From Autumn to Winter: A Winterwidow College AU

This is Fine, I Swear

James

It's now 12:30 and everyone has left. It's just Steve and I in the room. I'm just sitting on his bed in silence. I'm spacing out thinking about her while Steve gets some more soda. I don't notice him immediately when he gets back. "Some hard thinking you're doing there. What's on your mind, Buck?"

I look up at him, yanked out of my thoughts. "What do you mean, Steve? I'm great! You just threw me a party!" Steve raises an eyebrow and sits down. "I've known you since you were drinking out of a bottle, Buck. I know when something's on your mind." I chuckled.

I should tell him. It's a little embarrassing, but he has far better information to blackmail me with than a crush. "Well...I think I really like Natasha." This time, he raises both eyebrows. "Yeah I know," I say quickly. "I just met her. And I don't want to marry her or anything. I...I just want to get to know her better." Steve still has his eyebrows raised, but he was smiling a little. It was so hard to read his perfect face. Hey, he's objectively perfect. Even Tony thinks so. And those two don't even have a good relationship. So it isn't just me who says that.

Steve sighs. "I don't know how much I can help. You definitely want to pick this one?"

"Is there any reason I shouldn't?" I puzzle. Steve puts his hand on the back of his neck. "You just picked a hard one to get that's all. Nat's been through some things that may make her not as warm to you. At least at first." If Steve wasn't telling me what or who it was, it must be pretty bad. "I'm not asking for your help."

"Yeah, but you're hoping for it." Said Steve. Maybe he was right. I don't know enough about Natasha to find her. I could use some direction. "I can give you the name of the place she works."

"I'd appreciate it, Steve."

"I know you aren't one to give up easily. Don't push her. I know you won't, but I just want to warn you. Okay?"

" I understand, Steve. Thank you." He looks down at his cup, debating whether or not to tell me where she works. I can tell that Natasha is more fragile than she looks. "She works at a place called University Brews. It's a little bar a few blocks away." He looks up at me. "Go. I can tell you want to."

"Thank you, Steve." We're silent for a moment. I feel like I haven't done enough to thank him. "If you want, you and Sam and I can go out to dinner tomorrow. To catch up. I really want to thank you for this. I had a really nice time." Steve smiled. "How about as soon as you land you crush, We can take her and Margaret one a double date. Now go."

I get up to leave and we share a small hug. When I go to the door, just before I reach it, it opens. Steve's roommate T'Chaka. He's a Poli Sci major and actual royalty. From what I hear from Steve, he's actually a very humble person. "You must be Sergeant Barnes." Even his accent is very regal. "That would be correct. It's nice to meet you."

"And you as well." he says. "I'm glad I could catch you. I'm sorry for not being at your party. I had a meeting with my sister this evening. It's her first year here so I was checking in with her about how school was going." He says this with a bitter tone. "We left a little early because the bartender at the place we went to got drunk."

Steve and I exchanged concerned glances. "That must have been...interesting." chimed Steve. "Where were you guys?"

"A place called University Brews." More concerned glances. "Usually it's nice, but tonight, the poor woman bartending got drunk and loud and inappropriate."

Steve nodded his head and gestured with his hands that I should leave. I think he's right. "Well it was wonderful to meet you, however I really have to be going. I hope I see you around?"

"You most likely will. I'm here a lot. See you Sergeant."

I slid around T'Chaka and hurried outside. I didn't have a car, so I would have to walk. I put University Brews into the GPS on my phone. Five blocks. I ran. I swear I'm not doing this to be her hero or try and impress her. It sounded like Natasha needed help. I just wanted to be a good person. I reached University Brews about ten or fifteen minutes later. When I walked in, there was no one in the bar except for a woman with dark skin and long dark hair, who was behind the counter. Without looking up from her phone, she said, "We're closing." in a monotone voice.

"I'm not a customer." I said. This made her look up. "Then why are you in my bar?" Okay...wow. She does not have time for me. "I'm here to see if one of your workers is okay. Is Natasha still here?" The girl raised her eyebrows and looked me up and down. "I didn't know she was dating anyone"-- "Oh no. We're not together I'm just a friend of a friend. I'm just here to take her home." She cocked her head. "Mmhm. Sure. Well, she's still pretty drunk, but she may have passed out by now. She's in the back room. I called her a ride a minute ago. I can cancel it though."

"Please don't. I came here in a cab. Can I just pay you for the ride?" She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll take you to her." She walked me through the doors to the kitchen and towards a small break room at the back. "I'm Nicole by the way." she said. "James." I responded.

When we reached the back room, Natasha was passed out on a couch. Her once neat curls were now messy, and her dark red lipstick smeared. "I'll let you know when the ride is here. Good luck, James." said Nicole with a chuckle as she left Natasha and me alone.

She looked so beautiful. Even if she was a mess. She was in a heavy sleep. I sat down on the couch beside her. tapped her shoulder. She just smiled slightly. She didn't say anything. "Natasha?" I whispered. Then, all of the sudden, she grabs my shirt and kisses me on the cheek. I shouldn't be smiling, but I can't wipe the grin from my face. She then lays back down, shakes her head a little, and mumbles something incoherent.

I don't really know what she's saying. I doubt she does either. "Go ahead. You can sleep if you want to." She nodded back off to sleep. Did that just happen. I mean, not really, since she's basically unconscious. It'll be hard, but I'm going to pretend that didn't happen.

"It's here." Nicole is suddenly in the doorway. Here's the part I've been dreading. I put one of my arms under her legs and one on her back. My hand wraps around the back of her neck. I pick her up as Nicole giggles in the corner. I slowly walk out of the bar and Nicole turns off the lights and locks the doors. She opens the car door. The driver says hello, I place Natasha in the car, and pay Nicole. I then step in. Nicole closes the door and then starts her own walk home. "Where to?" asks the driver.

In that moment, I realize that I have no clue where her dorm is. Crap. Nicole is already half a block away, and there's no guarantee she'll know. Well... I don't have a ton of options. I give the driver my address and he starts the drive to my place. I feel a tap on my shoulder and I glance down. Natasha's head is on my shoulder. I know that she's really drunk and that there's nothing I should like about this situation, but I have to admit, this is a nice feeling.

When we reach my apartment, I thank the driver and pick her up again. After I make the long journey up the stairs, I have to get my keys. It was very difficult, but somehow, I got my keys out my pocket without putting her down. When I unlock the door, I remember that I don't have any furniture...

I'll just have to make it work. I place her on my bed. She's definitely going to get cold without any blankets, so I put my jean jacket on her. It's not much, but there's a sherpa lining inside, so it's something. My phone says it's almost three in the morning. I can stay up for a couple hours. I think I have an idea for what to do while I wait.