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32: CLOSER THAN EVER**

It was the first football game after the winter break and there was only two more games left before the play-off. Steve was about to go to the stadium when someone appeared in his room.

"Good luck, Captain Rogers"

Steve smiled because he knew whose voice it was and he turned to see Natasha wearing his jersey. Steve pulled her into his embrace and kissed her.

"Thank you, Miss Romanoff" He murmured against her lips "You're my lucky charm"

"I should go and you're supposed to be at the stadium by now"

"I know but you distracted me"

Steve smiled and let go of her. Natasha leaned up and kissed him again. She told him she would be watching him with the rest of the group as she turned to leave Steve noticed something on her t-shirt.

"Wait…" He said "There is a sticker on your t-shirt"

"Yeah I know, it comes courtesy of Stark, Barton and Lewis" Natasha replied "It's from the last game before winter break. I didn't notice until this morning. Should I take it off?"

"Nah, I like it, Mrs. Rogers" Steve smiled and pulled his little red in his arms "Truth be told if it was on anyone else I would rip it off, but, on my little red it fits just fine."

They shared one last kiss before Steve walked out of his room and headed for the stadium. Coach Fury required all players to come in early to go over the play book.

Steve was leading his team on the field and Marvel was up by 3 touchdowns; knowing his angel was in the stands made him an unstoppable force.

Steve made eye contact with Natasha any chance he could just to see her smile at him in support. It became so apparent to the crowd that the football star was singling out a fan that the cameraman spotlighted Natasha on the jumbotron anytime Steve glanced her way.

After a while it became apparent to anyone with eyes that Natasha Romanoff was the apple of the captain's eye, and female to be envied.

It was the last minute of the game and Marvel was on their second down at the 50 yard line.

Even though the team had already won the game, Steve refused to take a knee.

He shouted out the next play, and the ball flew into his hands. He side stepped the pass rusher but still couldn't find an available receiver to throw to. So the Captain decided to make the play himself. Steve's tight end Peter Rasputin blocked the incoming safety, and created a lane for Steve to run through.

Steve used his full speed and dodged the incoming tacklers before landing in the end zone.

The home team fans jumped to their feet letting lose with a deafening cheer that echoed through the stadium at Steve's touch down immediately rushing the field to congratulate their team.

The captain was swamped by his adoring fans before he saw Natasha standing in the side lines with their friends. He ran to her, ignoring everyone else and hugging her tightly.

"Congratulation, my captain" She said

"Thank you, my little red" He replied

Steve dipped his head down and impulsively kissed her on the lips. Suddenly, the whole world disappeared as Natasha wrapped her arms around his neck. Everyone in the stadium fell into silence as they watched the loving kiss Steve Rogers gave to Natasha Romanoff.

It was the first time the crowd had witnessed the good Captain kissing any girl in public. It was a very big. The couples' audience knew without a doubt that the campus play boy was indeed serious about this girl.

When Natasha and Steve finally broke the kiss, everything went back to normal, with everyone continuing to celebrate the victory. Steve and Natasha just smiled at each other, didn't mind the fact that everyone now knew their relationship had passed beyond friendship.

Steve knew he had made a very dumb move by broadcasting his relationship with Natasha in public. He knew he had put her at risk with his PDA but he couldn't fight his feelings for her anymore. He knew he could protect her just like he promised her. He would keep her close.

"That was a very dumb move, Rogers" Brock spoke up as Steve was dressing to meet up with his little red. "You just want to keep her all to yourself, don't you?"

"Yes, I want to keep her all to myself, Rumlow. What are you going do about it?"

"Well, nothing until you get bored and leave her" Brock sighed "That's when I'll have my chance with her"

"Damn right" Steve replied

"Did you bang her yet?" Simon asked

Steve frowned "WHAT?! NO! She's important to me, alright? It's not just about sex anymore"

"You really have changed, man" Jack chimed in "You got to tap that ass, bro. Bag her, and pass her."

Jack Rollin was smashed against the locker by the quarterback who was visibly furious

"Don't YOU ever say anything disrespectful about her again?! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" Steve growled, and slammed his face against the locker with so much force Rollin's teeth ached.

"Okay, man" Jack whispered cowering in the face of Steve's anger.

The last thing anyone wanted was being on the receiving end of Steve Rogers' fury. Even though he was much nicer now, he was still hot tempered and nobody wanted to push him to his limits

Steve let his friend go and got back to packing his bag and left immediately after. He walked out of the stadium and found his little red was waiting for him at his car.

"Hey, sweetie. Why are you brooding?" She said and wove her arms around his neck.

"My football friends are being really unbearable." He replied before giving her a quick kiss "But being with you has already put me in a better mood."

"Glad to hear that" She said and kissed him on the lips once more "Shall we go?"

"We shall" He said with a smile.

They headed to their customary bar to celebrate his victory like they had many times before but this time they allowed themselves the comfort of holding hands. Steve stopped Natasha at the entrance of the bar knowing full well they were in front of an audience of their peers and kissed her possessively almost as if he were marking his territory for the cheering crowd.

"Well, it seems like our quarterback and little red are taking it to the next level." Tony said when they reached the table. Tony smirked at them and pointed to the beers he'd had ordered for them.

They both just shrugged, and drank their beers in silence.

"Tell me, guys….are you dating, are you serious, are you bumping uglies on a nightly basis? Seriously, tell me everything!"

"It's none of your business, Stark" Steve replied

"Where's Pepper anyway?" Natasha added in attempt to distract Tony.

"Don't try to change the subject, red" Tony said "And Pepper had to go her grandmother's birthday party. Now no more excuses, tell Uncle Tony every dirty little detail."

But Steve and Natasha refused to open up about their new found relationship. Choosing instead to cling to each other all night, drinking, dancing and enjoying their time together.

Anyone who saw them could not deny that they were really cute together.

Steve woke up again at 6 AM in the morning and found his sleeping beauty in his arms. He came back from the bar with her and he decided to sleep in her room.

Well, she did ask him to stay and who was he to deny his lady's request.

A moment later, Natasha woke up to find intense blue eyes staring at her. She gave him a soft mumble and snuggled closer.

"Stevie…" she husked sleepily

"Hmm?" he murmured back

"You're still here" She said pleased, then added "Do you think we could stay like this for a while it's too early to get up?"

"When is your first class?"

"10:30. what about you?"

"Same"

Natasha closed her eyes, intending to go back to sleep but her Stevie wouldn't let her escape back to dream land so easily. He gently planted kiss after kiss on her lips until responded with her own before shoving him lightly away from her.

"Stop it" She said

"Come on. I can cook some breakfast for us"

"Nah" Nat shook her head.

He kissed her again "What about if we go out, my treat."

"Too lazy. I just want to cuddle with my teddy bear"

They continued to nuzzle until small pecks turned into heated kisses, and they became so lost in their passion they didn't hear the door open until a female scream broke them apart. They separated so quickly that Steve gracelessly fell from the bed, and Natasha sat stunned starring at the shocked face of her roommate.

"What the hell is this?" Pepper Potts nearly shouted so stunned by finding them nearly devouring each other's faces.

"Pepper, nothing happen" Steve said "We just slept together, and I literally mean SLEPT in the same bed. That's it."

"I don't believe you, Steve. Your tongue was so far down her throat it's a wonder she didn't choke!"

"Pep!" Natasha gasped. "For goodness sake we are both fully clothed! We just slept. We didn't do anything outside of what you just saw." She added trying to not feel like a five year old being caught by her mother eating a cookie before diner.

"So you guys really are together? I didn't believe it when Tony first told me"

"You can say that" Steve replied

"We don't need a title to define our relationship" Natasha continued

"We are totally okay with our current situation" Steve agreed

Pepper couldn't wrap her head around the idea of Natasha and Steve together, "sleeping" together, and making out before her very eyes so she turned and walked out of the room where Tony Stark was lounging on the couch waiting for her.

"Told ya!" He smirked before winking at her.

Pepper frowned, grabbed Tony's hand and dragged him inside her bedroom.

"Tony, we need to talk to her!" Pepper practically hissed at Tony.

"Talk about what?"

"Steve. She's falling for him"

"That's a good thing, Pep. They've been dancing around like this for a while now and it was bordering on irritating."

"It's not good at all, Tony. This is Steve Rogers we're talking about and obviously our girl is gonna get her heart broken!"

"He seems to really like our girl. Don't you notice the way he has changed since she been around? The ways he looks at her?"

"But that's part of his act. He has lied to girls before to get in their pants.

"I think he really cares for her. His behavior has changed way too much for it to just be about a quick screw" Tony said "And this comes from an expert of getting into girls pants"

"You're totally gross, Tony"

They came out to find Steve and Natasha waiting for them. Holding each other's hand with Steve gazing at them with very serious look in his face.

"We don't need your approval to be together but we would like your approval" Steve said with his sad puppy dog eyes.

Even Pepper Potts couldn't resist those eyes "Fine, but you break her heart, and I will hunt you down cut off your favorite appendage, capuche?!"

"Thanks, Pep, and understood" Steve said and let out a big smile.

"Well, since that's all cleared up, can we have breakfast now?" Tony asked

Since they were both free on Thursdays, Steve would take Natasha on dates to the city. They began to hang out alone more and more since their friends now knew they were a couple.

Steve had never been this open about his relationship with anyone before. In the past he had always kept everything a secret especially with his long list of one night stands. Steve was used to freedom in his personal life, and had made it a rule to keep his heart hidden but for Natasha he was willing to break his own rule just to see her happy.

Natasha herself opened up to Steve more and more every day. It's had been a long time since she allowed herself to feel this much again. But Steve was there for her both physically and emotionally, and she felt the ice wall she had erected around her heart begin to melt.

He took her to a nice restaurant going as far as to even buy her a bouquet of roses. They did the things that most couples do together, talking and just enjoying each other company. They split a dessert, and playing fought over the last bite.

"I wanna go to the museum" She said as they left the restaurant. "Any museum"

He smiled as he thought of his favorite, "I bet you will love this one"

Steve took her to the Guggenheim and as predicted she really loved it. They wandered around fingers interlaced, strolling from one floor to another admiring the art before they stopped at his favorite piece of art.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" He quietly asked

"Yes, it is." She agreed "I don't know you're a fan of Gustav Klimt"

"Not really a fan, I just like this particular piece of art."

"The Kiss" she read. "Do you like it for any particular reason?"

"I don't know. It isn't even a kiss on the lips but for some reason it feels like it's the most passionate kiss I've ever seen. I know I've kissed a lot of girls before but you're the only one that has made me feel the emotion behind this piece of art. I have never felt the things you make me feel before, and now this piece of art makes sense to me. I get it. It's our kiss."

Natasha wanted to tease him and ask how many girls before her had he fed that line to, but, the look in his eyes told her that his words were nothing but the truth. Natasha instead smiled and leaned up to kiss him on the lips. Steve pulled her close and reciprocated.

It felt right to have this girl in his arms. It's magical and he really loved this feelings she inspired in him.

How could he be so lucky to have a girl like Natasha Romanoff be with him? He thought to himself as he glanced once more at the painting before they walked away.

They spent the entire afternoon just admiring the beautiful masterpieces. Natasha suggested that they should stroll around the park next, just to take everything slow and peaceful.

It was a perfect day for both of them as they sat down on the lawn near by the lake and eating their hotdogs. Steve had never experienced this kind of thing before in his life. This peaceful moment had eluded all of his relationship, not even with Peggy had he shared this with. During his time with Peggy, he had struggled to gain control of his power but now, with Natasha, he could have a normal moment like other couples did.

"Steve, it been a very good day" Natasha said "Thank you so much"

"Likewise, little red" He replied and tucked her now long red curl behind her ear. "It's been a very lovely day"

"Maybe we could do this again"

"Whatever you say, Nat. I'm okay as long as you're happy"

Natasha smiled again. She had never smiled this much because of a guy before, not even Alexei could do that. But now here with Steve Rogers all she could do was smile. For the first time in her life she could say that she was truly happy. He was so caring, understanding and charming more so than she could have imagined.

They leaned against one another and just contemplated the moment but the rain suddenly fell and ruined their perfect moment. Natasha was about to run for shelter but Steve had a better idea.

"Don't bother running for shelter, Nat. Our clothes will be soaking wet whether we find shelter or not. Why don't we just enjoy the rain and do something really stupid and childish together"

Natasha looked confused by his proposal. Who is this man anyway? The guy who was so uptight and objected to every stupid activity she always proposed to him and now he was the one who suggested it.

"Okay" She replied even if it was a stupid idea to get soaking wet and damn cold. "But you know you are gonna make both of us get sick, right?"

"But with you, it's totally worth it" He smiled and offered her his hand.

Nat returned his smile and took his hand before they began to run down the hill, Nat slipping on the mud which pulled Steve down with her. Playfully she took him into a headlock, squirming around against him while they wrestled. Steve didn't resist much as her melodic laughter showed him how much fun she was having.

Finally, she let go and they got up from the puddle of mud. Steve used his slightly less dirty hands to get a leaf out of her hair. They both chuckled and Nat stepped away to kick mud at him. Steve quickly followed and managed to grab his little red before she's slipped away.

Steve held her as tightly in his arms as he could without crushing her, just so that she couldn't slip away from his grip again but when he looked into those beautiful green eyes. He was under her spell all over again.

"You're so beautiful" He murmured before he brought his lips crashing down onto hers.

She didn't recoil, just reciprocated. It just like a clichéd scene from a rom-com movie. "A kiss in the rain was corny as all hell until it happens to you," Natasha thought to herself losing herself completely to the magic of the moment.

They didn't know how long they kissed passionately in the rain but all they knew was that it was perfect. They broke away from one another when air became issue, staring each other in the eyes while panting desperately.

"You're perfect" He whispered

"You are too, Милая моя"

"What does that mean?"

"I won't tell you"

"Aww, come on, tell me, ma mhuirnín"

"And now start the bilingual pet names?" She asked

"Definitely because you'll never know what it means, A Stóirín"

"Oh! You are so on, Rogers" She declared

"As long as you're happy, you can call me anything you want, Mo Ghrá" He said and brought her hand to his lips.

Nat smiled and allowed him to take her hand as they walked back to his penthouse in the rain together.

AN:

- Special thanks to my dearest friends, sleeplessinbudapest & internetangie!

- Thank you to my proofreaders, chrwrigh and kgbucky.

- Please kindly leave a review