Chapter Text
Chapter 5: Epilogue
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Kate stands in front of her floor length mirror in her room. She’s wearing a deep purple jumpsuit. Her black graduation gown is draped over her shoulders but it’s not tied yet. She holds her matching black graduation cap in her hands.
From an outside perspective, it looks like the brunette is just mentally preparing herself as she gets ready for her graduation ceremony.
Unfortunately, that is not the case for Kate Bishop.
Nope, instead she is hyping herself up for something else. Something far more important than being one of the top in her graduating class. Something far more anxiety inducing than being thrust into the real world after four years of security.
Today, after Kate walks across the platform, shakes the hand of the dean of her department, and accepts her diploma, the brunette will look her beautiful and brilliant girlfriend in the eyes and ask her to move in with her.
Just thinking about asking Yelena that question has Kate’s stomach churning.
“You can do this.” Kate mutters to herself for the umpteenth time. “You got this.”
It’s been about five months since that night Kate pulled a Love Actually at Yelena’s place.
The brunette’s life has been filled with a lot of ups and downs but through all of it, Yelena has stayed a constant in Kate’s life.
Through study dates, late night coffee runs, dinner dates turned breakfast dates, and double dates either at the gym with Wanda and Natasha or at the library cafe with MJ and Peter, Yelena was always at Kate’s side.
The blonde proofread all of Kate’s papers, listened to Kate’s practice presentations and always had a snack for her to eat or another cup of coffee when she ran low.
In turn, Kate ran through flashcards to help Yelena study for her licensing exams. She listened as Yelena would vent about her internship and she'd coo at the cute pictures the blonde showed her of the new litter of puppies she helped deliver.
The biggest milestone in their relationship was when Yelena supported Kate as she debated her career options after college.
___________
“Are you researching software engineering jobs?” Yelena asks as she walks up to Kate.
The brunette is sitting at the breakfast bar with her laptop in front of her. Kate jumps at the sound of her girlfriend’s voice.
“Shit! Yelena!” She gasps. “I didn’t hear you come down the stairs.”
The older woman smiles. “I am sorry detka.” She kisses the top of Kate’s head. “I did not mean to startle you.”
Kate smiles and waves off her apology. “No it’s not you. I’m just on edge.”
“So you are looking for different jobs?” Yelena asks again.
“Yeah.” Kate explains. “I have been thinking about what I’m supposed to do after graduating and what I want to do.”
The blonde nods. “And what is it that you want to do, Kate Bishop?”
Kate thinks for a moment. She knows what she's been conditioned to answer with but this is Yelena. She can talk to her girlfriend about anything. “I want the ability to choose what my life will look like after everyone throws their grad caps in the air.” She admits.
Her eyes drift back to her computer screen. She bites her lower lip and furrows her eyebrows as she reads yet another job description.
Yelena tilts her head as she scrutinizes Kate’s body language. Her green eyes are on Kate for so long that the brunette feels herself blush.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Kate asks as her blue eyes drift to her girlfriend.
The blonde smiles. “You’ve already found a job you’re interested in? Haven’t you?” She asks, already knowing the answer.
Kate shoots her a sheepish smile. “Possibly.”
“That’s fantastic, detka.” Yelena says as she draws Kate in for a soft kiss. “It is good news.” She sits on the other barstool and faces the brunette. “So why are you so on edge?”
“On edge?” Kate asks, fumbling with her necklace. “Who’s on edge? I’m not on edge.”
Yelena raises an eyebrow. A perfectly sculpted eyebrow. Whenever she does that, Kate breaks every single time.
“Fine, I’m a little on edge.” The brunette admits. She huffs in frustration as she throws her hands up.
The blonde gently rubs a hand up and down Kate’s arm. “About what Kate?” She asks. “You know you can tell me anything.”
Kate takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. “I know.” She shakes her head. “I know.” Then she takes a few more seconds to collect herself before admitting, “I don’t know how to tell my mother that I don’t want to be CEO of Bishop Securities.”
Yelena nods. “I see.”
“Her goal for me growing up was for me to take my dad and her place as the head of this company.” Kate explains. “I was forced to go to all those prep schools and etiquette classes. Once I was old enough, I attended board meetings, international meetings and budget meetings.” Her eyes meet Yelena’s. “I was born and bred to be a Bishop and run this Fortune 500 company. It’s all I was expected to do.”
The blonde tilts her head. “And what about what you want to do?” She asks softly. “Remember when I called you out in the library all those months ago? When were you able to think about what you want?”
“Never.” Kate says quietly. “It’s why when one of the first times we met, my second home was that exact library.”
Yelena smiles. “And now look how far you’ve come, Kate.” She states. “A long way since that night.” Then she puts a hand over her girlfriend's. “I know I cannot speak from experience, but I do know that if you continue to delay the news, it will only make it worse.”
Kate nods. “I know.” She sighs. “I just know she will not take it well.”
“You never know, detka.” Yelena brings Kate’s hand up to her lips. “She could surprise you.”
The brunette smiles. “She always surprises me. But it's usually in a negative way.” Then she backtracks. "Not to paint my mom in a bad light. She's a good person who just has a lot of responsibilities."
Yelena nods in understanding. “Well regardless," Then she smiles. "Whenever you decide to tell her, I will be here for you.”
Kate nods. “I know you will.” She leans in and kisses her softly. “I appreciate it.”
“May I ask something though?” Yelena asks softly.
“Of course.”
The blonde raises an eyebrow. “What about your music?” She wonders. “Or that primitive sport you love so much?”
Kate laughs. “Archery?”
“I know what it’s called.” Yelena smirks. “I just prefer my description better.”
The younger woman smiles. “Fair.”
“You do not want to pursue a career in them?” The blonde asks.
Kate sighs. “While I think it would be cool to make either into a full time career, computer science has been a part of me for so long.” Then she adds, “Plus it would provide a steadier income.”
Yelena huffs, an amused look on her face. “I mean that is true.” She tilts her head. “It is a risk but you could make a decent living in music or archery.”
“I could.” Kate agrees. “But, it’s not a bet I want to take.” She explains. “I would rather do something with computer science and software engineering full time. Plus singing and archery are hobbies. I don’t want to sully them by making either of them my career.”
Yelena nods. “I can understand that.” She smiles. “So long as you do not stop doing either of them.”
Kate shakes her head as she places a hand over Yelena’s. “I could never.”
The blonde smiles “Good.” Then she nudges Kate. “So, tell me more about this computer job that you are interested in.”
___________
It wasn’t until a few days later that Kate went to visit her mother for lunch.
Yelena had helped the brunette prepare what she was going to say to her mom to explain her decision.
Kate had practiced in front of her girlfriend. She practiced in front of the mirror. She even practiced in front of Lucky. However, once she was sitting in front of her mother in her giant CEO office, Kate broke. She blurted out that she didn’t want to be CEO Kate Bishop.
After getting over her initial shock, her mother phoned her assistant to explain she would be taking an extended lunch.
It had been a very long conversation, but in the end, Yelena was right. Her mother did surprise her.
While her mom was not pleased about Kate’s decision to pursue a different career path than what they had originally planned, Eleanor Bishop stressed that she was her mother first and a CEO later.
It was an eye-opening lunch for sure.
___________
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed.” Eleanor starts, “But why didn’t you tell me that this isn’t what you wanted?”
“I’m sorry mom.” Kate takes a deep breath. “I just wanted you and dad to be proud of me.”
Her mother shakes her head. “Well hearing that just tells me that maybe I should be the one apologizing, not you.”
The younger woman tilts her head. “What?”
“Kate.” Eleanor says softly. A tone that Kate rarely hears. “I am your mother. Regardless of what you do, I will always be proud of you.” Then she adds. “Your father too.”
Kate feels her chest tighten as she digests her mom’s words. “Really?”
The older woman nods. “Yes.” She smiles. “You’re a bright, talented and strong young woman who is about to graduate at the top of her class as a double major.” Then she nudges her daughter. “I hope you are also very proud of yourself.”
“I am.” Kate smiles. “Thank you mom.” She shrugs. “And, I would like to still be a part of Bishop Securities, just on a smaller scale than a future CEO or something like that.”
Eleanor laughs. “That’s something I can work with.”
___________
Kate still remembers that lunch very clearly. She repeated the plan she explained to Yelena to her mom in the exact same detail. While Kate was not interested in being a full time employee for her mother, she did want to be a semi-active participant in the family business.
The brunette’s plan is to work on a temporary basis with her mother while also working at the job she is actually interested in. It is a software engineering job with a nonprofit that works with other multinational companies to provide relief to areas in need. Kate also took up a part-time job at the local gym working at the archery range.
While it sounds very busy, Kate cannot wait to start them all.
Trying to focus on the good as she prepares herself to graduate and hype herself up to ask Yelena the very important question, Kate’s thoughts drift to one of her favorite memories with her girlfriend so far.
When she and Yelena exchanged ‘I love yous’.
___________
MJ's jaw drops. “You what?”
Kate raises an eyebrow. “Why are you looking at me like that, MJ?”
The other brunette scoffs. “Because you’re telling me that after just two full weeks of officially dating Yelena, you want to tell her you love her.”
“I mean, she kind of already knows.” Kate admits, as she recalls her grand gesture for the blonde in her mind.
“What?!”
Kate shrugs, a sheepish smile on her face. “Did I not tell you about that?”
“No, you did not.” Her friend huffs, “What did you do?”
The blue-eyed brunette tilts her head back and forth. “I may have pulled a Love Actually.”
MJ raises an eyebrow. “I don’t even know what that means.”
This time Kate’s jaw drops. “Have you ever watched Love Actually?”
“No, I haven’t.” MJ shrugs. “Peter likes it a lot though.”
“It’s a cute movie.” Kate explains, a smile on her face. “We’ll have to watch it.” Then adds, “It’s also one of Yelena’s favorite Christmas movies.”
MJ smiles “That’s fine.” Then she asks, “So what exactly did you do?”
“I’ll show you.” Kate insists as she pulls out her phone. She searches up the card scene.
About 2 ½ minutes later, MJ turns to look at Kate, slightly impressed.
“Wow, you did something like that for Yelena?” MJ asks.
Kate smiles. “I did.” She adds, “I obviously changed the words but I did something pretty similar. And one of the cards read ‘And I am falling in love with you.’ So yeah.”
The other brunette nods. “Ok, I see what you mean.” She tilts her head. “But aren’t you worried that you are rushing everything by wanting to tell her already?”
Kate shrugs. “I don’t care. I never worried about doing something like that.” She sighs. “I love Yelena; I want her to know.”
“I understand that.” MJ asks, “Do you think she feels the same way?”
“I mean I hope so.” Kate explains. “But I want her to know that I love her regardless.”
MJ nods. “That’s fair.” She frowns, “I hope you do not think that I’m not trying to sway you to rethink your feelings. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Kate smiles. “I appreciate your concern.” She says softly as she nudges her friend. Then she sighs. “But I trust Yelena.” Then shrugs. “I love her and I want to tell her.”
“Alright.” MJ relents as she holds her hands up in surrender. “How are you going to do it?”
“Just naturally.” Kate explains. “I don’t want it to feel forced or rushed.”
___________
So, that’s how Kate finds herself lounging with Yelena in the blonde’s apartment. There’s a half empty pizza box on the coffee table and two beer bottles next to it.
The pair are watching Oceans 11 with George Clooney and Brad Pitt. It’s the third time Kate’s seen the movie and the fifth time for Yelena. Suffice it to say, both girls are only half watching it.
“Why are you watching me watch the movie, Kate Bishop?” Yelena asks, eyes still on the TV.
Kate blushes, having been caught staring at her girlfriend. She shrugs sheepishly before answering honestly, “Because you’re incredibly beautiful and you’re my girlfriend.”
The blonde turns her head to finally look at Kate. A smug look starts to form on her face but Kate also notices the tips of Yelena’s ears turning red.
“Are you just noticing this now?” Yelena asks, her trademark smirk on her face.
Kate smiles. “No, I’ve always been aware of just how amazing you are.”
Yelena shakes her head but does not acknowledge Kate’s words.
After a few moments of mutual silence, the blonde speaks again.
“There is something else your eyes want to say but your mouth is holding back.” Yelena calls her out. She readjusts her position to sit upright. Then she turns her entire body to face Kate. “Is everything alright?”
Kate nods as she matches her girlfriend’s disposition. “Of course everything is alright.” She smiles. “I’m with you.”
The blonde rolls her eyes. There’s a fond look in them so Kate knows Yelena isn’t actually annoyed.
“Your sweet words aside, detka.” Yelena insists. “Are you ok?”
“Yes.” Kate insists. “I am more than ok. I’m so incredibly happy actually.” She smiles again. “And do you want to know why, Yel?”
Hearing that nickname causes the blonde’s posture to soften. She sends a small smile in Kate’s direction before nodding. “If you would like to tell me, then yes.”
“It’s because I’m in a relationship with an incredible woman who is smart, kind, funny, and beautiful.” Kate admits. She takes Yelena’s hands in her own. “Sometimes I cannot believe you’ve deemed someone like me worthy of your time.”
Yelena shakes her head. “You need to give yourself more credit, Kate.” She brings Kate’s hands up to her lips. “I think you’re absolutely wonderful.” Then she shakes her head. “Really it should be me who is wondering what it is I did to deserve someone as kind hearted as you.”
“By just being you.” Kate whispers as she places a light kiss against the blonde’s lips.
Yelena shifts so that her forehead rests against Kate’s. “You are such a sweet talker.”
Kate laughs softly. Then she takes a deep breath in and exhales. “I need to tell you something, Yelena.” She says quietly.
The blonde goes to respond but Kate does not give her the chance.
“I know it’s super early,” Kate starts, “And it might freak you out which is like the last thing I want you to do,” Then she starts to ramble. “But I need you to know because you deserve to know. It’s a good thing I swear. I mean I hope it is. And you do not need to say anything back but-”
“I will.” Yelena softly interrupts, a gentle look on her face.
Kate stops in her tracks. Her eyes refocus on the blonde’s. “What?”
Yelena nods, an indecipherable look in her green eyes. “I’ll say it back.” She says quietly. “Of course I’ll say it back, detka.”
Kate shifts to put a little more space between them. She tilts her head. “Do you know what I’m going to say?”
“You’re very easy to read, Kate Bishop.” Yelena quips, a fond smile on her face. “But please go on.”
The brunette clears her throat. “Right of course.” Then she takes a moment to collect her thoughts.
Yelena waits patiently, not wanting to rush her girlfriend.
Kate sighs and starts. “I wish I could think of something clever and poetic to lead up to my big reveal but I got nothing so-" She pauses and takes another deep breath in and then exhales. “I love you, Yelena Belova.” She smiles brightly. “I am so in love with you. And it’s the best feeling I’ve ever felt. I’ve never felt lighter.”
Yelena’s eyes are warm and her smile is so bright Kate can’t look directly at it for a moment.
Then a look passes over the blonde’s features. It’s a look that Kate has only seen a handful of times on Yelena’s face since they met. It’s the look she just saw a few seconds ago. She never understood what that look meant.
Until now.
“I love you too, Kate Bishop.” Yelena says, her accent stronger than usual. “You make me feel lighter as well.”
Hearing that, Kate draws the blonde in for an electrifying kiss.
For her, there was her life before Yelena told her she loved her, and her life after.
Kate has no idea what’s to come of her life during the after part, but she knows it’s going to be pretty damn great with the blonde by her side.
___________
And it is. Kate thinks, an involuntary smile forming on her face as she continues to think about Yelena.
Shaking her head, the brunette breaks out of her daydreaming. Dwelling on the happy memories provides a little ease to Kate’s current anxieties.
“You got this.” Kate mutters to herself again. “You can do this.”
“Do what exactly, Kate Bishop?” A voice calls out from behind her.
Kate feels herself jump at least a few inches off the floor as she whips her head to find her girlfriend standing behind her in the doorway. Yelena is trying to hide her smirk but she’s failing.
The blonde raises an eyebrow. “I did not mean to frighten you, moya lyubov'.” She gestures to the door. “It was open and I knocked once but you did not hear.”
“It’s ok.” Kate waves off as she walks over to her girlfriend. She kisses Yelena’s cheek. “You look beautiful, babe.”
The older woman is wearing white dress pants and a matching white blazer with a black crop top underneath. Her outfit is clean and sleek. The heels she’s wearing almost bring her up to Kate’s height. Almost.
“You look wonderful too, detka.” Yelena says softly as she pulls Kate into her arms. Her hands rest on her girlfriend's waist.
Kate drapes her own arms around the blonde’s neck and then rests her forehead against Yelena’s. “Hi.” She whispers before placing another kiss against Yelena’s lips.
The warm feeling Kate always feels when she kisses Yelena engulfs her and eases her nerves.
The blonde in turn hums as she parts their lips. There’s that look again in those green eyes and Kate loves it.
Yelena looks up into Kate’s blue eyes and quirks an eyebrow as she asks, “So, were you talking to yourself just before I arrived?”
Kate bites her lip and looks away from the blonde. “No.” She says slowly.
Yelena hums again. “Right, of course not.” Then she removes her left hand from Kate’s waist and lifts her sleeve to look at her watch. “Are you ready to go? I believe you’re supposed to be taking- how did you phrase it? A million, bazillion pictures?”
The brunette rolls her eyes. “There will be so many pictures, Yelena!”
Her girlfriend looks amused. “I am sure there will be, detka. It is a joyous occasion.” She tilts her head. “Are you ready?”
Kate nods. “Yes, I am ready.” She looks down at her gown. “Do I look ok?”
“You look lovely, moya lyubov.” Yelena says as she closes the distance between them again. She pecks Kate’s lips before pulling her towards the door. “Now come on, let’s get you graduated!” Then she walks out.
Kate laughs as she watches her girlfriend's retreating form. “Of course.” Then she mutters, “Then I will ask the moving in question,” right before she follows Yelena out of her room.
___________
The brunette’s college pictures go off without a hitch. But there are many of them like she expected.
Kate parts with Yelena with a quick kiss before she goes to meet up with Peter, MJ and the rest of her friends across campus. They go all around Greenwich Village, taking in all the sights and taking pictures.
Washington Square Park. Little Island. The Highline.
The latter is one of Kate's favorite spots in the city. She makes sure to take a lot of group photos with her friends there. It may be a long while until all her friends are in one place so she wants to make sure they make the most of it.
After those pictures around NYU, Kate meets up with her family. Her mother and the Bartons wait with Yelena, Natasha and Wanda closer to campus.
It’s surreal to have every person she cares about in one place.
When she had first started dating Yelena, Kate was worried about her mom and Clint meeting her girlfriend. Yelena meant the world to her; she wanted them all to get along.
It turns out that Kate didn’t have to worry about Yelena meeting Clint. They already knew each other. That truth was revealed at the annual Barton Superbowl Sunday party.
Clint was Kate's archery coach and the brunette had kept in touch with the older man ever since, especially after her dad passed away. Yelena had met Clint through Natasha. They used to work together so the blonde would call the older man an acquaintance. When Kate and Yelena had both brought up the party to the other, they found out their social circle overlapped more than Wanda and Natasha.
In regard to her mother, Kate had all the reason to worry. Kate had never introduced a significant other to her mom. She really wanted her to love her girlfriend.
The trio had met for dinner about a month into dating and the only person who was nervous was Kate. All the anxiety was for naught because the moment Yelena had gotten up to go to the bathroom, her mother had leaned close to her and said, “The fact that you want me to like her so much tells me just how much she means to you. I see the way she looks at you, Kate. She’s good in my book.” Hearing that had Kate relax and it has been one of her favorite dinners with two of her favorite people.
Once Kate takes millions more pictures with her family, Nat and Wanda insist on taking some of her and Yelena together. Kate may be biased but those are her favorite ones.
Bucky even makes an appearance at Kate’s graduation picture session. The brunette is only able to speak to him quickly before she has to join her fellow classmates but he definitely looks less somber compared to the last time she saw him. Kate’s glad to see that; she empathizes with the guy and she wants him to be happy.
With one last click of Clint’s professional looking camera, Kate bids them all goodbye. She gives everyone a round of hugs and kisses Yelena.
Then Kate leaves her guests to catch up with her friends in the large crowd of undergrad students.
___________
It’s during their line up that Kate is able to talk to MJ one last time before she asks Yelena her big question.
“You’re asking her to move in, Kate.” MJ stresses. “Not for her hand in marriage.” She shakes her head. “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.”
Kate huffs. “I know. I’m just worried about her answer.”
“Do you really think she’ll say no?” MJ asks incredulously.
The other brunette shrugs. “I don’t know!” She scoffs. “Anything is possible.”
MJ rolls her eyes. “Kate, she loves you. You love her.” She nudges her friend. “Just ask her.”
Kate nods. “Right.” Then she averts her eyes to her shoes as she tries to practice what she wants to say to Yelena to build up to the big question.
After a few moments, she still feels her friend’s eyes on hers. Kate’s blue eyes meet MJ’s brown ones.
“Why are you still looking at me like that?” Kate asks, a little wary.
MJ shrugs, a small smile on her face. “I’m just proud of you Kate.”
Kate raises her eyebrow. “Excuse me.”
The taller brunette sighs. “It’s just that you’ve come a long way since the beginning of the year.”
“True.” Kate laughs as she shakes her head. “I was kind of a mess without realizing it.”
MJ nods. “And that’s ok. You figured it out eventually.” Then she shrugs again. “It feels like yesterday that you were bringing your laptop into a bar to work on some paper and now you’re here.” She smiles again. “You’ve got a job lined up that you’re actually excited about while also pursuing your passions. Plus you’re in a relationship with a wonderful woman who you love, who loves you back.”
Kate smiles fondly. “Yeah.”
“It’s great to see you like this, Kate.” MJ states as she nudges her friend again. “I am so excited for you.”
“I couldn’t have gotten here without you, MJ.” Kate insists. “Thank you for being such a good friend.”
"I can't take that credit." MJ smiles. “But that's what friends are for.”
Just then someone with a megaphone starts directing them to queue up in alphabetical order by last name.
“See you on the other side?” Kate quips as she gestures behind her.
MJ winks at her. “Hopefully the next time I see you, you’ll have a new roommate, Bishop.” With that, her friend heads in the opposite direction.
Kate takes a deep breath and sighs. “I hope so too.”
___________
Like every other graduation ceremony, it’s filled with dull speeches from people she’s never seen before, accolades to sponsors and donors to the school she’s never heard of before, and the stereotypical music that is reused from year to year.
It’s all cliche and completely predictable. Kate loves every second of it.
Also, the brunette may have teared up as she listened to one of the student speeches that was all about growing up and preparing to face the real world.
While she’s not sitting next to her, Kate knows that her mother tears up too. She had listened to the older woman go on and on about how she’s going to be watching her only baby walk across the stage as she’s called to receive her diploma, of course she’s going to cry.
Kate’s smile is wide and genuine as she accepts her diploma. She is proud of herself at how far she’s come.
As she heads back to her seat, Kate goes through her mental checklist.
Take a million pictures with her mom, friends and the rest of her family. Check.
Walk across the platform without tripping? Check.
Take the diploma with the left hand and firmly shake with her right one? Check.
Ask Yelena to move in? Still in progress.
The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur for Kate.
One second she hears Eli’s name being called. The next second, the president of the college is asking all the students to stand.
“Ladies, gentlemen and every other person joining us today, I would like to present to you the Class of 2023.” The president says evenly. “Students please move your tassels from the right to the left.” Then she pauses. “Congratulations Class of 2023, you are now graduates!”
After that, hundreds of graduation caps are being tossed in the air. Even Kate’s. She’ll worry about it later.
Kate is an official college graduate.
Now, it’s time to find her girlfriend.
___________
The brunette weaves in and out of the crowd of people. There are students, staff, families and friends that are littering the stadium but she is only looking for one person in particular.
There’s confetti on the ground, balloons flying, flowers being passed around, and air horns blaring but Kate does not give them a second glance.
Kate’s blue eyes scan the crowd.
It feels like forever before Kate finds her girlfriend but when she does, she makes a run for it.
The blonde doesn’t see her at first but Yelena must sense her as she gets closer because just when Kate gets within a few feet of her, Yelena is turning in the right direction and looking straight at her girlfriend.
Once close enough, Kate jumps into Yelena’s awaiting arms and the blonde spins them around.
“Congratulations, detka.” Yelena whispers in her ear before pulling back. “I am very proud of you.”
The brunette smiles. “Thank you babe.” Then she draws her in for a quick but intense kiss.
Those green eyes stare back at her. “What was that-”
“I want you to move in with me.” Kate blurts out.
Yelena’s eyes go wide in surprise. “What?”
Kate smiles and shakes her head. “Ok I wanted to have more of a speech but-" She huffs, "Now that's out the window."
Her girlfriend tilts her head but doesn't say anything.
"So I wasn’t just going to blurt that all out but-” Kate shrugs. “I’ll just going to roll with it.” She clears her throat as she looks into Yelena's green eyes. “I love you, Yelena. I want to move in together if that’s something you want as well.”
The blonde remains silent. It's as if she's still processing the brunette's words.
Kate tilts her head. “It’s ok if it isn’t.” She remedies. “But please say something.”
Yelena shakes her head to get out of her stupor. Instead of saying something, she pulls Kate in for another kiss. It’s all tongue, teeth and entirely too fierce to be appropriate for being in public but everyone else is too busy in their own world.
Then it’s over as quickly as it started when Yelena pulls back. Kate is too breathless to say anything but her eyes meet her girlfriend’s again. All she sees in them is pure joy.
Yelena smiles, “I would love to move in with you, detka.” Then she leans her forehead against Kate’s. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Kate says immediately. Then she moves to kiss Yelena again, relishing in their closeness.
The kiss is definitely more appropriate than the last one but it still makes Kate feel electric. The blonde’s lips on hers are so familiar, but Kate knows she’ll never tire of the feeling.
Being with Yelena is unlike anything Kate has ever felt before.
It’s all consuming and completely wonderful.
It’s different.
And that’s more than enough for Kate. Honestly, it’s all that she could ever ask for and more.