Chapter Text
Natasha gracefully navigates the sea of tuxedoes and evening gowns at the Avengers charity event. Her keen eyes observes every detail, assessing the crowd with a practiced subtlety. With a glass of champagne in hand, she blends into the opulent surroundings, her movements calculated and precise.
As the night unfolds, she finds herself drawn to the extravagance that surrounds her. She watches the attendees, their laughter echoing against the grand walls of the venue, and can’t help but marvel at their seemingly carefree lives. The air is thick with affluence and for a moment, she allows herself to wonder what it would be like to live such a life.
Sipping her no doubt overly priced champagne, she observes the pretentious gestures and exchanged pleasantries with a diplomatic smile. Yet, underneath her composed exterior, she remains the vigilant spy, always attuned to the subtle nuances of those around her. She moves through the crowd like a shadow, a silent observer in the midst of the festive chaos.
The contrast between her world and theirs is stark; the Avengers, often burdened by the weight of the world, standing alongside those whose biggest concerns seem to be which charity to support. Natasha envies the simplicity of their lives, their ability to embrace the luxury without the constant threat of impending danger.
Her gaze lingers on a group of socialites, their laughter resonating like a melody. For a moment, she imagines what it would be like to trade her dual life for one filled with soirées and society events. The fantasy, however, is fleeting, replaced by the reality of her duty and the knowledge that her world demanded sacrifices far beyond the reach of glamour.
“Hey, stranger”
Natasha turns to her left to see her teammate in an off the shoulder black dress that matches her hair. “Hey yourself”
Hope lowers her glass containing some champagne. “Who are you waiting for?”
Natasha not-so-subtly straightens her posture, brows furrowed in mild annoyance at the implication. “I’m not waiting for anyone”
Tony comes between them and throws his arms around the both of them. “Madames. What are we talking about?”
A blonde wearing a light blue jumpsuit comes up to them. “Tony, if you don’t take your hands off my girlfriend in the next five seconds, you won’t have hands” She says before poking his arm with a toothpick from one of the appetizers.
Tony retracts his arms and shakes his ‘injured’ hand. “How absolutely dare you?”
Sharon smirks victoriously as she wraps an arm around Hope’s waist. She greets her with a chaste kiss on the lips, mindful not to ruin her lipstick. “You look beautiful”
Hope smiles at her.
“So,” Natasha interjects, “smaller Carter,” She adds, indulging in the way Sharon’s eyes narrowed for a split second at the nickname, “I heard you had an interesting mission in Bangkok. How did that go?”
Before Sharon can respond, Hope puts a hand on her chest to stop her. “Don’t answer that. Natasha’s just trying to avoid answering my question”
Tony calls the bartender with a hand gesture. “Which was..?”
“I asked who she was waiting for”
“Which is no one” Natasha says, the frustration in her tone evident. “I was just standing here and Hope jumped to conclusions”
Sharon tilts her head to the side. “If she was just jumping to conclusions then why is it getting you so worked up?”
Natasha looks at her with a blank expression.
Her gaze averts to the crowd gasping in awe.
In all her six foot five glory, Peggy makes her way through the sea of well-dressed attendees with a warm smile. She wears a thin-strapped deep red dress that not only leaves her muscled arms bare, but also accentuates her generous curves as well as outlining her abdomen. The dress also contains a thigh slit. Her hair is as pristine and perfect as ever as the chocolate waves frames her face.
She makes her way over to the group and smiles. “Hello, ladies. And Tony”
“Damn” Hope and Tony exclaim in unison.
Natasha curls her fingers around her glass’ stem as her jaw sets in an angry line.
“Hi, Aunt Peg” Sharon says before breaking away from her girlfriend in order to hug her aunt. “You look amazing” She compliments as they let go of one another.
Peggy smiles. “Thank you, darling”
Her eyes find Natasha who stares at her with something she can’t quite decipher.
Oblivious as always, Tony claps his hands together. “Maximus, a round of shot for the Avengers” He gestures to Sharon, “and co, por favor. Hold on, let me call Robin Hood”
“No need” Clint says, appearing out of seemingly nowhere.
Tony puts a hand on his chest, feigning dramatics. “Keep doing that and I’ll be sure to get a heart attack one of these days. I’m getting you and Romanoff each a bell for Christmas”
They all take a shot glass when it’s put on the bartop for them.
Tony is the first to raise his. “To saving New York and all the rats that will soon overtake it!”
Some chuckle, some roll their eyes, fondly.
Peggy holds her glass out in front of her and smiles. “To overcoming the impossible”
“To overcoming the impossible” The rest repeat aside from Tony who narrows his eyes.
“So, nothing for my toast?”
“Nope” Hope answers, popping the ‘p’ before downing her shot and making a sour face.
The rest mirror her and they all make a similar face except for Peggy and Natasha.
Tony reaches into his blazer’s inner pocket. “Almost forgot” He takes out a three inch vial containing a clear liquid and holds it out to Peggy. “Here you go, Cap. Wouldn’t want you to miss out on all the fun tonight”
Natasha watches Peggy observe the vial.
“What is it?”
“Five hundred percent proof alcohol. Not safe for human consumption by the way”
Natasha takes the extra shot she asked the bartender. Again, with a straight face. “Except if said human is a super soldier”
Tony points at her.
Peggy blinks, surprised. “Wow, Tony. I don’t know what to say. Thank you”
“Thank me by having a proper shot with us”
“Way ahead of you” Clint says after calling over the bartender and gesturing for another round of shots. “So, between buzzed and shitfaced, how drunk is this thing gonna get her?”
“Yeah, Tony. The last thing people need to see is Captain Carter, my aunt, drunk off her ass”
“Haveth thou no faith? She’ll be fine. That vial is the equivalent of like three tequila shots. Speaking of shots,”
They all take a glass from the bartop,
“To saving the world!”
“To saving the world” The rest repeat before downing their glasses and setting them down.
Smiling, Sharon holds out her hand to Hope who takes it and chuckles when she’s spun around on her way to the dance floor.
Tony throws an arm around Clint. “So, about my ideas for your arrow-“
“My perfectly good arrows, you mean?”
“I wouldn’t say ‘good’ just yet. How about..”
Their voices become less audible once they walk out of earshot.
Natasha takes Peggy’s hand and drags her away from prying eyes.