Work Text:
“Daddy, I'm so alone.”
“I don't have anything anymore.”
She's not so alone now. She has a team. Well, which consists of “tolerable” people. Walker? Straight up asshole. Alexei? An idiot, embarrassing, but at least he cares. The only ones with common sense are Bucky, Ava, and Yelena. Bob is just… Bob. He might be the only person that keeps Yelena to stick on the team.
Working with them for a day is just fine. But a team with them, especially Walker? Yelena would rather jump off the highest building (which she already did) without a parachute.
But there are still days where Yelena feels lonely. Like no one could quite understand her struggle. Ava and Bucky understand how it feels to be used as an assassin. The pain that comes after making a mistake. And the nightmares that occasionally come. Despite that, Yelena just can't quite bond with them closely.
“All I do is sit, and look at my phone, and think of all the terrible things that I've done”
That still applies, unfortunately. There are often times where Yelena just lies on her bed, or in her office, doomscrolling for hours. Chronically online just to get rid of the thoughts of her past. But they'll always come to her mind eventually.
Sometimes she'll think about Kate. How she's very sweet. Innocent, as in not broken by an evil program and used wrongly against will. Oh, how Yelena wished to live a life like that. Maybe in another world there's a version of her that lives happily with Natasha, Alexei, and Melina as an actual family. A real family. Where the red room never happened or existed. She can dream, right?
“and then I go to work, and then I drink, come home to no one, and I sit and think about all the terrible things I've done again and again and I go crazy!”
That's not happening anymore, she hopes. She has a bunch of losers waiting at the tower, and she doesn't drink as much. But the memories always lingers in her mind, she doesn't know how to stop them.
It's now almost 10 in the night. She's lying on her bed, looking at her phone and earphones tucked into her ears, in her own room in the tower. Outside, there was a commotion. Something about Alexei not doing the dishes, and Walker not putting a cup in the right place. An argument she didn't bother getting involved in. Even through the music playing from the earphones, she still could hear Ava yelling out loud at the boys. “God, we're really a bunch of losers who happen to be stuck together,” Yelena thought.
She took off her earphones, and now she can hear the argument getting heated up with topics that were straying away from the main cause. Yelena took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she decided it's best for her to go out and get some fresh air. Definitely better than having to listen to the idiots.
She walked out of her room, covering her ears with both hands. Alexei looked clearly cornered in the fight, and he tried to get some help.
“Lena! Help your dad here! I was too busy to do the dishes!”
“Bullshit! All you do is walk around the city all day, hoping for someone to ask for a picture! Guess what, no one cares who you are!” Ava retorted.
Walker tried to escape, but Ava was quick. She disappeared and reappeared in front of him, blocking his escape. Bucky was nowhere to be found, which is understandable. He's competent enough to not carelessly use the kitchen appliances.
Yelena didn't bother answering him, since doing so will drain her energy instantly.
She zipped up her suit, wore fingerless gloves, applied widow's bite on both wrists, slipped two batons behind her back and lastly guns on her hips. Then she brushed her hair, and used her favorite green eyeliner.
A few minutes later she was outside on the street, just to clear her mind. She opened her phone just to text Ava, telling her she'll be outside for a while. Not long after, she climbed up a building and jumped from one roof to another.
After a few blocks, she recognized something stuck onto the wall. It was an arrow. Yelena murmured to herself, “Perfect. She must be close by.”
She followed the arrows’ trail, and eventually she found her. Kate, in her usual purple suit with her bow and arrow, stopping a gang from assaulting an innocent woman. Seeing this, Yelena decided to jump in and give her a little hand.
One of the attackers was shocked by the sting of the widow's bite. Another was tied up around his body and then was hung upside down on the wall. “Well, if it isn't my favorite archer,” Yelena teased from the rooftop.
Kate looked up, and she instantly smiled, “Why are you here? How did you find me?”
“Eh, I happen to be around. Then I saw one of your trick arrows. Who else would it belong to if it isn't you?”
“Come down here, c'mon.”
“Oh, ordering me around? That's really bold of you, Kate Bishop.”
Kate had almost forgotten about the woman she was saving. The woman was trying to get her attention to thank her properly. After the woman was able to thank Kate and left, Yelena continued, “Why don’t you come up here? I’d like to have a little chat with you.”
“Your tone sounds like an angry mom,” Kate commented as she climbed up the fire staircase.
“Why don't you just use one of your trick arrows? You know, shoot it up here and climb with the rope? It'll be much quicker.”
“It'd be a waste of an arrow. Do you have any idea how hard these are to make?”
“Can't you take it back after you get here?”
“Yes, I can. But I'd have to take care of the ropes and it's pretty complicated. I'd rather not use it, unless it is absolutely necessary. As in needing a quick escape.”
“Fair point. You're a pretty smart girl.”
Aaand there it was. The words that never fail to make Kate freeze up in place. Her heart fluttered in her chest. Yelena, observant as always, noticed the pause in Kate's steps.
“What, are you getting flustered?”
“I'm not flustered!”
Yelena chuckled as she waited for Kate to climb up the stairs. Once she reached the top, Yelena invited her to sit at the edge. As Kate sat, she could see the view of the city. Some of the roads were crowded, some couples were walking down the streets, a stray dog wandered around looking for food, and more. The city’s always busy, even at night.
“I never actually bothered to sit down and appreciate the view,” marveled Kate. “So… Why were you out here and not in your office or that tower with your superhero friends?’
“They’re great people. But sometimes they can be quite a handful to handle. They’re actually the reason I’m out here. I was trying to clear my mind and get some fresh air. I didn’t even plan to meet you at first.”
“And you think I’m not? I’m pretty chatful, right? I always talk a lot.”
“That is true. But in a fun way. Listening to you just yapping about everything you see… It’s really endearing. It makes me feel like I’m still a child.”
“You’re talking like an old man having nostalgia. You’re like 10 years older than me, but you still count as young.”
“Well, yes. But I never had a childhood. I don’t know how it feels to go to school, or college. What I did in my supposedly “childhood” was horrible. I killed innocent people. I’m jealous of your life, Kate Bishop.”
Kate stayed silent, letting Yelena’s words sink in. Kate’s eyes looked over in Yelena’s direction, and she could see tears were starting to form in her eyes.
“I’m really sorry about th—-”
“Don’t be,” Yelena cut her off.
Kate didn’t flinch at the interruption. She understood very well why she reacted that way. Ultimately, she initiated something Yelena didn’t expect at all. Kate leaned closer and hugged her. It was firm, but not too tight in case Yelena wasn’t comfortable. Finally, tears broke down Yelena’s cheek. She held Kate’s body and pulled her closer. This encouraged Kate to hug her tighter. They stayed like that for a couple of minutes.
The hug was broken by the loud blaring sounds of police sirens. Both of them let go of their grip in surprise, and they looked at the direction of where the police were going. Not long after, they saw Spider-Man swinging by, following the police.
“What you did wasn’t your fault. Not at all. You didn’t do it by choice. You were under control, forced. And if you still think it is, now is your chance to redeem. Maybe it’s fate that makes you an Avenger. New Avenger. Maybe the universe is giving you a chance to fight evil and help innocent people,” Kate stood up, and reached out a hand, “Don’t let the past define who you are. Instead, do good and help people by saving the day. This is what your sister would’ve wanted for you.”
Yelena wiped her tears, and clutched Kate’s hand in hers. She stood up, now with her posture wide and confident. “Last time you mentioned about working together as Hawkeye and Black Widow. Let’s go, then.”
Kate and Yelena arrived at the scene. It was a simple convenience store robbery, suspects are found to be armed. The police were stuck on the road while Spider-Man was already close. Yelena assessed the situation from the top of a nearby building. Spider-Man spotted them and landed behind them.
“Hey guys! Didn’t expect to find you both here. What’s next, Punisher joining in?”
“We’d like to help. Besides, I want to try working together,” Kate replied, “What’s your plan, Spidey?”
Spider-Man looked into the store and scratched his chin, pretending to think hard. “Well, I don't usually work together. If I were to do this solo, I’d walk in, crack a joke, and web them up.’
“Anytime you’re ready, guys. They wouldn’t wait for us to kick their asses,” Yelena grumbled
Just right after she finished talking, the thieves, which consisted of three people, scrambled out of the store and escaped with a car. Yelena looked at Kate and Spider-Man dead in their eyes. Kate and Spider-Man was quick to react. Kate shot an arrow, which hit the left rear wheel, while Spider-Man was already swinging to chase the car.Kate was about to climb down the stairs, but Yelena grabbed her arm to stop her.
“Don’t be stupid, Kate. You can’t chase a car on foot,” Yelena hooked her and Kate’s belts together, and she zipped a grappling hook onto another building, “Hang on tight, detka.”
Kate was about to ask what that means, but they were already swinging through the street. “Holy shit,” Kate screamed internally.
The car hit a tree on the pavement and broke down. Spider-Man had already webbed one guy and stuck him to the car, but the other two fought back with their guns. Kate and Yelena landed on the street. Yelena unhooked them both and grabbed her batons to fight. Kate also grabbed her bow and changed into a fighting stance. Seeing this, both of them ran away. Kate used a trick arrow to grapple one guy and pull him back while Spider-Man also did the same with his web. After they were dropped to the street, Yelena hit them both with batons on their head, knocking them unconscious
“Awesome!” Spider-Man cheered. The three fist bumped each other. Yelena tied them both and put them next to the car, while Spider-Man wrote a little note; “From your friendly neighborhood, Spider-Man + Black Widow and Hawkeye!”.
Kate nudged Yelena’s shoulder, “How’s that for a team up?”
“That was definitely better coordination than us the New Avengers,” Yelena approved.
“God, I love you so much!” Kate accidentally blabbered. After she realized what she had just said, her face turned red.
Spider-Man lenses widened, and he just stayed a respectful distance awkwardly, sensing an attraction between them. “Uh, well, I’ll be going!” He said as he swung away.
Kate coughed, “Would you like to have a break? I know a good place around.”
“Sure, Kate Bishop. Why not?”
Kate was trying to breathe normally, trying to keep herself from ruining herself even more. Kate led the way to a small fast food place near her apartment. They went inside, and walked to the cashier. Both of them ordered cheeseburger and coke. Then they sat near the window.
“So… What was she like?” Asked Kate.
“Who?”
“Your sister, Natasha. I’ve only known her from television. As an Avenger. I wondered what she was like to you.”
“Oh.”
A waitress brought their cheeseburgers and coke to the table, and left.
“Well, she was the greatest person I’ve ever known. She’s always been protective of me. Of everyone. She was resilient. Tactical. But most importantly, she was my sister. The greatest. Even if what we had was actually fake, it was real for me. And for her too.”
“Sounds like a great person.”
“She was, indeed,” Yelena agreed as she wiped her eyes quickly.
“C’mon, dig in!” Kate pushed a plate towards Yelena. Kate was already devouring her cheeseburger, while Yelena was still looking at the cheeseburger like it did something wrong.
“Yelena, if she knew you became a hero—-scratch that. She knows you’re a hero. And she’s proud of you, I’m sure of it,” Kate assured. She held Yelena’s hand and squeezed it slightly. Yelena looked at their joined hands, and squeezed back. Finally, she started to bite on the cheeseburger.
They enjoyed the cheeseburgers together. It went on for a few minutes with Kate yapping and Yelena listening to her attentively. Occasionally, she’ll respond to Kate with some sarcastic remarks. At some point, Yelena noticed a small scratch on Kate’s forehead, almost concealed by her hair. “Hey… You got a scratch,” Yelena gestured to her own forehead.
“Really?” Kate rubbed her forehead, looking for it. When she touched it, she winced a little, “Ouch, I didn’t feel that before. I’ll take care of that once I get home.”
“No, you’re not,” Yelena looked into her belt, finding a plaster, “I got it. Come closer.”
“It’s fine, you don’t have to..”
“I insist. Besides, I don't trust you to treat it correctly.”
“Aw, c’mon! Clint taught me the right way,” Kate protested. But she still leaned in anyway. Yelena applied the plaster carefully, and gave it a gentle pat once it stuck. “Thanks.”
They finished their meal, and they were getting ready to leave. Kate paid for the food, and they walked out after. They took a little stroll on the street, heading to Kate’s apartment.
“We should do this often!” Kate chirped.
“What, eating together?”
“Yeah. And working together?”
“Sure, Kate Bishop. We’ll do this more.”
Kate’s heart raced. Her steps felt lighter, she almost skipped in joy like a little kid after promised an ice cream. Soon, they arrived at Kate’s apartment. Both of them slowed down, and stopped at the entrance.
“Do you want me to come with you to your room?” Yelena suggested.
“No, it’s fine. Thanks, though. I’ll be going inside, see you next time? Text me, maybe?”
“Alright, take care. Until next time, Kate Bishop.”
Kate went inside of the apartment and jumped straight into bed. Lucky, who’s been waiting for her return, jumped into bed with her. “Hey, Lucky. I’m the lucky one today. I just had the most fun night!’
Yelena had returned to the tower, and she changed into casual clothes. She went to the kitchen to get water, and she found Walker with Alexei cleaning the kitchen with a rag. She looked over to the couch, and there was Ava with Bob, eating ice cream. She chuckled to herself as she turned on the tap and filled a glass with water. She drank it, and put it on a random place, purposely to add more work to Walker.
She went into her room and lied on the bed again. She opened her phone and put on her earphones. She listened to music, and she smiled as she closed her eyes.