Chapter 12 - Nomads

Charlie's POV:

The Avengers seem to be no more.  Our civil war ripped us apart, and it feels there's no going back.  Clint and Scott were able to strike deals with the government and opted for house arrest.  They both have children, and families, so that makes perfect sense.  Clint checks in as much as he and Nat deem safe.  Such a big papa bear, making sure I'm ok.  Bucky is frozen in Wakanda hoping that Shuri, T'Challa's sister can work her magic on his brain.  Wanda and Vision typically spend most their time together, keeping low profiles.  While Steve, Nat, Sam, and myself have become rogue nomads.  We travel around the world in silence.  Sometimes working under the radar on missions, and other times living an odd family life.  There's a familiarity between the four of us.  

Nat and I try to keep the atmosphere around us as light hearted as possible.  Making sure to remember birthdays and holidays.  All of us keep in touch with everyone else through the media.  Peter seems to be keeping his neighborhood of Queens as safe as a teenager can.  No doubt he's receiving help from Tony.  I'm glad Tony is able to put his energy into a protege.  He needs that outlet.  We still haven't heard anything concerning Bruce.  I can hear the pain in Nat's voice every time he's brought up.  Thor seems to still be off world, possibly still in Asgard.  Rhodey we learned is still recovering from his fall.  He's alive and okay, that's all I care about.

Even though we have each other we all hope for the day when we can all be together and not spread throughout the globe.  Most of us too stubborn to make contact with one another.  A quietness settles around us.  There isn't a deep need for our services currently.  We all take turns reading and listening to any news where we may be of assistance.  Not working is an odd mixture of contentment at times and extreme boredom and unrest at other times.  The unrest is most notable on Steve's face.  He's spent so many years being America's golden boy, ready when needed.  Feeling he's at his best in a war.

I sit on our old and broken-down couch for the month mindlessly flipping through channels.  My hair is on top of my head in a messy bun, whisps framing my now too light skin.  I'm wearing one of Steve's t-shirts, it still smells of his clean body, my jean shorts are too short to be seen under his too large shirt.  The end of June is bringing a deep heat and humidity in the air.  Steve slumps down beside me, putting his arm around me huffing as he sits on the part of the couch with a spring trying to creep out of the cushion.  It causes unnecessary discomfort, but Steve wants to be close to me.

We have become closer this past year, still not labeling us, it doesn't seem important anymore.  We still keep each other close, still need each other, still crave the others touch, still have desire to not be apart for too long.  I lean my head over on his shoulder and he twists his head to kiss my temple, his now bearded face tickles me and I let out an airy giggle.  He reaches over to grab the remote out of my hand, to click through the channels himself.  

I twist my body and scoot down on the couch so I can lay my head on Steve's lap, stretching my legs to rest and dangle over the armrest.  His arm that was around my shoulder falls to my stomach.  His fingers roam around until they find the hem of his shirt and he slips his hand underneath.  He ghosts his fingers across my skin, traveling further up.  I put my arm up resting my hand across his jawline and brush against his beard.  This has become my favorite feature of the now nomad Steve.  He's beautiful as a clean cut, fresh shaven man.  But he's beyond sexy with his luscious beard and growing locks.  

A strand falls down by his eye and I flick it away.  His fingers brush further up my body and stops at my bra.  "Why do you have that damn thing on?  It's just us here."

"Would you prefer I took it off Captain?"  I smile up at him.

He looks down at me with a crooked smirk.  "Princess, if I didn't want it off your perfect breasts, I wouldn't have said anything."  His fingers slide across my chest gently and stealthily, eyes back to focusing on the TV, when he realizes the clasp is on the front.  His fingers quickly unfasten it and his fingers push it aside and begin slowly fondling my breasts.  We hold this way for several moments.  Him watching nothing at all on the tv, playing with my breasts, causing my nipples to protrude up as chill bumps pull up all over my body.  I continue looking up at him.  He's perfect, and I wish that this was our life, not life on the run constantly in the back of our minds.  

I close my eyes and bite my lip.  Thinking of a different life.  A life where we weren't constantly on edge.  A life where our extended family was together, happy, and thriving.  Steve's hand starts to slip down my stomach, reaching the waist of my shorts and effortlessly unbuttoning them.  He slips his hand under my panties.  I deeply inhale as his hand adds pressure and rubs on my clit.  He lets out a soft moan.  "You're so wet."  I smile and my own hands go under his shirt, lightly using my fingernails to tickle his abs.  This is the simplicity our life should be.  Lazily pleasuring one another.  Taking the time to feel one another, just being comfortable.  Content.

He pulls his fingers out and up to his mouth, sucking each finger slowly, making sure his mouth pops as he removes them.  I pull my body up and straddle his lap.  We stare at one another for a moment.  Taking in each other's appearance.  This...this is pure bliss; I never want it to end.  Slowly we move towards one another until our lips touch.  He places sweet kisses on my lips when our lips meet.  His hands shift to my hips, pulling me closer to his swollen jeans.  He wants me to feel he's aroused, and it works I whimper into his mouth, and he uses his hands to guide a rocking motion on top of him.

I reach down and pull off his shirt, and while his hands are off my hips, he takes the time to remove my own.  He growls when he sees my bra still draped over my back, and I adjust my arms and it falls in front of his feet.  My hands trace along his shoulders and chest.  Committing his body to my memory.  My hands trail down his chest and sides, slipping behind him and pulling his body closer to mine with a jerk.  I feel his mouth smile on my lips.  I'm not as submissive with him as I once was.  He finds my brattiness cute, and it makes me want to be aggressive with him in return.    

He shifts my head to give himself better access to my neck as he kisses and sucks down my neck, collar bone, and shoulder.  He adjusts his hands on my elbows, urging me to move my body up higher, so his mouth can roam down my body, finding a nipple as he begins sucking on one, and teasing the other nipple with his hand.  My head bends back as a, "Captain."  Whispers off my lips.  He changes the sucking to nibbling, approving his pet name whispering out of my mouth.  My mind is hazy as I'm just enjoying Steve's exploration of my body.

"Hey guys we're...woah woah, Charlie, put ya some damn clothes on!"  Sam screams covering his eyes.  My body sinks down and I shove Steve's face into my chest.  Nat steps out from Sam, and she snickers.  "Steve, this is a common room!  You two have a private room for things like this.  Shit, I'm scarred!  Did you have to eat her tit in front of me?"  

Nat cackles holding her sides.  My cheeks are hot and red.  Steve laughs, his shoulders begin shaking as his laugh rumbles down his whole body, and vibrates through my own chest. I nervously laugh.  Unfortunately, instances such as Nat and Sam walking in on us happen more often than I care to admit.  It never ceases to become less embarrassing.  Steve removes his face from my chest and my embarrassment becomes a thing of the past.  His eyes crinkle as he looks at me, his smile and laugh have finally lit up his whole face.  Moments like these are few and far between.  There's a deep sadness that's been growing within Steve, and this moment, seeing my Captain so light hearted and shining makes my heart swell.  

I begin to laugh, bringing my hand up to Steve's face, memorizing how happy he is in this moment.  "I don't know why you three find this so funny.  Of all the damn places you two could be going at it, it's right where we all sit and eat dinner.  What else did you do on that damn couch?  Why am I here?  What is life?"  Sam's agitation only causes us all to laugh even harder.  Tears start streaming down Steve's face because he's laughing so hard.  

My body relaxes on Steve's lap and he picks me up, wrapping my legs around him.  He pushes my body up against his chest, hoping Sam won't get another peak.  Steve stands up and begins carrying me to our room.  "Oh, now you leave.  What's the matter with you two?  You're horny as fuck, like a bunch of damn teenagers.  Do you have sex every fucking day?" 

Steve nods turning his back to Sam and Nat.  "That's the plan anyways."  He laughs and walks us in the doorway.  I hear Sam turn on music and continues to turn up the volume, causing Steve to laugh even more.

"Would you stop it?!  It's not like we haven't heard it before."  Nat yells at him, humor still reflecting in her voice.

"Exactly, I can't do it anymore, especially when it happens when I'm trying to sleep.  Charlie, if I hear you scream Captain one more time, I swear I'm going to murder my fucking ear drums."  Sam is still milking this as much as possible.  Drama queen.

"Can you make sure to scream Captain extra loud, princess?"  Steve leans over the bed dropping me down.  I see his face twist, showing his hunger for wanting to fuck me.  I reach down pulling off my shorts and panties in one swoop and watch as Steve unbuttons his jeans, allowing them to fall to his ankles and he removes his boxer briefs before hovering over me.

"You want to put on a show?"  I deviously smile up at him.

He sucks air into his teeth, "You're trouble princess."  He reaches his hand in between my legs.  "Still wet.  Maybe Sam's right, you're always ready for me."  I smile up at him.  He leans back a bit, grabbing his dick and pumping it in his fist before leaning back over me.  "You ready?"  Before I answer he slams himself in me and show or no show I loudly gasp.  He smiles at the effect he had on my body, and mouth.  

My hands roam up his chest and to his biceps, I love the feel of his tight muscles rippling up.  The way his biceps feel as they tense up with every thrust into me, is like a drug, and I enjoy getting my fix. I tickle his arms with my fingernails.  My eyes never leave his face.  He's so sexy, the way his long hair falls onto his face and creates shadows makes my breath hitch.  There is something about this darker Steve.

"Princess if I would have known my appearance would drive you this crazy I would have done this a long time ago."  

I bite my bottom lip and smile up at him, "You're just so fucking sexy over top of me, Captain."

"Now you know how I feel."  His thrusts become more intense causing my eyes to roll back and my head lifts backwards.  "Eyes on me princess, I enjoy watching you when you cum."

My eyes go back to his face, he leans back a bit, "Play with yourself while I fuck you."  My lips twist up with a grin as I slip a hand down, rubbing on my clit.  My fingers split and go beside his dick pumping into me.  I enjoy the feeling of his movements.  He growls down at me and increases his speed.  "You enjoy that princess?"

"Yes Captain."  I breathe out. 

He pulls out.  "On your knees."  I comply, flipping my body around.  He moves himself on his knees closer, pushing my legs to the side before entering me from behind aggressively.  He reaches around, cupping my breasts fondling them.  He adds pressure to them pulling me up, as his hands slip to my wrists pulling my arms behind me.  I arch my back as he holds my wrists, rutting in me at an alarming speed.  I feel his hot breath on my neck and it causes chill bumps to rise all on my back.  

His right arm slides up mine before circling my neck.  "You like this don't you princess?"

"Yes Captain."  I call back to him.  He adds more pressure before using his left hand to slip onto my clit.  The man is talented.  He is stimulating my entire body.  I begin to tremble and a whine escapes my mouth.  Steve increases his speed one last time, his grasp around my neck tightens a bit more, I scream out in my orgasm and Steve releases his grasp.  He pulls out of me, pumping his dick before releasing on my back with a moan.  My body collapses on the bed and I feel Steve's panting on my back.

"I HATE YOU TWO!!"  Sam's muffled scream is heard over the music, followed by Nat's boisterous laugh.  "Get it girl!"

I turn my head to the side laughing.  Steve is still panting beside me as he pulls himself off the bed.  He grabs a towel and cleans off my back before dropping his full body weight on my back.  I let out a huff, "Ugh, get off me."

"You like it."

"Not your whole weight."  I wiggle my body around and still don't accomplish anything.  He laughs.  "Steve!  Get off!"  He slowly rolls his body off of my own, and reaches over to pull me to him. 

I turn my head to face him and place my head on his chest before picking my arm up and dropping it on his chest, adding more weight than necessary.  "Oomph.  Ok we're even princess."  He kisses my forehead.

"Only when I say we're even."

"You're such a brat."

"And you love it."  I bite his nipple.  

"Ow!"  He giggles, reaching down and pulling up my chin and giving it a playful squeeze.  "Behave, or you'll be punished."  He tries to scowl down at me.

"You don't scare me."  He slaps my thigh hard; I suck a deep breath through my teeth.  I lay on his chest in silence.

"That's what I thought."  He smiles down at me.  I start to interject again, and he slaps me again.  I laugh out.

"Okay Captain, you made your point.  Save that for later."  I wink.

"Steve! Charlie! Get your sweaty asses dressed and let's eat."  Nat screams at us.

I go to move off of Steve before he pulls me back planting a kiss on my lips, "I love you."  He smiles at me.  "I love you, too."  We get off the bed and get ourselves dressed. And walk into our "common room" as Sam calls it.

When Sam sees us enter the living room, he glares at us, and continues eating.  I push Steve over to the couch that Sam has refused to sit on and go make our plates.  I hand his plate to him and sit down beside him.  "You know, it's almost someone's birthday."  I announce.

"No, no, Charlie we don't need to do anything.  All of us being here is enough."  Steve responds through chewing.

"But Steve..."  I whine.

"She's right Steve.  It's exciting.  Exactly how old are you?"  Nat scoffs at him.

"Funny.  No, we don't need to do anything I'm fine."

"We know what Charlie is getting you for your birthday."  Sam says sarcastically.

"Yeah, my pussy."  I wink at him.  Steve rolls his eyes.

"Ugh, I never can escape your two's constant fucking.  I'm going to start going out to get food like I used to."  He throws his head back on the sofa chair he's sitting on.  Drama queen.

"Steve, at least let me make you a cake.  And it's the Fourth of July.  It's yours AND America's birthday."

"The last cake you made was crunchy."  He laughs at me.

"Oh."  I fake being hurt, grabbing at my heart and pouting.  "Nat will help this time.  Maybe we can make a red, white, and blue cake."  I giggle.

"But that's not my favorite."  I look at him wanting him to tell me.  He just smiles.

"Well, what is it?"

"Caramel."

"We can work with that Charlie."  Nat looks over to me.

"All this time with Steve, and you didn't even know what his favorite cake was?"

"Steve was too worried about her cake."  Nat laughs at Sam; he even lets out a laugh.  

When everyone is finished, I stand and gather everyone's plate walking to the sink.  Steve joins me as we create a routine.  I wash and rinse, and he dries and puts them away.  When the last dish is placed up, he stands beside me, wrapping me up in his embrace and gives me a peck on the lips.  I stand on my tip toes and kiss him, our kissing becomes a bit more heated until we hear, "Are you fucking kidding me? Again!  We were supposed to watch a movie, and there you two are.  Get your lips off him Charlie and you both march over here and sit the fuck down, and let's watch our movie, and go to bed...without screaming out princess and captain, please.... Jesus Christ."

I giggle, "We should really cool it.  This apartment is smaller than the last."  Steve nods in agreement, grabbing my hand.  He sits on the couch first, allowing me to sit sideways beside him, draping my legs over his lap.  He pulls my body closer to his.  "What are we watching tonight?"  I ask.  I think it's Sam's night to choose.

"The Fellowship of the Ring."  Sam answers readying the tv.

"Ah, a wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins.  Nor is he early.  He arrives precisely when he means to."  I quote to him.  He looks at me surprised.  "Clint is the 'arrow guy'.  Legolas.  We watched this one a lot.  It's my favorite of the three."

"I prefer The Hobbit.  Well, the book anyways."  Steve tells us.

"Isn't it supposed to be a children's book?"  Nat answers him.

"It was popular when it came out."  Steve responds

"Your age is showing old man."  Sam plops down on the couch beside Steve.

The calming voice of Galadriel comes over the screen telling the story of the rings.  Steve's hand slides on the arm of the couch over towards my arm and he pushes my body closer to his.  I relax my head against his chest.  All four of us together, like a normal family watching Lord of the Rings.

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Steve's POV:

Halfway through the movie I hear Charlie's soft humming snores and know she's asleep.  Nat is barely hanging on but Sam and myself are wide awake.  I've enjoyed the time we've spent here.  Almost feeling like everything's normal.  

My thoughts drift as I look down at Charlie.  Her lips are pursed, left arm lazily laying on my stomach, while her right-hand rests on mine.  She looks so calm and peaceful.  Some nights, most nights aren't like this.  Since we left Wakanda her anxiety has been on high alert.  She deals with it the best she can, but it's caused nightmares and insomnia for her.  Neither have waned much.  I think that's one of the reasons she's so ready for sex.  Hoping that the joy she feels afterward chases away her dreams.  Sometimes it does.  

I feel her body tense under me.  "No."  She whispers.  I move my hand on top of hers and caress it.  "No.  It wasn't him.  Tony, I'm sorry."  Her whispers get louder as Sam looks over.  

"Still having nightmares about them huh?"  Sam's eyes are sad.  I nod my head, keeping my eyes on my Princess.  He knows talking about Tony and Bucky is a touchy subject with Charlie.  She hasn't heard from either of them.  None of us have.

Her body jumps awake and she stares at me with wide eyes, realizing it was a dream.  She returns her head back to my chest.  "I hate this.  I'm sorry."  Sleepiness is laced through her voice.  "Shh.  You're okay.  We're all here, and we're not going anywhere."

"We're not all here."  I place my other arm around her, wrapping as tightly around her as possible.  Letting her know even though there's nothing that I can say to ease her, I will not leave her.  Her breathing steadies and I hear her hums.  My body relaxes.

"Do you think they'll call when Bucky is out of cryo?"  Sam asks.  He doesn't turn to look.  I glance at Nat, her eyes are closed, although that doesn't mean she's asleep.

"I do.  I hope so, for her.  That would be one person to ease her mind.  I think she feels a bit of jealousy towards Peter.  Obviously, Tony is helping the kid.  That once was her."  Sam nods.

A silence settles on the room but the movie and Charlie's soft hums.  "What will it mean for you two?  If Bucky contacts us."  I don't know how to answer Sam, so I sit silently and think.  Charlie and I talked about just going through the motions.  Doing what we feel is right and never labeling us.  We're both ok with that.  This last year being nomads has brought us closer.  But still it's like we've used the other to replace a ghost from the past.  No doubt we love one another, but it's like we've never allowed ourselves to explore a chance at a long life with one another.  I can't deny that she feels a love for Bucky.  It seemed to happen quickly.  Beyond just an attraction towards one another, but they both have a softness when it comes to each other.

"Have you thought about it?"

"Sam, everyone around us always wants to complicate our relationship.  And you never think about how we're good.  We're good doing exactly what we've done for the past year."

"She loves him."  I look at him.  He's not dumb, he knows these nightmares aren't just because the war between the Avengers.  She misses him.  She wants to help him.  "Does it scare you?"  I furrow my brows.  "To think she might want this to end to have a life with him?"

I huff.  I never thought about that.  I've never thought of a life outside of our bubble.  Would Charlie leave me, and all this stop?  The kisses, jokes, sex, cuddles, love...would she sacrifice that to have something real with Bucky?  Does he even want something real with her?  "I never thought about it."

He drops it and we watch the movie in silence.  When it's over I lift Charlie up carrying her to our bedroom.  I lay her on the bed and pull off her shorts, covering her petite body with our blanket before removing my shirt and pants and crawling in bed with her.  Her body wiggles over to mine, and I smile as our body's intertwine together and I drift to sleep.  Charlie doesn't have a nightmare the rest of the night.