Steve wiped the sweat from his face as he caught his breath. After the instructor had knocked him over, the man seemed to think he had finally bested Captain America and had pulled out all the stops to achieve another victory. Steve had held his own, but had been greatly impressed by how much of a fight the man had put up. As Steve headed towards the door, he wondered if Natasha might have been able to take him down, had she had the same training. Speaking of Natasha, he flipped forwards into a controlled roll, as a shadow dropped down on him from above the doorway. On his feet and assuming fighting stance, Steve whirled, and saw nothing but a backpack on the ground. It had a note attached to it. SURPRISE, it said, signed with a lipstick kiss. Steve barely read the note when Natasha dropped down on top of him, having tricked him into losing his advantage. Leaping forwards, she wrapped her legs around Steve's neck, and flipped him in a sacrifice throw.
As he lay on the floor his breath knocked out of him again, Natasha flipped forwards and landed perfectly straddling him.
"Hey Captain. Did you miss me?" she grinned, leaning forwards in a faux seduction, and planting a kiss on Captain America's cheek.
Laughing at her impropriety, Steve planted his feet firmly, then powered himself upright, Natasha still straddling his hips. It was an impressive move and Natasha giggled in appreciation.
"Why Captain Rogers, sir, you're just so strong, so masterful," she purred, batting her eyelids flirtatiously, pretending to be an innocent damsel.
"Why thank you little lady," Steve drawled, drawing out an exaggerated accent. "I've half a mind to take you home myself. I've been looking for a missus."
"A missus ! Why I do declare ! Mom and Pop would be so thrilled ! Let's go home right now and ask them ! I can't wait to become your trophy wife!" Natasha simpered, playing her role to the hilt.
Steve snorted with laughter again, unable to respond. He hugged her tightly, then set her down, taking a look at her properly. She looked good, her curly red hair had grown out a little longer, and her skin had a slight golden glow to it, a delicate scent of coconut teasing his nostrils. Steve smiled, glad to see his friend was back, and most definitely better.
"Where's Clint?" Natasha asked, as she pulled off her light grey pullover, revealing a black tank top underneath. She tossed it aside, and began to stretch, limbering up for her workout.
"I'm not sure, "Steve responded, taking a swig from his water bottle, "We had breakfast this morning, then he headed out. Guess you two will be having a dinner date or something later?"
"Dinner maybe, dates, not so much," Natasha grunted, as she lowered herself backwards into a bridge position.
Steve stood quietly, concerned.
"Did you and Clint break up?" he asked, now worried about Clint.
" You can't break up with someone if you're not dating them Captain," Natasha responded, as she moved from her bridge into a perfect handstand, and then slowly maneuvering her legs into a split.
"Clint and I are just friends – we never 'dated', precisely."
"But … you two … I mean…"Steve stammered.
"Oh!" Natasha looked at Steve, understanding dawning on her upside down face. Spinning her legs like a windmill, she dropped down to the floor so that she was upright again.
"Yes, Clint and I have … been intimate. Many times actually," she explained delicately.
"And we care about each other very much. Unfortunately, in our line of work, traditional relationships don't really end well. We both love our jobs too much – and one day, our jobs might involve us needing to punch each other in the face. Trying to create a relationship, with all that going on? It's a lot of work. And it's not something that Clint and I want to try."
Steve nodded, his expression calm, although inside, his heart was fluttering strangely. Maybe he was still tired from the workout.
"So Clint's not seeing anyone?" he asked, as casually as he could, taking another swig from his water bottle.
"Not that I know of," Natasha said, her head tilted to one side as she stretched her neck muscles.
"Maybe you could ask him out," she teased, "I know Clint adores spending time with you."
She'd meant it as a joke, and was surprised when Steve had turned bright red and then choked; spraying out the mouthful of water he'd just tried to swallow.
"OH!" she thought to herself, "Oh my. Well now. This is interesting…wouldn't that be nice? Let's see what we can do here."
"You alright Cap," she asked gently, as Steve wiped the water off his chin, then mopped up the floor, " I didn't mean to startle you – guys do date in this day and age, I sometimes forget that it's not quite the 'norm'."
"It's okay Nat," Steve responded, face still a brilliant pink. "Just, some water went down the wrong way. Ha-ha - me asking Clint out, that'd be funny. I doubt I'm his type."
"Interesting," Natasha mused silently. "No outright denial."
"Clint's an open-minded guy," she said out loud, "Maybe you should give it a shot." She winked roguishly.
Steve turned red again.
"No, no, I couldn't," he mumbled quietly, before squaring up, "Anyways, it was a hypothetical situation. I'm going to go hit the shower. Enjoy your workout, we'll chat after?"
Natasha nodded, watching as the Captain headed out. She knew Clint was very fond of Steve – and they had a lot in common. Steve wouldn't be the first man in Clint's life … but could Clint handle being Steve's first? She headed over to the gymnastics bar, mentally unfurling a plan.
"Jarvis?" she said out loud, "Could you locate Agent Barton for me, and tell him I'm back? Also pull up the contact information for Arise Ling – I'll need to give her a call once I'm done."