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natashasnoodle · 2 years

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Spicy Paintball | Natasha Romanoff x Female reader

Masterlist | N.R Masterlist

Words: 3.3k

Summary: Along with Kate Bishop, you use bribery against your girlfriend and her sister, though it doesn't end up going exactly to plan.

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Autumn time always had a lull in missions for the Avengers. In the summer, everyone is out and about so any person with an evil agenda who wants attention will always make their move then, and in winter, when it's dark all of the time, those who hide in the shadows come out to play. However, in the autumn it was a weird middle ground. There were still some goons who thought that they had a chance of succeeding against the Avengers, but for the most part, the smart ones were all now waiting for the winter.

Most of the group love autumn for the very reason of they get somewhat of a break. Sleep schedules can be rectified, training can be toned down a notch, and hobbies could be worked on. You personally had been working on getting through the stack of books you had accumulated over the months. Having an addiction to going to cute book stores and buying books was all well and good unless you had no time to read the truckload of books purchased. But being an incredibly fast reader meant that it only took a month or so to get through the stack, so now that the second half of the season had started, you had nothing more to read.

Everyone else seemed to be doing something whilst you just sat in the communal living room scrolling through movie pirating sites on your laptop, wanting to watch something to entertain yourself, but not really feeling it at the same time. Feeling unmotivated sucked. Feeling lonely also sucked. You were incredibly close to Yelena Belova and Kate Bishop, plus your beautiful girlfriend Natasha Romanoff of course. The four of you always hung out and got into all sorts of trouble. Well... three of you got into all sorts of trouble. Natasha tried to get you out of said trouble.

But today, much like the rest of the team, they seemed to have found something to occupy their time with. Fucking rude.

Kate was working on making some new trick arrows, which most of the time you were the unfortunate guinea pig for. Just last week she had tested one that had some sort of glue on so that it will stick to you and you cannot get it off. You can move it around, but it will get stuck to your hand instead if you try to get it off, like those annoying extra-sticky stickers that are sometimes on packaging that just won't leave you alone. Though much to your dismay, and the team's amusement, she made it too sticky and the solution that she had made that was supposed to unstick it didn't. So, you were stuck with a damn arrow on your person for three days before she could figure it out. The only other person who was a bit bummed out about it was Natasha as it made cuddling a bit harder. But she was a hardass around everyone else so she didn't make it obvious in front of them.

Yelena was perfecting her mac n cheese recipe, trying to figure out the perfect ratio of cheese to pasta to hot sauce, to the exact milligram. So, the kitchen was off limits for the afternoon unless anyone wanted their head bitten off by the blonde with a tendency to not be able to control her anger.

Last but definitely not least, Natasha was being Natasha. She was training. Sometimes you would go and watch her for your own entertainment. Muscles. But when she kept being distracted by you practically drooling over her, she told you that the gym was off limits for you unless you were going to train too. You kept up with your training, but you were more of an evening trainer, and Nat liked to do it in the morning, and the afternoon. Though you being a distraction wasn't the only reason you were kicked out. Even after years of dating, whenever she spotted you admiring her she would get all shy and get clumsy.

You made the Black Widow a bumbling mess just by standing there.

So, you had to go.

You were about ready to give up and go and take a nap just to pass the time until dinner. It wasn't even as though you could waste time by making dinner because Yelena planned on giving everyone the leftovers of macaroni that she wasn't satisfied with. Because she's just nice like that.

But then something caught your eye on your laptop, and immediately you jumped up to go and fetch Kate, knowing that she would be the first one to agree. You cringed when you watched your laptop drop to the floor, but after a quick examination and a small pat on the lid of it, you determined that it wasn't broken, and continued on your mission. Kate Bishop.

You sprinted down the halls of the compound, skidding around the corners with your fluffy socks on until you ended up in her 'office'. It wasn't really an office, she had a laptop in the corner on an old bedside table that you had given her after Nat moved into your room and brought her own bedside table for her side, rendering your spare one useless, but other than that it was basically a workshop. Tables scattered around the room with bows, arrows, and gadgets scattered all over the place. Whenever Natasha was on your case about cleaning your own office, you simply had to remind her of what Kate's looked like and her only response was a grunt before pulling you into her embrace. A way of getting out of the conversation without admitting defeat. When it came to being productive and tidying things, you would not go down without a fight.

With this information in mind, it wasn't a surprise that when you ran into Kate's workspace, you immediately tripped over a tub of... paint, and crumpled to the floor with an 'umph'. Your best friend merely laughed at you as she pointed her new glue arrow prototype at you whilst wheezing, prompting you to swiftly get up and scramble across the floor to back up against the door. There was no way in hell that she was going to put that glue arrow anywhere near you.

"Whaddya want, Y/l/n?".

You stood and brushed yourself off, trying to regain some of your precious dignity, and walked towards her in a smart manner like the casual businesswoman you are, "I have a proposal for you". Kate scoffed in return and raised an eyebrow, "I don't think Nat would be happy to hear that, but I accept my darling", she exaggerated before pushing you out of her way so that she could reach another part of the room.

"Not that kind of proposal dickwad", you exasperated after recovering from your stumble. The archer held her arms up in surrender before crossing them over her chest and nodding at you, gesturing for you to continue. "So, I was looking on that movie site because I'm bored, and I spotted a classic rom-com and was wondering if you would assist me in gathering the old band together so that we can watch it with popped corn my good sir", you gestured forward with your hand and took a bow, looking into her eyes pleadingly as you did. You really were bored out of your mind.

Kate's face lit up and she immediately started ushering you out of the door and towards the gym, "Yes, yes, and yes". You giggled as she began dragging you behind her without you even having to move your legs. Fluffy socks on hardwood flooring were a blessing, "Don't you want to hear what movie it is first?".

"I couldn't care less", Kate shrugged, and you tilted your head in a 'fair enough' manner as you neared the gym. Kate let go of your hand and you ran forward to your girlfriend who was using the punching bag and just prayed to God that she wouldn't use you as one for this ridiculous suggestion.

"Nat!", you shouted over and waved as you walked closer. Her eyes sparkled as she turned to face you, but her face immediately dropped when she saw the mischievous glint in yours and Kate's. "Who have you killed now?", she deadpanned and marched over to the two of you.

You scoffed and stood on the spot, "I have never accidentally killed someone". "Okay, so cut to the chase", she smirked, and Kate stood to the side wishing she had never agreed to this.

"I would like to watch a movie, the four of us".

Natasha narrowed her eyes on you and crossed her arms, leaning most of her weight onto one hip, "Which movie?". You mumbled something but Natasha genuinely couldn't hear it, so frowned and asked you to repeat yourself. This happened about four times before you finally shouted out "When In Rome!".

The room was silent for a few moments before Nat shook her head in disbelief and started unwrapping her hands, now deciding that she was finished in the gym, "No, absolutely not".

"Oh come oooon, it has Kristen Bell! The absolute goddess". Nat's eyebrow quirked and you knew that you had made a mistake, so you spluttered a few times trying to fix the errors of your ways, and Kate's laughter in the background didn't help. "And- and Danny DeVito! He's great, people loved him in the- as the goat man from Hercules. Yep", you grinned, hoping that somehow that would fix your blunder. It didn't.

"No".

You sighed and ran your hands through your hair before facing Nat who was staring at you expectedly. "I will do anything you want!", you pleaded, desperate to convince her. "Anything?", she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, making your cheeks heat up and leaving Kate gagging in the background.

"Not like that you creep", you laughed and Nat shook her head with a smirk. You took a step forward as you thought of a way that you could bribe her. It took a moment but eventually, you had a lightbulb moment whilst Nat stared at you as though she wanted to chuck you down the stairs. "I will do your laundry for two weeks".

She let out a loud, sharp laugh that startled you and the young archer, both taking a step backwards to get away from Nat possibly throwing a shoe at you. "Two weeks?", she asked mid laughter before they died down and left her chest heaving slightly, "That's pathetic, you can do better than that. Twelve weeks".

"Twelve weeks?!", you screeched and threw your hands up in the air, "No, no way". You bit your lip as you pondered your next move, this was like a game of chess. "Four weeks?".

"Eight weeks", Nat deadpanned with a shrug, very unbothered about this situation, knowing that she was getting under your skin more than you were getting under hers. She loved you, but it was fun seeing you struggle whilst trying to bargain with her. "Six", you spoke confidently, leaving a small smile resting on your girlfriend's lips, as she nodded. "Fine, but I don't know how you're going to convince Yelena".

You turned back to look at Kate and silently communicated with your eyes, Nat looking at you two with a frown as her mouth opened to talk, but finding no words, not having a clue what was going on. "Seems a good a time as any to start operation hotgun", Kate tilted her head, speaking the conclusion of your silent conversation out loud.

"Operation what now? What's going on?", Nat chimed in as she took a few steps toward the two of you. "Okay", you started and began using your hands a lot to get your idea across, "Yelena likes guns, Yelena likes hot sauce, so, and hear me out, a hot sauce gun! So that's our plan to get her on our side", you did jazz hands as a way of saying 'tada!', and Kate nodded along enthusiastically.

Natasha's eyes narrowed as she looked between you and Kate, clearly thinking you were morons. "Are you good with constructive criticism?".

You shrugged and turned back to Kate before looking at Nat again, what could go wrong? Your girlfriend was very smart, maybe she could contribute to the plan. "No, go ahead, I want to hear it", you grinned.

"It fucking sucks".

Your face dropped and you turned to look back at Kate once again, your mouth agape in disbelief and offence, then turned and gestured back to your girlfriend "That's not constructive criticism!".

"Fine, let's go to Lena right now, and see if she likes it, if you don't like my constructive criticism, then we can test out your plan", she flashed a faux-smile and took your hand to guide the two idiots of the group - you and Kate - over to the kitchen, where Yelena specifically stated multiple times that she didn't want to be disturbed. You gulped as you reached the middle of the kitchen and saw Yelena scowling at the interruption as she stirred her sauce.

"Heyyy, Lena", Kate sheepishly started before pushing you towards her, removing your grasp on Nat's hand, which was the only thing keeping your legs from giving out from the malicious stare of your friend. You stumbled forward and awkwardly rubbed the back of your neck, "What do you want Y/l/n", she mused whilst waving her hand above the pot to waft some of the smell towards her face, before scrunching her nose, clearly not quite satisfied with the dish yet.

"Well, the three of us were wondering if you would like to watch a rom-com with us?". Nat let out a small cough signalling that she didn't want anything to do with it.

Yelena let out a loud laugh much like her sister did moments ago, it mirrored the classic Villanelle laugh. You gave a tight-lipped smile as you waited for an actual response, and when she spotted you looking at her like that, her laugh soon stopped now knowing that you were being serious, and again the reaction was the same as Natasha's.

"No".

"We thought you'd say that", Kate chuckled slightly, "Which is why we have a plan, that Y/n will tell you now". Your eyes went wide and you looked over your shoulder to whisper-shout "Traitor", but your gaze snapped back to Yelena's when she started clicking her fingers. "What is your plan? I do not have all day Y/n Y/l/n".

You nodded and pursed your lips before speaking, "Okay so, like I said to Nat, you like hot sauce, and you like guns". She nodded at your statements and gestured for you to continue. "So, how would you like a hot sauce gun?".

You thought that she was going to laugh in your face again, but her eyes instantly lit up, making Nat let out a scoff at how easy she was to bribe, "You can make me a hot sauce gun?", she stepped forward and pointed at you.

"Yeah, we have it all planned out, we just need to build it, but in theory, it should work", Kate finally decided to say something useful, so you smiled to try and keep Yelena in a happy mood and not remind her that her sauce seemed to be burning now that she wasn't attending to it. You showed her the blueprints on your phone that were on your and Kate's shared drive, and she seemed satisfied enough with them, so agreed to the movie. Natasha promptly groaned, she was hoping that Yelena would shut the whole thing down and save her from the awful movie. But no.

—

The movie was just as bad as Natasha had expected, but she did enjoy seeing the smile on your face when you laughed at the screen. It made it worth it. Plus, it was an excuse to be able to hold you as you sat in between her legs, which she loved doing.

But another agreement that she had made after the movie was that she could pick the next group activity, which you all agreed to, slightly scared of what she was going to pick. Though she was apparently a lot nicer than you and Kate, as she went for paintball. An activity that all of you loved participating in.

Though it was very painful when you guys did it, you still enjoyed it. Being Avengers, you tended not to get into any of the safety gear, living life on the edge as you all called it. Plus it was practice for being out in the field where most of the time you were in catsuits.

So, you were currently nursing your rib as you hid behind a haybale after Kate shot you, Nat next to you keeping an eye out for anyone coming your way. "You okay?", she whispered and looked over to you and smiled at seeing your enthusiastic grin. Even when in pain you still loved paintball.

After deciding that the two of you had been in one place for too long, she took your hand and hoisted you up before guiding you to another area. Even though your group didn't play teams, Nat still liked for you to be near her at all times during the game. You thought it was a bit overkill because it wasn't like these guns were loaded with actual bullets, but you liked being close to her too so you didn't complain.

It wasn't long before you heard the maniacal laugh of a certain Yelena Belova and a small squeal from Kate Bishop. The squeal was expected. The laugh was not. You gulped as you saw the blonde rounding the corner waving her gun in the air, though it wasn't the standard paintball gun that you had seen her with previously. Your eyes widened as you recognised it. How could you not? You made the damn thing. "Nat?", you gulped, which turned her attention to her sister barrelling towards you, shooting hot sauce pellets all over the place.

The two of you sprinted away, but unfortunately, she managed to corner you and held the gun up to your faces, making you incredibly nervous as a shot from that in the face would burn like a motherfucker. Nat frowned and put on her best 'lecturing mom' voice for her younger sister, "Lena, lower the gun, that's not safe".

She laughed, which again made you nervous, and then she started waving the gun around absentmindedly, "Did you really think I would shoot you in the face? I am insulted, I'm not that stu-", she was cut off by the sound of the gun accidentally firing, and her hand slapping over her mouth. Nat was confused because it was silent for a moment, but then she saw your foot stomping on the floor slightly as you tried to hold in a scream of pain and your hands shot up to your eyes.

"Holy shit, Lena!", Nat yelled whilst moving your hands away so that you didn't rub them in, and she grabbed the small water bottle that she had been holding, due to it being a hot day, and dumped it all over your face. Yelena visibly grimaced when your eyes opened after the sauce had been removed and they were red raw and bloodshot.

Natasha's demeanour immediately went soft as she gently rubbed your cheeks and brushed your now damp hair away from your face, pressing a small kiss on the tip of your nose to try and cheer you up as tears quickly appeared at your waterline from the burning sensation.

Though as quick as her demeanour had changed to a nice one, with even more speed she froze as her face hardened and turned to face her sister, who was looking like a guilty child who had been caught stealing some crayons. "You're so dead", she muttered before standing and charging after her sister, who screamed like a baby as she sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her.

Even though your face was in incredible amounts of pain, you let out a teary chuckle at seeing the blurry blonde and redhead get farther away, but the high-pitched screams remaining audible.

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Natasha Romanoff Taglist: @diaryoflife

#natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff imagine #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff x you #black widow #natasha romanoff x fem reader #natasha romanoff x female!reader #kate bishop x platonic!reader #yelena belova x platonic!reader

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yanaromanov · 22 days

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my sweet assistant

- professor!natasha x lawyer!wanda x reader

part summary: you take a position in assisting professor romanoff after classes to make up for a missed assignment. your flustered state only continues as you’re forced to spend one-on-one time with her, even more so when her wife is introduced into the equation…

part warning(s): teacher/student relationship, age gap (r is of age), power dynamics, married wandanat (no cheating), pet names, mentions of anxiety, mentions of bad family relations, minor death, funeral etc. minors dni

authors note: this took me a bit longer to write and release than i would have liked thanks to my broken arm and writers block so apologies for that. but even tho i kinda hate it, it’s here now, so i hope you enjoy! :)

part two of the inescapable love series

inescapable love series

･｡ﾟ*. 18+, minors DNI . * ｡ﾟ･

11.5K words

People say life comes with its ups and downs, something you had come to learn was rather true, but why did it always seem the downs came at the worst of times? A call from your mother was never really a good sign to begin with, usually her nagging being the only thing waiting on the other end of the line, but this time when you picked up and heard what she had to say, not good turned to terribly bad. It wasn’t the extent of the problem as such that worried you, more so the timing. Your Russian class had an assignment coming up, due in less than a week, and thinking you had enough time to get round to it, you still hadn’t started. Something that would have been totally fine if not for your mom’s name popping up on your phone last night and sharing news that would throw your entire schedule off.

The way your mom had picked up the phone had immediately informed you something was wrong, but a death announcement was certainly the last thing you had been expecting to hear on a Sunday night. It was your grandmother, on your dad’s side. She’d passed away over the weekend, finally giving up on the hospice care she’d been dependent on for months. The news itself hadn’t been too much of a shock, the old woman’s health deteriorating for years, and it didn’t much upset you either. You’d never really been close to your grandmother, your brother being the one favoured from your family, keeping you distanced whenever you visited her house. Your teenage self had already mourned for the relationship you had never had and that felt more painful than the actual loss in front of you now.

The main thing concerning your mind now was how you were going to complete your assignment. On the phone, your mom had told you she’d already booked the flights for you coming home, prepared for the funeral just that week, a quick turn around due the arrangements been made in advance from the anticipation of her death. It would see you in England the entirety of the week, leaving tomorrow afternoon and not returning until late Friday evening. Even with the extra days you had at home, the funeral tea and family gatherings would no doubt leave you no time at all to complete your assignment.

You knew what you had to do now, had done it many times before for other classes, but something about this time felt more intimidating. As you sat in the lecture theatre, watching your professor teach at the front of the class, your heart pounded in your chest at the thought of asking for the extension. More time alone would have to be spent with your Russian professor, the last time still lingering unwanted in your mind. The thought of speaking to her one on one once more was enough to send your anxious mind into a frenzy.

Desperately, you tried to cling on to the reality of things as your lesson continued. It was the day of the week where your class would practice your Russian speaking, conversing with one another whilst Professor Romanoff would walk around, listening in and correcting any mispronunciations. In the end, it would build up to the speaking exam the end of semester held, a private conversation that each student would have with your professor which was then graded alongside your written tests.

The girl sat beside you had claimed the spot as your partner when the first speaking lesson had started up, thankfully not the same girl who’d passed you dirty looks after your perfectly scored paper. The two of you worked through the worksheet in front of you, sounding out the words and building them up into a conversation. Your partner seemed slower than you to grasp the concepts, but you found you didn’t quite mind, allowing your thoughts the moments in between to plan exactly how you’d make your request to Professor Romanoff.

When the class had finally drawn to a close, everyone began packing up their things, worksheets handed back down towards the front. Professor Romanoff stood against her desk, collecting papers as she shouted out across the clamouring hall. “Remember your assignment is due on Friday everyone. Do not use google translate. I can tell!”

It seemed your class wasn’t paying her announcement much notice, instead focused on making it out of the double doors and out into the corridor. Like you had done before, you packed away your things slowly, lingering in the row of seats until almost everyone had left the room. Only when the last few stragglers were close to the door, did you begin your descent towards the central desk. Professor Romanoff stood wiping clean the board once again, back facing you. This time, however, you cleared your throat to make your presence known. The woman’s face was slightly bewildered as she turned, melting away immediately as she spied you standing across the way, a smile appearing on her lips instead. “Miss Y/L/N,” she said, wiping the chalk dust away from her hands and turning back to close the distance between you. “Is everything alright?”

"Uhm, yes," you said nervously, watching as the woman came to stand in front of you. "Well...no, but-" You shook your head, attempting to dispel the anxious thoughts that clouded your brain. Fingers began to fidget as you looked back up at your professor with a nervous smile. "I was wondering if I could possibly get an extension for the assignment?" The redhead in front of you raised a single brow, looking inquisitive to your scenario and hence, drawing more of and explanation from your chest. "It's just my grandma passed away and I have to fly back to England for her funeral this week. I'm not going to be back till Friday night and with all the travelling and family stuff and jet lag, I probably won't have enough time to do it." Your hands gestured about, trying to find anything else to do rather than anxiously pick at your nail beds. "I don't need a long extension, maybe just till Monday? I can get it done over the weekend when I'm back."

The spill of words finally fell short in the silent room, your blurting echoing ever so slightly in the emptiness of the hall. Professor Romanoff stood in front of you, today wearing a matching black skirt and blazer, a white shirt neatly tucked in. "I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother." Your gaze raised up to the pair of green eyes as she spoke, a soft expression held between her features. "Are you doing alright?"

The question had came unexpectedly. You shook your head as you answered. "Oh yeah, I'm fine." You smiled sheepishly, shrugging your shoulders. "We were never close."

"Well," Professor Romanoff replied, gaze softening further. "I'm still sorry to hear about her." She passed you a gentle smile as she stepped towards her desk, leaning against the front of it like it seemed she had a habit of doing. When she looked back up at you, her expression had changed. "As for an extension..." Her emerald stare met yours, always seemingly able to make you shy away. "You're a good student Y/N, so I'd really like to say yes, but unfortunately I have a policy against extensions."

Your memory fleeted back to the first day of class, suddenly recalling the rules your professor had set out. Extensions would only be given to those with medical absence, provided they had a document signed by a health professional. Only remembering that now, you felt entirely stupid for asking for the extension in the first place. "That's right," you blurted. "I'm so sorry, I totally forgot. Listen, forget I even said anything." You adjusted the straps of your backpack as you made to turn your body towards the door. "I'll try get it done on the plane or something. Thank you anyway."

You made it about three steps away before you heard your name being called out from behind you. Slowly, you turned your shoulders, looking back at the woman who still sat against her desk. "Yes, Miss Romanoff?" you called in response. A single manicured nail raised up, the finger curling to beckon you back in the direction you'd came. Biting down on the skin of your cheek, you turned fully, slowly closing the gap that had formed between you and your professor. When you stood in front of her again, you began to rub one of your arms nervously.

Professor Romanoff inclined her head towards you, a faint smile on her painted lips. "I can't give you an extension but I can offer you an alternative. Some extra credit that will cover the assignment, worth the same percentage of your grade. And I'll even give you the full marks."

Your head angled in both curiosity and uncertainty. The prospect of the extra credit sounded like just what you needed, but you couldn't quite grasp the notion that your professor was suggesting. "Full marks?" you asked. "As in, a hundred percent on the assignment?"

A painted smirk pulled at the corner of your professor's mouth, her body leaning ever so slightly closer to yours. "Don't act like it's such a miracle, sweetie. We both know what you're capable of, hm?"

As her words hit you, you could immediately feel the warmth they brought to your cheeks. Face feeling flushed, you tried to distract your brain, unfocusing on the perfect pair of lips still smirking in your direction. "What would I have to do for the extra credit?"

Professor Romanoff sighed, adjusting herself on the desk. You diverted your eyes as her arms crossed her body, once again pushing her slightly-revealed cleavage up against her chest. "Well, my assistant for this year pulled out on me last minute, which has left me just drowned in work." Green eyes met yours as a wide smile spread across the redhead's lips. "So, just give me a helping hand after class for a few weeks and the credit is all yours."

This proposal seemed almost too good to be true. Simply helping out your professor in turn for a perfect grade? It almost didn't seem fair. As you thought over her offer, the idea couldn't help but make you feel a little flustered. After all it would entail spending time alone with the red haired woman, something that seemed to leave you an oddly ruffled mess. But the entire thing sounded far too good to pass up, an opportunity practically laid out on a silver platter. Sounding easy enough to follow through with, you nodded your head with a smile. "Yeah, I can do that."

The smile on Professor Romanoff's face widened at your agreement. "Perfect," she said, green eyes glinting. "Can I see you back here next Monday? Say...three pm?"

You nodded once more. "Yeah. That works for me."

"Alright then," the redhead replied. She stood up from her desk, smiling down on you from the height accentuated by her heeled boots. "Don't you worry your pretty head about the assignment and I'll just see you here next week."

The words seemed to wash over you with a flush, something igniting inside that you couldn't quite put a finger on. Nervously, you looked to the floor, picking at the ends of your jumper while Professor Romanoff moved to stand behind her desk, seemingly unaware of your heightened nervousness. Before you could properly formulate a response, the other woman was already speaking once more. "Go on then. Don't want to be late for your next class do you?"

Her words seemed to shake you back to the present, that nervous little smile appearing on your face again. "Right," you said, adjusting your backpack. "Thank you, professor."

She smiled back at you. "It's no problem, honey. Now run along."

You found yourself nodding as you turned to leave, urged on by her commands. A few steps away she called out to you. "Take care of yourself, Y/N."

You looked back over your shoulder, flashing a small smile. "I will Miss Romanoff. Thank you." And with that, you were walking out the door, headed towards your next class with you mind focused on what exactly your assistant duties with Professor Romanoff may entail.

———

"When are you back again?"

"Friday night. About nine-ish?"

You passed the raven-haired girl a quick glance over your shoulder as you continued to fold the items of clothing in your hand. A loud sigh filled the space as you heard Kate roll over in her bed, rustling the top of her sheets. "That's four whole days of you leaving me completely alone."

As you placed the last of your clothes into the open suitcase, you swiveled around to look at Kate. Your brow furrowed as you noticed your best friend sprawled dramatically across the covers. "Kate, you do realised we have other friends?" you replied with a soft sigh.

But it seemed the girl took no notice, throwing her hand up to cover her eyes as another noise of discomfort slipped from her lips. "I'm gonna look like such a loser at breakfast." The truth was that the pair of you did have more friends at university, with whom Kate could definitely speak to while you were away, despite how the majority of the time it was always just the two of you. This could be down to the fact you were the only ones still sharing a dorm on campus, most of your friends having moved out to apartments around the city. You and Kate had looked into that option but your loan wasn't enough to cover the rent, so you'd both settled to remain in the on-campus accommodation, still sharing your meals in the wide dining hall.

You sighed again. "I'm sorry my grandma dying is such an inconvenience to you." At that, Kate shot up in bed, immediately looking less irritated and instead concerned. The way you smiled playfully back at her, however, made her brows drop ever so slightly, the fear of her actions hurting you slipping away. You'd already told her you weren't all that bothered by the passing, more so annoyed by the bother of it all, but it seemed despite how dramatic she could be, Kate was still worried about your feelings. "Relax Bishop," you said, a gentle smile tugging at your lips. "You know I'm kidding. I hate the fact I'm going just as much as you do." With all the hustle of trying to get through your work that day, you hadn't had much time to think about the reality of going home. Now packing your things, the dread of it all was beginning to settle on your shoulders. Still, you forced a smile on your lips as you walked across to Kate's bed, sitting yourself down next to her. "I'm sorry I'm leaving but I'll make it up to you, yeah?"

Just then, a spark seemed to light up in Kate's eyes. She turned to you, a wide smirk plastered on her lips. "Will you come to a party with me?" The proposal was one Kate often brought up, and one that was just as often shut down. Whenever Kate was getting ready to go out for a night, you were always cooped up in your textbooks, ignoring her complaints of how you studied too much and focusing instead on memorising every piece of material on the paper. For three years, your best friend has had to drag you to every party you'd ever been to, sometimes even snatching the book from your hands and then pleading you with puppy dog eyes. Those same eyes looked at you now, silently begging.

"Fine," you said finally, causing Kate to throw her hands up in the air. You raised your hand before her excitement could get out of hand. "But only one and not until after midterms."

The girl looked slightly disheartened but her smile still remained wide. "Fine," she replied, looking to already be planning the event she'd drag to you in a few weeks time. As Kate settled herself back in her bed, you stood to cross the room, returning to your almost-packed suitcase. You placed the last item in one side - a long black coat Kate had let you borrow to wear to the funeral - then zipped up the first half. All the other half was missing was your toiletries bag, of which would have to wait until the morning to be packed. As you were closing things up, you threw a comment to Kate over your shoulder. "I spoke to my Russian professor today about that extension for the assignment, remember?"

You heard Kate's head turn towards you, becoming distracted from her party planning. "Oh yeah, what'd she say?"

As the final zip on your suitcase closed, you turned back around to your best friend. "She doesn't really do extensions so she said I can help out after class instead to make up my grade."

Kate's brow furrowed. "What, like an assistant?"

"Yeah, exactly. Hers apparently dropped out so I'm filling in for a few weeks." You bent down to push your suitcase under your bed, ready to go tomorrow morning, then stood again, shrugging your shoulders. "She said she'll give me the equivalent of full marks for the assignment."

"Wait, what?" Kate shot up in bed, her jaw hanging slack. "You just help her plan a couple lessons and get a free ride to a perfect score?"

You breathed out a laugh, not only at Kate's theatric tone but also at the improbable truth of the scenario. It hadn't really hit you until now how easy you had it, an exceptional gateway to an easy 'A'. "Yeah," you giggled out, taking a seat on your bed. "I mean, she said I'm a good student so she expected me to do well anyway." You tried to ignore the strange tingle in your head as you recounted your professor's words, instead focusing on Kate who flung herself up in her bed.

"Dude," she said, looking at you incredulously. Her eyes shifted, looking down to the floor. "Maybe I should have taken Russian this year."

Another laugh spilled from your lips as you stood, closing the gap between you and your best friend. "I think you should focus on the classes you're already taking." Your hand reached out for Kate's pulling her up from her bed before she could get a chance to reply. "Now, let's go get dinner. I'm starving."

———

The setting sun streamed in through the wide windows of Natasha's office. The entire room was painted in a soft orange glow, guiding the redhead as she finally began to pack up for the night. Today had been a long day for her, her daily schedule packed and evening full of essay marking that needed to be completed by tomorrow. Finally, Natasha had managed to get finished up, closing her laptop and packing away her notes for the night. She tucked them away into her bag to bring to work the next day before shutting off the lamp inside the room and retiring from her office for the night.

Her feet padded across the wooden floors as she made her way out of the home office. The sun's glow followed her, let in by the expansive windows her and Wanda's house contained. When she reached the living room, Natasha spied her wife curled up on the corner of their sofa, a blanket draped over her legs and an open book sat in her hands. Her footsteps were silent as she made her way over to the other redhead. Though she imagined her wife had still felt her approach, as she didn't flinch when Nat's hands came down for a hug from behind. Natasha's arms wrapped around her wife, a small hum escaping her lips as she pressed a gentle kiss to the pulse point of her neck. "Baby," Natasha whispered, her voice low. Wanda simply hummed in response, her eyes still focused on her novel, her attention only slightly skewed when Natasha leaned in closer, pressing more kisses down the skin of her neck.

"I need to speak to you about something." Natasha's voice remained low, her words fanning out on to her wife's collar bones. She'd been waiting for this moment now for a while, anticipating just the right time to bring up her scenario to her wife. The thoughts had been circling her head for a small while now, perhaps longer than she liked to admit, but she found she couldn't wait any longer to share.

"What is it, moya lyubov?" Wanda's eyes finally raised from her book, head turning over her shoulder to look up at her wife. Though, this position didn't last long, as Natasha lifted her legs and swung herself over the back of the couch, landing in a position beside her wife. This was a habit Wanda hated, forever telling Natasha to 'use her legs like an adult', but this time she didn't have time to pester the redhead as she'd already began to speak. "Do you remember that student we spoke about? The one that got the perfect score."

The slight look of annoyance from Nat's behavior was quickly replaced by an inquisitive expression as Wanda furrowed her brow. The redhead finally closed her book on her lap, sliding a bookmark into place. "Yeah, I do. What was her name again?"

"Y/N Y/L/N."

Wanda hummed, a small smiling appearing on her lips. "That's it. Cute name. What about her?"

Natasha inhaled, her mind passing over the already scripted conversation she'd created. "I spoke with her again today. Came in asking for an extension for an assignment." The redhead smiled, remembering the interaction from that morning. She took another deep breath before she uttered the next words from her mouth. "I think I've maybe taking a liking to her."

"Oh?" Wanda's eyebrows raised, her expression changing to one of surprise. It wasn't new that the couple were searching for someone else in their relationship, the openness of the topic having been in circulation almost since the two had first got together. But the surprise came from the fact Nat had perhaps found someone she believed could slot into their duo, her and Wanda's standards usually far too rigid to find anyone to spend more than a night with. If Natasha was bringing up a girl like this, she must have seriously considered the possibility of a longer association, and that thoroughly intrigued Wanda.

"Now," Natasha continued. "Of course I don't want to do anything we don't both agree on, but..." She paused for just a moment, smiling a little up at her wife. "I would be lying if I said I hadn't already been playing around with her. Just a little bit." Natasha held up her fingers, signaling the small amount of teasing she'd subjected her prized student to. "You know, I didn't want to come asking your permission for a girl who turned out to be a bore."

The more Natasha continued to talk, the more Wanda became interested and invested by the conversation at hand. She slowly slipped her book to the couch beside her, leaning in closer towards her wife. "And is she?"

A wide smirk appeared on Natasha's lips as she relished in her wife's question. "Not in the slightest." Her expression only deepened as she recalled the little moments of you she'd been observing in class. "She's so fucking cute," she said, stating the obvious right off the bat. "She's always early for class and always paying so much attention. She shows up in the sweetest little outfits, like she doesn't even know how good she looks." The redhead smiled as she remembered the sight of you in your small summer dresses or slightly oversized sweaters. "Oh," she said, reminded of her favourite bit of all. "And she has this adorable little English accent."

With the last of her wife's words, a similar looking smirk began to appear on Wanda's own face. "Well now I'm intrigued.”

Natasha smiled back at her words as she shrugged a shoulder. "As I said, I played around a little bit and Wands..." The redhead had to suppress a sigh as she reached for her wife's hand. "I just know how much fun she'd be," she continued, her voice almost a whine. "I mean, she gets flustered so easily. One little pet name and she's already hiding away her flushed face."

Wanda's smirk deepened as Natasha continued to talk, stirred further by the slight desperation she could hear in the redhead's voice. She had to wonder just how long she'd been wondering about this one student and just how much fun she was getting to have without her... "Go ahead, malysh," Wanda replied finally, squeezing her wife's hand gently. "I trust your instincts. You'll just have to introduce me sometime soon."

Natasha's brows shot up. "You're sure?"

"Yeah," Wanda chuckled back slightly, amused by the excitement underlying Nat's voice. When she spoke again, her lips had formed a devilish smirk. "It'll be fun. It's been a while since we had somebody to play with."

———

The funeral was awful. Of course, one never expects such an event to be the epitome of joy, but this particular funeral was like your own personally curated hell. Your entire family was gathered in one place, meaning not only were your parents’ critiques breathed down your neck the entire time, but they were also joined by those more distant. Grandparents and judgmental aunts seemed to team up on you, all obsessing over your university career and what your future plans were. Many pestered the question of your singularity, claiming that ‘a pretty young thing like you should have been swept up by a man a long time ago’. Unfortunately, the almost-compliment that could be found in their talk, was quickly diminished by the discussion of how it must be something wrong with your personality rather than your face, comments all whispered from where they thought you couldn’t hear.

There was no escape from the constant berating, your schedule full of family meals and teas, and far too lengthy conversations around the fireplace, of which you could not be excused due to your mother’s abhorrence of anyone ever thinking of her children as rude. To make matters worse, you were exhausted from jet lag and the flight, something certainly not helped by the endless hours of socializing and pressing on a smile for your family.

Still, you pushed through like the perfect daughter you always tried to be. You sat politely at the funeral, wearing an old black dress and Kate’s coat, the perfume of your best friend aiding a little to your torturous discomfort. Though your family cried, your eyes remained dry, silently staring at your feet and trying not to draw any attention to yourself. At the funeral tea, you shook hands and smiled softly at family members, answering any questions they asked with the grace your mother had forced upon your shoulders at a young age. Of course, she found her usual pride in parading you and your brother around like a pair of trophies she’d spent hours shining. The entirety of every event was exhausting.

Even at the will reading, there was no break to be given. Your late grandmother had graciously scattered her belongings to her loved ones, though seemingly biased to those who she deemed more palatable. Your brother received a chunk of her money alongside her old ring, something the family gushed over due to the prospect of his long-term girlfriend who he could now finally pop the big question to. Your rolled your eyes as they pandered over him, all blatantly dismissive of the old bible you’d been left, with your grandmother’s handwriting inside with a note of how she wished for it to be read out of at your wedding when you finally found yourself a suitable husband. You had simply rolled your eyes and shoved it to the bottom of your bag.

All that being said, it was a huge relief to you when you finally made your way back to the airport. Though you’d had to spend the journey constantly criticized by your mother about your uni work, as soon as you stepped on to the plane, relief was flooding over your shoulders. As the sky came to fill the widow, clouds passing by, you were more than grateful to be heading back to the true place you thought of as home.

Kate came to pick you up from the airport, hugging you immediately and beginning to rant about the idiots she’d encountered in the car park as she pulled your case towards the exit. The pair of you went straight to a mcdonald’s drive thru, your hunger unquenched from the bad aeroplane food you’d been offered. Fries and hamburgers were shared in the front seat of the car as you relayed back your awful week to Kate, telling her everything that you hadn’t even had the chance to text her due to your family’s never-ending nagging.

That weekend was very stressful. Due to the packed schedule you had followed back in England, you’d had next to no time to complete any of your work from that week. So, from morning until night, you cooped yourself up at your desk and ground it all out. At times, Kate had to drag you down to the hall for some food or persistently remind you to even go to bathroom. In the end however, you managed to get it all finished. By eleven o’clock Sunday night, you were finally all caught up from your missed classes and had completed all your deadlines. The light in the room were low, only your small desk lamp lighting up the space. Kate slept in her bed, hair fanning out across the pillows. You were quiet as you cleaned your space, eyeing the untouched plate of food Kate had brought up for you after you’d refused to go down for dinner. It was long cold now and you felt a little guilty throwing it out, but you were far too tired now to think about eating. Instead, you simply turned off the light and slid yourself into your bed, finally letting your mind rest and prepare itself to return to your regularly scheduled classes the next morning.

———

"Alright everyone, that's all for today's lesson. Are there any questions?"

Like always, the bustle began began your professor could even finish his sentence. Everyone was already packing away their things, drowning out the teacher's voice with their own hustle to leave. It happened almost every class, and almost every time you felt bad, one of the only people who remained still until they had officially dismissed you. But today, you found yourself following the crowd more than you usually would have. See, your professor had droned on a bit too long that afternoon, moving into the passing period you had between classes. Most times that wouldn't have been a big deal seeing as it was your last class of the day, but today was the day you were supposed to meet Professor Romanoff and thanks to your English professor's extensive elaborations, you were left with only a few minutes until you'd be late. So today you put your cares aside and as the class packed up, so did you, stuffing everything into your backpack and throwing it over your shoulder before joining the crowd exiting the lecture hall.

Your English building was on the exact opposite side of campus as your destination, so your feet held a quick pace as you flitted between the crowds of students on your way. Pathways were held up by casually conversing people, all relaxed now their days were over. They all annoyed you severely as they slowed down your journey, obviously uncaring that you still had places to be. By the time you had reached the building in which your Russian class was held, the clock was already a few minutes passed the scheduled time. You almost burst in through the doors of the hall, ever so slightly out of breath from your fast paced journey across campus. As soon as you entered the room, you spied the redheaded professor sat at her desk, head buried into her laptop. She looked up to you as you walked across the floor, nervously adjusting the backpack straps on your shoulders. "Hi," you breathed out, trying your best to seem casual despite your racing lungs. "I'm sorry I'm a little late. My last lecture ran over a little."

A pair of perfectly white teeth smiled back in your direction, Professor Romanoff looking you over. "Y/N," she said, her gentle voice falling upon your ears. Something about it in that moment made you realize you had almost missed it over your break, but the rational part of your brain soon took over and told you you were being ridiculous. "Don't worry about being late, you're barely two minutes over." She smiled again as you closed the final distance between you, moving to stand by the edge of her desk. She stood as you did, displaying today a pair of grey slacks and a soft black jumper, all adorned with delicate gold jewelry. Her smiling face looked down at you, that forgotten odd feeling of warmth spreading through your gut. "It's good to see you again. How are you? How was your trip?"

You ignored the sensation in your stomach as you smiled back at her. "I'm good. The trip was fine. A little boring but fine." There were many worse words to describe your trip than ‘boring' but you decide to settle for that, not wanting to bother your professor with the complicated details of your family and more so, simply wanting to leave the entire week in the past and not think of it again.

“That’s good,” Professor Romanoff replied with that same easy smile. “I’m glad to hear you’re alright.” Her hands lifted from the pockets they hid in, reaching out to open a drawer of her desk. You wondered for a moment what she might be looking for before she pulled out a small stack of papers, extending them out towards you. “These are some extra notes from last week’s lectures.”

You smiled, slightly surprised. “Oh, thank you.” Most of your university work could be found online for both absence and revision purposes, but it never was quite the same as attending the classes themselves. Usually you hated using just the online notes to catch up, never grasping the material as well as you’d like, but this weekend you’d had to make do. That was, of course, until Professor Romanoff handed you the extra notes. “That’s very kind of you.”

“Well,” your professor replied. “I wouldn’t want my best student falling behind, would I?”

Her words worked to form that warm sensation across your cheeks, the given title heating up your insides with flustering pride. You were grateful the woman had started to busy herself at her desk with something else as you tried to brush off her compliments as smoothly as possible, attempting to hide the flush of your skin.

“You can grab a chair from the side. Bring it over.”

You nodded, almost snapping back to reality once more with Professor Romanoff’s words. You placed your backpack down beside her desk, quickly slotting the extra notes into the large pocket before moving to grab a spare chair from the edge of the room. When you returned, your professor had seemingly found what she was searching for, a large stack of papers now sat in the centre of the desk.

“Sit,” Romanoff beckons with a smile, gesturing her hand towards the front of her desk. You pull up your chair, positioning yourself across from her own seated position. “These are tests I need marked. They’re all multiple choice and there’s a marking scheme.” The redhead lifted a single piece of paper, handing it over your way. “So you’ll just have to see if the letters match up on both papers. That sound okay?”

You nodded once more, her instructions seeming simple enough. “Yeah, sounds fine.”

“Great.” With a smile, Professor Romanoff slid the pile of unmarked papers across the desk towards you. She explained that if you needed any help, just to ask, and that she’d just be busying herself on her laptop. You nodded again, reaching into your backpack quickly for a pen before you began to work away.

It was an easy job really, simply matching the circled letters on the quiz papers to that of the marking scheme. In truth, it was almost relaxing to have something to do that didn’t require much brain power. Professor Romanoff sat across from you, typing away on her laptop. Occasionally, you’d look up to take a glance at her, catching moments of concentration or boredom on her face, but your eyes would never linger long, too scared of getting caught looking her way. She’d turned on the radio to fill a bit of the silence, music humming softly from a black stereo on the edge of the desk. All in all, the endeavour was a blessing in disguise - much simpler and easier than the effort the equivalent assignment would have took.

“You getting on alright, milaya?”

The voice brought you from the almost trance you’d put yourself in as you marked the set of papers. Your head rose from them, more than half the stack already complete as you smiled back at your professor. “Yeah, all good.”

She nodded, smiling at you with her perpetually perfect red lips. Under her gaze, you felt your eyes drop back to the papers, for some reason feeling entirely too see every time she looked your way. She went to turn back towards her laptop, your hand reaching out to continue marking, but a lingering question had been vibrating in your head. You had been too afraid to ask before, to be the one to break the soft silence of the room, but now was your opportunity. “Are these law papers?”

Professor Romanoff looked back at you, her expression soft. “Yes,” she said, simply. “I also teach a beginners law class alongside my usual Russian.”

You felt your eyebrows raise, unexpecting of her answer but also rather impressed. Now it made sense why the papers you were marking were not at all taking about Russian vocabulary but instead legal terminology.

“I studied a law major at college,” the red haired woman continued. “It was going to be my career until I decided to teach instead.”

“Huh,” you hummed, interested by the new information you were discovering about your teacher. “Why’d you decide to switch?”

Romanoff shrugged a shoulder. “Honestly, I love teaching.” A small smirk then appeared on her lips as she leaned in closer across the table. “Besides, my wife is a lawyer and just between me and you, I’m not sure I’d like her as my boss. She can be a little scary sometimes.”

There was a playfulness to her tone that you easily pick up on, the entire interaction meant as a jest, but somehow it left you with a strange feeling in your chest. You listened to your professor’s words, but your mind seemed to stick on one. Wife. In that moment, you suddenly realised you hadn’t pictured her being married - not that you had pictured her at all, your mind chided in defence. Now you quickly realised that she was indeed with another person, and not just that, but with a woman. Suddenly you had to push your mother’s berating thoughts from your head.

“So what about you?”

“Sorry?” you replied, mind crashing back to the present moment. Professor Romanoff looked back at you with an almost playful looking smirk. It only added to that strange feeling inside your chest.

“What’s your major?” the redhead elaborated.

“Oh.” You sat up straighter, trying to adjust your jumper in an effort to conceal the fact you’d gotten lost in your thoughts once more. “I’m an English major.” Romanoff raised a brow, the smirk on her face widening to almost a smile. You sighed softly, throwing your head to the side. “You can make the joke if you want, everyone does.”

An English girl studying English. You’d heard almost every variation of the joke, mostly from drunk boys at frat parties that thought they were the pinnacle of humour. Shouldn’t you already be an expert at that? Wait, they don’t teach you English in England?

You were expecting some similar turn of phrase to escape your professors lips, following in the footsteps of everyone you’d had this conversation with before. But to your surprise, she simply shook her head, frowning ever so slightly. “I think I’ll refrain,” she said, frown turning into the same wide smirk. “I hate being unoriginal.”

A laugh bubbled up in your throat, pushing out through a smile and into the air. Your professor followed, chuckling with you. After a moment, she stilled, looking back at you curiously. “So, tell me,” she said, leaning in closer to the desk. “What does bring you all the way to America to study?”

Because I can’t stand being at home with my parents. “Experience, I guess,” you said with a shrug, hiding away the truth behind a smile. “And I got a full scholarship when I applied so…” Your words died down, not quite sure how to finish your explanation.

Thankfully, your professor seemed to pick up the conversation easily. “A very smart girl, hm?” Her lips met as she hummed and it seemed you could feel the vibrations running down your spine. Your eyes fell back to your lap, trying to hide the awkward smile her praise had brought. You were unsure of what exactly you should do, contemplating if her question was rhetoric or not, and praying the former due to your inability to think of a response. Blessedly, Professor Romanoff cut through your mind’s distress with another question. “You’re in fourth year, right?”

Your eyes picked back up, meeting hers. “Yeah.”

She smiled, crossing her arms over her chest as she stared back at you intently. “And what exactly lead a fourth year English student to my beginner’s Russian class?”

You were getting a little bit of deja vu of the conversation you’d had with Kate multiple times. This time, you settled on the short answer. “I thought it sounded interesting,” you said simply, smiling as you shrugged your shoulders.

Professor Romanoff seemed amused by your answer. “Well, I’m glad you’re here.”

You felt yourself smiling back in response. So am I, your brain mused, but your consciousness refused to let anything move past your lips. Instead, Romanoff was picking up the conversation once again. “What’s your plans for after?”

Your eyebrows raised, suddenly surprised by her question. “Sorry?”

The redhead chuckled. “Once you graduate, sweetheart,” she said, voice sounding slightly amused. “What do you plan to do with the rest of your life?”

“Oh right,” you fumbled. You felt a little stupid for thinking she ever meant anything other than that. “My, uh…my mum wants me to go to law school actually…”

A red brow raised in your direction. “Oh yeah?”

You nodded, reminiscent of your previous chatter with your professor. A funny little coincidence that you two may be following a similar path. Although in that moment, you couldn’t help but be a little jealous. She had eventually fallen away from law, moving to a career she was truly passionate for. You were unsure if you’d ever get that opportunity. It had taken months just to convince your mother to let you major in English, claiming it was good for getting into law school after college. And after three years, you still hadn’t been able to convince her away from that same dream of hers, now unsure if you ever would.

“And what to do you want to do?”

“What?” Your professor’s words took you by surprise. When you looked up, it felt as if her eyes had seen straight through you, like she’d been able to hear your every thought.

“Your mother wants you to go to law school,” Professor Romanoff reiterated. “What do you want to do after you graduate?”

Your voice was unsteady in your response. “Go to law school?”

Professor Romanoff raised a brow as she angled her head. “Are you asking me?” All you could muster was a shrug, feeling suddenly very small in the large hall. You didn’t much like talking about what you wanted to do in your life, haven forgone the gesture years ago due to your mother’s constant coercion. But then your professor leaned in slightly, a small smile crossing her lips. “You can tell me the truth, sweetheart,” she said. “I’m very good at keeping secrets.”

The endearment fell on your already blushed cheeks. Most times you wouldn’t have said anything at all, hidden behind the lies your mother had constructed about your person, but something about the redhead’s smile almost drew the words directly from your mouth. “I guess if I could do anything, I’d be a writer,” you said, playing at the sleeves of your sweater.

“A writer?” Romanoff repeated, raising a pair of curious brows.

You felt yourself nodding as a small smile crept on to your lips. “Yeah. I love books and writing, and I guess it’s what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a little girl.”

“Why don’t you do it then?”

Her words came as a shock, your system unsure of how exactly to respond. You shrank back under the redhead’s gaze, reminded of the words you’d been told so many times they were engraved into your mind. “It’ll be good for me to go to law school. My mum says I’ll get a better job.”

“Maybe…” Professor Romanoff hummed. Then her expression changed to something you couldn’t quite understand as she leaned in closer, her emerald eyes trained on your face. “But do you know what my birth mother used to say about me? She used to tell me I was useless little piece of shit that wouldn’t get anywhere in life.” Your eyebrows raised slightly in shock as you heard her words, especially on the fact she’d cursed so easily and how oddly good it sounded coming from her lips. Then her expression shifted again, an almost smugness taking over that drew your attention away from your own thoughts. “Thirty years later I’m a professor at one of the most prestigious universities in America. I’m married to a very successful lawyer, and living quite frankly an amazing life with a pair of adoptive parents who love me very much.”

Professor Romanoff finished with a small smirk, seemingly unaware of how her words settled on your shoulders. The entire statement was so weighted, so much shared about her as a person in so few words. Something in you felt slightly honoured that she could be that vulnerable around you, or perhaps her story wasn’t one she kept bundled up in her chest like you did, like a weighted lock on your heart. Still, you felt a sense of solace in learning more about your professor, a sense of trust being built in up inside. Her smiling eyes met yours as she leaned in even further on the desk. “Don’t let people who don’t know the real you keep you from what you want. We only get one life, Y/N. Don’t waste it trying to be someone you’re not.”

Her words settled in your stomach with an odd sensation. Her reassurance felt like another brick added to that wall of trust, perhaps her intention to try and learn more of your story. But maybe that trust wasn’t quite strong enough yet.

You shied away, unwilling to share more of your story despite how open Romanoff had seemed, years of criticisms sitting heavy on your shoulders. “Maybe,” you said lowly, picking up your pen once again. But you knew you’d never truly be able to follow through with what she was proposing you should, knew your future fate was already sealed by the woman who’d brought you into this world. She’d have a perfect daughter with her perfect career and wouldn’t settle for less, no matter how it made you feel. For now, all Professor Romanoff’s words could provide was a little fuel to that already dying fire of a dream inside your heart.

The pair of you quickly fell back into the steady silence of your work after your conversation, you pen dotting over papers as your professor turned back to her laptop. The radio played quietly in the background as you tried to push whatever words lingered in your head, both from your mother and the redhead in front of you, too many feeling provoked from the subject to allow you to focus properly. Dispelling them from your mind, you trained your eyes on the marking schemes in front of you, though having some of the answers memorised by now, and continued to work away at the stack of tests on the desk.

Time passed quickly once more, your speed increasing as the papers became more familiar in your hands, easily noticing the same mistakes made over and over. Occasionally you heard Romanoff begin to hum along to a song on the radio, focusing momentarily on her soft voice before refocusing on your work. In your mind, you became determined to finish them as quickly as you could, absentmindedly hoping to impress the woman they were for.

You were almost finished your task, down to the very last paper when a shrill sound cut through the soft atmosphere of the room. Both you and your professor’s heads shot up from your work, eyes turning to your backpack from where the loud ringtone emanated. Shit, you thought, obviously accidentally turning on the ringer that you always kept silenced.

“I’m sorry,” you said, glancing over at your professor in slight fear of her reprimand. But in return, you were only met with a soft smile.

“Don’t worry, milaya,” Romanoff replied gently. “This isn’t class time. You can answer your phone.”

Relieved by her answer, you let out a soft sigh. Reaching over, you began to dig through your bag to find your mobile, the nonsensical tune still ringing out. With no suprise, when you found it, Kate’s name and profile picture covered your screen. Quietly, you apologised again before accepting the call, slightly turning away in your chair as you held your phone to your ear.

“Hello?”

“Y/N!” Kate’s voice replied back from the other end of the device. She sounded slightly off but you couldn’t quite tell why.

“Are you okay? What’s up?”

A small sigh sounded in your ear. “Okay, please don’t get mad at me again but-“

You were replying with a sigh of your own before Kate could even finish her sentence. “You forgot your key again, didn’t you?”

“I’m so sorry,” the girl on the end of the other phone pleaded.

You sighed again, shaking your head. “Kate, how many times-“

“I know! I know,” she cut off. “I’m the worst person ever. But I slept in this morning and just forgot to put it in my bag. I’m sorry.”

Your sigh turned less frustrated. “It’s fine, don’t worry about it.” At your core you weren’t a confrontational person. You could never stay mad at anyone for long, especially Kate.

“Well, I came back to the room and you’re not here,” your best friend continued through the phone. “I thought you were finished english at three?”

“I am,” you replied. “But I’m helping out Professor Romanoff, remember? I’m in her class right now.”

You could hear Kate’s realisation through the call. “Shit. I am so sorry.” There was a pause. You could picture Kate dancing on the heels of her feet, the same way she did every time she needed to ask you a favour. “Uhm, could I possibly swing by and pick up your key then? Please Y/N, I really need to finish my computing assignment. It’s due at five.”

If there was anyone who would leave their work until one hour before the deadline, it was Kate. Another soft sigh escaped your lips. “Fine.”

Kate’s smile could practically be heard through the phone. “Thank you! What room are you in?”

“Language building, room ML4.”

“Okay,” Kate replied. “I’ll be right there. You’re the best, I love you.”

You couldn’t help but smile a little as you responded. “Love you too.”

With that, Kate hung up the call. You pulled your phone away from your ear, switching it off and throwing it in your pocket as you turned back in your chair. “I’m so sorry,” you began, facing back to your professor. “It’s my roommate, Kate. She’s locked herself out again.”

Romanoff raised a curious glance. “Again?”

“Bad habit.” You smiled back sheepishly, shrugging your shoulder. “She’s just going to stop by and pick up my key, if that’s alright?”

The redhead smiled back at you. “Of course. That’s perfectly fine.” A small sigh of relief escaped your lips, glad that the encounter wouldn’t be a problem. “But I think we’re actually almost done here,” Romanoff continued. “How are you getting on with those papers.”

“Oh, yeah,” you replied, pulling yourself back towards the desk and the stack of papers sat atop of it. “I’m actually just on the last one.”

“Well if you just finish that up, you can run along with your friend when she gets here.”

“You’re sure?” you replied, looking up. You didn’t want Kate’s endeavour to disrupt any of the help your professor needed. But the redhead simply nodded in response.

“I’m sure, Y/N.”

“Okay then,” you responded, nodding your head softly. A small smile was passed between the two of you before you were grabbing your pen once more, reaching out to finish marking the final test in the stack. Your hand moved quickly as you corrected any of the mistakes, flicking through the sheets of paper at an impressive rate. It was just as you were marking the last question that the noise of the hall doors opening drew your attention.

Clamouring in, Kate appeared inside the hall, her backpack momentarily getting caught on the handle before she was able to free herself. She stood sheepishly inside the room, looking across the way and spying you and your professor sat at the desk. “Uhm, hello,” the girl announced. You could tell she was trying to play it cool but she had that same almost awkward look she got whenever a girl she liked try to talk to her. “I’m, uh, Kate Bishop. Y/N’s roommate.” Her finger pointed to you, as if trying to prove she hadn’t barged in for no apparent reason.

Professor Romanoff had stood from her desk as Kate had entered, her hands finding a place resting inside her pockets. Now, she smiled across at her. “Yeah, she mentioned.”

Kate gave that awkward little laugh of hers and you had to refrain from not giggling at her yourself. “Sorry to just barge in on you guys. Are you still…” Her hands gestured towards you and the desk, trying to gage where you were with the work.

But Romanoff simply shook her head in response with a short smile. “No worries, Miss Bishop. We were just finishing up.”

Kate’s eyebrows raised. “Great,” she replied, sticking one of her thumbs up.

You had to stifle your laughs at her awkwardness. Was this how she interacted with all of her professors, or just the ones she didn’t know? As you hid your smile, you tidied up the stack of papers on the desk, piling them up neatly before rising to your feet. “Okay, Miss Romanoff,” you said, slightly pushing them in her direction. “Are you sure there’s nothing else I can do for you?”

The woman turned back to you with her gentle smile, her voice soft. “That’ll be all for today, Y/N.”

“Okay,” you replied, adjusting your jumper as you reached down for your backpack, throwing it over one shoulder. “Well, thank you again for this.”

Romanoff smiled. “No, thank you. I’d be drowning in work without your helpful hands.” A smirk seemed to form on her lips as she sent an emerald wink your way.

The action left you suddenly stuttering for the right words, embarrassingly affected by such a simple action. “Right,” you finally managed, voice jumbled. “I’ll uh- see you on Wednesday?”

Thankfully Professor Romanoff didn’t seem too bothered by your flustering state, if anything you might have said she even looked amused. “I’ll see you in class, Y/N,” she said, smiling down at you.

You returned the gesture as you turned away, walking to close the distance between where you and Kate stood. As you met the raven-haired girl’s side, a voice called out to the both of you. “Have a nice night, ladies.”

You turned briefly to Romanoff, smiling as you and Kate hummed a thanks in unison. As you passed through the doors to the hall and exited into the corridor, you felt your shoulders loosen ever so slightly, that perfect emerald stare still lingering in your mind. You couldn’t quite understand why you left that class always feeling so worked up.

This time, however, there was little space for you to think about it, as merely a few steps down the hallway, Kate was grabbing hold of your upper arm. “Holy shit, that’s your Russian professor?”

You turned quickly to your best friend, both startled and shocked by her sudden comment. “What? Yeah?”

Kate breathed out a laugh. “Y/N, you never told me she was hot as shit.”

“What?” you stuttered, taken about by Kate’s choice of words. “She’s not- I mean -I-I never noticed.”

The girls hand shook your arm slightly as the pair of you continued to walk. “Never noticed? Y/N, you must be blind because that was one of the most attractive women I’ve ever seen.”

The words come as a bit of shock, not expecting Kate to think so highly of the woman you’d been spending the last weeks of lessons with. The raven-haired girl began to mumble on about how she should have taken Russian and how it was unfair how she always got the old, ugly professors. But in all honeslty you weren’t paying her much mind, instead focusing on the words that had spilled from Kate’s mouth previously. Sure, Professor Romanoff was a nice-looking woman, you’d noticed that the first time she’d walked into the room, but that didn’t mean you should be attracted to her. That was wrong, she was your teacher, she was married for god’s sake. You shouldn’t be thinking about her in that way. You weren’t thinking about her in that way. Sure, she made you blush every time she spoke to you, and her stare made a strange warmth pool in your stomach, but that didn’t mean you found her attractive. Right?

———

Term continued on with its usual snowballing effect. The next couple of weeks began to fill up with more and more work as you progressed further into the year. You and Kate spent many of your time outside of lessons bundled up in the library, spending hours revising for your upcoming midterms. The pair of you were also beginning to write your final dissertations, the main project that would lead to your graduation at the end of the year. You'd had your topic picked for months and had already started your research over the Summer, which left you room to help Kate find something she could write about, having struggled finding a topic she didn't find extremely boring.

Your usual meal time chatter turned away from mindless gossip and instead to lesson content, both of you complaining about how many assignments you had due. The carefree start of term was officially gone and the usual endless list of deadlines had crept back up on you just like it always did. Luckily for you, you'd managed to maintain the rigidness towards studying you'd possessed since doing your exams in secondary school. You could maintain focus for hours, staring at your laptop or notes until everything was photocopied into your mind. Sure, it sometimes meant you'd miss a meal or a few hours of sleep, but it was all worth it for the perfect grade you were determined to achieve in the end.

Your sessions with Professor Romanoff continued on over the next couple of weeks too, still just an hour after your final class on a Monday. You'd offered her more help if she'd needed it but the redhead had politely refused, claiming she didn't want you wasting your time when you had exams to study for. In fact, she told you that she'd only require your help for a few more weeks, just up until the midterm, then you were free to go with that easy 'A' tucked into your pocket. Surprisingly, when you heard the news, you found yourself feeling slightly saddened. Over the time you'd spent with Professor Romanoff, you'd rather enjoyed yourself. It wasn't that the work was particularly exhilarating or you two ever did much other than look at papers, but the small moments you'd been able to find in between had been rather pleasant. Whether it was the soft lull of the radio music that you both would hum along to, or the small conversations she'd have with you about your home or your studies, the time you spent with the redhead somehow always left you with a warmth in the pit of your stomach.

One particular rainy Monday afternoon, the pair of you were comfortably sat at her desk in your usual positions, your chair across the way from hers. As she often did, Romanoff typed away on her laptop, while you sat stapling together test papers for her advanced Russian class, having previously just photocopied the stack. The paper was still warm against your skin as you organised them into the correct order, the feeling almost soothing you into a trance-like state. You hadn't even noticed it at all until it was suddenly shattered by a soft sound echoing through the room.

Your head picked up, readjusting itself to the real world before turning to the right where the sound emanated from. The sight that befell upon you caused your brows to raise ever so slightly in surprise. As the door to the lecture hall swung closed, a tall, unfamiliar, but smartly-dressed woman entered through them. Her heels clicked confidently across the floor, eyes trained on your professor who sat at the desk. You watched as the redhead stood when the woman reached her, smiling softly. "Detka, hi." Romanoff placed a small kiss on the woman's cheek as they hugged briefly.

"I tried to call but it went straight to voicemail," the other woman replied. She stood a few inches taller than Professor Romanoff, her hair a lighter shade of red straightened almost perfectly down her back. She wore a deep copper suit with a crisp white shirt, a designer handbag thrown over one shoulder. In all honesty, you couldn't tell if she'd came straight from work or a catwalk. When her body turned to stand side by side with your professor, you noticed her eyes shimmered down at you with a soft olive green. "I'm sorry. I didn't realise you would still have company."

At that, you noticed Professor Romanoff turn towards you, as if she had just remembered you were there. She smiled as she gestured to the taller woman. "Y/N, this is my wife, Wanda."

Right, wife. The idea she'd slipped a few weeks ago had almost left your mind entirely. Now that said woman was standing directly in front of you, looking down with an expression you couldn't quite read. "So you're the star pupil my wife has been telling me about, hm?"

Her voice was playful when she spoke, but at the same time low and almost sultry. Everything about it, including her words, left you stuttering over what to say. Had Professor Romanoff really been speaking about you to her wife?

"This is she," the redhead replied, covering for your inability to form a full sentence. She looked back at you with that same easy-going smile that seemed to make you shift in your seat.

Wanda passed you a similar expression as she inclined her head towards you, smirking just slightly. "Well then, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Thankfully, in that moment, your ability to speak seemed to return. "It's nice to meet you too, miss."

A small chuckle escaped the older woman's lips as you spoke. She glanced at Natasha, the pair sharing a look you couldn't interpret, before her sparkling eyes were back on you. "Oh please, honey. You can just call me Wanda." Just then you realised it wasn't only your professor's use of nicknames that seemed to send a shiver down your spine, Wanda's words setting your nerves on edge as you felt the heat flush to your cheeks. You looked down to your lap in an attempt to hide it, not wanting either woman to see your embarrassed state. From the corner of your eye, however, you saw Wanda wasn't going to let you hide that easily. She sat herself on the edge of the desk, leaning in closer to you and the stack of papers close by. "Working hard, are we?"

You looked back up to meet her eye, the action seemingly stripping away your speech once more. Thankfully, your professor stood up to answer for you. "Just getting some papers organised for my lesson tomorrow," she said, sitting herself down at her chair once more. Her eyes met her wife's. "Sorry, I didn't realise we'd run so late." Just then, you assumed why Wanda had shown up so unnanounced. Professor Romanoff had mentioned in passing that her wife would sometimes meet her after work, meaning that your sessions couldn't run any later even if she did need the extra help you offered.

"No, need to apologise," Wanda replied with an easy smile. "I don't mind sticking around while you guys finish up. Especially when your little assistant is so cute." Her eyes turned to you, a smirk playing on her lips. The entire action seemed to freeze you in place, entirely unsure of what to say or do.

"Cat gets her tongue sometimes."

Your eyes flicked to your professor as she spoke, a very similar smirk appearing on her face to match her wife sitting next to her. The taller redhead hummed lowly at her comment, her gaze tracing over you. Sat in that chair, you felt entirely too seen. Your eyes darted around, unsure of where exactly to look while the pair of older women watched you. If there was something you were supposed to say, you mind could not conjure it. In that moment all you could do was sit awkwardly as two pairs of green eyes traced your every movement.

But then, a familiar tune rang out to your rescue. When before you'd cursed your forgetfulness to turn off your ringer, now you silently thanked yourself. Your eyes rushed to your backpack, then quickly back to your professor and her wife. "I'm sorry," you stuttered out. "Could I?"

"Go on, milaya."

You tried your best to ignore your professor's comment as you reached into your backpack for your phone, quickly holding it up to your ear. To no surprise, it was a familiar voice singing a familiar tune. Still, you found the situation grateful for its diversion from the stalemate conversation you'd been stuck in beforehand. As you hung up the call a minute later, you turned back to the desk with a sheepish smile. "It's Kate, she's locked herself out again."

Professor Romanoff raised a perfect brow. "That really is a bad habit of hers, hm?"

You fought back a small chuckle at her words, surprised she even remembered you'd said that. "Yeah," you smiled back, then dropped it into a small frown. "I am so sorry-"

Before you could even finish your sentence, the redhead was holding up her hand to stop you. "Don't worry about it, milaya. You can run along. I'll catch you in class on Wednesday."

Your eyebrows raised, not wanting to be an inconvenience to her yet again. "You're sure? I can easily-"

"I said it's fine, Y/N," Romanoff reiterated, her voice coming out more stern. It wasn't quite angry, just firm, but it was enough to shut your mouth right up. You looked back, eyes wide, afraid that you'd annoyed her by leaving early twice due to your roommates negligence. But at your response, the redhead simply smiled down softly at you angling her head towards the door. "Go on. I can handle the rest."

You found your head nodding almost on its own accord, directed by not only your professor's watchful eye but now that of her wife's too. Your words came out little and few, a mumbled thank you and another apology spilling from your lips as you packed up your bag and threw it over your shoulders. One last reassurance and smile sent you walking out the door, headed back to your dorm where Kate would be waiting for you. As you went, you were hyper aware of the two sets of eyes trained on your back, picturing the two redheaded woman still sitting at the desk watching you walk away. What you weren't exactly aware of was how their gaze dropped even lower, both staring at the short black skirt you'd decided to wear that day, watching how the material grazed lightly against the back of your tight-covered thighs. When you exited out the door, you couldn't see the way the taller redhead turned back to her wife, looking down at her from where she still sat on the desk, a wide smirk appearing on her face as she bit into a perfectly painted lip. You couldn't see the way the pair looked at each other, leaning closer in, nor hear the words Wanda uttered back to her wife before their lips met in a kiss.

"You're right, she is cute. Let's keep her."

#inescapable love au #professor natasha romanoff #lawyer wanda maximoff #natasha romanoff x reader #wanda maximoff x reader #wandanat x reader #wanda x reader #natasha x reader #natasha romanoff #wanda maximoff #platonic kate bishop x reader

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book-place-incorrect-quotes · 11 months

Text

Y/N: *on the phone* Tony? I need your help! I-

Tony: Is the compound on fire?

Y/N: ...no?

Tony: Then, it’s not an emergency *hangs up*

Peter: Well? What did he say? What do we do about the portal to hell in the living room?

Y/N: *shrugs* Apparently it’s not an emergency

Kate: *being strangled by a demon* HOW THE FUCK IS THIS NOT AN EMERGENCY??

#avengers incorrect quotes #avengers x reader #peter parker x reader #peter parker x reader platonic #peter parker #kate bishop x reader #kate bishop #kate bishop x reader platonic #tony stark x reader #tony stark #tony stark x reader platonic

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sycamorelibrary754 · 25 days

Text

Happy Easter

Summary: You are three weeks from your due date, but the thought of you and Natasha missing Easter at the Barton’s farmhouse in Iowa was simply inconceivable. What will you do if your little bundle of joy makes an early, unexpected entrance?

Genre: Fluff

Pairings: Natasha x reader, Avengers x reader (platonic).

Word Count: 5.7k

Warnings: None

A/N: Happy belated Easter! I wanted to post this fic on Easter, but there wasn't enough time. This is part 3 of Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas! I recommend reading those stories first, but it can be read as a stand-alone story as well. This was so much fun to write. I hope you enjoy it!

"Does anyone know where the purple egg dye is?" you inquired, scanning the table as you addressed the Barton kids. "I could have sworn we had two cups of every color." Cooper and Lila were fully engrossed in the Easter egg decorating contest, meticulously crafting their designs, while Nate seemed to relish in using every color available on the table. "Oh, it's on the counter.”

You were just about to rise from the kitchen table, no easy feat at this stage of your pregnancy. It felt like yesterday when you surprised Natasha with your pregnancy at Thanksgiving in front of her family and announced to the team that they would all be aunts and uncles at Tony’s annual Christmas party. Your due date was three weeks away, but missing Easter with Clint’s family in Iowa was out of the question.

“Don’t get up, Y/N. I got it!” Nat said as she jumped up to grab the paper cup of purple egg dye behind you.

"Thanks, sweetheart," you said as Nat placed the cup on the table.

"How are you feeling?" Natasha asked as she gently caressed your cheek. "Maybe you should take a break?”

“Nat, I promise I’m okay. Come sit back down and color some Easter eggs with us,” you replied, trying to put your wife at ease.

Natasha was looking forward to Easter, too, but she was more focused on you and the final weeks of your pregnancy. Dr. Cho had given you the green light to go, with the condition that you'd have daily check-ins by phone and go on bed rest as soon as you returned home.

"Auntie Nat, look at this!" Nate proudly showed off an egg with Natasha's symbol on it.

"Look, Auntie Nat," you echoed with a smile.

"This is amazing! Maybe I should have you design my next suit instead of Stark," she said.

"Shall we start the judging?" Clint asked as he entered the room with Laura.

"Yep, all set," Cooper confirmed.

"Just a sec," Lila said, focused on decorating her egg. "There, done."

"Where are Yelena and Kate?" Laura asked.

"We're coming!" came a shout from the living room.

"It's not a Fabergé egg, you two, come on!" Nat yelled.

"Tada!" Kate exclaimed, revealing a beautiful purple egg with green and orange stripes.

You whispered to your wife, "So that's where all the purple dye went.”

You placed your egg on the table with all the others. Pink and blue with red polka dots. Symbolic of your current anticipation over the impending arrival of your bundle of joy. You and Nat both agreed you wanted to be surprised.

“Hmmm, this is going to be a tough decision,” Clint said, stroking his chin. “As you all know, you will be judged on creativity, technique, and presentation.”

Walking back and forth in front of the kitchen table, you couldn’t help but giggle at his mock seriousness.

“Allow me to confer with my fellow judge,” he said. After a few moments of hushed whispers with Laura, Clint returned to the group. “We thank you all for your participation. You all decorated beautiful Easter eggs. The competition was tough this year, but one egg stands head and shoulders above the rest,” pausing for dramatic effect. “The 2024 Barton Easter Egg Decorating Champion is Nathaniel Barton!”

You shouldn't have spent so much time on the sketches!” Yelena said, slapping Kate on the arm.

“Yes!!” Nathaniel cheered.

“You are hereby awarded this Lindt Milk Chocolate Gold Bunny,” his father said, handing him the gold-wrapped chocolate as big as his head.

“That you will share with the rest of the family and not eat in one sitting,” Laura added.

“Aww!” Nathaniel whined.

*^~^*

You spent the evening on the porch, surrounded by the laughter of the kids playing on the lush green lawn as the sun set over the farm. Laura served her delicious homemade Lemonade as you shared stories and reminisced about old times. The air was filled with nostalgia so vivid that you could almost reach out and touch it. Natasha sat next to you, holding your hand gently, her calloused touch a reminder of the strength and resilience she had acquired through years of training.

You were taken by surprise as you felt the baby begin to kick.

"Wow!" You exclaimed as you gently placed your hand on your belly.

All eyes turned to you. Though unspoken, everyone shared the same nervous anticipation as your wife for the approaching due date.

"Are you alright, malyshka?" Nat asked, her eyes filled with concern as she squeezed your hand.

"I'm okay. The baby is kicking. Here, feel." You said as you took her hand and gently guided it to your stomach, trying to find the right spot.

“Oh,” Nat squeaked. “I’ll never get used to that feeling.”

“Think how I feel!” you teased.

“Move aside, sestra; I want to feel my little plemyannitsa or plemyannik.” (Niece or nephew).

Yelena playfully bumped her sister out of the way with her hip and eagerly reached to touch your stomach.

"Wow, that's amazing!" she cried out. "Hey there, little one. I'm Aunt Yelena, and I will spoil you rotten!"

"Have you two settled on a name yet?" Kate inquired.

"No," you sighed. "We just can't seem to agree. Since we both want to be surprised, it's been twice as hard to come up with two names."

"Don't worry, you'll know when you see the little bundle of joy," Laura reassured.

"This wouldn't be an issue if either of you were open to any of the names I've suggested," Yelena added with a grin.

“Yelena is not an option,” Natasha frustratedly replied.

“What about—“

“Neither is Alaska! That isn’t even a name!” Your wife is exasperated.

“It could be!” Yelena said. “What about—“

“Or Wolfgang!” Nat interrupted.

“You lack all originality, sestra,” Yelena berated.

^*~*^

The soft glow of the table lamp reflected off your glasses as you delved into the pages of your latest beloved read. You placed your bookmark between the pages at the sound of your wife closing the bathroom door and crawling into bed beside you.

"Did you get a chance to talk to Helen today?" Nat asked as she helped me fluff up my pregnancy pillow.

"Yeah, I did. She was glad to hear that the swelling in my ankles went down and suggested taking a warm bath to help with the discomfort," you replied, shifting to get comfortable against the pillow.

"Mmm, a warm bath does sound amazing," Natasha hummed as she settled down on her side, facing me.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you’d be joining me?” You said softly, with a sly grin and a raised eyebrow.

“Of course I would, detka,” leaning over and kissing your baby bump.

You gently squeezed Nat's hand, feeling a wave of anticipation as your due date drew near. Thoughts of what your baby would look like and who they would become filled your mind. Would they inherit Nat's fiery red hair, or perhaps have your Y/E/C eyes? The anticipation was almost overwhelming, but knowing that Natasha was by your side made it all feel possible.

"Are you looking forward to the Easter egg hunt tomorrow?" You asked, pulling yourself out of your daydream.

Nat giggled, "You make it sound like I'm the one participating."

"Well, you might as well be. I can never tell who's more excited, you or the kids," you replied.

Natasha glanced down at our intertwined hands and then back up at you. Her green eyes sparkled like emeralds.

"I think it's because holidays in my childhood weren’t real. We filled the photo album with fake pictures and empty boxes. But this," looking around at the small details of Clint and Laura’s farmhouse, "Is real, and I’ve always done my best to help ensure that Cooper, Lila, and Nate have everything I didn’t. A carefree childhood filled with love," Natasha explained.

"You’ve done a wonderful job with Clint’s kids, Nat. They love you so much, and I know you’ll be just as amazing with our little one," you said, doing your best to reassure her. “Goodnight, Natasha,” kissing her lips.

“I hope you're right, detka,” Nat said, kissing your lips in return and laying a hand on your stomach. “Goodnight, malen'kiy (little one).

*^~^*

The following day, you awoke to the sun shining through the window and a soft breeze that caused the curtains to dance gently on the wind. Your back was aching, and you were tired, but you were determined to make it through today. You slipped into the most comfortable maternity outfit you had. Natasha helped you with your shoes, and you both went downstairs to the kitchen.

“Happy Easter, you two!” Clint said upon seeing you two enter the kitchen.

You sat down at the kitchen table as Laura placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of you and Nat, along with two glasses of orange juice. The kids were already eating and arguing over who would find the most Easter eggs this afternoon.

Yelena and Kate walked in a few moments later, clad in bathrobes and their hair disheveled.

“Against the idea of showering and dressing before breakfast, were you?” Natasha asked.

“Kate Bishop kept me up all night with her snoring, and Lucky and Fanny woke me up by sitting on my face,” Yelena mumbled as she flopped beside you.

“Hey, that’s how dogs shows affection,” Kate interjected.

“So, I should consider your snoring a Valentine?” Yelena deadpanned.

After breakfast, the kids ran upstairs to prepare for the Easter egg hunt while Clint got a head start on hiding the eggs. Nathaniel insisted Nat accompany him to help find his Easter basket, but she hesitated to leave you.

“Go ahead, babe. I’m fine.” Motioning for her to follow her namesake.

“So, how are you really feeling?” Laura asked, now that Nat was no longer in the room.

You let out a deep sigh, “Tired and sore,” resting your head in your hands. “But this quality time with you all means so much to both of us. I can make it one more day before going on bed rest.”

Laura rubbed her hand softly on your back, “Why don’t you sit in the family room with Kate and Yelena until the fun starts.”

“Okay, that’s a good idea. Make sure Yelena and Kate haven’t snuck into the Easter candy,” you laughed.

Laura helped you to your feet and then began to clear the table. As you started to walk, you felt a minor twinging pain in your stomach. You winced but thought nothing of it. With the amount of shifting the baby was doing these days, you had every spasm and cramp in the book. Unfortunately for you, you were in a house full of spies, and Laura picked up your discomfort. She made a mental note to watch you as the day progressed.

*^~^*

"Look, there's one!" Cooper exclaimed, pointing at the leather seat of the tractor in the front yard. He dashed towards it, but Lila beat him by a step. "Ha! Slowpoke," she teased.

From your spot on the porch, you glanced over and saw my wife hoisting Nathaniel onto her shoulders to carefully grab an Easter egg from the crook of an old sycamore tree.

After about 15 minutes, everyone's baskets were full of eggs. Now came the fun of opening them all. You watched as all three kids dug into their baskets, opening the eggs to find mini Hershey bars, M&M's, jelly beans, or starbursts.

Nathaniel walked over to you and placed an Orange Starburst in your hand. "Here, Aunt Y/N. I know the Orange ones are your favorite."

"Aww, thank you, Nate," you said, kissing his forehead.

As you were about to open the soft toffy candy, a sharp contraction cut through my stomach. “Aaah!” you reached for your stomach as you bent over at the knees. Much stronger than anything you had felt before.

Natasha rushed to your side. “Y/N?! Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Reaching for your hand.

"I don’t know," you grunted.

Natasha's voice quivered with anxiety as she tried to rationalize the situation. "This—this can’t be it. We’re still three weeks out," she said, her mind racing with worry. "Maybe it’s just false labor."

That was the moment when your water broke. "Oh God—" you took a sharp breath as another contraction hit.

"Okay, not false labor," Nat conceded.

"It’s okay, Y/N," Laura reassured you calmly, gently taking your hand. "Most first births are a long labor. But we’re going to get you inside, okay?"

You felt a surge of panic. "What? No, no. I can't have the baby here. I'm not ready. We had a birth plan; I don't have my overnight bag!" you started to ramble, the anxiety rising in your voice.

"You're not boarding a Quinjet now. “I'm going to call Helen,” Clint said as he started to run inside.

"What's wrong with Aunt Y/N?” Nathaniel asked.

"Nothing, sweetheart, but the baby is coming a little bit earlier than we thought," Laura said calmly as she and your wife Nat gently guided you up the steps and into the warm and welcoming embrace of the house.

"Cooper and Lila, please grab a soft, warm blanket and clean towels from the linen closet?" Laura called out to the older children, her voice steady and reassuring.

I'l boil some water and tear up some sheets!" Kate announced frantically.

"This isn't Little House on the Prairie," Yelena quipped. She looked at you and Natasha with a warm yet nervous smile. "I’ll call Mom and Dad.”

"I thought you said this was a long process?" you managed to say between deep breaths, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"Yes, but there's nothing wrong with being prepared, honey," Laura replied with a comforting smile, her hands steady as she and Nat helped you onto the bed.

Natasha gently grasped your hand and locked eyes with you. "Y/N, look at me," she said reassuringly. “You’re okay, and I'm right here with you. Let's take a deep breath together.”

You took a deep breath, trying to follow Natahsa's lead. The air came out shakily as it moved around the sharp pain of the contraction.

"Do you remember your Lamaze breathing?" Nat asked, her voice calm and reassuring.

"I think so," you replied, trying to focus on the breathing technique you had practiced during the prenatal classes.

*^~^*

Contractions came and went over the next few hours. You were thankful that childbirth was part of the first aid classes all SHIELD recruits were required to take. Otherwise, the prospect of giving birth in a farmhouse in the middle of Iowa would have been more terrifying than it already was.

You heard the front door open and the screen shut behind it as footsteps hurriedly approached the bedroom. When you saw Dr. Cho, you just about burst into tears.

Helen! Oh, thank goodness," you exclaimed just as another contraction began, your face twisted in agony.

"Y/N," Helen responded, rushing to your side and gently pushing the sweaty strands of hair away from your eyes. "Clint and Laura briefed me. They said that you're handling this wonderfully. Let me take a moment to set up, and then we'll check your dilation progress.”

Okay," you managed to say, catching your breath. "Where's Bruce?"

He's in Kamar-Taj with Wong. Something about ten rings? I'm not entirely sure, but don't worry, both of you," she reassured, meeting your and Natasha’s fatigued and apprehensive gazes. "I have a backup.”

Thor strode into the room, effortlessly carrying a collection of Helen's equipment that seemed as light as a feather in his hands.

"Thor? What are you doing here?" Natasha asked, clearly puzzled.

Thor glanced at your wife, then at you, then at Laura, and then at Helen.

"Hello, everyone," he said shyly. "I was, uh, Helen and I—Dr. Cho. She invited me for Easter, and we were enjoying a nice glass of Asgardian Mead when—"

"When Clint called," Helen finished. "Anyway, he's here to help, right?"

"Of course," Thor replied. "I've never witnessed a human birth before, but I've been present for the births of many Gods and am well-versed in many newborn blessings."

You and Natasha locked eyes, your nervousness quickly replaced with gratitude as you realized the significance of having another close friend by your side during this pivotal moment in your lives.

Natasha expressed her gratitude to Thor, finally breaking the silence. "We're both thankful that you're here," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

You nodded in agreement, silently acknowledging the sentiment.

"It's my pleasure, ladies," Thor replied warmly.

“Thor, can you bring the rest of my equipment in from the Quinjet while I check to see how far Y/N is dilated?” Helen asked.

“Sure, and do either of you need anything? He asked.

Some ice chips would be great, you said in a tired voice. “Thank you.”

“Water,” Natasha said.

Shortly after Thor departed, Yelena entered, engaging in small talk as they crossed paths in the hallway. "What's the God of muscles doing here?" she inquired.

"It's a long story," Helen responded.

"I spoke with Melina. She and Alexi are en route and should arrive by morning. At least, I think that's what she said. It was hard to hear her over Alexi's ecstatic screams in the background."

"Okay, Y/N, you've done most of the hard work in my absence. You're just about at 10 centimeters. It’s time to start pushing. You two are going to parents soon," Helen announced with a smile.

“Oh my God,” you said, looking over at Natasha.

“Hey,” your wife said, running her hand through your hair, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” you said.

*^~^*

“Push. Push, just a little more! Come on, push for five seconds. 5…4…” Helen counted down.

Gasping for air, you exclaimed, '3-2-1 oh!!' as you fought to catch your breath.

Thor gently wiped away the sweat from your forehead with a cloth.

“You're doing great, Y/N. The next contraction should be coming in about twenty seconds," Helen encouraged, glancing at the monitor.

“I can’t,” you cried. “I can’t push anymore, I can’t.”

Natasha reassured you, "Yes, you can, Y/N. You're so close," she reached out and firmly took hold of your hand.

“Oh God, twenty seconds, my ass!” You shouted.

Natasha screamed in pain and fell to her knees beside you as you squeezed her hand. “Fuck, detka!”

"Here, Lady Y/N," Thor said, taking her hand in his, "Give my hand a good squeeze; you won't hurt me. And when you reminisce on this moment, you will remember that a God has faith in you. You can do this!" Thor's voice was solid and reassuring, his eyes filled with genuine belief in your strength.

Your eyes shone with tears as you held Thor's hand tightly, feeling the strength in his grip while Natasha enveloped you, her arm supporting your back.

I can see the baby's head. Are you ready to push one more time, honey?” Helen asked, “Here we go, on three: 1... 2... 3!”

You let out a final scream and then collapsed back onto the pillows, trying to catch your breath. As the room fell silent, the innocent cries of your and Natasha’s baby filled the air.

"It's a boy!" Helen exclaimed with joy.

Tears welled up in your eyes as you looked at Natasha, who was also crying. It was more emotion than you had ever seen Natasha show before.

Helen held up your son for both of you to admire. His little head was adorned with the beginnings of red hair.

"He's absolutely perfect," Nat exclaimed with a radiant smile as she affectionately kissed your temple.

Thor carefully cut the umbilical cord, and then Helen gently passed the newborn over to Laura, who began to clean him up.

Overwhelmed with emotion, you exclaimed, "He's so tiny! Where'd he go?"

Natasha reassured you, "It's okay. They're just wrapping him up," as she wiped away her tears. Concerned for the baby's well-being, you cautioned, "Okay, well, be careful with him. He's really tiny!”

Moments later, Laura tenderly announced, "Here he is," and placed your precious son on your bare chest, swathed in a soft blanket.

"Hi, baby boy," you whispered, tears streaming down your cheeks. "I know you."

As your voice reached his ears, his little Y/E/C irises opened, revealing a world of innocence and wonder.

At that moment, gazing at your son, you experienced a love so profound it felt as though your heart had been laid bare.

Natasha tenderly kissed his head and softly murmured, “Dobro pozhalovat' v mir, moy malen'kiy mal'chik.” (Welcome to the world, my little boy).

We’ll give you a few minutes," Helen said with a reassuring smile as she closed the door behind her. In the serene stillness that followed, the only sound was the gentle cooing of your precious newborn son.

“I can't believe he's finally here,” you said.

"I know. He’s so beautiful," Natasha said, her gaze fixed on the newborn.

"It looks like he’s going to take after his Mama," you chuckled, running your hand over the delicate red hairs sprouting from his scalp.

"Yes, but look at his eyes—sparkling Y/E/C like yours. Wow," Nat said.

You remarked, "I guess this narrows the names down, then."

Nat sighed in relief, "Thank goodness I don't have to explain to my sister why we didn't choose Yelena."

Looking into your wife's eyes, you asked, "So what do you think?"

*^~^*

A short while later, a gentle knock on the door signaled Helen's arrival as she peeked inside. "Hey, you three. I need to conduct a few routine tests, and there are some eager people outside who can't wait to meet your son."

"Please, come on in, everyone," you welcomed them.

You couldn't hold back the tears as you witnessed the heartfelt expressions on their faces as they laid eyes on your baby boy. It was as if he instantly captivated them, just as you were when you first saw him.

"Oh, my goodness," Laura exclaimed as Clint enveloped Natasha tightly. Tears glistened in his eyes as he held his best friend close.

"He's beautiful, Natasha," Yelena said, her eyes brimming with tears. "Privet, malen'kiy plemyannik," she whispered (hello, my little nephew).

"He's so cute, Y/N! Oh my gosh," Kate exclaimed as your son wrapped his tiny hand around your finger.

"He is lovely," Thor added, his voice filled with warmth. "Strong and brave, like his mothers."

Cooper, Lila, and Nathaniel gathered around you, admiring the newborn in your arms.

"Everyone," Natasha began, her hand resting lovingly on your back. "We have someone special we'd like you to meet.”

“This is Nikolai Odison Romanoff," you announced with a proud smile.

"Nikolai! What a beautiful first name," Clint exclaimed, wiping his eyes. "It suits him perfectly."

"Oh, my, Odison," Thor said wide-eyed. "Ladies, this is an honor fit for someone else. I wasn't even supposed to be here, I—"

"But you were, Thor. You were here when I needed someone the most," you said, looking at him with gratitude. "We'll never forget what you did for us."

The God of Thunder exhaled, visibly touched by your kind words. "I'm truly honored, Y/N. Thank you," he said, kissing your cheek.

Excuse me, ladies," Helen said, "May I borrow him for a moment? We'll be right back.”

Nikolai began to cry at the loss of contact with you, and the sound tugged at both your and Natasha's heartstrings. "It's okay, little one. It's okay," Helen soothed him.

Then, looking up at your wife, you added, "There is something else we wanted to ask.

“Clint and Laura, we would be honored if you would be Nikolai’s godparents,” Natasha said.

“Of course!” Clint declared.

“Nothing would make us happier,” Laura added.”

The couple hugged you both in appreciation as Helen returned with Nikolai.

“You have a healthy little boy on your hands! Born March 31st, 2024 at 7:23pm. He weighs five pounds and eight ounces and measures 16.5 inches long," she said as she gently placed your son in Natasha’s arms. "He's a bit small, but that is because he was impatient and arrived a bit early," Helen explained with a warm smile. "Nothing to worry about.”

Natasha cradled the baby in her arms, swaying gently back and forth as a soft yawn slipped from his tiny lips.

“We’ll spend the night here, but I want to bring Mom and Nikolai back to the compound tomorrow. I want to perform a thorough examination in my lab before sending you all home.” Helen explained.

"Of course, whatever you think is best," you agreed.

Natasha nodded in approval before a sudden realization struck her. "Oh, Mom and Dad! They're on their way here."

"They can join us if you'd like," Helen suggested.

"That would be great," you said. "Right, Nat?"

"Yeah, great," Natasha said, her mind racing as she tried to imagine the chaos of the Quinjet flight home with Alexi and Melina.

Yelena couldn't help but burst into laughter, fully aware of what her sister was thinking, until Kate elbowed her in the ribs.

"We'll leave you all to get some rest," Helen said. "I'll be outside if you need anything, and I'll be back in a little while to help you with breastfeeding him.”

"Thank you, Helen, and all of you, for everything," you said, feeling the exhaustion and emotions of the day overwhelming you as tears began to fall.

After exchanging warm embraces, everyone exited the room, leaving you and Natasha in peaceful solitude with your precious newborn son, savoring the tender moment.

Natasha gently settled Nikolai in Nathaniel's bassinet, a family heirloom lovingly retrieved from storage by Clint and Laura. As your little one drifted into a peaceful slumber, you both couldn't help but marvel at the miracle of life, watching his tiny chest rise and fall with each breath. It was a moment you never wanted to forget.

“Rest, detka. I'll take care of Nikolai," Nat offered, her voice filled with warmth and reassurance.

"I can stay up; it's fine. You should rest," you insisted, determined to take responsibility.

"Y/N, you've just brought new life into the world. You deserve to rest for the rest of your life," Nat chuckled, her eyes filled with affection and concern.

She settled beside you on the bed and enveloped you in a comforting embrace.

"Look at your face," Nat suddenly remarked, her expression softening with genuine admiration.

"I must look a mess," you replied, a tired smile tugging at your lips.

"No, Y/N, you look absolutely beautiful," Nat insisted, her words filled with sincerity. "I've never seen your face more radiant than it is right now.

Natasha's soft lips met yours in a tender kiss, and in that moment, you felt the truth of her words resonate deep within you.

*^~^*

The following day, Laura prepared a delicious breakfast and brought it to you and Natasha in bed. Both of you had barely gotten any sleep with Nikolai waking up every couple of hours. Despite feeling utterly exhausted, you didn't mind one bit. This weariness stemmed from the joy of caring for your precious newborn son on his very first night.

Twenty minutes later, the tranquil moment was interrupted by familiar voices outside. Natasha gently pulled the curtain back to glimpse her parents making their way up the front porch steps.

Yelena strode into the room with her arms folded and a mischievous smile on her lips. "Brace yourselves," she teased, "The grandparents have arrived.”

"Where's my little guy?" Alexi eagerly shouted as he entered the room.

"Shh!" Natasha hushed him with a grin, motioning to Nikolai nestled in her arms. "Oh, look at him!" Alexi whispered in awe.

"Mom, Dad, this is Nikolai,” Nat said, wiping a tear from her eye.

"He's beautiful, Natalia," Melina murmured.

"May I hold him?" Alexi asked eagerly.

"Of course," you replied, carefully passing the baby to Alexi. The sight of the mighty Red Guardian tenderly cradling your newborn son made you smile.

"Hello, Nikolai. I'm your dedushka," Alexi said affectionately. "You're so adorable; yes, you are."

As he spoke, Nikolai slowly opened his eyes, and you could have sworn you saw your father-in-law's heart swell with love.

Alexi gently placed the baby in Melina’s arms. Your mother-in-law had always been a complex and enigmatic figure. She was one of the longest-tenured widows, and her resilience made her one of the strongest women in your eyes. As she cradled your newborn son in her arms, a single tear traced its way down her cheek, revealing a depth of emotion and vulnerability that you had never seen before.

Yelena inched toward you and whispered, “He won them over faster than you did.”

*^~^*

The next morning, Thor joined in to assist with packing while Clint hurried to the store to purchase an infant car seat for Nikolai. You were a family of two when you arrived, and you were leaving a family of three.

After a swift diaper change, Natasha placed your precious bundle of joy in his carrier. "Time to head home, Nik," you said, taking his tiny hand in yours.

You bid farewell to everyone and securely placed Nikolai's carrier beside you on the Quinjet.

Nat smiled as she prepared the Quinjet for takeoff. Your first Quinjet ride," she said. "You're already an overachiever, moy sladkiy mal'chik" (my sweet little boy).

Your phone suddenly vibrates with a flurry of notifications.

"The team group chat is blowing up, sweetheart," you informed Natasha, showing her your phone.

Nick Fury: Congratulations on the arrival of your precious son, Nikolai! It's heartwarming to see the Avengers family welcoming the newest member. Everyone at SHIELD looks forward to meeting him and supporting you and Natasha.

Steve Rogers: Hey, Y/N and Nat, huge congratulations! I'm so excited to meet Nikolai, the newest addition to our Avenger family. 🎖️

Wanda Maximoff: Congratulations to you both! All those cliches, those things you hear about having a baby and motherhood—all of them are true. And all of them are the most beautiful things you will ever experience. I’ll drop off some food for you both in the morning. 🥰

Clint Barton: Hey, Y/N! Make sure Nikolai is securely fastened in his infant carrier. I hope he sleeps the whole way back. If he gets fussy, let Nat know to ask FRIDAY to turn on the cabin pressure stabilization. It's a feature I insisted Stark add to the Quinjet after SHIELD found out I had kids. You're welcome. 😏

Laura Barton: I know things didn't go as planned, but I'm grateful we could share in your special day, Y/N. Nikolai is absolutely beautiful! Please let Nat know that I'll give her a call tomorrow. 😊

Tony Stark: Rushman! Y/L/N! Congratulations on the arrival of your precious son. Nikolai will bring you endless joy and fulfillment and become your favorite reason to lose sleep for the rest of your lives. 😉

Pepper Stark: Congratulations! I'm so happy for you and Nat. I can only imagine how incredible it must feel to look into Nikolai's eyes and feel like everything is right in the world. Please don't hesitate to reach out if there's anything I can do to help. Sending lots of love! ❤️

Bruce Banner: I'm truly sorry I couldn't be there; I’m thrilled for you and Natasha. I can't wait to meet Nikolai! 💚

Maria Hill: Congratulations, Y/N and Nat, on the arrival of baby Nikolai Odison! I can't wait to meet the little bundle of joy and see those tiny fingers and toes. The name Nikolai Odison Romanoff is absolutely beautiful. I spoke with Thor this morning, and the honor deeply moved him. 🥹

Thor Odinson: I am incredibly grateful to have been present for the birth of your son, Nikolai Odison Romanoff. Your decision to include me in this momentous occasion is a great honor, and I want to assure you that I will always be there to support and care for all of you. The arrival of Nikolai is a joyous event, and I am committed to being a steadfast presence in his life. ⚡

Peter Parker: Y/N! Congratulations on the arrival of Nikolai! I'm so thrilled for you and Nat. What does he look like? Does he have your hair or Natasha’s? What color are his eyes? I'm already thinking about all the adventures we'll have with him. I'm going to text Nat right now. I can't wait to meet him! 💙

Yelena Belova: Give my little nephew a kiss and hug from me. Also, heads up - Mom and Dad are considering staying with you for eight weeks to help care for Nikolai. Happy Parenting! 😂

Kate Bishop: Yelena is sitting next to me, and she can't stop laughing, so I'm going to assume that everything is going well. Please give Nikolai a kiss and hug from me! 🩵

*^~^*

You and Natasha stood together at the front of the Quinjet, the hum of the engines surrounding you as the aircraft soared safely through the sky.

“Nikolai is sound asleep. I don't think your parents have taken their eyes off our son since they got here,” turning around to see Melina and Alexi lovingly admiring their grandson.

Nat lovingly reached for your hand. “Our son,” she repeated with a big smile.

Nat took her place in the pilot's seat and turned off the autopilot as you settled in beside her.

"Come on, Y/N. Let’s go home.”

#natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha x you #avengers x reader #mcu #fluff #clint barton #Laura Barton #cooper barton #lila barton #nathaniel barton #yelena boleva #kate bishop #helen cho #thor odinson #platonic #easter

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trikruismybitch · 2 years

Text

*Kate and Y/n arguing about y/n not wanting to ask somebody out bc wanda*

Wanda (annoyed/ frustrated) : Oh my god, how many times do i have to say it? I dont care who you date, we broke up! *she waves her arm around* Ask out any girl you want.

Kate: See! I said you should have asked out Natasha!

Wanda *red eyes*: NATASHA?!

Y/n *placatingly*: Wanda....

Wanda: I KNEW IT!

Wanda: I KNEW! two years ago when you went on that stupid mission with her!

*Kate slowly backing away & removing herself*

Wandai: and Natasha was always like "Oh Y/n why don't you come and train with me"

Wanda: "Oh y/n i bought some coffee"

Y/n: Natasha brings everyone coffee!

#wanda maximoff x reader #incorrect quotes #platonic kate bishop x reader #mentions natasha romanoff x reader #wanda maximoff x ex!reader

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ashdreams2023 · 4 months

Note

Ok, awesome! Thank you!

Can I please send in a request for Kate Bishop where her sibling is autistic, and Kate is protective of them?

Ok finally got to you honey, sorry this took forever

Kate bishop x autistic sibling

Kate always knew you were different, you weren’t like any other kids but didn’t understand what made you so different until later on

For a long time you were just her special little sibling

She got used to you need your food cut a certain way, and that you extremely dislike certain textures

When she would go to the store she would always buy you your favorite Candy because she knows this little thing will make your day

She was the first one to buy you sound canceling headphones and takes you on walks outside

Sometimes she gets bored when you hyper fixate on a certain piece of media but as long as it’s harmless it’s fine

"Can we watch anything other than shrek this time?" "No!"

She let’s you help in the kitchen if it’s nothing too complicated or sharp things are involved

Learned as you both grew older that you don’t like your hair being touched by strangers so that either means she cuts it for you or tries to teach some basic things to keep it looking ok

She takes you to your favorite restaurant at least once a month

Gets anxious when she has to leave the city and leave you on your own

"Your things are all in the same place, plus there’s my phone number you know how to reach me if something is wrong, also Clint will drop by to check on every night"

The days you’re feeling none verbal are some of the hardest for her because she can’t always tell what’s wrong

"Is there something specific you’ll like? Just nod if yes"

She always makes sure to be back for lunch in the exact same time because she knows you don’t like when she’s late and it messes with the schedule you’re used too

"Wanna see this cool trick I learned from Clint?"

"I didn’t find your favorite color but this one has that one character you’ve been obsessed with for three weeks"

Will physically fight people if they made you uncomfortable or were rude to you just because they think they can

"Want to repeat that again to my face fucker!"

#kate bishop x reader #kate bishop #imagine #mcu #marvel imagine #platonic #marvel #mcu requests #mcu x reader

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upat4amwiththemoon · 1 year

Text

Protector | part 2

Summary: Be the person you needed as a kid.

Pairing: big sister!Yelena Belova x female!reader, big sister!Natasha Romanoff x teen!female

Warnings: violence, angst, death of a character

Word count: 7746

a/n: The timeline here is obviously different compared to the real MCU, this fic starts after Black Widow and there’s more time between Black Widow and Infinity War. Ideas come from these two asks. I do realize this is similar to Two sides but that’s okay :) read the first part before this!

Tags: @thought-of-you-and-me @rafecameronswhore

Natasha will take great care of you.” Yelena reassures as she drives towards the compound. She wasn’t the happiest to leave Y/N behind, but this mission was something she didn’t want her to be part of.

“I don’t need a babysitter, Yelena! I’m 15 and I know very well how to take care of myself.” Y/N looks out the window, pouting she has to be away from Yelena for such a long time. “I’ve done it for my whole life.”

“See, that’s not something we’re going to normalize. Family takes care of each other.”

The word family still makes Y/N feel weird. She isn’t sure how she’s supposed to feel hearing it. She does have some sort of family now, so she should be happy, but at the same time it makes her feel bad. Caring about people always ends badly. No matter what. You can’t win.

Y/N sighs, she knows Yelena won’t change her mind. “Will there be other people.”

“I think so.” Yelena mumbles. That’s also something she wasn’t very excited about. Leaving Y/N with Natasha is okay, but with other unknown people as well is a whole new story. Yelena doesn’t know the Avengers and she doesn’t know how Y/N will be with them. “Nat lives at the compound and I think they fixed things, so no one is a fugitive anymore.”

Y/N hums. “I get to be part of the next mission, yes?”

“Yes, I will keep my promise don’t worry.” She glances at Y/N with a grin. “It’ll be the best mission ever.”

Y/N giggles quietly. “You know every mission we do turns to shit.”

“Hey, language.” Yelena glares at her, while Y/N rolls her eyes. Sometimes Yelena takes the motherly big sister role a bit too seriously. “The next one will be good, I can feel it.”

“I will bet you ten dollars something goes wrong.”

“Deal.” Yelena and Y/N shake their hands at a red light, both having a smile on their face.

“You’ll keep her safe?” Yelena has been standing on the compound’s front door for fifteen minutes already, going over everything Natasha should know about Y/N and making sure she’ll be good.

“I will, Yelena.” Natasha smiles lightly, starting to get annoyed by her sister. She’s holding Y/N’s bag on one hand while the other lays on the younger one’s shoulder. “Nothing bad will happen to her.”

“Good, because if something bad does happen, I will kill you.”

“I know.” Natasha chuckles.

Yelena grumbles at Natasha not taking her threat seriously, so she just turns to Y/N and gives her a tight hug. “I won’t be gone for too long and you can contact me whenever you want to, okay?”

“Okay.” Y/N mumbles to Yelena’s shoulder. She is pressing her head against her, not wanting the involuntary tears to fall. “Be safe.”

“I will.” Yelena kisses her head and backs away from the hug. “Have fun with Natasha!” She starts walking away to her car, waving at the two until the door closes.

Y/N lets out a shaky breath as Natasha starts leading her towards a guest bedroom that’s next to Natasha’s own. “You’ll be sleeping here, is that okay?” Natasha sets Y/N’s bag to the bed.

“Yes, thank you.” Natasha keeps standing around the room quietly while Y/N carefully sits down to the bed. “You don’t have to hover. I know I’m not your sister like Yelena is. Besides, Lena hovers over me more than a family of five combined.” She scoffs with a small smile. She doesn’t hate Yelena’s hovering. It actually makes her feel cared for and safe, but sometimes she takes it too far. Like right now, Y/N would’ve been perfectly capable to go on the mission.

“I’m not doing this just because Yelena asked me to, I genuinely like you and think of you as part of the family.” Natasha sits down next to Y/N. She has a small smile on her face.

“Oh.”

Natasha hums, looking at Y/N’s hands that keep moving. “There won’t be a lot of people around. Wanda is away with Vision, she really wanted to meet you though. And the rest of them are kind of all around.”

“That’s okay. I prefer being around fewer people anyway.”

“So do I.” Natasha stands up, swiping invisible dust off of her hands. “You should rest. You can meet the people who still are here tomorrow. That sound good?”

“Yeah. Thank you, Natasha.”

“Of course.” Natasha gives her a smile before leaving Y/N alone in the room.

Slowly opening her eyes, Y/N looks around the room. The unfamiliarity of it makes her panic momentarily, but she regains her sense of surrounding quickly. The Avengers Compound. She is supposed to be here. She is safe.

Y/N moves the covers aside to stand up. She crosses her arms around her waist, holding herself tightly. She stands in front of the bedroom door, too nervous to actually leave.

At least fifteen minutes pass by. Y/N keeps staring at the door. She isn’t sure which rooms she’s allowed to go, or where the different rooms even are.

Biting her lip, Y/N takes hold of the handle and opens the door. She steps outside. The corridor is almost fully white and full of doors, probably to other bedrooms. She picks a direction and starts walking, her eyes going through everything, especially corners. Old habits die hard.

After a few turns, she starts to hear talking, so she walks towards it. Glancing around a corner, she sees Natasha and an unknown man talking together. With a deep breath, she makes herself known to the pair by walking in.

Natasha turns her way first. “Good morning.”

“Hi.”

The man turns to look at her as well. “Y/N, this is Steve Rogers, the Captain America. Steve, this is Y/N, she was in the Red Room.” She doesn’t mention Yelena or being sisters, Y/N isn’t even sure if Steve knows about it all.

“It’s nice to meet you, Y/N.” Steve walks over to her and puts his hand out.

Y/N stares at him. He’s big and looks strong, but Y/N thinks she could take him down if necessary. “Yeah, you too.” She mumbles, shaking his hand for a very short amount.

“I made breakfast.” Natasha shows a plate of waffles.

“She didn’t actually make them, they’re from the freezer.” Steve fake whispers so Natasha could clearly hear him.

She rolls her eyes, setting two plates down to the table. “Don’t you have a run to go to?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Steve holds up his hands in mock surrender, a smile on his face. “I’m going. Have fun you two.” He walks away.

Natasha gestures towards a chair opposite of her. Y/N walks over to it, sitting down. She stares at the plate full of waffles. There are so much it could feed her and Yelena.

“I wasn’t sure how hungry you are. No need to eat it all.” Natasha smiles quiet sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. “There’s berries and syrup, take whatever you want. Do you want orange juice? Or apple? We also have water, of course.”

Y/N looks at Natasha. She seems nervous, which is different. She didn’t think someone like Natasha Romanoff could get nervous. “Orange.”

“Got it.” Opening the fridge, Natasha pours orange juice to Y/N’s and her own glass, leaving the jug to the table afterwards. She sits down to her own chair. “I hope you like waffles. I didn’t think to ask yesterday what you’d like for breakfast.”

“I like them.”

“Good.”

They start eating in silence. Y/N takes small pieces at a time, keeping her eyes on the food, while Natasha keeps glancing at her direction. She analyses her face every time, looking for any sign of uncomfortableness or dislike, but she doesn’t see any. Although, Natasha isn’t surprised, Widows are good at keeping their emotions in check.

“You and Yelena have been freeing the other Widows?”

“Yes.”

“It’s going well?”

“Mhm.” Y/N nods, chewing on her food.

Natasha taps the fork with her finger. She isn’t sure how to keep the conversation going with the teenager, or how to overall get more than one word answers.

“What will you do after all the Widows have been freed?”

Y/N shrugs, moving pieces of the waffle around with her fork. “I don’t know. I don’t really know what I’m good at besides killing.”

“That’s what I thought too, but I figured it out. So will you.” Natasha offers her a gentle smile.

“Don’t you still do it?”

“Huh?”

“Killing. Don’t you still kill people? You’re just on the other side now.” Y/N stares at Natasha who struggles to provide an answer. “You would’ve been killed if you weren’t recruited to Shield, yes? So I either have to become an Avenger or a mercenary. And I’m not becoming an Avenger, so I’ll be a paid killer until someone kills me.”

“Well- no.” Natasha looks at Y/N, who has very monotone look on her face. She doesn’t understand how Yelena makes it look so easy. She interacts with Y/N with ease and makes her feel better with just few words.

“It’s okay. I’m just trying to be realistic.”

“Right.” Natasha pushes the empty plate to the side. “Listen, I’m not good at this.” She gestures between the two of them. “Teenagers aren’t my forte, and you aren’t even a normal teenager. Yelena somehow makes it look so easy.” She chuckles. “But I really do want to get close to you, okay?”

Y/N nods, she looks down to hide a small smile. “It’s not easy.”

“Hm?”

“With Yelena.” Y/N turns to look at Natasha. “It’s not easy with her. We fight a lot and disagree on many things. We’re somehow exactly the same and complete opposites, so everything is just a…shit show.”

“Language.” Natasha mumbles with a smirk. Y/N scoffs, smiling at herself. “Yelena can be headstrong and idiotic at times, but she is great.”

“She is.” Y/N frowns. “I don’t think I could do anything without her. She’s the reason I’m sane.”

Standing up, Natasha walks over to Y/N’s side and hugs her. “I know she couldn’t be without you either. And you’ll see her soon. Until then,” Natasha pushes her to arms length, holding onto her shoulders, “we’ll have fun, okay?”

“Okay.” Y/N giggles

“I told you I’d take you to the next mission.” Yelena whispers as she, Y/N and Sonya, a third Widow sneak around the huge house. Y/N only shushes her, making Yelena shush her back in annoyance.

They all freeze when the target, Ana, another Widow, steps in front of them. Yelena and her start fighting, while Y/N fishes out a vial of the antidote. “Yelena!” She shouts, throwing the vial towards her.

Yelena grabs it and releases it in front of the woman’s face. “The next bit is going to be really scary, but we are here to help you.”

The woman scrambles up from under Yelena. She stares at the big red spot on her carpet. “Look what you did to my rug. 20 000 dollars down the drain, thanks.” Y/N frowns, she sure didn’t think that’d be the first thing on her mind after being freed from mind control.

“Excuse me?” Yelena looks just as confused.

“I don’t think she was brainwashed.” Sonya chimes in.

“What, you thought I was some rich pervert’s prisoner?” She stares at all three of them.

“Well, yeah, kind of.”

“Wait, this is your house? How can you afford all of this?”

“By doing the thing we’re all best at. Killing for money.”

Y/N sighs at the sentence. No matter how hard she tries to get away from it, everything just keeps reminding her of the purpose she was made to do. Kill people.

The four of them go to sit in the living room and talk in a more civilized manner. Y/N keeps mostly to herself while the three adults talk about the freed Widows.

“Yelena, how is your other sister doing?”

“She’s doing okay.” Yelena smiles lightly.

“Good.”

“Yeah, she’s good.”

“And then, you and Natasha will be reunited and go live your Sex and the City fantasy in New York.” Sonya giggles, missing the solemn look on Y/N’s face. She and Yelena always did want to go to New York, but it doesn’t look like she’s involved in the plan.

Yelena hums. “Excuse me.” She stands up and walks away from the trio.

Y/N sighs, sinking to the chair. She looks around the apartment. It would be very luxurious to live in a place like this, but she doesn’t want to kill people anymore. There has to be something else she’s good at.

Ana turns on the television to pass time. The sound of it is all smushed to Y/N as she thinks about her future. “I’m gonna go see what’s taking Yelena so long.” She mumbles, standing up and walking towards the bathroom Yelena went into. She knocks on the door and waits. Nothing. “Yelena?” Knocking again, louder than before, she starts to feel worry bubble in her stomach. “I’m coming in.”

Y/N opens the door, but the room is empty. With a frown, she starts looking inside the rooms close by. They’re all empty. Starting to get panicky, Y/N goes back to the living room.

“I can’t find Yelena.”

“Y/N.” Sonya has a horrified look on her face as she turns to look at her, but Y/N pays no mind.

“Are there any other rooms she could’ve went into in this giant house of yours?” Ana’s face is glued to the television. “Hello?”

“Y/N.” Sonya grabs her arm.

“What?”

Sonya turns her towards the television. “Listen.”

The News channel is on. It’s showing chaos all over the city. Cars crashing into each other, a helicopter falling down, people disappearing. “It seems like people are randomly turning into dust and disappearing. No one knows why this is happening or where the people are going. We’ll conti-“

The news anchor continues to talk, but Y/N doesn’t hear it anymore. People are disappearing. “No.” She mumbles, shaking her head. “She didn’t turn into dust, she’s here somewhere.”

“Y/N…” Sonya sets her hand on Y/N’s shoulder, but she brushes it away instantly.

“No!” Her breathing picks up as she continues to shake her head. “No. This is some cruel joke. This isn’t real. Yelena!” She shouts, starting to walk towards a hallway, but Sonya stops here.

“She isn’t here.”

“No!” She tries to pull away, but Sonya wraps her arms around Y/N. “Let go of me!” She starts wriggling around, but the older Widow doesn’t let go.

“Let it out. Let it out.”

“Stop it! She can’t be gone.” Y/N sobs, slowly losing her fight. “She can’t be gone.” She drops to her knees, crying, while Sonya continues holding her.

The phones have been ringing for a half an hour already, but Y/N has no energy to pick it up. She just stares at Yelena’s bed. It’s empty. It shouldn’t be empty. Her eyes have already dried, she doesn’t think she could physically cry anymore.

Yelena’s phone rings. She didn’t have it with her on the mission. She doesn’t dare to pick it up. Yelena always said: ”Keep your hands off of it! You have your own phone.”. The phone stops ringing.

After a minute, Y/N’s own phone starts ringing. Finally she answers it. “What?” Her voice cracks from all the crying and screaming she did earlier. She doesn’t even remember how she got to the house, all she knows she was sobbing her heart out.

“Why the hell haven’t you and Yelena been answering your phones?” Natasha’s loud and angry voice comes through the speaker. Y/N knows she’s only worried. “You can’t do that! I was so fucking scared.” She hears Natasha take a deep breath. “Are you two okay? Can I talk to Yelena?”

“Yelena isn’t here.”

There’s a long silence on the other side of the phone. It almost sounds like Natasha hung up, but the occasional shaky breath lets Y/N knows she’s still there. “Where is she?”

“She’s not here.” Y/N repeats.

“You already said that.” Her voice gets louder again. “Where is she?”

“Not here.”

“Y/N!”

Y/N’s hold of the phone tightens momentarily. “I don’t know. I guess she’s with the other half of the world.”

“No… No, no, she can’t.” Natasha mumbles. She sounds worried. There’s a pause. Y/N can hear her pacing. “Where are you?”

“At our house.”

“Okay.” Natasha clears her throat. “Okay, you should come to the compound. Yelena wouldn’t want you to live alone. We’ll fix this, I promise.”

“Okay.”

For a moment, Y/N actually believes her.

The first year of the blip, Y/N stays in the Avengers compound. She finally meets the rest of the team, or the ones that are left. She doesn’t like them. Why do they get to be here but Yelena doesn’t. It’s not fair. Yelena should be here. She’s glad most of them have already left. Y/N doesn’t think she could have spent longer with them. They’re pathetic.

For the first few months she didn’t speak any more than she had to. She stayed in the guest room assigned to her and ignored everyone. When someone talked to her, she’d mostly nod and hum. Although, sometimes she couldn’t even do that. She’d just stare into the abyss.

Then she started to get angry. When Natasha tried to talk to her, Y/N would shut her off completely. Yelling, slamming doors, throwing things, anything to shut her up. It didn’t work, at first, Natasha would keep coming back. She made a promise to Yelena after all, she’d keep Y/N safe. But after a while, she stopped trying as much.

Y/N started to resent everyone and everything. She hated the feeling of uselessness. The survivors. The ones who started to forget and move on. The Avengers. Natasha. Yelena.

There’s a knock on her door. Y/N puts down her phone. She’s been on it a lot these days. She goes to open the door. “What?”

Natasha holds a plate of food on her hand. “You haven’t come out of your room for days. You have to eat something.”

“I’m not hungry.” Y/N starts closing the door, but Natasha stick her foot in between.

“I don’t care. You’ll eat.” Natasha welcomes herself in the room. It’s tidy. It’s always been tidy. Y/N is still accustomed to order and organization. It’s also empty. Y/N never wanted to get anything extra to her room. Because this isn’t her home. Her home is where Yelena is. “It’s just scraps from yesterday. I can’t cook, you know that, and Steve isn’t here today.”

“Right.”

Natasha gives the plate to Y/N, sitting next to her. “How are you?”

“Perfect, obviously.” She holds onto the plate, but doesn’t eat.

“Y/N.” Natasha sighs. She rubs her forehead. “I know this is difficult to you, I understand. But y-“

“No!” Y/N pushes the plate back to Natasha as she stands up. “You don’t know. You don’t understand!” She laughs, her eyes wide. She’s hollow. There’s nothing in her voice or eyes. “You have your second family or whatever you call them. All I had was Yelena. She was my family!”

Natasha sets the plate down to a side table, grabbing Y/N’s hands. “I know. And I promise you that we will get her back.”

“Don’t you dare promise me things you don’t even believe in.” Her words come out like a bite. Sharp. Cold. Rough.

“I do believe we can get everyo-“

Y/N pulls herself away from Natasha. “Oh shut up! We both know you can’t do anything alone. And everyone else has already given up.”

Both of them turn quiet. They stare at each other. Y/N’s chest is rising up and down as she breathes heavily.

“I want to leave.”

“You know where the door is.” Natasha mumbles.

Y/N clenches her jaw. It hurt. She knows she’ll regret leaving, so does Natasha letting her leave, but both of their judgments are clouded by emotions.

Y/N packs the few things she has and strides out the door, bumping into Natasha on the way. Natasha spends the night in Y/N’s room, crying.

The next four years go by rather quickly. Y/N doesn’t let herself have any free time to think or feel. She just works and then works some more. She was grateful to have a lot of work. People became angry and violent during the blip. They wanted other people dead. And Y/N was there to grant their wish. It also paid well.

Still, Y/N never moved out of her and Yelena’s old apartment. She never even changed anything in it. She wanted to keep Yelena’s side clean and pristine for her return. If she ever does return.

She cleans her knives from the blood that’s coating them. She always has preferred them over guns, even though the gun collection she has is big. The only sound in the house is coming from the television. The News channel is on.

Y/N throws a clean knife to her bag and picks up the next one. She stares at it. It’s Yelena’s. It has blood on it. It doesn’t feel right. Taking a wet cloth, she starts scrubbing it furiously, gritting her teeth together while doing it.

“Shit!” She drops the knife. Her palm is bleeding. “Motherfucker.” Mumbling, she goes to pick up the first aid kit.

While she bandages her hand, her attention turns to the television. The news anchor is speaking quite frantically.

Y/N ups the volume. ”We’ve just gotten new information from the fight against Thanos. Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff are confirmed dead.” Her whole body freezes. “But their sacrifice has brought back the half we lost during blip. Thank you for your heroism Ave-*

Y/N screams, throwing a knife straight to the television screen. Her breathing picks up quickly. She has to kneel down so she wouldn’t fall down. One of her hands is on the door while the other is pressing against her chest.

Natasha is dead. They’re back. Natasha is dead. They’re back.

The words circle through her brain. She starts feeling sick. Natasha tried calling her few times. Y/N didn’t answer. Then she texted how they’ll save Yelena. Y/N didn’t answer that one either. She didn’t believe her.

Running to the bathroom, Y/N kneels in front of the toiler just in time before vomiting. She coughs. It feels impossible to breathe. There isn’t enough air. The walls are closing in.

There’s a harsh knock on the door.

Y/N freezes. The knocking doesn’t stop. She flushes the toilet and washes her mouth with water. It’s all going in slow motion for her. The walk to the front door feels so long. A shaky breath leaves her mouth when her hand touches the handle.

She opens the door.

“No.” Her voice is quiet, but she sounds and looks just the same as five years ago. Y/N on the other hand, she almost looks unrecognizable to her. Of course she’d always recognize her little sister no matter what. But she’s so…adult like. “You didn’t disappear.”

Y/N shakes her head. She isn’t sure if her voice even works.

“You were alone, for five years.”

“I was.” She croaks out.

“You are an adult now.”

“I am.”

Yelena pulls her into a bone crushing hug. Y/N can’t do it back, so she just stands there. After a while Yelena pulls back to properly look at her. Her hand traces through every feature. Y/N’s face is rougher now, there’s a ragged scar near her left eye. It hasn’t healed properly. Yelena’s thumb caresses it. All that’s running through her mind is how she wasn’t there to protect her.

“You still owe me that ten dollars.” Y/N whispers.

“What?” Yelena’s gaze turns from the scar to her eyes. She instantly frowns. They look so cold compared to when she was a kid.

“You owe me ten dollars, from the mission. I told you it’d turn to shit.”

“Language.”

“You can’t say that to me anymore.”

“Yes I can.” Yelena laughs. It’s airy and sad. “I’m still your big sister.”

The words make Y/N frown. Yelena doesn’t have a big sister anymore. “Natasha is dead.”

“I know.”

“She saved you.”

“I know.”

“I didn’t believe her.” She whispers. “She promised to bring you back, but I didn’t believe her.”

“It’s okay. She knows you didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

Y/N scoffs, walking further in the house. Yelena follows her after closing the front door. Her brows scrunch when she notices the broken television, knives and bloodied papers near the aid kit. Only now she realizes Y/N’s hand is bandaged.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“This is not nothing.”

“Just leave it, Yelena.” She snaps. Y/N groans, rubbing her head. She doesn’t want to get angry at Yelena, especially not right now. She just got back. “Nothing happened.” She rips the knife out of her television. It definitely won’t work anymore.

Yelena sighs, deciding to change the subject. “What have you done during the five years?”

“I was at the Avengers compound for the first year, then I left.”

“And then?”

“You don’t want to know.” Yelena raises a brow. Y/N groans, rolling her eyes. “I…killed people, for money.”

Yelena purses her lips together. She’s mad, obviously. She didn’t want Y/N to live this kind of life, but at the same time, she would’ve done the same. “Okay. Who do you work for?”

“Different people. Whoever needs me.”

Humming, Yelena looks around the apartment. It looks exactly the same. It’s comforting to see that at least something is the same. “Does your current boss need another employee?”

Y/N slams the car door closed, watching as Fanny runs right past her. She walks behind Yelena. The whole car ride there was quiet, Y/N didn’t know what to say, if she even should say anything. She doubts there’s anything that’d help the grief Yelena is feeling. And she’s mourning too, though at times she wonders if she’s allowed to. Anytime those feelings come, though, Yelena seems to be there to remind it’s okay for her to be sad.

Yelena cleans up the grave, while Y/N kneels in front of it. She isn’t sure if her legs would hold her.

Natasha Romanoff

Daughter Sister Avenger

Yelena presses her head against the side of the grave. Whistling to it and then pausing, hoping that maybe, just maybe, someone would answer.

She stands and helps Y/N up as well. They stare at the gravestone in silence, until the sound of blowing a nose disturbs them. Turning to look at the person, they see Valentina.

“Wow, sorry.” She sniffles. “I’m allergic to the Midwest. What this woman did, honestly, I can’t even imagine.”

“You’re not supposed to be bothering us on out holiday time, Valentina.” Yelena comments, refusing to look at her.

“Oh, bothering you? Oh, no, no. I’m just here paying my respects.”

Yelena hums, not believing a word that comes out of her mouth. “You know, coming here makes you look desperate.” They laugh, but Yelena turns serious very quickly. “We want a raise.”

“Oh, yeah. You and me both. Believe me, you’re gonna earn it.” Valentina takes out a tablet. “I’ve got your next target. Thought I’d hand-deliver it. Maybe you two would like a shot at the man responsible for your sister’s death.” Yelena takes the tablet, showing it to Y/N as well. “Kind of a cutie, don’t you think?”

Y/N stares at the picture. Clint Barton, an Avenger, the one Natasha was stuck in Budapest with. She turns to look at Yelena, who has mostly a emotionless look on her face, but she can see the fury deep within.

Here they go again.

Y/N stares at her phone while Yelena is changing out of the uncomfortable suit. They’re in New York, staying in a fancy apartment Yelena got for them. She has always been the one who thrives in fashion.

’We have a plan, Y/N. We’ll save Yelena and everyone else. You don’t have to be alone anymore. Just like I promised.’

It’s the last text Natasha sent to her. The one she didn’t answer to. Natasha died thinking she’s still mad at her, when truthfully, she never was. Y/N shouldn’t have left. Maybe Natasha would be still alive if she stayed.

“Aren’t you going to change out of that?” Yelena stares at Y/N.

Glancing down at her own suit, Y/N shrugs. She doesn’t have the energy to move. Her side hurts. She’s pretty sure the other woman sliced her with a knife, but Yelena never noticed, so Y/N will keep quiet about. She’d worry too much.

“Are you hurt?”

“No.” She sighs. “Just tired.”

Yelena hums. “I think I lost my mask in there.” Clint pulled it off in the middle of the fight. It never looked practical to Y/N.

“Do you want to go get it?”

“No, I’ll get a new one.” Yelena keeps staring at Y/N, whose eyes are still glued to her phone. She’s reading the text over and over again, as if magically Natasha would text her again and she could apologize. “I think we should visit Kate Bishop later.”

“Okay.”

“You’ve been very distant recently.”

Y/N puts down her phone to look at Yelena. “I don’t know what you mean.” She presses her hand against the wound to slow down the bleeding, hiding the grimaces of pain.

“You don’t talk, you don’t want to do anything but work.” Yelena walks closer. “I’m worried.”

”There’s no need to worry.” Y/N mumbles. She sighs, combing her hand through her hair. Standing up, she starts organizing the things around their apartment. She wanted to keep everything neat and Yelena is more messy than her. It was also way to escape her thoughts.

“You’ve changed.” Yelena states. Her voice is full of worry, but she tries not to show it too much.

“You don’t get it, Yelena.” Y/N’s voice is desperate as she moves her hands around. “Of course I’m different. It’s been five fucking years!”

“Language, please.”

“Stop acting like you’re still my overprotective older sister. I don’t need that anymore.” She starts pacing around her spot, rubbing her forehead. Her head is starting to get cloudy. She can’t get her thoughts straight.

“You don’t just magically stop needing your big sister!” Yelena frowns. “Which is why I’ll al-“

Y/N throws an empty glass to the wall. “Oh shut up!” Yelena doesn’t flinch from the burst of anger.

“Throwing things isn’t going to solve anything.” Yelena takes a few steps forward. She can see the struggle in Y/N’s eyes. “You talk to me when you feel angry. You tell me what’s going on in your mind. You come to me. Because you still need me.” She grabs Y/N’s hands, tightening her hold when she stats pulling away.

Y/N grunts, getting increasingly frustrated by Yelena, who pulls her even closer and closer. “Stop.” She mumbles.

Yelena wraps her arms fully around Y/N, locking her arms under them. Slowly, Y/N starts breaking down. Her tears fill with tears and they fall down her cheeks. Yelena shushes her as she starts sobbing, whispering sweet nothing into her ear. “We’re going to be okay.” She lifts up her hand when she feels something wet. Blood. “Lets get this cleaned up.”

Kate is sitting right in front of them. Yelena is talking with her while eating mac and cheese. Most of the conversation has gone past Y/N, she doesn’t have any energy to listen.

Her head is still a mess, somehow she can’t clear it as well as before. Maybe it has something to do with Yelena being back, or Natasha dying, Y/N doesn’t know.

Kate’s eyes keep glancing at her. She isn’t sure if it’s because of how quiet she is being or how roughly she fought at the rooftop. Her fighting style has changed, though it still involves knives and combat, but she’s more brutal, more calculating. It has helped her a lot at being a mercenary. She learned to detach her feelings from the job, which just made her better.

“No. Our sister saved the world. Natasha Romanoff, she saved the world.” The sentence brings Y/N back down to Earth.

Sister. She isn’t sure if she even knows what the word means anymore.

“You’re really Natasha’s sisters?”

“Yes.”

“No.” Y/N mumbles, speaking for the first time since they arrived to Kate’s old apartment.

Both Kate and Yelena turn to look at her, the latter having a questioning look on her face. “What?”

“She’s not my sister.” Her voice is quiet and her eyes are stuck on the table. “She’s not.” Standing up, Y/N leaves the apartment alone.

Yelena doesn’t come of call after her, she isn’t done with Kate Bishop yet. She also knows she wouldn’t get anything out of Y/N when she’s being so distant.

Y/N walks through the streets of New York until she’s far away from people. After a few seconds of utter silence, she lets out a loud, bloodcurdling scream. She screams until she doesn’t have any air left. Holding onto her stomach, she takes deep breaths.

She couldn’t call Natasha her sister with good conscience anymore. Not after what she did, or didn’t do. It’s her fault she died. Maybe if she stayed at the compound she could’ve taken her place. She didn’t deserve to die. She had people who needed her, like Yelena.

“She’s dead.” She mumbles, closing her eyes. “She’s dead and I killed her.” Blowing air out of her mouth, she relaxes. It helps her, in some sick sense. She’ll spend a lot of time saying things out loud, to remind her what’s real. It clears her head, because sometimes things get mixed up.

After spending three more hours on the one spot, Y/N finally starts walking again. She’s going slowly, staring at her surroundings. She hasn’t really spent any free time exploring the city like Yelena. Not that she had any free time. When Yelena went to see the tourist spots, Y/N did side jobs. She hasn’t told Yelena about it.

The lights are beautiful during the night. She looks up at the buildings. The mist from her breath comes to her field of vision every time she breathes out.

She stops in the middle of an empty street, taking in the cold. She always hated it after the Red Room, but now she misses it. The slight pain from being out in the cold for too long feels like an embrace.

With one last deep breath of the fresh air, she starts walking towards the apartment her and Yelena are staying at. She doesn’t say anything when she comes in, neither does Yelena. She’s grateful for that. At times Y/N hopes Yelena has given up on her like Natasha did. That she’d let her walk out of the door without stopping her, and her every action brings her closer to it.

Yelena and Y/N split right away as they enter the huge Christmas party. They’re looking for Clint, both of them wanting to get the mission over, especially Y/N. It’s too close to Natasha.

Y/N rolls her eyes when the sniper starts shooting. Of course nothing ever goes their way. She follows Yelena to go after Clint, but they lose him momentarily in the midst of chaos and darkness. However, they find a hallway leading to the elevators Clint is in.

As they wait for one, Kate walks up to them. “So, I know you’re chummy with my mom, but I gotta say, I didn’t think you’d make the cut for the Christmas party.”

“Kate Bishop.” Yelena smiles, making Y/N rolls her eyes. She gets too sidetracked in her opinion. “We’re not here to ruin anything. We’re just going to kill Barton, have some appetizers, and then we’ll go.”

“I hope you enjoy the bruschetta, ‘cause it looks like you already lost him.”

“He’s in the elevator.”

“Yeah, what, out of 65 floors, you think you’re just gonna magically guess which one he’s on?”

One of the elevators dings. “Twelfth floor.”

“Damn it.” Kate mumbles.

“Can you two shut up.” Y/N grumbles, staring at the other elevator’s numbers to will them to go faster.

Yelena shakes her head with a sigh before grinning at Kate. “She’s a bit grumpy.” The elevator opens. “Enjoy the party.” The two assassins get in, Yelena stopping Kate from entering. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work as she slips in right before the door closes.

The three of them stand there in silence. At least for a while. Kate decides to disturb it by trying to push all the elevator buttons, multiple times, which Yelena stops every time. Until the third time when Kate slaps her. Y/N actually snorts at it.

As the elevator door opens at the next floor, Y/N and Yelena run out of it, the latter cursing Kate and throwing her jacket at her. Kate runs right after them.

She catches up to them in the middle of some offices. They fight, though not with their full strength. Y/N isn’t opposed to leaving casualties behind, but right now she just wants to get past her.

Kate blocks the doorway forward. “What are we doin’?” She smiles widely. “I mean, it’s Christmas Eve. Let’s grab a drink, huh?”

Yelena nods. “Okay. Yeah. Sure. After we kill Barton.”

“No. No, that’s not what- Come on. You don’t need to-“

Y/N huffs, getting tired to the stalling. “Get out of my way.” She slams herself against Kate, making her fly out of her position. She holds a foot over her chest. “And stay out of it.” Irritated, she jogs away from Kate, who gets up quickly to continue fighting with Yelena.

They finally get to the window, but right when Yelena is about to use her baton, Kate throws an object straight to her hand. “Ow! That really hurts!” Yelena throws her hands around, grimacing in pain.

“Yeah. Yeah, well so did the kick in the ribs.”

“Oh, yeah. That was a good one. That was good form.” Y/N rolls her eyes at the conversation going on. “But you did the really cool body throw.” Yelena motions the throw with her hands.

“Yeah, thank you. Thank you.” Kate purses her lips. “Stop making me like you.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t help it.”

“Oh my god.” Y/N groans, throwing out the wire and jumping out of the window.

Yelena stares at the now empty window. “She’s not one to make friends.” She shrugs at Kate. “That was really fun. Bye.” Jumping out of the window, she takes out her gun and starts shooting at Clint with Y/N. Unfortunately for them, they miss their shots. On the ground, they run to hiding.

They attack Clint again on the ice, Yelena body throwing him to the ground. Clint lays on the ground as Y/N and Yelena stand near him. “Before I kill you, I need to ask you one question.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Yelena and Y/N.”

“I need to know what happened.”

Clint sits up, taking ragged breaths. “Look, Yelena, if I told you what really happened, you’d never believe me. But what you need to know is your sister sacrificed herself, and she saved the world. I’m sorry.” He glances at Y/N, who is intensely staring him down.

Shaking her head, Yelena frowns. “You’re lying. You’re pathetic. You’re so pathetic.” She kicks him down and starts fighting him.

Clint holds Yelena on her place. “Nobody killed her. She made a choice.”

Y/N’s body freezes as she stares at the fighting going on. She knows Clint is lying. She’s the reason Natasha is dead, whether he knows it or not. It’s her fault.

“You’re not listening to me. She sacrificed herself, understand?” Clint holds Yelena on a chokehold, while Yelena looks like she’s about to cry. “I couldn’t stop her.”

Y/N just stares at the fight. Her eyes are glasses over. It’s like she can’t move. Like she’s in the middle of a nightmare that she can’t wake up from. She supposes it is in a way. Just the other way around. Sleep is her escape, but she can’t sleep forever. She has to live day after day in her forever nightmare.

The fight flashes before her eyes. Suddenly Yelena has Clint overpowered. “You should’ve fought harder.” Yelena takes out her baton, nearing Clint as she starts beating him until he can barely hold himself up.

That’s when Yelena drops the baton and takes out her gun, aiming at him. Clint whistles. It makes goosebumps appear on Y/N’s skin, and Yelena stops moving.

“How do you know that?”

“Your secret whistle with Nat. She talked about you all the time, Yelena. She told me about how you got separated as kids. She was flying that plane.” Y/N knows the story. It’s one of the first memories Yelena told her about Natasha. “I asked her if she was scared. All she could think about is that you were safe. That never changed, Yelena. She loved you. And always wanted you safe. Both of you.” He turns to look at Y/N.

“No.” She mumbles.

Natasha told Clint all about Y/N. How the first year of the blip they were together and how regretful Natasha felt after letting her leave. “She was never mad at you.”

“Stop it.”

“She forgave you right away.” Every word he speaks, the more Y/N hurts. “All she wanted was to have you back with her, so she could keep you safe. Like she had promised Yelena.”

Y/N shakes her head. All the thoughts in her head are getting too much.

“She loved you.”

“No!” The change happens in a split second. She takes out two knives, starting to fight Clint who can barely dodge her. Her moves are rough and all over the place. She isn’t calculating all of her moves like usually, now it’s pure emotion and brute force. “She’s dead!” Her yell echoes through the area. Clint is getting littered with cuts while Yelena stands on her place, too stunned to move. “She’s dead! And it’s…it’s-“

Clint gets holds of Y/N’s hands, holding them tightly so she couldn’t move them. She fights against him, but eventually drops down to her knees.

“It’s my fault.” She whispers. ”I killed her.” Dropping the knives from her hands, she stops fighting. Yelena frowns from the sidelines, she didn’t know Y/N thought like that. ”I never answered her. I could’ve stopped her, I could’ve helped.” She mutters.

“You couldn’t have. She made her decision.”

Y/N glares at him, ripping her arms off of Clint’s grip. She stands up and walks away, pulling away from Yelena’s touch as she walks past her.

She continues walking until her legs physically can’t carry her anymore. There’s a small bridge right in front of her, so she goes to sit down on the railing. No one is going through it, giving Y/N a chance to be alone. Her nails are digging deep into her palms and her teeth are clenched together, causing a constant headache.

“It wasn’t your fault.” Yelena’s voice breaks the quiet atmosphere. “Natasha’s death wasn’t your fault.” She says it again to make sure Y/N hears her.

“I didn’t answer her.”

“What do you mean?”

“She tried to call me and sent me a text before she died, saying she’d bring you back. I didn’t answer. I was angry at her.”

Yelena leans against the railing while staring at Y/N. “It’s still not your fault.” She sets her hand on Y/N’s back. “I should’ve been there for you, raising and protecting you. You shouldn’t have been alone.” Yelena huffs, frustrated at the whole situation. “I should’ve protected you.”

“Well you didn’t, did you?” Y/N turns around, dropping down from the railing to stand in front of Yelena. “You weren’t there to keep me safe or comfort me, and that’s shitty, but you can’t do anything to change it. So, just stop it.”

Yelena purses her lips together. She knows Y/N is right. In a way, they can probably never get back to the way they were. Y/N is an adult now. She was all alone for years and that changed her for the rest of her life.

“I don’t need a protector anymore. I don’t need you anymore.”

Swallowing, Yelena frowns. The words hurt to hear. Because she still needs Y/N. “Family never stops needing each other.”

“This family broke a long time ago.” Y/N whispers. “I know it was only few seconds to you, but to me it was five years. And during those years I grew up, it’s time for me to move on. You should do the same.”

“No. I don’t want to.” Yelena shakes her head, stepping closer to Y/N. “I’m not leaving you alone again.”

“You aren’t leaving me, Yelena. I’m walking away.” Y/N clears her throat so her sound wouldn’t waver so much. “Thanks for giving me a family, even if it was only for a short while.” She nods and turns around.

“No, Y/N.” Yelena’s eyes turn glassy as she stares at Y/N’s back. “I forbid you from walking away from me!”

“You can’t do that anymore.” Y/N shouts out with a sad smile, not stopping, not looking back.

Yelena keeps standing on her place, just watching as Y/N moves further and further away. She doesn’t follow her.

She can’t do that anymore.

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abbyromanoff · 10 months

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YELENA BELOVA MASTERLIST:

WHO I WILL WRITE FOR: Florence Pugh, Yelena Belova (MCU), Alice (DWD), Dani (Midsommar), Amy March (Little Women)

Sharing Is Caring (smut)

Daddy’s Only Whore (smut)

Change Of Plans (smut, dark!!)

Too Good (smut, angst, fluff)

Better Than Him (smut, angst, dark!!)

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its-really-dry · 1 year

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y/n: oMg have my seat if you're pregnant!

wanda: *is confused* im not pregnant?

y/n: hah... you wanna be? *smirks*

yelena from across the quinjet: *in a bad english accent* AHH DONT FINK YOO HAVE DUH FACILI'IES FOR DA' BIG MAN

kate: im actually kinda not mad that you're constantly on tiktok now

#marvel #the avengers #marvel incorrect quotes #the avengers x y/n #incorrect quotes #wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x y/n #wanda maximoff x fem!reader #wanda maximoff x female reader #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x you #wanda maximoff x platonic!reader #yelena belova #yelena belova x platonic!reader #kate bishop #kate bishop x platonic!reader

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wanda-little-baby · 1 year

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Winter Magic - Wanda Maximoff x romanoff!Reader

Summary: A simple plan for a special Christmas. When will it all fall apart? Can broken things be fixed? But above all, how much snow is there in Iowa?

Warnings: literally nothing, this is the fluffiest I've written, just a little frustration, otherwise it's all Christmas fluff (Ah wait I forgot, Pietro [yes he's the only warning])

A/N: Did you understand how much I love Christmas? Well here you will get a slight taste of quantity.

Words: 15.027

(This is more or less the Wanda I've imaginated here)

Winter is your favorite season and everyone at the compound knows it. Actually, you love Christmas, and Christmas is in the winter so you love both.

From the first snowfall an incredible joy mounts you and you are already looking forward to December.

Funny Christmas sweaters are a must for you, together with a roundup of typical Christmas films and baking sweets of all kinds.

Your room from early December (even before) is already full of flashing lights and you always make a ponytail with green and red white bows.

The best thing about the holidays is sitting on the sofa in front of the fireplace, wearing a nice sweater, heavy trousers and woolen socks (Christmas obviously) and enjoying a nice hot chocolate with marshmallows.

This year, however, Christmas will be even more special, because strangely it seems that even the bad guys have taken a break and so you are all present.

And while most of you (except you) aren't that into Christmas, you have three reasons to make this Christmas perfect.

First reason: Vision, he doesn't understand the meaning of Christmas and he never even celebrated it because he was literally born seven months ago, your job is to make him understand it.

Second and third reason: Wanda and Pietro, they haven't celebrated Christmas for a long time and you want them to feel as comfortable as possible, and what's better than an American-style Christmas?

Here you are then with a huge box of decorations in your arms and Vision behind you heading towards the tree in the center of the break room (basically your living room).

"I don't understand why so many decorations. Don't you want to blind someone?" the pesky synthezoid blared like a buzz as you carried the box.

"No, I won't blind anyone. They are used to decorate the tree" grimacing, continue your mission undeterred, make him fall in love with Christmas.

"Hey Wands, I brought the lights" you announce your presence in the room, before losing the box and finding yourself with a tree already full of lights and a satisfied Pietro next to you. "Pietro!!!" you both exclaim, she's closer than you so she manages to slap her arm, but your intent was the same.

"What is it? I just sped it up!" offended, he walks away from the tree and lets himself slip down on the sofa, while you roll your eyes at his antics. "This is not the meaning of Christmas, the meaning is to spend time with the family, with the people you love.Try to be kinder and stuff like that" puffing open the other box with decorations to hang.

"Yes, yes yes everyone is better at Christmas! I'll leave the balls to you girls if you care so much. Ungrateful" he snorts in resignation, turning on the television and flipping through the channels.

"Leave him alone. Piet has always been sensitive. There will be more fun for us"jokingly Wanda teases her twin, while hanging some balls on the tree. "Trust me, the fun has just begun," you counter along with the game

Usually when Wanda's around, which is most of the day, you feel all weird. A feeling in the stomach, pleasant in a certain sense, but since the Christmas period has begun it has been increasing.

If you would talk to your mother about it she would tell you that you are in love with Wanda, but you really don't want to because you know she is wrong right?

Right now you're not so sure.

Seeing her smile as she helped you decorate her Christmas tree, all those things you've said to each other since you met her, how close you've been in such a short time.

Oh shit!!! I'm in love with Wanda Maximoff!!!

You freeze for a moment when you realize it, but are forced back to normal when you remember that you are sharing a room with a telepath. You try to stick to plans but the more you spend time with Wanda the more you become convinced of your feelings and it wears you out.

ᗢ⧗── ･｡ﾟ⧗: *.ᗢ.* :⧗. ───⧗ᗢ

Now it's night, it's supposed to be the Christmas movie marathon and you were sitting on the sofa early waiting for others to join you.

When a brunette comes up to you and stands in front of you, she is surprised to see you so depressed and decides to sit on your lap. "What's bothering you oh my dear Y/N?" she looks at you curious, and you can't help but linger on her lips, how much you want to kiss her right now.

For a moment you really want it but then you see her blush and you understand that you were thinking about it really intensely almost as if you were screaming it mentally.

"Do you want to kiss me?" she asks you dumbfounded by your thoughts and then you can't help but try to withdraw and think of excuses for having ruined a friendship.

Just as you are about to push Wanda away and stand up two lips meet yours shyly.

At first you are a little alarmed by the sudden gesture but when you come back to reality you reciprocate gently sinking into the beauty of the girl you are kissing.

You can smell everything from the taste of her lip gloss to the sweet scent of her that she always wears. There is nothing more magical, time seems to stand still as you become the only people alive in this world, or at least the only ones you care about.

The kiss gets deeper and deeper, Wanda puts her hands behind your neck and your lips press closer and closer, then you tilt your head and let yours hang on her neck. You savor it until your lungs run out of air and when you stop you stare blissfully into each other's eyes, and damn if you're not in love with this girl.

"Are you? In love with me…" she asks, worried about a rejection but thrilled when she next gives her a little peck on her lips as confirmation. "I think I've always been" you get up on the courage after you finally admit it and start giving her light kisses in the crook of her neck managing to make her giggle.

"Hey! How long have you been so open with feelings," she manages between laughs before pulling away and expecting an honest answer. "With you, always. And then, didn't you tell me not to let opportunities slip away? Now I'm taking this opportunity with my new girlfriend." you with a toothy smile answered happy, perhaps not measuring well the weight of her words.

"Your girlfriend?" for a moment she sours a little, and then softens again when you start to feel bad and mumble various excuses. "No no no you don't have to apologize, it's just... It's funny, I was waiting for the perfect opportunity to tell you my feelings and then I saw you sitting here looking so depressed and I had to help you..." she tries to make you calm down, even getting a little embarrassed, so much so that she ran her hands over her face.

"...and then you kissed me, and I loved it. Look, I know I was a little rushed to establish you as my girlfriend and we can go slower if you want." you proposed before watching a frightened look hide behind her eyes.

"No, it's fine, of course I want to be your girlfriend it's just that… I wanted to be the first to come out. It's stupid" she says getting up and sitting next to you on the couch ashamed of being annoyed by such a childish thing.

You laugh softly and before she can frown you put your arm around her shoulders and pull her closer to her. "As long as it's about you it will never be stupid" you kisses her forehead and flutters a bit when she wrinkle her nose.

"Now it will be better to prepare for the arrival of the rest of the team, especially my mother, she will surely find out if we have done anything" you lean your head on your hand in frustration at the thought of having to hide anything so sweet between you and Wanda. "Oh but we didn't do anything honey bun, we've been here talking" she supports you with a wink before throwing a blanket towards you and spreading it over.

ᗢ⧗── ･｡ﾟ⧗: *.ᗢ.* :⧗. ───⧗ᗢ

While you two are turning on the first movie of the night, snuggling up close, haven't you noticed a certain redhead better known as your mother staring contentedly from behind the door jamb at the whole scene (yes, even the one of the kiss).

She knew it was going to happen ever since you talked about Wanda in Sokovia, and now she was about to interrupt an important moment in the new relationship, the first evening alone. She knew you wouldn't do anything naughty, especially since you had just had your first kiss, and so she trusted you two and she decided to vacate the room.

To avoid anyone else coming in and bothering you, Natasha told everyone else how things were, and no surprise they would have expected it too since you both kept talking about each other to everyone so they left you the movie night alone, at least all except Pietro.

With Pietro, Natasha had to handle it differently, she couldn't tell exactly what her sister was doing with his friend, so she... basically confined him to his room after sedating him.

That's it now she had secured the night off for her daughter, it was her turn to disappear from circulation now.

ᗢ⧗── ･｡ﾟ⧗: *.ᗢ.* :⧗. ───⧗ᗢ

You were there waiting for two hours and after being wary of showing loving attention in case someone came out of nowhere you slowly gave up realizing that no one would come anymore. "Guess they blew up movie night," you mutter as you look at your cell phone once again with the late hour clearly marked on it. "They don't know that they are lost" she consoles you by giving you a tender kiss on the cheek, and this makes you quite blush.

"They're missing out on the most beautiful girl in the world," you comment, stuffing popcorn into your mouth.

"I hope you're talking about me, because it would be very selfish if you think you are" she jokingly teases you and you decide to play along with her. "Even if I was talking about you, you shouldn't want to because then you'd be the selfish one" you counter expecting the exact answer she gives you, a punch on the shoulder and an offended look.

Don't worry, for me you will always be the most beautiful in the room

From the blush that this time appears on her cheeks and from the short but intense kiss that she steals from you, you understand that the little secret message has been received.

"See? Our first fight as a couple and it lasted a few seconds" you joke deciding to focus all on your girlfriend. "If they all ended up like this I'd always do them" compliments filling you with kisses all over the left side of your face.

"Well, Home Alone won't watch itself, there's always time for kisses" you jokingly urge the now long-abandoned film now playing.

And even if reluctantly you finally watch the film again, with a few kisses scattered here and there.

So after a few more movies you both collapse into dreamland, tangled up in each other as you peacefully rest together. Sure, it's not the first time you've slept together, but it's different this time, you're a couple now.

When she comes by to check if you were okay, Natasha sees you asleep with Wanda leaning on you and you, with a smile even while you sleep, she turn off the television still on and clean up the remains of the goodies that you swallowed like a garbage-eating mountain with your girlfriend.

And for a moment as she looks at you blissfully quiet she knows you're happy because you're definitely dreaming of the sleeping girl leaning on you.

She never expected that you would fall in love with the girl who was initially their enemy. Sure though, since the twins joined the team you've changed, you missed having a friendship with someone your age and since you know the twins you've formed a close bond with them.

How strange can fate be?

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

After a few months of knowing each other you know that you both are heavy sleepers, in fact you are surprised when you wake up first and you can see that it is still early in the morning. You try to stay as still as possible so as not to wake Wanda, who is still sleeping peacefully on your chest, and you honestly find her adorable from this angle.

She has you trapped, with one arm under her and the other resting on her shoulder. So all you have to do is stand there staring at her sleeping form.

With the light coming through her half-open window her skin looks amber and with the sweater you bought her last week it matches yours.

Now you've noticed something that you don't know like her but she had escaped you, when she sleeps sometimes she wrinkles her nose and since she does it when she's thinking you know she's dreaming of something.

Your mind begins to wander as you gently intertwine your free hand with hers, thinking about everything but not checking when the girl would wake up.

"Hey stranger" she mutters smiling, unraveling from your arms and stretching herself well. "Hey stranger to you" you reply in kind, finally sitting up correctly and running a hand through your raven hair.

"Had a nice night?" she asks groggily looking around and noticing the cleanliness around. "Beautiful, but it will be less beautiful if we don't get up and my mother discovers us" defeat you complain already starting to get up, before a hand brings you back down and Wanda gives you a wild look.

"Hmm too bad, because I really wanted to stay cuddled with my girl" she says provocatively, and damn her accent has never been stronger, how can you tell her no. "Just a little bit" you give up, not so unhappy with your sentence, while making out with your girlfriend.

ᗢ⧗── ･｡ﾟ⧗: *.ᗢ.* :⧗. ───⧗ᗢ

After a deep kissing session you both got up elated and went to do your favorite morning activity which is cooking. This time there is a different emotion in the air accompanied by the usual fuss you combine when you work with the stove. "Why haven't we ever done it with magic?" you moan stirring pancake dough and puffing.

Your appearance makes Wanda giggle and you give her an offended, frustrated look. "Don't look at me like that, you said the old fashioned way was better" she grins a little more as she tries to pull herself together and get back to her employ of her, brownies.

"Well I was referring to the clothes, and it was seven months ago, now I'm more impatient" between one puff and another you tried to mix the now unusable dough.

"I want to make my brownies like this, you can also use a shortcut" she challenges you by continuing to mix with a superior attitude and a haughty air.

You give her a dirty look that if she weren't your girlfriend would have had physical results as well. "If you weren't my girlfriend, by now I would have knocked you down for what you said" you says abandoning the useless bowl and taking a new one to start all over again.

She takes the spoonful of chocolate and gives it a teasing lick before looking at you with dark eyes of desire for her. "Try to do that" she teases you she scowls. "Not now Maximoff, now I'll mix and dance" you counter by approaching the phone and playing one of Pietro's favorite songs that Wanda doesn't really like. "Not that!!!" she whimpers softly before getting a convinced yes from you and pouting.

In the end she finished baking "her brownies" first while you continued to sculettare happily mixing the second mixture of pancakes. Luckily this came out well.

"Ah! I told you, alone it's more satisfying" you exult as you put the last pancake on the plate and carry the plate to the center of the table. "At least we can make the toppings quickly," Wanda mutters, placing her brownies on the table too.

After you've nodded your head in a nutshell the pancakes become filled with a light dusting of chocolate and whipped cream, some even with a cherry on top, while the brownies come topped with sprinkles. "Ok perfect" you both happily affirm before giving each other a good peck on the lips and a high-five for a job well done.

You wanted to go and change your now all floured clothes with some clean ones, but then you got a mischievous idea. "JA-FRIDAY! Tell the team that breakfast is ready. And if they're not all here within sixty seconds, play Tony's playlist on full blast" you turn to the "new" AI that Tony has installed, having basically formatted JARVIS and implanted it in Vision's body, watching the realization in Wanda's eyes at your brilliant revenge for hanging around the night movie.

"Right away Miss Y/N" the robotic female voice replied before making the announcement into the rooms of your lazy teammates.

"This is really bad," says Wanda, finishing up eating the rest of the brownie batter with a spoon. "They deserve it. You can't negotiate with Christmas traditions" you grouchy mumble pointing to the rooms earning you a tender chuckle from Wanda.

At the end with a simple gesture of both hands you changed your clothes all floured with something cleaner. She with a green and blue sweater, with snowballs and Santa Claus depicted on it, fleece trousers always with snow and comfortable slippers. Instead, you preferred something more classic, a red and blue sweater with rudolph and blue fleece trousers.

When the eardrum-busting songs begin to play, you hear the sweet sound of vengeance in the form of heart-wrenching wails from your "friends", before seeing a red rage all messy coming towards you very angry.

"Y/N Romanoff!!!" your mother, with her hair all tousled and still in her pajamas, yells at you. "Hey mom" you greet ignoring her scruffy look, defying her aggressive demeanor.

"No 'hey mom'. Is that the way to wake people up? And don't try to say yes!" she starts ranting waving her arms menacingly in front of your impassive face. "It is, since you've all been hanging around movie night!" you answer by animating yourself in the speech, letting out all your displeasure at having been abandoned by everyone (except Wanda) during this tradition, in short, they know that traditions are important to you.

When she realizes why you ruptured her entire team's eardrums her fire temper fades a little as she remembers not thinking about this scenario last night. "That's not the way to take revenge anyway." she finally murmurs crossing her arms without deigning to look at you.

While you and your mom were arguing, Steve, Sam, and the others were also coming out of their rooms still groggy from sleep, from the music and from the screams they heard. The thing you didn't expect in that commotion was seeing Pietro running frantically around the room to then grab Natasha and pin her against the wall.

"Why did you sedate me?" confused and angry, the Sokovian tries to extrapolate an answer, from a former Russian spy, trained to resist the heaviest interrogations, seriously thinks he can get something out of it by asking so brutally.

In fact, the redhead's disadvantage is immediately reversed when she takes her arm, bends it and throws him to the ground with his chest down and his arm extended backwards. "Mom did you sedate him!?" shocked you ask the woman above Pietro, before having an answer you turn to Wanda and look for some explanation but she is just as confused as you.

"I didn't sedate him. I didn't sedate you," the redhead says, first turning to you and then to the boy below her who was trying to pull away from her painful grip. "Well too bad because my neck still hurts after you stuck me with that needle" he moans grinds at the pain in his harm.

"Okay, calm down everyone" entering the room Steve exclaimed.

"Yeah, can you tell what the hell happened?" immediately behind Sam asked appalled. There your mom and Pietro started talking over each other to assert their own versions.

Do you take care of them or should I?

They are all yours honey

"Now stop!" you scream in exasperation, getting all eyes on you. “Is it possible that we can't get along for more than 24 hours straight? We basically live together, and since I've been here there's always someone mad at someone!” you angrily explain all these stupid fights before receiving only more bickering from the two defendants.

"Shhh! I don't care who did what. In short, it's Christmas, we should all be better, be with family, friends, spend good time together not fighting. And then we are superheroes as well as friends and we shouldn't have any problems between us. Whatever the problem may be, please postpone it until the new year" you conclude the speech by silencing all the turmoil and only a few puffs came out before Pietro was freed from his grip and stood up abruptly rubbing his aching arm.

"Ah and Vision, you asked me what is the meaning of Christmas, well surely you won't see much here because it's in the gestures, in the feelings between people and here it seems that we can't stand each other, I'm sorry for you but among the Avengers there isn't magic of Christmas" disappointed you mutter disconsolately walking towards your room despondently.

"Ah, bon appétit. Wanda made her brownies, enjoy them, they are really special" are your last words before disappearing from the sight of your shocked teammates.

As soon as she sees you leave, Wanda runs after you, giving Pietro a disappointed look when she passes him to get to your room.

ᗢ⧗── ･｡ﾟ⧗: *.ᗢ.* :⧗. ───⧗ᗢ

Can I come in?

The lock on your door clicks and opens welcoming Wanda into your familiar room.

She sees you lying face down on the bed mumbling and she sits next to you. "I screwed up Wanda. Christmas is still a few days away and I already screwed it up" you complain angrily at yourself rolling your head from side to side.

"You haven't ruined anything Душо" she tries to console you by massaging your head aching from stress. "I ruined everything. I wanted to give you, Pietro and Vision a perfect Christmas, and we didn't even get there and already my mother was about to take your brother's arm off" you continue your complaints incessantly tired.

"You haven't ruined anything. They probably just had a case of mondays" she assures you even making you smile a little at this thing she happened to say sometimes. "Did you see? It's already better. And then I already have the best present I could have. Ти, моја принцезо" (You, my princess) she manages to make you lift your head and look into her green eyes full of love for you and damn if you not kiss her.

The kiss was short but intense, now you were staring at those magnificent emerald eyes. "One day you will really have to teach me sokovian" you ask her satisfied, getting a boop on the nose.

"One day maybe. Now there's someone who would like to talk to you" she breaks away from the hug, getting up from the bed she opens the door with a wave of her hand revealing Natasha about to knock.

As the redhead entered the room worried, Wanda darted away a little flushed mentally whispering to you.

I'm going to give Piet a lecture on why our friends don't attack each other, especially if they're my girlfriend's mother

ᗢ⧗── ･｡ﾟ⧗: *.ᗢ.* :⧗. ───⧗ᗢ

When you lose control of your emotions you used to go crazy and make a scene at the first victim, Natasha knew this, but she had never been the cause of this and this made her feel guilty.

"Это не твоя вина (it's not your fault)" without feelings and standoffish you tell her not even giving her a look.

"Блинчики были очень хороши (the pancakes were very good)" with what you can assume is a sad smile, she tries to lighten the conversation. "Thanks but they weren't for you" still offended maintain a sulk even though you can literally hear her strong thoughts about how guilty she feels.

"Weren't they for me? Since before you were my daughter you know that I love banana pancakes. And there were four well preserved ones there" she shakes your stubbornness remembering her bizarre passion for banana pancakes.

Apparently she manages to make you crack the enamel of offense with which you wrapped yourself, because you turn away while maintaining a sulk.

You were with your knees up to your chest, all curled up in yourself, but you could only imagine her 'I'm waiting for an explanation' look and you were already getting annoyed.

"I'm angry" you huff. "This is the first Christmas I really want to celebrate after my sister died, and I wanted to do it with you, with all of you." you explains pointing to the redhead and the ghosts of the squad scattered around the compound.

Her expression at first feigned hardness masking a sadness deep it began to crack revealing her true feelings by dissolving her hard posture into a softer one.

"And then, last night, you all abandoned me, left there on the couch by myself. I mean you all know how much I love Christmas in here!" you continue offended, accentuating the last sentence emphatically by moving your arms.

"I know солнышко, I know -" she approaches you trying to stroke your cheek, completely regretting having thought even if in good faith to leave you alone.

It took you two years to open up to her about your family and even if she loves you very much, she doesn't want you to withdraw into yourself, even if it hurts to open up

Instead of leaning into her warm palm like you always do this time you pull back with eyes flaming with anger. "No! You don't know what it's like to want to make everything perfect to make others happy! I wanted to give Vision, Pietro and Wanda a special Christmas like the ones I had as a child, and that included everything."

"Now I've ruined everything, Vision doesn't understand the meaning of Christmas and keeps asking me increasingly strange questions, you and Pietro were hitting each other off." small tears begin to form in your eyes as you let go of the stiffness of anger.

"The only one who came last night was Wanda, you know it was a beautiful evening and I wanted to spend it with all my family" you underline the last word, hurting Natasha even more who then hugs you tightly to her chest as the fountain of tears opens.

"Wanda is my only friend in here, and since we've been in Sokovia I feel my powers increase more and more since I met her" admit basking in your mother's longed-for hug, sad not to be able to tell her of what's unfolding. "Now I walk in the street and I hear all the people who have a thought strong enough to reach me and it hurts because they are not always beautiful"

"I feel all these new things and the one time when everything seems normal, Christmas, I want to spend it with the most important people in my life. And if I have to adjust to fit in then that's fine with me, I don't want to be alone again" through the tears you can still say, struggling a bit towards the end but still suffering a lot.

Your words break her heart, her little girl wracked with fear of being abandoned by her family again. Her heart hurts to know that she is the reason for your pain, she wanted to do you a favor by leaving you alone with Wanda but she didn't calculate your reaction. "It's okay солнышко, you don't have to change, you are perfect like this my daughter. Everything will be fine, Pietro and I will make peace and you will have the Christmas that you love so much. I promise you, mom promises you" she says cradling you gently between your various sobs.

You were feeling all relaxed now, all the tension of having to do everything perfectly was gone as you held your mother tightly, you can swear you'll definitely leave marks where your nails are now scraping but that isn't something either of you'll worry about.

Like a wall that breaks down, you've the clear revelation that your mother hadn't abandoned you last night, she had only seen you kissing Wanda and wanted to give you two more space; that space included seeing no one, that's why no one had come.

Saying that would be a problem, that would imply that you read Natasha's mind, and you promised her you wouldn't do it again. Of course, it's not your fault, since your powers are increasing you necessarily feel the strong thoughts of those around you, whether you want it or not. But that worm of the intrusion remains, it seems like having betrayed her, therefore.. you may regret it but you have to tell her, secrets aren't meant for you.

"Mom, I know you know,” you look into her eyes after you untangle yourself from the loving arm. The slight frown that appears on Natasha's face prompts you to argue better.

"The kiss, I heard you" after a slight moment of realization the expression returns to the loving one you love so much after she saw you scared. "It's okay, you didn't do it on purpose, I understand that" calms your overly touchy nerves, and maybe even lets out a sigh you didn't know you were holding.

Now everything is calmer, your breathing is back to normal, and time no longer seems to have gone crazy. You begin to appreciate the soft light from the window again and allow yourself to return to normal.

"And so... you and Wanda... now -" she breaks the tranquility a little embarrassed by the question. "It's something, it's early but I really like her" you say with a slight smile in the crook of her neck. "I know, I always knew. Some things a mommy knows" he strokes your raven hair, a gesture so normal for you two, but so comforting

≈≈≈≈≈≈ meanwhile ≈≈≈≈≈≈

(Wanda's Pov)

Why does my brother always have to be so stupid? Sometimes he really pisses me off

Why does your brother have to be so stupid, why attack your secret girlfriend's mother, or of course Wanda obviously won't have an answer if she keeps talking to herself, so she'll give that imbecile brother a good lecture. As soon as she arrives, Pietro already senses the trend and tries to run away to avoid an angry sister, but obviously, being the sister she is, she grabs him in full swing on the chest making him stop suddenly.

"I'm dead" after freeing himself from his sister's strangely strong grip, he whispers fearfully. "Oh, you just can't imagine how much," she scowls at him, tilting her head, quickly driving the other currently unwanted guests out of the kitchen.

"Tell me why the hell would you so suddenly attack a member of this team? And the answer must be something without 'she sedated me' otherwise my anger will not go down" she warned with a lot of intimidating ardor, leaving little room for maneuver to her brother, who was then forced to speak differently. "Okay сестра, okay." sighed the silvery blond resigned at the idea of leaving the argument unscathed, throwing his hands up in surrender before receiving a scarlet 'warning' from Wanda's gleaming eyes.

He told her what he was doing last night, how he was coming to the 'living room' to see the movies, how Natasha approached him gently and shortly after she stuck a needle in his neck and collapsed on the floor. When he woke up this morning he just wanted to know why she had done it and he knew that sweet manners wouldn't get anything out.

The whole conversation ran smoothly, Pietro's hasty reaction made 'sense', if one assumed a detail that only two people knew. What Y/N and Wanda were doing that night no longer seemed to be private because somehow Natasha must have seen something.

She sedated him, why?

Wait, last night he was coming then but he met Natasha and if… No it can't be, but… Oh shit, she saw us.

But she didn't stop us, and she didn't tell Pietro, should she support us?

How pragmatic that woman is!

ᗢ⧗── ･｡ﾟ⧗: *.ᗢ.* :⧗. ───⧗ᗢ

During the rant made by her brother, Wanda gets lost in her thoughts now convinced that she has understood things as they are, totally forgetting the poor fellow in front of her who had now concluded his reasoning leaving him there to wait for an intervention.

"Earth call Wanda, please answer" finally he snaps his fingers to get the attention of her sister lost in thoughts of her. "Are you listening to me?" after rebuking his sister hesitates annoyed Pietro.

"Yes, yes, I'm listening. And in any case, our friends don't attack each other. And then she's also Y/N's mother! She may be adoptive but she's still her mother" she defends the (good?) intentions of the pragmatic redhead, reasoning lowers her threatening tones towards Peter more willing now to a bilateral dialogue.

Now that the situation is more stable, the young man allows himself to relax and sits down on a chair near the counter.

"Yes, I know, that's her mother" he says emphasizing the word 'mother' with quotation marks, an exasperated moan comes out of her sister's throat. "She feels like one. And since we love Y/N very much we will get along with the only piece of family she has. After all we know what that means. Got it?" she says concisely, arms folded waiting for answers.

"But she sedated me!!!" he exclaims irritated at not being able to get his point of view understood, he gets up and annoyed goes to get some water to waste time.

"But you love Y/N, and Y/N wants to spend her Christmas with her and with us too. So now you wait for Natasha to leave that room and go apologize" she snaps in conclusion. Pietro tries to retort but is interrupted when Wanda stops him by undeterred pronouncing "You will do it" throwing a red glance to confirm the threat.

I hope Y/N clarified with Natasha. I can't bear to see her in this pain

≈≈≈≈≈≈now≈≈≈≈≈≈

I'm done with Pietro, are you okay?

"better" you mutter still attached to your mother. "Are you talking to her?" she strokes your head, condescending and curious at the same time. "sometimes" smiling you move away and fix your messy hair.

You have many thoughts, but now you finally try to go with the flow, it is right that after so much effort you rely a little on others. Besides, the floor has never seemed like such an interesting thing to look at when you're embarrassed. "She is special, so are you. You have a unique, deep bond from the first moment. be declared to her" she puts a hand on your shoulders before giving you a reassuring shake and getting up to leave.

"Make peace with Pietro, he's a good friend" you tell her before seeing her disappear behind the door.

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Eventually they made up.

You and Wanda continued to keep your relationship a secret from Pietro and everything was going well.

In itself nothing has changed, you were always together even before and therefore to non-telepathic eyes everything seemed normal in the presence of the speedster.

The other day your mom barged into your room, Wanda was there of course, and she told you to get ready because you were spending Christmas in Iowa.

Needless to say, you were both shocked. Everything became clearer when Natasha explained you her perfect plan of hers.

Simple, you'll spend Christmas on Clint's farm. To say you looked baffled was an understatement, more for the fact that Clint had a farm than for the absurd idea.

Like the good spy that she is, she eventually manipulated you and you accepted.

So it would have been you, Wanda, Pietro and your mother on a farm with only one known member for a few days.

How absurd can the situation be?

So much so, because tomorrow you're leaving and now you're in a children's toy store with your girlfriend racking your brain over what to buy for a 7-month-old boy.

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"You say he'll have it dead for the rest of his life if we don't buy him a present for his first Christmas?" you say, running your fingers through the disproportionate amount of baby products.

"Clint or the newborn?" teases Wanda, pausing for a moment on a strange stuffed animal before continuing the tour. "both of them?" you also say asking the air in a joking tone thinking about the funny scene.

"Oh! This looks perfect." you suddenly stop on an epiphany, found, the perfect gift for little Nathaniel. "Okay so, let's go pay and then straight to the ice skating rink"

≈≈≈≈≈≈ after a while ≈≈≈≈≈≈

"Where are you taking me" Wanda giggles, as you hold your hands over her eyes and lead her down the street, up to a big Christmas tree. "Wanda Maximoff, it's my pleasure to introduce you... The biggest Christmas tree you'll ever see!" you exclaim, removing your hands just before the last sentence leaving the view free to a wonderful tree colored by a thousand lights and decorations.

Bliss is stamped on her face, never seen such a beautiful tree, not that Christmas is celebrated in Sokovia when you live in captivity. "Wow!" she exclaims in amazement, a huge smile, you hadn't seen her so surprised and relaxed yet. It's worth it.

"Wow really" you confirm, your hands immediately thrust into your pockets to avoid frostbite, and you sneeze making Wanda giggle at your funny way.

"I could stay here forever. Much better than falling face down on the ice" she tries to dissuade you, terrified of making a fool of yourself in front of so many people.

You look at her with deciphering eyes, and behind her those innocent eyes, thanks to the time spent with her you understand her shy intentions of hers. "Don't try it witchy! I convinced Pietro to give us an outing on our own and I want to enjoy it all, don't stand here and observe this magnificent tree!" you tell her taking away any hope of salvation.

She's all she has left, a move that should work, she's got the biggest puppy eyes she's ever had. They're tender when you look at her, but knowing the sneaky intent underneath her, albeit with a lot of effort you manage to compose a decent denial.

"No Wands, let's go, I promise you'll have fun" you kiss her forehead and make room for her in your arms.

She hesitates a little, disappointed not to have escaped humiliation, but confident of your promise in the end she approaches and you two walk arm in arm towards the ice rink.

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The fun was one of the many moments you had there. At first Wanda was reluctant to go up because she didn't know how to skate, but after you promised never to let her go she limped up to you.

Very few times she fell, after a short time she didn't even realize she was going on her own and when she did she was going to fall if you didn't catch her at the last.

You stayed from there for a while, at least until you were seriously shivering from the cold and ran to the compound with the purchase made

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

It should be normal for an Avenger to wake up before sunrise, right? Apparently when you have to catch a flight to Iowa it is not normal, in fact it is very difficult. Good thing you're a witch with a witch girlfriend so you help each other out with powers.

It is deep night and only 5 of you are awake in the compound. You, Natasha, Wanda and Pietro well wrapped up in various warm clothes, and a bag each. After all, most of you are trained to survive on the bare minimum, so a few items should do the trick.

"Are you sure it's ok for you?" still sleepy, barely standing, ask to Steve who got up to greet you (even to help you, he knows you're a sleeper).

"Go and enjoy your Christmas Y/N! I'll be fine" he reassures you, even if you're still a little sad, it will be all alone at Christmas. "But you'll be all alone" whining takes on a form of sorry for your close friend/mentor (actually most avengers have trained with you, so basically on a basic level they're all mentors).

"I won't be alone, I have the Vision with me. And then I must continue your mission to pass on the Christmas spirit, right?" try to joke about it, maybe even lift your spirits.

You feel a little bad because you're sorry anyway, but you give him a big hug, the ones you give when you want to convey a strong emotion.

"I left your Christmas present in my room. Don't forget, only open it at Christmas" recommend him serious, before breaking away and joining the twins at the compound door.

"Call Tony, tell him I've got something for him too, and wish him well on my behalf. Ah and... Merry Christmas Steve!" you give him a last goodbye before turning around and entering your mother's car with the twins.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

The journey from the compound to the airport is spent almost all half asleep (except Natasha, you really don't understand how she's not tired).

Boarding is almost endless, stretched even further by your urgent need for sleep, supplanted when three disguised customers coalesce into the cafeteria closest to the gate.

In an eight-hour flight, what can you do?

Sleeping is what you mainly do, sometimes between the various movements you make, you check the situation and see that even your mother has dozed off.

When you finally deign to open your eyes, too uncomfortable to try to sleep and too close together to get a decent night's sleep, you look out the window (or at least that's what normal people would see).

I want pancakes.

Ask for them, maybe they'll give them to you.

They don't have them, or they cost too much.

We are arriving soon, there will be a cafe at the airport.

I hate Iowa.

Драга моја, чак ни нисмо стигли у Ајову

Если ты будешь говорить по-русски, я буду говорить по-русски, хорошо?

We should learn both languages in my opinion.

Wanda, when we have time, I'll be happy to tell you the funny story of how I learned Russian. You are not ready

The plane has landed, get ready, I'll wake up Pietro

"Mam!!! Wake up, Iowa is waiting for us" you shake your arm by your side, making the redhead wake up with a start, who changes from a scared expression to a more alert and active one in a flash.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

Two weeks in the middle of nowhere with my secret girlfriend, her twin brother and my mother. What can go wrong honey?

Wanda rolls her eyes at your thought, as she looks at the snowy landscape of the countryside from the back seat of a rental car.

Where would you want to hide an Avenger and his family if not on a remote farm in the middle of Iowa nowhere. These were more of your secondary perplexities, too busy admiring the snowfall that had just begun and controlling your nervous tics.

Why am I under the impression that within the next fourteen days everyone in this vehicle will know about our relationship?

Paranoia Y/N, keep your paranoia at bay.

Hun, my darling, you know you know me as well as Pietro and it's been a long time since we've lasted this long. So in advance I apologize for all the nonsense that will happen in that house.

Yes, I know you, and Pietro does too, for this very reason you know that even if we tell him in the end everything will go well. Then now just breathes, one breath at a time and looks at the snow.

Without raising suspicions, you roll your eyes for the umpteenth time as Wanda gives you peace of mind with a few words and take a quick look at the falling snow.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

"Here we are" turning the key off Natasha warns, in front of a snowy clearing before the house. "Guys, you pack your luggage, I'm going to warn Laura of our arrival" she says before putting on a hat, getting off and entering inside.

As mentioned above, the three of you are already outside fiddling with the bags. "Does anyone know how to deal with children? No because I really have zero experience and there are three of them in there" you mumble draping a bag over your shoulders and adjusting hat, scarf and all.

The twins too respond with a silent no, none and together you prepare for the infant massacre.

"One of them surely knows how to shoot a bow" on the short road towards the house, Pietro blurts out, stopping for a moment.

Perplexed you too and Wanda pause to listen. "In short, they are Hawkeye's children, one of them must have inherited the family gift" he hints thoughtfully, the statement also makes you and Wanda laugh a little, but it might not be unfounded.

"If you put it like this, one day you'll have a little speedster running around you" you tease by glancing at his reaction, empty for a few seconds but then with a glint of trouble that you really hate. "So one day when you and Wanda have kids they'll already know how to float things and torture weak minds?" makes a joke more dedicated to teasing her sister about her 'non-crush', leaving you two poor people red as tomatoes.

To speed up the conversation then you go to the door and start retorting "As if Wanda and I -" you are interrupted when you open the door and see so many new people.

In addition to Natasha, you were welcomed by a woman, the Laura your mother was talking about earlier, and two children of about ten. Oddly enough now those shy ones had become the twins, who huddled behind you. So it was up to you to do it for three.

"Pleasure Laura" the woman introduces herself, holding your hand, which you grasp in complicity. "And you must be Y/N right?" she asks you uncertain about your appearance, and without problems you confirm the appellation.

It's your turn, I'm too embarrassed to get out of here. Please Y/N!

Since that doesn't work, you give a slight Sokovian nudge in the ribs, shifting the lady's attention to the two boys behind you. "And you must be the Maximoff twins, Clint told me a lot about you" you backs off leaving Pietro and Wanda in the front line, brutally pushing them to break the ice.

You never realized how closed they can be until now, and you understand why you know how to be so too and very often.

Now I can help you, it's your turn to breathe wands. New argument in 3...2...1...

"Laura you said? Nice to meet you, these must be your children right?" you divert attention to the two children in front of you who only now you realize are staring at you.

You learn that their names are Lila and Cooper and they could be the perfect way to loosen up your friends.

"Guys, how about you go play over there while your mother and I talk?" she subtly manipulated the children, offering you a good way out to bring the twins and babies to their breaking point. "Yes Auntie Nat!" in chorus they answered walking away towards a small table full of knick-knacks and toys in the next room.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

Normally, or at least when he's with you or with his sister, Pietro you really wouldn't consider him an introvert, now he's the perfect definition and this is serious. The same for Wanda, both of them don't even know what they're doing here, sure maybe Wanda trusts more because you're here but still they don't know what to do.

The interesting point is that Pietro himself suggests the next thing to do.

" Lila, Cooper do you want to see something cool?" you ask enthusiastically, attracting the attention of all four, some more curious than others.

Hun in five seconds can you float that lamp next to the boys?

What would you like to do?

Like I said, something cool

As you 'talk' to Wanda your eyes light up red making the children marvel before she takes a little magic and concentrates it into a small glowing ball in your hands.

"See? This little ball can do many things. Such as..." You interrupt yourself as you make the ball fly after them and put it into the lamp that Wanda made fly, thus creating a little red light. "... A little night light! Do any of you use a night light?" you ask waiting for a little shy yes from Lila.

"Here this is yours now little Lila" you hand her another ball, which 'unfortunately' dissolves as soon as it leaves your body.

Cooper is ecstatic, he has heard from his father about many people with fantastic superpowers but has never seen them live.

"Wow Y/N! So you can do all this cool stuff?" he compliments you, increasing his curiosity more and more when you smirk.

"Ah yes I can do many things. But this young lady here, she is the real marvel" you admit proudly pointing at your girlfriend, she obviously blushes when the amazed looks of the children fall on her.

"Oh Y/N how kind! Let's not forget about Pietro though, after all he could go around the world in a flash if he just commits himself"coquettishly Wanda also brings up her brother, getting in addition to some 'wooow' also a grimaces at the words 'if only he would commit'.

The game is done. You have broken all the protective walls that the twins have put up over the years to protect each other.

From there everything got better, Lila is obsessed with the movement of Wanda's hands when she uses her powers and therefore keeps asking her to lift the same lamp over and over again just to see it all over again.

With Cooper, being a thirteen-year-old, the conversation with the other Sokovian went a little slower but still pleasant.

≈≈≈≈≈≈ later in the meantime ≈≈≈≈≈≈

Natasha and Laura talk quietly, occasionally glancing at the five of you now engaged in other chores (you and Wanda stand next to Lila who is coloring a drawing and Pietro and Cooper are doing boyish things).

"They're dating right?" Laura blurts out suddenly watching an exchange of smiles between you and Wanda. "It's obvious to everyone except her brother," your mother smiles back.

"You know Nat, when you came last time, Clint told me about them… I just didn't expect them like this" she reflects eyeing the five of you playing together now, leaving Natasha convinced of her opinion of her.

"They are boys, they have lost everything, all three of them. And I honestly think they have become addicted to each other" she smiles sadly, it hurts her to think of the enormous pain you felt both times you lost everything .

Everything goes well and you proudly turn around and give your mother two thumbs up with the most innocent and satisfied smile you could ever give. She gives you a sympathetic wink and underneath she's happier for you. "You didn't give birth to her but you're her mother" Laura murmurs condescendingly. "I am" sighs Natasha happily resigned.

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You'd just emptied the few suitcases you'd brought and headed back downstairs when the front door was opened to reveal Clint holding baby Nathaniel and a dark-haired girl with a sack of envelopes.

Not seeing anyone about to help the girl overwhelmed by the envelopes, you do your best to remove some from her.

You introduce yourself, and she tells you her name is Kate, you also notice a number of healing wounds on her nose, under her chin, and right eyebrow.

Stuffed with envelopes, you two go into the other room and sigh softly, because Clint has a series of injuries too, they've been through a lot recently, haven't they?

The little guy moves from his father's arms to a high chair and you slowly strike up a moderate conversation.

"So… You two float things and read minds and you're fast" Kate gestures between you, Wanda and Pietro trying to get the three of you right. "Basically yes" confirms the Sokovian drumming his fingers on his leg, before getting an elbow in the ribs from his sister who exclaims "That's not true! We not do only that!" annoyed by ignorant belittling. "It's like we say 'you're good with the bow'. By the way, tough day huh?" you remark sarcastically supporting Wanda, moving on later to your curiosity about the injuries sustained. "It's a tough week actually. You know, mafias and various stuff" she lightly admits, brushing the hair over his eye.

"However, I don't understand how you got Hawk-dad to take you along," you point out, raising your voice over the word Hawk-dad to get Clint's attention, as well as a slightly hidden smirk from Pietro.

"For the same reason that you now have the black widow for a mother, at least that's what I think" she formulates thoughtfully, strangely making a speech that is very truthful.

"Oh yes, a soft heart under twenty protective layers" this time it is Pietro who remarks on a point that is clear to everyone. Apparently enough to make us all laugh a little bit.

≈≈≈≈≈≈ At the same time in the kitchen corner of the house ≈≈≈≈≈≈

"You made a big mistake to lock those four kids under the same roof" hearing you snicker complains the grouchy archer, pointing mainly to his wife and the redhead in front of him.

"You brought Kate" Natasha says pointing a knife at him menacingly. "And then if they get along it won't be the end of the world" Laura continues, understanding your situation, while she played for a moment with baby Nate. "For now" Clint snorted, surrendering to the futile resistance he attempted against those two.

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All in all, your mother's idea isn't so bad. It was the best two days you've had since many Christmases ago.

Clint's family is amazing, and then there's Kate, you didn't even know she was there but you sure don't mind. Sure, it's not the Christmas you were expecting, in fact it's much better.

The only downside is that the landlady won't let you touch a stove, which is why now you're bored sprawled out on the sofa watching Lila draw an unlikely cow.

"What are you doing Y/N?" softly approaching Kate asks, completely oblivious to your boredom.

"Absolutely nothing Kate, nothing at all," you huff loudly, only to lift your sweater a little. She also sits next to you, and together you both sigh bored. "Your friends are great" at one point the dark haired girl spoke up.

"They are. But you aren't bad either" you compliment the girl, waiting for an answer, or perhaps the end of this absolute boredom.

"Clint told me about what they went through and I was shocked. But he didn't say anything about you, any skeletons in the closet?" she tells you curious, she is also cautious in touching unlikely sore buttons.

History repeats itself and you don't want to cry or tell again so you look for a shortcut.

"I'll show you, can I?" you offer gently, extending a hand near her temple waiting for a yes from her. When it arrives, you wave your hand and through red threads project all your 'skeletons in the closet' into her mind.

It lasts a few seconds, just long enough for a single tear to roll down Kate's cheek, so you're surprised when she suddenly hugs you, but you understand and reciprocate the sudden gesture of affection.

"It's not your fault" she whispers, as if she were the first to tell you, but a little comforting all the same to know that everyone believes in you. "I have yet to accept it" you try to move forward, maybe over time.

"Instead, what about you Kate Bishop?" you change the subject, going towards lighter tones, perhaps. "Ah the usual stuff. My mother collaborated with the mafia and a few days before Christmas I had to have her arrested" she tells you after freeing herself, with such fluency, this girl is not easily put down, Wow.

"Standing lazy," Clint exclaims, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, with Wanda and Pietro in tow looking rather beaten.

"Whhhyyyy," you and Kate both complain in unison, not at all happy about having to do it. "Why yes. Now put something on and go out through that door" not at all flexible and very authoritarian command the older archer.

Complaining and reluctantly you got up with many protests, shoved something and violently thrown out of the house.

"Good! Out in the snow with nothing to do," you moan mournfully, kicking the stupid solidified water. "Hey, how about we have a competition to see who can finish building a snowman first?" the young archer proposes with an idea in mind, an idea that apparently everyone likes.

"Only one rule, no powers" she adds, leaving the rest of us baffled by this duplicity. "Oh yes? Then there will be two teams. Me and Wanda against Lady Hawk and Speedy" you counter, playing a clever and unpredictable move, like their reaction to the nicknames you gave them.

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You may be superheroes but surely the art of snowmen is not within your capabilities.

In fact, both teams are poorly behind expectations, and if what you're building could be considered a snowman it would surely be among the ugliest ever made in the world.

But after all, there is a positive side to everything, right?

In this matter surely it's hearing Pietro and Kate bickering over every single thing, everything from the size of the snowballs to how big to make it. So while you two also proceed in your failure at least giggle at the other team's constant squabbling.

"No... not like that!" annoyed Kate complains about the order of the balls. "First this then that!" the young Sokovian then argues, going in the opposite direction of the girl. "Still? I said it must big like this... " she negatively amazed she argues over the stupid size of the stupid ice water.

"Look Kate, I didn't think you could be so annoying" exclaims poor Pietro in exasperation, he just can't get along with that girl. "Speak for yourself Maximoff!" precisely not even with the opinions on who is worse.

Before the quarrel continues, you make a small snowball, with magic, and throw it behind Pietro's back. "Oh big mistake" are the first words he says when he realizes that you were the instigator of the ball, obviously cracking his neck.

And so it was that a real snowball fight begins. Oddly enough now the lady-speed team works perfectly as they both start to almost send balls flying towards us.

On the other hand, now that perhaps the 'no powers' rule should have been abolished, you and Wanda are free to use your magical skills to mess up the direction of the snowballs.

It feels like a real battle, just with no real deaths, so it's better. Dozens of balls piloted by magic crash on the 'enemy front', compared to the few thrown by the two boys, at least until Pietro gets nervous and he too starts using his super speed to compare the quantity arriving.

In short, Clint's yard in a short time is almost snowless on entire sides. And more than a war, all four of you are having so much fun, one of those competitions that doesn't hurt.

In the end, after a good ten intense minutes you are all quite tired and therefore you declare a truce.

Pietro withdraws into the house, covered in snow like everyone else, he will surely want to make fun of Clint, after all it should be his favorite activity, while Kate probably stays out to rebuild a minimum of order.

Wanda takes you aside for a moment and like teenagers you slip away behind the barn to hide. "Hey" you smile at her, still enjoying the light snow on her nose. "Hey" she says, wrapping you in her arms, a warm hug in the winter cold.

"Good job first, with the snowballs" you speak more to breath than to converse, you could stand there silent doing nothing and just look her in the eyes. "Just kiss me stupid" she jokes she grabs you by the collar of your jacket and leans in to crash her soft lips on yours.

You let yourself be cradled by her, indulging her in her sweet amorous waltz, swaying just enough to savor the taste of her lapstick.

All very profound and sensational, so much so that all the alarm systems broke down and you didn't notice a female presence watching you. "Oh my God!" surprised, frightened, in short, very shocked Kate exclaims, immediately attracting your attention.

"Please don't erase all my memories!" she begs her, scared of a very hypothetical thing and very little from you.

At this point you and Wanda are very embarrassed to have been caught in the act, fortunately not by Pietro, but the embarrassment remains.

"Kate, I don't think we can do this, can we?" you try to reassure the frightened archer, also turning to Wanda for further confirmation, which unfortunately doesn't arrive because apparently this is an unknown factor of our powers.

"Anyway we don't want to do it, just don't tell Pietro" you fix the irreparable hoping for a reassurance, and immediately her typical self-confident attitude re-emerges stronger than before.

"I'll pretend I didn't see anything when I'm with that guy, I promise. Goodbye witches in love" she concludes before turning on his heel and retracing his steps, even further as the front door can be heard opening and closing so come back to being just you two.

You take a minute of silence to put the situation together and then you finally accept what's to come. "We have to tell him," you say to each other at the same time, with the same look and awareness of the next conversation with Pietro.

"Let's go back inside and think about it" you offer her your hand and together you walk side by side towards the door.

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You want to say it, she wants it too, so why is it so complicated? Maybe because not all donuts come out with a hole in the middle, or maybe because when you stall with the universe then it decides to give you a nasty shove for where he wants.

Once we got back into the house, time went by so much faster, not least because how could it not when you're being tossed between curious children and every other human being in this house.

That's why it's already evening and you're all eating a hearty meal.

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As with all group lunches, or family meals so to speak, there were small conversation groups. "Really exquisite missis B" biting into a forkful, the boy with the silver hair compliments the landlady. "Delicious" you continue the trail, enjoying this surprisingly good thing.

"Thank you both. And Y/N, I hear you're doing modestly in the kitchen too!" Laura thanks you, opening a topic that can bring you pride. "Y/N here at the tower was our primary source of food, without her we'd have some very empty fridges now" Clint says, and you blush a little at the compliment, so you try to balance it a bit.

"You would always have Wanda, she certainly does better than me in the kitchen. Unlike a certain redhead... Able to burn even water" you adjust the situation a little, making everyone laugh (except Natasha, of course) at the allusion, and just to not miss it you already feel the daggers your mother is throwing at you with her eyes for criticizing her null cooking skills.

The dinner continues and you are now conversing with Wanda in front of you and Kate next to you.

Apparently the push the universe wants to give you is ten years old and she's sitting next to her mother right now. "Mom, why do people kiss on the lips?" the little girl shyly asks her mother, obviously leaving Laura stunned by her question which at this point she will have to improvise. "My love, people kiss when they love each other, like me and dad" as a good mother simplifies things, too difficult for a ten-year-old to understand, but enough for her to have a revelation.

"Ohhh" amazed she understands, ready to shock you for the next few minutes. "So Y/N it's Wanda they love each other! They kissed" she exclaims loudly.

The room is silent, and all eyes turn towards the little girl, the only ones who are frightened are yours, Wanda's and Kate's.

"Ehm... Lila what are you saying?" nearly drowning Kate asks, hoping she's wrong. "You told me Kate! Y/N and Wanda kissed!" in more innocent tones, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, the little girl repeats again.

Now eyes quickly turn to the young archer, now very shocked, ready to apologize.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't know who to tell and then she asked me and I..." she looks like she is about to hyperventilate so much that she gasps, unable to form words that make sense, and extremely mortified.

"Someone explain to me what's going on here?" the only person at the least opportune moment enters the conversation, Pietro, curious above all to discover the somersaults that you and his sister have made.

"We have to talk" serious Wanda communicates to both of them, before getting up and going aside.

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"How long has it been..." he gestures between you two, curiously wondering how long this thing has lasted. "Days... A few weeks actually" you clarify hoping not to have a negative reaction, it shouldn't but it's always better to prevent.

"We wanted to tell you, but we were waiting to figure out where we'd end up" Wanda hesitates a little, she doesn't know how much she should say, if it would be the right time (it's not) to say those three famous words.

No one speaks, not even the slightest buzzing of some kind of insect, absolutely dead silence.

Then, Pietro bursts into a muffled laugh, muttering incomprehensible words, until he takes a breath and calms down (the shitty smile remains though). "What do you find amusing about it?" you two exclaim annoyed by his usual ways.

This only adds to the shit-eating smile already on his face. "I find it funny that, you've been acting like a couple ever since you met!" he exclaims amused, not as much as you two, since you are shaking with anxiety.

"Obviously you were too oblivious or stupid to notice each other's feelings, and especially you little sister, you said 'she's just a friend' and you know how many times I believed it… Zero." he explains, even slightly insulting you but however the sense of understands.

"The reason you kept it from me for so long is because there was nothing to hide, you've been doing it before!" he concludes by throwing his arms in the air for emphasis, already leaving you two less anxious but much more amazed.

"Wait, I'll ignore the fact that you just called me dumb, but are you okay with me dating your sister?" ask for further confirmation, with him you never know, he is very unpredictable and unpredictability is not part of his powers.

"You're already dating her and I couldn't wait for it to happen Y/N. I mean, look at each other, you're completely fucking in love each other. I'm surprised you haven't said 'I love you' yet." he thus exits the conversation leaving you both enthusiastic, free to live the relationship without having to hide it from your best friend / twin brother.

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The rest of the dinner was awkward, sure you'd forgive Kate by the end of the day, but there was nonetheless awkwardness between everyone regardless (at least for a while) of pleasant small talk.

The advantage of staying in the countryside is that in winter you can light the fireplace and cozy up next to it with a nice cup of hot chocolate and a soft blanket.

And since the beds aren't enough in practice, the sofa should be your temporary bed.

From this point of view, the whole house is really nice, a beautiful tree all decorated in a corner, many decorations scattered throughout the house, and obviously the fireplace makes everything more beautiful (and Christmassy).

When you 'forgave' Kate it was as if a boulder had been removed from her shoulders, making her go back to her usual behavior, so much so that after fifteen minutes you were already laughing and making fun of each other.

It wasn't quite the Christmas Eve you were expecting, but it was certainly better than what would come out of it.

In practice Wanda only came once and if you hadn't literally pushed her away you would have fallen asleep together, too sad to leave you alone on the sofa, but determined enough to go and threaten Pietro to have him moved the next day.

You greeted her with a kiss, and the promise of a special gift the next day.

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It's Christmas morning and you've been up since six. You couldn't sleep and since you wouldn't have any more decent sleep, you got up and got busy.

You packed the presents you'd 'forgotten' to unpack for the kids under the tree and then got down to cooking.

One by one all the dishes float into the room, accompanied by ladles, pots and pans; also you try to adjust the speed at which they move just so as not to wake anyone up.

All the recipes for desserts, foods and various delicacies that you can eat for breakfast (at Christmas) you bake, knead and cook them.

While you manage all the courses a little, your magic does the tricky, so that you can multiply your productivity tenfold.

In the end, after an hour and a half of whisking, mixing, baking, cooking, turning on, turning off, fixing, decorating, tasting here and tasting there, you have a table (and a few other shelves) laden with delicacies of every type, genre and shape; just in time to hear baby footsteps walking through the house.

And since when the children wake up the rest of the house also wakes up in four and four eight the whole house is reluctantly awake. The first to pass in front of you are the children who dart towards the tree, without even turning their gaze to the shining table, followed by all the others.

"What is this smell?" Clint, at the head of the line, still too far away wonders.

The answer doesn't come, even if everyone else has become aware of a sweetish fragrance in the air, until the kitchen (and table) becomes visible.

You welcome them enthusiastically, with your arms behind your back with a special surprise for someone special, and to say they are surprised is an understatement.

"Wow Y/N that's... that's wonderful!" your mother is the first to speak, accustomed to your culinary whims, but never so large; you really outdid yourself this time. "You didn't have to" Laura surprised, even a lot, takes charge of any sense of thanks (on your part) next to her husband.

"What time did you wake up to do all this?!" Clint chimes in, pointing to all the stuff you've been packing, curious about your crazy schedules. "You.are.amazing!" Kate exclaims in disbelief, in fact it's the first time for her that she's seen you at work, her astonishment together with her wonder are clear on her face, dismayed by the long black hair that hangs from her cheeks.

"I know, I know. I couldn't sleep early this morning so I got to work... with a little help" you briefly summarize your answers, shifting the weight of your surprise onto one hand to free the other and show a little magic in your hands.

"Well the kids have already cleared out while you're standing there. Go go! The food will hold for another ten minutes" you urge, wanting to take time for that thing, and thank goodness it works because everyone starts walking towards the kids.

Wanda stands there, her astonishment imprinted on her features, the cold morning light illuminating her face shadowed by her hands placed there in disbelief.

When she approaches you, with your hands still behind your back, she probably doesn't know what you're hiding, because when you bring out the cake, the same cake that she once told you that her mother used to make her at Christmas.

Nothing complicated, a simple recipe, not even the yeast is there, but for her it is worth more than any other dessert in the world.

Her eyes fill with wonder when she looks into your hands and she has to resist not kissing you instantly in order not to drop the cake.

So she with a wave of her hands she pushes the cake away and bridges the gap between you. She links her arms around your neck, you place yours on her hips and together you quietly indulge in a romantic kiss.

All the electricity that generates the moment is intoxicating, she makes you feel alive and you never want to stop, but then you remember that you have to breathe and that you have to give her yet another surprise. In the kiss you smile slightly and unfortunately interrupt the beautiful moment.

"And you haven't seen your Christmas present yet" you make her curious, going from a sulky Wanda to a curious Wanda. "Oh?" she tilts her head smiling mockingly, completely interested in the surprise of her beloved.

You take her hand and after taking the car keys you go out into the cold. "If your gift is a nice flu then I don't want it" she protests when you take too long to open the faulty hood, she rubs her hands over each other to create a minimum of heat.

"Don't worry... it's just this stupid thing that - that's it!" after several tries you manage to get hold of the wooden object, before making sure to get her eyes covered for added surprise.

When you wave her all clear, she opens her eyes and in front of her you are holding a guitar, brand new "Merry Christmas, Wands!" with so much joy you say to her with arms wide open, she takes the guitar and jumps into your arms.

"Thanks thanks thanks" she fills you with kisses all over your neck going up and up.

You smell the cinnamon scent that was in the house now impregnated in her brown hair as you think over your idea.

"You were so sad when the other one broke so I bought you another one" you explain lovingly as endless kisses cover your face.

"I have a thing for you too" when she stops showering you with kisses she whispers.

"Oh yes?" interested you ask, waiting for a nod from her.

She backs away a little and with a wave of her hand a frame with a photo inside of her appears in her palm.

"What is that?" curiously you ask her questions, she trembles with anticipation, she is dying her lower lip and there really isn't the most of her.

"A memory," she confesses to you before turning the frame, and you can only be amazed, it's a picture of you and your sister when you were five.

Do you still remember that day like it was yesterday, but it's been a long time, you were out and about all day with Nora, she had done a treasure hunt and you just couldn't find anything and you were feeling so frustrated, so you went to get ice cream and then after that you built a pillow fort where you ended up taking a nap.

"How did you... How did you do it?" incredulous, you ask, it shouldn't be possible right?

"I had Vis look up information about your family and we found this…" she points to the photo, and damn you have that toaster to thank when you get back to the compound.

Now the light tears are more frequent and the bitter cold furrows the channels previously furrowed by tears pinching the cheeks a little, but despite everything she sighs and pulls up a partial smile.

"I wanted to give you a nice gift, but with this you have won a clean slate" you joke, as always using humor to defuse tension, a bad / good habit of yours that has been with you for a long time.

"I love my present, because you made it. But I'll love it more if we go inside in the warmth," she reassures you, shivering from the cold and wishing she could conjure a blanket over her.

"Let's go, Ice Queen, let's see if Pietro and Kate are arguing again" you offer her her arm and together you go inside again.

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Definitely the best Christmas you've ever had. The rest of the day was amazing, and the best part was being able to do it with the people who love you.

You spent a few more days at Clint's farm, and when you finally went away, Lila was very sad because she really loved you (also Wanda and Pietro, but you more) and you promised her you'd come back.

You also offered Kate a ride and a formal invitation to come to the compound but she has declined for the time being and said she will let you know her decision when she is ready.

Back at the compound, you hugged Steve (you really missed his 40's tales) and told him everything. Even Vision seemed different, somehow Steve made him understand what Christmas is and he no longer finds it just a commercial gimmick, you missed him too, and you even surprise him with a hug leaving him stunned.

Eventually the gamble you made with Tony kind of paid off and you're going to make sure you get paid someday.

You mention Kate to Steve and pitch her as a recruit for the avengers since Clint is supposed to be retiring and he seems quite okay with wanting to take her on whenever she wants.

A few days later Sam also returns, having gone home to his sister for the holidays and so the circle closes.

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In the life of a superhero there are difficult moments, many times they are more than the easy ones, but in those little fragments of normal life that you can carve out for yourself, you realize that you are not alone.

Sure everyone has their own conflicting ideas, but that's how it works and you can't change it.

Surely this Christmas will be one of the most magical ones you will carry in your heart.

175 notes · View notes

heliads · 4 months

Note

I don’t know if you write for Kate Bishop from the MCU. If you do, would I be able to request an imagine where the reader is one of Clint’s kids; and Kate becomes an older sister figure to them and helps them become a superhero, please?

'hero in training' - platonic kate bishop x reader

masterlist

It’s surprisingly difficult for your parents to take you seriously.

You’d think that having not one but two agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as your mom and dad would lead to an interesting childhood. By all accounts, it did, what with your dad having to head out to battle Thanos or pick a side when the Avengers split up. That being said, you were really hoping to become a hero in your own right, but apparently that’s where Hawkeye and Agent 19 draw the line.

They’re just trying to keep you safe by keeping you out of their line of work. Supposedly. That’s how the excuse goes, at least, and goodness knows you’ve heard it often enough for the words to become familiar. People get hurt when you tangle in the Avengers business. Since you’re still a kid, they don’t want you to have any part of it. Sure, your parents made sure you’ve been taking self defense courses since you were old enough for the tutelage to have any impact, and your father trained you in the bow and arrow before that, but it’s not the same.

Secretly, you’ve always wanted more. Ever since you figured out that your dad was an Avenger, you couldn’t wait until you could join those ranks of heroes. Earth always needs a protector, and this need is only strengthened ever since your world broadened to include the rest of the galaxy. There’s a place for you as a hero, you’re certain of that. The only problem rests with convincing your parents that it’s time for you to help take up the mantle of saving the world.

They’re not too pleased with the idea, to say the least. Your mom insists that saving the world is going to have to happen after you graduate college, and your dad is leaning more towards pushing that date to never ever. No matter what you say about it being your responsibility to help protect the universe when it needs a helping hand, they’re not likely to guide you along that road.

You were assuming that you’d never get a chance to prove your worth. Your dad seemed more than ready to hang up his hat as a former Avenger, especially since you were all dusted and came back to find him without one of his oldest friends. You miss Natasha just as much as he does, but losing the Black Widow solidified the idea in your dad’s mind that he couldn’t afford to lose anyone else he cared about. As one of his precious children, you were certainly one of the ones to be protected.

After Thanos was defeated, you had assumed that was it, so much for your hero aspirations until you were old enough for your parents to get off of your back. However, only a short time had passed before Hawkeye was back in the news, and, most excitingly of all, back in the business. He claimed it was only going to be a one-off affair, something small that he would handle and return with plenty of time for Christmas.

As the days passed, though, and your dad stayed away to handle the ever-growing issues, you started to wonder if maybe your hopes might have a chance at coming back from the dead. Once your dad came back with his new sidekick in tow, you knew you were good as gold. One way or another, you were going to become a hero. Even if you had to draft Kate Bishop to make that happen.

You had a game plan. All the best heroes do. When she first walked through your door, Kate looked terrified, so nervous about accidentally being an unwanted guest that she failed to pick up on the scheming spark in your eyes upon seeing her. Immediately, you befriended the girl. That part was easy, and would have happened even if you weren’t planning on asking her for tips on how to crack into the hero business. Kate’s a nice girl, and a great friend. Honestly, even if you won’t be able to hack it in the world of the Avengers, you’d still be glad to have met her at all.

By the end of that weekend, you and Kate find yourselves staying up late after everyone else went to bed, aimlessly talking about whatever comes across your mind. She’s really funny, and many times you find yourself wiping tears from your eyes from laughing too hard.

On one of these occasions, Kate glances across the sofa at you. You watch as her broad grin turns into a softer smile. “Thanks for having me over, Y/N. I mean it. I’m really glad Clint let me come over.”

“Of course,” you assure her. “We’re friends now, aren’t we?”

She nods. “Absolutely. If there’s ever anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask. Please.”

This is exactly what you were hoping to hear. “Well,” you say slowly. “You said anything, right?”

Kate frowns. “Hopefully still something legal, but we can get around that. What did you have in mind?”

You can’t hide your devious grin any longer. “I want you to train me to be a hero.”

Kate blinks at you. “What?”

You wave your hand vaguely at her. “I’ve been begging my dad to train me for years and he never gave in, but somehow you broke through his shell and got him back into the ring. I want to know how you did it. I know martial arts, so I can fight, but I don’t know how to start helping people who need it. You do. Teach me your secrets.”

Kate shakes her head disbelievingly. “Oh, I don’t know about that. I have a feeling I’d make a terrible teacher.”

“I have a feeling that says otherwise,” you insist. “Come on, Kate. At the least, it won’t be boring.”

Kate glances self-consciously at the stairs, but upon certifying that no one else is listening into the conversation, she nods at last. “Alright. Just don’t tell your dad, I finally got Clint to stop getting annoyed with me. I don’t need him to freak out because I took you on a few patrols.”

You pump your first in celebration. “Oh, I’m not saying a word. Trust me on that. This is going to be so good!”

Kate can’t help but laugh. “I think that’s right.”

Hero lessons start the next morning, bright and early. Kate claims that heroes have to be ready to defend the world at all hours of the day, but you catch her yawning into her hand when she thinks you’re not looking anyway. The two of you go on runs, practice sparring, and trade shots at the archery targets in your backyard. Although she initially tries to hide it, you know Kate is impressed with your marksmanship. That’s just the perks of growing up with an Avenger, you suppose, but it is quite satisfying to watch each of your arrows hit the bullseye whenever you fire.

Not all of your training is physical, though. Kate also teaches you important things like strategy– how to tell when you’re walking into a trap, how to get information without exposing yourself as being on a case, how to trust a stranger without letting down your guard. You half feel as if you ought to be taking notes, but Kate’s so passionate about what she says that it’s easy to follow along and remember afterwards.

Kate’s visit to the Barton family farm ends eventually, as all well-intentioned visits must. You still insist that she’s got several more months to go before she even begins to get on your nerves, but the older girl just laughs and says that it’s for the best that she heads back to the city, anyway. Something about needing to clean up loose ends. Kate assures you that you’re free to visit at any time, but you know you’ll still think fondly on these days in not-so-bleak December, back when the two of you were running circles around everyone else and planning out what it means to be a hero.

The two of you exchange phone numbers before you go, and it’s a rare night indeed that you haven’t heard from her, either a text message here and there or a lengthy call recounting all that you’ve experienced since you last parted. You’ve already made your dad promise to take you with him the next time he goes to Manhattan so you can visit Kate, and the two of you have a long list of things you need to do while you’re there. Fence, for one thing. Practice archery, for another. Maybe even save some lives while you’re at it.

Even if you and Kate may not be having face to face clandestine meetings anymore, though, that doesn’t mean you’re likely to give up on your dreams of becoming an Avenger someday. You practice according to her tips, consistently checking in to make sure you’re improving as you should. One day, you’ll get your chance. You can feel it.

Maybe six months after you first meet Kate Bishop, your patience comes to fruition. On a day trip with your school to a nearby city, you’re traveling from museum to museum with your class when you spot someone getting mugged down a nearby alleyway. Your first instinct, of course, is to help, so you murmur a quick excuse to your classmates before ducking down the alley.

The thieves aren’t expecting someone like you to jump in, and they certainly aren’t expecting you to kick their asses. The victim thanks you profusely, which makes you feel great. Maybe being a hero is well within your reach after all.

What you didn’t like so much, however, was having to sit around the police station later as a key eyewitness to the crime. You forgot one key step, which was to clear out pretty soon after saving the day. Your dad has to come pick you up, and although you’re not in trouble, you still feel guilty for making him go out of his way to get you.

Clint sits down across from you in the police station waiting room. He eyes your bruised knuckles with a raised eyebrow, then sighs. “Kate Bishop got to you, then?”

Your jaw drops in surprise. “What? I mean, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Your dad snorts. “This whole scene has her name written all over it. Kate’s got a good heart, but her planning needs some work. I’m assuming you made her help you out after I told you that Avenging couldn’t be in your future?”

You wince. “Promise you won’t get mad?”

You’re expecting a lot of reactions from your dad upon hearing that you’ve been sneaking around behind his back to pursue the one career ambition he’s strictly declared off-limits. Breaking out into quiet laughter, however, isn’t that. “Mad? Why on earth would I be mad? You saved someone out there, someone who needed it. You kept yourself safe and kicked some bad guy ass while you were at it. I’m not mad, Y/N. I’m proud of you.”

A slow, careful smile spreads onto your face. “Really?”

“Really,” he affirms. “Just– next time tell Kate that the two of you don’t have to hide it from me, alright? I think both of you could use extra lessons in how to pick your battles.”

You can’t help but laugh at that. “Alright, alright. Does this mean she’s visiting again?”

“Maybe that you’re visiting her,” he suggests. “I’ve got a meeting coming up in the city and I was thinking about taking you with me. Only if you want to, of course.”

You spring up from your chair, wrapping your arms around him. “Of course I want to! Let’s go, I have to call Kate about this immediately.”

Clint shakes his head fondly as the two of you head to the door. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I? Neither of you can get involved in multiversal nonsense, promise me that.”

“Absolutely,” you assure him, but you cross your fingers when he’s not looking. When it comes to you and Kate, the sky’s the limit.

marvel tag list: @mayfieldss, @rogueanschel, @mycosmicparadise, @ellobruv, @callsign-scully, @with-inked-solace, @sher-lokid7, @eclliipsed, @23victoria, @watchreadfangirlrepeat, @gods-fools-heroes, @w1shes43, @deafsuperhero, @fadedver, @alex-1967s-blog, @crazyhearttragedy

all tags list: @wordsarelife

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doudouneverte · 1 year

Text

No Petname

a/n: i didn't want to not post anything this week so i write a little thing.

*not my GIF* (she's badass like this.Marvel bring us back our queen!!)

Natasha Romanoff x Yelena Belova x Sister!Reader; Kate Bishop x Little!Widow

summary: (i watched a lot of couple video on youtube) R prank her girlfriend because she's bored

Type: Fluff

Warning: nothing

word count: ~1257

---------

The recent week was boring in the tower; you couldn't go on a mission because you got hurt on your last mission, so after an hour on your phone, you think about something. Ten minutes later, you were in Yelena's bedroom.

"So, you want to prank your girlfriend because you're bored?" your sister asked, and you nodded. "Let's go I'm in." she said. That's why you liked Yelena; she was always ready to prank anyone, and even if she liked Kate, the brunette was clearly her favorite target. "So, what did you plan?" she asked, and you smirked.

"She should come back tonight with Clint. We don't have time to set up a big thing, so I'll try to upset her by calling her by her full name." you said, and the blonde frowned her eyebrow. "She doesn’t like when someone calls her Katherine; we will see how long she could handle this." you explained, and your sister smirked. She didn't think about something so obvious.

Later this day, you were with Yelena on the couch, watching a movie with the other Avengers in the tower, when Friday told you that Kate, your girlfriend, was back from her mission with Clint. When she came in the living room, she greeted everyone and made her way next to you.

"Hey babe, I miss you." she said before she kissed your cheek. You kissed her back, and when she started to feel at home, you shocked her.

"Hey Kate, how was your mission?" you asked her, and she frowned her eyebrow. You have stopped calling her Kate since you started dating.

"Uh, well. It was more easy than they thought." she replied. Nobody said anything more, and you just finished the movie. It was still early, so Sam decided to watch another movie, and you all agreed. But before that, you wanted some snacks, so you stood up, but you didn't miss asking your girlfriend if she wanted something.

"Katherine I will grab snacks; do you want something?" you asked, and all the noises instantly disappeared. You didn't see it, but the guys started to feel uncomfortable, but Yelena and Tony smirked.

"Uh. Just a soda, thanks." she replied, and you nodded before leaving, and your blonde sister followed you. When you were in the kitchen, your girlfriend looked at Natasha. "Did I do something to her?" she asked, and your older sister was also surprised.

"I was about to ask you the same thing." the redhead said.

In the kitchen, you were packing some snacks with the help of Yelena, but she couldn't help but laugh. "You should see her face." she said, and you smirked.

"Okay, it was funny, but I don't like to see her like that." you said. "I'll make up tonight." you added, and the Russian nodded. You quickly returned to the living room and took your seat next to your favorite black-haired person after you placed the snacks on the coffee table. "And a soda for my Katherine." you said, holding her soda can. The rest of the night went well. Kate thought you just had a bad day, but tomorrow you'll be right, no?

Unfortunately, no. When she woke up, you were running your hand through her hair. "I just woke up, and you want to make me sleep again." she joked, and you smiled. You gently kissed her, and she smiled like a teenager. She loved it when you kissed her; that meant a lot to you because of your past, but the morning kiss was her favorite. There was no one there, just you two.

"Good morning, Katherine." you whispered with a strong morning accent, and you almost laughed when she frowned her eyebrows. She wanted to talk, but she was interrupted by knocks on the door.

"Y/n, I need a new partner for this morning!!" Yelena yelled.

"Duty call," you said, and after 30 minutes, you were out with your sister. Kate started to be pissed off, and you didn't really calm her down because you called her 'Katherine' during the entire week. The next Monday, she started to feel overwhelmed. She was in the kitchen with your two sisters when you showed up, you kissed her cheek like always, and you greeted your sisters. You ate some of Yelena's mac and cheese, and you decide to ask a favor to your girlfriend. "Katherine, can you give me a water bottle, please?" you asked with your puppy's eyes, but she just glared at you.

"It's not the right name," she mumbled, and you knew she was angry, but you didn't want to end this now.

"The last time I checked, you were Katherine Bishop. So, Katherine Elizabeth Bishop, can you give me a water bottle, please?" you repeated, and she smacked her hand on the kitchen counter.

"Who is Katherine Elizabeth Bishop?" she asked, visibly pissed off.

"It's yo-" you tried to say, but you were cut off.

"No, it's not me. Katherine Bishop is gone!" she said loudly, and Yelena used all her strength to suppress her laughs. "For everyone, it's Kate! For Yelena, it's Kate Bishop! For Nat, it's little hawk! For Alexei, it's Little American. For Melina, it's Y/n's girlfriend! But for you, Y/n Vostokoff, it's Katie, babe, baby, moya lyubov'(my love), hot stuff, printsessa(princess), milaya devushka(cutie girl), moya zhena(my wife) or the future mother of my children!" she exclaimed. "So, I repeat myself, who is Katherine Elizabeth Bishop?" she asked.

The kitchen was silent for a moment. It was really not her thing to raise her voice to you, she was always so lovely and caring. "Wow, Y/n you mess up." Nat said, and Yelena finally laughed. Their voices brought you back.

You quickly stood up and gave your girlfriend a tight hug. "I'm sorry, Katie baby; it was just a prank." you explained, and you chuckled. "If I knew you would be so upset, I would do that earlier." you joked, and she slammed your arm before escaping from your grip.

"I thought you were upset with me, dipshit." she said, and you gasped.

"Kate Bishop, my future sister-in-law, how you called her." Yelena said, and you chuckled.

"I'm sorry." you repeated. "I love you, moya lyubov'." You kissed her and melted when your lips connected with hers. "How could you forgive me?"

"Cuddle with me" she said immediately. "And you'll come with me to Lucky's walk later." she added, and you nodded.

A few hours later, you were in Central Park for Lucky's walk, your finger intertwined with Kate's. She was talking about her week, and something came to your mind, you stopped, and she looked confused.

"Did you mean it?" you asked, and when she showed you, she didn't understand what you were talking about, so you explained. "About being the mother of my children."

She smirked, "I don't mind, but before we have to do something." she said, and you smiled.

You spent the rest of the walk smiling to yourself. This night Kate was fast asleep on your chest, and you just ran your hand through her hair. You were thinking about everything, and you finally thought about something, or more precisely, someone. You looked at the sleeping girl and smiled. Yeah, one day she'll be your wife.

----------

#yelena belova #yelena belova x fem!reader #yelena belova x fem reader #yelena belova x female reader #yelena belova x sister!reader #yelena belova x platonic!reader #natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff x fem!reader #natasha romanoff x female reader #natasha romanoff x sister!reader #natasha romanoff x platonic!reader #kate bishop #kate bishop x fem!reader #kate bishop x female reader #widow!reader #sister!natasha #sister!yelena #marvel fanfic #marvel fic

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yanaromanov · 2 months

Text

pretty little beginnings

- professor!natasha x lawyer!wanda x reader

part summary: the start of the new semester sees you reunited with your best friend, kate, but also introduces you to your surprisingly gorgeous new professor. when you get a perfect score on her first class test, she’s keen to have a conversation with you…

authors note: i have no idea about america or their universities so am purely basing this off my own experience at my uk university, so if anything is incorrect i apologise but also let’s just pretend it’s not :)

part one of the inescapable love series

inescapable love masterlist

･｡ﾟ*. 18+, minors DNI . * ｡ﾟ･

7.8K words

The beginning of term was always one of your favourite points of the whole year. To most, returning to campus after summer was somewhat of a bittersweet moment, having to come back to the reality of long classes and endless studying. For you, however, it was the start of something new, a fresh look at different courses that hadn’t yet bundled up into countless assignments or exams. The start of term always carried the least amount of pressure and therefore, the least amount of anxiety. Everything was starting from page one again, and it always provided you with a few weeks of sweet relief before you’d once again inevitably realise just how stressful school truly was.

Aside from the pressure of classes, most of your peers also found sorrow in the end of their summer break visiting home and their families. For you, however, this wasn’t one of your mind’s concerns. In fact, the trip back to university provided solace, a well-deserved partition between the people who you’d spent the past few months trying to tolerate.

Now, to say your family were awful to be around would be overstating things, in truth they weren’t all that bad, but spending summer with them was certainly not on your list of dream holidays. Most days you hid away in your childhood bedroom, trying to avoid the bickering voice of your mother, persistently droning on about school and your grades. She’d always taken a great pride in her children and that had certainly extended to you, her ideologies of perfection constantly looming over your shoulder. Your dad liked to drink, not enough to endanger his health but enough to wake you a few nights a week when he’d stumble around the kitchen in a drunken stupor. This itself was rather a hypocrisy, your dad being the one who dragged everyone to church on a Sunday morning to praise the Christian values when it seemed the holy day was the only one he didn’t seek out the bottle. At least now you were thankful that Sunday was the only day you had to deal with your older brother, when he’d join the rest of your family at service. For years, his perfection had been a constant reminder of how you were the disappointing child, despite attending one of the most prestigious universities in America.

In fact, your family was one of the main reasons you had even applied there. Not, as one may think, to appeal to their standards, but in fact, because it was about as far away as possible you could get from them. England was your home country, growing up in a small town in the southern parts of the land. Moving to America had been a big deal, having to completely relocate your life to an entirely different part of the world, but it had been something you desperately needed. At first your mother had been hesitant to let you go at all, but once she’d heard the ranking of the school you’d earned a scholarship for, she was all for having a daughter at a prestigious university in the states.

So, that was how you ended up here, already three years into your university career with only one to go until graduation. Living in America had been just the step you’d needed, finally giving you space from your overbearing family and in the process, also gifting you with one of the closest friends you’d ever had. Kate had been the first friendly face you’d seen at your new school, smiling widely as you’d first stepped into your shared dorm and energetically shaking your hand. Ever since, the pair of you had been practically inseparable, growing closer and closer everyday, and three years later, you still found yourselves sharing a dorm room.

Despite Kate’s skills in friendship, there was one thing about her that one may call a character flaw; the inability to ever wake up on time. It was the first official day of the semester, a few weeks having passed since the two of you had had your happy reunion and redecorated your shared room. The sun shone through the curtains which you had opened almost an hour ago. In all honesty, it was quite impressive how Kate had managed to not only sleep through your alarm, but hers as well. Atop of that, you’d not taken the curtesy to get yourself ready in a quiet manner. Now however, Kate really needed to wake up.

A tress of black hair flew up in the gust of wind that the pillow brought along with it. Moments later, Kate was sitting up quickly, cursing out at you for throwing at her in the first place. You chuckled at her antics as she tried to wipe away the hairs clinging to her mouth. “You overslept, Bishop,” you called, voice light and playful.

Kate scowled back at you, finally free from the mess of her bed head. Seconds later, you were dodging the pillow flying back across the room towards you.

“Hey!” you called back, narrowly missing getting hit in the head. “You’re the one who told me to wake you up, remember? You said this was the year you were getting your shit together.”

Kate’s expression was nothing short of unimpressed. She let out a loud groan as she threw herself back down into the confines of her bed, bringing her hands up to hold her face. “Can we reschedule that to next year instead?”

The chuckle that left your lips was light. “You know there is no next year.”

Your hands reached out towards her, grabbing hold of her duvet and ripping it from her bed. A small scream escaped Kate’s lips as she desperately tried to rescue the cover, albeit she arose unsuccessful. You passed her a small smirk as you threw the duvet to the floor. “If you’re not ready in five minutes, I’m going for breakfast without you.”

The girl passed you a none-too-happy glare but eventually settled on rolling out of bed, groaning loudly as she fell ungraciously to the floor. Simply laughing off her antics, you moved towards the full length mirror that hung in your dorm to check your outfit one last time. The warm weather still clung to the September air, resulting in the floral summer dress you’d adorned for the day, a small white cardigan sat atop of it. As always, your worn-in converse sat upon your feet, tattered from the years they’d spent traversing you to class.

American weather was just another one of the things you loved about living in the states. Summer in England was sticky and gross, the house always too hot, lacking AC and unbearable to sleep in at night. You’d always end up tossing and turning, sweat sticking the shorts to your body. Every street smelled like disposable barbecues and there never seemed to be enough ice in the shops to cool your drink. Overall, it was a rather uncomfortable experience. But Summer in America was a whole different story. It felt like the movies when they’d jump out of school on the last day, sun shining down on top of them. It was warm outside, and you could enjoy the sun before slinking back to a cool room with beautiful air conditioning, rather than you’d dad’s old fan that was louder than an airplane flying overhead.

“Are you almost done?” You finally turned away from your reflection, glancing across the room to where Kate was pulling her hair up into a messy ponytail. She’d dressed in a pair of old shorts and tshirt, obviously forgoing the ritual you’d followed of dressing cute on the first day.

“Yep,” Kate replied breathlessly, moving to put on her trainers, hopping around the room as she pulled them on. Once they sat upon her feet, she stood upright and looked at you with a dopey smile. “Okay, let’s go.”

You smiled shamelessly back, opening the door to your dorm in order for the pair of you to venture out. Kate simply passed you a small thanks as she slipped out into the corridor, followed closely by you after locking up your room. Thankfully, most days you left together as Kate never seemed to remember that crucial step.

———

“Wait, so you’re actually taking Russian this year?”

Your eyes rolled as the question rung out. “Kate, we’ve talked about this so many times.”

The girl shrugged her shoulders. “I just don’t get why you’d take a random language, that’s all.”

A sigh escaped your lips as you watched Kate take a bite of some scrambled eggs. As she did most mornings, she’d chosen to load her plate up from the breakfast trays, paired perfectly with a full glass of orange juice and a large mug of coffee. On the other hand, you’d only had a slice of toast, simply buttered, then a coffee of a similar size that you’d already downed. For someone who liked to attend meals so close to classes, one would expect Kate to choose smaller portions that she could maybe finish without shoving it in her mouth two minutes before she had to leave.

“I told you, Kate,” you repeated with another sigh. “I had to pick up some credits and the only thing that fit with my timetable was either Russian or a programming class.”

Your face screwed up at the last words you uttered, the idea of such a thing enough to turn your nose up. Kate could have taken some offence, considering her major was computer science and she was in such programming class, but it seemed she was too focused on finishing her half-eaten eggs.

“I thought you said there was a Spanish class you could take?” Kate said, talking around a mouthful of food.

Your eyes rolled in your skull, not only at her actions but at the fact she’d only remembered that small detail of your previous conversation. “There was,” you replied, crossing your arms on the table. “But I just thought Russian sounded more interesting.”

Kate raised a brow as you shrugged a shoulder. She didn’t have much time to judge you however, as you checked your phone to see there was only a few minutes until your first classes. Kate scrambled to finish the food on her plate as you collected your things, downing the rest of her coffee before pulling her backpack on to her shoulders. In the end, she had to run after you out of the dining hall after you’d already left, not letting yourself be late because of her antics.

The pair of you walked across campus together, Kate branching off to her first class and promising to meet up at lunch. You continued on to the building in which your timetable indicated your Russian class would be held. It was all rather new to you, a building you’d never been in before on campus. You supposed it fit with the class that you’d be taking now, stepping into something entirely new.

Thankfully, you found the lecture hall quickly, not discouraged by your unfamiliar surroundings. A lot of the seats were already filled up, the class just a few minutes from starting. You found a space down near the front, a usual spot for you in your determination to never miss anything a lecturer was saying, persistent on never having a blank spot in your notes.

The remaining minutes passed as you set yourself up for the class, pulling out your notebook and pen and setting them neatly on the desktop. Remaining students filed in, filling up what had to be one of the smaller lecture theatres on campus. It seemed there were barely thirty students who had decided to take the class, a small number compared to your usual large English lit course.

Noise bubbled in the room as the clock ticked by. At the exact second the hour struck, a door to the left opened wide.

“Good morning. If you could all settle down now, please. I need to take attendance.”

All attention fell upon the person who walked through the door, silence befalling the room as their voice echoed through the hall. As your eyes lifted from the scribbles on your notebook, they too sought out your new professor, but what they found was certainly not what you had been expecting at all.

The woman that approached the desk at the centre of the room was perhaps the most gorgeous you’d ever seen. Her hair fell perfectly in cascading curls, a brilliant red draped across her back. She wore a pair of black slacks, paired with a light blue dress shirt, rolled up at the sleeves. Her heels clicked meticulously across the polished wood as she set a laptop down at the centred desk, opening it up and glancing down at the screen.

It seemed you were not the only person affected by this woman’s presence as the entire hall fell silent as she began to call register. Most professors at this school were old men, droning on about things tirelessly. Even when presented with a female professor, none ever compared to the power and lure that this woman seemed to radiate across the class.

Once she’d finished calling names and assured everyone was marked down correctly, the red-haired woman moved towards the front of her desk, leaning back against it as a pair of arms came to cross over her chest. Your eyes found particular interest in the very expensive looking watch that sat upon her left wrist.

“Okay, my name is Professor Romanoff, as you have probably seen on your timetables. I will be your teacher for this class on introductory Russian.”

All ears seemed to be on the professor as she spoke, her voice confident in the space it held.

“I will start off by saying that this class is not easy so if you have taken it for that reason, I suggest perhaps changing.”

A tight smile appeared on a pair of red painted lips as the professor continued talking, the curtness behind it clear.

“This class is not impossibly difficult but it is certainly not a free ride. Anybody who treats it as such, is likely to fail.”

You weren’t sure what it was, maybe something in the air, but your attention seemed to cling to everything that fell out of the professors mouth, practically drinking up every word that she said. Your eyes found themselves particularly focused on her lips, adorning a shade of red so perfectly you even questioned if they were naturally that colour.

Professor Romanoff continued to rattle off expectations for the class, bringing up exam dates and testing styles before discussing an outline of everything the class would cover. Your pen jotted down everything she said, almost working faster than your brain could keep up, that ever persistent need to be perfect taking over once more, just like it did every time the new semester rolled back around.

Overall, the class seemed to be mostly an introduction. Professor Romanoff outlined specific topics you’d cover, before beginning to teach the difference between the English and Russian alphabets. Whatever it was she said, every word was jotted down into your notebook with persistent attentiveness.

The class seemed to pass by quickly, the order to pack up echoing out earlier than you thought it would, but with a quick glance at your phone, you realised that an entire hour had indeed passed. You tidied up your belongings, throwing them all into the old backpack you carried about everywhere, then got up to follow the crowd out of the lecture theatre. Your mind found itself satisfied with the enjoyment of the class, finding everything taught very interesting. Some part of you even found yourself somewhat excited for the next time you’d dawn the building and Professor Romanoff’s class.

———

“So how was it?”

Kate’s words were out of her mouth before you’d even sat down at the table, delayed in joining her by a few minutes due to your English professor droning on too long in his lecture. A sigh escaped your lips as you finally set yourself down at the dining table, throwing your backpack underneath as you looked over at your friend.

“How was what?”

Kate rolled her eyes. “Your Russian class,” she replied, as if it was the most obvious thing ever said.

“Oh, right,” you replied, reaching for the cutlery on your tray and using it to begin cutting the omelette you’d picked up for lunch. “It was good.”

Kate raised a brow, obviously more curious than your answer could satisfy. “Just good ?”

You nodded in response, raising a single shoulder. “Yeah, good. It was really interesting.”

Kate hummed, taking a bite of the chicken burger she’d chosen for lunch. Like she often did, the girl spoke around her food to ask you another question. “How was the professor? Some old Russian guy?”

Unsure of exactly why, it felt like your heart gave a little flutter when Kate mentioned the professor, maybe it had something to do with the way you’d spent most of the lesson staring at her and thinking how beautiful she was. “Uhm, no actually,” you replied, taking a small bite of your food. “It was a woman. Quite young looking too.”

Kate’s interest seemed to be piqued, a single brow raised. “How young?”

You shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know how young. Like, thirties? I don’t know.” You shrugged again, unsure of how exactly to answer her question.

The girl across from you hummed. You could tell why it was a suprise to her, it had been to you too when you’d first laid eyes on your new teacher. Most professors at this university were very good at what they did, but that often came with the experiences of age. A younger professor was an uncommon sight.

“What was her name?” Kate asked, still chewing another bite of her burger.

“Romanoff.”

Kate hummed. “And she was any good?”

“Yeah,” you replied lightly, trying not to think too hard about the way her red hair had formed perfect curls. “She seems a little strict but she’s a good teacher.”

“Well, that’s always good I suppose.”

From there, Kate seemed to become disinterested in the professor, instead moving on to discuss a cute girl she’d seen in her programming class. You’d asked more questions but the pair of you knew Kate would never do anything about any crush she had, she would get far too nervous and stumble over all of her words any time she tried to talk to anyone. Many times you’d watched her fail to flirt with someone drunkly at a party, accidentally blurting out something stupid that caused the other person to turn away. Each time you’d end up giving her a pat on the back and assuring her she’d get the next one, both of you secretly knowing it probably wasn’t true. Nevertheless, it was fun to fantasise about cute people you saw on campus and Kate often liked to share all the things she’d like to do with someone if she could actually talk to them.

Your conversation slowly passed on to other things, talking over activities you both did over summer, but sooner than you’d like, the time came for you to both head to your next classes. You both packed up your things, tidying away your lunch trays before heading out of the dining hall and across campus, Kate giving you a very dramatic goodbye before disappearing into her coding class and you slipped away to criminology, some part of your mind still clinging on to the idea of alabaster skin and perfect red curls.

———

The semester kicked off quickly and before you knew it, you were already three weeks in. Your time had been spent flitting between your classes, keeping consistent with your notes and readings. That fresh term feeling still resided within you, positivity and interest radiating through you in each of your courses. Though your creative writing class remained your favourite, your new Russian elective had quickly climbed the charts to take spot number two. Something about the language simply drew you in, perhaps how different it was to English, but every class seemed to suck you in entirely and leave you eagerly awaiting the next one.

Through Kate’s complaining, you were exceedingly glad that you didn’t pick her programming class, the professor apparently loading far too much work on his students. Though, you were never sure how much of the complaints could simply be down to Kate’s dramatics. The pair of you continued to spend your free moments in each other’s company, talking over every meal and studying in the library. You made the most of the disappearing sun, basking in the last of the summer warmth on the campus lawn, your head stuck in a book while Kate napped next to you.

You’d also easily picked up your part time job once more, the manager of the campus coffee shop reminded of your hard work the past three years. The job itself was usually rather tiring, filling up your weekends and free mornings, but it paid for your food so you knew it was a necessity. Thankfully, the lingering warmth had meant the shop had remained rather quite so far, not too many people racing for a hot coffee while the sun still shone down from above. Your experience however, let you know that in just another few weeks, you’d have to pick up the pace and things would get increasingly harder as the temperature began to drop. Yet, for now you basked in the calmness that the summer brought. But one person in particular seemed determined to change that.

Kate stumbled around the room, grabbing different outfits from the closet and trying them on, before deciding they were no good and tossing them on to the floor. She’d never been a very quiet person getting ready, usually singing along to whatever band she found interesting that month, but at that exact moment, you wished she’d sometimes find a slightly calmer routine.

Your head hurt, most likely from dehydration. It had been a long afternoon shift at the coffee shop and it seemed summer was giving everyone one grand goodbye, bringing the temperatures soaring and consequently, leaving you with a very sweaty shift. Now you were back in the dorm, showered and in some light pjs, hoping to finally get started on the work you’d been thinking about all day. But someone seemed destined to distract you. Your eyes fell to Kate, desperately trying to find a top to match the current skirt she was wearing. “I hope you’re gonna clean that up,” you said, glancing at the mess of clothes on the floor.

“‘Course I will,” Kate replied, pulling another top from a drawer. “Ugh, why does nothing look right!”

You glanced once again to the girl, taking in her current appearance. “Wear the silver top,” you said nonchalantly.

Kate began rummaging in the drawer, knowing what you had meant and what to look for. She pulled the top out and tried it on, looking at herself in the mirror and letting out a pleased hum. “Looks good, thanks.”

She passed you a grateful smile and you simply passed one in return, merely thankful that she’d stopped making such a fuss while you were trying to work. Your body turned back towards your desk, eyes falling back on to the open notebook in front of you.

“I really can’t convince you to come tonight?” Kate’s voice whined as she touched up her makeup in the mirror. “It’s always super boring without you.”

“I told you already,” you replied, not looking up from your notes. “I can’t go to a party, I have to study.”

Kate sighed loudly. “What are you even studying for? It’s only the third week!”

“My Russian class. I have a test on Monday.”

Your roommate blew a gust of air from her mouth, the repel evident. “You still have all of tomorrow to study.”

“You’re right, I do. And I intend to use all the time I have.”

Despite still looking at your notes, you could see the eye roll Kate gave you. “Whatever, loser,” she called, grabbing a bag to take with her. From behind, you could hear her pulling on a pair of heels, which would probably end up in her hands before the night was done. “I’ll try be quite coming in,” she said, reaching for the door.

“Keys?”

“Shit.”

The noise of scrambling filled the dorm once more as Kate rummaged about in her backpack for her set of keys, an item so frequently forgotten about. You heard them jingle in her hands before being slipped into her purse. Then, she said her actual goodbyes and slid out of the room, finally leaving you to study in peace. You released a relieved sigh as silence fell back over the room and you allowed your eyes to scan the Russian letters and grammar scribbled out across your paper. Whatever party Kate was venturing to that night, it wouldn’t be the thing to keep you from studying, your mind entirely focused on the terminologies written in your notes and determined to commit every piece of it to memory, no matter how long it took.

———

Natasha loved her job, truly she did. In fact, she’d given up her career of lawyering to begin teaching, something about it always drawing her in. But one part about her job that she didn’t enjoy as much, was marking papers. Although it was an integral part of her role as a professor, it seemed marking always held tedium in the never-ending correcting of answers and decoding of illiterate handwriting.

A low sigh escaped her lips as Natasha circled yet another grade atop of a paper, a red ‘D’ followed by a smaller ‘62%’. It wasn’t a surprise to her that most of the grades were on the lower side, especially for her introductory class, the highest so far reigning at a 73. It always took new students a while to get used to the new alphabet and syntax that Russian carried, their grades reflecting that sometimes up until the midterm. Papers like this were Natasha’s least favourite to grade, constantly having to mark down corrections for spellings or grammar, and usually taking up more of her time than she’d like.

The smell in the kitchen at least worked to brighten up her mood, the soft aroma of a home cooked meal fluttering straight from her nose and down to her anticipating stomach. Wanda always loved to cook and each night Natasha loved coming home to eat whatever she’d stirred up for that night. Her wife dotted around the stove top as Natasha sat across the breakfast bar, two stacks of papers sat next to her. Her mind was hoping by the time she was finished marking, Wanda would have dinner ready and the two could finally relax for the night.

Determined to get finished, Natasha reached for another paper on the stack, briefly brushing over the student’s name before beginning her marking. The usual first questions went expectingly well, but as the test slipped into slightly trickier territory, it seemed the common errors that Natasha had grown so used to seeing, were entirely absent. As each question progressed, Natasha found herself becoming continually bewildered at the perfect answers provided on the paper. At the very end, flipping over the last sheet of paper on to the counter, she lowered her eyebrows in confusion. “Huh.”

Wanda’s head raised from where it sat looking down at a pan, now gazing over at her wife with an inquisitive look. “What is it?”

Not answering immediately, Natasha flipped through the test once again, looking over the many check marks next to every question. Slightly confused, she closed the paper, looking up to meet her wife’s eye. “Some student just got a hundred percent. Like, a perfect score.”

Now it was Wanda’s turn to look a little shocked, her brows raising as she leaned across the counter. “You think it’s legit?”

Natasha shrugged, the scenario playing in her mind. “I mean, I monitored everyone whilst they took it. Nobody looked to be cheating.”

The taller redhead let out an almost amused hum. “Impressive. What’s this outstanding student’s name?”

The paper flicked back to the front cover, Natasha’s eyes flitting over the name scribbled on the top of the sheet in neat handwriting. “Y/N Y/L/N.”

Natasha’s mind searched its archives for any mentions of the name, its presence feeling familiar on her tongue. She fell back to taking attendance, specifically on the first day of class. The name had rung out in the hall and a small voice had picked up to answer it. Natasha remembered her amusement at the English accent she’d heard radiating across the room, originating from a young girl in a pretty summer dress near the front row. It seemed some part of her mind had locked in the gentle smile that accompanied such a sweet voice.

"Cute name," Wanda hummed, moving to stir her pot before her recipe could burn.

"Yeah..." Natasha's eyes remained on the sheet in front of her, scanning over the name and conjuring images of the face that matched with it. "I just don't know how she could have done this perfectly." Her fingers flipped through the pieces of paper, eyes scanning the work written in black ink. "I mean, everything is exactly how is should be. Even her cyrillic is written neatly."

Wanda let out a low hum as she continued fussing about with the stovetop, her answer coming out rather nonchalant. "Maybe she's in the wrong class? Was supposed to enroll in one of your others at a higher level?"

The proposal had already flashed across Natasha's mind, the work in front of her seemingly too good for someone of beginner status. There was always something wrong, some letter they'd missed or some word in the wrong order, it was never this perfect. Her mind had scoured back to previous years, trying to remember if she'd taught her before, but the name sounded too unfamiliar, and besides, she would have recalled that distinctive cute accent that this certain student possessed. "Maybe," Natasha replied finally, turning back the paper to the front. "But I don't see why she wouldn't have swapped out already. I mean, she would have had to have noticed by now, right?"

Wanda licked the small spoon in her hand, tasting her dish before tossing the metal away into the sink. It always amazed Natasha just how much of a multitasker her wife could be. Still adding things to her meal, Wanda tossed a comment over her shoulder. "Well, there's only one way to find out. Talk to her."

The idea washed over Natasha, already present in her own mind. The curiosity of the situation was pulling her in, already wanting to know more about this mystery student. As she thought of the girl in her head, more interest seemed to curate within her. Seeing that adorable smile she'd caught each time she'd called attendance, hearing that charming little accent that followed her name being called, something about it all drew her further in than one may expect, in ways perhaps unrelated to the test in front of her. Excitement and curiosity brewing in her, Natasha looked up to smile at her wife. "I think I will."

———

Today was not a good day for you. Not only had you forgotten your water bottle back in the dorm, but it was also the first day of the semester you’d be receiving back a test. It was only a small one, one that wouldn’t dent your final grade enough to matter, but that didn’t mean you hadn’t spent hours studying for it. You should have known that the peaceful calm that followed the start of term wouldn’t last forever, but it seemed every year the reality of things slipped your mind and you suddenly felt the anxiety crashing down on your shoulders a few weeks in.

Aside from a small introductory piece you’d had to write for creative writing, this was your first proper assessment of the year. As you sat in the lecture hall, waiting for class to begin, your mind flooded over everything you’d done to prepare, the hours of studying you’d put in, thinking back to the questions and if there was anything you could have possibly misread. Your foot tapped quickly against the floor as you pondered the possibility of a bad grade, particularly the berating that would follow from your family if they ever found out. You tried your best to settle your anxiety as the minutes ticked by, assuring yourself that you’d put in all the effort you could, a good grade surely waiting for you after all your hard work. But when the doors to the hall opened and your professor walked in, the pit in your stomach only dropped further.

“Morning everyone,” Professor Romanoff called out, briefly glancing across the class. In her hands you could spy the laptop she usually carried, alongside the stack of test papers you’d be receiving back very shortly. Your heart continued to beat in your chest as attendance was taken, voice slightly shaky when it came time for your name to be called.

“Right,” the redheaded woman said, closing down her laptop after finishing the register. She reached for the stack of papers in her desk as she stood, moving towards the front of the class and looking out. “As I said, these tests are mostly just a baseline to let me know you’re all on track. Though, if you are failing, maybe come see me and we can have a chat about why.”

With that, Professor Romanoff began towards the class, calling out names and passing out tests. You tried not to look as she walked up the isle next to you, the first time close enough to touch. Mostly, your eyes remained on the desk in front of you, mind reeling at the possibility of failing. You wouldn’t fail, right? You’d studied for hours.

“Miss Y/L/N?”

A low voice brought your head up from its position, mind dragged from your thoughts and thrust back into the present moment. Your eyes raised to see your professor suddenly stood in front of you, her stare focused upon your face.

“Yes?”

A tight expression appeared on the redhead’s face, almost a smile but not quite reaching her eyes. Her fingers slid your test paper back towards you, face down against the desk. Your eyes flickered down to it before returning to her gaze. “See me after class, please.”

If there were any words you wanted to say, your throat tightened to prevent them from escaping. Before you could even comprehend what she had said, Professor Romanoff was already moving on towards the next student. Your eyes followed her momentarily, then darted back towards your upturned test. You failed, your mind screamed at you. You must have failed.

Tentative fingers reached out towards the paper, your heart preparing for the first ‘F’ ever written on one of your tests. You were already thinking about how you’d have to explain this to your parents, how you’d let it settle within yourself. The paper flipped over, the red writing of your grade distinct at the top of the first page, but when your eyes fluttered over to it, they did not find what they had been expecting mere moments before. Instead of a giant ‘F’ like you’d been anticipating, the paper held a large ‘A’ on the front, then beside it, in a smaller circle, a 100% mark.

Your eyes almost couldn’t believe what they were seeing, mind more relieved than any time you could remember. Almost at once, your body had relaxed, that small smile appearing on your lips like it always did when you did well. You hadn’t failed at all, in fact, you’d done the complete opposite. Maybe this day wasn’t going as bad as you had anticipated. But then you remembered your professor’s words.

See her after class? What could that possibly mean? Your mind suddenly became erratic again, the anxiety taking control and catastrophizing every possible scenario. You were unsure how you felt with the idea of spending time alone with Professor Romanoff, suddenly worried she may have the ability to read minds and would be able to tell how much your mind had floated back to her face over the past few weeks.

The thoughts in your head were so loud you didn’t notice when your professor first began going on the test. It was only by question four you’d caught on, suddenly snapping back to reality and trying desperately to join back in with the class seamlessly. It seemed, however, that your mind still couldn’t concentrate, entirely focused on the conversation the red-haired woman in front of you had requested to have.

Your eyes fluttered around the room, glancing at the other students to perhaps gage how everyone else had done on the test. Briefly, they fell upon the desk next to you, spying the ‘56%’ scribbled on to the top of the test paper that sat there. When your eyes raised to the girl it belonged it, she passed you a quick scowl, making an eye to the perfect score that sat in front of you. Feeling far too seen, your eyes snapped back to your own paper, hoping that said girl knew you weren’t at all judging, though by her face, it seemed those were her exact thoughts. For the rest of the lesson you vowed to keep your eyes glued to your own paper, too scared of what they might find in the faces of those around you.

Eventually, your professor’s words began to drown out, overtaken by the lingering anxiety clouding your mind. Before you knew it, you’d spent the entire hour stuck inside your head, rethinking every possible scenario that could possibly occur after class. Now, you were forced to face the reality as Professor Romanoff dismissed the class, requesting papers be returned to her before anyone left.

You watched from your chair as a line of students all placed their papers in a stack on the side of the wooden desk. Slowly, you began to pack away your things into your bag, trying not to draw attention to yourself any more than necessary. When you stood, you clutched your test close to your chest, hiding the score away from anyone who might have passed you a look any similar to the girl previously sat beside you.

As the line of students dwindled down, all turning to leave the lecture room, you slowly approached the desk at the centre of the room. The last of your class let the doors swing closed behind them just as you reached the wooden surface, leaving you in the room entirely alone with your professor. You watched her from behind as she wiped the chalkboard clean, erasing away any remnants of the previous lesson.

The air felt so thick you could choke on it. Your mind told you to make yourself known, clear your throat or something, but it seemed you were almost frozen in place. Only when Professor Romanoff finally turned, did you even move at all.

“Ah, Miss Y/L/N.”

The woman dusted her hands against each other as she began to close the gap between the two of you. Both of your eyes met each other, her gaze locking on to yours as she walked back towards her desk and sat down on the edge of it. You swallowed harshly as you danced on the balls of your feet, your irrational thought of mind reading suddenly coming back to you. But Professor Romanoff didn’t say anything towards the sort, instead, simply extended her hand out towards you, palm facing up to the ceiling.

“Oh, right,” you stumbled, handing over the test paper which she had just previously been looking at. It was slightly crumpled from being pressed to your body but the woman seemingly took no notice, simply glancing over it before returning it to the pile of others on her desk, a low hum escaping from her lips.

When her eyes turned back to meet yours, you suddenly noticed how green they were, never having been so close as to regard them before. Blazing emerald gazed back at you as your heart pounded in your chest.

“This is a very good paper, Miss Y/L/N. I’ve never had a student get a perfect mark on one of my tests before.”

As Professor Romanoff’s voice caught your ears, your heartbeat only seemed to quicken its pace. Something in her gaze felt scrutinising, the small curt smile on her lips enough to practically drag your next words out from your mouth.

“I-I didn’t cheat if that’s what you think. I swear.”

It was spilling out before you could stop it really, words tumbling over one another in a desperate attempt to plead your case. That had been the conclusion you’d drawn from this scenario, the reason you’d been asked to stay back in the first place. But to your surprise, Professor Romanoff simply raised a skeptical brow. “I never said you cheated, did I?”

Suddenly you felt very warm, like the wonderful AC you always gushed about had instantaneously disappeared. “No-I just-I-I mean-“

The words tumbled from your mouth, barely coherent. They were quickly silenced when Professor Romanoff raised a hand, passing you a look you couldn’t quite decipher.

“I don’t think you cheated, Y/N,” the professor said after a moment, lowering her hand once more. “I’m just curious as to how you achieved such a high score.”

You felt a little stupid, mind too ahead of itself like always and blurting out the first thing it thought of without even thinking properly. Professor Romanoff’s words washed over you and you picked up on the question present, thinking over your answer briefly before shrugging your shoulders. “I just studied, I guess.”

That perfectly sculpted brow raised once more. “Studied?” Professor Romanoff seemed to look you up and down, gazing at the way you picked at your nail beds anxiously. You stopped immediately when she seemed to notice, instead moving to hold your hands behind your back. The professor moved her eyeline back up to you once more, a curious expression now taking over her face. “Have you taken Russian before?”

You shook your head. “No.”

Professor Romanoff let out a low sigh, adjusting herself on the table where she sat. She was once again wearing a pair of fitted slacks and polished heels, partnered today with a short-sleeved white blouse. From this distance, you could tell the material was silk. You tried not to stare at the woman’s exposed arms as the came to cross against her chest, and more importantly, at the slight cleavage on show that now pressed higher as she moved.

“It’s highly unlikely for a beginner to get a perfect score on a test,” your professor said, eyes meeting yours. “Especially so early on.” The air seemed to grow thicker as the redhead leaned in closer towards you, her gaze narrowing ever so slightly. “So if you’re lying to me, sweetheart, I’d appreciate if you didn’t.”

The name hung heavy in the air, hammering at your lungs as you stood under the woman’s scrutinising gaze. Suddenly, you felt warmer, your heart rate picking up even more as the words of defense began to stumble from your mouth once again. “I-I swear I’ve never taken it before. I-I just-“ You swallowed harshly, trying to regain some of your composure. "I looked at the syllabus over summer and maybe taught myself some of the basic concepts is all. And I did some extra reading, but I just wanted to be prepared! I haven't actually done Russian properly before, I promise. I-I just-"

Professor Romanoff raised her hand once more, silencing your stuttering. "It’s alright, milaya," she said, a small smile now spreading across her lips. "Calm down." The Russian was recognised by your ears but not your mind, left untranslated in the conversation as the redhead continued to talk. "You’re not in any trouble. I was just curious"

The gentleness of your professor's voice was enough to settle you down, suddenly feeling foolish for blurting out like you had. You took a moment to breath, looking down at your feet as they swayed you back and forth. "Right," you said, voice now quiet in the near-empty room.

When your eyeline raised to Professor Romanoff once again, she was still looking back at you with that gentle smile, her eyes soft under the light. After a moment of her gaze on you, she released a small sigh, reaching back to place a hand on your test that sat at the top of the pile. "This is very good test, though," she said, nodding her head towards you. "You should be proud of yourself."

The praise washed over you in a wave of warmth, spreading across your cheeks and down the back of your neck. It wasn't often you received recognition for your work, it certainly never being enough back home, so you never really learned how to properly cope with it without your face embarrassingly heating up and a dopey smile appearing on your lips. You tried your best to hide these now, looking back at the redhead in front of you. "Thank you, professor."

The woman smiled, unbothered by the way your fingers had moved to begin fidgeting with the zip of your hoodie, desperate to find something to distract your flurried mind. "I assume you have another class to get to, Miss Y/L/N?" Professor Romanoff stood up, now looking down on you from a few inches above, her heels adding even more height so that you had to slightly raise your head from where it had been to look up at her.

Your head nodded. "Uhm, yes I do."

The redhead began to collect the papers that sat on the side, adjusting them into an orderly pile. From behind the desk, she smiled over at you. "Well then, hurry along. I wouldn't want to make you late."

Your head nodded again, more frantically this time. "Of course." You adjusted the backpack on your shoulders before turning away, headed towards the door to your right, but before you could reach it, Professor Romanoff's voice called out again.

"And Y/N?"

You turned quickly, facing her desk once more with an awaiting expression. The woman met your eye, the smile on her lips different now, almost what one could mistake as a smirk. She looked over at you as she said, "Keep up the good work."

For the third time, you nodded, feeling yourself heating up again. "I will," you replied, smiling sheepishly. "Thank you again, professor." And with that, you turned and reached for the door, rejoining the rest of the world with a blush on your cheeks. As you headed towards the exit of the building and on towards your next class, your mind tried desperately to think about anything other than the way your professor’s arms had looked pressed against her chest, or more noticeably, how sweet the nicknames she had called you felt upon your ears.

#inescapable love au #professor natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff x reader #wandanat x reader #platonic kate bishop x reader #lawyer wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x reader

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