sixwordstories | (no subject)

[Steve stands a respectful distance away, not quite watching Natasha but aware of her. It's something she'd probably laugh at him for, but it's too ingrained for him not to watch out for a teammate even when they're supposed to be safe. He waits patiently for her to notice him...or not...]

I'd leave the sneaking to Romanov or Barton.

-her jibe doesn't have the same usual playfulness. There's a somber air around her for once and she stands again and clears her throat-

[Ducking his head, he rubs the back of his neck, looking up to give her a weak smile.] I - uh - wasn't trying to be sneaky.

I didn't want to intrude so I thought I'd make sure you got some privacy. I know that the reporters like to follow you around.

I make sure they can't to this place.

-she hugs herself. Her sunglasses hide her puffy eyes but her voice can betray that she's on the verge of tears-

Look, uh--Steve, was there...did you need something? Phone broke? Your laptop?

A little extra security doesn't hurt.

[For a few seconds, he's at a loss. He wants to help, to offer some kind of comfort, but he still doesn't know what's seen as appropriate, especially after everything that's happened between them. Steve moves closer, but doesn't touch, hoping his presence will help.]

I'm not here because I need tech support. Pepper thought you might like some company.

-her voice is watery and she hugs herself tightly-

Yeah, gonna need to talk to her about that. I'm--Steve, you should go. You don't want to see me like this, okay? So uh...I'll see you later.

[The sound of her voice is enough to make him forget everything he's been told about proper behavior and sexual harassment. She could hate him for this later. For now he's going to pull her close, wrapping his arms around her and offer her whatever strength she'll accept.]

'M not going. Not 'till you do.

-She wants to push him away. Shout at him, tell him that she doesn't need him, doesn't need anybody. But all Natasha can do is just let the tears come and cling to him-

He--he would've loved it. I wanted to bring him here. See the hospitals here. Have him work--he saved my life, Steve. He could've let me die in that godforsaken cave but he didn't. Steve, he didn't. He--he--

[The anger is expected more than the tears, but he still holds her tight enough to let her know that he's there but she can pull away with little effort.]

I know. He was a great man. He didn't deserve what happened to him. [And Steve knows he's describing both the doctor that had saved Natasha and someone else. Another doctor who had taken a risk and paid for it with his life. One that Steve would always be grateful of.] He'd be proud of what you've done, Natasha.

-she holds on and tries to stop crying. It hurt when she remembers how Yinsen did so much for her. How he told her to live her life; to do good things. She's done her best-

Y-yeah? You think so?

Yeah, I do. [He truly did, but he understands the guilt and doubt. He feels that way about Erskine, wondering if he could have done more and if he lives up to the doctor's ideals.] You've done amazing things. You've saved the world a couple of times. How could he not be proud of that?

-if his shirt is wet, she'll get him a new one some other time. Right now, though...right now, she can just leave behind being the genius billionaire. She hopes desperately that Steve doesn't call her on it. That he'll just let her use him as a solid presence. After a few minutes of silence pass, she looks up at him and removes her sunglasses-

What is it...about doctors? It's...a dangerous profession. Probably should uh...warn Bruce about that.