Endgame Romanogers Fanfic

Second to Last Chapter

Natasha dried her face with a towel and used those brief seconds to focus on continuing to tell the real story of what happened in Vormir and how she returned to normal life. She was using that time to control her emotions; she knew she wouldn't be able to make Steve truly understand if she got too emotional. He suffers when he sees her suffer. That's why he kissed her, because he knew she was in pain, not because he had forgiven or understood everything she had gone through, or the feelings that led her to kiss Oliver and decide to end things.

Natasha could always be cold when she needed to be, so controlling herself now shouldn't be a problem, but also children are her weakness. Knowing that she might had hurt Sara hit her hard, and she still hadn't fully processed it. She knew she'd still think about it, that she'd still suffer more, but it would be a pain she would carry alone, without breaking down as she had now. She felt she deserved it as punishment for what she possibly did to Sara. If she let it show, Steve or anyone else would try to ease her side, and she does not want that.

Suddenly, Steve and Natasha heard a heavy thud from the living room. They rushed out of the bathroom and saw Sara on the floor. Steve panicked and ran to the baby.

S: She fell off the couch! I was an idiot for not to put pillows. Oh God, did she hit her head? She shouldn't sleep now, is she still sleeping? Or did she pass out??? Do you think she's unconscious??

He rattled off his questions, and Natasha calmly approached them. She placed a hand on Steve's shoulder, who was crouched next to Sara.

N: She didn't pass out.

S: Are you sure?? Look at the height from Where she fell... that's dangerous for her.

N: She's not crying.

S: She could still have a concussion.

N: She doesn't have a concussion.

S: How do you know?? She could be unconscious.

N: It wasn't a big fall. She's fallen from there before.

S: And she was okay?

N: Yes. She's even fallen from the back of the couch.

Steve frowned, shocked and worried.

N: From that height, I was really scared, but...

She hesitated to say more.

N: Oliver examined her. She was fine.

S: He's a doctor, right?

N: Yes.

S: Well, at least that was useful.

Natasha knelt beside Sara.

N: Sara?

Sara didn't respond.

N: Sara...

Sara furrowed her brows.

N: See?

Natasha opened Sara's eyes gently.

N: She's fine.

Natasha looked at Steve.

N: Relax.

Steve took a deep breath and got up to sit on the couch.

Natasha sat on the floor and laid Sara across her lap. Sara groaned from being moved around so much but stayed asleep. Natasha looked at Steve again, and with that look, he knew they were returning to the serious conversation.

S: So... you still want to continue?

N: Yes.

Natasha glanced at Sara again.