A/n: This was requested by nicole_evansrogers97! Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy it :)

"Careful on your mission babe," you said as Steve finished getting suited up.

He smiled at you, and as he walked by, placed a tender kiss on your forehead. "You know I will be, doll. I've got people watching my back today, too, so it should work out pretty well."

You moved up to your tiptoes and captured Steve's lips, giving him one more kiss before he had to leave. That's how it always went. You'd tell him to be careful, he'd promise, and most days he'd come back with some minor injuries. Few days, he'd come back and need to spend some time in the med bay.

Those few instances are what kept you up at night. Being an Avenger was one thing, having to watch out for your teammates all the time. Dating one of them, though? That added a whole new level of worry.

Steve and you hardly went on missions together, too, because there was a worry about either of you being too distracted by the other. While it made sense, it kept you from protecting the love of your life.

Luckily, this mission went smoothly. Steve having Sam and Nat with him helped keep him relatively uninjured. Only thing was the typical soreness and a bruise or two.

When he came back, he held you in his arms and promised he was okay and that everything went well. Once that was out of the way, you two relaxed and enjoyed your time together.

A week later, another mission came up. But this one was big. "We're all going?" you asked, already stripping and getting ready to get your suit on.

"Huge Hydra base, sounds like they were experimenting with mutants and mutant tech," Tony explained over the FRIDAY intercoms.

Beside you, Steve asked, "Mutant tech? What does that mean?"

"Technology and weapons that use mutant powers to defend the base. So Wanda's and (Y/n)'s, but in tech form so there's no possibility of them going rogue."

"Like we did," you concluded. You and the Maximoff twins had gone through similar trials, but yours were done at a different base and you had been found before they were. But the memories were still sharp knives stabbing you.

Steve set a gentle hand on your shoulder, and everything paused for a second as you wrapped you two in a time bubble. "(Y/n), it's going to be hard. It's a Hydra base and they probably know about you. Are you sure-"

"Yes. Facing this is the best way for me to get better. I promise, I'll be okay. You just have to promise me the same thing."

He smiled at you, and pulled you in for a kiss. "You know I do." You dropped the time bubble.

A few minutes later, everyone was hurrying onto the Quinjet as Tony got it powered up and ready for launch. By the time that was ready, everyone was on board and you were off to your mission.

During the flight, you refused to sit still. Even after going over the plan again and again, you felt nervous. And it wasn't just about this being a Hydra base. It was about Steve being out there, with things that could overpower him. And if they did...

You didn't want to think of the if.

To try and calm your racing heart, you paused in front of a mirror and looked over your suit. It was smilier in style to Natasha's, but was a navy so dark it could be black with gold trim going down the sides and your arms, and also wrapping around your waist like a belt.

It was hands down the best suit Tony had made you so far. Steve had agreed on several occasions.

"We're touching down in five, let's get moving," Tony announced.

This was it. You and Steve shared a look, not wanting to talk and get too distracted before the fight. Luckily for the two of you, the look was more than enough.

As soon as you hit the ground, you were in the fight. With your powers of harnessing time, you used it in small doses as to not drain yourself. Slowing bullets to move around them and bring your attacker down. Helping the others by slowing their falls or their attacker's punches so they could get the upper hand.

Things were going well enough, that you had a second to visually check in on everyone. Tony was handling the hidden weaponry, Wanda helping. Thor was helping blast them out and fought off the Hydra agents. And Steve-

Your body went cold. Steve was surrounded by far too many agents, all with enhanced weaponry. His shield could only block so much.

"Shit, Steve," you breathed, breaking into a sprint to stop it.

Even though your powers weren't in use, it felt like things were going so slow as you raced to save Steve. His back was turned to the agent firing up his weapon- fire- and your eyes were widening with fear.

Finally, you jumped beside your boyfriend and let out a yell as you threw your arms out to the side. Gold dust flew from your hands and went around you and Steve. The only two not being affected.

Steve stood up and wanted to say something, but the time bubble wouldn't last for forever. You said the longest you had held one was ten minutes straight, and it drained you.

Still, he wanted to try and say something. But you didn't listen. Instead, you were already going to each agents and using your powers to push them all back so they were either firing at the sky or themselves.

By the time you dropped your bubble, the eleven agents surrounding Steve were either unconscious or dead, killed by their own weapons.

Your breaths were coming out heavily, and you could feel the adrenaline wearing off. Steve ran up to your side and immediately pulled you into a tight hug. Automatically, your arms wrapped around him, too, and you breathed him in.

"You saved my life," Steve whispered. He was aware of how close he got to either spending a really long time in the med bay or even worse. Probably the second option. "I love you, (Y/n)."

You smiled into his chest. "I love you, too, Steve,"

The others came down and over to you quickly, checking to see what had happened. Even though they were all talking at once, you managed to make out some phrases.

"Holy shit, are you okay?"

"What happened!"

"Thought you were a goner there for a second."

"Don't do that again, Steve, that was stupid."

"Thank you, (Y/n)."

You smiled at Sam. Steve was his best friend, you knew he appreciated having him around. So you smiled and gave him a small nod. Then, it was business time. "How's the base looking?"

Tony shook his head. "Taken care of. I got in and out pretty much in the time it took you to save Roger's ass- thank you, by the way. That would have been a real inconvenience."

Even though Tony's words sounded harsh, you could see the fear simmering close to the edge. He was genuinely grateful Steve hadn't been killed.

"Then I see no reason for us to stand around here any longer," you said. The others agreed and slowly you made it back to the Quinjet.

The whole walk, the others were thanking you and admiring your powers, something that rarely get to see at such a scale.

Steve, however, was quiet. At first, you were worried he was mad. Maybe you made him feel less manly? But that wasn't Steve, he'd never feel less manly based on the actions of others. So what was it?

The ride back to the compound was quiet as everyone decompressed. You sat next to Steve and he had his arm wrapped around you so you could lean your head on his shoulder.

Back at the compound, Steve was required to get checked out just in case, so you told him you'd meet him back in your room. Well, the room the two of you shared.

You got back and changed, even taking the time to shower and clean yourself up. Once you were in your pajamas, Steve was back. He'd already changed out of his uniform and was in a pair of sweats with a too-tight t-shirt, just the way you liked it.

"Hey," you greeted quietly.

He didn't say anything, just closed the door and took a few, long strides over to you. Then, with no warning, he grabbed your face and leaned down to capture your lips. You instinctively closed your eyes and melted into the moment.

When he pulled away dozens of seconds later, he leaned his forehead on yours. "Thank you for saving my life today. Wanda... she told me if you hadn't been there I would've been gone. Not even hurt, just... gone."

You squeezed your eyes tight in hopes to ward off the tears, but they came anyway. Steve carefully used a thumb to wipe them away.

"Now you see why I worry," you said.

He chuckled. "Oh I always knew why. Today just... put it more into perspective."

You smiled. "Let's go to bed then. I'm exhausted."

The two of you curled up together in bed, Steve holding you close. As you drifted off, you heard Steve whisper something.

"My hero."

~Fin~

A/n: Short and sweet! Also late, and that's my bad. This was my fall break (Sat-Tues) and I was busy with my family. But I still managed! I'll try to be more on time next week :)

I hope you guys enjoyed! Especially considering what today means for us MCU fans... I might write something about that for next week.

Until then, bye Lovelies!!!!!!!!!!!!!