October 6th: I hope I'll never find out.

(rated K+, Romanogers)

A/N: I tried so hard not to do those, but this time it is necessary. I wrote down 35 ideas before starting this and I felt like doing none of those today. I've been at lectures all day long and it's 8.55 PM as I'm starting to do this, now decided on doing the first thing that comes to my mind. I love the idea of the Soulmate-AU where your soulmates last words are on your body, as seen at DaughterOfPoseidon333's place! Go there and give her some love! :) I like the last words better than the first because it is much more tragic and kind of bittersweet. I modified her idea a little, however.

Natasha was staring at the words as they appeared on her wrist. It was the evening of her 13th birthday. She had waited all day long and by that point, she was almost sure that she would be the one with no words, but all of a sudden 'Run and find that last stone!' was getting visible in neat black letters. She let herself sink back into the mattress after sitting up once again, holding her hand closer to the light source, a single light bulb for four beds. Why did it always have to be her? She had thought that she of all people would be the one to die first, but apparently, it was her soulmate. What a dumb word 'soulmate'. She didn't need that, she didn't have that. However, the little writing on her wrist told her otherwise. Only half of the people on this world had words. It were the last words they would ever hear from their soulmate before they would be left alone by them. She knew only a few girls in the Red Room who even had words. It was the case more likely for assassins to die first, probably that was the reason. Those who had had horrible things like 'Go to hell!' or 'Kill me already!'. She could deal with that. What she had, on the other hand, made absolutely no sense. Why would she look for a stone? And why would someone think it was so important that they would tell her with their last breath? Even words she had seen on many normal people's hands like 'I love you' or 'We will meet again' would be better. They would at least not bother her that much.

She would look at her wrist many, many times after that evening and the older she became the more she was afraid she would hear them.

The movie was over and Steve grabbed the remote to switch off the TV when a smaller hand reached it first and did it in his place. He smiled as Natasha made herself comfortable in his arms again. She looked up at him and asked: „How did you like Gladiator?"

Steve shrugged and started caressing her arm with his fingers: „It was nice… a little bit cliché probably."

Natasha smiled: „Yes, true… but it is still entertaining."

When he touched the words on her skin she pulled back out of a reflex. Steve sighed and stopped: „Natasha… don't think about it so much."

She gritted her teeth: „It bothers me… and it also bothers me that you never seem to think about it." He slightly moved so she had to face him: „Why? It doesn't change anything. You can't even know if those words on your wrist are mine. Nobody ever knows until it happens."

Trying to avoid his eyes for a moment longer Natasha gave in and looked at him again: „I know… but that is so stupid and it is something you could say. It must have something to do with all that shit going on with Loki and that stone in his scepter and everything. I am afraid, okay?"

Steve ran his thumb from her hairline down over her cheek to her chin: „I am too… it kind of starts making sense, but we never know what will happen. Our job is kind of dangerous and it is fascinating that we made it out alive every time yet."

Chewing on her bottom lip Natasha took his hand away with hers and held onto it: „I know… but now this feels like it is coming closer and I can't lose you. I can't live while knowing you are dead because I ran away to save some goddamn stone."

Steve hesitated: „According to those words… and assuming they are mine, it wouldn't change anything. If you didn't listen to me then, I'd die anyways and you would probably too. So… If the moment comes you have to listen to me and run."

Natasha took a deep breath: „You're right…" She paused before starting to speak again: „It's not fair… I would rather not know than this." ´

Steve tried a smile: „I am curious… did you ever think someone could be your soulmate before?"

Natasha managed to smile along: „Well… since not long ago the words have made absolutely no sense they could have been anyone's. Some time ago I was thinking how they could be Clint's since he has none. But the day I met Laura I scratched that. Her words are obviously his…"

Steve nodded: „Yeah… not many people have 'Don't start dating that dodgy neighbor' on their wrist, I assume."

Natasha smirked in amusement for a moment: „Poor Laura, though. She must have been in shock when she read them first as a kid."

Steve grinned: „Most likely… but she knew her soulmate had a sense of humor."

Natasha nodded slightly: „Did you ever think someone could be your soulmate?"

Steve now looked down on her wrist again: „Since I am not the one with the words, I couldn't even guess, but… when I met Peggy I hoped it could be her."

Natasha hesitated: „You don't have to tell me, but… what are her words?"

Ocean blue clashed with emerald green as Steve looked up again and met her eyes: „Tell the children I love them."

Natasha understood and just nodded: „I… I'm sorry."

Steve smiled and gave her a peck: „No! I'm with you now. I don't need that."

Natasha smiled before kissing him again and hugging him: „Just stay with me a little longer, Rogers. Okay?"

Steve closed his arms around her: „I hope so."