blackhourglass | Open Post

[In her head it registers that no one is truly perfect, but at times all she can see is the red in her ledger. Nat knows she's worked hard to wipe it clean, but there will always be that force there-- and trouble will always exist on the horizon. She stops though, stops trying to sabotage everything decent here before it can really settle and she lets Steve have the floor.

He's not perfect, even if in her eyes, he's all that she can see. ]

You're so amazing, and yeah, we're both trying to do the right thing. You end up getting the better stick most of the time. I'm trying, and...

[it's all that he says next that shuts her mouth and catches her completely off guard. In part, Nat hadn't truly realized what she said before. She knows that in her heart that's what she feels, but she'd coupled it with a lot of other things, and spoke about other things being what she loved, not thinking that what her words amounted to were literally the fact that she did love him.

That's why when he caught her eye, and looked at her plainly, seeing her in the way she only let him see her tonight. She'd only just opened herself up this way tonight, so that he could see her heart.

Those words. She never thought she'd hear them from anyone. After her breath returns she stutters out his name, and then pulls her chair over to the side so that she's so much closer to Steve. With his hand in hers, she looks back at him and takes a deep breath.]

I- I do. I love you too Steve. You and no one else. If you will have me. I will do my best to be with you, and be yours.

[she closes her eyes, terrified as she is excited and passionate. opening them once again, nat pulls their hands in close and tugs Steve to her so that she can press their lips together softly. It's one of the most careful and softest kisses she's ever given and it's very different than the one they shared in disguise before. This has emotion and feeling behind it. ]

[He knows that she knows he's looking, and it's just proved by how she sashays past him to look at the next display, her hips rolling in that slow tick tock motion that only a woman's can.]

Is that your favorite jewel then? Sapphires?

[He asks as he comes over to look at the sarcophagus, leaning down to peer at it, his shoulder grazing hers.]

Natasha always lets go when they're in bed together, which is something that Clint really appreciates. He knows she's done a lot of honey pot missions in the past, and that sex was part of her job, but with him she really seems like she enjoys it. She could be faking, for all he knows, but he really doesn't think that she is.

Clint doesn't let up when he feels Natasha contract around his fingers. He keeps going, lets her ride that wave until she can't any longer. It's only then that withdraws his fingers, brings them up to his mouth for a taste. "I love it when you scream my name," he admits with a smirk, moving up her body to drop a kiss onto her lips.

Settling himself between her legs, he deepens the kiss, licking into her mouth and tipping her head back to have more access. In this position, he could just press right in, but he wants to make sure that she's not too sensitive first. To find out, he breaks the kiss and says, "you okay? You good with this?" he asks softly.

[ He still doesn't understand it. He's seen her record. It's bad, yes, but it's not the worst he's seen. She has so much guilt that she can't even accept the good that she's done afterwards.

And it's not like Steve's hands are fully clean, either. He's killed, but he can't let that take him down. He doesn't know how to phrase this again, like how he'd said to Wanda - they need to keep fighting, and that's all they can do. They can't change the past, they can only do better in the future.

He's still trying to come up with the words when she starts talking again, and though he should see the kiss coming, it still surprises him, though he recovers a lot more easily than he had the first go-around. No need for Nat to tell him he's bad at kissing this time.

When they finally break, he has his hands at her waist. ]

You're already doing your best, Nat. That's all I could hope for.

[ He offers her a small smile. ]

Why don't I pay for this and we... take a walk around?

[The play flirting is fun, and there's so much more intricacy when it's done in public like this and there's a subtle quality to it rather than anything absolute, or overt. It's nice to feel the warmth of Nate's shoulder against hers.

Leaning against him softly, Nat tips her head up at a slight angle to catch the line of his jaw. It's so damn kissable. It's fairly hard to resist. ]

They are one, probably what I would want if I were to ask for something. I like the mix of them with diamonds if you're truly curious. The various colors mixed with the brilliant white is stunning. I like garnets as well. That deep red is truly stunning.

[Nat doesn't wear much in the way of jewelry. There are occasions that she's done so for various reasons, but naturally it gets in the way of jobs. That doesn't keep her from admiring the beauty of jewels. ]

Diamonds, sapphires and garnets. All duly noted.

[He says in a low and thoughtful tone, when he feels the gentle pressure of her leaning against him he takes it as an invitation and slides his arm around her once again. His hand finding a place to rest in the gentle curve of her waist, at the top swell of her hip.]

Have you ever heard of The Star of Asia?

[there's a shake of her head when he says something about noting the stones that she likes. No one has ever taken down her preferences in anything like that. She doubts that anyone even knows her true preferences on flowers even.

Where with so many others it would be instinct to pull away, or give distance after the second or third time, Nat curls in closer every time Nate brings his arm around her. It's not even sexual. It's instinctive. She fits against the lines of his body. ]

That's the star sapphire, right? The one in the Smithsonian. I have seen it a few times when I've been in Washington. It's lovely. I was once given a star sapphire to wear for a gala on a necklace, surrounded by diamonds. They took it back the next day.

[She lays her head against him, and closes her eyes briefly, inhaling the memory] We should have gone to see the gems here.

How could she do anything but let go with Clint. He's a master of her body, and holds one of the few keys to other more sensitive and intimate parts of her-- like the one that beats frantically against the ribs that hold it tightly in the chest cavity it sits in. Who is she to admit to any of that when they lead such different lives and she'd never want to hold him back. It makes a difference though. It makes a difference when it's him between her legs, his tongue, his fingers dragging her through the highest ecstasy she knows. That's another thing she'd never do. She'd fake on a job, but never with Clint. If she didn't orgasm, she'd keep pushing until she did, or let him know to try something different.

Trust is part of their foundation and so when he comes up to lick inside her mouth she clings to him like he's the very oxygen she breathes. Demanding the flavor he so generously and graciously stole from her body as he bought her pleasure. Tasting herself, she moaned against his lips and as she laved against his tongue with her own.

More than ready, Nat wrapped her legs around him and pressed her hips up. He could have taken her in the middle of that orgasm and she would have loved it. Yet that touch of sweet concern is always appreciated. "I'm so ready, love. Please, I want you inside me. I want to feel you. I need to feel you." She whispers and chases his lips again, wanting to press the desperation she has for his body into his mouth. Maybe, just maybe she can offer a subtle flavor of exactly how much she cares and needs him through the way she kisses him and reacts with her hips, rolling them up and against his body, tightening her inner walls with every thrust of his cock.

[There are a lot of things that aren't in her record, and so much that is redacted even from the things that are listed. Then there are the things they brainwashed her with, and beyond. She's colored inside and outside the lines. She's been killing since before she became a woman even. It's not even about that anymore, and that's what she's doing her best to release into the world at large.

Nat knows that if she's going to hold onto it forever, she won't make it. There's times she hasn't been quick enough, or strong enough but for the most part she's still only human. There's some of her that's super, but it's not too much.

Sitting here with Steve is the first time in a long time that Natasha can remember truly feeling one hundred percent like a whole woman. His arms make her do that. ]

I know, and if it's somehow good enough for you then I'll let it be and I think that's a great idea if you're sure you've had enough to eat.

[ Well, he could always eat more, because he's Steve. He could easily continue to just eat, like a cow does, all day. But he won't, because he's had his fill and what he really wants is to walk with Nat.

So, he takes out his cash - of course he still pays with cash - and happily offers his arm out to her. ]

Where should we walk?

That's the one.

[He says, obviously pleased that she knows what he's talking about. Truly she is a hyper intelligent woman who knows more than just basic world knowledge.]

It's a pity you had to give it back, I imagine you would look stunning with a star sapphire. It would really highlight your eyes.

There's still lots of time, we can head there next if you'd like.

[At times, Nat gives her training most of the credit, but she always went above and beyond because she wanted to know things and she had a gift for picking information up, like her gift with languages. Things that interested her tended to linger in her mind, and she added them to the collection of trivia that she held for the day she might need it.

Smiling at Nate, she nodded. ]

Thank you. It was super beautiful, and you're sweet for saying that. I think it stole the show though. I'd love to go see the gems if you'd enjoy it. I mean, we've seen much i've enjoyed, I haven't thought to hand the map over to you. I swear, next time this is all you.

[feeling a little remiss, she slides out from under the shadow of his arm, and takes his hand again so that they can wander over to the gem and jewels section.]

[There's a small grin on her face as she waits for him to pay their bill with cash, and for the waitress to come back. When everything's settled she stands and stretches, making sure her lower cut dress doesn't do anything revealing and slips her arm through his.

Outside, a nice, if still warm breeze blows along the sidewalk. Down the way she can hear music coming from somewhere. She nods her head toward the slower song of a saxophone]

How about we find it.

[In a slightly intimate manner, she tips her head and noses against his neck, kissing it softly. ]

Thank you for everything tonight. It's been totally unexpected, but I don't know when I last felt like this.

Nat, you don't have to thank me. I wanted to come out here with you.

[ He looks a bit sheepish. ]

Honestly, it's nice. Getting to spend time with you when we're not covered in alien guts or up to our necks in conspiracies.

Don't you think so?

[ Finally, he gets to be free. To do things. None of that stuff where he tells Nat he's too busy. ]

I didn't realize that this was anything more than two friends having dinner, Steve. That it could ever be that.

[There's that look she adores. One moment he can be bold, and then next so shy. It's such a study in dichotomies being with him, but Nat loves that about him. ]

It is good to see one another when the world isn't falling apart, or when we aren't dodging crazy threats from crazier people. Walking freely and without worry down a street is wonderful.

[she brings his hand to her lips and dots a kiss over each of his fingers. ]

It can be whatever you want it to be.

[ He says, noncommittally, because it's Steve and Steve has a lot of problems and most of them are with how he clams up whenever he talks to a beautiful woman. Honestly, this is already a lot braver than he normally is, but only because he and Nat are such good friends. ]

You know the best part about all this is, the bad guys picked a really nice evening to take off.

[ And then, when she's done kissing his hand, he reaches over to cup her cheek, and bring het closer. ]

[she pauses, and looks up at him and tips her head a little looking into her eyes. Her heart does this funny thing inside her and her stomach drops a little. Did she misunderstand things in the restaurant. Usually when a man says they love you, they mean something by it.

She wanted him to mean something by it. At least, that's what she'd thought when he'd said it. Inhaling she smiles and leans against his hand.]

Yeah, they were nice. Steve. You say that this can be whatever I want it to be, but inside the restaurant.. you told me that you loved me. Was that just a friendly thing then?

[She swallows hard, and glances up, moving into the shadow of his body.]

[ He's got all his words tied up in knots and his heart, too. He doesn't really know how to do this. ]

Nat, none of this comes easy to me. I don't know what to say. I love you, but I don't know how that works.

[ He doesn't even know how to love someone. He's never gotten the chance. ]

[she has to laugh a little there. The two people on the planet who don't really know how love work, real, true love that is. Nat has an idea from movies and books, but she's never had the real stuff directed at her.

She looks at him, and he says it again. She can feel it, but she doesn't know if she wants to kiss him or cry. Her heart is a mess. It has been a mess for a long time. ]

It doesn't come easy to me either, Steve. I want to be with you. I'll take the time you need, but maybe it can look like you and I are... together. People do that right? What do you want. I just want to be with you. I want you to be happy.

[Moving in closer, she wraps her arms around his waist and settles them there to see how it feels to hold him, be near him like this.]

I am happy, Nat. You make me happy.

[ He smiles and gives her a little squeeze. ]

I think you're amazing. And you don't give yourself enough credit.

[ He reaches over and plucks a blossom from a bush, and tucks it behind her ear. ]

[Somehow he doubts that any gem could outshine her but then again he might be a little biased, he smiles and laces his fingers through hers and lets her lead the way to the gem area.]

I'm enjoying seeing your favorite areas, it helps me get to know you in a more personable way. I would hate for our first date to feel like an interview, where we just sit across from one another at a table and ask endless questions.

[For him it's better to see her move around, react to the world around them, he's a highly perceptive person and it tells him a lot about who she is.]

Then ask me out already... ask me to go steady, to be your girl. I want to be the only one in your life. Period, and I want all the labels. I've never had them.

[she laughs as she spells it out for him. Only for him would she ever do such a thing. He should know being as old fashioned as he is what it means to have a girl, but she'll give him pause for missing half his life.

tipping her head, she casts her eye at the blossom behind her ear. He sure is sweet, 100% candy. All that she's ever wanted.]

I'll try to give myself more credit, because you see so much in me.

They haven't been together in a while. so Clint doesn't want to take the same liberties as he would have when they were sleeping together regularly. Maybe if they keep doing this, they can get back to that same level of comfort and Clint will do what he wants because he'll know that she wants it too. For now, better to ask to make sure. With her positive response, Clint pushes into her, rolling his hips against hers until he's fully seated.

"Fuck," he breathes, pressing his face against her neck. "Feels so good."

Natasha kisses him then, and he can tell that she's doing her very best to see how fast she can get him off. Honestly, he wants to see if he can get her there again, so while he kisses her, he fucks into her slowly, like he has all the time in the world to reach his orgasm. he gets his hands on her ass so that he can better guide their movements, and tries not to let the hot wet tight feeling of her go to his head.

Nat, people don't go steady anymore, even I know that.

[ But he quirks a grin, and then tries: ]

Would you like to be my girlfriend?

[ That might work a little better. Modernize it. Bring it to the current year. ]

[This whole date has seemed a little surreal for Natasha. Naturally, she's far more reserved with people that aren't a part of her direct world. Nate's an addendum adjacent to it, and he understands so much more about her than most people do. Not to mention, he's got his own scars. It doesn't matter if they are internal or external, the value is the same in her mind.

Like a moth drawn to a flame, he pulls her in and she can't help but feel at ease and comfortable in his presence. She's thought it over and over and knows now that it's far more than something small brewing on her end.

It's with a sigh, she smiles and glances up at him as they walk into the smaller room of gemstones, and a few pieces of jewelry.]

I don't mind interviews, but this has been far more enjoyable. Plus, it gives me the benefit of feeling your hand in mine and your arm around me. Two things that a dinner table can't give.

[moving over to a geode, she walks around to see the rock and crystal sides to it. ]

It said on the sign that most the jewelry was with the displays. I figured. It's not like this is the tower's display of the Crown Jewels. Now that's something to see. You get history of the tower, and then get to walk through the crown jewels. I will never forget when I got to do that. It was years and years ago, but very enjoyable.

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