Romanogers One-Shots

Bruce's Girl

Set during AoU, Steve's thoughts during Bruce and Natasha's relationship....inspired by the song "Jessie's girl"

He had watched from far away as they got closer.

Steve had even gone as far as to show them both fake enthusiasm for their interest in one another.

"It's nice...you and Romanoff." He had lied to his friend, forcing a smile.

Bruce stuttered, "No, no it's not like that."

Steve forced a laugh, "It's okay. Your not breaking any by-laws. It's just she's not a very open person, with you she seems very relaxed."

"No, Natasha, she likes to flirt." Bruce said.

Steve's heart clenched and he shrugged, grabbing a drink from across the bar, "I've seen her flirt...up close. This ain't that." He said. Hating that it was true. Hating that he had once thought maybe she meant something more by flirting. Hating that he had been fooled by himself.

Steve sighed, "Look, as maybe the world's leading authority on waiting too long, don't. You both deserve a win." He said, walking away with a sad frown.

Steve wasn't sure why he did it. He felt a kind of love for Natasha that he hadn't felt for anyone before her, not even Peggy.

His heart broke a little bit as he watched them talk at the bar, Natasha looked at ease...she looked happy.

Steve hoped she would be happy with Bruce. That they would both be happy. He cared for Bruce as a friend and wanted to see him happy as well. He just wished it wasn't with the girl of his dreams.

As the days went by, Steve noticed Natasha and Bruce growing closer. During missions, he couldn't help but notice how she had drifted away from him to fight somewhere else. It was unusual for them to not be fighting as a unit.

Natasha had even figured out how to calm the Hulk down. Steve figured that if she could do that, obviously there was something between them.

One day, he finally gained the courage to ask her about it.

They had both happened to be the only ones at the facility and Steve ordered food to hopefully bribe her to watch a movie with him.

"Hey Nat, I got a pizza, do you want some?" He asked, knocking on her door.

Natasha opened the door a few moments later and raised an eyebrow, "Cheese?"

"Pepperoni." Steve said with a smile.

Natasha grinned, "Good, I was just testing you."

Steve grinned and for a second, he forgot that she was probably dating Bruce.

"Now that I've lured you in for pizza, do you wanna watch a movie?"

Natasha nodded, "What's next on your list?" She asked.

"The Princess Bride. Is it any good?"

Natasha nodded, "It's great. Let's watch it."

Steve smiled and searched for it. He turned it on and then sat back.

Natasha propped her legs up in Steve's lap and ate her pizza quietly as the movie played.

Steve watched her carefully, trying to figure out if he should say something about Bruce.

He was worried about how she would react though. It had been weeks since they last spent time together like this. Steve worried that if he brought up Bruce, it would just make things awkward.