Hey guys! Long time no see, huh? Sorry about the little hiatus on this fic! It's not over, I promise :)

On a separate note, when I first started writing this, it was Pre-Cap 2 & Pre-Amazing Spider-Man 2, so the whole SHIELD/HYDRA thing hasn't happened, and Gwen's "death" was pre-planned before knowing that Harry did it, and the characters of AOS will pop in and out as they go; Bucky's story, however, is pretty much movieverse canon so far. Everybody good? Grool.

Also! There's possibly another fic in the works! So be looking out for that :D

"This was your idea."

"I know."

"This could all be a trick."

"I know."

"And you know Loki always looks out for himself."

"I know."

"And if Bucky gets hurt then -"

"Damn it, Natasha, I know!" Steve snapped. The poor soldier was on edge ever since Loki left with Thor to hunt down - find - Bucky and bring him back safe and sound...sort of. Now that Steve was really thinking about it, he began to have doubts about his decision. He trusted Thor, but could he really trust Loki with his own best friend's mind? He wasn't so sure anymore. Back in the 40s, it was so much easier to identify what's black and white. Now he wasn't so sure. The line was blurred. And his world is turning grey.

But then that also may have to do with the beautiful redhead who was definitely not helping his anxiety right now.

Natasha's hands fell onto his tense shoulders and began to rub them in long, soothing strokes. Steve sighed, leaning his head back against her stomach, letting his eyes close. Her touch did wonders to him, and for a moment he forgot all of his troubles and worries. More positive thoughts plagued his mind. He believed in Thor. He didn't have to trust Loki because he knew Thor wouldn't let anything happen to Bucky. Loki hadn't hurt anyone, and it looked like he was more fond of Darcy than anyone. It didn't excuse his behavior from the past. Oh no. But this...maybe this was a good start.

The spy bent over and brushed her lips against his forehead, kissing away the last remaining wrinkles his frown caused there.

"Sorry..." Steve mumbled, his fingers threading through her red locks to keep her there.

"Don't be. I was pushing your buttons." She walked around the couch and climbed into his lap, straddling his hips. His hands found their natural place at her waist, gazing up at her worriedly now. She put her hands on either side of his head, knuckles pushing into the couch as she leaned in close to his face. "I don't want you to get your hopes up," she told him earnestly, her green eyes searching his sky blue hues. Steve had a habit of doing that, and it got him hurt. Their last encounter with Bucky wasn't exactly flowers and rainbows. "But I'll be here for you. If you want me to be."

Steve kneaded her hips, pulling her closer. "You know that I do."

Natasha let her arms drape around his neck, and he swallowed audibly. The familiar tightness in his throat gave away his true emotions, and he dropped his face into her chest, inhaling deeply. He needed her. God, he needed her. He wanted to hold her and keep her there, where she's safer; in his arms. He lost someone he loved once, and now his best friend hated him. The very best friend that he thought was dead all this time. The very best friend that was like a a brother to him. Natasha meant too much to him now for him to lose her. And that thought alone shook him to his core. His arms consumed her completely as he slowly began to crumble, holding onto her for dear life, as if at any moment she was going to slip between his fingers. Like Bucky. He felt her cup the back of his head, kissing his hair over and over again as she gripped him back just as tightly. As if she could read his thoughts. They always had an unspoken connection, and he knew he didn't have to say anything. She already knew.

It wouldn't be the first time he didn't sleep alone that night.

Steve fell asleep with Natasha spooning him, instead of the other way around. He didn't mind. The feel of her arms still around him when he woke up sent him in a blissful state of relief. He held one of her hands, their fingers laced together over his beating heart. It was going to be sunny today. He could see the sun through the curtains, setting his bedroom in a warm glow. Wanting to face away from the sun's rays before they hit his face, he began to shift and turn the other way. As he moved, so did she, subconsciously slipping her arms from around him. Her sleeping face was always a sight for sore eyes. Every beautiful feature was relaxed, making the spy look years younger.

Missing the warmth he provided, she curled into his direction with a slight frown. He smiled softly and cradled her face gently, stroking her cheekbones.

"Steve."

"Hm?"

"I'm trying to sleep."

"I see that."

"You're not helping." She pouted, her frown deepening.

Steve's smile widened when she leaned into his touch. "We have to get up, Natasha." He leaned in, pressing his lips to her forehead.

Natasha moaned, "Steve. Please don't make me..." She buried her face in his chest.

"I'm not making you, but...you don't exactly have a choice either." His arms slipped around her.

"You're not making me get out of this bed." She opened her eyes and shook her head as she spoke, sitting upright. She pushed him over on his back and climbed on top of him, clinging to him like a small child.

Steve shook his head fondly, wrapping his arms around her once more. "So there's nothing I can do to convince you?" the soldier hummed innocently.

"No," the redheaded spy scoffed against his broad chest.

Steve smirked.

"What's up with you?" Darcy noted as Natasha was the last to come in, fresh from the shower. Her hair was still wet, but drying, and her face was slightly flushed. Natasha thanked Pepper as she got her coffee, and took the empty seat next to Betty.

"You got some Cap'n lovin', didn't you?" Darcy grinned smugly.

"Shut up, Darcy."

"She did! She totally did! I called it!" Darcy held her hand out to Jane expectantly. "Pay up."

"Darce, it's too early for this," Jane mumbled into her coffee mug, lifting her head groggily.

"You're stalling."

"No. Your argument is just invalid."

"Did you all sleep okay?" asked Pepper.

"I slept alright," said Betty.

"Are you hurting anywhere?"

Betty smiled. "No. I'm fine though, Pepper. Thank you."

"I have places on my body that I didn't know could get sore." Bobbi winced in her seat, rubbing her rear end. "My ass is killing me."

"TMI!" Darcy complained.

"Says the only one in here prying in on Natasha's personal life," Jane said under her breath.

Darcy squinted.

Natasha smirked behind her mug.

"Any news on Bucky, Natasha?" Betty asked her.

Natasha looked across the long table at Jane, arching an eyebrow.

"I haven't heard from him," said Jane.

The spy flickered her gaze to Darcy.

"Me neither," Darcy said with a shrug. "Sorry, Natty."

"They'll find him soon," Pepper tried to reassure.

"Tell that to Steve," said Natasha. "He's the one beating himself up over this."

"Why? He can't blame himself for what happened," said Jane. "It clearly wasn't his fault."

"Yeah, but that's Steve. He's always putting others before him, yet the first to blame himself when something goes wrong." Natasha leaned back in her seat, crossing her legs and setting her mug on top of her knee.

"It still wasn't his fault."

"Try telling him that."

"Bruce tends to do that sometimes too," Betty sighed, and Natasha nodded in acknowledgement. "Sometimes you just have to wait until he sees for himself. All we can do is support him and push him in the right direction."

It was quiet for a while until someone broke it.

"...That's deep," said Darcy.

Happy Thanksgiving ~!

Additional note: Today marks the one year anniversary of this story! Can't believe it's been a year today since I posted this fic! :D