To Neptune And Back

Simple Physics (Chapter 32)

The clock on your bedside table flicks to read '8:00am'. Standing up from off the side of your bed you slip on some crocs and try to wipe away the mixture of nervous excitement and the awkwardness of the unknown. For someone who slept maybe 4 hours last night the slight pep in your step didn't give away any feeling of tiredness. The new day brought a welcomed crisp and clear beginning, a stark contrast to the emotional storm that had unfolded the day before. The echoes of the kiss still lingered in your mind, an unspoken secret shared between Natasha and yourself. However, the new day brought forth a new challenge, how to navigate the situation you now found yourself in with Natasha without revealing to the rest of the compound the shift in your dynamic.

Exiting your room and headed up toward the kitchen the aroma of coffee can be distinctly detected as it wafted throughout the compound. You found yourself torn between the desire to bask in the afterglow of the previous night and the need to maintain at least somewhat an air of normalcy. Finally arriving at the kitchen, you realize this morning it is more so a hub of activity than normal. Steve, Sam, Bucky, Yelena, and Kate are gathered around making their plates of food as they sit down to enjoy their breakfast. Each clang of a utensil against a plate seemed to reverberate with the unspoken tension that you felt still hung in the air from last night.

Not even a minute after you entered the room, Natasha walks in. Ever the master of composure, she moved with ease through what was now feeling like a confined space. The expression on her face betraying nothing, while you were certain your own had the whole story of your shared kiss written all over it. You felt a heightened awareness of every glance and word exchanged coming from that table. The two of you merely exchanged a subtle look, a small nod, from across the room. The action serves as a silent acknowledgment of the shared secret that now bounded the two of you. That small acknowledgement was all you needed to pause and take in a deep breath for what felt like the first time since arriving into the kitchen.

Grabbing her tea and a plate of food, Natasha left you in the kitchen and headed over to the rest of the group who remained unaware of the unspoken conversation happening in the kitchen with you two. Deciding that not eating with everyone would look more suspicious than you already felt so you you grab a cup of coffee and some food and make your way to the table.

The seating arrangement suddenly became an intricate dance, and you found yourself strategically pulling out the chair next to Kate rather than taking the free spot to Natasha's left like you so desperately wanted. Your redhead ever so slightly glanced at you over her cup of tea with a knowing look, the corners of her mouth smirking up.

"Good morning!" Kate smiles as she greets you after finally sitting down next to her. The pile of food on her plate continued to be shoveled into her mouth as soon as she was done speaking.

"Good morning to you too, Kate. You're eating like you didn't just have 3 plates of Thanksgiving food last night."

"And don't forget the 2 plates of desserts." Yelena adds from on the other side of Kate, earning her a small kick under the table. You smile and take a bite of your eggs.

"You can't blame me for last night, Y/N's dinner was the best thing I've ever eaten!"

Yelena raises her eyebrows, "The best thing?"

Another swift kick is sent Yelena's way as Kate's cheeks heat up.

"I kid, Kate Bishop. No need to resort to violence." Yelena leans forward to look past Kate and directly at you. "Your dinner last night was delicious, Y/N. Thank you again for that."

Smiling, you swallow your bite of food before responding. "I'm glad you liked it. I oddly enjoyed making all of that food, but mostly I was just happy that we all could find the time to sit down and spend some time together. Though, it was a lot of work and I felt like a zombie after it was all done." You laugh and share smiles with the two.