True Love Never Runs Smooth (Natasha Romanoff)

Chapter 25

I sat in the Quinejet and thought back to all the best moments in my crazy life. It was weird to think that in the next twelve hours, I would either be dead or alive. My leg was bouncing as anxiety coursed through my veins. The whole team was here to support me in what could be my final battle and I was thankful for that but I also knew they weren't prepared for what could happen. These duels are violent and I know it is not something they will want to watch. 

They gave me my space on the jet but I wish I could have my person sitting next to me. I know I'm the one that fucked everything up but I just wanted to protect her, put distance between us. After Maria pulled me out of bed that one day, I did start to stick with training. I trained with anyone who was available and that was all I did, train train train but I still somehow don't feel prepared enough for the fight.

"We will be arriving in one hour," Jarvis announced over the intercom.

This is all getting real too fast and I don't know how to feel about it.

"Hey."

I looked up and it was the person I needed the most right now. Nat looked down at me with a sad look. Everyone has been on an emotional edge, especially today. I scoot over giving Nat the silent hint that I did want her to join me and she took the seat without even hesitating.

"I'm scared Nat. I don't know what to do and I fucked everything up and I'm so sorry for that. I'm starting to look back and instead of wasting these last three months missing you, I could've been living it up with you. I'm sorry it took me till now to realize that. So much shit is running through my mind right now."

"Hey, hey come here."

Nat opened her arms and I crashed completely into her. I felt scared. Scared like a young kid lost in the supermarket when they can't find their mom.

"Natty, I'm scared. I don't want to die. I don't want to leave you."

She could tell I was starting to spiral and that's why she decided to play with my hair and shush me, in an attempt to calm me down.

"I will agree that what you did was not a smart choice but it's in the past. Baby, I love you no matter what and I'll be waiting for you after you win this duel because I have faith in you, we all do. There is a difference between you and your cousin. He is fighting for power, you are fighting for what you love. You have more of the reason to fight, so use it."

Somehow this woman always knew what to say. I stayed silent letting her words of encouragement soak in.

For that final hour, we sat there in silence, her just holding me and me reminiscing all the amazing times in my life. I felt at peace in that moment and I was praying that I could be back in her arms by the end of all of this.

The Quinjet landed outside of the Colosseum, which is only the way I can describe where this duel will take place. I could hear the thousands of Hydra agents shouting and ready to watch the duel take place. I led the team to the entrance to the area and brought them to our tiny little section of the people who supported me. I gave everyone my hopefully temporary goodbyes and kept moving down the line of my teammates who were now my family. I stopped once I got to the three most important people in my life, starting with Bucky.

"Hey, we'll be right here supporting you through this whole thing. We thought we were making our final goodbyes before but we made it out. This is another temporary one. I love you; now make it home back to us kid."

"I'm not a kid Buck. I love you too and if anything bad goes wrong watch out for them two but mostly my girl," I stated while eyeing Natasha and Wanda.

Bucky nodded his head before pulling me in his arms, and giving me a tight hug. He was like double my size and fully engulfed me.

I pulled away and moved to a sobbing Wanda.

"Wands, hey, don't cry." I brought her shaking figure into my arms.

"You have to make it out of this Naomi. You are my best friend. I have finally found someone who understands me. You just can't."

"I'll try Wanda but hey you can always find another broken best friend like the energizer bunny over there."

Wanda shook her head at my new nickname for Thor.

"No one can ever replace you. Now go kick some ass." She gave me a watery laugh and let me go.

Now it was time for the hardest goodbye. Natasha.

When I was standing in front of her, I could see the emotions swirling inside her eyes. I was the only person she ever let see her like this, in any kind of emotional state and I'm thankful to ever be given the chance to see her for her true beauty.

"You'll be my girlfriend again if I make it out of this right."

Nat shook her head at my attempt to lighten the mood before bringing me in her arms and holding me tightly.

"I love you ok. You have to make it out of this or I don't know what I'm going to do without you in my life. You have become my lifeline. I need you. So remember everything since the beginning of training and fight your heart out."

I could feel Nat starting to pull away and I followed her lead. She then reached her hand behind her and pulled a knife out. It was one of her blades. Small and easily hideable but sharp and could easily kill someone.

"Here baby. I want you to have this. This was my first ever knife since I became an Avenger. I want you to have a piece of me while you are down there. And yes if you make it out of this, I'll be your girlfriend."

I smiled as I took the knife before slipping it into the thigh holster that I had in my combat suit.

"I love you."

I pulled Nat in for a kiss, not even giving her the chance to hesitate. She kissed me back with the same amount of emotion that I was pouring into this kiss. I could feel the tears prick in my eyes as I realized this could be our last kiss ever.

I pulled away and quickly turned around and made my way toward the center of the arena. I couldn't look back at the people I loved. I didn't want to see their faces as they started to realize this could be the end.