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It was around 7 o’clock in the evening, it was summer so the sun was still sky high, and the air was warm like the embers of a dying fire. Everything about the evening was perfect. How they looked, how they were getting along. The weather, the place. The whole atmosphere radiated perfectness.
Natasha and Maria walking along the tree lined street of the compound, holding hands. Natasha threw her head back, laughing carelessly. “So care to tell me where we are going, Babe” Natasha asked, a twinkle in her eye. Maria raised an eyebrow, looking back at her girlfriend of three years with a mischievous grin. “You’ll find out soon enough” Maria replied vaguely, putting a loose hand on Natasha’s back. Natasha mirrored her look, thoughts racing through her head about what would happen tonight, or what she was going to ask, and what Maria would say in response to it. “Oh yeah? Is it private” Natasha teased. Maria hummed, taking long strides causing the redhead to walk faster. “Yes” She finally replied, suddenly very aware of the small box in her pocket.
~~
“Okay, close you eyes” Maria instructed. Natasha smiled goofily and said “Of course, commander” Maria rolled her eyes playfully, and looked behind her to check everything was set up. “Now come on, I’ll guide you to it” Maria said, grabbing Natasha’s hands, and leaning her into the mystery location. “I swear to god Hill, if you are leading me to my death” Natasha joked, and then preceded to laugh at her own joke like a child high on sugar. “Ah yes.. that was my plan all along muhahaha” Maria teased, doing a fake evil laugh. A few steps later, Maria stopped, stepping out of the way. “You can open your eyes now love” Natasha opened her eyes, peering out through the blistering sunlight. In front of her was a beautifully laid out picnic blanket, checked with blue and white. Carefully placed aside to it was a large Wicca basket, from which colourful aromas wafted from and fluffy blankets, presumably for later when it got colder. “Oh Maria.. this is beautiful” Natasha sighed peacefully. Maria smiled shyly in response, and took her girlfriend’s hand. “I hope you are hungry” Maria said with a wicked grin, pulling her to sit down. “Starving, I forgot it eat lunch” Maria raised a questioning eyebrow as she opened the basket, and pulled out plates full of food. “Forgot or didn’t want to” Maria questioned. “Same thing really” Natasha shrugged. “Well you better eat this food then” Maria teased. Natasha smirked, taking a sandwich and biting into it. “Thanks for this Mia” Natasha said in between mouthfuls. “No problem, I love spoiling my girlfriend” Maria smiled. Natasha smiled blissfully back, taking another bite of the sandwich, and moaning in delight. Maria smirked, picking up her own sandwich. “I didn’t know you could moan like that baby” Maria teased, shuffling closer to her. “Have you been withholding sounds from bed?” She continued to tease. Natasha gave her, her signature smirk. “No babe, I just really like this sandwich” Natasha replied, looking Maria dead in the eye. “Is that so?” Maria questioned, stifling a laugh.
~~
The couple sat peacefully together,the gentle thrum of music could be heard coming from Natasha’s phone, as Maria fed the redhead strawberries. Natasha watched Maria’s movements closely. “So, what did you do to get this space then” Natasha asked innocently. “Murder Fury?” She teased. “I don’t reveal my ways” Maria retorted, her face going blank. “Hmm, I guess I’m left to the prize then..” Natasha sighed, flopping back on a pillow behind her. Maria laughed, at Natasha pulled a pout towards her. “Aw baby, are you jealous you didn’t come up with this idea” Maria teased, leaning over her. “No comment” Maria rolled her eyes, before leaning closer. “You look really hot in that outfit” Natasha said, peering up at Maria. Natasha’s red hair partially covered the area of the pillow she was leaning on, bright curls could be seen easily, complimenting her vibrant green eyes. “I would say the same for you” Maria teased, kissing her gently. “Can you pass me a strawberry?” Natasha asked snaking her hand onto Maria’s waist. The brunette groaned in response, pushing herself up- with ease my I add. To get a handful of strawberries. Natasha opened her mouth with her signature smirk, waiting for Maria to feed her. “Child” Maria muttered, giving her a strawberry. “Servant” Natasha quipped. Natasha gayzed up at her through long eyelashes and smiled through blinding love. “I love you” Natasha whispered, her voice vulnerable and husky. “I love you too Nat” Maria looked up and grin, this is what she was waiting for. “But, the sun is about to set, so let’s go see that” Maria Got up, and then pulled Natasha up after. “Come on Tasha, we can’t miss this” Maria murmured, putting her arm around Natasha’s waist, pulling her close. They walked over the tree section of the secluded area, watching the sunset go down in silence. Maria glanced over at Natasha with a smile. “Nat” “Hm?” Maria broke apart from her, face her directly. She took a deep breath and started to say what she had been planning too for weeks now. “Nat, I remember when we first met, Barton had just took you into shield and I was just a level two agent, working my way up shield, soon after I remember becoming good friends with you, and we worked for many years together, along side many others. Then, I became commander, and you an avenger and I remember exactly the day I asked you out, and how I will forever be happy I made that choice. Since then you’ve become not only one of my closest friends but the love of my life and by whole world” Maria said, stopping to gayze at Natasha, who in response bit her lip. “These past four years of dating have been the best days of my life, from being on holiday together, to caring for you when you’re sick. I love it, and I love you. I don’t want to live life without you, and I want to be with you forever, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for poorer or richer” Maria continued, she reached into her pocket for the small black box. “What I’m trying to say is: Natasha Romanof, will you marry me?” Maria asked, getting down on one knee, and revealing the beautiful band, that symbolised an engagement ring. There was a moments silence, before Natasha burst out laughing. A horrified look gathered across Maria’s face. “What’s so funny” Maria said, stumbling over her words. Natasha reached into the locket of her dress, sure enough reveal a small black box, with a red hour glass symbol on it. “I was gonna propose tonight, idiot” Natasha said, her laughter ringing out like bells. “Well, you can propose after” Maria shrugged. “God, you freaked me out then” Natasha’s eyes softened. “Yes, Ria, I’ll will marry you, one hundred times yes” Natasha said, not even letting Maria be up for a second before smashing her lips against hers. Some how managing to slip the ring on while doing so. Natasha then stepped away with a smile, and pulled back out the small box. “Maria, before you I was very scared of being loved and loving someone, you however taught me that it was okay but also how to love myself. I love every part of you, and how you are stupidly protective of me, even though I am the deadliest spy in the world at the moment, I love your cuddles and your eyes, and how easy it is to talk to you. I have loved these past god knows how many years of friendship, and then dating you. All I want to ask is, will you marry me?” Natasha said smiling like an idiot. “Uh, yes” Maria replied quickly. Maria pulled Natasha up, closing her arms around her. “I love you more than anything” Maria whispered, pressing her forehead against the top of Natasha’s head. “I love you too” Natasha whispered back. “Forever” Natasha looked up with a smirk.
“One last thing: Have you got any gum” Natasha asked, clicking the now empty ring box shut. Maria gave her a knowing look. “No gum”
Natasha laughed heartily, hearing their inside joke that started long ago. “Y’know I got Morse and Yelena to help me pick your ring” Maria told her with a loving smile. “What! The little shit!” Natasha exclaimed. Maria frowned. “She helped me pick out yours! And she didn’t tell me” Maria chuckled, “she didn’t tell me either” Maria shrugged. “May helped too, I was gonna ask Clint, but he can’t keep his mouth shut for shit” Natasha muttered. “Sometimes I wonder how he is a spy” Natasha added. Maria shook her head with a smile. This was gonna be a fun night.
As the light faded, they sat next to each other in each other’s arms, laughing about memories of their friendship and relationship. Peace settled between them, satisfaction almost. The area around them was almost silent, just the soft chattering of their conversation…