Title: Platonic
Author: Ami Ven
Word Count: 678
Rating: G
Fandom: MCU
Character(s): Natasha Romanoff, Phil Coulson
Summary: Despite the rumors going around SHIELD, Natasha had been turned down before.
Platonic
Despite the rumors going around SHIELD, Natasha had been turned down before.
A few times it had happened when she’d gone into a mission blind or their intel had been bad, and their mark had turned out to exclusively bat for the other team. Twice, she’d tried to seduce men who were married and actually faithful, but they had still been distracted enough by her looks for her to get the job done.
So, she didn’t take it at all personally when Phil looked up from his paperwork and politely said, “No, thank you, Natasha,” to her offer of sex.
“It would do you a lot of good,” she said, still smiling at him. “Letting off a little steam. And you’ll be able to relax more if it’s not with a civilian you’re trying to impress. Or keep things from.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” said Phil, “on all those counts. But the answer is still the same.”
Natasha frowned.
Not long after Clint had recruited her into SHIELD, they had fallen into bed together. The next morning, they had decided that while it wasn’t exactly a mistake, it also wasn’t something that should happen very often. It hadn’t, no more than a dozen times in half as many years, but whenever they did, it was for just the reasons Natasha had given Phil.
“I’m not offering out of pity,” she said. “This is something you could use, something I can do for you. And it’s not like I wouldn’t enjoy myself, too, but I’d be just as willing to offer if what you needed was for someone to make you a pot of soup or alphabetize your record collection.
Phil smiled. “My record collection is already in alphabetical order. And you can’t cook.”
“And you won’t let me do this for you,” said Natasha.
His smile faltered. “No.”
“Am I not your type, Coulson?” she asked, half teasing and half genuinely curious.
“You’re everyone’s type,” Phil assured her. “That’s why I’m saying no.”
“But Clint and I-”
“That’s something entirely different,” he interrupted.
Natasha frowned again. “You and I are friends, aren’t we? Friends who want to help each other?”
“I’d like to think we are,” said Phil, softly. “But not this way.”
She was starting to take it personally. “Why?”
He set his paperwork aside and came around the desk, stopping just beyond arms’ reach of her.
“I’ve read your files, Natasha,” said Phil. “Everything that SHIELD has been able to gather about the Red Room in general and you in particular. I know the things your superiors have expected you to do, have ordered you to do. And I won’t do the same.”
She took a step closer, into his personal space. “I know you would never use me like that, Phil.”
“I’m relieved you think that. But it doesn’t change my answer. Maybe under other circumstances, I’d be able to accept. But under these circumstances, I’m still your boss.”
Natasha stared at him for a long moment. “I think you might be the best man I’ve ever met,” she said.
“I…” Phil began, clearly uncomfortable, and she rescued him, reaching out to catch his hand.
“I know, you deny it,” she said. “But you still need rest. And human contact. If you won’t have sex with me, can I at least get you to sit on your couch with me for an hour or so?”
“I can spare twenty minutes,” said Phil, then smiled. “And thank you. Just the offer is enough, really.”
Natasha pulled him in for a brief hug, then led them both over to the couch in the corner of Phil’s office, arranging them into a comfortable position together, Phil curled against her side. “If you sleep longer than twenty minutes, I’m not waking you,” she said.
“Hmm,” Phil replied, already half-asleep.
He woke more than two hours later, and Natasha kissed his cheek as she got up from the couch.
“Feel better?” she asked.
Phil sighed, then smiled, “Thank you.”
Natasha smiled back. “Any time,” she said, and meant it.
THE END
Current Mood:
cold