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5.
When Clint invited her to come meet his family, even after she had tried to kill him, and then she found out the pretty brunette was coming too.
4.
When Clint introduced her to Laura, playfully calling herself, Kate and Lucky ‘strays’. She had grumbled at that, but Kate assured her it was just Clint’s humor and that it was a compliment. She guessed it was an American thing.
Then Laura had given them both warm hugs, her scent a comforting cinnamon and pine trees. She watched as Kate looked wistful after their hug and for the first time in her acquaintance - the girl seemed almost timid. She wondered if she was thinking about her mother.
Laura said her condolences to which Yelena could only reply with a grateful nod, because she had still to master speaking of Nat without tearing up, and to her utter amazement she called out for their children to ‘come say hello to Aunty Nat’s sister.’
Before she knew it she was shaking hands with two polite mini Bartons, but the littlest one shunned the handshake altogether and went straight to catch her in an adorable hug, only it was around her thighs which was the highest spot he could reach. They all laughed and Yelena kneeled so she could be at the same level as the curly-haired little мальчик.
Hi, she told him. What’s your name?
Nathaniel. What’s yours?
Yelena, she had told him.
If you’re Aunty Nat’s sister, does that mean you're our aunty too?
Her chest felt heavy. She looked up at Laura hesitantly, wondering if she had the right, or the audacity to say yes. Laura just smiled and shrugged as if to say ‘ball’s in your court’.
Yelena always thought she would be more likely to be a dog mom than a ‘mom mom’ but something about the little мальчик made her think he wouldn’t be as annoying as most kids.
So she replied:
I’d like to be.
3.
When Laura guided her and Kate to the guest bedroom to drop off their bags and it transpired there was only one bed.
Fight you for it? Yelena had grinned playfully at the brunette.
That’s not a fair fight, Kate begrudgingly admitted, you have like 6 years experience on me.
Actually 20. I’ve been doing this assassin thing since I was 8.
Whoa. Urgh I might as well forfeit the bed right now then. That rug over there looks kind of fluffy and nice now I think about it. And Kate had actually genuinely started to walk towards the rug when Yelena grabbed her arm.
What, no fight? She said, a little disappointed. You being the obvious loser never stopped you before.
Honestly it’s fine. I’ve lived in luxury up to this point so I should toughen up a bit.
Yelena rolled her eyes at the girls’ savior complex. Kate, take the bed. I’m used to sleeping on the floor. I wouldn’t want to break you after all. Then we wouldn’t be able to have any more fun fights.
There is a third option you know.
She wondered if the younger woman would say it. If she would dare to.
She did:
We can … share. The bed. Together. Mano a mano or womano.
Yelena interjected before Kate would say too much and ruin the moment: Good idea.
Cool. She had replied, visibly relieved.
2.
When the time came to share afore-mentioned one bed.
What side do you sleep on? Kate asked Yelena later that evening.
The middle, Yelena stated honestly.
The brunette only rolled her eyes. Okay I’ll take left, you take the right.
Because I’m always right… she quipped.
Ha ha. I’ll turn around so you can change.
You don’t have to, Yelena had provocatively suggested. To her delight a blushing red had crept up Kate’s cheeks.
No, I'll - I’ll turn around.
Sure, if my body is that horrific to you.
Kate had spluttered and voiced a hundred no’s and not at all!
Okay then, then don’t turn around.
Okay then I won’t.
Okay good.
So still in a stand-off, they faced each other challengingly, tearing off their jeans, and then flannel shirts until they were in their underwear and it became clear both of them were too transfixed with the other to even consider pyjamas.
Are you going to stare at me all night or are you going to kiss me, Kate?
1.
They were all sitting outside the next morning around a fire that Clint had built despite the help of Kate. Clint and Nathaniel shared a blanket over their laps. As did Laura and Lila, Cooper to himself, and Kate and Yelena.
One by one, they told a story about Nat, what they missed about her and Yelena learned that she had visited often enough to make an impression even on the mini-Bartons.
Nat had two families, she realised. The one fate had given her, and her chosen one.
Looking at Kate, sweet caring Kate with her ridiculously noble heroic streak, she thought - maybe I can too.