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When you saw her, you wanted her all for yourself, but she could disarm you by just looking at you. She is how people saw her, a touch of sweetness and evil at the same time. It was very easy to fall under her spell, she was beautiful and could get the attention of anyone wherever she went. Nobody really knew what to do to attract Natasha, but you had something the others didn't: courage and good jokes. Well, not excellent but good enough to make her laugh.
“Don't waste your time, don't send flowers or anything. I don't want anything.”
It didn't take long for her to change her mind.
You managed to get her to go on a date after convincing her that she wouldn't be missing out on anything, that she could have a great time or just pretend it never happened. And she had a good time. Realizing that Natasha was quiet, you did something intimate, a simple date where you could talk to each other only, without interruptions. That day was memorable for Natasha, because you didn't have to splash out money to get her attention. You were simply yourself.
Natasha was surprised at the feelings she began to have about you. She had never loved anyone before, maybe Yelena and Clint as sibling love, but she had never dared to relate to anyone. Yet you showed a love that was possible and hand carved, like a sculptor. She felt perfect in the midst of her own imperfection, you appreciated her every detail no matter how wrong it was. You were the only person who was completely honest with her, and listened to her when she needed to talk.
She appreciated all your efforts to love her, you didn't overstep her boundaries, you were just there. However, for Natasha, she wanted to hide your relationship. She didn't want anyone talking about you in the hallways, she just wanted to enjoy you in her own way. As much as she felt jealous to see the Shield agents all over you, she didn't want to mark territory. She knew you were hers.
However, everything changed when you were assigned to be captain of some agents on a rescue mission. The mission was supposed to happen in a short period of time, a week at the most, but something went wrong. A week and a half went by, and communications with your team was lost, Natasha noticed your absence, and blamed herself thinking that it might have been the goodbye you guys didn't have. The day you left, she didn't want to say goodbye because she knew you would be back soon. And she blamed herself for seeing in your eyes the sadness of the hug she denied you.
Fury organized a meeting, so that he could inform the Avengers of what had happened. Natasha felt completely lost, she managed to disguise it well, but inside she was in a pit of anxiety. She controlled her hands that were beginning to show signs that they were going to shake.
“Avengers.” Fury initiated. “We've lost communication with Captain Y/L/N's Delta 26 team.” When Fury opened a picture of you on the screen for the Avengers to see, Natasha felt her chest sink. “We will be sending Tony, Steve, Sam, and Wanda on this mission. You will go to the last known location of the team, to see if you can find any tracks.”
“I want to go.” Natasha interrupted Fury. Natasha felt her eyes burn, but she fought the strong urge to cry. She felt the walls of the meeting room shrink around her. She couldn't lose you, she needed you.
“Steve, you will lead the mission, along with Tony. We will accompany you through the…” Fury continued to speak, ignoring Natasha.
“I really want to go, Fury.”
“Agent Romanoff…”
“Nick, please.” She looked the man in the eye. “I can help, I know the Captain.”
“For the compromise of the mission, no.”
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Natasha couldn't sleep that night, because of this she could hear Steve's team getting ready to leave at the crack of dawn. She wouldn't wait up for you without being able to help, so she put on her costume, grabbed her weapons, and opened the door to leave, bumping into Wanda. Wanda looked at Natasha with a smirk on her lips.
“Come on, if Fury picks a fight with you, I'll tell him I'm the one who asked you to go with us.”
Natasha hugged Wanda, who returned the hug in a comforting way. The redhead pulled away to look into the brunette's eyes, who just nodded. Wanda knew about Natasha's internal conflicts.
The two made their way to the heliport where the quinjets were located, and there they found Sam, Tony and Steve in their suits just waiting for Wanda to board. When Steve landed his gaze on Wanda, and then noticing Natasha, he sighed.
“Nat, I can't let them come with us.” He said in a defeated tone. “I have orders for that.”
“Fossile, you know I respect you…” She paused, approaching the super soldier. “I know the Captain, more than anyone else, I know the decisions she makes and how she acts. I'm the perfect person for that.”
Natasha said calmly, but in a serious tone. Steve looked at Tony, who had a suspicious smile on his face.
“Red, why are you so worried about the Captain?” Tony said, stepping closer, resting his metal armor hand on Natasha's shoulder, “I think someone has a crush.”
“Keep to yourself, tin can.” Natasha looked at Tony with a serious look, drawing laughter from Sam. “You too, Wilson.” Sam shut his mouth on the spot. Natasha turned to Steve again. “Come on, I'll pilot.”
As the quinjet landed over the site, Natasha felt her stomach turn. The base was completely destroyed. There were burn marks everywhere, pieces of concrete scattered everywhere. She wished she could cry, but Wanda's hand on her shoulder controlled her. Steve stopped next to Natasha and looked into her face that something was wrong.
“I'm going to fly over along with Sam, chasing any leads.” Tony said into the team's headset.
Tony flew off, along with Sam. Both on opposite paths to be able to cover a larger scanning area. Natasha took a deep breath and waved to Steve and Wanda. The 3 of them split up into the field, so they could check for any leads. With every step Natasha took, she felt her own heart shatter amidst all that heap of destruction.
“Guys, I found something.” Sam said getting everyone's attention. “It seems to be underground. 6 heat points.”
Natasha ran to the location where Sam instructed. From a distance, she could see Wanda removing all kinds of concrete and structure that was in the way. Steve came running in with his super soldier speed.
“Tony, I need your help here, there's a lot of iron in front of me.” Wanda said, standing in front of the crater she opened.
Tony arrived quickly, hovering in the air, and with the laser from his suit he opened a circle in the iron. Wanda held the iron and pulled it away. Steve approached the crater, with his shield and a rifle in hand, and jumped in.
The place was a huge jail cell, there were several things inside the cell, which Steve memorized visually, so he could report later. He noticed agents on their feet, with pieces of iron in their hands, and in the corner of the cell, was the captain, you. The agents sighed with relief when they saw Captain America in front of them, but one of them pointed at you. Steve then understood the situation.
“They are here.” Steve said into his headset to the rest of the Avengers. And when he saw your condition, he made the wisest decision. “Tony, Wanda, I need your help down here. Sam take Romanoff to get the quinjet. We need to hurry.”
You were in pale skin, the pallor showed that you were not in good condition. Your lips were parched, and even with all the activity you kept your eyes closed. Steve knelt down beside you, and noticed that there was a small wound on your waist, where it appeared that some kind of bandage had been improvised, and you could also see dark blood pooling in the area.
“She tried to save us, but they were faster.” One of the agents said, catching Steve's attention. “We controlled the wound, but the pain left her hallucinating. She's been like this for a few days.”
Steve checked your vital signs, stowed the gun and shield in his holster. He leaned over to you, putting his arm under your legs and across your upper back. He took you in his arms, and as he turned, he saw Wanda leading the agents with her telekinesis to the exit. Tony helped Wanda up and looked at Steve with you in his arms.
The avengers quickly understood what was happening. Natasha cared about the whole team, but her look at you was different. Tony wanted to tease Natasha for falling for a silly girl like you, but he knew that wasn't the right time.
“Red is going to freak out.”
Wanda, from the top, helped Steve out of the cell with you in her arms. The agents made their way to the quinjet along with Wanda and Sam. Steve was walking as fast as he could until he reached the Quinjet.
“Sam, I need your help.” Steve said, soon causing Sam to unhook himself from his suit and heading for the small medical compartment there. “Tony, I need you to fly as fast as you can to advance the medics in the compound.” Steve turned to Wanda. “Wanda, I need you to check on the other agents.”
Natasha who was in the pilot's seat, noticing the agents coming, she turned to notice the agents in her line of sight. She was a little relieved, but she needed to see you. She stood up and walked past the agents, paralyzed to see you unconscious in Steve's arms.
The blond man laid you down on the stretcher, while Sam opened the medical kit to check your wound. Steve looked at Natasha and noticed her startled look, coming closer, he put a hand on the redhead's shoulder and nodded for her to come to you. Steve then took Natasha's place to take off.
Natasha's heart was in an explosion of feelings, fear, terror, and happiness. She was happy that you were there, afraid that you were unconscious and looked so weak. Terrified when she saw the blood pooling in your wound.
“Nat…” she heard you call in a weak tone, completely without strength.
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Natasha didn't want to leave your side, only leaving you alone when the doctors came to check on you, at these times she took the opportunity to take a shower and get something to eat. Clint even offered to stay for a few shifts so that Natasha could rest, but she didn't want to.
On the third day, Natasha sat up, leaning over with her head on her own arms. She was asleep, but still alert, so at the first movement of yours, she jumped out of her chair. When she looked at you, still dizzy with the shock of the movement, she noticed that you were looking at her with a weak smile. Your face had returned to its natural color, your lips were now hydrated, and your eyes looked tired.
“Hey Nat.” You said softly, still smiling.
Natasha reached up, leaned over to deposit a kiss on your lips, she held your face gently in her hands and felt her heart beat fast in joy. She caressed your face, feeling your cold skin in her digits. She just wanted to feel you. The next thing she knew, you had pulled her to lie on your side. She looked into your eyes and cracked a smile, trying to control her feelings, so she wouldn't cry.
“I need to tell you something, before I don't have the courage to.” She said, realizing you just nodded. “I want to always have you, to meet you a thousand times, every day. I want everyone to know, that if luck exists, mine is to love you. If you have no life, I would give it to you.” The weight, on her own chest, came off with every word she said. “I don't want you to let go of me, I want us to let time pass slowly. I'm dying to wake up with you, with a kiss from you.” You were about to say something, but she put her finger under your lip, so she could continue. “Because you are the beginning and the end. Why should the whole world matter? If all I want is you.”
You had tears in your eyes, your head was short-circuited, your heart was beating fast in your chest. Bringing your hand-over Natasha's chin, you brought her face up to kiss her. Natasha let the passion move the kiss and when the air ran out, she pulled away to look at you.
“Did I have to get shot to get a declaration of love, Romanoff?” You said, laughing, but groaned in pain when she accidentally hit your abdomen. “Ouch, baby, I'm kidding.” You said, still laughing. “I love you, Natalia.” You leaned in to kiss Natasha.
“FINALLY!” you both startled at Tony's voice on the loudspeaker, and pulled away. “CLINT, IT'S HAPPENING.”
“Stark, if I come over there, I'm going to kick your ass.”