The process of returning to Earth went smoothly; the only thing that didn't go so well was Sif, who was acting like a curious child.
Previously, when she descended to the mortal realm, her attention was entirely on Thor, so she hadn't noticed Earth's situation at all.
Now that she had decided to stay on Earth for Peter's sake, everything she saw felt fresh and new.
For a time, she clung to Peter so much that it gave him a headache, making the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents stare at him with envious eyes.
The Director is truly the Director; while dealing with a hammer, he actually managed to bring a goddess home.
He is truly a role model for us all.
Finally, Peter was so pestered by Sif that he had no choice but to come up with a desperate solution.
He assigned Sif a task: to go and comfort Jane Foster, who was feeling extremely dejected because Thor hadn't descended to Earth with them.
Sif's heart was now entirely on Peter, and she didn't care about Thor at all anymore.
Naturally, she had no issues with Jane Foster, her "love rival" from the original story.
So, for the sake of her "good brother's" future happiness, the silly girl patted her chest and accepted this "arduous" task without hesitation, turning her attention to pestering Jane Foster instead.
Peter, finally breathing a sigh of relief, had just gotten a chance to take a shower and relax when there was another knock at the door.
Peter used his Byakugan to take a look and saw Natasha standing outside, so he said casually:
"The door's unlocked."
Natasha then pushed the door open and entered.
She had changed out of her usual black bodysuit and was wearing some loose loungewear.
Moreover, she had clearly just finished bathing; her damp red curls draped casually over her shoulders, making her look both languid and enchanting.
"Need something?" Peter had actually already guessed what Natasha wanted to say, but he took the initiative to start the conversation.
Natasha closed the door behind her, sat in the chair opposite Peter, and spoke after a moment of silence:
"I saw that woman named Sif holding your hand."
She was indeed here for that.
"She said she admires my bravery. Having lived for over a thousand years, she surprisingly can't distinguish between admiration and love."
Peter said somewhat casually.
But Natasha's emotions suddenly became a bit agitated:
"Who can really tell the difference!"
"I once thought my feelings for you were just admiration too, until you fell from the sky like a lump of charcoal."
At this point, her voice became very soft, as if she were just talking to herself:
"She's very brave." Natasha lowered her head, her gaze falling on the reflection of the light in her cup. "Much braver than me."
Peter looked at her and didn't speak immediately; he knew that at this moment, listening was enough.
"You know, from the day I returned to Russia at age eleven and was sent back to the Red Room once more, I told myself—Natasha Romanoff doesn't need anyone."
Her voice was steady, as if she were narrating someone else's story.
"I am a spy, an assassin, a tool. Tools aren't worthy of having feelings."
"The Red Room taught us that emotions are weaknesses. Once a spy exposes a weakness, they die."
"But I didn't want to just be a tool. The three years I spent in Ohio undercover as part of a fake family were the happiest times of my life."
"To find that feeling again, I escaped the Red Room and joined S.H.I.E.L.D. at Nick's invitation. But I always knew I wouldn't gain anything here—until I was assigned to make contact with you."
She looked up, meeting Peter's eyes.
In those green eyes, a burning flame flickered.
"It was you who turned me from a monster back into a human."
"I'm not Sif. I can't be like her, recklessly announcing to everyone that you are my prey."
"I also know I can't compare to Gwen or Felicia. I carry a filth that can never be washed away."
"I once tried to suppress myself, tried to maintain the status quo."
"But I can't control myself; it's like a moth to a flame."
"Perhaps the ending is destined to be a crushing defeat, but at least this process won't make me feel lonely."
Her final sentence was very soft, so soft that even the noise of a passing car outside could easily drown it out.
But Peter heard it anyway.
He let out an imperceptible sigh and then gave a self-deprecating smile.
He had just been laughing at Sif for not being able to distinguish between admiration and love.
But now, wasn't he the same?
Sympathy, love, desire... had he really distinguished between them?
This thought caused a trace of confusion to unconsciously surface in Peter's heart.
But soon, this confusion was drowned out by another, more resolute voice.
Why bother distinguishing so clearly?
Anyway, there are no rules in this World that can bind you anymore!
With that thought, Peter suddenly felt a sense of clarity.
He stood up, took Natasha's hand, and took the initiative to pull her into his arms.
"Actually, after you left my office that day, I saw everything."
Hearing this, Natasha's body couldn't help but tremble.
She looked up at Peter with a gaze that was both resentful and apprehensive—
She was afraid of hearing cruel words.
"It's just that at the time, I also couldn't quite tell—was my feeling for you sympathy, or love?"
"But today, Sif truly taught me a lesson."
"Why bother distinguishing so clearly? Anyway, I've always had a certain flaw—once I get my hands on something, I won't let anyone else touch it."
Hearing this, Natasha was suddenly stunned.
At first, she didn't quite understand the meaning behind those words, but immediately after, a wave of intense joy exploded in her heart.
Just as she was feeling dizzy from this happiness, Peter gently lowered his head and stole a kiss.
The night in New Mexico was deep.
The city's neon lights continued to flicker.
But in this temporary residence, the World grew quiet.
Tonight, the World didn't need saving.
Tonight belonged only to the two of them.
...
As dawn approached, Natasha rested her head on Peter's chest, wearing a rare expression of languor and relaxation.
Peter held her, but his face showed a somewhat distracted look.
"What are you thinking about?" Natasha couldn't help but ask.
"I'm thinking about what kind of gift would be best to give you."
"...What?"
Peter didn't explain much because he had already made his decision.
[Zoan Type · Mythical Beast Species · Okuchi no Makami Model]
[Price: 5,000 sacrifice points]
"Buy it!"
As Peter muttered to himself, an icy blue, peculiar fruit appeared in his hand the next second.
Peter hadn't originally planned to buy this thing.
But now that Natasha was his woman, how could he let her remain just an ordinary Superhero?
Natasha stared at the fruit that had appeared out of thin air, looking somewhat dazed.
"What kind of fruit is this? I've never seen it before?"
"A Devil Fruit." Peter stuffed the fruit directly into her hand. "After eating this, you'll gain a special ability, though the taste might not be very good."
Black Widow looked at Peter skeptically, then tentatively took the fruit and took a bite.
And then...
Blegh!