Unexpected Romance

⚠️ Chapter 26

Warning: self-harm
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Natasha:
The second the Quinjet lands, I'm the first one to get off, basically running to find Valerie. I don't even bother changing from my mission. I find her lying across a couch in the living room so I run over and lay on her.

"Hey, baby! I missed you so much!" I say in between placing kisses all over her.

"Hey, I missed you too," she almost sighs.

I can't stop my confusion from showing through. I stop kissing her to stare at her, study her. I examine everything. The arms wrapped around my neck rest heavily like they can't hold themselves up. She's not even toying with my hair. Her breathing is short and heavy as if she's out of breath.

"Are you alright?" I question calmly, placing a gentle hand on her cheek.

"Yeah, fine." She slides her hands to my chest, just for her to grip my collar tightly.

"I-" But before I can respond, Steve walks into the room.

"Resting already?" He asks.

"No, Steve. What is it?" I snap.

"Tony wants everyone in the conference room."

"Everyone?" Valerie calls from under me.

"Valerie?" Confusion spreads across his face since Val is still laying down, out of sight.

"Yup." She just raises an arm in the air and Steve gives me a look.

He's never been a fan of public displays of affection so the fact that I'm laying between her legs in the living room probably makes his blood boil a little.

"You have five minutes."

He quickly walks out of the room so I turn back to Val. I slowly lean down and press our lips together. The kiss is unusually short because she pushes up on me, telling me we have to go, even though we have enough time to kiss a little.

"Hello everyone! Glad you could all make it," Tony greets everyone walking into the conference room at the same time.

"I just wanted to congratulate the team on coming home in one piece and announce the party I'm hosting tonight for their achievements."

I look over at Val who's barely paying attention and I can tell she doesn't want to be here. I guess I don't blame her, she wasn't a part of the mission. Tony continues talking for a couple of minutes then sets us free to do our own things.

"Do you want to get ready for the party together?" I ask Valerie on the walk to whoever's room we decide to go to.

"Uh yeah sure."

Valerie:
I'm dreading this party. I would rather stay back and sleep. I'm not in the mood for socializing with people and Tony's meeting about the mission he didn't let me go on only made it worse.

When we reach my door, Nat immediately pushes me inside, closing and locking the door behind her. She kisses me hard and tries to push me onto the bed but I stop her.

"Nat, we shouldn't."

"Why? We have time." She tries to come back in for a kiss but I gently push her shoulders away.

"Just... Not now, okay?" I fight back tears, not even letting my eyes gloss over.

"Fine. Let's get ready then." She turns away to search her portion of my clothes.

I sit down on the edge of my bed, catching my breath from standing up too long.

A couple of minutes later and Nat asks, "What do you think?" as she holds up a stunning black dress to her body.