Christmas

Snow began to fall in the early evening of December 20th in Upper State New York. The avengers were gathered around a grand tree in the center of the living room- decorating it. The fire was crackling, dancing along with the joyous Christmas music that played in the background of all the friendly chatter. Natasha Romanoff sat curled up on the white leather sofa- head buried in her book. Everyone else, however, added their own little touch to the tree.

"Tony, turn it up!" Wanda laughed as Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson started to play,

"Yo, Jarvis, blast it!" Tony pointed to nothing in particular and ordered the AI. Wanda instantly began singing the song, and soon enough everyone else joined in. Except Natasha. She sat, unfazed by the deafening Christmas tune.

"I love this song!" Peter declared as he took a deep breath, ready to sing the next part. Soon enough, it became a singing contest; who could sing the loudest?

Steve and Bucky didn't know the words, so just hummed along to the tune vaguely whilst carefully attaching each bauble. They gently swayed their hips to the melody and occasionally bumped their hips together. Natasha glanced up at the pair and laughed softly to herself.

"My cookies will be ready soon!" Wanda exclaimed as she placed her final bauble onto the tree with her powers and hurried to the open plan kitchen, opening the oven and releasing the sweet smell of Christmas serotonin. It tickled everyone's nostrils and they all peered up,

"That smells delicious Wan!" Pietro smiled at his sister. Wanda pulled out the tray and counted 26. One whoosh later and there's 25,

"Pietro!" She whined, "that's going to burn your mouth you idiot!" Part of a cookie fell out of Pietro's mouth as he sprinted to the kitchen once more for water,

"I mean I can't blame him Wanda, they smell gorgeous!" Pepper smiled,

"Oh stop it, you're making me blush." Wanda replied sarcastically.

*** (cheeky tense change)***

An hour or so later, the cookies are cooled, the tree decorated and the music back to a background noise. The snow however, has become heavier and the outside air crisper. The avengers are settling down on the sofa,

"Hey Nat, can we talk?" Steve asks. Her head instantly leaves her book as she looks up toward Steve,

"Yes?" She cocks an eyebrow at him,

"I mean privately." He corrects himself and stands up,

"Ooo, am I in trouble?" She replies sarcastically, a laugh erupting from the other avengers as she follows Steve to the hallway.

"What did you wanna say Rogers?" She asks, stopping behind Steve as he turns around to face her,

"I just wanted to ask if you're okay," he says, looking from his feet to her,

"I'm perfectly fine Rogers." She crosses her arms over her chest and stares at him,

"You can drop your little act Nat, you're not with everyone, you're with me. You can tell me," he holds her arm gently and looks into her eyes, searching for an answer that may not be there,

"What act Rogers?" She plays dumb. It's her last resort. The last layer of her mask and Steve knows that,

"Please Nat. Trust me," he searches her eyes once more, and finds something for once, but doesn't quite know what. She sighs deeply,

"Can we take this outside?" She asks,

"Of course- I'm just going to grab a coat."

He quickly hurries up the stairs and grabs two warm jackets and two warm coats from his wardrobe. One for him and Natasha of course.