It was a relaxed Sunday afternoon and the Avengers were all gathered in the den after breakfast.

They were all being quite boisterous, laughing and joking around like one big family. Jane had come to visit, arriving late the night before with Darcy in tow. Jane's assistant had quickly made herself at home, joining in on Tony's jokes and Clint's antics; she was like the little sister the two trouble makers never had.

Everyone was spread out across the couches and the floor of the den. Tony was sitting in his armchair, enjoying a scotch while chatting with Bruce who was sitting across from him. Bruce, along with Betty and Natasha, had occupied the smaller couch. Natasha was leaning on the right armrest of the couch, closest to the fireplace. Her feet were tucked under her as she sat next to Bruce, attempting to do some paperwork on her new StarkPad. Betty was sitting on the other side of Bruce, conversing lightly with Jane about their scientific discoveries.

Jane, Thor, Darcy, and Pepper all occupied the larger couch that faced the fireplace. Darcy and Pepper chatted animatedly while Thor was watching baseball on the TV above the fireplace. Both Steve and Clint occupied the floor. Steve was lying on his back, his arms behind his head and his legs propped up at a forty five degree angle, feet placed flat on the floor. The archer was trying in vain to elicit a reaction the supposedly dozing super soldier.

Natasha, who had given up on working, watched as the archer tried to get a reaction from her soldier. She was aware to the fact that Steve was awake and that he was just messing with Clint.

"That's not going to work, Clint." Natasha commented to the archer as he threw his weight against Steve's legs for the second time, trying to get the super soldier to roll over on his side.

"He's about a hundred pounds heavier than you just in muscle mass. He's not going to move unless he want's too."

The archer huffed.

"Well then you make him move!" Clint challenged.

Natasha smirked, "Fine."

The spy rose from the couch, placing her StarkPad down before she walked two steps to where Steve was lying down on white shag carpet. She lightly tapped Steve's ribs a few times with her bare left foot. When Natasha received no reaction, the spy placed her right foot on the other side of Steve, straddling him.

Natasha then proceeded to gently press his sides with her feet, alternating from left to right.

"Squish squish squish," Natasha commented playfully as she pressed his sides.

Clint looked at her like she was crazy. Natasha paid him no mind and kept her focus on Steve.

The super soldier gave her a small smirk, bet kept his eyes closed and refused to move.

"Squish squish squish," Natasha joked again, pressing his sides more.

Without warning, Steve jumped to life, grasping the backs of Natasha's knees and pulling her down so that she was squatting over him, her backside leaning up against his legs.

"Eep!" Natasha yelped.

Everyone had stopped talking, distracted by the yelp of surprise that Natasha had made when Steve grabbed her. Steve chuckled as he released his hold on the spy's knees before propping himself up with his elbows. He looked up at Natasha, smiling. She gave him a glare in return. Steve gave a small chuckled before he looked back towards Clint, who was sitting Indian style a foot or two away.

"Hey Clint. Did you know Natasha is ticklish?" Steve asked.

"No! No!" Natasha yelped before Clint could reply. She tried to get off Steve and distance herself, but she was too late.

Steve grabbed Natasha by the wrists and flipped the two of them so that Natasha was pinned on the ground. He then began to attack her sides with his fingers, causing the spy to squeal and writhe on the ground.

Steve was laughing as Natasha fought helplessly against his onslaught of tickling.

"Steve! Stop!" she wheezed, trying to get his away from her sides. The spy was curled in the fetal position on the floor with Steve beside her, his hands attacking her sides. The spy had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard.

"Alright, fine." Steve replied, stopping his hands as he crouched over her on all fours, trapping her beneath him. The super soldier leaned down over her, one hand coming up to cup her middle back.

"I'll stop, for now." He whispered in her ear, lightly nipping at her neck.

Natasha squeaked and shied away, causing Steve to laugh and sit up, bringing her with him. The spy settled in his lap, resting against him chest. Only then did the two of them notice their audience.

Tony's mouth was agape, as was Clint's. Pepper was smiling, as was Betty and Darcy. Jane looked confused. Thor was still absorbed in his baseball game while Bruce was smirking at the soldier and spy.

"As an answer to your question, Cap, no I didn't know Natasha was ticklish." Clint replied, breaking the silence.

Everyone but the spy broke into laughter. Natasha just blushed and hid her face in Steve's shirt.

"I'll kill you for this." She threatened weakly.

"No you won't." Steve replied.

"You're lucky I love you."

"And don't I know it."

Natasha smirked at his reply and relaxed in his arms, turning her body in his lap so that she could face the others. Once she was in her new position, she felt Steve's safe arms wrap around her waist. The soldier gently rested his chin on the spy's shoulder.

"So I guess we all know little Red's secret." Tony stated, taking a sip of his scotch, "she's not so scary now that we know how we can take her down."

"You do know that she can kill you seven different ways with her thumb, right?" Steve defended.

Tony visibly paled.

"And besides," Natasha added, "It's not like you'll get close enough anyway. Only Steve can."

"And why's that?" Tony asked.

Natasha held up her left hand in reply, her new round solitaire diamond engagement ring sparking in the light of the room.

"Oh."

Everyone laughed.

Natasha smiled looked around at her so called 'family'. She was so thankful for all of them, even Tony.

That night, instead of a shower, Steve and Natasha decided to take a bubble bath.

Steve drew the bath while Natasha undressed and pulled her curls up into a messy bun on the top of her head.

Once the bath was drawn and full of bubbles, the soldier and the spy sank both eased into it. Natasha let out a sigh of happiness as she relaxed in the tub, leaning against Steve. The soldier had one arm wrapped around her waist, the other draped over the edge of the tub.

After a few minutes of relaxing, Natasha sat up and grabbed the loufa, lathering it with soap before gently washing her arms. Steve softly began to trace her spine with his knuckle, causing Natasha to shiver. Steve smirked at her reaction before he reached around her and plucked the loufa from her hands. He then proceeded to wash her back with it. Natasha sighed and leaned forward, giving Steve full access to her back.

"So," Steve started, "What did you think of Jane?"

"Jane was uh… scientific, for lack of a better word. I guess she was okay, I didn't really talk to her much. Thor made her seem like some sort of goddess. But to me she seemed…"

"Ordinary?"

"Yeah! Not bad ordinary, but just ordinary. Like, she could have a normal life, if she wasn't dating a Norse demi-god."

Steve chuckled, "Yeah. Now what about Darcy?"

"Darcy? She practically Clint and Tony combined."

"Yeah, she is. Although I do find it funny that she tased Thor."

Natasha laughed, "Who knew that the god of lightning could be taken down with a little electricity!"

Steve chuckled, shaking his head, "Who knew."

The two quieted, enjoying the peace in each other's embrace.

"Steve?" Natasha asked, "When did you decide to propose to me?"

"Do you remember that mission where you almost died?"

"I've had plenty of those. Be more specific."

"The one in the shipping yard. When you almost drowned because some psycho drugged you before dropping you into the bay."

"Oh that one."

"Yeah… Well I guess I decided that I wanted to marry you when you were unconscious and I was trying to revive you. It was then that I realized that I couldn't live without you. You had become so important to me, and I hadn't noticed it until you almost slipped through my grasp. So it was the next day when I went to the jewelry store. I had that ring from then on, trying to get up enough guts to ask you."

Natasha smiled and kissed his cheek, "Well I'm glad you finally did."

The water soon turned cold and the soldier and spy both left the bath, wrapping themselves in towels before exiting the bathroom.

Natasha dressed in one of Steve's shirts before crawling under the sheets. Steve soon quickly joined her, wrapping his arm around her waist. The spy turned in his arms to rest her head on his chest. She sighed happily.

As she drifted asleep, Steve began playing with her engagement ring, knowing that it was a promise of days to come.

A/N: Special thanks to my friend who gave me the idea for the tickle fight, and to MysticFantasy for giving me the bubble bath idea.

- Flashette