Rumors spread like a wild fire around Stark Tower. I don't know who starts them or who would even bother, seeing as there's really only a few of us here (who could totally figure the mystery out if they wanted to).

Anyway, the latest one is about Nat and Clint. About their relationship, whatever that means. I mean, as far as they've said, they're not together. As far as I've seen, though, that's a completely different story.

They're all over each other when we sit down, they're always talking and in the other's room late at night (and they really think we don't notice?). Sure, maybe Thor wouldn't think to put two and two together, maybe even Steve, but Banner? He's got like, seven PhD's, right? And I'm convinced Tony's been listening and watching in on all of us through Jarvis, so that's a definite yes. As for me, well, I've been a spy for Hydra for damn near fifty years. I think I can figure this out... duh.

Steve was worried about this rumor though. He says that if the buzz around Stark Tower is Clint and Nat now, it's almost positively going to be us like, next week. I can only dream about that for now, can't I?

Anyway, they've been up since God knows when to prep for the so called 'small' meal Nat said we'd be having tonight, though I don't know what her definition of small is, looking at all the food she's had set up in the kitchen all day.

Now, it's about 6:30pm and we've all been told (through Jarvis) that dinner is ready and the table's been set so we'd best be on our way to the formal dining room.

I had Steve sit next to me (again) so that I don't feel so... alone, you know? Just him being close to me makes me forget, even if it's just for a second, that no one can ever know about us. Not then, not now, and apparently not ever.

I had my leg on his upper/inner thigh all throughout the dinner and made sure he was juuuuust hard enough for people to notice (if they were to look) before the whole thing was over.

"Oh, uh, Steve, could you pass me some more chicken and some veggies please?" Nat had asked.

"Sure thing," he replied as I tightened my grip on his leg and moved my fingers up closer to his semi-boner. I felt his leg quiver below my touch and, believe me, that's more than I needed to make my day ten times better than it was before.

As he sat down, I'd catch him giving me the side eye, trying to tell me not to do stuff like that in case they saw. I know he'd never actually talk to me and straight up ask me not to do such things because he and I both know he secretly likes it. Besides, he knows I'd just say to Hell with them anyway. As a matter of fact, I'd tell him to really let them know; scream it to the whole world! Like I care. As a matter of fact, I almost want them to know.

I looked across the table at Nat and Clint and I could see tat his hand was also on her thigh. As in, I could tell just by looking over at him that his hand was most absolutely not in his lap. It was in hers. I wondered, then, if, all this while, they could actually see my hand on Steve.

I just wanted them all to know that he was, always has been and always will be irrevocably and undeniably mine. That no one else could have him.

Is that too much to ask?

~ James_BuchananBarnes ~