You've been on the run for years, never staying in one place for too long. You come to a city that is about as harsh and cruel as your life has been thus far. You look for shelter and can me across someone unexpected.

(This is a Zemo one shot. Also this story is gonna be kind of dark and stuff at the beginning so be prepared 😬) inspo from Barragan_Sofiaaa

My feet hurt as I trudge into the warn down city. Feral dogs run freely in the streets, snapping and barking at people that get to close to their territory. Children run half dressed and filthy along the sidewalks welding sticks and rocks to hurl at each other and passer-bys.

"Lily," a woman in an alley shouts, desperation in her voice, "Lily!"

I walk pass another alley where I find I group of men cornering a woman that looks to be about my age.

I keep going.
Better her than me.

I clutch the strap of my bag tighter as I keep going.

Maybe I could stay here for a bit longer than I normally do. Everything is run down, dirty, I could blend in.

The sound of a gun shot goes off. I turn my head in it's direction, but no one else seems to be worried by it.

This place would be perfect for me.

The wind picks up a bit and more snow begins to fall. I pull my thin sweatshirt sleeves over my hands and lift my moth bitten scarf over my nose. It smell rancid but I deal with it. I took it off the body of a woman I found in an alley a few days ago, I needed it and she obviously didn't.

My stomach growls.

I step into a mostly empty alley and open my bag, looking for some food or some money for food.

Bandages, pain killers, water, socks, feminine products, knife, matches, flashlight.

Damn no food or money.

Maybe I can trade something.

I close my bag and start walking again.

I find a shop with a sign saying 'TRADES ACCEPTED'.

Perfect.

I walk in. Looking around I find protein bars, water, bread, beans, jerky, potatoes and decently good fruit. I grab three cans of beans, two packs of jerky and a water and head to the counter.

The man looks at me. A scar decorates the left side of his face, and his grey hair sticks out in all directions.

"Money or trade?" He asks in a gravely voice.

"Trade," I say pulling out my flashlight and a bottle of pain killers.

He scoffs.

"Does the torch work?"

I turn it in to show him that it does.

He looks at the flashlight and pills before setting them down on the counter.

"This'll get ya the water and one can of beans," he pushes those items to me.

"Seriously?"

"Ya heard me."

Someone walks up beside me, and turns to me slightly.

"You're not from around here are you?" he has an accent.

I give his a once over with a raised brow.

"It's pretty obvious," he says, "considering you still have shoes."

I look down at my feet then his. His are bare and a bit cut up.

"If ya got shoes, ya can have your torch back ya can have the rest of the things ya wanted," the man behind the counter says.

I quickly take off my shoes and pass them to the man. The takes them and the pills and pushes the rest to me. I quickly put them in my bag and turn to find the man with he accent gone. I go out the door, my feet instantly regretting having given up my shoes.

I look and find the man going back he way I had came from.
I turn the other way.

I keep walking until nightfall, my feet having gone painfully numb.

I hear a scream not far to my left. I begin to run, not sure where I'm going.

I find one of the abandoned buildings and quickly run inside. Huffing a shuddery sigh of relief, I go further into the building. It's an abandoned library. Shelf after shelf of dust covered books spread as far as the eye can see.

As I walk through the isles, I find books that I read as a child. I pull out my flashlight as it grows darker, reading the spines of the warn books.

"Damn it," I hear someone say, it's soft almost like hey are talking go them self, "where did I put the matches?"

I turn off my flashlight and venture closer to the source of he voice, as I hear things better shifted and dropped.

Peeking around the corner one of the shelves I see the man from earlier. He's searching through his things in the near pitch black.

"I have some matches," I say turning my flashlight back on aimed at the ground so it doesn't blind him.

He turns around startled, knocking over some of his things.

"Sorry didn't mean to scare you," I say coming out from behind the shelf.

"You're the little visitor," he says recognizing me.

I nod as I come closer to him.

"You said you have matches?" he asks sitting down on a small crate, gesturing me to sit on the one next to him.

"Yeah," I open my bag after sitting down and pull out my match box.

"Perfect," he hold out his hand for it.

I hesitate at first, but give him the box.

He takes out a match and strikes it. The small flame appears and he quickly puts it in the small metal barrel in front of us. It ignites and a good size fire now warms us.

He passes the match box back to me and I put it back in my bag.

He pulls out a pot and a can of Chef Boyardee ravioli. He opens it and pours it into the pot, before setting a mesh plate over the fire and setting the pot on top of it.

I reach into my bag and pull out a strip of jerky.

"So what's your name?" the man asks as he stirs the food in his pot.

"Y/n," I take a bite of the jerky.

"Last name?"

"Don't have one," I shrug.

"Oh," he looks at me, "I'm Helmut."

"Nice to meet you, Helmut," I give him a smile.

"You as well, y/n," he returns the smile, then turns back to his food, "so what are you doing in this shit city?"

"Running," I answer honestly, "I've got some people after me."

"Why?" He turns back to me as he takes the pot off the mesh plate.

"Doesn't matter," I look down, "I just don't need them finding me."

"Well they won't be able to after tonight, not for a few months anyways."

"What do you mean?" I look up at him.

"The snow fall," he explains, "it's going to snow about six feet tonight and keep going for the next two months then it'll take some time to melt."

"Wait six feet?!" My eyes go wide.

Oh no!!
That means!!

"Yeah everyone is going to be snowed in, either that or buried under it all," he shrugs.

I look at my bag and think of the measly amount of supplies I have. There's no way I'll have enough to last me.

He must have noticed.

"Don't worry," he says, "I have plenty to share."

"But I have no way of paying you back," I say sheepishly. I hate being in debt to people.

"I can think of a few ways," he says look at me with a grin.

I scoot further away from him.

"I'm just kidding," he chuckles, "I would never do that or ask that of you, I'm a gentleman."

I ease just a bit, still cautious of him. Joke or no joke, I'm going to be stuck with him for the next few months, and that could easily change.

The temperature begins to drop dispite the fire.

I wrap my scarf tighter.

"You'll freeze to death in that," Helmut says taking a bite of his food, "wait here."

He gets up and walk over to another crate. He pulls out a large quilt and a few other things before returning to his seat. He sets the quilt beside him and hands me a new scarf and I better jacket.

(And this is the point when I realized that I was falling in love with this story and decided that I'm also going to make this a full story😁)

"Thank you."

I slip the jacket on and discard the tattered scarf for the new one. I already feel a bit warmer.

"Of course," he gives me a smile, "would you like some?" He gestures to his food.

"Oh no I'm fine," I lie, "that's yours."

He gives me a look that tells me he can see through my BS.

"Eat," he passes the pot to me along with the spoon.

"Thanks," I say not much above a whisper.

I take a few bites as he gets to his feet and throws some wood scraps into the fire before going over to a pallet of cardboard on the floor with the quilt in hand.

There are a few pillows and blankets with it. I guess that's where he sleeps.

He kneels next to it, moving the pillows a bit and adjusting the blankets before sitting on top of it all.

I finish the food and put the pot to the side.

There's not really anywhere for me to sleep.

I go and sit in the floor, leaning against one of the large crates, resting my head on the wood.

Time passes and it grows colder.

I pull out the spare socks in my bag and slipping them on and trying to warm my feet.

The jacket Helmut gave me is a bit big so I tuck my legs into it as well.

"Come here."

I look up to where Helmut is gesturing for me to join him.

I hesitate at first, but go against my better judgement and go and curl up beside him under the heavy quilt.

He drapes an arm around me pulling me closer as I shiver.

I feel a bit warmer as our body heat is trapped beneath the fabric.

I drift into a peaceful slumber for the first time in years.

~

It's been two months, Helmut and I have grown close, very close.

"What are you reading today, darling?" He asks as he leans over the small couch I'm nestled in.

"Pride and Prejudice," I reply, my eyes not leaving the page.

"Well that sounds boring," James says plopping down beside me and taking the book from my hands.

James showed up two weeks ago, somehow managing to get through the snow storm. It still makes no sense to me.

"Just let the woman read, you Jack off," Helmut says snatching he book from him and handing it back to me.

"You're so boring," James huffs at Helmut, then addresses me, "how have you stood this guy for so long?"

"I enjoy his company," I shrug.

"You could enjoy mine again, doll," he smirks.

Helmut huffs in annoyance and marches back down to the main floor.

I know what James is talking about, and I smirk behind my book.

Not a week after he arrived, we ended up fucking on the third floor right on top of one of the tables.

He caught me reading Fifty Shades of Grey and offered to "help me out". I was sex deprived and horny, how could I say no?

Helmut found out and has been giving James the cold shoulder since.

~

HELMUT'S POV
I let her have my food, I make sure she's warm, I sooth her when she has nightmares, and yet she goes and fucks him. She barely knows him. I've been with her for two months.

I kick one of the crates, regretting it immediately as my entire foot throbs in pain.

God I hate that guy.

The snow will be melting in a month or so, and she said she'll be leaving when it does. That James guys said he would go with her.

She asked if I would come with her, begged me really.

I told her no, that I belonged here, but that she should go ahead. She couldn't have those people finding her.

She seemed disappointed, but agreed.

I let out a sigh.
I'm gonna miss her.

~

Y/N'S POV ~ one month later
I head down stairs, James trying to convince me to stay upstairs with him for the night instead of with Helmut.

"No James," I say sternly, "I'm not sleeping up there with you."

I haven't had sex with him since the first time, though there we a few close calls, I wasn't trying to get pregnant. I spent most of my time with Helmut, but there were some odd times in the day where I found myself alone with James.

Helmut has started being a little distant with me lately and I don't know why.

I finally get downstairs and curl up next to Helmut like I do every night.

He rolls away from me.

"Helmut?"

He doesn't acknowledge me.

"Helmut, what's wrong?"

"The snow will be melted enough for you to leave by morning," he says still facing away from me.

"Really?" I sit up.

"Yes."

I'll finally be able to go outside again. I can keep moving.

I look to Helmut. What I can see of his face is sad.

"Helmut?"

He hums in response.

"You don't want me to go, do you?"

"You can do whatever you want," he says, I can hear the disappointment in his voice, "go ahead and leave with the James in the morning, he can help keep you safe while you go back on the run."

But I don't want to go with James.

"Come with me," I whisper.

He sits up and looks at me finally.

"We've been over this," he says gruffly, "I belong here, I'm not going anywhere. If you want go, go, but I'm staying right here. Come back and visit if you feel like it."

He lays back down.

"What is I want to stay?"

He sits back up, a little bit of hope flickers in his eyes.

"What about the people that are after you?"

"I don't know," I shrug.

"You can't stay," he sighs, tucking some of my hair behind my ear, "you have to get out of here before that come looking for you."

"But what if I did stay?" I tilt my head a bit, "would you let me stay with you?"

"Of course, darling," he cups my cheek.

It silent for a moment, before he sighs again.

He pulls his hand away but I grab it and pull him close to me.

Our noses touch and out lips are only centimeters apart. Our warm breath mixes together as his lips ghost mine.

His hand is back on my cheek as he gently places his lips on mine.

The kiss slowly becomes heated as his tongue explores every corner of my mouth. I soft moan escaped my lips as I move to straddle him. He leans back against the crate as he lets me take control for a moment.

I grind my core against his hard member as I let my tongue explore his mouth, loving the taste.

The crate behind him suddenly slide back, making us fall. We're startled at first but laugh as I rest my forehead against his.

He sits back up and begins to unzip my jackets, tossing them to the side of our make shift bed. His lips trail from my neck down to my breasts.

He pinches one of my nipples while he sucks on the other. I intangle my fingers into his hair as he moves to my other nipple, letting my head fall back and enjoy the pleasure.

I grind against him, receiving a growl from him.

I remove his shirt and let my hands wander his broad chest and shoulders.

He flips us over, letting my head rest in the pillow as he make quick work of our pants.

He trails his lips to my core, his warm tongue swirling around my bud.

My hands are in his hair again, pissing him against me as he devours me. Moans leave my lips as he inserts a finger, then another. He pumps them into my core as he sucks on my clit.

"Helmut," I moan, growing closer to my climax.

"Go ahead, darling," he coos, pumping his digits even more.

It only takes me another moment before I can't hold back anymore and I release on his fingers, moaning his name.

He laps up my juices and trails his lips back to mine, making me taste myself.

I hook my legs on his hips, pulling him closer and my fingers dig into his hair. He lines his member to my core and pushes himself in slowly.

I moan in pure bliss as he stretches my walls and sucks on the sweet spot of my neck.

He pulls almost all the way out and pushes back in.

"God you're beautiful," he says breathily as he thrusts into me again and again.

He picks up his pace, turning me into a moaning mess as I claw at his back.

He leans back and pulls one of my legs over his shoulder, thrusting deeper and faster.

"Fuck," I moan out as I throw my head back.

The knot in my stomach tightens again, and I begin to clench around him.

"Fuck," he throws his head back in ecstasy, "do it again, darling."

I clench around him again and he groans, putting my leg back on his hip and smashing his lips to mine, swallowing my moans.

"Helmut!"

"Cum for me, darling, cum for me," he says between groans.

I cum hard onto his member. All I see is stars as he finishes right after me, riding out both of our highs.

He pulls out and lays beside me, pulling me in close. He grabs his shirt and hands me to me to put on while he puts on his pants. The warmth of the quilt incases me as he wraps us both up.

"I love you," he whispers as he kisses my forehead.

"I love you, too."

I settle in and drift off to sleep.

~

HELMUT'S POV
I wake up a bit, groaning and rolling over to go back to sleep, then we sit up in a panic.

Y/n isn't with me.

I look around.

Her clothes are gone along with her bag.

She left.
She left me.

She chose him.
She chose him over me.

I get up, putting the rest of my clothes back on.

I notice a book sitting on top of one of the crates.

Pride and Prejudice.

I pick it up.

She loved this book, she read it about a hundred times. I'm surprised she didn't bring it with her. But then again she wants to travel light.

She didn't even say goodbye.

It's for the best.
She couldn't stay, I know that, and leaving before I woke up insured that I wouldn't be able to convince her to stay with me.

I feel a tear fall down my cheek and I quickly swipe it away.

There's no use crying.
She's gone and that's that.

"I traded some medicine for some food, it's not all that fresh but it'll be fine."

I turn around quickly and find y/n setting her bag down on one of the crates and taking out different foods.

I drop the book and run to her, embracing her tightly. She's shocked at first but hugs me back tightly.

"I thought you left," I say against her shoulder, tears of joy streaming down my cheek.

She pulls back, wiping away my tears.

"I'm not going anywhere, I belong here," she smiles, "with you."

I pull her into a passionate kiss.

"I love you," I breathe finally pulling away for air.

"I love you, too, Helmut."

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