***A huge thank you to my new beta morrismsteph!***

"Natasha, sister, you need to breathe!" Thor coached his younger sister as she brutally attacked a punching bag in the gym.

"I don't. Need. To breathe." Nat's red, sweat-soaked hair clung to her face as she furiously punched the bag.

"Knock knock!" Thor could see his Papa's head poking around the corner of the door as he called out. "Nat? How you doing?"

The girl abandoned the punching bag and stormed towards her father, her eyes murderous. "You said I'd be safe here! How could you bring that disgusting, dangerous man into our house?!" Natasha screamed.

Dean's chest felt like it was collapsing. He was hiding just around the corner, like a coward. Of course she thought he was a monster, why wouldn't she? Everyone else thought he was a dangerous good-for-nothing, so that's what he was.

"Disgust–? Natasha, what are you talking about?" Steve blinked in confusion.

"He took advantage of that girl! How dare he?!"

Steve froze.

"Natasha, what do you mean he took advantage of her?" He spoke calmly and carefully, as if approaching a wild animal.

"What do you think it means?!"

"Natasha," Steve dropped to a knee to look Natasha in the eye, "Did Becky say something to you?"

"Does it matter? It's–"

"I would never!" Dean interrupted. He was now standing in the doorway, the need to defend himself greater than his fear of the redhead. "You have to believe me, Steve, I would never! She wanted it! I–"

"She wanted it?! Just because you wanted it, you–" Natasha was grabbed around the middle by her father before she could storm over to the boy.

Steve gestured for Thor to continue restraining Natasha then beckoned Dean to come closer.

"Now, Dean," Steve placed a hand on his shoulder as he looked him dead in the eye, "how do you know she really wanted it? What did she say or do to tell you she wanted it?"

All four were silent as Dean thought over the frenzy of the past few hours.

"She–uh, well, she was kissing me–"

"That doesn't–"

"Natasha, please," Steve hushed the girl. "What else?"

"I asked her if she wanted to go somewhere more private, and she nodded."

"Okay, what else?" the man prompted.

"She–" Dean glanced at the man and his two foster siblings before hanging his head and saying as quickly as he could, "She was begging me to keep going, not to stop, to go faster. And she asked if I had a condom."

The boy's face was red in embarrassment, his hands fidgeting in his jeans as he revealed the details to his pseudo siblings. Steve smiled and squeezed Dean's shoulder before turning back to Natasha.

"You see? I think it was consensual. However, you can always ask Becky if you don't believe Dean," Steve explained to his daughter. "If she says anything that makes you think otherwise, tell us right away, and we'll revisit this discussion."

The girl's brows were pulled together in thought. "But–why would she–?" Nat took a deep breath and started again, "Dr. Hill says that sex is something meant to be shared with someone you love and trust. Becky doesn't know Dean. How could she want it?"

"Dr. Hill is right–that is absolutely what sex is. However, for some people, it can just be about having fun." If Steve felt uncomfortable talking about freewheeling sex to his daughter, he didn't show it. The man was a pillar of strength for his children in that moment. "Do you remember the story that went around about dad a couple years ago? The video that was leaked?"

Both Thor and Natasha cringed at the memory.

"The person he was with didn't know him that well, but the sex was consensual. The recording wasn't, but that's for another time," Steve rambled. "The point is–sex is better with someone you know, love, and trust. But it doesn't have to be. Does that make sense?"

Natasha thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"Okay, let me–"

"Steve? Can I try?" Dean's voice was small, interrupting the man. Steve nodded and gestured for Dean to go ahead.

"Okay, so, uh," he stammered, not knowing where to start. "So, sex." His face was beet red. "For me, sex isn't some beautiful experience to share with someone else. It's–it feels good. And–and it gets me out of my head for a little while, to–to completely focus on someone else and know that it's because of me that they're feeling good, that it's because of me that they make noises and beg for more.

"It feels good to be wanted, to be pulled closer instead of pushed away. It's–it's an experience that needs to be with someone I don't know. Because if they do know me, they wouldn't want me so close."

The boy's head hung so low, his words were beginning to muffle. Steve ran a hand down Dean's back in an attempt to comfort his son.

"So, Nat, does that make sense?" Steve asked again.

Natasha eyed Dean warily. "No," she replied, "but I'll talk to Becky before school tomorrow. And I have an appointment with Dr. Hill tomorrow night, so I'll see what she thinks."

"That sounds very reasonable, Natasha. Well done," Steve praised the girl.

"Aye, you've reigned in your aggression marvellously. Dr. Sif always tells me to ask myself why I am angry and what can be done instead of violence to rectify the situation. I believe you've taken these words to heart, fierce Natasha," Thor congratulated his sister, loosening his hold on the girl. "And if you ever have need to ask questions about making love and do not wish to talk to our parents or your therapist, know I am always available!"

Nat pushed her big brother away. "Ew, Thor! I don't want to know about your sex life, too!" Although her voice was disgusted, a small smile crept onto her face at the man's antics.

"But why not? Jane is a wonderful lover and–"

"Oh my god, stop!" The girl covered her ears and started laughing, as did Dean and Steve.

Yeah, Steve thought, this is gonna work.