Real Love is Hard to Find

I Trust You

Natasha was used to being attacked and having her life placed in danger. It was a part of her job, but honestly, sometimes she felt like that by just looking into Steve Roger's eyes, she would be in more trouble than she'd ever been in her entire life as a S.H.I.E.LD operative.

She had feelings for him. Feelings which had slowly begun to develop during their many S.H.I.E.L.D missions together. Natasha trusted Steve, almost on the same level that she trusted Clint. There was just one problem. She didn't know if he trusted her. Sure, she could dismiss it and say that Steve's trust wasn't that big of a deal, but after everything they'd been through the last few months, she felt a stronger connection with him.

It was ridiculous, considering they weren't extremely close. Natasha would shamelessly flirt with Steve at times, but he would always be in control, never giving too much away or hinting her insight as to what his feelings towards her were. They had a comfortable, casual friendship that, so far, Natasha was fine with...but now, she wanted more.

It was preposterous, but it kept her wondering and analyzing how she should approach him about it. Natasha always believed that emotional ties were harmful to her work, save for her friendship with Clint and her mentor relationship with Nick. But this thing with Steve had been keeping her up for nights. That moment on the Lemurian Star when he found out about the side mission Nick had given her...she hated seeing that angry look on his face. It was nearly akin to betrayal. And after she told him that one was on her, when he said, "You're damn right," those three words tore deep down to her soul. It was as if a brick wall had slammed into her heart.

Natasha needed Steve to believe in her. She needed it, because he was a reminder to her that life could be good. He was one of the few constants in her life that allowed her to feel normal without it being like an excuse. They had a rapport, an understanding, and if she had tainted it somehow, she could never forgive herself.

This is why she took no pretense when they had a moment alone together in the guest room at Sam's house. She was nervous, uncertain of how Steve would react when she asked him, but she had to.

"If it was down to me to save your life...and you be honest with me...would you trust me to do it?"

Her breathing was deceptively calm, but inside she was a maelstrom. Every action she took as long as she was teamed up with Steve would be determined by his next words. She waited silently for his answer.

After a short pause, he looked up at her and replied, "I would now, and I'm always honest."

Thank God.

Natasha nodded slightly, trying to hold back the smile that fought to appear on her face. She looked down to her hands and rubbed the palms on her pant legs. Steadying herself, she forced herself to look up and meet Steve's eyes with hers again. When she did, she couldn't believe what she saw in those blue orbs.

Acceptance. Confidence. Desire.

Before she knew what was happening, Steve pulled her to him and pressed his lips to hers. It was a gentle kiss, a fact which Natasha was grateful for. Their first and last kiss several hours earlier was big and spontaneous. There wasn't too much passion in it as they were trying to avoid detection by the STRIKE team.

Natasha moaned, her hands went around Steve's neck while Steve slid his hands down to her sides, squeezing the soft flesh there. His fingers grazed the skin underneath her shirt and he actually growled in pleasure. This was a side to Steve Rogers that Natasha enjoyed. Natasha wasn't new to playing the affection side of things, but this was not a game. It was real, genuine. She wasn't toying with him now. The time for games was over. Crazy it may have seemed, but Natasha could even taste the trust in that kiss. This was the first time she ever could claim such bliss and she relished it.

Finally, they had to pull apart from each other to catch their mutual breaths. They both panted from the intensity of that kiss. Natasha had no words as she touched her forehead to Steve's, her hands grasping his tank top. She looked at him from under her eyelashes. "So...you trust me, and I think you know that I trust you." She licked her lips. "I think we can do this together...as a team. What do you think, Rogers?" The little flirtatious tilt in her voice made Steve smile.

He moved a strand of red hair from her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb. Chuckling, he said, "Romanov, I've never agreed with you more."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's note: Yes, I am a Marvel freak and I adore Romanogers. They are perfection.❤️