"What the fuck!"

I shouted, getting up abruptly, still sleepy-eyed and confused.

"Finally awake, Sleepyhead?"

Said Natasha, with a mischievous smile as she stared at me.

"Seriously, Natt! Wasn't there a less extreme way to wake me up?"

I asked, as I rubbed my face and tried to shake off the numbness that wanted to take hold of me. The disbelief in my voice was evident.

"Oh, come on! Waking up to a bucket of cold water has its charm, don't you think?"

Natasha replied with a slight laugh and then shrugged as she stared at me.

(Apparently, she doesn't give a damn about anything I say, let alone any of my frustrations... as usual!)

I thought to myself, coming to the conclusion that this could be a clear warning from her to me, warning me that this was only the beginning and that the training would be much worse.

"Charming for who, exactly?"

I asked, as I rolled my eyes slightly. My frustration didn't last long, however, as I soon gave in. After all, there was no point in dwelling on it for too long.

"You should be thanking me. After all, it could have been a lot worse, you know? I almost considered using ice this time."

Natasha answered my question, giving me a slightly provocative wink. I could see that she was clearly amused by my expression of astonishment.

"Are you a monster by any chance?"

I asked, with a mixture of horror and incredulity on my face as I stared at her.

As soon as I asked that question, I let out a short sigh and continued with what I really wanted to say.

"Okay, but next time, try something, I don't know... less traumatizing, like... I don't know, coffee and toast?"

I suggested, more to tease him than anything else.

"I'll think about your case."

Natasha replied, while giving me a slight laugh.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

As soon as she said those words, I got out of bed, only to realize that I was only in my underwear and shirtless. A slight wave of embarrassment hit me, so I turned to Natasha, trying to keep my composure.

"Natt, could you wait for me outside, or maybe give me some time to change? After all, as well as having to change, I still have to dry off. Not least because someone woke me up in a rather unusual way."

Taking that chance to tease me again, Natasha gave me another provocative smile and replied.

"Wow, you're cute, Parker."

Natasha commented, giving me another teasing wink.

"And don't worry, I won't use that against you in training... at least not today."

As soon as she said those words, I turned to her, still trying to keep my dignity, or what was left of it at least.

"That's a relief to hear. Just don't tell me you have some other trick prepared for me today?"

I asked, half-knowing the answer she would give, but at the same time wondering if I had to prepare for anything she might do to me.

Natasha laughed and shook her head, her expression revealing a mixture of sympathy and amusement.

"That will depend on how you do in training today. And who knows, if you behave yourself, I might promise you coffee and toast in the future."

She turned to leave, but before opening the door, she cast one last glance at me.

"Oh, and don't forget to get dressed before you meet me. I don't want to train someone in their underwear."

After saying that, Natasha left my room, leaving the door ajar.

"Just what I need... and there goes my precious day.... she's sure to use what happened today to make fun of me at training...."

I whispered those words to myself as I let out a short, tired sigh.

As soon as I let out that sigh, I turned towards my mirror, trying to organize my thoughts and prepare myself for what seemed to be one of the worst days I've ever had.

"I think today is going to be one of those days... And I just hope I can get out of it without any more surprises."

OUTSIDE THE BEDROOM

"I forgot to give him his uniform."

Natasha commented, referring to the clothes she was holding in her hands.

***

Natasha, who had come back to deliver Peter's uniform, was leaning against the corridor wall and, as the door was ajar, ended up hearing everything Peter had said from inside. With a mischievous smile on her face, she was having fun with the whole situation.

As usual, Natasha didn't enter my room like a normal person.

"PARKER, HERE'S YOUR UNIFORM!"

Natasha shouted as she entered my room.

Out of fright, I ended up jumping off the floor and, consequently, sticking to the ceiling.

(She can only be doing this on purpose. There's no other explanation.)

I thought to myself while I was still stuck to the ceiling.

I tried to recover quickly, descending from the ceiling and landing back on the floor with a slight stumble.

"You're having fun with this, aren't you?"

I asked, trying to disguise my irritation with a forced smile.

Natasha was still laughing, but she came closer and held out the uniform to me.

"Just a little. But don't take it to heart; pretend it was a quick training session."

As soon as she said those words, I was still suspicious, but I took the uniform with a sigh and decided to play along.

"I just hope that next time you warn me before you do that. I nearly had a fit here."

I commented as I stared at Natasha who, from the look on her face, didn't even seem to care about my complaints.

After I said that, Natasha let out a laugh and looked at me with a twinkle in her eye. She then headed for the door. However, before she left, she turned to me again and, with an indecipherable smile, replied.

"I wish you the best of luck... because you're going to need it."

Natasha said, not hiding the air of menace in the words she had just spoken to me.