#if pearl could knock out phoenix by slapping him and run all the way from kurain i have no doubts she could do this

[abandonedart]

idea by my friend art by me

original

[theonewiththefanfics]

I’m Gonna Get Myself Back Home To You (one-shot)

Requested: by Anon (the same one who requested Just Touch My Cheek Before You Leave) hope you like this one :) not really a happy ending, but more so bittersweet... just the way things progressed, whoops :D

Synopsys: Sometimes time spent apart isn’t a good thing. Sometimes it lets the people drift too apart. And sometimes you just need to let things go.

Pairing: Ben Hardy x f!Reader

Genre: angst

Warnings: swearing??? maybe??? I don’t even remember :D

Word count: 2417

   For a while, Y/N had known something was wrong. The calls became sparser, the smiles were faked and the ‘I love yous’ were said through tight lips, eyes never meeting. So now, when Ben’s name was glaring at her on the phone screen, she had to swallow a lump in her throat.    “Hey, love,” he said, the usually bright green eyes, tired and glazed. “How are you?”    “ ‘M good,” Y/N mumbled, looking around their apartment. She felt like an intruder, had been feeling that way for a while now. “Actually, no. I’m not.”    Instantly worry flooded through Ben’s veins. “Are you alright? Do I need to fly out?”    They had gone to LA for two months to film additional shots for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and as much Y/N missed Ben, it seemed like a blessing in disguise now.    “It’s actually much better that you’re not here,” she muttered, not looking at him. “If you were, I don’t think I’d be able to do this.”    “Do what?” Ben’s heart pumped so hard, it was the only sound he could hear. “Baby, what are you talking about?”    “I think we need to break up,” it was barely a whisper, and Y/N wanted to slap herself because, for the first time in months, her heart felt light. “It’s just not working anymore. I can’t take this.”    Ben didn’t respond. He couldn’t, for he no longer had a voice. He didn’t even think he was breathing. The sight before him became blurry, and hot wet tears dropped down in his lap.    “We can make this work. Please, love. I’ll- I’ll come home. Right now, just don’t do this.” “A relationship is not a fairytale,” Y/N said, wiping her own tears away. “Nothing magically falls into place, Ben. You have to work, hard, to keep that good thing intact. But I think neither of us has been doing anything to save it. We just kinda... let it roll on its own course and now we’ve drifted apart. Too far apart.”    “No, we can sti-“    “I’ll have my stuff out by the end of the week, and I’ll leave the key in the mailbox,” Y/N interrupted him before Ben could argue any further. “I’m sorry.” And with that she ended the call, curling up in a ball, letting sobs shake her body.

***

   On the other side of the world, Ben stared at the black screen of his phone, completely frozen in spot. He must have misheard the conversation, he must have made all of that up in his mind, cause there was no way in hell, Y/N would have actually broken up with him.    Faintly he heard someone call his name, but with the way his head pounded, Ben wasn’t sure if it had been a trick of the mind. A strong palm clamped down on his shoulder, and he was startled back to reality.    “Mate, you alright?” Gwil’s voice was the epitome of concern.    “Y/N,” he said turning around, eyebrows furrowed as his brain was still attempting to wrap around the new information. “She- umm- she just broke up with me… I think…”    “What?” Gwil’s eyes widened as he took a step forward his friend and gripped his shoulder tighter. “And what do you mean ‘you think’?”    “I mean, I just called her to say 'hi' and that I miss her, and the conversation ended with her saying she’ll have her stuff out of the flat by the end of the week.” Tears rose in his eyes. “That means she ended things, right?”    The question had the tone of ‘please tell me it’s not true’, but the looks his fellow cast mates shared between them, told Ben enough.    “What did I do wrong?” he was breaking apart at the seams. “Why would she do that?’    “I-“ the other Brit stumbled over his words, cause he truly didn’t know what to say. “I have no clue why Y/N would do that.”    Joe and Rami glanced at one another, Rami chewing on the inside of his cheek, trying to figure out something to say that would console their friend, but it would seem his fellow American was faster.    “Dude, what are you still doing here?” Joe came forward and pushed Ben towards where the trailers were. “Go and get your girl back.”    “B-“    “Every second you spend here, only pushes her further away. And if we have to be next to you as you sulk about a breakup, rather than simply being away from Y/N, I swear to everything holy, I will personally kill you,” it was Rami who said it, lips tugging up in a smile. “Go and help that girl get her head back in its place. She loves you, and I’ll be damned if there isn’t more to this than her simply wanting to break up.”    Without wasting another moment, Ben dashed towards his trailer, ripped off the clothes and wig, and like a madman raced to the airport.

***

The night was dark, as usual, but this time it also felt heavy. She had dropped Frankie at Ben’s parents, saying she had to go out of town for a couple of weeks and would only be back by the end of it. When seeing the confusion on Ben’s mom’s face, why Y/N wouldn’t be picking Frankie up, she made up a little lie, how Ben would be visiting London, and he would be flying in before the girl.      She had packed just the essentials and called up one of her best friends Anna, who at that moment was out of town, but allowed the girl to use her apartment. Being in the place where she used to see her future was too hard because now, nothing but ash floated in the air.    Pathetically, she was attempting to make some food. Pasta Bolognese seemed like something a toddler could make, but through the crying and shaking, she managed to overboil and turn the pasta into a mush and burn the sauce. She couldn’t even taste the tomatoes, even though she'd cut a whole one in, just to minimize the flavour of charred food.    In the end, she dumped the sad attempt at a dinner in the garbage and ordered some greasy takeout. Maybe that would fill the Ben-sized hole in her chest. Y/N gazed at the blank TV screen for what seemed like hours, before deciding on grabbing a hot shower and going to bed.    Scalding water met her skin and she savoured every flaming pellet. In a way, she thought to herself, it was like a phoenix rising from the ashes, only this time she wasn’t reborn. More so the water, if only for a second, washed away that defiled layer, of Y/N, that had had the audacity to hurt Ben.    But reality has a nasty habit of settling back in and ripping one out of a dream. As the warm water ran cold, Y/N reached out and grabbed a towel wrapping it around her body. Shivers had already settled in, but they could not be helped, for they were not of cold, but from the sobs, that overtook her form.    Crying, she slipped under the covers and crying Y/N fell asleep, letting her mind be overtaken by the blissful unconsciousness, where Ben existed; smiling and happy and not in the heartbroken state, she had left him in.

***

   Rapid knocks against the door woke Y/N up. She was delirious for a moment and thought she had only imagined it, but then they came again, this time stronger and much more persistent.    “I’m coming!” Y/N called out, her voice a rasp from all of the weeping she’d done the night before. Looking in the mirror, the girl saw just how horrible she looked, so quickly snatching her hairbrush she pulled it through her hair, once, twice. Deeming that part presentable, Y/N quickly rushed in the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face to somewhat give it an ‘I’m-not-a-zombie-please-believe-me’ look, before the knocks came again.    Grabbing Anna’s silk robe, Y/N pulled it over the tank top and shorts, and thinking it was her that had come home a bit earlier than planned from the trip, without thinking, she yanked the door open, only for all the air to be punched out of her body. “Y/N.”    Her name was a breathless whisper of hope, love and adoration on his lips. Of home. Ben took a step forward, ready to engulf her in his arms when she stepped back.    “What are you doing here?”    For a moment there, he couldn’t move a muscle, but luckily his mouth had a mind of its own. “Please, come home.” “I am home,” Ben could hear the pain in Y/N’s voice as she told the lie to him and herself. “No,” he shook his head, stepping inside her friend’s small apartment where she was staying until she found her own place, and grasping at her wrist. “No, you’re not. This isn’t home. It’s with me in our flat, where Frankie runs around like crazy. It’s where all of our plants die, cause we’re two bloody idiots who always forget to water them,” Ben stepped even closer and pressed his forehead against hers. “It’s where we started to build our life together. That’s home. Not here or wherever you’re planning on moving.”    “Then how come it no longer feels like it? How come when I think of us, it’s always you and me, separately?”    “Don’t say things like that, please, Y/N,” Ben was crying, and she couldn’t help herself. She hated seeing him hurt, so with a tender touch, she wiped the translucent pearls away. “I told you, we’ll make it work. I’ll take more time off, I’ll come and visit more often, please.”    “I don’t want you to sacrifice everything you’ve worked so hard for!” she harshly replied. “I won’t let you.”    “If it’s the price I have to pay to be with you, I’ll give everything up!”    “And then what?” Y/N scoffed. “Trust me, a few years down the line, hell, give it a few months or even a few weeks, and you’ll start to hate me and resent me for what I made you give up.”    “Do you not realise how little I care for any of it if I don’t have you by my side to take part in it all? It means nothing when I can’t share the world with the person I love most!”    “But I don’t fit in it!” and there it was. That vile truth Y/N hadn’t wanted to admit to. She didn’t fit in his world. He was a big-shot Hollywood star, girls and guys flocking around him 24/7, begging for any bit of attention the handsome Brit could give, and Y/N… she was just that… Y/N. A girl who got lucky when Ben had noticed her, and she had stolen his heart. A girl who fell in love with a blond-haired, green-eyed boy, whose smile could light up New York City in the dark.    And for a while, they had relished in the fantasy that was their lives, before Y/N noticed how different they actually were. He was surrounded by glitz and glam, while she was surrounded by essays and Red Bull cans and three all-nighters in a row.    He was the bright Sun, warming up the Earth and Y/N was a small meteorite hitting the atmosphere and burning up instantly, not even large enough to leave a mark that she’d been there.    “Do you love me?” Ben’s voice brought her out of the pondering, and two warm palms settled on her cheeks, making her look up in those emerald eyes.    “Ben…”    “It’s a simple question. Do you love me?”    A beat passed before Y/N answered, every single word being completely true. “I never stopped and never will stop loving you.”    He was just about to lean in to press their lips together when Y/N’s palm came in between them. “But love isn’t enough,” her voice cracked. “It’s never enough, cause you can’t build a relationship worth fighting for, off of it… and when you feel like an outsider looking in, it’s even more discouraging.”    “What can I do?” Ben whispered, desperate to somehow fix a seemingly unfixable thing. “How can I convince you, that whatever we’re going through, is worth it in the end?”    Y/N’s voice was small, the same way she felt. “I don’t know. I don’t think you can. Cause you’ve been nothing but loving and supporting and amazing. And the guys and all of your other friends, as well… and that’s the thing- no one has explicitly done anything to make me feel like I don’t belong… I just can’t help but feel that way… which is even worse, because then I’d have an actual excuse of why I’m throwing away three of the best years of my life, but I don’t.”    Ben sighed, wrapping his arms around Y/N, and this time she didn’t protest, letting herself melt in his embrace. He hid his nose in her hair and pressed his lips against her forehead before speaking.    “I know, that whatever I say, won’t change how you feel. Not now, but sometime down the line, I hope you realize how amazing and special you are. But I won’t push you to live in the limelight like I do. So, if you want to break up, I will accept it. Not gladly, but I’ll… figure out a way to move on.”    Her heart broke at Ben’s confession.    “But,” he said, “I’d like for us to try. We can start off completely new, a blank page, if you will,” his voice dropped down to a deep husk. “I just don’t want to lose such a good, thing. We’re so good together.”    Y/N’s mind was reeling as thoughts came and went one after the other. A new start, continue on with the old one or leave everything behind. Never had she hated being in the crossroads so much.    “I’ve already hurt you so much, Ben… I don’t wanna do it again.”    She heard him sniffle and felt his grip tighten on her body. “Then come home,” he replied. “We’ll work through it together, no matter how long it takes. Just come home.”    And despite everything, despite the fact she’d never truly feel like the fame and fortune was for her, Y/N nodded her head, pressing a kiss to Ben’s neck before burying her face in the crook of it. She'd fight for it because Ben was her home.

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A/N: boiiii, do I like to make you all suffer :D

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[there-willbeblood]

Chapter 17: Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory

NATALIA’S POV

Just like many mornings before, I was awakened by a sharp knocking at my door. It was more like banging so I already knew who it was.

"Wanda, go away." I yelled and covered my head with my pillow.

"No, let me in."

"I mean it, Wanda!" I looked at the clock and saw that it was six fucking thirty in the morning.

There was no way in hell I was getting up this early, especially on a Sunday. She must not know me because nothing in our past history suggested that I would ever wake up at this time.

Steve had left me last night around five and since then, I had been studying. I needed to nearly bury my head in books because I had wasted so much time with him over the past two days, not that I was complaining.

Things seemed to happen so fast with us and I didn't really know what to think about what we were starting but I decided to just ride with it.

Yesterday, we were suddenly declaring ourselves. I was so glad that he wasn't mad or annoyed with me for leaving. I debated with myself whether this was right or not but I couldn't deny the fact that I had fallen hard for this man who seemed to take over my life. He was in my dreams, in my thoughts and now I had him emotionally, physically, every way possible.

He was mine.

I was through playing games because to be honest, I couldn't stop the feelings that were coursing through my body at this point. I was putting myself out there for better or for worse. If I got hurt, I got hurt but I was going to take that chance because I had to be with Steve. It wasn't an option.

The good thing about all of this was that I felt Steve wasn't playing games anymore, just like me. We were done and I cursed myself for wasting so much time trying to take him down when I could have been just enjoying what we together. I could see it in his eyes that he truly cared for me, how much, I didn't know just yet but I was going to find out. I couldn't go back now.

Wanda's thunderous pounding brought me back to reality. "Nat, I mean it. We don't have time for you to sleep in."

"And why not?"

"Because, we have to go to church."

I sat up in bed out of pure curiosity. I looked around the room to make sure that I wasn't in some alternate universe. I was still in the same surroundings as usual except for the fact that I had some demon banging on my door.

I got out of bed like I was a zombie and trudged over to the door to let Wanda in. I poked my head out, "What did you say?" I looked her up and down. She was in pajamas and bunny slippers.

"I said, we're going to church." She pushed her way into the room and pulled a gigantic clothing rack behind her. There must have been ten or fifteen outfits all in garment bags that hung from hangers along the metal bar. It was on rollers so Wanda didn't have any trouble maneuvering the thing.

"What the hell is all of this?" I asked and shut the door, making sure no one saw her.

"Steve had me get you a whole bunch of stuff." She plopped down on the bed. "Did you know they all have black cards? Oh God, I was dying..."

"Wait, what? Steve had you get me stuff?" I repeated her words.

"Uh...yeah." Wanda spoke like it was obvious. "You didn't think you could be Steve's special friend and stay out of church, did you?"

"Special friend?"

"That's the word he used when I asked, being nosy as usual. He didn't want to use the word 'girlfriend' but I knew what he meant."

"Okay, we'll get back to your butting into my business later but what the hell are you talking about with all these clothes." I shifted them on the rack.

"Oh yeah, well Steve called me yesterday and he asked me if I could go shopping for you."

"For what?"

"For church. If I have to say it one more time, I'm going to scream." She rolled her eyes.

First of all, Steve knew that I didn't like gifts and I sure as hell didn't like clothes. This was more than curious to me and I was going to have a long talk with him about getting me a whole rack of clothes. That was not going to work.

Second, I hadn't been to church in years. With Renee being obsessed with a new religion every week and Charlie spending his worship time on a fishing boat, I didn't really have piety very high on my priority list. Furthermore, I had a laundry list of things in my head that would dispel the fact that Steve was religious himself. I didn't have anything against religion but I just didn't practice it that often. I believed in a higher being although I didn't know what was up in that massive expanse above us.

"I don't think I belong in a church." I shook my head.

"I know they don't act like it but their family is very religious. Bucky said he hasn't missed a Sunday of church since he was three."

"Okay, that's great but why do I need to go?" I got back in bed.

"Like I said, you can't be with a Rogers and not go to church." Wanda ripped the sheets off of me. "Do you need to shower?" She went to the rack and thumbed through the clothes.

"No, I took one last night."

"Well good, I need to pick you something that will make you stand out."

I pouted in bed. "Are you going?"

"Yup, I went last week too. It's fun. I haven't been to church in years." She actually giggled. "It's only an hour."

"But...they're Catholic, aren't they?"

"Yeah, so?" She asked without looking at me.

"It's not like I care but I haven't been to a Catholic service in...a really long time."

I thought back to the one semester of Catholic school that I went to in Phoenix when Renee demanded that I try it. Thankfully, I left for Forks after a couple of months so I didn't have to deal with the torture for too long.

"Neither have I but there's no going back now." Wanda replied giddily with a smile and continued to look through the clothes.

My phone vibrated on my nightstand and I snatched it up angrily.

Good morning, beautiful. I trust that you're up by now. -S

He had the nerve to text me right now?

Don't talk to me. I have a few things to say to you but since I have to attend church today, I'll refrain until tomorrow. -N

I got a reply twenty seconds later.

Oh, Natalia. You're wonderful wit is even more delightful in the early morning hours. I'll be there in about an hour. Mass starts at eight. Be ready with a smile. -S

I hate you. -N

I texted back and put my phone on silent so that I wouldn't have to hear from him until later.

A little warning would have been nice. It wasn't that I was mad I had to get up so early, but I didn't know how to do this. I was going to have to mentally prepare myself for worship and I suddenly felt ashamed. I needed to find my rosary and holy water and Bible and...a priest. I had so much to confess.

I got off of the bed and went over to Wanda. "He asked you to buy all of this?" I tried to unzip a bag but she slapped my hand away.

"Yeah, he gave me his black card and I went crazy with it."

"How much did all of this cost?"

"He told me not to tell you." She looked at me funny.

"Because he knows it’ll get him in trouble." I growled.

"I found it." Wanda sang and pulled out a white garment bag.

I was pushed into the bathroom so that my face could be put on. I was still pissed that I was up with the sun but I had to just suck it up. I huffed and puffed the whole time Wanda was doing my makeup and she looked at me like I was a work of art.

"What are you wearing?" I asked, getting more and more anxious.

"Something cute. I actually have to go back to my apartment so I can change. I didn't bring my things here."

"You walked over here in your pajamas?"

"It was just across campus. No one cared."

I sighed and bobbed my foot up and down hastily. "I think the church might burn down."

"I wouldn't doubt it. I hear someone is having her sex dreams again." She eyed me in the mirror.

I just looked at her dumbstruck.

"I could hear you from the other side of the door." Wanda laughed, causing me to blush furiously.

"Can you blame me?"

"No and if you knew what Bucky and I did last night, you would look like a saint." She sighed lovingly.

"Disgusting." I said.

My makeup and hair were done quickly and then Wanda left me to go back to her apartment. She demanded that I put on the clothes she picked and if I walked out in anything less than perfection, she was going to kill me. On a Sunday no less. She left at seven-fifteen, giving me only a short while to get ready.

I just bit the bullet and stepped in what she laid out. Wanda had left my hair to flow down my back, styled with a clip and my makeup was done subtly.

The tag on the dress read Victoria Beckham. Since when did she start making clothes?

The dress was a light purple color that clung to my body but wasn't overly tight. It flared out at the waist slightly until it fell a couple of inches above my knee. The collar was a slight scoop neck that dipped around my collarbones and the sleeves were capped on my shoulders. The whole thing was very sophisticated but still youthful.

"Really, Wanda?" I held up a strand of pearls that I was supposed to wear and just put them on without complaining. I didn't know if they were real or not but I didn't want to know.

My shoes were a cream colored, pair of platform pumps with a rounded closed toe. The heel was fucking four and a half inches, which I counted with my fingers. I was almost crying as I put my feet into them.

I went to look at myself in the bathroom mirror and I had to admit that I looked flawless as usual but I would still hate Wanda for the rest of my life for this. I looked like a sad imitation of Jackie Kennedy and I prayed that I wasn't overdressed. I would come across as a complete fool. Since I was already decked out to the finest, I decided to put on my mother's watch.

I sat on my bed and waited, checking my phone.

I'm running kind of late. I'll be there soon. -S

I stuffed my wallet and phone into my clutch that Wanda provided for me and left the room, making sure it was locked behind me.

I walked through the halls, almost tip toeing to make soft noises so I didn't wake Jenny.

I made it to the elevators and tapped my heel as I descended. I made it downstairs and walked out of my dorm building into the crisp early morning. It was kind of chilly but nothing too bad. I sat on the same stone bench that I always did to wait for Steve.

I checked my watch as the clock ticked seven-forty five and I was getting more and more anxious about this. Should I have prepared or something? I knew the mechanics of a Catholic service and was actually glad that my mother made me learn them so I didn't look like a dumb ass.

I let out a deep breath and crossed my legs to wait.

Five minutes later, I heard the roar of a car that had to belong to a racer because I didn't think anything with that powerful an engine was legal on normal roads.

Steve's red Lamborghini screeched to a halt in front of me and the back wheels actually lifted off of the ground slightly. He rushed out of the car and quickly came to the bench.

"I'm so sorry I'm late." He looked flustered but still beautiful in a dark suit that fit him perfectly and a white shirt along light purple tie that matched my dress.

Damn it Wanda.

I stood up and smoothed myself out. "It's okay."

"No it's not. Sarah is going to kill us." He led me by the small of my back to the car where he opened my door.

"Shit, your parents are going to be there?" I spun around.

"Of course." Steve chuckled and moved some hair out of my face.

"Well you didn't tell me that."

"I didn't think I had to. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be going. Believe that." He groaned.

"I can't meet your parents." I shook my head.

"Stop worrying."

"Do they...know?"

"About what?" He asked innocently.

"About...us." I said hesitantly.

He quirked an eyebrow. "I haven't said anything mainly because I don't know how to tell them that I have my first...girlfriend." He said that word like it was acid.

I found that kind of funny and couldn't help but half laugh. "You're so cute when you're flustered."

He ran a hand through his hair. "I can't help it. You make me so...I don't know."

I nodded in understanding because I felt the same way.

"You look very beautiful by the way." Steve looked me up and down. "Extremely beautiful."

"All Wanda." I said.

"I don't think so." Steve leaned in dangerously close. "Wanda had nothing to do with what I'm looking at right now." He kissed me softly.

He pulled back way too soon for me but I was thankful that he did so that I could breathe.

"You look nice too." I said lamely.

"I always do for church." He gloated. "Get in the car. We're already late."

I sunk down in the low seats and Steve closed my door before running to his side. He was in, locked the doors, and started the car all in one motion.

He peeled off so quickly that I was thrust back in my seat. I made sure my belt was around me tightly.

"Speaking of how beautiful I look, I heard you gave Wanda your credit card to shop for me?" I turned to him.

Steve shrugged. "I noticed that you didn't have anything appropriate to wear so I just decided to buy you what you needed."

"Okay, first, this wouldn't have been a problem if you would have told me that I was going to church and second, I don't like gifts."

"These aren't gifts. You can't be going to church every Sunday in jeans, especially not this church."

Steve honked the horn loudly as slower cars got in his way.

"Slow down and why am I going to church every Sunday?"

"Because...it's expected." He said like he was shy of something.

"What does that mean?" I asked, not understanding.

He brushed his hand through his hair again. "Okay, look, I don't know what you would call us but I was on the track of a girlfriend/boyfriend type thing."

I nodded. "Okay..."

"And as you know, I've never really done this before but it's kind of...expected for me to bring you if we are in that kind of relationship. Italians are about three things: religion, food, and family. If you're in the family, you have to be a part of everything that comes with it."

I thought about what he was saying and then a small smile came to my lips. "So...what you're saying is that...I'm a part of your family?"

"Is that all you got out of what I just said?"

"Are you telling me it's not true?"

"I'm getting used to this Natalia. Don't push me." He kept his eyes on the road ahead and I leaned back in my seat with an odd feeling of gratification.

Steve was slowly shedding his outer skin for me. He was becoming more of a...human if that made any sense.

The rest of the ride was filled with Steve's shouts, complaints and curses at all the traffic that we had to battle across the city. I had to brace myself against the door on several occasions when I thought I was going to die. Literally, I thought I was going to die.

By the time we rounded the final corner, I could see a massive granite structure in the distance and I was begging to see solid ground again.

"Steve, we're going to have to talk about your driving." I panted as he halted in a parking lot next to a very expensive looking Mercedes that was a ways down the street from the church. "Why are we all the way down here?"

"It's easier to get out of traffic. There are over six hundred people who go to this church."

"What?" I almost screeched.

"Yup and we sit right up front." He smirked at me, knowing that my nerves were not slowing down.

On top of everything else, I had to meet his parents.

Great!

"I can't believe this." I opened the car door and got out easily. Steve was already at my side, trying to help me.

"It's not that bad and only about an hour. Plus, we're already fifteen minutes late so that's good."

"And you couldn't have told me about this yesterday."

"No, I wanted you to be surprised." He joked.

"You are the most impossible man I've ever met." I started to stalk off down the street but Steve caught me by my wrist and turned me around so that I was pressed against his chest.

His lips were on mine, devouring me with soft yet rough kisses that melted me further into his body. His hands were on my hips, caressing and massaging while my fingers crept up to his hair, pulling him closer. Our kisses slowed after who knows how long and the wetness from our tongues was enough to make me forget my name.

"Shame on you, Steve Rogers." I said when he released my lips. "On church property?"

"I couldn't help myself. I don't have control around you." He kissed below my ear. "That's very dangerous Natalia."

"You're making it very hard to think clearly right now." I pushed away from him and took several deep breaths, calming myself.

"We're going to be doing Hail Mary's for the rest of our lives." He said and ushered me forward in the direction of the massive stone church that was at the end of the street. It had a giant, rose, stained glass window in the middle with steeples and large oak doors.

I took everything in and stood up straighter as Steve opened the doors for me.

I went inside, my feet hitting a smooth red carpet and the voice of whom I assumed to be the priest, filled my ears.

"Just don't let them intimidate you." Steve whispered to me as ushers opened another set of dark doors with gold handles.

"Who?" I asked.

"Everyone." He answered and nearly pushed me into the church.

I walked forward, with Steve's help and as I looked around, I didn't understand how the whole world could be in a recession but the Catholic Church seemed to only get bigger. How the hell did they get all of this money?

The first thing I noticed was that everything on the walls was covered in gold, marble or granite. I could have sworn that I was in Europe with the giant ceilings, stain glassed windows and ornaments that adorned the church.

Steve and I were walking on the lower level, right up the main aisle but if I looked behind me, I could see a massive balcony that probably held at least three hundred people. We seemed to walk forever on the red, satin carpet that covered the floor, close to the left side where Steve was leading me and dark pews held families that seemed very interested in what the priest was saying.

I could spot Wanda almost in the front row, maybe three pews behind. I also saw Bucky along with the huge man from Plasma, a blonde woman, a blonde man, and a brown haired lady who I could tell was Steve's mother. I couldn't see their faces but my heart was thumping faster at the prospect of making a fool out of myself in front of Steve's parents.

Just as I was telling myself to calm down and not do anything embarrassing, I felt my foot catch the hard wood of a pew only halfway down the aisle.

Not only did a loud thud ring out all over the church, ricocheting off of the stone walls, but clumsy me stumbled and stumbled hard.

Steve caught me before I smashed my face into the carpet but as I stood back up and stared around, hundreds of eyes were on me. The priest stopped preaching, I heard murmurs, stifled giggles and my own heart could probably be heard in China.

Sweet baby Jesus!

People up front actually turned their whole bodies to see what commotion had disrupted their early morning rituals and I could feel the penetrating gaze of skeptics from behind me who were nearly ripping me apart with their eyes.

"I see l have to hold onto you." Steve whispered in my ear, wrapping his arm around my waist and pushed me forward more.

At this point, my feet were like led, my whole body was covered in a permanent blush, my ears were still ringing from the clunk I just caused and I'm sure I looked like I was hit by a Mac truck.

No one's eyes moved from me and Steve as we approached his section. I kept my head down so that I didn't have to look at anyone but I could feel them.

I was finally able to sit down next to a chuckling Wanda, with Steve on the outside of the pew near the aisle. His parents were behind us, Wanda and Bucky were to my left and the blonde woman along with Thor were even further down the pew. We took up the whole thing. I sat slightly awkward against Steve because I didn't want to have any contact with him. 1) because we were in church and, 2) because we were under the vulture watch of his parents.

"Great entrance." Wanda whispered to me and I shot her a death stare.

My first Catholic service in five years and I was already condemned to the fiery pits of hell.

Throughout the whole Liturgy of the Word, I kept my eyes straight, not wanting to cause any more damage to my reputation. I wasn't really listening but neither was anyone else I was sitting next to. I could feel it. Steve was actually going out of his way to be defiant, checking his phone almost every five seconds.

I got very suspicious of this when his breathing turned to frustrated sighs and his hands began to tangle through his hair more frequently. Thor also had has phone out so I figured they were texting each other.

I looked slightly to my left to see the most beautiful woman in the world next to Bucky and Wanda. She had long, flowing blonde hair and big blue eyes that I could drown in. Her face was angelic and slightly chubby but still toned at the same time. Her lips were pouty, her nose was regal, her chin was perfect and her skin was flawless. My eyes shifted between her and the painting on the wall behind her, which portrayed an angel. She could have been the model for it.

The big guy next to her was Thor. I had found that out through Wanda. He was the oldest Rogers brother and he looked it. He was muscular and brawny while still having an air of innocence. His long curly blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail and I couldn't see his eyes but I assumed they were the same gorgeous shade as Steve’s.

Everything about this family was beautiful.

I shrunk back into my seat when I realized that I was a Plain Jane among Greek creations.

Damn it!

I looked across the aisle where I found that people were still taking glances in my direction. There were some girls who must have been about my age, with stares that would kill a bull. Some other girls' mouths were dropped and I could have sworn I saw a few of them mouth a 'fuck you' my way.

After the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist began.

To be honest, I found this whole thing very showy and hyped up. Couldn't I just give a silent prayer and that be it? Thankfully, I knew the rituals for the prayers and kneeling and so forth so I could keep up with the rest of the congregation.

"You do this every Sunday?" I whispered to Steve.

He grinned. "Twelve years of Catholic school and my parents have taught me that religion is always number one in my life." He almost laughed.

"That's not a bad thing. A moral code is good to live by."

"Yeah right. This stuff has gone in one ear and out the other since I was five."

"Shame on you." I joked.

The service was finished ten minutes later after some announcements and since Steve and I were late, we kind of missed all the important stuff.

People started to get up after the priest said one final prayer and crossed us in unison.

The conversations resumed and the pews started to empty.

I turned around and was met with a lady of maybe thirty but she was supposed to be Steve's mother. How the hell was that possible?

She had hair that I could now see was more caramel than brown and it was pinned up nicely in a bun. Her heart shaped face was adorned with deep blue eyes that were darker than Steve's but I could see the resemblance. The man next to her was regal and statuesque with a strong jaw line and blue eyes that almost made me squint. His blonde hair was shining in the lights and if I didn't know any better, I would have sworn that he was a college student. I knew that his parents' names were Sarah and Joseph but not much else. Steve never talked about them.

Before I could say anything, Steve was pulling me out of the pew, towards a side entrance of the church that led from the sanctuary to some hallways.

"Steve, what are you doing? I was about to say hi to your parents." I said as he dragged me out of the door into the shining sunlight.

"You'll meet them later, at dinner. I have a few things to warn you about first." He spoke seriously and pointedly as he quickly rushed me to the parking lot down the street.

When we reached his Lamborghini, he unlocked it and opened my door, shoving me inside before going to the driver's seat.

"Okay, what's going on?" I moved some hair out of my face that was windblown.

He started the car without a word and pulled out into traffic like a monster. I could see his family along with Wanda standing on the street, walking towards the same parking lot we just exited. Thor and Bucky looked confused, the blonde angel looked irritated, Wanda looked docile, Sarah looked concerned and Joseph...well he looked downright pissed.

Steve didn't even acknowledge them as he sped onto the highway, leaving the church behind.

"This is ridiculous, what the hell is wrong with you?" I asked, bracing myself for the ride ahead.

"Just shut up while I think." He growled.

Was he talking to me? I don't think so!

"Fine." I sat back in my seat and crossed my arms like a child. "Jackass."

He didn't respond to my comment but continued on down the road at ridiculous speeds.

As I looked out of the window and the minutes passed by in silence, the buildings turned into trees. Steve could be taking me to my death for all I knew but that was a risk I was willing to take.

He slowed slightly as we neared an exit and pulled off. We started going up a hill that was lined with deep forests on each side and had barely any traffic on it. Steve veered off onto a gravel road that led deeper into the forests and then suddenly turned off the car halfway down the lane. There were tall trees that blocked the sun so it was mostly shaded. It actually looked a lot like Forks without the rain.

I lifted open the door and got out, shutting it very hard when I did. I didn't really know where we were but I was going to walk back so I started off down the road.

"Natalia." I heard Steve's car door open and the sound of gravel under his shoes got louder as he neared.

"What?" I spun around and he was inches from my face.

"I need to speak with you and you're walking away from me."

"Obviously."

"Well, can you let me explain?"

"For what, being a jackass or doing a complete flip on me back at the church?" I crossed my arms again.

"Okay, look, I have some things to say to you and you're going to stand there and listen, understood?"

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

He got right in my face this time. "I asked you if you understood."

"I heard you." I spoke slowly.

"Then why didn't you answer?"

"I don't have to answer to you."

"Yes you do because you're about to go to the lion's den." He backed up and started pacing, grabbing his hair with his hands.

I just stood there and followed him with narrowed eyes.

"Look, I had to get you out of there. You can't meet him yet." Steve's voice sounded actually nervous.

"Meet who?"

"My father." He said simply.

"I'm confused. I thought you wanted me to meet him."

"I'm going to be in so much trouble." Steve rested his hands on his knees, "Every Sunday, there is a certain way of doing things. First church, then we go to my grandfather's grave, and then dinner at the house. Right now, we're skipping the grave and I haven't done that in ten years."

"I'm confused."

"I should have warned you about all of this yesterday but..."

"Take some deep breaths Steve." I almost ran to him and lifted him back up. I thought he was going to have a heart attack and I was scared. "Just tell me what you have to say."

He breathed deeply and then closed his eyes. "Are you Italian?" He asked.

"What?"

"Are. You. Italian?"

"Uh...a little, I think. Not much but I'm mostly French and Russian. Those are the only two I know about. Does it matter?"

"Hell yes it matters." Steve's eyes opened and they were almost furious. "In my life...there are lists of rules I have to follow, a hierarchy if you will." He began his pacing again.

"Okay..."

"My father, Joseph can be a very loving man but...he's not a good man, Natalia, none of us are."

"I don't..."

"I know you don't believe that but it's true. I can't tell you everything but you're basically about to meet the most dangerous man on the face of this earth." Steve was speaking so strongly that I had to believe him.

"What-"

"Don't interrupt me." He held his hand up, "Joseph is not a man who you want to be around and I should never have agreed to let you into this life."

"I'm a big girl Steve. I can take care of myself. I hardly doubt that an overprotective father is going to scare me away." I snickered, "Plus, we've only been going out for a day. It isn't like we're getting married."

He stopped moving. "You think this is funny? Natalia, you have no idea what you're about to step into and you won't understand it even if I laid it all out for you in a row."

"Just say what you have to."

"I can't!" He shouted, the birds above leaving their nests from the sound.

"Steve, you're really confusing me."

He sighed. "My father doesn't like you."

I was kind of taken aback, "But...he doesn't know me."

"That's not the point. Because you're with me...he won't like you."

"I don't understand."

"I have...obligations to my work and to my family. Usually, women are a good distraction but I've never had a..."

"...girlfriend?" I completed his sentence.

Steve shuddered but nodded. "My mother thinks that I've met my match in you, as she put it, but my father, he won't approve of any girl I bring home that has the slightest chance of messing up my future."

"Your future? I feel like I'm asking all of these questions with no answers."

"And it will be that way for a long time, I'm sorry for that."

"Are you trying to warn me about something?" I asked, moving closer to him.

"Yes. I've been trying to since I met you but...I don't know what to do." He pulled at his hair again, his pacing resumed.

"Why don't we just go to dinner and see how this all pans out." I suggested. "It can't be that bad."

"Natalia, you are about to have dinner with over fifty screaming Italians." He chuckled, "Plus a man who will grill you until you bleed."

"Can't be any worse than some of my Thanksgivings." I shrugged, trying to lighten the mood.

"We'll be at my parent's estate for the rest of the day. Is that alright with you?" He asked and I nodded. "There's going to be a lot of people there and I'll introduce you to most of them."

"Are they all family?"

"For the most part. I have some work to take care of during the evening hours so I won't be able to be with you the whole time."

"Okay." I answered because I didn't know what the hell else to say.

"Oh, and next week, I will be going to Russia."

"Russia?"

"Yes, I leave on Tuesday but I should be back by next Sunday. Just a few days."

Steve had turned from caring and sweet this morning, to a cryptic hard ass in a minute. The way he spoke, the way he walked, even the way he stood was making me think that he was about to handle a business deal.

"Sundays are usually for family but as you'll soon learn, real life interferes more often than not." Steve's blue eyes hardened and I was actually frightened of him.

"I'm still not completely understanding you but I want to meet your parents." I put my hand on his arm and he jerked quickly but calmed down and let me put it back in the same spot.

"Okay." He bowed his head.

It took me ten more minutes to convince Steve that this was a good idea and we got back in the car.

For the life of me, I couldn't understand why Steve was having such a hard time with this Shouldn't I be the one who's nervous? I had to impress his parents but the whole time we were driving, his hands were cemented to the steering wheel in an almost vice like grip.

"Why don't you tell me about your family?" I said softly so that I didn't scare him. I didn't want him to feel any anxiety over this or that would just make me more freaked out.

He sighed. "I have a huge family. Only about half are here in Chicago, I have a couple aunts in California and some other relatives in the States but mostly everyone's still back in Italy."

"You know, I always thought that Rogers was an Irish name."

"Yeah, well it's not." He said shortly. "It is but...whatever."

I decided that he wasn't in any mood to talk so I stopped speaking. Steve was stressed and this conversation wouldn't end well if he kept being so abrasive so I just sat back and relaxed in my seat.

The drive seemed to take forever but that was only because of the long, winding roads we were on. We were about an hour outside of the city when Steve began to slow down, turning into another road that was covered by trees. The car traveled slowly around each turn and we went up for about five minutes before we halted in front of some very tall, classic, Victorian, black, wrought iron gates.

Steve leaned out of the window and punched a code into a box. The gates opened down the middle, like something out of a movie and a sprawling estate was laid out before me.

My mouth was dropped the whole time Steve pulled the car up a hill that was the driveway to a massive mansion. There were green fields around us on all sides with the house sitting above everything.

"Is...is this all yours?" I asked, stunned into almost silence.

"My parents'." He looked to me and started laughing. "You'll catch flies that way."

The one thing that I did find kind of odd was that there seemed to be guards around. Some had guns and some didn't but it was like I was entering a military base. Strange.

I snapped my mouth shut. "I can't believe this. I never thought..."

"That we were this rich? Yeah, there's even a lake out back in case you were wondering."

Steve drove around the house that appeared to go on forever and pulled up to an open garage.

The floor was cement and slick but it reminded me of an airplane hangar because the garage was that huge. Steve's Lamborghini passed Mercedes, Hummers, BMWs, Audis, and those were only the ones that I could recognize. I wasn't much of a car person but even I could tell that this was a collection that was probably worth millions.

Steve smoothly parked at the end of a row of motorcycles and turned the car off, just sitting there.

"I hope money doesn't make you uncomfortable." He spoke with a hint of arrogance.

"Nope." I lied.

"Good, because we have a lot of it." He got out of the car and I opened my door. He helped me out of the low car and I stood up, fully taking in my surroundings. Everything was gleaming in the fluorescents that were overhead.

"Would you like a tour?" Steve asked, taking my hand.

I looked down at the small gesture. It was the first time we had ever held hands. It might have seemed like nothing to someone else but I got the feeling that Steve didn't ever act like this with anyone else. We had kissed, we had fucked, we had seen each other naked, we had even given each other multiple orgasms but we had never held hands.

He ripped his out of mine when he saw me staring. "Sorry, was that wrong?"

"No, no." I took his again, intertwining our fingers. "I was just surprised."

"I told you I don't know what I'm doing." Steve seemed to deflate.

"You're doing fine." I stood on my toes to kiss him softly. "Stop stressing out about everything."

"Okay."

"I would love a tour." I smiled to give him some confidence.

"We'll start with my cars." His familiar, egotistical grin was back.

"Cars? As in plural?" I asked as he led me towards a corner of the hanger.

All together, Steve himself had six cars that took up an entire wall length across the garage. I of course knew about the Lamborghini, which was his new beauty, but he also had a white BMW, blue Bentley, silver Aston Martin, a black McLaren that he swore could break the sound barrier and a car that he wouldn't even let me look at because he said I would taint it. According to him, his red and black Bugatti Veyron had never been driven but he kept it just to look at. That made no sense to me but I didn't want to spoil his fun.

As we finished the tour of the garage, our hands still together, a black Hummer came barreling through with a thunderous engine roar. It nearly killed me until Steve moved us out of the way. Thor jumped out of the driver's seat with a huge smile and the blonde angel came out of the passenger's side.

"Whooo! Got her up to 150." Thor patted his car. "That was a fun ride."

"That's my oldest brother." Steve rolled his eyes.

"That's right. The oldest and brightest, Thor." He held his hand out and I shook it. He must have been a giant and looked ten times bigger than before. Granted I had only seen him for a split second at Plasma but still.

"I remember you." He tilted his head. "Who knew that night would lead to this." He pointed between Steve and me.

"Yeah, funny how things work out." I nodded. "It's nice to meet you again."

The blonde angel walked over with a sour look, tight lined lips, and narrowed eyes but she was still beautiful as hell.

"This is my girlfriend, Jane." Thor put an arm over her shoulder.

She eyed me up and down with a raised eyebrow.

"Like something you see?" Steve snarled at her.

"Not particularly." She replied, never taking her eyes off of me.

Tension filled the air but Angel Face didn't stop her glaring at Steve and me.

"So...Stevie, why weren't you at the cemetery?" Thor asked, trying to diffuse the situation.

"I had some things to do." Steve answered.

"Dad's pissed like no other and Ma was so freaked out. She thought you didn't want her to meet Natalia."

"No, I just had to explain some things first." Steve stuffed his hands in his pockets, "Actually, can I talk to you for a second?" He nodded to Thor. They both went into a far corner of the garage, mumbling about something and leaving me alone with the blonde devil. We stood still in front of each other for about three minutes without saying anything.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." She crossed her arms.

"Natalia." I wasn't rude but you could tell that I wasn't really in the mood to talk to her.

"Is that your natural hair color?" She pointed to my head.

"Yes. I've never dyed it."

"You might need your roots touched up." She sneered.

"My roots are fine." I snapped.

I didn't know what this bitch's problem was but she needed an attitude check.

"How long have you and Steve been fucking?"

"That's none of you damned business, Jane." Steve came from behind, putting an arm around my waist.

"We'll see." She smirked coolly and her heels clicked on the cement as she went into the house followed by Thor.

"What did I do wrong?" I asked Steve.

"Nothing, she's just always been a massive bitch. Don't worry about it."

"Is all your family like that?" I was beginning to see his hesitation with bringing me out here.

"No, just her and my Dad and me. We're very...protective of our family."

"You're not like that."

"Not to you." He breathed through his nose. "You've never seen the real me."

I didn't know what that meant but I didn't like the sound of it.

Steve led me inside the house through the garage.

I was met at the door by a very familiar face.

"Hello Ms. Romanov." Jerry, from Steve's yacht, gave me a bright smile. "Nice to see you again."

"You too. What are you doing here?"

"I've worked for Mr. and Mrs. Rogers since this one was in diapers." He pointed to Steve.

"My mother doesn't like maids or anything but they're a few people who've been with us for years." Steve chuckled.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" Jerry asked me.

"No thank you, I'm fine." I said as I looked around the front room.

To say that this was a mansion would be an understatement.

The whole house was a monstrosity. Everything was dark in color scheme from the hardwood floors so the rugs to the curtains and I felt like I was put into the pages of Wuthering Heights.

I didn't get a chance to look around too much because before I knew it, Steve was once again dragging me in another direction.

"If we hurry, we can catch my mother without Joseph around." He said and we followed the delicious aromas that were wafting through the house.

After a two minute maze excursion of hallways, doors and stairs, we arrive at the kitchen where Sarah was literally bouncing around pots and pans. My face fell when I saw Jane sitting with her back to me at the marble island.

Steve cleared his throat and his mother spun around.

Her face lit up with a bright smile, "You must be Natalia." She wiped her hands and then came around the corner to give me a hug, " Benvenuta ."

"Thank you. You have a lovely home." I said truthfully, trying not to stare at her amazing kitchen.

"It's nothing." She waved her hand and pulled me to the kitchen stool, right next to Jane. "I can't believe we're finally meeting. I've heard so much about you from the boys and Wanda."

"All good I hope."

"Of course. Steve can't seem to stop talking about you." She shifted her eyes the fridge where Steve was standing with a beer. "He really is obsessed with you."

"Ma..." Steve groaned.

"Oh, sorry." Sarah giggled. "I don't want to embarrass him. You're very beautiful."

I heard Jane scoff in annoyance.

"Thank you." I blushed. "You're incredibly beautiful as well. You can't be older than thirty."

"Oh God, I haven't seen thirty in years." She winked, walking back around to her pots.

"It smells really good in here. Can I help you with something?"

"Of course not. I live to do everything myself although Steve's father insists on hiring people." She shook her head and then grinned at me. "You know how to cook?"

"Not anything professional but I kept my father alive for eight years."

"Good." She had a look of absolute joy on her face. "You and I need to talk in private about that one over there." She pointed to Steve.

"He's been in line so far." I said and Steve smirked behind his beer bottle as he took a long sip.

"He's not always that way."

"Are you sure I can't help you with anything? You look like you have a lot going on in here."

"Nonsense, I just have to finish up the lasagna, pound out and pan fry the veal, make the basil salad, mozzarella salad, salt the tomatoes for the marinara sauce, make sure the lamb doesn't burn and make the apple crumble. It's nothing."

I didn't understand half of what she said. "That sounds like a lot."

"For a lot of people." She pulled something out of the oven. "Everyone should be here in about two hours or so and then we spend all day eating."

"And you do this every Sunday?" I couldn't believe it.

"And Saturday, rain or shine."

"Wow."

Sarah was about to say something else but she stopped when soft footsteps came through the arch of the kitchen.

"Oh good, you're here." She clapped her hands, "Natalia, I would like you meet Steve's father, Joseph." She took my hand and led me to the blonde man standing there with a stone cold face. He looked almost exactly like Steve but with a hint more calmness. He didn't seem as neurotic.

Steve came to stand next to me and was practically rigid.

"It's very nice to meet you." He said passively. The way he spoke was so polite and old world but still terrifying at the same time.

"You too. Steve's told me so much about you." I lied.

His eyes went from me to Steve and Joseph actually smiled. "Not too much I hope. Some things are too dangerous for such a beautiful girl's ears."

I blushed and laughed under my breath. He was nothing like Steve had described him but in a way, he kind of was. He was standoffish but not like Jane who was just purely abrasive. With Joseph, I just got the feeling that he had to warm up to you.

"Steve, don't forget that we have things to do tonight." Joseph spoke to him.

"Joseph, not tonight." Sarah huffed. "I have people coming over."

"We can handle things here. We won't leave, I promise." He kissed her forehead tenderly before turning back to me. "Natalia, it was nice to meet you. If you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to." He nodded to us and then was gone.

Sarah gave me a tight smile. "He's really not that bad. He's just stressed today."

"He wasn't bad at all." I was talking to both of them but mainly Steve who had relaxed some.

"Glad you liked him." Steve said through his teeth.

Over the next hour, things began to pick up very quickly.

Wanda and Bucky came back with some things that Sarah asked for and as people began to trickle into the house, I was getting more nervous.

I was walking around the living room alone, looking at pictures when Bucky found me.

"There you are, Wanda was wondering where you went off to." He laughed.

"I was just looking at all the amazing stuff your mother has in here. This house is like a big city."

"Yeah, I got lost in the basement when I was four. It took them the whole day to find me."

"That must have been scary."

"You have no idea." He shook his head quickly. "Anyway, I was coming to introduce myself again and not as the complete jackass who's trying to pick you up." Bucky held out his hand.

I shook it. "Sometimes I forget that I met you first."

"It seems like so long ago, doesn't it?"

"Yeah." I sighed and continued to walk around. "So…you and Wanda, huh?"

He got a massive grin on his face, "She's so amazing and full of life. I don't think I've ever met anyone like her."

"She just makes you want to be happy." I knew what he was talking about.

"She's incredible. Wanda came to church and stuff last week. I was surprised I didn't see you."

"No, Steve and I weren't…that close back then."

"Boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"Don't let him hear you say that." I said.

"Please, I know my brother better than he knows himself. He's never looked at another woman like he looks at you." Bucky took a sip of his drink.

"Does your father like Wanda?" I asked, really wanting to know.

Bucky laughed, "You've met him already?"

I nodded.

"He's not that bad once he knows who you are. Are you Italian?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that? Is it a rule?"

"In our family, yes." He nodded.

I let out a frustrated breath. "Is Wanda?"

"Her mother has half so that means she is at least a quarter." Bucky shrugged.

"Damn, I guess I'm the only one who has to impress Joseph the old fashioned way."

Once everyone started arriving, Steve pulled me into introductions. Everyone was very nice and I didn't feel awkward at all.

No one really knew who I was and Steve would never use the word 'girlfriend' to introduce me, which I didn't even notice until one of his aunts pointed it out. She was confused as to whom I was in relation the family and I didn't have an answer. Then she lit up and began shouting that I was 'Stevie's girl'.

I got cheek pinches from old ladies and things never seemed to calm down. I soon learned that Italians didn't speak with their mouths but with their hands. Everything was so fast and jumbled but people were keeping up. I knew absolutely no Italian so I was useless but it was funny to see Sarah scream at someone who was in her pots. She would get livid and set off a string of what Steve said were curse words. Her cheeriness never failed and her words to me were always sweet.

I tried to hang out with Wanda as much as possible since she was the only one I knew but the only problem was that she was always around Jane who didn't make it a secret that she didn't like me. She was always scowling and huffing whenever I said something and on more than one occasion, I was about to snap her neck but I didn't want to spill any blood on Sarah's carpets.

All in all, there were about fifty people in the house. They were everywhere and there was lots of noise but somehow, nothing seemed crowded and I got the sense that this was a very tight knit family. I liked it.

I watched Steve a lot as he mingled with his cousins or talked quietly to his brothers. Something was strange about him when he was around other people. He was colder and more direct, unlike with me when he was somewhat caring. I knew he would never be a completely loving man per say but around anyone except his brothers, mother and father, he seemed like he was trying to be in charge.

We all sat down to dinner at four and after a very lengthy prayer by Joseph, food was passed around a massively long table that stretched from one end of the dining room to the other. I sat next to Steve and Wanda so I had people to talk to but I could barely get a word in edgewise with everyone trying to say things to each other. Still, I didn't mind at all. There was so much food that I almost passed out but Steve kept piling it on my plate. He said I needed to eat more.

Like I thought, Joseph warmed up to me, not fully but just a little, while we ate. He asked me about school and what I was studying, things like that but he never gave me anything more than a head nod. He would smile at me but it wasn't real, it was just to be polite.

I nudged Wanda as dessert was being served.

"Hey, did I do something wrong?" I asked her.

"What do you mean?"

"With Joseph, has he ever been...harsh with you." I said quietly.

She scrunched her forehead. "No, he's really nice."

"Really? He seems like he doesn't like me very much."

"You must be imagining things. He's just getting to know you."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. He'll come around eventually." She patted my back and I nodded, convincing myself that that was true.

After dessert, everyone went back to their before dinner activities. I was given a nice glass of red wine that I pretended to drink and sat on the huge, porch in the back with Sarah, Jane and Wanda. Kids were running around the backyard, men were smoking cigars, old ladies were telling stories and it all seemed like something out of a movie.

"So, Natalia, how do you like Chicago?" Sarah asked me as the sun was starting to set.

"It's wonderful. I kind of grew up in the country so coming to a big city was a real shock for me."

"And you said you're from Washington?" Jane asked, nearly spitting it at me.

"Yes." I replied with a tone.

"I bet it's really pretty up there in the fall." Sarah sighed.

"Not really. It just rains a lot but the beaches are nice if you like rocks." I laughed.

"Same here in Chicago. All the beaches up by the lakes are rocky but they're better than nothing." She shrugged.

Steve came up behind me like a ghost to whisper in my ear. "I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" I turned around to look at him.

"Just handling some business." He replied, a hint of a smile on his lips, pulling on a pair of black leather gloves. "It won't take long, I promise."

"Okay."

He looked like he wanted to kiss me but then decided against it, muttering to himself as he walked into the backyard. I saw where he was going. Bucky, Thor and Joseph were standing at the end of the forest, waiting for him. They disappeared without one look back.

"Where are they going?" Wanda asked, trying to see further.

"They like to go hunting." Jane replied.

"Now, at this hour? Isn't it kind of late?" She quirked an eyebrow.

"It's never too late for hunting." Jane and Sarah exchanged a quick glance with each other that was very suspicious but I didn't say anything.

We continued to talk for several minutes, discussing things that didn't really matter but it was still fun. I watched people, trying to figure out how they all got to be such a big family. Sarah had tried to tell me some of the family history but I got lost in the 1940's or so. I couldn't keep up with who married who and gave birth to who. It was very confusing.

Our conversation had turned to comparing lasagna recipes when a gunshot rang out from the forest. Birds cawed and flew into the sky above the trees, making the whole backyard fall silent. People stopped moving and looked in the direction of the sound.

"What was that?" I asked, slightly frightened.

Before anyone could answer, two more shots were fired, echoing off of the house and making ripples of sound throughout the air. No one moved and no one said a word.

Once again, I saw Jane and Sarah exchange a glance. Sarah crossed herself before sighing heavily.

"It's nothing to worry about, dear." She put a hand on my knee. "As Jane said, the boys like to hunt."

"Are you sure they're okay?" I was trying to peek to see if I could make anything out but I couldn't.

"They'll be fine." Jane took a lazy sip of her wine.

Everything went back to normal in the flip of a dime and it was really weird that no one had called the police or bothered to check on anything. The kids resumed their playing, the men went back to smoking and the stories kept coming. It was like I was in the twilight zone and I was the only one who heard those shots but if they were hunting then I guess it was okay.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see a very small woman with white hair pulled into a bun. She was in a standard maid's uniform with stockings and an apron.

"Excuse me, are you Ms. Romanov?" She asked with a slight accent.

"Yes."

"Mr. Joseph has requested to see you in his office. If you'll follow me." She turned around, not even waiting for him.

Wanda gave me a shrug and I jumped up, following the maid towards the house.

Once inside, my heels thudded on the carpet as we went through the family rooms and hallways. I passed expensive paintings on the walls and more decorative furniture before coming to a pair of dark, oak staircases that spiraled up to what looked like the second and third floors, or whatever was up top.

She climbed the stairs gingerly while I followed.

I was panting by the time I reached the third floor but we still had one more to go so I went up behind a woman in her late sixties who was obviously in better shape than I was. It was sad.

"He'll be with you in one moment." She led me to another pair of doors and pushed them open, letting me go in.

"Thank you." I said as she shut me inside of Joseph's office.

Everywhere I looked, there were bookshelves, from floor to ceiling. They were filled with old copies of classics and some were even in different languages. There was a large desk in front of a plush leather wing back chair and an immense window showed the backyard beneath. The floor was covered in a Oriental rug and a family portrait sat behind the chair.

I looked at the picture and couldn't help but smile as I saw Steve with his family. Everyone looked so young.

"Steve was ten when that picture was painted." A voice said from behind me.

I spun around and found Joseph standing there.

I gasped when I saw that his hands were covered in blood that was dripping onto the floor. He was wiping them with a towel but the rusty smell was still repulsive.

"Are...are you alright?" I asked, trying not to look at or smell the blood.

"I'm fine." He grinned at me mechanically. "Let me just wash up and then we can get to talking."

Joseph went into a door at the side of the room and I heard the faucets running.

I breathed through my nose, trying to get the smell of blood out.

"So, how do you like your first visit to Rogers Manor?" He asked, coming out of the bathroom with a new towel and clean hands, although they were still stained a soft red color.

"Fine." I spoke firmly. "Thank you for inviting me."

"I didn't, Steve did." Joseph said and sat behind his desk, signaling me to take a seat as well.

He looked me up and down, not nastily but it still made me uncomfortable.

"How was hunting?" I asked, trying to make conversation.

"Oh Natalia, it's too late for hunting." He smiled in a way that was almost evil. "Someone could get hurt if you start shooting in the dark."

I sat there, trying not to look him in the eyes and stopped tapping my foot so that there was no sound in the room.

"Natalia, why don't you tell me about yourself?" Joseph crossed his hands on his desk.

"Uh...what do you mean?" I played with the hem of my skirt.

"I don't know anything about you and I want to make sure Steve is with someone I can trust. We can make this easier."

The doors opened behind me and I heard that soft thudding of heels as they came around. Jane appeared and went to stand behind Joseph on his left side with a pad and pen. She had a look of pure hatred on her face with a gloating smile.

Bitch!

"Am I in trouble?" I asked, looking between them both.

"Not at all." He said. "I just want to know who you are. Name."

"Natalia Romanov." I answered. I could tell that this wasn't going to be a friendly meeting.

"Birthplace."

"Forks, Washington."

"Father's name."

"Nick Fury."

"If I may be frank with you, Natalia..." Joseph began.

"Just, Nat." I corrected.

"Okay, Nat. My son is...different from other men out there."

"I know."

"Do you?" He stood up and walked to the fireplace. "I'm not trying to make you feel bad. I just don't trust easily."

"I understand."

"Do you smoke?"

"No."

He decapitated the head of a cigar easily and then took a second to light it before puffing out a small cloud of smoke. "Steve is on a track to greatness and I'm not trying to run his life or anything like that but I just want to make sure that he isn't distracted." Joseph's tone wasn't anything mean but I still got a cold feeling that didn't make me feel very welcome.

"So, I'm a distraction?" I asked, maybe a little too boldly but I wasn't going to let Papa Rogers scare me.

"Precisely." He said lowly. "I just want to make sure that my son is well taken care of."

I didn't really know what to say about this conversation. Did Steve's father not like me so much that he was requesting me to leave? Was I that bad a person? I thought I made a good impression but I was obviously mistaken.

I still didn't understand why Jane was here. She could just crawl under a rock as far as I was concerned.

Joseph came back around his desk, still smoking his cigar. "Steve is a very powerful man and I know he hasn't told you exactly what goes on here but I can't have just anyone with my son, you understand."

"Of course." I nodded.

"Are you Italian?" He asked, just like Steve said he would.

"Uh...a little, on my mother's side but I'm mainly Russian and French."

He sighed through his nose and swallowed hard. "Make sure to find out how much old world blood she has in her when you do the background check." He spoke to Jane.

"Wait, a background check?"

"Of course. Like I said, I have to make sure that you're appropriate for my son."

"And what if you find something that you don't approve of?" I was pretty mad now.

"Well then..." He let his sentence trail off.

The door opened behind me.

"Ms. Cope will see you out." Joseph said.

"This way Ms." I heard a soft voice and I stood up, preparing to leave.

"It was very nice to meet you, Nat." Joseph nodded to me.

I was too shocked to say anything back and Ms. Cope had to pull me out of the room.

What the hell was all of that?

I didn't have a chance to talk to anyone about the crazy meeting I just had because Steve was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for me with a painful looking face.

"What did he say?" He asked apprehensively.

"I don't really know what just happened." I spoke in a clouded way, almost like I was in a haze.

"That son of a bitch!" Steve started stomping up the stairs, snapping me back.

"Steve, don't." I grabbed his arm. "I don't want you to fight with your father."

"He had no right to scare you." His eyes were dangerous.

"He didn't."

"Don't lie to me, Natalia. You're white as a sheet and you can barely breathe. What did he say?"

"Nothing." I shook my head.

"Stop lying to me." Steve said, almost angrily.

"I'm fine."

Steve seemed to calm down as he looked at me. He wrapped an arm around my body and pulled me to him, kissing my forehead like Joseph did to Sarah hours earlier. "I'm sorry."

That was all he said before he led me out to the garage and into the Lamborghini to take me home.

I didn't say a word as we drove along the dark, forest highways because I was still confused as to what I did to make someone hate me so much. Wanda said that Joseph liked her so what was wrong with me?

A background check?

Good Lord, this was serious.

And then I thought about what would be in the background check. My date of birth, which I hadn't been asked but everyone would soon find out. That provided me with a problem.

I looked at Steve who was more relaxed than he had been all day but still had a hard edge to him.

"Steve, I have to tell you something." I said, getting up the courage.

"You don't have to. I know my father can be a dick. He just has to get used to you."

"Well, yeah, that was an interesting dinner but that's not what I wanted to say."

"I mean, what the hell is his problem? You've never done anything to him and he just jumped down your throat like that?" Steve continued to vent.

"Steve..."

"He is such a hypocritical bastard. He was never so coarse with Wanda or Jane for that matter and she's a complete bitch but he loves her to death. I can't stand it. What the hell did you ever do to him?"

"Steve, shut up." I commanded and he turned his head to me, slightly annoyed. "I need to tell you something and you won't shut up."

He continued to drive without saying anything.

I took a deep inhale for strength. "I'm not twenty-one."

His eyes squinted like he was thinking. "You're not?"

"No, and I'm not a junior."

He didn't say anything but kept driving.

"I'm an eighteen year old, freshman."

It took a second to sink in but once it did, Steve slammed on the brakes so hard, the back of the car fishtailed into the other lane but came to a screeching halt a second later. There were no other cars on the road so we weren't blocking anyone.

"What did you just say?" He turned to me, fear and fire in his eyes.

"I'm eighteen." My voice was much quieter now that I lost my confidence.

"Eighteen." He said to himself. "Like as in...eighteen?"

"Yes and a freshman." I reminded him.

"Holy shit." He began chanting it like a prayer and his hands bolted into his hair, pulling at the roots.

"Give me your license." He demanded and I did. Steve studied it with almost shaking hands and then covered his mouth. "Shit!"

"It's not that bad if you think about it, just seven years." I counted them off, trying to make this not seem so horrible.

"Not that bad?" He shouted. "I fucked a child!"

"I'm not a child-"

"You might as well be! Eighteen. Holy shit!"

"I should have told you before but you assumed that I was older and I didn't think it was that important to correct you since I never planned on seeing you again after all we went through." I was rambling.

"How the hell did you get into Plasma?" He was pissed.

"Wanda is twenty-one so I just followed her in." I said like a scolded child.

"I can't believe this." He hit his head on the wheel. "I've been giving you drinks, we fucked, I came to your dorm. I'm so fucked."

"I'm legal!" I was trying to put a positive spin on this.

"Just barely." He started up the car. "I'm taking you home."