Summary: If time stopped now, right now, she'd be happy. She wouldn't mind staying here in this moment until forever had come and gone.

A Natasha being laaaazy ficlet...

A little fluffy drabble I started a few weeks ago on a swim team trip when we were in the bus on the way to a meet, and the sunrise was purdy and I was feeling a little sappy, and that I tied up on the way home from a spring break trip. It was originally supposed to be a "to the team" continuation, but Nastasha didn't like that idea.

Thanks to the fabulous, Avengers-addicted group of the Beta Branch. We're always open to new members, so drop one of us a note if you're interested in whump, sheer madness, and RR's written at one in the morning.

Yes, this is my first story in a long time not posted under h/c. Yes, it feels weird.

Eye of the Storm
Drabble

She didn't want this moment to end.

This moment, this second, this minute. This couple of minutes.

This eye of the storm.

Natasha always woke with a start and an urgent need to gather her itinerary for the day so she could gear up, get moving, and find a fight that would mean something more than just a simple surge of adrenaline and the release of tension. This morning though, this moment, she woke gradually with a deep breath and relaxed limbs. She didn't even bother opening her eyes at first, but just lay languid.

They had no scheduled missions. No surveillance jobs until Monday, at the earliest. They weren't under attack, and Fury was busy with some bigwig meeting.

Natasha opened her eyes and stretched, feeling her spine pop.

Clint was fine and sleeping in his own room four doors away. Thor was a floor above them, and Steve was four doors away from him. Tony and Banner were a level down. They were all okay. Coulson and Hill and Fury and Pepper were okay.

Her team. All safe.

Natasha rolled over, swinging her feet out of the bed but not letting them thump to the floor. She wasn't one to live in the moment. It was something that used to annoy Clint to no end because she'd be constantly looking to the past and the future. The world was made of up if's and buts and needs and what's, especially thoughts like what happens if she kicks this way, because he leads with his left foot.

If time stopped now, right now, she'd be happy.

It would mean no new fight, no honing of skills. No more thrill of besting her opponent.

It would mean no more funerals, no more mortal peril, and no more trips to the infirmary.

Her motley family safe in the sleepy haze of the morning.

Natasha let loose a breath, exhaling as she stretched first one calf, then the other. She rolled her shoulders as she inhaled again, the oxygen filling her lungs before she clasped her hands and twisted her back.

This moment.

This moment.

She didn't want it to end, not in the slightest. She wouldn't mind staying here in this moment until forever had come and gone.

A knock on her door shattered the silence and Natasha checked the clock.

Four thirty-one. She was late to her spar with Steve.

Natasha let her feet land on the floor, and went to reassure Steve that she'd be there in a few moments to kick his ass.

A few moments later, Natasha would find her fist breaking Rogers' nose and a smile spreading over her face as she ducked, whirled, kicked, and dodged.

Moments like that had never been for her.

You know what makes me happy? Revvvvieeews.