Didn’t hit your line.
Didn’t pop up.
Didn’t say not one damn word.
Which was fine. Totally fine. You weren’t pressed.
Not really.
You had a life. A job. Rent. A soft little routine.
Did your Target runs. Lit your candles.
Even hooked your iPad up to the TV like a suburban housewife and watched your little shows.
But still.
Every time your phone buzzed?
Your eyes flicked to the screen too fast.
You tried not to, but your body did it anyway.
It was dumb. You knew that.
A man like that don’t linger. Don’t play house. Don’t kiss you soft and sit on your couch like he belonged there unless he’s got a reason.
And if you weren’t the reason — well. You wasn’t gonna beg for it.
So you did what hot, sad bitches do when they need a reset.
You got dressed.
And hit the club.
Your friends were already inside when you walked up.
Music spilling out the door. Bass so heavy it shook the sidewalk.
You were cute, too.
Thighs out. Gloss poppin’.
That short dress that hugged you like a problem.
One of your girls whistled when she saw you.
“Ouuu, not you comin’ out like you got revenge on your mind — who got you feelin’ sexy like that, girl?”
“Nobody,” you lied. “I just needed some air.”
“Uh huh.”
Whatever.
You grabbed a drink and danced anyway.
Tried to lose yourself in the crowd, in the bass, in the strobe lights and the slippery neon fog.
Tried not to think about him.
But God ain’t like you. He don’t let you lie for long.
Because when you turned around —
There he was.
Smoke.
Not in a hoodie this time.
Nope.
Tonight, he was in a black tee that hugged his arms and hung loose off his belt, jeans low on his hips like a sin, gold chain catching every light in the room.
He looked so good, you damn near moaned on sight.
Lord.
It's been too weeks too long and you forgot how tall he was. How that walk looked — slow, heavy, like he was carrying something dangerous in his back pocket.
His eyes found you like they’d been searching all night.
And when they landed?
Whew.
That stare had you wanting to throw your phone across the damn club.
You didn’t move.
Didn’t smile.
Didn’t give him shit.
You just kept sipping your drink, real slow, like your knees weren’t already warm and turned away, as if that would make everything better.
He came up behind you, didn’t say nothing. Just leaned in a little — voice deep, low, close enough to brush your ear.
“I was gon’ call.”
You turned your head a little, gave him a look.
“Uh huh.”
“I had to handle some shit.”
“Of course you did.”
His eyes dragged down your body like he was trying to catch up for lost time.
“Missed me?”
You scoffed, rolled your eyes.
“You missed me,” he said, already sure.
You started to say something slick, but he was already reaching — hand sliding around your waist like it was made to be there.
“You look good, baby,” he said.
And lord…the way he said baby.
Like a prayer.
Like a promise.
Like a problem you couldn’t wait to get tangled up in again.
“You ain’t supposed to be out here alone,” he muttered against your ear, voice wrapped in molasses.
“I’m not alone.”
“You ain’t with me.”
“You not my man.”
“Yet.”
Girl.
You had to finish your drink just to keep from screaming.
Your friends were watching.
One of them caught your eye and made the oooh he fineee face. You ignored her. Barely.
“Why you here?” you asked. “Don't you got corners to haunt or empires to run?”
“Empire still standing. I wanted to see you.”
“And you just knew I’d be here?”
He smirked.
“Like I said. People talk. Eyes on you.”
“That’s not creepy at all.”
“I ain’t tryin’ to be cute. I’m tryin’ to keep you safe.”
Safe.
You hated that the word made something in your chest flutter.
“You don’t even know me,” you said.
He leaned down just a little, nose brushing your cheek.
“I know enough.”
He didn’t try to dance. Didn’t drag you off. Just stood there. Close. Warm.
Watching you.
Protecting you...?
Claiming you without saying the words.
And you let him.
Because what else were you gonna do?
Act like your thighs weren’t shaking?
Pretend that kiss from two weeks ago didn’t haunt your dreams?
Lie and say you didn’t want his hands on your skin?
You finally turned to face him.
Head tilted. Arms folded.
Slick as always.
“You done handling whatever that shit was?”
His smile was slow this time. Crooked.
“Not even close,” he said. “But I’ll make time for you.”
You were maybe halfway through your sixth drink when the tipsy started to hit.
Not the sloppy kind.
The cute kind.
The I’m smiling a little too hard, my hips feel loose, and I want to make bad decisions with a good-smelling man kind.
And lordddd—he was right there.
Still standing behind you, still close. One big hand ghosting the curve of your waist like he knew you were starting to melt.
“I shouldn’t let you drink like that,” he murmured, deep and gravelly, against the shell of your ear.
“Why?”
“‘Cause then you gon’ start actin’ up.”
You leaned back a little, smiling like a brat.
“And what if I wanna act up?”
He exhaled — low and slow, like you were getting to him.
You were.
You felt it.
His hand slid lower, not too low, but just enough to let you know he wasn’t playing fair.
“You tryin’ to get in trouble?”
“Already in it,” you muttered.
And that was it.
That was all it took.
Next thing you knew, you were in the back of a sleek black car, windows tinted too dark to be legal, the city sliding past like it was watching you make a mistake.
You weren’t even nervous.
You should’ve been.
But you weren’t.
“Where we going?” you asked, a little breathy, a little buzzed, legs crossed and hand pressed to your thigh like you needed to keep your heart from leaping out.
“My place,” he said.
“Is it nice?”
He didn’t answer. Just looked at you out the corner of his eye, smirk curling his lip like ‘you’ll see.’
And baby. You saw.
His house?
Was not a regular ass house.
This was not no “man cave, LED lights, half-eaten wings on the counter” type of bachelor spot.
No.
This was grown.
This was dangerous man with money and secrets levels of fine.
Soft lights. Dark wood. Cold stone countertops. Art on the walls that looked like it cost more than your whole rent for a good couple months.
A massive floor-to-ceiling window facing the city skyline.
And it was quiet.
No TVs blaring. No music. Just the low hum of the fridge and the sound of your heels hitting the floor as you walked in like you hadn’t just made the worst best decision of your week.
“Smoke,” you breathed, doing a slow turn. “What the hell do you do?”
He took your jacket, didn’t answer.
Just hung it on a hook and walked past you like he owned everything in the world.
“You want some water?”
“Nah, I want you.”
You hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
But you were tipsy.
And a little freaky.
And he looked so good, standing there all quiet and fine with his jaw clenched and his eyes low like he could already smell what you wanted.
You took a few steps toward him.
And he didn’t move.
Just let you come close, slow, like you were testing something.
Your hands slid up his chest — slow — and lord that man was solid.
He looked down at you like you were a riddle he wanted to solve with his mouth.
You tilted your head, smiled. “Still tryna keep me safe?”
He dipped his head a little, whispering — “I’m tryna keep you mine.”
Whewwwww.
He kissed you before you could even react.
Hard.
Like he’d been starving.
Like he was mad you were out there in the world and not already pressed against him like this.
And you…
Baby. You melted.
Gripped his shirt.
Lifted on your toes.
Moaned into his mouth like a little problem.
He picked you up so fast your brain lagged a second.
Next thing you knew, your legs were around his waist, your back was on some soft-ass couch, and his mouth was on your neck like he was trying to figure out where to bite first.
“Goddamn,” you gasped, grabbing at him. “Why you this fine?”
He just chuckled low, a little mean.
“You still drunk?”
You nodded. “A little.”
“You always act like this when you drink?”
“…maybe.”
He pulled back, eyes dark and glinting.
“You gon’ let me find out?”
Let?
LET??
Sir.
You were already undone.
Already laying there squirming with your dress riding up and your pulse thumping like a bassline.
So you sat up.
Slid your hands under his shirt.
Let your mouth trail down his throat just enough to make him grunt.
“Why don’t you show me what you been handling these last two weeks?”
That was all it took.
He picked you up again like you weighed nothing, carried you through that fancy ass house like a fever dream, and the next thing you knew —
You were in his bedroom.
And girl.
It was worse.
Soft gray sheets.
Pillars of shadow and light.
More floor-to-ceiling windows with the moon shining right in.
Like something out of a movie.
Or a memory you’d been waiting to fall into.
He laid you down so gentle it made your heart ache.
Palmed your thigh. Watched your face.
Like he needed permission. Like he needed you to say yes even though your body already had.
You pulled him down by the chain around his neck.
“You gone keep playing with me or what?”
And then — he stopped.
Just for a second.
Looked at you.
Really looked.
And he said—
“You sure?”
And girl. That’s when you knew.
You were cooked.
Because even though his voice was deep and mean and velvet-rich, there was care in it.
And that made you want him more than anything.
So you pulled him in and whispered,
“Don’t make me ask twice.”
And he didn’t.
One second you were teasing him by that chain, and the next — you were on your stomach, hips lifted, cheek pressed to the plush of that expensive-ass comforter, looking back with your brows furrowed.
He’d pulled your dress up and your panties down like they offended him.
Didn’t even rush.
Didn’t talk much.
Just stood there behind you for a second, one big hand gripping the meat of your thigh like he was lining up a shot he was not gonna miss.
And then —
Lord.
That first stroke?
Deep.
Slow.
Painfully good.
You gasped into the sheets, fingers grabbing for anything, back arching nasty off instinct.
“Smoke —”
He exhaled real low.
Did it again.
Slid back in like he was tryna carve himself into your soul.
And you felt all of him.
Thick.
Heavy.
Dragging against every soft spot you had with a pace that was filthy in its control.
He fucked you like he had all night.
Like he didn’t need to chase it.
Like he was making you lose your mind first.
And babyyy — you were.
You were gasping into the sheets, body rocking forward with every stroke, thighs trembling, toes curling hard in the blanket.
“Shitttt — smoke—”
He groaned behind you.
“You takin’ it so good.”
That voice???
That deep, almost lazy voice like he was in a trance from the way you squeezed around him every time he slid back in??
It had you GONE.
You tried to push back.
Tried to meet him stroke for stroke.
But he caught your hips—held them down with both hands like 'nah, let me work.'
And he did.
Deep, slow strokes that ached.
That made you whimper and slap the mattress with a shaking hand like—'goddamn.'
You were losing it.
Legs starting to give out.
Back arched up so sweet your lower spine was humming.
Face buried in the blanket, eyes rolling every time he bottomed out with a thick, quiet grunt.
“Fuck, baby, you feel — mm — you feel too good,” he muttered, a little strained now.
Like your shit was really getting to him.
And it was.
You felt him twitch.
Felt his grip tighten.
Felt his rhythm falter just a little as he locked his hips deeper and held it.
Just pressed into your ass, thick and full and pulsing, like he wanted to live there.
But he didn’t come.
That man just pulled out slow, grunted under his breath — “mm-mm. Not yet.”
And flipped you over.
Round two came fast.
Didn’t even give you time to breathe.
Your legs were still shaking.
Your pussy still clenching at air like it missed him.
But he was back.
Kissing you messy now.
Dragging the tip across your folds just to tease before sinking back in.
Faster.
Not too fast.
But more urgent.
More filthy.
More 'I should’ve had you weeks ago and I’m making up for it now.'
You moaned loud, head thrown back, nails dragging down his back like — 'yes please thank you more.'
He buried his face in your neck, groaning now.
Little, breathless sounds against your skin.
Hands planted firm on either side of your head, his body caging you in.
He fucked you like he wanted to own every damn part of you.
Your moans.
Your breath.
Your arch.
Your fucking soul.
And when he hit that spot?
When that thick dick curved just right and dragged over it a few times like he was taking notes??
You folded.
Tried to close your legs.
Tried to twist away.
He didn’t let you.
Just grabbed your thighs and pushed deeper.
Mouth at your ear now —
“Where you goin’, huh?”
“You was talkin’ all that shit — now you running?”
“Take it. Take all this dick.”
You screamed.
Not loud.
Not theatrical.
Just real.
A raw, gutted moan from deep in your chest that came right with that sharp, perfect burst of pleasure that had you seeing stars.
Your orgasm hit hard.
Made your whole body clench around him like a fist.
Back arched, hands clutching the sheets like you were scared you might float away.
And still — he didn’t come.
He kept going.
Harder.
Meaner.
Like he was chasing it now, low growls spilling from his chest like thunder.
He buried his face in your neck again.
Grunted once.
And finally — finally — he twitched inside you, hips stuttering as he filled you up with a hot, heavy pulse that made you moan again.
Just one long, breathless “fuckkkk.”
The room was quiet after that.
Except your breathing.
And his.
Both of you laying there, sticky and tangled up in the mess y’all made, heartbeats racing like you just ran through the apocalypse hand-in-hand.
He kissed your shoulder.
Real soft.
Almost shy.
You laughed a little — voice hoarse.
“You gon ghost me again?”
He looked up from your neck.
And that man smirked.
“After this?” he said, slow, cocky, voice low as hell.
“I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
You ain't even realize he pulled out until the bed creaked, real soft-like, and the heat of his body left you.
You blinked.
Felt all loose and jelly-limbed, like your bones had melted under that big ass man.
Face still buried in his pillow.
You were still tryna process what the hell just happened.
Your legs twitched.
Still trembling.
Your whole pussy was throbbing, empty and wet and so overstimmed you could barely think.
And then —
You felt him.
That soft wipe of a warm towel between your thighs.
A gentle little 'shh' when you flinched.
Big hands bracing your thighs open like he was apologizing for fucking you so deep.
“Still sore?” he asked, real low.
Like he was asking if you needed a minute, or a whole second round.
You hummed something that didn’t sound like English.
“Damn,” he chuckled under his breath.
And you could hear the smug in it.
But also — something softer.
The towel moved slow.
Careful.
Wiping you clean like you were something delicate.
Like he gave a fuck if he hurt you.
And it hit you.
You never had this before.
Never had a man fuck you dumb and still hold you like he ain’t wanna let go.
Never had someone take their time cleaning you up when the high wore off.
Never had anybody kiss on your shoulder like you meant something right after they blew your back out.
It felt...nice.
Too nice.
You sniffed.
Stretched out lazy and boneless when he tossed the towel to the floor and leaned back over you.
“Don’t move,” he said, low.
“You good?”
You nodded, still kinda floatin’.
“Yeah…m’good…”
He kissed the top of your spine.
Then your shoulder.
Then your cheek.
One long kiss right between your brows.
You blinked up at him — soft, dazed.
He looked…different now.
Still fine as hell.
Still tatted and thick and built like a damn linebacker.
But — softer.
His eyes weren’t hard like when you first met.
His touch wasn’t cold.
He looked at you like he saw something in you he wasn’t expecting.
Then he stood up —
Still naked, dick still heavy and swinging, and lorddd you were tempted to climb back on that man —
But he just ran a hand over his face, muttered, “Be right back,” and went to grab something.
Came back in a pair of gray sweatshorts — that damn print was PRINTING — and tossed you the same kind but shorts...
“I ain’t got nothing cute, but you can wear these,” he said, dropping a folded-up black tee on the bed next to you.
“I’ll get you some socks too if you want.”
And — like —
You didn’t know whether to scream or suck his dick.
Cuz why the fuck did that feel so intimate?
Why he look so good in the warm light?
Why he still got lip gloss on his neck from earlier??
You put on the shorts.
They were big, of course.
Sat low on your hips.
The shirt too. Soft and clean and smelled like laundry and cologne.
You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror.
Hair a mess.
Lips swollen.
Whole thighs out.
And his shirt hangin’ off your shoulder like a confession.
Yeah.
You looked fucked.
And claimed.
You padded downstairs barefoot, the floor warm under your toes.
His place was quiet. Clean.
Minimalist but cozy.
Not the kind of space you expected from a man like him.
And he was already in the kitchen.
You leaned on the doorway, watching.
Quiet.
Just soaking it in.
He moved like he knew what he was doing—pulling shit from the fridge, turning the stove on, opening cabinets like he’d done this before.
“Not breakfast?” you teased, voice still a little hoarse.
He turned, a lazy smirk on his face.
“Nah. You gon’ need real food after that.”
WHYYY he say it like thattttt.
You bit your lip.
Felt another throb.
He pulled out a container of pasta, some veggies, chopped chicken—like he was ready.
He even poured you a glass of water.
Sat it next to the barstool and gave you that look.
“Drink this before I bend you over that counter.”
Your legs damn near gave out again.
“Yessir.”
He laughed.
Walked up behind you while the pan heated.
Kissed your temple.
Then your jaw.
Then your neck, where he knew he left a mark.
You leaned back into him with a soft little sigh, the weight of his body behind yours like a safehouse.
He liked kissing, you could tell.
The kind that didn’t rush.
That meant something.
Even if y’all hadn’t put a name to this thing yet.
You didn’t know his real name.
Didn’t even know what he did for work.
Didn’t know what any of this meant.
But right now, you were standing in a warm kitchen, wrapped in his shirt, belly rumbling, lips tingling, neck still sore from the way he kissed you while he stroked through you like he studied your body.
And he was cooking for you.
Not because he had to.
But because he wanted to.
This man — this quiet, deep-voiced demon of a man — was smiling a little while he stirred sauce in the pan like you didn’t just have your soul knocked into another timeline.
“Damn,” you mumbled.
“What?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder.
You looked him up and down.
The shorts. The arms. The softness.
The fact that he touched you like you were fragile after doing unspeakable things to your guts.
You sighed.
“Nothing. You just…fine as fuck. That’s all.” you breathed out.
He chuckled.
Walked over.
Took your chin in his hand and kissed you slow, deep, with a hum that had your toes curling again.
Then he said —
“Wait ‘til you taste how I cook.”
Smirked.
Turned back to the stove.
You sat down with your knees pressed together, whole body humming, thighs clenched.
You ain’t expect to get emotional behind some damn food, but here you were.
Sittin’ in this man’s dimly lit kitchen, in his oversized shirt, drinkin’ cold water while your insides still shivered from how he handled you in the bedroom —
And the smell hittin’ your nose like somebody’s Southern auntie been hoverin’ over that stove for hours.
Garlic. Butter. Onion. A lil heat in the back of your throat.
He threw something in that pan that was doing spiritual things to your spirit.
Like it was hugging the parts of you that ain’t been held in a while.
You blinked.
Fidgeted.
Chewed on your thumbnail like you ain’t want your lip to quiver.
“You good?” he asked, lookin’ at you sideways while he stirred up some pasta in a cast iron skillet.
You nodded.
Too quick.
Voice a lil too light.
“Mhm…I’m fine…”
Lie.
You was not fine.
You was bout two seconds away from cryin’ over sautéed chicken and perfectly seasoned noodles.
What the fuck.
“I put a lil cayenne in there,” he said casually.
“Not too much though. Just a kick.”
You swallowed hard.
“Yeah, okay, Chef Boyar-dick,” you whispered under your breath.
He heard you.
Grinned.
Didn’t say nothin’ — just looked at you with that smug ass I know what I did to you smirk.
Then he plated your food.
Real neat.
Pasta twisted all pretty. Chicken stacked just right.
Grated cheese on top. Sprinkled parsley like it was chopped with intention.
He even wiped the side of the plate off with a damn paper towel like he was competing on MasterChef.
OH YOU WANTED TO SOB.
He slid it over to you with a fork and another glass of water.
Didn’t even fix his own plate first.
“Eat, baby.”
Lorddd.
Your stomach fluttered.
Your coochie fluttered.
Your heart fluttered.
You scooped up a bite, let the noodles wrap around the fork, and took it to your mouth.
BAYBEEE.
Flavor exploded like a damn prayer on your tongue.
Savory. Warm. Just the right amount of heat.
Like the food was made by hands that knew what the fuck pain felt like.
You stared at the plate.
Stared at the man.
He watched you.
Quiet. Patient.
Like he wanted to see your reaction.
You chewed slow, then swallowed.
Put your fork down.
And then…
“Why you doin’ this?” you whispered.
Voice low.
Barely above the hum of the stove fan.
His brow furrowed.
“Huh?”
You licked your lips.
Blinkin’ fast.
Eyes glossed over.
“Why you bein’ all…sweet like this? Like — you dicked me down, cleaned me up, made me a plate — now you feedin’ me like I’m some kinda…favorite.”
He didn’t answer right away.
Didn’t try to joke it off.
He walked back over, real slow.
Took your chin in his hand again — soft.
Held your eyes in his.
“Because I wanted to.”
Simple.
Honest.
Soft.
You stared at him.
“You makin’ it real hard not to fall for you tonight,” you whispered.
His thumb brushed your cheek.
Then your lip.
His eyes dropped to your mouth like he was ready to kiss you all over again.
He didn’t say nothin’.
Just leaned in, real gentle, and pressed a kiss to your forehead.
Then your nose.
Then your lips.
And when he pulled back, he smirked.
“Who said not to?”
SCREEEEEEEEEAMMMMMMMM.
taglist - @sertonins - @crimsonxm00n - @klssngss - @juicypinksblog @mingisg00dgirl - @stilestotherescue - @imperfectlyperfect78 @hoouno06 - @kirayuki22 - @christinabae - (lemme know if I forgot any of you)
summary : "you got to tease your man, you got to please your man and let him know just how you feel. 'cause when he loves you right, it's a real done deal"
pairing: smoke moore x fem!reader
warnings: 18+ (mdni), language, smut, oral (male receiving), stack is heavy on that younger brother energy, use of n word, face fucking
a/n: short lil one shot about giving smoke head while he smokes a cigarette; hit my inbox with requests if you have any!
"Girl, yo' husband a certified asshole!"
Stack's voice arrived before he did, causing you to furrow your brows. The door swung open and revealed your brother-in-law, frowning as he walked into the room.
"You need to put his damn pecker in your mouth so he'll lose the fuckin' attitude!" he continued.
"Shut the fuck up, Stack" you heard your husband grumble, coming in right behind him.
You offered him a smile and ignored your brother-in-law's comment, knowing Stack had a special skill for tap dancing all over Elijah's last nerves.
"This nigga here meaner than a damn snake, I'm tellin' you," Stack continued, plopping down in the arm chair across from where you were seated. "Don't know how you deal with the motherfucker."
You gave him a short hum as a response. The calmness between the two told you that they weren't arguing about anything serious, just butting heads over something small.
"What'd my mean, mean husband do to you this time, poor baby Stack?" you questioned softly, a faux pout on your lips as you teased him.
Stack rolled his eyes at you, scoffing and mumbling about him not being a "damn baby," which earned a short laugh from Elijah, who had walked behind the couch you were sitting on and leaned down to press two soft kisses to the side of your neck.
You shivered from the contact, feeling your stomach twist now that he was back. He'd been gone a few days on business that you didn't care to know about. The two of you had an arrangement that as long as he came back in one piece and you stayed safe at home ready to take care of him when he returned, you would never need to know what he did when he left the walls of your shared home.
"Well, lemme tell you, my beautiful sister," Stack started, inhaling deeply. "Two of us was..."
Stack trailed off when he caught a mean glare from his brother that told him to be careful what all he revealed to you. He swallowed before continuing.
"On some business. Shit got outta hand with some of the men we was dealing with...white, y'know? I tell Smoke we need to just forget the shi-"
"Stack," Smoke warned.
"Forget the deal," he corrected. "Just forget the damn business deal and haul ass, but you know this nigga. All about his damn business, so he pulls out that pistol and start wavin' it around, threatenin' to put a bullet in everybody in the building."
Your eyes widened at the image your brother-in-law was painting for you. You'd be lying if you said you didn't like it, the idea of Elijah all tough and mean and doing anything to get the job done and bring some money home for you.
"I'm standin' there tryna calm his crazy ass down. 'Smoke, nigga this ain't the plan, calm yo ass down'. I kept sayin' the shit. Guess what this nigga do? Guess!"
You shrug, attempting to hide an amused smile. Stack could be a pain in your ass sometimes, but he was your little brother and he was one hell of a storyteller and you loved him.
"What did he do?" you humored softly.
"Nigga gon' pop me in the fuckin' mouth with the fuckin' gun!"
You hated to laugh, truly, but you couldn't help yourself. The giggles escaped you before you could stop them and it wasn't long before you heard your husband's low laughing above your head.
Stack rolled his eyes.
"Nah, now I see how you deal with his ass. You just as mean. Here I am thinkin' my big sister of all people would understand the sheer pain a nigga in but no. You don't give a damn, neither!"
You kept giggling as Stack stood, huffed, and left the room, going out back to do God knows what as you called for him to come back between laughs.
"He gon' be alright," you heard Elijah sigh, rounding the couch to sit beside you. "He gon' be just fine."
You smiled at him and leaned over, pressing a kiss to his lips and earning a hum from him.
"Missed you," he told you, "A lot."
"Missed you, too. You make us some money?"
He laughed at that.
"That all you care about?"
"It seems like somethin' to care about if you goin' round threatenin' white men. What's wrong with you, Elijah?" you questioned, a raised brow sending a shiver down his spine.
There were few people on the earth that could intimidate Elijah Moore. At the top of that list was his lovely wife.
"Yes, I brought you back some money, baby," he assured you.
You passed him one of the cigarettes you'd rolled for him yesterday and took the lighter off of the same side table that was holding the cigarettes and lit it for him when he placed it between his lips.
"Thank you, baby. You always so good to me," he cooed.
"I try," you replied gently, bringing your hand to his thigh and rubbing slowly.
Your touch, like always, never went unnoticed by Elijah. He raised his eyebrow and looked down at you, a dangerous glint in his eye.
Every time he left, he missed everything about you. He missed your eyes, your smile, your thick thighs and curves. Usually, most of all, he missed the way you tasted and the way you sounded when he took you apart piece by tiny piece. This time was no different. He was ready to dive into you completely.
"What you thinkin' bout, baby girl?" he asked you.
"Somethin' Stack said," you replied honestly, deviousness written all over your features.
Usually, you knew better than to take half the shit Stack said into account, but one comment of his got you thinking.
You'd never taken Elijah in your mouth before, but you'd heard some rumors about how good it can feel for both parties. It was just something you'd never thought about trying out, but for some reason, between Stack's comment, images of your husband getting tough and meaning all business, and him sitting right beside you with that damn cigarette in his mouth, you were ready to give it a shot.
"You know you can't listen to that nigga. He-"
"I want to try something," you cut him off. Standing and smoothing out the bottom of your dress before getting down on your knees in front of your husband.
You didn't miss the way his eyes widened a little, amusement and shock plastered on his dark features. He inhaled his cigarette before exhaling, eyes rolling back as the pleasure flooded through him and that look on his face alone was enough to certify this for you. You were going to make him cum from your mouth if it was the last thing you did.
You thought back to some of the conversations you'd had with Mary, the tips she'd given you for if you ever decided to try with Smoke.
'Tease him. Don't give in straight away. They like it when you play games.'
Your fingers trailed up his thighs softly before one hand rose to his crotch, pressing down gently. He shuddered at the contact, cocking his head to the side and looking down at you.
"What you doin'?" he asked you, a smirk growing on his face as he took the cigarette out of his mouth momentarily and held it in his right hand.
"You'll see."
He laughed shortly when you began to unbutton him, pulling his length free. His cock sprung up and landed on his stomach. He was hard and leaking and it was making your mouth water.
'Give him a lil' kiss. Right at the tip. Drives a man crazy.'
You pressed your lips against his tip, ghosting a kiss there and feeling satisfied when you heard his breath hitch. You kissed down his shaft and heard him grumble something about getting on with it.
You were beginning to feel a bit more adventurous and stuck your tongue out, finding the thick vein on his shaft and slowly licking it, earning a groan from him. You did it again, swirling your tongue along his length as he looked down at you with thinning patience.
"Quit playin', woman," he warned, no weight behind that threat. He was loving every second of your slow toying with him.
'Don't forget to spit on it. They love that.'
A string of spit dripped down onto his cock and he swore he was about to see stars. His fine ass wife in this state was enough to make him finish right then and there all over your face, but he kept his composure, taking another hit of his cigarette to focus on something other than the feeling of your warm saliva on him.
'Then it's up to you. Take the whole damn thing in your mouth and suck like a damn lollipop.'
You took him in your mouth, going down as far as you could go without gagging. Elijah cursed above you and you felt pride. He'd always been reactive to you.
'Anything you can't fit in your mouth, use your hand. After that, smooth sailin'.'
You gripped the base of his cock and stroked as you sucked on the rest, bobbing your head up and down.
"Fuuuck, baby!" he hissed, eyes rolling back like they had just moments ago. "Feel so fuckin' good."
You felt your cheeks warm up at the compliment and kept bobbing your head and sucking him. It felt good, but he needed more. He was so close.
"Lemme help you out a lil bit. You trust me, baby?"
You rose off of him, a string of spit falling on your chin and he shook his head at the sight. Your full breasts were getting spit on them as well and the neckline of your light pink dress was darker from the wetness of your saliva.
"I trust you. With my life, you know that."
"Alright, go back down."
You obliged, taking him back in your mouth and stopping when his hand gently pressed to the back of your head.
"Just breathe in, baby. This okay?"
You nodded as best you could and he smiled down at you.
"My pretty wife. Keep goin'."
You obliged, continuing to suck him as he pushing your head down. You choked a bit on his cock when his tip hit the back of your throat and you were expecting him to let you back up but the moan he let escape him told you he had other plans.
"Feels so fuckin' good. Breathe through your nose, pretty girl."
He'd always made sure you knew how beautiful you were to him, constantly calling you pretty and beautiful and everything in between. The man was in love with every single thing about you and he never failed to let you know it. You'd come a long way from the emotionally pent up version of him that you'd met. You first met him as Smoke, but the more your relationship grew, you got to know him as Elijah. Your Elijah.
Elijah loosened his grip on your hair, letting you come up for a minute to breathe before pushing you back down.
"You're makin' a mess," he grunted. "We gon' have to clean that up later."
The smell of cigarette smoke filled the room and you shivered, picturing him above you casually smoking while you were on your knees for him.
"Can I fuck those pretty lips?" he questioned, pulling you up again so that you could look him in the eyes. "Please?"
You nodded slowly. You'd do anything for him at this point. You knew after you were done with him he'd please you. You wondered if he could even imagine how wet you were for him at the moment.
"Whatever you want, baby," you replied softly, whole body feeling like it was on fire.
He cupped your face and lowered you back down, sloooowly pushing his tip past your lips before allowing you to sink all the way down on his cock. Elijah held you there for a moment, letting you get used to the feeling of him in your mouth again before thrusting his hips upwards.
You felt yourself clench around nothing at the feeling, growing impatient for him to fuck you where you needed him the most, but you didn't mind waiting. He deserved this, deserved to get this pleasure from you.
"Ssssoooo good," he moaned out, hips picking up speed as he felt himself getting closer and closer to his climax.
Your mouth was so damn warm and wet and perfect just like the rest of you. He couldn't believe the two of you had waited so long for this. He wasn't even sure how he could ever leave you at home again, beginning to contemplate bringing you along next time he and Stack had to handle business. That way you'd be there waiting for him when he needed to get some release.
The noises coming from you as his tip hit the back of your throat were nothing but sinful, but it was music to his ears, only spurring him on as he rambled about how perfect you were and how he was going to fuck you so good after this. You couldn't fucking wait.
"Shit, shit, shit, baby!" Elijah cried out, one last thrust sending him over the edge as he held your face against him.
He spilled into your mouth, warm and salty. The load was big. So big that you couldn't catch it all, some of it spilling out the side of your mouth and dripping onto his dick.
"Messy fuckin' girl," he mumbled, letting you finally come up for more air. "Where the hell you learn to do that, huh?"
You suddenly felt shy as he brought his thumb to your face, wiping away the mixture of your spit and his cum.
"Just some gossip around town," you told him, keeping your source to yourself, sure that he didn't want to hear that Mary had taught you everything she knew. He didn't need that mental picture of her and his brother.
"Well, you just keep listening to that damn gossip," he told you with a smile and dazed eyes. "Come up here."
You obliged, sitting down beside him once more.
He put a large hand on the back of your neck and pulled you close for a hot, messy kiss. His tongue slipped past your lips, tasting himself in your mouth. It was just heavenly.
He shook his head and put his cigarette out before standing.
"Gotta return the favor for my pretty girl," he told you, lowering to his knees and pushing up your dress. "Show you some tricks of my own."
Whole week had been trash —
your boss on your ass, car acting stupid, apartment loud as hell with neighbors fighting through the walls.
You needed a break.
So when your girls hit you up — “Bitch, we outside tonight, put some heels on” — you said yes.
You didn’t even think twice.
Short dress.
Glossy lips.
The kind of heels that said you might make a bad decision if the right man breathed on your neck.
The club was packed —
lights flashing, bass thumping deep in your chest —
and you felt yourself finally breathe when you got a drink in your hand and a song you loved came on.
You were dancing, laughing, living your little free life —
when you felt it.
Eyes.
Heavy.
Watching.
You turned your head — slow —
and caught them across the room.
Two of them.
Tall.
Built like trouble.
Dark eyes gleaming under the lights like wolves in the woods.
And fine?
God help you.
One leaned back against the wall —
arms folded, chewing on a toothpick —
looking at you like he already knew what you tasted like.
The other was talking to some girl, but his eyes?
Still on you.
You swallowed — heart hammering.
Your friends screamed when the song switched — dragging you further onto the dancefloor —
but you kept glancing back.
Who the hell was that? You couldn't really tell.
Fast-forward twenty minutes —
you outside cooling off, drink in your hand, scrolling on your phone.
And he stepped to you.
The one from inside.
Black jeans. Black hoodie. Gold chain swinging.
Those heavy-lidded eyes eating you alive.
“What’s your name, lil’ mama?” he said, voice low and slow.
You squinted up at him —
heart pounding —
but your mouth moved faster than your brain.
He was tall in that way that made you straighten your spine, hoodie hanging loose on that broad-ass frame like it was clinging for dear life. Gold glinted at his neck, catching the low streetlights, and the way his eyes moved—
Slow. Unhurried. Heavy-lidded like sin itself.
He wasn’t blinking.
Wasn’t smiling either.
He was watching.
And it was doing something to you that your little glossed-up, club-ready self hadn’t prepared for.
You scoffed lightly, not letting your eyes linger too long on his mouth, or his hands—veined, tatted, big enough to make your thighs press a little closer.
“Who, me?”
You sipped your drink. “I don’t know you like that, sir.”
That “sir” was sweet. Smart. Maybe a little sharp.
And it made his jaw tick.
He dragged his tongue across his teeth, slowly, like he liked the way you tasted already.
“You gon’ know me,” he said.
“Sooner or later.”
Lord.
He didn’t say it loud. Didn’t say it with a smile.
Just…stated it. Like gravity. Like fact.
You swallowed hard and tried not to show how hot your neck was getting.
He took a step closer.
Not enough to scare you. Just enough for the space between you to feel smaller. Warmer.
You leaned back against the wall casually, trying to play it cute—but your pulse was thudding. Your friends were still inside, probably throwing ass to the beat, and you were out here flirting with a man who could’ve been the devil’s body double.
“What’s your name?” you asked, voice smooth.
He smirked—but barely.
“Smoke.”
“That your real name?”
“Nah. But it’s the one you need to remember.”
You hummed, glancing down at your phone. Trying not to melt.
You had heard the name before. People whispered about him.
And his brother, Stack.
The Moore twins.
Trouble in two different fonts.
But Smoke? Smoke was the one they said moved different. Quieter. Crueler.
The one you didn’t want mad.
He didn’t act out.
He handled shit.
And here he was. In your face. Asking your name like it wasn’t probably already in his notes app under “sweet lil’ thing in that pretty dress.”
“You dangerous?” you asked him, tilting your head.
“What you think?” he said, voice low. “I look dangerous to you?”
He didn’t wait for an answer.
Didn’t need one.
Because the way your lashes dipped told him plenty. The way you bit the inside of your cheek, looked away real quick like you weren’t all hot in the chest…
Yeah. He knew what time it was.
But still—you had the final move. And you weren’t about to let him play you into giving it all up like a dumb little groupie.
So instead—you smiled.
Real pretty.
You put your hand out slow, took his phone when he offered it, and dropped your number in.
Just your first name. Nothing more.
He looked down at it like it was gold.
And when you handed it back—you leaned in. Light. Soft.
Kissed his cheek.
“That’s all you getting tonight, smoke.”
And then you turned—heels clicking, dress swaying—walking right back into the club like you hadn’t just left the king of the damn city standing there with your number in his hand and a smirk blooming slow on his face.
He didn’t even chase you.
Just watched.
You woke up in your bed with one heel still on and glitter in your eyelashes.
Head pounding.
Mouth dry.
Phone buzzing.
“Ughhh…”
You rolled over and squinted at the screen.
Smoke (Mobile)
9:07 AM.
Hell no.
You tossed the phone face down and curled back under the blanket.
Mind still foggy with club lights and too many tequila shots, feet sore from dancing in heels you should’ve thrown out two summers ago.
The night felt like a dream.
A blur.
Except him.
You remembered him crystal clear.
That voice.
That smirk.
That goddamn cheek kiss you gave him like some sweet lil’ Southern belle.
You groaned into your pillow.
Why did you do that?
Phone buzzed again.
Smoke (Mobile)
9:12 AM.
Back-to-back?
You side-eyed the screen, biting your lip.
And then—
Third call.
Smoke (Mobile)
Incoming Call…
You stared.
Then finally hit ignore.
“Sir, it’s not even 10am,” you muttered, dragging yourself upright.
You made it to the kitchen, sipping orange juice straight from the bottle like a menace, still in last night’s dress with one strap slipping off your shoulder.
You rubbed your temples, then your phone dinged.
Unknown Address shared a location with you.
Your stomach flipped.
No name.
No message.
Just a red pin hovering over your damn building.
You froze.
Then another message dropped.
“Come open the door”
No punctuation.
No emojis.
Just that.
Your eyes snapped to the door.
Was he joking?
You tiptoed over, heartbeat in your damn mouth.
Peeked through the peephole.
And there he was.
Black hoodie. Hood up. Leaning against the wall like he owned the entire floor. One hand in his pocket. Other hand holding his phone. Head down.
Smoke at your damn front door like he’d lived there his whole life.
You didn’t even think.
Just unlocked it.
He looked up when it clicked open — and that slow, heavy gaze rolled over you like smoke under a door.
“Damn,” he muttered, eyes dipping down your body. “You always look like this in the morning?”
You pulled the door open wider and stepped aside, blinking up at him.
“How the hell you know where I stay?”
He stepped in without answering, brushing your shoulder — his presence thick — that quiet heat pouring off him again.
He looked around slow. Clocked your messy counter, the couch, the half-dead plant in the corner.
“You live alone?”
“Yes, sir,” you said, arms crossed. “You still ain’t answer—”
“I will get to that,” he said, low. “I asked a question.”
You stared at him, mouth open.
He just smirked.
“Relax,” he said. “Ain’t like I kicked the door in. You let me in.”
Damn.
You did let him in.
Something about the way he stood — tall, calm, like a storm in a hoodie — made your mouth dry.
You cleared your throat.
“I need a shower.”
“Go ahead,” he said, tossing himself onto your couch like it belonged to him. “I’ll be here.”
You blinked.
He pulled his hood down, leaned back, spread his legs — just making space.
His gold chain caught the light. His eyes flicked to you.
“Go on, baby. I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
You stood there like a deer in headlights, every nerve buzzing.
You turned and headed to the bathroom — lowkey speed-walking — and locked the door behind you.
Your back hit the wood. Chest rising and falling.
Why was this man in your house?
More importantly—
Why did it feel good?
You stripped, hot all over, and stepped into the shower.
Let the water run over you while your mind raced.
He was sitting on your couch.
Comfortable.
Knowing damn well you were naked in the next room.
And your heart was pounding like you liked it.
You stepped out, dripping, towel wrapped around you, and cracked the door open to peek.
He was still there.
Phone in hand.
One knee bouncing slow.
“You good?” he called out, not even turning around.
“Yeah…”
You closed the door fast and leaned against the sink.
He didn’t knock.
Didn’t ask to come in.
Just showed up.
Showed up and sat there like he belonged.
And maybe that was the scariest part.
Because some twisted, hungover, half-dressed part of you?
Kinda wanted him to.
Anyway —
You weren’t about to be that girl.
Walking out in a towel like you ain’t have an ounce of sense.
He was fine, yeah. Dangerous, yes. Built like everything you knew you should run from…
But still.
You had dignity.
Even if you did keep looking at yourself in the mirror—checking your face, adjusting your curls, heart thudding like you had something to prove.
You took your time. Went out the bathroom and into your bedroom.
Lotioned slow.
Fresh pair of panties.
Cotton shorts.
Cropped tank top, soft and snug, your favorite one that always sat just right.
Simple. Cute.
Still had a little “you can leave if you want, I ain’t pressed” to it.
Even though you were very much pressed.
You stared at the door for a second.
Took a breath.
Then turned the knob and stepped out.
The scent of your vanilla body cream followed you like a cloud as you moved through the hallway—each barefoot step slow, hesitant, but steady.
And there he was.
Smoke.
Exactly where you left him.
Leaning back into your couch like it was a throne. Legs spread. One arm tossed over the backrest. Phone gone now—he was looking at you.
Eyes dragging from your face, to your neck, to your waist, to your thighs.
Slow.
Like he was learning you.
“You clean?” he said, voice low, warm.
You nodded once.
“You still here?”
He smirked.
Didn’t move.
Didn’t blink.
“You mad about that?”
“I ain’t say that.”
He nodded, eyes never leaving yours.
“But you thought about it.”
You shrugged, stepping into the kitchen to pour a glass of water—partly to distract yourself, partly to avoid looking back at him.
He watched you move, the way your shorts hugged your curves, the way your fingers curled around the glass.
“You let all strangers up in your spot like this?”
“You a stranger?” you asked, turning to lean against the counter.
His lips curved.
“Not after last night.”
You swallowed and sipped slow, heart tight in your chest.
"I kissed your cheek — you're acting like we fucked."
He wasn’t loud.
He wasn’t boastful.
But something about the way he said it — like you were already his — made your skin hum.
“So,” you said, setting the glass down. “You just…decided to pull up? No warning?”
“You ain’t answer the phone,” he said simply. “You gave me your number, yeah? Thought that meant something.”
You squinted.
“So you tracked me down?”
“Didn’t have to,” he said. “You know how many people know you? Or watch you? You too pretty to be out here thinking nobody’s paying attention.”
That made your breath catch.
And he saw it.
He leaned forward a little, elbows on his knees, voice dropping deeper.
“Don’t matter how late you leave. Don’t matter what you post or what you don’t. Eyes on you. Always. I’m just the first one to say something about it.”
You didn’t know if you were flattered or terrified.
Maybe both.
But you crossed your arms, trying to act cool.
“You always this intense?”
“Only when I want something.”
That shut you up.
Because that gaze? That posture?
He didn’t look like he wanted your number anymore.
He wanted you.
And not in some quick, messy way.
No.
He wanted to pull you. Keep you. Figure out how your day started and ended. Learn what made you tick. Put his name in your phone and in your mouth, just to hear how it sounded.
He wanted to sit on your couch with his hood off and his legs wide and look at you like you were already home.
And it was scaring you.
Just a little.
“You hungry?” you asked finally, voice smaller than you meant.
He leaned back, eyes raking over you again.
“I’m good. Unless you cooking.”
“You ain’t getting all that today, sir,” you said, smiled a little. “I’m still hungover.”
“I could fix that.”
You gave him a look.
He just chuckled — low and short — like he already knew he’d wear you down eventually.
And maybe he was right.
Because when you sat down across from him, arms still crossed, biting the inside of your cheek —
You didn’t tell him to leave.
But the quiet stretched out thick between you.
Not awkward — but heavy. Heavy like smoke after a fire. The kind of silence that made your skin itch ‘cause you felt like you were supposed to be doing something, saying something — but he was doing just fine saying nothing.
His eyes moved slow when he looked at you.
Not greedy, but precise.
Like he was trying to clock your tells. Your tics. The way you blinked when you got nervous. The little tongue poke when you were being smart.
Made you wanna fidget.
But you didn’t.
You sat on that couch, one leg crossed over the other, arms still tucked under your chest like a shield, trying not to let your eyes drop to the gold chain hanging loose around his neck.
That chain was disrespectful.
“So what you do?” you asked finally. “For work. For money. Or is that a rude question?”
Smoke snorted low — amused.
“What I do,” he said, dragging the word out, “ain’t always something you ask in daylight. Especially not when you still smell like vanilla body oil and got your knees showin’.”
You rolled your eyes.
“Sir—”
“But since you asked,” he cut in, “I got a few things. People call. I handle it.”
“So vague.”
“You want details, or you want the truth?”
“Both.”
He smiled—slow, lazy, like it tasted good in his mouth.
“Truth is, I move weight. Truth is, I don’t clock in nowhere. Truth is…” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees again, head tilting just slightly. “I don’t let nobody tell me what to do. Been that way since I was fourteen.”
You blinked.
He didn’t sound like he was bragging. No hype, no theatrics. Just matter of fact. Like he knew what he was and wasn’t about to apologize for it.
“So you are perilous.”
“I’m useful.”
“That what they call it now?”
“Only when I’m being nice,” he said, eyes dipping low as he glanced over your body again, “which I usually ain’t.”
You felt your breath catch. Again.
God, this man was good.
“I feel like I should tell you I don’t get down with all that,” you said, voice light, deflecting. “I like peace. Quiet. I like my little paycheck and my little business and my little sanity.”
“And yet,” he said, “you still gave me your number.”
Damn.
He had you there.
You leaned back, lips pursed.
“You’re real sure of yourself.”
“Nah,” he said. “I’m just sure about you.”
You looked away.
Because what the hell do you say to that?
No man ever told you that before—not like that. Not like he meant it.
Not like he already decided that the two of you were something, and your mouth just hadn’t caught up yet.
“You ever get tired?” you asked. “Of acting like nothing scares you?”
“You ever get tired of pretending you don’t like when I act like that?”
You snorted, surprised.
“You good at reading people?”
“I’m good at reading you.”
That stopped you. Again.
You felt your arms uncross before you even realized you were doing it.
Like some part of you was already surrendering.
Your voice was softer when you said, “Why me?”
Smoke let that question sit.
Then —
“’Cause you smart. Real smart. But messy with it. Like you trying to keep it together and falling apart at the same time.”
You blinked.
Hard.
“And you pretty,” he added. “But you don’t lead with it. You act like it ain’t your weapon. That’s cute. Dangerous too.”
Your throat got tight.
“And I like the way you talk. Mouth slick. You got fight in you. But your eyes? They stay looking for something. You tired, but not done yet.”
His voice dropped.
“I like that.”
You weren’t sure what emotion was creeping up your chest, but it was hot. Heavy. A little scared, a little intrigued. A lot turned on.
You leaned your head back on the couch.
“You always do this?” you asked. “Pull girls in with that therapy voice and street prophet energy?”
“Nah,” he said. “You special. I don’t do repeat games.”
You swallowed again.
"Right, right..."
Felt your stomach knot.
“You staying long?” you asked.
“Long as you let me.”
You looked at him.
He was still sitting back like he owned the room. But now his hand was resting on his thigh, slow-tapping, like he was thinking about moving.
Like he wanted to.
“Don't you got a brother?” you asked randomly, needing to ground yourself.
He nodded.
“Twin.”
You tilted your head.
“Fraternal or Identical?”
“Identical.”
“So there's two of you running around town?”
Smoke smirked.
“Yeah. But he ain’t me.”
You smiled — real slow.
“Noted.”
He tilted his head.
“Why? You planning to test it?”
“I don’t repeat games either.”
That made him grin — wide this time.
“Told you,” he said. “You real slick. Keep playing like that and you gon’ have a hard time getting rid of me.”
“Who said I wanted to?”
You didn’t even mean to say that out loud.
But the way his eyes lit up? Whew.
“Aight then,” he said, voice silk. “Now we getting somewhere.”
You rolled your eyes, checking the time without meaning to.
He’d been on your couch longer than some of your exes lasted in your bed. Legs spread like he paid rent here. Voice low and lazy like he had nowhere else to be.
So you said it.
“You don’t got shit else to do today?”
Smoke turned to you with that half-smirk, half-squint thing he kept doing. Like every word out your mouth amused him more than the last.
“I mean, I’m flattered,” you added, kicking your bare heel against the floor. “But I know y’all street boys don’t just sit still like this. Ain’t you got corners to stand on or money to count or something?”
He snorted.
“You think that’s all I do?”
“Ain’t say that,” you shrugged. “But I know you didn’t wake up and decide to play house on my couch. I’m not that fine.”
“You are that fine,” he said easily. “I just got better taste than time.”
You rolled your eyes.
“Boy, whatever.”
But he didn’t respond.
His phone buzzed.
Once.
Then again.
You clocked the quick glance he gave it. The screen lit up bright across his thigh. He tapped it, turned it face-down, didn’t move.
“What’s that?” you asked, leaning a little.
“Nothing.”
“Your girl?”
That made him grin. Head tipping back a little as he stared at the ceiling like he couldn’t believe you asked that.
“You think I’d sit this long in your house if I had somebody else blowing up my shit?”
“I don’t know. I’ve seen men do worse for less.”
“Ain’t my girl,” he said, straight-faced now. “If I had one, I’d have said it.”
You gave him a long look.
Didn’t say anything else.
But then the phone rang.
Loud. Sudden. The name flashed up — too quick for you to catch it — but his mood shifted the moment he saw it.
Just a flick of something. That calm-mask tightening.
“Yo,” he answered, standing up.
His tone dropped. Business.
He turned away, walked toward your door.
You stayed on the couch.
Didn’t ask.
You weren’t stupid. You didn’t need the details. Man like him? Phone call like that? It wasn’t brunch plans.
“Aight,” he said into the phone. “I’m on my way.”
He hung up.
Turned around.
And there it was — the shift back.
That calm he wore like armor.
You didn’t bother asking what it was. You already knew better.
Instead, you pulled your phone into your hand and scrolled. Just enough to let him know you weren’t pressed.
He watched you for a second. Then:
“Lemme get a kiss.”
You scoffed — head jerking up.
“You for real?”
“Deadass.”
“You wasn’t even here ten minutes and now you tryna act like this our place. Boy, please—”
“C’mon, baby,” he said, slow and syrupy. “You not gon’ do me like that.”
And the worst part?
You folded.
Not fast. Not right away.
But slow, like butter melting on hot bread.
You rolled your eyes — hard enough to give attitude — and stood.
“You so needy,” you muttered.
“You like that.”
You walked over.
He was already smirking.
And when you got close enough for him to reach — you knew.
You knew what he was gon’ do.
Still leaned in.
Still let him pull you in soft. One hand to your lower back, the other brushing your jaw.
His lips found yours like he’d kissed you before.
Like he’d been thinking about it since the second he saw you.
The kiss was slow — firm. Not sloppy, not rushed.
Just pressure. Warmth. Intention.
And right when you started to lean in deeper—
Boom.
Not one, but both his hands slid down to your ass.
Gripped.
Full palms, full squeeze.
You pulled back just enough to give him a look.
“Really?”
“You surprised?”
You tried to step back.
He didn’t let you.
Just stood there with that fucking smirk, hands still in place like they had a right to be there.
“You gon’ let go?”
“You gon’ ask me nice?”
“Smoke.”
“Aight, aight.” He finally eased up. “Go on then. I’ll call you.”
“Please don't.”
He leaned in one more time — kissed the corner of your mouth.
Then he was gone.
Door clicked shut behind him.
And your heart?
Still tapping a wild rhythm in your chest.
What the hell was that?
And why the hell did it feel like the beginning of something you wasn’t ready for?
Like let’s think about it - there’s kids in their bed every night. 6 different schedules not including their own to get through. 6 private school tuition and then college. 6 people always needed something.
No actual time for themselves or each other.
I have a drabble where R sort of has a mental breakdown and Natasha has to force her to take a break. It will surface some day.
And on top of it when Nat went on a mission and was away for 2 months (i think?) and R had to do it all on her own. Juggling 6 kids from moody teenager to babies that don't have a full grasp on bowel control. It's honestly a wonder that they haven't gotten a nanny?? Maybe it's the lack of trust in strangers to care for their kids?? Idk but I'm not surprised at the breakdown.
You love me, especially different every time. You keep me on my feet, happily excited
Spotting you across the room was always her favorite. There was something about the way you moved that kept her captivated. She would be glued to her spot, hoping you catch her staring, as you present your case to the guys around the kitchen counter. You'd laugh, your eyes so bright, your smile so wide, and suddenly you would look over.
And you would wink.
Every time, you winked, and she melted.
You would turn back to the team, who were all now watching her from over your shoulder. You'd excuse yourself and saunter over to her. Natasha's breath would catch in her throat.
By your cologne, your hands
She loved how you smelled. It was feminine and light, but it was you, and she wanted nothing more than to roll around in it. And she knew exactly how to get her fix. She'd lay awake, pretending to be asleep, as you got ready for the day. You would shower and get dressed, and then you would lean over and press a kiss to her forehead.
Your smile, your intelligence
You woo me, you court me
Your hands drift from her shoulder to her lower back whenever you hug.
The first time it happened, it was an accident. A simple squeeze of the hand that lingered a little too long. Natasha didn't notice it the first time. She didn't notice it the second or the third or the fourth time. You didn't mention it, so she didn't bring it up.
She did, however, notice that you started doing it more often. It became a habit. When she was standing by herself, you'd find your way over and slip an arm around her waist. When you were sitting on the couch, you would rest your hand on her thigh. When she would lean against you, your arm would snake its way around her shoulders, pulling her in close.
Her mind would go crazy, her heart would race, her face would heat up.
You tease me, you please me
You school me, give me some things to think about
Natasha loves it when you point out her silly mistakes. She's an assassin. Her life was built for perfection. She was built to be perfection. When she gets ketchup on her shirt or trips over her words you don't laugh. You help. You wipe off the stain and teach her the phrase. You don't want her to feel embarrassed. You want her to succeed. You want her to know she can.
Your voice, your lips, your touch
She never had to ask for anything. All she had to do was look. You knew what she wanted, and you did whatever you could to give it to her.
Ignite me, you invite me
A playful touch on her arm or her shoulder was all it took to get her attention.
It's all I can do to not grab your hips and kiss you hard.
"You can't even imagine what I want to do to you right now," You would murmur to her.
"Let's get out of here, yeah?"
Your fingers brush her wrist. It was a good idea.
You co-write me, you love me, you like me
You incite me to chorus, ooh
"I'm going to have a lot of fun with you," You purr into her ear, before biting her earlobe gently. "Now, go wait for me in the bedroom."
Natasha bites her lip as she watches you saunter away, swaying your hips. That night is filled with a passion she won't ever forget. Every kiss, every scratch, every moan would be burned into her skin and memory forever.
You're different and special
You're different and special in every way imaginable
Natasha is an assassin. Her life was built for perfection. Her brain, her body, her soul was made to be perfect.
But you make her feel like she's not. You make her feel human.
And for the first time, she didn't want to be perfect.
"You're special, Nat. You're my special girl," You murmur into her neck.
"My beautiful, special girl."
"I love you."
Your love, your love, your love
Your love is different
"I love you."
"What a relief," She murmurs, her head falling to the pillow.
Your love is different and special, too
"Good. Because I'm not letting you go. Not now. Not ever."
"And neither am I."
Your love is different, it's special, too
"Good."
"Because I'll kill anyone who tries to take you away from me."
Summary: Natasha Romanoff does not date. It used to be because she didn’t have, well, bodily autonomy, but even after that, she never really made the time for it.
And then: sabotage.
Word Count: 1,600
Warnings: None, just tooth rotting fluff
Masterlist (coming soon)
Natasha Romanoff does not date. It used to be because she didn’t have, well, bodily autonomy, but even after that, she just never really made the time for it. She knows that Clint dated, had to hear all about it, the meetings, the honeymoon phases, the breakups. And then one day, there was no breakup, but she did have to meet Laura, and she was nice. And then after a while, when she realized that Natasha really, really did not want Clint, she was even nicer. And then Natasha had two people harassing her about dating, which was less than ideal. Once she started with the Avengers, well, Clint gave her a break.
But still, it was the same question every time she showed up at his front door:
“So, got a girlfriend yet?”
And the same answer:
“Fuck you Barton, let me in.”
(She stopped cursing when the kids came, but made sure to give him a smack when they turned around.)
~~
And then they sabotaged her. (But she’s not really complaining.)
She knocks on the door and glances behind her, just out of habit, while she waits for someone to let her in. When she hears the approaching footsteps, ones that aren’t Clint or Laura, she immediately pulls out her gun, and she’s about to break the door down when it opens. And she has enough time to recognize that you’re not an assassin, and then Lucky is running past her, out into the field, and then you take off after him.
She stands on the porch for a minute, trying to figure out what the hell is happening, before she snaps into action. She goes after you and the dog, and between the two of you, he’s corralled back into the house in fifteen minutes. She follows your footsteps into the house, noting that you’re slightly out of breath from the impromptu run. Not an agent, then.
“Hey, you’re Natasha, right?” is the first thing out of your mouth that isn’t a curse or the dog’s name.
She just nods.
“Clint and Laura told me you might stop by,” and you’re smiling, laughing as you say the next bit, “they also warned me that you might pull a gun on me.”
She raises an eyebrow, “and you didn’t think that was odd?”
“Well, I’ve worked for–” you cut yourself off abruptly, thinking before you continue speaking, “I think he was Clint’s boss. Anyway, it’s not the weirdest thing I’ve heard.”
That gets her attention, “Fury? You worked for Fury?”
You nod and her hands itch for her gun again; “who are you?” is all she can manage, confused as hell by the bits of information you’ve given her.
“I’m a pet sitter.” you say brightly, holding in a laugh at her incredulous look.
“A pet sitter?”
“Yeah, I watched Fury’s cat, Goose. She’s really sweet once she warms up to you.”
Natasha thinks she’s having a stroke.
You’re trying not to embarrass yourself, but Natasha is looking like she’s going to kill you, and you’re trying to avoid checking her out, and so you just keep talking to fill the silence.
“But, yeah. So I’ve taken care of Goose a few times, and then when Clint got Lucky, he got my info from Fury. I’ve cared for him a couple times, but not for too long. This time though, Clint’s gone away for longer. He and Laura took the kids to disney world for a week, and so here I am.”
You slowly stop speaking, and Natasha manages to get a grip of herself.
“I see. Well, I’ll head out then.”
“No!” You shout it before you can stop, and she smirks.
“I just mean, you don't have to. Clint said you might stop by, and Laura told me that she made up both guest bedrooms just in case.”
Natasha considers the facts for a minute: she had mentioned to Clint that she’d try and stop by this week, he hadn’t said anything about a trip to Florida with the kids, and he had very suspiciously not answered her texts letting him know she was on the way. Fuck it.
“Just one night, then. It’s a long flight back. As long as you don’t mind?”
“Not at all. And I’ll stay out of your way.”
Her response is cut short by her phone ringing, and she excuses herself to another room when she sees that it’s Clint calling.
“Out of town?” is her greeting to him.
“Oops? I must’ve forgotten to mention it.” He answers, using a snarky, sarcastic tone.
“Bullshit, Barton.”
“Fury trusts her.”
“So you got Fury in on this too! Jumped on the bandwagon: let’s find Natasha a date?” And she whispers this part, checking to make sure you’re not within earshot.
“We just thought it might be easier,” he pauses, and Natasha can hear Laura and the kids saying something, her tone patient and the kids excited. “ –anyway, it might be easier with someone who’s already been introduced to everyone.”
“Clint, I– ”
“Gotta go, have fun!”
And then he hangs up, and she promises herself that she’ll mess up his arrows in retaliation, but for now she has to deal with…this.
~~
By the time evening rolls around, she’s gotten comfortable around you; is even laughing and joking with you. And when you whisper goodnight, after the end of the movie, she catches herself staring as you head up the stairs, Lucky on your heels and then quickly moving past you.
She decides it’s time for her to go to bed as well, and she turns out the lights, does a final perimeter check, and heads to the second guest bedroom. She can hear you speaking softly to Lucky, hears the thump of his tail, and when he jumps into your bed she listens as the bed squeaks and you laugh delightedly.
Natasha very much ignores the feeling of jealousy when she thinks about how Lucky gets to spend the night cuddling you.
~~
Natasha is awake and sipping coffee when you and Lucky stumble blearily down the stairs the next morning. Well, you stumble and Lucky runs. She looks on as you open the door and let him outside, stares as you stretch in the patch of sunlight and scrunch your nose at the chill in the air. You make your way into the kitchen and through it into the pantry, preparing Lucky’s breakfast while he’s still outside. And when you shriek finally seeing her in there, she can’t help it, she starts laughing.
“Not nice!” you say once you’ve caught your breath, though you’re holding back a smile.
“Sorry?” but it’s not sincere and she’s still smiling widely as you continue where you left off with Lucky’s food. He comes bounding in, having heard the scream, though it only takes one look at his full food bowl and then he’s distracted, eating noisily in the corner.
“Hmph. Please tell me you at least made enough for me too?” you ask, and she nods, grabbing a mug and filling the cup. She observes silently as you add milk and sugar, smiling at your look of happiness when you take the first sip.
~~
She stays the whole day, and then lets you convince her that it’s too late to fly back, so she’ll have to stay another night.
~~
The following day the two of you take Lucky on a hike, and later you fall asleep leaning on her as the two of you watch movies on the couch.
She stays that night, too.
~~
The next day she takes the opportunity to teach you some archery basics, ensuring that she leaves Clint’s bows and arrows and targets in shambles as retaliation.
That night Lucky sleeps alone, and she sleeps curled around you instead.
She gives him some of her bacon the next morning, and he isn’t one to hold a grudge.
~~
By the time Clint, Laura, and the kids come back, she’s still there, and Lucky has developed a taste for bacon in the mornings.
The two of you spend the night since the kids won’t let either of you leave, and Lucky pouts the next morning, deprived of bacon since Natasha had been deprived of cuddles. (She had rolled her eyes when you insisted on sleeping separately, but smiled into the goodnight kiss you gave her.)
~~
The two of you board the jet the next afternoon, smiling as the family waves goodbye. Clint and Laura high five each other, and Natasha can’t wait for him to see what she’s done to his beloved equipment the next time he goes to practice.
Still, as you sit next to her, talking and staring at the clouds going past, she knows that she also owes him a new bow, and owes Laura a night of babysitting.
Maybe, she thinks as she listens to you talk about meeting the rest of the team, you’ll join her for babysitting duty.
~~
So, to recap:
Natasha Romanoff does not date. It used to be because she didn’t have control, and then it was because she never really made the time for it, making sure she was too busy for it.
She watched as Clint did, as he found a wife and made himself a family. Listened as both of them encouraged her to date. Looked on as he retired and raised his kids and built a home. And then she got sabotaged, and decided she was very happy that she hadn’t listened to them. She had waited, worked, saved the world a few times, and avoided dating. You were her reward.
Note: My next contribution to my version of kinktober
Warnings: strap on use (penetration), light breeding kink
Moments like this were some of your favorites. It's simple and sexy—the two of you in bed together, giving in to your desires after spending time with the family. It started as innocent cuddling, both of you succumbing to the day's exhaustion. This hotel room offered you the slightest bit of privacy. The kids are in the connecting room. You were under the covers, nestled between her legs, using the strap to stroke along her clit. You were pressed for time, knowing one of the kids would want to come and sleep with you soon, but there was no stopping now. You breathed harshly, holding your t-shirt under your chin, as you maneuvered your hips to get the tip of the cock to slide against her clit.
"Baby," Natasha mewled as she gripped your hips. Neither of you could truly see save for the dim light of the television in the room. She tried to keep her moans and cries to a minimum, knowing how paper-thin the walls were.
You kept going, feeling the sweat collect at the back of your neck. Her grip on you tightened, her legs wrapped around you, and pulled you close. She could feel it, the tightness and the build-up, and all she could do was bite down on her bottom lip. You reached down, directing the seven-inch phallus to her hole, collecting her wetness. You pressed the tip against her, slowly moving to ease the way.
"Fuck," Natasha hissed, throwing her head back. "Oh, god, fuck me, baby."
You leaned forward, pressing your torso to hers. You rocked your hips, thrusting into her tight heat. She clenched down around the toy, holding you in place. She touched your back, digging her nails into your skin.
"Fuck me, fuck me, fuck me," Natasha begged.
Your eyes were shut tight as you focused on the sounds. There was a slight slapping noise that echoed every time your thighs hit hers. You're almost positive she's been pushed a few inches up the bed with the force of your thrusts. You could tell she was nearing her climax, feeling her legs shake, and you sped up, eager to push her over the edge.
"You're going to make me cum, baby," she moaned.
"So soon?" You questioned.
She whined, "I've been so worked up all night, thinking about this, thinking about you inside me."
"Yeah? You like it when I fuck you?"
"Yes, baby, please, don't stop, don't stop," she said.
You felt her tremble and her walls squeezed down, nearly pushing you out. You moved your hips faster, feeling the sweat trickle down your neck. The sound of the sheets rustling beneath you filled the room. There wasn't much to be said after that. You could only focus on the pleasure coursing through your own body as you thrust. You buried your face in her neck, breathing harshly as you pushed her legs further apart, fucking her harder.
"That's it, baby," she whimpered.
You knew the signs, having made her cum so many times. Your eyes were closed, and you listened, focusing on her moans. She reached down, stroking her clit in tight circles.
"Oh, fuck," she whispered.
Your hips were getting tired, but you had no intentions of stopping until she begged. You placed sloppy kisses along her neck, daring to peek down between the two of you, as you felt her shiver.
There was a gasp from her and you placed another kiss on her chin this time.
"Fuck," You groaned as you closed your eyes again. Natasha's pussy took everything you had, almost as if you were made for her. As if this was made for her. You could feel the warmth in the pit of your stomach, and your heart was hammering away, threatening to break free from your chest. You knew the signs of Natasha coming well. There were always moments before when she would hold her breath, unintentionally, the pleasure becoming too much for her to bear. She dug her nails into your shoulder blades and you could feel the tension in her limbs as she tried to hold on for as long as possible. "Breathe..." You whispered to her, gripping her hips to pin her, as you thrust harder. It caught her attention immediately. Another gasp. There it was.
"I'm gonna cum, I'm gonna cum, please, please, don't stop," she mumbled, almost delirious from the pleasure. You could tell by the way her toes were curling and the way her fingers dug deeper into your skin. You reached under you, squeezing the balls of the strap, and she nearly screamed. "Shit! Fuck!"
Her voice echoed off the walls and you hoped it wasn't loud enough for the kids to hear. It was too late. There was no stopping now, you couldn't stop even if you wanted to. The fake cum dripped from the strap, filling her, the sudden slickness causing the toy to glide easier.
"I'm cumming, baby, oh my god, I'm cumming, oh, fuck," Natasha cried, her entire body trembling.
"Fuck," You growled, still fucking into her, even as she shook from her orgasm. You kept going, wanting her to feel nothing but pleasure. The bed was shaking, and the headboard was tapping against the wall, and neither of you could bring yourself to care. You hadn't realized how close you were to coming yourself until it hit you.
"Oh, shit," Natasha cursed, as the sticky liquid dripped out of her. You couldn't stop your hips. You couldn't stop, no matter how exhausted your hips felt. "You're so good at fucking me," she praised.
"Jesus Christ," you whimpered, feeling yourself reach your peak.
"Come on, baby," Natasha encouraged, "Cum in me, please, cum in me."
And just like that, you let go. A shuddering groan escaped you and you stilled your hips, letting her pussy take everything the toy had to offer. You remained like that, your hips pressed tightly against her, holding her in place. Neither of you said anything for a while, listening as the television droned on in the background. You rested your head against her shoulder, and she wrapped her arms around your shoulders, pulling you closer.
"I want to ride," She whispered. She stroked your back, slightly lullng you into a state of pure bliss. You smiled lazily, feeling her hand slip under the waistband of the strap. "You look so good," she complimented. "Fucking me."
You hummed, "I know." You rolled over onto your bike, eyeing the mess between you, finding it hot. "Go on then."
She sat up, the strap slipping out. She crawled over you, placing a hand on either side of your head. "I want you to watch me." She reached between her legs, guiding the cock back inside. Natasha bit her lip, and you had to take a breath, watching her sink down the entire length.
"God, you're gorgeous." You couldn't keep your hands to yourself, not when she looked like this.
"Mm," Natasha sighed, as her eyes closed. She rolled her hips, taking in all seven inches. You ran your hands along her body, starting at her hips, running along her stomach, and cupping her breasts. The piercings, your favorite piercings, dangled just above your face.
"So beautiful."
"Yeah?" Natasha questioned, looking down at you. "You like it when I fuck you, baby? When I sit on your big cock?"
You groaned, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. "Fuck, Nat," you whispered.
"Yeah, yeah, it's okay," she breathed, as she rocked her hips faster. She had one hand planted on the bed, the other on her clit, rubbing tight circles. "It feels so good," she moaned, tossing her head back.
"Keep going," You encouraged, running your hands down her body. You grabbed her ass, digging your nails into the skin, helping her move. She tossed her hair over her shoulder, looking into your eye, letting you see all of the pleasure on her face.
"Yes, yes, oh god, I'm going to cum," she whined.
"Yeah? You think I'll fill you again?"
"Fuck!" She cursed.
You were mesmerized, watching her hips move, the way the strap slid in and out. The white ring around the base of the cock became more prominent as she bounced and ground.
"Come on, baby, cum in me again," she panted. "Please."
You couldn't say no, not with the way she begged. She was a sight to behold, one you were grateful to witness. The pleasure was coursing through her body. She had her eyes closed, her mouth hanging open, her hair wild and frizzy. You reached up, gripping her hips tightly, thrusting upward, meeting her halfway.
"Oh, yes, yes, fuck," she chanted. "Fill me, fill me, please, please, oh, fuck."
You were panting, sweat dripping down your temple, watching the cum ooze out of her with every movement. You thrust, and thrust, and thrust, watching her lose her mind.
"I'm going to cum, fuck, fuck," Natasha hissed.
You didn't stop, watching as she threw her head back. You squeezed the balls again, releasing what was left, filling her.
"Shit, shit, shit, oh my god," she mewled.
You slowed down, easing the two of you through your orgasm. The room fell quiet, save for the sounds of the two of you trying to catch your breath. The cock slipped out of her, nestled in the cleft of her ass, as she rested against your chest. She could feel the warmth seeping out of her, pooling onto your pelvis, and it turned her on.
"That was..."
"Good," you finished. "It was good. You know you talk a good game."
"You liked it when I talked dirty to you?"
You rolled your eyes, "No, I hated it."
"You did," she agreed, smiling against your skin. She could feel the way the cum had seeped out and she shivered.
"You looked so good with my cum inside you," You said aloud. "Dripping from you."
Natasha chuckled, "So that purchase is still paying off?"
"Mhm, you know it. You're so sexy, Natasha, and you're so good for me."
"Yeah?" She asked, biting her lip.
"So, so good," you said.
Natasha smiled, sitting up. The cum dripped out, and she moaned, reaching down to gather some. She brought her fingers to her lips, sucking on them. "I'm going to clean up, and then we should sleep. I have a feeling we won't get much of a chance when we get home."
"Are you sure we didn't make a baby?" You teased.
"Very funny."
"We might as well keep practicing," You said.
"You're such a pervert."
"Hey," you exclaimed, "You're the one who begged me to come inside you."
"Well, you know," she shrugged. "It's just a fantasy."
"Yeah," you hummed, eyeing her.
"I'll be right back," she said, leaning forward. You gripped her arms, keeping her pressed into you. She gasped when the cock slipped against her sensitive clit again.
"Stay here," You begged. "I want to wake up and fuck you again."
"What about the kids?"
"I'll wake up extra early," you promised.
"Okay," she agreed.
"I love you," you said.
"I love you, too," she said, pressing her lips to yours.
Summary: Natasha makes a new furry little friend and becomes captivated by its owner along the way.
Warnings: light fluff, light angst
Words: 4270
Natasha shoots upright in her bed, her heart racing and cold sweat clinging to her skin. Her hand instinctively reaches for the knife tucked nearby, gripping it tight as she scans the room, her pulse thundering in her ears.
She’s met with silence. The darkened space of her room at the Compound was empty of any threat. No footsteps, no shadows lurking—just her.
Exhaling shakily, Natasha lowers the blade, pressing her free hand against her eyes, as though she could push away the remnants of the nightmare from her mind.
The memories linger, though. They always do.
A quick glance at the clock tells her it’s 4:00 A.M. Too early for anyone else to be awake.
But for Natasha, this was normal.
Sighing, she swings her legs out of bed, trying not to dwell on how long it had taken to fall asleep in the first place.
Three hours of sleep was better than nothing.
She dresses quickly, pulling on her jogging clothes in automatic, well-practiced movements, intent on escaping the restlessness that always comes with her dreams.
The sky was still dark when she went outside, the first hints of light barely on the horizon, but Natasha set off anyway, her pace swift and determined.
With every stride, the tension in her body begins to ease, her breathing falling into a steady rhythm that mirrored the pounding of her feet against the pavement.
This was her moment of relief—where she could forget, even if just for a while—pushing her body harder, faster, hoping to leave behind the lingering shadows of her past.
After a few miles, Natasha slows to a stop beside a tree, her breath coming in even pants as she stretches out her arms.
The world was still quiet, save for the distant rustling of leaves.
Then, faintly, she hears something.
A soft, distressed sound.
She freezes, tilting her head to listen.
There it is again—a tiny cry coming from somewhere nearby.
From above?
Her gaze lifts upward, and there, high up in the tree, a little black cat clings precariously to a branch, its claws struggling to maintain a grip on the rough bark.
Natasha blinks in surprise, but before she can react to the sight, the cat lets out a desperate yowl and slips.
Moving on instinct, Natasha surges forward and catches the cat just before it hits the ground. She cradles the small creature against her chest securely.
“You’re okay,” she murmurs, her fingers gently checking for any injuries. Its fur is soft and clean—not a stray, then.
Her suspicion is confirmed when she notices the sleek collar around its neck, the gold tag gleaming faintly in the early light.
Natasha tilts the tag to read the name engraved on it.
“Widow?”
An amused smirk tugs at her lips at the irony.
At the sound of its name, the cat looks up at her with wide, inquisitive yellow eyes and lets out a tiny, plaintive meow.
Natasha couldn’t help but chuckle softly, sinking down to sit against the tree with the cat still nestled in her arms.
“What were you doing up there?” she asks, her voice a soft murmur as she scratches behind its ears.
The cat responds with a long, dramatic meow as if offering some elaborate excuse for its predicament.
Natasha smiles softly in amusement before glancing at the tag again, searching for any contact information but finding none.
“Well, you obviously belong to someone,” Natasha muses, lifting the cat to meet its gaze. “They must really trust you to make it back on your own, huh?”
In response, the cat swats playfully at Natasha’s face, its soft paws barely grazing her skin.
Natasha shakes her head with a smile and tries to set the cat down to let it go on its way, but to her surprise, the cat clings to her, its claws digging into the front of her shirt.
“Hey, easy now,” Natasha grumbles, gently trying to pry the cat off, but it stubbornly clings to her, refusing to let go.
“Really? This is the thanks I get for saving you?” she deadpans, raising an eyebrow at the tiny creature.
The cat chirps, blinking up at her innocently before nuzzling against her chin.
“Alright, I surrender,” Natasha sighs, settling back against the tree in resignation, her fingers absentmindedly stroking the cat’s fur.
The warmth of the tiny creature in Natasha’s arms is unexpectedly comforting. Before she realizes it, her eyelids grow heavy, and exhaustion finally pulls her under.
It’s not until a soft movement against her arms stirs her that Natasha blinks awake, momentarily disoriented. As her vision clears, the first thing she sees is your face, watching her from a nearby bench, chin resting casually on your hand.
“You have my cat,” you say, your tone flat but not unkind.
Natasha blinks again, still shaking off the grogginess from the unexpected nap. She glances down to find Widow still nestled in her arms, staring up at her with wide, expectant eyes.
As she processes your words, Natasha loosens her hold and sits up straighter.
Widow hops onto her lap, stretching languidly and letting out a tiny yawn, completely at ease.
“Your cat was stuck in a tree,” Natasha explains, her voice still rough with sleep. “I caught her when she fell.”
You raise an eyebrow, your gaze flicking to the lazily stretching cat.
“You do know they land on their feet, right?”
Natasha opens her mouth to argue but pauses, catching the subtle teasing in your tone. She leans back with a small smirk, deciding to tease you back.
“Widow is kind of a strange name for a cat.”
At her remark, you scoff and cross your arms, leaning back on the bench with a playful glint in your eyes.
“Wow, so you’re a thief and you’re judgy. Maybe next time I won’t be so nice and let you finish your nap.”
“I didn’t steal your cat,” Natasha retorts, unable to suppress the slight curve of her lips, trying and failing to hide her amusement. “She wouldn’t let go of me. Also, you watched me sleep. Isn’t that a little weird?”
You shrug with casual ease and respond with a softened tone.
“You looked like you needed it.”
Your bluntness catches Natasha off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. She blinks, surprised not only by your remark but by the realization that she hadn’t woken up immediately when you arrived.
The fact that she was able to rest so peacefully with a practical stranger nearby is something she never would’ve thought possible—but here she is.
As the sun rises higher for the start of the day, its gentle light softens the tension between you. It casts a warm glow over everything, including you, and Natasha finds herself at a loss for words at the sight.
After a moment, you stand, calling Widow to your side.
The cat stretches one last time before hopping down from Natasha’s lap and trotting over to you with a playful spring in its step.
As you turn to leave, you glance back at Natasha, a faint smile playing on your lips.
“Maybe find a better spot for naps next time,” you say, giving her a backward wave. “Take care, Miss Black Widow.”
Natasha watches you walk away, something unfamiliar stirring in her chest. She exhales, running a hand through her hair as she tries to shake off the lingering sensation.
“Yeah,” she murmurs softly. “You too.”
~~~~~~~ ⧗ ~~~~~~~
A few days later, Natasha returns to her room after another one of her early morning runs, her body drenched in exhaustion from both physical exertion and the sleepless nights filled with nightmares.
She lets out a tired sigh, closing her eyes and shaking her head as if to shake off the haunting memories of the recent dream when a soft scratching sound from her window catches her attention.
Her eyes widen in surprise as she spots the source of the noise. Hurrying over, she opens the window and carefully scoops the black cat perched on the sill into her arms.
“How did you get all the way up here?” Natasha asks curiously.
Widow meows softly in response, twisting in her arms to bat playfully at a stray strand of hair that had fallen across her face.
Natasha huffs in amusement, leaning her head back to keep the hair out of reach.
Her gaze drops to the collar around Widow’s neck, reminding her of the lack of contact information to reach you.
A small smile tugs at her lips as she recalls the memory of you accusing her of being a thief. Now, somehow, your cat has found its way to her again, staring up at her with those innocent, wide eyes.
Natasha taps the top of Widow’s nose lightly in mock scolding.
“You’re gonna get me in trouble with your owner again,” she mutters, half-playful, half-exasperated.
Unbothered by Natasha's words, Widow glances around the room with mild curiosity before letting out a pitiful meow, pawing at Natasha with an urgent expression.
Natasha raises an eyebrow, confused. "Am I supposed to know what that means?"
Her meows grow more insistent, her tiny voice taking on a more desperate tone.
“What do you want? Food?” she asks.
The cat immediately quiets at her suggestion, eyes shining with eager anticipation. Natasha chuckles softly, shaking her head.
“All right, let’s see if we can find you something to eat.”
An hour later, Natasha finds herself in the Compound’s kitchen, waiting for the coffee pot to finish brewing as she reflects on the bizarre morning.
Just as the aroma of fresh coffee begins to fill the room, the elevator doors slide open, and Tony Stark comes strolling in, waving his phone at her.
“Someone explain why the emergency communication system I created is sending messages for cat food.”
Before Natasha can respond, Peter Parker swings in through an open window, landing at the kitchen counter with a large bag of cat food under his arm. He pulls off his Spider-Man mask, flashing a wide grin.
“No worries, Mr. Stark! I saw the message and picked some up on my way,” Peter declares proudly, placing the bag triumphantly on the counter.
“Thanks, Peter,” Natasha says, taking the bag and raising an eyebrow at Tony. “At least someone’s reliable around here.”
“Anytime, Miss Romanoff,” Peter replies, rubbing the back of his neck shyly as he moves toward the sitting area.
Meanwhile, Tony scoffs at her teasing jab, muttering her words mockingly under his breath as he turns to leave. But he freezes mid-stride, pointing toward the couch.
“Uh, what is that?”
Natasha follows his gaze and sees he’s referring to where Wanda is sitting on the sofa, using her powers to create a small red ball of energy for Widow, who is happily pouncing at it.
“Her name is Widow,” Natasha explains as she pours the cat food into a bowl.
“You named a cat after yourself?” Tony snorts, shaking his head. “And people say I’m the narcissist.”
“She’s not mine,” Natasha replies, rolling her eyes as she walks past him toward the sitting area.
“So, you stole it,” Tony deadpans.
“Why is that the first thing that comes to your mind?” Natasha huffs, exasperated, as she sets the bowl on the floor.
At the sight, Widow scampers over, letting out a happy meow before digging into the food.
Natasha smiles softly, scratching the cat’s head as it eats, though her thoughts inevitably drift to you, wondering how she will return your cat to you.
Wanda, who’s been watching the scene with an amused grin, chimes in, “Natasha has a crush on the owner. She keeps thinking about her.”
“Oh, this just got interesting,” Tony says, leaning on the back of a chair with an intrigued smirk. “When did that happen?”
Natasha glares at Wanda before answering, “I met her on one of my runs. We talked. That’s it. Also, what have we said about reading people’s minds?”
Wanda raises her hands in mock surrender.
“I’m not, I swear. Your thoughts are just…really loud, and most are about her.”
Tony chuckles at the revelation, thoroughly entertained. He raises an eyebrow at Natasha, grinning.
“Nat, there are better ways to get someone’s attention than stealing their pet. I could give you some tips if you want.”
Natasha huffs, crossing her arms.
“I don’t need your help, Stark.”
Tony, unbothered by her dismissal, smirks.
“Then why haven’t you contacted her about the cat?”
“I don’t have her contact info,” Natasha admits reluctantly. “I didn’t get her number.”
Peter, who had been quietly watching the exchange, suddenly perks up.
“I have an idea!”
He pulls out his phone from his backpack, snaps a picture of Widow, and begins typing. A moment later, he shows the screen to Natasha.
The post reads: “Cat found at Avengers Compound,” with Widow’s picture attached.
“What’s this?” Tony asks, peering over Peter’s shoulder.
“It’s the ‘Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ app,” Peter explains animatedly. “You told me to focus on local stuff as Spider-Man, so I made this app where people can report crimes or activities happening in New York. This way, Miss Romanoff’s crush will see the post and know where to find her cat.”
At his last casual remark, Tony bursts into laughter while Wanda hides her smile behind her hand.
“All right, that’s enough,” Natasha says, scooping up Widow and grabbing the food bowl. “Come on, Widow. Let’s get you some peace and quiet.”
With that, she leaves the room, escaping the playful teasing of the others.
Later that afternoon, Natasha returns to the common room and finds Peter frantically overturning the sofas.
“What are you looking for?” she asks, arms crossed.
Startled, Peter jumps, dropping the sofa back to the ground with a loud thud.
“Please don’t tell Mr. Stark,” he pleads.
Natasha raises an eyebrow. “What did you lose?”
Peter hesitates, then slumps his shoulders in defeat.
“Mr. Stark gave me a USB with the new suit design, and I was going to show him my modifications, but now I can't find it anywhere.”
He starts pacing, clearly panicking, as he continues.
“I thought I put it in my backpack, but it’s gone. If I lost it in the city, Mr. Stark will never let me help with modifications again!”
Natasha steps forward, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“Hey, calm down. Tony will understand,” she says, nodding toward the window. “Why don’t you go check your place again? I’ll keep an eye out here.”
Peter takes a deep breath and nods.
“Okay, yeah, I’ll do that. Thanks, Miss Romanoff,” he says before pulling his mask back on and swinging out the window.
Natasha shakes her head with a small smile and resumes her original task—finding Widow, who had somehow slipped out of her room without Natasha noticing.
The little cat was proving to be surprisingly clever and stealthy. It seems you obviously trained her well.
After searching around for a bit, Natasha is about to check with Wanda when a pair of yellow eyes appear from the shadows on one of the black sofas.
Widow stares up at her, completely unbothered.
Chuckling in realization, Natasha sits beside the cat, gently scratching her head.
“You’re pretty good at hiding. I didn’t even realize you were there.”
Widow responds with a bored yawn, stretches her body, and then hops onto Natasha’s lap, curling up contentedly. As her eyes begin to flutter closed, Natasha frowns in realization.
“No, no, you can’t fall asleep on me. I’ve got things to do.”
Widow ignores her, already deep in sleep. When Natasha hears the soft sound of the cat’s snoring, she throws her head back against the sofa in disbelief.
Sighing, Natasha spots a tablet on the nearby table. She carefully reaches for it without disturbing Widow and begins doing some work.
After a moment, the rhythmic purring from the cat brings an unexpected feeling of calm and comfort to her, and before she knows it, Natasha’s eyes start to grow heavy, and she drifts off without realizing it.
She doesn’t know how long she’s been asleep when she wakes up, blinking groggily. As her eyes adjust, she notices a familiar face beside her—you.
For a brief moment, Natasha wonders if she’s still dreaming. Though, she doesn’t usually have dreams this pleasant.
But then your eyes lift from your phone at her movement, and you raise an eyebrow, amused.
“For a hero, you sure take more naps than I expected.”
Natasha blinks away the remnants of sleep, sitting up straighter, and tilts her head at you curiously.
“How did you get in here?”
You gesture casually toward the elevator.
“I came by after seeing the post, and your teammate—Wanda, I believe—she said she recognized me, so she directed me here.”
Resting your arm against the back of the sofa, you lean your head on your hand as your eyes twinkle with amusement.
“I thought I told you to find a better napping spot. This one’s just going to give you neck cramps.”
Natasha’s lips curl into a small smile as she gestures to Widow, still sound asleep on her lap.
“Wasn’t exactly my choice.”
Your gaze drifts down to the cat, and you sigh knowingly.
“Widow, stop pretending and get off her.”
Natasha frowns in confusion at your words and snaps her gaze to the seemingly asleep creature on her lap.
For a second, the cat doesn’t move, but when you call her name again, a little more sternly, the cat’s eyes snap open.
Widow lets out an indignant meow before hopping off Natasha’s lap and licking her paws casually as if nothing happened.
Natasha shakes her head in disbelief.
“What a little liar.”
Groaning softly, she stretches out her stiff muscles and catches you watching her, your gaze lingering for a second too long.
When you realize she’s noticed, your eyes flicker back to your phone.
Natasha smirks, about to tease you, but then you show her the screen of your phone—the post Peter made about Widow.
“I need you to take this down,” you say, your tone serious.
Natasha furrows her brow but nods.
“Sure, I can do that. But why? It looks like she’s a hit with everyone.”
Your smile turns faint as you stand, the lightness in your expression turning somber.
“Not all attention is good attention,” you say cryptically.
Before Natasha can ask what you mean, you grab a pen from the table and reach for her hand. She watches in surprise as you scribble something on her palm. Your touch lingers for a moment, making her feel unexpectedly flustered.
“Here,” you said, finishing. “If Widow finds her way to you again, you’ll know how to reach me. Though, hopefully, you won’t need it too often.”
Natasha glances at the number on her palm, then back at you with a raised eyebrow.
“Am I only allowed to use this for cat-related emergencies?”
You smirk, though there’s a hint of something more serious in your eyes.
“I’m not sure I’m someone you’d want to get involved with.”
Natasha holds your gaze, intrigued.
But the tension is broken when Widow hops back onto the sofa, drawing both of your attention. The cat tries to burrow into the cushions, as if searching for something or determined to get comfortable again.
You sigh, picking her up despite her annoyed yowl. Before leaving, you glance back at Natasha, tilting your head thoughtfully.
“Though… I guess a hello from the Black Widow every now and then wouldn’t be too bad.”
With that, you head to the elevator, disappearing behind its doors.
Natasha looks down at the number on her palm, a small smile playing on her lips. She finds herself hoping that Widow might "accidentally" find her way back to the Compound again soon—if only for another chance to see you.
~~~~~~~ ⧗ ~~~~~~~
Natasha didn’t have to wait long for another chance to see you, after all.
Just a few hours after your departure, late at night when the Compound was quiet, Natasha—still unable to sleep—wandered into the common room.
To her surprise, there you were, dressed in dark, stealthy clothes, frozen the moment you noticed her.
Her instincts kick in immediately, and within seconds, Natasha has her weapon drawn, pointing it directly at you.
Yet, you show no sign of panic. Instead, you raise your hands slowly and tilt your head at her with a calm, almost amused expression.
“You really shouldn’t be up this late, you know,” you say lightly, as if this was a casual conversation. “Messes with your sleep schedule.”
Natasha ignores the teasing, her gaze unwavering and her senses on high alert. She didn’t feel any malice from you, but the situation is far too strange to let her guard down.
“How did you get in undetected?” she asks, her voice low, tinged with suspicion.
With deliberate slowness, you gesture with one hand toward the open window behind you.
“That was left unlocked. Pretty reckless for the Avengers.”
Natasha’s frown deepens as she glances at the window, already making a mental note to have Peter redo security training.
“And the alarms?” Natasha asks, her weapon still trained on you.
You shrug casually.
“Let’s just say we have a lot of experience when it comes to not being seen.”
Natasha's eyes narrow at your words. "We?"
You nod toward her feet, and Natasha briefly glances down.
Widow is there, casually walking through her legs and brushing her fur against Natasha with a soft purr, completely at ease.
When her gaze snaps back to you, you gesture toward her weapon.
“Mind putting that away? I’m unarmed. You can check if you like.”
Natasha hesitates, her eyes studying you carefully, looking for any hint of deception.
But there is none.
Reluctantly, she holsters her weapon and steps closer, reaching out to pat you down.
You stand still, hands raised, letting her search you for any hidden weapons or gadgets.
“So, what are you?” Natasha asks, her tone sharp. “A spy?”
“Reformed thief, technically,” you reply with a casual shrug. “I don’t do this sort of thing much anymore.”
You sigh lightly, casting a glance at Widow, who had settled by Natasha’s feet and is now nonchalantly licking her paw.
“She, however, is still struggling to break her old habits.”
Natasha raises an eyebrow, glancing at the cat.
“You’re telling me this cat’s a thief?”
You chuckle softly, catching the disbelief in her voice.
“I’m serious. Check my pocket—it’s the reason I’m here.”
Frowning, Natasha reaches into your jacket pocket, her fingers brushing against something small and metallic. She pulls out a USB drive, her eyes widening slightly in realization when she notices the small Spider-Man logo sticker on the side.
“I didn’t realize Widow had swiped it before we left earlier,” you explain, your tone sheepish. “I came back to return it before there’s any trouble.”
“Is that why you wanted the post deleted?” Natasha asks, her suspicion now tinged with curiosity. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”
There is a brief pause as you meet her gaze. Your smile turns slightly rueful at the concern in her voice, and for a moment, something unspoken lingers between you.
“Let me worry about that,” you say softly, your tone more serious than before. Then you lift your hands slightly in surrender, a playful glint returning to your eyes. “So, are you going to arrest me, or am I free to go?”
At that moment, Widow trots over, settling in front of Natasha and meowing softly as if to plead on your behalf.
Natasha crosses her arms, her lips curling slightly in amusement at the sight, though the concern hasn’t left her eyes.
“You two sure know how to double-team a person.”
You chuckle, realizing Natasha’s letting you go, and call your cat’s name. Widow immediately jumps into your arms, curling up comfortably. You look back up at Natasha, your expression softening.
“I told you—you wouldn’t want to get involved with someone like me.”
Natasha’s gaze softens in response.
“Your cat seems to think otherwise.”
You smile at that, gently shifting Widow in your arms.
“She’s got good instincts. A good judge of character, too. So, you must be really special if she’s interested in you.”
For a moment, silence settles between you, broken only by Widow’s soft purring. The tension eases, but something still lingers beneath the surface—an unspoken understanding that there was more to your story, more to you, than you were letting on.
With a small smile, you take Widow’s paw and give Natasha a playful wave.
“You should head to bed soon, Miss Black Widow,” you tease softly, raising an eyebrow. “We wouldn’t want you napping in random spots again.”
As you move toward the window, Natasha steps closer, her voice lowering.
“You know, I don’t mind the visits from Widow. And the two of you don’t have to sneak in or anything. Just…come by whenever.”
You raise an eyebrow, surprised by her offer.
“Are you sure about that?”
Natasha holds your gaze steadily. “Yeah. I’m sure.”
You study her for a moment, then smile—a genuine, appreciative smile that softens the usual teasing banter.
“I’ll think about it,” you say with a playful tone.
With a quick nod, you adjust Widow in your arms and slip through the window with practiced ease. Natasha watches you disappear into the night, her mind spinning with questions and curiosity.
One thing’s certain: this won't be the last time she’d see you and your cat. And to her surprise, she finds herself looking forward to the next time.
Summary: Not all the time in the world can erase your one too many bruises caused by Black Widow’s deceptions.
A/N: When I saw what I was doing I already had half of this on paper so… Enjoy.
Trigger Warnings: Angst? Language and mentions of alcohol. I don’t remember any others but if there is any, please, let me know.
“I see pain in your smile, I try to erase it but you're not made of paper.”
#not my gif
You set your cup of coffee on the floor and take a look at your target through your rifle scope. The man was still in his desk working on his computer rather franticly. The way he used his sleeves to clean his forehead told you that he was anxious, nervous and you wondered about what.
He’s been stealing from his company and deep involved in embezzlement, using the money to support terrorist groups. You’ve been watching him for a month and he never looked remotely bothered by his illegal activities, however, today he was all sweat and looks behind his shoulder.
He was worried about something. You ran the past month in your head and on your mental checklist you couldn’t find a single mistake that could’ve warned him about your presence or even that he was being followed.
Your target didn’t know he was your target. So it was something else.
You took another sip from your cup and pursed your lips for your drink was already too cold for your taste, and you always liked it simmering hot burning down your throat.
Then, you saw some strange movement in the front of the building, some cars that shouldn’t be there, some people that weren’t the common passersby, nor the common employees from the stores below the building.
“Fuck”, you mutter to yourself when your eyes caught a glimpse of a very specific red hair. That color, that shade was imprinted to your brain, much like the smell of it, no matter how hard you wanted to get rid off it.
You looked at the scope one more time and things click in place when she rans directly towards the target, your target. “That’s why he’s nervous.” You voice your knew knowledge to the wind, even alone the act of speaking out loud always helped you to fucus on your tasks.
The man you were about to kill probably realized that something was off, maybe someone tipped him about the unusual movement, you could never know and to be honest, it didn’t matter.
A dry laugh scaped your lips when you saw the man trying to fight with Natasha. They always do this, they always look at her and see someone that they can beat, they are so entranced by her beauties that never see the threat before is too late. She’s the perfect weapon.
He never had the chance, though, she had him pinned down the floor in milliseconds. You saw her speaking to someone on the comms and signaling to the team accompanying her that they were ready to move. Ready to extract her target.
A smirk came to your lips when you thought that this wouldn’t be happening. Over the last year, you lost three targets to S.H.I.E.L.D., to her. If she knew that she arrested your targets you couldn’t know, but you highly doubt that she’d be unaware of others chasing the objective of her missions.
You saw, by the way she looked to the top of the buildings, that she expected trouble and a wicked smile made its way to your lips.
To mess with Natasha was the same thing as mess with S.H.I.E.L.D. and you knew your employer wouldn’t want that. But you couldn’t help but think someone was leaking information from your firm because this last year more than half of missions were frustrated by their busts.
Although, you knew full well that this was almost certainly your worst idea, you let your aim scope to find the red head. She was on her tactical catsuit as usual, the red symbol, that represent her alias, on her waist was an alert to all those who could see it for what it was. A warning.
Even through a mile away, the scope let you see the curves of her body, her prime weapon was after all, to render her victim almost defenseless so she could strike her final bite, her final blow and they were done.
The way she kept putting her body in front of your target told you that she knew where you were, just maybe not the distance, since there were so many buildings around you. You were still wondering whether you should take the shot or not when she made up your mind for you.
You saw a tactical team to burst the door of the top floor from a building four hundred meters from you, you then realized that she knew you were around, her only mistake was to doubt your sniper skills by thinking you’d be operating from a closer building. “You wound me, Romanoff.” You mumble out loud but were there a person by your side, they’d still have a hard time in hearing you.
You lick your lips and check the wind direction and its intensity one more time before pulling the trigger slowly, just like you have learned. Aim set on your targets heart, finger pressing the gun trigger until the shot happens, soon after, the man you were watching for the past weeks fell to the floor with his shirt stained with his own blood.
You kept looking at the scene unfolding on the street by your scope and saw other agents running everywhere. Few took cover thinking they were under attack; others ran to help and aid the criminal on the floor, but Natasha just stood there. She looked at the corpse, then over her shoulder as if trying to recreate with her mind the bullet’s path and smirked when she realized that your bullet passed inches from her head.
It was nothing but a small window to take the shot without hurting anyone else, but damn if you weren’t the best sniper on the market. Plus, you could’ve take the shot sooner, even before she arrived, but then, how could you sent this message to her? You didn’t have red symbols on your waist to warn people that they should stay out of your way and now you knew that you had their attention. Her attention.
---
The second you stepped into your threshold you knew something was off, then the scent of her skin hit your nostrils right after a gust of wind swirled the room. She tried to hide her scent; spies always tried. They were really good at it actually.
“Your attempt of disguising your scent amuses me.” You spoke softly and let your words flee around the room looking for the intruder.
To many people you were a myth and to others you were an experiment that despite being successful, turned against their creators as all creatures seemed to. Enhanced around your teens, you were a prime hunter, an apex with heightened senses that made you who you are, a survivor. Since you didn’t know the reasons of her visit, you kept your instincts at peak.
“Who said I tried?” Her voice was low, raspy and sexy. Right then and there, you realized that you had never seen her in her huntress mode action up until now. That tone was always directed to her future victims, tried to lure you into a sense of false calmness until it was too late.
“Please.” You snorted, now darting your eyes towards where her voice came and, despite, the pitch-black darkness, you could disguise her form. She was seated on your couch in the corner as if she owned the place. “You already wounded my feelings earlier.”
“What? Does it hurt your feelings to be underestimated?” You took a seat in front of her, and she turned on the lamp that was on the table beside her. You blinked few times to adjust to the new light and smiled at the glass filled with vodka in front of her.
“Made yourself at home, I see.” Her smirk was nothing but infuriating just like her high relaxed pose, trying to sell that she was indeed relaxed, but you knew all too well that she was ready to burn the house down were you to breath a bit too deeper than usual.
“I tried to look for any other reason as to why you’d have my favorite vodka on your bar other than to make me feel at home and I found none.” She drove her glass to her mouth without breaking eye contact.
Now, Natasha Romanoff was a player, a professional flirty and you knew that. You have seen it one too many times with you or others, but that knowledge always seemed to fly out of the window whenever she gives you those eyes, that smile.
She flirted with Steve, she flirted with Bruce, she flirted with you, hell, she’d likely flirt with a door if it’d guarantee her a free entrance when she so desires or need. Everything she did was always thoroughly calculated, always with gains that far suppressed the possible losses, always a catch. Just like right now.
“What do you want Natasha?” Your voice cut the air and she sent that look through her lashes.
“Now you just hurt my feelings like that.” She spoke without breaking eye contact and you, without missing a beat, replied. “As if you had it.” She laughed lightly but nodded her hair as if accepting the comeback.
“Ouch.” She took another sip, this time she did it devoid of part of her charm taking that you wouldn’t fall for that anymore. If only she knew.
“Look, there’s a new big guy in town.” Her voice was businesslike despite her playful approach. “He’s dangerous and believe me; I really didn’t want to bring you into this but…” She lifted her eyes to meet yours and there it was, her true look, diploid of natural charisma, diploid of her deceits. “We could use your skills.”
“You mean you need me to sniff around and point you the direction?” She rolled you eyes but you were serious, after all, this was what they basically asked you to do with Loki, then with Ultron. You always thought you belonged with the Avengers, but you were nothing but a puppy ready to please your owner and the gods knew who controlled your leash.
“No. I’m after your huntress’ and hitman skills.” You pondered at her words and well, it could be true. They could need your help, but there were no guarantees that you wouldn’t end up at the Raft just like you did the last time you trusted her.
She sold you out so she could escape from Ross claws and ended up bringing down the Red Room, you knew it all, her sister was your co-worker and friend and she told you everything.
“I didn’t like my last accommodation.” She reacted just like you thought she would after your reply, immediately shooting you hundreds of old and empty excuses. The never ending justifications of how nothing went as she’d planned, that her intel was wrong, but nothing could erase the fact that even though they broke Sam and Wanda out, they left you behind.
You tried your hardest to avoid any stupid or futile comparisons, but your mind always liked to play against you by always remembering of how she never really stopped trying to trace Bruce while you rot on Ross’ hands.
“You know what’s funny, Natasha?” Your voice was low again and you stared at the ceiling, suddenly too tired to have this conversation. “There was a time when I’d have followed you to the graveyard. You’d ask me to jump, and I wouldn’t even ask you how high. Just like I did.” A sad smile graced your lips. “But this notion seems so old now and I’m tired. I’m not a puppy anymore.”
“I never saw you as one.” Her tone was harsh and you glanced at her long enough to sustain her glare. “I never used you, believe me, I’d never do this to you.”
“Forgive me if I don’t.” You tone was flat, conveying how little you believed in her. Before? Maybe you could’ve trusted her completely, but now things are not like that anymore. There were feelings, mistrust and truth be told, you could deal with the Black Widow, but you didn’t know who Natalia, the real person behind the mask was and that scared you.
She downed the content of her glass and stared at the bottom of it. “I never lied to you about my feelings.” Despite the glossy covering her eyes, you tried to look for any signs of deceptions, of manipulation.
“Everything I told you that night was true and if I could only take back my mistakes. It was never my intention to hurt you.” You set your eyes to the ground, focused on anything that could ground your mind to avoid it to get loss on that night, the night which you’d never forget, no matter what.
As if imprinted on your brain, her skin’s taste was even more delightful erupting with lust and truth be told you could still feel her love burning your veins, eating you alive all the way through and to your core.
And back then you thought, you dared to daydream with the possibility of holding her out on the open instead of only in the secrecy of your room. How fullish said dreams tasted now.
“It doesn’t matter anymore.” You mutter but she frowns at you. “It does to me.” You lock eyes and still, no visible sign of her tricks.
“Look, I’ve been looking for you for almost a year now and after I caught rumors of your new work, I started to track you down. That shot yesterday? Pretty impressive by the way.” She assumed a rather unease position, maybe finally letting her masks down. Maybe.
“And all this time playing chase with you only made the anticipation grow and I swear I had a made-up speech ready, but all of that means nothing if I don’t get you to understand that I regret leading you on the way I did.” She got up to her feet and walked to the door.
“But, like I said, I never lied when I said I love you that night.” She stopped and fully looked at you for one last time and your heart ached at how beautiful she looked like this, without her layers. But then, the scars on you screamed for you to sober up and not let your guard down.
After all, you knew all too well how she always could put herself at the most vulnerable place just to get what she wanted from her victim, her techniques of interrogation and manipulation where all known but you had seen it beforehand. One too many times.
“What happened to your ‘love is for children’?” Your eyes were stone hard and although they should be a mirror of your heart, they were, in fact, a stark contrast. You knew you were crazy for letting yourself getting involved in first place, for falling in love with her, let alone to think she’d ever stop holding back.
“I met you.” She shot you a so, so small smile that you thought you had imagined it, before slipping through the door, leaving you stunned in her wake.
you can read All Too Well as part 2, if you wish :)
Summary: Natasha tried to mend what's left broken. Because no matter what, she's the love of your life and she knows all too well.
A/N: It's been forever. This 5k piece felt like I was writing 300k, it was difficult, funny, hard and I miss doing this more often. I hope you guys like it and please, it be amazing for me to know your thoughts about it.
You can read it as One Too Many part 2 or as a single piece, it is up to you.
Warnings: Mentions of blood, torture, mentions of death, alcohol, angst (you know how I am, I can't simply write people kissing without suffering before).
"Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place"
The gun pointing at your face barely meters away should be intimidating, but at this point no one would blame you for not caring anymore. And you didn’t even mean the last couple of days, no, your whole life had been a fight, a struggle, an act of survival after another, so the last few days were nothing but the same blur.
The gunpower inundated your nostrils and the pungent smell masqueraded the smell of blood that clung to your brain and you were sure you wouldn’t erase it even if you got out of your current establishment.
Your heightened senses were capable of decerning all the different blood samples available in your cell: yours and from other occupants that came before you, or the blood that belonged to some of your kidnappers, who’ve learned in the worst possible way that you were not to be underestimated.
Back to the gun, the man behind it kept enchanting the same questions and you wondered how long it would take for them to get tired of your silence or mock replies. A sharp pain in the back of your head made you look up to meet his eyes, another man behind you was forcefully pulling your hair down to force your head up and you were already tired of him doing this.
“Where are the others?” The man with the gun asked, patience waning thin. Good to know you were on the same page. “Where is Romanoff?”
A blooded grin made its way to your face after you spat on his shoe. “It’s funny you think I’ll tell you now after all you’ve put me through. Do you think I’m afraid of your bullet?” And you didn’t even mean the fact that you probably wouldn’t die if he decided to shoot anywhere else other than your head, but you did mean that you were not afraid of dying.
Actually, you were so tired that perhaps laying down cold wouldn’t be unwelcomed. There wouldn’t be any pain, your body wouldn’t try to heal only to get hurt again. You thought it would be refreshing.
Two steps and the man pressed the gun over your knee, and you already knew, his wicked grin grew wider when your body convulsed with pain even though you concealed your scream in muffled grunts by biting your lips so tide you tasted your own blood, again.
“Why don’t you make it easier for you? You tell me what I’ve asked, and I kill you fast.” He pulled a chair and got comfortable for he knew all too well you wouldn’t budge easy. “I promise you. One silver bullet in your temple. Fast. Easy.”
Your eyes flashed to his. Silver bullets were really affective against your healing skills and very few possessed this knowledge. Someone must’ve tipped him off and the idea stung way much more than the powder burning the flesh inside your knee.
Only two women knew your weakness. Well, your creators knew, of course, but they were not in condition of speaking anymore. Unless someone from this organization was capable of going to hell to have a chat and then return to the living world with this intel.
Your love for Yelena was something so natural and it grew so fast for she was just deranged as you were: uncapable of functioning as what people labeled as normal. You were kindred souls and you felt like you were twins separated somewhere along the road and considering both of your past, who actually knew?
After long nights during long missions, you confided in her this. You were scared of losing control because sometimes the beast inside you took over and your brain couldn’t always sway the instincts. So you handed her one silver bullet in case things went south, she was adamant in returning it to you but you asked her to keep it, for insurance.
And the other person was Natasha. You never knew how she learned this but when she recruited you many, many years ago she already knew. If the pain in your leg wasn’t so overwhelming, you could’ve laughed at the memory engulfing your mind’s eye.
Her tide catsuit adorned with nothing but her black widow symbol, swaying her hips and pretending she wasn’t scared of the woman seated in front of her. You remember how her fear smelled, a stark contrast to her pose. You recall her words, her smile, her flirtatious play all to convince you to use your skills to her so called greater good.
And before leaving, she boldly closed the distance between you and placed a silver bullet in your hand. You understood the message. You weren’t stupid. Later she sworn that she was the only one, at S.H.I.E.L.D. or within Avengers, to know your weakness and you believed her.
And this belief comes back to bite you in the ass.
Because you knew full well that Yelena would die, she would kill herself even, before telling someone your secret. But Natasha? You didn’t trust her anymore. She had done it before, and you knew it all too well. If you were to be honest, after one too many treasons, you didn’t care about another.
Or so you told yourself.
“Good luck.” You rasped out after a long time inside your own head.
The man tilted his head to the side and smiled that smile that told you he already knew what you would say. You would go further and say he was eager for it. “I think in the torture manual says I should tell you that I don’t enjoy this, but I’d be lying. We actually bet how long it will take for you to drop the act and start screaming.”
You bet no one thought it would be that fast. He stumped a knife down your thigh so fast and so hard you saw stars. You could feel the silver poisoning the skin and muscle where it was nested, and it burned like nothing else would.
Unfortunately for them, the apex in you was not used to be a prey and this injury was powerful enough to make your survival instincts kick in. It happened so fast it was a haze, one minute he was laughing, the other he was on the ground - lifeless, and just as the others came, they followed their leader – well, who you thought the leader was, at least.
Funnily, your countdown was wrong, or you were not the only one putting your captors down. As the blood ran free down your leg, your strength and capability of keeping fighting diminished. When a body collided with yours, it was a miracle you were still awake.
Her red hair framed her face perfectly, skin white as snow and her green orbs looked like there was an aurora borealis looking down at you as she nested you in her lap as you felt life slipping through your fingers - veins.
“Hey, hey. Stay with me.” Her voice was strange, as if speaking was a struggle and she reeked fear, but not the same you were used to, as if she was feeling a different type of fear, it was a strange concept, but you hated it, nonetheless. If these were your last moments breathing, you wanted her true smell. The one you knew all too well.
“Please, don’t you dare die. I’ve got you.” Her muffled words found your ear, but it was hard to even comprehend anything at all when her lips felt so cold in your forehead. “Heal. Why are you not healing?”
“Silver.” It was all you could say. It was all you had to say.
She frantically started yelling at someone, perhaps the comms, but before you could close your eyes for good, you saw a red blur and he was complaining about your weight.
Her giggle filled the room as the first sun lights announced the day had just begun, you looked at her alarmed, for it was definitely something new. “Are you mocking me?” Enable to conceal a smile yourself.
“I’m not.” She denied, but her laugh told you differently. Her freckles painted her angelical face and her eyes looked like they held the sun captive. And you. And she knew, all too well. “It’s just I can’t believe you still have this scar.”
Her index finger traced said scar as she looked at you expectantly, waiting for your explanation, even though she already knew.
“I didn’t know Wanda’s necklace was made of silver, okay.” You finally replied, pulling her close to you as if her weight meant nothing, right in that moment this action felt so normal, so homely that it ached. “I thought I could take it from that heated place for her, but it burned me as I did. It was silly.”
She giggled again, though muffled by your shoulder this time, there was something new in her eyes that you couldn’t quite pinpoint. “It was cute. Silly, but cute. That necklace belonged to her mother.”
“I know.” You were locked in her eyes, and she stared at you as if she was trying to reach your soul, then you felt her fingertip leaving the palm of your hand to intertwine your fingers as she let her eyes stray to look at both of your hands.
The feeling was overwhelming. You were aware of how fast your heart was beating, you could only hope she couldn’t feel or hear it, for in that moment, all you wanted was to engrave the sight of you, together, and you wish you could just have this forever. Have her forever.
“I’ve never felt this before.” Her brows were furrowed in a way that made you upset, but you wouldn’t let go of her hand for nothing in this world, even if it was to soothe the crinkles in her forehead. “I’m in love with you.”
For a moment, there was nothing that you could do but wait for your brain to register her words and meaning, for a whole minute you simply stared at her, trying to search for a catch or a joke but you found none. And she looked up at you so innocently that you found yourself believing in her.
“I thought-.” You tried, but she never let you finish your sentence.
“I know what I said.” She stopped you midsentence, but her voice was not stern, it was almost tired. “This is not what I feel anymore.” Again, her eyes found yours and the way they shone made your knees weak, luckily you were laying on her mattress.
Somehow, they conveyed so much of this feeling she had claimed she was not capable of nurturing that your stomach did somersaults. And right in that moment, you realized that perhaps silver could hurt you, but this woman was your true weakness.
Specially if she’s looking at you the way she was.
“You already know how I feel about you.” You whispered, it was terrifying saying again the three words that you were sure would make her fly away from this strange arrangement you found yourself in. Yet she didn’t.
“I know.” She confirmed after a while admiring your eyes as if she could read your mind. After deciding she was content with whatever she found, she leaned in and pecked your lips so tenderly it hurt.
Then, when she looked at you again you saw, from the small smirk growing in her lips, that she had gone back to play her prime character: the Black Widow.
“Let’s have a breakfast before the funeral, shall we?” As she got of the bad, you copied her movements going back to your own suitcase to find something comfortable as her voice broke the silence filling the room. “I never asked how you and Sharon became friends to the point you’d come to a funeral of her relative.”
The cleanliness of the room was the first thing you were aware of. In fact, you didn’t even realize you were awake, therefore alive, before the smell hit your nostrils. And with it, her scent.
The occasional up and down from her feet and bouncing leg was the only sound in the room except for the noise coming from the heart monitor over your head. She was anxious, that much was obvious even if you weren’t an enhanced being.
Mentally searching for your injuries and pain, you understood that whatever had happened with you, was all gone. Excluding the lingering pain in some specific places that you credited to silver induced wounds that would take way much more time to wear off.
However, considering the state you were in, whoever tended these wounds had operated a true miracle.
As you opened your eyes, you half expected bright lights, common to these hospital rooms to hurt your eyes, but you soon identified that the only source of light was a yellow bulb close to the door.
Natasha.
“Thanks for working the lights down.” You rasped out and stifled a giggle as she jumped from her chair by the wall and bolted to your bed side. The book previously nested between her hands now long forgotten on the floor.
The iron grip which she clutched your hand didn’t go amiss to you. “A week.” The sadness in her eyes was palpable. “A whole week blacked out.” She explained further but you didn’t need to know the details of how long you were sleeping or how many times your heart stopped at surgery.
“You scared the shit out of me.” Then it hit you, the same type of fear your nose caught when she found you in that facility, it was fear but not the one someone feels when they’re actively facing danger, but it was fear for someone else. Fear of losing someone.
Something stirred inside your heart, but it was something that you couldn’t dwell much longer, not, at least, in that moment.
“They had me, after you sent me as scout.” Your tone was flat, and her eyes widened a little at the bluntness of your accusation, though you were far from settling for little. “They knew about the silver.”
Her hold faltered, but your hand was still snuggled between hers. “What are you accusing me of?” She narrowed her eyes, but her green orbs were bright even in the poor light.
“Cynicism doesn’t suit you the way you think it does.” Before you could even pull back your hand, she completely let it go and got to her feet. “Look at my eyes and tell me that you actually didn’t let them get me, just to find their hideout.”
She had her back turned to you, acutely avoiding your gaze. “Look at me!” You demanded and she had the gall to look at you through her lashes, as if her seductive skills could help her now. You wouldn’t fall for that, and she knew it all too well.
“It wasn’t my intention for you to be captured and I never thought someone else would know about your weakness. I thought I was the only one alive to know.” She finally turned to you, eyes now darting around the floor as if it could grant her the answers she sought.
“Lena knows too.” You corrected her, but if she was surprised by your update, she never showed.
Shaking her head right to left as if to deny such possibility, she exclaimed. “She’d never do this to you.” It was funny that at least in this matter you agreed. “I think she loves you more than she loves me.” A sly smile escaped her lips and you had to restrain your heart from fluttering at the sight of it.
“I was waiting for your check-in. I went to your assigned coordinates, and I know I underestimated their numbers, but I would never let someone capture you.” Her feet dragged her back close to your bed but maintained some distance between you.
“It wouldn’t be the first time.” You shot back without missing a single beat, crossing your arms around your chest.
She sighed tiredly and looked down at the floor. You wouldn’t let her forget that she was the main cause for you to be locked in the Raft, well, her and your support for Steve when Ross tried to shove the Sokovian Accords down your throat, and solely because you shared his point of view.
After being controlled for most of your life by a group with shady intentions, you swore you’d never submit your loyalty and services to a third party again, even if it was a government group – specially a government group, actually, so only over your dead body you’d accept the Accords.
But when you came back to see if Natasha was fine, she had gone without thinking that you were left behind and in the care of Ross to be taken to the Raft with the others, without sparing a single thought to you.
“I’d never ever willingly put you in danger.” She said taking another step closer to you. “I have never mentioned to anyone about your secret, and I purposefully kept it out of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s files.”
Her eyes kept darting from her hands to your eyes, never focusing, never staying too long. “Look, I know Yelena would never speak about it, but I wouldn’t either. And I didn’t, you must believe me!”
“I must?” Your eyebrows shot up so high so fast it hurt. “Well, you made it pretty damn hard for me to believe, don’t you think, Nat?” Your tone was hard, but you were not even speaking too loud.
Somehow, Natasha thought this hurt way much more.
“C’mon all I feel for you-” She tried to counter, but you wanted to swallow the lump stuck in your throat trying to choke you, so you cut her midsentence.
“Words, Natasha.” She found herself locked within your burning eyes. “I kept you as an oath, yet you hid me like another dirty secret. And all you’ve felt you kept hidden – buried – just as who you really are.”
After years thinking about how she lured and how she hurt you, you thought that maybe spatting what your relationship really was – a hidden lust, would make you feel better, would free yourself from her hold, but it didn’t.
After all, calling her unfair wouldn’t change how lonely she made you feel, how she took your happiness away whenever she drew herself back to her main character as she left you daydreaming about imaginary scenarios built in “what ifs”.
As your words found her ears, they settled heavily in her stomach. She knew she had massed up, she had hurt you many times, yet all she wanted was go back in time and erase all her wrongs and all the times she promised and never delivered.
She didn’t possess a time stone, though. There was nothing she could do about the past, however, she knew she couldn’t run from her mistakes anymore. If she wanted to start anew, she’d have to show she was different.
She wanted to, no, she needed you to understand that she was a whole new person because you’ve changed her. She didn’t want to hide anymore and for that she’d have to let go of her walls and be vulnerable. Truly vulnerable.
Funnily, she had played with her vulnerability before, being vulnerable just enough for people to lower their shields or masks so she could get what she wanted but this was something else entirely.
This time she wouldn’t act. She’d be vulnerable, at your mercy hoping she’d make it out alive on the other side. It was something new and it scared her, but losing you was scarier.
“I didn’t know you came back to check on Barton…” She tried weakly, knowing that this was a sore subject for the both of you. Each with your own views and reasons.
“I helped Clint, yes, but we went back looking for you. Yet, Ross was all we’ve found.” Your glare was cold, perhaps colder than ever. In the pit of her stomach, she knew she deserved it, she just wish you could move on with it.
“I was wrong, okay. Is that what you want to hear?” She snapped, though her voice was still in a low tone, eyes sad. And you hated it. “I’m sorry for leaving. I’m sorry for not going after you that day at the airport or at the Raft.”
Her eyes fell once more to your hands, she slowly nursed them in hers and this action was so soft, so hesitantly as if she was afraid of you taking it away; afraid of you shutting her down once more.
“I wish I could do things differently, but I can’t, and for that I’m sorry. But I- I wish we could try move on from this. I still have feelings for you.” As words flowed through her tongue, you watched as eyes portrayed a sincerity that you rarely saw within those forest green orbs.
Usually, they hid her true feelings or performed like an actress twisting her truths mixed with pieces of lies and characters she created through life until she herself was unaware of what was true or not.
“I hear you, Natasha.” You rasped out after a long moment lost inside her beautiful eyes. “You speak of things as you did before, yet you never act on it.”
Her hands were warm, a muted invitation to go back to your dreams of having a life with her. The only person who never showed any sign of fear about your nature, that never once treated you like an animal.
She never treated you like a woman either.
“I want you to show me.” Your stone-cold eyes punctuated your feelings in the matter at hand. If she wanted to have you back, she’d have to show you she’s changed for words could only take her so far.
“I will.” She vowed and smiled softly, though her heart was shattering inside her chest. She made a career making people believe in whatever she wanted, she supposed she’d be able to make you believe in her heart.
How hard would that be?
Laugh filled the room after another not-so-funny Tony’s jokes and your head throbbed as the sound echoed inside your skull. Parties like these were always a torture for you, after all, your enhanced abilities of hearing and catching smells better than a normal person proved to be really awful in a place full of people with different perfumes, scents, chattering and loud music.
However, Tony himself forbid you from leaving tonight for this was his engagement party and it would be rude to Pepper if you left too early. Deciding that indulging him was easier than arguing with him, you found a safe corner and pretended to enjoy whatever was going on.
Though, your sharp eyes, even though you tried hard, always wandered after a certain redhead and you could all but clench your jaw every time you judged someone got too closer for your comfort.
Jealousy clawed its way through your throat and even the best bourbon from the bar couldn’t help it. You knew you had no right, no claim, especially after your last conversation. Still, your heart acted on its own and made sure you’d regret your words and resolve.
Considering that you were one drink from scooping lower than ever for her, you abandoned your glass on a random table and vanished to the balcony in hopes the fresh air could help your head and brain.
The cars down the streets ran from side to side completely unaware of your inner turmoil as you pathetically looked down searching for answers you wouldn’t find there.
In fact, as your answers arrived at the balcony, you realized that her hills clicking the marble floor announced her before her perfume invaded your nostrils in waves as she moved closer and closer towards you.
“Tired of mingling?” She asked as she lined her body at the railing. Her red hair bobbed around her ears in meticulously designed waves and her dark maroon dress hugged her curves in all the nice places.
She was flawless.
As always.
“I think I might’ve break Sam with incredible five words.” You gave her a sly smile that she retributed with a smirk and a fake gasp.
“This is basically a whole speech.” She clicked her tongue playfully. “I think you’ve been around Tony just too much.”
You snorted a laugh and she let a broad smile paint her lips, content with herself for making you ease the pained expression adorning your face the whole evening.
Uncertenty hugged you like a cold blanket as you pondered your next words. As if rolling the dices in a game you were sure you’d end up losing, you turned to her and spoke. “You’re really beautiful tonight, Nat.”
Your heart fluttered as she fought back a smile trying to win her lips and looked down as if she wasn’t expecting your praise. She genuinely looked flustered by your words.
“Thank you. You’re quite handsome yourself. Well, I already praised your choice of suit, earlier.” She turned her body so now she was fully looking at you and you tried to remember how to properly breath. However, it was as if the air was composed of her scent.
You were intoxicated.
“What do you mean?” You asked confused. “This is the first time we speak tonight.” You clarify. Truth be told you’ve been keeping a fair distance from her and funnily enough she didn’t make the effort to push you and your comfort space.
She did make it obvious that she was trying, though. She invited you out in front of people, she brought you coffee whenever you were reading in the garden in the morning or brought you a blanket when you were on the couch watching movies with Wanda.
Whenever you were called to a meeting, she worked the lights so it wouldn’t hurt your eyes that much. And, one day, she brought you the files they recovered from Hydra from the mission you were taken, and you both learned that one of your creators left behind a journal and there were a lot of dirty secrets down there. Including yours.
To be honest, she was really trying to show her true intentions, but you were still afraid that this was just for show, just a ploy for you to lower your guard and be disappointed after she return to her normal pattern of misleading.
However, the way she stood basking in the moon light looking at you like she was slowly sipped through the cracks of your determination of not giving in that easy.
Her soft smile was a sight to see, and you even forgot that you were waiting for her to reply. “Directly, yes. I sent a drink to you earlier.”
Then it clicked in your head. Your laugh was loud and very uncharacteristic of you, though Natasha simply stood there admiring your carefree stance, a rare occurrence.
Your mind traveled to a moment earlier that night when the waiter approached you with a drink in hand, stating that the lady had sent it to you complimenting your fine tailored suit. At the time, the way he vaguely waved in the direction of Agatha and other ladies, you thought that one of them had been the person.
Though if you thought harder about it, Natasha was at the bar in that moment, right behind said ladies.
“Now it made sense.” You grinned back at her and nodded your head softly. “Thank you for the compliment and the drink.”
“Of course.” She flashed on last smile and turned her body to admire the city bellow and you did the same. Though you found it hard to ignore her presence by your side. You could feel the heat emanating from her skin, her sweet scent still impregnating the air around you and you could hear her fast heartbeat. It was uncommon.
In a haste, you both turned towards each other and started to speak at the same time. A nervous laugh scaped your lips as you signaled for her to go on first. And she did.
She closed her eyes as one does when bracing for the impact, as if second-guessing her next step, but when she opened her eyes again, there was no doubt and no deceit. “I love you and it’s ruining my life not having you, knowing that I am the one who pushed you away.”
You were speechless by her blunt confession, specially because she never, ever, used the word love in such a direct sentence. She expressed her feelings before, yes, but always with an adore, in love with you once or twice, never this straight.
She took your silence as hesitancy and reached for your hand, she yearned for your touch and the closeness of the last weeks made her heart clench with longing. “I am asking for a chance to show you who I really am, and I, please, I know I’ve made mistakes, but I wish to make it up to you.”
Her eyes were pools of emotion and you had trouble in breathing with her so close now. “Please, let me love you the way you deserve, the way I should’ve since the very first time I kissed your lips.” Her free hand caressed your cheek in such a tender way that you felt your knees weak.
She was definitely your true weakness.
You brain was haywire, short-circuiting with the lack of air and the sudden increase in your heartbeats. There she was. The woman you felt like you could love forever, offering you what you always wanted: her heart. For real this time. Not the hide and seek games you’ve been playing in the past.
She promised and have been showing changes, however, if you were to be honest, all she’d have to do was to come at you and say hi. If you were to be honest, she would always have your heart at her mercy.
Unable to form words and knowing that your silence was unnerving for her, as you saw her brows furrowing, you decided to answer her differently as you brought your hand to her own cheek and guided her lips to meet yours.
Her lips were soft as they used to be, and you could feel her body melting into the kiss. Her eyes fluttered open when you broke the kiss and smiled softly at her. “I love you too, Nat.”
Smiling back at you, Natasha circled her arms behind your neck to pull you down for another kiss, and another. And another.
And you knew, all too well, that she wouldn’t stop soon.
taglist: @username23345; @afuckingshituniverse; @strangegardentaco; @waltermis (I know you didn't specifically asked to be tagged, but I am doing it, nonetheless, because if your rb - and because you sparked a fire in this. Thank you.)
A/N: just a little something, words are hard at this time
Pairings: Natasha Romanoff x Reader
Summary: Sparring with Natasha gone awry
Warnings: blood
---------------
There’s already a slight sheen of sweat covering your body by the time you finish your warm-up. You plop down onto the nearest bench and start to wrap your hands for bag training when a pair of toned legs stop in front of you. You slowly peer up to find Natasha clad in workout gear and a look in her eye that makes your throat go dry.
“Let’s spar, no gloves,” she doesn’t give you much of a choice, already walking towards a spot on the mats. You wordlessly follow her, and it’s not until you’re square in front of her that you realize there’s a small herd of recruits looking on from a safe distance.
You both settle into your stances. Natasha charges you with a few punches that you dodge with ease. You both go on like this for about 2 minutes before you decide to throw some combos of your own. Your hand grazes the skin just above Natasha’s brow. Then you throw a kick that should have knocked the wind out of her, but it lands like a tap on her chest. She closes the distance with a snarl, and your noses almost touch.
“Stop pulling your punches,” Natasha growls, she pushes you away with a shove, “recruits aren’t gonna learn anything from a one-sided fight.”
“Being a good nail makes you a better hammer,” you retort, throwing a few punches that are uncharacteristically slow. You usually give everyone else a hard time on the mats. Even Steve has had to catch his breath after a few rounds with you. She can’t understand why you won’t fight back, and it’s beyond frustrating.
Natasha can hear scattered whispers among the group of recruits, and decides she needs to provoke you into doing anything other than playing defense.
Natasha ducks under your punch and moves in, she closes the space with a hook to your face before pulling you into a collar-tie and hip tossing you hard onto the mats. The room is dead quiet, the sound of your ribs cracking echoes. Natasha hears the smallest wheeze beneath her.
“You’re trying to kill me,” you say as soon as your breath returns. You try to sit up and feel blood gush out of your nose. Your hand shoots to your face and try to stand up, but Natasha’s hands land quickly on your shoulders, then your face.
“Let me see,” her voice is eerily gentle, like she didn’t just try to throw you through the earth’s crust moments ago. You move your hand and Natasha inspects your nose. You’re too focused on how close she is and wonder if she can feel how hot your cheeks are right now. After a few moments, she barks an order at the recruits to find the med kit. You pinch the bridge of your nose and attempt to tilt your head back, but she grabs your chin with one hand.
“Don’t do that,” she’s gentle again, “just keep pinching with your head down.”
You do as she says, your eyes fall to the small pool of blood between your legs.
“Lotta blood,” you say with a wince, your ribs reminding you that they’re the real victim here.
“M’sorry,” she says, that makes you wince again. You’re the one who wouldn’t fight back and essentially goaded Natasha into ragdoll-ing you because she makes you uncharacteristically nervous.
“It’s alright, Tash,” you sound too sincere for her liking. You almost miss the look that flashes across her face as she takes the kit from a recruit.
“That’s all for today,” Natasha shoos away the recruits who are more than happy to file out of the gym. You try not to think about how Natasha managed to keep her attention on you the whole time as she plugs your nose with soaked cotton balls and tells you to breathe out of your mouth for a bit.
“Were you a cutman in another life?” Natasha smirks at how extra nasally you’re making your voice sound.
“Learned a few tricks as a widow,” she mumbles, taking the cotton out of your nose and tenderly wiping off the blood above your lip. Her fingers linger for a moment on your skin when your eyes catch hers. Even the sharp pain in your ribs quiet down to a dull throbbing, if only for a second.
Natasha is the first to look away, your eyes are still fixed on her profile as she closes the kit and stands up.
“We should get those ribs looked at by a real doctor, need a hand?” You reach for her hand and she pulls you up, staying close as she watches you take a few steps. You only wobble for a half second before she ducks under your arm to support. Natasha mutters something in frustrated Russian while you bite your tongue to keep from smiling.
No-one asked for this, but I had to get it out of my brain. I just think s3 Richie needs some help switching off.
(NSFW 18+ MDNI. TW sub!Richie, edging)
Every inch of Richie’s skin is hot. Sweat clings to the hairs on his chest and his belly, and shines in the low light against the tendons of his neck and the neat muscles of his long limbs. His hands are palms flat to the headboard, fingers flexing in an effort to stay put.
Time has slipped away. He doesn’t know how long he’s been here, has lost count of the number of times you’ve brought him to the edge only to pull him back.
All his attention, every thought, is sharp focused on you. The squeeze of your thighs either side of his hips, your slick cunt pressing his dick flush to his stomach as you rock against him. Each time so close but never close enough to let him sink inside.
You’re doing so well for me.
As you speak you reach a hand behind you to trail up his inner thigh. His balls are drawn tight to his body and you press your thumb to the sensitive spot beneath. For a moment his eyes slide shut and his mouth falls open..
Fuck.. stop..
His voice is strained, gritted out between his teeth. You press your thumb again to his tender skin, watch as he sinks those teeth sharp into his bottom lip with a hiss, his hips twitching beneath you. Wait until you see the desperation in his eyes.
Too much, baby?
A single nod, terse, his jaw clenched.
Pressing up on your knees and sliding your hand from his body, he grunts at the loss of contact. His chest heaves as he sucks in a shuddery breath in an attempt to compose himself. He’s mind-blowingly beautiful like this, needing so fucking badly to be good even as he unravels.
His dick is hard, wet with your slick and flushed a pretty deep pink. A sticky pool of precome is smeared on his stomach, and the muscles there jump as you swipe a fingertip through the mess and bring it to your mouth.
Richie follows your movement with his eyes, watches as you suck your finger between your lips and imagines your mouth on him and the heat of your tongue. It makes his dick twitch, another pearl of precome beading and dripping toward his belly.
This time - as though you could hear his thoughts - you catch it with your tongue and he tries but can’t hold in the groan that escapes as your mouth brushes against the head of his cock.
Please..
He’s not above begging. Not now.
Can you hold on just a little longer, baby?
You press your tongue to the thick vein that snakes up the underside of his dick. His blood is pounding beneath the thin skin, and his thighs begin to shake. And he wants to, but he can’t, he can’t hold on..
Please.. I gotta..
His eyes squeeze shut and he feels your mouth leave him as you shift over his body, your thighs cradling his hips again, the heat of your skin on his.
Look at me.
He opens his eyes, his pupils are blown wide with need. He holds your gaze as you sink down on him syrup-slow.
You’ve been so good..
You’re so tight. So wet. The roll of your body takes him deep inside. Sweat drips down his brow. He thinks he might be crying. His fingernails scrabble for purchase against the headboard as his vision begins to black out..
You can let go now.
The world stops. Nothing exists but his body and yours and the roaring of blood in his ears. He comes hard, endlessly, on the knife edge of pleasure and pain. Wrung-out and floating, he’s grounded only by your voice at his ear, whispered praise only he can hear, and your fingers interlaced with his as his hands fall to the pillow.
A/N: always imagined writing for Syd and I guess the time has finally arrived…only took three seasons but my girl deserves better and better is what she’s gonna get from me! This piece is set mostly in the final episode of season three as a heads up ❤️
S|N: there was a prompt list that I wanted to go off of to use for you the reader but now I can’t find it so I’m just going off the little I remember. Which is: you being a cyclist.
WARNINGS: language, self-doubt, neighbor trope, + mentions of sexual harassment.
Having a new neighbor was interesting to say the least. You didn’t think she was fond of you after running into her twice, sneaking in the first time and nearly running your bike over her feet as she seemed to be in a rush herself. She looked as if she was the type of person that if she knew that she had to be somewhere by a certain time, she would be there much earlier than needed.
You on the other hand? Operated on your own time, not sticking to routines as much after your quest to turn into a pro cyclist fell through, and you were stuck working a shitty retail job down at the dollar general (shut out to your general studies degree, your mother did aways say you should have studied something more valuable although she didn’t go to college herself and felt like her money was wasted on you compared to your older sister who lived in South Africa as a zoologist)…where you basically came in when you wanted since the manager never knew how to schedule the four of you—yes—FOUR of you properly. You did what you needed to survive, just like anyone.
The second time you got her attention was when you buzzed her apartment, annoyingly on her day off, contemplating about the contract agreement in the emptiness of her living room.
“Uh…yeah?” She pressed.
“Oh good! You’re home. I thought I was going to have to bug Anita instead and she’s the last one I want to talk to.”
“Who’s Anita?” Sydney paused before asking although she had a feeling who, “And who am I speaking with?”
“She’s on our floor,” you shift from one leg to the other feeling the violent urge to pee, “with the big 80’s curly hair, she talks to herself and at times it is a little concerning and she’s a bit of a Karen. You’ll know once you see her when she’s constantly asking if you live here after seeing her a handful of times and as for me? I’m one of your best neighbors, Ms. Lady with the Colorful hair scarfs.”
“It’s Sydney.” She replies and you nod your head finding that name to be fitting, “Oh yeah, the other guy with the abnormally big octopus tattoo on his cheek told me about you. You always forget to bring your keys, right?”
Oscar.
You thought to yourself in irritation, “Oscar raw dog’s his crocs, so you shouldn’t take his word for anything.”
Sydney laughs, finding this apartment building much more entertaining (so far) than the one she left previously behind but never her dad. “Am I sensing a little tension there or…”
“That’s another story for another time! Can you please buzz me in or else I’m going to have to go right on this sidewalk and I really don’t need another public indecency charge.”
You were honest, Sydney could admit but she also didn’t want to be the one to let a stranger, if you were a stranger into the building if you weren’t really who you said you were you know?
“…how do I know you really live here and aren’t just stalking one of the other tenants?” Sydney quizzed, trying to remember just what you looked like in passing.
“Because stupid Oscar told you I like to forget my keys on purpose?” You remind while Sydney slowly realizes this, although you can’t see this revelation on her face you keep going, “I live at the end of the hall from you, I even used to date Oscar’s sister, but she cheated on me and tried to gaslight me and then took the dog—which honestly looked like a fucking dust bunny in the dark so I’m not really all that upset about it—
“What kind of dog?” She chortles, but the curiosity is also evident beneath it.
You started dancing to the beat of The Fresh Prince in your head, which somehow always worked when you were about to piss on yourself—apologies for being unladylike or unpersonlike but hey when you have to go you have to go, “some Asian breed that starts with a P…Pekingese? Yeah Pekingese!”
“…I don’t know what the hell that is?” Sydney pats at her scalp.
“It’s like a failed experiment of a pug and Pomeranian!” You inform, “It’s actually awful looking, and my know it all sister would scold me for being discriminatory to animals but whatever! Um, How else can I convince you person in the nice cold building while I’m out here at risk of getting a heat stroke?! The basement is horror level scary so if you have to go down there—make sure you have somebody with you or just don’t? There’s also a squeaky floorboard in the middle of our hallway, a weird stain on the wall that’s shaped like a top hat?” You ramble.
A buzzing noise sounds right after your last word and you deeply exhale, yanking the front door open to hold with your backside while you rolled your bike in. “Thanks neighbor! Hope to run into you soon.”
“Ah, dont mention it!” You hear Sydney call, “and maybe invest in a clip for your keys?”
“With the way my cobweb bank account is set up? Not likely, girl! Timmy the toilet is calling my name! Catch you later!”
Sydney shakes her head, letting go of the button to glance at her open laptop and sigh choosing to head into the kitchen instead for some frozen waffles for dinner.
Despite the fact that Sydney is hardly at her new apartment, she finds a paper bag with handles on her door knob when she gets in one night. Carefully she peeks in it while opening the door to her apartment, once inside she pulls out a new satin scarf. It’s a golden yellow with white polka dots on it with a note attached.
~Welcome to the building + thanks for letting me in the other day. I think you’ll like this? If not? I’d never know! —your neighbor ____at 84H.
Which started something between you two without really knowing each other. All you knew was each other’s names now, you had handwriting that honestly resembled calligraphy—something Sydney would have never guessed you were into but you also picked up that when you did see Sydney, she seemed to have a scarf covering her braids majority of the time. She wore them well so you thought why not? It wasn’t anything overly expensive but it was thought that counts?
~What’s your go to midnight snack? —your neighbor Syd @ 84D.
Was on a lime green post it on your door days later. It became your thing, leaving little notes every couple of days on each others door, in a way it became a silent message to let each other know that you both were still around even if you never had the chance to officially be face to face.
So you attempted to draw a horrible picture of what that may be and then drew an x right over it. You weren’t crafty in that way, writing a message beside the terrible picture saying: a struggle meal. A grilled cheese but jelly as the cheese and jalapeño chips. Are you a board game person or video gamer?
Days seemed to get hectic after that in the both of your lives that the post it game seemed to die down just a little. Summer hours seemed to increase since the two teenagers that you worked alongside of preferred to be outside rather than inside—you didn’t blame them. One of them ended up quitting, the other lied and said they sprained their ankle but their Instagram said they were really hanging out at the river, so it was down to you and your elderly coworker Janice, who was actually in chronic pain, and then your manager was “temporarily,” on leave after a customer complained of sexual harassment.
The look you and Janice shared said enough, you believed the customer.
So now you had a new manager from fucking North Dakota…you had no clue what was even out there and they had a whole different approach. They had a neighborly spirit that you wished the scarce people at your building had—except for Sydney of course. The new manager was actually out on the floor, greeting customers and asking if they needed any help! They even gave you and Janice a choice during your eight hour shift, you can alternate between the register and stocking or just pick your role for the shift. They also kept checking in making sure the both of you were well mentally (ha!) and if you needed to take a ten minute break before your actual lunch.
She was a dream but definitely wouldn’t last.
“Are you sure you don’t want a ride?” The North Dakotan asked, already in her pick up truck as you fumbled around with the chains to your bike.
Janice already beeped her horn twice in her Volkswagen Beetle, speeding out of the parking lot with Fleetwood Mac flowing from the windows. You snickered, hand waving in the air as you turned back to the chains, finally getting it unlocked.
“Thanks for the offer but one thing about me, I love this bike more than anything and as long as I can still ride it? I’ll choose this over any car or train any day.”
The manager smiles, “alright then, you have a good night. Get home safe, will you?”
“I’ll try my best.”
You’re limping towards your apartment, it’s late and the sky had this milky fog to hide the sense of dread—or was it grief that sat in your heart? You’re just at your door, body sore, spokes ruined from your bike but as bad as you felt you heard the huffing and sniffing from your left.
Picking up on the braids right away, you know it’s Sydney and it doesn’t appear that she’s having a good night although she’s dressed as if the night was supposed to be. Leaving your bike against your door, you pause, debating if you wanted to get involved or if she would even want to bothered with you while she’s having a moment. You use the act of your post it’s as the okay to be neighborly and check on your neighbor at the end of the hall.
The hallway feels like forever to get to Sydney but her round eyes widen in bewilderment as she feels you groaning to plop down next to her.
“Oh my god,” she gasps as she scans over your features with damp under eyes, “…w-what happened to you?”
Lolling your head to meet her gaze, you grin at her, ignoring the sting of the scrape on your chin and say, “I might have saw hell not too long ago.”
Sydney shifts, using the back of her hand to wipe at her nose, “I—don’t know how to respond to that.”
You explain, “Well apparently we all have to go somewhere—if you believe in that kind of thing. And I guess the person upstairs said let me show you as I turned into a speed bump.”
“You were hit by a car?!” Sydney yells, although her own head felt like someone was letting the air out of a balloon and her heart felt like it pulsating in a way that was probably too slow, with her veins feeling like the whipping of traffic on the freeway.
You knew that look, even had some pill bottles that actually became decor pieces on your bedside table that were supposed to help calm the track runner fuzzies inside to relax…but the concern was evident on her face yet it wasn’t really about you tonight, this was your first time officially meeting and the both of you looked like shit. Well maybe you more so but Sydney definitely felt like it.
“Worse,” you say searching your back pocket for the rolled up pack of gummies, “A electric scooter, that looked a whole lot like my teenage little shit of a co-worker who’s been out on injury.”
You held out the gummy bears to Sydney, lifting your gaze to meet dark brown hues once more. There’s laughter that bubbles in her chest as she envisions it, her large front teeth poked out behind her lips.
“I don’t mean to laugh at you—
“Eh, I do it all the time! Glad I could be of service to you.” You tip your imaginary hat, “And you know what he had to nerve to say to me after we both skidded across the street? That I scuffed up his kicks, when he was on the wrong side of the road!”
Sydney cupped her mouth, other hand holding onto a green gummy bear, “No! That’s so wrong.”
“If he ever decides to come back to work…I’ve got something for him.”
“A hospital bill?”
“Oh no! Hospitals give me the ick. All medical people do.”
Sydney tilts her head to the side at this, unsure what to fully make of that but somehow understood, however felt like she should still be slightly concerned that you didn’t get yourself checked out! considering how scrapped up and how your hair was basically mangled. Also who knew what you looked like underneath your summer attire…Sydney was no doctor but you seemed kinda careless!
“I’m afraid to ask.” Sydney bites off the head of the candy.
“Stick him on the register and sneak out for the day once the lines start to pick up. I hate to do it to our new manager since she seems cool but…it’s what he deserves.” You tighten your eyes wickedly.
Sydney slowly nods her head at this and snorts, “where do you work?”
“Dollar general,” you say with a shrug, “you?”
Sydney deeply sighs, “I’m a chef.”
“Oh-ho! Chef Sydney. I knew there was something special about you, neighbor.” You state.
Sydney shakes her head, “No, it’s not anything really.”
“Are you kidding? That’s admirable! Unless…that’s what has you out here when the party is clearly inside?” You connected the dots, hearing some laughter beyond her door, quickly analyzing her face and kicking yourself for not keeping your inside thoughts to yourself in that moment.
Sydney pulls her bottom lip into her mouth and closes her eyes.
“You know…you never did get back to me on you being a board game person or a video gamer.” Your attempt to ease her anxieties was a nice gesture, really.
Sydney took her time (which you were patient to), sucking air in between her teeth and digging her palms into her eye sockets, “uh…board game. My favorite is: Sorry!”
Your eyes turn into slits at that and Sydney, slowly removes her hands from her eyes to look at you. “Really?”
“What? What’s wrong with sorry?”
You start to raise your hands in surrender but stop your movements as your everything aches, “Nothing. I would have thought clue, connect four, maybe even scrabble?”
“Scrabble?” Sydney scoffs, “I rather eat a block of blue cheese without a glass of water.”
Scrunching up your lips at that you quiz, “are you lactose intolerant?”
“Only the weak minded are.”
“Oh?! That’s not very empathic of you.”
You both match each other’s stares but you crack a smile first before Sydney follows through with a burst of laughter.
“You’re judging me? when you’re the one who isn’t empathic to your stomach and makes a grilled jelly sandwich stuffed with jalapeño chips of all things?” Sydney holds her stomach as she laughs.
You’re laughing with her while arguing, “I never specified if I stuffed it or not. It could have been on the side, thank you.”
Which only makes her laugh harder, the both of your shoulders touching as the sound echoes throughout the hall. There’s tears streaming down her cheeks again for different reasons while your stomach clenches with humor.
Of course that is broken up by someone clearing their throat. Both of you turn to Oscar who’s standing there holding his groceries.
“What’s so funny tonight ladies?”
You stop laughing so you can reply, “that outfit you thrifted.”
Oscar scowls, “now I see why my sister left you.”
“Fuck off! You’re probably the main one that supports her OnlyFans career.”
Sydney gasped at that while Oscar sent you a middle finger, leaving you two alone as he travels down the opposite hall to his apartment.
Glaring at him, he casts another glance in your direction and you do the honors of placing your own middle finger right against the lips you kissed at him. He quickly looks away, nearly throwing himself into his apartment with a slam of his door.
Leaning into Sydney again, you both laugh until it’s hard to breathe and that feeling is both familiar on both ends. Once you catch your breaths, you lean away to hold out your unscraped hand for her to shake, “Hey, Chef Sydney. It was nice talking to you and meeting you.”
“Likewise.” She gives a small smile while shaking your hand before you groan and moan getting back to your feet.
And she stays outside a little longer, mostly to collect herself and watch you make it back to your front door and battered bike. You send a peace sign as a goodnight, limping into your apartment after softly clicking your door shut.
Sydney sits, clasping her hands together thinking over that small moment, not realizing how important it would later be as the days continued on.
“There you are,” The British voice catches her attention and she takes his hand as he helps her to her feet.
Luca halts her movements, checking in with Sydney as she tries to brush away what that was from her face, although it clearly wasn’t something she could ignore as the problem was already on the surface.
She begins to follow Luca back into the party, stopping in the door way as she peeks back at your door, already thinking about what to say to you next on a lime green post it, while letting some laughter shine in her eyes.
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