Chapter Text
“And you see, that’s why we’ve got to start a revolution or something! Like I need to get on the petition maker website. Like the GoFundMe thing or something. I don’t think that’s what it’s really called, but it’s all I can think of right now!” Yelena declared, utterly flustered as she rested on the couch at the compound main room as she complained to Natasha about the utterly sexist setup of women’s pockets. It was one of her primary passions, and she always loved to share it with her big sister when she had time to listen.
Today was one of those days that Natasha had the time. However, given the way that the redhead was just gazing at her with the biggest smile and the softest yet most distracted glint in her eyes as she just watched Yelena, Yelena was beginning to think that Natasha might have zoned out on her.
“Am I boring you?” Yelena asked somewhat insecurely, and Natasha shook her head immediately, tilting her head just a little as those affectionate light greens bored holes into Yelena’s stare.
“No, not at all. Don’t worry, because I’m listening, Squishy,” Natasha teased as she looked at the blonde with a smirk as she finally allowed the mischief to reflect itself in her gaze.
Yelena’s eyes widened as she realized precisely why Natasha had seemed to be so zoned out. She was plotting mischief. Which was never good when Natasha was the one planning since Natasha could be a real doozy of a mischief-maker sometimes.
Squishy had become one of Natasha’s go-to nicknames for Yelena, because she was always claiming that Yelena had chubby, squishy cheeks. Yelena absolutely hated the nickname because it carried the strong implication that she was cute. And while she could at least tolerate Natasha calling her that since it always sent a little jolt of happiness through her when Natasha doted on her, she felt that she would surely die of embarrassment if anyone else overheard or started calling her that.
“Natashka! Not in the compound!” Yelena yelped and shook her head, looking around quickly as she tried to see if there was anyone nearby that could have heard. Yelena did not want her big sister giving anyone any embarrassing nicknames to call her. Yelena was still trying to keep up her tough reputation the best that she could, and Natasha seemed determined to mess it all up for her.
“Why?” Natasha asked in that frustrating tone of voice that told Yelena that Natasha knew her reasoning precisely and was just being irritating because she could. Yelena could be aggravating, but when Natasha got into that mood to mess with Yelena, she was positively relentless.
“Because someone could hear you!” Yelena shot back exasperatedly.
“No one’s around,” Natasha told her knowingly with far too much confidence, and Yelena let out an unhappy puff of air, growing more and more flustered.
“So please do keep telling me just how sexist the pocket industry is. Your adorable baby cheeks get so red and puffed up when you’re mad,” Natasha commented, a grin spread across her face that was far too self-satisfied as she gazed at the blonde. Yelena just groaned unhappily.
“I’m not telling you anything else. You’re not taking me seriously,” Yelena declared, frowning hard, and Natasha took her face in her hands, her hands sprawling out on the sides of her face as her pinkies just barely hooked underneath her jawline. Yelena gazed back at her firmly, trying her best to remain strong and not melt too much in Natasha’s grasp.
“Aww, don’t worry… I take you so seriously,” Natasha assured her, nodding her head with a ridiculous amount of mock sincerity, and Yelena narrowed her eyes a little. Natasha then poked her thumbs a bit against Yelena’s cheeks, and Yelena started to open her mouth to warn the redhead against saying anything, but Natasha beat her to it.
“Squishy,” Natasha declared with a way too wide grin that almost resembled the Cheshire cat in its magnitude, and Yelena just scoffed unhappily.
“I am not squishy!” Yelena protested strongly, her lips forming a pout as her cheeks puffed a little with the huff of air she released. Natasha seemed to visibly melt even more at the sight of her, and she moved forward, rubbing her nose against Yelena’s.
“You’re only proving my point, sweet girl,” Natasha told her, her eyes so filled with love and adoration that it almost made Yelena give up being quite so upset about the name.
“Hey, guys, what’s up?” Kate’s voice sounded off suddenly, and Yelena shifted her gaze to the side to spot the brunette approaching the back of the couch with a bowl of steaming macaroni and cheese in her hands. Yelena grumbled unhappily at the mere thought of what was going on that she definitely did not want Kate to be part of, forcing herself to conjure all of her strength to pull away from Natasha’s intoxicatingly loving touches to her face.
Yelena looked over at Kate out of the corner of her eye, trying to gauge whether Kate had overheard anything that Natasha had said to her. The brunette somehow managed to avoid their detection, and Yelena was naturally somewhat cautious about how much Kate could have listened in on. Especially since Kate had a bad habit of listening in on things whether she meant to or not.
Kate seemed miraculously clueless, and Yelena let out a small breath of relief. However, her glare returned as Natasha looked back at the brunette fondly, her eyes lighting up with warmth. Kate just grinned back at her happily as she headed around the side of the couch, sitting down in the armchair not too far from the two as she took a tentative bite of her hot mac and cheese.
Kate had been increasingly growing closer with Natasha, and Yelena was not sure she was entirely happy with it. She was especially unhappy with the way that Natasha had seemed to take it upon herself to defend Kate almost always no matter if it was from Yelena or anyone else.
Yelena attributed it to Natasha’s stupid hero complex that Yelena somehow frustratingly admired in some odd way.
“Oh, nothing much. Just saying that Yelena here is—”
“Don’t you dare tell her anything,” Yelena interrupted her immediately, her eyes flaming as she pointed at the redhead. Natasha just smirked widely, enjoying the situation far too much for her own good. Yelena kept her gaze on her stubbornly as Kate looked between the two uncertainly.
“Tell me what?” Kate questioned, a grin coming onto her face as she gazed at the women. Natasha shrugged, looking over at Yelena affectionately yet wickedly.
“Why don’t you tell her, Squi— oof!” Natasha let out a grunt as Yelena quickly shoved her shoulder, pushing against her hard as she tried to shut her big sister up before Kate caught onto what was going on.
Kate was smirking far too widely, and Yelena was beginning to worry that the brunette knew more about this situation than she was choosing to let on. That thought honestly surprised Yelena considering the fact that Kate was generally never good at keeping up any sort of poker face.
“Poser here doesn’t know what she’s talking about,” Yelena declared, keeping her gaze firmly on Natasha. Natasha laughed, that smug look still in her eyes as she looked at the blonde.
“Hmm…. Okay, Squishy,” Kate spoke, the words coming out breezy despite the barest hints of nervousness on Kate’s face as she barely glanced up at Yelena as she ate her macaroni. Yelena’s eyes immediately narrowed as her gaze snapped to Kate.
“What did you call me?” Yelena questioned dangerously, and Natasha was immediately laughing heartily, her hand on her stomach in one of those rare moments that she actually let loose and allowed herself to laugh.
Yelena did not take her glare away from Kate despite the fact that a part of her was melting with Natasha’s laughter. However, a larger part of her was hating the fact that Natasha was laughing at Kate’s joke at Yelena’s expense.
“Squishy,” Kate repeated somewhat brazenly as she looked up to meet Yelena’s gaze with the slightest bit of defiance despite her obvious terror. Based on Kate’s repetitive glances in Natasha’s direction, she was under the assumption that the redhead was going to defend her.
“Katie, you are walking on thin ice,” Yelena warned, an edge to her voice as she eyed the brunette. Kate stared back at her, seemingly debating her next words as she took a bite of her snack.
“Don’t call me Katie, Squishy,” Kate boldly proclaimed, and Natasha just laughed joyfully, grabbing Yelena in her arms as she tugged her against her chest. Yelena kept her eyes locked onto Kate as the girl squirmed a bit underneath the heated anger of her gaze. Natasha kissed Yelena’s cheek, and Yelena furrowed her brow, knowing where this was going.
“Oh, lighten up a little. You’re adorable with your squishy cheeks,” Natasha cooed, nuzzling her nose against Yelena’s face as she kissed her cheeks repetitively. Yelena was somewhere between melting at the affection and dying of pure embarrassment.
“Am not,” Yelena growled under her breath, and Natasha just chuckled warmly as she blew an affectionate raspberry against Yelena’s cheek. Yelena immediately writhed at the action, and Natasha chuckled, kissing her face.
“Okay, so… changing the subject a little, but I was wondering if you guys wanna watch a movie with me tonight? I was thinking we could watch Encanto,” Kate offered, some semblance of her old innocence and awkwardness coming onto her face as she took a big bite of her food, and Yelena brightened a little at the thought of watching the newest animated Disney movie. Maybe they could move on now and forget about this whole “Squishy” thing.
However, Kate and Natasha shared a far too conspiratorial glance, and Kate shrugged with false nonchalance.
“I mean… If that’s okay with Squishy,” Kate declared, an almost evil smirk on her face as her fear started to melt away. Yelena set her jaw in frustration as Natasha kept her cradled in her loving embrace and further destroyed her tough, terrifying reputation with Kate that kept the brunette from messing with her like this.
“Kate Bishop, if you don’t stop, you’re not going to like what happens to you next,” Yelena threatened, a definitive tone of warning in her voice despite her position squeezed in Natasha’s hold as the redhead nuzzled her face. Kate looked uncertainly at Natasha, but as Natasha remained just as steadfast in her playfulness, Kate grew confident again, losing traces of her fear as she finished off the small bowl of macaroni and cheese.
“Aww, Squishy’s getting flustered,” Natasha teased way too happily, and Yelena groaned in irritation as Natasha relentlessly poked and prodded at her. Natasha was definitely in one of those mischievous, irritating moods today.
“Stop calling me that,” Yelena growled under her breath, shooting a glare in Natasha’s direction. However, Natasha just kissed her face gently, taking her chin in her hand. Yelena rolled her eyes but still basked in the affection in spite of herself.
“So what do you say?” Kate asked curiously, and Yelena shifted her glare to the brunette as Natasha loosened her grip on her just a little.
“Squishy?” Kate added, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she glanced at Natasha for approval. Natasha grinned widely, and Yelena narrowed her eyes, reaching the end of her rope for all of this.
“You little sh—”
Kate yelped loudly, interrupting Yelena as she dropped her mac and cheese on the table nearby and practically leapt over the back of the armchair as Yelena launched herself off of the couch and chased her. Kate and her clumsy self, however, tripped as she tried to get over the armchair, and Yelena almost grabbed her as the brunette scrambled to her feet and took off running.
“KATE BISHOP!!!” Yelena screeched as she jumped forward, crashing into the girl’s back.
“YELENA!!!!” Kate screamed in reply as she hit the ground heavily. Yelena held her down, sitting on the taller girl’s back as she grabbed at one of her arms and started to force it behind the girl’s back.
“Is it too late to apologize?” Kate questioned with strain in her voice, a guilty, fearful smile on her face as she looked back at Yelena hopefully. Yelena paused in her movements, narrowing her eyes as she glared down at the girl. Kate just kept that goofy grin as she tried to convince Yelena. Yelena simply scoffed in reply.
“Far too late,” Yelena commented before continuing to force Kate’s arm behind her back. Yelena was not seriously going to injure her. She just wanted to force Kate into yielding and agreeing to never utter that embarrassing name again.
Yelena heard footsteps behind her just a moment too late when she suddenly found herself being wrestled strongly over into the floor next to Kate. Kate was scrabbling to get away as soon as Yelena was off of her, and Yelena let out a growl of frustration as she grabbed onto Kate’s ankle, causing her to fall on her face in the midst of trying to escape.
Natasha chuckled warmly from her place above Yelena where she was sitting on top of her, and Yelena glanced between the two women. Yelena was strongly debating on whether she was going to keep holding onto Kate or let her go in favor of tousling with her sister.
“Oh, Rooskaya… Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?” Natasha teased, and Yelena’s eyes widened in the split second before Natasha jammed her fingers underneath Yelena’s arms and dug in. Yelena immediately snorted loudly and helplessly, and Kate yanked her ankle out of Yelena’s hold, hurrying away until she was a safe distance from the two.
Natasha laughed joyfully with her, and Yelena tried her best to control herself, knowing Kate was watching and definitely not wanting the younger girl to figure out yet another weakness of Yelena’s. However, Yelena could not stop writhing underneath Natasha’s assault, her entire body shaking with laughter as she mentally pleaded with Natasha to stop.
When Natasha finally let up on her, Yelena was breathing heavily and breathless giggles were wracking her frame in spite of herself. She lost a bit of her smile as she looked over at Kate distrustfully, unhappy that the girl had found out such a big secret about her.
However, despite Kate’s slight teasing grin, she looked mostly fearful as she gaped at Yelena worriedly as if she were afraid that she would pursue her. Yelena took in a few deep breaths, Natasha bending down to kiss her nose before raising back up to settle more firmly on Yelena’s stomach. Yelena let out a huff, knowing that Natasha was waiting to ensure that she was not going to chase Kate.
“Look, sestra, you can get off of me and I won’t attack her. As long as she never calls me that name again,” Yelena wagered, looking over at Kate pointedly. Kate was immediately nodding, and Yelena looked back up at Natasha who was looming over her. Yelena’s hands were resting on Natasha’s knees as she looked up at the redhead expectantly.
Natasha just tilted her head a little, pursing her lips in mock confusion.
“Which name? I think I need clarification,” Natasha declared wickedly, and Yelena almost groaned in desperation and irritation. Natasha just kept gazing at her expectantly, a huge, ridiculous smirk on her face.
Yelena mumbled the nickname, barely audible as she hoped Natasha would have mercy. Natasha furrowed her brow, moving her face a little closer toward Yelena.
“What was that?” Natasha asked uncertainly.
Yelena finally muttered the nickname under her breath again, knowing good and well that Natasha heard every bit of it. Natasha furrowed her brow, leaning down a little more.
“One more time. I don’t think I quite got it,” Natasha declared, mocking legitimate concern. However, her large smile gave away her true intentions as if they were not already obvious enough.
“Squishy, okay?!” Yelena growled unhappily, and Natasha nodded emphatically in recognition before moving off of her.
“Oh! Okay, then,” Natasha agreed finally, and Yelena reached over, smacking Natasha’s leg. Natasha just laughed joyously, enjoying the whole thing far more than she should as she sat next to Yelena on the floor.
They all just relaxed there for a moment, collecting their thoughts after all of the excitement.
That is, until Kate suddenly spoke up.
“So… Can I call you Yelena Banana instead?”
Yelena let out a mighty roar and the chase was on again.