widows_kiss | Appointments Post

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-luceti

Appointments Post

[DATE] | [VOICE / ACTION / WRITTEN]

~ STANDING APPOINTMENTS ~
Daily:
Early morning run
CH5 Avengers Breakfast
Training Session at the Battle Dome

Other:
Friday: 8AM Coffee Date with Pepper

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Pepper raises an eyebrow. "Then maybe I'm wrong. But do you really want to stay closed off from everyone, Natasha?"

"Trust isn't a useful commodity in my line of business, Pepper."

In some cases it was. Like knowing who she could and who she couldn't. Natasha tended to have very good instincts in that sense of things. But just because she could didn't mean she did. She was too cynical for that.

"No, I'd imagine it wouldn't be." She meets Natasha's gaze with an even look, the hints of a dry smile showing at the corners of her mouth. "But I'm hoping our friendship isn't about your line of business. At least, that's the assumption I've been working off of."

Natasha's lips quirk faintly at that. "No, the months under cover at SI were quite enough, thank you. This... this has nothing to do with work. I'm not on assignment, Pepper, if that's what you're worried about."

"I have to say, I'd be pretty impressed if you were on assignment under the circumstances." And maybe more than a little frustrated, because if SHIELD knows about Luceti and isn't doing anything? Pepper might have to have words with Nick Fury herself.

But there's another reason she brought up that particular point. "But since our friendship isn't because of your work, I don't think you get to use your work as an excuse to limit it so much. You're more than just a spy, Natasha. You're a person."

"There you go again, trying to ruin my reputation," Natasha rolled her eyes, but there's a hint of self-consciousness in her reaction as she drops her sponge in the bucket.

Being a person was still something that sometimes felt strange. It was certainly a newer change. Maybe since that day Clint brought her in, when she ceased being just a weapon. A tool to be used, a dagger to be wielded or cast. Considering the years she'd spent being otherwise, this still felt new and strange at times. She wondered if she'd ever get used to it.

"I'm not trying to make excuses or limit it, Pepper. It's just a little strange at times."

"You think I'd be better at not doing that, with my PR experience." But the tease is gentle, because she can tell Natasha's starting to feel uncomfortable. It's not what she wants, even if Pepper does hope her point has come across somewhere along the way.

"I know it probably seems that way. But strange doesn't mean bad."

"Which is a very good thing in my case," Natasha counters wryly, realizing Pepper had picked up on her discomfort. She shakes her head, giving her a small smile. "Still, I appreciate the offer. And it's one I might take you up on. The whole dating thing is about as new a concept as the rest of it. This was so much simpler when it was a job and a cover."

"That's because there's less risk to you." Although once she realizes just how that sounds, Pepper hesitates and tries to clarify. "I mean, there's definitely risk. Getting hurt or something. But actually dating someone means you're emotionally vulnerable. You're opening yourself up to someone, and that can be hard for anyone."

"I know what you meant. And yes. That. Exactly that. People trying to kill me? That's normal. That's easy. I can handle that half asleep. This... This is occasionally terrifying. I don't know what to do with this." She gives a strained laugh, throwing her hands in the air.

Pepper smiles sympathetically, because what she's going to tell Natasha is closer to the truth than fantasy. "Well, it isn't easy. There are going to be times when you're ready to strangle each other." Pepper can name a few, mostly featuring her wanting to throttle Tony. "But when it's good, it's...probably the best thing I've ever had, if I'm honest. And that makes it worth working through the hard parts."

Natasha huffs out a quiet sigh and sinks back on her heels again, brushing her hair out of her face as she looks rueful. "Well. That's encouraging."

"I'm dating Tony Stark. I really hope you weren't expecting me to say it's all rainbows and sunshine."

"No, that's a level of insanity not even I would touch," Natasha laughs out, humor glinting in green eyes.

"Gee, thanks." Pepper still grins, even as she gives Natasha a dry look for her commentary. "He's not that bad, you know. He tries very hard to be a good boyfriend. Usually."

"I'm sure he does," Natasha agreed, her smile fond and amused. "But I am not you and I suspect I would taze him within ten minutes if I tried."

"Believe me, there are still times I'm tempted." But this conversation isn't actually about Pepper's current relationship, and don't think she's forgotten that.

"But my point was that even if it's frightening and difficult, it's worth it. The moments you get to spend together, just being happy with each other? Absolutely worth it."

Damn. Distraction failed. Tony usually works so well for that, too. She suspects Pepper's getting wise to her diversionary tactics.

"Well, fortunately for us, that seems to be most of the moments for now. He's... he's easy to be happy with," she confesses.

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