entrancelogs | [OPEN] One of those days...

Entry tags:

[OPEN] One of those days...

Who: Natasha and [OPEN]
Where: the bar
When: backdated to this past Tuesday (5/20)
Rating: PG-13ish?
Summary: It's not every day your son shows up from the future. (At least, she really hopes not. Once was plenty.)
The Story:
Natasha's somewhat come to terms with the strangeness Wonderland seems insistent about dropping into their laps. Some of it is beyond expectation and for the most part she's done her best to roll with that, take it in stride, from people showing up from all manner of timelines and alternate realities, to talking to living breathing fictional fairy tale characters and even to her teammates and enemies belting out Disney ballads to one another without warning. She thought she was handling it fairly calmly.

And then James had shown up this morning with the information that he was her son - her and Steve's son. From the future. Oh, and in his world she gets to die somewhere in the next three years by a rogue AI out to destroy humanity. She was really hoping he was from one of those alternate realities like the one the female Hawkeye had arrived from, because if that was her fate... She really would have been much happier never knowing.

Not that she held any of this against the kid - she didn't - but it was still a lot to digest. Which was why she'd abandoned her usual haunts for the evening in favor of finding a stool at Ellen's bar. She'd tried spending the afternoon in training, trying to exhaust herself and outrun the circling thoughts, but that had been less successful than she'd hoped. Maybe the alcohol would do a better job. Not that she was one to over-indulge, usually. And it took a lot for her to get to the level of intoxication she was partially craving. She wasn't even sure that was wise, considering everything, but for one night, maybe she'd be a little reckless.

Still, she sent off a text to her teammates of 'Unless there's an emergency, I'm taking the night off. In the bar if you need me.' before she got started. Just in case.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

When Steve received a text from Natasha about how she was "taking the night off" (which seemed a little odd in terms of phrasing to him, considering how they weren't on some official operation here in the first place), he had a good guess for why. She must have run into James too and gotten the whole complicated story from him.

He was still trying to process it, and the easiest thing was to assume that James came from an alternate universe with different versions of himself and Natasha. Steve couldn't see any other way that it would make sense, given their relationship. He was close to Natasha, sure, but the idea of having a kid with her seemed downright impossible.

Add onto that the fact that Sam had showed up yesterday and both of them had been forced to rush to do damage control, and it was no surprise that Natasha wanted a break. So did Steve. It seemed that they might benefit from each other's company, and so he decided to make a trip to the bar even though it wasn't a place he usually frequented, not having much reason to when getting drunk was impossible.

There were a few other people scattered around at different tables, but Steve spotted Natasha sitting at one of the stools as soon as he walked in. He made a beeline for her and took the stool next to hers, folding his arms on the bar as he glanced over.

"Some day, huh?"

Her elbows were propped on the bar, a half-finished drink of questionable origins in front of her. She doesn't look over when he slides into the stool next to hers - she'd recognized his footsteps before he got to her and honestly, she's not all that surprised that he showed up here. Maybe a little, but Steve's fairly attentive about keeping an eye on the people important to him.

Not to mention he got as big a surprise as she did today, if he's heard the news. Which, by his opening, she's guessing he has.

"That's one way of putting it," she drawled wryly, finally glancing sideways at him as she took a sip of her drink. "Have you come to join me in not getting drunk?"

"Seems that way," Steve says with a roll of his shoulders. As soon as he can get the attention of one of the bartenders, he orders a drink, mainly so that Natasha doesn't have to feel like she's alone in it.

"You know, I was already reeling from Sam showing up here." Steve draws his hand over his eyes. "And now there's... James."

He seems like a good kid, he really does, and maybe that should be expected considering his parentage, who knows. Not that the alternate versions of himself and Natasha had actually been around to raise him. No, apparently that had all been Tony Stark.

The world was a very strange place, sometimes. "I'm guessing he told you the whole story?"

"I'm not sure I can actually verify that it's the whole story, but I heard a great deal of it, yes," she answers, taking a sip of her drink once he gets his, but she's nursing it, not drinking with the intent that some might be here for. Then again, she doesn't want to think how many bottles that might take or how potent the brew. She might not be up to quite Steve's level of tolerance when it comes to drinking, but she's astonishingly good at holding her liquor.

"So apparently we didn't part ways as far as I thought back home or we were very very busy in another world."

Steve finds it hard to imagine a drunk Natasha, to be honest. He doesn't think that she would ever allow herself to get anything more than tipsy, as it would compromise her -- or however she might phrase it. Natasha's sharp, she likes being in control of a situation, and drunkenness takes away that control. So even if she's drinking, Steve doesn't expect to see much change in her behavior.

One of them had to acknowledge the fact that they supposedly have a child together, and while Steve isn't surprised that Natasha beats him to it, he almost chokes on his drink nonetheless.

"Yeah," he murmurs as he sets the glass down, "pretty sure it's the latter. I don't think the timing makes any sense otherwise." He and Natasha have also never had that kind of relationship, and while things can change, it would take time. The numbers wouldn't add up with that kept in mind.

She might have been pensive and lost in thought from the time she got here and started drinking, but getting Steve Rogers to choke on his drink in reaction to that statement is something she can't really resist taking advantage of. Besides, teasing him always works as a great distraction when things get too serious. Occasionally he even teases back. He's getting there. She's so proud.

Which is also why she swivels her stool slightly to angle herself in his direction, a smirk curling across her lips as she eyes him a moment, humor and knowledge bright in her eyes. "You don't think I could seduce you into bed if I set my mind to it? How much time do you think I'd need?"

If all Steve has to do is choke on his drink in order to make Natasha feel a little better, then he's happy to do so. He figures they can both benefit from this conversation, though. Just airing everything out is bound to help their moods, right?

He isn't ready for where Natasha goes next with said conversation, though. Steve stares at her for a moment, like a deer in headlights, before quickly shaking his head. He isn't even going to picture what that would be like, he's not going there.

"I'm going to say no comment and leave it at that. But even if you could... seduce me, why would you?" There's no reason that they would ever end up in that kind of situation, and even if they did, Steve would be careful enough to use protection, right?

Oh, Steve. You're adorable.

Natasha laughs at the look he gives her, lounging back in her chair as she gives him a mischievous grin, nursing her drink for a moment.

"Why wouldn't I?" she counters mildly. "Sex happens to be fun. And people do it for lots of reasons. A distraction, a comfort, a challenge. Sometimes just to pass the time. And honestly, Steve, tumbling you into bed would hardly be a hardship."

She's not blind, after all.

It's not as if Steve hasn't had people proposition him before, but it's a little different hearing it from someone like Natasha. Someone he views as friend, even if she's remained cloudy on that herself. She's casual with the way she speaks about it, so Steve doubts she's all that serious, but he has to imagine she's used sex to her advantage in the past.

She can't be termed the Black Widow for nothing.

"I know that, but... if I were gonna do it, I think it'd be for a more substantial reason than just passing the time."

Everyone is different and there are plenty of people out there who see sex as a casual, fun thing. But Steve doesn't think he could get that intimate with someone and not have it be wrapped up in all kinds of emotion at the same time.

"Anyway, this isn't like... Terminator." Yes, he's seen that one. "It's not like meeting our future son is going to lead to him being conceived in the first place." That has to be one of the strangest things he's ever said. Steve takes another drink and shakes his head.

"... We should watch out for him, though. He's young. Too young to be caught up in something like this."

"Are you sure?" She can't help but tease him for that Terminator reference and this entire conversation has taken an unexpected twist she's enjoying following. If only for the reason that she enjoys unsettling the good Captain. It made for a satisfying hobby, recently. "I don't know, Steve. You coming up to modern day from the past to meet me. Our son coming back from the future to warn us of some rogue AI determined to wipe out humanity. Hollywood might have a field day with this one."

She flashes him a crooked grin and angles herself towards him once more, head cocked to the side as she considers him. "And I didn't say that was the most likely, just that it was an option. I'm sure any reason you came up with was plenty substantial."

Natasha has to agree about James though and she mirrors Steve in taking a drink, because dear god, every time her mind circles back around to it, she has to fight off the urge to pace and possibly throw something.

"Age rarely has anything to do with it, Steve," is all she answers, however, her voice even as she stares at the far wall for a moment, her thoughts circling elsewhere.

It really does sound like the exact sort of convoluted plot Steve would find in one of these modern-day movies. Not that he's got anything against them, exactly, but the realization that their lives are insane enough to merit a Hollywood script makes him feel a little drained. In light of everything that's happened today, he's surprised he hasn't thrown in the towel and gone to lock himself up in his room for the rest of the night.

He's still got to tell Bucky about this, and that's going to be its own challenge, considering this future son of his from another universe is named James.

In any case, his inability to imagine a realistic scenario in which he and Natasha jump into bed together had been his main argument for why James can't actually be from their version of Earth. Which also means they're not necessarily both doomed to early deaths.

Natasha's remark about age causes him to frown. "Still, a kid shouldn't have to go through this. He's been through enough already, from the sound of it. He's not technically my responsibility, but that's not gonna stop me." He doesn't necessarily expect Natasha to do the same, but he'd be surprised if she could just ignore this.

"I didn't think it would." Her tone is wry as she takes another deep drink from her glass and turns to fix him with a bemused glance. "And I'm not arguing with you. Keeping an eye on him is a good plan. I'm just saying... he has been through a lot. And somehow, I suspect, if he's anything like either one of us, he's going to want to be right in the middle of things."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Steve grumbles, closing his eyes for a moment in mainly mock frustration. Should he really be surprised that a product of him and Natasha would turn out to be strong-willed? No, not at all.

"I should make sure he's well-trained with the shield, if that's what he's using." Steve never imagined he'd have to train someone else to use his signature weapon.

They're not parents, not in the slightest, but the least they can do is keep an eye out. Although Stark's the one who James has attached himself to, which at least provides Steve with some amusement.

"Yeah, I probably am," she agrees, and if she's as frustrated as him, it's still buried under a healthy dose of humor. Because really, how else are they going to deal with this? They butt heads when they need to, because yes, strong-willed is a thing, but they're also very good at cooperating too.

The mention of the shield has her smiling a bit as she glances over at him. "He does seem inordinately attached to it. I'm sure he'd be thrilled at the opportunity. From how he talked, he think really highly of you. Tony apparently told him some impressive tales."

Steve's own interaction with James had been difficult to read. The kid had been completely respectful, willing to answer any and all questions, but beyond that he'd remained reserved. Probably because he'd been just as baffled by the whole thing, and still making his mind up for how he felt about it.

"If Stark was singing my praises, then that's another big clue that it's not the same universe," he jokes. He and Tony had not gotten off on the right foot. It's improved slowly but surely, but it's no secret that the two of them tend to clash.

Steve finishes off his drink and orders another one. When it arrives, he turns to Natasha so that they can clink glasses. "Here's to hopefully living to a ripe old age, right?"

"I think Tony singing anyone's praises other than his own automatically makes it an alternate universe," Natasha drawls in wry amusement, although her tone is still fond. She's not sure any of them got off on the right foot with Stark except maybe Bruce. They've all had their moments of clashing.

She orders another when he does, then laughs when he holds up his glass, obligingly tapping hers against it. That was more amusing than he knew. "Some of us are already there," she teases him, mischief flickering in her eyes.

Steve's only heard a few vague details about how Natasha and Tony met. Something to do with her going undercover to get a read on him for SHIELD, but that alone makes it clear that they probably didn't get along too well at first either.

"Yeah, yeah," he says, waving her off as he tilts his head back and takes a decent swig of his drink. The alcohol still burns on the way down, causing him to wince briefly. "But you've gotta admit, I look pretty good for ninety-five."

"Wasn't denying it," she tosses back with a crooked smile. "Neither was anyone else, as far as I've heard. How do you think I always have so many date suggestions for you?" Natasha shoots him a sideways look, teasing. Because at least keeping the conversation light and playful is more enjoyable than worrying over information none of them have. If it's an inevitability, they'll deal with it when they get there, but she doesn't really believe in fate.

Even if it has been screwing with her a lot recently.

Steve's more than willing to make some jokes at his own expense and endure some teasing if it means that Natasha has a small reprieve from the insanity that this place has brought them.

"Yeah, well, still working on that whole shared life experience thing, I guess. Though there actually are a few people here from the same time as me -- or close enough, anyway."

Specifically, he means Evelyn, but there's also Elizabeth, though she's from a completely different version of Earth. The fact that there are others who know what it's like to have to adapt to a strange and unfamiliar future, though, actually makes this entire thing a little more bearable.

Then there's Bucky, but that's its own can of worms, and Steve doesn't want to remind Natasha of it right now.

"The Musketeers?" Natasha asks with an expression that is just the right shade of innocent curiosity before she breaks into a grin and laughs again, shooting him an impish look. "Good. I'm glad. So does that mean there's going to be a nice dinner or maybe a stroll in the gardens at some point to talk about all these strange shared life experiences? Or are you going to skip straight to the part where you're having bondage days with Bucky in your bedroom?"

Because it's been fascinating for her to watch the pair of them here in Wonderland, made some of Steve's reactions back home all the easier to understand. She'd read the files, of course, but seeing it firsthand was different. There was a depth there she hadn't expected.

It made her hate Hydra even more.

"Not that far back," Steve replies, although then he realizes that Natasha isn't kidding around. There are actual Musketeers here. Well, if there was ever a place he might run into them, it figures it would be Wonderland.

Given that Evelyn is married and Elizabeth's far too young, Steve's made a point of enjoying their company with no further intentions than that. He doesn't think there's much of a place for deeper relationships here, anyway.

But then Natasha mentions Bucky (their minds went to the same place, even though he didn't say anything), and Steve sets his glass down a little too hard on the bar.

"How many times do I have to tell you? That was because of the event." She'd never let him hear the end of it. "We already talked it out, there's no hard feelings." She's got a point, though. When it comes to shared life experience, Bucky takes the prize.

"Oops. My mistake," she teases him, taking another long sip of her drink, because yes, she's run into them. Or at least one of them, but she's seen another one in here a time or two.

Still, his reaction to her bringing up Bucky and that particular incident has her hiding a smile behind her glass, especially when he sets his glass down with a little more force than necessary. "Mm-hmm. I believe you. I'm glad you resolved all your hard feelings. Next time though you might want to decide on a safe word before you start."

"A--"

Steve's two seconds away from asking what she even means by that, when it hits him and he lets out a frustrated sigh. It's one more thing for Natasha to tease him about, which is normally fine, but it's a little different when it's his best friend.

"It's not like that," he insists as he closes his eyes and takes another long sip of his drink. "All I wanted to do was keep him safe."

His intentions had been right during that event, they'd just been pushed to an insane limit.

"That's the point of a safe word, Rogers," she teases him lightly, laughter in her voice as she bumps her shoulder against his. "And I'm sure tying him to a chair did just that. Although I'm still not clear what you were keeping him safe from, other than himself. he seemed a little annoyed with you at the time."

Not that she could talk, since she'd happily handed Coulson over to a similar fate. Then again, her handler had been on a suicide mission to the edge of the woods, so she had no regrets over that.

Steve sighs and dips his head into his hands, rubbing his face a few times as he shakes his head. "I have no idea what I was keeping him safe from. Bucky's completely capable of handling himself." Both of them know that all too well, don't they? Not that he's anything approaching the Winter Soldier, but still, Bucky's a good soldier. And a damn good shot.

"The less I have to reflect back on events, the better," he says decisively as he finishes off his second drink. At least Bucky gets that Steve hadn't been in his right mind at the time. Although Bucky may have an idea of the deeper implications of what he did, Steve's managed to avoid talking too much about it.

[OPEN] One of those days...

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