One Shots

Chess

How lovely it is to play a board game, especially chess. You spend your time productively, using your brain to think and make a smart move. And I guess that's why chess was invented in the first place. To make a smart move.

It was this small, poor area somewhere in India, and Bruce and Natasha were on a mission, alongside other Avengers. Bruce was sitting on the right side of the table while his prettier half was sitting opposite him. The center of attention was on them,  since they were the only two people who played chess.

Why, you would ask at that moment? If it was a mission, shouldn't they be focusing on that rather than playing chess? The little cottage was heavily guarded, not just by the Avengers but also by S.H.I.E.L.D. Their mission was to stop H.Y.D.R.A from kidnapping Bucky again.

But Bruce and Natasha simply didn't care.  All they did was look at each other's eyes and smile, while playing chess.

—  "Your turn." said Bruce, smiling a Natasha.
— "Hmm, oh well, I think I'm gonna play a knight to E4." she replied, smiling back at Bruce as she moved the figurine.
— "Hah, that is a smart move right there agent Romanoff" he smiled, looking down at the chess board.
— "Well what can I say? I see myself as a more rational person than just a red haired undercover agent" she chuckled, and her eyes glowed with this beautiful and amusing shine.
— "But rationality isn't always a good way to show off," Bruce smiled, moving another figurine. "Check!" he leaned on the table, put his hands under his chin and smiled, looking up at Natasha. She too, was smiling.
— "But it is to persuade." she replied with a smile, making her move. "Mate!" she said, repeating the previous motion of Banner's
— "Ohoo, she got you there Banner!" Clint said as he was giving a drink to Natasha.
— "Oh, no, he had more tricks in his sleeves Barton." Tony added, taking a sip of his own coffee. "But just out of curiosity, why the hell haven't you pulled out one, Bruce?"
— "Leave the man alone Tony." Steve said. "After all, it ain't like we wouldn't be able to beat you at the game." Everyone laughed.
— "Oh, okay then Capsicle, let's see what you got... c'mon now..."
— "Later Tony, we have a mission to do now." Steve replied, turning to the window and checking the area. He focused entirely on his mission but he could hear Tony in the back saying, "Oh look now, he's afraid. He's obviously aware that I'm better at chess than him".
— "Yeah, yeah..." he scoffed. "I can beat you with my eyes closed Tony," he said as he laughed and thought to himself how he can do that all day.

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This is a bit different from what I previously wrote but yeah.

This kinda took place at the same place where Natasha and Bruce first met in the first Avengers movie, but as if in the meantime they were on some mission rather than the events of their meeting scene.

I hope you enjoy! 😊

Edited for clarity on: May 5th, 2025.