i'm with you, every step of the way

Chapter 19

It was a Friday before Natasha's Sweet 16 birthday party, and her mom let her skip school so that she could start preparing: it's a day of facials, nail appointments, and final touches on whatever else that has to be done. She was out for most of the day and when she got home, someone glomped her right as she was coming in the door.

"TAAAAASSSHHHAAAAAA" was the screech she heard before being engulfed by someone no other than Wanda. She was lifted off the ground for a brief second as Wanda hugged her a bit too tight and the two erupted in giggles.

"Wanda oh my gosh, I haven't seen you in so long!!!" Natasha excitedly said and hugged Wanda back just as tight.

"Me too!! OMG we have to catch up as long as we can!!! I heard so much has changed!!" Wanda said, hooking her arm around Natasha's as they make their way inside. Pietro got out of his room and gave her a big hug, and followed her and Wanda to the living room.

"Hey Nat, you ready for tomorrow?" her aunt asked, who was sitting down and chatting with her mom. "Wanda here wanted to go since yesterday but she had a big test today," she remarked and Wanda pouted at that.

"Yes, well now I'm gonna whisk her away because we have a lot of talking to do," Wanda announced, dragging her and Pietro to Natasha's room.

Once they got to her room, Wanda shut the door and jumped on her bed, followed suit by Natasha. "So... what's up? How's the whole turn around of your high school life treating you?" she asked, lying down and putting her head on Natasha's lap.

"Well, you know, I enjoy it. Sometimes it's overwhelming but it's manageable." Natasha answered slowly, combing her fingers through Wanda's hair and smiling.

"Overwhelming? How?" Pietro asked, turning towards the bean bag he's sitting on to face them.

"I don't know," Natasha sighed and frowned. "I never expected to be captain. Nor to be friends with Stark. I guess it was just too much at first but it's okay, it's getting easier. Bucky helps a lot, and so does Steve." Natasha smiled, and at the mention of Steve's name, Wanda gave her a mischievous look.

"Ohhh, I see," she grinned, a bit too wicked for Natasha's liking. "So, Steve huh?" she asked, nudging Natasha's side with her elbow.

Natasha arched an eyebrow at her. "What is that supposed to mean? It's just Steve," she interjected.

"I know, but I saw the way your lips curled and your eyes twinkled when you said Steve's name," Wanda pointed out, looking at Pietro for support but he merely shrugged.

"I'm pretty sure you're imagining things," Natasha countered. "Steve's my best friend, just like Bucky. Besides, I know Steve. He's not into girls like me," Natasha added, but immediately regretted it as she saw the look on Wanda's face.

"AHA! So you do like him!" she blurted.

"NO!" Natasha urged and groaned in frustration. "I'm just saying that we're best friends and that's all we're going to be because I don't like him like that and so does he!" she explained. Wanda just hummed and nodded, but Natasha knew what she was thinking and rolled her eyes at her.

"How about Bucky?" Pietro asked, after a couple moments of silence.

"What about him?" Natasha asked absent-mindedly.

"Like, is there a possibility? Of you two being together in the future? We were all pretty sure you two are endgame since the beginning," he casually said, making Wanda frown.

"Hey! I did not agree with that! I always thought Tasha would be with Steve!" she argued.

"Guys, really, it's not even worth fighting about," Natasha heavily sighed and rested her back against the wall, a bit dramatically. "Bucky, like I said, is and always will be my best friend. Maybe in the future, in the distant future, I don't know," she shrugged.