~Natasha~
Days passed by; Bruce was still missing, the new Avengers needed training, and it was all up to her and Steve. Steve. In the events after the Hulk's disappearance, Steve had been there for her, to comfort her and soothe her. And for that Natasha was grateful. Steve had become her new best friend (not quite like Clint, but still).
~Steve~
He hated to see her like this. Broken, suffering, in pain. He tried to help her as much as he could, but he feared it wasn't enough. Steve genuinely cared for Natasha. He could never admit it, but ever since DC he had grown feelings for her. But no, Natasha wasn't his type. She was strong, tough, independent, and well, beautiful. Like Peggy.
~Natasha~
Another sleepless night. She got out of bed and made her way to the common area and sat on the couch. As she sat there, Natasha replayed the memories of the Red Room. The place that had taken her apart and clumsily put her back together. The sudden sound of shuffling feet behind her brought her back to the present.
"Oh, uh, sorry Nat I didn't mean to startle you."
"No it's fine. Actually I'm glad you did."
"Memories getting at you again?"
"Yeah."
"Me too."
Natasha just looked him. Sitting so close to him, she could make out the bags under his from the lack of sleep. She could see the pain in his eyes and he dwelled on the past.
"You want to know what I saw."
"No I... I don't want to trouble you."
"It's alright. I saw Peggy."
His first love Natasha thought.
"We were in a ballroom full of people I did't know. One minute she was there and ready to dance, and the next everyone was gone. Lost again. That's my fear Nat; losing the people I care about."
"Well we're not going anywhere, I can assure you of that." She smiled a genuine smile.
~Steve~
Steve felt so touched by the way Natasha had listened and reacted to his flashback. No one ever really bothered to hear him out unless he was dressed in his star-spangled uniform, playing the part of "captain". Although he was dying to know what kept Natasha awake, he was a gentleman and didn't pry.
"If you want, I can tell you what I saw."
That took Steve by surprise.
"No no if it hurts you I don't want to know."
"Oh come on. You told me about your nightmare, the least I can do is tell you about mine."
"Ok." Steve said meekly.
"It was about the Red Room, where they first trained me. I was reliving my training... and... the final test. We had to kill an innocent person. It was a feeling that shouldn't have bothered me considering how many times I'd been made to do it before, but in that moment it was the hardest thing I'd ever had to do."
~Natasha~
Steve just stared at her, wide eyes and mouth dropping.
"Holy shit Nat!" (That made Natasha's eyes widen.) "I can;t believe they'd do that to you. What bastards! I'm so sorry Natasha."
"It's in the past Steve. It was a long time ago."
"Yes but something like that! I'm just dumbfounded."
"I'm ok now Steve. It doesn't bother me that much anymore."
"Well clearly it does if it keeps you from sleeping at night."
Natasha was lost for words. Steve's reaction had left her feeling... loved? Is that what this was? Yes, it was. Steve really did care, loved her even. And Natasha felt the same. What she had with Bruce was a mutual understanding. What she had with Steve was real love and care.
~Steve~
Steve was so surprised when he heard what they did to Natasha in that horrid place. He didn't know what to do, so he scooped her into his lap and put his big arms around her. They sat like this in silence for a few minutes, just being in the moment and forgetting about the past. If this was love, then they hoped it would never end.