#the unknown widow | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

slightly-smarter-nat · 2 years

Text

Betrayed || The Unknown Widow

ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Yelena Belova x Reader (Platonic)

Warnings: Mentions of the Red Room, mentions of killing, mentions of violence, dark themes, mentions of weapons, mentions of drugs, angst, explicit language, mentions of blood. If I have missed any warnings, please let me know.

Word Count: 4553 words.

Summary: Will Melina give you the answers you’ve always wanted?

Please do not repost (on here or any social media platform) copy, translate or take ownership of my work. Reblogs, likes and comments are always appreciated <3

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10

Masterlist

*Italics indicate the handwritten letter.

ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ

GIF not mine

Betrayed- The Unknown Widow:

I held the door open for Yelena and Alexei as we entered Melina’s Farmhouse. I took everything in with interest, admiring the decor of this beautiful home. The serenity it serves almost makes me forget why we’re here.

“Welcome to my humble abode. Make yourself at home.” Melina says as she guides us through her house.

The group splits off throughout the house as Melina suggests we have a drink. Feeling completely out of my element, I stick close to Yelena, knowing out of everyone here she’s the one I trust the most.

We walk through to the living area, the soft rays of sunlight cast a vivid glow around the room. Every detail looks perfectly placed. When I was in the Red Room, I could only ever dream of living in a place like this. Having a safe area where I could be free to do as I choose, I still have that dream. Hopefully one day I will be able to make it a reality.

I hear a scraping sound next to me as I realise Yelena has pulled out a chair at the table situated next to the window. She has a blank expression on her face, indicating she is attempting to absorb everything that is happening- coming to terms with it at least.

“Hey, are you okay?” I ask her gently, knowing she can sometimes snap if her thoughts are disturbed.

“Why wouldn’t I be? It’s you I’m worried about.” She says as she bows her head to look down at her lap.

I move towards the window, looking out at the trees as I attempt to come up with a valid answer that won’t have Yelena asking too many questions.

“I’m fine, just a bit tired is all. It’s a nice place huh?” I say, attempting to change the topic.

Yelena scoffs, “Have you forgotten Lara, I know you better than anyone, so I know when you’re lying. What is wrong?” I turn to look at her, noticing her unamused expression- she hates it when I lie to her.

I release a sigh as I lean back against the window sill, “Not now Lena, I promise I’ll tell you, just not now okay. Please?” I don’t want to get into a heavy conversation within Melina’s home. Especially since we do not even know if we can trust her yet.

Yelena shakes her head slightly, “Whatever, Lara.”

My stomach drops at her tone, I know her feelings will be in overdrive with this whole situation we are in but she has never spoken to me like that before. Then again, I’ve never kept anything from her before.

“Excuse me.” I say as I make my way to Melina’s bathroom, trying to mask my hurt.

I go to turn the door handle when I hear grunting from within. I raise my eyebrows in response; giving the door a gentle knock, “Are you okay in there?”

I receive more frustrated grunts in response, “Just give me a minute, I’m just finishing up in here.” I hear Alexei shout through the door.

I take a step back from the door, wanting to be far away from the sounds of Alexei’s grunting.

I look back over at the table Yelena is occupying, noticing that Melina and Natasha have joined her.

My gaze returns to the door in front of me when Alexei releases loud groans of what can be assumed as discomfort. In all honesty I dread to think what he’s doing in there.

I lean my back against the wall behind me, folding my arms across my chest. I then glance around the area, not looking for anything in particular. Mostly something to distract me from the sounds still emerging from the bathroom.

“Let’s drink.” I hear Melina suggest from the table, I am tempted to join them until I hear the bathroom door open.

Alexei emerges from the bathroom in his signature Red Guardian attire. I study the suit in shock- I didn’t even know it still existed.

Alexei looks over at me and motions with his hands to the suit for me to admire, I give him an amused nod in response.

Alexei clears his throat to gather the attention of the others at the table, they all look over as he leans against the doorframe.

“Still fits.” He says rather proudly.

I push myself forwards from the wall and give him a pat on the back as I move into the bathroom, “Looking good Super Soldier.”

Once inside, I close and lock the door; releasing a heavy sigh now that I’m alone.

I move towards the sink, staring up in the mirror at my reflection as I grip the taps. I look exhausted, I feel it too. The lack of sleep from the travelling won’t be helping, and even then any sleep I get is plagued with nightmares.

I gently turn the cold water tap on to allow a steady stream of water to fill the sink. I cup my hands together and place them under the stream to collect enough to rub onto my face.

As I rub the water into my skin, I attempt to remove the stress present in it. Trying to get myself relaxed enough to go back out and join the others.

I take another glance in the mirror, focusing on the water droplets cascading down my face. With a gentle pat on my face with a towel located next to the sink, I move to leave the room. Releasing an exaggerated breath as I do.

As I round the corner I can see that the others are deep in conversation, so I use this as my opportunity to slip in unnoticed.

I move around the table to pull out the chair next to Natasha when Melina says ‘No’.

I freeze in my actions, looking at the others for an explanation- they look just as confused as I am.

“You’re not sitting at my table, I won’t allow it.” She says after a few seconds. I remove my hand from the chair.

Yelena shifts in her chair to look at Melina, glaring at her as Melina chooses to send her harsh glare towards me.

“Melina, let her-“ Alexei attempts to back me up until Melina raises her voice once more.

“I don’t want her at my table and that is final!”

Natasha looks down at her plate awkwardly, opting to stay out of the conversation.

“You can’t treat Lara this way, what is your problem?” Yelena asks Melina with a slight wave of her hands.

“It’s okay Yelena, I’m not going to overstep any boundaries in her own home. I’ll leave you to it. I’ll be down the hall if anyone needs me.” Before any of them could comment further, I walk away from the table, venturing further into Melina’s home.

I’m not completely aware as to why Melina has such hatred towards me, but all I know is the sooner we finish up here, the sooner we leave.

As I walk around, I notice a bookcase filled with dozens of books. I use my fingertips to follow the spines of each book, scanning the titles of each one. Melina must have all the classics, each one lines up the case in alphabetical order.

As I move along the books, I notice one of their bindings feels cold at the touch; almost metallic like. I lean up to pull it out, noticing it’s quite heavy, causing me to use both of my hands to manoeuvre it out of its slot.

As I place it down on the desk below, I notice it has the signature Black Widow 'hourglass’ symbol on it, causing my heart rate to pick up.

It's not a book, it’s a compact safe. Dreykov had them in his office in the Red Room. They’re used for high security files. The safe itself has a special way in which it opens, luckily for me I used to discreetly watch how the General opened them. If he had caught me looking, it would have been an instant punishment for sure.

I use my trembling finger to trace the outline of the Widow symbol, as the first step of accessing the safe. Then I place one finger on each point of the symbol, equally four fingers in total touching the safe. After a second I slowly use my fingers to turn the symbol clockwise until the positions of my fingers have swapped places from top to bottom. The symbol then produces a red light, causing me to return the symbol back to its original position. Once I remove my touch the symbol turns green and a small click can be heard as the mechanism is released.

If any of the steps are incorrectly followed, timings and all, the lock will never open. One of Dreykov’s special requests in order to protect the secrets of the Red Room.

I quickly look around to make sure no one is watching as I gently lift the lid of the safe. I know I shouldn't be looking at Melina’s private materials but at this point, I’m desperate for any clue that might lead us to taking down the Red Room.

To my surprise, there’s only one file in here- a large, brown envelope. Usually they contain more than one item.

I pick the file up and gently open it.

My eyes widen when I see a picture of myself clipped to the papers within- why would Melina have a file on me?

I quickly scan over the information provided on the pieces of paper secured together. It details every mission I have ever been on and my death count. That alone sends a twist in my stomach, it’s like they only cared about the number of lives I took in the name of the Red Room.

I flip through the pieces of paper until I see information of my early years listed.

‘Project ‘Lara’ is remaining successful. The subject seems to be enhancing every day. Constant monitoring is advised to ensure full potential is obtained before maturity is reached.’

I squint my eyes in curiosity, I’ve never seen evaluations such as these. I didn’t even know there were secret files on me from the Red Room.

The part that’s unsettling me most is the way I am referred to as a ‘project’, as though they made me. In a twisted way they did- into a monster.

I notice another piece of paper stuck in the file; which is smaller than the rest.

I place all the other materials down before I pull the piece of paper out. As I unfold it I notice it’s a handwritten letter.

ⴵ

‘I, Melina Vostokoff declare ‘Project Lara’ detrimental to the future of the Red Room. I greatly advise that the subject be terminated.

General Dreykov, I write to you to state that my previous findings and research into this project are not as accurate as one would have hoped. The Subject has taken on the desired traits, yes. However, the various rounds of chemical subjugation we have exposed the Subject to are failing.

I highly recommend that for the safety of our organisation we remove the issue before it becomes a colossal problem with unimaginable consequences.

I understand this reflects poorly on my own work, though I hope we can come to an agreement in which our next project is stronger than the current subject I wish to have terminated- immediately.

ⴵ

I throw the piece of paper down on the desk in anger. Refusing to read on. Melina has essentially made me a death warrant.

I try to regulate my breaths, taking a moment to close my eyes and gather my thoughts.

If this letter makes its way to Dreykov then he will release more Red Room kill squads to assassinate me- somehow more than the ones who are currently on my tail for working with Yelena and Natasha.

After all this time, Melina has been the one influencing my life in the Red Room. I know my control has been slipping over the last year or so, but I never realised it would equal my demise so quickly.

My thoughts are interrupted when I hear a plate being placed in front of me with food on it.

I look towards the figure who placed it there to see Natasha smiling at me.

“I had to race Yelena over here to give you this- wait, are you okay?” She asks, presumably as she sees the tears invading my vision.

“Look, if it’s about Melina-“ As soon as her name is mentioned my anger returns. I move the plate from the file found in the safe and grab the handwritten note.

I storm past Natasha and head to the living area where the others are sitting.

I slam the piece of paper in front of Melina, “Do you care to explain?”

She looks towards the paper, taking a sip of her drink with a blank expression, “I don’t have to explain anything to you.”

Her lack of concern sends a wave of rage through me as I pick her up by her collar and drag her to the wall, pinning her up against it.

“Lara! Put her down!” Yelena says as she tries to make her way to me.

“I’m not in the mood for your shit, tell me why you have the file!”

Melina shoves her arms up between mine and spreads them to smack my grip from her clothing.

I quickly block her attacks as I grab onto her arm and shoulder to pin her against the wall once more.

“What does it matter? I never sent the letter.” She says as she breathes through the pain of the pressure I’m placing on her arm.

At this point I don’t think the others dare interfere.

“You produced the letter with the intention of my termination. I want to know why!”

Melina uses her other hand to strike my face, causing me to let her go. In an instant she swipes my legs from under me with her own and sends me onto the floor, harshly.

“To protect you. That letter was written to buy you time in order for you to escape, arrangements by myself were being made to ensure you left the Red Room on your termination day, safely. However, you decided to make your own plans of escape, hence why the letter remains in my possession.” She says as she takes a seat at the table again.

I slowly sit up, wincing from the pain and the room full of glares burning my way, “Why would you help me? You’re the reason I was being mind controlled-“

“To send you back to your family. Lara, I will not explain further to you. It is not my place to tell you why you were stuck in the Red Room in the first place. Now drop it.”

I look at Melina in despair, I was so convinced I didn’t have a family to return to. As I feel the tears run down my face, I quickly get up and make my way out of the door; in order to escape the conversation that would follow.

I walk through the overgrown area of Melina’s garden. Making a point to kick at every flower I come across to release some of my frustration.

Finally I make it to the edge of Melina’s property before I collapse onto the floor with my head in my hands.

After a minute or so I feel a hand being placed on my shoulder, I instantly know it’s Yelena so I gently guide her down to sit next to me on the grass.

A comfortable silence washes over us, every so often my sniffles fill the air. Yelena wraps an arm around me and pulls me close, knowing I only cry when I’m really hurting.

“Do you remember that time Dreykov sent me on a mission and I completely dissociated myself afterwards and you found me punching the sparring equipment till my knuckles bled?” I whisper sadly.

Yelena nods, “Yes, it took me twenty minutes to snap you out of it. You really worried me that day.” She says.

I take a deep breath in, “Well, it was Melina who patched me up after the mission.” I say as I look at Yelena’s face.

She snaps her gaze to me, “Are you sure?”

I nod, “It makes sense now, with the files and everything-“

“No, that’s a misunderstanding, I’m sure.” Yelena says as she stands up from the ground, shaking the dirt from her tactical suit.

I stand up in turn, “A misunderstanding? Yelena, you saw the letter. You heard what Melina said. Don’t you realise, this means I have a family out there somewhere, they could possibly be looking for me and I wouldn’t even know. All my life I’ve had no one, I’ve been a prisoner to the Red Room but now I have the chance to have a real family. To be part of something that really matters.”

Yelena scoffs, “Do you hear yourself Lara? You have me. You’ve always had me, and apparently that wasn’t enough. What, do I not matter?” She asks as she pouts.

“Of course you matter, Yelena! Why are you being like this? You know what I mean, you essentially had a family built for you Lena. I felt as though I had nothing, I mean even you can admit you hated me at first.” I attempt to defend myself against her.

Yelena shakes her head, “Oh so it’s my fault Dreykov assigned me to Alexei and Melina, oh how selfish of me to take away your chance of belonging to a family.”

I clench my jaw, “You know that’s not what I’m saying.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Alexei making his way over to us, “Yelena, come inside, I need to talk to you.” He shouts over.

Yelena ignores him as she maintains eye contact with me, “What are you saying then Lara? Do you know what, fine, go and find your precious family. I hope they make you very happy!” Yelena turns to march across to Melina’s farmhouse, barging past Alexei in the process.

He looks over at me and gives me a sympathetic smile, before trailing after an infuriated Yelena.

Once they re-enter the house, I release a desperate sob. Yelena is right, she was all I had in the Red Room and I made her feel like she wasn’t worth anything.

I clutch at my chest, trying to work through the heaviness filling it. Each intake of breath feels like a struggle.

Yelena’s last words ring through my head, causing my heart to ache more.

I turn to take one last look at the Farmhouse before I make my decision to leave. I feel as though I’m causing more problems than I am solving here, maybe the team will progress better without me.

I start to make my way to the woodland surrounding Melina’s home, leaving the conflict behind me.

ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ

I haven’t been walking long, the house is still within a viewing distance.

I attempt to quickly make my way through the woodland area, cautiously stepping over exposed tree roots and rocks that litter the dirt lined floor.

The visibility is extremely low, mainly due to the sun setting, making it difficult to make my way through.

I take a moment to stop and think- what am I doing? I can’t leave them, we made a commitment to take down the Red Room together. It’s my responsibility too. I can’t let everyone down; whether Yelena likes it or not, I’m still part of this team.

After mentally scolding myself for even thinking about leaving, I turn back on myself and head back towards the Farmhouse. Until I hear an engine humming from up above.

I quickly take cover behind a tree as I watch it emerge from the clouds. It doesn’t take me long to register that it is in fact a Red Room Aircraft.

I don’t know how they’ve found us, but this really isn’t good. I instantly move out of the woods.

A shock of surprise is sent through my system once the aircraft turns on its ‘searchlight’, illuminating all of its surroundings.

“Shit.” I quietly mumble to myself, making my way discreetly back to the house to make sure at least Yelena and Natasha get out of there alive.

I use the outskirts of the land to run along, knowing the lighting system will not be shined over this way, since its focus is on the occupants inside the house.

As I near the house, I notice another aircraft come into view, hovering over the ground to release some Red Room guards.

They instantly move towards the building with their guns armed and ready.

Before they have a chance to get too close and spot me I instantly run to the back door in sight and open it as quietly and quickly as I can.

Once I’m inside I notice the blinding lights from the aircrafts flooding the rooms. I take my gun out of my holster and aim it in front of myself, not knowing what I’m going up against.

I use my training to move from post to post, avoiding detection. I lean around each corner to check I’m clear, which for the most part I am.

I move past Melina’s bedroom, I use my foot to move the door slightly.

That’s when I notice Alexei is passed out on the floor, the only reason I know he’s not dead is from the presence of several tranquilising darts lodged in his chest.

This just highlights that the Red Room isn’t here to kill us, but rather turn us in and I honestly don’t know which outcome is better suited.

I continue to take cover at each corner of the house, checking all my blind spots for possible attackers.

As I’m scanning my surroundings I spot Yelena on the floor unconscious. I sprint over to her and turn her over so she’s facing me, “Lena! Come on Lena, wake up for me.” I say as I desperately shake her.

As I attempt to wake Yelena up, I look to my side to see Natasha tucked away behind a doorway- unconscious.

Before I can even check on her I am pulled up by my hair and thrown backwards, causing me to crash into a piece of furniture. I yelp out in pain as I land, clutching my side as I try to get back up.

Though my effort is wasted as a brutal kick is delivered to my face, sending me down towards the floor again.

My vision blurs completely, as I hear muffled footsteps.

After a couple of eye squints and a moment to recover I see The Taskmaster towering over me.

My eyes widen as I scramble for my gun, though I am stopped once I hear a voice, “Stop. Move and I will shoot.” I put my hands up in surrender as I glance back at Melina, who is aiming my own gun at me.

“Take her to the aircraft.” With that, Taskmaster picks me up by the back of my suit, guiding me forward.

Melina holds her hand up to signal for The Taskmaster to stop.

“I knew we shouldn’t have trusted you.” I say bitterly.

Melina keeps her stoic expression, “Let’s not keep him waiting.”

ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ

Melina attempts to catch my eye, to which I refuse to do. I’m not giving her the satisfaction.

She’s up front piloting the aircraft with a few other guards, meanwhile I’m tied to a chair and gagged.

I look between Alexei, Natasha and Yelena as they remain unconscious, hoping one of them will awaken soon.

Luckily for me, Alexei begins to stir as the tranquilliser lessens its influence on him.

He slowly looks around towards Natasha and Yelena who are on the floor of the aircraft. Then he looks up at me, displaying a confused expression, assumingly wondering how we got into this mess.

I nod my head forward towards Melina, causing him to move his gaze to her location, “Request clearance for landing.” She asks- being given the all clear for landing.

“Melina?” Alexei lets out, causing me to look back towards him. Part of me sympathises for Alexei, to him Melina is everything, and when someone like that betrays you, it’s the worst kind of pain.

Melina barely gives him a glance, resuming her concentration on the journey ahead.

“We’re touching down in one minute.” She announces.

“Then why are we still going up?” Alexei mumbles, still feeling the effect of the drug administered.

That’s when I notice a large structure reveal itself from the clouds- the Red Room.

“Now you’ll know how Dreykov stayed above the radar all these years.”

My worst nightmare has come alive, we’re being sent directly back into the Red Room.

One of the guards administered more tranquilliser into Alexei, knocking him unconscious.

I start to move in my seat, hoping to somehow free myself enough to fight back. My efforts are noticed by Melina as she instructs one of the guards to blindfold me, so I cannot see the process of the entry of the Red Room.

ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ

Once we land, I am released from my seat and dragged off the aircraft.

“She stays with me. Take the others to the General’s desired locations.” I hear Melina instruct the guards.

I feel a hand wrap around my arm, causing me to shrug it off. Earning me a smack to the head.

When the hand returns to my arm, I choose to keep it there.

Having the blindfold on reduces my ability to escape, I don’t know how many guards surround me, meaning if I attack, I will most likely be killed within seconds.

We come to a brief halt, as we were walking I heard a collection of stomping, which has now stopped.

Before I had time to think, I was being dragged forwards again.

When we stop again, I hear a click, probably an elevator button. My suspicions are proven right when I hear a ding and the sound of doors opening.

Once I am shoved inside the elevator, Melina peels the blindfold from my eyes. Allowing me to glare at her, “Don’t look at me like that, this is necessary.” She says, causing me to raise my eyebrows in false amusement.

“I’m just glad you’re gagged so I don’t have to hear your insults.” Oh if only Melina knew that I was saving them for as soon as this gag is removed.

Once the doors open we move out of the elevator. I freeze when I realise where we are.

The signature decor hasn’t changed in all this time, we’re outside Dreykov’s office.

Melina senses my panic and moves in front of me, “You need to trust me Lara, I can only protect you if you trust me. Can you do that?”

I look around with panic stricken features, before landing my gaze on Melina. She places her hands either side of my shoulders, awaiting my answer.

With no other options available to me, I give her a nod.

After all this time, I have to face General Dreykov again.

All that runs through my head is, ‘This will be the day that I die’.

ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ/./. ⴵ ⴵ

Taglist: @jeyramarie @sophie-reads-too-much @kamala-khann @houseofwm

138 notes · View notes

slightly-smarter-nat · 2 years

Text

Bye-Bye, Miss American Pie || The Unknown Widow

ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ\\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Yelena Belova x Reader (Platonic)

Warnings: Mentions of the Red Room tactics; mentions of blood; mentions of killing; dark themes; mention of injuries sustained from torture; trauma response described; mention of weapons. If I have missed any warnings, please let me know.

Word Count: 2628 words.

Summary: It’s time to pay Melina a visit, but will she have all the answers?

A/N: Part 9 of ‘The Unknown Widow’. One step closer to the end… also I wrote this at like 4 am so if it doesn’t make sense I apologise. Also when the reader has no recollection of what is happening- I’ve used it as a trauma response from the mission.

Please do not repost (on here or any social media platform) copy, translate or take ownership of my work. Reblogs, likes and comments are always appreciated <3

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10

Masterlist

*Italics indicate flashback

ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ\\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ

GIF not mine

Bye, Bye Miss American Pie- The Unknown Widow:

The aircraft makes a harsh landing in the middle of nowhere- having run out of fuel.

Yelena and I jolted forwards, both releasing grunts of pain from the restriction caused by the seatbelts tightening over our chests.

“Are you okay?” I ask her, struggling to take my seatbelt off.

“Never better,” She sarcastically replies as she slumps back in her chair, catching her breath from the impact.

I turn to look towards the back, “Are you two okay?” I ask, noticing how Natasha gets straight up and staggers to the door, opening it in frustration. Alexei on the other hand is struggling to his feet after having fallen from his seat- that will teach him to wear his seatbelt next time.

After taking a few seconds to gather our surroundings, we exit the aircraft with all of our supplies. I look around at the mixture of purple flowers and green details surrounding us- it’s beautiful, though simple it’s somewhat calming after the last few hours we’ve just endured.

I take a big breath in, filling my lungs with fresh air, I turn to look at Yelena who’s smirking at me. I release my breath, “What?”

“Oh nothing, you’re just acting like you’ve never been outside before.” She says.

“Well, after being in a confined space with Alexei for hours, you take all the fresh air you can get.” I jokingly remark.

Yelena releases a breath of amusement, seemingly agreeing that Alexei’s prison days have not treated him well.

I look over to see Natasha is squatting on the floor, glaring around as she processes the situation we’re in. The last thing we need is Natasha in a bad mood.

The irritating sound of the aircraft rattling from its damages disturbs the calming atmosphere, suddenly a wave of black smoke emerges from the structure- signalling that it is done for.

Alexei decides that this is the perfect opportunity to say, “You should’ve brought the Avengers’ superjet.”

I turn to him and display a look of amazement, surely he knows this type of comment will only annoy Natasha and Yelena further. He studies my face in confusion and mouths ‘What?’ to me as he shrugs his shoulders.

I just shake my head as I turn to see Natasha and Yelena venturing away from the scene.

“I swear, if I hear one more word from him, I will kick him in the face.” I hear Yelena say as I jog up alongside them.

“Now, now Yelena, we’ve talked about these urges.” I teasingly say.

“He’s the exception, he deserves it.” She bites back, allowing Alexei to get under her skin.

Alexei calls for Natasha, causing her to release an unamused sigh as we carry on walking through the naturally decorated track.

Alexei chases after us, repeating Natasha’s name in order to catch her attention.

“Come here, I want to ask you something.” He says in a desperate tone, Natasha looks at Yelena as they both mutually roll their eyes.

Yelena and myself decide to carry on walking as Natasha turns to him expectantly, she gives him a simple, ‘What?’ As he tries to think of his next words to her.

We make a short distance ahead, though barely being able to hear what Alexei and Natasha are discussing.

“What are you thinking?” Yelena suddenly asks me.

I look at her, shaking my head slightly, “It doesn’t matter.”- she knows me too well.

Yelena nudges her arm into me, causing me to veer off the path a bit before I reclaim my spot next to her, “Come on, we don’t keep secrets.”

I release a sigh, “It’s just what Alexei said on the aircraft- about me helping you two out and him being surprised. Also the stuff about Dreykov.”

“What about Dreykov?” She asks as she studies my face with concern.

“Something about him using me as ‘payback’, I don’t know Yelena. It just seems like an odd thing for him to say.” I look towards the ground, kicking the odd pebble I come across.

Yelena is about to reply before we hear Natasha raise her voice from behind us, “You haven’t seen Yelena or I in twenty years and you’re gonna ask me about you?” She says in a displeased tone.

Yelena and I turn around to see Alexei standing off to the side, “What is with this tension? Did I do something wrong?” He asks.

Yelena rubs at her forehead and releases a pitied laugh, “Is that a serious question?”

“Is he just referring to today or…” I add, wondering how Alexei could be so oblivious to his inappropriate ways.

“Oh because you’re so perfect, last I heard you were Dreykov’s most prized possession.” Alexei remarks.

“Ah, well he has a new toy he likes to send out on missions, I’m essentially worthless to him now.” I say, not wanting to get into the details of the Taskmaster.

Alexei raises an eyebrow at that piece of information, clearly being the first time he’s heard of this, “How the mighty fall” he says, causing me to shake my head in amusement.

He releases a sigh, before glancing between Natasha and Yelena, “I only ever loved you girls, I did my best to make sure you would succeed. To achieve your fullest potential; and everything worked out.” He proclaimed.

Natasha shook her head, tired of hearing Alexei’s words, “Everything worked out?” She questioned.

Alexei was quick to confirm this, highlighting that for Natasha something did work out for her in her life- however that was of her own making.

I decided to take a seat on the ground, knowing Alexei was going to go off on a tangent in concern with the past.

I start picking aimlessly at the grass whilst Alexei praises the efforts of Yelena for being one of the best assassins to come out of the Red Room and to Natasha for becoming an Avenger.

This causes me to wonder if this is what it’s like to have proud parents- another thing the Red Room deprived the Widows of.

I look up to see Alexei grabbing Natasha and Yelena’s arms, shaking them to emphasise his words, “Your ledgers must be dripping, just gushing red.” I smirk as I notice Yelena staring at her flopping arm in confusion.

Alexei finally pulls them both into a hug, telling them how proud he is of them.

However, Natasha firmly pushes away from him, looking at him in disgust- the things he’s most proud of are her worst nightmares about herself.

She scoffs as she storms straight past me, I watch her go past, wanting to comfort her but not really knowing how. I pick myself up as Alexei tightens his hold on Yelena, giving her a kiss on the head.

Yelena protests, “Okay, let go of me now, you smell really bad.” -Touching on the subject we discussed earlier.

I can’t help but smile as she makes her way over to me, causing her to playfully shove at my head before I can say anything. I link my arm through hers as we walk after Natasha.

ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ\\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ

After about ten minutes of walking, the group is divided. Alexei and Natasha are up ahead- Alexei is desperately trying to plead his case to Natasha, explaining why she should embrace her past and not fear it.

Yelena and I are slowly trailing behind, not really up for Natasha’s sour mood, all thanks to Alexei.

As we’re walking I can hear Yelena humming a tune, whilst adjusting the bag in her hand. It takes me a few seconds to register what it is but I decipher it enough to join in, “So bye-bye, Miss American Pie.” I sing softly.

This causes Yelena’s gaze to shoot over to me, “You remembered?” She says with a giddy smile.

“Of course I do, you used to sing it to me when I had a nightmare, it always calmed me down enough for me to go back to sleep.” I say as I shove my hands in my pockets, focusing on the ground in front.

Yelena looks away in sadness, knowing how hard those times were for the both of us.

I look over and see the serious look on her face, so I decide to change that. I know the song means a lot to Yelena, so now we can make a new, happier memory with it.

I wrap my arm around her shoulders and continue the song, “Drove my Chevy to the levee-“

“But the levee was dry.” Yelena finishes as she hooks her arm around my waist.

By now we were both singing, “Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing ‘This will be the day that I die’. This will be the day that I die!” We finish off in a fit of laughter knowing our singing could use some work.

We finish the rest of the song skipping behind Alexei and Natasha.

We don’t notice how Natasha looks behind at us, smiling at the way we interact so carefree, making each other happy.

Natasha stands still for a moment, causing Alexei to stop, she nods her head to signal for him to carry on- he does, placing his hands in his pockets and admiring the scenery.

We walk closer to her as she addresses Yelena, “Lena, go walk with Alexei and make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.”

Yelena whines in protest, “Natasha-“

Natasha sends her a glare, causing her to huff in frustration and march her way towards Alexei.

I start to get nervous, wondering why Natasha wanted to get me alone. She matches my pace as she walks beside me, “You know, I never did thank you properly for saving her.” She says out of nowhere.

I look at her puzzled, hoping she’ll elaborate, “I always wanted to save Yelena, I thought about her every day I was out of the Red Room. She means more to me than life itself, I just have a funny way of showing it I guess.” She says as she smiles sadly at herself.

I use this as my moment to talk, “She loves you, you know. She talked about you every day when we were in the Red Room. Even when we were told to view you as the enemy she did nothing but praise you to me. Yes, she was hurt by your leaving but she thinks the world of you Natasha.” I look over to see her avoiding my gaze, she discreetly tries to cover her sniffles by clearing her throat in between.

“Well thank you for looking after her for me.” She says simply.

I smile gratefully at Natasha, “She’s like family to me, I’d do anything for her.”

Natasha looks at me with tear filled eyes, “I guess that makes you family to me too.”

My heart soars at this, not just from Natasha trusting me enough to open up but for her acknowledging her past ties to Yelena- If only she was this understanding at the gas station with Yelena.

We continue our journey in silence- well that is until Yelena and I have to swap places as she threatened to push Alexei down the hill if she had to walk one more step next to him.

ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ\\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ

“Melina’s farm should be just down here.” Alexei announces.

Unbeknownst to us, we were being stalked by a sniper.

I stop, allowing Yelena to jump off my back from giving her a piggyback- to which I jokingly offered, not expecting her to actually take advantage of it.

I glance down at the scene ahead, spotting a small pig farm. It blends in well, not easily found by civilians.

I look over at Yelena, noticing her displaying a pout as she looks on.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask gently.

She shakes her head, trying to rid the tears starting to form, “This is going to be really hard.”

Before I can comfort her she walks forward with Natasha and Alexei, causing me to follow also.

As we near closer I spot the fences surrounding the farm, as I look along them to view what is contained within them I notice a woman holding a rather impressive sniper in her hands staring at us in conflict.

She studies each of our faces rigorously. When her eyes meet mine her features seem to harden. Though I was convinced I hadn’t met Melina, there’s something awfully familiar about her now that I see her up close.

I find myself looking away from her gaze out of fear. I stare at the grass surrounding the fence as I hear Alexei announce, “Honey, we’re home.”

I come to the realisation that I blocked her out for a reason.

ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ\\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ

“Did anyone survive?” General Dreykov questioned me.

“No, General. I eliminated them all as per your request.” I reply in a monotone way.

“The files. Did you retrieve them?” He asks as he makes his way around the desk.

I nod, “Yes, I handed them over to a Guard as soon as I returned to base.”

General Dreykov claps his hands slowly, stopping in front of me, “Well done Lara, those files are vital to the next phase of our rise to power. Those worthless lives you took today, they were too naive to understand the power they had in their possession. We did them a favour. You’re dismissed, return to your chamber at once.”

“Thank you General.” I say as I salute him and make my way out of his office.

I march through the halls of the Red Room like a robot. My face shows no emotion, my mind is blank other than the screams of my victims replaying on a constant loop.

I am brought to a halt when a hand is placed on my shoulder.

I don’t dare look at who has stopped me, I just look forward, desperate to escape the reality I’m in.

I see the basic outline of a figure standing in front of me, tilting my jaw from side to side slightly to assess the damage from my mission.

“Come with me.” Is all I hear as I am guided to an unknown part of the facility.

By this point, I’m completely lost. I can’t register anything, not actions; not people; nothing. I put a mental, protective barrier up to process what I have just done to those innocent victims who were just trying to stop Dreykov from gaining more power than he already has.

Due to this, I don’t register as gentle hands rid me of my blood stained tactical suit, as they whisper several apologies for me having to go through this and wishing they could do more to help me. How those gentle hands run me a warm bath and help wash all the blood from my skin and hair- majority of the blood not being my own. The water now being tainted with blood of the victims of the Red Room. How the owner of these gentle hands cry as they trace the scars on my back from General Dreykov’s punishments.

I just sit there and stare at nothing.

Eventually they dry me off and dress me into a fresh, standard Widow suit- ready for training. As soon as they’re done, they inhale a deep breath of composure and state, “You’re dismissed Widow.”

The only part I do register is my salute and continuation of my march through the Red Room.

ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ\\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ

I’m brought out of my daze when Yelena places a hand on me, causing me to flinch.

“Hey, hey Lara, we’re going inside. You okay?” She asks as she notices my panicked expression.

I nod wordlessly as I make my way towards the farmhouse.

My mind races with thoughts and questions, how will I tell Natasha and Yelena that Melina, their ‘Mother’ helped me in the Red Room in secret and it is only now that my mind is free that I have just realised it.

ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ\\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ \\\ ⴵ ⴵ ⴵ

Tag list: @jeyramarie @sophie-reads-too-much @spectormarcc

60 notes · View notes