TC Stark: As I was writing this chapter, I was watching Captain America. It made me really sad, seeing what had happened to Steve. I remember, years ago, when I heard of the comic book character, I thought how cheesy. But, the movie does a great job in explaining how America needed a hero like him. Besides Loki and Tony Stark, Rogers has to be one of my favorite characters in the Marvel Movie Universe. I just want to thank everyone for following my story. I hope I never let you down! And for all those patient followers, your appetite for Loki/Natasha will soon be fed. Muahaha!
Disclaimer: I only own my ideas. I wish I owned Loki. And Steve Rogers...and hell Scarlett Johanson as Black Widow. Mmmm.
Chapter Seven
A blurred vision of Natasha moving sensually flashed before Loki's eyes. It amazed him how quickly the humans gave in to their baser instincts. How someone like her, could throw everything away for a few minutes of mediocrity. Their minds were so weak that they could be easily swayed, by another person's body.
Loki sat in his cell, with his hands on his lap. The Frost Giant was no pervert; he wouldn't watch what the Black Widow was doing. But, he certainly knew what had happened and he knew who it happened with. In a way he was a little disappointed. He had thought Natasha Romanoff to be stronger than that. Stronger than the typical women, who inhabited Midgard.
Though he was a tad disappointed, Loki smirked. Natasha's defenses were slowly disappearing and she was becoming an open wound. It wouldn't be long, before he would be able to reach out and jab into her broken flesh. He would remind her that no matter how much training she had, nothing would ever be able to prepare herself against him. He would let her know that without SHIELD imprisoning him, she was defenseless.
Oh, yes. The time was near.
After showering, Natasha joined Steve for coffee in her kitchen. The shy manner in which he was behaving was, for lack of better words; cute. They may have just had intercourse, but he was still acting like they were young teens. It was obvious how shocked he still was; considering her advances had been quite unexpected.
After coffee, the captain had excused himself. He didn't want to seem too clingy, so he opted on giving her space. It was for the best; while he was an American hero who was free to do what he pleased, she was a hired agent. And although she was growing quite fond of him, there was no way she wanted SHIELD to find out.
She found herself at the New York City headquarters two days later. Like any other organization, SHIELD was full of hard working suits. Unknown employees were running in all different directions, as she headed towards Fury's quarters. Although the company had a higher council, Natasha only reported to the one-eyed agent.
The sex her and the captain had stayed fresh in her mind. She wasn't lying, when she said she couldn't remember the last time someone had kissed her. She also couldn't remember the last time she had had sex. The last time someone had handled her so tenderly. The last time her body shook from such an intense orgasm.
Her body shook at the memory. It had been nice to be intimate with someone like Steve Rogers. Someone with such a kind spirit and an innocent soul. Being with him made her realize that she was still human. Because of the captain, she remembered that she could be so much more than just a cold killing machine.
The past two days had helped Natasha push Loki into the dark depths of her mind. Rather than being tormented by nightmares, she was able to rest easy. The fact that someone like Steve would want to share something so intimate with her, was truly touching. Clint had wondered if assassins like them could ever be free from their pasts; she wondered if Steve was the answer to that question?
Nick Fury seemed far less stressed, than the last time the two had spoken. The former Russian spy noted the calm demeanor of the director, as she neared him. The relaxed position of his body. He may have been a highly skilled agent himself, but no one had ever been able to sense her approaching them. Well, no one except Loki.
Pushing that thought aside, she approached Fury. The director tried to act as if he hadn't been surprised, but Natasha knew better. Still, she stood straight, with her hands linked behind her back. The one-eyed agent was reading over something in a manilla folder, before commenting, "Stark's name, for once; hasn't been all over the news. Good job."
It was hardly a mission. She nodded her head, ignoring the urge to make a comment. After a few more seconds, Fury closed the folder, and looked down at her, "I need you to make a stop at Captain Rogers' apartment."
"What for?" She asked calmly.
"Thought he'd like to take a look."
Natasha raised an eyebrow, before taking the folder and opening it. After a quick look, she lifted her head, "Is it wise to bring this up again?"
Nick sighed, "Probably not. But, when the captain was first unfrozen, this was the only thing he asked about. I'd just like for him to have whatever closure he can find from this."
Lately the director hadn't been giving her the best missions. Perhaps after Loki had attacked Earth, nothing would ever compare. Natasha would never be able to feed the adrenaline rush she craved at times, unless there was a similar attack. And right now, the Earth and the Avengers weren't in the proper shape to defend themselves.
Still, this was offensive. The agent may have been able to stomach babysitting Stark, but she needed missions that catered more to her skills. Did she really need to become involved with her past, just for a rush? It may have been wrong for her to wish for something to get her blood pumping, but this was the reality she lived in. From a young age, Natasha was molded into a killing machine. It was hard to stray away from one's true nature.
The only good thing about this mission, was that it gave her an excuse to visit the soldier. She wasn't too fond of being a messenger, but at least it would be the captain, who would be greeting her at the door. Lately, she had been surprising herself, by how much she was allowing herself to open up to her own feelings. She needed to remind herself, not to become too comfortable.
Finally reaching his apartment door, she opted for a single tap on the bell; rather than obnoxious knocking. She waited patiently, before Rogers opened the door, "Natasha, hi."
"Hello, Steve," Natasha nodded, "May I come in?"
"Of course," He replied with a smile, before moving away to allow her in, "I was just about to head to the gym. Would you like to come?"
"I actually like to work out on my own."
Steve nodded understandably, before heading to his kitchen to get something to drink. When SHIELD had offered to provide the captain with a lavish apartment, he declined. Rather he requested they give him the simplest living quarters. His argument, was that he hadn't any possessions. Everything he once owned, had long been gone.
So, Natasha stood in the middle of his average sized studio apartment. This was the first time she had been in his home and didn't want to impose. She stayed still, until he rounded the small counter that outline the kitchen area. He handed her a glass of water, before offering her a seat on his bed. There was no couch; only enough room for a small kitchen, a small round dinner table, two chairs, a punching bag, and a bed.
Instead, the agent stood still, while observing, "I'm surprised you have a TV."
The captain glanced over the to the flat screen television, hanging on the wall across from his bed. Steve chuckled lightly, before turning back to the former spy, "I really only watch the news. I actually just started watching the history channel."
"Good. There really isn't anything else that's worth watching."
The two smiled at each other. The man out of time and the Black Widow. Natasha decided to finally hand over the manilla folder, without any explanation. Steve gave her a look, before opening the folder. She watched as he read, observing the reactions of his face. It wasn't long, before his eyes were glued to the information. They were locked onto the paper, holding onto every word he read.
Natasha stood still, waiting for him to lift up his head. After a few more seconds, he finally did so, "How did you get this?"
"Fury gave it to me. He thought you would like to know what happened."
Steve nodded to himself. She knew reading this would upset him; not knowing what the purpose of this information was. After another glance at the paper, he gulped, "You were right. Peggy Carter did have a good life."
"She went on to become a SHIELD member."
"And died of old age."
Dying of old age should have been good news, but he still looked upset. She supposed she understood. Peggy Carter could have been considered the first love of Captain Steve Rogers. Knowing that she was now dead and having not been able to say goodbye, must have hurt him. In his mind, he still could have let her know he was alive. He wondered, as a former SHIELD agent; if she had known about him being discovered?
Finally, Steve's shoulders relaxed with a sigh. He closed the folder and gently flung it onto the round dinner table. Running his fingers through his blonde hair, he apologized, "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Well, you know...you and I...and I'm getting upset over her."
At this Natasha cracked a warm smile, explaining, "There is no need to apologize. What we do, doesn't change the fact that you loved her."
Steve Rogers smiled. It was nice to know, in the world they now lived in; that someone could comfort him the way she did. Everyone knew her as the Black Widow; the highly trained Russian spy, with an incredible poker face. To him though, she was his companion. His partner on this journey, to discover the world they were strangers to.
The whole point to originally asking the Russian out, was to start anew. As far as everyone was concerned, he had died in that crash. For some reason, he had been spared. Whether that reason was to continue to defend his world or something else, he couldn't dwell on the past. For the seventy years that he was frozen, Peggy had lived her life. She had lived and loved. The least he could do, was to get back on his feet and continue his life.
All those years had been stolen from him; just like Natasha's entire life had been ripped from her. Despite being scrawny and losing both parents at a young age, Steve had a childhood. He knew what it was like to have friends and those who cared about him. He needed to remember, she had never experienced any of that.
Natasha had stood still, the entire time he was deep in thought. Finally snapping out of it, Steve gave a warm smile. Right now, it seemed the two were really working out. Why would he want to ruin that, by dwelling on a past he couldn't change? He was Captain America; a war hero and an Avenger. He had saved lives in the 1940s, as well as in the modern day. Why couldn't he also have a love life?
The only sound that ran through her ears, was that of the captain's shoes, as he neared her. Before she knew it, he was standing directly above her. Natasha waited for his lips to touch hers, finally relaxing her body once he did so. He kissed her hungrily, pulling her close to his sculpted body. Desperate to feel her curves against him.
As Natasha ran her hands over his shoulders and around his neck, Steve gently picked her up and laid her down on his bed. She felt the gentle pressure of his body pressing down on hers; careful not to hurt her. As his lower half pushed down, her legs hooked around his hips, and pulled their privates closer to each other.
The throbbing in her void alerted her on how aroused she was becoming. How much she wanted him. Grabbing onto his hair, she returned the kiss feverishly. She wanted more, more of him. And he knew this. His hands touched her body with more confidence, than before. Grabbed at the places he had discovered that aroused her. Kissed her the way he now knew she liked. In between the sheets, they danced.
The blush on Steve Rogers' face, after they made love; stuck in Natasha's mind. She could tell how unsure he was of the protocol. She wasn't sure how to tell him that she wasn't entirely certain herself. They had stayed in bed for a little longer, before she excused herself. Her eyes fluttered shut, remembering the feeling of his lips touching her spine, as she got out of bed.
They had laid in bed, but hadn't cuddled. Steve knew she wasn't ready for that. It was one thing, for her to allow herself to be intimate with him. It was another for her to lay on his chest and to be comfortable. The whole notion of it seemed too...personal. He seemed to understand though; to know he needed to take things slow with her.
That only made her feel even worse about leaving his apartment. She couldn't stay any longer or else she would start to feel all too human. Still, Natasha smiled at the remembrance of the goodbye kiss he had given her. He wouldn't allow her to leave without one. The thought of him learning to become more bold, made her glad they were doing this together.
Natasha was thankful that, unlike before; the super-soldier hadn't destroyed any article of clothing. If he had, she would have felt like a harlot. Though, Steve had gotten a little excited at one point. Holding the right side of her neck, she felt the tender skin where he had mistakenly left a small hickey. He had apologized; it was cute. Though, in that moment she had wished she hadn't cut her hair so short.
What was she turning into? First she was having drinks with Captain America, then she was sleeping with him. And now she was baring the marks. How could she be so foolish? Natasha almost cursed herself. She couldn't forget who she really was. An assassin. A spy. An Avenger. A sensitive lover had no place in a war.
Natasha sighed. The inner battle could never be won. She hadn't ever questioned her nature, until Rogers had looked to unravel her. Now, she was caught in between who she had always been and the person she never had a chance to be. Shit. Why was she behaving this way? She should have been ecstatic that someone was treating her like a human being, rather she was questioning it.
She pushed the questions out of her head. She was determined to allow herself to accept the feelings she was developing for Rogers. It would just take time. And that was what he was giving her. Natasha found herself smiling, at the thought. For once in her life, things seemed to be working out in her favor. How strange that felt.
Just one day at a time. Natasha opened her front door, feeling quite confident. She was off guard and it felt nice. This was what every civilian felt. For once she felt...normal. Captain Steve Rogers had done that for her. Slowly, he was allowing her to have the life every human being was entitled to. Funny; how the boy from Brooklyn could make the assassin from Russia feel human.
"I believe you humans call it the walk of shame. Tell me, Miss Romanoff, why didn't you stay the night? Intimacy issues?"
Sneering, she spun around quickly, "What are you doing here?"
Loki smirked condescendingly, "You invited me here."
"Now, how did I do that?"
"By becoming weak."
