UNKNOWN GUEST

#34 The Drunk Wolf

Author's POV-

Natasha felt the soothing sensation of her mother's hand caressing her red locks, the touch was gentle, smooth, and slow. It filled her with a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew it was just a dream, but she didn't want to wake up. She craved a bit of normalcy, even if it was just for a moment. The simple, comforting touch felt like a lifeline in her chaotic world.

Suddenly, the soft, loving hand was replaced by a rough, harsh grip. The hand yanked her hair, and it felt like her scalp was being torn away. The pain jolted her awake, her eyes flying open as she gasped for breath. The peaceful dream shattered, leaving her heart pounding in her chest.

She blinked, disoriented, and noticed white curtains swaying gently in the breeze. The sunlight streamed in warmly, a stark contrast to the cold sweat that dripped from her forehead. She sat up, her heart still racing, and looked around the room. Everything was so neat—shelves lined perfectly, lamps polished to a shine, the floor spotless. This wasn't her place. For a brief moment, she wondered if she had somehow ended up in heaven.

A soft knock on the door broke her thoughts, followed by a gentle voice calling out, "Nat, you awake?"

She recognized the voice instantly—Steve. But how did she end up here? She cleared her throat, trying to shake off the remnants of the nightmare and the lingering confusion. "Ye-yeah," she replied groggily.

The door creaked open, and Steve walked in, offering her a gentle smile. "Don't be confused. You're at my place," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. He placed a bottle of water on the bed beside her.

Natasha picked up the bottle and took a sip, the cool water soothing her dry throat. She looked at him, still trying to piece together how she had ended up here. "Why am I here? How did I come here?" she asked, her voice tinged with bewilderment.

Steve chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest as he shook his head. "Jason brought you here," he explained, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Flashback

The doorbell rang again, loud and insistent, pulling Steve from his sleep. He rubbed his eyes, the remnants of sleep quickly fading as his instincts kicked in. His eyes flicked to his shield resting soundly on the couch. Whoever was ringing the bell clearly didn't know how to make a quiet entrance. Steve's eyes narrowed; no assassin would bother with a doorbell, so who could it be?

Ready for anything, he approached the door, opening it just enough to peer outside. His furrowed brow relaxed slightly when he saw Jason standing there, looking unusually serious for the late hour.

"Cap, let me in," Jason said, his voice low but firm.

Steve hesitated for a second before opening the door fully, and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw Natasha leaning heavily against Jason's shoulder, clearly out of it. He looked at Jason, confusion mixing with concern. "What's going on?"

Jason sighed, a bit of weariness in his voice. "Will you step aside?"

Steve nodded and stepped back, allowing Jason to guide Natasha into the apartment. Jason laid her down gently on the couch, then plopped down next to her with a heavy sigh. Natasha was completely knocked out, her usually sharp features softened by the haze of alcohol. Jason shook his head, clearly still processing the night's events. "She's so drunk, and she kept asking me to bring her to you."

Steve frowned, trying to make sense of it. "Why?"

Jason shook his head again, more out of disbelief than lack of knowledge. "Don't know. She wanted to clear some 'misunderstanding,' apparently. And she wanted to give you an earful for showing 'attitude' to her."