friend, you really are a miracle worker,” Darcy said, with a half sigh, half groan. “It’s a good thing I love that man as much as I do.”

“The fact that you’re not protesting speaks volumes,” Natasha observed. “And if I overstep in any way, please tell me.”

“You know I trust you, Nat,” Darcy assured her. “I bet you got me time off, packed my bags and my gown, and probably booked the officiant as well.”

“Pretty much.”

Darcy laughed and leaned back in the seat. A lot of decisions had just been taken out of her hands and for once she wasn’t mad about it.

Steve, meanwhile, was huddled in the backseat of an SUV being lovingly lectured by his friends.

“You should have said something sooner,” Bucky chided him. “We could have had this well in hand weeks ago.”

“Yeah,” Clint agreed from the driver’s seat. “I wish I’d paid more attention. I didn’t realize the press was hounding her so bad, the jackasses.”

“You guys have much bigger issues to deal with,” Steve protested. “I thought Darcy and I could handle it.”

Bucky gave him the stink eye and Sam sighed.

“The point is, Steve, you shouldn’t have to handle invasion of privacy and personal attacks. It’s not okay,” Sam told him. “Calling Nat was the right call. We’ll get you hitched in peace and quiet.”

The destination turned out to be a mansion in upstate New York with very tight security. Darcy’s eyes boggled as they drove through the gates.

“What kind of strings did you pull, Nat?” she asked in wonder, staring at the magnificent building.

“Never you mind,” Natasha replied. “Let’s just say someone owed me. There’s plenty of good options for either an indoor or outdoor ceremony. We’ll give you the grand tour tonight and have you saying I Do tomorrow. Then we’ll leave you alone to enjoy honeymoon bliss the rest of the week.”

“I like that plan!” Darcy agreed, cheerfully.

The two vehicles pulled up in front of the mansion and Steve and Darcy were handed their suitcases and ordered inside while their friends unloaded the other luggage. They gaped open- mouthed at the grandeur inside.

“That staircase is really something,” Steve admired. “The chandelier!” Darcy breathed in wonder. “I feel like I’m in the American version of Downton Abbey.”

“Yeah. Where’s Carson?” Steve joked with a chuckle.

Presently, Natasha swept in carrying the bag that contained Darcy’s dress.

“Follow me,” she ordered, “you too, Steve.”

Natasha assigned them to separate bedrooms, much to Darcy’s dismay, but assured her it was just for the one night, per tradition.

“I’ll be right next door,” Jane assured her. “We could turn this into a slumber party!”

Eyeing the gigantic four poster bed, Darcy certainly saw the potential.

Natasha hung up Darcy’s wedding dress in the spacious wardrobe and added another dress beside it.

“I brought your red dress along for dinner tonight, she informed her. “It’s a dressy occasion.”

Darcy just nodded, deciding to just roll with it.

The grand tour was one jaw dropping sight after another and Steve and Darcy decided that the lawn behind the mansion was perfect for a ceremony setting. It faced a beautiful row of pools and landscaped hedges that stretched out as far as the eye could see. The forecast looked good, but in case of inclement weather, they agreed on the enclosed porch for a backup.

Steve and Darcy lingered on the lawn, relishing the view and the peace. Darcy thought he looked more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. Steve was glad to see the tense lines and constant wariness erased from Darcy’s expression. She hadn’t deserved all the stress being with him had caused, but he was so grateful for her.

“I’m sorry I let it get to this, Darcy,” he sighed, holding her close. “You could have walked away from all the drama and I wouldn’t have blamed you.”

“I’m too stubborn to quit on us and I love you too damn much,” Darcy replied, looking up at him contentedly. “I won’t gonna lie, it’s been awful, but we’re worth it.”

“Yes, we are,” Steve agreed, kissing the top of her head. He loved how perfectly they fit together. “We have the best friends, don’t we?”

“Most of the time, yeah,” Darcy agreed.

Dinner was a happy affair and everyone looked incredibly gorgeous in their dressed up state. Natasha thought Darcy was positively glowing as she laughed and playfully argued with Clint about who had won an age old bet. Bucky eyed the bride and groom to be with a great deal of fondness and just a touch of wistfulness.

“I want what they have, don’t you?” he murmured to his table neighbor, Wanda.

“Yes,” Wanda sighed, smiling pensively. “They are so good for each other and so loyal through everything. That is a relationship to strive for.”

After dinner they went outside and stargazed while reminiscing about various escapades. Darcy and Steve shared the story of their meet cute again and the men took the opportunity to lovingly roast Steve.

Darcy went to bed after a very satisfying goodnight kiss, giddy at the thought that tomorrow she would be Mrs. Rogers.

Jane woke her with giddy impatience.

“Wake up! It’s your wedding day!”

“Ahhh!!” Darcy squealed, when she’d fully come to her senses. “It’s happening! It’s actually happening!!”

They clutched each other in an exuberant hug.

Natasha and Wanda joined them for a cozy ladies only breakfast, (Steve had been forbidden to see her before the ceremony), then they chilled out on the balcony for a while, champagne in hand.

They helped each other out with hair and makeup and Darcy could only stare in amazement at herself in the mirror as Natasha put the finishing touches on her updo.

“Wow! I look like a princess!” Darcy remarked, awestruck. “Nat, you’re a wizard. I should feel bad that my mom’s not here, but I can’t. She’d be throwing out the backhanded compliments like candy. Another benefit of eloping, I guess.”

“Truth,” Jane agreed. “They’ll have to settle for watching the video and pictures.”

“You got a photographer on this short notice?” Darcy asked, eyebrow lifting in surprise. “That’s quite a feat.”

“She’s pretty new to the business, but very talented,” Jane told her. “As soon as Natasha told me the plan, I called her: My wedding gift to you and Steve.”

“Jane. That’s……so sweet….I might just cry,” Darcy batted away tears and Wanda shook her head.

“No weeping and spoiling makeup yet, Darcy,” she commanded her. “Let’s get you into that beautiful dress….”

Everybody sighed in unison when Darcy unzipped the garment bag and revealed her beautiful gown. The strapless A-line design was covered with intricate beadwork on the bodice and lacy details on the skirt hem.

“Steve’s brain is gonna explode when he sees you,” Wanda commented, as they helped her into the dress.

“Not literally, I hope,” Darcy quipped. “I want him to live for our wedding night.”

She wiggled her eyebrows in a way that made Natasha chuckle and Jane wave her finger in playful rebuke.

Steve was sketching while he waited for his summons on the back balcony overlooking the garden. He hadn’t had this good of a view in a long time and his pencil flew across the paper as he drew. He supposed he should be feeling nervous, but he wasn’t. The flutters in his stomach were sheer excitement at finally marrying the woman he loved, a dream he’d thought long since died. But then Darcy had crashed into his life, quite literally, and nothing had been the same.

He felt a cool hand on his shoulder and Bucky spoke up.

“Nice to see you drawing again, punk,” he said. “Calming the nerves?”

Steve shook his head.

“I’m distracting myself from breaking Nat’s rule and running to see Darcy. I can’t wait. Are you and Sam behaving?”

“Us? Misbehave? Where’d you ever get that notion?” Bucky asked, feigning shock. Steve just chuckled.

“Only whenever you’re left alone for more than five minutes,” he retorted. “Kinda like me getting into fights, only now the tables have turned.”

Bucky shrugged sheepishly.

“You’ve got me there.”

A figure joined them a few minutes later and both men stared as they took in Natasha, looking beautiful in her light aqua bridesmaids dress, red hair curled and spilling down her back. Steve saw Bucky swallow hard.

“Fifteen minutes, gentlemen,” she told them, returning their admiring glances, her eyes lingering on Bucky. “Damn. You clean up good, boys.”

“So do you,” Bucky replied in a strangled sounding voice.

Steve grinned. He couldn’t wait to help these two get a clue.

“You’ve got it bad, Buck,” Steve observed sympathetically after Natasha had disappeared.

“No…..aw, hell.” Bucky muttered, unable to lie to his best friend. “But She thinks love’s for children. What’s the point?”

Steve sighed.

“The point is, she’s had everyone she cared about ripped away and The Red Room philosophies were deeply ingrained in her. Believe it or not, I haven’t heard her utter those words in nearly two years. And clearly, she now believes in love enough to make sure I didn’t screw things up with Darcy and then gave us this…..” he gestured toward their surroundings as he flipped his notebook closed and stood up. “You’re about to witness firsthand how taking a chance is absolutely worth it. And this is coming from someone who’s known to be hopeless with women.”

Steve grinned at Bucky, who smiled knowingly back and stood to give him a man hug.

“I wouldn’t miss this miraculous moment for the world,” Bucky declared, with another affectionate thump on the back. “Now let’s go get you married.”

There were no decorations or aisle runners or musical accompaniments, but Darcy found herself not missing any of it. She simply waited until she’d seen the bridesmaids and groomsmen line up in front of the officiant—was that Agent IPod Thief?—and strolled outside to join them, escorted by Clint. (Thor was sadly unavailable, being busy with Asgardian stuff, but he’d sent Darcy a very congratulatory text message in all capital letters).

The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and Steve was looking at her like she was his entire world. The harassment that she’d been dealing with from social media and the press faded away in the reality of their happiness.

The jealous bitches can suck it! she thought gleefully.

Agent Coulson (How was he not dead?) looked exceedingly pleased to be overseeing the wedding of his childhood idol. It was kind of cute, Darcy observed vaguely, before Steve distracted her by winking flirtatiously at her.

“Yes, I do take this fine specimen of man to be my husband,” she proclaimed, when prompted. Steve’s ears reddened and Sam snickered.

“…..to love, honor, and cherish, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, through alien attacks and allergy attacks, through portals and peril, through midnight snacks and cuddles, until death do us part.”

“Awwwww….” Wanda sighed.

Steve squeezed Darcy’s hands, looking like he wanted to kiss her right then and there.

“I take this amazing, beautiful, fearless woman to be my wife, to love, honor, and cherish in sickness and in health, through alien attacks and allergy attacks, through tasers and tesseracts, through slow dances and silliness, until death do us part.”

They’d gone off script, but clearly their friends appreciated it and applauded their ad-libbing.

“That was impressive,” Bucky murmured, as he handed Steve Darcy’s ring.

She gave him another one of those glowy smiles as he slipped it on her finger. He couldn’t get over how beautiful she was and how lucky he was.

Darcy slid Steve’s ring on with a dramatic flourish and then they were pronounced husband and wife and he was kissing her exuberantly.

Everyone cheered.

Afterward, as they meandered through the gardens, hand in hand, Darcy told him, “Today was a fairytale. This was so much better than the big shindig I used to imagine.”

“You’re not upset about not having the big party we talked about?” he asked, fingering one of the dangling curls by her cheek.

“No,” she told him. “It felt so right. So us.”

“It did,” he agreed. “You look completely radiant, Mrs. Rogers.”

Darcy flushed at his warm words.

“If you keep using that tone with me I’m not gonna be able to control myself,” she playfully warned, running her hand up his chest. Steve in a tux was a very impressive sight and she felt a strong urge to climb him like a tree.

“I’ve dreamed of this ever since I crashed into you in the hallway that first time,” she admitted, feeling his heartbeat beneath her fingers.

“Groping me or marrying me?” he asked in amusement.

“Yes,” she answered mischievously, making her new husband laugh and then kiss her again. When she’d finally regained her senses afterwards, she saw a very pleasing sight.

“Oh, look, babe, looks like Bucky’s getting cozy with Nat over there.”

Steve followed her gaze to see Bucky walking alongside Natasha very closely. He said something that made her throw back her head and laugh in a way that she very rarely did.

“Now that’s what I like to see,” he murmured.

“Right?” Darcy exclaimed. “I ship it so hard! They deserve it so much.”

“They do,” Steve agreed. “I hope they realize that. She spent so much time trying to find me a wife and now the shoe’s gonna be on the other foot.”

He rubbed his hands together, very ready to help the BuckyNat ship sail.

“First order of business when we get back from our honeymoon,” Darcy declared. “In the meantime, how about we sneak inside and find a handy closet where I can ravish you?”

“Much as I like that idea, you’d better make sure you’re done with pictures first, because when I get through with you…..” Steve playfully threatened, dropping his voice intentionally. Darcy gulped.

“Right. Good point. Excellent point,” she rambled, fanning herself. “We should probably quickly round up everyone for a group picture. I’ll go get Jane.”

Another sound begins to rise above the movement of the water, bare feet padding along the bright white tiles surrounding the pool. And it’s a cadence Steve recognizes all too well, as a gentle smile spread across his face.

“You know, of all the places for you to hide and avoid your birthday party, on a pool floatie is the last place I would have thought of,” Darcy calls out. Steve hears a soft splash, her feet beginning to descend the stairs into the water.

“It’s soundproof,” Steve calls back, waving a hand at the skylights above that provide an expansive view of the night sky. “You can see the fireworks from here, but you can’t hear a single pop.”

“Ahh, suddenly it all makes sense.” The splashes grow closer, and Darcy paddles around the side of the float, coming into view. She’s got on a simple black tank bathing suit, hair a combination of slicked down and puffy frizz from the water that’s been splashed into it, and she looks absolutely delightful to Steve. “Hi,” she says as she props her arms and her chin on the side of the float.

“Hi.”

“Feeling better out here?”

“Much. It’s peaceful.”

“That’s an understatement. Thor, Clint, and Bucky are attempting feats of strength outside. Sam’s got the camera.”

“Can’t wait to see that tomorrow morning,” Steve grins. “Wanna come up here?” he asks.

“Yes, please.”

It’s not exactly graceful, more like a mild comedy routine, but between the two of them they manage to get Darcy onto the float and she curls up against Steve, all slick, damp skin that warms up against his. “How are you so warm?” she mutters, draping her bare legs over his to soak up as much heat as she can.

He drops an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in even closer. “It’s the serum. The higher metabolism makes me run hotter.”

Darcy glances up at him, lips pursed into the slightest frown. “…that’s a decidedly unromantic answer.”

Steve just laughs. “How about…cursed by one of the fairy folk to always have fire in my blood? That sounds like something my ma would have said.”

She nods firmly, giving a smacking kiss to the pectoral nearest her. “I like it.”

Above them, the sky turns green and blue and gold from a silent firework going off beyond the skylights, turning the dim lighting in the pool room into a shower of multicolored stars that float around them. It’s something that’s near magical, and with what Steve’s world has become, he’s a little more inclined to believe in magic these days than he ever was.

“Happy birthday, Steve,” Darcy whispers against his skin, “I love you so much.”

“Very awkward,” Bucky agreed sympathetically. l

The man spent most of his time looking at his phone and the stunning brunette he was with was clearly trying to keep conversation going. In Steve’s opinion, the dude was an idiot.

When his slice of apple pie arrived, warm and gooey with ice cream on top, he forgot about them for a few minutes while he relished the deliciousness of his favorite dessert.

Sam and Bucky had teased him about being a stereotype, but he didn’t care. It was worth it.

“Oh, you did not just say that!”

He glanced up to see the brunette was now glaring daggers at her dinner companion.

“Listen here, Mike. I’ve seen and heard all I need to know. You’re a sexist jerk. Peggy would rise from her grave to punch you if she heard you talking that bullshit. She saved the country from Nazis multiple times and stood up to creeps like you who want to keep women in “their place”. Go back to your cave, Neanderthal. Peggy freaking Carter deserves respect and if all you can see are her boobs, clearly you’re not going to see beyond mine. Be glad I don’t have my taser with me because that comment deserved it. Don’t call me again.”

The angry looking brunette stalked away without a backwards glance ignoring Mike’s call of “Darcy, wait…”

Steve had listened to her rant with stunned admiration, noting the fire in her eyes and the pointed emphasis on the word Neanderthal.

“What did he say?” he asked Bucky.

“I’m not gonna tell you, because I don’t want you getting kicked out of here for assault,” he said, shooting Mike a look of disgust. “It was beyond gross, though. I can’t say I’m not tempted to menace him a little.” He cracked his knuckles and grinned fiendishly.

“He’s not worth it,” Steve declared. “I’ll be right back.”

He slipped out of the booth and headed in the direction Darcy had taken. She was sitting just outside the door on a bench muttering under her breath.

“Ma’am? Are you okay?” He asked, hoping she wouldn’t think he was being creepy.

Darcy turned around and looked up at him, blue eyes going wide as she recognized him.

“Oh, Wow. Oh.” she managed. “Did you hear that?”

“I caught the gist of it. I didn’t mean to overhear, but I couldn’t help but appreciate what you said to him.”

Darcy’s cheeks turned pink.

“I was just telling the truth. Peggy was one of my heroes.”

“Mine too,” Steve said. “She would definitely approve of you. She didn’t stand for bullies and sexists. Mind if I sit down?”

“It would be unpatriotic of me to refuse,” Darcy said, eyes twinkling at him behind her glasses. They were a very, very pretty shade of blue, he noticed. “Steve Rogers, I presume?”

“In the flesh,” he confirmed as he sat down.

“I’m Darcy Lewis—well, Dr. Darcy Lewis to be precise. Newly minted Astrophysicist and former scientist wrangler.”

“Ah. Thor’s lightning sister,” Steve remarked, recognition sparking. “He’s very proud of you and actually bragged about being tazed by you.”

Darcy chuckled. “He would. So what brings Captain America to Nancy’s diner?”

“The food is the best,” Steve replied decisively. “It’s our post mission wind down dinner tradition. Plus, Nancy loves to fuss over us like we’re her kids.”

“She sure does,” Darcy agreed fondly. “Her boys are all grown and she loves being a mother hen to her regulars.”

Steve took a quick glance back through the window to see Bucky and Sam looming over a scared looking Mike, who nodded and pulled out his wallet. Soon after, he left the diner at a trot, not looking back.

“Thank goodness he’s gone,” Darcy said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Nancy must have put the fear of God into him.”

Steve smiled.

“It wasn’t just Nancy.” He told her.

Bucky and Sam emerged, smiling cheerily. Darcy’s jaw dropped.

“I bet he wet his pants,” she remarked finally, then giggled.

Steve introduced her, but Bucky and Sam, being the good bros they were, made their exits after a few minutes, winking at Steve.

“What’s it like being friends with them?” She queried playfully.

“Never a dull moment,” Steve answered with fond exasperation as Sam and Bucky fought over who was driving.

He turned his gaze back to Darcy.

“Right now, I’m more interested in finding out what it would be like being friends with you.”

Darcy’s mouth opened and closed again and a playful smile bloomed over her face.

“Are you sure you want more trouble in your life, Rogers?” She asked. “Because I tend to attract it.”

She’d been exchanging non-verbal greetings with Steve for a couple months now since they’d moved into Avengers tower. He’d smile and wave at her whenever they’d pass each other in the hall or share an elevator. Darcy would return the smile, always feeling very giddy from the beauty of it. She hadn’t got up the courage to say anything yet, which annoyed Jane greatly.

“Well, just be glad Romanoff’s away or she would see your eye fucking and deal with you two idiots posthaste.”

“It’s not eye fucking, Jane! He’d probably die of horror at the thought.”

Jane just gave a mysterious smile. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”

“Are you coming with me to the Princess Bride screening tomorrow?” Darcy asked to change the topic. It was her favorite movie and she was very hyped to see it on a big screen.

“Sadly, no,” Jane answered regretfully. “I’ve got a very important meeting that Fury won’t let me miss.”

“Ugh.” Darcy wrinkled her nose. “My sympathies.”

The following day, she entered the theater armed with a giant bowl of popcorn and a couple boxes of Resees Pieces. It was midday on a Tuesday, so the place was pretty much empty, which Darcy loved. She didn’t have to worry about judgmental stares from old people or being tripped over by kids taking a half dozen potty breaks.

During the second trailer, she heard someone approach her row and looked up to see Steve Rogers sit down four seats away from her. He gave her a delighted smile and she instinctively waved back, even as her stomach did somersaults.

“Who are you trying to fool, Lewis?” She heard Natasha’s voice in her head. “You’ve got it bad.”

As the movie progressed, she glanced over periodically to gauge Steve’s reaction, which indicated he hadn’t seen the movie before, but was heartily enjoying it. He seemed especially tickled by the iocane powder scene and the Rodents Of Unusual Size.

Darcy heaved a happy sigh as the credits rolled, munching the last of her candy contentedly. Her neighbor was marking something down in a small notebook.

“I waited way too long to watch that movie,” she heard Steve say as he pocketed the notebook. “That was fantastic.”

“I know, right?” Darcy exclaimed, forgetting her shyness around him. “I’ve seen it fifteen times now and it never gets old.”

“I’ll have to catch it again, sometime.” Steve remarked, then he looked more closely at her and did a double take.

“Wait—you’re the one I’ve been seeing around the tower lately with Dr. Foster. I’m Steve Rogers.”

He held out a large hand and Darcy shook it happily.

“Wow. I’m Darcy Lewis, and I was wanting to say something before, but your face left me tongue-tied.”

Steve chuckled.

“Well, your face left me equally tongue-tied.”

Darcy’s face grew warm and she decided to go for it.

“Hmm. Natasha would shake her head at how much time we’ve wasted. Wanna get a late lunch?”

“Absolutely,” Steve agreed, giving another bashful smile. “And yes, if she’d been here, she probably would have locked us in a closet right now. She’s threatened to make me a Tinder profile when she gets back next week.”

“Oh, no.” Darcy shuddered at the thought. “That’s like throwing a lamb to the wolves! What was she thinking?”

Steve snorted at her simile and sighed.

“She was tired of me dragging my heels about dating again and said I was starting to resemble a sad sheepdog and needed to get a life.”

Darcy chuckled as they left the theater together.

“Well, she’s gonna be in for a nice surprise, then. Though I always thought you were the golden retriever type. Now, follow me, Steve, and I will introduce you to the best burger you’ve ever tasted.”

“As you wish,” Steve replied with a grin.

The burger was indeed very good, but Steve was far more interested in Darcy Lewis and her delightful conversation. As for Darcy, she found that a relaxed off duty Steve was a very normal person like Jane had said and very fun to be around.

Needless to say, when Natasha Romanoff returned a few days later, she was pleased to catch Steve and Darcy shamelessly flirting in the hallway.