IronWidow fanfiction: Time Bomb

Sixteen

The schwarma place was good. It had good food, comfy chairs and didn't mind that the superheroes were exhausted and starving. Steve looked like he was about to fall asleep which had produced a lot of old age jokes from Tony. Natasha had smiled and laughed at each joke. She didn't know whether it was because of the revoked feelings for Tony or whether she was laughing because the jokes were genuinely funny but she didn't care. It felt nice to relax.

About ten minutes later, Clint and Thor were having an eating contest and Thor was obviously winning. She seemed to be forgiven for all grievances on Clint's part so she assumed that their 'falling out' was a brief lapse in their friendship. "I'm going to find a restroom," she stood up, stretching as she did so. "Good luck, Hawk."

"Hawk? Nah, I'm rooting for Thor!" Bruce grinned. "Barton's got nothing on Thor!"

"Thank you, Banner! I think we shall be friends, Green Man!" Thor shouted and sprayed food everywhere. Natasha walked away as Steve was jolted awake by Thor's laughter and Clint's cries of disgust.

She was wandering about the destroyed street when someone tapped her shoulder. Anticipating a trap or attack by Loki, she whirled round and punched Tony. "Oh, shit! Sorry, Stark, I mean Tony. Sorry! I thought you were-"

"Loki?" Tony said with a beautiful wicked smile. "Not tall enough. Not godly enough."

"I'd choose you over a tall god any day, Tony," she replied. "Unless Thor became available."

"He isn't?"

"He loves a scientist called Jane Foster. I've met her once, after Thor's visit. She was helping stabilise some radiation explosion in New Delhi," Natasha said. "She's nice. Smart and she can look after herself. She punched one of the agents because he made a crude comment about her when she bent over to get some equipment." She trailed off when she noticed Tony's expression. It was a cross between a smirk and a soft smile. He looked like he wanted to make fun of her but like he loved her. "What?"

"Nothing!"

"Tony!"

"You describe people so well. You don't mention their appearance or their abilities in too much detail. You focus on what you see good about them. You think it's admirable that she defended herself, that she doesn't need any protection for anyone," he said. "I like that about you."

"How I describe people?" She laughed.

"How would you describe me?"

"Smart, arrogant and handsome," she said teasingly. "Maybe a bit on the short side but very popular with the ladies."

"Natasha." He whined. "Properly."

"I need to pee," she said. "After?"

"Promise?"

"I promise," she smiled and he managed a quick kiss on her lips before he ran back to the restaurant. That made her smile.

---
Dear Tony,

I know I'm sat across from you but I don't feel like I can say this to you without someone overhearing. Captain has super hearing, apparently. Anyway, hi.

How to describe you? My Tony Stark. My engineer. My genius. My assignment. That's how it all started out. An assignment, right? Years ago. It's hard to think why I didn't like you. I think it was because of the man the tabloids and the other agents told me you were like.
Arrogant, obnoxious, easy, never caring about anyone else.
You do care. You care more than me, Tony. I only care for the people close to me.

The one person who I let get close to me. Clint's my best friend and you will never compare to him. I will always choose him over you. I would never choose love, however true, over Clint. He has been there for me since the murky beginning and I will be there for him until our inevitably painful end.

But you. No other man will compare to you. You're charming and beautiful. I don't mean beautiful like anyone would call you. I don't mean that you're attractive- although you are. I think there's something about you that is beautiful. I'm not sure what it is. I don't even think it can be expressed in words but it is you.

You wanted me to describe you? That's it. My beautiful love who might not last but we will go out with a bang.

Whoever you choose. Me or Pepper. Make sure you choose well. And good luck. Just in case we never get those drinks.

Yours,
Natasha