A few days later, Steve and Natasha managed to make excuses to not sleep at the base, and soon they convinced everybody to not sleep there, too, unless it's a case of emergency.
So he moved back to his apartment in the city, as well Natasha and the others.
Steve and Natasha spent a few nights in her apartment and the most nights on Steve's.
Today, the Avengers met at Sam's house because it was his birthday.
Steve and Sam were good now, even though it was weird due to Sam's friendship with Sharon. Sam was helping her to move out.
On the street of Sam's house, Steve, Natasha and Clint were parking.
Steve and Natasha greeted Clint and waited him to come together in the party.
N: I shouldn't have come.
C: Why not?
S: I told you it's okay.
N: Sam doesn't even look in my eyes anymore. Then I appear on his birthday?
S: Sam likes you. It will be okay.
N: He used to like me till he finds out who betrayed his friend. This is a mistake, I'm leaving.
Natasha turned around, but Steve grabbed her arm.
S: Natasha if Sam doesn't accept you here, he will be rejecting me too. You're my girlfriend, he has to treat you fine.
C: Funny I always hoped you two to become a couple, but it's weird hear you calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend.
N: Shut up, Clint.
C: Ouch.
Steve knocked on the door and held Natasha's hand. Natasha was nervous.
Sam opened the door and smiled at Clint and Steve, but not disguised be unhappy with Natasha's presence. Natasha noticed and avoided eye contact with him. Sam wasn't rude, he invited all to come in.
Steve handed a gift to Sam and hugged him.
N: Happy birthday, Sam. I hope it fits.
Said Natasha, trying to look cool.
Sam: Thanks.
When they arrived in the room, Sharon was in a corner with a drink, she turned the drink in one gulp and went to the balcony, looking furious.
Sam followed her and closed the glass door. They were clearly arguing, and it was obviously because the presence of Steve and Natasha.
Carol: My favorite couple arrived.
Carol got up and hugged Steve.
N: I'll get a drink.
S: Natasha, you can't.
C: Why?
N: Oh, a stupid bet that I made with Steve.
C: Oh ok, right.
Clint imagined for a moment that Natasha was pregnant, but how it could be if she is infertile.
N: I'm hungry, I'll eat something.
Carol pulled Steve to the couch, to talk to her and Jess. Clint was making company to Pietro who was displaced in the absence of his sister, who was on a honeymoon.
In the kitchen, Natasha took a fright with Bucky, leaning against the wall. He again looking at her in a way she couldn't decipher what he was thinking. She prepared a plate of appetizers, Steve came to check if Nat was okay. He uses to check her all the time, Natasha was going crazy with it.
S: Bucky.
B: Steve.
Natasha and Steve looked at each other for a moment. First time Bucky talks to Steve after so long. Natasha realized that she was "left over, they both obviously have a lot to talk about. She took her plate and gave a peck on Steve's lips before leaving the kitchen.
S: You finally decided to communicate with me, I was getting jealous of Sam.
Steve said trying to be funny, but Bucky was not in a good mood.
B: Steve, I'm sorry.
S: Bucky, I understand nothing of what happened was your fault but mine. I should have checked if you were dead after your fall.
B: How can it be your fault? Who falls from a train and survive? There was no way you could know.
S: I am very happy to have you back, of all the things I've lost in this life, it's really comforting to have my best friend back.
Bucky gave a shy smile. Steve hugged him. Bucky was slow to react to it, but hugged his friend tightly.
B: Steve, I need to redeem myself for everything. I wanted to help, but I couldn't speak.
S: Well if you're feeling good enough, I think we have a place for you.
B: I don't know if it's a good idea, Steve. Sam treats me well, but most of them don't trust me.
S: Well, they don't know you like I do, but they will. You just have to allow it. Why don't you come outside with me?
B: No, not today. Maybe another day.
Steve would try to convince Bucky when he noticed that a confusion in the room. Sharon and Natasha discussing.
Sharon: I'll warn you girls, if you get a boyfriend… Be careful, because Natasha can't keep her legs closed.
N: If you girls are dating Steve, beware yes, I can't really resist him.
Well, let's recap how the discussion started while Steve and Bucky made amends in the kitchen... Sam calmed Sharon and convinced her to not leave the party, they returned to the living room. Sam asked Sharon to avoid contact with Natasha and Steve, but she couldn't ignore Natasha's presence. She sat on one of the couches and started to pay attention to the conversation.
Carol: Wanda sent me this photo of her honeymoon with Vision. Look what a wonderful place.
Jessica: Carol you must be crazy to get married right?
Carol: I'm totally. If I had the right person, I wouldn't think twice.
Sharon: Well I used to think like that, but look at me now, right.
There was a few seconds of an awkward silence and Natasha stuck a cheese in her mouth, ignoring because Sharon is hurt, it's normal.
J: What is the need of marriage? People get sloppy and love dies.
Carol: Is that what you think?
J: That's what I see happening. Why would you marry when you can be single and date a lot at once?
Sharon: For some people with no moral, you don't have to be single to date someone.
Another moment of silence. Natasha cried for an alcoholic beverage. She is trying to convince herself that Sharon is hurt.
J: Speaking of dating, that Steve's friend is single?
Carol: The weirdo?
J: Hot one, you mean. Well, I could give him a special treatment.
Carol: Jessica!
J: Hey. He was going to look brand new.
Sharon: Well why don't you ask Natasha to teach you how to seduce a man?
Natasha was now holding her fork tightly, imploring herself to stay calm.
Sharon: Tell us Natasha, how do you do to seduce a men who is committed? What's so special about you?
Okay, now she crossed the line. Natasha's feelings always gets bigger because of her pregnancy.
N: It's not hard.
Sharon: For you, I bet not. Incredible, you feel no remorse, right?
N: I feel, but...
Sharon didn't let Natasha explain.
Sharon: Doesn't seem like you do and I'm so sorry for Steve. He is so stupid to think that you will stay with him.
Sam stepped in.
Sam: Sharon, let's change the subject.
Sharon: No.
N: If I get tired of him, I'll let you know.
Sharon was furious that Natasha was replying.
Sharon: I'll warn you girls, if you get a boyfriend… Be careful, because Natasha can't keep her legs closed.
N: If you girls are dating Steve, beware yes, I can't really resist him.
S: What's going on here?
Sharon: You're an asshole.
Sam: Sharon, let's go talk in the balcony.
Sharon: I don't want! You're a terrible friend, Sam. Have you ever told Steve what you think about his new relationship?
Sam didn't answer.
Sharon: Coward, you told me that their relationship was not likely to last and that Natasha will break his heart. Didn't you said that?
S: Sharon, you don't know what you're talking about. You're upset.
Sharon: I am out of here, happy birthday, Sam Wilson.
Sam: No, you're very nervous and you're here for me, remember?
Sharon: I'm sorry, Sam. I can't stay in her presence.
The strange thing is that Sharon was no longer angry with Steve, just with Natasha. For Sharon was Natasha who seduced him and Steve was the naive who fell in her webt.
N: You know what? I'm tired of this drama.
Natasha walked to the door. Steve followed her.
S: Natasha wait, I'll go with you.
N: No, you will not. It's your best friend's party, you have to stay.
S: I won't knowing you're upset.
N: I said I shouldn't have come and you insisted, I'm rather upset. Now do me a favor and stay here, calm things down with them. I'll see you later.
Natasha went out, leaving Steve behind. Steve felt such remorse because he couldn't get upset with Sharon and Sam. Steve patched things up with Sharon.
Later that night, Sam insisted that Steve and Bucky to go with him to a bar, to end the night in a big style. Steve wanted to say no, but he couldn't at Sam's birthday, and even more because Bucky is socializing, he wouldn't miss the opportunity.
The three left Sharon at her home and drove to the bar. Steve asked Sam and Bucky to enter the bar while he would make a call to Natasha.
N: Steve.
S: Natasha, are you okay?
N: Why wouldn't be?
S: Look, I'll arrive later, Sam insisted for me to go to a bar.
N: Okay.
S: It's not very far from home. Do you want to come here?
N: You know my answer.
S: Okay, see you later.
N: Ham, Steve? Brings me Chinese food.
S: Right.
Steve hung up and walked into the bar. This time Bucky was drinking too.
Sam: I'm sorry, Steve, there's no Asgard drink for you, today.
S: It's alright, I'm good.
Steve smiled.
The hours passed and Sam was super drunk, he ended up getting into a fight and almost get a beating. They had to leave.
Sam could barely stand.
S: He's too drunk, I live nearby, I'll take him to my house.
B: I'll help you.
Steve and Bucky carried Sam through the stairs.
Sam: Dude, you should live in a place with elevator, for God's sake.
Sam passed out.
Steve searched the apartment keys and entered with Sam and Bucky.
Natasha was in the kitchen with a bowl of popcorn, wearing a big T-shirt of Steve and nothing else underneath. Natasha was watching Steve and Bucky put Sam on the couch.
When Bucky noticed Natasha, he couldn't help but check her out, just like Steve did. Steve didn't notice that Bucky stared Natasha as well.
N: What is that?
S: Sam drank too much, I couldn't let him go home.
B: I'm going, Steve.
S: Bucky, it's late. Why don't you stay here too?
N: Where is my food?
S: I forgot, I'm sorry.
N: Whatever.
Natasha rolled her eyes, grabbed the bowl of popcorn and retreated to Steve's bedroom.
B: No, I'll be fine.
S: Don't be fool, man. Stay there, we have a lot to talk about.
Bucky agreed to stay. Steve and Bucky talked for nearly 1 hour until Natasha appears in the hallway, still only with the T-shirt.
N: Steve, will you spend the night there?
Steve looked Bucky.
S: I'd better go, man. Good night.
B: Night.
Bucky took a last look at Natasha, who disguised well that she didn't notice. For Natasha is not a big deal, men are like that. It doesn't mean anything.
Once Steve came in and closed the door, Natasha practically attacked him. She held his belt and started to open it, while Steve kiss her lips.
Natasha unbuttoned his pants. Steve hold Natasha's hands, making her slow down. He put her hands involving him and then grabbed Natasha's face and gave a lot of pecks in her lips.
S: Natasha.
N: What?
S: You are pregnant.
N: So what?
S: I think we shouldn't do it.
N: What? Dr. Cho didn't say anything about it.
S: We didn't ask.
N: She would have said, Steve.
S: We'd better wait.
N: I will not wait. I am angry, Steve and when I am angry, I like to relieve myself, you know that very well and you even brought your friends here and gets to talk until that time!
Steve ran his hand through his neck and sighed. He knows very well what Natasha's talking about. He loves when she's angry because she doesn't stop, but he didn't want to risk, he's so inexperienced with pregnancy, he was afraid of hurt the baby.
S: Okay... But we'll do it calmly, okay? In bed and gentle.
Natasha confirmed with her head, but her gaze expressed otherwise.
Yep, Steve didn't have much choice that night.