"Whoa, whoa" Clint said, calling after Steve, "Where are you going? Is it even safe to go after Romanoff right now?"
"Legolas is right. Don't you want to give her some time to cool off. She shot at the shield...we didn't even know if it was going to hold. I mean it's sturdy...bulletproof, but...damn, she shot with passion."
"It's the second time I've been shot at like that...maybe not safe, but worth checking it out," he answered, looking over to both.
"You definitely have a death wish, Cap," Tony said, laughing, "Anyways, we know the shield works...while you're out risking your life, Barton can help me further check it out."
"You will be missed," Clint said, "This might be the best time to let you know that she lost the last round of sparring, distracted you could say. You guys owe me the money you took earlier...each."
"Betting without me, Barton," Tony said, shaking his head.
"She started it - was sure she'd get two out of three...so sure, she even bet Steve's money. Guess the blonde incident made her whole plan backfire."
"You think this is all because Agent Carter shook my hand?"
"Correction, Cap, she also kissed your cheek," Tony added, making Steve sigh.
Why would that make her this upset?
"Looked a little closer to mouth action from our perspective."
"She encouraged me to ask her out...she even mentioned it this morning…"
"She was gathering intel, Rogers. Pepper does it all the time."
"Maybe she wasn't expecting you to actually talk to her…she wasn't expecting competition."
"It's not like that, guys, Nat and I are friends. Close friends, yes. But...I mean, we were just teasing you all this morning. It wasn't anything serious..."
"Correction once again, Cap," Clint said, amused, "Nat and I are close friends but she's never slept in my bed, no matter how tired or banged up...just saying."
"She doesn't feel that way."
"What happened after we left the Avengers facility?" Tony asked
"Nothing, we helped each other out...with training and the visions Maximoff placed in our heads."
"You mean she actually shared the vision with you?" Clint said, stunned.
Silence from all three Avengers made the scenario a little more tense for Steve as he contemplated the whole situation. He couldn't fathom Natasha being jealous. But then again...
"Damn it. If you don't find me within the hour, ask J.A.R.V.I.S. for my vitals."
Throwing the shield over to Barton, Steve jogged over to the elevators to catch up to Natasha. He was thinking of ways to approach her, not really knowing how she was going to react put him on edge. He wasn't going to deny the surprise and elation he felt as Natasha shot at the shield; it was twisted, but it had reminded him so much of Peggy. He liked that. Mostly because it took him back to a time he missed. Not because he expected a chance with Natasha as he once had felt and hoped for with Peggy; they were just friends. She had just gotten over Banner. They were just friends...close friends. Right? Right?
"J.A.R.V.I.S.?"
"Yes, Captain Rogers?"
"Where can I find Natasha?"
"Your floor, sir."
"Armed and dangerous?"
"Armed, no sir. Dangerous, perhaps. It seems she helped herself to a bottle of vodka from the lobby and took it to your floor. She appears to be waiting for you, as she has two shot glasses ready."
"Thank you, J.A.R.V.I.S."
"Good luck, Captain"
Natasha waited patiently, sitting on the floor of his receiving area, legs crossed next to the glass center table. She was fuming. Mostly because she had lost the third round of sparring with Barton but if she hadn't been so damn distracted with Agent Blonde manhandling her Captain, then she wouldn't need the shots of vodka she was about to consume.
Sure, shooting at his shield wasn't the best move - but he was a super soldier, if the shield hadn't been sturdy enough, he would have healed.
Why she was waiting in his floor - well, she didn't want to answer that to herself. She knew he wouldn't be long, probably wanting an explanation. What would she say? Jealousy...no. Never. She had encouraged him to call Agent Blonde. It wouldn't be his fault if...no, no, no. No excuses. She didn't know when she had gotten into this beautiful mess, but she was not going to back out now. Natasha was curious.
When the doors to his place opened up, she noticed he wasn't surprised to see her. It made her happy to know he had asked around for her knowing J.A.R.V.I.S. would have easily known. Steve made his way to Natasha, a cautious look in his eyes.
Natasha was as silent as he was, watching him settle next to her on the floor with enough distance between them to be safe from any other hidden weapons.
"We owe Barton money," she said, pushing the shot glass closer to him.
"He had the pleasure of telling me himself before I left them to do their damage," he said, looking over to her as he grabbed the shot glass.
"Cheers."
They both drank up, with practiced ease and set the glasses down on the table. Natasha refilled them both slowly. He knew she was avoiding a conversation, so he humored her with two more shots. The tension in her shoulders was evident, though, and Steve didn't know how to correctly approach the situation. All he could do was be blunt with her; he was never good at beating around the bush for answers, especially with her.
"So...I'm sure you saw Agent Carter when we got there. Seems Agent Hill is trying to gather all of the remaining S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that were not Hydra corrupted."
"Shouldn't be that difficult. I mean, everybody's files are everywhere…" she said, swinging the shot to pour the liquid down her throat, "I'm sure the nurse is good at her job...enough to do her task within an acceptable time frame."
"Right...I'm sorry if I upset you somehow...enough to shoot at me. I mean, thankfully I had the shield with me, but damn Nat. Warn a guy."
"I am not upset."
"Okay, Agent Sass, then what's going on?" Steve asked, turning fully to her, "We're friends. And I know, I'm in the wrong business, but whatever, friends talk. So talk."
Natasha turned to him, her face slightly flushed. Steve didn't know if it was because of the alcohol, the sparring, or the conversation. Whatever it was, it made her look good. After having his eyes opened by Tony and Clint, he noticed her in a new light - one he was beginning to really like. Of course, he had always noticed her. He wasn't blind; however, he never allowed his thoughts to be more than what they should. He respected Natasha as a friend, a partner, and a woman. Now, though, he was allowing himself a little more leeway when it came to his thoughts about her.
"I didn't expect Agent Blonde to kiss you."
"Well, I thanked her for warning me the night Fury was in my apartment and for looking out for me. She could have easily been an agent working for Hydra, but she wasn't. I thanked her for it. Besides, a kiss on the cheek is a common form of gratitude, isn't it?"
"It still took me by surprise. Besides, that kiss seemed a little close to your mouth, don't you think? Maybe she wants you to call her for that follow up on the coffee date…"
"I'm still too busy...apparently trying to figure out what you're doing with me or to me…" he said, chuckling, "What else is wrong?"
"I lost a bet against Barton."
"I'm sure we can coerce him into another bet that will get our money back. What else?"
"I'm fighting curiosity…"
"About?"
"Restricted information I don't have clearance for."
Steve smiled, it was a simple smile but one that reached his eyes and made them shine with amusement. Natasha was mesmerized, wanting very much to kiss him and placate her growing desire to know more about him. For him to know more about her.
"Fine. I'll give you clearance for right now. What do you want to know?"
"I want to know how you really kiss."
The darkening of his blue eyes sent shivers down her spine. She knew it was a long shot - her captain was first and foremost a gentleman. But she knew that wasn't the only side to him.
"Nat…" he whispered, "I…"
"You gave me clearance, Cap, now I'm gonna take advantage of it."
Without another word, Natasha leaned forward, grabbing him by the front of his t-shirt. He came closer all too willingly, in her opinion, which only made her more confident. As their lips met, she couldn't help but sigh into the kiss, opening her lips to explore. Steve didn't miss the beat, snaking one arm around her waist and another hand behind her head, to tangle into her hair. The kiss was a mission neither wanted to stop; lips parted, tongues explored, teeth scraped and bit and clashed. Steve felt Natasha shudder as her palm pressed against his chest. He wanted, desperately, to pull her closer - onto his lap in order to wrap his arms around her slender waist, but he waited. He was patiently enjoying the feel of her hair through his fingers. Natasha was making desires he didn't know were laying dormant within him come to life.
Their kiss escalated slowly, both too consumed in wanting to know it all. Natasha tried unsuccessfully to hold back a moan when Steve ghosted his lips over hers as they caught their breaths quickly. She felt close to heaven as his hand gripped her waist, feeling triumphant it was her in his arms. Natasha felt him pull her closer to him, and she obliged willingly, swinging her leg gracefully over his lap. With this new position, her head slightly higher than his, she bent down to meet his lips once again, her hands gripping at his shoulders as his held her hips possessively.
"Steve…" she whispered, not sure what she wanted to say or if she was taking simple pleasure in whispering his name. He cradled her face in his hands, strong and warm against her skin, pecking her jaw with light kisses. Natasha's eyes remained closed, her mind traveling to thoughts too good to ignore. She didn't know about him, but she wanted more. Her body moved on it's own, pressing and grasping and always wanting more.
"Steve, you…" she whispered again but he didn't let her finish, not with the way she was moving. Steve felt it, felt as her body moved on it's own accord. The feeling of newness and ease mixed together as he continued his exploration of her. It was easy to get carried away with her - he had a feeling she wanted it too, but this desire was moving faster than him reasoning. She felt good in his arms, warm and full of curves, dips, and muscle plains that seemed like a dream. He mapped out her body, her features, knowing exactly when she shuddered, and gasped, and moaned between kisses, as he tasted her neck. He knew, he knew, if they didn't stop kissing their actions would lead them to something more, but he couldn't bring himself to stop...not yet.
Natasha couldn't help it as her fingers traced the hem of his t-shirt, itching to get under and touch. It didn't matter what as long as she was toucher Steve, her Steve. She didn't expect their first real kiss to be this heated or this beautiful, but it was and she was loving it.
"Steve, you were…" she whispered, making him chuckle between kisses.
"Maybe next time, you'll be able to finish the sentence."
He felt her laugh through his body, a delicious feeling he wanted to feel again and again.
"You were holding valuable information from me," she said, the kissing nowhere near ending. Steve laughed, throwing his head back slightly to look at her. His carefree smile disarmed her.
"Well, granted, we're not in a crowded mall escalator or running away from gunned agents out to kill us. That can seriously affect someone, Agent."
"Nice to know the risk of Stark barging in isn't enough to hinder this time."
"Stark is probably still afraid to approach you so we're clear."
"I guess we didn't do a lot of talking."
"We didn't do what friends normally do, so I take it it's okay," Steve said, amused at the Natasha Romanoff that sat before him, not hindered by emotional restraints. She kissed him lightly after every sentence she uttered and made sure to touch his arms, or his neck, or his face when he was talking to her. It made him feel light; this feeling was too easy to like.
"If we kiss again, will it escalate to something more?" she asked, her hands traveling to grip the hem of his shirt again. He looked at her, knowing he couldn't lie.
"I don't think I'm strong enough for it not to," he whispered, close to her lips, their foreheads touching. She smiled, one that Steve would possibly never forget.
"I like those odds."
"Nat, I don't want to be an outlet because Banner is here," he whispered, the look in her eyes made him cringe but not regret putting that out there.
"I'm sorry...I didn't want to make you feel that way...it's just that I've been thinking about this since our first kiss...I..."
It was all Steve heard before he took her face in his hands to kiss her again and make her forget that caring for her was impossible.
However, before their lips met the whole floor shook, somewhat violently. Steve closed his eyes and sighed, Natasha doing somewhat similar actions.
"Sorry to interrupt, Agent Romanoff, Captain Rogers, but it seems Mr. Stark and Mr. Barton have accidentally fired a weapon they were trying out on the shield prototype through a wall, with the encouragement from Thor, might I add. They are now trying to prevent Dr. Banner from changing into his other colorful form."
"Thanks for the notice, J.A.R.V.I.S." Natasha said, pinching the bridge of her nose but otherwise not moving. She slumped forward to his chest, cradled in his arms, "Speak of the devil..."
"Stark barging in seems like a great alternative, right about now."
"I was thinking the same thing. We could have scared him off with a pillow to his face again."
"Or another few shots at his wannabe shield."
"You know we'll have to go help them, right" Steve said, feeling her body relax more and more in his embrace. He wasn't going to admit how much he hated Stark's inopportune timing, but it was a respite from all the heated action. Enough time to let his mind catch up to his racing heart. Natasha sat up and kissed him lightly, once again.
"So much for the odds…"
"Notice update. It seems Mr. Stark, Mr. Barton, and Thor have failed to control Dr. Banner. They are now restraining him in the gym room."
"Okay, okay, we're on our way," Steve said, the evident frustration in his face and voice something Natasha truly enjoyed. Without budging, he looked at her with a lopsided grin - boyish and ever-so attractive, "Seems we're needed, Nat."
"Will it usually be like this?"
"Probably."
"This wasn't in the lease agreement."
Steve laughed, helping Natasha stand before he did. The sound rejuvenated Natasha, it made her feel better instantly, vowing to make him laugh as often as she could.
"After this fiasco, though," she sighed, as the floor shook once again, "We're going to continue with my full clearance."
"Yes, ma'am."
