Work Text:
'Twas The Night Before Doomsday
"Hey Bob, how are you doing?" Yelena asks, sitting next to Bob on the couch.
The view beneath them is the breathtaking New York City skyline from within the Avengers tower. A gorgeous view, but a haunting reminder of just a fraction of the people that could die if Doctor Doom isn't stopped.
“Trying not to think about tomorrow. You?”
“Same.”
“I haven't had any dinner yet. Would you like some?”
“Is it boxed macaroni and cheese?”
“Yes. On death row, they let prisoners pick their last meal.”
“That was dark for you Bob. We are not in prison though.”
“We might as well be on death row with our odds of surviving tomorrow though.”
Yelena stays quiet after that. She opens her mouth to speak, but Bob cuts her off before she can begin.
“I know what the team wants me to do. I've heard all of it over the past few hours, non-stop. Please don't try to convince me too. Let's just both enjoy the peace while it lasts.”
“That's not what I was going to say.”
“Huh?” Bob says in mild surprise.
“I was going to say you don't need to cook for me. I can make it myself.”
“I know, but I want to feel useful.”
“You are useful.”
“And I want a distraction from thinking about tomorrow.”
“That's fair. Alright then, you cook.”
Bob smiles and walks to the kitchen, already opening up cupboards and gathering supplies. He then turns around to face Yelena.
“Do you want to help?”
“Sure,” Yelena says, pushing herself off of the couch.
In the kitchen, the two of them begin preparing the macaroni together.
“Should we make enough for the others?” Bob asks at some point, looking at all of the boxes of uncooked macaroni there are.
“Nah, if they want to stay in their rooms, they can order themselves takeout. Or starve, I don't care.”
Bob lets out a faint laugh in response, but quickly composes himself, going back to cooking. Before they know it, the food has finished cooking and is being served. The duo takes it to the bar to eat, too lazy to set the table. Yelena looks at both her spoon, then Bob's, and lets out a faint laugh.
“What's so funny?” Bob asks.
“Both of us combined have more cutlery than Kate Bishop.”
Bob smiles at Yelena.
“How long has it been since you've visited her?” Bob asks.
“Way too long. Years. I'm not sure when I'll see her next.”
“I'm sorry,” Bob says sorrowfully.
Yelena doesn't say anything in response. The two of them eat the remainder of their food in silence. Once they both finish, Bob reaches for Yelena's empty dishes, taking them back to the kitchen to load into the dishwasher. Upon opening it, he sees Bucky's arm and internally groans. He takes it out, as it is already clean, and loads the dishes in, trying hard not to think about the cross contamination. No one seems bothered by it in the tower but him. Then again, with knowledge of how messy Bucky eats and how Alexei lives in his room, he can't say that he is surprised.
After the dishwasher starts, Bob heads back to the couch and sits down. Yelena joins him, sitting by his side. One arm wraps around his shoulder in a comforting gesture.
“I know what you're thinking about.”
“So do I,” Bob replies.
“Yeah but you're cheating,” Yelena sulks.
She pulls her arm off, setting it in her lap, so they are both on a level playing field with each other. Bob seems to understand her intentions thankfully and doesn't appear to be affected by the gesture.
"Yelena, I can't do it. I can't be the Sentry. You know this," Bob says remorsefully.
"Yes, you can. You've done it before," Yelena counters.
"Only because Valentina manipulated me, and you know what a monster she is."
At that, Yelena can't help but laugh.
"Yeah, you're right, she's the worst. That doesn't count though. She manipulated you."
"Doesn't talking to me like this count as manipulation too?" Bob asks her while doing his best to hide a smirk.
"Oh my god, never compare me to her ever again," Yelena groans. "I deserve better than that. You do too."
Bob laughs, but doesn't disagree.
"You've been doing better," Yelena comments. "Helping out with the dishes, picking less fights with Walker…”
“He starts most of them,” Bob softly mutters under his breath.
Yelena just shoots him a sharp glance, then continues speaking.
“...and seeming happier. I think you can do it."
"No, Yelena, I can't," Bob says. "You know the Void always comes out after the Sentry. I can't hurt people like that."
“There's no other way,” she responds plainly.
“What if there is?” Bob asks, his voice growing slightly annoyed, but still staying at a normal speaking volume.
“Fine, what's your idea?” Yelena questions, beginning to grow exasperated.
“Is there someone else that could defeat him?”
“Not on this team and you know it.”
“Well what do you suggest?” Bob says, his anger rising and his voice becoming more clipped.
“The same thing as the rest of the team,” Yelena says, raising her voice as well.
“You can't decide that for me! I'm tired of other people choosing my destiny for me!” Bob says, close to shouting.
Yelena wonders how much of their conversation the rest of the team can hear through their closed bedroom doors, but decides she doesn't care at this point, not even if Mel or Valentina can hear yelling several dozen floors away. At least with how high up, it is highly unlikely any civilians will hear them. That would certainly ruin whatever remains of their reputation.
“You know why they do,” Yelena raises her voice back, gesturing towards the surrounding city. “We need you to actually participate on this team, not just make us handle everything that actually matters.”
At that Bob goes quiet instantly.
“I'm sorry,” Yelena says seconds later.
Bob ignores her, turning his back to her, but not leaving the couch. Yelena climbs up onto the couch and wraps a hug around him from behind, not saying anything. Bob takes a deep breath. He can practically feel her regret, as he sees her memory between them that just happened appear in his mind, but from her perspective.
“I shouldn't treat you like they have.”
Bob lets out a faint sniffle, but doesn't cry, holding it in. He lets himself be hugged, accepting the comfort, but doesn't attempt to hug her back or turn around yet. The memory plays on repeat in both of their minds.
“It's so hard,” Bob's voice cracks. “Everything about life feels too hard. Especially being some sort of hero, that always turns evil afterwards. I wish I could control it, but I can't. I hate being a bad person.”
“You're not a bad person.”
“I am, I should be better,” Bob complained, voice full of pain.
"You didn't ask for this."
"I did. I signed up for that study on my own."
Yelena took a deep breath and went quiet before speaking again, tightening her hug on Bob more, holding him close, as if he would disappear.
“I'm still not over losing my sister. People tell me I should move on already. It's okay to heal at your own pace.”
“That's different. Your life was worse.”
“That doesn't mean yours wasn't bad,” Yelena chided.
Bob didn't respond to that. Reluctantly, he turned back to face the skyline, not looking at Yelena. The movement forced her to let go of her back hug. Once he was sitting regularly, she took one of his hands and gave it a squeeze. The same recent memory in which Yelena felt shame over their argument looped in both of their minds on repeat. Yet, neither moved to let go.
“This was why I didn't want to talk about it. Not with you.”
“I know. It's understandable to be scared, but you can't let billions of people die due to your fear.”
“That's funny coming from you,” Bob retorted. "How many people have you killed?"
“Less than that. Besides, that's different. I was brainwashed, I didn't have a choice. I feel awful about what I've done every day.”
“I feel like I don't have a choice. Everyone seems happy to make it for me.”
“I'm sorry, I shouldn't argue with you about it,” Yelena said.
“I don't want our last night together to be fighting,” Bob said.
“Neither do I.”
“I'm sorry too,” Bob said.
“Shut up, I already forgave you.”
Bob let out a faint smile.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you for making dinner Bob.”
“Thank you for helping Yelena.”
Yelena lets out a matching smile.
“You're a good person Bob, no matter what the Void tries to tell you.”
Bob's smile grows even bigger, and he tucks some of Yelena's hair out of her face.
“I'm lucky to have you,” Bob replies.
Yelena doesn't say anything, content to bask in the compliment. Both of them let go of each other and stare off into the sunset, watching as the setting sun turns the sky into darkness. By the time the sun is completely gone, Yelena feels as if she can see glimpses of what might happen soon flashing before her eyes.
“I don't want you to live with the guilt that I do,” Yelena finally says.
“It wasn't your fault,” Bob tries to reassure her.
“No, Bob, it was.”
Bob stays quiet, knowing he won't be able to convince her otherwise.
“Bob, if you don't become Sentury, you know what the alternative is. You know what will happen to everyone.”
“I know,” Bob sighs. “That doesn't mean I'm okay with hurting them though.”
"Has the Void ever killed anyone?"
"No..." Bob reluctantly admits.
"The shame rooms suck, and yes they can cause pain, but people in there will be alive once you go back to being Bob."
"I know," Bob says, "What if I don't make it out though? What if I die as the Void?"
"I won't let that happen. I never will. I'm not like your family. I'm not like Valentina. I'll always be there for you. I'll protect you.”
Bob snorts, knowing how much stronger the Sentry is than Yelena.
“Hey, it's the thought that counts,” Yelena protests. “So ungrateful.”
"Alright," Bob relents. "You have some good points.”
“I can tell you're still scared though. Relax, Sentry is strong, you'll be fine."
"It's not me I'm worried about," Bob tells Yelena, "It's you guys. Fighting Doctor Doom will take all of my strength and attention, even in the best case scenario. What if someone hurts you while I can't protect you? What if Doctor Doom attacks you and the Void gets triggered early before Doom is defeated?"
"Bob, I'll be fine. I'm a Black Widow. I can defend myself."
"Not against him," Bob argues.
Yelena doesn't respond for a long time, because she knows that Bob is right deep down, even if she tries to brush it off.
“I know,” Yelena says, almost a whole minute later.
"No, Yelena, you can't do that," Bob protests. "I won't let you die."
“I know,” Yelena repeats. “I trust you.”
“What if I let you down? All I've done my whole life is disappoint others.”
“You won't disappoint me. Never have, never will.”
Bob stays silent at that, disagreeing with her, but not wanting to cause another fight between them on what could be one of the last days they ever see each other. The two of them put an arm around each other's shoulders, and Bob rests his head on Yelena's shoulder. The two of them stare out at the New York City skyline in relative peace, ignoring the shame filled thoughts that flood their minds.
“There's so many people,” Bob says softly.
Yelena hums in response.
“They don't know that they could all die tomorrow if I'm not strong enough. Everyone could.”
Yelena stays quiet, knowing the extreme stakes, but not wanting to pressure him once again. She won't keep manipulating him like so many others have done. He already knows all of the factors around his decision, and he should be allowed to decide for himself for once in his life, not have his choices dictated by others.
"I'll be the Sentry tomorrow,” Bob says after several minutes of silence and a lot of reluctance. “However, could you stay by me as much as you can? It'll be less scary if you're there.”
"Always," Yelena says, interlocking her hand with his.
After a minute, Yelena breaks the silence again.
“This was such a big potatoes discussion, we should have had it in my office.”