challenged myself to write one that wasn't quite so heavy on the angst (I only partially succeeded, haha), and involved a few characters instead of the more typical Nat + one other.
enjoy.
"Hey, Pepper," Rhodey says as he brings the phone to his ear.
"Hey, Rhodey." He can hear Tony talking to Morgan in the background and smiles at the mental image of his best friend arguing with a toddler. He knows from experience Morgan usually wins the arguments, much to Tony's chagrin and everyone else's amusement.
"You need me to pick up something on the way?" he asks as he starts looking for his keys.
"Actually, yes."
He's a little surprised that Pepper, the most prepared person he's ever met, has forgotten something. "Sure thing. What is it?"
"It's not a what, it's a who."
Rhodey blows out a breath quietly because he knows exactly who Pepper's talking about - Nat. "It's not gonna be easy. You know how she is now."
"I know," Pepper says, her tone deflating in recognition. He knows she's well aware of the ways in which Natasha has changed. She'd tried a few times to invite the redhead over for lunch, but Nat had always politely declined. "But it's important to me," she continues before she pauses. "And to Tony."
Rhodey sends a silent thanks that the hatchet between Nat and Tony had been buried. While he wasn't trying to help her in straight-forward ways, Tony did ask after her now and then, and he'd made sure that groceries were delivered to the Compound whenever Rhodey was away for long periods of time. Not to mention that Tony seemed genuinely worried at the idea of her becoming singularly focused on work.
"No promises, but I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you, Rhodey," Pepper says sincerely, and he can tell from her voice that it really does mean a lot to her. Sometimes he forgets that Nat and Pepper had known each other a long time, and that they'd grown close too. They'd had coffee dates and gone out for brunch whenever they both happened to be in the same place at the same time.
He sighs lightly. Who knew a three-year-old's birthday party carried so much weight?
"Of course."
"Morgan can't wait to see her Uncle Rhodey."
"It's not me who needs convincing to come to the party," he remarks dryly.
"Well, you can tell her that Morgan is equally excited to see her Aunt Natasha."
"I'll see you soon."
"Good luck," Pepper says before ending the call.
Rhodey slides the phone back into his pocket and turns down the hallway leading to Nat's office. He blows out a breath. This isn't gonna be easy.
He finds Nat exactly where he thought she'd be - at her desk. She's leaning over, elbow propped up on the desk and cheek resting on her fist as she scrolls through some information on a tablet. Judging by the deep crease in her brow, whatever she's looking at isn't good news, and he guesses it's probably to do with Barton. They'd both gotten the report earlier in the day about another grisly murder scene with blood sprayed across the walls and heads chopped clean off. It hadn't been pretty, and he still can't believe it's Barton.
She must hear him approach because she lifts her head up off her fist and looks at him. "Thought you left already."
"You trying to get rid of me, Romanoff?" he quips, hoping to keep the mood light because he knows asking her to leave the Compound is going to bring out a reaction from her.
"Yeah, because there's clearly not enough room for the both of us in this facility," she replies drolly while rolling her eyes. The sarcasm was a welcome reminder that the Nat he knew from before the Snap was still in there somewhere.
"Clearly not," he agrees with a smile. He thinks about continuing with the small talk but instead he opts to dive right into the reason he'd sought her out. No need to prolong it, he thinks. "You ready to go?" The crease in her brow returns, this time out of confusion and he sighs because it's clear she doesn't know what he's talking about. "Morgan's party, remember?"
She recovers quickly as realization blooms in her gaze and she sits up straight. "Right. Let me grab the gift so you can-"
"Nat," he interrupts again, "I'm not taking your gift. I'm taking you."
"You know I can't leave, Rhodey."
"Yes, you can. You just won't."
She bristles at his pointed words and her eyes flash with renewed stubbornness. "Someone should be here."
He only just manages to keep his eyes from rolling. "Bullshit. Friday can monitor the channels and forward any emergency messages to our phones."
"I don't think-"
"It's a good idea?" he finishes. "I disagree. It's been way too long since you've left this place. It's not healthy, Nat."
"Hovering grandmother isn't a good look on you, Rhodey," she says, words meant to slice at him, but he lets them roll right off. This was nothing compared to dealing with the sullen, drunk Tony Stark of a little over a decade before.
"My grandmother was one of the toughest people I've ever met, so the joke's on you," he volleys back. "You want to come up with another deflection, or can we just agree I'm right?"
She glares at him, but it lacks the penetrating force that he'd come to expect from her back in the day.
"C'mon, Nat, do me the courtesy of not trying to bullshit me." He lets those words hang for a moment before he continues, this time a little softer. "I know this is what's keeping you grounded, but you gotta live a bit too, Nat. It's not walking away from your post; it's taking a little r and r."
He can see her waging a war in her own head whether to accept his words, but he's honestly not sure which way she's leaning. Nat had always been unpredictable like that.
He sighs lightly. "Look, I didn't want to have to play this card, but there's a little girl there who is very excited to see her aunt. You really want to disappoint her?"
Nat's expression twists and he can't quite pin down what it represents. Resignation that she can't be happy because she failed everyone? Frustration that a three-year-old had her wrapped around her finger?
"Pepper would understand," she begins, but he can tell even she knows it's a weak argument. "She'd explain it to-"
He interrupts her quickly, not letting her argument build any steam. "Pepper was the one who asked me to make sure you came. So, go take a shower, clean yourself up, grab your gift for Morgan, and we'll go."
Nat seems to weigh his words as she holds his gaze. A few moments of pointed silence pass before she reluctantly sags back in her chair. "Fine, but that's a low blow, Rhodes."
"Only bring 'em out when they're necessary, Romanoff. And don't pretend like you don't fight dirty when you need to. Now go. I don't want to be late."
Natasha had been quiet the whole ride to Tony and Pepper's lake house, but despite her earlier efforts at arguing her way out of going she didn't seem to be at all anxious to be away from the Compound. She checked her phone every so often, but to be fair that could be out of boredom since she'd let him drive.
But she's always had an excellent poker face, his mind reminds him.
He knows that it was an intentional choice by her to immerse herself in keeping on top of potential threats and helping to coordinate responses to the incidents that popped up across the globe and the galaxy. Quarterbacking the team's efforts at keeping the peace helped her stay grounded and avoid falling into the general depression and despair that had claimed so many in the wake of Thanos' actions.
Her depression is just of the more functional variety, his mind reminds him.
He's pulled from his thoughts when he realizes they've reached their destination. He pulls into the driveway and parks next to Happy's car, mindful to leave enough room for Nat to get out. The last thing he needed was Happy's car to get a dent and be forced to put up with the incessant whining from the man.
"Hey," he says, prompting Nat to turn and face him. "It's not a bad thing to get away from work and get out from behind those same four walls," he reminds her.
"Compound's got a lot more than four walls," she replies dryly with a fleeting little smile. It's another glimpse of the woman he'd known before Thanos, because it's exactly the kind of thing the Nat of years ago would've said.
He arches an unimpressed eyebrow. "I know it means a lot to Morgan and Pepper, and I know it's not easy-"
"I don't need another pep talk, Rhodey," she says, interrupting him a bit brusquely. "You already called me out on my shit back at the Compound. I'm here. Let's get this over with."
"Yeah, okay," he replies with a nod.
Wasn't really going for a kid's birthday party being something to 'get over with' but I'll take what I can get I suppose.
He watches as she steps out of the car and then opens the back door to retrieve a gift bag from the backseat. He follows suit, opting to twist around and snag his own gift before exiting the car.
"My, my, my. Look what the cat dragged in," Tony drawls as he walks up to them, a bright birthday hat slightly askew on his head.
"Which one of us is the cat?" Rhodey asks wryly as he opens his arms up to hug Tony.
"I'm not answering that on account of there not being an answer that doesn't end with me being harmed in some way."
He can see Nat roll her eyes. "It's good to see you, Tony," she says, leaning in to give Tony a quick hug. The sentiment is genuine even if the tone itself is a little cordial, and Rhodey is thankful once again that the hatchet between them appears to be long since buried.
"Likewise, Red. Wasn't sure Rhodey was gonna be able to drag you outta that self-imposed dungeon. Can't blame you though. It's a nice dungeon, as they go. Had a great designer I'm told."
"How have you put up with him all these years?" she asks, turning to face Rhodey.
Rhodey chuckles. "I just stick around for the tech," he quips.
"Honey bear, that's not nice. You're hurting my feel-"
"Morgan around here somewhere? Or are we stuck being entertained by you all afternoon?" Nat interrupts, and Rhodey can see the beginnings of a smirk tugging at her lips but it doesn't quite manifest.
"Okay, first of all - rude. Second of all, kid's out back with Happy. Pepper sent me out as the welcoming committee."
"Consider us welcomed," she says dryly over her shoulder as she begins heading toward the house. Rhodey chuckles at her easy dismissal of Tony. Some things really did never change it seemed.
"You actually managed to get her outta there. I can't believe it," Tony says, genuinely surprised. "Last time I heard she was practically super-glued to the desk."
"Oh, she was. Wasn't sure it was gonna happen. But I'm persuasive."
"She doing okay?" Tony asks quietly as they begin to leisurely walk over and join everyone else. His tone is uncharacteristically serious, and it takes Rhodey a little by surprise.
"Not really," he answers honestly, "but then none of us really are, you know?"
Tony is quiet for a moment before he speaks. "Thanks for doing this."
"Of course," Rhodey dismisses easily, waving it off. "Not an imposition to see my niece."
He's surprised when Tony ignores the opening for a joke and keeps his more serious tone. "I mean it, Rhodey. I know Pepper really wanted Nat to come, and of course so did Morgan."
"And what about you?" he asks, genuinely curious to know the answer. Things between them may be civil, but there's still clearly a lot to unpack between them.
"It's good to see her," he confirms with a nod. Rhodey reads between the lines easily - he wanted her to come. "Besides, it'll get Morgan off my back. Little stinker has been bugging me non-stop asking if she was coming. Pepper too."
"Well, she better be excited to see me too."
"Pepper or Morgan?" Tony replies with a grin.
Rhodey shoves him off balance. "Shut up."
"Thanks again for coming, Rhodey," Pepper says as she slides him a beer and takes a seat beside him.
"Of course," he replies swiftly while tipping the bottle toward her in thanks.
"And thanks for bringing Natasha," she adds, tone a little hushed. "It means a lot to Morgan that she came."
"And to Tony," he adds with a nod.
Pepper hums in agreement. "He'd never say it, but he's worried about her. Sometimes he disappears into his lab to tinker with old Avengers tech for hours. Making upgrades on suits and weapons no one needs… more than once I've found him working on schematics for new Widow's bites and batons."
He smiles knowingly. "He wants to protect the ones he cares about."
"Yeah," Pepper breathes out, sounding grateful that he understands. "She seems to be doing okay though," she says, nodding toward Nat.
Rhodey follows her gaze and finds Morgan sitting happily on her aunt's lap, hands clutching the new book she'd gotten as a gift from Nat. There's a wide smile on her face as she points to various things in the pictures excitedly and twists to look up at Nat every so often for an explanation. What's most striking to him is the smile on Natasha's face though. He hasn't seen her smile like that in years. The tension has disappeared from her posture almost entirely, and he can see the happiness in her expression is genuine.
He realizes suddenly he hasn't responded to Pepper's comment and he lets his gaze shift back. "She's like all of us. Some days are better than others."
Before Pepper can respond Tony appears carrying three plates of cake. He slides one plate over to Rhodey, leaves one in the middle of the table, and keeps the third for himself before he takes a seat across from Pepper.
"Who's that for?" Pepper asks, nodding toward the extra plate.
"You, obviously."
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"I told you I didn't want any."
"Well, yeah, but you always say that and then you steal some of mine."
"I don't steal anything," she protests. "I ask."
Rhodey sees Tony's eyes begin to roll before he clearly thinks better of the action. "And how exactly am I supposed to say no to you?"
"It's a pretty simple word," she retorts. "Two letters, one syllable…"
"Pep," he says, exhaling heavily.
"I'm just saying, there's no need to make me out to be-"
"I'm not making you out to be anything except a wonderful mother, wife, and general all-around amazing person."
"Lay it on a little thicker," she retorts with a roll of her eyes.
"See! I can't win! I refuse you cake, and you get grumpy. I bring you cake, and you get grumpy."
"Say grumpy one more time and you'll find out what it really means."
"It's extra cake, okay?" he says quickly, hands held up in innocence. "Up for grabs for anyone who might want it."
Rhodey chuckles at Tony and Pepper's mirrored looks of exasperation at each other. Some things never change.
"You know, I never woulda figured her to be the nurturing type in those early days," Tony says, clearly eager to change the subject as he points his fork towards Nat who is now tickling Morgan lightly, prompting a fit of giggles, "but she's always been so good with kids."
"That's true," Pepper agrees. "Morgan was an angel in her arms as a baby. Even if she'd been in the middle of a screaming fit, as soon as she was with Nat she'd calm right down."
"Yeah, that was a real boost to my parenting self-esteem," Tony grumbles before stabbing at his piece of cake.
Rhodey chuckles. "I think it's a Nat thing. Morgan screamed in my arms too, don't forget."
"Well, I suppose she did have practice," Tony muses. "She was Auntie Nat to Barton's kids."
There's a brief, uncomfortable silence as the weight of the use of the past tense hits them all. None of them had really known the Bartons well, but their loss still stings.
"She's got a big heart. Always has," Rhodey says, thinking of all the times Nat had made an effort to chat with him when he'd been around the Tower before he'd joined the team, how she'd always listened to his take on things even if it wasn't strictly required, and how she made sure to check in with him periodically while he was away on liaison business, even in the midst of her own struggle. She clearly cared far more than people gave her credit for.
"Yeah," Tony agrees. "Just never figured a spy and assassin could be so warm and nurturing. You know?"
"She's always been more than that, Tony," Pepper chides gently.
"Of course," he replies quickly. "I just mean with everything she's gone through…" he trails off, but they all know what he's referring to. While they'd never directly read any of the information dumped onto the internet in the wake of taking down Hydra, enough of it had made front page news for them to get the gist of some of the horrors she had lived through.
"Like I said, she's got a big heart," Rhodey offers, watching as Morgan hops off Nat's lap and runs toward them. He watches as Nat gets up and follows at a far more leisurely pace.
"Mommy!"
"Hi!" Pepper says with a wide smile, opening her arms and bracing for the impact of Morgan's jump.
"You get through all of War and Peace?" Rhodey quips just as Nat reaches the table.
"No way, gotta be something Russian. What's the name of that Dostoyevsky one?" Tony asks, head tilting up in thought.
"Please tell me that you don't actually think he only wrote Crime and Punishment," Nat replies.
Tony snaps his fingers and points to her. "Crime and Punishment, that's the one."
"A man of true culture, ladies and gentlemen."
"Why thank you," he replies easily with a shit-eating grin spreading.
"If you all are done discussing literature that is quite obviously not age appropriate for our daughter, Morgan would like a photo with her Aunt Natasha," Pepper interjects, wisely nipping a potential verbal sparring match between them in the bud.
Nat smiles as she turns to face Pepper and Morgan. "Sure thing."
"And Mommy!" Morgan declares as she scrambles off Pepper's lap and over to Nat.
"I guess I'm in it too," Pepper says with a light laugh as she joins them.
"Me too?" Tony asks.
"No," Morgan replies flatly and both Rhodey and Nat erupt in laughter.
"Ouch," Tony says as he pulls out his phone and snaps the photo. "Oh, that's a good one. You look great, ladies. And Nat, you don't look bad either."
"You're lucky your kid is here, otherwise there'd be significantly more violence happening right now," Nat mutters with a narrowed gaze.
"Uncle Rhodey too!" Morgan calls out happily, oblivious to the verbal jabs being thrown.
Rhodey chuckles as Tony's expression falls further. "I never predicted a mutiny this early in the game."
Nat laughs as Rhodey joins them. "She's a Stark and you didn't think she'd cause waves? I guess you are as dumb as you look."
Rhodey chuckles as Tony bristles, clearly weighing what he can get away with saying in the presence of both Pepper and Morgan. "I'm choosing to let that slide, but only because of the youth present." He snaps a few photos of the group of them before he pauses to review them.
Rhodey glances at his watch and is surprised to see how late it is. Traffic is gonna be a bitch, he thinks miserably. Nat must've caught his action because she opts to verbalise it. "Time to get going?"
He nods. "Yeah, there was that sign for the construction we passed on the way here...it's gonna back things up. We should head out soon otherwise we'll be stuck in traffic for hours."
Nat nods in agreement and then begins to collect plates and napkins.
"Oh, don't worry about that, Nat," Pepper says quickly. "We'll take care of that."
"Are you sure? I don't mind."
"No, please. Tony volunteered."
"More like Tony was voluntold," Tony mutters.
"In that case, I need one last hug from Morgan before we go," she says as she drops to her knees and opens her arms.
Morgan picks up on the cue quickly and jumps into her arms, wrapping her arms around Nat who reciprocates the hug just as tightly. He watches as Nat whispers something in her ear and then suddenly Morgan releases her and launches herself at Rhodey's legs. He bends over and picks her up, letting her snuggle her head onto his shoulder.
"Bye, Uncle Rhodey," she says softly.
"This is too beautiful," Tony says dramatically as he snaps another photo.
"You're ruining our moment."
Tony shrugs. "She's my daughter and you're my best friend. I fail to see how it's not my prerogative to jump in on these things."
Morgan squirms a little and so Rhodey sets her down. "See you later, Morgan."
They all watch as she skips away and immediately dives into her new toys, excitement and joy radiating off her.
"Thanks for coming," Pepper says as she gives Nat a quick hug, followed by Rhodey. "I appreciate you taking the time."
Nat and Rhodey answer simultaneously. "Of course."
"Don't be strangers, alright?" Pepper says. She makes eye contact with them both, but lets her gaze linger on Nat to drive home the request. Nat obliges her with a small nod and a smile. "Drive safe," she instructs.
"With grandma driving that's not a concern," Nat quips as she gestures to Rhodey with her thumb before she starts walking toward the car.
"I told you already, my grandmother was tough. And besides, it just so happens she had a bit of a lead foot when driving," he replies as he heads to the car as well. He can hear Pepper and Tony's light laughter behind them.
"How did you end up being such a slow driver then?"
"She's not wrong, Rhodey," Tony pipes up from behind them. "I always thought a guy who flew in the Air Force would've been more of a speed junkie."
Rhodey ignores Tony's words. "You know, you can walk home if you want, Nat."
"I'd probably get there faster."
"Keep talking, we can test that theory."
Any thoughts/feelings/feedback/suggestions are greatly appreciated! :)
Have had some trouble carving out writing time lately, so updates may slow down a bit. Certainly not abandoning this story or Conversational Junctures - just going to take a bit of time to build up my drafts folder again!
Bonus points if you can name which previous chapter the Morgan-Pepper-Nat photo was mentioned! ;)