A/N: this is where most of the Imagine You and Me stealing comes in. From here (and the next chapter) on out I went somewhere pretty different with it. Thanks for reading, love, Hearts.
Play Like A Stone
It's another week before Natasha lets Pepper find her. The leaves have turned an orange to rival Natasha's hair and the two of them sit in the park. After moments of silence, Pepper finally speaks.
"I can't leave him."
"I know." She wants so badly to argue, to explain all the reasons Tony's shit for Pepper, but she can't. She doesn't hate him.
"I can't leave him, he needs me too much." tears are beginning to trickle down Pepper's face, and Natasha feels helpless.
"It's alright," she finally whispers, brushing Pepper's tears away. "I'll disappear. You won't see me anymore."
"We live in the same building," Pepper replies with a choking laugh. Natasha just arches an eyebrow.
"Seriously, Pep, tell me that you never want to see me again and I promise, I will do everything in my power to make that happen." Her firm, unwavering mask of emotional neutrality begins to slip but she doesn't let it. She can't let this hurt Pepper more, and she knows that Pepper would never forgive herself for causing her the sheer amount of pain she's feeling.
"Is that what you want?" Natasha can't lie to Pepper, so the mask falls away entirely.
"I want you." Her voice has easily dropped half an octave, rough with emotion. Pepper's fully crying now. "It's okay," Natasha strokes her face, pushing her hair behind her ears. "You'll forget me."
"No," Pepper whispers, embracing her, "I won't remember anything else."