Requested by NomadWidow, Natasha tries to cook and has to use Steve's shield to protect herself from the oil.

"Shit!" Natasha yelled, jumping back from the stove.

The steering oil she had been using to attempt to cook had just splattered all over her arm, causing small red spots to form.

Natasha rubbing her arm and glared at the stove. This was excactly why she didn't cook.

But today she had made an exception. It was the first day of December and Steve had been gone for most of the week on a mission, even missing Thanksgiving.

She had decided that she would surprise him with a home-cooked meal that they could enjoy while they watched some Christmas movies he had missed while in the ice.

Natasha had decided to make fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli. It was supposed to be simple enough but the burns on her arms proved that even it was a little too demanding for Natasha's cooking skills.

She tried to flip the chicken over with her arm outstretched only to have more oil jump out at her arm.

She dropped the tongs she was using and jumped back again, yelling a string of choice words that Steve would undoubtedly scold her for.

Deciding she needed to protect herself from the oil somehow. Natasha ran out to their garage and grabbed one of Steve's old shields.

She gripped in in her right hand and stretched her arm out again to put the chicken in the oil.

This time, when the oil jumped out of the pan, Natasha used the pan to block her skin from it.

"Ha!" She said, feeling a little proud of herself.

She continued to flip the chicken until it was a crispy brown on both sides and then moved to do the same to the other piece.

Before doing so though, she finished the potatoes and broccoli and set them on the counter to cool.

She was just about to drop the chicken into the pan when she heard someone clear their throat behind her.

Natasha dropped the chicken in and turned around to see Steve leaning against the doorframe with a smirk on his face.

"Everything okay in here?" He teased, looking from the shield in Natasha's hand to the chicken.

Natasha set the shield down and tried to fight the blush forming on her cheeks. She didn't like to be caught off guard like that, "You're home early."

Steve nodded and walked towards Natasha, "I was excited to see you. I came as soon as we got back."

Natasha smiled, forgetting about the chicken, "Well, you ruined my surprise. I was going to have dinner cooked and ready for when you got home."

"Believe me, I was pretty surprised when I walked in here. I don't think I've ever seen someone use a shield while cooking," Steve teased, placing his hands on Natasha's hips.

Natasha rolled her eyes, "It's a Russian technique."

Steve gave a small laugh and smiled at Natasha, "I missed you."

Natasha smiled and wrapped her arms around Steve's neck, "I missed you too."

"How was Thanksgiving with everyone?" Steve asked, still guilty about missing the first Thanksgiving they are going to have as a couple.

"It was alright. Tony and Clint bickered the whole time. Nothing new."

Steve laughed, "Well I'm sorry I missed it."

Natasha smirked, "I'm sure you can find a way to make it up to me."

"Yeah?" Steve asked with a grin.

Natasha hummed in response and brought Steve's lips down to hers, kissing him feverently.

Steve backed her up until her back hit the table and continued to kiss her, his hands roaming all over her torso.

It had only been a week since they had last seen each other but it felt like much longer.

They continued to make out until a loud alarm went off.

Steve pulled away startled and coughed as he noticed the kitchen had filled with smoke.

Natasha cursed, "Shit! I forgot about the chicken."

She hopped off the counter and grabbed her tongs, pulling the piece of chicken out of the oil.

She set it down on the plate and sighed, it didn't even look like chicken anymore. It was completely burnt.

Natasha had also not bought any extra pieces.

"Well, there goes my plan for dinner."

Steve looked over Natasha's shoulder and shrugged, "There's still one piece. We can split it."

Natasha nodded and made both of them a plate.

Steve sat down across from her at their dining table and smiled, "It looks amazing."

Natasha shook her head, "You're still a terrible liar Steve."

Steve gave her a sheepish grin and looked down at the food.

The broccoli was obviously burnt, but Steve liked it a little crispy. The mashed potatoes were runny but at least they smelt good. And the chicken actually looked to be well cooked.

"No really Nat, this is all great, thank you." Steve insisted, reaching across the table to take her hand.

Natasha smiled and squeezed Steve's hand.

Steve grabbed his fork and took a piece of the chicken, taking a bite and finding himself unsure how to react.

It was seasoned well, and the flavor was good. But the chicken was extremely overcooked and had the texture of rubber.

Natasha watched his reaction and furrowed her eyebrows as Steve struggled to chew it.

She took her own bite and frowned, "Oh my god. It's awful." She muttered, spitting it into a napkin and frowning.

"It's not awful. Just a tad overdone." Steve said, prepping himself to take another bite, not wanting to let her hard work go to waste.

Natasha's eyes widened, "It taste like seasoned rubber. Don't eat that. It won't hurt my feelings Steve. We can just order pizza."

"It's good Nat." He lied, taking another bite.

Natasha smiled and chuckled a little, "You're sweet, but seriously, you don't need to eat that. I already had pizza on speed dial just in case."

Steve swallowed the bite and nodded, "Pizza sounds great."

Natasha laughed and grabbed her and Steve's plate, tossing the food in the trash before ordering a pizza and returning to Steve.

She sat down in his lap sideway and gave him a weak smile.

"Sorry about dinner. Cooking isn't really my forte." Natasha said, running her fingers through Steve's hair.

Steve smiled back at her, "It's the thought that counts. I'm just glad I get to have dinner with you tonight. You could feed me cement and I'd still be happy."

Natasha laughed, "Well I don't plan on feeding you cement."

Steve grinned, "You know what I mean."

Natasha nodded and gently kissed Steve, not wanting to get carried away like last time because they had a pizza on the way.

"I love you." Steve whispered against her lips.

Natasha sighed in contentment, "I love you too."

Maybe Natasha wasn't a great cook, but she was an amazing partner for Steve, and they have been happier with anyone else.

Hey guys. Hope you all enjoyed, comment and vote if you did!

Also, it's officially Christmas season for me so expect a lot of holiday themed chapters on the way😁