First off, thank you very much to everyone who reviewed/favourited/followed this story. And special thanks to Thegumgum who is my biggest supporter.

The idea just occurred to me earlier today but once I started writing, everything just came together and... voilà!

This one is AU, a slightly lighter one-shot compared to the previous one.

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Marvel.

#2: Dancing away with my heart

Marvel High Annual Reunion was in full swing. The ballroom was wonderfully decorated in elegant shade of red and gold- the signature colours of Marvel High. Steve Rogers felt a wave of nostalgia as he took in the sights of his former school friends. There were some familiar faces, though most of them were upperclassmen.

Scanning the room, he easily spotted Clint Barton at end of the bar, drinking by himself, ever the loner.

"Isn't the point of all this is to mingle? Catch up with your old friends?"

Turning around, Clint did not hide his surprise when he saw Steve standing there. Laughing, the two best friends exchanged a hug.

"Yeah well, you know me. I've always been more interested in people-watching."

"It's good to see you again, Clint." The former quarterback smiled at his friend.

Clint nodded in agreement, "Been too long. I didn't know you were going to be here tonight. How long are you in town for?"

"I just got back this morning. Two weeks, then I'm flying out again."

"That's tough, man." Shaking his head, Clint was curious, "But the army suits you alright?"

"Yeah, it's good. Not always easy, but good." Steve continued, "I'm sure the corporate world treats you a lot better."

"Oh dude, I don't know." He whined, "I'm basically functioning on caffeine I think even my blood tastes like coffee. Not to mention, I practically live in my office!"

Steve patted his shoulder in sympathy, "Let me know if you decide to consider a career change." He half-joked, half-offered.

Clint gave a hearty laugh, "I'll keep that in mind."

Steve was about to ask if he wanted another beer when he caught a glimpse of a familiar redhead who just walked into the room, causing several heads to turn in her direction. Following his gaze, Clint found the reason for his friend's abrupt silence: Natalia Romanova. Also known as Natasha, or Nat to her friends.

"Ah, still carrying a torch for that one, are you?" He could not help but teased.

"What?! What are you talking about?" Steve finally averted his gaze to look at Clint.

"Oh please," Clint rolled his eyes, "When it comes to Natasha, you're an open book, Rogers. Even now, it's written all over your face."

Steve just kept quiet so the other man tried again, "Aren't you gonna talk to her?"

"I.. I don't know. It's been quite long." Steve stole another glance in Natasha's direction. She was currently talking to a petite brunette, whom Steve recognized as Jane Foster, one of Natasha's close friends.

"That's such a lame excuse and you know it." Clint's voice interrupted his thought once again. "Really, Steve? You're ready to march into the line of fire any day but you can't talk to your, and I quote, 'high school sweetheart'?"

"It's not that." He countered, "It's just… I haven't seen her since I enlisted, you know? She might not even remember me."

Snorting in disbelief, Clint finally relented. "Right, whatever. I think you've missed your chance anyway. Heard she and Tony Stark are a thing now."

Now that Steve did not see coming. "Stark?! I thought they hated each other?"

But Clint's shrug was all the explanation he got.

As if sensing that she was the subject of his and Clint's conversation, Natasha turned to find Steve looking at her. Their eyes met from across the room, and Steve had stopped listening to his best friend by now as he kept his gaze locked on Natasha. He did not realize that he had started walking towards her. Next thing he knew, they were standing in front of each other. Jane had politely excused herself soon as she saw Steve making his way to them.

"Hi, Steve." She greeted him.

Just like that, Steve was flashing back to the night of their senior prom- how exceptionally beautiful Natasha had looked that night, the way his whole world had stopped at the sight of her. It was the exact same feeling he had right now.

Natasha grew up to be even more beautiful than when Steve had last seen her, almost ten years ago. Her fiery red hair, used to be sleek and straight, was now styled in a rather messy yet elegant curls. It was a perfect look on her.

He was brought out of his musing by Natasha's low, melodic chuckle.

"I hope you still remember me… or at least you being quiet means you were trying to remember." She said with an easy smile.

Leaning in to kiss her cheek, Steve softly replied, "How could I forget you, Tasha?" The redhead was glad he did not see the faint blush on her face at the mention of her beloved nickname.

The band started playing a slow song just then. Steve felt himself smiling as he recognized the tune.

"This is our song."

"Yeah," she listened to the words, "I remember."

Oh how she remembered. The dance. Steve carrying her home bridal style because her feet were too sore from all the dancing. Their first time together. That night was such a bittersweet memory, it felt like forever ago.

"Could I have this dance then?" The blond-haired man asked sweetly, bringing her back to the present. Natasha smiled as she took his offered arm and let Steve lead her to the dance floor.

"Have I told you that you look wonderful tonight?"

"Why, thank you. You don't look so bad yourself, soldier." She replied with a playful wink and Steve chuckled.

"So, you and Stark?"

"Why so interested in my love life?"

"No, I.. I'm just curious, is all."

"Sure you are." He had always been a terrible liar, to her anyway.

"Don't believe everything you hear. You should tell Clint that too." She nodded towards the bar where Clint was watching them with a knowing smirk, before raising his glass in salute. Steve just shook his head in amusement.

"Tony and I are close, but we're just friends."

"Really? How close?" At that, Natasha raised her eyebrows in question.

"What? I just want to make sure, you know.." he reasoned, "If he's ever inappropriate to you, I happen to be very good at hand-to-hand fight, in addition to handling firearms of course."

Natasha threw her head back in laughter, "I'll be sure to remember that." She forgot how much she missed his teasing, his charming ways to make her laugh.

"I've missed you, Nat." He murmured the words softly in her ear.

"Steve…"

"It's the truth." He pulled away a little so he could look into those green eyes he dearly loved. "You know I'm always honest to you."

Her voice was just a whisper, "Yeah, you are."

"So.. did you miss me?"

You have no idea. Natasha did not reply, instead leaning closer to rest her head on his shoulder, her arms were loosely wrapped around his neck. Steve tightened his hold on her and Natasha knew he got his answer.

They moved together seamlessly, savouring the closeness that they both secretly craved from the other. Steve's gentle voice broke the comfortable silence,

"So I was wondering," he began, "Are you doing anything tomorrow night?" His tone was light, but Natasha could hear a slight nervousness in his voice.

"I've a show tomorrow night."

"Oh." He seemed to consider his options, "Well, in that case, how about I come and watch you? I've never been to your play, or any Broadway show for that matter." He then added, "And perhaps, after that… I can take you to dinner?"

"It's gonna be pretty late by the time I finish."

"Dessert then?" Steve grinned, blue eyes twinkling.

Natasha let out a chuckle, "You don't give up, do you?"

He tucked a few curls behind her ear and answered simply, "Never."

And Natasha could no longer deny him. "Okay. Tomorrow."

"It's a date." He beamed, pulling her closer as they continued to sway with the song.

For me you'll always be 18,

and beautiful,

and dancing away with my heart.

A/N:

The last three lines are the lyrics from the song "Dancin' Away With My Heart" by Lady Antebellum, the same song Natasha and Steve are dancing to.

Also, Thegumgum has written a follow-up chapter for this one-shot (A Thousand Years, Chapter 8: Straight in a straight line).

Thanks for reading. Feedback are greatly appreciated.