Natasha Romanoff (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
stillfriends) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
chosenpaths2024-02-29 07:32 am
stillfriends) wrote in chosenpaths2024-02-29 07:32 am
You take the man out of the city, not the city out of the man
Natasha had learned long ago that worrying was a waste of time. You crossed bridges as they came. Was it necessary to have multiple plans in case that particular bridge was lined with dynamite or occupied by opposing forces? Absolutely. But having a plan or improvising in the moment was different than constantly fretting over all the what ifs and wasting time and energy on something that may never come. Therefore she didn't worry when Steve missed their weekly check-in. She knew that he had his hands full with his recently deprogrammed best friend and ex-Hydra agent and she knew better than to take it personally.
But she felt the foreign feeling of worry enter her mind when it had been 48 hours later and Steve had yet to check in. She had expected a (needless) apology and a report on how Bucky was dealing with things this week. She knew that the check ins were more than just about each other's safety, it was also because they were a team, even if the Avengers was just another piece of Natasha's past. When she tried his phone there was no answer and she refused to call too many times, a stubborn part of her still hating to admitting any kind of vulnerability, even now. Even with Steve.
Which is why she had decided that when her current solo mission was over she would simply drop in on the two men at the safehouse that Steve had mentioned they would be using last week. Worst case scenario was that they weren't there and she'd have to start tracking their whereabouts from the location they'd been at last contact. Best case scenario, they'd gotten so caught up with the mission or each other that Steve had merely forgotten to check in or check his phone - which was laughable for Captain America, but possibly not beyond the possibility depending on circumstances.
She had flown in on the redeye, taking a cab from the airport to a busy and touristy part of Luxembourg City before slipping into a cafe and then out the back alley. From there, she'd walked the rest of the way to the safe house, nestled in a quiet neighborhood with very little traffic and private estates. This was one of the nicer safe houses, though the rooms were small and densely decorated in standard European fashion. She'd bypassed the gate and climbed the wall instead, not being able to help herself from catching Steve off guard. She knew it would amuse him if she defeated his defenses, though she was less certain about how Bucky might react.
Which was why she was quiet as she opened the back door to the kitchen and tried to ascertain where the men were in the house before making her presence known. The last thing she wanted to do was catch the Winter Soldier off guard and cause Steve any more grief as they moved room to room, destroying the safe house in the process. She set her bag down on the kitchen table and followed the soft sound of music down a dark hallway to a brighter living room, trying to stay in the shadow of the hallway for as long as she could. She made out the shadow of Bucky against a bookcase, her eyes sweeping the room for any sign of Steve. There wasn't one, and as much as she had wanted to surprise him first, she thought it was best to let her presence be known.
"Hey," she said, stepping out of the hallway and knocking on the doorframe to telegraph her presence so as not to startle him.
But she felt the foreign feeling of worry enter her mind when it had been 48 hours later and Steve had yet to check in. She had expected a (needless) apology and a report on how Bucky was dealing with things this week. She knew that the check ins were more than just about each other's safety, it was also because they were a team, even if the Avengers was just another piece of Natasha's past. When she tried his phone there was no answer and she refused to call too many times, a stubborn part of her still hating to admitting any kind of vulnerability, even now. Even with Steve.
Which is why she had decided that when her current solo mission was over she would simply drop in on the two men at the safehouse that Steve had mentioned they would be using last week. Worst case scenario was that they weren't there and she'd have to start tracking their whereabouts from the location they'd been at last contact. Best case scenario, they'd gotten so caught up with the mission or each other that Steve had merely forgotten to check in or check his phone - which was laughable for Captain America, but possibly not beyond the possibility depending on circumstances.
She had flown in on the redeye, taking a cab from the airport to a busy and touristy part of Luxembourg City before slipping into a cafe and then out the back alley. From there, she'd walked the rest of the way to the safe house, nestled in a quiet neighborhood with very little traffic and private estates. This was one of the nicer safe houses, though the rooms were small and densely decorated in standard European fashion. She'd bypassed the gate and climbed the wall instead, not being able to help herself from catching Steve off guard. She knew it would amuse him if she defeated his defenses, though she was less certain about how Bucky might react.
Which was why she was quiet as she opened the back door to the kitchen and tried to ascertain where the men were in the house before making her presence known. The last thing she wanted to do was catch the Winter Soldier off guard and cause Steve any more grief as they moved room to room, destroying the safe house in the process. She set her bag down on the kitchen table and followed the soft sound of music down a dark hallway to a brighter living room, trying to stay in the shadow of the hallway for as long as she could. She made out the shadow of Bucky against a bookcase, her eyes sweeping the room for any sign of Steve. There wasn't one, and as much as she had wanted to surprise him first, she thought it was best to let her presence be known.
"Hey," she said, stepping out of the hallway and knocking on the doorframe to telegraph her presence so as not to startle him.
no subject
It's flippant, she knows, but she also knows he's not looking for a solution. There are some things that can't be stopped. Memories that can't be or won't be forgotten or forgiven.
She sighs, lowering her eyes to her cards. "Sometimes the only thing worse than a bad night's sleep is a good one." There really was no winning. If you remembered, you were haunted, if you forgot, then you were the monster.
no subject
He shakes his head and discards two cards to replace with new ones. "I'll let you know if I agree when I manage to have one." It's been a long time since he has even slept through a single night.
no subject
She presses her lips together, keeping her eyes on the cards. "Do you want to talk about them?"