Chapter Text
"I can't believe this is happening. The forecast showed clear skies for today!" Natasha groaned as she looked out the window of the pet shop.
"Well, as good as the weather channel is, they can be inaccurate from time to time," Wanda replied as she joined her friend by the window. "I would totally have let you use my umbrella, but I wore my raincoat today, so..."
"Don't worry about it, Wan. It's my fault for not being at least a little bit prepared." Natasha walked back to the counter. "I really have to go soon and pick Darcy up from the airport in, like, five minutes. This sucks." She cupped her chin in her hand and sighed, then glanced at the animal-themed umbrellas by the cash register.
Well, it wasn't a desirable option, but...
"Wanda, aren't those umbrellas ten dollars a-piece?"
"Uh, no. They're eight dollars now because no one's been buying them."
"I will." Natasha went behind the counter and picked up her purse, taking her wallet out of it.
"Are you sure you want to buy one of these umbrellas, Natasha? Just the other day, we were talking about how lame these were."
"Yeah, well, I need to go and I refuse to go outside and let my beautiful hair get all frizzy."
Wanda chuckled and shook her head. "Girl, you are far too addicted to that flat iron of yours."
Pulling out eight dollars from her wallet, Natasha opened the cash register and placed the money inside. "Hey, a girl has to make sure she looks good. Even if it is just for a work day." She put her purse strap on her shoulder and grabbed one of the umbrellas. "I'll see you tomorrow, Wan."
Her brunette friend gave her a hug. "Okay. Tell your crazy cousin I said hi."
"Will do. See ya." Natasha waved at Wanda, then stepped outside of the store. Thanks goodness there was an awning right above the pet shop, so she could open the umbrella and not worry about getting wet. There was just one problem.
The umbrella didn't open.
Natasha grunted and struggled with the thing, trying to get it to open with no success. "Come on! Open already!" She kept pushing the button, but nothing happened. A handful of minutes passed and no progress had been made. I do not need this right now! She thought in aggravation. Frustrated, she pushed the umbrella forward, as if she were brandishing a sword.
To her surprise, this time, the umbrella decided to cooperate and it opened accordingly. A shout of victory was on Natasha's lips, but her happiness was short-lived. When she stuck the umbrella out, it unfortunately struck a man. The loud "Oh!" grabbed her attention, as did the impact of her umbrella hitting someone.
She squealed and lowered her umbrella to see a man bent over and groaning in pain. Instinctively, she reached out and grabbed for his arm. "Oh, my God! Sir, are you okay?! I am so sorry!"
The poor man continued to make agonising sounds and Natasha took the initiative, opening the pet shop door with her other hand and tugging him in behind her.
Wanda met them at the door, a puzzled look on her features. "Natasha? What's going on? Who's this?"
"I dunno. I couldn't get my umbrella open for a bit and when it finally decided to work, I accidentally hit him." Natasha let go of the man's arm and touched his shoulder cautiously. "Sir. Sir, are you alright?"
"Mmgh, I will be in a minute," came the strained reply.
"I really am sorry about this. I was so focused on getting my umbrella open, that I didn't see you coming. I hope I didn't hit you too hard. Is your stomach okay?"
"Ha...you didn't hit me the stomach. More to the south, actually."
Both Wanda and Natasha froze and stared at each other for a split second before realising just where the man was holding himself. Wanda put her hand to her mouth and fought back laughter while Natasha scowled at her and felt waves of shame and embarrassment roll over her.
There was an awkward silence in the air, save for the light sound of Nat King Cole singing on the store's speakers. It took Natasha a few moments before she could find her voice. "...I am so, so sorry, sir. I had no idea I hit you in such a...mm, private area."
The man breathed in and out deeply a few times and stood up a bit straighter. He was still visibly in pain, but he have Natasha a tight smile. "It's alright. You didn't do it on purpose."
"Is there anything I can get for you? Do you need a cup of water or..." Natasha's words trailed off when she realized what a handsome man this guy was. He'd been wearing a hoodie, but now, it was pushed back so she could see his damp blond hair and brilliant blue eyes. There was maybe a couple days old stubble on his chin and he had a very nicely shaped jaw.
Holy shit. I wonder what he looks like underneath that hoodie, she thought to herself lasciviously.
"No, but next time I run into you, I'll be sure to wear a cup." His eyes sparkled with light humor at the self-deprecating joke and she laughed half-heartedly.
"Ha. Um...well, I have to go, but...it was nice to meet you-I mean, no, it wasn't! Not that it wasn't nice to meet you, but the circumstances which we met we terrible and I'm really sorry." She closed her mouth before she babbled longer and embarrassed herself further while doing it.
Wanda gave Natasha a smirk and said, "You'd better go if you want to be there in time to pick up Darcy."
Natasha had been looking into the man's eyes, mesmerised by the colour of them. They were the most beautiful eyes she'd ever seen. And that mouth. Mercy, he had a pair of lips that were just begging to be kissed. She stared at him until Wanda's words cut through her reverie.
"Oh! Yeah, you're right. I need to get out of here." Natasha nodded at Wanda and looked up at Mr. tall, dark and handsome. "I hope I didn't cause any irreparable damage."
"Well, if you did, I'll come to you for help," he responded, a sultry smile on his features.
For a second, Natasha wrinkled her brow. Was that meant to be sexual or is my mind just in the gutter? She shook her head. It was time to leave. "Alright. I'm out. See ya." She waved at Wanda and gave hot stranger guy an apologetic look before going through the door again. This time, she looked around carefully before opening her umbrella. It wouldn't do to make the same mistake twice.
As she got in her corvette, she wondered if she would see the man again. Probably not. He had a new face and the customers that came into the pet store were usually familiar faces. This was a small town after all. He was likely just another person passing through.
She recalled those blue eyes of his. What a shame, though. Something told Natasha that he was an interesting man and that, if she'd had the chance to get to know him, she'd really like him.