Collaboration with Gummybear1178 !!!!
Prompt: Steve and Natasha's reunion before Infinity War

Steve was sitting at the small table in the motel with Sam, who was currently watching the news, but Steve couldn't find himself able to focus on whatever was going on on the TV, his mind was on more... pressing matters. It's been about nine months of being on the run from the government and Steve found himself losing the ability to stay hidden.

Sure Sam was great company, but he couldn't help but miss everyone that he used to live only doors away from at the Avengers compound. Not having a place to call home anymore is painful and starts taking a toll on a person after a while. He felt like something was missing, but he couldn't quite place his finger on what was missing.

"Look, man," Sam said getting the attention of the worrisome soldier. Steve looked up and noticed the news was once again talking about the Avengers.

"Turn it up," Steve said and Sam turned it up so he could hear.

"While the government is searching for Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, and Wanda Maximoff, they have recently announced their search for another member of the Avengers group. Ex Shield Agent and spy, Natasha Romanoff, is now placed on America's most-wanted list. Any information regarding the spy is to be told to local authorities. She is charged with conspiracy against the United States and treason."

"Do you think it's because she let you and Barnes go?" Sam asked shutting the TV off.

"I have no clue," He sighed and rubbed his hands over his face, a sure sign of stress. "I can't help but blame myself for this. What if she's in trouble?"

"She is in trouble man, we all are. But as much as I like Romanoff we don't have the luxury to worry about her, we have to worry about us, and if I know her, she can handle herself." Sam put his hand on Steve's shoulder. "She'll be fine man, now come on let's get something to eat. I am starving." Steve could only hope that was true, what if she was in danger? Why did he care so much about her when he was in such trouble? If only life wasn't so complicated and he could just call her up and make sure she's okay. Sam was right they just didn't have the luxury anymore, But that won't stop Steve from thinking about every possible outcome that could occur from this and all possible danger she was in. But he had to have hope she was okay.

They donned their disguises, a baseball cap, and some sunglasses, and made their way down the street to a hole in the wall sandwich shop they had come to love in their short time here. As Steve walked, a stranger brushed shoulders with him, something about her made him stop for a moment, but no, he thought, it couldn't be her, he would know her red locks anywhere and the lady who had bumped into him was bleach blonde. He shook his head before catching up to Sam.

"On your left."

"Dude, no. You fell behind me, that only works when you pass me by more than a lap. What made you stop anyway?" Sam asked, "Cute girl?"

"No, I just got distracted a second. I'm worried about Natasha."

"She can handle herself, you've seen her work first hand."

"I know, but... I just... I don't know man. I was so used to her being around all the time, and she was the one who helped me adjust to the modern world. She kind of became my anchor in this ever-changing world."

"Dude, you literally sound like a philosopher, but really, you obviously like her."

"Of course I like her, she was my partner for years. She was my best friend." Steve said rather loud and defensively.

"Hey man, I am standing right here. I'm just kidding, but no really, you like like her, and I don't mean just like a friend, or even a best friend, more like... a girlfriend."

"No, she likes Banner anyway."

"You mean the guy that left her? And has been missing for years? That's not a relationship Steve, that's a mess."

"I still don't like her man, plus she tried to set me up with just about every woman in sight for years."

"Let me guess, her own name was never on the list."

"No, because she doesn't like me and I don't like her."

"Whatever you say man, but I think she tried to set you up with everyone else so that she could ignore her feelings for you."

Steve shook his head as they walked up to order their food. Steve knew deep down that Natasha didn't like him, at least that was what he had grown to know. Sure he had a crush on her, it was Natasha Romanoff, how could he not? She was smart, incredibly smart, she always could correct anyone, it was especially impressive when she corrected Nick, she was also very funny. Steve could remember those days when he came back from a tough mission and was just depressed, she was able to pull him out of that with one of her witty comments. She was also one of the few people able to leave Steve speechless, whether it was her actions on the field or her incredible kindness to shy children coming up to her when they were out for a walk. Not to mention she was beautiful, her red hair was stunning, and it just made her eyes pop. Steve loved it when she wore her hair down, it made him go crazy. But of course, it was a simple crush. Right? People have those kinds of thoughts about crushed. He was sure of it.

"So any clue where we are going next?" Sam asked once they sat down at a corner booth, away from prying eyes and sandwiches in hand.

"No, not yet." Steve had no clue what he was doing, it was time likes this where he wished Natasha was around. He sighed and looked out the window when something caught his eyes. It was the woman from earlier. She was standing across the street talking on a telephone booth, that was surprisingly still working.

There was something about her, something drawing him to her.
"Hey, Sam I am going to go make a call."

"A call? To who?" Sam asked.

"Bucky," he answered a little too fast. "I'll be back." He quickly left before Sam could ask him any more questions.

As he got closer, Steve realized that the mysterious woman looked even more familiar, but no he was just imagining that. Then he saw her eyes, as she lifted her sunglasses off, he would recognize those eyes anywhere.

"Hey, Nat." He said, really hoping he wasn't imagining those gorgeous emerald eyes.

"Hey, Rogers wondered when you would figure it out. You're slipping." She said with a smirk that drove him insane.

"You always were better at espionage."

"Well, I am the master, and your teacher," she said rolling her eyes.

"Well, clearly I need more lessons. Think you could help me with that?"

"So Steve, how's that call going?" Sam asks walking up behind Steve startling.

"Hey Sam."

"Hey, Romanoff how've you been?" Sam asked, realizing what Steve had seen.

"Oh you know, on the run, hiding from a few dozen governments, the usual." She smirked. "I heard a small rumor that someone spotted Captain America in a small town eating a sub sandwich, figured if I knew even a little bit you'd still be here."

"Why not just say hi right away?" Sam asked. "You really have to go and mess with his mind? He's an old man, you can damage his mind." Natasha laughed.

"I didn't know if we were...on the same page." She sighed. "Maybe we should go somewhere else to talk...somewhere not as open?" Steve nodded and suggested they head back to their motel. Sam opted out saying he had to go get some supplies, they planned on leaving in two days and still needed some stuff before they left. Steve also figured there was something else to him leaving so abruptly, but he didn't question it, it was probably best not to know what was going on in Sam's mind.

Steve took her back to the motel, neither had spoken a word on the walk over there. It was odd, it used to be so easy to talk to one another, now they couldn't even say a word to one another.

"New hair?" Steve asked trying to break the silence one they got to his and Sam's room.

"Well I can't very well hide from the government with bright red hair now can I?" she asked with a smirk. "Nice place you got here, I am sure it attracts all the ladies."

"No, I figured I'd save all this loveliness for you," He answered with a smirk of his own, as things finally began feeling 'normal' between them.

"I am flattered. I mean look at this, you have a room with windows, and a roof, that's more than I have had in the last few months." She admitted to making Steve frown.

"Nat, how long have you been on the run?"

"Since you left Tony," She answered. "But it's fine, I know this sort of life"

"You shouldn't have to be going through this, it's all my fault." He said remorsefully. "I am sorry. You had everything you have ever wanted and I just took that all away."

"Don't blame yourself Steve. I don't blame you. You shouldn't either. It is what it is."

"But you've lived this life before, and you should have to live it again. You never should have had to have lived it."

"Seriously Steve, it's fine. I grew up learning how to live this life; it's an easy thing to fall back into. Anyways, how've you been? Met any cute girls?"

"Well, doing as well as I can be, Bucky is off in Wakanda where they are helping him and taking out the programming, and Sam and I've managed."

"You didn't answer my question about the girls." Natasha pointed out with a smirk.

"Well, that's because my answer is still the same: I'm too busy, and I am waiting on the right partner."

"Steve, you've been waiting over a hundred years, are you sure your standards aren't too high? I don't want you to still be alone when you actually turn into a fossil."

"I think my standards are at just the right height."

"So, you've got a girl in mind? Is it Sharon?"

"No, she was never on your list."

"Who could I have missed? I'm pretty sure I covered everyone that was good enough for you."

"Nope, you missed the best girl." Steve said with a large smile as he stepped closer to her.

"I can't take this anymore! He's talking about you Natasha!" Sam shouted jumping out from behind the bush he had been sitting behind and spilling the popcorn he had been eating, "You know, for being such a great spy, you sure can be oblivious sometimes."

"I thought you went shopping?" Steve asked, trying to ignore what Sam said, with a lot of blush on his face.

"Nah, I just went to go get popcorn for this show."

Natasha stood there shocked for a moment, a very rare thing for the great Black Widow, before looking at Steve,

"Is that true?"

"I mean yeah, I just didn't know how to-" Steve was cut-off by a sudden movement as her lips crashed against his.

"So, I take that as you like me too?" Steve asked with a huge smile on his face.

"Shut-up, we both know we communicate better with actions, not words," Natasha said as her lips crashed once more on to his lips.

"And I got the best seats in the house to this once in a lifetime event, and it's all on camera," Sam said, continuing to snack on his popcorn. Steve was in complete shock at the moment. The moment she first connected her lips to his own, all those feelings he tried hiding away came out and there was no longer any way of hiding them.

"Come with us." He muttered as she pulled away.

"What?" she asked.

"I will not be away from you any longer. Come with us." She looked at him with a shocked expression, but that soon turned into her signature smirk.

"Fine you two need all the help you can get." She replied wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. "Besides I have to keep all those women away from my man."

"Ooo she's protective," Sam said throwing some more popcorn in his mouth. "Barnes is going to die when I tell him what's going on here."

"You're gonna die if you don't leave," Natasha said sending a glare towards her friend. Steve laughed as Sam's eye's widened and he slowly exited the room. Natasha turned her attention back to Steve who was smiling at her.

"I'm so glad I found you."

"If this is what happens when going on the run, I would gladly do it all over again." Sure their relationship didn't start in the most conventional way, but since when did they like to do things the way everyone else did? This was more their style. 

This is my Collab and I think it went so well! what do you guys think? Please leave a review and vote!

Xo- Sierrea