The Best of Us

1: Dinner Date

A/N: This is my first work I've been brave enough to publish but I hope you enjoy it! I'm also starting to post this on October 16th... Black Widow fans you know exactly what that means. Here's to celebrating the parts of Natasha's story that we didn't get to see - also that I made up but think it works well!

Hiding in plain sight is something Natasha Romanoff and Maria Hill have become masters at. They have a knack for selecting establishments that exude an unmistakable aura of mystery and discretion. Tonight, they have chosen a restaurant that has never failed to keep their secrets safe. Its dimly lit interior casts a soft, ambient glow upon the exposed brick walls and the rustic wooden furnishings. The low-hanging ceiling beams give the space a snug, almost claustrophobic feel as if it were intentionally designed to keep prying eyes at bay.

Within the air, there is a symphony of murmured conversations and the delicate clinking of glasses, blending seamlessly into a gentle hum of activity. People, mostly seated in pairs, are lost in their own private worlds, their voices harmonising into a discreet chorus. The allure of the place is heightened by the mellifluous strains of jazz music, playing softly in the background, lending an air of sophistication and intrigue to the hidden haven.

Outside, the narrow cobblestone street is filled with sparsely arranged tables, each with flickering candles and dainty hanging lights. Their gentle luminosity casts an ethereal glow upon the faces of those seated, accentuating the enigmatic shadows that dance along their contours.

Amidst this bustling yet covert atmosphere, Natasha and Maria find themselves tucked away at a secluded corner table, tucked deepest within the shadows. Their choice of seating has been deliberate, ensuring the utmost privacy while allowing them to quietly observe the restaurant's activities without attracting any unwanted attention, the encompassing darkness acts as a shroud of anonymity, shielding their true identities from prying eyes.

Facing each other across the table, Natasha and Maria wear serious expressions, their eyes occasionally sparkling with a familiar intensity as they exchange hushed words, their conversation seamlessly blending into the sea of voices.

"So, how does it feel to be back?" Maria asks, her gaze fixed on the agent she's missed the most the past few months.

Natasha pauses for a moment, her lips curling into a wry smile as she mulls over how she wants to answer. "Well, considering what's left of Shield is also currently trying to keep a low profile, not that different," she responds, her tone laced with a hint of irony.

Relaxing into her chair, Natasha continues. "How are things at Shield?"

"Strange," she confesses, a touch of unease in her voice. "It's like we're trying to carry on as normal without even knowing what normal means."

"There has never been a 'normal' in our line of work," Natasha chimes in. "It's always about fighting this person and that person, stopping that organisation, and trying not to kill the extremely annoying people that make our lives hard, even though they're not technically the enemy."

Maria chuckles softly. "The problem is," she interjects, a hint of frustration colouring her voice, "with Shield legally out of the picture, even temporarily, all these irritating rogue groups think they have free reign."

A mischievous glimmer dances in Natasha's eyes as she playfully wrinkles her nose. "Sounds like someone needs to call pest control," she suggests with a smirk, injecting a light-hearted tone into the conversation.

Maria's smile softens as the mood shifts. "How are you holding up, Nat?" she asks, concern evident in her voice. "This time feels different from the other times you've been on the run."