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[ Nice for Nat that she's unlike any lady that he's ever met, and now that he's learned to trust her, he thinks they've gotten pretty close. He likes to see this side of her, that she keeps hidden from most. ]
Well, that worked. But you're right -- curry's delicious. So let's get plenty.
The ambiance is nice.
[ He skims the menu and adds a couple dishes to his list; there are usually no leftovers when Steve comes out to eat, but if anything's good, they'll bring some back to show the others. ]
Last time I came out to eat like this was way too long ago. Guess we've mostly been getting takeout lately. We should do this more often.
Well, that worked. But you're right -- curry's delicious. So let's get plenty.
The ambiance is nice.
[ He skims the menu and adds a couple dishes to his list; there are usually no leftovers when Steve comes out to eat, but if anything's good, they'll bring some back to show the others. ]
Last time I came out to eat like this was way too long ago. Guess we've mostly been getting takeout lately. We should do this more often.
[It's taken a while, but she trusts Steve a lot and Nat lets her more generous and tender side slip out when she's around him. She might tease him mercilessly, but it's only because she feels genuinely for him. There's probably less than five people she can say that about. ]
You get what you want, and I promise to eat as heartily as I can. I won't eat like a dainty lady.
And yes, this place is pretty nice. I like it.
[Everything he orders sounds perfect. She leans in across the table when the waitress leaves, lifting her glass of wine to Steve. She knows he can't get drunk, but this is more a celebration to the fact that he's right. They don't do this, and it feels particularly good. ]
Well then, I propose a toast. To us. And to getting out of our asses long enough to come out together on a wonderful night to eat, drink and be very merry until we can't stand it any more.
You get what you want, and I promise to eat as heartily as I can. I won't eat like a dainty lady.
And yes, this place is pretty nice. I like it.
[Everything he orders sounds perfect. She leans in across the table when the waitress leaves, lifting her glass of wine to Steve. She knows he can't get drunk, but this is more a celebration to the fact that he's right. They don't do this, and it feels particularly good. ]
Well then, I propose a toast. To us. And to getting out of our asses long enough to come out together on a wonderful night to eat, drink and be very merry until we can't stand it any more.
I don't know if it's a good story but it is amusing, it's about an associate of mine who came to London a while ago for a vacation. She's a very bubbly type of person, friendly and very kind but also a little bit on the spacey side of things.
She came to the museum and of course one of the things I recommended that she try and find was the rosetta stone, about half way through the day I get a text from her that just reads 'I don't see what all the fuss is about, it's just a boring rock.'
About two seconds later I get another text that reads "oh. never mind."
Turns out she had found it but was looking at the backside of it and at first hadn't bothered to walk around the whole thing to see it.
She came to the museum and of course one of the things I recommended that she try and find was the rosetta stone, about half way through the day I get a text from her that just reads 'I don't see what all the fuss is about, it's just a boring rock.'
About two seconds later I get another text that reads "oh. never mind."
Turns out she had found it but was looking at the backside of it and at first hadn't bothered to walk around the whole thing to see it.
[Moving up the steps and then down the long hallway together, Natasha is giggling as Nate tells the story. She drops his arm and stands there rooted in her spot for a second and shakes her head laughing.]
You literally come into the room looking at it. You have to walk around it to see the back. I mean, this is ... wow. There are really all kinds of people out there in the world. I don't know how you do it. I know people like that too, and there are days...
[she takes his arm again, and after a few more minutes of walking along exhibits of other areas they end up in the little dark corridor that has the piece of the rosetta stone. It's covered in symbols. Some are worn away, and others are still rather clear. It's easily one of the most beautiful artifacts in the room.]
Here we are. I love looking at the pieces of languages and thinking about all the work that went into trying to bring it to life.
You literally come into the room looking at it. You have to walk around it to see the back. I mean, this is ... wow. There are really all kinds of people out there in the world. I don't know how you do it. I know people like that too, and there are days...
[she takes his arm again, and after a few more minutes of walking along exhibits of other areas they end up in the little dark corridor that has the piece of the rosetta stone. It's covered in symbols. Some are worn away, and others are still rather clear. It's easily one of the most beautiful artifacts in the room.]
Here we are. I love looking at the pieces of languages and thinking about all the work that went into trying to bring it to life.
[Already he enjoys the sound of her giggling and he offers her a little shrug.]
Leslie is a nice girl but like I said, a bit on the spacey side. Once she walked around and saw the "good side" of it she was impressed.
[He lets her lead them both over to the stone where he goes quiet, his eyes scanning it from top to bottom, almost like a computer would.]
Are you always so moved by languages?
Leslie is a nice girl but like I said, a bit on the spacey side. Once she walked around and saw the "good side" of it she was impressed.
[He lets her lead them both over to the stone where he goes quiet, his eyes scanning it from top to bottom, almost like a computer would.]
Are you always so moved by languages?
[there's still soft laughter until they reach the room. There are times when she thinks the same about Thor, and a few other members of shield. She knows that Thor is intelligent in his own manner, but he has his moments.
Natasha studies Nate as well as the stone, and is fascinated by the way he takes it all in. Her eyes dart from place to place at first, but then focus in on the top sections and work on exploring them, comparing them to the various symbols that she knows. ]
I was trained to pick them up easily, and I think it was something that I found myself attracted to because it gave me a connection to the world at large the more I learned. They fascinate me. I think this stone is wonderful because it was a breakthrough in understanding. Learning is one thing I was forbidden for a time, and now that I am free to do as much as I like, I will always yearn to do it.
Natasha studies Nate as well as the stone, and is fascinated by the way he takes it all in. Her eyes dart from place to place at first, but then focus in on the top sections and work on exploring them, comparing them to the various symbols that she knows. ]
I was trained to pick them up easily, and I think it was something that I found myself attracted to because it gave me a connection to the world at large the more I learned. They fascinate me. I think this stone is wonderful because it was a breakthrough in understanding. Learning is one thing I was forbidden for a time, and now that I am free to do as much as I like, I will always yearn to do it.
[ It's kind of nice, he thinks, to have Nat as a friend like this. He had thought it'd be hard to make friends having woken up from the ice, so he's also extremely grateful that she's in his life. ]
You'd better not, you're not a dainty lady.
[ A grin, and then he lifts his drink. It is probably bad luck to toast with water, but he'll deal with it. They didn't actually order drinks, so it can't be helped. ]
A toast t getting away from work for once, and also to the fact that you could kick my ass.
You'd better not, you're not a dainty lady.
[ A grin, and then he lifts his drink. It is probably bad luck to toast with water, but he'll deal with it. They didn't actually order drinks, so it can't be helped. ]
A toast t getting away from work for once, and also to the fact that you could kick my ass.
I can be dainty if I want to.
[she grins widely at him and nudges him gently with her foot under the table, sliding it up his leg to make a small point. It's less than kicking because that would be rude and not lady like. This is far more ...uh, dainty.
Laughter rolls when steve mentions that she could kick his ass. There's quite a bit of relief there that she will never have to face off against him in any war. Being on his side is always is a wonderful relief, as is being on the side of all those she trusts.]
Here's to the fact that I will never have to prove that I can kick your ass, and to getting the hell away from work.
[she grins widely at him and nudges him gently with her foot under the table, sliding it up his leg to make a small point. It's less than kicking because that would be rude and not lady like. This is far more ...uh, dainty.
Laughter rolls when steve mentions that she could kick his ass. There's quite a bit of relief there that she will never have to face off against him in any war. Being on his side is always is a wonderful relief, as is being on the side of all those she trusts.]
Here's to the fact that I will never have to prove that I can kick your ass, and to getting the hell away from work.
[ He could just take her leg, but he's sure that isn't part of this game. He's not actually sure what the rules are, but he's just happy to follow along.
Like with the rest of the toast. ]
We really do spend too much time working, don't we? I'm half expecting you to have pulled me into an undercover mission.
Like with the rest of the toast. ]
We really do spend too much time working, don't we? I'm half expecting you to have pulled me into an undercover mission.
[If he grabbed her leg then she would have slipped her shoe off and played the game with a little more danger. Natasha was nothing but consistent. She wasn't really sure what the point of it all was. Did she want more with Steve here, or does she merely enjoy playing with him.
The part she does know is that his company is something she never wants to lose. He's very close to her heart and that's not something she shares with many at all.
She grins with a little bit of the devil behind her smile.]
You know, I have thought about enlisting your help for a few missions. I figured it was wrong to cross jobs though. Didn't think you'd be interested in making money undercover. Tonight, though. Tonight is all us. Dinner and whatever we do after.
The part she does know is that his company is something she never wants to lose. He's very close to her heart and that's not something she shares with many at all.
She grins with a little bit of the devil behind her smile.]
You know, I have thought about enlisting your help for a few missions. I figured it was wrong to cross jobs though. Didn't think you'd be interested in making money undercover. Tonight, though. Tonight is all us. Dinner and whatever we do after.
[ He wants to be sure that they'll never have to lose each other - he's had enough of losing his friends over the years, but after the Accords, he couldn't be too certain. He couldn't be making any promises.
And though Nat had stuck with him through it, he doesn't know what the future holds. But that's not something to worry about right now. ]
Nat, I don't know if you know this, but my face is on a whole lot of tabloids. I don't think I last very long undercover.
[ Hell, the fact that she wasn't deterred by how terribly he'd performed during the one stint they had where he'd pretended they were going to honeymoon in Jersey is definitely just her being nice. ]
And though Nat had stuck with him through it, he doesn't know what the future holds. But that's not something to worry about right now. ]
Nat, I don't know if you know this, but my face is on a whole lot of tabloids. I don't think I last very long undercover.
[ Hell, the fact that she wasn't deterred by how terribly he'd performed during the one stint they had where he'd pretended they were going to honeymoon in Jersey is definitely just her being nice. ]
[After all that they've been through, and they way they've fought as a team Natasha is pretty sure that there's no way she's going to ever let go of Steve as a friend. It's been a rough go for her, and she's lost plenty as well. This is important, and no matter what his friendship will always be vital.]
What. You'd think you were Captain America or something amazing.
[She laughs and flips her napkin up in the air at him, holding on to one end so it doesn't go flying but just enough to tease him. Along with that goes an over-exaggerated eyeroll as well. She enjoyed their stint in Jersey, even if he made a terrible fake husband. He did what she said when she said it, which showed he was trainable. Everyone has to start somewhere.]
No one lasts long, that's why we keep changing places and roles. I could make you look like someone completely different. I'm that good, but I like your face well enough. We'll keep it as is. I'm surprised we haven't been mobbed for people asking for your autograph already.
What. You'd think you were Captain America or something amazing.
[She laughs and flips her napkin up in the air at him, holding on to one end so it doesn't go flying but just enough to tease him. Along with that goes an over-exaggerated eyeroll as well. She enjoyed their stint in Jersey, even if he made a terrible fake husband. He did what she said when she said it, which showed he was trainable. Everyone has to start somewhere.]
No one lasts long, that's why we keep changing places and roles. I could make you look like someone completely different. I'm that good, but I like your face well enough. We'll keep it as is. I'm surprised we haven't been mobbed for people asking for your autograph already.
That makes a lot of sense, those who are cut off from the world usually yearn for it and connections with others.
What else do you like to learn? Skills? History?
What else do you like to learn? Skills? History?
[it's true. she was cut off for a long time, and can still be limited on what she does on her own time. she may see the world a million times over, but most of it has to do with work and not pleasure.
standing to the side of the display, she tips her head to think]
I am lucky to be able to have friends and connections now. Even if they aren't many, the few I have are very true.
I train and hone my skills as a master of fighting, hacking, and knowledge. I don't like to sit still very often. I'm not one to sit and knit an blanket, and I'm never going to be a mom so those are things I think about. I'm committed to the job and right now that's my focus.
[the information about not having children slipped out and surprised nat. it's not something she tells many people at all. it's very private and something she's not proud of, and rather secretive about. in fact, she turns and moves to study something not very interesting close by, focusing on that rather than on his reaction to her truth.]
standing to the side of the display, she tips her head to think]
I am lucky to be able to have friends and connections now. Even if they aren't many, the few I have are very true.
I train and hone my skills as a master of fighting, hacking, and knowledge. I don't like to sit still very often. I'm not one to sit and knit an blanket, and I'm never going to be a mom so those are things I think about. I'm committed to the job and right now that's my focus.
[the information about not having children slipped out and surprised nat. it's not something she tells many people at all. it's very private and something she's not proud of, and rather secretive about. in fact, she turns and moves to study something not very interesting close by, focusing on that rather than on his reaction to her truth.]
[He of course catches the slip she made about children although his face doesn't show any indication of this, instead he tucks the information away for later questioning and instead drifts along beside her quietly.]
I should hope that's not your focus right now, you're supposed to be having an evening out and not thinking about work.
[He teases gently.]
I should hope that's not your focus right now, you're supposed to be having an evening out and not thinking about work.
[He teases gently.]
[ Well, he does know that she's got those masks that make someone look like someone else, but at the same time, his body's also pretty recognizable. He'd have to wear a lot of baggy clothes.
Maybe undercover's not a great idea. ]
I don't know, Nat.
We can see about it.
[ But he's thinking it makes more sense for him to stay here. ]
Maybe undercover's not a great idea. ]
I don't know, Nat.
We can see about it.
[ But he's thinking it makes more sense for him to stay here. ]
[There she goes again, getting too serious when she's supposed to be having fun. Feeling like a heel, she drops her head and turns it back to Nate, once more enjoying the study of his profile. ]
You're something else, you know that?
[she says softly, knowing that he's moving on for her sake. Smiling once more she nudges him with her hip and lays a head on his shoulder, feeling a lot more comfortable around him now.]
What's work. I'm right here with you. We're on our way to go see a greek temple, or the front of it anyways, and some killer statues so we can make fun of the way they're posed. I mean really, does anyone stand like that in the real world?
You're something else, you know that?
[she says softly, knowing that he's moving on for her sake. Smiling once more she nudges him with her hip and lays a head on his shoulder, feeling a lot more comfortable around him now.]
What's work. I'm right here with you. We're on our way to go see a greek temple, or the front of it anyways, and some killer statues so we can make fun of the way they're posed. I mean really, does anyone stand like that in the real world?
Steve. Honey.
[she says very slowly, and leans across the table, motioning for him to lean in close to her. She runs her fingers along his chin and smiles trying not to laugh.]
I was teasing you. I would never try to put you undercover. You're absolutely perfect being exactly who you are. Why change you, ever?
[she taps his nose and leans back with a smile.]
I mean it. I'm the one who does the jobs undercover and makes the money this way, and you're the soldier. We can't change who we are.
[she says very slowly, and leans across the table, motioning for him to lean in close to her. She runs her fingers along his chin and smiles trying not to laugh.]
I was teasing you. I would never try to put you undercover. You're absolutely perfect being exactly who you are. Why change you, ever?
[she taps his nose and leans back with a smile.]
I mean it. I'm the one who does the jobs undercover and makes the money this way, and you're the soldier. We can't change who we are.
[As someone who is serious 90% of the time he doesn't mind that she slipped into it, it's understandable considering both their lives but he is also glad when she allows herself to relax back into the date.]
Am I? I hope that's a compliment.
[He teases further as they walk towards the temple display.]
And of course people actually stand like that, when they think someone is watching and admiring them.
Am I? I hope that's a compliment.
[He teases further as they walk towards the temple display.]
And of course people actually stand like that, when they think someone is watching and admiring them.
Well, you're pretty perfect from where I'm looking, but you go undercover sometimes.
[ He says that with the utmost honesty - he really likes Nat. And it's not that he actually thinks she's perfect, but.
He also thinks that everyone thinks he's too perfect, so. ]
[ He says that with the utmost honesty - he really likes Nat. And it's not that he actually thinks she's perfect, but.
He also thinks that everyone thinks he's too perfect, so. ]
[It's impossibly easy to flip the switch. Her life is what it is and she doesn't allow herself to really relax around people. Always being on her guard is absolutely exhausting, so now and then when Nat does relax around someone she's slowly starting to trust, the facade actually slips and truths are shown.
Finding herself enjoying Nate's company is rare, and keeps Natasha on her toes. She nods.]
You are, and yes, it is a compliment. Enjoy it. I tease far more than I compliment.
[catching her first glimpse of the slightly crowded room coming up, she pauses and makes a pose of herself with hand on her hip and one under her chin, chest horribly pointed out, belly pushed hard forward to try and make it seem rounded an almost impossible feat.]
I know you think I'm hot like this. [she falls forward, stepping into herself to stand straight after.] oh man. then you have the men who all want to look like Hercules. great giant muscles, itty bitty penises.
Finding herself enjoying Nate's company is rare, and keeps Natasha on her toes. She nods.]
You are, and yes, it is a compliment. Enjoy it. I tease far more than I compliment.
[catching her first glimpse of the slightly crowded room coming up, she pauses and makes a pose of herself with hand on her hip and one under her chin, chest horribly pointed out, belly pushed hard forward to try and make it seem rounded an almost impossible feat.]
I know you think I'm hot like this. [she falls forward, stepping into herself to stand straight after.] oh man. then you have the men who all want to look like Hercules. great giant muscles, itty bitty penises.
[She laughs, and if they'd been closer she'd have kissed him right on the lips, with a loud smacking sound, full of life and joy for that. He deserves it for always seeing the best. He knows that she's far from perfect.
They both know that neither of them are perfect, but the fact that they say so is a testament to their relationship, that only seems to grow each and every time they are together. ]
This is why you're my favorite, and I never ever turn down a date with you. You tell me I'm perfect when we both know that neither of us are anywhere near. Ah, what are we going to do.. hm? I know. Eat all this food that seems to be coming for us now..
[sure enough several trays of food make their way to the table and plates are scattered about. Natasha purses her lips together as she tries to make heads or tails of all the dishes at once. ]
This smells amaaaazing.
They both know that neither of them are perfect, but the fact that they say so is a testament to their relationship, that only seems to grow each and every time they are together. ]
This is why you're my favorite, and I never ever turn down a date with you. You tell me I'm perfect when we both know that neither of us are anywhere near. Ah, what are we going to do.. hm? I know. Eat all this food that seems to be coming for us now..
[sure enough several trays of food make their way to the table and plates are scattered about. Natasha purses her lips together as she tries to make heads or tails of all the dishes at once. ]
This smells amaaaazing.
[ It's true. Since their stint together undercover it feels like they're a lot closer. And even though he can't understand her sometimes, he really gets her.
They communicate. It's great.
He can smell the food coming before it does, and it gets laid out in front of them. He's excited to try it, getting rice on his plate, taking a few pieces of naan, scooping out some of the curries. ]
I hope it's worth the trip.
They communicate. It's great.
He can smell the food coming before it does, and it gets laid out in front of them. He's excited to try it, getting rice on his plate, taking a few pieces of naan, scooping out some of the curries. ]
I hope it's worth the trip.
Mmn. I do like a bit of teasing.
[He says, lifting a brow at her with a smirk but then chuckles when she gets into position to mock the statue.]
Very fetching. And is it Hercules that most men want to look like? I thought it was David.
Either way though they all have small dicks.
[He says, lifting a brow at her with a smirk but then chuckles when she gets into position to mock the statue.]
Very fetching. And is it Hercules that most men want to look like? I thought it was David.
Either way though they all have small dicks.
[They've been through the fire together, sometimes literally and it's made them stronger as a team, both in work and friendship and Nat cherishes that.
It's what has her watching Steve's face as he looks over the food with a little wide eyed wonder and laughing softly. He's almost like a child, and it's worth every second. ]
If you could only see you now, I think you'd be half way in love. You really do love your food, don't you.
I'm sure that it tastes as good as it smells and looks. They say that smell is a big part of the taste. So, go ahead, tell me if it's worth it all.
[Watching him with rapt attention, Nat takes rice, naan and scoops some of the curry and a couple of the other flavorful looking things onto her plate. It's like a little buffet. ]
It's what has her watching Steve's face as he looks over the food with a little wide eyed wonder and laughing softly. He's almost like a child, and it's worth every second. ]
If you could only see you now, I think you'd be half way in love. You really do love your food, don't you.
I'm sure that it tastes as good as it smells and looks. They say that smell is a big part of the taste. So, go ahead, tell me if it's worth it all.
[Watching him with rapt attention, Nat takes rice, naan and scoops some of the curry and a couple of the other flavorful looking things onto her plate. It's like a little buffet. ]
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