Baggage

The next two weeks are honestly a blur to Natasha. When Steve did not have late shifts he would come over and watch tv with her, have dinner with her and Peter, or just build blocks with the boy. It was nice. It felt safe. A feeling Natasha has not felt in years, and it scared the living hell out of her. The fact that when she was with Steve she managed to forget that a group of psychos were after and slowly closing in. Speaking of, within the past two weeks there has been no activity from Alexi and his gang, Natasha did not know if that should make her happy or terrified. Nevertheless, Clint, Fury, and Maria were still working around the clock trying to crack down on the criminals. Little did any of them know, someone else was trying to get their hands on the case.

The past two weeks Bucky was taking every opportunity he could. Whenever Clint went to the bathroom or stopped to refill his mug of coffee he would jump from his desk and skim the file. Listen, Bucky did not feel great about having to sneak around in something like this but he tried to be outright with Clint and failed just a few days ago…

“Clint.” Bucky singsonged.
“Yes Barnes?” Clint asked looking up from his stack of papers.
“You know how you’re always stressing about that case, what d'you say you let a fresh pair of eyes see it?” Bucky suggested.
A laugh sounded. However, it was not Clints, it was Steves.
“Alright punk you're a detective now too?” Steve said almost hysterical.
Bucky rolled his eyes.
“Hardy har har. Clint is our friend and if I wanna help I will.” Bucky said cooly, however the two knew this was very un-Bucky like behavior.
As the brunette slowly etched his fingers to the file Clint swatted him away.
“No!” Clint screeched.
“What's the big deal? Just a few weeks ago you were begging for anyone with a pulse to help you.” Barnes asked confused.
“Things are different now, okay?” Barton said squirming uncomfortably.
“Okay?” Bucky said not completely understanding.
“Just…” Clint started searching for words.
“If I see you near this file it will be trouble, not just with me, but the big man too.” Clint finished making eye contact with him.
Bucky nodded slowly, to which Clint smiled awkwardly and returned to work.
Despite Bucky’s implications he would most definitely be looking at that file.

/

Within the past sixteen days or so Bucky has gathered some intel. A young girl was orphaned after some awful tragedy to which she was adopted by some man. His name was Russian like the rest of them, but he couldn’t remember exactly what the name was. Following the adoption this girl was tortured and thrown into a dance career which just inflicted more pain. So far that's all Bucky knew. In his defense Clint uses the bathroom like once every four days, and the fact and the case file is bigger than the encyclopedia. So, as Bucky sat and reviewed what he knew in his head trying to remember the man's name who adopted the victim he heard Steve laugh.

“What's so funny?” Bucky sighed.
“You look stupid when you think. Is that why you don’t do it much?” Sam deadpanned.
“Funny Wilson.” The brunette sarcastically replied.
“Hey we still hanging out at yours tonight?” Buck asked.
“Yeah.” Sam nodded from Bucky’s couch.
Steve's eyes bulged.
“God you forgot!” Bucky yelled.
“No I didn't it's just… I’m busy is all.” Steve finished rushed.
“Busy?” He asked.
“Yep. Stevie disappears every night to god knows where. Isn't that right Steve?” Sam said lifting a brow.
“You are barely home. How would you know?” Steve defended.
“I’m home more than you think. You’re just never around to notice.” Sam pointed out.
“I promised I’d fix Natasha’s cabinet.” Steve made up.
He sucked at lying, and Bucky and Sam knew this better than anyone.
Before Sam could call him out on the fib, Bucky spoke.
“When your done with that, how about you bring her over.” Bucky offered.
“Uh,” The blonde muttered.
“Yeah Steve, why don’t you. It’s not like you’re into her or anything.” Sam said playing along.
“I’ll ask her.” Steve said his face still pale, making his blush appear darker.

/

Soon after Steve left Bucky and drive to the hospital. Pulling up, he walked toward the cafeteria assuming she would be eating lunch. In the corner was Natasha with navy blue scrubs, her signature braid, with glasses perched on her nose as she read a book and munched on a sandwich.

“Nat.” He said as he approached.
She jumped a bit, but smiled at his presence.
“Steve you gave me a start.” She laughed.
“Sorry about that.” He said sheepishly.
“It’s fine, how about you sit down and tell me why you're here.” She smiled.
God that smile. It pulled Steve in ways he could not even begin to explain or fathom. It's like it cracked something in him wide open. Just as Steve was mustering the courage to invite her and Peter over, her phone rang.
“Sorry.” She said as she answered it.
“Hello?” She questioned, her face tenses.
After a few moments she relaxed.
“Sure when I get him I’ll pack a bag and bring him over.” She agreed.
“No, Don’t do that.” She scolded.
Another pause, and she rolled her eyes.
“Bye Tony.” She said clicking off.
“Everything good?” Steve asked.
“Yeah. Peter just wanted to sleep at Stark’s so Tony called to ask.” Natasha explained.
“Oh?” Steve said a bit confused.
“Tony eats Peter up, and for whatever reason Peter eats him up. I let them have their man time.” She shrugged.
Steve laughed at this and smiled at her.
“Now you were saying why you're here?” She asked taking another bite into her sandwich.
“Yeah uh,” Steve started nervously and cleared his throat.
“I was gonna invite you and Peter over. Since he is going out that won’t be the case. I’d love for you to still come.” He asked.
Natasha just stared at him with her signature green eyes.
“Sam is coming and Bucky, maybe T’Challa, I can ask him to-” Steve began.
“Sure.” She nodded and smiled.
“Really?” He said incredulously.
“Is it that hard to believe? Your a good man Steven and lately I've been losing faith in good people. You’ve showed me otherwise.” SHe said honestly.
Steve left his mouth agape.
Natasha reached and lightly placed her hand atop his.
“You’ve done a lot for me the past two weeks. You might not even realize it but I didn't even know I needed anyone just there until you turned up. Not to mention my son loves you. You really are a hero Steve Rogers.” She said sincerely.
Steve smiled as he felt his eyes get lost in her own. Her words meant more than she would ever know.
“It's my pleasure ma’am.” He said back grinning at her.
She chuckled, and he squeezed her small hand in his own.

/

Steve left the hospital some hours ago and was making sure everything in his house was spick and span. Sam was upstairs showering while he did this. Steve finally sat back and relaxed, the last thing he expected though was a phone calls. From Wanda.

“Hello?” He said confused.
“Steve!” She said sounding happy.
“Hi.” He began.
“Just wanted to say I saw you today at the hospital.” She explained.
“Did you now?” He asked stupidly hoping she had not seen everything.
“Sure did. And now I know for a fact you like Natasha.” She said.
“Did you really call me to say that? Your spending too much time with Bucky.” Steve sighed.
“Whatever. I saw you gazing into her eyes, I can put in a good word you know.” Wanda offered.
“No its fine.” He cringed.
The line was silent.
“Well, I’ll be seeing you-” Steve began.
“Natasha is good. That's why I called. I don't know half of what she went through, she never talks about it, but I can just tell. I like her a lot too, and if I’m gonna trust her with anyone its you. I know you don't need my approval, but just be good okay?” Wanda said seriously.
“Alright.” Steve responded seriously.
“Bye Steve.” Wanda said lighter.
“Bye.” He mumbled, and clicked off.
Steve flopped back onto the couch bracing himself for Bucky to ask about the incident himself.

/

Natasha exhaled as she looked at herself in the mirror smoothing over her light green bomber.
Normal Nat. Be normal. Have fun and relax.
She continued scolding herself. She was nervous to go into someone else's home, be around other people. Not have control over Peter, it was a lot for her. However, if there was one thing she was good at, it was pushing through. As she gave herself one more look, she left her house with shaky hands and walked up Steves porch steps.

Taking another step she tentatively knocked at the door. It felt like an eternity until someone swung it open as she nervously switched balance between her feet. When the door was finally flung open, the face she expected to be Steve’s had been Sam’s. Natasha had had minimum encounters with him despite a cordial hello, but Steve talked highly of him.

“Hello.” Sam smiled mischievously.
“Good evening.” Natasha smiled nervously.
“Come in.” The man instructed widening the door.

Natasha compiled as she apprehensively stepped into Steve’s home. It looked cozy but clean. And in some way it was just so him that it almost made her stomach knot in a good way. The fact that she felt like she knew him in such a short amount of time. Sure, she's been here for a month but even within the past weeks Natasha can safely clock in at least eighteen hours with Steve where they would just talk.

The red heads black boots clicked along the mahogany as she navigated her way to the living room. When she turned the corners she spotted the sofas and upon them were some familiar faces which eased her.
“Nat!” Wanda jumped and threw her arms around Natashas neck.
Nat patted her back and smiled.
“Hi there stranger.” She joked.
“Sorry Wanda is a little touchy when she gets tipsy.” Bucky laughed.
This earned a small chuckle from the group and Natasha.

In an instance Steve rounded the corner with a bowl of chips. He set it on the table and beamed at Natasha. Feeling a bit bold he stepped in to embrace her. Natasha responded by snaking her arms around his torso and breathing in this intoxicating scent.

“Glad you could make it.” He whispered.
“Thank you for having me.” She smiled up to him as she pulled away.
They stared into each other's eyes for an eternity until someone cleared their throat.
The pair awkwardly jumped away and averted their eyes.

“Let me introduce you to everyone.” Steve says turning to the group.
“That is “T’Challa.” Steve points.
T’Challa offers a smile and nod.
“I know T’Challa and Okoye from daycare. Hi guys.” Nat smiles.
Okoye waves and speaks:
“Natasha it is nice to see you. I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend Valkyrie.” Okoye stated proudly nbudgin the woman next to her.
Natasha stepped forward and offered her hand which Valkyrie took.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard all good things.” Natasha says throwing a grin to Okoye.
“Likewise, you can call me Val.” The woman smiles.
“There's Sam, Bucky, Maria, and Wanda ubt you know them.” Steve laughs as they all smile.
“And that is Thor.” Steve says pointing to the big guy in the corner.
“Hello.” Natasha says a bit nervous.
“Hi!” He booms making her flinch.
Before they can carry on Natasha's phone rings. She looks down and gets nervous.
“Excuse me.” She says stepping out.

“This better be good.” She hisses into the line.
“Okay so, hypothetically I’m eating spaghetti, and spill it all over my super cool dinosaur pajamas. What do I wear to bed?” Tony asks nervously.
Natasha groans.
“Seriously!” She scolds.
“Yeah.” Tony says.
“Uhm well if its the red bag there is an extra pair of pajama pants and then he can just wear the shirt I packed for tomorrow.” Natasha explained.
“Thanks red.” Tony laughs.
“Yep Tony, don’t keep him up late.” She says.
The line clicks off and Natasha slides her phone into her pocket hoping to have a good night.

/

“Alright kid now that your all clean time to hit the sack.” Tony says carrying Peter to bed.
He places him gently down and pulls the covers up. Just as he turns to leave Peter calls to him.
“Mr. Stark?” He says softly.
“Yeah fella?” Tony turns.
“Is Mr.Rogers gonna be my dad?” Peter asks innocently.
“Huh?” tony can’t help but slip out.
“Mr.Rogers. He’s over a lot and mom never really brings people over except the pirate. And whenever the pirate is over Mama is never laughing. With Mr.Rogers its different.” Peter tells Tony.
“Well kid, I think maybe your Mom is just friends with Mr.Rogers like you and I.” Tony reasons.
Peter nods.
“Goodnight.” The boy yawns, too tired to understand.
Tony smiles and flicks the light off.

As he heads to his bedroom he pulls out his phone and sends a text to Steve.
‘You and Nat?!?!?’