Between Friends

You gave yourself some time to think and just be alone before heading to Nat's house. Once you got there, she got you some coffee and sat you down at her table.

"Have you eaten yet?", she asked as she sat at the table with her own mug.

"Oh.", you huffed softly. "No." In all the commotion you hadn't even thought of it.

"What can I get you?", she stood and headed for her fridge.

"Maybe just some toast and juice for now?", you stood and followed her. "I can get it, Nat."

"It's no trouble, hon.", she waved you off as she pulled a loaf of bread from the cupboard. "Go sit down." You did as told and she continuted, dropping two slices of bread into the toaster and pressing the button down, "So, I can take you over in a little bit to get some clothes... Or you can just go home until Chris leaves..."

You sighed, "He asked you to convince me to come home, didn't he?"

She closed her eyes lazily, tilted her head and cocked an eyebrow in hesitant confession then turned to the fridge and opened it.

"I really don't think I can, Nat."

She held up a jar of strawberry jam and widened her eyes in question if you wanted some while she inquired, "Why not?"

"Yes, thank you.", you answered her silent question, then her spoken one, "I dunno. I just- like, I'm still kinda mad at him for even thinking about leaving, even though logic and your convincing now tells me that it's what needs to happen. Still doesn't hurt any less. I relied on Seb to always be there, then he was gone. Once Seb was gone, I thought for sure Chris would be there. He even told me that he was there for me. Now he's gonna leave? Plus, if I see him, I'm just gonna break down again and it's gonna hurt for us to part again."

The toast popped and she grabbed a slice, smearing jam on it, "Things people say they're going to do change, (Y/N). Especially if there is a way they can do something that is in your better interest compared to what they said before. I wish you could see that he really is trying his best to take care of you... And be there for you, like he said. Big picture, babe. You gotta focus on that. Because that's what's going to determine where you end up in conjunction with him in the future." She grabbed orange juice from the fridge and poured it into a small glass as she continued, "Plus, why are you so afraid to feel, (Y/N)?" She made eye contact as she brought the plate and glass to you, setting it in front of you, then sat in her seat.

You took a sip of juice and picked up a piece of the toast, "Because it fuckin' hurts, Nat. Seriously?" You felt taken aback by her question. You thought the answer would be so obvious. "Plus, I don't want him to hurt either. We've both had enough hurting over the last few months." You took a huge bite of toast, savoring the slight tartness in the sweet jam.

Nat tilted her head, "Of course it hurts and I know you don't want him to hurt either. But, think of it this way- I'm gonna go big picture on you again here." She took a quick sip of her coffee and shifted in her seat to sit straighter and face you more. "Feeling that pain, that longing when he leaves, it will just validate how much he means to you. Feeling those feelings help us to remember, to not take for granted. And he would benefit in the same way. The more those feeling come up, the more we remember what we have. I think it might actually strengthen what you both have, so that it's strong while you're apart. He's your best friend. I know you want to see him based on that alone."

You took another bite and narrowed your eyes at her warily, chewing slowly. She was doing it again; swaying you. She was pretty damn convincing. You did really want to see Chris again, but she was right; you were afraid to feel what would come with it and who in their right mind would be okay with contributing to their friend's emotional discomfort. But, she had a point. And at least this way, you could actually part on good terms.

You took a drink of juice and sighed at her, "I'll think about it."

"Okay.", she nodded. "I can go pack you a bag soon. You think you're gonna stay at the house while he's gone?"

You huffed out a breath, "Bad enough being there with Seb gone. I can't stay there without Chris too."

"Sweet. You'll stay with us then. We can go get you whatever you need from the house when needed while you're here." She took another drink of coffee and got up to grab the pot for refills.

You scratched at a random itch on your head, "Where is Bruce?"

"Oh, he's out golfing with Clint." She filled your mug three quarters and set down the creamer container on the table while she chortled, "Those ol' men." She returned the pot to the coffee maker and made it halfway back to you and clapped once, "So! We've got a whole Saturday together! Whadda ya wanna do?"

"Well,", you chortled. "First I need a new change of clothes.", you gestured at the shirt and pants you had on from yesterday. "And maybe a shower and some makeup. Then a movie and mall cruising?"

"Oh, right. Bag first." She sat in her chair, "You wanna come?", she sneaked in nonchalant as she took a sip from her mug.

You sighed and shook your head playfully, "Stop it, Nat. I said I'll think about seeing him, okay?" Just then, your phone buzzed on the table. It was a text from Chris.

'You gonna come get a bag today? I need to hug that pretty face.'

You had told him before you got off the phone with him at the motel earlier that you would stay at Nat's for a bit.

His words made you smile a little. Between him and Nat, you weren't sure you wouldn't give in before Chris left. He was acting so sweet and caring; it made you want to be near him again. What you didn't know is that he felt desperate to see you now, to hold you and connect again after the sour event between you. He was actually holding back on how much he really wanted to hound you to come home. He didn't want to push you away further. Nat also kept making terribly valid points. Still, you weren't sure, but you were keeping your word to Nat; you were thinking about it.

You replied, 'Nat's gonna come get it for me.' You punctuated your statement with a smiley face.

After more gabbing and coffee, Natasha left you at her house watching TV to go pack you a bag. She got to the front door of your house and knocked. Chris answered, greeted her and let her in, closing the door behind her. He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and looked at her expectantly, "So? How's it going?"

Nat pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows, "She's not budging, but she said she'll think about it."

He sighed heavily, "Okay. Thanks for trying to help, Nat. And thanks for letting her stay with you while I'm gone. It means a lot to me." He leaned forward and hugged her.

She returned the gesture, "I know it does, Chris. You're welcome."

Chris released her and stepped towards the coat rack, picking up your suitcase, then moving to the door again, "I'll carry this to your car."

Nat furrowed her brows in amusement, pointing, "You packed that for her?"

He nodded and smirked slightly, "Yeah."

Nat nodded back and smiled, "I think that'll earn you some points." She chuckled.

Chris sighed, lips pressed together, "I sure hope so."

When Nat got back to her house, she lugged the suitcase into the house. Seeing her struggle as she came in the door, you jumped up off the couch to help her. She grunted, "Jesus Christ, what's in here?!" She huffed and dropped it to the floor with a thud.

You looked confused, "What do you mean? Didn't you pack it?"

"No.", she panted, hands on her hips. "Chris did. Had it all ready when I got there."

You smiled a little, your brows pulled together in sentiment, "He did?"

"Yep!", she chirped.

Damn it. He's wearing you down. Whether he's trying to or not, he's wearing you down.

Nat headed for the kitchen, "I need some water. I damn near broke my back gettin' it up the fuckin' steps." She hitched a thumb behind her. "Let me know if you need help with that thing."

You did manage to drag it upstairs to the office where you'd be staying. Nat came up shortly after.

"I have to see what is in that thing." She plopped down on the sofa as you tipped it down on its side on the floor, knelt and unzipped it, letting the lid fall back.

There, on the top, was one of Sebastian's pillows that you still cuddled when you slept. On top of the pillow, was a neatly folded t-shirt... it was one of Chris's shirts, with a note on it. 'Feel free to replace for another as often as needed. I'm leaving plenty for you at the house, along with a new bottle of my cologne. Miss you, sweetheart. Hope I get to see you before I go. xoxo'

You were grinning like an idiot. Damn it! He's doing it again. You're conviction is wearing thin.

Nat leaned forward, elbows on her knees, "What does it say?"

You handed her the note and held the shirt to your nose and took in a soft breath. Yep, just like Chris. Well, at least you'd have some familiar comforts while he was gone. God, he was so sweet and considerate.

Nat echoed your thoughts when she handed the note back, "That's ridiculously sweet." She cocked an eyebrow at you, "Are you starting to see it now?"

You nodded and took a deep breath, holding the shirt in your lap now, "Yeah. Still hard to feel okay about though."

"You'll get there.", she winked at you.

You went through the stratigically and neatly packed suitcase, giving Nat a commentary as you slightly moved things just enough to see what was under them and then placing them back down. "He crammed everything in here; books, movies, my current crochet project bag, my makeup bag, toiletries, a few pairs of shoes, boots, swim suit." You chuckled at that. "Looks like maybe two week's worth of clothes, all rolled tight to fit. The army taught him well, huh?" There seemed to be no space at all wasted. "Oh my God-"

Nat's brows shot up, "What?!"

"He had to touch my underwear to pack them. Is that weird?" You scrunched your face at her.

She rolled her eyes, "No. It's only creepy if they're not clean... Or if he put them on his head, over his face and danced around your room naked. And honestly, I think he's too romantic for that creeper stuff. I think he'd only want a sniff if they were on your hot little body."

"Jesus, Nat!", you scoffed and threw a pair of socks at her face, which she dodged. "You're so..."

"Honest?", she laughed.

"Shameless!"