A Blonde Spy and a Bearded Soldier

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Steve sat in the living room of the team's hideout in Wakanda. Natasha and Wanda had gone into town with Laura, leaving him alone with Clint, Sam, and Clint's kids. Scott had already gone back to the US, hiding with some of his old buddies, and the recently programming-free Bucky was training with some of T'Challa's guard.

After spending most of the day entertaining Lila, Cooper and a very energetic Nate, he'd retreated to the relative privacy of the living room to read one of the many books Natasha had taken from the palace's library. The book was good, but it wasn't enough to distract him from the situation at hand. Tony's call from the day before was still at the forefront of his mind. He'd asked for them all to go back to New York, and everyone's decision depended on what he decided to do. The problem was that he still wasn't sure what to do, the only thing that was on his mind, aside from the call, was the desire to keep the team safe. He knew that Tony wouldn't put them in danger on purpose, but he also knew that Ross was still after them, and he needed to keep his team, his family, safe.

"Hey soldier," a soft voice broke through his thoughts.

He looked up immediately and frowned, "Nat, what?" A blonde Natasha was standing at the entrance to the living room.

She smiled at his bewildered expression, "Don't like the change?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to, your face says it all."

Steve moved closer to her, running his hand through her now long blonde hair, "Why?"

Natasha understood what he asked of her and took his hand, "Because it was necessary. Tony needs us to go back, and my hair draws too much attention."

"Nat you didn't have to do this. I'm not even sure I want all of us to go back. We don't even know why Tony needs us to go back."

"Steve you promised."

"Exactly, I promised. Not you guys. I'm not about to put any of you in danger."

"Well tough luck, Captain. I'm not about to let you go on you own to face a pissed off Tony, and who knows what else. I'm going whether you like it or not."

"This is one argument I'm not going to win, right?" He asked, choosing to swallow his protests at the look on her face.

Natasha smirked, "You've learned, soldier."

He glared at her although there was no real heat in his gaze. Natasha held her ground, refusing to back down on her decision to go with him.

"What about the others, Nat? And what about you? All of you have more to lose than I do if we're captured."

Natasha looked at him sadly, and caressed his cheek with her hand, "You really think I'd be ok if I lost you?"

"Nat, I can't be the reason you're put in more danger than you already are. You're safe here, all of you are safe here."

"Steve I'm going and that's final. The others, especially Wanda and Bucky are staying here. We're not putting them in danger, but I can't lose you. I can't go through that again. I was put through hell when I didn't know where you were after everything went down."

Steve wiped away a tear that escaped the iron hold she usually had on her emotions, "Nat…"

"No. I can't and won't stay here. I'll follow you on my own if I have to."

Steve sighed, but nodded, "Ok, you win."

She smiled and kissed his lips chastely, "Call Tony and tell him. I'll tell the others and we'll leave tomorrow night. Oh, and Steve," she added almost as an after thought, "are you keeping the beard?"

"You like it?"

"Yeah," she admitted with a smile.

"Then yeah, I'm keeping it."

"Good," she whispered before leaving the room in search of her best friend and the rest of their family.

AN: This was inspired by 1. the new Infinity War poster and 2. a gif on Tumblr of all things.