Caught In The Widow's Web

Bouquet of Knives

I walked into the kitchen of the Avengers compound with Sam and Steve trailing behind after our morning run. I see Natasha and Wanda having coffee while talking and they turn to us as they hear our footsteps.

"Hey Nat, I um got you these." I say with a sheepish smile handing her the bouquet of red and white roses I had in my hands.

She takes them with a big smile coming across her face.

"Thank you, Joey." She says kissing my cheek and I feel myself blush slightly.

"So your guy's run was good then?" Wanda asks amused looking at the three of us.

"Oh yeah." Sam scoffs with a pant as he opens the fridge.

"This one *motions to me* laps me two times, stops to buy the flowers, laps me one more time keeping the flowers in tact not a petal out place and when she's done to take a "breather" I barely finish my first lap." He explains chugging his bottle of water making us chuckle.

"Are you ready for our sparring session?" Natasha asks me getting my attention and I nod as we then make our way to leave the kitchen.

"Just sparring guys." Wanda teases as the guys join in.

"Ha. Ha." I say over my shoulder while we leave making them laugh more.

"Don't you think it's kinda weird that they think we've done...it?" I ask Natasha as we walk towards the training room.

"I think it's kind of amusing that they think they know what they know is true. You know?" She says and I open my mouth to respond.

"No." I say confused making her chuckle as we get to the training room and I open the door, allowing her to step inside first.

"But the flowers were a surprising touch today, Barnes." Natasha smirks setting them down carefully on a bench before turning to face me.

"I know, I saw them and wanted to get you some. I would've gotten you a bouquet of knives or something more your style but when I asked if he had a bouquet of mags he showed me Magnolias." I explain making her laugh as she wraps her arms around my neck and mine go to her waist.

"Well I really like these. Can never go wrong with roses." She says making me nod with a smile.

We then just look into each others eyes. Her green eyes sparkling under the massive lights of the room making it even brighter. I lick my lips before I decide to speak.

"What are we doing, Nat?" I ask her softly.

"Well we're supposed to be sparring-

"Natasha." I chuckle making her do the same.

"I know, I know what you mean." She says quickly pecking my lips.

We then take a seat on the bench where the flowers were as she moves them aside.

"I thought we were on the same page?" She asks as we get into the serious topic.

"And what page is that?" I raise an eyebrow and she doesn't respond, a short silence falling upon us.

"I don't know." She admits with a sigh.

"You know I care about you a lot." I tell her.

"And I really care about you too." She responds and I release a breath with a nod as I look down at my hands instead of her.

"What's wrong?" She asks me softly.

"I'm scared." I admit looking down.

Natasha completely off guard by hearing this confession. She'd never thought she would hear that J.D, Sergeant Brawns, was scared.

"Remember a while back when you, Steve and I went to Jersey to that old SHIELD base?" I ask still not looking up.

"Yeah."

"*deep breath* When we got in and saw the portraits. You didn't know who the women were. They were Peggy and Emma Carter. Emma was Peggy's younger sister. She was someone who- *sighs* we were close." I try to explain.

"Were you in a relationship with her?" She asks trying to get better sense at what I'm trying to say but I shake my head.

"Our situation was similar to this one. We would say the right things, be affectionate towards each other behind closed doors. *fidget with my hands* I started to want more but, she would bring up her concerns on how we could be treated and how it was better the way we were." I say.

"Did you have deep feelings for her?" Natasha asks.

"At the time I think I did because I wanted to be with her. But then Steve and I crashed and that was that." I sigh with a shrug.

"Maybe it was stupid thinking I was going to have a happy ending in that time period, yet again, that was the only time I knew." I release a soft airy chuckle.

"It wasn't stupid wanting happiness." She tells me softly and I sigh.

"Now I'm in this century, having the chance at something more, something better and I just- I just don't wanna lose it." I tell her licking my lips feeling my mouth get as dry as the Sahara desert.

"You know, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." She says and I turn to see a smile on her face making me nod with a slight chuckle since she's right.

"Alright, Nat-

The door opens making us turn to see Steve walk in with a serious look on his face.

"Guys, we gotta go." He says nodding behind him.

"Steve we're kinda-

"Sarge. It's Rumlow." Sam says peeking through the door making my jaw clench.

"Come on." Natasha says getting up walking towards them making me sigh as I follow.