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[widows_kiss]

"You've reached Natasha. You know what to do."

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[widows_kiss]

[ It had taken all of a heartbeat to figure that out, that this was no mere test, there would be no treading the shallows. There was only the pair of them diving straight into the deep end of it, a sudden unleashing of skills, blows, occasionally dirty tricks. Natasha matches her, or does her best to.

Fighting herself is an entirely new experience for her - there is none of the openings she normally watches for, sees in most of her opponents, ones that almost always have far less precision and experience than her. She parries then counters with attacks of her own, dancing between offense and defense so quickly that it is impossible to tell where one begin and one ends.

The other woman is holding nothing back so neither does she, her focus narrowing down to the movement of bodies, the anticipation of strikes, eyes watching for any little tic or tell to warn her about what is coming next, even as she seeks her own opening to take advantage of. ]

[araneidal]

[ Fighting a mirror isn't such a new experience — but they've all fought her to kill. Not this one, which is what she suspected might happen, but it does nothing to soften the blows. All she betrays is that she's faster, stronger, and more experienced. ]

[ The only half-beat of hesitation is Natasha springing apart from her, and the fight going out of her all at once. ]

I've got what I needed. Have you?

[widows_kiss]

[ It's not every day Natasha meets her match when it comes to a fight. Her better, in fact, something she is honest to acknowledge as they fall back away from each other. She has one hand braced against the floor as she catches her breath, watching the other woman warily.

She's done this long enough to know when she's come up against a fight she can't win. Not without more strategy than she has right now. But she has information now. And an understanding. Just in case.

A moment of silence as she goes over what she'd discovered in those few moments of action ]

I believe I have, yes.

[araneidal]

[ Just in case. Steve thinks he's plan A, but he won't do it. Natasha is unsentimental. She will. ]

[ Experience can be gained. She has plenty of teaching to do and she's always been a quick learner, too. ]

Good. Shall we do lunch?

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha's lips quirk in amusement at the question. Anyone else watching would think they're both crazy. ]

Lunch sounds wonderful. You're buying.

[araneidal]

[ She uncaps a water bottle and drinks, then tosses it to Natasha. ]

Don't get used to it.

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha smirks as she catches the bottle and mirrors the action, drinking deep before straightening once more and tossing it back. ]

I'll do my best. What did you have in mind?

[araneidal]

[ She pulls a light face. ]

I'm feeling like incurably American.

[widows_kiss]

Burger and fries?

[ Natasha's lips twitch faintly as she nods her head towards the doorway in invitation. ]

[araneidal]

Crispy chicken. With those semolina buns.

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha just smiles. ]

The diner, or the dining room?

[araneidal]

[ Natasha pauses by the door. ]

Why don't you come up to my room?

[ It's a living space, not a home, but even so. ]

[widows_kiss]

[ Even so.

Natasha knows exactly what's extended in that invitation, simply-phrased as it might outwardly sound. ]

I'd like that.

[araneidal]

[ Lightly, ]

Then it's a date. Let's hope Sharon doesn't get on my case for eating unhealthily.

[widows_kiss]

I won't tell if you won't.

[araneidal]

[ Lightly, ]

So, she keeps my secrets.

[ There is nothing playful about the words. ]

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha merely smiles. ]

As I keep my own.

At least, until I don't.

[ There's always a chance of that. Even with her own. ]

[araneidal]

If you tell anyone about the printed bedsheets, I'll kill you.

[ She smiles, wickedly. ]

[widows_kiss]

If they're Iron Man, all bets are off.

[araneidal]

[ On second thought — ]

Excellent idea. No one would believe that. Tony might get a heart attack.

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha laughs. ]

It can go hand in hand with the fact that when he asked me what the last thing I remembered was, I told him our honeymoon.

[ She's still not looking at all regretful for the amount of sputtering that had prompted. ]

[araneidal]

Naturally.

[ Were she feeling more open, she might've giggled. Natasha settles for mild amusement. ]

The one I know would never have fallen for that.

[widows_kiss]

Pity. [ She gives a quick grin. ] That's half the fun of him.

[araneidal]

[ She mirrors the grin. ]

I'm surprised he hasn't built you a set of armour yet.

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha arches an eyebrow. ]

He built me a tacsuit. Why would I need a suit of armor?