NATASHA & STEVE Nov 5th, Evening | Beach, Galdin Quay | Complete!
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RATING/WARNINGS: Suggestive Themes 👀👀👀
"You know, I'm not really tired."
Natasha felt like she’d learned a great many things over the last few years of her life. Between her world, Vallo, and these new memories that she’d been recently “gifted,” the one that seemed to be hammered home the most was not to push things off. She’d had love and family in her grasp so many times, only to have it snatched away by murderous robots, Vallo’s whims, and her own self-sacrifice. So when Steve Rogers suddenly reappeared (bringing with him a rush of feelings that she had previously kept very well hidden), Natasha ignored her impulses and asked him out. No more waiting. No more thinking about what could have been.
She’d brought him to Galdin Quay for dinner. They’d eaten ridiculously fancy food and talked until the sun had completely disappeared on the horizon. Reluctant to end the evening there, Nat suggested they head down to the beach once the bill was paid. November wasn’t exactly prime weather for it, but Galdin Quay was always a bit warmer than the rest of Vallo.
They made their way past the docks and along the shoreline. The moon lit up the beach with a soft glow, while the water gently lapped at the sand. It was about as picture perfect as it was possible to get, and Nat soaked it in as best she could. She had so many haunted memories in her past, it was beyond time for her to make better ones. She reached her hand down and laced her fingers through Steve’s. “Have I mentioned that I’m glad you’re back?”
It had been about as perfect a night as Steve could imagine. From his perspective, the Natasha he'd known (and yes, spent romantic time with) throughout the blip and the war with Thanos had disappeared, but returned with entirely different memories and a different timeline. They'd talked but he wasn't sure if that same spark was there, then he woke up and eleven months had passed by. To suddenly have it confirmed, to see her happy and living a semblance of a normal life with Kate and Yelena (and apparently Peter?) stirred warmth in his heart.
Dinner had been fantastic and the conversation even better. He really, really enjoyed seeing Natasha openly enjoying herself and cutting loose, because he knew how much she'd been through and the things she'd seen. No one deserved this more than she did, and by God, he was happy to be a part of it. He squeezed her fingers in response to the question and smiled over at her. "Just a couple of times, it doesn't hurt to hear it again."
His response pulled a smile to the corners of her lips. “Glad to hear that. I might just tell you another time or two.” Historically, she’d never been very open with her feelings. It was a survival skill developed in childhood and a damn hard habit to break. There were very few people who saw that side of her, but Steve was one of them. He was so genuine, it was difficult not to reciprocate. He was also one of the few people that she trusted enough to actually let herself be vulnerable with now and again. “This is the best night I’ve had in awhile.”
"If I had an ego, I'd ask if that 'awhile' was approximately eleven months ago," answered Steve, through a bit of a sly smile. "But I know there's more than a few people responsible for making you happy." He hoped it was implied that he knew she'd returned the same feeling to them. Nothing in life was as fulfilling to Steve as the reciprocated bonds of love and friendship, after all. "Thank you," he added, turning to face her, still holding her hand. "For asking me out. For waiting for me. For this perfect night."
That comment earned him an outright laugh. “I guess it’s a good thing you don’t have an ego, then.” It hadn’t quite been eleven months, but between his disappearance, her onslaught of new memories, the tension with Carol, and a teenaged Yelena bringing up a whole host of previously buried guilt, she was supremely grateful to have something to look forward to again.
Their night had already been more than she could have hoped for, but with him looking at her like that, it was like everything else faded back. All the pain and hurt she carried with her pulled away and she was just happy. She could have stayed there until the sun came back up again.
Another smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she replied with a playful “You’re welcome.” She moved closer, still keeping their hands linked together. “Thank you for-” Seeing her. Being stubborn enough to get past her walls. Being at her side through everything. “-being you.” Before he could retort with anything else, she leaned up to kiss him.
Despite thinking he was prepared for it, he still found himself pleasantly surprised when she came in for the kiss. His brain wanted to make some humble comment about always being true to who he was and there needed to be no thanks for it, or comment on how he'd always be there if she needed him - if he had any control over it. But in reality, all those thoughts scattered into the wind when their lips touched. And Steve Rogers took a few minutes to really just enjoy the moment.
When the kiss finally drew to a close, Steve leaned his forehead against Natasha's and held his breath for a few moments. Finally, he smiled and added "You know, I'm not really tired."
It was a good kiss, and Natasha enjoyed the moment just as much. It was made even better by the words that followed. She quickly returned his smile. “What a coincidence, I’m not tired either. Any ideas on what we can get up to?”
Steve glanced toward the water, wondering how cold it might be at this time of year, then decided it wouldn't really fit the mood. Besides, they were wearing dinner clothes and he hadn't had the forethought to wear trunks under his jeans. Walking the shoreline had been nice enough, even though he was sure the sand would do a number to his boots.
"It's funny, I'm usually known for having the plans but I'm feeling a little distracted for some reason. Must be the weather," he noted, glancing out at the water again. "It is kind of nice just being here, though."
“The weather can be very distracting, it’s true.” She pulled herself in closer to him. “I think I might even feel a chill.” It was nice here on the beach, though. Even if Natasha suspected she’d likely have that feeling anywhere they could spend some time together.
“Come with me.” Hands still linked, Natasha tugged Steve a little further down the beach. As they got further away, the lights and sounds of the restaurant faded and it was just them, the sand, and the sound of the water. “Looks like a good place to sit awhile, don’t you think?”
"Quiet, relaxing," Steve agreed, having his curiosity sated to see where she was leading him to. It was a good spot, a few rock outcroppings to sit on that had been worn down nice and flat by the tide and just far enough away from the water currently that the cool air was just coming onto the beach. In short, a great place to sit together and watch the waves.
He released Natasha's hand and settled himself into a comfortable sitting position on the ground, though years and years of training still made him set his legs in a way that he could spring to his feet at a second's notice if he needed to. It was like muscle memory in that way.
"All right, it's safe," he noted, grinning up at her like he'd just scouted some dangerous territory for them.
He elicited a playful roll of her eyes and a head shake with that one, but she happily took a seat next to him on the ground. She’d have liked to take her shoes off and bury her feet in the soft sand, but the “what if something happens” part of her mind was too ingrained in her to actually do it.
Instead she rested her head against his shoulder and looked out at the water. She didn’t feel the need to rush to fill the silence. She was comfortable just being here next to him and enjoying the company.
It could have been mere minutes or several hours, it was difficult to really care how much time was passing. Steve eventually, without really even noticing, allowed himself to relax and it felt so different not just constantly having his muscles tensed and ready to react. He'd later on recollect that may have been the first time he'd felt that way since this whole Captain America thing really started. Even during the blip when they'd - the other Natasha, it was hard to separate them - been together, it was always a constant state of alert.
When he eventually noticed that they'd really settled into each other, comfortably embracing and taking in the cool weather, Steve smiled and pulled Natasha in just a little bit closer. "This is nice."
Natasha echoed his smile as he pulled her nearer. “It is. I wouldn’t mind making it a regular thing.” She tilted her head slightly to look over at him. “What do you think?”
With a nod, Steve leaned in to give Natasha another kiss. "I could do this all week," he added, the smile never leaving his face.
“Careful, Steve.” Natasha’s voice lilted as the corner of her mouth quirked upward slightly. “I might just hold you to that.”
"Might just be counting on you to," came the answer, followed by the kiss, which was longer than before, more relaxed. Steve had the sudden grateful thought that he hadn't ordered anything with too much garlic or other pungent smell.
Talking became less of a priority at that point. Natasha raised her hand up to rest against his neck as she met the next kiss. It felt natural and easy, and just good. It was by no means an immediate fix, but it did ease some of the cracks and hurt she carried with her. She could have happily carried on kissing him there on the beach all night, but another thought struck her.
She pulled back just enough to be able to speak again. "You know they have rooms here."
Letting out a breathy chuckle, Steve quirked an eyebrow and glanced back towards Galdin Quay. He started to make a quip about putting it on his tab since he still hadn't figured out his finances, but he still had more than enough of his starter cash thanks to all the dinners he'd been invited to and a few clothes donations. He really did love this community.
Instead he softly furrowed his eyebrows and gave one of those Steve Rogers Special Looks that said he was absolutely listening to what you had to say and that your feelings were capital-I Important. "If you're sure you'd like to keep this night going."
Nat smiled and nodded softly. “I am if you are.” She couldn’t quite manage the Steve Rogers Special Look, but her expression was still sincere. Their evening has already been cemented as one of her new favorite memories, and if he’d rather they leave it as it was, she’d be perfectly fine with that too.
"I guess now the only question is whether you want to head back now or continue enjoying each others' company out here for a while longer first." He knew they hadn't been out there too long, had just gotten there really, and he wasn't going to rush things unless he knew for certain that Natasha wanted to move things along.
“Here is good.” They had the rest of the night together, and Natasha was perfectly content where she was at. They were secluded enough that no one would bother them, and she wasn’t in any particular rush to leave his arms. Here was definitely good.
As they sat there, listening to the surf and enjoying the quiet night sky, Steve reflected - this was actually the first time he'd ever had some quiet time with Natasha. Any Natasha. There'd always been something happening, some threat lingering that they had to be mindful of at any given time. Before he really knew it, he'd found himself softly singing* as they just relaxed for a while.
His singing was both unexpected and not. Natasha couldn't recall having heard him sing before, but at the same time it didn't surprise her one bit. She lay her head on his shoulder and smiled at the slight vibrations she could feel from the song. Her eyes dropped closed and she just listened.
The song was beautiful, as was his voice, but it was something else entirely that touched her. Neither of them had really ever had time to just be still. To sing, or look at the stars, or bury their toes in the sand. Little things that most people wouldn't think twice about. She'd gotten better at it during her time here. Thanks to James, Kate, and all the other people in her life who were determined to see her happy. Steve deserved all of that too, and Natasha wanted to do everything within her abilities to see that he got it.
When he finished singing, she tilted her head back slightly so she could look up at him. "You seem happy. It's a good look on you.”
"It's an old song, and I think I messed up a few of the words, but I genuinely am. This place can be hectic at times, even scary. But it also has moments like this, and for that I'm eternally grateful." He didn't sing often, outside of the shower. The USO tour was more interested in showing off his strength and acrobatics more than anything. Singing for Natasha felt… good. He was comfortable with himself around her and she clearly didn't seem to mind either.
"I could say the same for you, though."
She smiled softly in response. “That I seem happy? I thought Kate already gave that secret away.” She curled her head back against his chest and listened to the sound of his heartbeat. “I am.”
Life would always be a little complicated. Regardless of if it was Vallo throwing monsters at them, magical missteps, or the ever revolving door of departures and arrivals, this place would never be easy. It could be good, though. In the last year, she’d created more of a life for herself here than she had managed over decades back in their world.
“I’ve got a lot of things here to be happy about.”
"She does seem to be really invested in your happiness," answered Steve, in reference to Kate. "Can't blame her, it does look really good on you." He rested his cheek against her head and took in the vastness of the ocean, the endlessness of the sky, and once again wondered how they could all end up in one place like this. Was it proof of the divine? Hm, didn't really matter.
"But yeah, I think I do, too."
Natasha chuckled. Really invested might even be an understatement when it came to Kate. She didn’t mind, though. She was just as invested in Kate’s own happiness, just slightly more subtle about showing it.
“You deserve all of them,” she replied quietly. From the time she’d first met him, even when they butted heads, Natasha had always admired Steve. Not for what he stood for, or what he could do, but because of who he was. He was just good. She knew he’d certainly been a positive influence on her over the years. If anyone deserved all the happiness this place could offer, it was him.
"Oh, is that something to chuckle about?" chided Steve in an amused voice, smirking playfully at the comment. "Thankfully it's not a competition. We'll just have to share all the happiness, if you're interested."
Part of him wanted to then and there scoop her up and carry her to the hotel rooms, but he knew that was his 1940s caveman brain. Natasha wasn't just some dame looking to get swept off her feet and her sense of self was one of the best things about her. So instead, he just leaned into her a bit more. For now.
Natasha lifted her head once more, a slight glint in her eye. “I thought I’d made it pretty clear that I was very interested.” She raised an eyebrow ever so slightly and moved in closer. “But if you’re looking for a reminder…” She reached out to hook her finger on the collar of his shirt and pulled him in for another kiss.
That was the kind of reminder that made him tingle down to his toes, and Steve let himself be reminded for as long as she required. Once they parted lips again, he opened his eyes and nodded in one of kind of 'you got me there' gestures before clearing his throat and chewing his bottom lip for half a second. "So, how about that hotel room?"
Her eyes lingered on his lips for a moment before she looked up to meet his gaze once more. “I was just thinking the same thing.” Even so, she was still slightly reluctant to leave this very comfortable spot so close to him. She kissed him once more for good measure, then finally got to her feet in a fluid motion. There was an attempt made to dust the sand from her clothes, but it was a losing battle and eventually she gave up. She wouldn’t need them much longer anyway. She glanced over at him with a smile. “Ready when you are.”