Whenever you were at your mom's place, your dad's, or even Tony's, you have a habit of making yourself at home almost instantly. It wasn't like you took advantage of their hospitality, it's just that whenever you were with your family, you could completely relax and be yourself. So, you took a shower, threw on some sweats that still made your ass look amazing – but it was hard not to, you sexy, sexy lass – and a sports bra with a cardigan over top because you get cold easy. You put on your slides, let your hair pretty much do its own thing, and didn't bother with makeup – you weren't with Crystal and coming off tour, you were too lazy. Then you went padding around the tower looking for food like a feral animal when you could've just ordered something up.
You put your headphones on as you rode the elevator, thinking you might check out the gym after you found some granola bars in Tony's bag, and it was taking you up to the ninth floor when it dinged open. You weren't really going to pay attention to whoever was getting on, but a flash of red hair caught your eye, so you glanced up just to lock your eyes with one of the most beautiful people you've ever seen before.
"Going up?" She asked, cocking an eyebrow, and you missed how she properly checked you out while you flicked your attention to the numbers on the side of the metal box because your brain shut down for a moment.
"Mhm, yeah, you?"
She smirked, "Unfortunately."
Then she was stepping inside, moving to stand next to you and face the doors. You held your breath and closed your eyes for a long moment, trying to regulate your breathing because gay panic is real, and this is happening.
You furrowed your eyebrows after she punched the fourteenth floor – the one where you had to press in an extra code once you reached it to actually enter because it was Tony's private living area with a massive kitchen and one of the best views in New York. Then you realized. Tony had been seeing someone last you remembered, so this could be her.
But then you side glanced her as the elevator began to move, noticing her black, practically painted on jeans, her fitted leather jacket, and the way her lips quirked up when she leaned back a little to check out your ass. You subtly arched your back a bit, knowing your best angles, and then you let out a short breath through your nose, smirking as you tried not to chuckle.
Not Tony's girlfriend, then.
As the elevator reached the floor before yours, she suddenly asked, "Do I know you from somewhere?"
You raised your eyebrows, your face falling as you realized that she had probably heard you, and then you cleared your throat, peering over at her to see she was already looking back, "Uh, no, I think I'd remember if I'd met you before."
The door dinged open, and you stepped out, spinning around to check her out once more, this time doing it openly, and she quirked an eyebrow, a mischievous smile twitching at her lips.
"Here for a workout, dorogoy? Maybe I should join you instead of doing what I came here for."
Her accent got thicker at the end, confidence seeping through her words, "Depends," You shrugged, your hands shoved into your pockets, and you tried not to blush as she held the elevator open to keep talking, "Are you here for business or...pleasure?"
"Bit of both," She raked her eyes over your figure, reaching your face again as her green ones shined with mirth, "Visiting an old friend, but I have a feeling he's about to ask me for a favor."
"Maybe come find me when you're done then."
"Maybe I will," She let the door go and before it closed, she added, "I'm Nat, by the way."
Oh, you hoped she would. Before you left for the gym, your mind flashed what Nat could be short for, Natalie, Natash – oh. Oh, no.
Your face immediately dropped as your stomach did, the elevator clicking closed seconds before it moved up again, and you stood there staring at your shocked expression in the reflection for a moment.
The gym would have to wait.
And this was proven when you got a text from Tony minutes later saying his friend was here and the other was on the way so you should probably meet him upstairs.
You took a deep breath, went back to the elevator, and didn't have to read the rest of Tony's message to know what floor you should meet him on. And apparently, Bucky had already been heading up since he beat you there.
"I'm not babysitting some spoiled brat!"
You cringed, feeling awfully uncomfortable, because none of them seemed to notice that you were standing not thirty feet away, hearing everything they were saying about you as you stayed on the elevator for a long minute. It wouldn't close its doors until it was empty, or you pressed another floor because of the code you punched in, and you kind of wished it would right now.
"Hey, watch it," Tony hissed, "That's my sister."
"I think Romanoff just means," The scruffy one tried while the redhead crossed her arms, rolling her eyes as she looked away, "That when you called us in, we didn't exactly expect to be bodyguards for some celebrity for a month. Not really what we've helped you out with in the past, Stark."
"This is such a waste of time – I'm sure there's dozens of retired cops who'd stand in place to do this." Natasha told him blatantly and you sighed, stepping forward, so their eyes went to you.
"I can pay you a thousand dollars a day plus any extras." You offered, knowing that it was a bit more than standard, but you had given Paul a raise recently, so it wasn't crazy, and Natasha's eyes widened as she put it together that you were you and the same girl she flirted with shamelessly on the elevator.
Bucky raised his eyebrows, looking over to Natasha with interest, and the redhead huffed after letting it sink in, spitting out, "It's not always about the money, princess."
Tony furrowed his eyebrows, "Isn't it, though?"
"I think we should reconsid-" Bucky started, but you cut him off with narrowed eyes on her.
"Two thousand."
Natasha let out a quiet huff, her eyes snapping to Bucky who was widening his, almost warning her about what she should – or shouldn't – say next. Tony smirked, proud of the move and impressed that you stood up to his friend.
"Fine," She grumbled, giving another eye roll as she conceded, and then her eyes were set on yours as she continued, "When do we start?"
