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[blackhourglass]

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[blackhourglass]

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.

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ 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.

[blackhourglass]

[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.

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ 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. ]

[blackhourglass]

[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.

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ 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. ]

[blackhourglass]

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.

[pursuitofcappiness]

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. ]

[blackhourglass]

[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.

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ 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.

[blackhourglass]

[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. ]

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ Steve, who'd grown up in a poor household and where things had gotten precipitously worse after the Depression started, and then dropped out of school, and then joined a war - yeah, Steve had never gotten to eat food the way that he does now, and never in the abundance or even the type of variety. ]

I do.

[ And he's pretty sure Nat knows why - he's pretty sure Nat empathizes. Late 20th century Ohio and post-Soviet Union Russia? Maybe not the greatest place to find the kind of amazing fresh and viable foods that they get treated to down in New York. ]

Yes.

[ He builds himself a perfect bite, and reports back to Nat. ]

It's amazing.

[blackhourglass]

[Growing up the way Nat did never afforded her the kind of luxurious food that she treated herself to now. On some jobs she ate at the very best restaurants in the world, and others at some of the poorest. It all depended on the day.

Days like this one were the best though. This was where she wanted to be most, spending her own money going out with someone she adored and watching them chow down on something that they would appreciate as much as she did.

Food never lost its fascination. It's like bringing in a stray cat who never was afforded the ability to have real affection or a steady diet-- they never took it for granted once they realized what it was that was set before them.

After Steve reported the chef's brilliance, Nat took a bite and closed her eyes, savoring the collection of exotic spices as they spread across her palate. ]

You aren't kidding. This is now going on regular rotation. This is lovely. It's got all the right spices. I need more.

[several more bites were had before she said a single word, and then it was only Yum. Food was also the greatest silencer of communication. After the tip of her appetite was silenced. She sat back and took a sip of wine.]

Thank you for this, it is really so good. We should never tell anyone else about it.

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ He can tell that she's relaxed - really, actually relaxed, and not putting on airs. And it's relaxing, just to go out together, just to do normal things that normal people do, and not have to worry about aliens or robots or HYDRA.

Not tonight. ]

You can have some of mine.

And Nat, we came here because it got rave reviews.

I'm not sure we have to tell anyone it's here.

[ They already know. And, it'd be a shame to keep this to themselves. They'll at least have to tell the rest of the team. ]

[blackhourglass]

[No worries tonight beyond how full they're going to be and what they're going to do with the complete body buzz it will create.

laughing, Nat dips back into her plate and takes another bite looking at the two plates that she still has food on. ]

Steve, babe. I do love you, but I think two plates of food is enough. I only meant I wanted more of mine.

[she giggles then, a light sound that rarely if ever leaves her lips-- fingers immediately lifting to hide the action. She knows better than to show such lightheartedness. But then relaxes realizing where she is. ]

You're ruining my dream of having this be our place that no one ever bothers us at. We deserve that, don't we?

[of course she'll tell the others, but she can dream can't she?]

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ He really likes the sound of her laugh, even if it's directed at him. But he's just excited, and he knows that's how she is too. ]

Well, okay. We can order some to go so you can eat it tomorrow.

Or, we can always come back.

[ He reaches over to the other side of the table to gently touch the back of her hand. It's not very often that he feels comfortable enough to display this kind of affection. ]

We've got options.

[blackhourglass]

[her laugh dies down to a fond smile as she glances across the table to find him watching her as she was spying upon him earlier. It's true, they're both simple, and excited by excellent food. Her lips quirk up to the side, and she drops her head a little]

We'll come back eventually. We have other wonderful little places like this to discover. Can't put all our stores in one pot. I think that's the saying, right?

[She flips her hand over when he reaches across. It's a tender gesture, and she knows that he doesn't make them flippantly. Offering her fingers to him, she makes to hold his hand. One hand is good enough for eating right now.]

We've always got options. Lots, and lots of them.

[She glances back up and soft eyes meet his across the table, and for one small second there's no wall, no pretenses, nothing there but Natasha wide and open as she looks over at Steve.]

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ He can't really tell what she's thinking from how she acts. Even when she does little micro moves, well, firstly, he's never been good at understanding the subtleties of women. He's always been observant though, and he at least understands that when she offers to hold his hand right back, that's an excellent thing. ]

That's true. About eighty Starbucks locations alone in Manhattan.

[ He says, on autopilot, even though that's a dumb thing to say at the moment. But he's a little distracted by the openness in the look in her eye. ]

[blackhourglass]

[It's okay that he doesn't get all the little tiny idiosyncrasies of women. When Natasha decides something, she's usually pretty up front about it. Right now, she's enjoying the small things. Talking and holding hands. It's not really all that often that she gets to hold hands with someone she likes. It feels nice.

She runs her thumb along his, and smiles softly. ]

That's a lot of coffee. I think we might end up like Loki if we drank that much coffee. A lot crazy, and ready to take over a few worlds. Maybe we should try one starbucks, and some Italian food next time. Or call me crazy, we can skip the food and stay in for movies, or drive somewhere quiet and beautiful.

[Never once did she bring back up her shields, instead while she was speaking she drops her shoe, and slides the side of her foot along his ankle without even thinking about it. ]

[pursuitofcappiness]

Well, we don't have to go to all of them.

And I prefer the local shops. Think it's mostly the tourists who keep the Starbucks open.

[ And then he smiles at her as she outlines all the other ideas. ]

Hear me out, Nat: We don't have to limit ourselves to one thing. We can schedule all of them.

Well, as long as we don't have any missions to prepare for.

[blackhourglass]

I was kidding, and I like local shops too. They're more personal.

[there's a laugh and she takes another bite of food, enjoying their easy conversation. She loves how nothing is forced between them. They could make the weather interesting she imagines. There's a small snicker and a nod.]

I wasn't planning on tackling everything in one day. I was listing date ideas, you know, ways of saying I wanted to go out with you more, Steve. But, of course, we both know that training and missions will always come first.

[pursuitofcappiness]

Well, if we really wanted to, we probably could do all of those things in one day.

But okay, we can spread them out. Pick one or two to do. Maybe a week at a time.

[ This is definitely starting to sound like a more permanent arrangement.

But Steve's definitely a permanent arrangement kind of man. ]

[blackhourglass]

Dates. I like the idea of having a date or so a week. It's not every day that I find someone to cuddle and watch old movies with.

[It doesn't matter if all the movies he likes are the old black and white film. She enjoys any movies really. There wasn't much in the way of freedom in her line of work, and catching up on all that she's missed over the years has been enjoyable. Taking time to not have sex, but to sit and cuddle with someone on the bed or couch and watch any kind of TV is something to look forward to.

Not that she wouldn't get a little frisky if she wanted to, but there's never pressure, and what's a kiss or two to enjoy when you're curled up under blankets. The thought makes her smile, even if she's not saying a word.]

I think that should be our next big endeavor.

[pursuitofcappiness]

What, going on dates every week or so? I'd like to do that. Think we could manage, barring any work-related things.

Might be a nice change of pace.

[ He smiles and then realizes something. ]

So, when you were trying to set me up with just about everyone except you, was that part of the plan? Because if you'd just asked me out directly, I wouldn't have said no.

[ Nat's. Well, Nat. If anything, Steve would've thought she was joking. She's way out of his league, as far as he understands leagues. ]

[blackhourglass]

... who says I'm going to stop.

[she's going to stop, and the look on her face as she peers down at her glass with mirth says exactly that. Nat bites at the corner of her lip and then glances back at him. How could she ever be healthy for someone this wonderful and completely wholesome. Yes, he's in the business, but she could still eat him for breakfast on a good day.

It's with a small sigh that she puts some food in her mouth so she doesn't have to speak for a moment and then finally after a sip of wine she looks back at him.]

I figured you might say yes. That was the problem. If you were dating someone else, then I didn't have to worry about how much I liked you.