Chapter 33

In the kitchen Morgan got a huge pot and I brought milk, a few chocolate bars and cocoa powder to the stove. "Let me help you sweetie" I said and helped Morgan to put the pot ontop of the counter.

We filled the pot with milk and put it on the stove, next to it we put a pan with just a little milk to melt the chocolate bars.

I searched for a big spoon for Morgan and a wooden spoon for myself. As I found both of them I gave the big one to Morgan "Always stir, otherwise-" "OTHERWISE the milk burns!" the little one finished my sentence and I smiled.

"Yes, exactly! My smart little sister" I hugged her thight while I said the last words. "Stop Y/N" she giggled "I need to stir the milk"

I laughed and also stirred my choclate so it wouldn't burn. For a few minutes we just stood there, soft music in the background. "Y/N/N you love Natasha don't you?" I choked on nothing, caught of guard by the sudden question."Morgan not to be rude but don't you have other things to worry about?"

But the little one shook her head "No! You love her! I know it. You look at her like that" she said in a very serious tone "Like what, little one?"

"Like mom looks at dad! And how dad looks at mom! And how grandma and grandpa look at each other" I sighed "You're a very smart girl Morgan. Yeah maybe I like her. I know I like her. But she's our dad's best friend so I'm sure she wouldn't want it and I don't know if dad would allow it"

"I'm sure she likes you! And now put the chocolate in to the milk, more than melted is burnt!" I chuckled and poured the melted chocolate to the milk, adding some cocoa powder and a bit cinnamon.

When it's all mixed together we get a cup for everyone and I filled said ones with the hot chocolate. Morgan got mini marshmallows and put in every cup a few. "Y/N do you think Santa was here again, while we made the hot chocolate? He was the last two times" "I don't know angel, let's find out, shall we?" We put all cups on a tray and put the cookies we baked earlier in a jar.

I carefully took a look in the room but all presents were under the tree and everyone was doing something unsuspicious so I let Morgan enger the room and followed her announcing that we got hot chocolate and cookies.

"Y/N! SANTA WAS REALLY HERE" Morgan exclaimed. "Yes pumpkin" She smiled wildly and, grabbed her hot chocolate and placed herself next to Clint on the Couch. Clint just started 'The Grinch' and I handed him one of the cups. He exchanged a knowing look and a high five with Morgan and I began to wonder what they were up to. But for now I just sat down next to them and sipped on my own drink.

Soon enough Natasha sat down next to me and whispered in my ear "First of all, the hot chocolate is great, I might force you to make it again. Second, I'm pretty sure that sweater belongs to me"

I giggled and responded "Bold of you to assume I wouldn't wear it as long as it's in my possession"

We ate around 8, later than usual but since it's christmas Morgan is allowed to go to bed later.

We made salad, ragout fin and had brownies for dinner. Ragout fin will honestly be a forever favorite when it comes to winter recipes. All of us had a great time, chatting about everything and nothing and just relaxing.

For the moment we just put the dishes in the kitchen because Morgan got too excited for the presents.

"Jarvis, please play my christmas playlist"

We all sat down in an open circle, allowing Morgan to get the first present.

She grabbed the one closest to her and walked over to me so I could read the card "Sam"

He got a hoodie with red wing printed on it, I think it's from Steve but we don't say who gifted what.

He stood up and picked the next present "Maria and Laura" he read out loud, walked over to them and handed them their gift. They unpacked the slim present together and pulled out of an envelope two tickets to a hockey game. "Aww I tried so hard to get tickets for that game but it was already sold out. I even called you and was sad that we couldn't go when our favorite teams finally would play against each other" Maria exclaimed, the last part directed to Laura. I smiled to myself, thanking the gods of ebay and the guy who accidentally bought tickets for the wrong game and sold them for only 40$. I found these more on coincidence but I thought it would be the perfect present for the two women. Guess I was right.

This process continued for the next two hours, I got a toy and a fluffy blanket for Hades and some other things. Now only two things still laid under the tree and I knew that one was for Natasha, who just had received a gift I assumed was from dad.

After she unpacked it she stood up and walked straight to the present that wasn't for her.

She glanced at the nametag for a second, a very short second if you ask me, and handed it to me. I thanked her and opened it. Inside was a beautiful wooden box. My finger hovered over the engraved russian words. A glance at the nametag and I knew it was a gift form her because the tag was empty so she couldn't have known otherwise. I mumbled another thank you and put it behind me, where my other presents were. I really wanted to open the box in private so I walked to the last present and gave it to Natasha.

Since it was from me I wasn't suprised when the inside contained a black metallic box. A quick glance at me and she probably knew from who it was as well. I had a similar idea as Natasha I guess as I had a message engraved as well. Also in a language she didn't understand. But for my part it just was coded in a really weird code she'd need at least two weeks to break. At least that's what my analytics said. However the redhead hummed and also didn't open the box for now.

Inside waited two spider-cams including a mini-control board and a pair of black earrings with a small emerald. They made a great contrast to her hair and almost had the same color as her eyes. But she'll find that out later.

Morgan said that she was tired and most of us agreed with her so we decided to go to bed. Everyone left, putting the unpacked presents under the tree again. The only things I took with me were the blanket for Hades and the box from Natasha.

I opened the box and the inside was covered with black satin. On top of that was a bracelet with a knife and an anchor and two identical knives. The handle had the perfect length for my hand and fighting stil. The blade was long and elegant, easy to hide underneath a jacket and probably sharp enough to cut everything that's softer than steel. The only difference was that one blade was deep red marbled with a black handle and the second one was deep purple but marbled as well and with a white handle. On the end of the black handle was 'fire' engraved, on the white 'night'.

I decided to read the card that laid underneath it later and changed into my pj's and put a sweater over my black tanktop.

I wanted to get at least some stuff cleaned in the kitchen before I get to sleep.

Just as I hoped I met a certain red head, who thought the same. After everything was cleaned I fast got a small bag and gave it to Natasha.

She looked at me confused and I began to explain "That's not exactly a present, it's a sweater that is actually yours. One I never gave you back..."

She looked inside the bag and smiled "So there it was. With you, all that time and I already wondered where I lost it" I nod shyly with flushed cheeks once again

"You gave it to me on our second or thrid encounter. I was down in the lab and you helped me to calm down when...when I wasn't feeling too well. You gave it to me when I got cold on the leather couch and never took it back. And I wanted to keep it for a few days because it gave me some sort of comfort and then I forgot to give it back to you. And every time I wore it mom washed it and put it back into my closet because she doesn't know that it's yours" Natasha put the sweater on the, now clean, counter and pulled me into a thight hug. "Thank you Y/N. Not just for the sweater but also for your present and for the christmas sweater. And for the coffee and that hot chocolate." We just stayed like this for a few minutes, enjoying the closeness before she pulled slightly away and put her forehead on mine "Thank you for this Christmas, it the best I've ever had and that's on you because I know that you planned this day. You're an amazing person and I'd do anything for you принцесса" Everything felt so right at that moment, yeah we're just standing in a kitchen we just cleaned up but that didn't matter right now. It felt so right. Safe. "Tasha, I-"

The door opened. Natasha and I quickly got a bit away from each other as Sam and Bucky came in. And I thought this kind of shit just happens in fucking books.

"Hey ladies" they both said in unison but instead of an answer they received a death stare from Natasha, who left without saying another word to me. "Well she's pissed" Bucky unnecessarily mentioned and I rolled my eyes at him "Yeah, no shit. And she's kinda got a point you know?" I responded before leaving as well.

I'm living a fucking. book. But not even a good one. augh.

I spent the next 30 minutes debating what to do and found myself on my way to her room.

"Nat?" I carefully knocked, hoping she'd still be awake. And she was. Her door opened but to my surprise I met two red eyes, as if she's been crying recently. "Hey...is everything alright?" "What do you want Stark?" Taken back by her harsh words I wasn't so sure about what I wanted to say to her when I got here. "You know, about ealier..."

"Just forget about it Y/N. Forget what's inside you're stupid Christmas card from me, forget what's happened ok? It was a joke, ok? Some stupid bet, if that helps you."

"W-what?" I managed to get out, tears fillingy eyes. I'd say I saw regret and concern flash before her eyes but I don't know anything. If this whole friendship, subtle flirting and everything was just fake I guess I can't be sure about anything.

And with that the redhead closed her door.

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words: 1943

I'm sorry.

I actually am.

But trust me when I tell you that this is the version that hurts less compared to my original plan for this story

But you have every right to be mad at me and Bucky/Sam xd

Happy Christmas 🤍❤️

Till next week with another chapter, maybe two again, as this week.

Eat and drink enough, love you ❤️🤍