Sorry about the wait! I've had exams and things this past week so I haven't been writing...
The good news is, I'm pretty much done for the summer so I'll hopefully get to write frequently again! Anyways, this chapter is finally here, so enjoy! Once again, thanks so much for any reviews- I really appreciate the feedback. :)
Steve was able to watch about fifteen minutes of the film before an interruption plagued the peace of the media pit.
"You're watching Gladiator without me?" A stunned if heavily sarcastic voice called out from the kitchen region. Immediately that intern of Jane's from earlier appeared at the rail overlooking the pit.
Whatever her name was...Dolly? Darlene?
"Darcy." Jane muttered awkwardly, through gritted teeth.
Close enough. Steve thought.
The intern proceeded to plop herself right beside Natasha on the big couch. The assassin shot her a murderous glare. "Hey Thor!" Darcy called across the pit.
Thor smiled and raised a hand in salute. Jane was sending daggers in her gaze as she stared at her friend. An eternal moment of heated silence filled the room as The Avengers and their companions attempted to resume watching the movie, but it was broken by Natasha, who rose to her feet and snatched up the converter to pause the film.
"I'm just gonna come right out and say what we're all thinking, Tony." Natasha hissed menacingly. "You've brought us here to this weird Avengers Big Brother thing, and there's more guests and companions than actual Avengers!" she declared, her voice rising steadily. "Where are Bruce and Clint, Stark?" she yelled threateningly, stalking over to Tony.
Tony recoiled in his seat, mouth wide open as he comprehended Natasha's rage.
"I don't even know who this is!" She reeled, gesturing to Darcy, who gave an awkward smile in return. Natasha rounded on Tony once again. "You're doing nothing for the things that matter! We're sitting here, watching a movie, while the infinity stones are tracked down by others, and Banner becomes harder and harder to find!" She finished, eyes blazing.
Steve rose, prepared to say something, but Natasha turned on her heels and stalked away, disappearing into her suite with a resounding slam.
Tony exhaled sharply, and Pepper appeared worried.
"She's had a rough day, Tony." Steve muttered. "She'll be in better spirits tomorrow."
"Maybe she's right, Rogers." Tony answered dejectedly, flopping backwards into the couch.
"Certainly not, Stark." Thor said quickly. "In light of what has happened, she was right about one thing. The infinity stones are being hunted, and when their power becomes united, we must stick together or perish. It is more important than ever that we remain as one, in one place. Romanoff will come to see that."
"Would it help if I baked her some 'Sorry I exist' cookies?" Darcy wondered aloud.
"No." The remaining Avengers answered unanimously.
Steve cleared his throat. "Keep watching the movie. I'll go talk to her." He stated dismissively, wandering over to Romanoff's door before anyone could object. The reluctant sounds of the movie resuming were audible as he slipped inside Natasha's suite.
The interior of the suite was stunning, if not what he would have predicted. Spongy bamboo flooring lay under his feet, and the walls were crafted of exotic jungle wood filled with intricate carvings. The ceiling soared, and in the unlit gloom the edge between wall and roof was indiscernible. The tranquil sound of gently flowing water emanated from beyond, and tropical plants were everywhere, filling the air with a lush, earthy scent. Steve proceeded down the short entrance corridor, past a bathroom of glass and stone fixtures, thematic statues of buddhas and a meticulous tropical fish tank with a distinct Asian theme. Natasha had not turned on any of the ornate lamps which adorned the space in her rush to get inside, and the darkness consumed much of the space's brilliance as Steve made his way inside.
When the corridor opened up, a kitchen and living room were faintly visible from the eerie glow of the moon, which penetrated the vast glass windows at the far end of the suite. Nestled in one corner was a beautiful koi pond, and perched on the exquisite stone which lined the pool was Natasha. She appeared transfixed on the quiet ripples of the aquamarine water, and she spoke no words as Steve made his way to her side, crouching to sit on an adjacent rock.
"I lost control." She whispered, eyes glazed with cautious tears. She turned to regard Steve. "Why have you come, Steve? You can't replace Bruce. He's not here."
Steve couldn't meet her fierce gaze. He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I don't like to see you suffer, Natasha. I want to help you."
"Is that the just the Good Samaritan in you?" she whispered, cracking a small smile.
Steve shrugged. "It appears you need more than assistance from a stranger. You need a friend."
Natasha's hair glowed with midnight fire in the gentle illumination of the moon. She turned her haunting gaze on Steve, and their eyes met briefly through the dancing shadows. "You are the only one I've ever completely trusted, Steve."
"Good. Then you'll take my advice and stay through Stark's plan." He added playfully.
Romanoff's smile faltered. "You want me to watch movies, eat meals, enjoy passive recreation, and attend parties then." She murmured with a scowl.
"No, I just want you to relax and enjoy yourself a little. Meanwhile, Tony will do everything humanly possible to find Banner, and soon Clint will join us too, you'll see." Steve offered reassuringly, getting to his feet.
Natasha rose as well, letting the jacket she had been wearing fall to the floor. The black camisole underneath bore her shoulders to the open air.
Steve averted his gaze and ignored the prickling sensation running down his spine.
"Your mannerisms never cease to amaze me, Captain." She whispered, walking over to the wall and flipping a light switch. Hanging lanterns instantly shone brightly far above Steve's head, and the full splendor of the paradisiacal suite became discernible.
"Did Tony put this room together?" Steve quipped in astonishment, taking in the abundance of lush greenery and foliage.
'He did it as a reflection of the time Bruce spent in India. But right now I have it to myself." Natasha sighed, turning away.
Steve sensed her putting up barriers, but he persisted anyway. "I promise, I'll help you get your mind off things. Operation Fun-tasha begins tomorrow morning. Ever ridden a horse?"
"Can't say I have." She mused, walking slowly toward the doorway to her bedroom.
"Well tomorrow you will learn. Good night, Miss Romanoff." Steve called to her.
Natasha paused in the doorway and cracked a faint smile. "Ever the formality. Good night to you as well, Mr. Rogers." She replied, gently closing her bedroom door.
Steve took that as his cue to leave, and turned out the lanterns before heading back out of the suite. His conscience was already toying with the implications of what he had just done.
When he returned to the media pit, no one asked him what had happened. He merely shared that Natasha had gone to bed. He had missed a good chunk of the movie, but the atmosphere seemed to have improved since he left.
When the credits eventually rolled, Steve's eyes were threatening to close, and he wasn't alone. Thor was wide awake as usual, but Jane, Pepper, and Tony wore glazed, tired expressions. Darcy's intern had taken Natasha's spot on the couch, and was undeniably nodded off. Darcy herself had consumed a large cup of Stark brand coffee, the kind usually reserved for Tony himself when he pulled all nighters to complete projects; therefore she was reeling out a caffeinated fast-paced commentary on the movie, although only Thor was listening.
Steve decided to take the lead and head off to bed, and the others quickly followed. As he headed back to his suite to the left of the media pit, he watched Thor carry Jane from the couch to their suite, which was adjacent to Steve's. Jane's sleeping form safe in Thor's strong arms, they disappeared behind the gleaming Asgardian door that adorned Thor's room.
Steve found himself taken aback, wondering if he would ever have a moment like that. His thoughts were plagued by Natasha.
She's chosen Bruce. I have to respect that. She's off limits...isn't she?