Chapter Text
An After War Promise
„This is gonna work, Steve.“
It was the fight of their lives. They would assemble once again to get the six infinity stones, so they can hopefully undo Thanos cruel work. As if this wasn't crazy enough, to achieve their goal they would use the quantum realm to switch time and space. But Natasha was ready. So ready after five long years full of sorrow and a tiredness that paralyzed both her heart and soul. No matter how crazy their plan might sound, they owned it to everyone at least to try.
„I know it is. There are no second chances!“
„There has never been second chances. It has always been now or never. Remember New York, the Potomac River, Sokovia, Leipzig airport… and then … Wakanda.“
Steve was looking at her. Despite the tears, Natasha was genuinely smiling at him. His most favorite smile in the world. The one that makes his heartbeat a little bit faster, that offers him hope in dark times and god did they have a lot of them recently. That smile that could make everything a tiny little bit better. Steve has never been more thankful for it than now. He outstretched his hand to the woman who has been standing by his side for god knows how long. Natasha took the offer and let Steve pull her to his side on a bench in front of the headquarters. He refused to let her hand go and smiled weakly.
„Nat, how is it always you and me at the end?“
„Well, someone has to watch your back and safe your sorry ass, no?“
Now Natasha was smirking and gave him a little wink. Of course they both knew he had saved her as many times or maybe even more. But Steve just gripped her hand tighter and was looking straight into her eyes.
„Let me go with you. Please…“
Natasha took a deep breath. Never! The raccoon had told Scott and her how Thanos apparently had taken his daughter to get the soul stone and that the raccoon hasn't seen her ever since. And neither had Peter the last time he and the raccoon had spoken together. Scott wasn't paying that much attention to the story but Natasha had absorbed all the informations like the spy she was and then she did some homework.
„Steve, we were talking about this! You need to keep the guys under control and beside I don’t think Clint is the most agreeable partner right now. He is my family, I can take him…“
Yes, she could take him. Whatever it takes to get that stone, she would do it. And she is going to talk some sense into him. And if Clint won’t listen then she would make him listen. Steve however…
„Nat,…when this war is over. When we will have brought everyone back. When we can go home and the world has settled down. Do you think… do you want to. Maybe we could go out sometime?“. Steve nearly fainted. How could this still be so embarrassing? He has known that girl for over ten years now and for more than seven they were living together. But this was different. This was more. He had always said to himself, that now was not the time, that they have more important things to do, that people rely on them and that personal matters needs to be hold back. And how could they have found some happiness when everyone else didn’t? It has been keeping him from asking her what his heart has been wanting for a long time now. But damn he needed to know now and damn the irony didn’t get lost on him. He was truly the world’s fucking leader in waiting too long.
„And how does Captain America imagine a night out? Go dancing?“
„I can’t dance…“
„I could show you…“
„That would be nice. I would ask the band to play something slow so I wouldn’t step on your feet…“
That made Natasha giggle. This man was too adorable for his own good. She tried to ignore how fast her heart was pounding. Yes, she has waited a long time for Steve to take this step towards her. And she had wondered before, if she had just imagined all those silent longing. And then after the snap it was just not the right time. And now? The time was even worse and still she couldn't deny herself this moment. She reached out, cupped his cheek and gave him her most sincere smile. The one she reserved for him. „Change the band with a DJ, old man. And yes, I would like that very much.“
Steve grinned like an idiot despite all the misery. He leaned his forehead against hers and intertwined his hand with the one cupping his cheek. Their noses were touching and all Steve had to do was leaning a little bit forward.
„Are you guys serious? You’ve been waiting for god knows how long and you choose this moment to open up? Can you be any more dramatic?“
Clint’s voice cut trough Natasha’s and Steve’s little world and made them jump apart. While Steve was blushing furiously, Natasha caught herself pretty easily. With a smug grin she stood up. „Clint is just jealous because we take the spotlight and he can’t be drama queen number one.“
Clint poked his tongue out and threw waiting glances. „Are you coming Tasha? Steve?“
That was it. That might be her last moment with Steve. But she would keep it light, for her and mostly for him because she didn’t want him to have any assumptions. Before Natasha followed her best friend she turned to Steve again and lowered her face so she could speak directly into his ear. „And don’t you dare to wait another decade to kiss me or I might do it very untraditionally myself.“