brooklyn_boy | DRIFTFLEET IC INBOX

Yeah. Yeah, probably for the best.

I'll come to you.

I'm on the Vanquish. Waiting.

[Steve is there within the half hour looking grim. Still, when he gets onboard and sees Nat he smiles, if wanly.

She still gets a hug.]

Winter asleep?

Hopefully. He doesn't get enough of it.

[She returns the hug, giving him a quick squeeze before backing down.]

He took it well. I think—he seemed more interested in comforting me.

[It doesn't really strike her that's how it should work in this situation. She'd been ready to comfort him.

She's had to comfort others about it. Starting with Clint.]

You look tired too.

Yeah. Well, my conversation with Wanda happened after telling Bucky I was leaving.

After losing someone the third time it starts not going down as well.

That one of the reasons you're staying? [She wouldn't blame him if it were. How could she?] What about him? He planning to stay?

It's a big one.

[His shoulders slump.]

That's a real foolish way of making a choice, isn't it?

At this point? I don't think I could say that. I think... if your feelings are trying to tell you something, maybe you should listen to them.

[They've both spent a lot of time unhappy. A lot of time not letting go to the to some things and maybe not reaching for the right ones.]

But who am I to say.

You're probably the best one to say, honestly.

[He smirks up at her and shrugs a shoulder in feigned indifference.]

Besides, everyone I could ask are staying here. Not really getting an unbiased opinion...

[She moves to stand next to him, arms crossed, and bumps his shoulder with her. At least as close as she comes to his shoulder.]

So you feel better for hearing my take on things?

[He nudges back lightly.]

I don't know, Nat.

I can't help but feel like I'm being selfish here. When I first got here I woulda done anything to go home and finish the work that needed to be done.

Now I'm grasping at every single excuse to stay.

Guess the thing to ask yourself is why you're doing that.

[There is something about that admission that feels a little sad. Like proof that the world and knowledge of what's to come has worn down Steve Rogers. The man who was always willing to use his body as a shield, having second thoughts.

She rests her head on his shoulder then, an uncommon display of affection. And sympathy. With all Natasha remembers... she knows her timeline has a Captain America. It's hard to tell this one he needs to suck it up and go back to face it.]

You've lost a lot. I can't blame you if you don't want to lose this too.

[Steve swings an arm around her shoulders and pulls her in. The comfort and affection is appreciated.]

Going back means never seeing you again. [She's dead back home. Steve loses her forever.]

Never seeing The Vision or Kitty. Or Bucky...

[His head falls back and he exhales hard.]

I'm tired of losing people. I'm so tired of loving someone only to give them up...

You see people if you go back. They're different people than if you stay. I don't know that it's better or worse that way...

[For the moment, she accepts the closeness. It won't last, but he needs it. Maybe she needs it a little too.]

You already know your own answer, though. No one's ever changed your mind if you didn't want it changed.

Calling me stubborn?

[He lets her go and offers an exhausted smile.]

I guess you're right, though. I just hope that I can live with it, afterwards...

You better. There's only the one alternative.

That so?

You threatening me, Romanoff?

Not even. [She smiles at him, gentle.] I'm glad I'll get to see you around. I'd have missed you.

Yeah. I'd miss you too, Nat.

Thanks. For everything. It means a lot to have you on my side.

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