Natasha Romanoff x Reader - One-shot Collection (PG)

Not letting you go

Summary: To defeat the Mad Titan, Natasha Romanoff gave up her own life. But now, with the war won and the opportunity to go back in time, you had to try to bring her back.

Pronouns: not used || Warnings: fluff, comfort

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"Are you ready, Y/n?"

"We'll see when I get there."

You and Banner exchange amused glances from behind your helmet, and you lower your gaze only to check your boots on the metal platform that makes up the time machine the scientist has designed, the briefcase with the Infinity Stones safe in your hand.

"Sure you don't want me to go with you?" Steve asks, stepping forward and keeping his arms crossed worriedly in front of his body. "We both know I work better alone, Cap." You respond humorously, receiving a brief smile and nod from the blond.

Exchanging looks of confirmation with the green man, you watch him push a few buttons on the huge panel in front of him. In the next second, your whole body is vibrating.

Your eyes take time to get used to the change of environment, from a sunny forest to miles of dark desert area. You take a deep breath as you see the big mountain a few kilometers from where you are, a tall building on top.

Without hesitation, you start walking.

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The hike to the top is long, but you weren't really counting the minutes. All you wanted was to do what you went there to do.

"Red Skull! I've come to bargain!" That's how you announce your arrival, and the creature turns to you solemnly, no emotion at all on his reddened face. "Y/n Y/l/n, earthling-"

"Yeah, yeah. You know me, I know you, let's get down to business." You cut in impatiently, and the creature seems annoyed by your interruption. "There's no business, traveler, just one rule. A soul for a soul."

"Exactly. I brought a soul," you announce, making him frown in confusion. Opening your briefcase, you pull out the Soul Stone, "I want another in exchange."

A wicked laugh echoes around you, "That's not how it works-"

"I'm just playing by your rules. Or rather, rule." You interrupt once again, shrugging, and Red Skull glares at you angrily as he says, "It can't be done."

"But it better be, or I swear by the gods I'll be the last person you ever see." You threaten through clenched teeth. You won't get out of there without her.

The creature seems to revel in your anger, a smile at the corner of his lipless mouth. "You can't kill me, traveler, I'm the guardian of the Stone."

"Yeah? And I'm guardian of all six." You hit back and hold all the Stones in your hand at once.

The pain is excruciating, but your enhanced durability and healing factor work like never before to keep you alive. Red Skull's expression drops. "What-"

The creature's question is interrupted by his own agonizing grunt of pain as you use the power of the Stones to turn him back into a human, the reddened bone structure giving way to Johann Schmidt's terrified face.

Before he can even realize what is happening, you use the power of the Infinity Stones to slowly petrify him, and his scream of pain lasts only until the entire figure is transformed into a stone statue.

Moving your wrist counterclockwise, a green light surrounds your hand as the entire process on Johann Schmidt goes in reverse, transforming him back into the Red Skull.

"So," you begin sadistically, smiling at the obvious dread on his countenance, "do we have a deal?"

The creature sighs, surrendering, "A soul for a soul."

When Red Skull extends her hand to you, you laugh through your nose triumphantly, handing him the Soul Stone. As soon as you return the remaining Stones to the suitcase, you feel your vision begin to blur.

"What... what did you do?" you struggle to ask, your body slowing down by the second.

"I have given you what you desire, traveler. I hope I don't see you again." Replies Red Skull as he turns to you. The next moment, the world turns dark.

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You don't know how much time has passed since you blacked out.

All you know is that you wake up inside a puddle of what appears to be water, back at the base of the mountain. And you're not alone.

"Nat?" you ask, still groggy from the blackout, recognizing the red hair falling beside you. "Y/n-"

"Nat!" You exclaim when the certainty that it is indeed your loved one hits you, taking her face between your hands and kissing her passionately.

"I'm so pissed at you for jumping off that cliff." You say as the kiss ends, a happy laugh and tears in your eyes. Natasha smiles back, stroking your cheek with her thumb. "I had to, it was the only way to defeat Thanos."

You just nod in understanding, your entire being overcome with emotion. The redhead has tears in her eyes as well, so you lean forward to rest your forehead against hers, enjoying the closeness of each other.

"How did you bring me back?" Natasha asks after a while, pulling away to look at you with questioning eyes. "I played my tricks, baby." You respond humorously, chuckling when she rolls her eyes in amusement.

"No one is going to take you away from me, ever." You say, more serious this time as everything in your posture conveys the intensity of your words. The redhead just smiles lovingly in response, leaning forward and kissing you once more.

When the kiss is over, you both stand up.

"Do you still have your suit?" You ask, checking the Stones in the suitcase. "I do, but I don't know if it still works." She counters and you nod, activating a device on your belt and causing another suit to appear in your hand.

"Well, it's a good thing Scott doesn't pay much attention to his stuff." You comment with a playful smirk and Natasha smiles, shaking her head in false disapproval as she takes the suit you offer her.

"We going home?" She asks in a mix of curiosity and hope, and you smile, more than happy to have her back. "We are. But first, I'm gonna need your help with something."

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As if only a second had passed, Steve and Bruce see you reappearing in the time machine. This time, however, Natasha was with you, your arm holding her tight around her waist, and you had no plans of letting go.