Bad Ideas 2: Worse Ideas
Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel. Look at AoU for confirmation
Worse Idea #7: The Feeling of Home
After breakfast, Natasha decided to go training. She went first to the shooting range and stayed there for a few hours. Soon enough, Clint arrived and they had a competition to see who got the highest score. Bow versus gun. Gun won out rather controversially in the end when Nat's bullet spilt Clint's arrow in half on the bullseye.
Following the range, Natasha headed to the gym. It was empty and Nat had first pickings at the equipment. After turns on the bike, treadmill, rowing machine and a crack at the punching bags, she journeyed upstairs for lunch. She thought she might have Steve's blond hair and large frame. At the same time, Steve was convinced that the flash of red that crossed his vision as he made his way to the kitchen was the vibrant colour of Natasha's hair.
Upon reaching the kitchen, Natasha decided to make a sandwich. Unfortunately, one of her required ingredients was on a high shelf- the greatest enemy of someone smaller than 5 foot 5 inches. Nat decided to stand on the counter top to get it. After she retrieved the paprika, Natasha looked down and found that she really didn't fancy the jump off of the counter. Perhaps, even more unfortunately, this was when Steve made his entrance.
He paused for a moment to fully appreciate the sight of a stranded Natasha on a counter.
"Are… Are you alright, Natasha?" he asked. She looked down and around at her options.
"Ummmmm," she said. "Can I get back to you on that?"
Steve smiled. He smiled at how her brows were furrowed in exasperation and at how her expression took the shape of her familiar one determination. Slowly, he made his way toward her. Steve stopped in front of Natasha and gazed up.
"Need a hand?" he asked, with an outstretched hand. Natasha considered at his hand deliberately.
"What, don't you trust me?"
She smirked and replied. "Should I answer that?"
Steve laughed as she took his hand. He took her waist and hoisted her off the counter. At the touch of her hand, Steve recalled the times he had held her close. The times when her head lay comfortably on his chest and when her lips had found his. Back when his life had been a haze of S.H.I. . missions and red hair and night-long embraces. Before reality had inevitably caught up and destroyed their life together.
The slap of Natasha's runners on the tiled floor pulled him rudely from his reverie. Steve let go and Natasha reached up to close the cupboard's door. Steve went to help but Natasha turned to him with a frown.
"I got it," she snapped. Steve scowled back.
"Really? Do you know? A second ago you were stuck on a counter."
Natasha squared up to him, her face inches from his, her fiery eyes boring into his steely blues.
"I didn't ask for your help," she said. Steve rolled his eyes.
"Doesn't mean you didn't need it."
His reply irritated Natasha further.
"Doesn't mean I wanted it."
Steve was taken aback and clenched his jaw. Natasha averted her gaze to ignore the hurt in his eyes.
"So next time just let me fall, Rogers…"
Steve took a deep breath and adjusted himself so that he could look at Nat's eyes without having to move her.
"You know I can't do that, Romanoff. No matter how much you push me or what you call me I will always care about you…and I know that deep down you care about me, too."
Natasha looked at him intensely and Steve could not help but allow his eyes to flicker to her lips. Suddenly, she backed away and cleared her throat.
"I have to go," she said. With that she made to leave. However, Natasha hesitated at the doorway and turned back to Steve.
"I'm going to the gym… I need a sparring partner…"
Steve smiled. "Mind if I tag along?"
It was Natasha's turn to smile. "Course not, but could you grab my sandwich?"
They walked downstairs to the gym, laughing at Tony's choice in elevator music.
Once they got down to the gym they saw a few people milling around but the sparring mats were free.
They both put on gloves as they approached the mats at opposite angles. Steve winked and Natasha took it as a 'go!'. She moved swiftly and dummied a punch with her left hand before jabbing his ribs with her right. Steve recovered quickly and made to hook his leg behind hers but Nat was much too quick. She grabbed his leg and twisted. Steve leapt up and kicked out with his other as he twisted in the air. Natasha let go as she ducked and rolled under Steve's legs when he landed. Steve spun around and launched a jab that caught her side. Nat dodged the follow-up and lashed out with a roundhouse kick. He caught her ankle, as he went to throw her over his shoulder Natasha struggled and found herself sitting on his shoulders. She wrapped her legs around his neck.
Steve's balance was throw and he fell back, trying not to crush Nat. She tightened her thighs around his neck. It occurred to Steve that many men had died this way. He decided that there were much worse way to go than 'death by thighs'.
Suddenly, Natasha released him and clambered on top, one knee pressing on his chest while the other pinned his left leg. She pinned his wrists above his head. They were both breathing heavily.
"What d'you say Cap. Not giving in, are you?" she said, panting. Steve laughed breathlessly, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
"Might have to make an exception," he said. "I'm tapping out, Nat."
Steve hit the mat three times and Nat let him up. Steve sat up, resting on his elbows. Natasha rested beside him.
"Good session, Red. Pretty sure you're right hook is going to leave a mark, though," Steve said. Natasha laughed.
"C'mon Blondie, learn to take a hit," she replied. Steve chuckled and feigned offense, holding a hand over his heart. Natasha laughed and clambered to her feet, taking Steve's hand from his chest. She tried to pull him up but Steve was feeling playful and refused to stand. Natasha grabbed his hand in both of hers and tugged with all her might. Steve dug in his heels and she pulled. Suddenly, Steve yanked Natasha down. She fell on top of him. They erupted into laughter together, Natasha resting her forehead on his chest. Steve wrapped his arms protectively around her, chuckling deeply. Natasha looked up, smiling. Her green eyes dancing with mirth. She looked at him, enjoying the feeling of being close to him again after so long. He felt comforting, warm. He felt like home.
Abruptly, the tone of a phone interrupted them. It was Steve's ringtone. Steve let out a tired sigh as Natasha stood. He followed her as she went over to the bench. He stooped and rested his chin on her shoulder as she dug through gym clothes for the phone. Natasha smiled at the physical contact. However her smiled faded slowly a she found the phone. A miscall from one Sharon Carter. She turned and poked the phone at his chest. Steve frowned at Nat's expression.
She faked a smile. "You should return the call, she probably wants to go for dinner again."
Natasha turned on her heel and walked out, leaving Steve calling after her. She should have known it would be a bad idea to become close to Steve, again.
Sorry I'm late guys, I just had zero inspriration and I really need ideas. Could you guys help me out and send a few prompts?
Also I watched the new Star Wars flick… Great movie but a big mistake. Highkey got a new OTP in Finnrey/ StormJedi…
Hope you enjoyed the Romanogers.
Thanks for reading,
Have a great day/ night/ afternoon/ etc…
Love ya! ;)
