The wait is over and Part 7 will be posted tomorrow afternoon! (I can GUARANTEE a fight..or two.) Feedback is always appreciated. As always, I hope yāall enjoy the next chapter. Let me know if youād like to added to the tag list!Ā
Steve Rogers x Reader/Bruce Banner x Reader/Frank Castle x Reader
Warnings: language, general angsty angst, fluffy BruceĀ
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Ā Ā Ā Ā (The Next Morning)
Stirring from an inherent sleep, Y/N sensed a firm hardness pressed against her right cheek. She continued to further nuzzle herself deeper into its solemn comfort, calmness overtaking her sanity. Time seemed to transpire differently when locked in a technological jail cell. Her left leg was partially thrown over Frankās as they lay entangled in one another as if they were any ordinary couple waking up on a late Saturday morning.Ā
Her lids remained darkened as a small moan escaped her lips accompanied by a tender stretch of her achy bones. Frank instinctively pulled her closer reluctant to let go. He couldnāt help but think he would definitely die a happy man if he got to hear that cute noise every damn day. His hand lightly gripped her chin tilting it upwards as they found each other. Fleeting, momentary peace.
Their noses on the cusp of brushing, their slightly chapped lips just mere inches away, Frankās breath tickled a trail along her skin. Ā It was a transcendent moment for the pair as they internally debated on who would dare make the first move. Y/Nās gaze traveled towards his lips as she unknowingly licked hers wandering what he tasted like. Would it be a searing kiss made out of desperation or a slow lustful kiss to savor? Whichever one it was, Y/N couldnāt deny she craved his touch.
He cupped her jaw moving closer to his targeted destination. It was then she felt a fire spread in her belly causing her heart to ramp up speed. After seconds of contemplation, Frank leaned the rest of the way in delivering an earth-shattering kiss upon Y/Nās forgiving lips. Her hands perched at the base of his neck slightly tugging at the thick black hair that had grown out over the past couple months. He moaned in response deepening their kiss as Frank situated himself on top of Y/N, pushing his hips against hers, creating a delightful electricity between them. Now this is something Y/N could get used to.
Y/N wanted more, desired to be closer to Frank. Frank made her feel alive, like she wasnāt the broken woman Steve forced her to be. He pushed her to be her own true character, igniting the spirit Steve only wanted to extinguish. It felt brilliantly powerful to be noticed and appreciated, and Y/N was addicted. Without thinking, Y/N wrapped her legs around Frankās hips pulling him in like a second layer of skin. God, this man drove her wild. But somewhere deeply enrooted in Y/N was cause for concern.Ā
She pushed the lingering thought as far away as humanly possible not wanting to think about him during her time with Frank. There was only one other man in their universe that made her feel complete, acknowledged, and understood; Bruce Banner. But she never got the courage to tell him instead burying her feelings in a secluded spot locked securely away.Ā
But that was a story for another day. She wasnāt sure what the future held for her at this point. What she did know was that she needed to make the best of what she was given; Frank. So, Y/N squeezed her eyes tighter hoping to shake any thought of Bruce away, unwilling to let it encroach on this exact moment, but that was always easier said than done.
Y/N pulled away from his kiss finding Frankās predatory glance. The military forced him to be a man of control but around her he found it next to impossible to resist the brazen woman heād grown to care for. With their husky pants intermingled; Frank risked to speak first.
āTell me to stop and I will. Butāyou have to do it. I canāt think clearly with you sometimes.ā
Before her mind even had a chance to form a coherent thought, her lips were responding; āDonāt, I want this. I want you, Castle.ā
She pulled him down again reigniting their enthusiasm, unable to wipe the smile that appeared during their kiss. But reality creepily slipped back into her conscious just as an alarm blared through the tiny space; its echo uncomfortably surrounded them thickening the available air. Frank shot up first putting a protective arm over Y/N as her fingers gripped his forearm in return. This was new.
A sudden buzz notified them that the door had been unlocked as an unseen figure stalked closer inwards. Y/N heard the peculiar tone before actually seeing him. His heavy German accent mingled with his well-spoken English. Who was this guy?
āSo happy to finally meet your acquaintance Ms. Y/N. Iāve heard wonderful things about you. My father spoke very highly of you. My sincerest greetings.ā
Another maniac with an accent. Awesome.
Frankās eyes bounced between Y/N and the dangerous man who just made his grand entrance. A look of apprehension betrayed his brown orbs.
āUh, hate to break up the compulsive obsession but who the hell are ya?ā
āMy name is Helmut Zemo. My father, Baron was the sole creator of everything that we now stand for. Donāt you think heād quite proud, hmm?ā
Zemo actually had the audacity to bow as if she were royalty. She was certainly no queen especially to such an anarchist bunch of crazies, but she had no other choice than to intently listen to the stranger in front of them. After all, they were Hydraās current lab rats searching for an impossible end to their demented game.
āGod, you really are a cocky son of a bitch.ā
A shrewd smirk slithered across his lips; āTsk tsk, Mr. Castle. They werenāt wrong about yourā¦spirit?ā
Frank and Y/N hazardously got off the bed, Frank keeping a towering determined stance. How did she never notice how tall Frank was until now? Ā With Frank looming over her, she moved to his side mimicking his posture before speaking.
āWhat the fuck do you want with us, Zemo? Do enlighten us.ā
He snickered unable to contain the laughter tickling his throat; āOh my my, you really are a feisty girl. We have great plans for youā¦. for the both of you. I would like your compliance but it is by no means required. Vrstehst du?ā (Do you understand?)
āŃŃ Š¼ŃŠ“ак.ā (Youāre an asshole.)
Frank whipped his head in Y/Nās direction; āWait, you speakā¦Russian?ā
āIāll fill you in later Castle.ā She squeezed his hand hoping to relay any sort of comfort.
Zemoās shrewd voice reverberated; āThatās not all she does Mr. Punisher. Thatās barely the tip of said iceberg for our beautiful girl. You are in for a treat my friend.ā
Frankās New York accent shined through in his times of nervousness bringing him back to the brave boy roaming the crooked streets; āLetās get one thing straight out of the gate. We are NOT amigos so donāt play coy with me dipshit. That aināt no plan of ours. What the hell is your endgame?ā
Zemo loved baiting people especially those within his control; with no route of escapement. He thrived off the fear accumulating under the surface of their skin, the tremble of their tone, but his favorite, oh his favorite was when he forced the light to leave their eyes all hope being abandoned. This will be fun he thought.
āYou two seem to be getting along swimmingly. Iāve been reviewing your records and we seem to have contrived the perfect genetic match. A phenomenal super goddess and ex-Marine forced vigilante. The perfect sob story if you ask me.ā
Frank surveyed his odds of bulldozing his way out of this hellhole but upon counting the bodies surrounding him immediately recognized he was outnumbered. He needed Y/N in a place where they could utilize her powers, but that didnāt seem very plausible.
āGenetic match? What the fuck are you talking about, Zemo?ā
āYouāll realize soon enough All in good time.ā Guiding his eagle eye towards the hidden camera, Zemo simply smiled. He started his trek towards the door leaving his patients bewildered behind him with his hands clasped behind his back, his spine straight, and shoulders pointed. Authority my ass.
Once again, the door bolted shut locking Y/N and Frank back into their designated room without any sign of answer coming their way. With the glass barrier back between them panic caressed through the stagnant air. Reeling from the minimal information given to them, Y/N was stunned into temporary silence. Frankās attention was on the woman in front of him; āFuck, Y/N. Where the fucking hell are your Avenger friends?ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā (Avengers Tower)
If someone were to ask Bruce Banner his favorite spot on planet Earth, he would gladly pick his lab until the end of time. Beakers and test tubes couldnāt talk back. For once in his forsaken days, he got to be in control, fully in charge if only for the briefest of moments. Procedures and mechanisms released him of his anxiety, overall calming his heart rate from escalating to the point of disaster.Ā
The newspapers got it all wrong about his pent-up aggression towards mankind. They forgot he was human himself. Though some found it easier to treat him as a science experiment, others decided on kindness and friendship. Y/N was one the fortunate few that didnāt manage to piss him off. Given her cruel upbringing, Tony prepared the team for the worst possible outcome, a deranged mutant finally freed from her own hell.
He remembered the way her blonde hair caught the sunshine on a perfect spring day when he watched her lost within her latest read, her clear aqua blue eyes meeting his as an equal, and how he felt electricity run threw his joints the first time his skin briskly touched hers. Nothing but a greeting yet somehow, he knew she was going to be phenomenal. Y/N adjusted to the high-tech superhero gig faster than he expected learning compassion and self-care since becoming her own woman. She never bothered with romance, or her appearanceā¦.at least thatās what he convinced himself of. It began with long nights chatting until dawn, two friends passing time with more than enjoyable conversation.
The Stark library was her clandestine fascination, Y/N worshiped divulging into a book lost in articulate words seemingly drawing her further from her own twisted reality. It was effortless to be around her and Bruce was addicted to her quiet and comforting nature. Not many people brought ease upon him. The couch was their second escape as it became routine to sneak away, propping her feet atop his thighs, stopping her glasses from slipping down the bridge of her slender nose as he pretended to not get distracted by her graceful actions.Ā
Y/N had this habit of biting just the edge of her lip when a story truly piqued her interest, her limbs tightening with anticipation as she unknowingly squeezed his triceps unable to tear herself away from the worn pages.
Countless nights were spent hidden away from the troubles of their world. Some sleepless and others occupied by gentle naps. One in particular stuck out more than othersā¦
13 days. 13 agonizing days since he last saw Y/N, hugged her, and simply conversed with someone similar to his own IQ. Nick Fury had selected Cap and Y/N for an undercover mission in Russia. Incognito as a loving husband and wife on their honeymoon while trying to confiscate (insert cool piece of tech). In the past couple of weeks, Banner felt her pulling away, getting a little more out of reach every time, and he loathed it. Little moments at first; less time in the library, nightly talks dwindling, but the worst part was the body language Y/N aimed at Steve.Ā
Sly smiles here and there, a touch of the palm when no one was supposed to be looking, and Rogerās stupidly irritating smile that made Y/N blush every time he looked her way. Bruce was an idiot, it was just easier to remain oblivious, unaware of the changing atmosphere at the Tower.
Steve and Y/N had just landed the quinjet as Friday notified Stark and Banner of their successful arrival. They were all giggles and soft whispers upon approaching the dock like they had a secret only they knew about. Bruce side-eyed the lovebirds through the glass not wanting to show his true colors or annoyance. It was then that Steve drew Y/N into his chest pressing a passionate kiss upon her lips before looking around, noticing the room bare of any witnesses, or so they thought.Ā
He saw the foolish smile and glimmering light shine from Y/Nās ocean eyes before huffing and heading towards his hideout. Bruce knew she wasnāt coming tonight. It seems Y/N would have other nightly plans heād rather not think of or else the Hulk was sure to make a scene.Ā
So, he numbly headed towards the elevator before clicking the 5th floor button clueless to the doors slamming shut. Bruce instinctively opened the library door and settled into a chair across from the couch. He wouldnāt dare sit there. It held far too many memories of what-ifs, almosts, and couldāve beens. If only he had the balls to tell her how he truly felt. Oh well.
It was half past twelve when Bruce was deterred by the low chime of the door informing him someone else had entered the room. Odd, he supposed. He thought he would get his sanctuary for another blissful night. As he gawked at the unknown presence, he immediately noticed who the intruder was; Y/N. His book snapped shut forgetting about marking his page as his feet found footing on the plush carpet. She hadnāt seen him yet. The door shut behind Y/N as her back rested against the wood frame before quietly sighing.Ā
Her appearance was disheveled, her blonde tendrils thrown into a sloppy bun as she wore an over-sized t-shirt that certainly didnāt belong to her. Steveās. Her lips plump as if she had just left her loverās bed in hopes of seeking him out, or so he wished. He stayed seated not wanting to draw additional attention to his strange behavior.
āY/N- youāreā¦back.ā
āBruce, just the guy I was looking for.ā She coyly smiled genuinely happy to see him.
āOhhh, is that so? I figured youād have other things to catch up on. Itās good to see you Y/N, really.ā
Y/N walked over to their sofa before propping her elbows along the edge, resting her jaw in her palm. Her memories didnāt serve him justice. He was kind, handsome, and beyond attentive to her intellectual needs.
āI missed you. Steve isnāt big on readingā¦or talking much for that matter. Itās nice to see a simulating face.ā
āPsh, Iām sure you managed just fine without me. You always do.ā He tried to hide the disappointment seeping into his voice. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her away. Above all, Bruce reminded himself that he was her friend first regardless of his growing feelings.
āYou made it back in one piece. I assume the mission went well?ā
She chuckled, her fingers fidgeting in her lap unable to sit still; something was bothering her.
āIndeed. Steve is uh, quite the charmer. Almost too believable if I do say so myself.ā
Bruce stood up suddenly catching Y/N off guard as he made his way back to the shelf to return his latest adventure. Out of his peripheral vision, Y/N began moving his direction closing the gap between them. With his back faced away from Y/N, he felt a small hand reach for his shoulder in a soothing manner. Y/N stood behind him as the silence lingered on. Before he could grasp what was happening, her arms encircled his waist as Y/N hid her face between his shoulder blades. Her touch brought calmness to his anxious mind; his muscles instantly relaxing as his own hand guided on top of her resting on his stomach.
She mumbled a modest āHi.ā before burrowing back into him. Bruce couldnāt conceal the blush that crept into his cheeks. He was merely glad she wasnāt able to see his reaction. No other words needed to be spoken, it was pure and simple. He steered her hands upwards as he kissed the indention by her thumb, directing her hands over his chest finally resting upon his beating heart. It was unspoken, mutual admiration both parties thrived off of. Y/N and Bruce just didnāt quite fully understand the significance of their unexpressed connection.
But that was the past, now he had the atrocious opportunity of living in the present with no Y/N in sight.
Ā Ā Ā Ā (Present Day-Avengers Tower)
āMeeting dismissed. We are staying on alert until Y/N is found and brought back safely. I suggest you all be ready to go. Rogers and Banner, stay behind.ā
Furyās tone mixed with Tonyās eyes shooting daggers initiated an uncontrollable eye roll from the Hulk. This outta be good. As everyone else made their way towards the door, Steve huffed unsure of what was about to go down knowing it wasnāt good news.
Natasha was the last of the bunch remaining. Her hand grasped the knob in hopes of hightailing it out of the stuffy office before hearing Tonyās callous voice; āAh ah, Romanoff. You seriously didnāt think youād get off that easy, now did you?ā
āI donāt see how this has any ties to me. I donāt know whatāā
āWhat Iām talking about? Of course, you do my dear, youāre not that dull. Or did sleeping with Cap disable your inability to decipher between respectful decency?ā
Nausea caught in Steveās throat as his eyes met Natashaās. Fuck. Ā Bruce lounged in his chair with a satisfied smirk; Steve had the sudden urge to punch him but withheldā¦at least temporarily.
Tony and Fury resembled two very pissed off individuals; each leader trying to top the other. Silence encapsulated the room, everyone stared at one another unsure of how to proceed with the events in place. So, Director Fury stepped up first; āCan anyone tell what the hell is going on with the lot of you? Wait a minute, donāt answer that. I already know some of you have already lost your damn minds.ā
āLanguage my ass, Rogers. Since you so kindly volunteered to share first, please do so.ā
His breath staggered, his jugular beginning to pound under his skin, sweat beaded across his dewy forehead. Sink or swim time.
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