𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄. | ❛ Let Me. ❜

JAMIE LET BOTH OF HER FISTS HIT THE PUNCHING BACK. All of the tension, stress, and heavy weight released off her shoulders as she used all of her energy punching the worn-out bag. Hitting the gym was the first thing she did after getting released from Bruce's treatment. Using her time to heal and taking it easy made the soldier scoff, ignoring everyone's request to take a break. She couldn't take a break when her mind was traveling a thousand miles per hour and she was almost close to going mental, according to Tony. So, here she was at the gym, hitting the bag as if her life depends on it.

     Steve watched her from the doorway, his body leaning against the wall and looking at her with a frown, his eyebrows furrowed as he watched her pour out her anger towards the punching bag.

     "Enjoying the view, Rogers?" she teased without looking at him, punching the bag one last time, causing the bag to soar through the air and fall on the floor with a loud thud. She panted and wiped off the sweat from her face with her hands before sauntering towards her bag, and grabbing her water bottle.

     Steve chuckled and looked down at the floor. His smile faltered, his expression turning stoic, "You know you're not supposed to exercise after the treatment, right?" he lectured, looking up from the floor to see her taking off the white bandage on her hands.

     Jamie threw the bandages beside her bag and turned her head to him, giving him her full attention. "Yeah, I know. I'm completely aware of Banner's orders," she answered with a sigh, giving him a tip-lipped smile, and walked over to the punching bag that was laying on the floor.

     Picking it up, she placed it on the original spot and was about to throw a punch when Steve's voice made her pause. "You're not healing, Jamie," he said in a soft tone, making her scoff.

     She shifted her eyes away from the bag as she looked at him. "What do you mean? The scars and bruises have healed and I'm pretty much back in shape now," she said with simple directness.

     "That's not what I meant," he said with a sigh before walking over to her, his worried eyes taking in her figure. The bags under her eyes were getting darker and he noticed her shoulders were stiff, making his stomach clench.

     Jamie rubbed the back of her neck and gave him a smile, "I'm fine, Steve." she lied through her teeth and turned her attention back to the punching bag, but he put a hand on her shoulder, turning her body to face him.

     "Talk to me, J," he said in a calm voice, making Jamie's heart pound as she looked into his eyes, the warm and loving gaze she's grown to love.

     "Every time I close my eyes, I can see them torturing me.." she started off with, referring to Hydra. A lump formed in her throat and she cleared her throat, "E-Everything they did to me reminds me of, uh," she stammered, unable to finish. Her heart was beating very fast and she wondered if he could hear it due to his enhanced hearing.

     "What you experienced at the trials." Steve finished her sentence, a look of concern etched onto his face. She choked back a sob and nodded her head, "The torturing, the pain, and the loss became too much that I erased most of it after the trials. I thought I was going to be okay in the years coming by, but it only got worse. They're a part of me now, and it got worse when I was put in the same spot." she confessed, tears forming in her eyes.

     He inched closer to her, softly laying his hand on her cheek, wiping a tear that was slowly falling down her cheek. She put her hand on top of his, leaning against his tender touch. "I'm tired, Steve. I'm so fucking tired." she continued, her voice barely a whisper.

     Steve brought her into her arms, letting her pour her heart out. "It's okay, doll. I got you," he murmured into her hair, rocking her slowly to the side. Hearing her quiet sobs made him clench his jaw, his heart aching at the sound of her cries.

     Jamie finally let herself break, the walls she has been holding up, slowly started to crumble, letting her emotions take the lead this time. "It hurts, Steve. It really hurts." she whimpered, softly crying into his chest. She clutched onto his shirt, afraid he could disappear.

     He kissed her head, holding her trembling body against his chest. "You'll be okay, Jamie," he said in a soothing tone, repeating it a few times.

Me when Stamie:

Raise your hand if you love Stamie ✋🏼 They're my favorite couple and I wish she was real 😪 I wanted to add a slight AU in between the chapters to show you more of their relationship and how much they've grown since the last two books.

Question for today: Who do you like Jamie with, whether it's platonic or romantically, when it comes with interactions and moments? Would love to hear your thoughts! :)

I hope you liked the chapter as much as I liked writing it! Don't be a quiet reader, your comments keeps me motivated! Happy Reading.