Author's Note: Ah...so snippet of a story that never went anywhere.

Characters: Natasha and Steve

Warnings: None

Written: 2018 some time. :)

Note: Not checked for spelling or grammar!

"I feel stupid." Steve says, his tone is slightly irritable yet has a pathetic hopeless edge that makes him want to grind his jaw together in frustration. He stares at the full length mirror in front of him with strong distaste and presses his lips together to withhold further comments. He knows they're coming eventually and he can already think of quite a few but as of right now he just wants to bury his head in a paper bag for a few days.

Natasha steps in front of him from her previous position behind him brushing down the wild flying hairs of his black wig and straightens the red tie he's wearing. "You look fine." She assures a moment later and brushes the long bangs in front of his face. He's never been good at acting-spying, whatever Tasha and Clint have decided to call it this time but the mission is critical and Natasha isn't a guy, Thor can't act to save his life, Bruce is to short and Clint didn't have the right build. Tony's going as well Tony and despite how much Steve is protesting he knows how important this dinner party is.

What remains of S.H.I.E.L.D. contacted them with evidence they'd found on a weapons dealer selling with the guise dinner party. Apparently something to do with Chitauri tech mixed with S.I.'s older stuff. Tony had told the agents they'd deal with it before shoving his way onto the guest list. "I'm the distraction," He'd said, "they all look my way as Jeorge Killo buys weapons from the boss."

And of course, Steve gets to be Jeorge. Excellent. All he can think of is a few months ago when he and Natasha were on the run and he was miserable at it. He's not meant to be a spy. Period. At all, none, nope, zip, nada. They apprehended the man last night, well, Natasha and Thor did (Steve's not sure how and doesn't want details right now).

"Clint's better at this stuff." Steve protests weakly.

"And your shadow." Natasha points out. In the vents, they'd all agreed on it. Natasha is going as Jeorge's wife, Lacy, and Bruce and Thor are going to just be guests. More distractions. Not everyone there is buying the weapons a mere handful but preventing the civilians from going would be an obvious "hey, we found out about your super secret law breaking habits" and the weapons dealer would cut it. Ian Link if there sources were right.

Natasha turns so she's facing the mirror and shoves a bobby-pin back into her hairstyle. She's been growing it out recently and has it pulled up into a curled bun that is somehow elegant yet dangerous. Her dress is a long deep red that gathers at her feet and the sleeves are long and it extends up to a collar. Natasha has plenty of weapons on her person but Steve feels oddly naked without his shield. He has a gun, but no intentions of using it.

Natasha runs a finger under her eye for a moment before turning back to him. "We're good. Are you ready?"