Who: Nick and Nat When: Backdated to sometime last week Where: Nicks place Status: Green
Currently sitting on his comfortable couch, his feet on the ottoman, he flicked through channels before stopping on a program. "You tell anyone about this moment, and no one will ever believe you," he said, not even giving Nat a glance, but speaking with a small gin. The Great British Bake-Off was on, and that hour was sacrosanct. In fact, he'd learned a few good techniques from that show as well as some interesting recipes. He'd thought he was a well-traveled man until he realized his tastes were far too Western to be considered diverse.
There was no speaking until the first commercial break, at which point he finally gave Nat some attention. She had an open invitation to his home, her and Clint for that matter, but today was the first time she'd taken him up on it. Naturally, there was no planning, just a random body in his apartment but that was okay. They were beyond any formalities. He'd give her a key but they both knew she could shimmy her way in without any. "How was your trip?"
Never once had Nat, taken Fury up on his invite to his home. To her, that was a line shed never crossed only with Clint. It was intimate, personal and blurred the line of friend and family. But today, back from her trip, she found herself resting against one of the leather chairs.
GBBO was on, and though she smirked she knew it was one of many secrets she would keep and smile upon. So, when the first commercial came on, she exhaled slightly. "Cold." She replied with a slight smirk on her features.
"But loose ends have been taken care of."
Fury gave a tight nod. "Good." He didn't ask what she was referring to, and he knew she probably wouldn't tell him anyway. "It's nice when things aren't left dangling." Turning the volume down, he leaned back into his couch, arms lightly folded in front of him. "Does that mean you don't have to go anywhere anytime soon?"
A nod of her own was given. "For the time, I'm here." She informed him as she finally glanced over at Fury once the volume was lowered. "Do you have an assignment for me?" Count on Nat, to be all work minded more than 50 percent of the time.
But downtime was never a luxury for someone like Natasha. It left her with her thoughts, which was a dangerous thing to be left with.
"Yes." The show was coming on but he turned and looked at her, his usually stoic features slightly softening. "Go into the kitchen and get yourself something to eat. You look like you haven't stopped moving in days. There's fresh bread on the counter, roast beef, and ham in the fridge...I even made some soup, it's on the stove." Even though he didn't smile, there was warmth in his face. "Even the hardest people need a moment to sit sometimes, and I think you're at that time."
She could argue that she was fine. That she'd gone longer than this with no food. She was used to this. But none of it mattered when Fury gave an order. Even one as simple as eating. She thought for a moment about Tony. It almost made her smirk at how similar she and her friends were for certain things.
She was up, already making her way into the kitchen to make herself something to eat. She didn't realize how hungry she was until she looked at the food on the counter. A heavy sigh escaped her lips for the moment. Realizing that it was over. For now, they had won. The first mistake from her reality was prevented here.
And for once, Nat realized just how tired she really was.
Nick kept one eye on Nat in the kitchen, another on his show. It was time for the technicals, and he wondered idly if his croissants would pass muster. He was fairly proud of his laminated doughs, although pate a choux was his favorite to make really. Maybe he'd do some cream puffs later if Nat was sticking around. He had a guest room that was rarely used, and he wouldn't mind the company. "Find everything okay?" he called out after some time, scoffing a little at one of the bakers struggling with pastry cream. Definitely an amateur.
Upon hearing Fury call out to her, she snapped out of it slightly. "Yeah." She called out as she gathered her food and made her way back to the chair she was sitting in. Her frame sinking into the soft cushions as she glanced to the show once more.
She left out a soft snicker. Who would have thought Fury was into baking shows? Not her, that's for sure. Which in a way made her feel a bit more humane since it was something that surprised her.
This wasn't normal for Fury either, having someone in his space, but it was good. It was. He had to get used to this, accept people. If this whole dusting thing showed him it was that there was no one for him on the other side. Not like that Starlord, who he heard had a meltdown overseeing his mother and learning his girlfriend had stayed behind. "Oh, seriously?? Motherfucker," he said, shaking his head. "That cake is way too warm for the frosting I mean, look -- it's sliding off!" It was indeed doing that, but the baker continued on, trying not to cry. "Their time management skills are pathetic. I would be so ashamed to have lost track of time like that. A cake that size needs at LEAST a half hour, if not longer."
In that moment. Nat found herself dying laughing. Something she hasn't noticed she hasn't done in months. Her head shaking as she held her sides. "One day. I'm going to record this" she said wiping the tears out the corner of her eyes as she called down.
Nick felt an urge to be annoyed but it was a fleeting urge -- the sight of Nat laughing so unabashedly was better than he expected. "Oh enough," he said, a smile curling his lips. "This is a no-judgment zone, where I am free to gush over sponges. Besides," he said quirking an eyebrow. "I'll deny everything. No one would believe you anyway, even with a video. Those can be faked, you know."
A shake of her head as she cleaned off her face. "Judge free zone. Got it." She replied taking a bit out of her food. It was good, and honestly, Nat wouldn't mind coming by just for the food. "We should make this a Sunday thing."
Commercial break. Fury looked at Nat, fully looked at her, taking the measure of her face in a way that only he could. It wasn't intrusive, just studious and finally, he nodded. "I agree. We're ...well, we're family, Nat. And I would enjoy having you spend more time here."