Chapter 4
By: MysticFantasy
.
.
Happy Birthday Steve Rogers/Captain America. Happy 4th of July everyone.
.
.
"Let me see Steve." Natasha called from the other side of the door.
"I feel silly." Steve replied looking at himself in the mirror of the dressing room. He was wearing black slacks that had a bit of flare at the bottom and a tight black long sleeved shirt that had a deep slip in the front down to his stomach. Steve wouldn't have worn the shirt if the slit didn't have red satin fabric under it, covering anything that would have been exposed.
"Don't be. That outfit will look great on you and it'll only be for one night." Natasha said. "Come on out and let me see."
With a sigh and slight blush, Steve opened the door and stepped out for Natasha to see him wearing the suit she'd picked out for their dance. Upon seeing him, Steve saw Natasha smile.
"It's perfect." she exclaimed walking over and adjusting his collar a bit. "This looks great on you. Classy yet sexy."
Steve fully blushed at that.
He'd heard comments about his appearance from women long before he'd entered this era and every single time he blushed because he hadn't been use to it.
He was use to women ignoring him for someone else, usually Bucky, and when he'd suddenly become the apple of their eyes it had been a huge change. One that he had never gotten use to because of lack of self confidence.
"Don't be embarrassed Steve." Natasha said comfortingly.
"Sorry but I'm just not use the attention I get from the ladies because of the way I look." he said. "Before the serum women would look past me, normally to Bucky, and I always had to be set up with a lady by Bucky in hopes that they might pay attention to me. Never worked. When I became Captain America and the dames all suddenly wanted my attention...It kinda freaked me out a bit."
"Just ignore what you hear." Natasha said. "You need to find a woman who will love you for how you are. Not who you are and what you look like. The women these days focus too much on appearance and status."
"Then that complicates things." Steve said. "Clint informed me on how most people are these days. I'm out dated."
"Steve, the only thing outdate about you are those plaid shirt you always wear." Natasha said with a smirk. "You are the kind of person people need to learn from. If they did then things would be a lot less complicated in the world."
"Well, if people learned from then Tony would have a lot more people to poke fun at." Steve said with a tiny smirk.
Natasha smiled as she looked over his outfit again. She knew that he wouldn't be comfortable wearing this in front of a whole building full of people and decided to change it.
After forty minutes they both came to an agreement on what he would be wearing for the dance.
It was basically a suit with just a blue vest and no jacket. The shirt he would be wearing was a calm red and a white bow tie.
After Steve had changed back into his regular clothes he had asked if they were going to look for something Natasha would wear. The female spy only smiled and said that she already had it covered but no one would see it until the night of the dance.
Steve didn't ask any questions as they paid for his new clothes. Natasha had been right about everything so far so there was no need to question her about clothing.
.
l~*~*~*~*~*l~*~*~*~*~*l~*~*~*~*~*l
l~*~*~*~*~*l~*~*~*~*~*l~*~*~*~*~*l
.
Steve took a drink of his ice water while he and Natasha waited for their lunch to arrive. He was almost always hungry because of his metabolism but had stayed silent until Natasha mentioned her hunger.
Now they sat together in a sea side restaurant.
"So, are you nervous about the dance?" Natasha asked.
"Not so much the dance as the fact that everyone is going to be watching us." Steve answered.
"Tony told you that we're going to have the first dance then huh?" Natasha mused.
"Yeah and he really got a kick out of my expression. He had to tell me while I was eating."
Natasha chuckled at his story and at how Tony had the worst timing. This wasn't the first time that Steve had nearly choked on a meal when Tony had informed him of something. She was starting to think that Tony did it for kicks.
It was no wonder why Steve never really liked to follow Tony on his nights out to the clubs and bars. The shy and well mannered soldier before her wouldn't stand a chance against Tony's loud and straight forward personality.
"So, you never danced before until now?" Natasha asked trying to get a conversation going.
"Never." Steve answered with a shy smile. "Bucky tried to show me a few dances but...it never worked."
"It is a little odd how you are a master of so many fighting styles and skills and yet dancing is the trickest thing you'd had to learn." Natasha said.
"I'll admit, it is strange." Steve agreed. "Tony was right about it. I know all the fighting styles but it wasn't until now that I learned any dance patterns."
Natasha smiled right as the waiter arrived with their lunch. She was having a simple lunch which made hers look like a few pieces of crumbs compared to Steve's large lunch. She would never cease to be amazed at how much Steve was able to eat and then be hungry again in three hours tops.
Clint and Tony had made it clear to all of them that they hated Steve's metabolism. He was able to eat so much and never gain any weight from it.
Natasha began eating her salad with crab as the two of them continued talking about simple things. They both found themselves smiling and laughing the entire time, telling stories and learning more and more about each other.
Lunch ended soon with Steve paying and the two were on their way.
"...and that's when I made it to Eagle Scout." Steve finished as they now walked on the empty beach near the water.
"I had a feeling you were in the Boy Scouts." Natasha said. "Bruce and Tony actually had a bet to see if they could get you to say if you were or not. Guess Bruce won."
"There's a lot of bets around me aren't there?" Steve asked with a smirk.
"It's because there isn't anyone like you around." Natasha said. "People like me, Clint, Bruce and Tony...we're predictable in terms of manners and thoughts. You on the other hand, are completely different. Something that no one is use to. Guess that's what sparks bet interests around you. Just to let you know, this is the first time I've ever made a bet about you."
"Thank you." Steve said as they came to a lining of rocks.
Natasha climbed onto one and removed her boots. She sat down and placed her feet in the ocean water. Steve climbed up and stood on the rock next to her.
He marveled at how the ocean glistened in the sun light and smiled at the cool breeze touching his skin.
It had been far too long since he was able to just enjoy the scenery of something without worrying if he was needed or had to be somewhere. It had been far too long since the last time he was able to relax and enjoy himself.
"Glad we came?" Natasha asked standing again.
"Very." Steve answered. "I think I was long over due for this."
"You were." Natasha said slipping her boots back on her feet. "You're super long nap doesn't count for any relaxation time and we've been way to busy with SHIELD to even breath."
Steve chuckled at her expression though it did hold a little truth. They had been very busy with SHIELD missions and it was only on Fury's part that they even had time to relax right now.
The director had informed them that he'd managed to get them a month to relax and wind down unless a serious threat appeared.
Natasha walked over to Steve and smiled at him.
Steve returned his smile which he realized he shouldn't have since he now found himself rushing down to meet the sea water.
He surfaced and heard Natasha laughing hysterically. He couldn't help but smile back as he climbed the side of the rock.
Although he knew to treat women with respect, when he noticed she was looking down from laughter he knew he had the chance for revenge. He grabbed her wrist and threw himself back into the water, taking Natasha with him.
They both surfaced, hair sticking to their face and smiles appearing after the shock wore off.
"That was a dirty trick. You've been around Stark too long." Natasha said moving her hair away from her face.
"Guess I am starting to learn." Steve replied with a grin and helped her climb out of the water.
"Well, be ready to cram tomorrow then." She said with a mischevious gleam in her eye.
Right then and there, Steve regreted pulling her into the ocean for he knew tomorrow he was going to get a dance lesson that was going to put the Army fitness test to shame.