An hour later she was sitting on a bar stool, sipping her cosmopolitan cocktail and overseeing the room. She hadn't been very sociable today, but her position gave her a prime position to observe the room.
The party was not entirely private. Stark had invited some investors and was entertaining them. The presence of some of the Avengers has probably sweetened the deal, or even been part of it. While he seemed very cheerful on the outside, the little lines around his mouth made her conclude he was growing more and more annoyed with these people, but he hadn't come up with an elegant way to ditch them...yet.
Pepper Potts was sitting at a table with Maria Hill, and whatever they were talking about, it made them genuinely laugh every few minutes, and sometimes one of them leaned in to whisper into the other one's ear, followed by more laughter.
Thor and Jane were one of the few people dancing, looking into each other's eyes longingly, currently blissfully unaware of the world around them. Natasha couldn't help but smile. Despite their obvious differences, they seemed so genuinely in love and it was lovely to see.
Near to what served as a ballroom, a small boys' club had formed. Steve was sitting there with Barnes next to him, talking to Sam and Clint. The conversation seemed to be amicable, at least. She couldn't really read the newcomer, though. Barnes' looked tired; his eyes betrayed him. She saw him making attempts at reciprocation in the conversation, even laughing at jokes - but all of it was slightly...off. His reactions always came a split second too late - like it was something he had practiced, or was scared to be reprimanded for. He held his left hand in his pocket, while the right one played with his drink somewhat nervously.
She was pulled away from her observations by laughter over at the other side of the room, where an unusual duo had formed: Rhodey and Wanda Maximoff, both somewhat inebriated, were seemingly having the time of their life. She actually listened to his stories with interest, and laughed at his punch lines - while he looked on with genuine wonder when she used her powers for party tricks, the last of them being manipulating a pink balloon to reshape into a floating cube.
The girl was perceptive, and soon noticed Nat's eyes on her. She excused herself to Rhodey, who promptly found another victim to tell his stories to - this time it was Darcy, Jane's assistant.
Wanda walked over to her, smiling and holding up her hands, possibly as a sign of not meaning harm.
"Natasha, what are you doing here all alone? We have to show these American boys we know how to party!"
Her smile was genuine, and inviting. She hooked her arm in Nat's, guiding her into the room.
"Come, you are not the type to be a wallflower!"
That made Nat smile in return.
Though as they stood closer, and their voices were drowned out by the party, Wanda's demeanor changed, despite the alcohol.
"You are all right, yes, Natasha? If not...well, sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger? No obligations. I just wanted you to know you could."
It genuinely surprised her. She had only really talked to the girl on a few occasions, and most of those times involved combat strategy. But she seemed thoughtful for her age, and kinder that her history would suggest.
"You too, Wanda. Should you need to."
"I might take you up on the offer. But not today. I think today is a good day."
"Hey Nat," another, familiar voice sounded. Steve was waving at her from his table, beckoning him to his table.
"Go," Wanda said as she gently shoved her a step closer,"be with your friends."
"You could join us, too."
Wanda shook her head. "No, the Captain's friend - what's his name, Bucky? - he's uncomfortable around me. It's the mind control thing. I don't want to push it. Go. Have fun. I'm fine."
Natasha turned to Steve's table, and could still hear Wanda murmur: "Who calls their child Bucky? Do Americans hate their children?"
It brought a grin to her face. She decided she might like the Maximoff girl.
When sitting down, Natasha specifically chose a spot next to Barnes, as she wanted to get a feel for the guy. She greeted him, and he gave her a nod. They had talked before briefly, which had mostly involved him apologizing for shooting her - extensively and awkwardly. Despite his unmistakable tiredness, he did clean up nice. He still wore his hair longer, but it was less messy now. When he spoke, he was actually charming. His smile, while used sparingly, was positively disarming.
The rest of them brought up old Avengers stories. It served a double purpose, really. On one hand it made him feel like they trusted him enough to treat him like one of them. On the other hand it was an indirect way to bring him up to speed. As the evening progressed, she got the feeling that he did actually realize that, but played along, appreciating what they were doing for him. Every now and then Rogers would throw her a knowing look, thinking her silently for involving his friend in normal conversation and treating him like a regular human being.
She noticed that despite having a version of the super serum, Barnes' didn't quite metabolize alcohol as fast as Rogers. As the evening progressed, and he consumed an impressive amount of vodka, he was becoming progressively more tipsy. His defenses weakened, and his reactions became more natural and less calculated. She decided to test the waters.
"So guys," she said charmingly, "do you know how every good Russian joke starts?"
She looked around the table, and saw some worried faces there. Barnes himself looked mostly like he was bracing for a punch.
"By looking over your shoulder," she said casually, and sipped her drink.
It was Barnes who laughed first, and it was bittersweet, but the fact he laughed put the others more at ease.
Good, she thought, that opened up some options.
"So Sergeant," she said, "you're a charming man. Any luck with the ladies in the 21st century yet?"
Barnes seemed to be taken back by that, and shook his head shyly.
"I swear she asks that to everyone, Buck, " Steve informed him, laughing.
Barnes' face seemed to be in deep contrast with Steve's cheerfulness now. There was something going on there.
"I could set you up," she continued, "have you met Nicole, she does accounting for Stark?"
Barnes bowed his head and shook it again.
"Or Ana Sofia? She works in Helen Cho's lab?"
"I'm really not interested in that."
"Or if you prefer guys, it's a brand new millennium - there's Mike from -"
"Goddammit, Romanoff, I said no!" He practically spat at her, his body language switching completely in a mere second.
He got up and stormed out.
Steve looked a bit baffled: "Sorry Nat, I'll go see what's up."
"No, Steve. I made the mess. I'll go clean it up. Hang on."
---
She found him leaning against the wall in the hallway that lead to the restrooms, taking deep breaths. He gritted his teeth when he saw her.
"You really don't know when to take a hint, do you?"
"Look, I'm sorry I apparently said something to offend you, but -"
"Hasn't anyone ever told you apologies shouldn't come with a'but'?
She took a deep breath.
"Look, really, it's just that gay sex is more accepted now and it can come across as a little homophobic to -"
"Oh for fuck's sake, Romanoff. You want to educate me on modern times? Now? Really? Trust me, there was just as much buggery in my day as there is in yours, people just shut up about it more. And I don't hate or fear gay people, for the record, I just don't particularly want a cock up my ass."
He spoke with such intensity, and such pain in his eyes, that the picture painted before her became crystal clear.
She felt her own face drop.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered.
He looked at her with panic now, with eyes she remembered seeing looking over a mask once, bewildered and hurt.
"Oh no no, don't you dare say it, don't you dare -"
"They raped you," she said flatly. It was a statement, not a question, and she could tell from the way his face turned pale that she was right.
She reached for him, but he flinched like he expected her to hurt him.
"Are you talking to someone about it?" she asked, with determination.
She saw him move his hand over him mouth then shake his head.
"Are you insane?" he finally managed. "I have no illusion about privacy with a S.H.I.E.L.D. head shrinker. They'd tell Fury, I'm sure. Steve, too."
"You mean he doesn't know?"
The panic in his eyes grew even more now, and this time it was him who reached for her, grabbing her firmly by her shoulders.
"He can never know, do you understand that? No one can know. Everyone already looks at me like I'm a mistreated dog they rescued from a shelter. If they knew this...promise me, Romanoff, promise me."
She could see something glistening in his eyes, and she could feel his right hand shaking on her shoulder.
She softened both inside and out. It seemed almost wrong to see him this way, this man who could snap anyone's neck in a heartbeat. She had seen men vulnerable before. She had made men vulnerable before. But this intrusion was uninvited, and it made her feel like she was just adding to his violation. The thought made her shiver and feel a bit dirty.
"I promise."
That seemed to calm him down a little.
She reached into her purse, and handed him a small card.
"Look...this is my private number. If you ever need to talk. Everyone knows I'm good at keeping secrets."
At the other side of the hallway, Steve's voice sounded. "It everything okay there?"
"Yes," they replied in perfect unison.
Barnes moved away from her and turned to Steve. "But...I think I've had enough of people for today. Makes me on edge. It's best if I go home."
"Sure, Buck," Steve said warmly, "C'mon, I'll bring you."
As they were leaving, Bucky turned around once more, his lips mouthing 'you promised' without sound.
She nodded to him in return and actually made a gesture over her chest as if she was crossing her heart.
As he walked out the door, she couldn't help but notice he tucked her card safely in his pocket.
Tainted Touch 2b/?
The party was not entirely private. Stark had invited some investors and was entertaining them. The presence of some of the Avengers has probably sweetened the deal, or even been part of it. While he seemed very cheerful on the outside, the little lines around his mouth made her conclude he was growing more and more annoyed with these people, but he hadn't come up with an elegant way to ditch them...yet.
Pepper Potts was sitting at a table with Maria Hill, and whatever they were talking about, it made them genuinely laugh every few minutes, and sometimes one of them leaned in to whisper into the other one's ear, followed by more laughter.
Thor and Jane were one of the few people dancing, looking into each other's eyes longingly, currently blissfully unaware of the world around them. Natasha couldn't help but smile. Despite their obvious differences, they seemed so genuinely in love and it was lovely to see.
Near to what served as a ballroom, a small boys' club had formed. Steve was sitting there with Barnes next to him, talking to Sam and Clint. The conversation seemed to be amicable, at least. She couldn't really read the newcomer, though. Barnes' looked tired; his eyes betrayed him. She saw him making attempts at reciprocation in the conversation, even laughing at jokes - but all of it was slightly...off. His reactions always came a split second too late - like it was something he had practiced, or was scared to be reprimanded for. He held his left hand in his pocket, while the right one played with his drink somewhat nervously.
She was pulled away from her observations by laughter over at the other side of the room, where an unusual duo had formed: Rhodey and Wanda Maximoff, both somewhat inebriated, were seemingly having the time of their life. She actually listened to his stories with interest, and laughed at his punch lines - while he looked on with genuine wonder when she used her powers for party tricks, the last of them being manipulating a pink balloon to reshape into a floating cube.
The girl was perceptive, and soon noticed Nat's eyes on her. She excused herself to Rhodey, who promptly found another victim to tell his stories to - this time it was Darcy, Jane's assistant.
Wanda walked over to her, smiling and holding up her hands, possibly as a sign of not meaning harm.
"Natasha, what are you doing here all alone? We have to show these American boys we know how to party!"
Her smile was genuine, and inviting. She hooked her arm in Nat's, guiding her into the room.
"Come, you are not the type to be a wallflower!"
That made Nat smile in return.
Though as they stood closer, and their voices were drowned out by the party, Wanda's demeanor changed, despite the alcohol.
"You are all right, yes, Natasha? If not...well, sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger? No obligations. I just wanted you to know you could."
It genuinely surprised her. She had only really talked to the girl on a few occasions, and most of those times involved combat strategy. But she seemed thoughtful for her age, and kinder that her history would suggest.
"You too, Wanda. Should you need to."
"I might take you up on the offer. But not today. I think today is a good day."
"Hey Nat," another, familiar voice sounded. Steve was waving at her from his table, beckoning him to his table.
"Go," Wanda said as she gently shoved her a step closer,"be with your friends."
"You could join us, too."
Wanda shook her head. "No, the Captain's friend - what's his name, Bucky? - he's uncomfortable around me. It's the mind control thing. I don't want to push it. Go. Have fun. I'm fine."
Natasha turned to Steve's table, and could still hear Wanda murmur: "Who calls their child Bucky? Do Americans hate their children?"
It brought a grin to her face. She decided she might like the Maximoff girl.
When sitting down, Natasha specifically chose a spot next to Barnes, as she wanted to get a feel for the guy. She greeted him, and he gave her a nod. They had talked before briefly, which had mostly involved him apologizing for shooting her - extensively and awkwardly. Despite his unmistakable tiredness, he did clean up nice. He still wore his hair longer, but it was less messy now. When he spoke, he was actually charming. His smile, while used sparingly, was positively disarming.
The rest of them brought up old Avengers stories. It served a double purpose, really. On one hand it made him feel like they trusted him enough to treat him like one of them. On the other hand it was an indirect way to bring him up to speed. As the evening progressed, she got the feeling that he did actually realize that, but played along, appreciating what they were doing for him. Every now and then Rogers would throw her a knowing look, thinking her silently for involving his friend in normal conversation and treating him like a regular human being.
She noticed that despite having a version of the super serum, Barnes' didn't quite metabolize alcohol as fast as Rogers. As the evening progressed, and he consumed an impressive amount of vodka, he was becoming progressively more tipsy. His defenses weakened, and his reactions became more natural and less calculated. She decided to test the waters.
"So guys," she said charmingly, "do you know how every good Russian joke starts?"
She looked around the table, and saw some worried faces there. Barnes himself looked mostly like he was bracing for a punch.
"By looking over your shoulder," she said casually, and sipped her drink.
It was Barnes who laughed first, and it was bittersweet, but the fact he laughed put the others more at ease.
Good, she thought, that opened up some options.
"So Sergeant," she said, "you're a charming man. Any luck with the ladies in the 21st century yet?"
Barnes seemed to be taken back by that, and shook his head shyly.
"I swear she asks that to everyone, Buck, " Steve informed him, laughing.
Barnes' face seemed to be in deep contrast with Steve's cheerfulness now. There was something going on there.
"I could set you up," she continued, "have you met Nicole, she does accounting for Stark?"
Barnes bowed his head and shook it again.
"Or Ana Sofia? She works in Helen Cho's lab?"
"I'm really not interested in that."
"Or if you prefer guys, it's a brand new millennium - there's Mike from -"
"Goddammit, Romanoff, I said no!" He practically spat at her, his body language switching completely in a mere second.
He got up and stormed out.
Steve looked a bit baffled: "Sorry Nat, I'll go see what's up."
"No, Steve. I made the mess. I'll go clean it up. Hang on."
---
She found him leaning against the wall in the hallway that lead to the restrooms, taking deep breaths. He gritted his teeth when he saw her.
"You really don't know when to take a hint, do you?"
"Look, I'm sorry I apparently said something to offend you, but -"
"Hasn't anyone ever told you apologies shouldn't come with a'but'?
She took a deep breath.
"Look, really, it's just that gay sex is more accepted now and it can come across as a little homophobic to -"
"Oh for fuck's sake, Romanoff. You want to educate me on modern times? Now? Really? Trust me, there was just as much buggery in my day as there is in yours, people just shut up about it more. And I don't hate or fear gay people, for the record, I just don't particularly want a cock up my ass."
He spoke with such intensity, and such pain in his eyes, that the picture painted before her became crystal clear.
She felt her own face drop.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered.
He looked at her with panic now, with eyes she remembered seeing looking over a mask once, bewildered and hurt.
"Oh no no, don't you dare say it, don't you dare -"
"They raped you," she said flatly. It was a statement, not a question, and she could tell from the way his face turned pale that she was right.
She reached for him, but he flinched like he expected her to hurt him.
"Are you talking to someone about it?" she asked, with determination.
She saw him move his hand over him mouth then shake his head.
"Are you insane?" he finally managed. "I have no illusion about privacy with a S.H.I.E.L.D. head shrinker. They'd tell Fury, I'm sure. Steve, too."
"You mean he doesn't know?"
The panic in his eyes grew even more now, and this time it was him who reached for her, grabbing her firmly by her shoulders.
"He can never know, do you understand that? No one can know. Everyone already looks at me like I'm a mistreated dog they rescued from a shelter. If they knew this...promise me, Romanoff, promise me."
She could see something glistening in his eyes, and she could feel his right hand shaking on her shoulder.
She softened both inside and out. It seemed almost wrong to see him this way, this man who could snap anyone's neck in a heartbeat. She had seen men vulnerable before. She had made men vulnerable before. But this intrusion was uninvited, and it made her feel like she was just adding to his violation. The thought made her shiver and feel a bit dirty.
"I promise."
That seemed to calm him down a little.
She reached into her purse, and handed him a small card.
"Look...this is my private number. If you ever need to talk. Everyone knows I'm good at keeping secrets."
At the other side of the hallway, Steve's voice sounded. "It everything okay there?"
"Yes," they replied in perfect unison.
Barnes moved away from her and turned to Steve. "But...I think I've had enough of people for today. Makes me on edge. It's best if I go home."
"Sure, Buck," Steve said warmly, "C'mon, I'll bring you."
As they were leaving, Bucky turned around once more, his lips mouthing 'you promised' without sound.
She nodded to him in return and actually made a gesture over her chest as if she was crossing her heart.
As he walked out the door, she couldn't help but notice he tucked her card safely in his pocket.
It made her feel a little better, at least.