Pietro and Y/n were always paired up for missions, his speed and her combat skills going hand in hand. So far, they have had a 100% success rate with their missions, always completing the task at hand. The two have grown close over the several missions they were with one another, creating a shared playlist to blast on comms, developing several inside jokes, and overall, just enjoying each other’s company. After finishing yet another successful mission, the two were assigned to sleep in a hotel while they waited for the data from the flashdrive they got from their mission to transfer over to the Avengers database.
Y/n always felt silly walking around with these disguises, but it was necessary to avoid any last minute unwelcome interactions with anyone who might want the flashdrive. She pushed her sunglasses further up the bridge of her nose and pulled her ball cap down. Next to her, Pietro had a gray hoodie covering his hair, a cap, and similar sunglasses. Sensing her looking up at him, Pietro glanced down and shot her a smile. Even though she couldn’t see through his tinted glasses, she could picture how the corners of his eyes creased and how his eyes seemed to sparkle as he did so. She returned the smile and turned away, continuing their walk to the hotel.
They arrived at the hotel, which is never too fancy to avoid detection, despite it definitely being in the Avenger’s allowance. Pietro checked in for the two while Y/n let her eyes wander around the lobby. People were everywhere, but none who looked like they would be after the flash drive. She determined they were safe, for the meantime, and followed Pietro to their room, which was always on the first floor near the exit for quick getaways.
As Pietro unlocked the door with his room key, Y/n’s duffel bag grew heavier in her hand, aching to set it down on her bed as soon as they got into the room. Pietro pushed the door open with his shoulder, holding it open for Y/n as she entered, setting her bag down with a sigh as she looked up, taking in the room they would be spending the night on. It was a nice size, with a bathroom, mini fridge, and TV. However, Y/n’s eyes lingered on the bed. The one bed for two people. She immediately looked up at Pietro, who seemed to share the same expression of distress on his face.
“I- Stark was the one who booked the room. Shit, sorry Y/n,” Pietro apologized. Knowing Stark, he probably did this as a joke, thinking it would be hilarious if they were forced to share a bed. Y/n was not having it - she was sick of him joking around.
“I’ll sleep on the floor, you take the bed. And don’t apologize - it was Stark’s doing, no doubt,” Y/n insisted, her eyes rolling at the mention of Stark’s name.
Pietro turned to her, shaking his head profusely at her offer. “No, no way. You take the bed, I’ll take the floor.” Y/n opened her mouth to protest, Pietro cutting her off, “Darling, I fall asleep pretty much everywhere. The floor is no different than a bed for me, I guarantee you.” He took in Y/n’s disgruntled face, adding in an accented “please”. That seems to seal the deal, because Y/n picks up her duffel bag and sets it down on the bed, sighing as she did so.
Y/n unzipped her pocket, taking out the flashdrive and handing it to Pietro, who plugged it into the laptop, starting the data transfer. The laptop sat on the desk provided with the room, the two going through their duffel bags to get ready for bed. Pietro granted Y/n access to the bathroom first, turning on a show on the TV while he waits.
After a mission, showering was basically heaven. Y/n stole a few extra minutes with the hot water running down her back, not wanting to leave, but then was reminded of Pietro waiting to use the bathroom, and forced herself to turn the shower off. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and changed into her pajamas, a pair of shorts and an oversized t-shirt. She left the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
“Pietro, you can go in now.” Pietro’s head turned towards Y/n at the sound of her voice, and she swore his eyes momentarily wander her body before he got up. With his super speed, it can be hard to tell, and she brushed it off, moving to the side as he entered the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
It's not long until Pietro resurfaced, wearing blue flannel pants and a white t-shirt that was much too tight for him, hugging his muscular body as he moved toward his spot on the floor. He had grabbed a pillow from the bed and a spare blanket, and Y/n couldn’t help feeling sad looking at his sleeping arrangements.
“Pietro, are you sure you don’t want the bed?” Y/n pleaded, hoping he would switch with her. She hated when people did her favors, always feeling like she owed them something or that they would hold a grudge against her. Pietro craned his head up at her, tilting it as he responded.
“Y/n, I told you, I’m fine here. It would be much easier for me to sleep here anyways than you.” Y/n knew that he was right, but still felt bad as she untucked the bed and got under the covers. The bed was very comfortable, despite its small size. Pietro turned off the TV, and it wasn’t long until Y/n’s eyes grew heavy and she drifted off into sleep.
— — — — —
The floor wasn’t that bad, Pietro wasn’t exaggerating. However, he just had a hard time falling asleep everywhere, contrasting what he had told Y/n earlier. After getting his powers, he found his mind moved a lot faster, making it hard to calm himself before bed. He was up later and his sleep got worse, and while sleeping on a bed might’ve helped a bit, he would rather have Y/n get the rest she deserves without feeling uncomfortable.
He lost himself in his thoughts, until a sound coming from the bed shook him out of it. He froze, listening for anything else, and when nothing else followed it, assumed it was just her talking in her sleep or something of that sort. That is, until he heard the sheets rustle and Y/n mutter “No.”
Pietro immediately perked up, turning so he could see Y/n. She had a distressed look plastered on her face, her breathing picking up as she turned over to the side, wrestling with her sheets once more. It was definitely a nightmare, the string of “No”s following it confirming Pietro’s assumption. As Y/n grew more frantic, clearly trapped in this nightmare, Pietro got up, standing by the side of the bed. He stroked her hair, trying to wake her up without startling her further, but she didn’t calm down. He tried to shake her out of it, to no avail. After a few minutes of him chanting her name, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her, Y/n finally emerged from her sleep, sitting up and breathing in deeply as she attempted to catch her breath. Her eyes darted around the room as she oriented herself, relaxing as they settled on Pietro’s face.
“Y/n, are you okay?” Pietro questioned. His concern was plastered all over his face, his eyes scanning her up and down as he judged her health. His first priority was her safety - it always was.
Y/n made no reply, still disoriented and frightened from her dream. Her breathing was fast and uneven as she grabbed the sheets, her knuckles turning white. Pietro’s hand had covered hers at some point. His fingers caressed hers as she gripped the sheet tighter. She eventually calmed, feeling his hand squeeze around hers as her grip on the sheets loosened. Pietro moved his free hand to the top of her back, letting her put her weight into him as he lowered her back down so she was resting on the headboard. He carefully removed his hand on her back, but kept his other around her hand.
“I- I’m sorry, they’re not usually like this. I don’t know why it was so bad,” Y/n let out, her voice barely above a whisper.
They’re. This wasn’t out of the blue for her to experience. Pietro frowned, not wanting to push her, but found himself aching to know what happened in her dream, if he could be of any help. He recalled Stark mentioning her past once, how it was ‘something that would always haunt her’. He didn’t think much of it, as they weren’t even friends at the time, but now Pietro wished he had paid more attention to Y/n when she joined the Avengers.
“Don’t apologize, Y/n. You have nothing to be sorry for.” Y/n was looking up at Pietro, but her eyes were glassy and unfocused. It was like she was staring through him. “What can I do? Is there anything that would help you?”
Y/n shook her head. “I just need a minute. You can go back to bed. I’ll be fine,” Y/n assured, her voice shaking a little as she did so. She was one to deny help she needed, and Pietro unwillingly let his hand trail off of hers, walking back to his spot on the floor. He couldn’t fall back asleep, his thoughts lingering on Y/n. She often took up his thoughts, but with her nightmare, he found himself unable to think of anything but her, her health, her safety. He wanted her to be comfortable no matter what, and if that meant he was on the floor, Pietro would go on the floor, despite how desperately he wanted to be on the bed with her, comforting her. His thoughts were interrupted by a welcome voice.
“Piet?” Y/n’s voice trailed off, unsure. “Can you come up here with me?”
Pietro was by her side before he even processed what he was doing. “Where do you want me, Y/n?” He was willing to do anything for her.
Y/n patted her arm to the space next to her, and Pietro sat on the part of the bed she gestured to. “No, Pietro, under the covers. Please? I just need someone with me right now.”
Once she felt Pietro’s warmth under the covers, Y/n instantly felt herself relax. Her whole life she was alone, the trauma of what she went through recurring in her dreams, and having someone there always helped. She rested her head on his chest, feeling herself get more and more relaxed and willing to return to her sleep with his presence there. He always made her feel comfortable around him - she trusted him completely.
Pietro was completely entranced with her like this. She was so peaceful, her eyelids fluttering shut as her breathing slowed. He couldn’t help but admire her beauty, the waves of her hair, the freckles dotting her face. She was perfect in every way, shape, and form. Her past doesn’t define her, and it never will. If there was a way he could take her past trauma and place it upon himself, he would. She didn’t deserve to carry this burden with her.
Once he was certain she was asleep, Pietro allowed his hand to gently stroke through her hair, rubbing her back softly with his other one. He gave a gentle kiss to her temple, whispering an unheard “I love you.” Some things were better unspoken. He would take her friendship over not knowing her anyday. It was in moments like these where he could close his eyes and hope that the day would come.