𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 𝗜 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗧𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲 (𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘈𝘜) ❶

Chapter 8

Steve didn't hear anything from Natasha for a week, she was avoiding him and he was avoiding her too. Stark and Banner had already been released from the hospital. He had heard from Thor who had been told by Jane that they were doing fine. Thor also told him that everyone already knew that he had apologized to Bruce and Tony. But the only one who mattered to Steve was Natasha but she didn't seem to want to talk to him.

He had been spending most of his free time on the rooftop lately. He had even brought a couch up there just so that he could sit comfortably and enjoy his time, contemplating the beautiful view.

"I guess you still have some sort of humanity left within you, Rogers." A familiar voice sounded from the staircase.

"There are many things you don't know about me, Romanoff." He replied, he didn't even bother looking at her. "So don't assume that I am a terrible man by nature."

"I'm sorry about that." She said sheepishly. "I've heard you become quite close with Clint. He said you've become his rooftop buddy."

Steve allowed himself to let out a chuckle "Did he tell you that we sit quietly and totally mind our own business most of the time?"

Natasha laughed lightly and sat down next to him.

"What's made you change your mind about talking to me again?" He asked.

"I don't know. We are friends remember? And I was just mad at you before."

"I'm sorry about that." He said, still not looking at her.

"Well I am still mad at you a tiny bit, but if you grab some dinner with the rest of us tonight, I would forgive you completely."

"Is this some kind of punishment?"

"Sort of." She replied with a sly smile.

___________________

The first two of the group to arrive were Tony and Pepper. Maria and Bruce were the next to arrive. They began to scan through the special menu when Jane, Darcy, Clint, Phil and Thor joined them at the table. Jane had asked Thor to go with her before they got back to his room and begin their tutoring session.

"Where the hell is Romanoff?" Tony spoke up and looked around the diner. "She's the one who told us to gather here."

"Can you just wait a second?"

"Tony Stark never waits for-" Tony stopped his rambling as he saw two people walk into the diner "What?!"

Everyone's eyes turned to the same direction that Tony was staring in. They saw Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff walking through the doors side by side. The quarterback looked extremely uncomfortable and awkward to be there but Natasha had grabbed his arm and was dragging him towards the table. They saw Steve mutter something and watched as Natasha replied something that immediately shut Steve's mouth.

"Well, looks who's joining us tonight!" Tony said loudly as Steve and Natasha approached the table.

"Don't be so damn smug." Steve snarled which immediately earned him a light slap on the arm from Natasha. "I've only come today because Romanoff made me."

"You're welcome to join our group." Stark continued teasing. Steve however didn't seem to enjoy it.

"I'm not gonna join this group." Steve replied quickly.

"What?! I thought the famous quarterback would be graciously gracing our table from now on!" Steve raised his fist in a very threatening way which silenced Tony immediately.

"Stop it, Tony. He just came to learn more about us and so you can know him better than you already do." Natasha scolded. Steve muttered something under his breath. Natasha had forced him to come as part of his punishment and it was part of the deal that he couldn't turn down. It was his only chance to get on her good side.