"Excuse me ladies and gentleman we are approaching our destination of Kalokiri, please remain in your seats", the captain informed over the intercom.
"Ahh here comes one of my favorite villas, it took me forever to find just the right spot off the coast of Greece", Tony had been anticipating sharing the island experience with his friends and loved one for quite sometime. Clint glanced out the side window in awe at the sight of the shimmering coast of the Aegean Sea.
"Wow Tony you really know how to pick a place." Bobbi couldn't help but praise Tony's taste for things.
"Keep the comments coming...ow babe why so hurtful."
"Tony you need a lesson in humility one of these days," Pepper just rolled her eyes at him.
Steve and Natasha watched their friends from the back of the plane. Ever since Natasha returned to her seat from the bathroom Steve couldn't help but fidget a little. He wasn't so sure about his choice in telling her about his current love life. Natasha on the other hand was kind of enjoying watching him squirm. There was a reason why she was the best at what she does.
To ease the tension between them, Natasha cracked the window open slowly so not to blind Bruce and Betty sitting from the other side of them.
"Hey I think your gonna want to see this." she tugged on his sleeve in the direction of the window. He had to squint his eyes at first but once his vision adjusted to the light he became speechless. The water below them was shimmering white from the sunset. But what really caught his attention were the various hues of red, orange, and yellow that bathed the sky. No amount of skill in the world could do justice to the artistry of Mother Nature.
"Welcome to my humble abode, make yourselves at home." Tony enjoyed showing off his things.
"So second floor has all the bed rooms each of you can have one but I think you guys are gonna want to share except for cap and red, bathrooms are found on both floor and there is an outdoor shower as well, first floor has the usual kitchen, den, living room and I think you can find your way around the island."
"What if we want to head to the mainland", Steve asked. He never had the chance to go to Greece no matter how many times he's visited Europe. He's always wanted to witness the bountiful and enriched culture of the country as soon as possible.
"I got a private boat or two by the docks you guys can take it to the mainland if you want", Tony responded nonchalantly.
While the group got settled in pepper was inquiring on what they should do first. "We should go see the city you guys the night life is amazing here."
Clint reclined in his chair propping his feet up, "you guys go I think I'll hold down the fort."
"Aw c'mon babe it'll be fun", Bobbi began to twirl her finger in a circular pattern on Clint's chest.
"Fine, anything for you beautiful", Clint sat up to give he a quick peck on the cheek.
"You guys going too?" Clint turned his attention to Betty and Bruce who were descending down the stairs. Betty looked up at Bruce with pleading eyes.
"Sure why not."
"Then it's settled", Pepper almost squealed with enthusiasm. It was so seldom for her and Tony to have little dates and whatnot due to their careers.
Steve was outside while the others were talking about tonight's festivities. He changed out of his flight attire and was now sporting a pair of grey cargo shorts and a white polo. He sat close to the edge of the shore digging his feet in the sand; a light sea breeze brushed his face. 'So peaceful'
"May I join you, cap?"
"Oh y-yes, of course", he was caught off guard by Natasha. Steve felt her sit next to him.
"So it looks like the night life is calling our names tonight, Pepper and the others want to go, what about you?
"I think it'll be nice to finally see the birthplace of...well everything", his response was light hearted.
"Look at you all relaxed you're even wearing shorts for a change."
"Nat, I'm 95 not dead."
She just smirked at him before standing up, "I'm gonna get ready for tonight see us inside." Once she left he reclined his posture so he could lean on his hands watching the sun fall under the sea.
The team took Tony's boats to the mainland. Upon arrival Tony's personal guide, Nikko, greeted them. He was a small statured man that looked to be about 65 years of age.
"Good evening Mr. Stark and company, I hope you are enjoying your stay so far; my name is Nikko Castellanos how do you do." He welcomed them warmly.
"My pal Nikko here has been a close family friend for years he will be our guide if we ever want to go into town." Tony introduced him.
He gestured with his hand towards a pathway that lead away from the docks. The gang collectively walked through the small town. It was very charming and lively with the rich happy souls that inhabited the town. Once they got to the heart of it they began to split in different directions with their significant other leaving Steve, Natasha, and Nikko to watch the happy couples explore. It was not long before Natasha began to feel bored of just watching over her friends. Steve was with her, she might as well take advantage of the company.
"Steve I'm hungry."
"Hm well I guess we should fix that."
Natasha smirked, "Hey Nikko do you have a restaurant in mind?" Natasha looked towards the man standing in front of her.
"Well Ms. Romanoff what would you like to eat, there are many selections here in the city."
She took a moment to think, "what about somewhere quite and purely Greek." Nikko nodded and led the way for them.
It wasn't too long until they encountered a run down building by the docks. Steve read the sign, η υπνηλία ναύτης (The Sleepy Sailor). It was an interesting building to look at actually. One could clearly tell that the building was aging with every moment, chipping paint, numerous cracks, with mildew growing in some places. Nonetheless, it still held a certain character to it. Nikko was the first to enter the building, trailing behind him was Natasha and Steve. To their surprise the elderly man that had been lead them to his family restaurant. His wife emerged from the back kitchen greeting her husband in Greek. Nikko introduced them to the plump woman who warmly welcomed them. She gently ushered Steve and Natasha to an empty table near the windows. The few words that Steve caught in Greek made him blush.
"What did she say Steve?" she inquired.
"Nothing really, its nothing" his attempt at convincing was to no avail.
"I couldn't really understand it all honestly, something about food, Tony, and…us." Steve's words quietly slowed at the last part.
"What about us?" Natasha knew all the right ways to push his buttons.
"Y'know I wonder what she is going to cooking for us I bet it's going to be delicious, have you ever tried Greek food" Steve tried to change the subject not wanting to further delve into the previous topic. Natasha took the hint and gave him the curtsey of not pushing it, 'I'll save it for later on.'
While waiting for their food they engaged in friendly small talk about everything and anything.
"So anything new happen in your life?" Steve asked.
"Well fury has me on double mission duty and the new trainees are so horrible this time around its like none of them have any balls to do anything."
"I feel like whenever we get new agents you're the first one who tries to kill them."
"I like to call it weeding Steve."
"Nat if you continue this no one is going to want to work for us, new blood is always needed y'know."
"And I'm making sure it's pure, come on Steve you can't possibly think that the new recruits are any good this time around."
"Some yes others ehh."
"My point exactly"
"Your not gonna lighten up are you."
"Not one bit", she smirked.
Natasha welcomed the feelings of familiarity in their casual conversation. It was so easy for her to talk with Steve. Granted, she always enjoyed the banter and quips with everyone else but he brought about a different atmosphere, so welcoming and warming. Soon the elderly woman returned with a tray full of various homemade dishes. She laid out the plates and gestured them to eat. Immediately they indulged in the true taste of Greece. The hearty clam and tomato stew, lamb chops braised in wine, various slices of cheese and bread, a bed of seafood pilaf, a creamy stew of fish, and to top it off vanilla ice cream drizzled with honey. Nikko softly played a sweet melody on his viola. Steve couldn't think of a better way of spending his evening. He finally got to taste the heart of Greece accompanied by a lovely elderly couple and one of the most stunning woman he had ever known. Nikko's wife nudged Steve to stand and offer Natasha a dance. He looked at her flustered and then at Natasha. His face had quirked and awkward shy smile. Natasha couldn't help but laugh a bit at his predicament. She saved him from further embarrassment by taking to initiative and led him to the open area in the restaurant.
"But Nat remember I...I don't know how to dance." His feet all of a sudden seemed like the most interesting thing to look at.
"Do you have two working legs?"
"Yes of course."
"Then you can dance", Natasha said. "Just follow my lead Rogers." Nikko began a new melody, just as sweet as his last one. Natasha took Steve's hands and placed one on her back and the other in her own. His heart skipped a beat once they started to sway slowly to the music.
"And you are now dancing", She teased.
"It's much easier that I thought it would be."
"Well we are going the speed of a snail but it's dancing nonetheless."
"I do apologize in advance if I step on your feet." The rest dinner played out with the same playful mood. They ended up rejoining the group after two more songs.
"Where've you guys been we got a lot of stuff", Tony said while holding up Pepper's shopping bags.
"Yea we couldn't find you guys I wanted to show you this cool ice cream shop down the road", Clint chimed in.
"We got hungry so Nikko showed us his personal favorite", Natasha said.
"Well it's getting late let's head back to the villa", Bruce added.
While Tony and the other's piled into the boat Nikko quickly took the chance to take Steve to the side for a second.
"You know my friend, you are very lucky to have such a wonderful lady in your life" Steve was confused for a moment by the man's statement then he remembered earlier.
"I'm sorry you must be mistaken Natasha and I aren't…like that." He felt a bit disappointed by the time he finished his statement.
"Ah you see there you like her, go after her my friend she seems to like you too."
"How do you know?"
The man gave a hearty laugh, "I'm Greek, I know when Aphrodite has graced her blessing on people, don't let her go."
One the way back to the island Steve contemplated the wise words of the old man. He looked at Natasha who was sitting on the other side of the boat talking to Bobbi. Should he take a chance to find out? Is he ready for that? Too many thoughts ran in his head all at once. Back on shores of Kalokiri everyone said goodnight and went to their respective rooms. Steve walked with Natasha to her room upstairs; fortunately for him everyone else was gone.
"Thanks for dinner Steve"
"No thank you for the dance Nat."
She chuckled, "goodnight Rogers."
"Goodnight Romanoff."
Hey guys hope you like this story, tell me what you think of it so far :) Thanks for reading