"Do I need to remind you two that your relationship is supposed to be a secret?" Stark strutted through the avengers' lounge. They'd just arrived back from a tour in Russia during which Nat hadn't been able to keep her eyes of Steve. It had been three months since the team had been rescued from the unknown island, or as the public new "returned from Asgard."

In the gap of three months the Avengers had had many visitors. Such as: Barton's family, which had been a very secret and secured visit but by far the best time Nat had enjoyed at the tower, Thor's friends from Asgard, who found out about Thor's trouble because of Heimdall. They'd all been curious as to why Thor hadn't just come home. But the most annoying guests they'd had, were the army of reporters who invaded their private lives and tower. At one point this one guy wouldn't leave, he kept popping up at every turn. It was like having a second Barton, it felt like he'd moved in.

So of course with all those guests Nat found it challenging to be with Cap, the last thing they wanted was the whole world knowing about their love life. But surprisingly, it wasn't Rogers' who had minded that much about the public. Usually people would expect him to be the private and hidden one, but Steve just felt it would be a lot easier if they came clean. However he strongly respected that Nat didn't want people to know.

During the battle of the winter soldier Romanoff had given up her past to the whole world, in order to reveal Hydra. Even though people had been grateful for her acts of bravery the one thing they'd never thanked her for was giving her world up for theirs: who she was, what had happened to her, what she'd done, what she would most likely do was brought to light. And the one thing people didn't understand was that Natasha didn't want that, she wanted to keep her feels, suffocating inside her, no matter how much it hurt. Because at least then she wouldn't have the horror of people recognising her as "Black Widow the KGB assassin" instead of "Black Widow the Avenger."
Although a huge weight was lifted off her crumbling shoulders, it was instantly replaced with the patronising eyes of traumatized but overly judgemental gazes. Quite frankly each stare felt like a new kind of torture, like a tiny dagger inching it's way deeper into her heart. She'd take the weight of secrecy over that any day, but she didn't exactly have a choice in the matter.

Natasha wiped away the reverie, like a bead of sweat. Then she smiled, stepping forward and leaning over the back of the couch, her hands elegantly resting on Steve's broad shoulders. He leaned into the touch as Nat said "Come on it wasn't that bad. And" She added as an after thought "It's not my fault we've had a team of sweaty and over-paid reporters running around the place. Jumping out at every corner." Stark flashed a corny grin. Barton retrieved several bottles of beer from the kitchen "Well you don't have to worry about it now, they've all packed up and left."

Banner reluctantly accepted the drink before saying "And I doubt they'll be returning after that whole red wine spillage in the dining room." Thor mumbled "I know, I've never heard such a high pitched scream in my life. I thought my friends on Asgard heard it."

Hawkeye chirped "I know, talk about an over reaction. I have never seen that much fury over a stain." Nat slide over the couch, resting her head against Steve's chest, her legs pulled up to her chest. "I think it was the monthly cycle." Nat mouthed and whispered something to Cap making him crack up with laughter.

"I'M STOOD RIGHT HERE!" The team turned, preparing to dodge any sharp objects thrown their way.

Tony glared at each of the avengers in turn before sulking "For your information Red wine is tedious to remove and Pepper had just bought that chair." Steve ran his fingers through Natasha's tassels of love. "Yeah, but we weren't talking about Pepper's reaction, we were talking about you." The slam of a door was hollow compared to the shouts of laughter from the relaxed avengers.


Thor was silent through dinner, picking and pecking at his food. He was 100% out of character; he wasn't telling tales of destruction and stories of bravery, he wasn't laughing at Barton's drunken memories and worst of all he was only on his second serving of food. This kept thinking that if he was quiet enough, nobody would notice if he left. But as he stood, the loudest method possible, Natasha finally saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes. She'd been falling through the sky searching for something to latch onto and now she had it.

"Thor, you look sad. What's going on?" The laughter in the room retreated to the corner, then melted into a shadow as Thor tried to stand in a nonchalant stance; he wasn't fooling anybody. "Oh no, I'm fine Lady Natasha. It's just..." She walked over to him, taking him by the arm and leading him back to his chair, but he didn't fully support his own weight. As soon as his rear end came into contact with the soft material of the padded seat he dropped like a brick; incredibly heavy brick, so heavy it would have killed somebody; or a very expensive chair.

The God didn't flinch as he landed with a thump on the sticks of the now broken chair, Stark flinched with the force of the fall and was about to scream but Bruce covered Tony's mouth with his hand. Cutting off another anticipated, monthly hissy fit.

Thor sighed. "It's just, I miss home. When my friends came to visit it was phenomenal, to think I have my Asgardian friends on Midgard mingerling with my Midgardian friends!" Whilst recounting the precise memory Thor sounded like he was singing a summer song, he relished in the happy but distant reverie. But then it took a sour note. "But then they returned to Asgard." His voice was hollow and lifeless. "And don't get me wrong, my oridinary friends."

Barton slumped in his chair, whispering in Rogers' ear "Somebody better buy him a dictionary!"

Thor heard none of it. "I love Midgard, but it's just not home." Natasha bit her lip and bent down to Thor's level. With a lot of his help Nat got the God standing on his big feet again, towering over her. "I have an idea..." cautiously Nat eyed the mightly God, unsure of his reaction. "Why don't WE visit Asgard? All of us?" The rest of the team's mouths' fathomed into large O shapes, except for Steve. Who smiled dashingly at the redhead, knowing since the Island that she'd always desired a trip to Asgard.

"Why have I never thought of that! It would be perfect, my Midgardian friends would be able to mingle with my Asgardian friends on Asgard! Oh, there will have to be a feist and several parties, maybe some quests and hunting trips. Oh! And..."

Nat stood on her toes, her fingers grasping the material of her denim jeans. "Is that a yes?" She hitched her eyebrows. Thor grinned and swung her into the air like a child being pushed on a swing. "Yes!"