Finding Home
Hiding was never that hard for Natasha. She had gotten used to it by now so that wasn’t the reason why she was upset with Tony Stark. No, the reason why she’s mad at him is that he turned his back on his friends. Yes, Natasha had betrayed him by choosing Steve’s side in the end but it was completely different. Natasha did it because she cares about her friends, especially Steve, and she didn’t want to see any of them to get hurt. And she knew that Steve wouldn’t give up, so why fight against her partner if there’s no proper reason to do so? She didn’t agree with Steve’s decision but she understood. Bucky means a lot to him and she wouldn’t dare to stay on his way. She didn’t want to lose him as a friend or whatever the hell he was to her.
The truth is, she has started to question her motives towards Cap. At first she truly looked up to him, respected him and knew he would do the right thing in the end, so she decided to stick by his side, hoping that eventually she would get a good ally for herself. But things had happened and she found much deeper feelings towards him than she liked to admit. She cares about him, a lot and it scares her. Never had she ever let herself feel something like that towards anyone, but somehow the blue eyed soldier had found a way to break her thick walls.
And now she was on a run because of Steve, and Tony. Tony could’ve kept his mouth shut about her involvement in Steve’s escape but he chose otherwise and left her coldly without an ally and for government to collect in their prison. She thought they were friends, they all were, and friends don’t do that to each other. Tony knew exactly how much she cared about Steve, not that she liked it, and he knew she wouldn’t let them capture him. But still he somehow chose to believe she would leave Steve behind and turn to his side fully, which she would never do, not when she loathed the government and only wanted to sign the accord to make the Avengers stay together, how that turned out..
She never wanted things to turn out like they did. She only wanted to help her friends and have their backs. It wasn’t her fault that the Avengers were no longer together, she knew that, but still she partly blamed herself.
“The king of Wakanda is now ready for you Miss Romanoff” The man she had talked to earlier informed her and she gave a small nod, heading towards the room in front of her.
She didn’t want to ask for favors, but now when almost every country wanted to find her, she had no choice. She had tried to hide for two months but somehow she always blew her cover and had to run again. It had become harder and harder every time. She knew she wasn’t anywhere near on asking favors from T’Challa, not after what she did, but he was the only person who could help her right now.
“Good morning Natasha” T’Challa spoke kindly, to her surprise and gave her a small smile.
“Your highness” She spoke in a respectful way, not wanting to give him any more reasons to hate her.
“Sit down, please” He spoke again and she did what she was asked to do. She expected that T’Challa would bite her head off, but instead he sit relaxed in his chair, looking kindly at her and not sending any hatred wipes at her.
“So..” He started, looking at his computer screen. She knew he was looking at her begging email and it made her feel a little uncomfortable.
“You want to stay here?” He asked, again kindly.
“If that suits you. I wouldn’t want to intrude and I know I betrayed you before..” She started but he cut her off.
“You didn’t betray me Natasha. I was a bit shocked, yes, but I understand the reason you did it, so no hard feelings” He explained and again it surprised her, not that she let her surprisement be seen on her face.
“Besides, I know the others will be happy to see you again” He stated and she was completely confused. The others? She was about to ask him but he started to speak again before she had the time.
“I’m happy to let you stay here as long as you want, now, let’s go see your friends” He said and stood up, Natasha following him, immediately feeling her excitement grow. Were her friends really there?
she had no time to progress her thoughts when the doors to the main living room, she supposed, opened and revealed all her friends, except Tony.
“Nat!” Clint shouted the second she walked through the doors and in instant she was in his embrace.
“It’s good to see you” Natasha said and closed her eyes for a moment. She couldn’t believe they were there, for real.
“I missed you my counselor” Wanda said, hugging her after she had let go of Clint. Wanda was like her little sister, she had been training her and they had grown close.
“Nat” Sam nodded.
“Sam” She informed, nodding back with a grin which he returned before pulling her in his arms. They had also formed a solid friendship over the years.
“Nat” She heard Steve’s voice and her heart skipped a beat. She turned around and saw his blue eyes full of happiness.
“Steve” She said in return and held herself back, not wanting to run in his arms, which she almost did. He took quick steps towards her and in one pull she was in his steady arms, embracing him.
He leaned on her head and closed his eyes, letting himself inhale her scent and savor the moment. He had missed her dearly. When she had let him go with Bucky he had almost turned around and took her with him, but he knew he couldn’t so he let her go. The entire time she was gone he was worrying sick about her, never stopping until now, when he got her into his arms.
“It’s good to have you back” He mumbled into her hair.
“It’s good to be back” She answered and stayed for a little longer before she broke the hug, not wanting to seem suspicious if she stayed in his arms for too long. She glanced past Steve’s shoulder to Bucky, who seemed a bit uncomfortable.
“You are not trying to kill me?” She asked with her ‘teasing’ voice and he chuckled, seeming to relax.
“Nope” He said.
“Then it’s good to see you” Natasha said and gave him a small smile, which he returned gladly. He wanted to talk with Natasha at one point. He remembers their past now and he wants to make sure there’s no hard feelings between them, considering they had a little ‘fling’ back when they were both in Red Room at the same time. She seemed alright, and Bucky could swear he saw her looking at Steve with longing eyes. He knew she had feelings for his best friend, he could feel it. And he knew for a fact that Steve had feelings for her too, he knew his best friend too well.