44 : THE GENTLE GIANT

Nat loved to see Steve got back to his usual self. She brought him back but even she had her Stevie back, there was something odd that she quite cannot explain. She had a courage to tell him to move on and he did.

But she was the one who cannot move past that point. Some part of her still fear of losing him. Losing him once was enough. It hurt her so bad that she didn't want to feel that way again but to not have him back in her life was much worse.

Every morning since they were back together, she always woke up and panic, even every time she found her boyfriend still sleeping soundly, holding her in his arms.

Her fear wasn't something that could fix easily. After all of that, what Steve had done to her. It was just too hard to control. It wasn't like she telling him about this kind of thing. She wanted to keep it all to herself and moved past it by herself.

One night, they were sleeping in her room. Nat woke up in cold sweat in the middle of the night and made Steve woke up too. Nat was panting and Steve looking at her worriedly.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked and pulled her against his chest.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay. It just…"

"Nightmare?" He added "What's it about?"

Steve could see that she was hesitate to tell him. The only thing that she always hesitate to tell him was things about him. When she didn't reply, he was the one who asked.

"It's about me, isn't it?"

"Yeah" She was visibly shaken and grab his t-shirt tightly.

"I'm here, sweetheart. I'm not leaving you. I'm here for you. Let's get back to sleep, shall we?"

Nat nodded and Steve gently pulled her back down and held her tight, kissing her repeatedly on her forehead until he felt he relaxing in his arms and got back to sleep.

Nat woke up everyday to find Steve in bed with her. Someday he already woke up and kept watching her sleep. Someday she woke up to a freshly brewed coffee, freshly cut flowers and breakfast in bed.

Steve turned out to be a very lovely boyfriend. She discovered the full side of his gentleman. He told her he loved her everyday and ensured to be a perfect boyfriend. He was completely changed to another man.

"Hey, I will run a little late today. Coach needs me after the practice." Steve told his girlfriend over the phone.

"Do I need to pick you up? Your car key is with me."

"Nah, I will ride with Thor. I will meet up at the bar."

"See you, sweetie."

They hang up and Steve had big smile on his face but there was something that will lower his good mood.

"I see you finally get her back." Brock spoke up.

"Yeah, she's my girlfriend now." Steve replied.

"You broke the deal and beat me up. You knew the consequence, Rogers."

"What can you do about it, Brock?" The Captain asked.

Thor, Luke, Sam and Danny stood up from the bench and stood behind Steve to back him up.

"She's mine. If any of you harassing her, you knew the damn consequence."

"Hah, you will pay for this Rogers. You and your loser friends will pay for this and you cannot do anything about it."

Brock and his goon turned away. Steve knew damn well that they were just threatening him and his friends. He was now became a target. He was sure that he could protect his friends.

"You declare war with them? This is not wise." Thor spoke up.

"I know. And I need you guys with me. We need to protect everyone in our group."

"You know we will." Sam ensured.

Danny told them that half of the team still had their allegiance to Steve while the rest was unknown of who they will side with. Rumlow had Simon, Frank and Jack. The four of them were the stars of this team. Steve and Thor combined their power and resulted in a little leverage our the power balance.

It's risky. They could risk everything and everyone in this war but they gotta do it to protect the one they loved.

"You are a million miles away, babe?" Nat spoke up and brought Steve back to reality.

Steve startled and turned to his girlfriend. He was deep in his thought about what happened back in the locker room.

"I'm sorry. I just think about something."

"Huh? Don't tell me you are thinking about that blonde girl at the bar." She teased.

"Nat, baby. You knew me better than this. I'm way more into redhead, especially, my girlfriend."

Nat smiled. "Especially me? So you still had someone…"
"I'm only into you. Only you."

Nat opened her month to tease him again but Steve stopped her by closed his mouth in her lips.

"Goddddddddd, could you two stop sucking each other's face?" Tony exclaimed.

"No can do, Stark." Steve replied and kissed his girlfriend again.

Everyone was glad to see they were back to their usual lovey dovey self. After whatever they have been through, Nat was happy and Steve was happy. Everyone was happy.

Nat finally pulled away for some air.

"Babe, what do you thing about our friday dinner? I'm think about Italian."

"Italian it is." Steve replied.

"Can you make a reservation at our favorite one? I'm really carving for their lasagna."

"Of course, a stóirín"

Tony barged into Pepper/Nat room. He seemed so excited that Pepper had to ask.

"Why do you look so excite?"

"Because I'm gonna party tonight!" He loudly replied "Where's Steve?"

"They are taking their afternoon nap. I wouldn't wake them up and I gotta go now"

"Going where?"

"Library, you know, homework and stuff"

Tony frowned and looked at Pepper until she went out the door. He opened the door to Nat's room to find the couple on the bed with Nat sleeping on top of Steve.

"Steve, wake up" Tony poked the Captain's arm.

"Shhh, little red is sleeping" A sleepy voice sounded. His arms held Nat a little tighter and rubbed her back lightly to prevent her from waking up.
"I just think of something fun for both of us to do."
"Quiet, Stark"

"We will go to the bar tonight and you have to be my wingman because Barton is obviously turn in to a clingy boyfriend which I know you're not so you gonna help me or not"

But Steve didn't listen to any word Tony said, "Can Nat come with us?"

Natasha fluttered her eyes opened and frowned when she saw Tony. Steve kissed her forehead gently before she snuggled into his chest.

Tony knew right then that Steve was the clingiest boyfriend of them all.

"God, you are disgrace!" The rich boy exclaimed "You used to be magnificent, Rogers. You are now a tamed house cat, not the king of the jungle anymore."

"I still the king but now that I have found my queen, Stark." Steve replied and smiled at his queen who gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

"And the queen said his friend by the name of Tony Stark is a total wuss when it comes to love" Nat teased and sat up to look at Tony.

"What do you mean by that exactly?"

"You and Pepper!" Nat answered "She has guys waiting in line too, you know? But she is waiting for the guy that she actually like to ask her out but he's a chicken or too blind to know that he is in love with her too"

"What guys is waiting in line for her?"

"Justin Hammer, Aldrich Killian, and Ivan Vanko…Do I need to keep going on?"

"No, I get your point. She is very popular herself"

"And what are you waiting for Stark? Just ask her out already"

"I don't think I will do that"

"Chicken…"

"Hear me out! I don't think I deserve her"

"What?"

"I'm not good enough for someone like Pepper, you know. She is the best girl I ever knew and I appeared to have a very suck relationship skill. I don't want to hurt her"

"I don't deserve Natasha either but she changed me into the better man I supposed to be for a long time ago, I'm sure Pepper will accept you for who you really are, Tony"

Tony frowned at his two friends. He wasn't sure that Pepper really interested in him. He always thought that he was nothing but a trouble to her.

But when he looked at Steve and Natasha, he wanted to feel the happiness they both shared with one another. If a guy like Steve can changed, he could too.

It was their Friday dinner date and Nat was pretty excited about it. She had an excuse to dress up nicely in the dress she and her mother got from shopping together the other day. Steve promised to take her to their favorite fancy Italian restaurant.

He was waiting for her downstairs and his car was ready. Steve was wearing his write shirt and black slack.

They were headed out but Nat realized he was driving in the wrong direction.

"Where are we going?" Nat asked. "Are you kidnapping me?"

"Yes, I'm kidnapping you, sweetie. And we are heading to the airport right now."

Steve pulled over at the LaGuardia Airport. He opened the door for Nat who sitting still in her seat.

"Come on! We have a plane to catch."

"Steve, what is all of this about?" Nat grabbed his hand to stop her boyfriend in his track.

"We are going to Venice."

"Are you crazy?!"

"Come on, you want Italian. We gotta do it right!" He defended himself.

Nat allowed herself to smile. Steve looked pretty relief that his girlfriend wasn't going to kill him because of his crazy plan. The flight attendants loaded their luggages up on the plan.

"You even rent a private jet?"

"Yeah, don't want to squeeze in the eco seat, do we?" He smirked "And by the way, you parents and my mom rent us this jet."

Nat punched him in the arm. She didn't know what to say. Their parents where agreed to this or Steve planned this surprise for her. The plane took off and they had nine hours before they reached the destination.

"Well, It's our dinner time. I bet you will like the in flight meal."

The flight attendants served them with foods from her favorite restaurant.

They arrived at Venice Marco Polo Airport in nine hours. Steve arranged a car to pick them up. Nat was pretty surprised that Steve arranged everything perfectly in such a short time.

They took the water taxi to their hotel. Nat's eyes widened when she saw the name of the hotel.

"Is it the same hotel?"

"From the Tourist, yes." Steve nodded and helped Nat out from the boat. "Welcome to Hotel Danieli, a stóirín."

A man led them inside where Steve handled the check-in. Nat heard him speak fluently in Italian. Hotel staff carried their luggages and led them to their room.

"Doge Dondolo Royal Suite, signora e signore."

The luxurious suite holding the corner setting on the Piano Nobile of Palazzo Dandolo. Its private stand up balconies overlook the Venice Lagoon with 180° views of the Grand Canal. The suite decorated with antique portraits of 19th century Venetian artist, extensive bookcase, and antique furnitures in Baroque style.

The staff sat their bags into the bedroom before leaving the couple alone. Nat was in awe of the luxurious room Steve reserved for them.

"You are insane." She exclaimed as she stepped out of the balcony.

"Maybe. At least, I can impressed my little red."

"I love this place."

"We will stay here for the weekend." Steve replied, snaked his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. "And do whatever you want to do."

Nat closed her eyes as Steve increased the intensity of his kiss on her neck.

"Steve…" She gasped out, making him stopped to listen to her. "Why are you doing this? Don't you think this is too much for a weekend trip."

"I have a lot to make up to you, Little red and I just want to give you the best thing I can."

She turned to face him "You don't have to."

"Nat, I have to make up to you for what I have done by providing you with everything I have." He explained. "I will spend every second with you to make you happy, to make you smile, to make you laugh and to never making you cry ever again"

Her eyes filled with tears and Steve kissed her again.

"Don't cry, baby. You already make me broke my promise." Steve said with a little laugh and made Nat smiled too.

"It's tears of joy." She replied "You really don't have to do this…"

Steve silenced her with another kiss before broke away and said,

"I want to. Until you don't want me with you anymore"

They had a quality time together the next day. Nat insisted she want to stay in bed until 10 AM before they headed out for bunch. Steve had to interrupt her sleep by pressing kissed at every inch of her skin he could find. Nat growled in warning but it didn't stop Steve

Nat lose a few moans as Steve continued to suck as her pulse point.

"Stop it, Rogers."

"Uh uh" He replied.

Nat let him do whatever he want because she knew he will not stop. When his kisses didn't work, he used his hands to roam all over her body, making Nat involuntarily arched her body to meet his touch.

"Okay, I will take a shower now." She replied and shoved her boyfriend away from her.

Steve grinned as he watched Nat got up from bed and noticed the purple marks on her neck. Well, he was proud of it. It boosted his male ego to see his girl has a mark of his on her body.

Nat didn't take long to get ready. They headed out for bunch at a café nearby the hotel. Steve ordered everything Nat likes in a perfect Italian accent.

"Where did you learn to speak Italian?"

"Well, you already met with Stefano. I knew him since I can remember stuff. He's a very close friend of my mom so I got to spend time with him and accidentally picked up Italian." He told "My mom was freaking out when I started to talk to her in Italian."

Nat laughed and leaned closer to her boyfriend. She saw a group of women looking and gossiping at them but she didn't know what they said. Steve was just chuckled because he understand what they said.

"What did they say?" She whispered.

"You don't want to know." He replied and kissed her on the lips.

They said they were envy of Nat as she had a boyfriend like him. The way he looked at her and never took his eyes of her. They said Nat was a very lucky girl.

It was really hard for Steve to focus on what going on around him. It was like all of his focus was with Nat. He could see clearly only her and her smile. The way her eyes sparkled in sunlight created a different shade of green.

He was deeply in love with this girl.

Their bunch went on slowly because there was no rush. Nat declared that the tiramisu is the best she ever taste and Steve had to learn how to make one like this.

"I will try." He promised. "Dating you made me mastered in pastry."

"Don't blame me, Rogers. I know you like it too."

"I think I adapted to the girl I currently date."

"I'm really lucky to have you." She said and snuggled to his side.

"That's my line, baby."

After bunch, Steve took her sightseeing around Venice. They visited St. Mark's Basilica and strolling around the square, contemplating the beautiful architecture and the beautiful weather. Nat brought souvenir along the way and she even forced Steve to try on a matching t-shirt.

"I don't think it will fit me, babe." He told as he stepped out of the fitting room.

The t-shirt was too tight that it highlighted Steve's muscle. A couple of girls stared at him openly.

"I think I'm gonna burst this thing if I'm moving too fast."

"But it's our matching tourist tee. Come on, pooh bear."

"Fineeeee" He sighed.

Steve ended up with putting his leather jacket on it again. After the shopping, Steve dragged her to the museum that displayed many beautiful renaissance works. Tony always mocked them about their choice of places for a date and dubbed them the most boring couple.

The day ended with Steve carrying his beautiful girlfriend back to their hotel because she was too tired to walk. Natasha demanded one hour hot bath and no disturbing from her boyfriend. Steve prepared everything for before he told the hotel staff to set up a dinner for them at the balcony.

Nat stepped out of the bathroom and was surprised to see that Steve had prepared their dinner. The couple enjoyed the meal and the magnificent view of Venice at night.

They headed to bed earlier than usual because they have a big plan tomorrow. Steve was sleeping peacefully until Nat abruptly woke up and screamed.

"What is it, baby?" He quietly asked and held her tight.

"It's—It just—I" She stuttered and breathed heavily.

"It's about me again, isn't it?"

Nat nodded, "I don't know why but I can't control."

"It takes times. I understand. You will feel better soon, sweetheart."

Steve felt her breath was slowly back to normal and she began to relax in his arms. He kissed her lips to chase away whatever the dream about him was.

"Let's go back to sleep, huh?" He felt Nat nodded and Steve pulled her down with him.

Steve noticed something odd with his girlfriend. Since the day she woke up because of the nightmare. The nightmare was him. He took a little time to know that what's about him that could make her thought about it too much that make she had a nightmare.

He had to confirm it again to be sure.

In the Sunday morning, Steve already woke up and watching his girlfriend sleeping closely. He watched every little tiny detail of her.

Steve felt her hand clenched tight on his t-shirt. She mumbled something in her sleep that he couldn't catch. Some words were in Russian. Some were in English. Then she called out his name.

"Steve…" Her voice was shaken so Steve pressed a kiss on her forehead.

Not a moment longer, Nat began to stir and abruptly sat up, panicked and looking around the room then she turned to find him watching her. She looked really panic and scared.

The realization hit him hard. She was afraid to wake up to an empty bed.

"Morning, babe." He greeted and pecked a kiss on her cheek.

"Hey."

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay." She replied "Can you order a breakfast for us? I'm really starving."

"Anything for you, dear."

Steve got up from bed and called the room service. Nat looked at him and thought to herself that Steve was so sexy when he speaks in Italian. She kept her close watch on him like she was afraid that Steve will disappear again.

Well, she did fear. Fear of losing him.

But lately she had been woke up in his arms or a note he left for her to inform where he went. She began to use to this feeling. It was like he knew something that is wrong with her and he was trying to fix it subtlety.

She couldn't ask for a better boyfriend than this.

It was like Bruce said to them. They needed one another because they were together to help fix each other.

AN:

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

- No proofread, sorry for any mistake.

- Please kindly leave a review.