Natasha set the plate on the arm of the couch near Pepper, hoping the smell would rouse her and she wouldn't have to personally wake a sleeping bear.
Pepper looked sleepily at it, mumbled out a "Thanks," and gingerly grabbed the plate and held it close, grateful for its warmth. "And thanks for not killing me in my sleep or robbing me," she added teasingly. She pushed away nagging thoughts concerning how relaxed and trusting they seemed to be around each other despite not knowing each other for even 24 hours.
"There's too much snow to move your furniture out the door, and whether you make it through breakfast is yet to be seen," Natasha replied.
Pepper looked to the door worriedly, as if she could see through it to the snow piling up on the other side. "Hibernation is tomorrow," she said thoughtfully.
"Mmm," Natasha agreed.
"Does the infamous Black Widow have someone to survive it with?"
"I'm sure I could bribe someone with all my stolen goods. And if that doesn't work, I could always wrestle someone to the ground and huddle up with them," she said lightly, trying not to think too much on it considering she was still trying to find someone who wouldn't run away in fear or hope she froze before making it to spring. "And you can call me Natasha," she said smiling, "If you want."
Pepper studied her for a moment, before nodding. "I'd like to see you wrestle someone to the ground just for a bear hug," she said sniggering.
Natasha laughed too but moved the subject away from herself, "What about you? Got anyone lined up?" She remembered the discussion on the phone, but figured Pepper was probably lying about the guy.
"Nah, not yet. I'll figure something out."
"What about Tony? You guys were dating right? It's not like he'd leave you out to freeze."
"I didn't know you kept such close tabs on my life."
"I don't…it's just that- I saw you guys at your work…" Natasha stumbled, looking for the right words, "Never mind."
Pepper smiled, "Don't worry about it. He's just my boss now though, thought it might be a bit of a weird thing to ask of him. Besides, that's what that thing is meant to be for." She gestured to the machine she'd been working on.
"What? The tormented refrigerator?"
"It's supposed to imitate the pheromones and temperature and what-not that would help a person through hibernation, so they don't have to rely on someone else for survival."
"A substitute for actual human contact? That just makes you sound really lonely."
"Hey!" Pepper grew defensive, "How do you know I'm not making it for other people who are simply unable to find someone else, like…like homeless youth or aggressive elderly folk."
Natasha snorted, "Well? Were you?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact I was," she paused before adding, "As well as for myself."
"So you are a loner!"
"I don't see you gearing up to wait it out with anyone either!"
Natasha shrugged, "That's 'cause people are scared of me, you're not exactly fear-inspiring."
"Why are they scared? You don't seem very scary at the moment."
"I don't usually act this…casual," Natasha admitted.
Pepper tilted her head to the side, studying Natasha. "Why?"
Natasha shrugged, "I don't know," she said honestly.
Pepper considered that for a moment. "Why did you offer to help me without asking for payment?"
"I don't know," Natasha said roughly, "Why did you let me stay here?"
"Why didn't you ask for anything?"
"Why did you give me food?"
"Why didn't you rob me?"
"And you're still letting me stay here!"
"You could've taken anything and left!"
Natasha glared. Pepper glared back. There was a strange sort of tension between them. Was this instinctive? A natural desire to be with someone, anyone, during hibernation? Or was it more than that? Neither wanted to think about it.
"Why'd you help me?" Pepper asked quietly.
Natasha met her eyes, then donned her trademark smirk. "Because I thought you were cute."
Pepper rolled her eyes and frowned, growing frustrated, "Why do you always say things like that?" she asked, walking away to the kitchen with her empty plate, "You always change the topic with- with those kinds of things. Is it a defensive mechanism or what?"
"What?" Natasha got up to follow her, confused. "I think it's generally referred to as 'flirting.'"
Pepper made a doubtful 'hmm' sound, like she didn't quite believe it.
"Pepper! It's what people do when they're attracted to someone else."
"I know what flirting is," she snapped, "But why the fuck would someone like you, all sexy and- and powerful, be attracted to me?" Pepper asked, turning her back and concentrating more than necessary on dishes.
"Because I just am. Why wouldn't I be? Anyone with half a brain can see how amazing you are!"
Pepper spun around and glared at Natasha, who was closer than Pepper had expected and matching her glare with equal ferocity. A million thoughts raced through Pepper's mind almost faster than she could process them. She faltered. "You were flirting with me?"
"I've been fucking trying to! Since we first met, by the way, but thanks for catching on," Natasha said with a small smile.
Pepper's eyes widened in realisation and she moved without quite knowing what she was doing, wrapping her arms around the other woman's neck, pulling her in for a desperate kiss. Natasha smiled into the kiss and wrapped her arms around Pepper's waist, pulling her close and trying not to growl possessively. Pepper gave in and did that anyway.
Eventually they broke apart for air, but held onto each other like their lives depended on it.
"Stay here," Pepper said between quick breaths, "With me, for the winter." There was a slight pleading in her voice she refused to admit was audible. "If you want."
Natasha nodded, "That'd be great. We could push the couches together."
"I reckon we could finish off the perishable food before sundown, too."
"Sounds like a plan. No need for that machine of yours then."
"Stupid thing stopped fucking working anyway."
"Mmm I like when you say bad words," she pulled Pepper into a passionate kiss.
And together, they survived the winter.
A/N: This was intended to be the last chapter, (it was written mostly by my loser friend who dared me to put this story up here btw), but if any of you people want more chapters this might turn into a longer thing. I know someone wants more Pepper-backstory, so that could be a thing, and we've got kind of a vague plan for more chapters if anyone's up for reading them. Anyways, drop us some suggestions if you like, and as always if you have any feedback, please feel free to let us know and we'll take it into consideration.