Work Text:
"You know," Yelena starts as she enters the apartment. "When I said make yourself at home, I did not mean this."
Her entire living room is rearranged. Everything's out of place. Her pillows are all piled up in the corner of the couch, the blanket from her room is over the back of it. The rocking chair she stole from the basement when she first moved here is missing from it's usual spot.
Jean's sitting on the couch, eating what Yelena's assuming is her mac and cheese, out of her fancy bowl which she also got from the basement, while wearing her pajamas.
Spider-Man had asked Yelena to let the kid stay with her. He's so damn lucky she never sold her apartment, really. And that Bob asked everyone to stay at the watchtower, since he doesn't have anywhere else to go, so she has the extra room.
"Welcome back," Jean says through a mouthful of macaroni. "There's more food on the stove."
Because that makes any of this better… Actually, that does make it better. Yelena hums, turning toward the kitchen.
There is, in fact, food on the stove. Yelena grabs a fork before picking up the pot and bringing it back to the main room. "You are so lucky I like mac and cheese, you know that?"
"I'm sure."
"Be as sarcastic as you want, bird. Remember, I do not need to house you. I can kick you out." Yelena sits on the arm of the couch, grabbing the hot sauce from the coffee table. Well, Yelena's pretty sure it's a side table. She doesn't know the difference, actually. She probably should. Whatever.
"You haven't yet."
"Yes. You are very lucky I have a soft spot that can be exploited."
"Right, 'cause of your sister.." Jean pauses for a second. "Sorry."
"It's fine."
"No, I—uh, I didn't read your mind. Spidey told me that."
"I know. It is public information."
"Okay. Yeah."
"But you are right." Yelena clears her throat, placing the pot down on the couch in front of her. "I lost my sister. And you lost your sister as well. We are the same, that way."
"…yeah." Jean eats another scoop of her food.
Yelena leans back as far as she can without falling off the couch, giving the kid a moment. She's spent too long trying to get those walls down just for them to bounce back now.
"She'd be proud of you, I think.. from what I've seen about her.."
Yelena smiles, just slightly. She sure hopes Natasha would be. Alexei says she would, too. And Barnes. Not that Yelena particularly trusts either of their's reads on her.
..And Jean is staring at her now. "I think so," she whispers. "And I bet Sara would be proud of you."
Jean looks away at that, her own smile forming as she stares at her lap. "Maybe.."
"She would. You're strong. That's good."
"Yeah.. yeah. Thanks, Yelena."
"Okay! Mushy feeling time over. Eat your food."