[Knowing Steve's tendency to dress up for most all occasions known as dinner dates, Nat did the same and wore one of her nicer black dresses for him. It might have been short, but it did exactly what it was supposed to.
She showed at the door with a glass of wine, and a smile.] Hey there. Do we have time for a glass, or should I go get my heels on to meet you on your bike. I made sure to wear a dress that stretches.
[She laughed, and pulled up at the leg, revealing a bit of thigh where it met her garter belt. It was done directly to make Steve blush, but she couldn't help herself. It was half the fun.]
[It takes her but a second to down the glass of wine in her hand, and once that's gone she swings back to her bedroom and gathers up the shoes she'll be wearing. They are completely impractical, but absolutely stunning with the dress-- exactly how they should be.
Stalking back out, she spins for Steve's pleasure, and then grabs a small tight little leather jacket she had sitting by, sleek and black, of course. ]
Jacket covered, anything else you think I might need? I've got my gun in my tiny little... [She just winked at him, and then laughed shaking her head. It didn't mean that she wasn't packing, but where-- well, she'd never actually tell. Knives were easier to hide in outfits like this anyway.]
[Natasha wouldn't be herself if she wasn't always prepared, and that included weaponry along with condoms. A girl has to have her prerogatives. She laughs at his question as the move out to the bike.
It's a beauty, and always has been. Running her fingers over it she whistles lowly.]
You never know what trouble I'll find by the end of the night when I'm with you. You know Steve. I'd almost say your bike is as good looking as you, but I can't quite bring myself to it. You're a little too handsome.
[She brings her fingers up to his cheek and taps it a few times, waiting for him to maneuver it around]
Never bad. I always like your company and that's one hundred percent the truth.
[It's funny, Natasha may lie for a living but when it comes down to her real relationships she does her best to be as honest as she can. There might be times when she has to withhold things for work, but at times like this she'd never be false with Steve, not when she can look him in his blue eyes and feel her heart stumble a little.
There's a smile when he pushes her hair back. She slips on the bike behind him and slowly wraps her arms around him. It's a good feeling.]
Thank you. Yes, it is new. I got it for the evening. I knew I'd need something to go with the dress on the bike.
[Not many men would notice a new jacket, leave it to Steve. She squeezes his sides and lays her head against his back for a brief second, letting a rare second of vulnerability to wash over her before she turns it back and sets it on his shoulder.]
Are you trying to impress me? Nat, you know you don't need to do that.
[ But even as he says that, it does work, and he starts their drive to the restaurant. Even her cheek on his back feels natural, but of all the Avengers, he also thinks that she's the most physically affectionate with him, so that makes sense.
Really, he adores the time they spend together. They don't really understand each other, not in the way of life experiences or anything, but he thinks that they sort of get each other in the ways that matter. ]
[It's not every day that Nat gets the opportunity to go out on something that's akin to a real date, that's with a real person and not for the job. She felt like dressing it up. Plus, after the laugh she'd had about the name of the place, she'd been in a good mood and a trip shopping only kept the mood going.]
You know I always dress to impress.
[then she downgrades and smiles softly behind his back, enjoying the beginnings of the wind as they move down the street, slow at first through the neighborhood.]
I know Steve. It's been crazy, and I wanted to feel nice for tonight, for you, for me. Sometimes a woman needs to dress up for herself to feel good inside. It's a girl thing. I promise.
[maybe they've had very different life experiences, but she's got an affection for Steve that's very genuine. He's honest and forthcoming, not a lot of people are. That means a lot in Nat's book. Not to mention, he's always accepted her, even with her past, even when they're angry at one another they don't fight dirty. They get through it, and make up on the other side.
When the bike speeds up, it makes it harder to talk and so Nat goes back to resting her head against Steve's back until they get there. Maybe it's giving into that girly side again, but she'll let herself if only for tonight.]
Well, in any case Nat, you always look nice. But I do like this on you.
[ The new clothes, the makeup, the hair. It's a good look, not that she needed any help in that department. Anyway, he only says these whenever they're at a stoplight, since he doubts she'd be able to hear him otherwise.
Eventually they get to the restaurant, and it takes him a few minutes to find parking. ]
I hope this place is good. The reviews are great.
And if it's not, well, we can always ditch and go get pizza.
[It's true, and she does always enjoy the compliments when they're genuine. It's one thing when a guy looks her over like a piece of meat to be had at his leisure, but it's different when a man notices her for who she is and then takes the parts she worked hard to spruce up and enjoys those effects on her.
Once they find parking, Nat gives him one last squeeze and then slides off the bike, undoing her hair from the updo she'd fashioned it into for the ride and letting it cascade around her face and shoulders. ]
Pizza's never a bad option. I think this will work out for us though.
[She walks up to the door and pauses, knowing that Steve is old-fashioned and will always open a door for a lady. That done she walks through and up to the hostess stand, letting him speak since he set the reservations.]
[ Well, the other thing is that Steve would never look at her as a piece of meat because he doesn't tend to look at anyone that way, even when they want him to. ]
I do have a good feeling about it. And I'm getting a load of naan.
[ Steve could singlehandedly keep a business afloat with the amount that he consumes, so it's a good thing that he's getting a stipend from Tony now that SHIELD is no longer. ]
[That's what she was getting at. He's a one of a kind and removed from most of the guys around Natasha. No matter what or how it goes in the long run. It's a welcome change and she enjoys being around his old fashioned manners, and chivalrous nature.
Following him inside she follows the hostess to their table and settles in as they wait for their wait staff.]
I just wanted to confuse you with the name.
[she laughs and takes the menu the host comes back with, having forgotten to drop them off earlier.]
No, really. It looked good and I was in the mood for some curry. It's been a little while since I've had some, and I heard this place had decent reviews. Gotta hit up all the new joints.
Naan is delicious. I'm right there with you.
[Natasha glances over the menu, and beyond the quail, she wants the chicken dish as well, making her order pretty simple. She knows that Steve will order enough for her to nibble on things here and there if she wants.]
[ 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.
[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.
[ 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.
[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.
[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.
[ 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. ]
[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.
[ 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. ]
[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 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. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
For @pursuitofcappiness
Date: 2023-07-09 07:29 pm (UTC)[Knowing Steve's tendency to dress up for most all occasions known as dinner dates, Nat did the same and wore one of her nicer black dresses for him. It might have been short, but it did exactly what it was supposed to.
She showed at the door with a glass of wine, and a smile.] Hey there. Do we have time for a glass, or should I go get my heels on to meet you on your bike. I made sure to wear a dress that stretches.
[She laughed, and pulled up at the leg, revealing a bit of thigh where it met her garter belt. It was done directly to make Steve blush, but she couldn't help herself. It was half the fun.]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-10 01:10 am (UTC)[ And he also isn't affected by alcohol. But then, he gulps as the breath escapes his throat, but he ignores it.
Nat's just being. Nat. ]
You sure you won't need a jacket?
no subject
Date: 2023-07-10 01:41 pm (UTC)[It takes her but a second to down the glass of wine in her hand, and once that's gone she swings back to her bedroom and gathers up the shoes she'll be wearing. They are completely impractical, but absolutely stunning with the dress-- exactly how they should be.
Stalking back out, she spins for Steve's pleasure, and then grabs a small tight little leather jacket she had sitting by, sleek and black, of course. ]
Jacket covered, anything else you think I might need? I've got my gun in my tiny little... [She just winked at him, and then laughed shaking her head. It didn't mean that she wasn't packing, but where-- well, she'd never actually tell. Knives were easier to hide in outfits like this anyway.]
Come on, let's go.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-10 04:48 pm (UTC)[ He's happy to just hang out for a bit while she finishes her wine anyway, but it's no problem if she just wants to down it, either.
He raises a brow. ]
What kinda danger do you think we're gonna get into?
[ But he knows she's just being careful and they've had some interesting run-ins.
He leads her out to the bike. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-11 06:46 pm (UTC)It's a beauty, and always has been. Running her fingers over it she whistles lowly.]
You never know what trouble I'll find by the end of the night when I'm with you. You know Steve. I'd almost say your bike is as good looking as you, but I can't quite bring myself to it. You're a little too handsome.
[She brings her fingers up to his cheek and taps it a few times, waiting for him to maneuver it around]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-12 03:53 am (UTC)[ He smiles at her fondly, and then reaches over to brush a lock of hair behind her ear. ]
You look nice, by the way.
Is that a new jacket?
[ He gets on the bike and makes some room for her to get on. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-12 10:38 am (UTC)[It's funny, Natasha may lie for a living but when it comes down to her real relationships she does her best to be as honest as she can. There might be times when she has to withhold things for work, but at times like this she'd never be false with Steve, not when she can look him in his blue eyes and feel her heart stumble a little.
There's a smile when he pushes her hair back. She slips on the bike behind him and slowly wraps her arms around him. It's a good feeling.]
Thank you. Yes, it is new. I got it for the evening. I knew I'd need something to go with the dress on the bike.
[Not many men would notice a new jacket, leave it to Steve. She squeezes his sides and lays her head against his back for a brief second, letting a rare second of vulnerability to wash over her before she turns it back and sets it on his shoulder.]
Ready whenever you are Captain my Captain.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-12 04:53 pm (UTC)Are you trying to impress me? Nat, you know you don't need to do that.
[ But even as he says that, it does work, and he starts their drive to the restaurant. Even her cheek on his back feels natural, but of all the Avengers, he also thinks that she's the most physically affectionate with him, so that makes sense.
Really, he adores the time they spend together. They don't really understand each other, not in the way of life experiences or anything, but he thinks that they sort of get each other in the ways that matter. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-12 08:55 pm (UTC)You know I always dress to impress.
[then she downgrades and smiles softly behind his back, enjoying the beginnings of the wind as they move down the street, slow at first through the neighborhood.]
I know Steve. It's been crazy, and I wanted to feel nice for tonight, for you, for me. Sometimes a woman needs to dress up for herself to feel good inside. It's a girl thing. I promise.
[maybe they've had very different life experiences, but she's got an affection for Steve that's very genuine. He's honest and forthcoming, not a lot of people are. That means a lot in Nat's book. Not to mention, he's always accepted her, even with her past, even when they're angry at one another they don't fight dirty. They get through it, and make up on the other side.
When the bike speeds up, it makes it harder to talk and so Nat goes back to resting her head against Steve's back until they get there. Maybe it's giving into that girly side again, but she'll let herself if only for tonight.]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-13 02:25 am (UTC)[ The new clothes, the makeup, the hair. It's a good look, not that she needed any help in that department. Anyway, he only says these whenever they're at a stoplight, since he doubts she'd be able to hear him otherwise.
Eventually they get to the restaurant, and it takes him a few minutes to find parking. ]
I hope this place is good. The reviews are great.
And if it's not, well, we can always ditch and go get pizza.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-13 05:44 pm (UTC)[It's true, and she does always enjoy the compliments when they're genuine. It's one thing when a guy looks her over like a piece of meat to be had at his leisure, but it's different when a man notices her for who she is and then takes the parts she worked hard to spruce up and enjoys those effects on her.
Once they find parking, Nat gives him one last squeeze and then slides off the bike, undoing her hair from the updo she'd fashioned it into for the ride and letting it cascade around her face and shoulders. ]
Pizza's never a bad option. I think this will work out for us though.
[She walks up to the door and pauses, knowing that Steve is old-fashioned and will always open a door for a lady. That done she walks through and up to the hostess stand, letting him speak since he set the reservations.]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-13 10:27 pm (UTC)I do have a good feeling about it. And I'm getting a load of naan.
[ Steve could singlehandedly keep a business afloat with the amount that he consumes, so it's a good thing that he's getting a stipend from Tony now that SHIELD is no longer. ]
What made you pick this place?
no subject
Date: 2023-07-14 10:27 am (UTC)Following him inside she follows the hostess to their table and settles in as they wait for their wait staff.]
I just wanted to confuse you with the name.
[she laughs and takes the menu the host comes back with, having forgotten to drop them off earlier.]
No, really. It looked good and I was in the mood for some curry. It's been a little while since I've had some, and I heard this place had decent reviews. Gotta hit up all the new joints.
Naan is delicious. I'm right there with you.
[Natasha glances over the menu, and beyond the quail, she wants the chicken dish as well, making her order pretty simple. She knows that Steve will order enough for her to nibble on things here and there if she wants.]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-14 01:28 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-14 02:16 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-14 10:40 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-15 02:07 pm (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-15 04:33 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-15 10:43 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-15 11:45 pm (UTC)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. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-16 04:49 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-16 06:33 pm (UTC)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. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-16 06:56 pm (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-16 08:12 pm (UTC)[ 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. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-07-16 08:23 pm (UTC)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.
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