Bab 48: Chapter 65: Jokes and Teasing
It was a sunny morning at the Triskelion, and the atmosphere was lighter than usual. The Omega team had recently returned from a successful mission, and with the day off, everyone was relaxed. As John and Natasha walked down the hallway, side by side, exchanging subtle conversations and smiles, they couldn't help but stare and whisper around them.
Their relationship was no longer a secret. Although they tried to keep it discreet, there was no hiding the chemistry that surrounded them. All the SHIELD agents had noticed the new dynamic between the super soldier and the former KGB spy.
When they entered the cafeteria, the Omega members were already gathered. Clint, as usual, was the first to notice the couple's arrival. He immediately stood up and, with a mischievous smile, caught the attention of the others:
"Hey, look who's here! The model couple of SHIELD!" Natasha rolled her eyes, a barely perceptible smile appearing on her lips, while John shook his head, unsurprised. They had known the teasing was coming. It was inevitable.
"Good morning to you too, Clint," John said with a tone of false seriousness, but he couldn't hide the smile that was forming.
Bobbie Morse, who was sitting next to Clint, crossed her arms and smirked.
"Did you know, Nat, that the women of SHIELD are furious with you?" she said, leaning forward, as if sharing a secret. "You stole the SHIELD heartthrob!"
Natasha shrugged, feigning indifference.
"I can't help it if he chose the better option," she replied with a sly smile, glancing sideways at John.
Clint slammed his hand on the table, laughing out loud.
"John, man, you really have no idea what you've caused. — Clint looked around the cafeteria, pointing to some agents who were whispering and looking at the couple. — The women are ready to riot! You were the dream of half this building. Now they're planning revenge.
"And that's not all," Melinda May, who was sitting at the other end of the table, joined in the joke. "The men are pissed too. John stole Natasha, and now they're jealous."
John let out a light laugh, crossing his arms, feigning confidence.
"Jealous? Me?" He looked around. "They're right, Nat is a force of nature. Who wouldn't be jealous?"
Natasha punched John lightly on the arm, but couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips.
"You're thinking too highly of yourself, Hawke," she replied, still with a hint of teasing.
"Oh, yes," Clint continued, looking at Bobbie and the other members of the team. — Now people at SHIELD have a double mission: some want to sabotage the relationship because they're jealous, and others are waiting to see when John will ruin everything. — He winked at Natasha. — But, of course, you're used to impossible missions, right?
Natasha laughed, but her expression changed slightly. She knew that, even though the jokes were light, there was a grain of truth. Their relationship was under everyone's eyes, and that brought a pressure that she and John would have to deal with.
John noticed the change in her mood and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, leaning in a little closer.
— Ignore the teasing, Nat. We know what we have, and the rest... is just noise. — He said in a low voice, making sure only she could hear.
Natasha looked at him and nodded slightly. She appreciated the way John could be light and, at the same time, careful. That balance was what made her feel safe by his side.
Clint, however, didn't miss the opportunity to continue with the teasing.
"By the way, I heard that the support team is organizing a sweepstakes. They want to see how long you two can last before Natasha kicks John's ass." He laughed. "The funny thing is, no one bets against Natasha."
"Of course not," Bobbie said, smiling. "I wouldn't bet against her if my life depended on it."
John gave an amused laugh, but he knew that, in part, the jokes were a way of dealing with the surprise that the relationship had caused. He and Natasha were strong figures within SHIELD, each with their own reputation. Uniting these two worlds inevitably attracted looks and comments.
"Well, if you're going to lose money, let it be on something interesting," John joked, looking at Clint. "But I'm sorry to disappoint you, we're going to last a lot longer than you think."
Clint shrugged, a mischievous smile still on his face.
"We'll see, we'll see. All I know is that when the women of SHIELD unite against you, I'll be in the driver's seat.
Natasha raised an eyebrow, leaning toward Clint.
"Do you really think I'd let anything happen to him?" Her voice was sharp, but there was humor in her eyes. "If anyone wants to mess with John, they'll have to go through me first."
Clint held up his hands in a gesture surrender.
— Okay, okay, message understood, — he said, still laughing.
Melinda, who had been silently observing the interaction, crossed her arms and gave a smirk.
—You two are a danger together, — she commented. — SHIELD better start preparing for the changes.
John and Natasha looked at each other, and a silent understanding passed between them. They knew that, no matter how much joking there was, they were ready to face whatever came. Their relationship was just beginning, but it was already clear that their partnership extended far beyond the battlefield.
—Well, since we're in this joking mood... — John turned to Natasha with a smile. — Do you want to have lunch with me?
Natasha, knowing that everyone was still watching, just smiled slightly and crossed her arms.
—Why not? — She said, accepting the proposal.
And so, the SHIELD model couple headed towards the cafeteria line, leaving the other Omega members laughing and exchanging knowing glances.
"They really do make a good team," Bobbie commented, looking at Melinda and Clint.
"Yes, they do," Melinda agreed, but with a thoughtful expression. "But they're also two of the most dangerous people SHIELD has. If something goes wrong… well, it's best not to be in their way."
Clint shook his head, smiling.
"I think they'll be fine." He glanced at John and Natasha, who were chatting animatedly as they picked up their plates. "They're perfect for each other, actually. A danger, yes, but also a force of nature when they're together."
The rest of the team nodded, acknowledging the truth in Clint's words. As much as the teasing continued, everyone knew that John and Natasha were more than just a couple. They were partners, in every sense of the word.
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