NINE
A few days has passed and Natasha was still the same physically present but hollow on the inside. For Bucky, it was an exact mirror of what he saw when Steve was still there. One of her many incredible talents was not showing her real emotions she would put on a mask whenever she would interact with others, but he could see right through her and he knows Wanda does too. If he was able to glimpse the mask she slipped on he could only imagine the pain she’s going through now. Letting Steve go must have taken a huge toll on her, a part of her was lost the minute she left Steve just like how a part of Steve died when he learned about her demise. He was very annoyed by the situation and it frustrates him because he has to respect her decision and come to terms with it. He just wishes that Steve would wake up to his senses and realize that nothing is waiting for him in that timeline and comeback where he could finally get the life that he truly deserves that could get both of them out of their misery before it’s too late.
Lately, Natasha often finds herself at the lakeside she finds the place peaceful and it somehow eases the pain she’s feeling inside and Wanda would join her during sunset. She didn’t press on the matter after seeing her thoughts and just accompany her letting her feel that she was not alone, something that they both need.
“Nat, I think you need to take a break,” Wanda uttered all of a sudden as they were sitting under the tree waiting for the sun to set on the horizon. She turned to look at Nat and saw her smile gently whilst still looking far ahead. That was the first genuine smile she saw from her and it warmed her heart to see her smile again.
“I think we both do kid.” She responded gently and Wanda leaned her head on her shoulder and watched the sun disappear in front of them.
“Clint said the kids miss you and I want to meet them again too, do you want to join me there?” Wanda asked her hoping that she would say yes.
“I’ve made the arrangements already, James took care of it and we’ll leave early in the morning.” She told her calmly and that response put a smile on Wanda’s face.
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Bucky and Sam decided that they would fly Nat and Wanda to Clint’s farm wanting to make sure they’d get there safely. The whole journey was filled with comfortable silence it brought back the memory of them being on the run. It was the five of them hopping from one country to another running from those who try to chase them, minus Steve that is.
“This brings back some memory huh?” Sam broke the silence and all eyes were on him.
“What? This reminded me of the time when we were on the run. We did have some fun times right, or was it just me?” he looked at them trying to gauge some reactions and he did get a smile from them.
“We did have some fun,” Natasha answered smiling at them and that made Sam and the rest happy seeing her banter with them.
“I know you did Nat, remember that stunt you pulled one time? You got me good.” “I thought it was the end of Steve when he kissed that Carter girl.” Everyone froze when Sam mentioned Steve’s name, and that’s when Sam realized he made a mistake of bringing up Steve’s name when he saw their expressions. He felt guilty for ruining the progress Nat was making.
“I’m sorry Nat,” he said guiltily and Natasha saw it in his eyes so she smiled at him reassuringly.
They went silent again after that.
Natasha remembered that day vividly. It was when they refused to sign the accords and had to hide Bucky after being framed for killing king T’Chaka. The government confiscated their weapons and Natasha decided to disguise herself as a CIA agent to retrieve them. Sam had no idea it was Natasha who brought it back to them, so imagine his surprise seeing Steve and the blonde agent making out not far from where they were parked.
He was in the front seat with Bucky in the back, “Steve is a dead man, when Natasha finds out about this, I don’t know man.” Sam knew that there was something between them, he could tell by the way they look at each other and he caught them several times making out any chance they get. He got scared for Steve, how could he do this to Nat, to the Black widow herself? One deadly glance from her is enough to surrender to her will he thought. “Who’s Natasha?” Bucky asked confused as hell. “His girlfriend and she’s a Black widow, so I’m sure there’s no way out for him when she finds out,” Sam said warning him.
“I don’t know man, Steve wouldn’t do that. If he has a girlfriend the Steve I know wouldn’t go around kissing other girls that is not his.” Bucky said firmly.
Meanwhile…
“Thank you so much for this Nat,” Steve said looking straight at Sharon.
Sharon smirked at him looking at him teasingly, “what gave me away soldier?”
“It’s the way you walk Nat only you can walk full of grace which I know you deliberately left out to make sure I know who I owe these to.” He responded confidently with a teasing tone.
“Now, take that face and hair off because I badly want to kiss you.” He used his captain's voice on her just to tease her and the fact that he badly wants to see her beautiful face.
Natasha peeled off her mask revealing her gorgeous natural face, “I’m leaving on the hair just to mess with Sam.” She winked at him and this brought a smile to his face and looked ahead to where his friends are and he saw the anxious look Sam was giving him. He loves this playful side of her and decided to go with it just to get back at Sam for always teasing him.
“You’re scaring the hell out of him Nat, and it’s not even for him I bet he is scared for my life.” He told her playfully and that’s all it took for her to pull him down and kiss the hell out of him. He had no objections and kissed her back with equal passion.
That memory was bittersweet for her, it seems like Sharon was the only Carter she can take on, the other Carter, on the other hand, was the one to beat, but she knows she has no chance to begin with he was happy with her she thought bitterly.
After arriving at Clint’s Wanda and Sam dashed their way to the Barton residence excited to see the kids.
“Natalia,” Bucky called out for her as they make their way to the house. “I hope this is just you taking a break from everything and not you running away from things.” He reminded her gently, “I do hope you change your mind and get him back here, because this is where he belongs, with you on his side.”
“James, take care of and look out for each other alright.” Natasha deflected his statement not wanting to talk about it anymore and embraced him warmly.
James couldn’t do anything but respond to her embrace and respected her silent request not to talk about the Steve situation anymore.
When they reached the house they were greeted by the Barton family with Sam and Wanda who has Nathaniel in her arms.
Lila and Cooper ran towards her hugging her tightly and she responded with equal enthusiasm.
“I missed you so much auntie Nat,” Lila said with tears flowing down her cheeks and found Laura was a sobbing mess as well.
“I missed all of you too.”