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Kate feels like shit.
Of course, this is not a rare occurrence. Being a CEO of a security company you inherited from your convicted felon mother is one thing, being a nighttime vigilante wielding a bow and arrow is another thing. Those can make you feel like shit.
So imagine both of those combined with the wonderful revelation that the infamous time of the month begins today.
The archer groans as she sulks into her apartment. Her business suit is already sliding off her body, and the CVS bag of pads, tampons and other period amenities slips out of her hand. She can barely walk from how awful her cramps are.
“Welcome back, Kate Bishop!” A voice calls from the kitchen. Normally, Kate would respond immediately with some witty remark or joke. But right now the only noise she can make out is a grumble of discomfort. “Kate?”
And normally Kate would make some snappy commentary on Yelena’s lack of use of her last name, but she feels too shitty to even resort to that norm.
The blonde New Avenger slides into the room across a hardwood floor with a pair of bright purple socks she got from Kate’s sock drawer. Upon spotting the disheveled state her girlfriend is in, Yelena is quick to rush to Kate’s side, her hands taking Kate’s with precision and care like none other.
“мое солнышко,” Yelena mutters, looking at Kate with a face of deep concern. “Are you okay? Can you hear me? See me?” She begins frantically searching Kate’s body for any sign of injury. “Did someone hurt you?”
“No, I…” the archer tries, but a sharp pain in her lower torso cuts her off. “I’m not hurt, Lena. I’m just having really shitty period cramps.” Kate feels a pit of guilt build in her stomach for making Yelena fear she was injured (in her defense, however, the Russian doesn’t exactly know what a period cramp feels like.)
Yelena steps back and nods softly in realization and understanding. “Oh. Right.” She almost looks embarrassed for a moment, but Kate silently reassures her by squeezing her hand.
“I’m, um, gonna go shower,” Kate mutters weakly, grunting as she leans down to pick up the CVS bag. She places it on the counter before slowly slipping past Yelena and towards the bathroom. She stops by the bedroom and grabs the first shirt and shorts she finds on the way.
There are often moments of awkwardness between her and Yelena, despite their relationship having lasted for nearly a year now. Kate finds it honestly endearing and grounding. Yelena isn’t perfect, and neither is she, and that’s something Kate appreciates greatly. It’s grounding…it’s real.
Kate chooses to ignore the various noises she hears from the kitchen and the bedroom when she gets out of the shower. The pulsing ache just above her legs manages to overtaken the noise of all the thoughts in her head.
She slips the clothes over her damp body, feeling water trickle down her back from her soaked dark hair. A sigh leaves Kate’s lips as she makes her way out of the bathroom and into the bedroom…
…where Yelena is frantically moving about the room with various objects in her hands. On the freshly made bed is a giant nest made of pillows and blankets. At the front of the bed is a tray with two bowls of popcorn, a quart of mint chocolate chip ice cream, and two plastic cups of ice water. Yelena sets a stuffed sheep—Kate recognizes it as her favorite microwaveable warm-up plush—against the pillows and looks up at her girlfriend, eyes wide.
“What’s all this?” Kate tilts her head at the state of her bedroom, which looks perfect for a cozy cuddle-filled movie night (which, if she’s being honest, sounds like the greatest thing in the world right now.)
Yelena smiles when she sees Kate. Despite her frantic preparations, her look is nothing but heartwarming and caring. “You’re feeling kind of crummy, so I thought we could relax and watch something to calm down. I got snacks and your favorite stuffed animals and pillows and I figured maybe if we just cuddled you would maybe feel better but I don’t—”
“Yelena,” Kate cuts her off, taking her hands in her own. She tries to ignore the tears forming in her eyes. “Are you…are you serious? My god, Lena, this is, like, the most perfect thing I could want right now!” She can’t help but feel her smile grow wider and her cheeks burn a bright red. Kate throws her arms around her girlfriend and hugs her so tight that it could be considered choking by any normal standards. Of course, both Kate and Yelena show their love through tight bear hugs. “I love you so much, goddamnit.”
Yelena slides her head into Kate’s shoulder and her own arms snake around Kate’s back. “I love you so much, мое солнышко. More than anything.” Softly, still hugging, Yelena directs Kate to her handmade pillow nest. Kate sinks into the mattress while Yelena drapes the softest blanket around her and Kate’s shoulders. She flips the remaining lamp off and reaches for the remote.
“Can we watch High School Musical?” Kate asks with an air of hesitancy. Yelena typically doesn’t choose cringey Disney Channel musicals on her picks for movie night. But much to Kate’s relief, the Russian chuckles and begins navigating the TV to the page of Kate’s favorite childhood movie.
As the movie starts, Yelena leans back against the pillows before reaching for Kate and muttering, “come here, you adorable girl.” She wraps both her arms and legs entirely around Kate like a koala, and Kate is surrounded on all sides by Yelena. A sense of tranquility floods her senses and makes her completely forget about her cramps.
At some point, after much popcorn and ice cream has been confused and many cringey lines have been said on screen, Kate begins to drift off in her girlfriend’s arms. Her eyes feel heavy and her body seems to sink into Yelena almost on its own. When she tries to keep her eyes open, Yelena giggles and brushes a damp hair strand out of her face.
“You can sleep, Kate Bishop.” Yelena’s own eyes are soft as they gaze into Kate’s like they’re precious stones.
“Will you…” Kate trails off, her voice a tiny bit shaky yet so innocent. “Will you keep cuddling me?”
Yelena feels her heart burst in her chest. How can a girl who’s so fearless and so strong be so adorable at the same time? “Of course, мое солнышко. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be right here when you wake up.”
At that, Kate sighs happily and slides onto her back, curling up to her girlfriend’s slide with Yelena’s arms still wrapped around her. Both girls relax into the bed with blankets and pillows keeping them safe and warm and cozy.
Of course, Yelena’s favorite pillow is Kate Bishop-shaped, but these are a close second.
Eventually, Yelena feels Kate’s breath steady and hears the most adorable tiny little snores from Kate’s lungs. With a contented smile across her face, the Russian closes her eyes, focusing on the feeling of the most amazing girl in the world in her arms.
And silently, in her mind, Yelena reminds herself that she will do anything for this girl. Absolutely anything.
The blonde leaves a kiss on Kate’s freckled forehead before leaning back against the pillow. In mere moments, she’s fast asleep, dreaming of nothing but blue eyes and raven hair.