Baggage

Her body shuttered involuntarily. He tripped over his feet a bit as he presented her with a cake, he was clearly intoxicated.
“Happy Birthday Natalia.” He said sinfully kissing her crimson hair.
Natasha forced a smile to him as he sat across from her. He began to place candles on the cake, but only presented ten.
“Ten? I’m turning eleven.” She said blushing a bit thinking her comment wasn’t mouthy.
“What?” He grimaced the matches shaking in his hands.
“You stupid bitch, I try and do one good thing for you, and this is how you act, making sly comments about your fucking age. News flash Natalia you’re lucky not to spend another year in that damned orphanage.” He spat to her.
“Wanna know what Madame B would’ve given you? Nothing.” He fired at her.
The tears stung her eyes as he slammed down the box of matches.
“You know what, no cake? I’m through being nice.” He said walking back to the vodka.
“No, no I’m sorry. It’s perfect.” She said pleading as her shaky hand held the matches to him.
He turned slowly on his heel facing her with a disgusted look.
“Perfect? If it were perfect than you wouldn’t have mentioned anything to me! I’m not ignorant, don’t fucking lie to me piece of shit!” He yelled at her.
“I’m sorry…” She began again, praying this would end.
“God! Just shut it!” He screamed and before she knew it the bottle was flying at her.
With quick reflexes she ducked as it shattered closely to the wall behind her. Somewhere on impact a loose shard had sliced her cheek. The salt water tears stung it more.
“Go upstairs.” He finished.
She obliged and sprinted up the stairs to the small steps.
Natasha cried for god knows how long. Sure she spent every single birthday she could remember alone, but this one takes the cake. She almost would rather be alone. Hours must have past until a very tired looking Ivan came in with hooded eyes.
“Natalia,” He pleaded to her.
She looked up from under the covers she draped over herself.
“I’m sorry my dear, I’m not good at this parenting thing.” He said sitting at the end of her bed.
“It’s okay.” She said wiping stray tears careful of her split cheek.
“It won’t happen again.” He assured.
But god that was an empty promise if she ever heard one. It would happen, nearly every night until she got out.
/
As she heard Ivan’s grumbly voice in her ears, her eyes opened wide. Sure it had been terrible, maybe even a nightmare she just had. However whatever she just experienced in her sleep was not far from reality, that is how her eleventh birthday had gone, and most following. Natashas rolled over and lazily picked up her phone to check the time. As the phone illuminated her face, she scowled at the date, November twenty second. She groaned and threw the phone down, attempting to go back to bed.
/
Natasha had evidently failed at going back to sleep. She tossed and turned until about five thirty where she got virtually twenty eight minutes of sleep before the alarm blared, waking her with a start. Pushing back the covers she sauntered into the bathroom observing the heavy bags. Today was undoubtedly her least favorite day of the year. She observed the deep purple under her red eyes and hopped in the shower hoping it would wake her. Good news is that she had work which would call for a good distraction for the duration of the day. Also she recalled that there was virtually one human being who she still stayed in touch with that knew her birthday. Peter didn’t even know, this was actually her first one with him.
As she finished dressing the time was rounding seven indicating she had work in an hour, and decided to go wake up her son. Tip toeing into his room she prodded his ribs with a small poke and whispered tenderly in his ear.
“Pete, it’s time to get up.” She cooed.
Her son's eyes lazily dragged open and he smiled at the sight of her.
“Mornin’ Mama.” He said with a ghost of a smile on his tired lips.
“Morning baby.” The redhead said planting a kiss softly on the crown of his hair, threading her fingers through it.
“Can we have waffles for breakfast?” He asked waking up a bit more.
“Sure thing.” She nodded at the request.
And just like that it was like her kid had just drank a gallon of red bull, gone in a flash. Natasha followed him downstairs, not even on his trail, taking her time. However, when she reached the kitchen, her jaw dropped. A vase of sunflowers was on the table, with a small wrapped box, and a balloon obnoxiously reading ‘Happy Birthday!’.
“Mama what’s this?” Peter asked tugging the balloons string.
Natasha ignored the question to pick up the card.
‘I know you haven’t had a whole lot of happy ones, but Happy Birthday Nat. PS I had a key.’
-Nick.
She smiled at the message, and appreciated the gesture. Opening the small wrapped present, she found a wooden box that contained tea. It was her favorite method of unwinding after a long day. Even her favorite tea from home was in the small display.
“Mama answer me?” Peter said tugging at her scrubs, a bad habit he had.
Natasha exhaled, she should just be honest.
“Well baby all of us have a special day of the year we are brought into the world. Remember a few months back I got you those trains, and we ate pizza and cake?” She asked him stroking his small shoulders.
He nodded happily.
“Today is my day that I was brought into the world, my birthday.” She finished.
“Mama why didn't you tell me?” he asked a bit sad.
She frowned.
“Well baby, not all of us like our birthdays.” She said honestly.
He nodded a bit sad. Natasha just kept gently caressing his shoulders smiling weakly. A few moments following, his big brown eyes looked into hers
“Well Mama, I’m really happy you were brought into the world.” He said sweetly.
Unable to compose herself, she pulled him into a hug as a tear slid down her cheek.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
/
A half hour later Natasha was squatting on the floor of the day care hugging him goodbye. She felt his small hand tug on her hair, as he leaned into her ear.
“Happy Birthday Mama, I love you.” He smiled.
“I love you too baby, see you soon.” She said standing and waving off to her son with a smile.
Peter waltzed oup to the small table in the corner just reaching his height, as he slid onto one of its chairs.
“What up kid?” Mr.Stark asked.
“I’d like some paper please.” Peter asked with a look of determination on his face.
/
Steve was an hour into his shift when Clint unhappily made his way back to his desk from Fury’s office. As Clint dropped into his desk chair with a loud thud, he frowned as he gripped hard at the piece of paper on his table top.
“What’s got you down Barton?” Steve asked.
Normally Bucky would say something first, but he had off today to go visit home with Wanda.
“Hard day's all.” Clint said vaguely.
Steve cocked an eyebrow to his friend.
“Clint c’mon, we’re friends, and I don’t just mean at work.” Steve reminded.
Clint sighed.
“It’s just this case you know? Fury’s breathing down my neck about it, he’s become attached to it, and honestly I have too.” Clint admitted.
“And today is her birthday. The victim’s.” He finished.
Steve nodded.
“Twenty seven and this woman has lived her whole life in pain, and another year she will. I wish I could help. Sounds bizarre, but I feel like I know her man.” Clint said feeling a bit silly.
“Look I get it Clint. Granted I’m no detective, I know how it feels to want to help, and hell I’ve watched you struggle with this case for months. You’ll get it soon Barton, hopefully she won’t have to live like this much longer.” The soldier sympathized.
Clint nodded in response.
“Thanks Steve.” He said earnestly, sipping his coffee.
“Anytime.” Steve assured turning back to his desktop.
/
It was Clint’s day. Once a week he always managed to pick up his kids to spend some time with the rascals, and he always made good on this proclamation. So Clint groaned and hoisted himself out of the car. He couldn't get Natalia from his mind. The only picture he had was one where she must have been five or six, legally required to be taken at the orphanage. Who knew what she looked like now in her mid twenties still living this dreadful life, and his heart pulled as he felt responsible. He pushed open the clear glass doors to the entrance of the day care. Gamora hadn’t been at her normal post of the desk so he just scribbled down his name and sat in a nearby chair. His head hung low, still feeling guilty over his case. His head snapped forward to the creak of the door from the playroom.
“Mr.Barton?” He heard the small voice call.
“Hey kid.” Clint smiled as Peter came and clabbered to the chair next to her.
“What’re you doing out here?” He asked curiously.
“Mr. Stark said I could say hi to my mom at the door. I have a gift for her.” he smiled waving a flimsy piece of printer paper splattered with colors.
“Special occasion?” Clint questioned.
“It’s my Mom's birthday. But, she doesn’t like people knowing, so shh.” Peter hushed putting his finger to his lips.
“Secrets safe with me.” Clint winked.
Like on cue, Natasha strutted through the doors and Peter halted himself toward her.
“Happy Birthday!” He said handing her the card, and she looked up and smiled to her boy.
“For me?” She asked happily as he presented her a paper.
He nodded.
“Thank you baby.” She said lifting him, and walking to the desk to sign him out.
“Happy Birthday.” Clint remarked politely from behind her.
Natashas head snapped around to meet his eyes. Then something inside Clint clicked. Like the clouds parted and the angels were singing.
Holy shit. The green of her eyes, the red of her hair, her nose, her bone structure. It was adding up. Natasha Romanoff. NR. Natalia Romanova. Her birthday. These were no coincidences.
“Holy fu-” Clint began expasterated forgetting about the children around.
Natasha looked at him confused, before Barton could finish his children ran out. He greeted them, but his mind was distracted by the revelation, but when he turned she was gone.
/
The latter half of Natasha’s day had been going well. The card Peter made her was hanging on the fridge with a magnet as they sat and ate pizza. Peter declared they would since he thought that's what everyone did on their birthday. Natasha couldn’t turn him down, and wouldn't mind pizza so she agreed. The pair was scarfing down the delicious meal, when a knock came from the door.
“That's weird.” She remarked out loud.
“Hey Pete, you stay right here, okay?” She instructed.
He nodded as he licked his greasy fingers. Natasha threw the door open ready to ponce if need be. The person on the other end shocked her, how did he even know where she lived.
“Clint?” She said tilting her head to the side.
“Hi, is Peter here?” he asked peering inside.
She nodded, why wouldn't he be.
“Maybe we should talk outside.” Clint said stepping back.
Eying him suspiciously she left the door open a crack and stepped onto the porch.
“What’s this about?” She asked.
Seemingly out of nowhere, he pulled a small picture from his pocket and waved it in front her face. She gasped at the relic he held in front of her.
“I know it's you.” He said his eyes holding a sad gaze, with her terrifed ones.
“I um, I don’t know what you’re referring to.” The redhead claimed attempting to play dumb.
“Natalia Alianovna Romanova. Age five when her parents were killed by a fire in the small village of-” He began recalling.
She cringed and held her hands for him to stop. She felt exposed, almost naked, this man knew some things that people are scared to even speak about.
“How?” Was all she could muster up.
“I’ve been staring at your file, and this picture for years. Today when he said it was your birthday it clicked, that's how I recognized you. Just threw me off the kid isn’t in the files, for good reason I assume.” He explained.
She nervously but her lip.
“Look, I’m not mad you didn’t tell me, I’m glad you didn’t, means you follow protocol. But, now that I know I want you to know I’m going to do everything in my power to get them all behind bars, now more than ever.” He said determined.
“Thank you Clint but you have to promise this stays between me you and Nick.” She pleaded.
He nodded.
“Of course. No one will know.” He said like he couldn’t even if he wanted too.
Natasha smiled to herself. SHe was grateful for this man the fact he slaved over finding the men that inflicted immense amount of pain to her, already made him trustworthy in her book.
Clint smiled one last time.
“Go back and enjoy time with the kid.” He said tilting his head to her door.
She nodded.
“Happy Birthday Nat, I hope its better than the others.” He said honestly.
The nickname slipping how that he had no idea what to even call her.
She closed the door with a final nod.
‘It already was.’ she thought.
/
After pizza Peter and Natasha sat down to watch Lilo and Stitch. Halfway through the movie Peter suggested a cake. SHe said no, it was too short notice and not ended. Being as stubborn as she was he suggested ice cream. She rejected him the first few times, until she finally gave in. Grabbing her keys, he opened the door for them to head to the car. Just her luck, as she stepped out of her house, Steve had been outside his tending to something.
“Mr.Rogers!” Peter yelled his little hands flapping excited.
He got Steve’s attention, and the blonde walked over.
“Hey Pete.” he smiled to the boy.
“Evening Nat.” he smiled ot her.
She smiled in return.
“Where you off to little man?” Steve asked Peter crouching down.
“Me and Mama are going out to get ice cream from her birthday!” Peter said all giddy.
Natasha squinted and tensed, She did not want it pulizie, but Peter didn't know better.
Steves ocean blue gems stared up at her, her cheek darkening.
“Happy Birthday.” He smiled wide, teeth and all.
Her blush only deepend at this.
“Mama can Mr.Rogers come with us please!” Peter asked excited.
Jesus! Why was it so hard to say no to her son.
“You’ll have to ask Mr.Rogers.” SHe told Peter tapping his head.
Peter turned and fanned his eyes at Steve.
“Mr.Rogers?” He asked nervously.
Steve sighed feeling defeated. It's not that he didn't want to go, he just didn't want to impose, but damn those eyes.
“You’re not easy to say no to kid. Let me just wash my hands.” He smiled to Peter ruffling his hair.
/
Minutes later they were all piled into Natasha car. Peter was singing some school nurseries that were playing over the speakers of the car. Not even ten minutes later, Natasha rolled her car into a parking space at Lang’s Ice Cream Parlor. Before she had the chance to grip the handle of her door, Steve was opening it for her.
“Thank you.” She said biting down on her lip.
Natasha went to the back and got Peter out of his car seat, as he ran into the shop. Steve again being the gentlemen opened the door for the pair. When they walked in Steve sighed in relief, Scott wasn't working. Not that he was embarrassed of Noah's about f Scott told Bucky or Sam he would never hear the end of it. It was Vision a part time cyber security technician, and apparent ice cream scooper. Peter got a strawberry cone, while Natasha had gotten coffee, and Steve chocolate chip mint. As Natasha was being rung up at the register to pay, she felt a hand tentatively on her wrist.
“Let me.” He assured pulling out a crisp twenty.
“Keep the change.” He winked at Vision who happily accepted.
The trio went outside again, and Peter found some sort of bug so he observed it while Natasha And Steve licked their cones at the small table.
“Hey I’m sorry for him dragging you out like this.” He said apologetically.
“Are you kidding? This is great, plus I’m honored to spend some time with the birthday girl.
Involuntarily Natasha shivered at the comment, or maybe the November, breeze, or possibly the coolness of the ice cream.
“Cold?” He questioned.
“It’s nothing.” She said rubbing her arms.
Before she could reject Steve was up from his seat draping his leather jacket over her dainty shoulders.
“Steve you don’t have to.” She tried to reject.
“No please, I’m always warm. Got some sorta tolerance to the cold it's weird.” He chuckled sitting back down.
“Mama it’s a worm!” Peter called from the grass.
She shook her head and snickered.
“Again I’m sorry.” She said casting her eyes down.
“Stop apologizing, I'm happy to get to know you Natasha and on your birthday of all days.” He smiled to her.
“Plus where else am I gonna get a view like this?” He added eying her.
Natasha buried her face deeper into the ice cream cone. The look he gave her made her spine tingle. How could this feel so right?