Steve Rogers x Natasha Romanoff

Part 10

Needless to say the situation between the two was more than tense during the next couple of days. Steve was far too embarrassed to even look in her direction, let alone speak with her, and Natasha was subtly avoiding him. She knew better than to completely cut him off; after all he didn't really do anything wrong. But at the same time she kept feeling all jittery whenever she thought about him and her cheeks would immediately start burning up whenever she remembered that eventful morning in the kitchen. And the more she kept feeling those emotions, the more concerned and confused she became.

This cannot be happening.

It was only after a few sleepless nights and endless tossing and turning that she finally decided to confront someone about it.

***

"James Buchanan Barnes!" Natasha hissed as she stomped into the living room.

Bucky, who was eating a strawberry Pop-Tart which Thor had previously given to him ("Brother Barnes, it has come to my attention that you have never tried the tarts of pop and that is absolutely unacceptable!"), stopped mid-bite and pause the TV to look at the fuming redhead coming his way.

"Umm... yes?"

"I will be nice enough to let you choose the method of torture that'll be used on you before I end your life"

He felt the corners of his mouth slowly stretching into an amused smile, but he somehow managed to suppress it. Although he did find it all entertaining, he didn't want to poke the bear.

"What did I do?"

"I haven't been able to get a good night's sleep for days because you put that stupid idea in my head!"

There was only so much self-control Bucky could muster.

"Why are you laughing, you idiot!" she was seething as she punched him in the arm.

"Ow! No violence, please Natalia" he pouted while rubbing his biceps which was tingling from the impact.

She only glared at the soldier before sighing in defeat and throwing herself on the couch next to him. Bucky stared at her for a few minutes, waiting for her to speak, but when that didn't happen he decided to break the silence.

"Sooo... I take it you considered the 'impossible' option then?"

She only frowned but remained silent, her gaze fixated on the frozen image on the TV.

Bucky wasn't sure what to do. He knew that this whole thing wouldn't be easy, that neither of his friends were really in touch with their emotions (both in their own different ways). He also knew that he had to try to help, but now that something had actually started happening, he didn't really know how to approach the situation.

"Do you not like him?" he asked eventually, deciding on a more direct approach. When he saw Natasha visibly tense, he added in the most genuine voice: "You can trust me with that, Natalia. I won't intervene more than I already have."

At that, her shoulders relaxed a bit. It wasn't that she didn't trust him. She did. As weird as it may be, he was one of the few people she truly trusted. It was just that...

"I can't."

Bucky furrowed his brow, but waited for her to continue. She worried her bottom lip for a few moments before speaking up again.

"I can't be feeling like this. I simply can't. It's wrong in so many ways I cannot even begin to tell you."

Bucky opened his mouth to interrupt her, but she quickly continued, finally tearing her eyes away from the TV and meeting his steady gaze with a determined look.