Brookly 2019

Steven Grant Rogers, one of the worlds most popular artist, and by far one of the most talented in this century. His work was known all over the world, his art regarded as perfect, of course with his looks, people often compared him to his art. Everything about him just seemed so perfect.

But not everything was as it seemed. While in the limelight, the artist told the world he was working on a new collection, and put on his best smile, this, however, was one big lie.

There was no big collection coming out, he only said this buy him so more time. For the first time in fifteen years of being a professional artist, Steve Rogers was stumped.

"Why don't you draw a tree," he was talking to his best friend James Barnes, he calls him Bucky. "People tend to over-analyze the simple things and point out how great it is when in reality it's really just a simple tree,"

"I think I did a tree in my second collection," Steve sighed. "I don't know, I have never felt this before, I always feel prepared to do my art but lately I can't seem to figure anything out."

"Steve, it's been two years since you released your last collection, and I don't wanna be a dick but, does this have anything to do with Peggy?" Bucky was treading carefully now, fully aware of what this breakup did to his best friend.

"What no! I am fully over her." Steve claimed.

"You sure you aren't gonna go and date another one of her family members?" His best friend teased. "Seriously don't do that again, it's gross and wrong. It was so weird."

"Hey Sharon was nice though," Steve claimed.

"She was obsessive, that is what she was," Bucky corrected.

"Besides, I haven't thought about them in a very long time," Steve claimed. "This is purely about my art now, I just am losing my artist mindset."

"Well that's not good, where are we gonna live? They will kick us out for sure," Bucky joked. Did he mention he was allowing Bucky to stay with him until he gets back on his feet, he is a veteran who just served his last tour?

"You could always go out and get a job," He suggested.

"Nah," Bucky shrugged. The conversation started to fade until Steve got a message on his phone, which made him sigh in annoyance. "What's up?" Bucky asked.

"I was invited to see Giselle tonight," was his short and simple answer.

"OOOO Giselle," Bucky said raising his eyebrows up and down in a teasing manner. "Who is Giselle? Is she cute? Do you have a new crush, Steve?" He asked piling the questions up as they filled his mind.

"What?" Steve sighed. "Buck, Giselle is the name of a ballet." Steve went into his room to change, luckily he had showered earlier.

"A ballet? Since when are you into Ballet?" He asked as Steve came out in much nicer clothing.

"Since the mayor's daughter personally invites you. I couldn't exactly say no. Before you ask, no I am not going to go out with her, I need to make it clear to her I am not interested."

"Then maybe you shouldn't have agreed to go to the ballet," Bucky told him, "hey man but use this to your advantage, there might be some cute girls there,"

"I am not looking for a date Buck," Steve said grabbing his apartment keys.

"Well you aren't doing a good job looking for a muse, so give it a break and look for something else." Steve shook his head before leaving and meeting the mayor's daughter in her car, her name was Saige. When he entered the car he noticed she was wearing a light blue gown, that showed a little too much for his liking.

"Steven it's so nice to see you," She smiled patting the seat closest to her for him to sit on.

"It's Steve actually," He said sheepishly, "and it's nice to see you too, it's been a while." he sat down, and she put her hand on his bicep in an intimate manner.

"Well distance makes the heart grow fonder," She smiled, letting her hand rest on his arm, rubbing his muscle, making Steve rather uncomfortable.

"What have you been up to," he asked nicely, he was ever the gentleman.

"you know the usual, I was offered a job modeling," She mentions, Steve wasn't completely sure if it was true or not.

"That's amazing, are you going to take it?" He asked.

"I really don't see a need for a job right now, I mean I have everything I could ask for right now, except one thing," Steve swore he heard her purr.

"Well, I think working for what you want, toward your dream is amazing. You know one day your father won't be mayor, money should be something you work for," He said.

"Whatever," She said, her hand falling lower. "How are you, Steve?"

"I am fine," He answered.

"Are you sure? You seem a bit-" before she could go any further the driver stopped the car announcing their arrival, she sighed. "You still want to go to this boring event? I don't live too far away-"

"Come on," He said, "we bought tickets, we wouldn't want the money to go to waste." He said, Saige was not very happy with his words but followed him out of the car in the very least. She wrapped her arms around Steve's and they walked in, apparently, it was opening night, and was actually a really big deal because paparazzi were everywhere.

"I was invited Steve, I didn't pay for these tickets, there wouldn't have been a problem if we left for some fun," She whispered as they stood and took pictures together, people asking if they were dating.

"Saige I think you're a really nice girl, but I don't think we should cross the line," He said, trying to tell her back off, in the nicest way possible.

"Steve, there is no line. I like you," She purred. "Why don't you like me,"

"As I said you're a very nice girl," He sighed knowing she wasn't listening so he dropped the conversation and intended to continue it when the night was over. He leads her to their seats and the two waited for the show to begin.

As the show started the soft music began to fill his ears, it almost relaxed him. He could tell that Saige was angry with him, and was almost one hundred percent sure she was texting someone. He couldn't help but roll his eyes when she came up with a lame excuse to leave before the show even started.

That left Steve all alone to watch the show. He could very much leave but first, he was a gentleman and secondly he wouldn't help but feel drawn to the ballet in some sort of way.

The play opened up with slow music and the dancers that filled the stage had such grace and held themselves with the utmost dignity, it drew Steve in.

When the music turned quiet when a young man knocked on a door listening carefully. Steve found himself eager to know what happens, the young boy hid and then out came a girl. She caught Steve's eyes immediately.

Her deep blood red hair caught his eyes, and he couldn't pull his gaze away from her. Her skin looked so flawless as he watched her dance around the stage, she looked so content, so happy. She danced like an angel, she had so much grace.

When the redhead continued to dance with the man, he felt a pang in his chest, they looked so love, they had some much chemistry, that he forgot that they were playing a part. He didn't know why he was so drawn to the young girl but he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

She looked so free, so happy, everything about her drew him to her and he just wanted to know her name. As Steve continued to watch the play he kept his eye purely on the redhead. He couldn't help but wonder if people fought over her as they did in the play.

The play ended and Steve had to stop himself from groaning. He wanted to continue watching the dancer, she was amazing and so... perfect. She was stuck in his mind.

He decided that he would meet her. Steve stood and walked over to Madame B, the owner of the studio who presented the dance. She was talking with someone at the moment so Steve waited patiently.

As he waited he looked back on Stage, and there she was again, peeking out from the side of the curtains. Her eyes found his and he felt an immediate warmth fill his body. She quickly turned away causing Steve to frown.

"Well if it isn't the one and only Steve Rogers," Steve turned to Madame B who was smiling at the sight of the young artist.

"Well I have been trying new things, and well the ballet just seemed to attract my interest." He smiled. "It is a form of art," she hmmed an agreement. "I was wondering if I could meet your dancers?"

"My dancers? did you enjoy the dance that much Mr. Rogers?" She asked and started leading him backstage.

"You could say that," He answered with a smile. They walked back as Madame B described how grateful she was that he came to support them, she just knew that ballet would be forever stuck in his mind, and maybe she was right.

"Attention dancers!" She yelled and the dancers started to come closer to her, the dancer Steve was looking for was sitting on a box watching them very carefully. "This is Steve Rogers,"

Once she said his name, the dancers started whispering among themselves. Madame B explained to them that Steve enjoyed their dance very much, and only stopped when someone came whispering in her ear.

"I am so sorry Mr.Rogers but I have to go, can I show you out?" She asked politely. Steve looked over at the girl who was occupied on her phone and shook his head when he turned back.

"No I can find my way out," He answered. "I would like to talk to some of your dancers," He said and then was left alone. He could tell some of the girls were stretching around him to get his attention, but he only had one girl on his mind.

"Hi," He said when he finally approached her. The redhead looked up from her phone at Steve.

"Hi," She responded, her voice did something to Steve, almost made him shiver.

"My name is Steve," He said holding out his hand for her to shake. She looked at it but made no move to shake his hand.

"I know," She said not giving him her name. "can I help you with something Mr. Rogers?" she asked.

"I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your dance," he answered with a smile. Some people said his smile was very charming and tended to lure people in, the redhead, however, was fazed by it at all.

"Thank you," She didn't seem like much of a talker but Steve wanted to get to know her. "do you need something else?" As she spoke her caught a hint of an accent, one she was clearly trying to shake, he couldn't help himself when the next words came out of his mouth.

"Are you Russian?" He asked and the look on her face got defensive almost.

"Does it matter?" She asked, and then the look on her face seemed almost guilty bit it left as quick as it came and then she let out another sentence. "Yes, I am."

"Beautiful place. I went there once, I actually have a painting inspired by the history of Russia," He explained. He couldn't help but smile when he saw her trying her best to hide an amused look. There was a bit of silence among them, but it was oddly comfortable silence. Steve, again, couldn't help it when he asked his next question. "Do you want to grab some dinner? I would love to get to know you,"

"I don't date Americans," She said with a smile, one that made Steve's heart jump. "And something about you screams America and freedom."

"Does it help if I am Irish?" He asked with a smirk. Natasha couldn't even hide her smile any longer. "American citizen but I am Irish. Unless you have a thing against me in general." he started losing his confidence now, showing her a glimpse of a more vulnerable side.

"Hm depends, where would we go to dinner?" She asked.

"Anywhere you want, I would, however, recommend a dinner I have come to love." He said with a smile.

"Wow, Mr. Arist boy doesn't want to eat at the fanciest restaurant in town?" She teased jumping off the box she sat on, it was then Steve realized how short she was compared to him.

"Not really my style I guess." He smirked. "So can I take you to dinner?"

"You don't even know my name," she said. "What if I am some wanted criminal?"

"Well, I guess I will take a chance, besides I am sure Madame B does extensive background checks on all of you, heard this is a hard company to join." she laughed and Steve could believe how beautiful a laugh could really be.

"Natasha."

"What?" He asked.

"my name is Natasha." She smiled. "I, unfortunately, can not go out tonight as I have another recital, however, I do have a phone that we could use to make plans," She smiled holding up her phone with a smile.

"well good thing I do too," He said pulling out his phone and handing it to her but she made no move to take it or give him hers.

"I am in a real rush Rogers," she said as the dancers began getting called.

"It's Steve,"

"Rogers works better for you," she said with a smirk. Steve couldn't help but smile, in fact, he has been smiling since talking with her. But their moment was short-lived as Madame B announced they had to start getting ready and practicing for the next show. "Goodnight Mr. Rogers," She said leaving him standing there like an idiot wishing he could stop her so he could get her number or a way to contact her. She walked away gracefully leaving an image stuck in his mind almost permanently.

3 year Later

"Mr. Roger, what inspired your latest piece?" Steve was currently at an art exhibit for his newest gallery. He put a lot of time into these drawings, almost three years worth of time and it was all worth it.

In the front row were his best friends, Bucky, and Sam Wilson. Standing beside him was Tony Stark, one of his other friends who was sponsoring tonight's event.

At the question, everyone grew silent, curious to know what was in his mind as he created these pieces that were nothing short of masterpieces.

"let's just say something amazing happened to me that changed my life, and the way I look at art," He smiled and then dismissed the press so he could get to the party that Tony was throwing for him.

"Thank you so much, Tony," he smiled as they walked into the gallery, "This is better than anything I could have ever imagined."

"Hey only the best of the best for you," He smirked. "Besides Pepper did most of the planning, I just paid for it all."

"Man this is amazing, have to say one of your best pieces yet," Sam smiled as they walked to the first drawing. It was a ballerina, her hair neatly in a bun and a ribbon tied around it, she was dressed in an angelic dress and the only color came from the red hair. She was walking away from him and Steve couldn't help but smile looking at it.

"Thanks, Sam, it means a lot," Steve responded with a kind smile.

"I don't know," Bucky started. "I still think a tree would have been better," they moved to the next one and Steve was becoming overwhelmed just looking at it. It was a still drawing of a woman dancing mid-air, and it was beautiful.

"This one is beautiful," Sam commented. "The love in this one is radiating off the page."

"Look at you Sam," Bucky began to tease, "acting as if you know a thing about complimenting the art." the boys laughed among themselves.

"But Sam is right," Tony said. "Your art is the definition of love." he shook his head at how sappy he sounded. "I still don't know where it comes from," Tony nodded at the door as it opened. "Your girl is here,"

Steve turned and saw his date for the evening walk-in, a part of him half expect someone else. As her chirpy voice filled his ears, he knew it faked and she did not want to be here.

"Babe," She greeted and he was about to give her a kiss when she turned to cause him to kiss her cheek. "We have dinner."

"Saige, I have an exhibit I have to be here," He answered. The girl rolled her eyes. Not even giving herself time to say hello to his friends, she left when she saw one of her rich friends in the corner.

"I don't even understand why you are dating her," Tony said rolling his eyes. Steve didn't answer, but his eyes focused on the picture behind his friends, at the woman he so dearly wanted to meet once more.

"Who is the girl?" Bucky asked when Sam and Tony walked to the next drawing.

Steve sighed as he looked away and look at Saige, who had no interest in being there, or in him at this point. He looked down and thought about what could have been.

"No one," was his answer. "Just a muse that's stuck in my mind."