Lessons in Rule Breaking and Other Reader-Inserts*Steve Rogers*Reader*

Nothing but the Truth - Pt.6/8

"Was smart," Steve muttered, apparently still with difficulty, but more clearly now. You would be delighted that his state improving, except your mind was too busy trying to figure out why the heck did it sound as if he just praised your kidnapper. "So is your profession. You can get the information on new couples first-hand."

The vendor seemed thoughtful as he nodded, but then a scowl twisted his expression.

"Wouldn't be my first choice."

And it finally, finally dawned to your slow brain what was Steve doing. He was stalling. To what end you weren't sure, but you hoped it meant that the Ironman himself would be able to find you anyway... somehow.

"What... what would be your first choice?" you whispered softly, too scared of setting something in him off by speaking louder.

"Doesn't matter. I found my purpose now," he replied, leaning to the machines and you gulped when a spark flied from it.

"And what is the purpose again?"

The man turned to Steve at the question. "I am a servant of love. Of true love. One of faith, trust and honesty," he declared proudly and you wanted to puke. He sounded fucking insane.

A servant of love? Tell that to the missing couples!

"How do you serve this love?" Steve queried, somehow managing to sound genuinely interested and when the other man hesitated, you held your breath.

"Mm. I protect people from entering a marriage based on lies."

BY KIDNAPPING THEM AND KILLING THEM?!

Because that was the assumption, wasn't it? If the couples had disappeared and never reappeared, then they were very likely dead.

Just like you might be in a couple of minutes.

You breathed through the hysteria crawling up your throat, rather holding onto the fact Steve was still trying to do something here. The stalling seemed to be working well.

But for how long? And was the time bought with this enough for the Avengers finding you despite this man's plots?

"You're protecting them from the same fate you suffered," Steve deduced and you winced.

"Yes. I know the pain lies can cause to a man. Love must be pure. When you promise dedication to another person, you must be truly committed to them," he stated seriously and your head... spun as you slowly pierced together a story of a man with a broken heart and... a broken mind, turning absolutely fucking mad from the betrayal.

Ill, he was ill, mentally, but that didn't justify his actions in the slightest.

"You were married and your partner has been unfaithful," Steve guessed, but sounded as if he knew for sure, coming to the same conclusion as you.

"How do you-" the vendor chuckled then, a watery sound as his own memories must have been brought to life, reopening the wound and rubbing salt in it. "Of course you would figure it out.... She sat in this very chair, you know? With her new fiancé. And she didn't even love him. She was only after his money. And he didn't love her either, just enjoying the adventure. Such a shame..."

Your blood crystalized in your veins, icy cold, and not for the first time, your stomach turned all over, its contents threatening to spill from your mouth.

He... had he—he-

"Where is she now?" you quipped, unable to keep the question from spilling from your lips, needing to know the answer and dreading it at the same time.