96. Monsters

Steve knew that monsters definitely existed outside of his closet. Even at two, he viewed his birth father as a monster. Sometimes when Mommy was away on a mission, he'd go into her room and grab a shirt of hers and sleep with it. He found a lot of comfort in her smell. So when she was gone, he had something to keep the monsters away.

97. Silence

Steve had heard many types of silence in his lifetime. He'd heard awkward silence when talking to girls. He'd heard unnerving silence when waiting for an important mission. He'd heard peaceful silence during prayer in church. The worst silence he'd ever experienced was the quiet after a loved one passes away.

When Natasha is silent, it has a whole new connotation to him. She had her angry silence when she waited for him to explain himself. She had her proud silence when she just ran her fingers through his hair. More often than not, the silence he'd seen most from her was when she was overthinking.

Now, sitting in her lap, he knew she was overthinking something. He snuggled into her, and she smiled and kissed him absently. He frowned. What could be bothering her? He wanted to ask, but he was too scared to break the silence.

98. Unknown

Steve hadn't always been an affectionate person. He'd been controlled and quiet, but that was okay, because he always had a name for what he was feeling. Now, he didn't know what he was feeling, and it was terrifying. He wanted to understand what it was exactly, but he could only name the emotions that were there separately. Grief, Betrayal, Confusion, Anger, and insecurity were there, just to name a few. He knew Natasha was hiding something from him, but he didn't know what. He made it his mission to find out.

There was a bit of hesitation on his part, however, because he wasn't sure If he'd like what he found.

99. Confession

Natasha could feel Steve's curious eyes burning into her as she made his lunch. She knew he could feel her stress, but didn't want to burden it. Fixing a small smile on her face, She laid him in her lap and fed him a bottle. It was a quiet time in the tower, and she liked those the best. It gave her time to think and enjoy herself. Today, however, the quiet was suffocating. It was full of unspoken confessions and questions.

As she watched Steve fall asleep in her lap, she held him a little tighter. When he had approached her with the idea of having a father, it had filled her with insecurity. She hadn't anticipated that. A part of her kept thinking that she failed him and that he needed someone else to care for him since she couldn't give him enough attention. The renewed guilt made her eyes well up with unshed tears.

All her life she'd been forced to put her feelings aside. It was a part of her life that she never questioned, but always regretted. Now, opening up to her as he had, Steve had taught her to feel again. The guilt rose up in a strong wave as she realized how much he had given her and how little she could reciprocate. As if trying to contradict her, Steve cuddled further into her lap. A tear unexpectedly fell from her eye and landed on Steve's hand, waking him. He looked up blearily to see the tear on his hand and two others working their way down her face.

This terrified him.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" He asked, nervously.

Natasha almost jumped in surprise. "No reason, sweetheart. Go back to sleep." She hushed.

He reached up from her lap and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. "Tell me." He said, looking at her with that pleading gaze that just wouldn't let up. She sighed in defeat.

"Just thinking, I suppose."

"About?" He prompted.

"Worrying is probably more accurate."

"What are you worrying about?"

"Just... I feel guilty. You've opened up so much to me and I don't feel like I can reciprocate it. I'm worried that you want a father because I'm not doing a good enough job on my own."

Steve stared a moment, trying to process what she'd said. When he'd regained his wits, the first thing out of his mouth was,

"You're the best Mommy in the world. I didn't know I was making you feel-" His response was cut off by her sharp interruption.

"Steve. Stop right there. I don't want to hear a word of you beating yourself up over this. These are my emotions and I will handle them. I don't want you to take this burden on yourself. It isn't good for you, and you are not allowed to take it on. Do I make myself clear?"

He nodded, and she spoke again, but gently this time.

"Sweetheart, I understand you want a Daddy. It's something I want for you to have. I won't pretend that I'm not a little sad not to have you to myself anymore, but I think it will be good for you. You have my blessing and more. I don't want to hear another word about you feeling guilty over this. You have far too much to live for. Do you understand?"

Snuggling into her, he nodded.

A/N: As with Drabble 50, drabble 100 will have it's own chapter, giving Steve a Daddy! Who do you think he'll choose? Review and let me know!