N.R. One Shots

This is the first time I've felt loved

Natasha is tired.

The day has been long and she can feel the fatigue settling into her bones. Her body is achy and she knows there is a headache coming on. The details of the day are foggy and her brain is sluggish, but one thought is crystal clear.

You.

You are the only thing on her mind as she turns off the engine and hurries out of the car and up to your shared apartment. The key shakes slightly as her hand wobbles, the day finally catching up to her. She hopes you are still awake, watching those overly exaggerated action movies you adore, just so she can crash into your arms.

The door creaks open and Natasha enters slowly, her eyes seeking your usually huddled form on the couch only to come up empty.
You had mentioned a girls day out. Were you still with your friends?

The thought makes her sadder than she expected, a sob growing in her throat. Its pathetic, she thinks, the way she craves your comfort.

Natasha slinks into your room, making up her mind to stay up for you no matter how tired she is, when the sight before her makes her stop in her tracks.

You're sat on the bed, arms and legs wrapped tight around Natasha's pillow, headphones on and wearing one of Natasha's large avengers T-shirt. Her heart swells in her chest as she watches your side rise and fall with your breaths.

Natasha wastes no time in getting into bed beside you, her arms immediately encircling your waist and her face buries itself in the crook of your neck, your scent washing over her. She sighs.

"Mmm Tasha? S'that you?"

"Yes malysh its me. Go back to sleep."

"M sorry I fell 'sleep. Swear I meant to wait for you."

Your sleepy mumbles make Natasha grin. She weaves her fingers through your hair,  scratching gently. "Its okay baby. My tired baby. Stay here I'm going to go take a shower

You cling to her. "Noo do that in the morning. Cuddles. Now."

Natasha wishes she could say no. She was good at saying no. But when it comes to you she just can't resist. She is an addict, and you are her drug of choice.

She raises herself on her elbows, just enough to shrug off her tshirt and jeans. Laying back down immediately. Her hands find your waist again, pulling you in, drawing comforting patterns on your skin. 

"How was your day?"

Your voice is still raspy with sleep, and natasha grins at your stubbornness to make conversation when you're so clearly on the brink of sleep. She plays along though, enjoying the attention and the lilt of your voice.

"Long. Tiring." She shudders with a suppressed yawn. "I missed you."

You look up at her with a faint upturn of your lips, pressing a kiss to her parched lips. Two, three. You won't go any further tonight, it's been a long day for you too.

"You hurt?"

"Sore."

Your hands rub down her back, feeling for bumps. "I could give you a massage?"

"Sleep malysh. I just need you tonight."

You tilt your head into her chest and natasha melts at your closeness. She feels you shift and you're getting up, stretching out as you make your way into the bathroom.

"Have you eaten?"

The question catches natasha off-guard. She realises she missed dinner. Her smile is bashful as she draws out her no.

"Tasha..."

You pop your head out of the bathroom and give her a look.

God She's so beautiful

"I'm running you a bath. There's leftover lasagna in the fridge, cut yourself a piece please."

"I thought you said cuddles" natasha pouts at having to get out of the comfort of the bed.

"I did, but I'm not letting you sleep on an empty stomach. And besides," your nose scrunches and she finds it adorable. "besides what?"

"You stink natty."

Natasha gasps exaggerated, rolling herself off the bed clutching her chest and meeting the floor with a thump. "ahhhh wounded". It makes you giggle.

"Move it Tasha c'mon I wanna get to bed soon too."

Ten minutes later, natasha makes her way into the steam filled bathroom, licking the last of the lasagna clean from her fingers. You smile at her blissed out face. "that good huh?"

"You know I love your food."

"I know baby, I know." You hum.

" You're getting in with me right?"

The bathtub is almost full, the water almost scalding hot, the way natasha likes it. You had your night shower already but you wouldn't say no to natasha.

"Always my love. Undress and get in, I'll be a minute."

You exit the bathroom and hear the water slosh inside knowing she's gotten in. The wardrobe is half open, you pick out her favorite fluffy pajamas and heating blanket, laying it on the bed. Next is the bottle of lavender oil. Then you go back in into the bathroom.

"You can sit right here," she points behind her. You smile and take off your clothes, slipping in behind her and wrapping your arms around her. You both sigh contently.

"Tell me about your day," she whispers, wanting, needing to keep hearing your voice.

You continue in a low voice, rambling about unimportant things because you know she needs this. Your hands slowly untangle and brush through her braids, massaging her scalp.

Twenty minutes later youre done, showered off, and wrapped in fluffy towels as you brush out her hair. You press a kiss to her forehead.

She walks behind you into the bedroom and smiles when she sees her favorite pajamas. You uncork the bottle of oil.

"Lay down Tasha, tell me where it hurts."

"Stopp you don't have to malysh. I told you I'm fine."

"Tasha. Lay. Down."

She giggles at your mock admonishment but lays down anyways. Your hands work at her sore muscles and she lets out a groan every now and then when you hit the sweet spot.

When you're done you lean down to check on her, only to smile, amused, when you see her blissed out again. 

"Okay time for bed baby"

She hums softly, turning so you can crawl into her arms. You hand her the pajama top, forgoing other clothing for tonight. "heating blanket?"

"Yes please."

You plug in the electric blanket and snuggle into her arms, covering your squished bodies with it. She kisses the top of your head repeatedly.

"Thank you for taking care of me."

"Tasha...."

"I mean it. I don't- I haven't - I've never felt this loved."

You lean back to look at her watery eyes. Fingers walk their way up her spine and calm to wrap around the back of her neck pulling her in for a languid kiss.

"You'll get used to it," you mumble between kisses. "I do love you very very much."

"Is that right?" Your kisses move to the hollow of her neck and she sighs, scratching your scalp tenderly. "that's a relief because I love you very very much too."

You breathe a laugh against her neck, kissing up her jaw and cheek and one in each eyelid. You run your lips down the slope of her nose and press them to her lips again in a goodnight kiss.

"Sleep?"

Natasha yawns again at the word, making you chuckle as you pull her impossibly close. Her eyes droop and she tucks her face into your neck, breathing you in.

"Sleep."