You Break It, You Buy It {Romanogers}

39

Third Person POV

"I don't know what to tell you, Maria."

"Just tell me the truth. You're up to something, aren't you?"

"I'll be back in class Wednesday," Natasha dodged the question, sitting on the edge of her bed. "I'm just working out my enrollment for next year, since I don't know if I'll be back by then." Not true.

"And it's taking you two days to do that?"

"Well, I also had to tell the attendance office I was going to be gone tomorrow to get my passport renewed. School is over in like two weeks so I'm just preparing for Russia." Not true.

"Holy crap. That's in like three weeks," Maria gasped. "Alright. Well, I gotta go. I promised Bucky at the door I would leave after fifteen minutes to 'make sure no one interrupts the Steve-Natasha ambiance.'"

"Of course you did," Natasha sighed grimly, getting up off the bed. She walked Maria to the door and saw Steve pulling up on his motorcycle. He nodded to acknowledge her and she gave him a wink. "Hey."

"Hey," Steve said, walking to the door. "Hold on. Is that Mama Barnes' beef stew I smell?"

Natasha laughed and grabbed a container that was on the shelf nearby. "Saved you some."

"Oh!" Steve groaned enthusiastically as he took the contained in his hands. Natasha giggled at his nostalgia and he smiled. "I missed you in French today. I had to study for finals with 'Smelly John,'" He said as he and Natasha sat on the couch, placing the container on the coffee table.

"Oh, I believe you mean sentant John," Natasha said in a mock French accent, making Steve chuckle. The fire was burning lightly, and Steve and Natasha sat inches apart. Natasha's green eyes had a warm tint in them from the firelight, and Steve had to stop himself from leaning in.

"So, these are the notes for finals," Steve said, breaking the silence. "You will be in class for finals, right? Because if I'm the only one Smelly John is cheating off of, I'm just gonna feel bad."

"Um, I'm not sure, I think it depends on how tomorrow goes, I might have to take them on a different day..." Natasha fibbed slightly. "But this is definitely going to help, so thank you."

Steve nodded and stood. "I should get going."

"Okay," Natasha mumbled, also standing. Steve held the notes and Natasha grabbed the beef stew container.

"Trade?" Steve laughed slightly, taking the container from Natasha and handing her the papers. "Well, will you be at school tomorrow?"

"Uh, no," Natasha scratched the back of her head. "But I'll definitely be back Wednesday."

"Okay," Steve nodded, not asking any questions. Natasha stood on her tiptoes and kissed Steve's cheek before he left the house with a small smile. Natasha stood there watching him go before collapsing onto the couch.

"Don't lead him on." Bucky said from the staircase as soon as the door was closed.

"I know." Natasha didn't bother arguing. "I couldn't... I had to. Before I leave."

"You're really an idiot," Bucky said affectionately. "You think I was calling Steve about French homework? He was calling to see if you would want to see him. He wanted to know if you not being at school was his fault. Told me to tell you he misses you. I was the one who texted him after dinner and told him to bring the notes over." Natasha stared into the fireplace and Bucky sat next to her. "You know without you Wanda and I would never be together?"

Natasha chuckled lightly and shook her head. "You're welcome."

"And after the first couple months I thought we were just like you and Steve."

"And now?" Natasha asked, looking at him.

"We don't. Who could ever have what the great Natasha and Steve have? You guys are one of a kind." Natasha's brow creased and Bucky scoffed gently. "There's only ever gonna be one 'Steve and Natasha.' You were always the love of each other's lives even before meeting. Wanda and I were idiots."

"Yeah, but you were idiots in love."

"I want the best for you. And if that means going to Russia, go. But I love Steve. He's been my brother since I was a kid. But you're my sister now, too. You gotta do it right. For both your sakes."

He kissed Natasha's forehead and got up to leave. She sat there absorbing everything he said. It hurt. But he wasn't wrong. Not in the slightest.

"Hey, James?" She called out, still facing he fire.

"Yeah?"

Natasha turned around and looked him in the eye. "How was he? When i wasn't in class, and all."

"He tried to be himself. But he doesn't know who that is without you anymore. I know you don't wanna hear it... but if you're gonna go to Russia, you should let Steve know it's over. For good. Otherwise you're just gonna break his heart even more."

She nodded and Bucky walked up the rest of the stairs. Natasha's phone buzzed and she smiled when she saw Steve thanking her for the soup. In a split second decision to tell Steve about Russia, Natasha typed out a quickly message asking Steve to give her tomorrow's French notes afterschool in the parking lot. He texted back a confirmation and content with her choice, Natasha walked upstairs to her room, only to find Rebecca passed out on her bed, and her heart sunk down to her feet. She was leaving her behind, too. And Jacob. And Bobbi, the third youngest. She was going into seventh grade next year. And Cameron. He was the oldest, besides Bucky. He was starting high school next year.

Natasha picked her up and moved her to the room she shared with Bobbi, who was silently reading in the corner.

"Whatcha reading?" She whispered, getting on the bed next to her.

"Little Women. Which sucks ass, by the way."

Natasha chuckled softly but playfully slapped Bobbi's arm. "Watch your language."

Bobbi giggled and Natasha looked cover her shoulder. "I'm at the part where Laurie acts like a dumbass."

"Well, there are several of those parts so please elaborate," Natasha situated herself on her bed, reading where Bobbi pointed. "Yeah, men will be idiots. But they'll love you like no other," Natasha smiled, kissing the top of Bobbi's head and getting up to leave. "Goodnight. Sleep tight. Don't let the demons bite."