natasha romanoff oneshots

safe in ur arms

The atmosphere in Natasha’s room felt heavy, charged with an unspoken fear that clung to the air. The team settled in, a cautious respect surrounding the moment, each of them unsure how to help. Tony rubbed his temples, feeling a familiar tension settle in his bones. Seeing Natasha like this triggered memories he had fought hard to bury, echoes of his own struggles resurfacing, the dark nights spent drowning in self-loathing and substance abuse.

With a resigned sigh, he slid onto the edge of the bed beside her, the weight of the situation pulling at him. This was Natasha, his sparring partner, his confidant. She was strong, indomitable. And yet, here she was, so utterly defeated. The sight broke something deep inside him.

“Natashalie,” he murmured, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. He felt her warmth radiating against him, but it was a warmth he hardly recognized, clouded by the alcohol and the pain she had chosen to suppress. “You need to sit up for me, okay?”

She whined, a low, distressed sound, her eyes barely opening as she squinted against the dim light. “Nooo,” she groaned, her words slurring together. “Just let me sleep…”

Tony knew better than to let that slide. He had seen too many people he cared about slip away into darkness, and he wasn’t about to let Natasha drown in it. “Come on, Natashalie. I’m not asking. You’re going to drink this.” He retrieved a cup of cold water from the nightstand, its condensation dripping down the sides as he held it up like a lifeline.

Natasha groaned again, the sound almost comical in its exaggeration, but he saw the flicker of recognition in her eyes. She wasn’t ready to fight back, not now. “You’re not my dad,” she grumbled, turning her head away.

“True, but I’m the closest thing you’ve got right now,” he shot back, keeping his tone playful but firm. “Drink, or I’ll put on ‘Don’t Stop Believin’,’ and we both know how that’ll go.”

That earned him a look of sheer horror. “Fine! Fine!” she relented, and Tony grinned, victorious.

He helped her sit up, carefully balancing her against his side. As she took the cup, he felt her tremble slightly, but she managed to drink, the cold water a refreshing contrast to the heat of the vodka still lingering in her system. When she finished, Tony took the cup back, setting it down with a sense of purpose.

“Good girl,” he said, patting her back lightly before his fingers slid into her hair, gently pushing the tangled strands behind her ears. As he did, something in him stirred—a mix of affection and heartbreak. He had never wanted to see her this vulnerable, this broken.

“Let’s fix you up a bit,” he murmured, shifting to face her. His fingers worked deftly, braiding her hair quickly yet carefully. It was a simple gesture, but he hoped it conveyed his care. Each twist of her hair was a reminder of the bond they shared, a silent promise that she wasn’t alone in this.

The team watched, their hearts swelling as they witnessed this softer side of Tony, a side he rarely showed. Clint’s expression softened, and even Bruce couldn’t help but feel touched by the sight. Tony had always been a whirlwind, a chaotic force of nature, but in this moment, he was a steady anchor for Natasha.

Once he finished, Tony shifted, pulling Natasha closer against his side, wrapping an arm protectively around her shoulders. She leaned against him, her head resting against his chest, and he held her tighter, feeling the steady beat of her heart beneath his palm. It broke him to see her like this, so fragile and far removed from the fierce warrior they all knew.

“Natashalie,” he whispered again, his voice a soft balm against the ache in his chest. “You’re stronger than this, you know that, right? You’re tougher than anyone I know. You’ve faced down the worst of the worst. You don’t have to fight this alone.”

Natasha shifted slightly, her eyes fluttering open as she looked up at him. There was a hint of clarity in her gaze, though the alcohol still lingered like a fog. “Tony… I don’t want to feel like this anymore,” she admitted, her voice small, barely above a whisper.

His heart ached at her admission. “I get it. Trust me, I do. But we’re going to get through this together. You don’t have to hide from us. We love you, you know that?”

She let out a small, shaky breath, her expression softening as she stared at him, searching for sincerity. “I’m not… I’m not good at this,” she said, her voice cracking.

“Neither am I,” he confessed, his fingers gently brushing against her cheek. “But we can figure it out together. Just take it one step at a time.”

The other Avengers lingered in the doorway, their expressions a mixture of relief and admiration. Wanda felt her heart swell with gratitude, witnessing Tony’s quiet strength as he comforted Natasha. Bucky and Sam exchanged glances, understanding the weight of the moment, the bonds of friendship and loyalty forged in the heat of battle manifesting now in tenderness.

Tony pressed a kiss to Natasha’s forehead, a gentle reminder of his presence. “You’re not weak, Natashalie. You’re one of the strongest people I know. And right now, that strength might just mean leaning on your friends. So let us be here for you.”

Tears threatened to spill from Natasha’s eyes, but she blinked them away, letting out a shaky breath. “I just wanted to forget,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “But it didn’t help.”

Tony nodded, understanding flooding through him. “It’s okay to want to forget sometimes. But remember, numbing the pain doesn’t make it go away. It’ll still be there when the high wears off. Let us help you face it instead.”

“Yeah, we’ve got your back,” Clint added, stepping forward, his voice filled with unwavering support. “No more hiding, alright? We’re all in this together.”

Natasha’s heart swelled with gratitude, warmth flooding through her as she looked at her friends. They were her family, her home, and in that moment, she finally let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t have to fight this battle alone.

“Okay,” she whispered, her voice fragile but steady. “I’ll try.”

Tony smiled, his heart lightening at her willingness to accept help. “That’s all I ask, Natashalie. Just remember, you’re never alone.”

As the team settled in around her, Tony holding her close, Natasha felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. She was still battling her demons, but this time, she wouldn’t be fighting them alone. And for the first time in a long time, she felt like she might just be able to find her way back to herself again.

authors note: drink responsible you guys, be safe <3 im here if u need to talk