Cold

Steve POV

I don't like the cold, let's just get that straight. So when Natasha all but begged me to go running with her this morning (and everyone knows I can't say no to Nat) I made sure I was extra bundled before I stepped out on the snow. My fear itself could be considered ridiculous. The serum could keep me warm, kept me alive for 70 years in ice. I don't GET cold. But I definitely FEEL the cold. And anything that reminds me that I am a stranger in this new time, gives me nightmares, everything I once knew is gone. But rebuilding my life with the Avengers gives me a little more courage every day. Therefore, when Nat batted her long lashes at me, even if I wasn't in love with her and totally wrapped around her finger, how could I have said no?

The chill bit at my face the minute I opened the door, Nat looked at me crazily as I walked towards her.

"How ya gonna run, Cap? You can't move in your pile of clothes." she teased.

"Ha Ha." I snarled back sarcastically. We started to run- and I realized just how right she was. It was extremely difficult to waddle around in this attire. And although I kept up with her, I don't know if I could have passed her like I normally could with ease. I slowed down and grabbed her arm to stop her too. "Alright Nat, I'm done." I sighed. She grinned looking amused. "What's the matter old man? Can't keep up?" I rolled my eyes and shoved her playfully. What I wasn't expecting was for her to go flying into the snow pile beside us.

"Shit, Nat. I'm sorry." I hurried to help her up, offering my hand. "Sometimes I forget how tiny you are."

She nodded and grabbed my hand, sinking her feet into the snow and pulling me down with her catching me off guard. I landed in the snow next to her, preparing to be freezing cold. Nothing happened.. I couldn't feel the cold through the layers.

I tensed up when Nat straddled my hips and started to pull at the hem of my outermost sweater.

"What are you doing?" I all but cried.

"You look ridiculous Steve. You are gonna take some of these clothes off." We wrestled a little bit, and somehow Nat had gotten off two sweaters and my sweatpants, leaving me in nothing but a hoodie, a long sleeve, a pair of gym shorts and sweatpants.

"Nat stop," I gasped. "I don't wanna be cold." She paused on top of me for a minute. Suddenly realizing why I didn't want to be cold. Her hand cradled my face unexpectedly.

"Steve. You're here. With me. In a snowbank. I'm not gonna let you freeze again. I'm gonna be here with you forever. I'm not gonna let you go anywhere. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."

She looked sincere, and not for the first time, I forgot all about Peggy, and stared into the face of a woman 1000 times better. I realized then that I've never wanted someone as much as I want Natasha. She leaned down to kiss me before she peeled off the hoodie and sweatpants. I was now only in gym shorts and a long sleeve. And yet, with her near me, I had never felt warmer. I flipped her over, so I now hovered her and kissed her nose. She crushed some snow on my face and I laughed as she wiggled out of my grip and took off running, expecting me to chase her and starting what may have been the most intense and the world's longest snowball fight. When we reaches Stark tower afterwards, she was shivering and bright pink kissed her complexion. I looked unscathed. Our smiles reaches our ears and we had never been more happy. I guess I don't really mind the cold now.