Marvel Imagines and One-shotes

Natasha ~ helps you with s/h

TW - s/h (not graphic)

You had a long day and were beating yourself up over the mistakes you'd made. Some part of you knew you were too harsh on yourself, but unfortunately on these days it just wasn't loud enough on its own.

As you were putting together your dinner and washing your hands, you let the water run. It was too hot, you knew, but you were zoning out.

"Hey soldier."

You jumped at Natasha's playful voice behind you, quickly shutting off the water and shaking the drops from your now red hands.

"Hey! Yeah, sorry, I uh- food's almost ready. Guess I got distracted. Just a few things left-"

"Woah, I'm not here to rush you," she cuts you off with a kind but teasing grin, though it wavers just a touch as she glances down at your hands.

"You did really well today," she continues as you get plates down. "I'm proud of you."

The plates clang a bit too loud on the counter and you take a breath, thankful your back is too her.

"I'm just blundering along," you laugh, incapable of taking the praise. That dark corner of your brain intent on lying to you that you don't deserve it.

Natasha laughs a bit and moves around so she can look at you.

"We're all blundering along, we learn through mistakes. But you're doing really well, you know I don't say things just to say them. I genuinely think you're doing a really good job."

She holds your gaze for a few seconds. Her voice is soft when she speaks again.

"Do you need anything?"

You shut your eyes for a second.

"Not at the moment," you answer in the same tone.

She's quiet for a couple more seconds, but ultimately nods. Her voice is back to a lighthearted teasing as she grabs a few cooking utensils.

"Okay. Then let me help you finish this before Yelena chugs the hot sauce."

You laugh as she bumps your shoulders together and helps you finish the dinner.