Sorry it took me a while to update again.

Wattpad's been pretty wonky these past days and it was holding me back from updating my chapters.

Anyway, the next update would be a new chapter of Against All Odds! Be ready for it! >:)

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ C H A P T E R  E I G H T ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

"It's weird isn't it?"

"What is?"

Natasha looked up from the SHIELD files she was arranging to Sharon, eyebrow arched. The blonde girl was staring at something from across the room. Following her gaze, Natasha let out a breath, shaking her head before resuming what she was doing.

"It's not weird at all," she responded.

"But, Natasha, look at them." Sharon pressed, jerking her head at the siblings. "Don't deny what's obvious."

"Nothing is obvious, Sharon."

"You're just in denial. I mean, come on, haven't you noticed how identical James is to Steve?"

Natasha couldn't help but snap, "So identical that you just had to flirt with him during your sparring match?"

"I had a purpose," she said, defensively. "I just wanted to know if I could trust him."

"By pinning him down and hitting on him?" 

Sharon stiffened. 

"Does Steve even know about this?" asked Natasha.

She was hesitant to answer.

Natasha sighed, already knowing the answer. She closed the files she had been looking at. "You shouldn't have done that. You know how much it would hurt Steve if he had seen you guys."

Sharon couldn't help but notice the concern in her tone. She was surprised at how much she sounded caring enough for her boyfriend's sake. It made her shift uncomfortably.

"I know, it was a wrong move. I guess I got too amazed by the fact he's exactly like Steve. I thought I could know more a lot about them because I was really suspicious about them." Sharon slumped back in her seat, "I was trying out your style."

"Flirting to get information is a skill that requires a long time to master," Natasha said, crossing her arms. Her face fell slightly, "And it's not a skill I'm proud of. I haven't done it since I got together with Bruce."

"I'm sorry," the blonde sighed, steering the conversation into a new topic, "What made you trust them so easily though? Everyone knows it's hard to get the Black Widow trust them."

Natasha couldn't help but agree. "That's the thing... I don't even know myself. I just do."

"Just trust your gut?"

"Something like that."

Sharon was silent for a minute, glancing back at the siblings on the other corner of the room. Then she looked back at Natasha, her face slightly turning cold, "Maybe it has to do with the fact that you look like her too."

"I beg your pardon?"

"There are rumors that say that Allie Rogan looks like you, you know," she commented, bitterly.

Natasha's eyebrows rose, "Really?"

Sharon nodded as the two continued to watch the siblings silently.

Inwardly, Natasha wondered. Even though she didn't want to admit it, she couldn't deny the facts. It was strange enough that she was seeing herself in the girl—not just through looks, but the way she carried herself, spoke out her thoughts compellingly, and converse with the people around her.

Then her mind wandered off to Allie's eyes.

They were calming, relaxing baby-blue eyes that you could find yourself getting lost in. It looked terribly familiar. 

She had seen those eyes before... eyes belonging to a certain blonde too.

There was no way— no way at all. Natasha refused to acknowledge the possibility. It must have been merely a plain coincidence.

...

Right?

  —————————————————————————————  

"What the fuck is Suck and Blow?"

"Watch your language, Barton!"

"I'm serious! It sounded an awful lot like a porn video on Youtube."

"You watch porn?"

"Oh, fucking hell."

"Steve doesn't like that kind of talk."

"You know what, Natasha?"

Natasha could only smirk as Steve gave her a not-so-amused look. 

Meanwhile, Clint was currently laying down on the couch, a crease appeared on his forehead as the rest of the team was gathered up in a small circle (plus Maria Hill and Pepper). Save it for Vision who was still confused about the game's motive. He decided not to join the second he of the game.

Allie and James stood awkwardly in front of them.

"What is this game that you humans speak of?" Thor questioned.

Tony turned to give Allie a push, indicating to spill what the game is all about. She stumbled forward, forcing a smile, "It's a game that involves—"

"Sex?" asked Sam with widened eyes.

Allie rolled her eyes. "No."

"You guys are just all about it aren't you?" Steve asked rhetorically.

"At least we actually had experience." Tony shot back, smirking, "Unlike you."

"Can we just please keep this PG-rated for the sake of them?" Natasha demanded, pointing at James and Allie's direction.

James had never felt more uncomfortable in his whole life. "Er... can we just... go back to the game?"

"Right, so, we're going to need to use a card." Allie went to grab a piece from the deck of cards and settled it on the table. "Then we all need to form a circle. Remember, you need to pass the card around using only your lips."

Everyone froze.

"And if the card falls down, you have to kiss the person sitting next to you," James added.

"We used to do it in a boy-girl-boy-girl arrangement but since the females are outnumbered..." Allie trailed off.

Clint shrugged, "Well, I would happily volunteer to be a girl if it means sitting next to Tony."

"Shut up birdbrain."

"And I when seated next to Cap." Steve looked frightened the same time Sam smirked, with a teasing glint in his eyes. "You think Sharon wouldn't mind if I get a shot, Steve?"

"Shut the hell up, Sam."

Sam's jaw dropped.

All stopped in their tracks—even Allie and James— and had a look of disbelief while they shouted at the same time.

"Language!"

Steve winced, sighing, "That's not going away anytime soon."

"Speaking of which— where is Sharon by the way?" asked Sam, craning his neck to try and find the mentioned agent.

The captain visibly stiffened, a troubled expression rested on his features before it was quickly replaced with a blank look. "She's tired. Just needed a rest."

Good thing Sam believed his words enough. "Oh, alright." 

But Natasha saw through him. She told herself to ask him about this later on.

As the team was now preparing themselves just before the start of the game, the siblings pulled Tony out of their hearing reach.

"We're sitting this one out," Allie whispered to Tony.

He frowned, mumbling, "Killjoys."

"I just don't want a repeat of what could've happened back at the gym. And this time—with mom or any of my aunts." James said.

"And I too don't want the possibility of kissing any of my uncles or my dad for that matter," Allie said, taking a sip of her non-alcoholic drink.

"Fine," Tony budged.

"I just hope our plan works." James murmured.

Tony's face suddenly lit up.

"I have an idea."

Allie eyed him suspiciously, "What kind of idea?"

He rolled his eyes, "You should really learn how to trust me, kid."

"What's your idea?" James pressed, ignoring the looks thrown by his sister when he just interrupted her from answering.

Tony smirked, "Every time a card falls down... we're gonna need to tear it in half. So as the game goes on, it gets smaller and smaller and smaller until we're practically left with nothing at all."

There was a pregnant pause.

"That's actually... not bad." James approved.

Allie nodded, "The only problem now though is getting mom and dad on board until the end of the game."

Tony gave them a smug look. "That wouldn't be a problem at all."

"How so?"

"Just watch me."

The siblings watched as Tony walked over to their dad. They tried to listen intently to their conversation — having acquired a part of the super serum, it was a benefit of having enhanced hearing.

From the looks of it, Tony was doing exactly what they'd thought he would do. He was forcing their dad to join the game. Knowing their dad well enough — the possibility of him joining was one out of a hundred.

"I'm not sure if I should join this... what do you call it?" Steve asked.

"Suck and Blow."

He shifted uncomfortably, grimacing, "Yeah... that. Besides, Sharon should know first—"

"Oh, shush," Tony interjected, giving him a shove on the back. To which made Steve only move as much as an inch. "There's no harm in this game. Purely innocent and fun."

He offered a grin.

Steve raised an eyebrow, finding his behavior strange. Then he sighed, worriedly, "I don't know, Tony..."

"You don't believe me? Then look at Brucey here. Letting Natalie play the game. Such a trusting boyfriend." 

"Shut it." Bruce warned. "Before I even change my mind, let's just do this thing."

Tony then turned to Steve with a questioning gaze. 

"So, you in or out?"

  —————————————————————————————  

The game started off quite roughly but got a lot smoother as it goes on. Of course, the team became more and more comfortable with one another and even got a laugh out of it every now and then.

Bruce was the first to lose. He got distracted when Natasha teasingly sent him a look as she was passing the card. And Sam, well, he was just probably trying to get a kiss from either of the women in the team. And Wanda was disqualified when Thor pointed out she was cheating by using her powers. 

After three rounds—one of which Clint had finally fulfilled to piss Tony when he accidentally dropped the card and gave him a smack on the lips—and ended up with Clint being kicked out of the game.

Tony groaned in disgust, wiping his mouth while Clint snickered. 

"Oh, you think this is funny?" he taunted.

"Yep," Clint smirked. "It's payback."

"For what?" Tony exclaimed. "Pep, back me up here."

Pepper, who was standing on the side with James, simply waved him off.

Tony pouted.

"Remember the time when you planted a full one on me in front of my wife?" asked Clint.

"Oh, come on! That was April Fools day. And Natasha dared me to do it. So, if you're going to get mad at someone—get mad at her." 

James rubbed his temples. His uncles could be so childish most of the times and honestly, they weren't sure if they were making any progress with this game at all. If anything — he thinks they just made it worse.

"I swear, they are a child trapped in an adult's body," he mumbled.

"You could say that again." Pepper agreed, holding a glass of wine in her hands. "So, James, how are you liking it in SHIELD?"

James shrugged, "It's great. Just as we've expected it to be."

"Hmm. Tony seems to take a liking to you guys. I think you and your sister are the only recruits whom he handled by himself personally." she asserted.

"Is that a... good thing?" 

Pepper chuckled, nodding her head. "Yes. Yes, it is."

James inwardly sighed in relief before offering a smile back to his aunt. "Good."

Honestly speaking, James never knew much about his Aunt Pepper other than being the girlfriend of his uncle. He knew she was a very polite and ambitious person. And he also knew that she was the only one whom his uncle listens to. She very much keeps him in check.

Allie came back with a drink in her hand. 

James quickly snatched it.

"Hey!" she protested.

"You're drinking already?" he narrowed his eyes.

"It's non-alcoholic, idiot." she retorted, snatching the drink back. "It's Lemon Lime punch."

James made a face, "Lemon Lime disgusting."

Allie rolled her eyes, turning back her attention to the game.

After that small banter, only Steve, Natasha, Tony, and Thor remained in the game. Surprisingly, Tony was doing his best efforts to keep Steve and Natasha going.

"Come on, Steve!" Allie encouraged.

Steve quickly snapped his head in her direction, surprised by her support but nevertheless smiled shyly. Allie chuckled. 

Same old dad. 

As the game started, the card was just above the size of a thumb now. It was becoming a lot more challenging to keep it pursed between their lips. 

"Go Thor!"

"Take it home, Natasha!"

"Tony sucks in this game!"

Tony rolled his eyes, glaring at Sam and Clint who smiled innocently at him. "Some support you are!" 

"Fine," Sam mumbled before whispering something to Clint. Immediately, the archer's eyes glinted playfully before nodding. "Okay, one, two, three—"

"We love you Tony Stark!" 

Tony choked on air as he burned a hole in the direction of the two men. He mentally told himself that he'd kill them right after the game was over. 

Yet the distraction made him completely unaware that it was his turn to pass the card. 

Thor was already widening his eyes, making incoherent sounds to try and grab his attention. But by the time Tony looked back, the card already flew away from Thor's lips.

Tony froze; stared at it while unmoving.

Before he knew it, Thor's hand was already gripping his neck.

"Thor!" Everyone exclaimed. Well, everyone except Sam and Clint.

"He should have seen that coming," Sam muttered.

"Yup," Clint agreed.

When they finally managed to take care of the situation and calm Thor down, he helped himself to some snacks in the bar while Bruce excused himself to use the restroom. 

Allie wiped the sweat that had trickled down her forehead. "Whew. That was close."

"You said it." James added, "Uncle Tony can really be reckless and Uncle Thor can really be overreacting."

"Our uncles are weird."

"True that."

They snapped their gaze towards the remaining people in front. Steve and Natasha stood there looking completely lost. 

Natasha was the first to speak— "So, does this means we won?"

"Huh?" Tony looked at her confusedly.

"Since this game is going to end with one of us dropping the card and kissing in the end."

"Because that makes all the sense?"

She sighed exasperatedly. "Just tell us we won the game."

"Hang on." Tony interjected, his eyes darting between her and Steve — who was unusually silent the whole time. "You're not just trying to avoid the kissing part, are you?"

Steve visibly reddened while Natasha raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?" 

Allie and James glanced at one another, before shrugging and glancing back at the sight in front of them. They certainly didn't want to see their parents getting all mushy together —especially when their Uncle is practically teasing them in front of their faces— but they wanted to see them together again.

Tony smirked, teasing the pair. "You could handle a kiss with our captain here, right Nat?"

"Stark." Steve warned, but still flustered up.

"What? Come on, a little kiss won't hurt. Every one of us did it." he said, taking a seat by the couch beside Pepper, "So, why can't you two?"

"Shut up, Stark." she hissed, turning a little bit embarrassed too.

"I'm sure Bruce would allow it — where's Brucie?"

"And Sharon?" Steve asked rhetorically, "Look, I enjoyed the game but I think this would go too far."

"I think you two are forgetting the fact that I was just kissed by Barton in front of my own gal too." Tony arched an eyebrow, wrapping an arm around Pepper.

Pepper, even though flattered, told him— "Stop it, Tony."

"But—"

"If Steve and Natasha don't want to do it, then respect their decision. It is just a game after all." Pepper cut him off.

"Thank you, Pepper." Natasha said.

Pepper smiled at her.

Defeated, Tony looked back at Allie and James. Seeing that they were the last hope. Before Bruce could come back, Allie took this as the opportunity to push them together. It was now or never.

"It's just one kiss!" she suddenly blurted.

Natasha and Steve looked at her, surprised by her outburst.

"I mean uh—" she tried to come up with a reason, "It's just a part of the game, you know. Nothing equally... special about it."

Natasha blinked, seemingly puzzled.

Allie bit her lip and hung her head low, feeling embarrassed by her words. 

When— "Okay?"

Steve looked at Natasha with wide eyes, "Okay?"

"Okay?" James and Tony repeated, mirroring the same expression as Steve's.

Natasha faced Steve, then put up a small smirk, "What? Afraid of a little kiss, Rogers?"

"What? N-no. Of course not." Steve stammered, blushing once more. 

"Let's just get this over with. And besides..." she leaned in, a teasing glint was seen in her emerald-green eyes, "It's not like this is our first time."

Allie and James tried their best not to barf and cringed at all their flirting. But it was a good sign though.

Steve hid his blushing state by rolling his eyes at her attempt of teasing him, "Let's just get this over with."

Natasha smiled before she began to lean in. Steve anticipated the moment of feeling her lips on his and was unconsciously leaning in closer too. They were close enough to the point where Natasha could smell his perfume. It was a good scent. And it very much suited Steve Rogers.

Allie and James didn't know if they should look away or not. If this thing worked — then their trip home might be earlier than they've thought.

Their lips were just a fraction away when—

"Hey, who used up all the handwash in the restroom?"

The pair immediately jerked away, as if they had just touched a hot stove and flinched from the other's touch. The space between them was once again too far.

Allie felt like ripping her hair out. 

And James felt like tossing the table over.

Bruce walked in, looking completely oblivious to what he just interrupted. "I had to go back to the third floor to get another one."

Tony was frozen for a second, before answering, "I'd just have the staff supply it again."

The scientist nodded before turning his attention to Steve and Natasha who were avoiding each other's gazes. "So, what happened to the game?"

Allie looked at him flatly, biting the urge to make a snappy remark.

"We... were just..." Steve trailed off, not knowing how exactly to put it.

Natasha filled in for him, "We were just ending the game. We won!" she declared.

"Oh, that's great. Congratulations." Bruce smiled back.

"Well, Steve's a natural." Natasha paused, before suddenly planting a quick kiss on Steve's cheek, taking everyone again by surprise.

Steve froze. As did Bruce.

"Congrats, Steve." she smiled warmly. "Good job."

Steve, despite having no idea what just happened, found her smile to be contagious. Unconsciously, the corner of his lips turned upwards too. "Thanks. You too."

Then she walked over to Bruce and clung to his side.

Once again, Steve found himself looking away. He decided to head over where Sam, Clint, and Rhodey were currently having a conversation. 

But while he was on his way there, he couldn't help but remember the lingering feeling of Natasha's soft lips against his cheek. He smiled again.

It was nice. A nice sentiment.

The two kids watched as their dad walked away and their mom with their Uncle Bruce.

"Well," James said, "That went not as planned but it went alright."

Allie narrowed her eyes, "Uncle Bruce just know when to step on the exact moment."

"Don't worry, Als." he patted her back, "Have you seen the look on dad's face?"

"No, why?"

James chuckled, "It's a good sign. Trust me, I know that look."

"And mom?" 

"She did kiss him even in front of Uncle Bruce. Even if it was just a kiss on the cheek, that might say something."

Their eyes darted over to their parents back and forth and were only thinking of one thing. 

Allie twirled the glass in her fingers, sighing, "I hope you're right, James. Because I don't think I could ever imagine a world where those two aren't together."

  —————————————————————————————  

After the game, most of the team had excused themselves to call it a night. 

As the others hung lazily over the couch, obviously having drunk too much, one of their fellow teammates stood out among them. He was staring at the city view through the glass panes, his hands clasped together, as a disturbed expression settled on his face.

He took a sip of his drink, despite knowing that he can't get drunk no matter how much he takes in.

The captain was still busy watching the view when a feminine voice hung out in the air, "Steve?" He whipped his head to see Natasha with a jacket draped over her shoulders — Bruce's jacket.

There it is again. That feeling. Steve felt something tug at his stomach at the thought of it. It made him feel worse than he is.

"Hey, Nat." he said weakly. "Still not tired?"

"I could ask you the same thing. You seemed pretty down even before the game started."

Natasha looked at him curiously, allowing him to sort out his thoughts before pulling the jacket closer and taking a seat beside him.

He faced her sideways, while she tilted her head questioningly.

"It's nothing."

"It doesn't seem like nothing."

Steve had to suppress a groan. 

Why did she have to know him so well? I mean, Sharon knows when he's troubled or disturbed too but that's already given since she's supposed to know because she is—in fact, his girlfriend after all.

But Natasha... she can read his face. Sometimes, his mind even. That's how close they've gotten over the past years. And how well she's gotten to know him.

When silence stretched between the two, Steve put down the bottle and pressed his lips. He ran a hand through his sandy-blonde hair.

"Sharon and I had a fight," he said.

A frown settled on her face, "Is that why she didn't come?"

"Most likely," he mumbled.

"What happened?"

"She asked me to dance."

Natasha paused for a moment, then asked, "When?"

"This morning. She was trying to teach me for the big party that Tony told us about. Oh, and that you also told me about."

"Right, that. So, what happened?"

"I told her that I was really bad at this but she insisted on teaching me. And of course, I couldn't say no to her. And—yeah, she tried to teach me but like I expected I just kept stepping on her toes. I did think she was trying to tell me something but I was too focused on not hurting her feet again. But she thought my attention was obviously somewhere else. She went straight to her room and shut me out."

"Oh," Natasha said sympathetically, "I'm—"

"Don't even say you're sorry because it's not your fault," Steve interjected, softly.

She sighed, "Was she mad at you?"

"Yes. She thinks I'm not paying any attention to her this past couple of days. That I'd rather do other things than spend time with her."

"That's not true."

"I was supposed to meet her after our meeting but I forgot. That's one proof." Steve turned to her, a sad look engulfing his handsome face, "I suck at being a boyfriend don't I?"

"No," she shook her head slowly, "No, you most definitely don't."

"You're just saying that," he said, quietly, "Sharon's the first girl I ever had a relationship with. And it seems like I'm just messing everything up. I don't know if it's the cause of my old-fashioned morals or something... or I'm just a really terrible boyfriend."

"But you're not a terrible boyfriend, Steve. Sharon's just probably upset when she said that. It's all in the heat of the moment."

"But I can't help but think there's some truth to what she told me."

"Listen, Steve," she reached out to lay a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You can't give all of your time to her because you have a life too. Sharon needs to understand that. Especially since she knows you have a lot of responsibilities to take care of. You have your friends to talk to and she has hers. What's important is that you let her know that you're always going to be there for her despite being busy."

"I am trying... I'm trying my best to be what she wants me to be." 

"Just be yourself." Natasha squeezed his shoulder, making him look at her.

Steve offered a weak smile, "Guess Steve Rogers really is a clueless dork when it comes to girls."

"Oh, I don't know about that..." Natasha said, looking at the breathtaking view in front of them. "Besides, chicks dig dorks."

Steve let out a humorless laugh.

She attempted to cheer him up one more time, "If he is though, how come girls keep on chasing him?"

"They want Captain America. Not Steve.

"Well, they must be blind then."

Steve's gaze snapped to hers, startled at her declaration.

She didn't look his way—instead, kept her eyes trained on the view in front of her while a sincere smile lingered on her pretty face.

"Because I'd always choose Steve Rogers over Captain America in a heartbeat."

She met his eyes.

"Always."

Steve felt his heart stop.

Then started to thump louder and faster than before. Dug Dug. Dug Dug.

As the moonlight shone above them—dancing on her red streaks, lighting her soft skin, and radiating her pink lips. 

She was glowing. 

She was beaming. 

She was shining.

And Steve wanted nothing more than to reach out and graze his finger over her bottom lip—he suddenly wondered how would it feel against his own this time.

Yet she seemed to be oblivious to what she was making him feel. To what she was making his heart do. 

Steve simply stared at her absentmindedly—her beauty leaving him awe-struck.

He could hear nothing more than the loud thumping of his heart—his heart calling out her name.

And now... Steve wondered whether that was the night he'd first started to fall in love with her...

  ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ END OF CHAPTER ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬  

Your thoughts on this chapter? Especially the ending! <3

It's just a short chapter :) And I would appreciate it if you'd leave comments.