"Hey, Nat why don't you spar with Nora?" Clint's question caught Nora off guard, her hand froze mid-way, as she kept the water bottle back, her eyes shifting to Natasha. 

"Nice idea," Natasha said, making Nora mentally sigh, great going, she was thinking of ways to talk with her and now she had to spar with someone who was suspicious of her too, but oh well. "Come on, Nora, I hope you are not afraid,"

"You wish," she said, reminding herself to be cautious with her. She knows her skills are not to be taken lightly.

The air hummed with electricity as Nora stepped into the dimly lit training room. Her gaze locked onto Natasha —the woman who had once been a shadow.

Natasha's eyes bore into Nora, assessing her with the precision of a surgeon. Nora's confidence was unwavering. But Natasha was no ordinary opponent. She was a survivor of countless battles, her past forged with bloodshed. 

"Ready?" Natasha's voice was a blade unsheathed.

Nora nodded, her heartbeat echoing in her ears. She had studied Natasha's moves, and analyzed her patterns, as long as she could remember. But this was different—this was the real test.

The first strike came—a blur of motion. Nora deflected Natasha's punch, countering with a swift kick. Natasha danced away, her movements fluid and lethal. Nora pressed forward, her fists a blur. She aimed for Natasha's ribs, but the Black Widow twisted, evading with a grace that belied her lethal intent.

They circled each other, shadows merging. Nora feinted left, then lunged right, aiming for Natasha's throat. The Black Widow sidestepped, her boot grazing Nora's cheek. Pain flared, but it was nothing Nora was not used to. She spun, launching a spinning kick. Natasha blocked, but Nora followed up with a low sweep, aiming to unbalance her, that succeeded throwing Natasha off balance. 

Natasha's eyes narrowed. She countered, striking Nora's solar plexus. Nora staggered, but she wouldn't yield. Not to Natasha.

They grappled; limbs entwined. Nora's mind raced— to the memories of where she studied her tactics, more like being forced to analyze them.

Natasha's grip tightened, fingers digging into Nora's wrist. Nora twisted, using her momentum to break free. She swept Natasha's legs, sending her crashing to the mat.

For a moment, Nora stood over Natasha, victory within reach. But Natasha rolled, springing to her feet. She slipped free, reversing their positions. Nora's back hit the mat, Natasha straddling her. 

The Black Widow's gloved hand hovered inches from Nora's throat.

"Submit," Natasha whispered, her voice a blade against Nora's throat. But surrender wasn't in her fate. 

With a surge of determination, Nora twisted, reversing their positions. They grappled, neither relenting. The room spun; time suspended. Sweat dripped. 

And then, as if fate had intervened, they broke apart. Nora stumbled back, Natasha mirroring her exhaustion. They stood there, breathing hard, when Clint entwined, "Maybe you both should stop now, before blood start flowing here," 

"A tie," Natasha said, wiping her mouth. "Impressive."

Nora nodded, her respect for Natasha deepening. "You fight like hell,"

─── · 。ﾟ

It was eleven in the morning; the morning training was done and so was the breakfast. The tension from the previous night still hung in the air like a storm cloud, and Natasha knew she had to address it. She wasn't accustomed to apologies—especially not awkward ones—but this was different. 

"Nora," Natasha began, her voice softer than usual. She cleared her throat, feeling the weight of her words. "I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have accused you like that. It was...unfair."

Nora raised an eyebrow, her eyes assessing Natasha. "I am going to guess, someone talked to you about this matter."

Natasha nodded, her fingers tracing the edge of the table. "Steve, did."

Steve had noticed the tension between those two in dinner-- so he took the initiative to try to clear it, the one line that Steve said and that lingered in Natasha's mind was 'You should not be quick to judge Natasha, remember you were also once a new member of Avengers and before that a S.H.E.I.L.D. agent. You should know better than anyone how it feels to have suspicious gazes linger on yourself.'

"Thought so," Nora murmured. 

"See, I've been trained to be cautious. But I'd like to get to know you better. Maybe we can start fresh." she said.

Nora's lips quirked into a half-smile. "You want to get to know me? Or is this just another way to interrogate me?"

Natasha smirked, "Maybe a bit of both," she admitted. "But hey, can you blame me, we know nothing at all about you."

"Fair enough, I guess," she said, at least it was an improvement. 

"So, you up for a shopping spree?" 

"A shopping spree?"

"Come on, your attention will be somewhere else, you might slip up on your guard and tell me something,"

Nora's lips quirked, the tension easing. "I'm up for the challenge."

And just like that, the room felt less suffocating. "And Nora?"

"Yes?" Nora glanced at her.

Natasha's lips twitched. "I'm still suspicious. But maybe that's what keeps us alive."

Nora nodded, "Agreed. And who knows? Maybe our shopping spree will reveal more than just fashion preferences."

Natasha's awkward apology had paved the way for something unexpected—a fragile connection in a world where trust was scarce. As they headed toward the elevator, Nora couldn't help but wonder if they will be able to become friends, she would like it. 

─── · 。ﾟ

They both were up in their guards against each other when they first exit the Avenger tower, some questions here and there, but gradually they lower it down maybe because they rarely get time for themselves or because they thought that the other one was not a danger, not yet at least.

Nora had expected Natasha to be all business—focused, efficient, and unyielding. But as they stepped into the fifth store, she realized that even the Black Widow had her quirks. Natasha's eyes lit up at the sight of a crimson leather jacket, and for a moment, she resembled a kid in a candy store.

"Look at this," Natasha said, holding up the jacket. "I could totally rock this during our next mission."

Nora raised an eyebrow. "I mean, it will certainly look great but on a mission, seriously?"

Natasha shrugged. "You never know when you have to infiltrate a party."

As they moved from rack to rack, Nora couldn't help but notice Natasha's impeccable taste. She picked out a sleek black dress that screamed elegance and a pair of stiletto heels that would make any women jealous.

They continued their spree, weaving through racks of clothes, shoes, and accessories. Nora found a vintage leather jacket that fit her like a second skin. Natasha raised an eyebrow. "Badass," she approved.

And then, as if on cue, they stumbled upon a display of scarves. Nora's eyes lingered on a crimson silk scarf—the exact shade of red that Tony's Iron suit is. And she put it into the shopping cart with a small smile. 

In the shoe department, Noar held up a pair of knee-high boots with silver studs. "These will look great on you especially in a mission."

"In a mission?"

"Come on, you yourself say that one never knows when they have to infiltrate a party or something,"

"How about I pass."

"But Natasha," Nora insisted, "imagine the headlines: 'Black Widow Takes Down Villain in Louboutins.'"

"Fine," Natasha agreed with a shake of a head. 

─── · 。ﾟ

As they passed a high-end boutique, Nora's eyes widened. "No way he did that," she muttered, her gaze fixed on the extravagant display.

Natasha, always composed, smirked. "Yes, he did."

Nora shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe Tony said that."

Natasha's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Oh, he did. And more."

Natasha continued. "Back then, I was disguised as Natalie, a sharp-witted lawyer. Tony, being Tony, couldn't resist. He asked my name, searched me up, and— found some intriguing pics of me."

Nora shakes her head, "Goodness gracious,"

Natasha's lips curved into a rare smile. "He told Pepper that he wanted me." She mimicked Tony's voice, complete with the trademark smirk. "And all."

Nora looked amused, "I can't believe he said that!" 

Natasha chuckled as she recounted the incident to Nora. "And that's when I realized," she said, her eyes dancing with mischief, "Tony Stark's superpower isn't just his genius—it's his audacity."

"And by the way he searched you up too, when we were back on our way after meeting you," Natasha added making Nora choke on the latte she was drinking. 

"Huh— wait what?!" 

"Though he didn't find anything," 

And just like that, amidst the amusement and shopping, Nora realized that it was a chance for two unlikely allies to find common ground—a thread of understanding woven between designer labels and hidden pockets.