Chapter Text
Kate stands alone on the beach, gazing over the cobalt water.
The ocean breeze tangles through her hair, and she smiles to herself in anticipation, digging her toes into the damp sand beneath her.
Her thoughts wander to Yelena. Despite not believing in soulmates Kate thinks that fate might just have a play in this. The irony of the second-generation Hawkeye and Black Widow was not lost, and Clint mercilessly teases Kate and Yelena about it whenever he has the chance.
Somehow, they’ve become inseparable, it went from bumping into each other during fights to Yelena breaking in (even though she insists she hasn’t broken anything) to actually planning to hang out and now… this.
Honestly Kate can’t remember a day in the past six months she hasn’t thought of Yelena, she’s shared almost every part of her life with Yelena and can proudly say that she might be one of the people to know Yelena the best.
Kate blinks out of her stupor, a grin pulling at the edge of her mouth as she spots Yelena further down the shoreline. She swoons as she looks at the intricate braid Yelena’s golden hair is pulled into. Her eyes are turned towards the horizon, hidden from Kate’s vision but she knows the incorrigible hazel hue that they are.
Loves the hue that they are.
She wanders towards Yelena and smirks, recognising the completely pandemonic assembly of clothing. The yellow she’s wearing makes her skin glow golden and Kate admires Yelena’s arms in their rare appearance. She catches familiar notes of Yelena’s scent as she draws closer, it engulfs her, and she sighs her smile widening.
Kate makes sure Yelena knows she’s behind her before she lifts her hands and lays them over Yelena’s eyes.
“Guess who?” she says jokingly.
Kate chuckles with Yelena and rests against her body, propping her chin on Yelena’s shoulder.
“I don’t know, is it Lucky?”
And Kate snickers leaning further into Yelena which results in them almost falling over. Yelena swivels quickly to catch them and she glances up at Kate an incorrigible smile flashing across her face.
“Ah Kate Bishop,” Yelena hums “Only you would be that clumsy, I can’t believe I thought you to be Lucky.”
Kate grumbles and slips out of Yelena’s grip; she crosses her arms and pouts “You are so rude you know that?”
And Yelena laughs, her smile softens and she steps forward so that their toes touch. She smooths a thumb over Kate’s cheekbone “moy malen’kiy yastr-” “You’re forgiven.”
“You did not even let me finish.”
“You don’t need to; the Russian pet names are totally enough.”
“Well, much as that is great for my ego, I still need to finish,” Yelena says faux seriously, her expression melts again and she moves closer so her noses touches Kate’s and they both almost go cross eyed.
“It is ok that you are clumsy because you have me to catch you.”
For a moment Kate is speechless before she bursts into giggles and its Yelena’s turn to pout.
“Sorry, sorry.” Kate breaths That was just so cheesy.” when Yelena continues to pout Kate quickly says, “It was adorable and sweet, don’t get me wrong but you have been so against all the cliché and cheesy stuff that it just made me laugh, you’re such a softy, who would’ve known?”
The conversation drifts and Kate looks at Yelena adoringly “It’s good to see you again,” she says taking her hands. “I missed you.”
Yelena quirks an eyebrow “It has been two days Kate Bishop, are you that needy?” and Yelena expects Kate to gasp in fake offence, but the look of pure awe catches her off guard.
“Yes, absolutely I am.”
“Oh.” Yelena says at a loss of words and then grins as Kate gasps.
“That’s all you have to say, ‘oh’ and to think I like you.”
“Hush, you catch me off guard Kate Bishop, I missed you as well.”
“Catching the Yelena Belova off guard? I must be some top shit.”
And Yelena’s lips curl into a grin “I mean you’re definitely top shit,” she says cheekily “but only sometimes.”
Kate looks away as colours rises in her cheeks, she pulls away from Yelena but offers her hand.
“Walk with me?”
Yelena smiles, slipping her hand into Kate’s and lets herself get pulled along the beach.
"It's good to see you again," Kate murmurs. “Despite it being only two days since I’ve seen you.”
Yelena’s scrunches her nose up, a smile flashes across her face and she presses a gentle kiss to Kate’s cheek “It’s good to see you as well Kate.”
And Kate knows Yelena means it, (and no not just because she doesn’t use Kate’s last name) she knows because of the way Yelena’s eyes shine with openness and a warmth only she possesses.
Then Yelena smirks, tongue caught between her teeth as she gives Kate the fakest innocent look, she can produce.
"So, Kate Bishop, tell me," Yelena begins, "What has been going on in the span of the two days we were apart from each other? Have you learnt to actually cook yet?"
"It's not exactly one of my priorities." Kate states flippantly.
"Hey, but you can't be all archery and cool combat moves. You have a softer side, I know. Do it for me?" She wraps her arms around her waist. "Please? You said I'm your favourite. And I would just love to taste your delicious food."
"It might not taste very good," Kate remarks with a quirk of her eyebrow.
"Maybe not," she observes. "But I could always move onto another piping hot dish." Yelena smirks at her.
"All right. I guess I can try ."
For that, Yelena tangles her fingers in Kate’s hair and tug her forward to kiss her.
"Wait," she interjects. Yelena pauses breath tickling Kate's cheeks. "Shouldn't you save your appetite for actual food?"
"I think I am rubbing off on you," Yelena chuckles before she kisses her. At this closeness, Yelena's warmth and scent are pressed closely against Kate, reawakening yearnings within Kate as she jerks Yelena closer.
When they part, Yelena licks her lips, grinning wickedly she inhales Kate’s scent and says, "As delicious as I thought."
"Then don't stop," Kate murmurs brazenly, snatching Yelena's mouth again.
They are rudely interrupted by the waves crashing against the shore and the tide racing up the beach, Kate doesn’t even think when she winds her arms around Yelena’s waist and lifts her off the ground. The water laps halfway up Kate’s calves and she buries her nose against the juncture between Yelena’s shoulder and neck. Yelena laughs, legs wrapping around Kate’s waist, and she peppers kisses along her hairline. She waits for Kate to let her down and when Kate does, she takes Yelena’s hand in hers and runs up the seashore, carefree and light-hearted.
When they’re a safe distance away from the risk of Yelena’s jeans being ruined Kate stops and looks at Yelena with an expression full of reverence.
She pants for breath and grins as Yelena shakes her head with a soft huff.
“Do you want to get ice cream? They have wild flavours at this place”
Yelena just takes Kate’s hand again and smiles.