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sycamorelibrary754 · 6 months

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Happy Thanksgiving

Summary: You invite Natasha’s family to join you for Thanksgiving. Holiday cheer and a surprise awaits!

Genre: Fluff

Pairings: Natasha Romanoff x reader, Yelena Belova x reader (platonic), Alexei Alanovich Shostakov x reader (platonic) Melina Vostokoff x reader (platonic)

Word Count: 3.6k

Warnings: None

A/N: This was a fun one. Happy Thanksgiving!

When you first broached the subject with Natasha of inviting Yelena, Melina, and Alexi to your home for Thanksgiving, you weren’t sure how your wife would respond. True, things were better. Their relationship had gone through something of a healing process since they took down Dreykov and the Red Room together, but her family was still a lot for anyone to handle. Most of the team was going to Iowa to spend Thanksgiving with the Barton’s. Clint had gotten it into his head to deep fry the turkey this year. It was going to be can’t-miss-entertainment according to Sam. However, you and Natasha were looking forward to a more intimate holiday.

“You really want my family to join us for Thanksgiving?” Her eyes met yours as you snuggled up on the couch together.

“I think it could be really fun. Plus, you deserve to get to spend some quality time with them that doesn’t involve death, destruction, or pigs,” you joked.

“You don’t like mom’s pigs?” She smirked.

No, love. I do. They’re adorable. Especially once Yelena made them those personalized piggy vests,” you giggled.

“Oh, yeah… Pests!” Natasha laughed recalling the image.

“So what do you think? A Romanoff family Thanksgiving?”

She thought for a moment before a smile reached her lips. “Okay, let’s do it. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think it could be fun,” caressing your cheek softly.

Upon receiving Nat’s approval and confirmation that all three were available and would be there with bells on, you went into planning mode. Determined to make it a special holiday for everyone.

*^~^*

You left bright and early to hit up the grocery store the Monday before Thanksgiving. It was crucial to avoiding the out-of-stock items and the rush of, “fucking annoying slowpokes who don’t know a shallot from an onion,” you eloquently informed your wife after wiggling out of her warm hold.

Nat mumbled something akin to, “See you later, detka,” her head buried in her pillow, as you hurriedly put on your coat, scarf, and beanie and rushed out of the house. Your car keys and shopping list clenched purposefully in your fist.

*^~^*

The front door slammed shut a couple of hours later, alerting Natasha to your arrival.

“I’m home, love!”

“The conquering shopper has returned! How was the store?” Looking around at the mountain of groceries cluttered around you like presents under the Christmas tree.

“It was good! I managed to get everything on the list,” removing your warm attire and running your hand smoothly through your hair.

“I can see that, y/n. Did you leave anything for the other shoppers?” Nat smirked.

“This is all necessary for the traditional Thanksgiving feast I have planned for us,” you explained. “Your family has never had an American Thanksgiving, so I thought why not go all out?”

Your wife stepped carefully around your grocery maze and wrapped her arms lovingly around your neck. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

“Not in the last twenty minutes,” jokingly glancing at the imaginary watch on your wrist before planting a tender kiss on her lips.

Natasha offered to unpack the groceries for you. Meanwhile, you set about creating a cooking timeline for the meal preparation. You were so in your element, your wife couldn’t help but smile. Your adorable expression as you typed away on your laptop reminded her of your demeanor out in the field. Focused, engaged, confident.

*^~^*

A creature of habit, Natasha awoke the following morning for her daily run. She groggily reached over to turn off her alarm, until she realized the alarm hadn’t gone off. No, it was the clanging of pots and pans from the kitchen that tore her from her blissful sleep. Nat rolled over to your side of the bed, only to find it empty. She groaned softly and sat up; cracking her neck and stretching her arms over her head as a yawn escaped her lips.

Natasha padded down the hall toward the kitchen; still clad in her pajamas and the fuzzy socks you bought her. She turned the corner to find you floating around the kitchen in a whirlwind. Dishes in the oven and on the stove.

“Moya lyubov? You’re already in the kitchen?” Rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“No rest for the wary, sweetheart. I’ve got to get the pumpkin pie out of the way so I can get started on the sides by this afternoon,” you explained, fervently whisking your pumpkin puree into your custard mixture. You glanced around the counter like you were looking for something. “Oh, can you hand me those spice jars behind you?”

She picked up the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger stacking them precariously on top of one another like blocks before appearing at your side.

“Nicely, done. You clearly missed your calling as a professional Jenga player.”

“Take your damned spices,” she snarked.

You sprinkled the spice mixture into the filling and let it sit. “Okay,” you said wiping your brow. “I just need to grab the pie crust out of the oven, it should be par-baked by now.”

“I got it, detka,” pulling on the oven mitts and removing the pan from the oven.

Perfect, now we’re just going to fill the crust,” carefully pouring the custard filling. “Then this is going back in the oven at 325 for 45-60 minutes.”

Nat carefully placed the pie back in the oven. “Shall I close, doctor?”

“Please,” in your most professional voice before lapsing into giggles.

“Now, that’s in. We can get started on the sides. Mashed, potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberry feta salad,” you listed.

Two types of potatoes?”

“Oh, it’s a must, love! You get both the salty and the sweet. It’s potato perfection.”

“Hmm, just like you,” she said suggestively.

“Smooth,” you replied.

“I try.”

*^~^*

You were still in the kitchen when Natasha returned from her run.

“Have you taken a break at all since I left?” Removing her running shoes and placing them by the front door.

“No time for breaks. Your sister just texted me and asked if Mac and Cheese was part of the American Thanksgiving tradition, so I’m whipping up one for her.”

Your wife rolled her eyes. “For God’s sake, that’s not necessary, malyshka. Yelena will survive one meal without her precious Mac and Cheese.”

“It’s no problem. I want your family to feel comfortable! That’s why I also have a sparkling Vodka cocktail planned,” you winked.

“That is so sweet, but there is no need to stress over it, y/n. They are going to love it no matter what you make. Plus, you know if you feed them this well they’ll never leave, right?”

“And wouldn’t that be wonderful?” You joked.

“No, it wouldn’t,” she deadpanned.

The rest of the afternoon was spent preparing the stuffing, cranberry sauce, garlic green beanies, and gravy. By the time you finally laid down on the couch Tuesday evening still in your apron, you were pleased with the progress you had made. Your legs lay across Natasha’s lap while she massaged your aching feet. She wasn’t surprised to look over and find you sound asleep five minutes later as the television glow illuminated your features. Your wife could only smile at your sleepy form before gently picking you up and carrying you off to bed.

*^~^*

Wednesday morning Natasha decided to let you sleep in, so she made the executive decision to turn your alarm off. Truthfully, she felt guilty for how hard you had been pushing yourself this week for the sake of her family. Nat was nursing a cup of tea and reading a book in the family room when she heard you down the hall.

“Oh, crap!”

“3,2,1…..”

“Nat, why didn’t you wake me up!” Throwing on your favorite cardigan as you entered the room. “I’ve still got to make the pretzel bread and raspberry jello today.”

“You needed the sleep. I can’t tell you’re exhausted, and you were sleeping so soundly when I got up.”

You had a look of panic in your eyes.

“It’s okay, y/n. I found the recipes for the jello and bread on the table and got the jump on it for you. The jello is done and in the fridge, and the bread dough is under the towel rising.”

You blinked a couple of times as if she was speaking Latin. “You cooked?”

“Are you questioning my abilities?” Raising an eyebrow.

“Well.… yeah? I love you sweetheart, but the only thing I’ve ever seen you make is a peanut butter sandwich.”

“See for yourself,” smiling proudly and removing her reading glasses.

Opening the fridge, you were pleasantly surprised to find a gelatinous raspberry jello staring back at you. You then peeked under the towel on the counter to find the bread dough had just about doubled in size.

“Well, turn me upside down and paint me blue!”

“Hmmm tempting, but let’s save that for after my family leaves,” Natasha smirked as she placed a kiss on the side of your temple from behind.

“This is awesome, my love. Thank you so much,” turning around in her hold. “I have to say, the thought of the Black Widow cooking is incredibly sexy.”

“Is it now?”

“Very, I may have to get you your own apron,” you teased, as Natasha gently grasped your ear lobe between her teeth before placing soft kisses down the side of your neck. A few moments later, her phone dinged with a text notification on the counter beside you. You glanced down at the screen out of the corner of your eye.

“It’s Yelena, sweetheart...”

“Is she on fire? Otherwise, I’m not stopping.” Moving the tender kisses to your lips.

“No, she wants to know if she should bring anything,” you replied between kisses.

She feels bad we’re doing all the work,”

“She’s bringing our parents, that’s a shit ton of work.”

“Ain’t that the truth.”

*^~^*

The next day you and Natasha got started on the crown jewel of your Thanksgiving dinner, the turkey. After letting it thaw in the fridge all week, your twenty-pound bird had been marinating in a salt brine for the past twelve hours. You placed the turkey in the oven at 425 degrees for 35 minutes, which gave you two just enough time to get ready before it needed to be basted.

After showering and putting on your best fall colors, you heard the doorbell.

“Baby, they’re here!” you called, opening the door to welcome your guests.

Alexi was sporting a plush turkey hat, while Melina held a freshly made appetizer. Yelena, standing in front of both of them, had Fanny at her feet. She quickly stepped inside first with a warm hug and a peck on your cheek.

“Happy Thanksgiving, y/n! Thank you so much for inviting us. “Now,” placing both hands on your shoulders. “Where is the booze? I just had to spend the last 20 minutes in the car alone with them listening to Alexi ramble on about his stupid hat.”

You point toward the coffee table holding the sparkling Vodka cocktails as your sister-in-law gives you a cheeky smile. “I love you.”

“Haha!” Alexi exclaimed. Greetings, my wonderful daughter-in-law. I am ready for turkey!” Wrapping you in a giant bear hug.

“Could’ve fooled me, Alexi,” you joked. “Ooh Melina, what do we have here? It looks delicious.”

“A traditional Russian appetizer, Mushroom Julienne. Mushrooms and onions cooked in cream sauce, cheese, and sour cream.”

“Ugh! My mouth is already watering. Here, let me take your coats, you can place that on the coffee table,” you offered.

After tending to the coats, you rejoined the group as everyone settled in the family room for appetizers and cocktails. Holiday music played softly in the background, setting the scene perfectly. You sat on the sofa beside your wife while your in-laws treated you to numerous stories of Natasha and Yelena’s all-to-brief childhood in Ohio. Some of which you had yet to hear.

“Y/N, has Natalia told you how she and Yelena used to stay up late on Christmas Eve to try and catch Santa Claus?” Melina asked.

“Now that was fun. You know, he comes down the chimney, girls. Look out! Where is he? You wait for him, and then when the cookies are gone, you see he’s there.” Alexi recalled.

Yelena smiled fondly at the memory while Natasha turned as red as Santa’s suit and hid her face in her hands.

“Aww, honey,” rubbing circles on her back. It’s precious! I’m sure you were adorable.”

“As adorable as you can be with bright blue hair. You looked like cotton candy,” Yelena laughed.

Nat threw a pillow across the room that barely missed her sister’s head.

“Ha!! Missed!”

“Girls, behave,” Melina ordered.

You couldn’t help but smile at the sisterly teasing and family banter. This was exactly what you were hoping for, and the evening was just getting started.

“Oh, detka, you don’t have a drink yet. Let me get you one,” Natasha offered starting to stand up, but your hand on her arm stopped her.

“Oh, no thanks, love. I actually need to go check on the turkey.”

“I’ll join you,” Yelena announced. “I want to see this bird you Americans are so crazy about.”

You opened the oven to reveal your delectable 20-pound turkey. “Do you want to brush it with the honey glaze for me, Lena? I’m going to check on the side dishes.”

“Just call me DaVinci!”

You turned back around to find your sister-in-law had finished off the glazing by painting a smiley face on the turkey.

“Wow, I didn’t know our turkey had such a charming smile,” you joked. Reducing the heat to 325 and setting the timer for another 75 minutes.

“Thank you again for including us today, y/n. While it would’ve been fun to watch Barton sear his eyebrows off trying to deep-fry a turkey, it's been nice to see Natasha so happy. We didn’t have any family holidays growing up. Not real ones, anyway.”

“Well, you always will now,” placing an arm around her shoulder. “I will spend the rest of my life trying to make your sister happy. That’s a promise.”

While the turkey finished cooking, you decided to share as many of your own Thanksgiving traditions as you could. You watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, took in some Turkey Day football, and even played a rousing game of Pictionary.

“What the hell is that?” Yelena shouted as Nat was heavily engaged in her drawing.

“Oooh! Ooh! A ladybug doing the Macarena!”You screamed, just before the timer ran out.

“Yes!”

“Unbelievable, what is that five in a row,” Melina remarked. No wonder you two are such a good team.”

“Well, it's no surprise you're a pro at Pictionary. I mean, who needs talent when you can just doodle like a 5-year-old?” Yelena retorted.

“Don’t hate the player, hate the game, Lena,” dropping the marker like a microphone.

“Trust me, I do. It will be perfect for when I want to torture Kate Bishop.”

“With that, I think it’s time for dinner,” you announced happily.

*^~^*

It only took a few minutes before your Thanksgiving feast was lovingly displayed on the dining room table. The sight and aroma of the food was a gentle massage to the soul.

“Before we dig in,” holding up your glass for a toast, “I just wanted to say how happy Nat and I are that you could join us today. We love you, and I’m so thankful to be a part of your family.”

Natasha grasped your hand and placed a soft kiss on your knuckles.

“We feel the same way,” Melina concurred.

“Yes, we’re so happy that you and our little Natalia found each other,” Alexi added.

“Yes, y/n is a saint. It’s all very touching, can I carve the turkey now,” Yelena groaned, holding up a sharpened carving knife.

“You may proceed,” you declared with a Queen’s wave of your hand.

Dishes were passed around the table like musical chairs. Wine filled everyone’s glasses, while you opted for your favorite - Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider. You pretended not to notice Yelena sneaking a few scraps to Fanny under the table. The chatter rose and fell, every few moments dispersed with laughter. It was the kind of occasion most aren't aware that they're truly enjoying, yet look back at in warm nostalgia.

After hibernating for a bit in your Thanksgiving food comas, you moved back into the family room for dessert. You were excited to finally bring out the homemade Pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream.

“Ah, now this is a beautiful pie.” Look at this, girls. I love America, you cannot get this back in St. Petersburg.” Alexi gushed.

“Y/N made it from scratch,” your wife bragged, causing you to blush at the compliment.

“Did y/n also split the atom?” Yelena teased. She earned an eye roll from her older sister. “Could you BE more whipped?”

“No, I honestly don’t think I could,” Natasha looked at you like you had hung the moon and the stars.

*^~^*

As the evening wound down, the hustle and bustle of the past week was starting to catch up to you. Your wife didn’t miss your heavy eyelids or the tiny yawn that escaped your lips as Fanny hopped up on the couch to lay down beside you.

“Well, we should probably get going, traffic will be annoying crossing back over the bridge,” your sister-in-law said.

“Before you go, I have gifts for all of you!” Jumping up off the couch.

“You do?”A bewildered expression on Nat’s face.

“I do!” You’re voice trailed away as you padded down the hall toward your bedroom.

Natasha turned around to her family with a shrug of her shoulders, no clue what you were talking about. You returned a moment later with small autumn-gold gift bags.

“This is just a little something for each of you,” clasping your hands together in front of your smiling face. Natasha was even more confused when you handed her one as well. “Go on, sweetheart,” you encouraged.

Natasha removed the delicate tissue paper. Her strong and calloused hands met the soft cotton hiding inside. She pulled the gift out and held it up in front of her. A tiny onesie was staring back at her that read, “Mommy’s Little Turkey.”

Natasha stared at it speechlessly wide-eyed. A first for your relationship. Finally, her brain caught up with the moment. “Moya lyubov—what? we—you…you’re pregnant?”

You nodded vigorously, starting to cry. Natasha’s hands cupped your cheeks. Her lips met yours in a heartfelt kiss, not caring in the slightest that her family was watching. You gently combed your fingers through the hair at the nape of her neck, returning the kiss.

Melina, Alexi, and Yelena held up their onesies to find variations of Natasha’s: Grandma’s Little Turkey, Grandpa’s Little Turkey, and Auntie’s Little Turkey.”

“I knew it!”Yelena shouted.

She turned to Natasha and whispered, “You see what can happen when you keep your heart,” holding her lovingly in her arms.

Vashe zdorov'ye! (Cheers) Alexi exclaimed. If it is a boy you will name him Alexi. It is a strong and honorable name!” Kissing you on both cheeks.

“Oh God,” Yelena muttered under her breath. “For the love of Fanny, please don’t do that,” wrapping her arms around you. “I would love to babysit. There is much I’m looking forward to passing on to my niece or nephew.”

“Yeah, that’s not terrifying at all,” your wife mumbled in your ear.

The shock wearing off, Natasha reached down and gently placed her palm on your stomach. You weren’t showing yet, but just knowing that your child was growing inside you awakened a dream that she had put away in the Red Room long ago.

*^~^*

Once her family left, Natasha insisted that she would handle the post-holiday clean-up, confining you to the couch with a plethora of pillows and a fluffy blanket. Foreshadowing what was to come for the duration of your pregnancy.

“Sweetheart, those dishes go in the top right cupboard,” directing her from the couch.

“No worries, malyshka. I got it! You just take it easy. The baby needs rest after all of this Thanksgiving cheer,” her protective instincts make an appearance.

“The baby is the size of a plum, my love,”

“A very tired plum!”

*^~^*

Thirty minutes later the kitchen was clean and you both were ready for a good night’s sleep. You would never admit it to your wife, but boy, were you tired. You donned your coziest pajamas and joined Natasha in bed. Snuggled into the covers, you found comfort and peace in your safe space. Nat rolled over to face you, your foreheads touching in a beautifully intimate gesture of love and affection.

“This has been the best day of my life. Not only did you give my family an amazing Thanksgiving, you gave me a gift I’ll never forget. Though I have to admit now that I know you’re pregnant, I’m replaying the last week in my head in a loop of horrifying anxiety.”

You giggled at her confession, “It’s alright, Nat. I’m ready for a nice long rest, and I just had a check-up with Helen last week.”

“Wait, does the team know?”

“Dear God, no. You think that group can keep a secret?”

“We can tell them at Stark’s Christmas party in a couple of weeks if you’re comfortable with the idea.”

“Perfect. I need a couple of weeks to prepare for the onslaught of attention from our little one’s aunts and uncles.”

Natasha reached over and grabbed your hand. “I love you, y/n. I can’t wait to welcome our little plum into the world,” she smiled.

“I love you too. You are going to be an amazing mother, sweetheart.”

“Happy Thanksgiving, y/n”

“Happy Thanksgiving, Natasha.”

#natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff x reader #Natasha Romanoff and you #black widow #fluff #comfort #yelena boleva #red guardian #melina #the avengers #mcu #white widow #natalia romanova

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critter-of-habit · 5 months

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When I watched the new What If episode with Peggy & Nat I immediately thought of you, your art, and what your reaction would be. Especially since it was kind of a retelling of Captain America & The Winter Soldier.

What are your thoughts on the episode?

Seeing as you asked, I WILL TELL YOU MY MANY THOUGHTS. WITH PICTURES.

under the cut for length lol

First of all, as usual the animation, particularly the lighting, was incredible. Also the effects! The explosions, smoke, everything. Always blows me away how much effort and love these animators put in to What If.

I love that it's Winter Soldier based because by god do I love that movie - but I also love that it's so very different to my AU cos that means I can keep going with it lol.

Okay here we go with the highlights - Blatant flirting and showing off:

This???:

Just how in sync they were with every fight scene - even in the Battle of New York when they had only known each other for a few hours.

HEY LOVELY. LOVELY:

Angst. And how soft Nat is here:

"Hey, Peg. I got you."

Natasha's inability to sit in a chair properly:

Peggy making a star wars reference and Nat calling her out on it like .. Nat you RECOGNIZED the reference you're a nerd too

"You know I always wondered how you got all those GI Boys to follow a woman into war: question answered." ie. "I'm so into you right now":

This Natasha stabbed Dreykov to death with a corkscrew and I love her for it.

Natasha instinctively putting herself in between Peggy and Steve even though they're both twice her size

I've already mentioned but, the choice to focus on Natasha's face in this scene:

Nat's face here:

Natasha only getting taken down by the robots because her gay-Peggy-focused-ass gets distracted when Peggy runs off to protect Steve: (I'll come back to this point later as a negative)

MELINA.

Was anyone else looking to see if Yelena was there

"Let's unpack that later, shall we?"

"I don't know whether to kiss you, kill you, or dissect you." "Let me guess, all three?"

I bet the Captain Carter film was baby Nat's gay awakening lol:

Melina's glorious slo-mo "grandma, it's me, anastasia" coat drop:

Peggy running to save Nat T_T

These shots:

Nat wearing the same outfit from Winter Soldier:

Natasha "too-loyal-and-infatuated-for-her-own-good" Romanoff going along with Peggy again to look for Steve without even being asked. (in stark contrast to the end of Winter Soldier when Natasha did not go with Steve to look for Bucky, I might add)

New reaction image:

Peggy and Nat calling and reaching out to each other when the portal opens and ALMOST making it - then Natasha punching the ground in desperation T_T

These two look SO COOL and I can't wait for the 1602 episode.

Negative points:

Rehashing Ste/ggy all over again - we already HAD that and it was endgame, why do it again?

As much as I adore Natasha's intense loyalty, it's very one sided in this episode and I'm wondering if that's intentional. Peggy is hyperfocused on Steve and leaves Nat behind to run after him multiple times, even though he is in an entire suit of armor and is FINE and Natasha is the one actually getting injured. Then she's leaving at the end without saying goodbye to go find Steve again (despite there being no reason to think he's alive? he EXPLODED??) even though Natasha just went through a trauma too and shouldn't be abandoned. Kinda feels like Peggy is taking Natasha's always being there for granted and I really hope it's addressed in following episodes (though I doubt it will be - it'll just be Steve focused again -_- )

Okay I think I'm done. This was a LOT I'm not sorry I've been waiting for more content for SO LONG I can't wait for the rest of the episodes to rip my heart out and stomp on it :3

#Disclaimer because this is tumblr: I'm under no illusion that Peggynat will actually happen #but all their interactions FEED ME #peggynat #reply #critter rambles #long post #VERY long post I'm not sorry #what if...?#what if...? spoilers #what if #what if spoilers

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redroomreflections · 19 days

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Who Lives, Who Dies Chapter Two

Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader

Summary: Natasha and Reader are married. They get into an accident where Natasha suffers serious injuries including amnesia. Natasha no longer remembers her life with reader and their children. All she remembers are her days loving Bruce.

w/c: 4.9k

Another hour has passed when you notice Natasha shift in the bed. Lily is still curled into her while Olivia is sound asleep by her side. You’re sure Natasha has gone past the state of uncomfortable to full-on pain. You also know she won’t say anything if it means keeping the girls close to her. Even in her current state, her first priority is her children. Whom she just met. There’s clear adoration on her face every time she looks down at them. Every sniffle or subtle movement and she’s watching them like a hawk. Daring any hospital personnel to tell her she couldn’t have them here.

For a moment you wish you were Wanda. You wish you could tap into her mind and figure out what she’s thinking. Unfortunately, that's beyond the scope of your abilities. You can feel the magic at the tip of your fingers, it's a low hum, only apparent as you’re stressed. You will yourself to calm down for the time being. You have to do this with a level head. Even when all you want to do is break down and never get up.

“I can take them,” You offer. Alexei and Melina are most likely still in the waiting room. Since hearing about the accident they’ve been helpful. They kept the girls while you took the time to recover. They even kept them during your stay at Natasha’s bedside. “I’m sure you need to rest and stretch. Alexie and Melina are-”

“No,” Natasha frowns. Oh. You hadn’t expected this. “I don’t want them taking them.”

“Natasha, the girls have been staying with them for the past week.”

“No,” Natasha shakes her head again. “I’m their mom right?” You nod. You can see her gain new confidence at your confirmation. “I don’t want them there. I don’t trust them.” She looks at you pleading with you to understand. You do. Natasha doesn’t remember her time in Budapest with Yelena or Melina’s farm or taking down the Red Room again. She doesn’t remember their reunion. You don’t think now is an appropriate time to say that Alexei and Melina have a home just outside of NYC that you visit frequently.

“Okay, Nat, I understand.” You can see her visibly relax at your words. “I’ll call someone else.” You think. There’s no shortage of people who would come and get them at the drop of a hat. The girls are very popular amongst your friend group. Monica would come no questions asked. Though she might not be prepared to keep them for a couple of days. Wanda is the next on your list. She’s good with them. She loves them as if they are her own. You’d have to figure something out.

You look at the time on your phone. Visiting hours would be over soon.

“I have to talk to your parents,” You stand. She bristles at the title you’ve given them. “I can, um, find you something to eat if you’re up to it?”

“That would be great,” Natasha gives you that much. You leave the room with a mission in mind. First is the nurse's station where you ask for food for Natasha. It’s not the best but it would hold her over until you’re home. If she decides to eat. Next is Alexei and Melina who are sitting so patiently in a corner of the waiting room.

“Hey,” You greet them with a sigh. “Look, I’m sorry about what happened in there. She-Natasha is. It’s so complicated.”

“She doesn’t have her memories?” Melina concludes.

“No,” You break it to them gently. “She doesn’t know us. She doesn’t know who we are.”

“So back to square one?” Alexei asks. “We have to win her over again?”You can see the wheels turning in his head. He’s already planning something of how he will get her to speak with him.

“The time that Natasha remembers,” You raise a hand to stop him. “Five years ago. Ultron. It’s when we first met. I don’t think she has any recollection as to how but she remembers battling him. Which means everything after that is iffy for her.” For just a moment you are grateful that she doesn’t remember you. Your meeting was less than fantastic or romantic. In fact, both of you were left with more than enough bruises and scrapes. Your time at HYDRA wasn’t your proudest moment. Somehow you think Natasha won’t be too welcoming of that.

“She doesn’t know the girls,” Melina says lowly.

“She’s Natasha through and through,” You sit beside them. “She doesn’t care if she doesn’t remember. She is their mom and she has her boundaries. She doesn’t want you guys to take them.”

“Then who will?” Melina doesn’t seem so surprised by this though Alexei has kept quiet.

“Yelena is still in and out so it can’t be her.” You shake your head. “Wanda. She’s close. If Nat doesn’t remember much of me then…..” Her words come back to you. She knows. “God! This is so fucked.” You rest your head on the back of the chair to allow the rest of your body to slouch. There’s no way she’s letting the girls go with Wanda. So, Steve is the next option. She knows Steve. Trust him. He wouldn’t lie to her. “I’m, um, I’m going to go make some calls. I’ll be right over there. You guys can go home if you want. I’ll keep you updated.”

They nod, gathering their bearings, before standing to leave.

“Take care of yourself, y/n.” Melina rests a hand on your shoulder. You nod. You’d try your best. Alexei bids you goodbye with a kiss on your forehead. You don’t move until they’re out of your sight. Suddenly it’s weighing on you how different life is about to be.

You pull out your phone to facetime Steve. After a few rings, he answers.

“Hey, how’s it going?” He asks immediately. There’s shuffling in his background and you can tell he’s moving over to his couch. He sets the phone down, making sure it’s at a decent angle, and it’s then the rest of the Avengers step into view.

“Hi guys,” You greet. “There’s no easy way to say this. Natasha woke up. She’s stable. Talking and moving around. You know how Natasha does.” You shrug.

“There’s a but in there,” Sam bends over the couch.

“She has amnesia,” You tear the bandaid off. There’s no sense of sugar coating. “She hit her head pretty hard and things aren’t looking so good in that aspect.”

“How much does she remember?” Steve frowns.

“Ultron,” The word sounds funny on your tongue. It’s still hard to even utter his name knowing what the aftermath was. You lost your brother. Wanda lost her twin. “She remembers being with Bruce and hiding at Clint’s farm.”

“Jeez,” Steve curses. It’s the closest he’ll get to a swear.

“She wants one of you here. To speak to you,” You tell them. “Maybe you Steve? I need someone to keep the girls and you’re the only one she trusts.”

“I understand,” Steve nods. “Of course. Give me an hour and I’ll be there.” Steve promises. He’s always so trustworthy.

“Thank you guys, again.” You sigh for what feels like the millitonth time. “Wanda I will call you later.”

“I’ll be here,” Wanda bids you goodbye. You hang up the phone feeling like a weight was lifted from your shoulders. You return to the hospital room to find Natasha sharing her lunch with Olivia.

“Mommy, no peanuts in it.” Olivia informs you. You look over to the small meal. Green beans, mashed potatoes, a dinner roll, and pudding for desert. Peanut free.

“She’s allergic she told me,” Natasha murmurs. She doesn’t take a single bite of food. “It’s a bad allergy right?”

“Life threatening,” You nod.

“I should know more about them,” Natasha begins. “It’s important that I do.” She’s admitting to a new weakness.

“I will tell you everything you need to know when you are better,” You promise her. “For now you rest. Uncle Steve is on his way to take you home with him.” You bend down to look Olivia in her eyes. She’s too busy making a mess of the mashed potatoes on her face. “Are you okay leaving with Uncle Steve?”

“Yes,” Olivia nods. She always has a blast with him. There’s no reason for her not to be okay with him. You move to sit in your chair, content watching Natasha interact with the kids, as you think of everything that you have to do.

She’s so good with them if a bit unsure of her position. Lily is still sleeping soundly, her face pressed against Natasha’s breast, as she breathes softly. Olivia is more active and has questions about everything. You don’t really pay any mind. Until she brings up her dance recital.

“You didn’t go cuz you were in the car ‘ccident.” Olivia says so casually. “I danced at school.” Natasha looks over to you for answers. “Her dance recital. We were on our way when we got hit by a car,” You simplify it. There’s no need for a full blow explanation.

“You didn’t have any injuries?” She scans you from where you’re sitting. Her tone is almost accusatory. You’re not willing to go there with her.

“Just a few dings,” You shake your head. Suddenly there’s another knock at the door. You stand to open it, thankful for the reprieve, to reveal Steve Rogers in all his glory.

“Unlce Steve!” Olivia grins. “You’re here to see Mama?” She questions.

“I am,” Steve steps into the room. He’s cautious. He comes to the side of her bed. Natahsa’s eyes never leave his.

“You’re bulkier,” She comments. She takes note of his full head of hair and fully grown beard. Steve looks good.

“I lift more,” Steve shrugs.

“I’m going to take Liv to get cleaned up,” You offer to give them some time alone. You reach across the bed to take Olivia. You can see Natasha take a deep pained breath. You ignore it for the sake of not starting anything.

You’re in one of the visitor bathrooms, cleaning up Olivia, when you realize you have to explain it to her. She’s three. She understands and picks up on more than what you think. Keeping things a secret from her won't bode over well in the end.

“Have to dry my hands,” Olivia walks over to the automatic driers to hold her hands under them. She’s so smart and attentive. There’s no way she won’t notice. Once she’s done, you walk over to the visitor's room. It’s not the best place to tell her but she needs to know. Olivia sits in the chair, bouncing in place, as she waits for you to talk. She’s only half paying attention as the hustle and bustle of the room catches her eye.

“Hey, Mouse, I need to talk to you about something important,” You start.

“Important? Oh? What’s important?” She looks to you.

“Remember how Mama and I got into the car accident and she bumped her head really hard?” You try to explain on her level. Olivia nods, picking at her sweater, as she tries to keep focus. For the most part, she’s doing quite well. “Well, when she bumped her head it did something. Her memories are gone. Which means she doesn’t know a lot of things that she used to.”

“Memories are gone,” Olivia repeats though you don’t think she understands exactly how any of this works.

“Yes, her memories are gone,” You try to think of a better way to keep this process smooth. “Mama is sick. So for a little while we have to be patient with her.”

“Oh,” Olivia nods. “Give her kisses and hugs to make it better?”

“I think she would like that,” You are in agreement on one thing. If you know Natasha, and you do, she is going to want the girls there every step of the way. Not that you know what the next step is. Of course, things are a bit harder to gauge when you’re doing it alone and she doesn’t trust half of the people you interact with daily. You could only hope this would work.

Meanwhile, in Natasha’s hospital room, she’s eyeing Steve with a guarded expression and curious eyes. She doesn’t hide her complete distrust for you and the entire situation. She needs to hear all of this from someone she knows. Someone from before. Steve wouldn’t lie to her. At least she hoped he wouldn’t.

“You’re still Avenging?” Natasha asks. She’s asking the easy questions for now.

“I am,” Steve confirms.

“The rest of the team?”

“Scattered but still around,” Steve sits in the chair you abandoned. “Thor is with Jane. They have a baby boy. He’s the same age as your little one.” He gestures to Lily. “Clint and Laura are with the kids still on the farm. Tony is Tony. He has a little girl.”

“With Pepper right?”

“Of course,” Steve nods.

“And Bruce?” She tries to appear uninterested but Steve knows better.

“Bruce is around,” Steve shrugs. “He’s here and there. Isn’t really an Avenger anymore.”

“There’s a story behind that,” Natasha prompts him to speak further but he doesn't.

“That is for another time,” Steve says. He bends until his elbows rest on his thighs. “You’re not supposed to be talking this much. Fractured rib. It has to hurt.”

“You know that’s not going to stop me,” Natasha attempts to take another breath though this time it’s too painful. She can’t even hide it. This leads her into a terrible coughing fit that has her clutching her side. Once she’s settled down, she lies her head against the pillows. “Turns out I have a wife now. I’m married.” She mumbles.

“Happily,” Steve reminds her. She lets her head loll in his general direction before opening her eyes again. “You and Y/n are an example of a loving marriage. Don’t push her away, Nat.”

“Who says I was,” Natasha presses her lips together into a thin line. She would like to drink a gallon of water right now. “She’s pretty.”

“That she is,” Steve laughs. “Seriously, Natasha, that woman would go to hell and back for you. I know your spy training tells you not to trust her. Especially when you only remember you and Bruce. Let her in. You’re going to need the help.”

“I’ve never needed help,” Natasha is a bit snippy with that statement.

“We both know that’s not true, Romanoff but I’ll let you have it,” Steve stands. “She’s raising and having your babies. Don’t write her off so soon. You may find that you’re in love with her all over again.”

Natasha remains mute at his words. Natasha Romanoff could never be in love. She’s never been in love. Love is for children. What she had with Bruce was…different. She can’t put a label on it. Not that she remembers anything that happened after her proposal at Clint’s farm.

“I’m going to take the girls now,” Steve reaches over to take Lily in his arms. She cuddles up to his chest. “If I don’t wake her now she’ll be up all night.”

“You’re taking this Uncle Steve title seriously,” Natasha jokes.

“I have to,” Steve bends to press a kiss to her forehead and finds himself explaining at her surprised face. Back then they weren’t so close. “I’ll be seeing you soon.” He leaves Natasha by herself for a few moments to come and find you.

Natasha finally takes a much-needed deep breath, clutching her side again, as she tries to wrap her head around this entire situation. She’s married. She has kids. What did Steve mean by “she’s raising and having your babies.” Were you pregnant? No. You don’t look it. Maybe it’s just a throwaway line. A thing people say. He also said your marriage is a loving one. Natasha finds this entire thing hard to believe. This one doesn’t sit right with her. She can’t run. Not when those two little girls look up to her as if she means the world. To them she does.

For them she’d stay.

**************************

Steve approaches you in the waiting room with an unreadable expression. He’s carrying a now awake Lily in his arms. When she spots you she holds out her arms for you to take her. You sit her down in your lap, kissing the top of her head, knowing how clingy she is when she’s sleepy.

“How was it?”

“She was fine surprisingly,” Steve admits. “No weapons to the throat or any of that.” He stands with his arms folded. “Are you sure you want her to come back home with you? Maybe it would be better for her to go back to the tower?”

“I’m sure,” You nod and speak past the lump in your throat. “If things change. If she expresses that it's what she wants then it’s fine. She can go back. We can arrange something with the girls and visit. Can we just play it by ear?” You pull your gaze from some random object in the room to Steve’s concerned eyes.

“How are you feeling?” Steve uses that voice. You know the one. He’s so caring and compassionate and somehow always able to pull the truth from you.

“I’m fine,” You have to be. There’s no other choice. “As long as she’s okay I’m fine. I think ask me in a few days. Maybe I’ll have a different answer.”

“Good,” Steve kisses your forehead much in the same way he did Natasha’s. “Now are you girls ready to go with Uncle Steve?”

“Yeah,” Olivia nods. She signs to Lily whose eyes light up at the idea of spending the night with her uncle.

“Don’t worry they’re safe,” Steve nods.

“Is Mama coming too?” Olivia looks over to you. She thinks Steve is taking you home.

“No, Mouse, Mama’s not coming,” You cringe at the trembling bottom lip and the sad expression. “Right now Mama has to get better in the hospital and then we can all go home.”

“To my house?” Olivia questions. She’s not liking this at all.

“Yes, to our house,” You kiss both of her cheeks. “Uncle Steve will take you to Aunt Wanda if you ask and I’ll call you before bedtime. I have to stay here with Mama to make sure she’s doing all better. Is that okay?”

“Yes,” She answers reluctantly but for now a tantrum has been averted. She climbs down from the chair to take Lily’s hand. She’s so protective of her baby sister. You give them both a final kiss before you watch as they walk to the elevator.

It’s then you stand to return to Natasha’s room. It’s time to face the music. You take several deep breaths, willing the magic to calm inside of you, as you walk back to her room. When you step inside, a nurse is checking Natasha’s vitals again. She’s just finishing up when you sit.

The nurse works around the two of you before bidding you a good night.

“Can I have a cot in here please?” You ask before she can leave. She nods before retreating. You turn back to Natasha who’s been watching you thus far.

“You’re sleeping here?” She breathes slower this time. She shifts to get comfortable.

“Yes, I’ve slept here every night since the accident.” You lick your lips.

“Have you eaten?” Natasha questions and for a second you’re hopeful. “Wouldn’t want you to pass out if you’re the one that’s supposed to be taking care of me.” Your face falls though you quickly hide it with something else.

“I can take care of myself,” Your hand twitches. She’s been awakened for five hours and you have yet to kiss or touch her. It’s a bit unsettling. The nerves in your stomach have since turned into dread. There's a pregnant pause before she asks again.

“Who is the woman in your phone? Brunette.” She doesn’t bother to look at you. “A mistress?”

You pat your pockets, wondering when she took the item before she lifts it with her good hand.

“My sister, Wanda.” You answer with a bit of annoyance. Natasha doesn’t recognize her. Which you don’t know whether to classify as good or bad.

“You have a sister?” She looks over to you.

“I do,” You speak softer this time. “I’m not a cheater, Natasha. Whatever thing in your head you’ve thought of is untrue. If you have questions ask me.”

“How long?” Natasha looks up at the ceiling. “Have we been together?”

“Four years,” Her eyes flash to yours. “ Five years ago we met. During Ultron.” You lick your lips again. You don’t mean to leave out key details. It’s better if you do until later. “We moved pretty quickly. With everything that was going on. Marriage was. Is what we wanted in the end.”

“You’re an Avenger you said? How?”

“I have powers,” You raise a hand to show the purple leaving your fingers. Her eyes widen and as quickly as you let it go you put it back. This may all be too much. “I joined around the same time as my sister. She’s an Avenger too. We dated for a while. Me and You. Wne on the run. Got married after. Found the girls.”

“Sounds like a bad movie,” Natasha quops and you snort.

“It does but what can you do?” You shake your head. “For what it’s worth I love you, Natasha.” You try to gauge her facial expression. She’s always been so good at hiding it. “You love me too. Even if you don’t remember. I hope that with time you’ll allow me to show you.”

The conversation ends there. Natasha doesn’t bother looking at you. She sits with her thoughts. She’d rather be anywhere but here. You know her well enough to understand she’ll probably try to break out of here in the middle of the night. Under different circumstances, you’d let her. For the first time in a long time, you feel as if you’re looking at a stranger.

A few days go by, and Natasha doesn’t attempt to escape, but you also don’t make any progress with her. She’s very distrusting of everyone around her/ Especially you. The only time she seems remotely happy is when the girls are around. They bring sunshine to her day and you wouldn't deprive her of that. For the sake of the girls, she pretends to like you. A part of you believes she’s not pretending. She’s trying and that's all you can ask. You rarely leave her side. She takes note of that.

You finally reach a stump when she needs to shower. Natasha isn’t modest. She’s not shy about her body or anything like that. However, you do have to admit being naked and vulnerable isn’t something either of you is going to be able to work with. The nurse offers to help give her a sponge bath and you both practically gag at that.

“Can we use a shower chair?” You offer and it’s accepted.

“You’ll help?” Natasha trusts you more than the nurse apparently. You give her an enthusiastic yes. You help her stand, taking slow and steady steps toward the bathroom, where you turn the shower on. Your arms stay wrapped around her waist as you bend to turn the knob. You try to ignore how good it feels for her to lean on you. You turn back to her, noting the apprehension on her face, as you realize something.

“I have to undress you.” You shuffle from foot to foot. Natasha gives an imperceptible nod. You start with her shirt, keeping your gaze on her face, as you gently lift her arms high enough to slip them out of the sleeves. She’s not wearing a bra and though it’s nothing you haven’t seen before you are aware of how she feels about this entire thing. Next are her pants and panties. You toss them to the other side of the room. You have better ones for her. You look over to the shower, when you look down at your own clothes. You could leave your tank top and bra on and your underwear. You have to climb in with her. “I have to, um, take my-”

“Just do it,” Natasha looks away. She’s more embarrassed that you have to bathe her. You make quick work of stripping before you both step into the shower. She leans against you, her back to your chest, as she breathes hashyl. You sit her down in the chair, kneeling and not quite caring about the steaming water against your back, as you begin to wash her. You start with her shoulders, her chest, her stomach. She keeps her eyes on your face the entire time. You don’t bat an eye when you spread her legs just slightly to clean her there. She gasps though she doesn’t move.

You realize quickly how you messed up.

“Sorry, I should have asked first,” You move your hands to her thighs. You shake your head at yourself.

“It’s fine,” She mutters. Though you can tell it’s anything but. You continue washing her with much more gentleness than before. When you’re done, you step out of the way to rinse her off. Natasha closes her eyes at the warm water hitting her chest. She enjoys the feeling of being clean. When you turn off the water you feel a bit better about everything. You don’t notice her eyes on your backside or the way she watches you as you reach for the towels. You’re half-naked and cold so you try to move quickly. You help her back into the room, dressing her with patience and love, as she lies into the bed again. She doesn’t take her eyes off of you even when you’re getting dressed yourself.

“Why are you doing this for me?” Natasha breaks the silence. You look over from the spot where you’re drying your hair.

It’s simple really. “Because I love you,” You answer before turning back to finish dressing.

You love her with everything in you.

A few days later, Natasha is discharged from the hospital. You'v ordered a few things to be delivered to your house to make her transition better. You pull around to the front of the hospital to the rental your insurance provided for you. You don’t feel particularly anxious until you’re driving away. It’s almost the exact same setup. Except you’re sporting a forehead scar that will fade and Natasha is suffering broken ribs. You hold your breath the entire time, your hands grip the steering wheel harder than necessary, and you’re more cautious the entire way home.

Natasha doesn’t recognize the brownstone or the neighborhood. It’s all unfamiliar to her as she waits for you to park the car. Which you do with ease. Unit #137. That’s your home. Your neighbor, Martha, is outside of her home watering her plants. She greets you as you help Natasha out of her car.

“Oh, you’re home.” Martha smiles. Natasha offers her a wave and a smile but nothing more. “Let me know when the girls are home so I can take them to the nursing home with me next time.” She makes you promise. Martha takes the girls to the nursing home every Wednesday to visit her husband. They love the girls and so does everyone else in the home.

“Will do,” You say before helping Natasha up the stairs. You drop your bags by the front door. She eyes everything. It’s all decorated in varying shades of black and white. There are a few pops of color. Children’s shoes and toys lining the foyer. There’s a nice bench and hook where everything is hung up. Pictures are lining the walls. A grand staircase leads to the second floor. “I know you must be tired. The stairs might be a bit much but I can carry you.”

“You’re going to carry me?” Natasha questions.

You raise your shoulder before dropping it. “The next best thing is the couch and I figured you would want privacy. Our bedroom is the first one.”

“Do we have other rooms?” Natasha looks up the stairs and you feel dumb for thinking she’d want to sleep in the same room as you.

“We do,” You nod. “I can take you to one of them.”

“Okay,” She prepares herself for you to pick her up and you do so with ease. You don’t have superhuman abilities but she doesn’t see you using your powers to take her up the stairs. You don’t strain or even grunt one time. You walk steadily up the stairs, turning to your left, to carry Natasha into the guest room.

“I have to grab your nursing pillow,” You tell her as you help her onto the bed. You rush to your bedroom to grab it. “It’s for if you need to cough or anything like that.” You pass it to her. You stand there for a few seconds longer. “I am ordering takeout tonight. I would cook but it’s been a long few days.”

“When will the girls be here?” Natasha asks.

“Tomorrow,” You clasp your hands together. “Steve is bringing them tomorrow.”

She nods at that. She looks as if she wants to be alone.

“I will be up here for a bit if you need me.” You say awkwardly before stepping outside of the bedroom. You close the door behind you. On the other side, Natasha finally lets a tear fall.

How could she forget all of this?

next part

#natasha romanoff #black reader #natasha x reader #black widow x reader #black widow x female reader #natasha x you #natasha romanov #natsxaddiction

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larz-barz · 2 months

Text

Changes

——————————————————————————

Warning(s)/info: Post final battle, Zeno is @kimetsu-chan’s oc, and Kitari is my oc

Tagging: @kimetsu-chan

——————————————————————————

Zeno and Kitari are unconscious and he’s holding her in his arms tightly as the cure is injected into her body.

Her skin brightens up and her freckles become brown, her hair turns black.

A few days later, Kitari wakes up and sees Zeno at her side holding her hand in his warm hands.

Her eyes are now a beautiful shade of light blue.

Zeno’s expression brightens up the moment he sees his sweetheart awake.

He had woken up a few hours before Kitari did, yet it felt like forever as he stayed by her side.

“Tari, you’re awake!” He exclaims as he gently hugs her.

She smiles and gently hugs him back. “A-are you feeling ok, love..?” He smiles softly.

“Yes, sweetheart..” He softly kisses her forehead. “What about you?”

“M-mhm..” He gently lifts her into his lap then kisses her lips.

“I love you my lovely..” He says softly as he gently strokes her cheek with his thumb.

“I-I love you t-too…” She squeaks out shyly and he chuckles at how adorable she is.

~time skip~

After they’re both fully recovered, Zeno carries Kitari bridal style to their shared house.

Kitari has been struggling to get used to being a human again so Zeno is going to help her out.

“I know it’s been awhile since you last ate human food so how about we start off small?” He suggests as he gently lays her down on the couch.

She nods shyly, making Zeno smile softly as he leans down to press a soft kiss to her forehead.

With Zeno’s help and guidance, Kitari is able to get used to being a human again.

“I’m so proud of you babe, you’ve done so well..” Zeno says then chuckles softly at how flustered she got when he called her babe.

“Th-thank you my love..” He blushes and smiles then pulls something out of his haori sleeve.

“I-…I uhm… I got you something and made you something…” He hands a very beautiful light blue haori to her and she gasps and smiles brightly before hugging him.

After hugging her back with a smile he takes her hands in his before leading her to a beautiful place near his house, it’s the flower field where they first met.

Kitari gasps softly as she looks around at the beautiful and serene surroundings.

She turns to look at Zeno then sees he’s down on one knee, holding a ring in one hand and Kitari’s hand in the other.

“Z-Zen-?” He cuts her off. “Tari.. I knew from the moment we met that you were special.. I knew you were different and that I just had to talk to you more.. I am so glad I was able to stop you before you could leave, because I have gotten to know the most amazing, beautiful, sweet, and adorable girl in the whole world.. That’s you my lovely.. So.. Kitari Melina, w-will you marry me..?” As he talks he starts to get shyer and shyer, starting to second guess himself. What if she isn’t ready yet?

Zeno locks eyes with Kitari and there are tears in her wide eyes. “Y-yes, of course I’ll marry you!” She exclaims excitedly and he smiles brightly as he slips the ring onto Kitari’s finger then scoops her up into his arms before spinning her around joyfully as both of their laughter fills the air.

“I love you so much Tari!” Zeno exclaims through happy tears then kisses her lips.

“I love you so much too!” Kitari exclaims after they pull away from the kiss.

~the end~

hehe, hope you like that ending Kimmie:3

#random posts from larz #demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #teehee #meow #larz writes #oc x oc #kitari melina #zeno arakawa #zentari

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delulu-with-wandanat · 6 months

Note

Fics recs: 1-THE ROMANOFF CHRONICLES, an astounching groundbreaking, never seen before (literally) masterpiece, 100/10. It's mainly set in those 5years post snap, it explains the development that each character presented in endgame in a way the Russos wish they did, it represents the friendship between the avengers in a way marvel never allowed them be, it respects Natasha ( skill set, humanity, personality, affiliations,..) it's nat centric, it's only flaw: it's not complete but don't worry it has 60 medium to long chaps.

2-ON THE COVER - RED WHITE AND BLACK | New York Magazine | Dec. 30th, 2024, this is the most beautifully written farewell, tribute to Natasha Romanoff I have ever seen, it's written in a format that I think has never been used in fanfics, it's a soul touching poetic masterpiece

3- Ohio years, an exquisite bittersweet mini series of 1 shots that's written in a captivating style that keeps your attention, it showcases how the Russian murder family but mainly nat & Melina come to love & connect to each other.

4-FIREFLIES, it's written in such a bittersweet melancholic reminiscing way, it's just so beautiful. It's an 18 1 shots about nat encountering fireflies & being reminded of Ohio years &then others being reminded of nat by seeing them.

5- DISTURBING THE PEACE, an excellent 100/10 tear-jerker masterpiece, it's a very long 1 shot about what if post apocalyptic lonely nat , it also showcases her friendship with og avengers & nick.

6- I USED TO HAVE NOTHING, - WIDOW SISTERS AND MANY MARVELOUS MARVEL WOMEN - WE ARE MEANT FOR MORE THAN THIS, it's cute well written comfort, fluff, a bit angsty 3 different series of mainly 1 shots by 3 different authors about yelena and Natasha. They're my all time favorite comfort read.

7- I LOVE YOU, GOODBYE, it's a very very long 1 shot of AU of endgame in which Wanda survives & wandanat happens that hit me so hard I needed hours to process it & get out of it, my only quell with it is that it reset nat & Wanda's relationship with each other at postAOU where they would definitely be distant to each other.

8- IT'S FUN TO LOSE AND TO PRETEND, an absolute tear-jerker, a masterpiece, a beauty, a greatness, it's a 5 parts multichaps which takes place just after Westview, before Hawkeye where nat is given another chance ending up at Wanda's door, Wanda is given the healing marvel denied her with nat, Sam &bucky not being limited by the shackles of the screen & actually interacting with the events of their universe,Clint and yel meeting with their beloved. The ending was a bit unsatisfying to me but nonetheless as martin says this is CINEMA.

9- HOW NATASHA ROMANOFF MARRIED WANDA MAXIMOFF, it's a medium paced 38 chaps retelling of "how Nancy Jackson married Kate Wilson" but with wandanat with huge changes. It's sweet & adorable, the beginning was a bit rocky to me, there parts I would wince where I didn't like it but otherwise an absolute entertainment, I wanna kiss the head of it's author irl for giving me this absolute comfort for FREE. God or whatever higher power bless this person.

10-OUR LITTLE GROUP HAS ALWAYS BEEN (AND ALWAYS WILL UNTIL THE END), it's 9 part series of mini chaps, it's very creative concept,a wild imagination, it's the biggest au to ever au as its author puts it. To me it's the truest form of fanfic, the author took majority of the plot of MCU & toyed with it &come up with their world which has everything cute adorable wandanat, yelenat, the maximoffs, yel and Pietro, loving Russian spy parents, coulson's Lola, overall it's cuteness overload. God bless this author too.

If you ever decide to read them pls leave them a comment & let me know how you feel about them, also do you have more nat centric fanfics or just good fanfics about nat and anybody else.

oh my FUCKING GODDD THANK U ANON!!!

im def gonna read all ur recs! So far i had this one fanfic i rlly like but i forgot the title. I’ll let u know when i rememberr

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fratboykate · 2 years

Note

Man, can you imagine the adorable horror-show/perfection of the whole wedding? Because OBVIOUSLY 90% of it is going to be perfect, but 10% is going to be all of Kate’s old FB buds there to celebrate AND relive the glory days. Never mind whatever happened with Kate’s family (who are homophobes and don’t want to be seen at a lesbian wedding BUT ALSO don’t want to be publicly SEEN as being that homophobic). I have my fingers crossed that Melina punches Derek out.

"Go over it with me again..."

Yelena rests her shoulder against the bathroom door while she brushes her teeth.

"Babe, I got it. We don't need to go over it again."

"Yeah, I heard that before you guys went away for...what do you guys call Tyler again?"

"Master Blaster..."

"Right. That should've been my first warning sign..." Yelena turns around to spit and rinse her mouth. "...that you shouldn't have gone to that Bachelor weekend." Yelena dries her face, shuts the light off, crawls into bed, straddles Kate, and wraps her arms around her neck. "Humor me and go over it with me again."

"No more than thirty-six beers in twenty-four hours. Need to remember that I can't do gin anymore or I end up throwing up on power hose mode like I'm reenacting that scene from The Exorcist."

Yelena grimaces at the mental picture and speaks sarcastically as Kate continues to list things.

"Definitely marrying you for your way with words."

"No hard drugs. What else...OH! Go to the bank and make sure I have enough cash so we can tip the strippers well."

"Fairly certain I didn't say the last one." Kate cracks a smile. "But I'm glad you're thinking about properly compensating the hardworking entertainment you guys are procuring. I'm not going to pretend I didn't know that was going to happen. I know your friends. Just please be respectful...of them and me. That's the only thing I'm asking for on that front."

"Hey. I don't know what they're planning and...yeah, I'm sure it includes...entertainment...but if you say the word, I'll call them right now and cancel the whole thing. That's not what this weekend is about."

"No. I'm not going to get branded as the lame wife before the ring is even on my finger. Besides, you get one last free and sanctioned night of seeing other naked women in your life. After that, it's just me until you die, so...enjoy it. Respectfully. Now, you weren't done with the list. Keep going."

"I don't remember what I said anymore."

"Beer cap, no gin, no hard drugs...and.........you're missing a few things but absolutely the biggest one..."

Kate begrudgingly parrots back Yelena's talking point.

"...and definitely definitely DEFINITELY nothing that will lead to any facial injuries and/or broken bones that might ruin the wedding pictures."

"No injuries. At all. Please, Kate. The fact that you've come back from TWO different pre-wedding weekends all banged up and they weren't even yours is the reason we're even having this conversation. Please don't make me wrap you up before you leave tomorrow. The stitches call last time was bad enough."

"I will be on my best behavior." Yelena arches her right eyebrow. "Okay, I won't, but I will at least promise you I won't come back all sorts of fucked up..."

"I'm holding you to that."

---

It was a surprise to no one with a shred of common sense when Kate walked into her apartment with puppy dog eyes and her left arm hidden behind her back.

It took Yelena TWO seconds flat to clock it. And she was like "JFKEJFKEMFOEKFJWNF KATHERINE ELIZABETH BISHOP THE FUCKETY FUCKING FUCK DID YOU DO SHOW MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"

Kate sprained her wrist and broke her pinky and ring finger on her left hand...THE HAND WHERE YELENA NEEDS TO PUT A RING ON AT THE WEDDING.

Kate’s hand is currently on nothing more than a sling and splint, but that’s solely because she insisted no more extensive intervention happen. Doctors wanted to put her arm in a cast given the seriousness of the sprain plus the two broken fingers, but, even as drunk as she was, Kate resisted the mere suggestion. She was like "LISTEN...you don't understand...if I walk into my house with a cast, my fiancée will HANG me, and whatever further damage you're trying to prevent here will be pointless anyway. NO CAST."

---

Yelena doesn't talk to Kate for three days. Nothing. COLD. Mind you, these are three days LEADING UP TO THE WEDDING. It's absolute bedlam around them and Kate gets jack shit. Only the silent treatment. She'll get like twenty texts a day from Alexei that go along the lines of: "Yelena is asking me to ask you..." or "Yelena says you have to be...". Worth noting........KATE CAN'T EVEN TEXT PROPERLY WITH HER JACKED HAND lol. It's all a clusterfuck.

---

Yelena doesn't talk to Kate until she walks into the apartment and finds poor, one-handed Kate struggling to open a jar in the kitchen. Yelena stomps over, opens the jar for her fiancée, then shoves it back into Kate's good hand.

"The week before the wedding. Seriously, Kate."

"I'm sor..."

"I don't want to hear it. I asked you for one thing, Kate. One thing." Yelena turns and leaves. She then stops and turns when she remembers. "By the way, your dad's office called. He and his girlfriend RSVP'd for the wedding today. I'm sure he told your sister, and your sister told your mom because then your mom called me, and they're all coming too. Glad I decided to save those seats, I guess. They're going to show up and see your lovely handy work there. Good job, Bishop. Can't wait to hear you explain that one and see how your father manages to twist it into you being a failure because you're marrying me and I happen to have a vagina. Very much looking forward to being your family's punching bag at my own wedding."

Yelena storms off. Kate hears the bedroom door slam shut, then hangs her head and mumbles.

"Shit."

---

For the next forty-six minutes, Kate stands in that exact spot. During most of that time, she listens to Yelena answer phone calls from the wedding planner, vendors, Melina, or her friends. All about the wedding.

Kate hears Yelena end a particularly frustrating call with the planner about an issue with one of the rental houses. She decides to head to the bedroom where Yelena is currently holed up behind closed doors.

Kate opens the door and Yelena glares at her. They know each other well enough that Yelena can read Kate's face by now. She knows Kate walked in intending to talk, but with the afternoon she's having, Yelena is all talked out. Yelena wants no more Big Conversations today. She doesn't want anyone talking to her at all, actually. Her plans are to crack a bottle of wine open, draw a bath, and go to bed. Nothing else.

"It's not going to go well, so leave."

"No."

"Katherine...you've never been good at listening to what I'm trying to tell you, but right now, I'm halfway to canceling this entire fucking wedding, so leave me alone tonight. Do what I'm asking you one time for a change."

Yelena turns her back to Kate and makes for the bathroom to start filling the tub.

"I'm going to ask my parents not to come."

Yelena comes to a grinding halt and whips her head towards Kate.

"What...?!"

"They're not coming."

"Are you out of your mind? Did you also bang your head when you were fucking up your hand?"

"The wedding is about you and us, not them. I'm not having them show up and ruin it."

"Leave. Please leave the room."

"I'm calling them and telling them not to come."

Kate turns and starts to leave.

"If you do that, the wedding is off."

Kate turns on her heels immediately and stares at Yelena.

"The fuck? Why would you say that?"

"Your family calls to RSVP to the wedding and a few hours later, you call them to uninvite them? Who do you think they're going to blame for that, Kate? Me. They're going to blame me. We sent them invitations, they RSVP'd, they're coming."

"We sent them invitations because I didn't know you felt like this."

"FELT LIKE WHAT?!"

"Like they hate you."

"Did you need the Times to print an Op-Ed about it? Your dad looks at me like he wishes I'd fall into a vat of acid and disappear. They think I ruined your life. I don't 'feel' like anything. That's merely a fact, Kate."

"You didn't ruin my life. You're the best, sexiest, smartest, occasionally funniest thing - but only sometimes...everyone knows I'm the funny one of the two. You're my highlight, and if they can't see that, then they don't need to be there. Seriously, who gets this lucky?! You're smart as hell AND have the looks of a trophy wife??? I hit the Babe Jackpot!”

Yelena is angry enough that she WANTS to keep arguing, but it's kind of hard to find a way to argue with...that.

"It's impressive how you always get SO CLOSE to saying the sweetest, most perfect things and then right at the last second careen right off the road into 'absolutely not' land."

"I think it's probably some faulty DNA strand or something. You should check it out. Make sure I don't pass it down to the kids."

"I should probably get on that. I can't handle more than one of you. It'd send me to an early grave. Or even earlier, I should say. You've shaved years off my life already." They hover in place. "They're coming...your family. They're coming. There's too much shit going on as it is. I can't deal with the drama you calling them would cause. We invited them, they agreed, we deal with it."

"We don't have to. It's OUR wedding."

"Exactly. I want to enjoy it, and if there's chaos and noise happening with them in the background, I won't be able to. I'd rather have them there drinking and eating than angry and causing problems elsewhere."

"But..."

"Can you do as I say? ONE TIME?" Kate nods. "Thank you."

Yelena moves towards the bathroom again. She hasn't forgotten her main task of the night: a bath. She runs the water and starts to fill the tub. She walks out of the bathroom, already removing her sweater. She steps into the walk-in closet with the intention of looking for a set of comfortable pajamas but backtracks and hovers under the doorway in just her bra and skin-tight skirt.

"How's your hand?"

Kate smiles faintly and holds her sling up.

"This thing? Never better. Good as new."

"I'm being serious, Kate."

"Hurts."

"Have you been taking your meds on schedule?" The pause is too long and Yelena can deduce the answer. "Oh, for fuck's sake, Kate. No wonder it hurts. How often are you supposed to be taking your pills?"

"I don't know. A few times a day, I think?"

Yelena sighs.

"Where's the bottle? I should've known......" Kate grabs the two prescriptions she got from the dresser and extends them. Yelena reads the labels. "You need to be taking one of these every four hours and two of these every eight hours. I have seen you take them zero times. Go. Take them right now." Kate doesn't move and mumbles something that Yelena can't understand instead. "What??? Katherine, stop being a baby and go take your meds."

Kate sighs.

"I can't open the bottles with one hand. They're twist caps and you've been mad at me..."

"You haven't taken them because............." Yelena grabs the bottles, twists the caps off and tips the pills out onto the dresser. "Sometimes I think God doesn't exist but then I remember that it has to be some sort of divine intervention that I haven't strangled you yet and the thought leaves my mind."

Yelena closes the pill bottles and heads back to the closet. She desperately needs that bath.

---

Kate is tucked in the guest bedroom's bed. It's where she's slept since the whole hand thing went down. She's scrolling through her phone or at least making a clunky attempt at it with her jacked-up hand. She's still trying to get used to this.

The door opens and Yelena flops from the door onto the bed and giggles. One look at her fiancée and Kate can deduce her state.

"You're drunk, aren't you?"

Kate chuckles

"Uhum."

Yelena nods while clumsily crawling her way up the bed and laying flat on her back because anything else feels like too much effort. She forcefully YANKS Kate by the collar, forcing her to come hover above her so they can be looking at each other while they speak. Kate flops down like a leaf and nothing but a small 'oh' escapes her lips.

"I always forget how Hulky you get when you're drunk. How much wine did you have?"

"Two."

"Two glasses?"

"Bottles."

Kate chuckles.

"Let the record state that I didn't see you consume these bottles, so tomorrow I can't be asked any of the 'why did you let me do this?' and 'why didn't you stop me?' type of questions."

"Nope. No questions."

Yelena jerks Kate down again, a little too violently for how close they are now, and their faces smash together.

"Ow, Yel!" Kate rubs her forehead. "The hell was that for? You don't want ruined wedding pictures, but you headbutt me?"

"No. Just trying to make out with you."

"Banging skulls is NOT how you do that."

"Shhh...c'mehere."

Yelena wraps her hands around Kate's neck and pulls her down towards her lips for what starts like a sloppy, drunk make-out. Under Kate's guidance, it's been redirected into a soft, slow, tender kiss within a minute.

They eventually come up for air and Yelena scans Kate's face adoringly, with no trace of anger in this version of her.

"We're getting married on Saturday."

"I know. I'm very fucking excited about it."

"Yeah?"

"You have no idea. Been wanting to lock it down since that first night."

"Since the first night you met me?"

"Nah...first night I saw your boobs. They sold me on it."

Yelena playfully shoves her face away.

"You're gross."

"You were wearing a white shirt and it had like green edges and a flower pattern."

"What?"

"That first night, when I banged my head on your door...your shirt was kind of off-white with...I don't know what to call them edges...they were green and the pattern was kind of big leafy flowers. I've never seen that shirt ever again, but you were wearing it that night."

"We talked for maybe two minutes. How do you remember what I was wearing?"

"You were barefoot and you were wearing the black fuzzy sweats you used to own. Your hair was in a braid and I also remember thinking you smelled SO FUCKING GOOD."

"It was a Friday. I had an 8 AM, so I probably showered in the morning and it was around midnight. There's no way I smelled like anything."

"You smelled SO good."

"You were delusional."

"No, I promise. I can remember thinking it so well."

"So you basically decided you wanted to marry me after talking to me, smelling me, and looking at my feet for two minutes?"

"In a much less creepy way...yeah...I think so. I don't think I knew I was going to MARRY you. Back then, that's not a thing I believed in, but I knew there was something about you that I needed more of in my life. I just didn't know why. I would hope me chasing you around campus forever would've given that away."

"You really were annoying."

"But I was right, wasn't I?!"

"Uhum!"

"So...yeah...I'm fucking pumped I get to marry you and I'm really sorry that you haven't been as excited about it the last few days because I'm a fuckwad and don't think things through sometimes. I was googling and I can definitely take this off for pictures. I just can't move my hand a lot. It's just a couple hours tops. All I need to do is tape my fingers together, but it should be way easier to hide, or they can even Photoshop the tape out. And I think I can take it all off when you need to put the ring on. I promise I won't cry if it hurts and if I do, people will think it's cuz I'm emotional."

Yelena laughs.

"I'm not putting a ring on your broken finger, you idiot."

"It's our wedding. You can't not put a ring on my finger. That's...kinda the whole point."

"I'll put it on your right ring finger for now. Until your hand heals."

"But that's not where it goes."

Kate sounds dejected.

"Yeah...well, you should've broken the other hand then. Even better, you should've broken no hand at all."

"I didn't break MY HAND."

"Y'know what I meant, Kate...Let's stop talking about the broken hand. I don't wanna get mad again. It's why I got drunk to begin with."

"It's not a broken hand..."

"KATE!"

"I think facts matter! It's a sprained wrist and two broken fingers."

"You're this close to talking yourself out of getting laid tonight."

"Well, I didn't know that was even on the table. You should've mentioned that."

Kate smirks playfully.

"Y'know...I'm also VERY mad that you ruined the honeymoon with this." Yelena taps Kate's splint. "I was planning on having so much crazy, newlywed, honeymoon sex with you. You should see the things I bought to wear. All going to waste now."

"Who says it's going to waste?!"

"You can't move your hand!"

"It's not my good hand!"

"Ruins the fun. I don't wanna feel this touching me while I'm naked. It's all scratchy and weird."

"So what, we're gonna read the newspaper for a month?"

"MAYBE. And that's your fault."

"You literally just said I was going to get laid tonight. How is me getting laid in New York any different from me getting laid in Tahiti or Bora Bora or The Maldives or Singapore?"

"I changed my mind. No sex at all. Not even tonight."

Kate throws the covers off herself, hops off the bed, and ungracefully takes her pajamas off. She's now fully naked. She then crawls back on the bed but doesn't get under the covers. She casually turns her back to Yelena, reaches over to flick the lamp on the nightstand off, and fluffs up her pillow.

"Good night. Sleep well. Love you. Have water, so you're not totally miserable tomorrow." Kate waits. Not even thirty seconds pass before she feels Yelena's hand on her shoulder, pulling her towards her, and forcing Kate on her back. Yelena straddles a naked Kate and her lips are on Kate's neck almost instantly. "Yeah. I thought so."

---

Wedding day.

Glenmere Mansion. About fifty miles outside the city. They've bought out the whole thing since Friday morning, so they had the rehearsal dinner here Friday night and the bridal party/most important guests slept here in anticipation of the Saturday wedding. They will also be sleeping here on Saturday and everyone is leaving on Sunday.

Thirty minutes before they're set to walk down the aisle.

Kate is already in her spiffy suit. Now she's just pacing the room all anxious and nursing a drink, trying to calm her nerves while obsessively running her vows in her head.

A knock on the door pulls her out of it. It's Yelena's Maid Of Honor with the strangest request. Yelena is in the courtyard downstairs and she wants to see Kate. Kate is like "?????? 1) Am I about to get dumped on my wedding day? 2) Isn't it bad fucking luck to see the bride before the wedding???” But the friend is like "Listen, she insisted. Come." So Kate follows her and then the Maid Of Honor leaves her right when they're about to get to Yelena.

"Yel?"

"Turn around!"

"What?"

"Turn around! Turn around! You're not supposed to see me!"

"How am I going to know where I'm going if I'm walking backward?"

"Just do it."

Kate sighs and starts walking backward until she bumps into Yelena. Yelena immediately holds her hand.

"Your hands are cold."

"Yeah. That's because I'm freaking out, Kate."

Kate chuckles.

"Why are you freaking out?"

"I sent someone to go check and your family is here. They're sitting downstairs. They're...here. At our wedding."

"We invited them."

"I know that! But what if...what if your dad...I don't know...what if he stands up and stops it or something?"

Kate cackles.

"He's not gonna do that."

"But what if?"

"Then your dad will probably sock him in the face and we'll carry on."

"What if they talk you out of it?"

"Huh?! Where would you even get that from?"

"I don't know! Freaking out!"

"I'm turning around now."

"DON'T DO THAT!"

"I'm gonna turn around."

"KATE BISHOP! DON'T YOU DARE!"

Kate turns around and Yelena can hear her gasp. She huffs and turns around too. The moment she sees the tears in Kate's eyes, Yelena starts crying too.

"I hate you! Why don't you ever listen to me?! This is bad luck, Kate!"

Kate closes the distance and says nothing before she kisses Yelena.

"There's literally nothing that can happen that will stop me from marrying you today." Kate kisses her again. "Maybe the apocalypse, but even then, I'd tell her to jump to the 'I do' part and we could figure out the end of the world together as wives." Kate kisses her one more time. "Stop freaking out." Kate takes a step back so she can take in Yelena completely and tears fall freely. "Holy shit! You're so fucking hot. Damn. I don't care what anyone says...I'm the luckiest person. No one else."

"I'm hoping your vows are better than 'You're so fucking hot'."

"Only by a little." They both laugh. "I can still ask them to leave. I don't care. If it's going to ruin it for you, then I don't want them here."

Yelena shakes her head and closes the distance between them. She kisses Kate's lips softly then wipes the faint lipstick stain she left behind.

"No. It's fine. You made it better."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Should we go get married then?"

"Let's get married, Mrs. Belova."

"That's not...no. It's Mrs. Bishop. We already talked about this?"

"Sure. Okay, Belova."

"Kate Belova does NOT work, but Yelena Bishop does. We had this entire conversation!"

Yelena kisses Kate one last time before turning around and walking away."

"See you soon, Kate Belova."

"Nope. Doesn't work! Doesn't flow! Yelena Bishop!" Yelena turns a corner and disappears. "Katherine Belova...eurgh."

Kate frowns and shakes her head before walking in the opposite direction and heading back to her room.

---

Luckily for Kate, Yelena was fucking with her. That is one of the few battles in their marriage that she does win.

When they walk into the reception two hours later, after the ceremony is done and pictures are taken (she took her splint off and just taped her fingers because she's a good wife who won't ruin the once-in-a-lifetime photoshoot), they are indeed introduced as Mrs. & Mrs. Bishop.

---

They don't do one first dance. Kate suggested they surprise each other with a song so they'd have two back-to-back dances. Yelena had a feeling this would be a disaster, and she wasn't wrong, but she still did it anyway.

Yelena decides on something slow, romantic, and hella heartfelt. She went with Jon McLaughlin's "Speechless". Kate picks.........Sam Hunt's fucking "Body Like A Back Road".

Yelena is like "......no you didn't......" and Kate is like ""Braids in her hair"? "Took me like six weeks to get her number"? Has a sexy ass body? It's pretty accurate!" Lol.

---

Then comes the father/daughter dances. Alexei and Yelena are perfect and touching. Derek and Kate are...well...

The two of them didn't have anything planned outright. Derek didn't decide he was coming until the last minute and it's not like they have the best relationship anyway, so they don't exactly have much to go on. But they did dance to Paul Simon's "Father & Daughter" at Kate's Sweet Sixteen, so she was like, "Let's just do that again???"

Kate and Derek get up and the song starts. They don't say anything for the first thirty seconds and then Derek speaks.

"You could've at least worn a dress if you were going to do something like this."

"Dad...seriously..."

"You're already playing the part of a man. You don't have to look like one too."

"I'm not doing this with you today."

"I don't think expecting to see my daughter in a wedding dress is unreasonable."

"I don't think expecting my dad to at least congratulate me on my wedding day is unreasonable either, yet here we are. Both of us lose."

"I won't congratulate anyone on a mistake."

Kate leans back from the hold position she was in to stare directly at him.

"Why did you come then? Why are you here?"

"I thought I'd raised you better than this. I still hoped you'd come to your senses. I wanted to be here for support when you did."

"You don't know me at all."

Without making any more of a fuss, Kate leaves Derek standing on the dance floor and heads for the door.

Yelena, who had been having a quiet conversation with Melina, immediately turns. After half a second, she goes after Kate.

Derek tries to play off the embarrassment and returns to his seat.

---

Yelena finds Kate standing perfectly still with her one good hand in her pocket by the edge of the fountain that splashes at the center of the expansive garden.

"Hey..." Yelena cups her now wife's face with both her hands and gently tips it down to look at her. "Hey. How hard do you need my dad to hit him?"

Kate faintly laughs.

"How hard do you think it will need to be to knock the stupid out of him?"

"Hard to gauge. We can tell him to try a few times?"

Yelena wraps her arms around Kate and presses her head into the taller woman's chest. Kate pulls her close and runs her hands up and down her back.

"That might work."

"You okay?"

"Better now." Kate kisses the top of Yelena's head. "I used to worship him. When I was little...he seemed larger than life...I used to worship him. Couldn't wait to be just like him. It's sad how small he looks now."

"I'm sorry you don't have that anymore."

"It's scary because everyone always said how alike we were. I'm terrified I'll eventually turn into him. Promise me you won't let that happen."

Yelena leans back to look at Kate.

"You are NOTHING like him."

"I'm a lot like him."

"Maybe. I haven't spent enough time with him to know about the good parts, but I know for a fact you don't have any of the awful parts. And if they EVER were to start showing up, I'm right here to kick your ass."

"Good."

"You know I will."

"Zero doubt."

"And..."

Eleanor steps out into the garden.

"Katherine."

"Mother."

"Yelena."

"Eleanor."

The three of them fall into awkward silence.

"What you did to your father in there...Katherine, that was..."

"Oh my god, mom! You and dad have spent my entire life at each other's throats and you're going to pick my wedding day to be on the same side?"

"It was humiliating for him, for you, and for our family."

"Who cares? Who fucking cares?! Maybe he shouldn't be an asshole."

"Eleanor..."

"This is none of your concern, Yelena. This is a family matter. Stay out of it."

Kate steps in front of Yelena and closer to Eleanor.

"Talk to me however you want but watch yourself when you talk to my wife, mom. I won't put up with you disrespecting her."

"Who is this person? I don't recognize you. You were so sweet, respectful, and well-mannered until..."

"Until what? Until what exactly?"

"You know what."

"Right."

Kate pauses for a long second.

"I need you to leave, mom. Suze and DJ are staying. I'll make sure they have a room tonight and a ride home tomorrow, but you need to go. Go inside, grab your stuff, and head out."

"If I go, Susan will come with me."

Kate takes another step closer to Eleanor. Yelena gently squeezes her wife's arm. She knows Kate's little sister is her trigger.

"Suze is staying."

"No."

Eleanor walks away. Kate sees red and is about to chase her mother, but Yelena stops her and pulls her back.

"Let me handle it! Let me talk to her. Go back inside. Get a drink and hang out with your friends. I'll be right there." Yelena kisses her. "I love you. Let me handle it."

Yelena whispers against Kate’s lips. Kate nods once in response and they go in separate directions.

---

"Eleanor."

"If she sent you to retract herself, it's too late."

Eleanor keeps walking through the gardens and Yelena is after her. It's a good thing she changed into a dress without a train for the reception.

"She didn't send me. Hey...hey." Yelena cuts her off. "I want two minutes with you."

"I'm not interested."

Eleanor tries to bypass Yelena, but Yelena steps in front of her again and this time, her body language makes it clear to Eleanor that she doesn't have much of a choice.

"I see where Katherine has been picking up her bad habits."

"Kate's not around, so let's put it all out there because I'm not into hypocrisy and fake niceness. You've made it very clear that you don't like me and, frankly, I'm not a fan of you. I'll never disrespect you because you're Kate's mother, but I hate the way you treat her. That being said, as far as I'm concerned, despite everything, you're family now, and for my wife's sake, I want peace. Hate me and what I am all you want but don't punish Kate for it. You know what Susan means to her. It's cruel and unfair to keep them from each other because of your feelings. Gay people exist, Eleanor. You keeping Kate from Suze doesn't change it. She is out in the world. She's online. She's already aware. I'm not forcing myself on you. I'm only asking you not to make Kate jump through hoops to see her sister. You're their mother, be better than that. Let them see each other whenever they want without having to sneak around. Let her stay. It might not mean much to you, but I'll personally make sure she has a ride home and will get back to you safely. It would mean the world to Kate to have her here tonight. You're not doing it for me. Can she stay?"

Eleanor stands in silence for a long beat.

"We go to service at noon."

"I will have her home no later than eleven." They awkwardly linger. "I simply want us to be civil at the very least. Kate and I want a family and I'd hate for our kids to grow up in a toxic environment. Don't contribute to that. I would want nothing more than for you to be a part of their lives, but I won't allow it if there's going to be bullshit flying around. I won't."

"I don't like threats, Miss Belova."

"It's Mrs. Bishop now and I'm not threatening you, Eleanor. I'm telling you that I will protect my children the way you think you're protecting yours. They're two very different things." Silence. "Can we agree on civility then? For Kate's sake."

"Good evening, Miss Belova."

Eleanor walks away. A frustrated Yelena takes a centering breath and exhales loudly before walking moments behind her. Within seconds she passes Eleanor on the way to the entrance.

"It's Mrs. Bishop."

Yelena keeps walking.

---

When Yelena enters the venue, she finds Kate sitting in Eleanor's chair, between her sister and her brother. She's nursing a drink and laughing at something Suze said. Kate immediately spots Yelena when she walks in and stands, but Yelena is heading her way.

A few people try to stop her and congratulate her and Yelena politely excuses herself as quickly as she can. During that time, Eleanor also walks back into the room. Now they're both unofficially racing to reach Kate first. Much to Yelena's chagrin, Eleanor reaches her a few seconds before she does and starts collecting her things from the table. Kate's eyes are flying back and forth between her mother and Yelena, who is still a few steps behind.

"Your sister and brother are staying." Yelena finally arrives and stands next to Kate. Kate immediately wraps her arms around her wife's waist. Eleanor finishes hastily collecting her things. "Miss Belova promised to have them home by eleven, so we can make the noon service."

Yelena clenches her jaw at the sound of her maiden name but bites her tongue.

"Yeah. We can do that."

"If we stay, where are we sleeping?"

Susan jumps in to ask.

"I got it. Don't worry." Kate chimes in and turns her attention back to her mother. "Thank you. It means a lot."

Eleanor turns on a fake act.

"I want you to know that I sat her down and had a really long conversation about how important it is to me that we're civil and that she doesn't contribute to any toxicity between us. She agreed, didn't you, Miss Belova?"

Yelena could knock this woman out cold right now.

"Uhum."

"That's amazing. Thank you, mom."

"Of course, sweetheart." Eleanor kisses Kate's cheek. "I'm exhausted, so I'm going to head out."

"Absolutely. Thank you for coming. Have a good night."

Eleanor says goodbye to Susan and DJ and heads out. Kate immediately hugs Yelena, kisses the side of her head, and whispers into her ear.

"Thank you." Kate leans back to look at Yelena. "And don't worry, I know how my mom works. I have no doubt in my mind that conversation she's taking credit for actually happened the other way around." Kate kisses her. "You're fucking amazing."

"I almost killed her two seconds ago."

Kate laughs.

"She pretended she was leaving because she was tired, not because I asked her to leave. She twists everything in her favor. You'll get used to it."

"We're in for a ride, aren't we?"

"Crazy as fuck."

Yelena looks around the room, trying to spot Derek and figure out how to deal with him next.

"Where's your dad?"

"I asked him to leave too. Thankfully he's a lot less dramatic than my mom, so he simply grabbed generic girlfriend number five hundred and seventeen and was gone. I don't know that I'll be hearing from him soon...or again."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine...nothing I'm gonna worry about tonight. We have a party to enjoy, no? I have so many more bones I can break."

"I will tie you to a chair if you make me. No more injuries before the honeymoon..."

Kate laughs.

"I make no promises."

Kate jokingly answers. Yelena takes the drink from Kate's hand and finishes it herself in one gulp.

"Cutting you off."

"Nooooo."

"Uhum. No more for you."

One of Kate's friends is walking by with a beer and Kate grabs it from his hand. She playfully extends her arm and lifts her chin all the way back, putting the bottle entirely out of reach from her wife. She chugs the remainder of the bottle.

"Whoops."

Kate shrugs.

Having seen this and getting high school flashbacks, her friends start chanting.

"KEG KATE! KEG KATE! KEG KATE! KEG KATE! KEG KATE! KEG KATE!"

One of them rushes to the bar and asks the bartender if they have kegs or just bottles. It turns out they do have kegs.

Suddenly, a keg is flying onto the dance floor and a dozen dudes are hoisting Kate in the air. Yelena is giving her "Don't you dare eyes!" but Kate shrugs and smiles two seconds before the guys tip her over into a keg stand. Kate's half of the party cheers. Yelena's half of the party looks on mildly horrified.

Kate chugs for an impressively long time before she coughs and they let her stand.

"SHE'S STILL GOT IT, BOYS!"

Kate is jerked around in celebration. One of the guys tries to take the keg back, but someone screams.

"Leave it! Leave it! Keg Kate doesn't do just one keg stand in a night!"

The friends around her start to talk over each other.

"We should've brought pong balls!"

"I got golf balls in my trunk! Might as well bring back Beer Pong Bishop too."

"That might work!"

"I'll get 'em."

And the dude runs out. Yelena cuts through them and pulls Kate aside.

"You're not about to turn our wedding into a high school or college party."

"It's just a little fun."

"I've seen how you all have fun."

Kate stares at Yelena curiously and squints when a thought occurs to her.

"You've never done a keg stand, have you?"

"Katherine..."

"Hey, guys...can you believe Keg Kate's wife has never done a keg stand..."

In a second, Kate’s friends all swarm Yelena, and before she knows it, she's in the air.

"KATE!"

Yelena is upside down on the keg and Kate squats to hold the hose and look at her. She has a smile painted on her face.

"The moment they put me down, you're dead."

"Are you really down to be a young widow?"

"YES!"

Kate puts the hose to Yelena's lips and begins the chant.

"CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!"

Yelena drinks and then releases the hose. Beer goes everywhere before Kate shuts it off. The guys put her back on her feet. Yelena punches Kate's shoulder.

"Ow! You're not even drunk yet. Where's the aggro Hulky coming from?!"

Kate dries the beer that spilled on Yelena's face with her sleeve.

"If you ever let your friends put me upside down again, you're permanently moving to the guest bedroom."

"That was fun. Admit it." Yelena glares at Kate. "You kinda loved it...you did!"

"I didn't HATE it."

Kate grabs her face and kisses her.

"YOOOO...she wants another spin on the keg!"

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I SA..."

Yelena is upside down again. Kate squats again and holds the hose to her lips.

"I hate you with every fiber of my being right now."

"You really don't. Take a deeper breath so you can go longer." Kate lifts her arm so Yelena can hold it. "Squeeze when you want me to stop. CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!" Yelena squeezes Kate's arm and Kate removes the hose. "Put her down."

The guys flip her back onto her feet. Yelena punches Kate's shoulder again. Kate rubs it.

"You're going to break my shoulder next!...Wanna go for another spin?"

"Only if you want to leave here on a stretcher."

"CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!"

Kate and Yelena turn around to see Alexei being held upside down with the hose in his mouth. Yelena punches Kate's shoulder anew.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"

"My dad?! Doing a keg stand?! At our wedding?! That is your fault."

Kate flips Yelena around so they can both turn to face the keg and presses the shorter woman against her chest while wrapping her arms around her waist. She brings her lips to her ear.

"You love that I bring a little chaos to your life."

Yelena leans her head back to look up at Kate and smiles.

"I do."

Kate leans to meet Yelena's lips to kiss her.

"CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!"

When they look up to figure out who the hell could be at the keg right now, they find Melina upside down and Alexei holding her by himself.

"KATE!"

---

"KATE!"

Kate hears Yelena scream from the kitchen.

"FIVE SECONDS! Your mommy is so impatient."

"Papiem."

"Exactly. Always rushing us. Always"

The almost two-and-a-half-year-old blonde girl with bright green eyes and features that mimic Yelena's babbles in response from where she sits on the changing table. Kate stuffs the last few things in her bag and zips it up.

Kate taps the tiny snapback on Alexia’s small head with a silly popping sound, then pokes her index fingers into her pudgy sides, making the little girl devolve into a fit of giggles. Kate slings the bag over her neck, then grabs the toddler and perches her on her shoulders. The baby places her tiny hands around Kate's head, keeping herself in place. Kate holds her hand against the little girl's back for an extra layer of safety.

"You ready?"

"YAH!"

Kate zooms full speed out of the nursery. The baby laughs at the top of her lungs and it echoes through the apartment.

---

The two girls reach the kitchen, run around the island, and then do a lightning-fast lap around Yelena. The older blonde sighs as she does her best to avoid them while getting the last few things she needs to complete in the kitchen.

Kate and the baby eventually stop by the doorway and that's when Yelena turns to face them.

"Absolutely not."

Yelena, now almost five months into their third pregnancy, takes one good look at Kate and their daughter and shakes her head. They're dressed identically in basketball shorts, a wife beater, a snapback, and vans.

"What?"

"Go change. Both of you. We're already late, Kate. Why are you doing this to me?"

"What's wrong with what we're wearing?"

"You know EXACTLY what. I'm not wasting words on it."

"One, it's ninety six degrees outside. Two, she's going straight to your parent's house. Three, we're getting in a car and driving four and a half hours to the mountains. Why do we need to be dressed in any specific way?"

Yelena leans against the counter and rests her hand on her growing stomach.

"Kate...we're going to be stuck in a car for five hours and I don't want to be mad at you for those five hours. Please at least put shirts on."

"But WHY?!"

Yelena huffs, walks towards Kate, and takes the baby that sits on her shoulders.

"Your momma may be okay with looking like a vagrant, but I won't let you do it too."

Yelena tells the baby while peppering her face with kisses as she walks to the nursery.

"I don't look like a vagrant! I just choose to be comfortable!"

Kate heads to the nursery. She finds Yelena flipping through the little girl's closet, trying to find a more appropriate outfit.

"Hey Alex, can you tell mommy you love your shirt?" The baby babbles something that remotely ends in something that resembles ‘shirt’. "There you go. Big fan."

"She can have a say in what she wears when she's potty trained and can at least count to ten. Until then, I'm exclusively picking her outfits. You lost your privileges today."

Yelena selects a nice color-coordinated outfit and a headband.

"She's going to your parent's house..."

"And they might want to go out. If she's ready, they don't have to change her...Up, baby."

The baby lifts her arms, and Yelena removes her shirt, then quickly replaces it with the new one.

"What if they don't go out?"

"Then she wasn't walking around in a wife beater and basketball shorts."

"You overthink things."

"And you underthink them." Yelena continues changing the baby. "Kate, I'm asking you one last time, please at least go put a shirt on."

"You're a tyrant." Kate disappears from the doorway. Not two minutes later, she reappears, buttoning up a short-sleeved shirt. "World War III averted now?"

"See how much better you look?" Yelena moves the baby from the changing table to the floor and she immediately takes off running out of the room. "ALEX!"

Yelena is about to go after Alexia, but Kate wraps her arm around her midriff at the door and pulls her close.

"Why are my wife beaters your biggest nemesis in the world?"

Yelena chuckles.

"You don't look like an adult wearing them."

"Who cares?!"

"I've told you, you can wear them at home but not outside."

"I don't need to wear anything at home. That's the fun of being home. I can be naked if I want."

Yelena rolls her eyes.

"I need to go get the baby. We're so late."

"Yel, she'll be fine for two seconds and literally no one is waiting for us. YOU made an arbitrary schedule that you want us to meet. We're off for a week. Shut down your science, work, spreadsheet, serious brain mode. It's our anniversary. Relax. That's the whole point of this week, no? Why is there a fucking schedule to begin with?"

"Because without a schedule, there is chaos. YOU are chaos. Someone has to keep us on track, and by process of elimination, that is me."

"Embrace the chaos this week."

Yelena laughs.

"I wasn't built for chaos. Besides, all I want to embrace this week is uninterrupted sleep and having uninterrupted sex when we're not enjoying said uninterrupted sleep. No chaos. Opposite of chaos. Peace, quiet, and no baby."

"Technically, there is a baby coming."

Kate tenderly places her hand on Yelena's stomach.

"This one doesn't jailbreak out of the crib, crawl into our bed, and kick us in the face in the middle of the night yet. I'm not counting it."

"Yeah, okay. I'll give you that."

Kate scans Yelena's face attentively.

"You're staring."

"I am."

"Why?"

"Because all this...a wrong door. If I'd knocked on another door, or I'd gone one building over, or you hadn't been home...but now we're here...married eight years this week, thirteen years total, two babies, and a miscarriage deep. I stare because sometimes it feels crazy. Would you change it?"

"Not a minute."

"Not even when I drive you crazy?"

"I'll revise my answer. I'd change the minutes when my wife drives me crazy and doesn't listen to me, which are arguably a lot of minutes." Yelena leans up and kisses Kate. "No. I wouldn't change it. Nothing. You genuinely make me consider filing for divorce at least once a week, but then I remember I don't think I can exist without you and the thought leaves my mind."

"Wow, does that mean I can do ANYTHING?"

Kate smiles mischievously.

"Don't push your luck, Kate Bishop."

"But what if..."

The sound of things tumbling then shattering and a small "Uh Oh!" comes from the front of the apartment. They both sigh and rest their foreheads against each other's.

"Go get your demon child. Go..." Kate laughs as Yelena shoves her wife, sending her to investigate whatever disaster their toddler had just created. "You better hope this one turns out level-headed and composed like me, or I'm packing my shit and leaving the three of you here to be chaotic entities by yourselves. I can't do three of you. My blood pressure can't handle it."

Kate disappears and Yelena hangs behind when she notices that her wife didn't put away the clothes that she took off the baby. She sets on folding that and returning it to where it belongs. She then starts to notice all the small things Kate left out of place when she was getting the baby ready.

"My god, Kate."

Yelena starts to tidy up.

---

Fifteen minutes later, Yelena is heading to the front of the apartment. It's eerily quiet, which she's learned is never good in this house.

When she steps into the living room, she finds the source of the noise. Alexia pulled the bottom shelf of one of the bookcases and everything on it came tumbling down. Everything is still on the floor and neither her daughter nor her wife are anywhere to be found. Suspicious. Very suspicious.

Yelena keeps walking and that's when she hears Kate's hushed voice coming from the kitchen. She walks slower to be able to hear better over the sound of her steps.

"...but you have to clean your face and wipe your clothes. And you definitely can't snitch. She'll kill me. You two can't snitch eit..."

When Yelena walks into the kitchen, she finds Kate holding the transparent plastic container where they store the graham crackers. The baby is currently standing on the kitchen counter, double-fisting crackers. Kate is caught red-handed also feeding crackers to the two expectant dogs wagging their tails at her feet.

"KATE!"

The foursome immediately freezes when they look up to find Yelena in the doorway.

#bishova #I just saw that you originally sent this on April 25th so...almost two months to the day delayed #MY BAD #i was hoarding it but FUCK IT #if this was ACTUALLY written properly then it would have the vows and all that shit but...#ive warned you this is very much half assed and NOT DONE #but y'all insisted so here it is #this is 8.1k words of mediocrity lol #kyfbau #anonymous #answers #kyfbaup

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e-b-reads · 2 years

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Books of the summer! (June, July and August 2022)

Ah, summer camp. I just started part-time PhD classes, and I seem to have lucked into an (also part-time) research position after all, and I will still be working full-time hosting off season retreats here at the camp site, and yet! I still won't be working as much as I do in the middle of the summer, when I work mostly thirteen or so hour days running around outside doing activities and fixing things, come home, shower, fall into my bed, then wake up early to do it all again.

Anyway, obviously tumblr will continue to take a back seat during the summer months. But I did read! So here are my books of the summer (as usual, not necessarily my personal favorites of all I read, but the ones I would recommend. This is not always the same thing).

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake (Alexis Hall): of course, I found this one because of tumblr, so surely many of you have heard of it. I enjoyed the look at class in Britain, and the romance between adults with adult responsibilities, and of course the baking show. And tbh, enjoyed how sex was part of the story/romance, but not the most important part. Now that I'm reading more things marketed specifically as romances, it can be hard to find a balance of those that really satisfies me.

Secret Water (Arthur Ransome): Reread, which I will recommend with one reservation. I adore Arthur Ransome's various books about kids messing about in boats, and I think they're very accurate to 1) how boats work and 2) how it can feel when things go either wrong or right as you mess about in them! They were, however, written in the 1930s, and so when kids pretend to be exploring uncharted lands, they will pretend to encounter (or be) "natives" and "savages." If this is a sticking point, but you're interested, I would start with another book. If it's a sticking point to where you'd rather not read them at all, fair enough! I do like to read at least one per summer, to get in a sailing mood.

The Secret of Platform 13 (Eva Ibbotson): Children's book and a reread. If you would like to study how to tightly plot a book with lots of twists where you know everything will be OK, but you can't figure out how it will happen, read one of Eva Ibbotson's children's books! (Also some of her romances, but they have less fantasy and friendly ghosts.) This one is a particularly good example.

Jellicoe Road (Melina Marchetta): Here's the thing. I found this in a library recently and checked it out to reread, and it was fine. Not bad. But I remember that when I was in middle school, and picking my sister up from elementary school every day, and then walking to the library with her on the days our parents would be home late, I found this book in the newly-discovered (to me) Young Adult section, and couldn't put it down. So I guess I recommend that experience; or at least, reading it once. The reveals are very good when you're reading it for the first time, as are the developing friendships.

#book recs #books of the month #rosaline palmer takes the cake #alexis hall #secret water #arthur ransome #the secret of platform 13 #eva ibbotson #jellicoe road #melina marchetta #i DID read new things this summer but mostly they were 'cozy' mysteries #which aren't bad but i wld only recommend them for very specific needs #anyway feel free to question or comment on my recs! whether i have followed back or not

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modern-vellichor · 2 years

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Let You Go

summary: Frank has a nightmare after a big argument. warnings: nightmares. a/n: Melina Marchetta, On The Jellicoe Road trying a new layout except everything is the same bar the gif. **not my gif!!**

"You're scared," you screamed.

You had a long day. When you got home all you wanted was a glass of wine, a bath, and a very long sleep. Instead you came home to a very angry Frank Castle. Almost immediately he started an argument. You can't even remember why the argument started. He was probably angry about some little slip up on your part. A passing remark in a bar, a wrong way home. Anything.

"Don't you tell me what I am," he shouted back.

Your neighbours must really hate you. You had screaming matches like this weekly.

"How dare you come into my home," you advanced on him, cornering him against the wall behind the couch. "And start some bullshit argument with me because you're too big of a boy to talk about your feelings," you pouted mockingly.

Frank looked butthurt. "Don't give me that look, Castle."

He was in the doghouse now. You gave him a small push and disappeared into your bedroom. You returned after a few minutes with a blanket, a pillow, and pyjamas for Frank. You dumped them on the couch and didn't say a word. He heard you stomp off and slam the bedroom door shut. He had really fucked up now.

Frank got comfortable on the couch. He shut his eyes and tried to sleep. It did not come easy. He tossed and turned for hours. You did the same. You were only half asleep, still dozing when screaming tore you from your peaceful state.

You jumped out of bed, grabbing at the baseball bat you kept by the door. You flew down the hallway to where Frank was screaming bloody murder on the couch. There was no one in the apartment. Your alarm hadn't gone off, all the windows were still shut. You dropped the bat and leapt onto the couch. You bundled Frank into your arms, cradling him and rocking him while he gasped.

"What happened?" You begged, you were in shock.

Your heart thundered in your chest and you could feel his pounding too. Frank desperately tried to calm down, but he couldn't. He just clutched onto you like his life depended on it, like he'd disappear if he let go. The image from his nightmare flashed before him every time he blinked. Bloody, so bloody. It was horrific, really. He could still hear your desperate screaming ringing in his ears.

"Nightmare," was all the explanation he could muster.

At some point you managed to maneuver him to his feet and lead him down the hall and into your bed. You held him close. After a few minutes when his breathing evened out, he slid a hand down to interlock your fingers.

"Frank-"

"Just hold my hand," he whispered pleadingly. "Hold my hand because I might disappear."

"Okay," you mumbled, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

Neither of you slept. You ended up turning on every light in the apartment. Keep the dark at bay, keep Frank calm. He did settle, but he refused to let go of you. You had to call in sick to work because Frank wouldn't let you leave. He buried The Punisher's kevlar vest in the very back of the closet so that he didn't have to look at it. You never asked why he did the things he did, and you weren't going to start now. So you just let him follow you around.

"Frank, honey, I'm trying to cook, let me go," you say.

He removes his hands from your waist but stays close. Close enough that you can feel his breath on your ear. He places a hand on your cheek, another on your waist so he can force you to meet his gaze. He looks so pretty like this, eyes so full of love and adoration. Sincerity drips from his words.

"I'll never let you go, you know that?"

"Of course I do, Frank. 'N I love you for that."

He presses a gentle kiss to your temple as you return to the stove.

"I love you, too."

#frank castle #frank castle angst #frank castle blurb #frank castle x female reader #frank castle imagine #frank castle x y/n #frank castle x reader #frank castle x you #frank castle fluff #frank castle fic #frank castle fanfiction #frank castle drabble #frank castle oneshot #frank castle reader insert #punisher imagine #punisher x you #punisher x reader #the punisher fluff

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maranull · 4 months

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i like her cloak

#elden ring #melina #melina adoring hours again #my gifs #tempted to replay the game and just gather gif footage #i also wanted to see how using an actual gif tutorial would be #it certainly helped with sizing and i even found some shortcuts i didn't know #so that was pretty neat #wdym my plan for the day was to sit down and finally finish a fic #lies

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canarypoint · 2 years

Note

maybe reader is bestfriends with yelena and finds her to be the most badass person she knows, but kate has a crush on r and is stupidly jealous trying to impress her skdkakdmasm

a/n: hcs are not my thing but i had too many ideas that wouldn't fit one drabble lmao anyways i got super carried away and forgot all of my ideas as i was writing. i have no idea what this is i'm sorry. one more thing, i will d*e before i have yelena call kate anything other than "Kate Bishop" exactly like that

warning(s): poor attempt(s) at humor, i'm not funny lol, jealous kate is adorable, all lower case bc i felt like it, yelena is asexual and aromantic, HAWKEYE (INCLUDING EPISODE 5) SPOILERS, mentions of (nat's) death, the snap/blip/whateverthefuck the iw/endg*me events are called, not proofread, let me know if i missed anything

pairing(s): kate bishop x fem!widow!reader, yelena belova x platonic!reader

you met yelena a few months after she and her family took down the red room

you were a widow too, which really sucked, but on the bright side-

instant best friends

melina and alexei adore you

eventually yelena introduced you to nat, and now you have a big sister :)

a/n: my hcs my rules nat survived or got brought back or whatever idk you decide

yelena and you worked together to get integrated into society (she was much better and much faster than you at it)

nat also helped a lot

she introduced you to the james bond franchise

very disappointed (but also highly amused bc she's actually just a softie under her rough 'i'm-an-ex-assassin-turned-shield-agent-turned-avenger' persona) when all you did was whine about the inaccuracies

but now it's your thing :)

anyways back to yelena-

she's the neediest person you've ever met

fanny (her dog) is less of an attention wh*re than her

like honestly you could be doing anything and she'll walk into your room, sit on your bed (regardless of whether you're still in it or not) and just cuddle whatever part of you she can reach

she gives no fucks about awkwardness

it gets to a point where people don't know if you're dating or not

which is like, fine, y'know? neither of you really try to correct people (at least not anymore), except she's ace and aro and isn't interested in dating, and at this point it would be weird to date you

(she said that in the nicest way she could and nat still scolded her for half an hour about politeness and manners, all while you stood in a corner laughing your ass off at the entire situation)

plus you're convinced she's way out of your league

like that woman (yelena, nat too, but specifically yelena) is so. fucking. awesome.

you've watched her take people out with nothing but a paper clip and a teddy bear

(the teddy bear was just for show)

so yes the woman is a badass and you will fight anyone that argues otherwise

excluding nat, but even she knows how badass her sister is

but anyways the snap happens while you and yelena are at some widow's house or something (you're not entirely sure the situation was very confusing)

and then you return and five years have passed?? and the widow-maybe-not-widow has a husband? and a kid?

and apparently nat died but then somehow got brought back to life? or was like... unkilled?

at least yelena used the word "unkilled"

nat said her soul was traded for the soul stone and then captain america traded it back for her soul??? it was a very very rough conversation

so anyways after you and yelena got caught up you met hawkeye

that was interesting

you accidentally scared him bc his hearing aids were off so he tried killing you with a quarter

that was fun

you're now 25¢ richer (more like less-poor)

and then clint's partner? sidekick? protege?? walked in

instant heart eyes

from both of you

neither of you knew

the others immediately started making bets

you... did not realize you were in love

you've never been in love before! how were you supposed to know that feeling was romantic attraction!? no one taught you that!

kate on the other hand

fucking WHIPPED

like you got a papercut once (it was yelena's fault :( she threw an envelope at you instead of nat)

kate flipped out

literally almost flipped a table trying to get to you with an entire, brand new first aid kit

it was hilarious but you were too busy pouting at yelena to notice

a week later yelena and nat were sparring, so obviously you were sitting on the bench taking notes because oh my god it's THE natasha romanoff in a spar right in front of you???

also yelena had this one trick you couldn't master so you were studying her fighting moves (also just so you could finally beat her in a fight)

kate did not like that

well more like she didn't like that she was like 10 feet away sparring with clint and you just barely missed her flipping him over her shoulder (and accidentally almost dislocating his in the process)

it's fine he was fine clint is FINE

but yeah you didn't notice her and it hurt :')

clint finds the entire situation hilarious

yelena wants to help but she's protective and doesn't want kate to break your heart (you're fragile. even if you aren't. you're fragile, to her at least)

nat is also protective, but she also has more confidence in your ability to recover from heartbreak than her sister does LKSHFKGDF

so she decides to take pity on kate (for your sake) and help her

but nat isn't really one for "dating" all that much and only really knows what she's had to learn for missions, so she tells kate to just "put the truth out there. no big deal, she feels the same way. you're welcome"

kate did not follow nat's advice

she just kept pining

and getting jealous

somehow it became a vicious cycle

but then one day, team widowhawk (clint and kate voted for team hawkwidow but it was 3 vs 2 so guess who won 🙃) had to take down a smuggling ring or something

and you and yelena ended up having to pretend to be each other's date to the event

it was awkward for everyone

but it was the push kate needed to finally admit her feelings

only she got scared, started rambling, and then kissed you mid-sentence (it was her sentence?? she cut herself off by kissing you and it was so funny yes the others recorded it)

then you started kissing her back (just because you know nothing about dating doesn't mean you don't know how to kiss, kate learned that night)

and suddenly she realized she was kissing you without consent

so she pulled back and started apologizing

which only led to more rambles and she was literally on the verge of tears

"katie it's fine, you can kiss me all you want" -you

"i thought i told you not to call me that" -kate, wiping her tears

"you did, but i'm not gonna stop unless you make me" -you said with a wink

she did not get the hint until yelena yelled, "Kate Bishop, she wants you to kiss her again"

and then she did

and yelena said "see? you are funny sometimes, Kate Bishop!"

and now you have a reckless dumbass of a girlfriend to look after and kate has a dumbass ex-assassin girlfriend to look after

#wow i got carried away #kate bishop x reader #kate bishop imagine #yelena belova x platonic!reader #natasha romanoff x platonic!reader #clint barton x platonic!reader #woha i wrote this #i'm scared to post this but i'm also too emotionally drained to care

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wandaromanova · 3 years

Text

Little Sister

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader

Warnings: one cuss word, minor BW spoilers

A/N: hello! i’d like to note that this takes place sometime before the events in the Black Widow movie! if you haven’t seen the movie yet, please skip over this story and come back later if you’d like! happy reading <3

anon requested: hiii i have a fluff request after seeing bw haha: could you do nat x fem reader where they're laying in bed snuggling, and r asks her about her family and nat tells her and r notices how cute she looks when she's talking about yelena and it's so soft and ahhhh

Summary: Natasha tells her girlfriend about a piece of her past that she never talks about; her sister.

Word Count: 2K

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please do not repost or try and take ownership of my work. reblogs, likes, and comments are always welcome. <3

Natasha Romanoff has lived a lot of lives. She has been through more than most.

Nat had been taken as an infant by an organization that trained little girls to become lethal assassins.

She was psychologically conditioned to become a killer, having taken more lives than she could count.

Eventually, Natasha had managed to break free from the cage she was forced into and was recruited as a S.H.I.E.L.D agent; it was a new start for her, an opportunity to compensate for the red in her ledger.

So, Natasha took her job seriously, saving as many people as she could, even more so when she became an Avenger; one of earth’s mightiest heroes.

Natasha found something in the team that she never really had before; a family. She found a home within the dysfunctional team she had been recruited into.

Not only did Natasha find a family within the Avengers; she also found the love of her life.

Natasha hadn’t even considered the possibility of ever finding love.

For starters, the Red Room had instilled the concept that love was nothing but a distraction; a liability.

She had been taught that love was for children and it was nothing but a weakness that needed to be avoided at all costs.

She was quite literally programmed to be emotionally closed off and to always have her guard up. Letting someone into her heart was a risk she didn’t want to take.

When Natasha gained her independence from the organization, she had to do a lot of self-discovering. She had never been able to be her own person, but now that she could, she quickly learned that she didn’t even know herself.

However, it was Natasha’s insecurities that truly turned her off from the entire idea of love.

How could any ever possibly love her? She thought she was a monster for the things she’d done. She has done the unspeakable since ever she was a child.

What if she wasn’t enough? What if her baggage was too much for someone else to carry? She didn’t want to be a burden. She didn’t want to have to protect someone, just to fail them like she had failed so many others.

Natasha was positive that no one would ever be crazy enough to love her.

Little did she know, she would end up finding someone crazy enough to do so; you.

•❅──────────────── ‎⧗ ────────────────❅•

When the Avengers were formed, you were extremely nervous about it.

All of the files that you’ve read on your new teammates were unbelievable; they were all phenomenal in their own rights. A super-soldier, a god, a genius, a trained-spy.

You were a spy yourself, so you knew exactly who Natasha Romanoff was. She was a S.H.I.E.L.D legend, the best of the best.

You were more nervous about meeting her than anyone else. What if she judged you? What if she didn’t think you were good enough to be an agent, let alone an Avenger?

Not only was she your superior, but she was also your crush. Yeah, you’d never even met the woman before, but you were crushing on her hard.

She was drop-dead gorgeous, but also quite literally a deadly force. Natasha could easily take down anyone she wanted to, and honestly, you wanted to be one of those lucky people.

When you met Natasha for the first time, you were a flustered mess. The redhead found it amusing, how your cheeks turned a bright shade of red and you stumbled over your words as you praised her work.

Natasha never told you this, but she was immediately smitten the moment she laid eyes on you.

There was a kindness and positivity that just radiated off of you and it was extremely contagious.

You were this beaming ball of light that lit up the darkest parts of her soul.

•❅──────────────── ‎⧗ ────────────────❅•

You got to know Natasha extremely well while being on the team. From observing her closely and paying very close attention to her actions, you had managed to pick up on little things.

She didn’t put any creamer or sugar in her sugar; opting for strong, black coffee.

She was kind of a clean freak. If she saw something out of place, she would be quick to put it in the correct place or position.

When she was happy, she would let a small smirk cross her features. When she was annoyed, she would raise her eyebrows.

When she was stressed out or angry, three little creases would appear on her forehead as her eyebrows would knit together tightly; a subtle frown on her face.

Of course, when you began dating the redhead, you didn’t really have to survey her so closely anymore because she’d tell you things herself.

No matter the circumstances, Natasha would always come to you and rant about it. Whether it was about how shitty a mission went or how she beat Clint’s ass during training; you were the only person she wanted to tell.

Natasha had opened up to you, something she never did with anyone. She told you all about her past.

•❅──────────────── ‎⧗ ────────────────❅•

You had some knowledge of Natasha’s previous life, considering it was in her files, but you didn’t realize just how horrible her childhood truly was.

The Red Room, the heavy weight of guilt that rests on her shoulders, the nightmares that forced her to relive the murders she committed, her time as a S.H.I.E.L.D agent, and becoming an Avenger.

She’d go on and on about her road to redemption or ‘clearing the red out of her ledger.’

Natasha was terrified when she told you about her demons. She figured you were going to leave her the second she finished talking, waiting for you to get up and walk out the door, but you didn’t.

So, you completely caught her off guard when you pulled her into a bone-crushing hug, placing a soft kiss onto her temple, the redhead relaxing in your embrace.

“You’re the strongest person I know. It’s not your fault, you were forced and conditioned to do the things you did.”

Natasha focused on the sound of your voice and took in your words as you softly caressed her red locks with one hand.

“Baby, the amount of respect I have for you is immeasurable. I applaud you for turning your life around for the better. I’m so fucking proud of you.”

Your words had brought tears to Natasha’s eyes, which was a rare occurrence.

She was expecting you to run for the hills, but you chose to pull her closer instead.

In that moment, Natasha knew she never had to be afraid of love again.

You were the most understanding and accepting person she’d ever met.

You would never judge her for her worst mistakes; Natasha had found the one for her and she wasn’t ever going to let go.

•❅──────────────── ‎⧗ ────────────────❅•

Now, a few months later and a year into your relationship with the Russian, you were both lying in bed and cuddling.

You were both watching a movie when a particular scene came on. It was of a family gathering around a Christmas tree, children excitedly opening up presents with gleeful smiles across their faces.

“You know, my sister and I got to take pictures with a Christmas tree once.” Natasha spoke, her eyes fixated on the screen.

You looked up at her in shock. You didn’t know that Natasha had a sister. She told you that she didn’t even so much as know her parent’s names.

Natasha looked down and noticed your confused expression. She reached for the remote on the bedside table and paused the movie before returning her gaze to you.

“There was a mission I was assigned to in Ohio, as a kid. I was assigned to play the daughter of two other Russian spies, Alexei and Melina. It wasn’t just me though, there was a little girl who was assigned as my younger sister. Her name is Yelena.”

Natasha had a reminiscent, happy smile on her face as she recalled the brief period time of her childhood. She looked absolutely adorable as she rambled on about this part of her childhood.

“We took photoshoots of various holidays to make our family look more realistic. My favorite one was Christmas. Even though I knew they were just empty boxes, I wanted to rip open every single one.”

Natasha let out a small giggle at the thought. Even though she had a smile on her face, you could feel and hear the underlying tone of sadness in her voice.

“Yelena and I would spend hours outside, just playing together. Swinging on the swing-sets, looking up at the stars, bending over backward, and getting into a ridiculous competition to see who could hold the position the longest… I always let her win.”

You could see the fondness in her eyes, the longing. It warmed your heart that there was a small glimmer of light in Natasha’s past. There was at least a sliver of hope that she clung tightly onto throughout her time in the Red Room.

“After 3 years, the mission ended. Yelena and I were sent back to the Red Room and were torn apart from one another.

Natasha’s breathing grew heavier as she recalled the unfaithful day. The sight of her sister being taken, and not being able to do anything to help her; still haunted the redhead to this day.

“There were so many men with guns and armor, they literally ripped us away from each other. I was eleven and she was only six.”

Your heart sunk at your girlfriend’s words as her smile dropped. She tore her eyes away from yours as she blinked rapidly, fighting back tears, but failed. You reached your hand up to her cheek and wiped away the fallen droplets.

“I haven’t seen her since. I’d like to think that she found a way out and got a life of her own; a nice, happy life.”

Natasha placed her hand on top of yours before looking down at you once more. You sent her a soft smile when she let out a shaky breath.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I knew that the it was all fake, but it was still the best part of my childhood. It was real to me.”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

You nodded your head at her words. She took a brief pause, trying to regain her composure, before continuing.

“Even if we have no true relation to one another, and even if I haven’t seen her in years, she is still my little sister.”

Natasha finished off with a big gasp as sobs wracked her body. You sat up from her embrace and pulled her into your arms, just like you had many times before.

You rubbed her back soothingly as she cried into your shoulder, her tears hitting the exposed skin.

“She sounds amazing, baby. I’m really happy that you had some sort of happiness back then and I hope one day you get to see her again.”

You whispered and Natasha pulled away from the hug, still in your arms as her emerald eyes surrounded by a sea of red, a result of her crying.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I doubt she’d even want to see me. I didn’t even try to find her. I’m a horrible sister! I-“

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

You immediately pressed your lips against hers, effectively getting the Russian to calm down. You broke the kiss when her breathing slowed.

“Honey, of course, she’d want to see you again. Like you said, you guys are sisters. I’m positive that it was just as real to her as it was to you.”

You reassured your girlfriend, her eyes a pool of worry and guilt. You rubbed your thumb against her waist, the material of your her hoodie beneath your touch.

“From what you’ve told me about the Red Room, it would’ve been impossible to find her. Stop beating yourself up over it. You’re the best, and I’m totally not biased or anything.”

Natasha let out a small chuckle at that and you smiled at her, wiping away the last of her tears. She collapsed into your hold further, shoving her face into the crook of your neck.

“Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I love you so much.”

Natasha’s words came out muffled as her face pressed further into your skin.

“You never need to thank me for anything. I’ll always be here for you, Natty.”

You hugged her as tight as you possibly could, her cold skin meeting your warmth. Natasha let out a small sigh at the feeling.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Wherever you go, I go.”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

───────── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──────────

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sultrybaby · 2 years

Text

THE ONLY THING TO CHANGE IS POINT OF VIEW- PART 3.

💞Synopsis: The thrill of new experiences causes one to not realize the effects of it- and sometimes we need a little reminder that this new world just requires 'you,' not the 'old you,' or some 'new you,' just who you are is enough for this world to love you. You and Heeseung, both new students entering university, find comfort in the novelty of each other's presence. You both wonder how the intimacy came to be, considering both viewed the other to be 'popular material.' A little deep-dive through the simplest of life experiences causes both of you to see how the other has loveliness to them, a loveliness soon to be lost in attempts to fit into the image created unconsciously. As the pressure reaches a climax and walls come crashing, both of you find comfort in each other. If only the other knew how lovely they truly were.

Watch as ___ and Heeseung discover themselves from the other's point of view, learning that who they are is enough to be loved.

💞Warnings: a lotta fluff, some kisses💞 Word count: 1.5k💞Pairing: Lee Heeseung x Fem!Reader💞 Genre: Fluff (strangers to lovers)

It has been three hours since you had planned to go study at Heeseung’s place, an event Melina (your friend from the earlier shopping spree) adored, referring to as a ‘study date,’ (much to your annoyance). Regardless of Melina’s constant comments on how Heeseung ‘looks at you,’ whatever that meant, you were quite ready (and excited) to go to his place. You’ve never really been there for longer than a second (which was always to pick him up for a lecture).

With a final unnecessary dusting of your outfit, you set for his house.

Heeseung had quite a nice room, you had to admit. The colours were mostly beige and white, and everything in the room seemed to perfectly complement each other. Sitting on the edge of his bed, you waited until he was in the room. Soon, he arrived, promptly closing the door behind him, after which he reached into a drawer to get a couple of his papers, as well as his laptop.

The air of awkwardness was quite evident, even though the two of you were quite close. In an attempt to diverge, you said, “do you want to continue where we left off, or is there anything you would like to clarify further?”

“I’m good, let’s just continue,” he expressed in his usual, slightly awkward manner, but you knew him well enough to taste the essence of cockiness in it.

You said nothing.

It’s been about an hour since the two of you started working on the project, and Heeseung has not been able to stop thinking about you. Truth be told, he has felt a bit different about you ever since the cafe incident- it wasn’t exactly a ‘different’ feeling, but rather he felt as if a certain feeling he had about you that he hid inside of him was beginning to surface. When you had told him how you would see him as the true human being that he is, and the amusing expression you held while simply stating that you did not care about his ‘popular’ traits, relieved him of so much pressure he had felt until then- he found himself being even closer to you, and he started to see what it was about him that caused you to smile, and whenever he saw you laughing at his most natural of tendencies, he realised that the more he stayed true to himself, the more you smiled. And in that way, he could see something in him, something that deserved to be loved. And he wished to be loved by no one other than you.

Of all the things you had spelt out to him over a cup of French Vanilla, the most memorable was the split second in which he found you say that you found him beautiful- oh, to be called lovely by the girl he held so dearly to his heart, it made him feel a distinctive way. Sometimes, he lay in bed and wondered what it was about you that intrigued him so much. Poor Heeseung, for all his life he could not entertain the possibility that perhaps, he liked you, or was, at the very least, incredibly attracted to you. Maybe a day will come soon when he realises he is falling in love.

For now, he stays sprawled on his bed with an idiotic smile on his face, finding it normal to be so affected by the simple words of his friend.

He turns to the light pressure he feels on his arm and sees you staring at your laptop, practically melting into his sides. Your lips were pouted and your forehead was creased in concentration, looking intently at the source the two of you were supposed to be submitting an analytical report on in two days. So far, there has been quite good progress to be seen from both of you.

Heeseung sees how focused you are- you were always well focused when you were working. Heeseung admired it so much. You looked so adorable in the hoodie. An angel in a pillowcase.

Your lips were getting poutier by the second, and Heeseung wanted nothing more than to kiss it gently. He knows it is weird though, and he tries to shake the thought away from his mind by doing the same with his head physically. But just thinking about sweetly lunging forward, and cupping your jaw in his hands as he kisses the tension away from your lips attracts him, guilty pleasure lining every crevice of the thought.

“Heeseung, are you okay?” you ask, which thankfully, and effectively, brings him back into reality.

“Uh—ye-yeah.”

“Are you sure about that? Your face looks red,” you say.

Before he can even attempt to hide the blushing mess that is his face, you turn around to face him. He finds your hands cupping his face, worry etched into your eyes as you look at him. If only you knew that you were not helping his current state, at all.

Reluctantly, for reasons he does not understand, he looked you in the eyes. Any sensible person would know that staring at your face, given his present condition, was an insanely bad idea, but Heeseung couldn’t help it.

Your eyes were illuminated by the sunlight coming from the window, as well as the artificial light at the side of Heeseung’s desk. They looked so ethereal to him, and he wanted nothing more than to drown in the essence of your eyes. Your nose was so perfectly crafted to him, he felt the urge to peck every turn and bulge in it. Your lips, (which had caused- and continued to cause- so much trouble for him) were now pressed in worry.

Instinctively, he brought his hand forward to touch your face, and his thumb grazed your lips until you parted them, causing a smile to be formed on Heeseung lips. He wanted to kiss you so bad.

“Hee-Heeseung,” he heard you say, and it was only now that he realised the intimate position the two of you were in.

Both of you were kneeling on his bed, facing each other, both of you having the other’s face in their hands, staring deeply into each other’s eyes. Your chests were mere centimetres apart, and your foreheads were practically touching but for the spot of air that separated the two of you.

Heeseung’s heart threatened to burst out of his chest as he leaned forward and pressed his lips onto your own.

Being in a room with Heeseung alone was one thing, staying in an intimate position was another. But surely, the timid boy could not take it further than that, could he?

Well, you were proven incorrect. Incorrect.

One second you were looking him in the eyes, the next second his lips were latched onto yours. And who were you to deny him of the kiss- it was his decision, and as much as you refused to admit, you had been dreaming of this moment for a while now.

After being frozen in your position for a split second, digesting the feeling of heeseung’s lips on yours, you felt him pull away. Without missing a beat you pulled his collar towards you and kissed him back, deepening the kiss with a tilt of your head.

Pecks turned into smooches and grunts as the two of you passionately held each other. His lips tasted plain, but it was so addictive. Cupping his jaw, you pull his face downwards, kissing him harder, while Heeseung attached his waist onto yours, chests colliding. Wrapping your arms around his shoulders, you felt him smile into the kiss- and boy, did that feel good. For minutes you stayed in his embrace until the two of you felt the need to catch your breath.

Gently pulling apart, your hooded eyelids looked up at the boy who held you, and in his eyes, you saw the question that was burning at the back of your mind. Did I just kiss LEE HEESEUNG?

“Um—I-um—”

“It’s okay, Hee,” you said, although it was not okay.

It was not okay at all; you guys just kissed- you could not believe that just happened. You wondered how awkward Heeseung must feel, you went all-in with kissing him- hell, you pulled him in. The thought made you grimace. Terrified, you looked at Heeseung meekly to see the boy’s reaction.

His face seemed eerily calm, the neutral expression most definitely forced. Slowly, the sides of his mouth twitched upwards, shaping into a smirk. A snicker unwillingly left his nose.

Was he laughing?

The awkwardness of the situation and Heeseung's restrained cackling got to you, and before you know it, the two of you were sprawled on each other again, except this time you guys were giggling till your stomachs ached.

“Okay, but just so we’re sure, I need you to promise me to never talk of this,” you looked at Heeseung as you spoke, which was kind of a task as you had to climb up to his face level from where you lay (his stomach).

“Why not?” he said, obviously enjoying the look of dismay crossing your face.

“I’m just kidding,” he said, laughter intensifying at your reaction, ‘Although…”

“Although what?”

I need you to do something for me, to make sure that I keep the promise,” he said, an amused expression on his face that caused you to be quite fearful.

Ignoring the warning from your instincts, you dared to ask him, “what is it?”

“Come with me…”

“Where?”

“...for a date at the amusement park.”

—

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theshipsfirstmate · 3 years

Text

Black Widow Fic: No Time Left to Start Again

Post-BW, between the end and the post-credits. Yelena Belova faces life after The Snap.

No Time Left to Start Again (AO3 - wc: 4983)

She looks down to see her hands disintegrating -- fingers floating away like the wispy tufts of the dandelions that grew in their front yard in Ohio -- and Yelena thinks, Is this a cool way to die?

The question is still on her mind when she comes to, even though she’ll find out later that five years have passed since she started wondering.

She puts the pieces together as fast as she can, even though each one only makes the picture more grim. She learns she was lucky to be in the Widows’ safe house in Istanbul when it happened, even if the rancid smell of the rotted fridge makes her gag and there’s a hole in the ceiling and straight through the floor from a bathtub left running.

She learns that the best estimates say it was half of the population that floated away with her that day, and has now returned just as abruptly. The world wasn't ready for them to go, and it is even less prepared for them to return. Cities are plunged into chaos in an instant, governments and aid organizations just starting to steady themselves after half a decade of desolation get the rug pulled out from them once again.

She learns that her phone still works, even if internet service is shit, thanks to dwindling maintenance and overloaded servers. She learns that the Avengers are fighting a war for the fate of the universe (again), somewhere in upstate New York. And she learns, quickly, where she needs to go next.

“Малышка.”

Melina greets her at the gate with an unexpected softness -- so different than the last time -- and Yelena wonders if the woman has simply spent the last five years alone with her pigs, if they've felt any different than the twenty before. Then, Alexi steps out the door behind her, and she realizes that they have.

“So, neither of you…” Yelena starts to ask as they let her in, though she doesn't really have to. She can see the years on them both, and for a moment, she's a child with a family once again.

My mother is going grey at her temples. My father's glasses are thicker than they used to be.

They both have deeper crinkles at the corners of their eyes and Yelena finds herself hoping that it’s laughter that’s left them there.

“For five years we've been on our own,” Alexi answers, but he can't help himself a little smirk before he continues, “and moss grows fat on a rolling stone.”

He doesn't smell so bad this time, when he wraps her in a bear hug. Mercifully, he's shaved and taken to civilian clothes -- she decides to keep to herself how much she dislikes his new handlebar mustache.

“You did?” Melina guesses, and Yelena nods her agreement into Alexi’s chest before he relents and lets her go.

When she turns back to face the question, she finds herself on the receiving end of a look that feels equal parts discerning and maternal. That too, she remembers from her childhood.

“Are you alright?”

“I seem to be,” Yelena answers, gesturing down to her hands, tangible once more. There won't be an answer that satisfies the woman scientifically, she’ll have to be proof enough. “I don't remember any of it.”

What she truly doesn't expect from Melina is a hug, and it's even more surprising when it’s fiercer and longer than Alexi’s. A beat too long, Yelena realizes slowly. Alexi turns away when she tries to meet his eye, and her stomach turns over with dread.

Something else has happened. Something she doesn't know yet. Something worse.

“The report came over my comms just an hour or so before you got here,” Melina says softly, an arm reaching up to stroke the back of Yelena’s head, just like she did when she was a toddler. “It's over. The Avengers have won.”

There's the sound of splintering wood and both women step back sharply, turning to see Alexi clutching a handful of splinters that used to be the back of a dining room chair. He drops them to the ground and strides back out the door, pointedly not looking at either of them, and Yelena tastes bile in the back of her mouth.

“What else?” She tries and fails to stop herself from asking the question. It comes out on a choked kind of half-breath.

“Tony Stark is dead.” Melina answers, dropping her eyes, an uncharacteristic waver in her voice. “And it's been... harder to confirm, but we are almost certain that Natasha is too.”

In the Red Room, after the treatments, there would be a buzzing in your ears for days, like static from an old radio. Widows in training were known to be disciplined after missing commands, and would do their best to shake it off as quickly as possible, but Yelena sometimes welcomed the fuzzy silences, the chance to try and focus inward, no matter how painful.

This is nothing like that.

This is a heartbreak in a cry, a desperate, wailing sound that builds and builds, cutting through the quiet isolation of the farm compound like a knife. It's only when it gets muffled by Melina wrapping her up in her arms once more, that Yelena realizes she's the one making it.

“Малышка,” her mother whispers again -- my baby -- and Yelena can’t tell if it’s meant for her or not.

They sit around the table again that night, but dinner consists only of vodka and memories and they all try -- and fail -- not to notice the empty chair closest to the windows, the one with the broken back.

“Oh, I hated that blue hair!” Melina admits with a watery chuckle, paging through the photo album when their second bottle is nearly gone. “But she was so good at getting what she wanted.”

“You know, I begged her to dye mine too,” Yelena shares, recalling a long-forgotten memory that means something completely different now. “She said no, that she wouldn't let me be spoiled.”

Alexi interrupts the reverie before she goes too deep, laughter overtaking him as he pokes at Melina’s arm. “I remember the night she did it. You came to bed and you were so fed up, you cried! She made you cry!”

“And I punched you for laughing at me, do you remember that too?” Melina fires back, swatting his hand away.

When she was old enough to realize what had happened to her as a child, Yelena remembers scouring her memories for real moments, signs of genuine affection between the family she hadn’t known enough to question. It was difficult then, to believe any of it had been real. But sometimes now, it's not so hard.

“The only reason I was glad we left when we did, was because I knew I could never have handled her as a teenager,” Melina muses then, but there's little humor left in her voice. Yelena wonders if her face darkens in the same way as her mother’s when they think of that day on the airstrip.

It's quiet for a long moment, but Alexi never stops looking at Melina. Yelena's head is heavy from liquor and tears and she rests it on folded arms as she watches them. (Sometimes, it's not so hard to believe.)

“You didn't want to go,” her father says, low and mournful. “I should have listened.”

“You followed the orders,” her mother answers. “What was the alternative? They would have killed us and taken the girls back if we had made even one misstep.”

None of them had a way out, Yelena thinks, they never had. A super soldier and a Widow, weapons both, with daughters destined to follow in their footsteps. Maybe that's still true. Maybe there is no peace when all you've ever known is war.

But they'd had each other.

“It was real,” she murmurs, as her eyes drift closed. “Natasha said it was real.”

-----

A public memorial for Tony Stark is held on the National Mall. Steve Rogers is consecrated at the Smithsonian, again. But no one seems to know quite what to do about Natasha Romanov. The Black Widow, the female Avenger, the Russian-born assassin, only claimed by America, it seemed, when they wanted to accuse her of treason.

Still, Yelena flies to Washington DC, half-curious and half-desperate to burn off the fog she’s been wandering around in since Melina’s suspicions had been confirmed.

Captain America, the new one, had announced the events on a world-wide broadcast -- making a point to mention Natasha by name, Yelena had noticed -- and so she heads to the museum first, though she's not entirely sure what she hopes to learn. The Avengers have saved the world several times over, but those conflicts are usually reduced to heroic platitudes when it comes to the public, and she expects this to be no different.

She's mostly right, but the exhibit is worth it for a few glimpses of Natasha fighting alongside the Captain, scattered throughout the pictures and video of the Avengers’ years together. That's how she finds herself in a darkened theater, watching a compilation of newsreel footage, broadcasts and shaky cell phone shots, the valiant timeline of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

She feels him sit down beside her, catches the glint of metal in the sleeve of his leather jacket before she can even clock his face. Her nerves are instinctively on edge, but if he came for combat, they’d already be in it, so she stays still and quiet, waiting to follow his lead.

“ты сестра?” he asks softly. You're the sister?

Yelena turns to face him, the question and answer on her lips. But the Winter Soldier speaks again before she does.

“She showed me the pictures once. From when you were kids.”

Yelena couldn't count them if she tried, the nights she spent in the Red Room, rubbing a finger along the torn seam of her photo strip, willing the thought that Natasha was out there somewhere, holding the other half, to be enough to comfort her enough to sleep.

She turns away before he can see the tears in her eyes, but it’s no use -- they’re there in her throat when she speaks.

“They didn't even know her.” She nods back to the crowded museum and hopes he can grasp her meaning. There’s no way Natasha can be properly memorialized by government officials, who knew her as little more than a recon file, or the adoring public, who only thought of her when the world was ending.

“She liked it that way.” He means it as a comfort, but still, it makes Yelena flinch.

He notices, and she knows he understands when he tries again. “They were never gonna do her justice.”

The world never would, never could, Yelena thinks. A spy. A sister. A survivor. A lost girl, who fought her whole life for the kind of peace she’d never allow herself. These are not the people who get parades in their honor, holidays in their name.

“I will,” she says, and the stubborn tears win their battle, spilling down her cheeks. “I will do her justice.”

The Winter Soldier nods, with as much of a smile as he seems to allow himself. “I hope you will.”

Then he's gone, back the way he came, and Yelena thinks it's time to leave this city, with its buttoned-up bureaucracy and privatized secrets.

She doesn't care much about the Stark memorial, but skirts around the periphery on her way back to the airfield, catching a glimpse of the enormous photos and expensive-looking displays.

Natasha’s in these too, off to the side or just out of focus. It's starting to wear on her, the way these people seem to barely even notice the Black Widow, how quick they are to disregard one of their greatest heroes because she didn't fly or transform or wield some mystical weapon.

Shouldn’t that have made her even more impressive?

She's standing in front of a tribute to the Battle of New York just beside the bridge, weighing that unanswerable question, hands clenched unconsciously to fists, when Valentina finds her.

“I've been looking for you.” It sounds more like a taunt. I found you.

Yelena scoffs. “Probably a bad idea, if you know anything about me.”

“Oh, babe, believe me. I know plenty,” the woman answers, offering up that ridiculous name, a business card and a tone that's too familiar for Yelena's liking.

She's not to be trusted. That would be clear even to the Red Room’s youngest and most naive recruit. But it's this gleeful performance of espionage, or maybe villainy, that keeps Yelena from writing her off entirely. From the outfit to the attitude, she's either insane or untouchable. Or both.

And then: “So I have some… let's call it interesting information about your sister.”

Yelena clenches her fists tighter, digging her fingernails into her palm. “I don't believe you.”

Valentina seems to anticipate this, and is already reaching into her bag at the answer. She pulls out a thin, soft-bound book, printed with colorful block lettering: Parkside Elementary School, ‘95-’96.

Instantly, Yelena feels like someone's tightening a vice around her ribcage. “No.”

The woman shrugs, with that haughty grin she's already starting to loathe. “See for yourself.”

She flips it open, turning only a few pages to find the first grade classes, and there she is. Six years old. An innocent smile on her face and a fake last name beneath her picture. Orange juice spots on the collar of her shirt -- Melina had scolded her when they brought the photos home.

“How did you get this?” Even if it's a fake, it was done by someone who knows far too much.

“Well, you don't trust me, so I won't bother telling you,” Valentina snaps, taking the book back before she can look for Natasha. “Let’s call it proof that I know a lot of people who have been keeping a lot of secrets.”

Yelena tries to look unimpressed, dropping her shaking hands to her sides when she realizes they're giving her away. “You and me both.”

“Ha! No kidding,” Valentina replies. It's not actually a laugh. “That's exactly why we're gonna work so well together.”

Maybe it's the grief clouding her judgement or residual conditioning left over in her frontal lobe. Maybe it's the unspoken threat to the rest of her family. Or maybe she was just born for this -- a soldier like her father, an assassin like her mother. Whatever it is, Yelena can feel herself agreeing to Valentina’s “offer” before she's even made it explicit.

“We'll start you out small,” the woman assures, but she knows better than to be comforted. “How do you feel about some light arson? There’s some documents and hard drives at a warehouse in Bethesda that need disappearing.”

“Fine,” Yelena answers, ears already buzzing, as a small voice in her head sings along. Fire is the devil's only friend.

-----

When the money from her first job comes in, she buys an old Chevy C/K and drives to Akron, with a useless hope to disappear again. She's lucky enough to find a modest apartment with a kind neighbor who's always happy to dogsit, which becomes a blessing -- Valentina’s demands only increase as the corners of her fake smile tighten.

But it's enough. Enough that when Yelena thinks about home, she can once again think of Ohio.

Not long after, Alexi and Melina keep a promise she’d asked them to make, and return for a few days. She picks them up at the airfield, and drives to the spot she and Fanny found on one of their long walks together -- under the trees that are just starting to blossom with pink flowers.

Alexi lifts the heavy gravestone from the back of the truck and places it at the end of a row, under a tree, where the ground can't be dug up anyway.

“Toughest girls in the world,” Yelena hears him murmur as he runs his hand over the inscription.

Melina hasn't spoken much since they landed. Yelena thought at first that she didn't want to come back, but when she closes her eyes and takes in a deep, shuddering breath as they stand facing the grave marker, she understands that it isn't that at all.

“Big girl,” her mother begins with an uncharacteristic, watery softness, and Yelena is transported back to another lifetime once again. “I’m so sorry...”

There might be more to say, but the long, mournful silence is broken by the sound of another car pulling up. All three of them go on alert, until Yelena spots a familiar flash of metal from the driver's side.

“не волнуйся,” she says, still stepping defensively in front of her mother. “It’s OK.”

The Winter Soldier -- Sergeant Barnes, she reminds herself -- parks and exits quickly, moving to the rear of the car to help an elderly man step out and straighten himself.

He isn't what Yelena expected, but once he's at full posture, it's impossible not to recognize him. He's the man from the news, the internet, all the posters — give or take a few decades.

“Captain America.” Under normal circumstances, she might chuckle at Alexi’s awed whisper.

“Forgive us for interrupting,” the Captain says by way of a greeting. He sounds like him, too, so it must be true. “And, in advance, for not explaining. I just… I thought both of her families should be here.”

“If that's OK,” Barnes adds with a look, first at Captain Rogers, then back at the family.

Yelena nods her acceptance, but feels her heart sink a little when Melina turns back silently to face the gravestone. Only Alexi steps forward, extending his arm, first to the captain, then to his comrade.

“Alexi Shostakov,” he offers. “You probably don’t…”

“The Red Guardian,” Captain Rogers interrupts, and Yelena tries not to let her eyes go wide as they shake hands proudly. “The Soviet super soldier. Of course I know who you are.”

Alexi puffs his chest up for just a moment, and gives himself a pleased nod, before returning to Melina’s side. It's proof of his grief, Yelena thinks, that that's the end of it.

Then it's her turn. “You must be Yelena.”

“Captain.” She nods once and then twice, looking past him. “Sergeant.”

“Buck mentioned you two had run into each other in Washington,” the older man says with a well-worn, knowing smile.

“I would say we're glad to have you,” she offers as a reply, “but now I'm mostly worried that I'm not covering my tracks as well as I should.”

“Don't worry about that,” Captain Rogers replies, with a shake of his head. “I had to call in multiple favors to find you. Big ones, too.”

“Well then,” she sighs, “I guess I should say I'm sorry you went through all that trouble.”

Another small smile, and then the captain steps closer, lowering his voice almost conspiratorially. It strikes her that, while he's likely still one of the most powerful men in the universe, there's nothing about him that feels threatening to her.

“I don't know if you've noticed,” he tells her, “but I'm getting up there in years. Why don't you save us both a lot of time from now on, and only bother saying what you mean.”

He means it as a kindness, Yelena can tell, but there's only one question she wants to ask, and it's screaming in her mind like a klaxon horn.

“Will you...” she begins, stopping to swallow when her throat turns to sandpaper. “Will you tell us what happened?”

“Yelena,” Melina says sharply, and she almost takes it back. But she knows the curiosity will eat her from the inside out if she doesn't take the chance now, when it's literally right in front of her.

“No, I want to know,” she tells her mother before turning back and steeling herself once again. “I want the truth.”

Captain Rogers purses his lips and tilts his head, like he's seeing something different in her now.

“You really are her sister, aren't you?” he muses.

She scoffs, almost reflexively. “There's no family resemblance, if that's what you mean.”

“Isn't there?” She hears Alexi chuckle softly behind her and makes a mental note to elbow him in the ribs later. One super soldier at a time.

“Please,” she asks again, and the twinkle leaves Captain Rogers' eye as he nods solemnly.

“Natasha sacrificed herself to retrieve the last of the Infinity Stones.” Yelena only understands part of that sentence, and she's not sure if it's the important part.

“The stones were the key to bringing everyone back, to defeating Thanos once and for all,” he explains. “We made a plan, as a team. We each had our assignments, but we didn't know the cost.”

The cost, it's evident now, had been Natasha, and it grates again at Yelena that all the other Avengers had returned from this mission for their final battle, while her sister’s sacrifice had merely been part of the unknowable set up.

But Captain Rogers continues, and she finds consolation in the fact that at least he doesn't take Natasha's death lightly, not in the slightest.

“I went back, after,” he reveals, sounding close to tears. “I tried-- I tried like hell to get her back. I never should have let her go.”

“You wouldn't have been able to stop her.” Melina’s voice comes out of nowhere; even she seems surprised to have spoken. But they all nod at the truth.

“Clint said he-- she wouldn't let him go in her place,” Rogers adds. He’s turning something over in his hands, but when Yelena looks closer, it seems to be just a simple pack of bubble gum. “She was just too…”

His eyes, cast towards the sky, return to their group, and he speaks first to Alexi, and then to Melina. Yelena reaches out for her mother's hand, and it's taken with a fierce squeeze.

“I'm not sure I ever really understood her until now,” the Captain says. “I thought her strength, her heart, who she was, was in spite of what she'd been through. But I know now, it was because of it.”

Yelena’s eyes have blurred with tears, but she can see him turn to her next. “We fought that war for her,” he adds. “And I think she fought it for you.”

It's the eulogy Natasha deserves, the one none of them could have hoped to give, and it feels both fitting and unfathomable that it comes from Captain America, of all people.

They sit in it for a moment, each thinking of Natasha in their own way, until the silence is broken by two people speaking in unison -- perhaps the two that understood her best.

“She would have hated this,” Yelena mumbles, only realizing after a moment that Barnes had said the same thing.

A reserved chuckle rumbles through the five of them, and then a deep, forgiving breath. It’s time to go.

But Yelena drops Melina’s hand as the rest of them turn back for the road, suddenly unable to move. She can’t pull her eyes away from the grave, stuck staring at a legacy that makes her feel six years old again, a metaphorical pair of shoes she'll never be able to fill.

When she doesn't hear either car start, she expects maybe Captain Rogers or Alexi, but surprisingly, it's Barnes who returns to her side.

“I haven't… I didn't make a speech or anything,” she admits, gesturing at the stone with her sister’s name and titles, and willing him, once again, to understand the feelings she can’t put into words. “I don't know what to say to her.”

He's quiet for a moment, and when he speaks it's lower than she’s expecting, like he’s drawing the words from somewhere deep. “Nat never shared much with us,” he tells her. “I understood that. It's hard to talk about memories you don't think you deserve to miss.”

Yelena knows she’s felt that too, that kind of arrested nostalgia. And she’s seen it in the Widows she recovered before the snap. It's not a surprise that the Winter Soldier could understand it as well -- what it’s like to be freed from a prison in your own mind, but constantly aware of how easily that door could slam closed on you once again.

“She wouldn't care what you say here,” he continues. “She would care what you do out there.”

Suddenly, Yelena wonders if his heightened senses include a bullshit detector, if he can somehow see the marionette strings Valentina has looped around her conscience.

“I might have lied to you when we met,” she admits, telling him as much of the truth as she can muster. “I'm not sure I know how to do her justice.”

“I think you do,” he answers. “Even if it’s hard. Even if it takes a while.”

She turns to face him, and he’s staring at the gravestone like he can see something more than the paltry words they had paid someone to carve in Natasha’s memory.

“Nat was haunted by the red in her ledger, but she also thought it was what made her a good Avenger. She thought it made her fearless, unbreakable.” Yelena looks down and watches the metal of Barnes’ bionic hand curl into a fist, and then release. “But I'll take a wild guess that she was fearless before that, wasn't she?”

Through the years of mind control and conditioning, Yelena has never forgotten the feeling of Natasha’s arm wrapped around her back on that airstrip in Cuba, screaming and threatening men twice her size to try and keep them both safe.

“You may not know what to do now. You might feel like the things you've done, or the things you want to do, have set your future in stone,” Barnes continues, cutting through the haze of her memories.

“But there's gonna be a moment, maybe in the future, maybe soon, when you're faced with a choice. And in that moment, if you choose to be the person she thought you could be, that'll do her justice.”

Yelena looks up and Barnes’ eyes are there to meet now. Whatever he knows, it’s enough.

“Thank you for coming,” she tells him. “Truly. And thank you for bringing the Captain.”

“Couldn't keep him away,” the man admits, with his little half-smile. “The two of them...I think that was as close as they let themselves get to anybody. I know he’ll always blame himself, but I hope this helped.”

Yelena nods her goodbye, thinking idly, mournfully, about the way Natasha never gave any thought to her future -- wondering if that’s something she and her teammates had shared. But as Barnes returns to his car, the back window rolls down and Captain Rogers flags her down with something dark and folded in his hand.

“I found this with her things on the quinjet,” he says as she approaches the window, and her throat is tightening with new tears before he can finish, before she can even reach out to touch the familiar fabric. “Thought maybe you might want it. It’s pretty nice, it’s got a lot of pockets.”

-----

When she returns Melina and Alexi to the airfield a few days later, it's the most Yelena has felt like a real person in a long time, maybe the whole of her adult life.

“You’ll come to visit, yes?” Alexi asks, but his raised eyebrow tells her it's more of an order than a request.

“I will.”

“Come for Christmas!” he booms as he climbs out of the truck. “I will tell Santa Claus where to find you.”

Melina doesn't follow him out the passenger door right away, turning back to face her and looking for all the world like a typical worrisome mother.

“Yelena…”

“мама, I'll be fine,” she promises, trying not to hear how hollow it sounds.

“I know you will. But please, watch out for yourself.” Yelena’s stomach knots at the memory of Melina telling Natasha the very same. That was the last time they were all together, she recalls. It always will be.

“And if you need us,” Melina adds, “just come home, where it’s safe. OK?”

It's something about the way she says it that steals Yelena's planned reply from her lips. She doesn't want to lie, not now.

So she ducks forward, pressing her head against her mother’s and willing them both a little bit of peace.

“You are the best of us. Strong like your father, smart like your mama,” Melina whispers. “And like Natasha, through everything, you’ve kept your heart.”

Yelena pulls back then, swiping at her eyes, unable to stop herself from asking. “You don’t think that’s a weakness?”

“Maybe, at one time,” Melina admits. “But now, I think it’s lucky. Because now, you have a place to carry her.”

She can do that, at least, Yelena promises herself, reaching down to tug instinctively at the hem of her vest. Natasha died for them, and so she can live for her. She can do her justice.

“Stay safe, Малышка,” Melina says again, kissing her on the cheek before climbing out and following Alexi towards the runway. They two of them turn back to wave before boarding their jet, and Yelena’s heart knocks in her chest to remind her. That’s my family.

She puts the truck in gear and is pulling out to the main road, brushing away a few stray tears, when she notices it. A cassette, half-ejected from her ancient tape deck, with a Post-it stuck to the end.

She peels off the note and grins at the mismatched handwriting -- “Love, Mom. And Dad,” both in Cyrillic -- before pressing the tape in and starting to sing along.

“A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile…”

#first mate fic #black widow fic #yelena belova #yelena belova fic #black widow spoilers #black widow #natasha romanoff #romanogers (if you squint)#post-bw

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the-widow-sisters · 2 years

Text

Reunion: Part 2

Summary: Natasha was one to generally savor solitude, but it seemed that somehow Yelena, within a few short days together, was able to completely wreck that persona.

Natasha reunites with Yelena about a week after they took down the Red Room together and they both struggle to try to navigate their new dynamics, wanting to be close but not quite knowing how.

Word Count: 2368

Part 1

Part 3

A little later that day, Natasha and Yelena were heading out to town to gather some groceries, and Yelena was currently slumped down in Natasha’s passenger seat, looking out the window as she took in the scenery in the morning light.

It turned out that Yelena was going to be able to stay with her for an indefinite amount of time until Melina synthesized and replicated enough cures for Yelena to begin her missions in saving widows. Which Natasha was extremely excited about.

Natasha had been having the time of her life spending time with the blonde even if it had been only a few short hours together so far. It was a great contrast to being alone and as long as Yelena would stay, Natasha could probably live like this and put off finding the Avengers for a little while longer. She knew that was not the right way to think, but she also felt that she owed Yelena some time to be spent with just her as well. As terrible as it sounded, the Avengers situation was going nowhere, and they would be waiting on Natasha for probably a week or two more.

Besides that, Natasha felt her heart swelling with spending time with the person that had always been most important to her throughout her whole life. It was a therapeutic experience that somehow made Natasha feel younger and happier than she had been in years.

Natasha let out a contented breath, taking in the beauty around her for the first time since she had arrived. She had not allowed herself to slow down and actually look at the scenery since she had gotten there. However, now that Yelena was here with her, things almost felt right, and she wished she could just freeze this moment in time forever.

The radio was playing lowly in the background, and Natasha was suddenly reminded of its presence as one of her favorite Sia songs started to play. A grin tugged at the redhead’s lips as she reached out and gingerly turned up the volume so that it was loud enough for her to listen to but not nearly as loudly as normal so that she would not make Yelena uncomfortable.

As soon as it started to play into the lyrics, Natasha was tapping her finger gently on the steering wheel to the beat, driving the car with one hand as she relaxed a little in her seat. She could feel the blonde’s gaze on her, and she could feel that Yelena was longing to say something.

Natasha just remained quiet, allowing Yelena to decide when she wanted to speak.

“What is this noise that’s playing?” Yelena finally declared, wrinkling her nose as she looked over at the radio and gestured to it disdainfully. Natasha raised an eyebrow, unimpressed with Yelena’s criticism of Sia, who was undoubtedly one of Natasha’s favorites. However, at the positively adorable look on Yelena’s face, Natasha had to hold back the urge to grin ridiculously.

“It’s called music,” Natasha deadpanned in reply, and she could not help but grin in spite of herself as Yelena scoffed.

“I certainly believe that’s up to interpretation,” Yelena declared and Natasha chuckled heartily. Yelena looked over at her, a wide smile coming onto her face that she quickly turned her head to disguise.

“It’s Sia.”

“Oh, wow. No wonder it’s not good music,” Yelena complained, and Natasha did not bother questioning any further to figure out what exactly Yelena meant by that statement. Natasha looked over at her curiously.

“What do you want to listen to, then?” Natasha asked.

“I don’t know… What’s on here?” Yelena questioned curiously and in that manner that was so painstakingly innocent that it reminded Natasha of just how new to the world that Yelena was. Natasha reached over, gently tapping the knob for tuning the radio.

“Turn that and stop it when you find something you want to hear,” Natasha instructed softly before trading hands to hold onto the steering wheel and resting her arm on the car door. Yelena looked at her oddly for just a moment before reaching out and turning the knob experimentally.

As she turned the knob slowly, different channels flicked over with her movements, and Yelena’s eyes widened in pure wonder. Natasha looked over at her, her heart melting as she gazed at the girl.

This must have been a first for Yelena. Actually getting to choose what was on the radio and being able to control what played. Natasha could not help the feeling of warmth and love swelling in her chest. She clenched her fist just a little on the steering wheel to keep herself from reaching out to the blonde and just stroking her face or doing something else that would likely be unwelcome.

Yelena stopped on a rap channel for a moment, and she scrunched her nose, obviously not overly impressed with what was playing. She then changed it over to another pop channel. It was playing a song that Natasha immediately recognized to be Avicii, and she waited with bated breath to see if Yelena was actually fond of the music. Yelena froze for a moment, nodding her head just a little with the sound before releasing the knob and leaning back into her seat again to slump down in it as she so greatly enjoyed doing. Natasha felt her heart warm with the fact that Yelena actually was enjoying some music that she also liked. It made her feel closer to her baby sister.

Natasha could not help a soft smile as she gazed over at the girl. Yelena immediately noticed her looking and stared back. Natasha almost looked away, but she held Yelena’s gaze, just taking her in for a moment.

“What?” Yelena asked somewhat bemusedly, raising an eyebrow. Natasha just shrugged a little, looking back at the road.

“Nothing.”

“We can put your seal back on if you want,” Yelena immediately spoke back up, starting to reach out to the radio to change it, and while Natasha was momentarily taken off-guard by Yelena’s name for Sia, she quickly recovered. Natasha immediately reached down, taking Yelena’s hand tenderly and stopping her from grabbing the knob. Yelena’s gaze immediately snapped to Natasha’s as she froze in place, Natasha’s gentle touch successfully stilling her.

Natasha quickly released Yelena’s hand, worried that the blonde was uncomfortable with the contact. Yelena just stared at her, keeping her hand in place for a short moment before slowly dragging it back over to rest on her thigh.

“Don’t worry. This is good,” Natasha assured her softly as she realized that they were almost at the small grocery shop. Yelena watched her for a long moment but did not say anything as they drove along, eventually turning her gaze to watch the road alongside Natasha.

Soon enough, they were at the grocery shop, and Natasha was getting out of the car, locking it once she and Yelena were out of it. Yelena started to head to the front of the car to meet Natasha, and the redhead smiled a little as she passed by her quietly.

Yelena sidled up to her immediately, the both of them entering the small shop together. Natasha was honestly shocked at Yelena’s proximity as the blonde’s shoulder kept brushing against her. She noticed how Yelena was glancing at her just barely with the lightest ticks of her gaze, and Natasha was quickly aware of the fact that Yelena was checking for her reaction.

Natasha simply pretended as if the contact was completely normal despite the fact that internally, Natasha was longing to reach her arm out and pull Yelena a little closer. Even holding the blonde’s hand would be nice.

Natasha was honestly a little shocked at her own desperation to pull closer to Yelena, but she supposed that it was likely because she had been without her baby sister for so long. Everything within Natasha wanted to revive that childhood closeness with Yelena, and Natasha wanted nothing more than to just shower Yelena with affection.

But she really just did not know how far that desire might go with Yelena if it even was present within her.

“What do we need to get from here?” Yelena asked, and Natasha shrugged as she looked around and took in the place, mentally mapping out escape routes and cameras out of pure force of habit.

“Well, enough groceries to feed two people… If you’re staying for a while?” Natasha questioned, letting the offer hang out there as she looked at Yelena with some trepidation and worry as to whether the blonde would turn her down or not.

Yelena immediately brightened, a sparkle and an undying warmth in her gaze as she gazed back at the redhead hopefully. A large smile came onto her face and Natasha felt a bit more confidence about making the offer.

“I might could hang around for a little longer. As long as I’m not keeping you from your cool kids. I know how you’re just dying to have your sappy reunion with them,” Yelena declared, and although her tone was not quite bitter, there was something that was just a little less than perfectly friendly and amiable about it. Natasha immediately noted the sore spot and moved her head noncommittally.

“I think they can wait for a little while. They’re not going anywhere right now. Ross has made sure of that,” Natasha added the last statement offhandedly and almost as an afterthought. Yelena looked over at her and swiftly met her eyes.

Natasha’s breath almost left her as she took in all of the adoration in Yelena’s eyes. It made Natasha’s heart soar to see her baby sister look at her like that. It never failed to mean the entire world to Natasha to witness it.

They then started to head through the store, picking up the things they needed. However, sometime during their shopping journey, Yelena stopped as she looked at a shelf with curiosity. Natasha immediately paused as she stepped near her baby sister, looking at the shelf alongside her.

“What’s that?”

“Candy,” Natasha told her with a slight smirk, just teasing the blonde, and Yelena scoffed in reply to her, shooting an unimpressed glance in her direction.

“Well, I can see that. What kind?” Yelena questioned finally, and Natasha’s gaze softened as she realized just how intrigued Yelena was by the candy.

“Chocolate bars,” Natasha answered gently, just watching the side of Yelena’s face as she gazed at the many candy bars across the shelf.

“Ah,” Yelena replied, still seeming somewhat mesmerized by the idea that all of that was candy. Natasha, after just a moment more of thinking, bumped her shoulder into Yelena’s gently. Yelena’s gaze immediately shifted to meet her own and she did not move away from Natasha’s contact.

Natasha smiled just a little, tilting her head toward the candy bars.

“Grab some if you want them,” Natasha offered, looking away quickly as she retreated back over to the side of the shopping cart. She could feel Yelena’s gaze on her, and it took Yelena a moment to act, but she finally grabbed a few candy bars and put them in the cart.

Natasha tried her best to hold back the smile that threatened to spread widely across her face at the small grin tugging at Yelena’s lips.

Soon enough, the both of them checked out once they finished picking up all of the groceries they needed, and they headed out to the car, loading it up. Natasha did not miss how Yelena looked at the chocolate bar bag longingly. So when Yelena headed over to the passenger side to get in her seat, Natasha grabbed the bag out of the back of the car and brought it with her.

When she got in the driver’s spot, she reached over and dropped the bag in Yelena’s lap, keeping her attentions largely on the car as she flicked her gaze over toward Yelena to watch her surreptitiously.

Yelena’s eyes brightened with wonder, and she opened the bag carefully, withdrawing a Twix bar. She hesitantly glanced over at Natasha and seeing that the redhead was offering no opposition to her actions, opened the bar carefully.

Natasha almost laughed from pure love and joy as she watched Yelena’s face light up in the biggest expression of bliss and appreciation as she took the first bite of the thing. Natasha started to drive, heading back to their little place out in the middle of nowhere.

Yelena’s mouth was soon covered with chocolate from where she had been very happily humming and devouring the bar. Natasha also noticed how absolutely adorably that Yelena was wiggling around in a sort of happy dance about how good it was. It was something that she had never managed to get rid of even after all these years since Ohio.

“Enjoying your candy?” Natasha questioned playfully after a long silence, and Yelena looked over at her strangely.

“Yeah. Why?” Yelena shot back, obviously picking up on Natasha’s amused tone. Natasha just looked over at her as she came to a stop sign, and she grabbed a napkin that she had stuffed in her car door. She leaned over to Yelena, starting to reach out to touch her face with the napkin and wipe it away herself.

However, as Yelena looked at her with a strange gaze and remained completely still, her eyes shining with something odd that seemed almost like interest, Natasha froze up and redirected her hand to offer the napkin to Yelena to wipe her own face.

“You’ve got it all over you,” Natasha expressed softly, and Yelena gently took the napkin from her, her eyes still locked on Natasha’s as their hands brushed against one another softly. Once Yelena took the napkin, Natasha very hesitantly moved her hand back over to grasp at the steering wheel.

Natasha swallowed, reaching over and turning up the radio incrementally to fill the silence that was almost stifling between them.

As yet another Sia song came on with her definitive, easily recognizable voice, Natasha could not help but laugh as Yelena looked at the radio in pure offense.

“It’s that seal again!”

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