i'm with you, every step of the way

Chapter 11

Natasha was sitting at homeroom talking to Bucky while waiting for class to start. Bucky was quizzing her about their chemistry quiz later that day while someone tapped on Natasha's shoulder. She looked up and was surprised to see an anxious looking Steve next to her.

"Yes?" She asked, turning slightly and looking at him, flashcards still on her hands. She wants to keep studying and she wants him to see that.

"I uh, can I talk to you? Alone please, right now," he replied, fidgeting slightly and looking at Bucky. Natasha turned back to look at Bucky, whom she noticed give Steve a look and felt suspicious. She decided it was nothing and shrugged, setting the flashcards down on her desk and stood up, telling Bucky she'll be right back. He just nodded and started studying on his own.

"What is it?" Natasha asked Steve once they were out of the room. Steve looked around and grabbed her arm gently, leading her to a secluded area under the stairs. Natasha looked at his hand questioningly and to where they're going but followed him anyways. Once they got there, she glared at Steve and tugged her arm out from his grip but he tightened it slightly and looked at her pleadingly.

"Natasha, wait, please hear me out," Tony said, leaning from the wall.

"Why should I?" She turned around abruptly and all but screamed at him. "I have no reason to talk to you ever again, Stark!"

"Natasha, I just want to say sorry... for everything," Tony called out to her.

Natasha didn't turn around and glared up at Steve. She put her other hand over his, which was still holding on to her arm, and tried to pry his hand away. "Steve, let me go or I swear to god I will kick your ass," she said, lowly. He looked at her for a moment and sighed, letting go of her and with that, she bolted back to the direction of their classroom, seething.

Tony looked at Steve dejectedly. "I'm sorry man," Steve muttered. "Don't worry, give her time. I was in your shoes before, remember?"

"Yeah, but you were friends for how long and you're nice. I'm just an asshole," he replied and walked away.

Their little confrontation made Natasha irritable. She was quiet all throughout homeroom and Bucky didn't prod, knowing what made her like that. He was constantly watching her on the corner of his eye and she still looks agitated even by the time the period was over.

"Hey Nat, you ready for the chem test?" he asked casually, slinging his backpack over his shoulder as they make their way out of the room. All he got was a silent nod and he decided not to follow up, he doesn't want her to explode her anger towards him.

The day went on like that, with Natasha quiet and moody. She left before his practice ended, telling him that her parents want her home before 4. He just pouted and let her leave, continuing to go to his practice, where he talked to Steve.

"What happened earlier? Man, Nat is so mad, she barely said a word the whole day!" he said as they were stretching.

"Oh, as you know, Tony talked to her. And yeah, she didn't take it so well. I should've known she needed time, we shouldn't have had talked to her." Steve replied, pausing in between stretches as he thinks about the events of the day. Tony was a bit more quiet too, using less curse words and sarcastic remarks throughout the day, which was very unusual. "I feel bad for Tony, but I know Nat has a reason for that. He was such a jerk before."

"I know. Even I couldn't fully trust Tony. Not yet, anyways. Hopefully." Bucky answered and Steve nodded in agreement.

--

Natasha was in a better mood after the weekend. She woke up early and heated up the cookies she baked the night before to share with Bucky and the girls. There wasn't any special occasion, she just tends to bake when she's in a sour mood as a way to release stress.