Steve couldn't help but notice how everything she did, every move she made, went together fluidly, almost as if they were well rehearsed.
Her legs were crossed, one on top of the other and slanted underneath the table. Her skin was pale, but not an unattractive, sickly color. Steve observed her fingernails, which she somehow kept looking nice though she was an agent. He wanted to ask her how she did it, but he decided not too.
Before, Steve had never noticed specifics. It was always generalizations. Things like that girl has light brown hair and that one his green eyes. But with Natasha, it was different. He was picking up on things he wasn't sure anybody even paid attention too. Like the way her wrist was curved as she ate, how slow her eating pace was, and so on. It sort of embarrassed him. He felt as if he were going a bit too far, seeing things he shouldn't be taking note of, but he couldn't help but too.
To distract himself, he took up looking at her earrings. It was a little cascade of diamonds. Real or not, they sparkled and were captivating.
But no matter how fascinating they were they didn't beat Natasha.
He wanted to ask her how she managed to be the top. She wanted to know if she was ever treated differently since she was a woman—after all, that's what it was like with Peggy.
Peggy. He grew sad inside.
"So, Steve, how's the 21st century been for you?"
His thoughts stopped abruptly and turned to her. "Confusing, overwhelming, but not entirely bad."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Well, not the last part."
"Honestly, it wasn't until recently it got good."
"Really? When would that be?" She brought her wine glass to her lips, looking over it at him, her earrings dangling to the side.
Steve gave her a sheepish smile and shook his head.
"So you won't tell me." She set her glass down.
"It's not that…."
"But you don't want to tell me."
"I… uh…."
She smiled the same mysterious smile she always did. "Its fine, Steve. Nothing wrong with a little sleuthing to figure it out."
It scared him when she said that. Not only could she sleuth, but she could do more.
He kept the same smile on his face, picking up a piece of his steak with his fork. "Okay, Natasha."
He prayed that she didn't take that as a challenge.
She didn't stop smirking as she finished her meal.
"Steve, you seemed easily embarrassed."
"What?" he asked. "I, uh…." His face grew red as if the prove her statement.
She seemed to be repressing a laugh. "Don't worry, Steve."
"Is there anything I should worry about? You tell me not to worry a lot."
"You just seem to make a fuss out of things that aren't that big of a deal. Like not knowing how to walk a woman to a car or something."
That didn't stop him from blushing. "I…."
"Oh, Steve, I didn't mean to embarrass you any more."
"I'm not embarrassed," he murmured.
"Steve." She said his name in an accusing tone.
He glanced up at her, blinking. "What?" he said, in a childlike innocence.
The serious look on her face flickered and transformed into a wide smile. "Nothing, nothing."
He grinned back.