Chapter Text
A week had passed by and Natasha had only seen Steve once since their psychology lesson. He had been out running so she felt like she couldn’t interrupt that simply to talk to him.
She entered a coffee shop to get a morning coffee. It was Saturday so she didn’t have classes, and after her hectic week, she felt the need to be a little nice to herself, and that started with some coffee from a proper coffee shop.
“Natasha? Hi,” She heard a voice from behind her. She turned and saw Steve standing behind her. He was wearing black sweatpants and a white t-shirt. A gym bag was draped over his shoulder.
“Hi, Steve. How have the first week here been?” She asked and even though she was a few people ahead of him in the line, she walked back to stand beside him.
Steve smiled warmly, his blue eyes sparkling with genuine interest. “It’s been great, actually! I’ve been getting into a routine with my classes and the football practices. Everyone’s been really welcoming.”
Natasha nodded, intrigued by his enthusiasm. “That’s good to hear. Are you adjusting to the campus life?”
“Yeah, pretty much. I still get lost sometimes, though. It’s a big place,” he admitted with a chuckle. “But I’m figuring it out.” He glanced at the menu board. “What are you getting?”
“Just a black coffee,” Natasha replied, glancing at the board. “I like to keep it simple. What about you?”
“Probably a protein shake,” he said, gesturing to his gym bag. “I’m headed to training and need something light in my belly,”
“You say that like it is a planned session? There isn’t football training in the weekends,” Natasha noted. The line moved forward, and they both shuffled a bit closer to the counter. Steve turned slightly, leaning against the wall.
“I’m actually not only training football and weightlifting,” Steve replied, while not really giving her an answer.
“Last time we talked about you being so open, now you’ve done a complete one-eighty on me. What happened?” Natasha asked with an eyebrow raised. Steve sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. He looked really uncomfortable now. “Steve you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I’m just surprised. Everyone has secrets,”
“I’m training mixed martial arts,”
Natasha's curiosity piqued at his admission. “Mixed martial arts? That’s impressive! What got you into that?”
“That’s kind of personal, so I won’t get into that. Yet. But it’s a great outlet for me. Especially knowing I am capable if anything should happen,” Steve said. His tone was firm, so she knew she shouldn’t press it.
“Yeah, I get that. We don’t know each other that well, so maybe in the future I will be privileged to know it,” Natasha said with a smile. She placed her hand on his forearm, letting him know she didn’t feel like he was turning her down.
“Yeah, that is possible. A step in the right direction could be that coffee date we talked about the other day,” Steve said suggestively with his kind smile. Natasha smiled and felt her heart skip a beat. The last time they hadn’t used the word date, but it made her feel all giddy that he chose to use that word.
“Yeah, I’d like that. When do you wanna go?” Natasha replied, trying to keep her excitement down. They ordered their coffee and shake.
“Tomorrow. I don’t have anything other than homework on the schedule,” Steve suggested with a smile.
“That sounds perfect,” They were handed their order and while Natasha was fishing her card out of her handbag, Steve was quick to pay for her coffee too. She looked up at him with her eyebrow raised and a smirk on her lips. “Well, thank you, Steve,”
“You’re welcome,” Steve smiled and they walked outside the café together. “I’ll see you tomorrow then,"
“I’m looking forward to it,”
Natasha walked into the apartment, the warmth of her interaction at the coffee shop still buzzing in her veins. She kicked off her shoes and tossed her bag onto the nearby couch, a huge grin plastered on her face.
“Hey, you’re back early!” Maria called from the living room, where she was sprawled out on the couch, surrounded by textbooks and notes. “How was your coffee run?”
“Better than I expected,” Natasha replied, moving toward the kitchen to grab a glass of water. “You’ll never guess who I ran into.”
“Let me guess—someone hot?” Maria teased, sitting up and raising an eyebrow.
“Very hot,” Natasha confirmed with a smirk, pouring herself a glass of water. She leaned against the counter, savoring the moment before revealing more.
“Okay, spill! Who is it?” Pepper called from the kitchen, where she was rinsing off a mixing bowl. Her curiosity was evident as she wiped her hands on a towel.
“Steve Rogers,” Natasha said, unable to hide her excitement.
“Steve Rogers? The football player?” Maria exclaimed, her eyes wide. “Wow! What happened?”
“He asked me to go out for coffee tomorrow,” Natasha replied, trying to play it cool, but the thrill of the invitation bubbled to the surface.
“No way! A coffee date? That’s huge!” Maria jumped up from the couch, excitement evident in her movements. “What are you going to wear? This calls for an outfit change!”
Natasha laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t know! I was just going to wear something casual. It’s just coffee, right?”
“Casual? No way! You need to impress him!” Maria insisted, bouncing on her feet. “What do you think, Pepper?”
“I think Natasha should wear whatever makes her feel confident,” Pepper said, walking over with a smile. “If that’s a simple outfit, then so be it. But if you want to add a little flair, go for it!”
“Maybe I should wear that cute red dress I have,” Natasha mused, remembering the dress hanging in her closet. “It’s cute and comfortable.”
“Yes! Do it! Just don’t overthink it, okay?” Maria urged, her enthusiasm infectious. “So, how did he ask you? Did he seem nervous?”
“He seemed genuine and relaxed,” Natasha replied, a dreamy smile forming on her lips. “We talked about our classes and his training. He even opened up about doing mixed martial arts.”
“Mixed martial arts? Look at him go!” Maria said, a playful glint in her eye. “Seems like a perfect match for you—tough guy with a sweet side.”
Natasha chuckled, feeling a warmth in her chest. “Yeah, I think he’s really great.”
Pepper crossed her arms, a teasing smile on her face. “So, what’s your plan for the date? Just coffee, or are you going to do something fun afterward?”
“Maybe we could walk around campus or grab a bite to eat after,” Natasha suggested. “I want to keep it low-key and not put too much pressure on either of us.”
“That sounds perfect. Just let it flow,” Pepper encouraged, placing a hand on Natasha’s shoulder. “You’ve got this!”
“Thanks, guys,” Natasha said, feeling grateful for their support. “I’ll definitely keep you updated.”
“Definitely! We need to hear all about your date,” Maria said, plopping back down on the couch. “And don’t forget to ask him about that secret of his.”
Natasha rolled her eyes playfully. “I won’t forget. I promise!”
As Natasha poured herself another glass of water, Maria flopped back onto the couch, her excitement still palpable.
“Okay, enough about my coffee date! What about you, Pepper? How’s it going with Tony?” Natasha asked, turning the conversation to her friend.
Pepper paused, a small smile creeping onto her face. “It’s good. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, but you know how he is—always buried in his schoolwork.”
“Yeah, I can’t believe how much he has on his plate,” Maria chimed in, rolling her eyes playfully. “He’s got to be the only genius I know who makes studying look so exhausting.”
Pepper laughed, shaking her head. “It can be a bit much, but he does try to make time for us. Just the other day, I came home late from class, and he had made dinner. It was a simple pasta dish, but he actually cooked it himself.”
“Wow, that’s impressive! I didn’t know he could cook,” Maria said, raising her eyebrows in surprise. “What’s his secret? Does he have a cooking bot in the kitchen or something?”
“Surprisingly, no cooking bots,” Pepper chuckled. “He just looked up a recipe online and decided to try it. And you know what? It was actually good! I think he’s been trying to make an effort, especially since we’ve both been so busy lately.”
Natasha grinned, admiring Pepper's look of affection. “That sounds really sweet. It’s nice to see that he’s putting in the effort. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to show someone you care.”
“Exactly!” Pepper agreed, her eyes shining. “I think he just needs to feel that he can balance both school and us.”
Maria leaned in closer, a mischievous glint in her eye. “So, is it serious? Are we talking ‘meet the parents’ serious, or more like ‘just having fun’ serious?”
Pepper bit her lip, contemplating. “I think it’s heading in that direction. We’ve talked about it, and I can see a future with him. But it’s complicated—his life is chaotic, and I don’t want to pressure him.”
Natasha nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense. Relationships can be tricky, especially when you both have so much going on. It’s good that you’re both communicating.”
“Right? And I really do care about him,” Pepper said, her smile returning. “Even if he does drive me crazy sometimes.”
Maria snickered. “That’s just part of the charm! Plus, you need that balance. It keeps things exciting.”
“Exciting, huh? More like exhausting,” Pepper joked, rolling her eyes again. “But it’s worth it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Natasha felt a pang of warmth at Pepper's words. It reminded her of her budding relationship with Steve and the excitement it could bring. “You’re lucky to have that with him, Pepper. I hope to have something like that one day.”
“You will, Nat. Just keep being your amazing self,” Pepper encouraged. “And remember, it’s all about finding the right person who appreciates you for who you are.”
Maria chimed in, “Yeah! And hey, if we’re both single, we can always be wingwomen for each other! That’s what friends are for.”
Natasha laughed, feeling grateful for her friends’ support. “Thanks, you guys. Here’s to coffee dates and finding the right guys!”
As they clinked their glasses together in a toast, Natasha felt a sense of comfort wash over her. Surrounded by friends who understood her, she knew she was ready to embrace whatever came next.
The gym was mostly empty when Steve arrived, save for a few early risers lifting weights in the corner. He liked it that way—quiet, focused. It was Saturday, and while most of the campus was still sleeping in, he preferred to spend his mornings pushing himself to the limit.
Dressed in his black workout shorts and a plain white t-shirt, Steve dropped his gym bag near the corner of the mat, rolling his shoulders to loosen up. He could feel the familiar tightness in his muscles, the slight ache from the intense week of training. Football practice, weightlifting, and now this—mixed martial arts. It was all part of a routine that helped him stay grounded, stay ready.
He slid his hands into the wraps, pulling them tight around his knuckles. His trainer, a former professional fighter named Marcus, approached with a nod of approval. “Ready for another round?”
Steve nodded, his expression serious. “Always.”
They began with some basic warm-ups—shadow boxing, a few sets of push-ups, and stretches. But Steve’s mind was already on the session ahead. Mixed martial arts wasn’t just about physical strength. It was about precision, discipline, and control. That’s why he had been drawn to it. It was the mental challenge, the way every move had to be calculated, every reaction sharp. It reminded him of the battles he fought on the football field, only here, it was all on him.
“Alright, let’s get into some grappling today,” Marcus said as they moved to the center of the mat. “We’ll focus on transitions and submissions. Think quick. You’re strong, Rogers, but I want you to rely more on technique this time.”
Steve nodded, his gaze sharp. Marcus had been pushing him to develop his technique, to rely less on his raw power and more on his agility and precision. Steve liked that—it was a reminder that no matter how strong he was, there was always room to improve.
The session kicked into gear, and Steve found himself grappling with Marcus, both of them locked in a dance of skill and force. Marcus was smaller than Steve but faster, his movements fluid as he maneuvered out of Steve’s holds. Steve gritted his teeth, reminding himself to stay focused. He couldn’t rely solely on his strength to win.
In the blink of an eye, Marcus shifted his weight, attempting a leg lock. But Steve had been ready, countering with a quick twist of his hips and flipping Marcus over onto the mat. He went for the armbar, trying to force a submission. Marcus grunted, impressed by the move, but wriggled free just in time, rolling away and back onto his feet.
“Nice try,” Marcus said, breathing heavily. “You’re getting faster.”
Steve wiped the sweat from his brow, nodding as he straightened up. “Thanks. But I still need to be quicker.”
“You’re improving, though. Just don’t let your size fool you. Keep working on your footwork and transitions, and you’ll be a beast in no time.”
They sparred for another hour, Steve absorbing every bit of instruction. Marcus would demonstrate, and Steve would follow, pushing himself to adapt to the new techniques. It wasn’t easy, but Steve liked that—it meant he had to keep pushing, keep learning. That was the only way he knew how to improve.
After the session ended, Steve leaned against the wall, catching his breath. He felt the familiar burn in his muscles, the dull ache of exhaustion setting in. But it was a good feeling—it meant he was making progress.
As Marcus packed up his gear, he glanced over at Steve. “So, what’s next for you today?”
“Homework,” Steve replied with a smirk. “And then, I’ve got a coffee date tomorrow.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “Coffee date? With anyone special?”
Steve chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Maybe. We’ll see.”
“Don’t let her kick your ass the way I do,” Marcus joked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Steve laughed, shaking his head. “I’ll try not to.”
As Marcus left the gym, Steve lingered a moment longer, looking around the empty space. Training was more than just a way to stay fit for football or self-defense—it was an outlet for everything he couldn’t always say out loud. It helped him clear his mind, helped him find focus.
And as he thought about Natasha and their upcoming coffee date, Steve wondered if opening up to her might be another kind of training—something different, but just as necessary.
With that thought in mind, he grabbed his gym bag and headed out, feeling ready for whatever came next.