Steve Rogers x Natasha Romanoff (part 7)
Steve reached his bedroom shortly after he managed to escape his arguing teammates and as soon as he sat on his bed he let out a breath he didnāt even know he was holding.
āWhat a messā¦ā he mumbled to himself as his back hit the mattress, his feet still pressed to the ground.
He stared at the ceiling, the voices from the hallway just barely reaching him. Millions of questions were swirling in his head, though he wasnāt sure whether he truly knew the answer to any of them, nor if he actually wanted to know. But somehow, despite his best efforts to brush them off, they just kept coming back to him stubbornly. Was Tony right about his feelings after all? And if so, would he really be willing to help him out or did he just see this as a new opportunity to mock him? What about Clint?
His train of thought was interrupted by a knock on the door.
Steve closed his eyes feeling the annoyance slowly taking over his body, his mind coming up with various ways to murder the insufferable billionaire.
He was about 2 seconds away from calling Tony all the names under the sun when the door slowly opened, revealing the figure standing in the doorway.
Relief washed over Steve and his anger subsided when he was met with the sight of a young brunette with a sheepish look on her face rather than the one of the know-it-all genius he had been dreading. He smiled and motioned her to come inside. She hesitated for a second longer before closing the door behind her and sitting next to him.
āAre you okay?ā Wanda asked, her voice laced with concern.
āYeah, just a bit crankyā Steve chuckled trying to brush it off. āDidnāt really get enough sleep last nightā
Wanda just stared at him for a long moment and he felt so exposed under her thoughtful gaze. It was almost as if she knew what he was thinking, what he was feeling. She averted her gaze to her lap where she was fiddling with her fingers, frowning slightly.
āYou know you can talk to me, Steveā
The soldier sighed, admitting defeat almost instantly. He knew that there was no point in trying to put up a front for her because he knew she could read all of them like an open book. And after all, this conversation was bound to happen at some point, so they might as well get it over with.
āI know, butā¦ Iām still a bit confused about my own feelings and I justā¦ I donāt know where to start.ā He said truthfully and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
āMaybe start by explaining what happened in the kitchen? With Tonyā¦?ā she suggested and Steve took a deep breath before telling her everything that happened these last few days: from the first time he felt that foreign feeling in his chest while they were watching movies, to his outburst this morning and lastly: what Tony had to do with any of it.
āAnd what do you say about Tonyās idea?ā Wanda asked him, a glint in her eye as she studied him.
āIā¦ā Steve stopped and thought about his last conversation with Tony.
Ā āMaybe if you werenāt so damn stubborn you wouldāve just accepted your feelings for Nat and tried to figure out a way to tell her instead of acting like a childā
Ā Then another image appeared in his head. Fiery red hair, a confident smirk playing on perfect, soft lips and finally the slightly daring look in those piercing green eyes. And just like that, the answer became clear as day. He felt heat creeping up his neck, his face turning a deep shade of pink. āI think he might be right.ā
Ā It took everything in Wanda to suppress the smile threatening to break out on her face. Needless to say, the fangirl inside of her was doing a little victory dance while screaming in joy.
āDo you thinkā¦ā Steve paused and sat upright, fidgeting nervously. It was quite an endearing sight, seeing a man his age, reputation and physique being so antsy because of a crush. āDo you think thereās a chance that she likes me back?ā
Wandaās eyes softened and she reached out to put her soft hand on top of his and squeezed it ever so slightly. She opened her mouth to reassure him, to say that yes, of course Nat likes him back. But she stopped herself when she remembered the scene she had witnessed just before leaving the kitchen: Natasha and Bucky engulfed in a conversation, their faces much too close for a casual talk and a hint of disappointment covering Natashaās features when he pulled away. Wandaās inner struggle mustāve been showing on her face because Steve looked at her questioningly.
āIāll try to find outā she forced a smile, hoping it didnāt look as fake as it felt. He studied her face for a second before smiling back at her genuinely.
āThank you, Wandaā he said gratefully as he pulled her into a side-hug. She leaned into him, her thumb gently rubbing circles on his hand. When she looked up at his pure blue eyes, she prayed to anyone who would hear her that her eyes had deceived her this morning, that her assumption was wrong.
He doesnāt deserve heartbreak. Especially not the one as cruel as that. She thought to herself, her heart twisting painfully in her chest at the mere thought of that possibility.
Just then, the door swung open and Clint walked in without knocking (a really annoying habit of his if you ask any of the other residents of the tower).
āWanda, you-ā his voice died in his throat as he caught sight of the two of them. He stood there for a few seconds, an unreadable expression on his face, before Steve cleared his throat and snapped him out of his thoughts.
āSorryā¦ Bruce called. You. To, ummā¦ come out. I mean, he, uhā¦ ā Clint fumbled over his words and the pair watched him in utter confusion. He took a deep breath and seemingly gathered his thoughts, because the next words that came out of him mouth were more coherent. āBruce sent me to tell you that heās waiting for you in the lab and that he needs your help with something.ā
The look of realization flashed over Wandaās face and she jumped to her feet.
āOh God, I totally forgot about that. Thank you Clintā she patted his shoulder as she passed him and rushed to the door, but stopped just before exiting and turned to Steve once again.
āIāll talk to you laterā
They shared a small smile before she slipped out and he was left alone with the archer.
āSoā¦ā Clint started, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked like the embodiment of discomfort and everything from his posture to the look on his face screamed awkward but Steve couldnāt tell why for the life of him.
Steve gave him a questioning look which Clint didnāt catch because his refused to meet his gaze. Not knowing what else to do, he stood up and walked over to his comrade, putting a steady hand on his shoulder.
āAre you okay?ā
āI should be the one asking you thatā Clint laughed dryly. āThough you seem to be in a better mood now.ā
āYeah, I actually am.ā Steve smiled to himself, thinking of his conversation with Wanda from mere minutes ago.
āLook, Steveā Clint said as he finally looked the soldier in the eye, a sudden seriousness washing over his features. āTony told me about certain problems youāve been having concerning you love life and although he took his time beating around the bush he managed to get his point across. And I-ā
He stopped himself and took a deep breath. It was evident that he was distraught and struggling to put his thoughts into words, but in all honesty his friend was in no better condition. Steve felt his stomach drop at Clintās words and color drained from his face in horror.
Clint knew. Tony freaking told him and Clint knew and now heās here to confront him and if Steve ever gets out of here alive (both physically and mentally) their team will be consisting of one less member by the end of the day.
āClint, I-ā
āNo, Steveā the other cut him off with determined voice, but he seemed less stern now and more concerned. āJust listen, okay? Iām sure that Tony has tortured you enough already and I have no intention of doing that. Itās just thatā¦ Are you sure? ā
The question threw him off.
āWhat do you mean?ā
āI mean, are you sure that you like her?ā
āOf course I doā he responded quickly, feeling slightly offended. Why would Clint ask such a preposterous question? What was there not to like about Natasha? Clint of all people should know just how likable she was considering the amount of time he spends with her. Despite still feeling a bit defensive, Steve realized that in reality he himself actually came to terms with his feelings only recently. He sighed and added a bit more calmly: āI mean, now Iām sure of it. It took me some time to figure it out, but now that I think about it, I feel like thereās a chance Iāve always felt that way towards her. I just hadnāt realized it.ā
They stared at each other in silence for a few moments, Steveās face painted with newfound determination and certainty while Clint studied him intently. Then, his expression changed into a more relaxed one, corners of his lips turning up slightly as a small smile replaced his frown.
āI trust you Cap. I really do.ā He said with a genuine voice. āI just wanted to check if you were serious about this. About her.ā
He put his hand on Steveās shoulder and gave it one firm squeeze which somehow felt both like a reassurance and a warning. āSheās like family to me. Donāt break her heart.ā
With those words, he turned around and left the room, closing the door behind him. Steve couldnāt bring himself to move even after Clintās footsteps could no longer be heard from the hall. The conversation took a really unexpected turn and he kept replaying it in his head, trying to let it sink in.
Did Clint really just tell him that he doesnāt have romantic feelings for Natasha, while also giving him a blessing to try to win her over?
