UNKNOWN GUEST

#25 Will You Stay?

After spending a few hours wandering through the nostalgic streets of Dad's old hometown, we made our way back to DC by evening. The city was coming alive with the soft hues of the setting sun as we strolled along the sidewalk, chatting about the day's events.

When we arrived at Dad's apartment building, I noticed a familiar redhead waiting in front of his door. As the elevator dinged open, she looked up, her attention shifting towards us.

Dad turned to her, a bit surprised. "Romanoff? What are you doing here?"

Mom cleared her throat, clearly not expecting me. "I got off work early, so I thought I'd stop by and see what the old man's up to since he didn't show up at the base."

Dad gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I forgot to give you a heads-up."

I sensed that this was their moment, so I cleared my throat, trying to give them some space. "You guys carry on. I'll head out."

Dad just nodded in agreement, but Mom raised an eyebrow, catching my smirk. She didn't say anything, but her gaze was knowing, almost amused. I gave her a small, conspiratorial wink and turned to leave.

Author's POV-

Steve opened the door, and Natasha followed him inside. The apartment was quiet, a welcome contrast to the buzz of the city outside. Natasha's curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't help but ask, "Where have you been all day?"

Steve sighed as he settled onto the couch, gesturing for her to take a seat. "I've been to Brooklyn," he said, his tone carrying a hint of weariness. Natasha sat down across from him, her interest piqued.

"Brooklyn? With... Jason?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded, a small, reflective smile touching his lips. "Yeah. It's my parents' memorial day. Jason found out somehow and offered to keep me company."

Natasha's gaze softened as she listened. "Your parents... both... on same day?"

Steve nodded again, his smile fading into a more somber expression. "Yeah. Strange, huh? After my dad's passing, Mom went away exactly seven years later."

The revelation struck Natasha in an unexpected way. She wasn't used to attaching emotional strings in her interactions, especially not with someone she worked with. She didn't even know why she felt compelled to listen, as if she genuinely cared about what Steve was sharing.

She shook her head slightly, trying to shake off the strange feelings, and started to stand up. "I'll get going... if you need time for yourself—"

But Steve's voice cut through her words, almost desperate. "Will you stay?"

His eyes were pleading, a raw, vulnerable expression she wasn't used to seeing from him. Natasha hesitated, feeling a tug in her chest that she didn't fully understand. For perhaps the first time in her life, she felt a pull to stay, to offer something more than just casual conversation or professional courtesy.

She nodded, settling back into her seat. "Okay," she said softly. "I'll stay."

It was a simple gesture, but in that moment, Natasha made a choice to be there for someone else, someone she had come to see as more than just a colleague.

A comfortable silence settled between Steve and Natasha, their surroundings seemingly fading away as they shared this quiet moment. Natasha, feeling a slight nudge from her own curiosity, finally broke the silence. "How did you feel? Visiting that place after such a long time?"

Steve sighed deeply, his gaze fixed on his joined palms. "I don't feel like it's been a long time," he said softly. Natasha realized, of course, that he had been frozen in ice and then woke up to a world that had moved on without him. He continued, "It felt like... just last weekend I was visiting their graves, and then today, when I saw them covered in mud and grass, I realized it's really been so long. So long."

Natasha's heart ached a little, and she felt a strange pressure in her chest. She didn't quite know how to comfort him. What could she say to ease his burden? Her mind raced for a logical explanation, something that might make his isolated feelings a little more bearable.

She sighed and spoke carefully, "You, Rogers, still can't really accept that you lost seventy years—literally a lifetime—of your precious life."

Steve nodded, still looking down. "You're right."

Trying to lift his spirits, Natasha offered a glimpse of her own experience. "Once upon a time, I felt lost and aimless too. But when I found a certain purpose, it made it easier to accept my reality."

Steve looked up, meeting her eyes with a flicker of curiosity. Natasha gave a reassuring nod. "Find that purpose, Steve."

Purpose? But what purpose could there be? He'd fought in World War II, stood against Hydra, and fought alongside the Avengers. He had done enough.

I don't like bullies. He had to uphold his promise to Dr. Erskine to fight for what's right and protect the weak. He sighed, feeling the weight of his thoughts, and looked at Natasha with newfound resolve. 

 He met Natasha's gaze and said, "Alright. Book a ticket for me too, to Laos."

Natasha's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It was a sudden change, but her surprise quickly turned into a genuine smile. "So, you're ready to go undercover with me?" she asked, her tone lighter.

Steve grinned, shaking his head. "As long as I don't have to eat your famous sandwich to survive."

They both burst into laughter, the tension of the previous conversation melting away. The lighthearted moment felt like a small victory, a bridge between them that made the idea of their mission ahead seem a little more manageable.

James' POV

I walked into the SHIELD cafeteria, feeling the familiar hum of activity around me. Usually, I'd grab lunch with a few of my colleagues, but today was a bit hectic. I had a mountain of work to get through, including sending out coded messages to our agents on various missions. So, in the interest of saving time, I decided to stick around the base and eat in the cafeteria, even though the food here wasn't exactly gourmet.

Once I got my tray of food, I scanned the room for an empty seat. By the window, I spotted a familiar face and made my way over. "Hey, Uncle," I greeted as I slid into the empty chair.

Uncle Clint looked up with a grin. "Hey, kid." He raised his hand for a high five, which I gladly returned.

As we dug into our meals, I asked, "So, when did you come back?"

Clint sighed, leaning back in his chair. "This morning. I asked for a day off, but Hill practically dragged me back here." He glanced at me, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Do you know what's up with your... mother, I mean?"

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Clint continued, "She told me to back off from the mission. She usually goes solo when she's got something on her mind, something that's bothering her."

I shook my head. "She's not alone, don't worry."

Clint raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh? Who's with her?"

I smirked. "Cap's with her."

Clint's eyes widened for a second before he laughed. "So, your dad and mom are on their first undercover mission together? Things are moving pretty quickly, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not really. They actually went on their first official date around 2016."

Clint chuckled. "Three years to ask someone out? They sure are taking their time."

I nodded. "Yeah, and I'm not rushing them. It's probably best if I stay out of it."

We continued our lunch, Clint's laughter adding a nice touch of ease to the otherwise busy day.