Stark Tower, home to the Avengers, was not a quiet place. With six superheroes sharing the top seven floors, nobody would expect it to be. It was busy, cluttered and often in need of repair. But to those that resided there it was home. A place where they could work and relax.
Despite the noise, there were many places one could be alone. For Tony Stark this was his private lab. Bruce Banner would visit regularly, but worked mainly in the R and D department that was just underneath the first level of the Avenger's quarters. Often he could also be found in Stark's well stocked library at the top of the tower.
Captain Steve Rodgers found solace in the normally deserted gym. With the bifrost repaired and Thor a frequent presence in the tower, he too had been given a floor in which to live. On the days Thor visited, the communal kitchen was his place of refuge. A son of Odin and royalty, the Asgardian did not seem to have any concept of wanting to be alone. On the contrary he seemed to crave company and so found the communal area a haven.
For the two master assassins, a place alone usually meant a place together. More often than not it would be their shared apartment on the third floor of the living complex. However on the rare occasion separation was needed, it would be in a small, confined hiding place. Agent Barton preferring to perch just underneath Iron Man's landing spot, with a view stretching out over the spectacular New York skyline. For Agent Romanov it was any space she could crawl into. Usually favouring an air vent.
These were the few places that could be quiet at anytime of the day or night. Following the events of Loki's attempt to take over the world, they were frequented often. The newly crowned 'Avengers' had found adjusting to living with each other difficult. Now however, a year later, the tower had become home, finding it easier to fulfil their role as 'Earth's mightiest heroes' if they lived together.
Sunday's were the one morning a degree of quiet could be ensured in the tower until at least 11:00am. The top floor and balcony of Stark tower was the main shared area. A communal kitchen with a breakfast bar lined the furthest wall from the windows. In front of the breakfast bar sat a set of comfy sofas and various armchairs arranged around a circular fire place in the middle. From here a nearly panoramic view of the city was exposed by floor to window ceilings. To the right was a dining table that often doubled as a meeting place.
With varying sleep patterns, it was not unusual for at least one agent to wake much before the others. This Sunday morning found Natasha Romanov nursing a coffee while watching the sunrise. She enjoyed these lazy days that allowed her body to wake up in its own time. So much of her time at S.H.I.E.L.D had been spent running entirely on adrenaline with no sleep, relaxing was a luxury.
By the time the sun had risen fully her legs had gone to sleep and her coffee was cold. Taking a sip she wrinkled her nose in disgust. It was difficult to get her legs to wake up but she hobbled over to the breakfast bar as best she could. She placed her cup on the counter and sighed.
It had been a long and confusing week that had left her with a lot to think about. She was still so consumed in her thoughts that she didn't even notice a figure appear behind her. It wasn't until the figure attempted to wrap his arms around her that she moved. Quick as a flash she had an iron grip on his wrist. She twisted his arm behind his back while pushing him to his knees. The assailant yelped.
"NAT?! WHAT THE HELL?!"
"Shit! I'm sorry, you scared me!"
"I was trying to hug you!"
"Well don't sneak up on me!"
"Nobody can sneak up on you Nat"
"Well I was thinking"
"Nat?"
"Yeah"
"Can you let me go?"
She immediately loosened her grip and stooped to help Clint up. He looked flustered and was still breathing heavily, so she reached her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"What is up with you?"
"Nothing, you just made me jump"
Her voice was muffled against his shoulder. There was a rare, but not unheard, vulnerability in her voice. He kissed the top of her head.
"You're warm?"
He half asked as he pulled her backwards to look at him. She avoided her eyes and shrugged away from him.
"Nat?"
It's nothing, I'm just tired. Do you want coffee?"
He nodded silently as she moved towards the kettle and he went to sit at the breakfast bar. Taking note of her half drunk coffee he decided to keep an eye on her quietly.
"So, What are your plans this sunny Sunday?"
Her voice was now cheery, but Clint could detect the false note in it. He stretched, watching her back.
"Oh I don't know, Tony mentioned something about taking Steve to the cinema"
"Hmm" was Natasha's reply
"But I thought it would be cool to go skydiving"
"MmmHmm" Natasha agreed, her mind clearly elsewhere.
"Then maybe shoot some birds in the park, in clear view of children"
"Wait! What?!" She turned sharply to face him, the kettle in one hand and a cup in the other.
"You weren't listening, so I made it more interesting"
"Clint..."
She placed the objects down in front of her and poured the hot water, keeping her eyes down.
"This week has been crazy, I'm just tired"
Clint took the cup from her and took her hands in his, resting them on the counter top.
"Go back to bed, I'll bring you breakfast in a bit"
Natasha merely nodded and shuffled of quietly. As she reached the elevator the doors opened revealing a sweaty Steve Rodgers. She raised her hand in way of a greeting and carried on to the newly opened doors of the elevator.
"Morning Tash!"
His greeting missed her as she pressed the button that would take her back to bed.
Clint shook his head at the Captain's unasked question.
"No idea" He embellished.
"Fancy pancakes?"
"Sounds good, I've worked up an appetite almost as big as Thor's!"
Clint laughed
"Bloody hell I'll have to make a truck load!"
Steve smiled as he took a seat at the breakfast bar and unfurled a newspaper.
"So Natasha's gone back to bed?"
"Yeah, I made the mistake of sneaking up on her this morning, I think she has a bug."
Steve looked over his newspaper to the archer.
"You snuck up... on her?"
"I know right, it's weird"
"She must be ill"
Clint nodded as he began to mix what would surely be the first of many batches of pancakes this morning.
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Meanwhile downstairs in their shared apartment, Natasha took the opportunity whilst she was alone and dashed into her bathroom. Clint would be upstairs for at least twenty minutes. However, ever cautious, she spoke softly to J.A.R.V.I.S.
"Could you do me a favour please J?"
"Certainly Miss Romanov, what can I do to be of assistance?"
"Can you warn me when Clint is coming downstairs?"
"Yes, Miss Romanov, anything else?"
"Actually, I don't suppose you could tell him that I'm in bed if he asks?"
"Of course"
"And this can be our little secret then J?"
"Yes, Miss Romanov"
"Thanks, J"
"You are more than welcome Miss Romanov"
Quietly she read and re read the instructions. She followed them quickly, setting her watch to go off in three minutes. She placed the item next to the sink and leant forward to the mirror behind it. She whispered in Russian as she looked into her own green eyes. They certainly looked brighter than they had done before. Natasha shook the thought away, closing her eyes but still leaning against the mirror. She counted in Russian, then English and then back to Russian.
After an age her watch finally beeped.
She waited a moment, until her heart rate slowed to a somewhat normal pace again, then she steeled herself for what she was about to do.
She brought her eyes down slowly, and found herself staring at two blue lines.
Hello, if you are reading this you have stumbled upon my first ever FanFiction :D If by some miracle people do read this, PLEASE PLEASE review! I'd love to know how you think I can improve and if you enjoyed it or not :) This story will have more chapters if there is a good response :) I would love to introduce the other characters and I do have more of an action plot developing in my mind, so hopefully that too.
Claudia :)