C88 Time After Time

C88 Time After Time

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As Natasha braced to make a painful decision, a familiar voice echoed through the garage, cutting through the tension like a sharp blade. "You promise what's for the best?"

Natasha and Melina both spun around, weapons instinctively raised, only for Natasha to lower hers at the sight of Peter and Peggy stepping into the light. The confusion and bewilderment on her face was unmistakable; she hadn't expected Peter appear so suddenly.

Peter, with his characteristic smirk, looked at Peggy, who was clearly surprised. "See, I told you they were here," he said, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement.

"But how did you know that?" Peggy asked, her curiosity piqued.

"The Force," Peter replied nonchalantly, the smirk widening as he enjoyed the mystique he’d fabricated around his supposed powers.

Peggy shook her head, her expression a mix of amusement and annoyance. "Right, the Force. One day you'll have to actually explain that to me."

Turning back to the two women, Peter’s tone shifted from playful to serious. "So, what’s going on here? What’s for the best again?"

Natasha, caught off guard and unable to meet Peter's gaze, hesitated. "I... I need to leave," she said quietly, her voice tinged with a reluctance she couldn’t mask.

"Why? Did something come up?" Peter probed further, his eyebrows raised.

Before Natasha could respond, Melina interjected, her weapon still trained on Peter. "It's none of your business, boy. I suggest you leave before I put a bullet in your head, and trust me, I really don’t want to do that—not when my daughter seems so smitten with you~” She teased, hoping for a reaction from Peter, though it never came.

On the other hand, Natasha flinched at her mother's words, both embarrassed and upset, the last thing she wanted was for Peter to know about her twisted family ties.

Ignoring the gun aimed at him, Peter turned to Natasha, his tone light. "So, that’s your mother, huh? I think I’m starting to see where you got your looks from."

The comment caught Melina off guard, her stern facade softening as she noticed Natasha's cheeks tinting with a blush. The seasoned Black Widow was momentarily speechless, her weapon lowering slightly as the realization hit her—her daughter might actually be in love.

On the sidelines, Peggy watched the unfolding drama with a growing interest. She might not know all the details, but it was clear to her that she was witnessing a tale straight out of a romance novel—the very genre she adored in secret.

Not many knew, but after losing the man she loved in World War II, Peggy had never found love again, refusing to settle for anyone but him. So, without the personal drama of romance in her own life, she had turned to romance novels, finding solace and excitement in their pages.

Lost in her thoughts, Peggy’s face flushed as she imagined Peter and Natasha as the protagonists of her favorite novel ‘Deadly Desires: Love Undercover.’

As her mind wandered, she couldn’t help but muse to herself about the title’s alternate, cheekier title, ‘Deadly Desires: Love Under the Covers,’ which was very apt, as the book was practically a porno.

As Peggy giggled softly to herself, lost in the imaginary world of espionage romance novels, Peter glanced at her with a quizzical eyebrow raised. ‘What the hell’s wrong with her?’ He shook his head slightly, focusing back on the pressing matter at hand—Natasha's imminent departure.

"Natasha," Peter started, his voice firm yet infused with concern, "if you're in trouble, or if there's something going on, I can help."

Natasha shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze. "Peter, I appreciate it, but I can handle it myself," she replied, her tone resolute yet tinged with a hint of sadness.

“You say that, but we both remember how things went the night we met. You couldn’t exactly handle it yourself, could you?” Peter stepped closer, his features softening. "Besides, you don’t have to do everything alone, you know. I know we haven’t known each other for long, but whatever it is, I'm here."

Natasha shook her head, more forcefully this time. "It's not just about handling it, Peter. It’s... complicated. My life isn’t just mine; it’s tangled up with obligations." She paused, her voice barely above a whisper. "Now, please step aside and let me go...”

Feeling annoyed at her refusal, Peter crossed his arms and stubbornly replies, “Make me...”

Natasha's brow furrowed, aware that if Peter chose to, he could easily overpower both her and Melina, so fighting wasn’t exactly an option here.

But unfortunately, her mother was oblivious to this fact. And after a tense pause, Melina's patience finally snapped. With a swift motion, she raised her gun and fired at Peter’s feet, the bullet striking the concrete with a loud crack. “Look, kid. Step aside, or the next one goes in your leg,” she threatened, her eyes narrowing.

Peter didn’t flinch at the shot, his calm demeanor both impressing and surprising Melina. ‘He’s not your average boy...’ she concluded as he held Natasha’s gaze, silently pleading for her to accept his help, to trust him.

Natasha simply looked away, and with quick steps, she closed the distance between herself and her mother. Reaching out, she snatched the gun from Melina’s hand with an assertive grip. “This is for your own good,” Natasha said firmly, as her mother started to protest.

A song began to play, the singer’s voice mournful and hauntingly beautiful. The lyrics spoke of lost love and the pain of leaving, mirroring the ache in Natasha’s heart so precisely that her defenses began to crumble.

Play Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper

Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you

Caught up in circles

Confusion is nothing new

Flashback, warm nights

Almost left behind

Suitcase of memories

Time after

Sometimes you picture me

I'm walking too far ahead

You're calling to me, I can't hear

What you've said

Then you say, "go slow"

And I fall behind

The second hand unwinds

If you're lost you can look and you will find me

Time after time

If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting

Time after time

If you're lost, you can look and you will find me

Time after time

If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting

Time after time

...

Natasha’s breath hitched, and another tear rolled down her cheek. Melina flinched at the sight, her hand moving to turn off the radio. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"

"No, leave it," Natasha interrupted, her voice breaking slightly. "Just leave it on."

Melina obeyed, her heart aching as she listened to the song alongside her daughter, whom she loved but couldn’t comfort.

After my picture fades and darkness has

Turned to gray

Watching through windows

You're wondering if I'm okay

Secrets stolen from deep inside (deep inside)

And the drum beats out of time

If you're lost you can look and you will find me

Time after time

If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting

Time after time

...

..

.

As the song played, the words weaving through the car like threads of sorrow, Natasha’s mind wandered back to Peter, tears streaming down her face. His cocky smile, his earnestness, and even the way he would infuriate her with his teasing... She missed all of it...

Beside her, Melina drove on, her eyes moist as she focused on the road ahead. There was nothing more to say, nothing more to do but head back to the Red Room...

A/N: 2295 words :)