zero :)

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You hadn’t meant to find it.

You’d only been trying to organize your drawers. It was your least favorite chore, which is why you only do it every now and then. You always told yourself that you would keep the bedroom drawers tidy; that you would fold your clothes neatly every time and keep everything in order. But you always got lazy somewhere along the way, and wound up throwing things in haphazardly and forgetting about them. Then, you’d wind up feeling anxious about the state of disarray that your drawers were in and you’d set aside time to reorganize them. It was a vicious cycle.

And right now, that’s what you’d been trying to do—reorganize. And you’d made up for the boring chore by putting on your favorite podcast to play in the background. But once you’d found the item in question, it put a halt to everything entirely.

You stood in front of the drawer, your breath stalling in your chest as you looked down at the harness in your hand. A strap-on harness, to be exact. New, from the looks of it. It certainly had never been used on you. The harness was black with a matching black dildo attached. Not that big. Five inches or so, if you had to hazard a guess.

A flock of butterflies stirred somewhere around your lower abdomen as you stared at it. Kate’s strap. It was Kate’s strap. Kate has a strap. Oh my god, Kate has a strap? Your brain babbled on, and you struggled to catch up with it.

You’d always been curious about this sort of thing, but had been far too shy to ever bring it up to Kate. You wouldn’t even admit how many times you’ve browsed the LoveHoney website for just such an item; adding it to the cart and then chickening out and closing out of the website before you could complete the order. And here it was in your apartment, in your hands.

Before you could think much of it, you were running your hands along the dildo, the hard material rubbing against the pads of your fingers. You close your eyes and imagine Kate wearing it. Imagine the length of it inside you while she mouths at your neck; the sensation of fullness and the way she’d undoubtedly refer to the strap as her cock. You could almost hear the sinful whispers. “You like that, baby?” Kate’s voice would say in your ear, sending chills down your spine. “You like my cock inside you?”

“You like it?” Kate’s actual voice pulls you out of your horny thoughts and you fumble with the strap in your hand.

“What? I—“ Your cheeks burn as you turn to face your girlfriend, and the smirk on her face does numbers to multiply the butterflies already circulating in your gut. “I didn’t mean to snoop, I was just reorganizing and—“

“It’s okay, baby. I get it. I didn’t exactly put it in the best place, did I?” Kate shifts her weight to her other hip, still smirking at you. “But do you like it?” She repeats her question.

“I…yeah, yeah, it’s…it’s nice,” You stammer. Nice? Something tells you that’s not exactly the word someone would use to describe the appearance of a strap-on, but Kate doesn’t seem in any way affected. Instead, she chuckles.

“It’s new,” she explains. “I only just bought it a week ago,”

“Really?” You ask. “From…from LoveHoney?”

Kate recoils slightly in amusement. “Yeah, actually. How’d you know?”

“I uh…was also looking at straps on there. But…I never really had the courage to buy anything,” you admit. You don’t think your cheeks can get any warmer.

“Aww, baby,” Kate coos, taking your free hand in hers and pulling you closer. “I understand. It can be a bit intimidating. Honestly, I was going to bring it up to you. See how you’d feel about…that kind of spice,”

You look up at Kate, stunned. What are the odds that your brains would be in the exact same place, both of you wanting to ask the other to try something new? Of course, Kate would beat you to the punch. She meets your gaze, smiling as she places a hand on the small of your back. “Would you…be open to something like that?” She asks. “Totally okay if the answer is no,”

“No, no, I mean…I mean yeah. I’d…I’d actually really like that,” You say. Then, before you can chicken out again, you swallow and add. “Could we try it now?”

Kate’s eyebrows jump up her forehead at your question. “Now? As in…right now?”

“Well, yeah,” you reply. “If we wait, I’m gonna lose my nerve,” You look down at the harness again and those same butterflies now sit just behind your belly button. You want this. And you want it right now.

“You’re positive?” Kate asks. Her hands drop to your hips and she pulls your body against hers.

“I’m certain,” you respond. Then, you punctuate it by pecking Kate on the lips. Then, the corner of her mouth, then her jaw. She leans into you, humming as she brings her lips back to yours. She nips at your bottom lip the way she knows you like, and it elicits a soft moan from you just like she knew it would.

You feel her gently grab the harness from your hand, tossing it behind her onto the bed so she can get her hands on you. And her hands are everywhere, blazing a fire everywhere they touch. “Arms up,” she mumbles against your lips, and you immediately comply, raising your arms above your head. Not even a second later, your sweatshirt is gone, banished to the floor and forgotten.

“You’re so gorgeous,” Kate breathes against your neck before mouthing at you—at your shoulder, your throat, your collarbone. You tilt your head back, sighing as your eyes fall closed. You arch into her as her tongue finds its way to the valley between your breasts, earning an “Oh god,” from your lips.

You’re so focused on Kate’s magnificent tongue, that you barely register her index finger hooking into your bra, and undoing the clasp. You shiver slightly as your bra falls at your feet. Your eyes flutter open and you take in Kate’s face; her eyes darkened with desire, her eyebrow arching in that sexy way it always does when she sees something she likes—that something being you.

“God,” she breathes before surging forward. She sucks one of your nipples into her mouth and you gasp, throwing your head back again. You can barely think. You can barely breathe. All you can feel is Kate’s mouth, and the heat pooling in your underwear that you hope to good she’ll attend to soon.

“Baby?” You manage to say.

“Mm?” Her response is mumbled around your nipple.

“I wanna undress you too,” You say.

Kate pulls away, which both frustrates and excites you, and you get to work undressing her, stripping her of her hoodie, her sports bra, her sweatpants. She strips you of the rest of your clothes too, and when it comes to your underwear, she takes her time, slowly sliding the material down your legs. She gives you an unapologetic once-over, licking her lips and making you feral. Then, she gives your ass a playful smack and guides you back onto the mattress. She follows you, capturing your lips in a hungry kiss. Her bare chest presses against your own, and you both moan into the kiss at the contact.

You feel so overheated. You can barely focus. And the way you can feel the wetness of Kate against you doesn’t help your case. “Do you wanna watch me put it on?” Kate mumbles against your lips.

“Please,” you whine. “Yes,”

Kate gives you one more kiss before pulling back. She grabs the strap from where she’d placed it on the bed a few minutes prior and stands to her feet. You watch her as she goes.

Her eyes lock with yours in what has to be the sexiest moment of eye contact you’ve ever experienced with her as she buckles the harness into place. You drink in the sight before you. Kate, beautifully, gorgeously naked aside from the strap attached to her waist. And god, that sight.

You don’t exactly know what you were expecting, or how you were expecting to feel when you finally saw Kate put it on. But the arousal you feel right now is unparalleled. And you’re so wet, you’re worried it’ll start to drip down your thighs.

“Please,” is the only word you manage to say.

“Please what, pretty girl?” Kate’s voice is low, full of desire. Her eyes haven’t left yours. She hasn’t broken eye contact. She knows. She knows what you want, and she wants to hear you say it.

“Please,” you say again, your thighs squeezing together without your permission. “I want…”

“What do you want, baby? Tell me. Tell me what you want,” Kate says. She moves to stand between your legs, close enough where you can feel her thighs just barely brush against your own. A whine escapes from somewhere in the back of your throat.

“I want your cock,” you breathe, gazing up at her from your spot on the mattress. “I want it, baby. I want it so bad.”

Kate smirks. “God, I love the way you sound,”

She kneels down, hands on your thighs as she spreads your legs. “We can stop at any point if you need to, okay, baby? I know this is new to you,” Kate says. And though she’s in her dom mode right now, she says this with the sweetest tone you’ve ever heard.

You nod, but then realize she probably wants to hear the words of consent. And you love her for that. “Thank you,” you say. “I’m okay. I promise,”

“Okay,” Kate says. Then, she kisses your jaw, your neck, and then your lips. And the second your lips connect, she slides it inside you.

You gasp at the immediate feeling of fullness, adjusting to the intrusion.

“Are you okay?” Kate mumbles against your neck. Her hands are on your hips, guiding you to rock against her, eliciting a friction so delicious, you can’t help but whimper.

“I’m okay,” you breathe. “I’m perfect. You’re perfect,”

“You’re perfect,” Kate kisses your jaw. “Does it feel okay? Not too much?”

“It feels amazing, Kate,”

“Can I go deeper, baby?”

You nod, and then immediately gasp as Kate does in fact slide in deeper. Your fingers claw into her back, and your gaze darts to the ceiling. “Oh god,” you moan, canting your hips up to meet each of Kate’s thrusts. Soon, the two of you have found a pace that works for both of you. But you’re not sure how long you’ll last. Especially with Kate letting out those groans against your neck, your ear. You’re losing it more and more by the second.

“You feel amazing, baby,” she says. “You’re taking me so well. You’re doing so good,” her lips close around the skin of your shoulder, and your feel her tongue dart out to ravish it. This only makes you moan again, your back arching of its own accord. You loved when Kate left her marks on you. It was just something about the way her tongue and teeth felt against your skin. It was maddening in the best way.

“God,” Kate groans against you, and you feel her pace grow a bit frantic. “Oh my god, baby,”

You know Kate well enough to know that her frequent “oh gods” mean that she’s close. Or about to be close. And you don’t know why this thought occurs to you, but you decide that you want to see her face. You want to see her face when she comes.

“Kate?”

“Yeah, baby? Are you okay? Do you need to stop?” Kate asks, already slowing her pace prematurely.

“No, no,” you reassure. “I was just wondering if we could change positions? I want to ride you. I think…I think I wanna see you beneath me,” You hadn’t really meant for those exact words to slip out, and you half-expected Kate to tease you about them, but instead, she kisses your neck, and whispers the hottest words you think you’ve ever heard her say.

“Sure, baby. It’s your world, I’m just living in it,”

That’s all you really need to hear. You hook your leg around Kate’s hip, and swiftly flip her over so that you’re on top of her. And the sight beneath you is enough to take your breath away. Kate’s flushed cheeks, kiss-swollen lips, pupils blown wide with arousal.

You straddle her hips, angling yourself above her strap, lowering yourself onto it. Your hands glide up her waist, her ribs, then come up to cup her breasts, and tweak her nipples between your fingers. You get just the reaction you’re hoping for as Kate sucks in a sharp inhale, her body arching into you. And you haven’t even began to ride her yet.

“Baby,” she rasps, her hands finding their way to your hips. “Please, don’t tease. It’s not nice,”

“Maybe I’m not nice,” you whisper against her breast before kissing it.

“No? I think you’re very nice,” Kate guides your hips to rock against her and you groan as her cock slides inside of you again. “Very very nice. You look like heaven on top of me,”

“Jesus Christ,” you swear as you give into the rhythm, bringing yourself up, then back down on top of Kate over and over and over again.

“God, look at you,” Kate groans. “Look at you, baby. Taking my cock like a good girl. You’re so good for me. Tell me how it feels, baby. Tell me how much you like it,”

“I like it, Kate,” you gasp, your head lulling back as you speed up against her.

“You like my cock inside you, baby?” Kate continues to guide your hips, her nails digging into your skin, leaving behind little crescent moons you’ll wear with pride tomorrow.

“God, yea,” you moan, tilting your head back even more. “Yes, I love it baby,”

“You love what? Be specific,” Kate leans up a little so she can suck one of your nipples into her mouth, and you jolt against her as you feel her slide her tongue around your areola.

“I love your cock, baby! I love the way it feels inside of me,” You whimper, your voice bordering on a sob. You feel like your body is wound so, so tight. You’re so close to caving. So close to breaking, the dam that is your orgasm only able to stay put for so long.

Kate, ever the perceptive partner catches wind of this. “Come for me, beautiful,” she whispers against your lips, before coaxing them apart with her own. “Come for me. All over this cock. Do it,”

Those words send you hurdling over the edge of bliss, a shout of ecstasy chorusing from your lips, as well as a handful of expletives. Kate guides you through your orgasm, kissing you everywhere her mouth can reach—your face, your shoulders, your throat, your chest. “That’s it,” she says, gently working you down from your euphoric height. “That’s it, baby. Just like that. Good girl,”

Soon, your body falls against Kate’s, and you pant heavily against her neck as she holds you in her arms.

“That was….god,” You breathed.

“Well…I think I had more to do with it, don’t you think?” Kate quips.

“Shut up,” you laugh, nudging her shoulder. But you love it. You love how Kate gets a little bit arrogant after sex. It’s your favorite thing. You hope she never changes.

“That was incredible, though. You were incredible,” Kate kisses your temple. “I love you so much, baby,”

A warmth blooms in your chest from both the kiss and Kate’s words.

“I love you too. So, so much,” You reply, turning your head so you can kiss her on the mouth. Her lips are sweet, the way they always are, and you can’t get enough. Which is probably why neither one of you stop at just one kiss.

Without breaking the kiss, Kate gently guides you onto your back, then moves on top of you. Her tongue pushes its way into your mouth, and her hands intertwine with yours, pinning them above your head. “I hope you’re not tired, baby,” she whispers.

You smile. “Not even close,”

“Good,” Kate replies. “Because I want to work you all night,”

“You’re missing the movie,” Kate rushed with a smile that told you she didn’t really care, too preoccupied with having her lips back on your own to notice the car chase playing out behind her. You chuckled, as if there was anything that would ever hold your attention better than the young archer. 

  “You’re more entertaining,” you told her honestly. You felt her smile grow before she tried to pull you impossibly closer, shifting where she sat straddling your lap until you leant back with a lazy smirk. Keeping one hand on her thigh, you reached for the small wooden box on your night stand and took a joint and lighter out. Kate’s eyes lit up in recognition before she tried to put on her poker face. You hoped Clint would help her improve that in the field. You were fully aware of her curiosity in your recreational activities, just as you had felt her gaze on you when you rolled that same joint the day before. Kate had been trying to pretend to be working on her report, but her eyes always fell back to your hands like a bad habit. 

  “You’ve never offered,” Kate said suddenly. You wondered exactly how long she had been bottling that one up for, watching you on those slow nights in and wanting to experience it with you. 

  “I didn’t think a good girl like you would be interested,” you lied as you watched her every move for a tell. “And I would just hate to be the one that corrupts you.” Kate eyed the joint in your hand warily, but you knew she must have been thinking about it long enough for her mind to already be made up. 

  “I trust you,” she told you, voice small but so sure. You hummed and felt nimble fingers around your own to take the lighter. Your excitement grew by the ten fold as you let Kate spark the small device and held it to where the joint rested between your lips. She watched for you to take that first steady inhale, each second passing with a heavy beat until her lips replaced the joint and you blew the smoke into Kate’s mouth. Her lips twitched into a small smile, satisfied in knowing she wouldn’t feel any burns in her throat. At least not for the time being. 

  You took another drag, and another, each one eagerly awaited by Kate who began to feel the effects far sooner than you did. “Feels good,” she murmured, a giddy smile playing on her features as your hands began to dance across her forearms. Goosebumps rose at the touch and Kate hummed softly at the amplified sensation. Your hands wandered further, stroking along parts of her neck that made the young archer sigh in content and tilt her head back for your better access. So responsive. Still, she wasn’t nearly as far gone as you wanted her to be.

  With her eyes still closed, you brought your fingers to Kate’s lips that she instinctively parted to let you in. She didn’t even give a second thought anymore, acting purely on reflex as she sucked on your fingers that pressed on her tongue. Wholly trusting and completely willing. Yet still so in need of guidance. Your guidance. 

  You pulled your fingers away and before Kate could close her mouth you placed the blunt between her lips. Her eyes flew open and Kate looked at you with confusion and slight alarm, confirming that remaining sobriety. “What? You’re too good to take a hit yourself?” You didn’t give her the chance to answer. “Just breath,” you said simply. So she did, under your observing gaze, taking an arguably too long drag for her first that had her coughing the second her mouth was free. 

  “Good girl,” you praised as you handed her some water and rubbed the space between her shoulder blades. Kate’s muscles flexed with every cough until tears welled in her eyes and she looked to you for reassurance. “You’re okay,” you told her, cupping her cheek. She nodded, watching as you took a drag and leaning forwards when you began to exhale, adamant on experiencing it with you. Her persistence was admirable, and you took full advantage. The next time you placed the joint to her lips, she didn’t think twice despite the distant heat in her throat. This girl… you thought with a surge of pride. 

  You took your time with the next joint, taking several hits for every one that Kate took and keeping a hand on her thigh for you to rub your thumb over. With every swipe, the archer’s thoughts and cares faded until sensations mattered more than logic. Recognizing those signs, the next time Kate kissed you, you bit her full lips. Kate whined softly and welcomed your tongue as her hips began to move without her even being fully aware, too focused on trying to keep up with your rapidly progressing make out session. 

   Kate was only wearing underwear and one of your sweaters when you lifted her onto your lap less than halfway through the movie, so you weren’t surprised to feel a wet patch on your thigh. You were, however, just as enthralled as the first time you felt it. She had been squirming in your lap for the better part of an hour before you swiped your fingers across the soaked material that clung to her. You intended to draw it out just as much this time. 

  “Feels tingly,” Kate whined as she gripped your shirt tighter, unwilling to remove herself from the intoxicating cloud she had found herself under. “I need…” she tried, desperation as evident in her voice as it was in her movements. 

  “What do you need, love?” You pushed, needing to hear her say it. 

  “I need you.” You rewarded her honesty with placing both hands on her hips and pulling her flush against your thigh into a grind. There you go, you thought when her mouth fell open and she gave a soft moan despite the barrier between you. Kate was sensitive enough that it didn’t stop her chasing her pleasure on your thigh, hardly needing your guiding hands anymore but following obediently as expected. 

  If Kate was aware that her clouded mind was making her desperate sooner than usual, she wasn’t embarrassed by it. She didn’t care that she was getting close so quickly, or that there was a generous sized dark patch on your sweatpants underneath her. All Kate was concerned about was the electric feeling shooting through her core, hazier than usual though entirely all consuming. 

The whimper she gave when she buried her face in your neck was pitiful, wholly lacking in any self control as the young archer got herself off on you despite the several barriers. You flexed your thigh underneath her and chuckled when a soft moan slipped past Kate’s lips. “If you cum in your underwear I’ll let you warm my strap later,” you whispered to her, a devilish grin playing on your lips before you pulled her back to gauge her reaction. 

  Fuck, you thought when you realised just how glazed over Kate’s eyes were. “Dizzy,” she protested, trying to place her head back in the comfort of your neck while her hips continued their mindless grind. You held her back for an extra moment, wanting to make sure you would remember the near broken look on her features, all because she gave into the temptation you had laid out for her. 

  When you allowed Kate to seek out her previous position, you loosened your grip on her hips to keep that possessive hold while letting her grind however fast or slow as she wanted. It certainly surpassed the tempo her mind occupied, erratically moving against you to seek the bloom of pleasure she was so close to. And who were you to deprive her of that? 

  As soon as the whispered invitation passed your lips, Kate’s motions stuttered and ground harder until she was coming undone on your thigh. She held you like a lifeline as she came, whining and moaning under a pressure more intense than she had felt before - one that only made that cloud around her head grow denser. Barely a second after she came, the raven haired woman began to start up her pace again, already craving more, so you grabbed the back of her thighs and lifted Kate onto her back beneath you with a grin. Her eyes barely opened enough to see you clearly, but the lazy smile she gave you in return told you otherwise as you made your way down her body and paid extra attention to how her abs flexed under the touch of your lips. 

  “You’re so responsive like this,” you told her when you nipped at her thighs, eliciting a small gasp from the woman beneath you. She responded by gripping your hair and trying to pull you closer to where she needed you the most. You loved her in this state, controlled by her own desire. And you. 

  You pulled Kate’s ruined underwear down as slowly as you could, watching her features for every sign of frustration and need. It only made you want to draw it out further. You would have too, if you weren’t so excited to feel her clit throb in your mouth. 

  You licked the length of Kate’s pussy with a deep hum, loving how the familiar taste returned to your senses, feeling Kate’s thighs immediately close around your head. You allowed her to squeeze her relaxed muscles that kept your head in place as you took her in your mouth, noting how all the usual noises and twitches were amplified. She was feeling it all so much more heated than usual, every flick and linger of your tongue on her pussy reminded her of the first time you had your head between her toned legs and she feared she would fall apart just as quickly. 

  You left open mouthed kisses over Kate’s cunt and up to her clit, pulling away for only a second to see how she clenched in your absence. With every moan against her, gentle vibrations caressed all the vital nerves throughout Kate’s body. They were unpredictable and when combined with the ever changing rhythm of your tongue, Kate was kept securely in the middle ground of her release, able to feel every little thing you did to her until she was suddenly struck with that irresistible grace of your teeth against her clit. 

  “Sorry. Couldn’t resist,” you chuckled without an ounce of sympathy for the reaction it got you. Still, you ran your tongue over her clit before you took it between your lips to suck, soothing and stimulating it in a way that had Kate’s thighs tighten and back arch. You dipped your tongue into her depths, committing how her soft walls tightened around your muscle to memory, swearing that you would never forget the feeling or the way that Kate was looking down at you like you were her very reason for existing. 

  The next time you took Kate’s clit in her mouth, it was enough to make her teeter towards the edge. You felt it in the way her grip on your hair tightened, on the way her breathing sped up, how her eyes fluttered closed and how she called your name as if you were her saving grace for making her fall apart with just your mouth. When she came again, it was more intense than the last, consuming the young hero like an inferno she had no intention of escaping from. On the contrary, you kept your mouth on Kate until she came again, soaking your chin in her arousal. 

  Still, you refused to let up, brushing your tongue against her overworked clit that begged for any form of mercy. Yet Kate’s thighs squeezed harder, refusing to let you go no matter the pleas that fell from her lips and onto deaf ears. You didn’t care, adamant that you knew Kate’s limits better than she did herself. You didn’t even count how many orgasms you pulled from her powerless, overworked body, only that each one left her shaking more than the last. 

  “Can’t,” Kate whined, prompting you to give one final kiss to her clit before you finally let up.

  “You did so well for me,” you told her as she grabbed at you again to pull you up, needing some kind of contact to remain present. “So perfect.” Kate hummed in response, more concerned with keeping her face in your chest as her breathing eventually began to even out. 

Natasha could barely think.

The hallways of the compound are quiet, the distant hum of Tony’s party barely reaching this far. The dim light casts long shadows against the sleek walls, flickering slightly as if they’re unsure of its own presence. Footsteps stumble softly over the polished floor, the sound swallowed by the thick air of anticipation that clings to the both of you. Your breaths are uneven, soft laughs and giggles falling from your lips, heavy with the weight of unsaid things and the burn of too much alcohol. Fingers, eager and trembling, trace the curves of bodies, sliding beneath fabric and finding warmth. Her lips meet yours again, desperate and searching, leaving a trail of stolen kisses as the two of you move—half blind, half guided by something stronger than sight. You didn’t need words; the world outside the glow of this narrow hallway is distant, unimportant. All you cared about now is her, how she pulls you closer, leading you closer to her room just ahead.

Natasha could barely think at all. Everything in her mind blurred, thoughts slipping through her fingers like water as soon as they tried to form. The only thing she could focus on was you. The taste of your lips. Sweet and intoxicating. The way they fit perfectly against hers, they’d been made for her to kiss. It sent a shockwave through her body each time your mouths collided, obliterating any coherent thoughts. Her hands, strong and firm, moved on their own, gripping your waist, sliding up your back, over the silk of your dress, desperate to feel more of you, to pull you closer until there was no space left.

She couldn’t think, didn’t want to think.

All that mattered was this—your body pressed against hers, trapping you between her and the door of her room, the soft moans that escaped between kisses, the way her heart pounded in her chest, matching the frantic rhythm of her lips. It was overwhelming, dizzying, and she never wanted it to stop.

The warmth of the alcohol buzzed through Natasha’s veins, making everything feel hazy and wonderfully unreal. Having you in front of her like this, in her arms, underneath her hands, felt unreal. Her head was light, the edges of the world around her blurred as she kissed you, deepening the pleasant fog in her mind. The room tilted slightly every time she pulled you closer, but she didn’t care—if anything, it made the moment feel even more like a dream she didn’t want to wake from. The sharp edges of her usual control were dulled by the alcohol, making her bolder, less cautious. She found herself giggling against your pretty mouth, a sound she barely recognized as her own, drunk on both the wine and the feel of your beautiful body.

With shaky hands, Natasha reached behind you, her lips trailing your neck in sweet, wet kisses as her fingers fumbled for the zipper of your dress. She found the zipper a second later and slowly, deliberately, began to tug it down, feeling the tension in the material as it loosened around your body. The sound of the zipper sliding down was almost lost in the charged silence, but Natasha heard it, like a release of everything she’d been holding back. When the zipper finally reached the end of its line, Natasha let out a deep, shuddering sigh against your neck, her breath warm against your skin.

“Fuck, detka…” Natasha closes her eyes, letting her hands draw away from your back to trail them down to your thighs, her palms flat against your skin as they push the fabric of your dress upwards.

You can feel the pads of her fingers finding their way up, playing with the soft lace of your panties. Natasha moved slowly, savoring the moment for as long as she could. Her mouth paints your skin in light hickeys, trailing downwards to the valley of your breasts while you bring your hands up to run them through her red hair, pulling on it slightly to kiss her deeply once again.

“N-Natasha, please…” You muttered against her lips.

You could feel it—the way Natasha’s lips curved into that maddeningly smug smirk against yours, sending a shiver down your spine. It was as if Natasha knew exactly what she was doing to you, and of course, she did. Your skin burned where Natasha touched you, her fingers trailing with deliberate slowness, as if savoring every reaction, every trembling gasp.

“Please, what, krasivaya?” She asked, her voice low and seductive.

You whimpered, your hands finding their way to her shoulders, trying to tug her jacket off of her. “I need you... Please… Hurry…”

“You are so impatient,” Natasha smiles and kisses you softly. “I’m getting there, darling. Don’t worry.”

Your fingers fumbled with the edge of Natasha’s suit jacket once again, and your movements hurried, almost desperate, as you tried to push it off her shoulders. A soft whine escaped your lips, frustration mingling with the need that pulsed through you, but Natasha just smiled against your mouth, pausing the frenzied kisses for a brief moment. She pressed a softer, lingering kiss to your lips, calming the storm with her gentleness, before reaching up to shrug the jacket off herself. It slipped down her arms and hit the floor in a whisper of fabric, and then she was back, her hands finding your face, her lips capturing hers again.

Natasha guided you backwards with a practiced ease, never breaking apart from your lips. Her hands found their way to your thighs once more, fingers gripping the soft skin through the fabric of your dress. With a fluid motion, she lifted you off the ground, pulling you close as your lips collided again, more urgent this time, more desperate. Your legs instinctively wrapped around Natasha’s waist, your bodies fitting together as though they’d done this a hundred times before. Natasha’s grip tightened, the strength in her arms steadying them as she carried you across her room, never once faltering. The bed was just a few steps away, and the world outside your heated breaths felt impossibly distant. When she reached the edge of the mattress, Natasha lowered you down gently, her hands still firm on your thighs.

God, she’s always wanted to see you like this. Natasha had often imagined what it would be like to see you in this exact moment, but nothing could have prepared her for the reality of it. You were sprawled across the bed, her bed, your dress now a loosely draped, tangled mess that did little to cover your body. Your hair, once neatly styled, now fell wild and disheveled around your flushed face.

With a sense of urgency, Natasha’s fingers fumbled with the hem of your dress. The fabric slipped slowly away from your shoulders, revealing the expanse of your skin beneath, and Natasha’s breath caught in her throat. As the dress fell away, pooling around your waist, Natasha’s eyes roamed over your curves, your breasts, with a kind of awe that was both intense and profound. The sight of you, bare and vulnerable before her, ignited something deep within Natasha—sending a wave straight to her core. Every inch of your skin seemed to glow under the dim light. You were so beautiful.

Natasha pulled on your dress until it was completely off of you, mindlessly throwing it behind her, her eyes never leaving your body. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of her shirt, each one more stubborn than the last as she tried to hurry through them, her impatience palpable. Her gaze never left you, a vision she could scarcely believe was real. The way you looked at her—eyes heavy with desire, your chest rising and falling with each shallow breath—only made Natasha’s hands more unsteady. Her shirt slipped open, one button finally giving way, then another, watching how your lips were slightly parted, breathless. There was a hunger in Natasha’s stare, an urgency she couldn’t suppress, as if unbuttoning her shirt fast enough might bring her closer to the moment she’d been silently craving for longer than she cared to admit. She could feel the warmth of your gaze on her, too, as each button gave way, the fabric parting to reveal the skin beneath.

“You’re so beautiful, Natasha,” you said breathlessly.

She smiled again, leaning down to kiss you between the valley of your breasts, “I’ve got nothing on you, detka.”

Natasha leaned down, hovering over you, her lips pressing softly against your neck, the warmth of her breath sending shivers down your spine. She lingered there for a moment, savoring the way your pulse quickened beneath her kisses as soft gasps escaped your mouth. Each touch was careful, brushing against the delicate skin just below your jaw, then down the hollow of your throat. Natasha’s kisses grew bolder with each passing second as they moved further south, grazing the curve of your collarbone to the swell of your breasts.

You laid back, closing your eyes as her lips explored your skin and the pads of her fingers softly rolled over your hardened nipples. A sigh falls from your mouth as Natasha’s breath glides closely over your chest, her lips wrapping around your nipple and sucking softly. Her tongue darts out, swirling around it, and your hands find themselves resting against Natasha’s shoulders, pulling her even closer.

“Spread your legs, for me, baby,” Natasha whispered against your stomach, her hands gently guiding your thighs apart as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

You parted your legs without a second thought. But the reality of it—the softness of your skin beneath her fingers, the way your breath hitched and your body responded with such raw, trusting openness—made Natasha’s heart pound in a way that left her almost dizzy. She could feel the heat radiating between them, the anticipation thickening the air as she pressed closer, savoring every trembling moment. Natasha felt that she could die happy right here, with you beneath her, so vulnerable and breathtakingly beautiful.

God, you were so pretty.

Her fingers traced the delicate edge of your lace panties, her touch light and almost absentminded as she toyed with the fabric. She could feel the softness of the lace under her fingertips—the way it barely clung to your skin. Natasha didn’t rush—she liked the slow burn, to see you squirm, itching to get her to touch you, the way your breath hitched each time her fingers lingered a little too long or dipped a little too close to where she knew you wanted her the most. Natasha’s eyes flicked up to meet yours, catching the mixture of frustration and desire there, and she couldn’t help the small, teasing smile that tugged on her lips as she continued to play with your panties.

“Natasha, please… Touch me, already…”

She licked her lips, parting them slightly as she listened to your pretty voice begging for her. Fuck, it was making her feel dizzy. “Gonna make you feel so good, angel. Trust me.”

Then, your hand found Natasha’s with an urgency that spoke of all the words she couldn’t say, fingers wrapping around hers and guiding underneath her panties. The fabric felt impossibly thin over her hand, and the wetness, the heat radiating from your skin sent a wave of electricity through Natasha that left her breathless. You were so wet, oh, fuck, and for a moment, Natasha forgot how to breathe, how to think—everything narrowed down to this simple, maddening desire.

“Can you feel how wet I am for you?” You whispered.

The sigh that escaped Natasha’s lips was involuntary, a soft sound of surrender, as she let herself be led by your need, her own mind dissolving into the heady rush of desire that clouded everything else.

The teasing only lasted so long before something snapped inside Natasha, a sharp, undeniable urge taking over, using her other hand to grab your wrist and pin it down against the mattress. She wanted to be the one to do it—to touch you, to make you come. Her finger hooked around the delicate waistband of your lace panties. There was no hesitation as she tugged them down, the lace slipping effortlessly over your hips. Natasha’s heart pounded in her chest as she discarded the fabric, her breaths coming quicker now, driven by the sheer intensity of her need.

Natasha nodded her head absentmindedly, her mind drowning in thoughts of you and your pussy. She said quietly, to herself almost, “Wanna fuck you…”

Her hands found their way under your thighs once more, lifting them up slightly, spreading them even wider as she leaned down to face your glistening pussy. She didn’t hesitate, didn’t give you a single warning, before she dove right in, licking a stripe through your folds, collecting your sweet wetness on her tongue.

Your moan was deep, guttural, a sound that reverberated through the quiet room as Natasha’s tongue ravaged you. It was as if every nerve in your body lit up at once—a shockwave of pleasure that left you gasping for breath. Instinctively, your legs tightened around Natasha’s head, your thighs trembling as they pressed against Natasha’s cheeks, holding her there. Each flick of Natasha’s tongue against your pussy sent you spiraling further, your moans growing louder and needier, echoing in the space around them. Your fingers tangled in Natasha’s hair as she fucked you, gripping tightly as your hips began to move on their own, seeking out every bit of friction you could find. Your whole world narrowed down to this one moment—Natasha’s mouth on you, the unbearable pleasure building inside you, and the primal need to keep her right where she was, between your legs.

Natasha felt like she’d stumbled into heaven itself. It was intoxicating—every taste, every subtle movement. Your body trembled under her touch, and Natasha reveled in it, savoring the way your flavor spread across her tongue, sweet and delicate. She moved slowly, deliberately, wanting to make this moment last forever, her hands gripping your thighs as if she were anchoring herself. Natasha closed her eyes, letting herself get lost in the taste of you, thinking that she could stay here forever—right here, where nothing else existed but your taste, your scent, and the soft, breathless sounds that escaped her lips. You tasted better than Natasha had ever imagined—sweet, salty, intoxicating, like some forbidden nectar she had been craving for far too long. It felt like drinking water after wandering in a desert. Every lick, every pressure of her tongue, flicking against your clit, delving into your pussy, made Natasha feel like she was floating. She devoured you.

“Fuck, Natasha—“

Natasha could feel the shift in your body before you even registered it yourself—the way your muscles tensed, your breath catching in your throat as Natasha’s tongue became rougher, sucking on your clit harshly without mercy. It was a subtle change at first, just the slightest arch of your back. She could sense the way your body was coiling tight, your hands gripping the sheets, knuckles white, as you tried to hold onto some semblance of control. But the more Natasha pressed into her, the more she felt you surrender, hips lifting off the bed, with each swirl of Natasha’s tongue. The low, broken sounds spilling from your lips were growing desperate, and Natasha knew you were close; she could feel it in the way your thighs trembled, in the way her head tilted back, and in the way you tried to pull away slightly, as if you were scared of your own climax.

“N-Natasha… ‘Tasha, I-I’m cumming… I–“

Then, it snapped. Your body arched and trembled, reaching the peak of your pleasure, overwhelmed by the intensity of your orgasm as you moaned her name aloud. Natasha’s hands were steady and guiding on your thighs as she licked you softly, helping you ride through the waves, making sure you could feel her—and only her.

“That’s it, baby…” She murmured against you.

When you began to calm down, Natasha pulled back slightly, giving you space but keeping her gaze fixed strictly on you. The sight of you, your body still quivering and your eyes fluttering open to reveal those pretty eyes of yours, struck Natasha as the most beautiful thing she has ever witnessed. You were trembling so much, and Natasha couldn’t help the smug smile that appeared on her face.

You were still trembling, your body humming with the aftershocks of release, your breaths coming in ragged, uneven gasps. But even in your dazed state, you reached out instinctively, your hands searching for Natasha, needing to feel her, to ground yourself in the warmth and presence of the woman who had just unraveled you completely. Natasha didn’t hesitate. The moment your fingers brushed against her, Natasha leaned in, wrapping her arms around your trembling body. Natasha found your lips again, kissing you deeply, the kiss not hurried or frantic like before, but slow and full of something deeper—something that tasted like promise, like... devotion. You could taste yourself on her lips, and Natasha couldn’t help but melt as you moaned softly into her mouth.

Natasha hovered above you, leaving just the barest sliver of space between the two of you. She pulled back, barely a centimeter, her breath mingling with yours, warm and uneven. For a moment, Natasha did nothing but stare, her gaze locked on your half-lidded eyes, the way they fluttered with each rapid breath. Your chest rose and fell beneath her, still struggling to catch your breath, to stop your body from trembling, your lips slightly parted and glistening. Natasha couldn’t help but smile softly, taking in the sight of you like this—disarmed, vulnerable, beautiful in a way that made Natasha’s heart ache with affection. Fuck, she wanted to stay here forever.

“Hi,” you whispered breathlessly, almost with a shy smile.

“Hi,” she murmured, her smile growing. Then Natasha brushed a strand of hair from your forehead, her fingers lingering there as she asked, “You okay?”

You nodded, still catching your breath, but your smile grew a little wider, a little surer. “More than okay,” you replied softly, your hand finding Natasha’s hand and squeezing it gently. “You?”

Natasha’s smile deepened, a rare, genuine expression that felt as natural as breathing in this moment. “Yeah,” she said quietly. “I’m good.”

She found herself lost in the quiet afterglow, her gaze lingering on you with a kind of reverence she rarely allowed herself to feel. You looked so peaceful now, your face still flushed, and your hair fanned out against the pillow. There was something so effortlessly captivating about you—something that made Natasha’s heart stumble in her chest every time she looked at you like this. The way your lips curved into a soft, contented smile, your eyes half-closed and still dazed with pleasure, made Natasha’s breath hitch.

She could almost feel the words forming on her tongue before she even realized it.

I love you.

Natasha blinked. She almost said it. The words pressed against her tongue, desperate to be spoken, to be released. But just as quickly, she swallowed them back. It was a truth that had settled deep inside her, so much so that every time she looked at you, really looked at you, it almost felt impossible not to say it. You looked so peaceful, so breathtakingly beautiful in the dim light of her room, your lips still slightly parted as if caught in a dream. Natasha’s fingers brushed gently against your cheek, tracing the delicate curve of your jaw as she stared, mesmerized. In this moment, you were everything to her—so pretty, so real, and so entirely hers.

God, she wanted to say it.

But, for the first time in as long as she could remember, fear gripped her. Not the kind of fear she was used to—the physical, tangible kind that came with a mission or a fight—but something deeper, something far more terrifying. Would it be too fast? Would you feel the same way? Would you say it back? The thought twisted in her chest, making her hesitate. Natasha wasn’t used to feeling this vulnerable, this unsure. She wasn’t scared of much in life, but the possibility of rejection—of putting her heart on the line and finding out it wasn’t enough—was enough to keep the words trapped inside.

She stayed silent, her gaze lingering on you with a tenderness she couldn’t fully express, her heart aching with the love she didn’t dare speak.

Instead, she kissed you again—slowly at first, as if savoring the taste of your lips might somehow drown out the urge to confess. The kiss deepened quickly, turning desperate and consuming, a way to silence the fears that clawed at her insides. Natasha’s hands roamed over your body once more, fingers tracing familiar paths, as if she were trying to memorize every inch of you, to carve this moment into her memory so it would never fade. The world outside this room ceased to exist; all that mattered was the way you responded to her touch, the soft gasps and whispered sighs that filled the air between them. 

Natasha didn’t stop, couldn’t stop—each kiss, each touch, every moan, became a plea for more time, more of you, as if by making love to you again and again, she could delay the inevitable, could keep the fragile bubble of this night from bursting. The hours slipped by in a blur of passion and quiet intensity, the darkness outside deepening as Natasha pressed closer, held you tighter, and chased the fleeting moments that seemed to slip through her fingers like sand. It wasn’t enough—it would never be enough—but for now, it was all she had.

And so she loved you through the night, as if time itself could be bent to her will, as if each kiss, each whispered name, could stave off the dawn just a little longer.

In the morning, you were gone.

Natasha woke slowly, the warmth of sleep still clinging to her as she blinked against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. For a moment, she reached out instinctively, her hand searching the space beside her, expecting to find you. But all she felt was the cool, empty sheets where you had been. She let out a quiet sigh, already knowing why. Your work started early—too early—and you were always gone before the sun fully rose, slipping out of bed with a quiet grace that Natasha admired but, at times like this, resented.

She stayed there, her hand resting on the vacant spot beside her, feeling the absence like a weight on her chest. The room was too quiet without your soft breathing; the lingering scent of your hair was still faintly on the pillow. Natasha turned onto her back, staring up at the ceiling, her mind a haze of thoughts she couldn’t quite pin down. She knew you had to go—it was just how things were—but that didn’t stop the hollow ache that settled in her stomach, the longing for just a few more minutes of your presence.

After a while, Natasha sat up slowly, her movements sluggish and heavy as the quiet of the morning settled around her. The moment she lifted her head from the pillow, a dull, throbbing ache bloomed at her temples, spreading like a slow wave of discomfort. She groaned softly, pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes as if that might somehow lessen the pounding in her skull. The aftermath of last night’s drinks had finally caught up with her, and it wasn’t letting her forget it.

Natasha let out a breath, trying to shake off the haze of exhaustion that clung to her, but the effort only seemed to make her head spin. She blinked a few times, trying to clear the fog from her mind, but it was no use. The room felt too bright, the air too still, and the emptiness beside her in the bed only added to the strange sense of disorientation. She ran a hand through her hair, wincing as the movement sent another jolt of pain through her head. It wasn’t the worst hangover she’d ever had, but it was enough to make her wish she could just lie back down and sleep it off—except, of course, that spot next to her was still cold and empty, and there was no comfort in the silence.

She turned her head toward the nightstand, squinting against the light as her eyes landed on a small note propped up beside a familiar pill bottle. She blinked, then reached for the note, the crinkling sound of paper somehow comforting in the quiet room. The words were written in your neat, slightly slanted handwriting: “Thank you for last night. And don’t forget to take these! :)” The smiley face was unmistakably you—a touch of warmth that made Natasha’s chest tighten in the best way.

A slow smile crept across her lips as she read the note again, and again... and again. The headache still pulsed faintly behind her eyes, but it suddenly didn’t feel as bad. The simple gesture, the thoughtfulness of it—you thinking of her in the early morning hours, leaving behind something to make sure Natasha would be okay—it was enough to make everything else fade into the background. Natasha picked up the pill bottle, shaking it gently, then set it back down with a soft chuckle.

Without thinking, she lay back down, the note still clutched between her fingers. She held it up, her gaze tracing over your handwriting, memorizing the curves and loops of each letter. It was such a small thing, but it felt monumental, a tangible reminder that you had been here, in her room, in her bed, that you’d thought of Natasha even after leaving.

But as the days passed, you and Natasha slipped effortlessly back into your familiar routine, all filled with work. The compound buzzed with its usual activities, and you moved through your tasks with the same blend of efficiency and warmth that Natasha had come to rely on. Your conversations flowed as seamlessly as they always had, punctuated by laughter, talks of work and her health, and shared moments of quiet understanding.

Yet, for Natasha, everything had shifted subtly, profoundly.

Every glance, every casual touch between the two of you now felt charged with an intensity she couldn’t ignore. The way your eyes lit up when you spoke, the way you brushed against Natasha in passing—it all sent jolts through her, leaving her with a physical ache that was almost unbearable. Natasha found herself hanging on to every word you said, her heart racing whenever you came near, her fingers almost itching to reach out and close the space between the two of you.

When you brushed her hand against Natasha’s, it was no longer just a simple touch; it was a spark that set Natasha’s entire being on fire. The way your laughter filled the room, how you tilted your head just so when you were focused on your work—it was all consuming. Natasha wanted to pull you close, to kiss you with a hunger that had been simmering just beneath the surface, to feel the softness of your lips against hers and lose herself in you. Natasha wanted more than just the stolen moments and the shared smiles; she wanted everything with you. The thought of a future, of waking up to you beside her every morning.

“What’s going on with you?”

Natasha blinked, momentarily disoriented, as Steve’s voice pulled her out her thoughts. They were in the midst of their mission, moving through the dimly lit corridors of an abandoned warehouse. The mission was progressing smoothly, as always, but Natasha’s mind had been elsewhere, lost in a whirl of thoughts and emotions that had nothing to do with the task at hand.

Steve’s brow was furrowed with concern as he looked at her, his sharp eyes catching every nuance of her distraction. It was clear that her usual focus and sharpness were missing, and that was something Steve didn’t overlook, especially in the midst of a high-stakes operation.

Natasha hesitated, her mind racing to regroup, to push aside the tumult of feelings that had been gnawing at her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

“Just a lot on my mind,” she said, forcing a casual tone that didn’t quite match the tension in her voice. She adjusted her stance, trying to redirect her focus back to the mission. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

Steve studied her for a moment, clearly not convinced. “Natasha,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “We’ve been through this before. If something’s bothering you, you need to talk about it. We’re a team.”

The sincerity in his voice made Natasha’s chest tighten. She appreciated Steve’s concern, but the truth was, she even didn’t know how to articulate the whirlwind of emotions she was experiencing.

Natasha sighed, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She knew Steve was right, but she couldn’t bring herself to share what was really troubling her. “It’s not a big deal,” she said, her voice firmer this time. “I’m fine... I’ll get it together.”

Steve gave her a scrutinizing look, clearly still concerned, but he nodded. “Alright. But if you need to talk, I’m here.”

“I know, Steve.”

The mission was successful. As usual.

On a calm Sunday morning, Natasha sat at the counter, methodically biting into her peanut butter sandwich as she half-listened to Steve’s low murmur about the latest Avengers briefing. The kitchen was bathed in the soft morning light that filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the polished surfaces. Steve was nursing a steaming cup of coffee, his gaze occasionally drifting to the newspaper spread out before him.

The soft sound of footsteps nearing drew Natasha’s attention as you walked in, your presence immediately changing the room’s dynamic.

You greeted them with a quick, cheerful “Morning, guys,” before heading straight for the coffee machine, your voice carrying the easy warmth that Natasha had come to crave.

“Hey, (y/n). Just brewed a pot,” Steve said.

You thanked him with a kind smile and moved quickly, grabbing a cup of coffee from the counter and casting a fleeting, soft, lingering smile in Natasha’s direction as you filled her cup. The smile was fleeting but full of unspoken warmth, a subtle connection that spoke volumes in its brevity.

Natasha’s reaction was immediate. She paused mid-bite, the sandwich almost forgotten as she watched you with an intensity that didn’t go unnoticed. Her fingers faltered, the sandwich slipping back onto her plate with a soft thud. She nodded at you, a nervous, shy smile tugging at her lips as if she were trying to hold on to that fleeting moment.

Steve, who had been watching this exchange with an increasingly amused expression, couldn’t help but chuckle softly. The realization hit him with a sudden clarity. Natasha’s distraction, the lingering thoughts that had clouded her focus during the mission—it all made sense now. The way she looked at you, the way her entire demeanor changed in your presence—it was a classic case of being head over heels.

“Well, well,” Steve said, his voice low and teasing as he took another sip of his coffee. “I think I just figured out what’s been on your mind.”

He shot Natasha a knowing grin, his eyes sparkling with understanding. Natasha looked up, caught off guard but with a soft flush creeping up her neck.

“What are you talking about?” she asked, though her tone was already betraying her discomfort.

Steve’s smile widened. “Nothing, just an observation.” He took another sip, enjoying the moment of revelation. “Seems like someone’s made quite the impression.”

Natasha rolled her eyes, trying to mask her embarrassment with a playful scowl. “I suppose I can’t keep anything from you,” she said, shaking her head but unable to suppress the fond smile that tugged at her lips.

“Looks like it,” he said.

Natasha sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as she rested her head on the cool surface of the kitchen counter. “What do I do?” she muttered, her voice muffled by the countertop.

Sam strolled into the kitchen just as she had asked this, his expression a mix of curiosity and mischief. He took in the scene with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.

“Confess immediately,” he said, his tone light but resolute. “Don’t overthink it. Just go for it.”

Natasha looked at him in disbelief, an eyebrow raised as if she were silently asking how he could possibly know about all of this. Steve, who was leaning casually against the counter, gave Sam a sidelong glance.

“Hey, maybe ease into it a bit,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “What about asking her on a date? A nice, romantic dinner—something where you can talk, you know.

Sam rolled his eyes dramatically, a grin tugging at his lips. “Yeah, no,” he said, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. “A dinner date sounds nice and all, but if you’ve got feelings, you might as well just lay it all out there.”

Natasha lifted her head slightly, her gaze shifting between Steve and Sam; her expression caught between exasperation and hope. “So, you both think I should just... tell her?”

Steve nodded, his expression encouraging. “Yeah, but maybe take the chance to make it special. It’s not just about confessing—it’s about showing her how much you care.”

Sam shook his head with a smirk. “Or you could just cut to the chase. No need for all the pomp.”

Natasha sat in the quiet of the kitchen, the hum of the morning routine a distant backdrop as she contemplated the contrasting pieces of advice she had just received. She already knew she had to tell you. The doing is what’s got her in a slump. Steve’s suggestion of a romantic dinner held a particular allure, painting vivid pictures in her mind of you dressing up all pretty just for her, a soft glow of anticipation in her eyes. She imagined the two of you sitting across from each other at a candlelit table, the air filled with the intimate murmur of conversation and the soft clink of glasses. Yet, Sam’s more direct approach was equally compelling. The simplicity of confessing her feelings outright, of stripping away pretense and diving straight into the heart of the matter, had its own raw appeal. The idea of bypassing all the elaborate gestures, cutting straight through to the essence of her emotions, felt refreshingly honest, more her style.

She tried Steve’s idea first. She had it all planned out, chose a restaurant she thought you’d like, take you out for a walk under the moonlight, and then she’d tell you everything.

But her attempts to ask you out on a date seemed to be thwarted by an endless stream of interruptions. Each time she mustered the courage to approach you, the timing was never right. One time, as Natasha approached the med bay with a hopeful resolve, she was met with the sight of your hands deftly tending to a newly injured agent. The room was filled with the hum of medical equipment and the urgent tones of your focused attention, making it impossible to find a moment of privacy.

Another time, Natasha had managed to catch you alone, only for a sudden emergency to arise.

“I’m so sorry, Nat,” you had said.

Natasha shook her head and urged you to go with a pained smile, telling you that she’ll just find you again later. The sound of the alert echoed through the compound, pulling you away with swift urgency as you dashed off to respond to the call. Natasha watched with a sigh, frustration and longing mingling in her chest as you disappeared down the hallway.

Even when she did manage to find you alone, the med bay door would swing open with startling regularity, admitting a new batch of agents or staff members needing your expertise. Each interruption was a jarring reminder of the busy, unpredictable world they inhabited, leaving Natasha grasping at fleeting opportunities that never quite materialized.

With every failed attempt, Natasha’s patience was tested. It seemed that no matter how hard she tried, the universe was determined to keep her moments with you brief and fragmented. But, even then, Natasha’s resolve only deepened, determined to find the right time with you.

The next day, Natasha found herself lingering outside the med bay, her shoulder resting against the doorframe as she watched you from afar. You were sitting at your desk, completely absorbed in a thick, worn book. Your brow furrowed slightly in concentration, a stray strand of hair falling across your forehead as you absentmindedly brushed it away. The soft glow of the med bay’s overhead light bathed you in a warm, gentle hue, casting delicate shadows on your face. Natasha stood there, quietly captivated by the sight, her heart swelling with an almost unbearable tenderness.

There was something so achingly beautiful about the way your eyes flicked across the page, your lips occasionally curving into the faintest hint of a smile at whatever she was reading. The world outside the med bay seemed to fade away, and for a moment, Natasha felt like she could stand there forever, simply watching you.

“You can come in, Natasha,” she heard you say, your eyes never leaving the pages of your book.

Natasha blinked, startled by your words. She hadn’t realized she’d been standing there long enough to be noticed. Clearing her throat, she pushed off the doorframe and stepped into the med bay, the familiar scent of antiseptic and coffee mingling in the air. You still hadn’t looked up from your book, your eyes tracing the lines of text with an almost lazy ease, but there was a small, knowing smile playing at the corners of your mouth.

“You always seem to know when I’m around,” Natasha said, trying to keep her voice steady as she moved closer to your desk. She felt a strange mix of relief and nervousness—the comfort of being near you and the anxiety of what she wanted to say, what she’d been trying to say for days now.

You finally looked up, your eyes meeting Natasha’s with that familiar warmth that always made her heart skip a beat. “You’re not exactly subtle,” you teased lightly, setting the book down. “And I like it when you drop by.”

Natasha smiled, but it felt more like a grimace, her nerves getting the better of her. She shifted on her feet, hands fidgeting at her sides. “I just... wanted to see how you were doing. You’ve been busy. I didn’t want to interrupt.”

You tilted your head, studying Natasha in that way that made her feel like you could see right through her. “I’m fine, and you’re not interrupting,” you said softly, your smile fading into something more serious.

Natasha’s breath caught in her throat. This was the opening she needed—the perfect moment to say what she’d been practicing in her head over and over again. But the words seemed stuck, tangled up in her chest. She could only nod, her gaze dropping to the floor as she tried to summon the courage to speak.

“Natasha…” Your voice was gentle, coaxing, and when Natasha finally looked up, she found you watching her with that same patient expression, as if she already knew what Natasha was struggling to say.

“I—” Natasha started, then stopped. She bit her lip, trying to find the right words. “I… just wanted to see you,” Natasha finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. It wasn’t exactly what she had planned to say, but it was the truth, raw and unfiltered.

Your expression softened even more, a small, almost shy smile tugging at the corners of your lips. You closed the book; your full attention now on Natasha.

“Well, you’ve found me,” you said, your tone playful but laced with something deeper, something that made Natasha’s pulse quicken. “What’s on your mind?”

“Uh, I’ve been... meaning to ask...” Natasha began, her voice tinged with a rare vulnerability that made you pause, your full attention on her.

Your gaze softened as you waited patiently, sensing that whatever Natasha was about to say was important. The air between the two of you felt charged, thick with anticipation, as if this moment could be the beginning of something they both had been skirting around for too long.

But just as Natasha opened her mouth to continue, the sharp ring of her phone cut through the tension like a knife. The sound startled you both, and Natasha’s expression immediately shifted from hesitant to frustrated as she pulled the phone from her pocket. A quick glance at the screen told her all she needed to know: Fury.

Fuck. She sighed, feeling the weight of the moment slip away from her. “Of course,” she muttered under her breath, more to herself than to you. She hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen as if delaying the inevitable.

You gave her a small, understanding smile. “You should take it. It’s probably important,” you said softly, though Natasha could see the flicker of disappointment in your eyes.

Natasha sighed and nodded, the frustration still gnawing at her as she swiped to answer the call.

“Yeah?” She said into the phone, her tone clipped, already mourning the lost opportunity.

As Fury’s voice filled her ear, Natasha couldn’t help but glance back at you, who had returned to your book but seemed distracted, your eyes not really seeing the words on the page. She wanted to be here with you and wanted to finish what she’d started to say. But duty called, and as much as she resented the timing, Natasha knew there was no escaping it. Still, as she listened to Fury’s instructions, her mind lingered on the words she hadn’t yet spoken.

Natasha left the med bay with a heavy heart, her footsteps echoing down the sterile, polished floors of the compound as she moved with practiced efficiency. The cool air felt harsh against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth that had lingered in your presence just moments before. She didn’t want to leave, not when she had been so close to finally asking you out, but Fury’s voice in her ear had been all business, pulling her back into the world of missions and danger. The life she had known so well before you had started to change everything. Now, as she moved toward the hangar, readying herself for a quick mission, Natasha couldn’t shake the image of you sitting at your desk, so patient, so understanding, yet so distant now as the demands of her duty called her away from you once again. The familiar rush of adrenaline from the impending mission did little to dull the ache of leaving you behind, and as Natasha climbed into the Quinjet, she realized that no matter how many missions she completed, this—the moments with you—was the one thing she couldn’t afford to lose.

Natasha arrived back at the compound two nights later.

It was the kind of hour where everything felt suspended in a heavy, muffled silence. The Quinjet landed with a low hum, its lights cutting through the darkness, but Natasha was too tired to appreciate the quietness of her arrival. Her body ached with every movement, bruises blooming across her skin in angry shades of purple and blue. Her nose was still bleeding, a thin trickle of crimson slipping down her lip that she wiped away with the back of her hand. And then there was the stabbing pain in her side—a broken rib, she was sure of it. Exhausted, she stumbled down the ramp, each step sending a sharp jolt of pain through her chest. When she finally reached the dimly lit corridor, she paused, leaning against the cool metal wall for support.

She tapped into her comm, her voice rough and weary as she asked, “FRIDAY, is anyone in the med bay right now?”

The calm voice filled the space around her, gentle but clear. “Doctor (L/n) is in, Agent Romanoff. Would like me to alert her?”

A wave of relief washed over her, mingled with a touch of dread. You. Of course, you’d still be there.

“N-No, I’ll just… I’m heading there right now.”

Natasha closed her eyes for a moment, pushing past the pain as she straightened up. She had barely been able to ask you out before she left, and now she was coming back bruised and broken, needing you in a different way. With a heavy sigh, Natasha started down the hallway. She trudged through the corridors of the compound, her footsteps uneven. The sterile white walls of the hallway seemed to blur as she moved, the intensity of her injuries casting a dull haze over her vision. Her breath came in shallow, labored gasps, each inhale sharp and punctuated by the searing pain in her ribcage. The normally comforting hum of the compound’s ventilation system felt intrusive.

As she approached the med bay, the dim light spilling from under the door painted a faint golden streak across the floor, guiding her weary steps. Natasha’s fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the button on the wall, the cool metal a stark contrast to the heat of her flushed skin. The door opens automatically, and the slide is loud in the quiet space. The med bay was bathed in a soft, muted glow, its organized chaos of medical supplies and equipment casting long, flickering shadows. Her eyes scanned the room, searching through until they settled on the figure she had hoped to find. You stood at a workbench, your focus intent on preparing some medical supplies. The sight of you, so absorbed in your work, made Natasha’s heart ache. The exhaustion and pain seemed to fade a little in your presence even as Natasha forced herself to step inside.

You continued your meticulous arrangement of medical supplies, your back turned to the door as you muttered, “If you’re here for a minor issue, just fill out the form and I’ll get to you when I can.”

Your voice carried the practiced tone of someone who had dealt with countless interruptions, your focus unwavering.

Natasha let out a pained scoff, the sound escaping more sharply than she intended. The noise drew your attention, and you froze mid-motion, your hand hovering over a box of bandages. You turned slowly, your eyes widening as you took in Natasha’s battered appearance. The sight of Natasha, bruised and bloodied, caused your heart to skip a beat, her professional mask slipping away to reveal a raw edge of concern.

“Natasha?” Your voice was soft, almost a whisper, as you took an instant step forward, your gaze fixed on the blood trickling from Natasha’s nose and the pained grimace on her face. “What happened?”

The words came out in a rush, your earlier dismissal forgotten as you rushed to Natasha’s side, your hands already reaching out to help, your eyes filled with a mixture of shock and worry.

Your hands moved with practiced urgency as you guided Natasha to one of the beds, the action firm but gentle. You eased Natasha down onto the cushioned surface, your eyes darting across the extent of Natasha’s injuries with a rapid, assessing glance. Your breath hitched slightly as you took in the sight of Natasha’s battered body—the bruises spreading across her skin, the telltale signs of pain in her face, and the blood that marred her otherwise stoic appearance.

With a quick, deft motion, you reached for a nearby first aid kit, your movements efficient despite the visible tremor in your hands. You worked with a calm resolve, your mind focusing solely on the task at hand.

“Okay, let me take a look,” you said softly, your voice steady but filled with concern.

Your fingers were careful as they moved to inspect Natasha’s broken rib, pressing gently to assess the injury while avoiding exacerbating the pain. Your gaze remained focused on Natasha, your eyes reflecting a deep well of worry and care.

You reached up slowly, cradling her face with your gentle hands, a move that made Natasha close her eyes in relief, feeling your palm rest softly against her face. As you cleaned the blood from her face and applied a fresh bandage, you couldn’t help but steal glances at Natasha’s eyes, searching for any sign of discomfort.

Later, as the night wore on, you kept working and carefully prepared an elastic bandage, your fingers moving with practiced precision. You already administered the painkillers, watching as Natasha swallowed them down with a grimace, and handed her anti-inflammatory pills with a soft reminder to take them regularly. Now, as Natasha sat upright on the edge of the medical bed, her shirt discarded, you gently guided her to lift her arms.

The room was quiet, save for the faint rustling of the bandage as you began wrapping it around Natasha's torso. You always loved Natasha’s body, beautiful and athletically toned, but seeing her buried up like this was a sight you weren’t too fond of.

Your movements were slow and deliberate, the pressure firm but not too tight, offering support without constricting Natasha's breathing. Each pass of the bandage was done with utmost care, your fingertips brushing lightly against Natasha’s skin. Your eyes flickered between your work and Natasha’s face, making sure you weren’t causing any unnecessary discomfort. The bandage gradually wound around Natasha’s ribcage, securing the fractured bone in place, and you took your time, ensuring it was both comfortable and effective. As you finished, your hands lingered for a moment, her touch lingering in a quiet, intimate gesture of care before she finally stepped back, her eyes meeting Natasha’s in a silent exchange of concern and unspoken words.

“You should lay down,” you said sternly, and she obeyed with your help.

You stepped back from Natasha, your eyes scanning over the finished bandage job with concern, then made your way to the cabinets behind you.

As you turned and walked away, Natasha couldn’t help but let her gaze linger, her eyes tracing the subtle sway of your hips as you walked. Despite the dull ache in her ribs and the sting of her cuts, Natasha found herself distracted by the sight of you, the way your hair fell prettily around your face, and the confident yet graceful way you carried herself. It was ridiculous, really—how someone could look so effortlessly beautiful at this time of night. But that was you, distracting and disarming, making it nearly impossible for Natasha to focus on anything else. You were always beautiful. She would never stop thinking it. The pain in her body dulled just by watching you, and Natasha couldn’t suppress a wry smile at the thought.

A part of her, the part she tried to keep buried beneath layers of stoicism and professionalism, kind of liked being in this position. Being injured wasn’t ideal, of course, but if it meant that you were the one taking care of her—if it meant those gentle hands tending to her wounds, those soft eyes watching her with concern—well, it wasn’t all that bad. Natasha leaned back on the medical bed, trying not to wince as she adjusted herself, her mind already anticipating the feeling of your cool hands against her skin again.

Your eyes scanned the cabinet, your mind racing, already mentally cataloging what she needed—an ice pack for Natasha’s ribs and creams and ointments to treat the cuts on her and the bruises on her body. You moved quickly, your hands working automatically as you gathered the items—a tube of antibiotic ointment, a small jar of healing cream, and the ice pack she swiftly prepared, cracking it to activate the cold. You worked quickly and efficiently, but the image of Natasha’s bruised and bloodied face lingered in your thoughts, pushing you to hurry back. With everything in hand, you returned to the bed.

Swiftly, you pulled a chair over, your movements deliberate as you positioned yourself close to Natasha, almost too close, yet Natasha found herself craving the proximity. Your expression was a mix of concern and something else—something sharper, like a restrained anger simmering just beneath the surface. You dipped your fingers into the ointment, your touch cool and soothing as you began to apply it gently to the cuts on Natasha’s face. Your gaze never left Natasha’s, your eyes searching for answers even before you spoke.

“Wanna tell me what happened?” Your voice was low and stern, the tone almost scolding.

It carried an edge that made Natasha’s chest tighten, but not with fear—with something warmer, something that made her want to smile despite the situation. And she did, her lips curving upward, unable to hide her amusement at how your concern manifested in this sharp, almost angry way. She knew it wasn’t anger, not really. It was worry and frustration that you couldn’t have prevented this, that Natasha had come back to you bruised and broken.

“I didn’t mean to worry you,” Natasha replied softly, her voice tinged with that smile she couldn’t quite suppress.

But she didn’t give you the full story just yet, savoring this moment where your hands moved so carefully over her skin, applying the ointment with such focused tenderness. Natasha liked this—liked seeing you flustered, your emotions so close to the surface. It made her feel important, seen.

Your fingers paused for a moment, your eyes narrowing slightly as you studied Natasha’s face. You didn’t seem convinced by the lightness in Natasha’s tone, but you didn’t push—at least, not yet. Instead, you took a deep breath and resumed your work, the soft pad of your thumb smoothing ointment over a particularly nasty cut on Natasha’s cheek. Natasha winced slightly. She could sense the underlying tension in you—the way your jaw clenched ever so slightly, the way you focused a little too intently on the task at hand.

“You know that’s not what I asked,” you said quietly, your voice still holding that stern edge, though there was a softness there too, a plea for honesty.

You didn’t look up as you spoke, your attention fixed on her injuries, but Natasha could feel the weight of your words. It wasn’t just concern—it was something deeper, a fear that gnawed at you every time Natasha walked out of the compound on a mission. And now, seeing Natasha like this, bruised and battered, only made that fear surface all the more.

The redhead sighed, her smile fading as she let her gaze drift away from your face, staring at some indeterminate spot on the wall.

“It was a solo recon mission,” she finally said, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. “Things went south, and I had to engage. Took a few hits, but nothing I couldn’t handle.”

Your hands stilled again, this time longer, and Natasha could feel the frustration radiating from you, though you still kept your touch gentle. You finally looked up, your eyes locking with her green ones.

“You always say that,” you muttered, your voice stern and laced with exasperation. “You always downplay it, like it’s nothing. But look at you.”

Natasha met your gaze, and for a moment, the room was filled with a heavy silence. She wanted to reassure you, to say something that would ease that worry etched into your face, but the words caught in her throat. So instead, she reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against your wrist.

“I’m okay, milaya,” Natasha said softly, and this time, the smile that curled her lips was tender and genuine. “I promise.”

You didn’t reply right away, but you didn’t pull away either. Your fingers lingered on Natasha’s skin, and for a moment, you simply stayed like that, the air between you thick with tension. Finally, you exhaled a soft, resigned sigh as you resumed your work, the sternness in your expression giving way to something more vulnerable, more caring.

“Just... try to be careful. It’s not like you to be making mistakes,” you whispered, your voice barely above a breath, and Natasha felt her heart clench at the raw emotion behind the words. “Is everything okay?”

She nodded eagerly, her words catching in her throat.

You shook your head, a soft, almost exasperated sigh escaping your lips as you reached out, gently cupping Natasha’s chin to turn her face towards you. She allowed it, letting you guide her, the warmth of your hand against her skin sending a shiver down her spine. You leaned in closer, your brow furrowing as you examined the other side of Natasha’s face, your eyes darkening when you saw the bigger bruise that had bloomed there.

“Natasha...” you whispered, your voice laced with a tenderness that made her chest tighten.

Your touch was featherlight as you carefully dabbed ointment over the bruise, your movements slow and deliberate, as if you were afraid of causing more pain.

But Natasha barely felt the sting. No, her mind was somewhere else entirely.

You were so close now, closer than you had been all night, and all Natasha could think about was how your breath ghosted over her skin, how your lips hovered just inches away. The scent of your shampoo filled her senses, clean and familiar, and Natasha’s gaze drifted to those lips—soft, plump, the same lips she remembered so vividly from that night, the lips that had been moaning her name all night. Her heart thudded in her chest, drowning out everything else. The pain, the bruises, the mission—they all faded into the background. All that remained was the memory of those lips, how they’d felt against hers, the way they’d made her forget everything but you.

Natasha swallowed hard, fighting to stay present, but it was useless. Her green eyes lingered on your mouth, tracing the curve of your lips and the way they moved as you murmured soft reassurances. Every part of Natasha ached to close the distance, to taste those lips again, to lose herself in that same rush that had consumed her that night. It was maddening how badly she wanted it—how badly she wanted you.

And for a moment, just a fleeting second, Natasha wondered if you felt it too—if you could feel the tension crackling in the air between you, the way Natasha’s pulse quickened under your touch. But she couldn’t think of anything else. She couldn’t think of anything but how close you were and how desperately she wanted to close that gap.

Your hand lingered for a moment longer, your fingers brushing over Natasha’s skin gently. And you were just about to pull away, to turn your attention back to the supplies on the tray beside you, when she felt it—a sudden rush deep in her chest that she couldn’t ignore. The words she’d been holding back for so long, the ones that had burned at the tip of her tongue for what felt like forever, finally pushed their way out, unbidden and unstoppable.

“I love you.”

It was barely a whisper, but in the quiet of the med bay, it sounded deafening. Natasha hadn’t meant to say it, not like this, not when she was bruised and battered, vulnerable in a way she hated to be. But the moment had slipped through her fingers, and now the words were out there, hanging in the air between you.

You froze, your fingers still resting against Natasha’s face, your eyes widening slightly as the words registered. For a split second, there was nothing but silence, a silence so thick and heavy that Natasha almost couldn’t breathe. She hadn’t planned this, hadn’t prepared for the possibility that she might lose control, that she might let her guard down so completely. But it’s so hard not to when she was with you.

But then your eyes softened, your expression shifting from shock to something Natasha couldn’t quite read—something gentle, something that made Natasha’s heart pound even harder. Your hand moved again, this time not to turn away but to cradle Natasha’s face more firmly, your thumb brushing lightly over her cheek.

“Natasha…” You whispered, your voice barely audible, and there was a tenderness in your tone that made Natasha’s breath hitch. Your eyes searched hers, as if trying to find the truth behind the words, to make sure you hadn’t imagined them.

But Natasha couldn’t take them back now. She didn’t want to. The weight of them had already lifted, and even though her heart was racing, even though her chest ached with the fear of what might come next, what you might say, she didn’t regret it. All she could do was hold your gaze, waiting, hoping that somehow this wouldn’t be the moment everything shattered.

The redhead leaned into your touch, her eyes fluttering shut for just a moment as she let the warmth of your palm soothe the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. The confession had slipped out too quickly, too easily, but now that it was out there, she couldn’t stop herself. It felt like a dam had broken, and all the feelings she’d kept buried for so long were rushing out.

“I’ve always loved you,” Natasha murmured again, her voice steadier this time, though still soft, vulnerable in a way that felt foreign to her. She opened her eyes again, finding your gentle gaze still locked on hers, wide and searching. Natasha’s heart pounded as she watched the emotions flicker across your face—surprise, confusion, and something else she couldn’t quite place.

You didn’t pull away. If anything, your grip on Natasha’s face tightened, your thumb gently brushing against the curve of her cheek. The silence that followed wasn’t as suffocating as before, but it still held weight, heavy with what Natasha had just said. She could see you processing it, trying to make sense of the sudden shift of the words that had come so unexpectedly. But Natasha didn’t waver. She let herself sink into the moment, letting herself be held by your gaze and by the feel of your hand on her skin. She’d always known that her feelings for you ran deep—deeper than she’d ever allowed herself to admit.

“(Y/n)…” Natasha murmured, her voice soft but more certain. She tilted her head slightly, pressing a soft kiss to your palm, her lips lingering there for a moment as you let her words sink in. She wasn’t asking for anything, not really. She just needed you to know. To understand.

Your eyes flickered with uncertainty, a shadow of doubt crossing your expression. It wasn’t like Natasha to confess anything so personal, so vulnerable, especially when it came to her feelings. It left you reeling. You searched Natasha’s face, looking for any hint of insincerity, any sign that this might be some sort of joke. But all you found was the steady, unwavering gaze of someone who had just bared their soul.

“You’re not joking?” You asked, your voice barely above a whisper, tinged with disbelief. There was a softness in your tone, a hint of hope that you almost didn’t want to acknowledge.

Natasha’s lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. She shook her head, her eyes never leaving yours.

“Why would I be joking?” she replied, her voice firm, carrying a quiet confidence that left no room for doubt.

There was no teasing in her expression, no hint of the usual playfulness that often accompanied her words.

This was different. This was real.

“You’ve just... never said anything... Before, I mean,” you tell her, drawing your hand back slightly only for Natasha to hold your wrist still. You took a deep breath. “You’ve always said that you don’t like getting too attached to anyone.”

Natasha’s gaze softened as your words hung in the air. It was true—she had always been the one to keep her distance, to draw a line between herself and everyone else. Attachment was dangerous. It made you vulnerable; it made you weak. And in her line of work, weakness could get you killed. She’d lived by that rule for so long that it had become second nature, a part of who she was.

But looking at you now, with the worry and confusion etched across your beautiful face, Natasha felt all of that unraveling. The walls she’d built so carefully over the years crumbled piece by piece, until there was nothing left but the raw, undeniable truth of what she felt.

“I know,” Natasha said quietly, her voice carrying a weight that matched the heaviness in her chest. She hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to explain something she’d never really let herself admit. “I said that because I thought it would make me lose focus. But with you…”

She trailed off, her eyes searching yours, hoping that somehow you could understand what she was struggling to say. “With you, it’s different. It always has been. I didn’t want to admit it, maybe because I was scared… scared of what it would mean. But I can’t keep pretending like I don’t feel this... like I don’t want this.”

“I’ve actually been trying to ask you out on a date these past couple weeks.” Natasha took a breath, her hand moving to cover yours, her thumb brushing lightly over your knuckles. “Had it all planned out... But I never found the right time to ask you.”

You smiled softly, “Really?”

“Yeah,” she replied, shaking her head.

Your smile grew, the tension in your shoulders easing as you absorbed Natasha’s confession.

Her hand remained on yours, her thumb still brushing lightly against your skin. “But if, for whatever reason, you don’t want to or... don’t feel the same way... that’d be okay. It’ll take me a while to get over, but I don’t want to force you.”

Your heart ached at the thought of Natasha being hurt and her struggling through rejection. The sincerity in Natasha’s voice, the way she laid her feelings bare with such honesty, made your decision clear. You reached out and shook your head, your thumb brushing away a stray strand of hair.

“You don’t have to worry about that, Natasha,” you said softly, your eyes meeting hers.

The words seemed to hang in the air, a delicate promise of something new, something hopeful. Natasha’s eyes widened slightly, her breath catching in her throat as she processed your words.

“And... I’d really love to go on that date with you.”

Natasha’s heart leaped at your response, relief and joy flooding through her. The uncertainty that had clouded her mind for weeks, the fear of rejection, seemed to dissipate in an instant. Your smile, soft and warm, was like a beacon of hope that cut through the fog of Natasha’s doubts. The way your eyes sparkled with affection made Natasha’s chest tighten with a happiness she hadn’t allowed herself to fully feel before.

“Yeah?” Natasha’s voice was barely above a whisper, as if she couldn’t quite believe the words that fell from your mouth. She imagined every negative scenario and had been bracing herself for disappointment, for the possibility that her feelings might not be reciprocated, and to hear your affirmation was everything to her.

Your smile grew even wider, your eyes meeting her green ones with a tenderness that made Natasha’s breath catch.

“Yeah,” you said softly, her voice steady and sincere.

Natasha’s thumb gently caressed your hand, her gaze lingering on your face. “I’m really glad to hear that,” she said, her voice filled with excitement. “Just... let me know when you’re free, and we’ll make it happen.”

You give her a look. “How about when you’re fully healed, hm?”

Natasha chuckled softly, the sound mingling with the warmth in her eyes as she met your playful gaze.

“Deal,” she said with a grin, her voice carrying a note of playful defiance. She shifted slightly on the bed, trying to ease her discomfort, but her smile remained. “I guess, to make sure I heal properly, I’d have to let you take care of me a little longer. Not that I’m complaining about that.”

Your eyes sparkled with amusement, a knowing smile tugging at your lips. “Oh, I’m sure you’re not,” she said, her tone teasing yet affectionate.

Natasha’s heart swelled at your words, the playfulness in your voice making her feel cherished in a way she hadn’t expected.

You rolled your eyes and smiled at her, “Now, let me finish. You’re distracting me.”

Natasha’s lips curled into a gentle smile, and she sighed, her eyes sparkling with affection. “Okay, baby. I’ll be good,” she replied, her voice low and tender, the endearment slipping out naturally, almost as if it were second nature.

Your cheeks flushed deeper, your eyes flickering up to meet Natasha’s for a moment before you quickly looked away, trying to maintain her professional composure. Both the embarrassment and focus in your expression were endearing, and Natasha couldn’t help but feel like she was over the moon.

As you continued your work, gently dabbing the last of the ointments and soothing creams on her, Natasha stayed quiet, simply enjoying the sight of you and the way you moved with purpose and care. There was something comforting about being cared for by someone she loved, and in these moments, Natasha felt grateful and at peace.

When you finished, you pulled away to clean your hands as Natasha laid her head back against the adjustable bed, the head of it raised up comfortably for her to lean against. She let out a quiet breath as her head sank into the pillow. The tension that had coiled through her muscles slowly unwound, leaving her feeling weightless, almost serene. Her eyes fluttered shut, and a soft smile played on her lips. The cool air of the med bay, the distant hum of machines, all faded into the background as she focused on the lingering warmth of your touch, the way your fingers had brushed against Natasha's skin so gently.

The pain that had been gnawing at her ribs was a dull, distant ache now, replaced by a warmth that spread through her chest. She let herself sink deeper into that feeling, savoring it, her thoughts blissfully quiet for once.

She was content—more content than she could remember being in a long time. This was enough—your presence, the gentle care you had shown, the soft, lingering scent of antiseptic, and something sweeter, something uniquely you. Natasha's smile deepened, and she sighed softly, her heart swelling with gratitude and affection. She could stay here forever, knowing you were right next to her.

And then, just as Natasha felt herself drifting on the edge of sleep, she heard your voice—soft, tentative, pulling her back from the brink.

“Natasha.”

“Hm?”

There was a beat of silence.

“I don’t think I’ve said it yet,” she heard you say, your voice shy but sure. “But, I love you, too.”

Natasha's eyes fluttered open at the sound of your voice, her heart skipping a beat as she registered the words. She lifted her head, her gaze locking onto your face, which was now tinged with a soft blush. For a moment, Natasha just stared at you, caught off guard by the sudden rush of warmth spreading through her chest as she looked at you. You stood there, absentmindedly wiping your hands clean. But your usual composed demeanor was now softened, your shyness making you seem even more beautiful in Natasha’s eyes. The way you flushed, the way your lips curled into that shy smile—it all felt like a dream.

Without thinking, driven purely by instinct, Natasha tried to sit up, ignoring the sharp protest from her broken rib. Her only focus was you—your face, your lips—drawing nearer, as if she were being pulled by an invisible force. She needed to close the distance; she needed to feel those soft lips of yours against hers.

But before she could move any closer, your hand was there—firm yet gentle—against her chest, guiding her back down with a tender but insistent pressure.

“Whoa, hey,” you said softly, your voice laced with concern as you kept Natasha in place, your touch more soothing than restraining. “Don’t move. You need to minimize all movement.”

Natasha let out a frustrated exhale, her pout unmistakable as she stared up at you, caught between longing and the dull ache in her side.

“You seriously expect me not to kiss you after you just told me you love me?” She murmured, her voice tinged with a playful defiance, though her body reluctantly surrendered to your care.

“Yes, I do.”

But your lips curled into a knowing smile as you saw the frustration in Natasha’s eyes. With a gentle, playful smile, you leaned down, your lips barely brushing Natasha’s in a tender kiss. The contact was fleeting, but it held a promise of more. Natasha’s eyes fluttered shut, her lips instinctively moving toward yours in a desperate attempt to deepen the kiss. She sighed against your mouth, moaning softly at the feeling of your lips finally pressing against hers. She felt a surge of warmth as she reached for you, her hand finding its way to the back of your neck, fingers tangling in your hair, trying to pull you closer.

But your hand remained steady on Natasha’s chest, a gentle reminder to keep still. You pulled back just enough to keep the kiss from deepening, her breath mingling with Natasha’s as you looked down with a teasing glint in your eyes.

“Agent Romanoff,” you said softly, her tone both affectionate and teasing. “I do believe I told you to rest.”

Natasha’s lips curved into a playful pout, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she gazed up at you, her thumb caressing the skin behind your ear as her hand rested against the side of your neck.

“You know,” Natasha said, her voice a sultry whisper, “I’m starting to think you enjoy having this kind of power over me.”

You chuckled, narrowing your eyes as you gave her a sexy glance. “Maybe,” she admitted, her smile widening.

Natasha grinned, a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she relaxed back against the pillow. “Well, if this is what it takes to get more of those kisses,” she said, her voice low and teasing, “then I might just have to let you boss me around a bit longer.”

Your cheeks flushed with a soft pink, your eyes shining amusement. You leaned down again, giving Natasha one last gentle peck before pulling back, your hand still resting lightly on Natasha’s chest. You pulled back slightly, your expression softening as you met her eyes.

“Rest,” you said sternly, though your voice held a trace of affection. The authority in your tone was undeniable, but it was softened by the warmth of her gaze.

Natasha’s smile lingered, a hint of playful defiance still dancing in her eyes. “Yes, ma’am,” she replied softly, her voice carrying a teasing edge despite her agreement.

She sank back into the bed, the pain in her ribs momentarily forgotten as she focused the thought of your presence, your gentle hands, and your soft, delicious lips. As Natasha lay back against the pillow, her body finally succumbing to the soothing embrace of rest, contentment washing over her. The pain in her ribs seemed to fade into the background, overshadowed by the warmth of your presence.

Later, opening her eyes for a moment, she could see you sitting beside her, comfortably nestled into that same chair, now with a book in your hand. The sight of you getting ready to be absorbed in your reading, keeping Natasha company as she rested, filled her peace.

She reached out to you with a quiet, unspoken need, finding your hand resting gently on the bed. Noticing the gesture, you let Natasha’s fingers settle softly into your own, allowing your hands to rest together against the cool sheets. With a soft smile, you held the book in your other hand, the pages casually open, resting comfortably on your lap. As Natasha’s fingers intertwined with yours, your touch remained light and soothing, squeezing softly as you held her hand. As her eyelids grew heavy and the soothing pull of sleep began to claim her, she relished the comfort of your hand in hers. The warmth of your fingers, soft and steady, felt perfect in hers. The subtle pressure of your grip was calming, intimate, and gentle, wrapping Natasha in a warmth she’d like to keep forever. Knowing you were there eased Natasha into that peacefulness she aimed to never lose.

And with a soft sigh, Natasha closed her eyes, letting the rhythmic sound of your gentle breathing lull her into a serene sleep. Her thoughts drifted, focused on dreaming of you, excited for what the future had in store for the two of you. The gentle light of the bedside lamp cast a warm glow—with Natasha’s face peaceful in sleep, and you occasionally glanced down at your joined hands before returning to your book.

The bell rang loudly throughout the hallways and the classroom signaling the end of the current class and the beginning of the next one, all the students gathering their belongings and saying goodbye to their teacher as they walked out of the classroom and sauntered into the hallways.

"Ugh I hate Mr. Thompson. He likes to make my life a living hell."

"Well Cass, if it makes you feel any better he hates me too." Y/N joked with a small snort as she placed her Calculus book back into her locker and grabbed her literature one, snickering a bit when she head the blonde groan beside her before slamming her head on her her still closed locker door.

"I don’t know why he pushes me to know how to throw a punch. I’m gonna be an engineer. We use math and physics to create things, not punches."

"Well you could, when something doesn’t works you could always use a bit of violence." Y/N kept joking with a wide smirk that only broadened when Cassie slapped her shoulder gently as she opened her locker to grab her literature book too, happy that she was going to share a class with her best friend.

"Ha-ha. Very funny." Cassie faked laughing, closing her locker and leaning her back on it as she watched students walk up and down the hallway, "it’s not like you’re any better at physical stuff. You suck at any sport."

"That’s not true." Y/N snorted as she also closed her locker and leaned on her right shoulder to stared at Cassie, who was sporting an unamused expression. "I like all kind of sports, I just don’t like being part of them."

"Ha! That’s just a nice way to say you suck at sports."

"Whatever." Y/N rolled her eyes with a small grin tugging at the corner of her lips as she gently pushed on Cassie’s shoulder to urge her to walk towards their class. "C’mon or we will be late."

"Make me." Cassie stayed frozen in her spot and snickered loudly when Y/N struggled to push her and make her start walking, causing her to loose her balance for a second and collide harshly with another student’s body.

"Oh no, I’m so so sorry!" Y/N looked up from her gaze on the floor after she regained her balance from the harsh collision and almost fainted when she was met with the most beautiful pair of blue eyes she had ever seen, "I-I’m- sorry."

"It’s okay, don’t worry. I was actually in a hurry and I wasn’t watching where I was going." Y/N smiled politely at the black haired girl and watched from the corner of her eyes Cassie sporting a small, cheeky smirk as she watched her best friend interact with the blue eyed girl, and made a mental note to hit her hard as soon as she was finished talking to the blue eyed girl. She watched as she black haired girl nodded softly at her before walking away, Y/N watching her go for a few moments before turning around and hitting Cassie hard with her book.

"Ow!"

"That’s what you deserve for being an ass. You made me embarrass myself and crash into one of the most popular girls in school."

"Oh honey, you do all the job of embarrassing yourself. I didn’t do anything at all." Cassie teased Y/N as they started their journey to their literature class, snorting loudly when Y/N merely grunted at her.

"I hate you."

"No you don’t." Cassie sing-sang as she entered the classroom and took her usual seat, watching Y/N take her place in front of her before turning slightly around to face her and keep their conversation, that shifted to another topic, going since their teacher hasn’t arrived yet.

"I’m telling you the truth!"

"There’s no way. My dad would never."

"I swear, I saw him eat at least 3 cookies around 3 a.m. when we had our sleepover."

"Fuck! He promised me he wouldn’t eat them! Those were for his clients!"

"Well 3 clients didn’t have their cookie." Y/N joked with a small chuckle as she watched their teacher enter the classroom before turning herself back around and waited for the class to start.

"Oh Miss Bishop! How nice of you to join us!"

"I’m sorry!" About 5 minutes later, the blue eyed girl entered the classroom out of breath and a bit disheveled after running towards her class, taking the last seat in the room, right beside Y/N, smiling politely at her and nodding in her way, doing the same with Cassie, then focusing her attention to the teacher as she kept on with her class.

"Okay class, do not forget to read to page 328 to page 341. We will discuss everything in class next week." Miss Peyton finished speaking just in time, because as soon as she was done, the bell rang and all the students gathered all their things to go to the cafeteria to have their lunch, "oh Miss Bishop, Miss Y/L/N can I please have a word with you?"

Cassie stared at Y/N with furrowed eyebrows as they both stopped their walk towards the door, but Y/N merely shrugged, clueless about why their teacher wanted to talk to her and to Kate after class. "I’ll see you in a bit, can you grab lunch for me too?"

"Yes of course, I’ll see you later."

As soon as all the students left the classroom, Miss Payton saying goodbye to the last teenager with a big smile, she turned her gaze towards Y/N and Kate still waiting in their seats and slightly confused. The teacher’s face the turned serious as she dropped her smile and assessed her students, "okay girls, I wanted you to wait for everyone else to walk out because I need to talk about something really important. I will be quick you can have your lunch."

"Okay, what is it, Miss Peyton?" Y/N asked politely with a calm voice. She wasn’t nervous, she was the top of the class, she was polite to everyone, she was always on time to class, she stayed out of trouble, she was just confused as to why Miss Payton wanted to talk to her with Kate.

"I- Kate that you are failing my class and Mr. Craig’s class." Miss Peyton announced to the black haired girl quickly, sighing out sadly, making Kate stare at her in concern, "you need to improve your grades or, as your coach informed me, you will be out of the team."

"What?! No! Why? I’m trying to study as much as I can to get better!"

"I know, I can see it. But it’s not enough for Coach Miller. I want to help you. That’s why Y/N is here." Y/N perked up at that as she stayed silent to listen to what Miss Payton was telling Kate. "She will tutor you in literature and math. You will have all the semester to improve your grades. I talked to Coach Miller and he will not kick you out of the team if you will pass your final tests."

"Great!" Kate huffed out in frustration as she collapsed ungracefully on the chair, slammed her hands on the desk before starting playing with her fingers angrily.

"It would be a pleasure to help you." Y/N spoke up with a polite smile and tone, hoping to help Kate to calm her nerves down. To be honest she didn’t want to deal with Kate Bishop at all. She was the most popular girl in school, the star of the school’s soccer team, a great archer that collected trophies after trophies, medals after medals and also one of the most wanted girl in school. She had never interacted with her before today. She was the nerd of the school, she was closed-off, she avoided all kind of school gatherings unless they were mandatory. But she needed to please every teacher’s request to reach her goal and enter Harvard with Cassie like they had always dreamed. So she was willing to make an effort for the sake of her future.

"I don’t have a say in this, do I?" Kate completely ignored Y/N’s sentence and stared at Miss Payton in annoyance. Y/N scoffed under her breath at Kate’s rudeness, before focusing on their teacher’s answer to Kate’s rhetorical question.

"I’m afraid you don’t. It will help you, trust me. Y/N one of the school’s best students. I know you two will get along pretty well and you will improve your grades quickly!" They both nodded as they said goodbye to their teacher after discussing a few things about Y/N tutoring Kate before the two girls walked out of the classroom and took different paths without saying a word to the other.

"What the hell did Miss Payton want from you?"

"She just asked me-." Y/N trailed off for good measure, smirking inwardly when Cassie was literally hanging from her chair impatiently, but Y/N took her time to place her bag beside her feet before pulling the chair back and sitting down slowly, but Cassie grabbed her shoulders and slammed her onto the chair to urge her on, causing a small laugh to leave the Y/E/C girl’s lips, "eager to know, are we?"

"Yes. Now keep going."

"She asked me to tutor Kate." Y/N told her best friend nonchalantly before grabbing her salad, taking a forkful and eating it.

"What?!" Cassie screamed incredulous, her small shriek caused a few heads to turn towards them, but she paid them no mind, "why are you saying this like it’s no big deal?!"

"Because it’s not?!" Y/N said rhetorically using the same tone Cassie used to ask her question, causing a small scoff to leave the blonde’s lips as she rolled her eyes at her best friend.

"Are you being serious right now?"

"Yes! I’ve tutored plenty of our classmates and a lot of other students here. It’s really no big deal."

"But we’re talking about Kate Bishop now!" Cassie stressed her words out with a look between desperation and frustration at her best friend nonchalance. She was smart, but she could be truly dense sometimes.

"She is just another student Cass, relax."

"No, she is THE student. The star of the school’s soccer team, the most wanted girl in our school, the heartbreaker, the world’s greatest archer as anyone puts it, not to mention really fucking hot." Cassie finished her speech pointing her fork full of pasta towards Y/N before eating her bite and chewing on it happily. She then rolled her eyes when Y/N rolled her own with a loud sigh.

"I’m not interested in her Cass. We’ve never talked before and after our tutoring sessions it will be back like that with us ignoring each other. Hell I don’t even know if she will show up at our tutoring sessions. We didn’t exactly speak, like at all, after talking with Miss Payton. We just walked away, without even saying goodbye."

"Well maybe she needed a moment to think about it. I don’t think she won’t show up. I mean, these tutoring sessions has to be mandatory for her, am I right?"

"Yeah, apparently if she doesn’t improve her grades in Miss Payton’s and Mr. Craig’s classes, Coach Miller will kick her out of the team." Y/N finished off as she took the last bite of her salad and drank a sip of water from her water bottle.

"Oh shit, that’s bad. She’s definitely showing up to your tutoring session, I’m 100% sure."

The two best friends changed topic and started talking about Cassie’s father, Scott, and his girlfriend Hope, taking Cassie to an amusement park the prior weekend, "no way! Shit Hope is strong."

"Yeah! She formed a crowd all around the punching bag machine and-." Cassie stopped her retelling abruptly when she recognized the approaching figure walking towards their table and swallowed loudly when she met their eyes with her slightly widened ones and smiled awkwardly up at them.

"What?" Y/N turned herself around to look herself at what Cassie was staring at behind her back and almost fainted and fell off the chair when, for the second time that day, she was met with the most intense ocean blue eyes she had ever had the pleasure to meet with her own Y/E/C eyes.

"Hi." Kate said in a small tone and a tiny smile, before staring at Cassie and grinned at her too, "hi." She repeated to the blonde before moving her eyes back onto Y/N.

"Hello." Y/N didn’t exactly intended to answer that coldly, it was just that Kate’s eyes were really distracting.

"Hi." Cassie replied to Kate’s greeting ten times more politely than Y/N, with a bright grin on her lips and a small wave, something that made Kate smile gently.

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

Y/N had a small problem formulating words as she tried to kickstart her brain, to no avail of course, but Cassie came to her rescue and kicked her shin hard under the table, trying to conceal her gesture as much as she could, and almost laughed when Y/N squealed quietly under her breath and jumped a bit on her chair. Cassie smiled in apology at Y/N when she stared at her with a mix of anger, wrath and pain before regarding Kate with the softest expression she could muster despite the excruciating pain in her leg, "sure."

"Thank you." Kate smiled gently at Y/N before regarding Cassie with an apologizing grin, "sorry, it won’t take long, I promise."

"Don’t worry, you can even get rid of her for me. She is annoying." Cassie cracked a joke with a wave of her hand, triggering a soft chuckle from Kate while Y/N flipped her off with her middle finger, but Cassie merely smiled sweetly at her.

Y/N sat up, wincing a bit from her still a bit aching and painful leg, and walked towards the exit of the cafeteria, stopping a few feet out of the door, that effectively muffled the student’s loud chatter, "so, what do you need?"

"First thing first, I’m Kate."

Y/N stared at the hand stretched over in front of her for a few moments, before grabbing it and shaking it gently, "I know. I think pretty much the whole school knows who you are. I’m Y/N."

Kate chuckled gently under her breath and shook her head at Y/N’s joke, "I won’t take too much of your time of your lunch, I just needed to ask you if we can start as soon as we can with our tutoring sessions. I really need to not be kicked out of the team."

"Sure, we can start this afternoon after our classes." Y/N conceded with a small shrug, not failing to notice how beautiful Kate’s wide grin she had just triggered with her words was. But she discarded those thoughts immediately.

"Great! How about around 3 p.m. in the school’s library?"

"Hm, I’m afraid it’s closed." Kate stared at Y/N in confusion and the Y/H/C girl had to discard again thoughts about how cute Kate looked with her confused frown to instead Y/N was clarify to Kate’s silent question, "it’s Friday. Library always closes after classes."

"Oh right. Sorry, I usually study at home."

"It’s okay."

"Okay, so, we can study at my house. My mom is working late and my dad is on a business trip. We won’t be disturbed."

"Okay, yeah." Y/N nodded politely as she smiled gently at the black haired girl, noticing how happy she looked after she agreed to start their tutoring sessions right away.

"Okay, I’ll meet you at your locker at 3 p.m. okay?"

"Yeah. I’ll see you later."

"See you later." Kate winked towards her as she started her walk opposite the cafeteria and Y/N had to admit she swooned a little at the charming gesture as she turned around and opened the cafeteria’s door and walked back towards Cassie, before stopping in her tracks as a thought made its way to the forefront of her mind.

"Wait, how does she know which one is my locker?"

-

"And she looked so good! You should’ve seen her!"

"I did Cass, I was right beside you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you were too busy drooling for her to notice my presence." Y/N snickered when Cassie pushed on her shoulder hard, making her loose her balance for just a second as she grabbed her things from her locker, "I still don’t get why you don’t ask her out."

"Are you out of your mind?! I will never ask her out!" Cassie spoke to Y/N with her eyes widened in shock as if Y/N told her the most unbelievable thing in history. "She doesn’t like me. She doesn’t even know who I am."

"She likes you Cass, she looks at you like a lovesick puppy!"

"You’re just speaking nonsense now. She doesn’t like me and I’m pretty sure she is dating that jackass. What’s his name? Carl?"

"Cory. And I don’t think they’re dating." Y/N laughed when her best friend got their classmate’s name wrong, bumping their shoulders together amusedly, "I will prove to you she likes you. You just need a great wingwoman to help you out." Y/N puffed her chest out proudly and lifted her chin in an authoritative way, all the while Cassie stared at her blankly before turning her expression into a surprised but curious one.

"Oh do you I know her? Can you please introduce her to me?" Y/N deflated at that with a roll of her eyes and punched Cassie’s shoulder gently as she laughed her ass off at her own joke, "okay, on a serious note, I don’t think I will ever find the courage to ask her out. I’m way too out of her league."

"Are you being serious right now? Cass, she is the one out of your league. You are smart, beautiful, funny. She would be a fool to reject you. And if she will ever reject you, it’s her loss." Y/N placed her left hand on Cassie’s right shoulder before squeezing it in a comforting manner and smiled softly at her, the blonde mirroring her right away with a bright, thankful grin.

Just as when Cassie was about to open her mouth to reply to Y/N’s encouraging words and to thank her for boosting her mood up, Kate approached them shyly and smiled at the two best friends cordially with a small wave, "hey guys."

"Hi." Y/N said quickly as she pulled her hand away from Cassie’s shoulder, turned around and finished retrieving her things from her locker, while Cassie, who already finished pushing everything in her backpack, smiled brightly at Kate and waved back at her.

"Hi Kate. Just a little warning, she can be a lot sometimes when she talks about literature, so if she ever starts talking too much, the button to shut her up is right here." Cassie pointed to the back of Y/N’s head, getting Kate’s complete attention, who watched her with a small smile adorning her lips, "you just push this button here and she will shut up automatically. Like this- look." And then Cassie slapped the back of Y/N’s head, right on her nape not hard to hurt Y/N, but not exactly gently, making Y/N almost drop her backpack on the ground.

"Cassie Lang!" Y/N turned her head towards Cassie with a withering look as she massaged the back of her head with her right hand while her left one gripped her backpack hard.

"What?! I was just helping Kate by giving her tips about surviving studying with you."

Y/N turned to look at the black haired girl, who was trying to prevent her laugh to come out of her mouth by biting on her bottom lip hard, but it was becoming a really difficult task with the bickering still going on in front of her, before regarding Cassie with an unamused expression, "I hate you."

"No you don’t! I’ll see you tomorrow." Cassie quickly kissed Y/N’s right cheek, before waving at Kate happily, "bye Kate, good luck with her."

"Thank you. Bye!" Kate waved enthusiastically at Cassie and watched her run towards the school’s exit before focusing her attention back on the Y/H/C girl when she heard a locker close beside her. "Ready to go?"

"Yes! Let’s go."

"How were classes?" Kate asked to fill in the silence wrapping around them as they walked towards the exit, the school’e hallways already empty since it was Friday.

"Good. Yours?"

"Pretty good."

"Great." Y/N sighed as she felt as awkward as ever with Kate. She didn’t know her and she wasn’t exactly good with people she didn’t know, especially when she met them for the first time a few hours prior. "Did you have soccer practice today?"

"Yeah, this morning." Kate answered earnestly as she opened the school’s exit door and held it open for Y/N to walk out first, the Y/H/C girl thanking the blue eyed athlete with a polite smile, "I came here around 7 a.m."

"Thank you." Y/N’s grin fell off her face when she heard what Kate said and widened her Y/E/C eyes in shock, "wait- what?! Why so early?"

"We have a game this Wednesday. It became a daily routine coming to school earlier than everyone else a week prior our game to train alone. I like practicing on my own sometimes."

"Wow, you have a lot of pressure on you." Y/N pointed out as she noticed a stressed frown form on Kate’s forehead and felt bad for her, she knew how it feels to have a lot on your shoulders.

"Yeah, when you are the, and I quote, ‘the most promising striker of the league’, you tend to have a lot of pressure and attention on you. I try my best to give what everyone wants." Kate shrugged as they walked into the school’s parking lot, Y/N pretty much following Kate since she didn’t know where they were going, but as she listened to Kate’s words, Y/N couldn’t help but hear a bit of tiredness and sadness in her tone, making it look like Kate resigned herself to do what everyone wanted from her and wasn’t happy to do just that. She felt bad for her, so bad that she couldn’t control the words that left her mouth in form of a question.

"And what do you want?" Y/N noticed Kate trying to mask the shock and bewilderment, clearly not expecting Y/N to ask that question, but Y/N pretended she didn’t notice and gave her time to answer her.

"Hm- I like doing sports. I do that since I was little. I won a lot of medals and trophies for them but- I feel like soccer will be nothing but another sport I’m good at."

"Hm- you didn’t answer my question completely though." Y/N teased Kate to lift up the heavy air suddenly surrounding them and felt relieved when the black haired girl snorted under her breath with a small, amused smile and a soft shake of her head.

"I will. One day."

"Hm, cryptic and mysterious. I like it." Y/N nodded and fell silent, letting her mind dwell on how easily they were getting along and how comforting Kate’s presence was for a few seconds, a shocking realization to Y/N since they literally met properly that morning, a few hours prior, but it was short lived when Kate’s voice pulled her out of her head.

"Okay, that is our lift home." Kate pointed to a grey Mercedes C Class parked in the school’s parking lot as they approached the expensive vehicle. Y/N was surprised, to say the least, when the blue eyed girl opened the left rear door and signaled her to slip in, "I haven’t got my driver’s license yet. Nick is driving me around wherever I want, whenever I want until I do, so I try to take advantage of that." Kate explained, winking at Y/N jokingly at the last part, making Y/N nod in understanding.

"Oh wow, cool." Y/N looked around the car curiously as soon as she got in and waved awkwardly at Nick when he waved at her from the rearview mirror before focusing on Kate entering the car and closing the door.

"Yeah." Kate sighed contentedly as she sat comfortably on the comfy seats and closed her eyes for just a moment to relax her whole body and mind, she was still a bit exhausted from her practice that morning, and Y/N let her be since she didn’t know what else to say to Kate.

They didn’t talk a lot during their car ride towards Kate’s house as Kate took a moment to rest a bit before studying with Y/N for their tutoring sessions while Y/N took advantage of the silence and the moment to herself to look outside her window and admire the view running fast out of the car. "We’re here Miss Bishop."

"Thank you Nick."

"Thank you. Have a nice day Nick."

"You too Miss-." The driver stopped mid-sentence since he didn’t know Y/N’s name, making the Y/H/C girl smile at him shyly as she watched Kate open the car door to exit the vehicle.

"Y/L/N. Y/N Y/L/N."

"Right, have a nice day Miss Y/L/N."

"Goodbye Nick!" Kate smiled warmly at Nick and waved at him before closing the door after Y/N walked out of the car and guided her into her parents’ building, "c’mon, this way."

"Wow, this building is huge and so classy." Y/N exclaimed as she stared all around herself in awe, trying to look at all the details the front of the amazingly looking building had to offer to her eyes, "oh wow, that’s great!"

Kate laughed softly under her breath when Y/N looked at John, her building’s doorman, opening the door for them, "hi John, I missed you." Kate chuckled some more as she tried to make Y/N move from her frozen spot beside John on the door’s threshold, as she stared at the tall, old man in complete awe. "C’mon Y/N, you’re scaring him."

"Hello Miss Bishop, I missed you too. It’s been far too long since we’ve seen each other." Kate laughed heartily at their usual internal joke as they joked about them missing each other and saying it passed a lot of time since they’ve last seen each other every afternoon after school when in fact they had seen each other that same morning. "I see you have company today."

"Yeah, she is Y/N, she is my classmate."

"Hi, nice to meet you. I’m Y/N." The Y/H/C girl shook the doorman’s hand gently after she finally pulled herself out of her stupid awed daze by softly shaking her head.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Y/N. I’m John." The two girls said goodbye to John and took the elevator to go up to the penthouse, Kate laughing in anticipation as she tried to imagine Y/N’s expression when she will see her house.

"What?" Y/N heard Kate stifle a small snort and looked at her in amusement with a small smile tugging the corners of her lips as her eyes shined happily under the elevator’s lights.

"Nothing." Kate snorted loudly this time as she collected her thoughts and tried to explain them to her friend? Classmate? "I was just thinking about your reactions on seeing my parents’ building’s front and having a doorman."

"Well I couldn’t help it, this building is beautiful and a doorman? Really? That’s so cool!"

"Well that’s not why I was laughing."

"Then why?" Y/N asked confused as she watched Kate snort again after her words, not clearly following her train of thoughts.

"Because I can’t wait to see your reaction when you will see my house."

"What? What possibly- oh my god!"

Kate chuckled under her breath when Y/N stopped herself mid-sentence as soon as the elevator’s doors opened and revealed Kate’s elegant and huge penthouse. "See? I told you. That’s why I was laughing, I imagined that would be your reaction." Kate pointed to Y/N shocked face and giggled some more, not understanding how she could be so comfortable with someone she only started talking to that morning.

"Well excuse me, but this house is huge and so beautiful, and- I- I’m speechless."

"I’m glad you like it." Kate smiled warmly at the still stunned Y/H/C girl as she took her coat off and hung it on the coat rack, "can I take your coat?"

"What? Oh yeah sure." Y/N had to blink a few times to get herself back on earth as her mind wrapped itself around Kate’s question, before taking off her coat and handing it to Kate with a grateful smile, "thank you." Y/N sent Kate another small, grateful grin but her Y/E/C eyes couldn’t help but sweep some more around to take the black haired girl’s beautiful house in.

"You’re welcome. Do you want something to drink before we start studying?"

"Just water please."

-

"So? How was it?!" Cassie appeared right beside Y/N as she placed her books for her school day in her locker, making the Y/H/C girl roll her eyes fondly at the girl’s eagerness.

"Hello to you too Cassie. Oh I’m good thanks! I spent a great weekend, how was yours?"

Cassie rolled her eyes at her best friend’s antics but before playing along, she decided to tease her some more, knowing Y/N was stalling to answer her question, "drama queen." Y/N stared at Cassie unamused and the girl finally relented, "okay, fine. Hi Y/N/N, how are you? Great! Okay now, how was it?" Cassie talked quickly to try to get Y/N to talk about her tutoring session with Kate on Friday, since she had been in San Francisco with her dad for a small vacation and she hadn’t time to call her.

"Eager are we?" Y/N teased Cassie some more to take some more time to answer to her question just for a bit of personal entertainment, she loved watching Cassie getting impatient on things she wanted to know, "how was your trip with your dad?"

"Yeah, yeah, it was cool. Now answer me!" Cassie urged Y/N on with slapping her repeatedly on her left shoulder, making her best friend laugh heartily at her for her need to know how was her tutoring session with Kate, something that amused the Y/E/C girl to no end.

"Okay fine, I don’t know why you want to know how it went. It was a normal tutoring session. We studied a few things from our literature class. Nothing much."

"That’s it? Ugh you are so boring Y/N/N." Cassie exclaimed, a bit disappointed in her best friend at knowing nothing much happened during her tutoring session with Kate Bishop.

"What? Why are you saying that?"

"Because you two just studied! That’s boring!"

"What were we supposed? Save the world?" Y/N asked sarcastically, snorting at her own joke and shook her head.

"Things."

"Wait- what do you think would’ve happened?!" Y/N asked with widened eyes as she looked at her best friend like she was crazy, not exactly understanding why Cassie was behaving like that, especially with that dangerous grin on her face and with her eyebrows wiggling mischievously.

"I don’t know! Maybe you two getting along, trying to get to know each other, becoming besties, stuff like that." Cassie listed with an exasperated tone, feeling the need to slap Y/N at how dense she was being in that moment.

"Cass, I love you but you watch too many movies. She is trying to not get kicked out of the team she clearly cares about. I’m just doing my job in helping her by tutoring her."

"Yeah, but you are tutoring one of the most popular girl in our school. Everyone talks about watching you two get into a car together." Cassie explained excitedly as she tried to make Y/N understand why she was so excited and eager to know about her tutoring session with Kate, she was starting to get popular by just being seen with the most popular girl in school.

"Like I said, you watch too many movies Cass." Y/N chuckled as she closed her locker and leaned on it with her right shoulder, Cassie mirroring her by laying on the locker next to Y/N’s one with her left shoulder and facing her best friend, "I am a nobody here. No one acknowledges us except when they ask us to help them with homework or during tests or when that douchebag pick on us. I am not getting popular like you're thinking. I’m just Kate’s tutor. That’s it."

"We don’t need any of them Y/N/N. We are going to Harvard while all these idiots are probably gonna stay here regretting being assholes that bullied us instead of studying and getting a life." Cassie spoke as she moved away from her locker, puffing out her chest and lifting her chin up in pride, before making Y/N move away from her locked too by pushing on her right shoulder leaned on the locker before circling her shoulders with her right arm and pulled her closer to side hug her.

"That’s why I love you, you know exactly what to say to calm my nerves down." Y/N smiled appreciatively at the blonde, who merely waved her off with a scoff, before widening her eyes in fake shock as she realized what Y/N just told her.

"Did I hear you right? Did you just say you love me?" Cassie had a million dollar smile on her face as she looked at Y/N with mirth swimming into her blue eyes, something that made Y/N roll her eyes feigning annoyance.

"Nope, I didn’t. You must’ve made that up." Cassie laughed heartily when Y/N tried to escape her best friend’s embrace but Cassie used her other arm to lock Y/N into her arms, her left side flushed on Cassie’s front, making the Y/H/C girl groan in frustration, "this is kidnapping. Please someone help-." Y/N pretended to ask for help from Cassie’s attack, closing her eyes as she pretended to suffer from the embrace Cassie trapped her in and making the blond laugh heartily at her in the process, but in their giddy state neither of them noticed the approaching figure until they came into their line of sight and made Y/N stop mid-sentence.

"Hm, hi?"

The two best friends stopped their childish banter right away at the small, shy voice coming from their left, Cassie releasing Y/N from her strong lock and let her go before both turned fully towards Kate, grinning softly at them, "hi Kate." Cassie was the one to speak first, sending the soccer player a genuine smile before side-eyeing Y/N that stayed quiet beside her and smirking inwardly when she found her staring at Kate with an awestruck glint in her Y/E/C irises as she tried to keep a poker face on. But Cassie had known her since they were little and she knew exactly when Y/N was trying to not gay panic in front of a pretty girl. Hm, this is very, very interesting. The blonde thought as she deftly hit Y/N’s left ribs without being seen or being too obvious she was trying to get her best friend back on earth from ‘Gay Planet’ and broadened her inward smirk when Y/N blinked a few times before finally finding her voice.

"Hi." Y/N tried and hoped the grin she sent to Kate wasn’t an awkward grimace, but a genuine smile as she felt an odd happiness swirl around her stomach at her presence, "how are you?"

"I’m good, thanks. How are you guys?" Kate asked with her smile widening a bit as she felt more and more comfortable with the two best friends each passing second, "I saw you two bicker from afar, is that what you two always do? Because I seem to always find you two doing that." Kate chuckled under her breath and as Y/N was still patting herself on her right shoulder for acting cool in front of Kate and asking a question to make casual conversation with her instead of just lamely saying ‘hi’ to her and keeping staring at her like an idiot - Cassie would have added ‘in love’ or would have used ‘like a lovesick puppy’ to express and describe how Y/N was staring up at Kate - her mood quickly crumbled into embarrassed shame as she cursed under her breath for looking like an idiot in front of Kate. She totally discarded the question ‘why are you concerned about Kate discovering your childish behavior with your best friend?’ her mind came up with, crumbled it and pushed it to the farthest end of her brain to not think about it anymore, hopefully.

"Oh we are good. And yeah, we do that all the time. It’s always the same script. Y/N feigning having a cold heart that isn’t capable of loving, while I try to make her admit she loves me. I always win."

"No you don’t."

"See? She’s heartless." Kate chuckled amusedly as she eyed the two best friends for a few seconds with mirth and some kind of nostalgic feeling swirling into the pit of her stomach before focusing on why she approached the two girls.

"I won’t take up any more of your bickering, even though I would love to witness you two do that all day, Y/N, I just needed to know if we can study today. I need to get as much studying done as I can before our match that will be in two weeks. Coach Miller just told me this morning that if I pass at least one of the two exams he asked Miss Payton and Mr Craig to let me take to start improving my grades, he will let me play."

"Yeah, of course. I would love to help you."

"Great! Thank you!" Kate thanked Y/N with a million dollar smile and restrained herself from hugging the girl since they had known each other for just a couple of days and weren’t exactly friends, "we can meet here at 3 p.m. and go to my house."

"Sounds good."

"Okay I need to go now or I’ll be late, I’ll see you in class later! Bye!"

"Bye Kate." Cassie yelled when the black haired girl waved at them hastily and run away to go to her first class, Y/N doing the same with a big smile on her lips.

"Bye Kate." Y/N watched the black haired girl turn the corner and sighed wistfully before adjusting her backpack on her shoulder, "what?" Y/N asked when turned her head around and found Cassie staring at her with a smug, knowing grin and her right eyebrow lifted up teasingly.

"Oh nothing, I was just watching you two interact."

"So what?"

Cassie smiled with mischief swirling into her blue eyes at Y/N urging her on with annoyance written all over her face at her beating around the bush to tease her, "what did you say right here on Friday? Oh yeah, now I remember, ‘I’m not interested in her’." Cassie did her best at imitating Y/N’s voice with a serious face before erupting in a loud laugh when the girl rolled her eyes at her annoying best friend.

"Very funny." Y/N pushed on Cassie’s shoulder when she kept laughing and urged them to walk towards their first class, "why don’t you become a comedian instead of an engineer?"

"Because then you would make my life a living hell for having you as the center of all my shows. No thank you." Cassie kept making fun of Y/N as she delighted on Y/N’s annoyed and unamused expression on her face, before schooling her expression and giving Y/N some mercy, "but anyway, on a serious note, I saw how you look at her."

"No don’t start."

"Why? Y/N/N you literally froze when she came up to us. If I didn’t hit you, you would still be there staring at her like a lovesick puppy."

"Okay, I like her eyes. It’s not a crime admiring someone’s eyes."

"How cute." Cassie commented sweetly, before focusing back on her thoughts, "but I would like to say you not only looked at her eyes, but I interrupted you before you could eye fuck her-OHW!"

Cassie caressed her sore shoulder right where Y/N had hit it and massaged it gently to try to subdue the pain, "remind me why I still hang out with you?"

"Because you love me and because I’m fucking awesome."

"Hm, these are really debatable statements." Y/N countered back nonchalantly as she shrugged her shoulders, making Cassie gasp in fake shock as she laid an hand on her chest.

"You bitch!" Cassie exclaimed with a fake shocked face, a small smile cracking her façade when she noticed the tiny grin adorning Y/N’s lips and hit her gently on her shoulder before smacking her bicep again when Y/N started chuckling under her breath. "Deny it all you want, I know you love me!" Cassie exclaimed as she entered the classroom and sat right behind Y/N before slapping the back of her shoulder again.

"Ohw! Stop hitting me!"

"Not until you admit you love me." Then Cassie pointed her statement by slapping repeatedly Y/N’s left shoulder with her hand and laughed heartedly when the girl shrieked cutely as she tried to shield herself away from Cassie’s attack, but to no avail due to the proximity of their chairs, "admit it."

"Okay fine, I love you."

"That’s better."

-

"No wait, you have to put 5 there."

"Ugh, I knew I got it wrong!" Kate exclaimed exasperated, leaning her head between her hands to calm down herself down.

"Hey no, you are doing great. Don’t put yourself down." Y/N lifted her hand up to try to comfort the black haired girl that slammed her head on the table and groaned in frustration but in the end retracted it and placed it back on her lap, deciding to try to comfort the girl with only her words since they had met just a week prior and they couldn’t even consider themselves friends. "You just need some practice like with sports and I can assure you, you will do great in the test. Trust me."

"But I can’t understand it."

"You are very close to understand it. I had troubles with this too." Y/N admitted, making Kate lift her head up to stare at her curiously.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I was angry at myself for not understanding some things, but then I just closed my books and opened them after taking a break. I almost slapped myself when I noticed it was very much simple." Y/N shrugged with a small smile on her lips as she recognized a lot of her emotions when she dealt with this math problem when she studied it in Kate’s frustration and anger as she now studied it.

"So you’re just suggesting to take a break?"

"Yeah, close that book and don’t think about it for a bit. Just relax and release all the stress. I can go if you want. We can continue this tomorrow." Y/N spoke with an insecure and shy tone as she bounced her eyes on and off everything around her in Kate’s fancy looking living room to avoid at all costs Kate’s mesmerizing blue irises staring at her gratefully, fearing she would make a fool out of herself if she got lost in them like she does every time she looked into those eyes.

"Are you kidding? Now it’s like a personal challenge! We can chill for a bit and then continue studying, if you don’t have to go home yet." Kate proposed as she closed her book and notebook.

"No, I can stay a bit more, it’s okay."

Kate smiled at Y/N’s words and nodded resolutely, happy she could spend some more time with the Y/H/C girl, "okay, then. Now tell me about yourself."

"What?" Y/N asked in mere panic as she widened her eyes and looked at Kate like she was crazy, she wasn’t prepared for that question asked out of nowhere.

"We know very few things about the other- well technically you know a lot more about me compared to me that I only know you are one of the best students in school. So since we have a bit of spare time, why don’t we use it with getting to know each other?"

"Oh, uhm, okay." Y/N nodded gingerly with a shy tone, feeling her stomach flipping over itself at the thought of the black haired girl wanting to get to know her.

"Only if it’s okay with you." Kate said with uncertainty and shyness swirling in her ocean blue eyes as she stared at Y/N softly, something that warmed Y/N’s heart to no end and instantly eased up her nerves.

"Yeah, of course. I’m just not really used to- y’know interact with people other than Cassie."

"Why? I mean you seem like a really cool person, you are one of the best students in our school, you are a great tutor and you are funny. I don’t get why you only hang out with Cassie." Kate delivered all those compliments to Y/N and meant them with all her heart, something that made Y/N almost pass out as she tried to calm herself down, and asked that question just out of pure curiosity since she couldn’t understand why Y/N was so socially awkward.

"Thank you. I just- I don’t know. People think that just because you have good grades and don’t do any sport you are automatically considered a geek that you have to avoid at all costs. Plus not being attractive like the head cheerleader and her minions makes you more avoidable." Y/N shrugged nonchalantly, speaking up her mind about something she had always discussed with Cassie but she shockingly wasn’t uncomfortable doing with Kate too. It was surprisingly comforting talking to the athlete about a few of her insecurities.

Meanwhile Kate couldn’t believe what was coming out of Y/N’s mouth. She knew Y/N and Cassie were, among a few other students in their high school, harassed by a few jocks and popular douchebags but she never had the occasion to witness those moments to stop them from happening and she sometimes hated herself for that. She hated when things like that happened. "What? Are you serious right now?" When Y/N stared at Kate like a deer in headlights, not knowing what she referred to, Kate sighed out dejectedly. She couldn’t believe Y/N was so used on bringing herself down and belittling herself so much and so easily, she needed to make her believe it was exactly the opposite of what she thought of herself, "okay, I don’t know if you need to hear it or not, but Y/N stop treating yourself like that. You are beautiful, inside and out. I’m so sorry you are going through all of this. No one should. Everyone needs to experience high school like a normal teenager and not avoiding making new friends because they pretend you don’t exist just because you are smarter than them or fearing crossing paths with jocks that are complete assholes because they would make fun of you. It’s bullshit."

"I wish that was all."

"What do you mean?" Kate asked alarmed as she sat straighter on her chair while looking at Y/N nervously, fearing her answer and hoping Y/N wasn’t going to confirm what she was thinking.

"We get slammed into lockers or pushed in the hallways all the time. We get called like ‘nerds’ or ‘teacher’s pet’."

"What?"

"It’s not that bad, we try to find entertainment in it. Like- last week Trevor called Cassie ‘dyke’ and when she told him to be more creative he slammed her again into the locker and stammered ‘pussy licker’. We gave him a 7 for trying."

When Kate noticed Y/N using a solemn tone and shrugged at the end of her sentence, her heart fell right into her stomach, "why are you saying this like you are okay with that?"

"Because I have to be. I can’t change things. It is what it is since our freshman year. I didn’t change their mind then, I can’t do that now in my sophomore year and I will not do that in my senior year. I- we just accepted it and we try to take the fun out of it."

"Y/N." Kate started with a worried tone, feeling bad for how poorly the two best friends had been treated since their freshman year. She met them just a week prior and know nearly nothing about them, but they seem really cool people to hang out with and these hierarchical positions and social constructs about jocks bullying people that has good grades and does not enjoy sports like they do really makes her blood boil.

"It’s okay Kate. You don’t have to feel bad. I try- we try to not to get it to our heads and we try to stay focused to get out of that hellhole of place." Y/N reassured Kate with a smile that Kate immediately saw through and noticed it didn’t reach her eyes, but she decided to not comment on it and moved their conversation onto something else, putting aside this topic for now.

"Shall we start again?" About 15 minutes later Kate jumped up from her chair and exulted loudly with a fist up in the air when she finally got the math problem she couldn’t understand not too long prior, before engulfing Y/N in an awkward hug since the Y/H/C girl was still seated in her chair but Y/N tried to reciprocate the gesture as she tried to will her body to stop melting from just an hug with the black haired girl.

"See? I told you you could do it!"

-

"I’m so fucking worried Y/N."

"Relax Kate, you are gonna do amazing. We studied a lot and you are now doing better in math. Take a deep breath, it will help you calm down." Y/N reassured the black haired girl as she grabbed her book for her third period from her locker before sending a reassuring and calming smile towards the worried, black haired girl that was wringing her hands nervously while staring into space into the hallway full of students.

"I am afraid that if I do that I will faint."

Y/N chuckled at Kate’s statement as she closed her locker with a shake of her head, before looking at Kate fully, "okay, let’s not do that. Hey." Y/N tried to get the black haired girl’s attention and the Y/H/C girl almost fainted when Kate’s ocean blue eyes met her Y/E/C irises right away, but the Y/H/C girl got a grip on herself and tried to reassure the athlete. "You are gonna do great. Trust me."

"Hm." Kate emitted in a strangled, not so convinced whimper while keeping wringing her fingers some more but never taking her eyes off Y/N’s ones.

"Okay, let’s think about a deal, so you will be more encouraged to pass your exam. Think about anything you want." Y/N suggested, hoping this would help the girl relax her nerves down and she succeeded when she noticed Kate’s eyes losing their worried glint as they filled with resolution. Kate thought about something for a few moments before grinning widely, a sign that told Y/N, the black haired girl found something for their deal.

"Okay, if I pass my math exam you will come to the game tomorrow night. If I don’t pass my exam you are authorized to hit me with your math book. Repeatedly."

"Hm, a very interesting offer." Y/N hummed in thought, speaking up right away, "deal." Y/N immediately accepted, making Kate believe she was doing so just because she wanted to hit Kate with her math book, when in fact she was sure she was gonna pass her math exam. Although she wasn’t completely sure about going to Kate’s game, it was the least she could do for her to make her feel better. "I can’t wait to create a Kate head-shaped dent on my math book, my Cassie one is feeling lonely. It will be amazing to show around."

"Shut up." Kate pushed on Y/N’s shoulder gently with a small smile adorning her lips as she watched - with butterflies flying around her stomach that she totally ignored - Y/N laugh heartily at her expression, before shaking her hand to seal their deal - and ignoring again her butterflies in her stomach at the softness of Y/N’s hand and at the spark that their touch created-.

-

"Ugh, I’m starving. Y/N hurry up or I will bite your leg to dwell my hunger."

"Let’s not re-enact our fight in fourth grade. I got stitches for two weeks. C’mon, let’s go before you eat my books." Y/N had the time to close her locker before she got slammed into it when a body collided on her back a second later, "what the-."

"I PASSED IT!" A familiar voice yelled in her right ear, making her almost going deaf, but as soon as she registered those words she couldn’t care less about anything else in the world as a shit eating grin appeared on her features and reciprocated Kate’s hug as she could, "I PASSED IT!"

"Kate! Oh my god! I’m so happy for you but please I’m becoming one with my locker." Y/N said in a muffled murmur due to her squished face on the uncertainly cleaned and extremely cold surface of her locker, making Kate realize she was almost hurting Y/N and released her a second later.

"Oh sorry." Kate admitted with a grimace and got off of Y/N right away, helping her pull away from her locker and smiling at her sheepishly before her grin broadened widely as she thought again about why she jumped on Y/N, "I passed my math exam."

"Yeah I heard you the first time you yelled it in my ear." Y/N admitted sarcastically as she waved at her right ear to mock Kate some more before smiling at her softly, "see? I told you!"

"Thank you. So so much." Kate looked at Y/N with gratitude, her chest filling up with happiness.

"Congratulations Kate and welcome back in our school’s team, they would have sucked tomorrow without you." Cassie spoke up to break the sudden tension that rose when the two girls grew quiet as they looked into each other’s eyes like the other put stars in the sky, inwardly freaking out for Y/N for maybe finding someone that really liked her for who she was, and smiled at the black haired girl softly.

"Thanks! You are coming tomorrow night too, right?"

"What?" Cassie asked confused as she looked at Kate quizzically, not understanding what she was asking.

"We had a deal this morning. If I pass my math exam, she will come to the game tomorrow night. And I did, so she has to come now. And you are coming too, right?"

"Oh yeah, absolutely!" Cassie nodded enthusiastically as she already planned a few questions to ask to Y/N about this interesting deal she made with Kate. "I can’t wait."

"Me too! I need to go, Coach Miller wants to see me. I’ll see you guys tomorrow."

"Bye Kate!" Cassie waved enthusiastically at the blue eyed girl before focusing quickly her attention as Y/N did the same.

"Bye Kate, I’ll see you tomorrow." Cassie swallowed the snort that was ready to come out when she watched Y/N staring lovingly at Kate as she walked away, the blonde ready to play Cupid if Y/N wasn’t going to make a move tomorrow night.

"Wow, it took you only one week to be completely whipped." Cassie mocked Y/N as she made whipping sounds, reveling in Y/N’s blush that immediately fell on her cheeks as she tried to cover it up with a roll of her eyes and pushing her towards the cafeteria.

"Let’s go jerk. No more talking or I’m making you starve to death today."

-

"Close your mouth, idiot. You’re drooling." Cassie taunted Y/N in a casual tone, never taking her eyes off their classmates running around the field to warm up before the game and smirked mischievously when Y/N choked on the small sip of water she was drinking from her bottle, before closing it and hitting Cassie with it. "Hey!"

"That’s what you deserve for being an ass! Stop making fun of me!"

"I’m sorry! But it’s just so funny, but also cute. You have a crush on Kate."

"I don’t have a crush on her." Y/N murmured while crossing her arms stubbornly, deep inside already knowing Cassie was right.

"If it makes you sleep at night." Cassie spoke with a knowing tone as she bumped her right shoulder on Y/N’s left one and smiled softly at her, "but seriously, you don’t need to deny it with me Y/N/N. It’s cute and honestly I’m happy she likes you too."

"Woah, woah, slow down. No one said anything about Kate liking me back."

Cassie smiled at Y/N unconsciously admitting she liked Kate, watching as she noticed it too and sighed out loud, not saying anything since it was pointless denying it now that she inadvertently admitted it to Cassie, "I can see it in the way she watches you, or from the smiles she reserves just for you. And let’s admit it, she invited you to watch her game. She only needs to dedicate a goal to you and she is literally pushing her vagina in your face."

"Cass!" Y/N chastised Cassie as she turned around to make sure no one was listening to them, sighing out in relief when everybody around them was fully focused on the field.

"What?!" Y/N blushed furiously under Cassie’s knowing look but shook her head at her best friend’s antics a few moments later as she pondered on what she just said. Does Kate really likes her back?

"Hey! You came!" In her pensive state she didn’t notice Kate approaching them from the field and shook her head to get rid of her troubled thoughts as she focused on the blue eyed girl now in her soccer uniform with her hair high up in a ponytail. Y/N thought about how she had never seen someone being that effortlessly beautiful in every way and almost slapped herself when she realized she was staring without saying something for a moment.

"Yeah, well, we couldn’t miss our Captain bringing our team to the win." Y/N admitted casually as she tried not to focus on Kate’s biceps standing out from under her uniform’s t-shirt’s sleeves as she leaned her forearms on the railing in front of her, focusing instead on the beautiful smile Kate sent her way at her words.

"I hope so. Just so y’know, if I score tonight it will be all for you. Because if I am here tonight it’s just thanks to you." Kate smiled softly at Y/N and the Y/H/C girl pretty much imploded right then and there, thanking God Kate got called by her teammate since the game was about to start, leaving her to combusting in her spot with a small blush adorning her cheeks. "I’ll see you guys later!"

Cassie waited a few seconds as she watched Kate running towards the field before commenting on what she just witnessed, "like I said, she is smashing her pussy in your face." Y/N’s blush deepened as she tried to calm her own core down and making it stop from pulsating at Cassie’s words, the blond having the decency to whisper it in her ear this time instead of yelling it, "I find it so cute."

-

Like promised Kate scored 3 goals that night and every time she pulled away from her teammates’ hug she met Y/N’s eyes and smiled widely at her before winking at her every single time, something that warmed Y/N’s heart among some other parts. "Congrats for the win Cap!"

"Thanks Cassie!" Kate thanked the blonde before focusing on Y/N, eager to hear what the girl had to say as she tried to calm her heart down from beating so fast - she knew it wasn’t from the exertion but from Y/N’s extreme beauty and her dangerous close proximity - hoping she was doing a good job in looking cool.

"I don’t know Cass, she is pretty bad at soccer. I mean she never scored and never even touched the ball at all tonight!" Y/N taunted Kate with a serious, disapproving tone, looking at Kate like she was scrutinizing her before a smile rolled on her lips when Kate laughed heartily at her joke.

"Yeah, I ask myself why ever playing soccer when I am always on the sidelines." Kate continued on with Y/N’s joke before shaking her head as they shared a laugh, "hey, hm- Kelly is throwing a party for our win at her house, are you guys in?"

Cassie smiled widely at Kate’s words and was ready to answer when Y/N spoke up with an uncertain tone before she could talk, "hm- I don’t-."

"We’re in!" Y/N turned to look at Cassie for just a moment before reveling in the small squeal Kate emitted at Cassie’s answer for their assured attendance at the party.

"Great! I need to shower first, then I’ll go there. Do you guys know how to go to Kelly’s house?"

"Hm, actually no. My dad drove us here." Cassie replied shyly as both girls scratched the back of their heads in embarrassment as they blushed furiously. They both didn’t know why they were acting so embarrassed all of a sudden, they were only 15 years old after all and since they had yet to be 16 years old they both haven’t yet had the chance to get their driver’s license. "I was just about to text him to come and get us. Okay nevermind, he is here!" Cassie placed her hand on her forehead when she noticed her father Scott waving at her from not too far from them with a baseball hat before watching him approach them with a bright smile on his lips.

"Hey girls! What a nice game! Oh hey, you are the Captain of the team! Hi big fan!" Kate chuckled in amusement at the man word vomiting his excitement on her, noticing how similar Cassie was to her father and her heart swelled at the cute duo hugging as Scott circled his arm around Cassie’s shoulders and side-hugged her.

"Always nice to meet a fan!" Kate nodded at the man with a wide smile and watched him do the same, looking like a kid in a candy store at her gesture.

"Dad can you take us to a party?"

"Oh yeah sure! But I’m afraid I can’t come get you back girls, I have an important meeting with the boys for an important possible investor and I won’t be available for a while."

"It’s no problem sir, I can take them back home. Actually you don’t have to drive them either, they can come with me."

"There’s no need Kate, we don’t want to bother you too much." Y/N tried to reason with Kate as she tried to calm her own heart down from beating so loudly, fearing Kate could hear it. To be honest she didn’t know when her crush for Kate started, but in hindsight she knew it would’ve been inevitable. The black haired beauty was funny and witty, but also a little bit goofy and clumsy, and let’s not forget smart. Even if she needed to tutor her for math and literature, Kate was extremely good in other scientific subjects, like biology and physics. She had really good grades except for literature and math but during their tutoring in this last month she proved to be an extremely fast learner. She was also so pure of heart and very kind, something that astonished Y/N just a bit, since she had always pictured Kate to be like every other athlete in their high school or to be like the athlete stereotype that you always watch in movies or tv shows. Dumb, full of herself, an heartbreaker and a total asshole. Kate was far from being that and as soon as Y/N realized it, she started crushing on her. She hated when Cassie was right.

"It’s no problem, truly!"

"Okay then, it’s my clue to leave- oh can we take a selfie? You are a great!" Cassie slapped her forehead with her hand at her father’s antics while Y/N and Kate chuckled heartily at his excitement and for being a total goofy in front of her daughter and not caring about that one bit. Y/N, Kate and Cassie, despite her embarrassment, could say he was truly excited about wanting to take a selfie with Kate.

"Sure! But on one condition." Kate smiled brightly before putting a serious face on, watching as Scott, after retrieving his phone from his pocket and opening the camera app, stopped in his tracks as he made his way towards Kate with his phone in his hands, looking a bit concerned, "you have to send it to Cassie so she can send it to me."

This put a million dollar smile on Scott’s face as he resumed its small walk towards Kate and took a few selfies with her. Meanwhile Y/N was dealing with trying to calm her heart down after bursting out at Kate’s eager and truthful words, fearing the black haired beauty could hear it from where she was standing a few feet from her, "she is a good catch. Don’t let her go away Y/N/N."

Cassie’s words whispered in her left ear struck Y/N hard, making her head spiral out of control as she kept watching Kate and Scott hug briefly after taking those selfies. She didn’t know why Cassie’s words hit her that hard, but they did. She already admitted to herself she was crushing on Kate, but actually acting on that said crush? It never even occurred to her Kate could ever like her back. She was way out of her league. But with Cassie’s comments pointing out a few actions Kate did that same night and her genuine behavior was instilling a small seed in her mind that was sprouting fast and she felt she couldn’t control it. The question that she couldn’t seem to answer was: was she really ready to make the first move? And as that question echoed around her head, another one made its presence know in her mind: if Kate liked her back, would she ever make a move or just ignore it since they were worlds apart?

"Y/N?"

"Hm?" Y/N got pulled out of her mind by the center of her thoughts, making her blink a few times and shake her head to come back on earth.

"I said, is it okay if you wait for just 15 minutes? I need to shower then we’re ready to go."

"Of course, go on. We’ll wait on the bleachers."

The three girls got their separate ways after saying goodbye to Scott, the two best friends walking towards the bleachers while Kate run towards the locker room to go have a shower and change as quickly as she can to go to the party with Y/N and Cassie. "So? Are you gonna do your move tonight?"

"I don’t know Cass. I’m too awkward with these things. And we still don’t know if she likes me back. No-." Y/N lifted a hand up to stop Cassie from talking when she opened her mouth to interject, "we can’t be sure with just a few things like ‘she dedicated each goals to me’ or like ‘she looks at you like you put the stars in the sky’. Remember that I still have to tutor her for the rest of the semester and I can’t ruin things by making them awkward with me declaring my crush for her, especially if I don’t know if she feels the same. I don’t want to be rejected."

"I know Y/N/N, I would never allow anyone to hurt you. You know that. But I wouldn’t push you to make a move if I wasn’t sure she liked you back. I would also never push you to do anything, I am just suggesting it."

"Why are you so sure, though? Did you hear Kate talk about me or something?" Y/N asked with a sarcastic scoff as she rolled her eyes good-naturedly, before moving them towards her best friend when she didn’t answer to her question right away and found her avoiding her gaze at all costs by flipping her blue irises from one place to another while she biting on her bottom lip nervously and wringing her fingers slightly in embarrassment. "Cass? You didn’t hear Kate talk about me, did you?"

"No! Of course not!" Y/N sighed out loud at Cassie’s quick answer, but she instantly chocked on her saliva on what Cassie added right after, "I just heard about a few girls gossiping in the bathroom about Kate rejecting a girl at a party a week ago."

"What? Really?" Y/N asked flabbergasted as she widened her eyes comically. It wasn’t a secret that Kate liked to have some fun with their school’s girl and with girl’s not from their school. She had dated a few of them but she mostly liked to hook up with them or just have some fun with kissing them at parties. So it was really uncommon hearing about Kate turning a girl down. It only happened when she was in a relationship and since everyone knew about her being in a relationship, the girls would stop throwing themselves at her to respect her relationship - even if they did throw themselves at her, Kate would’ve have never cheated on her girlfriend, she wasn’t like that. She, in fact, hated people like that. She turned down a lot of girls that were in a relationship and tried to hook up with her. It wasn’t a good behavior. - . "Wait, are you sure she isn’t dating someone and she just said no to that girl?" Y/N reasoned with Cassie, as much as this new piece of information made her heart beat fast in her ribcage, almost as if it was ready to come out of her chest, she needed to be realistic and not let herself hope for Kate to like her back when there wasn’t hope for Kate to like her back at all.

"Yup. When that girl laughed at her, stating, and I quote-." Cassie lifted her arms up to make quotation marks with her pointer and middle fingers of both hands, curling and uncurling them repeatedly in the air, "‘stop being so funny. You are not really rejecting me.’" Y/N snorted at Cassie using an high-pitched voice to imitate the girl’s voice, but let her continue, "Kate stated that she was in fact serious and when the girl tried to reason with her, she asked if she was in a relationship and she said no before leaving her there." Y/N sighed out loudly at her best friend’s story, not wanting to get her hopes up again, she didn’t want her heart to break if Kate didn’t like her back.

"It doesn’t mean anything Cass. Especially it doesn’t mean she likes me."

"Well okay, it may not mean she likes you, but it could." Cassie reasoned with Y/N as she caressed her shoulder softly, watching the troubled expression on Y/N’s face. She knew it was starting to become difficult for Y/N to be around Kate, especially because she didn’t want to make a move to avoid ruining their friendship. She was going through the same thing with her own crush and Y/N was doing the exact same thing Cassie was doing with Y/N right now, pushing her to make a move but she was too much of a coward to do just that. So they were both suffering in silence as they stared longingly from a distance theirs crushes. Two idiots in love.

Y/N was ready to open her mouth and counter back when Kate got into vision right as she sauntered towards them, making Y/N’s mouth instantly dry up as she took in Kate dressed in tight, black, ripped jeans, an old, white Rolling Stones t-shirt, a black leather jacket, her hair flowing down her shoulder in perfect waves and light makeup to highlight enough her ocean blue eyes. "Oh shit."

"Close your mouth Y/N/N or you will catch flies." Cassie mocked Y/N in a sing-song tone, taking a look at Kate herself and she had to admit the black haired girl was looking really good, before watching Y/N stare and ogle at Kate in awe with her mouth slightly parted. Y/N instantly shook her head to look at least slightly smart instead of an idiot and tried to look cool, disinterested and uncaring as Kate walked the last few steps towards them.

"Hey girls, ready to go?"

-

The party was already going when they arrived after about an hour, teenagers dancing all over the living room, an improvised and really heated beer pong match going in the kitchen, loud music blasting from every speaker present in Kelly’s house and just everyone having a good time drinking with friends. Kate, as Y/N expected, got pulled away from the two best friends almost immediately, her teammates making a toast to their win in the living room as everyone else circled around them and cheered them on. What surprised Y/N was that Cassie got pulled away from her not too much later from none other than her crush Ava, that asked if she wanted to be her partner for a new beer pong match. Cassie immediately looked at Y/N for help with widened eyes and was ready to decline Ava’s request, but Y/N immediately pushed her towards her with a smile, "go have fun and please do not come back here if you lose. I don’t wanna be friends with a loser." Y/N joked, eliciting a fond roll of her eyes from Cassie, before smirking when a second later a fire got ignited into Cassie’s blue eyes. Cassie, ever the competitive, nodded and walked away and that was how Y/N found herself leaning on a wall in a far end of the living room observing her ‘friends’ drinking, dancing and having an overall good time. Y/N’s Y/E/C irises fell on Kate’s happy face as she danced care-freely with her friends and instantly mirrored her million dollar smile as she laughed at something her friend must have told her and couldn’t stop the butterflies in her stomach to fly around like crazy at the view. She lost sight of Kate after a few minutes when a new EDM song made the whole crowd erupt in loud whistles before everyone joined the dance floor to dance to the EDM song, so she sighed loudly and grabbed her phone to scroll mindlessly on her Instagram feed to kill time now that she couldn’t ogle Kate from afar. After about 3 minutes she almost threw her iPhone up in the air when she jumped up in fright at the voice that whispered into her ear.

"Not a party fan, hm?"

"Holy sh- Kate! You scared me!"

"Sorry!" Kate chuckled under her breath at the girl’s reaction before smiling softly down at her, "so, not a party fan?"

"Not really. To be completely honest it’s my first time being here. I’ve never been invited to these parties. Not that I would’ve showed up if they really and actually invited me."

"But you came here tonight after I invited you." Kate pointed out with the cutest furrow of eyebrows Y/N had ever seen and for a moment she contemplated her answer. She could find a witty remark or a joke to pull but as she got lost into those ocean blue eyes for a few seconds, she made up her mind and in the end decided to be honest with the black haired beauty. She had been a bit straight forward tonight, if she was really trying to show Y/N she actually was into her. So as soon as Cassie’s words echoed around her mind, she decided to answer to the blue eyed girl as earnestly as she ever was.

"Because you asked me to come Kate."

"Really?" Kate asked like she couldn’t believe what she just heard and widened her eyes just bit as she leaned her head back a slight bit, as if she wanted to take a better look at Y/N to be sure she heard her right.

"Yeah, to be honest I would be in my room watching a movie or a tv show right now if it wasn’t for you." Y/N answered honestly, shrugging her shoulders softly with a small smile on her lips, something that Kate found extremely cute to witness as a small smile appearing on her lips.

"Well-." Kate started to say but got stopped right after by someone yelling right beside her and making both girls jump up in fright. "Do you wanna go to a quieter place upstairs?"

"Hm-." Y/N hesitated a few moments and swept her eyes all over the living room from her position at the far end on the left side of the room, leaned on her side with her left shoulder, before focusing her eyes back on Kate as she leaned on the door’s frame, situated on Y/N’s left, with her right shoulder, making them almost face each other, and almost forgot how to talk when she met her ocean blue eyes with their dangerous proximity.

Watching Y/N’s hesitation at her question, Kate was quick to add something that she was sure would ease the Y/E/C girl’s nerves, "I swear if someone else will scream in my ear, I will punch them as a reflex."

Kate’s joke immediately put a smile on Y/N’s lips before a small laugh left her mouth, immediately calming her nerves down. "We definitely don’t need that to happen." Y/N giggled some more and she swiftly lifted one hand up to cover up her mouth embarrassed at the sound, overwhelming Kate with urge to grasp the girl’s wrist and push her hand down to admire Y/N’s smile, but she stayed frozen in her spot as her mind turned into mush at the muffled but adorable sounds coming out of Y/N’s mouth.

"Why not? It could be fun."

"It would be, yeah. But then it would most likely transform in a fight and I don’t want to patch you up after." Y/N joked giddily before chocking on her snort when Kate rolled her eyes at her and grabbed her hand right after - a bold move that was totally impulsive but Kate patted herself on the shoulder for that -, pulling her up the stairs to one of the guest rooms, knowing this house like the back of her hand.

"Just so y’know I’m a black belt. I would knock anyone out twice my weight and height in probably 5 second- nope wrong room." Kate grimaced when she opened one of the guest room’s door and found a couple making out without shirts on the bed, the Y/H/C girl wearing the same grimace as Kate at the sight they stumbled into, slammed the door shut quickly and pulled Y/N towards the next one. Both sighed out of relief when they found it empty. Kate walked over the bed and sat down gently before patting the mattress softly to signal Y/N to do the same. Y/N stared at Kate’s hand on the comforter for a few seconds before switching her eyes on the couch not too far from her, debating in her mind if she should sit as far away as she could from Kate so she could act like a normal human being, or if she could just listen to her heart and sit beside Kate even if it meant probably acting like a fool in front of her crush. In the end, after staring into the black haired girl’s intoxicating ocean blue eyes and finding hope and anticipation in them, she decided she could not face the disappointment and hurt she would put into those amazing blue irises if she decided to sit far away from Kate on the couch and walked towards her to sit beside her. The smile Kate gave and the happiness clear in her eyes made her brain short-circuit immediately.

"So you’re a black belt, hm?"

"Yes, I earned my black belt when I was 12."

"Wait, are you serious?" Y/N asked incredulous at Kate’s answer, a mix of pride and shock filling her chest, "you were 12 years old when you got your black belt?"

"Yup! And I’m proud of it!"

"I’m sure of it. I mean, you were only 12! Jeez, remind me to not get in an argument that leads into a fight with you." Y/N stated with widened eyes, eliciting an adorable laugh from the girl as she shook her head amusedly.

"You better!" Kate joked with a warning tone, pointing a finger towards Y/N with serious eyes, before letting her façade down and giggling softly when the girl lifted her arms up and put a frightened look on her features. "No but seriously, I would never hit you even if we were in a fight. Not only because you can use those skills only when it’s strictly necessary, but also because it’s you. I would never hit you, not even unconsciously."

The butterflies in Y/N’s stomach exploded at that admission and the girl had to stop herself from kissing Kate right then and there as a sudden urge overtook her. She just lifted her eyebrow up menacingly and pointed at Kate in warning, "hm, you better Bishop. I will fight back, just so you know."

Kate giggled gently under her breath and shook her head softly at the girl’s goofiness before changing topic of their conversation and starting talking about her game as Y/N was genuinely interested in her thoughts about it. They then moved on light topics, talking about everything and anything at the same time, hobbies, favorite tv show, favorite book, and before they realized it 2 hours passed by with them talking. Y/N noticed it was nearing midnight only when a yawn made herself stop talking mid-sentence and forced herself to move her eyes away from Kate’s ocean blue ones to grab her iPhone from her pocket and look at the time, widening her eyes comically when she read it was 12:07 A.M. and it made Kate chuckle softly under her breath, "what?"

"Holy shit, it’s 12:07 A.M.!"

"Wow, time flies by when I’m with you. It’s amazing." Kate stated and let her million dollar smile unfold on her lips like she just didn’t drop a bomb on Y/N that made her heart beat so fast she was sure the black haired girl could hear it from beside her, staring intently into Y/N’s eyes and making Y/N literally melt under her gaze as she got lost into those big ocean blue eyes she had loved since the first time she looked into them.

"Yeah." Y/N nodded in agreement as she smiled back at Kate, "luckily I told my parents I am going to spend the night at Cassie’s after the party or they would’ve grounded me for a month for being this late."

"My mom and my dad are out of town, so I’m covered. Besides, they know about these parties and they let me crush at my teammates’ house when it gets too late." Kate admitted with a shrug and shivered wildly when she turned her head towards Y/N and noticed how close their faces were, her body getting invaded by the urge to kiss her by the second.

"That’s so cool. My parents are not that strict but they would get worried. Well now that I think about it, they would probably throw a party to celebrate me acting like a real teen and going to parties and staying there late for once." Y/N joked but Kate could see behind her eyes a melancholic glint that made Kate’s heart clench, filling her up with the urge to hug her as hard as she could, not to mention making the need to kiss her grow copiously.

"Is it really your first party?" When Y/N nodded Kate sighed out loudly, "oh Y/N/N, I’m sorry. I should’ve invited you sooner."

"Kate it’s not your fault. I’m used to being the lone kid. The looser that no one wants around. The annoying student that everyone avoids and consider ugly. It had been like this since middle school and it never changed. Honestly it got worse. At least I wasn’t bullied then like I am now." Y/N discarded the butterflies that erupted in her stomach at Kate calling her with her nickname and smiled sadly up at her instead when a frown settled on Kate’s - in Y/N’s opinion - flawless features.

Kate felt sadness invade her whole body as she heard Y/N belittle herself that much as anger boiled under her skin and run fast in her blood, invading her whole body in a second, as she heard again about Y/N being bullied in their school. "Stop Y/N/N please. I can’t let you talk about yourself like that. You’re not a lone kid, or annoying or ugly. You are so beautiful, smart and funny. Anyone would be lucky to call you their friend, their girlfriend. I would feel the luckiest girl on earth to call you mine. You are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Don’t ever believe otherwise." Kate decided to wear the heart on her sleeve and offer it to Y/N in hope she would at least feel the same about her and she almost fainted when she noticed Y/N’s eyes fall on her lips, both feeling their heads gravitate towards one another, so close their breaths mingled together and their noses almost brushed together, all the while never breaking their staring on each other’s lips. Kate was sure a small whine left her throat at the hungry look Y/N had in her eyes when she licked her own lips greedily, making Y/N mirror her while they both moved closer slowly.

"Kate I-."

"Shh, don’t talk." Kate interrupted Y/N as she got closer and closer, happy to know Y/N did the same, both their hearts beating fast into their ribcages while their stomaches flipped over themselves. Kate’s eyes fell on Y/N’s lips for one last time before she closed that small gap that was between them, butterflies erupting in both their stomaches in anticipation but before they could feel the other’s lips on their own, they jumped apart in fright when the door opened quickly and a couple of drunk teens entered the room.

"Oh sorry!" The girl apologized before giggling when the boy behind her kissed her neck hungrily and hugged her from behind to pull her into his body.

"No don’t worry, we were leaving anyway." Y/N stated as she sat up quickly and pretty much run out of the room while Kate found herself sat still with her eyes open wide and her heart beating fast in her chest before sitting up fast and running after Y/N a few seconds later when she realized the girl wasn’t sitting beside her anymore.

"Y/N wait!" But it was too late. Y/N as soon as she run down the stairs and found herself in the living room, found Cassie, apologized to Ava and pulled her out of the house, making them walk a few blocks away to prevent Kate to find them as they waited for Cassie’s father to pick them up. Kate sighed out loud sadly when she exited the house and the girls were nowhere to be found, then returned to her teammate’s house, grabbed her things and left the party dejected.

-

"Y/N, you had been avoiding this conversation since Friday night. Can you tell me what the hell happened between you and Kate? We run so fast out of that house. I thought you were having a good time spending time with Kate."

"I’m sorry for pulling you away from the party but I had to get away."

"You had been saying this since Friday night. You didn’t make me kiss Ava goodbye. You owe me an explanation." Cassie countered back with an hard expression on her face as her eyebrows furrowed together and her lips curled in annoyance at Y/N’s elusive behavior, but her features instantly softened when she watched Y/N sigh out loudly.

"I’m sorry for ruining your night with Ava. Congratulations for finally asking her out by the way. I just-." Y/N got interrupted when Trevor bumped her shoulder hard with his own purposefully and made her slam her back on the lockers behind them while his friend Brad laughed his ass off.

"Look where you are going idiot." Trevor yelled at her before resuming his walk, but Y/N wasn’t having it that day, she was still mad at herself for running away from Kate and ignoring her texts and calls and having to deal with Trevor wasn’t in her plans that day, not like finding Kate and apologize to her and hopefully kissing her this time was.

"I wasn’t walking, you jerk. You should use that last brain cell that you have left to at least try to walk straight and not bump into things or people, but I know it may be a very difficult task." Y/N bit back with anger as she eyed Trevor with fury burning behind her Y/E/C eyes, noticing as a small crowd already formed around them and it made her roll her eyes at this childish behavior. Meanwhile Cassie stared at Y/N with wide eyes like she just went mad, but didn’t open her mouth, too much shocked to talk.

"What did you just call me?"

"Oh I’m sorry, you are too stupid to know that word? Do you want me to spell it?" The few people around them laughed at her joke and she did it too inwardly as Trevor looked at her dumbfounded, Cassie still starting at her in shock. She never went against Trevor that way, she just leaned her head down and walked away. But not that day.

"Okay, that’s it. I’m gonna fucking beat you up Y/L/N." He stated as he charged towards Y/N but she wasn’t scared at all, she deserved a good beating up for her shitty behavior with Kate Friday night.

"Oh, wow! You know how to put more than 3 words in a phrase. I’m impressed!" Y/N got slammed on the lockers as Trevor finally got to her and was now towering over her with his fist lifted up, ready to hit her face, when he got suddenly hit in his side and fell down on the floor.

"Don’t fucking touch her, Trevor." Y/N lifted her eyes from the boy on the floor when she heard a familiar voice and her heartbeat instantly increased.

"Bishop, stay out of this."

"I don’t think so. Hitting girls? Really Trevor?"

"Okay, since you so adamantly want to protect her, I’ll beat you up t-." But Trevor didn’t finish his sentence, he got stopped mid-way while he lifted his fist again to hit Kate this time by Kate grabbing his wrist, pushing his body forward and punched him right on his nose.

"I hope this will be enough to teach you to stay away Y/N and Cassie. You and those idiots you call friends."

"WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE?!" All the students started to clear their way as a teacher’s voice sounded throughout the other end of the hallway, but Y/N stood still as she watched Kate stare at Trevor, now laying again on the floor with blood running down his nose, with an angry - and completely hot, in Y/N’s opinion - look in her beautiful ocean blue irises and her face scrunched up in wrath.

"Kate- fuck! Let’s go or Coach Miller will kick us out of the team." Kelly pulled Kate towards her and rushed them away from Trevor, but Y/N couldn’t find herself the force to move as she stood frozen beside Trevor.

"Y/N/N let’s go!" Cassie screamed as she run away from the teacher approaching but it was too late. She was glad that Cassie got away before the teacher could reach them so she couldn’t get in trouble, but she felt anger at herself for not doing the same as soon as the teacher took herself and Trevor to the principal’s office.

-

"Hey, I had been looking for you for the entire day. Are you okay?" Kate tried to regain her normal breath after running around the entire school to find Y/N, finally finding her in Miss Locke’s office in the school gym as she cleaned her trophies during lunch break. She furrowed her eyebrows together when Y/N didn’t even move her eyes from the trophy she was cleaning and ignored her. "Y/N/N, what’s wrong?"

Kate watched as Y/N sighed out loudly and slammed a little bit forcefully on the shelf the trophy before turning to look at Kate with slightly puffy eyes and anger burning behind them, "what’s wrong?! I got fucking detention for two months! Yeah I told Trevor he was an idiot and a jerk but I never hit him and I got punished for it."

"It’s okay, I will go to the principal and I will tell h-."

"You don’t understand Kate! I’m not rich like you! I can’t afford going to a good college without a fucking scholarship. Do you know if any student ever got a scholarship after getting detention for hitting someone? I’ll answer for you, no! Do you know how much it costed me to be the teachers’ pet for 3 years and getting hated or laughed at from my classmates for it? Or how much it costed me to never miss school even when I was feeling shitty? Just to keep that fucking scholarship? It costed me a lot. It costed me everything, Kate. And now it’s all ruined. I doubt Harvard will accept me after this. So if you will excuse me, I need to clean all of this as a part of my detention. I probably will practice for a future job. Now, leave me alone. As soon as I am finished here I will tell Miss Peyton to ask for someone else to tutor you. We’re done."

Kate wanted to counter back and tell Y/N she will fix this but a small look into Y/N’s hurt eyes and she slammed her mouth shut. She screw up big time. She needed to fix this. Y/N and her were not done. She was going to be pretty fucking sure of that.

-

"I’ll call you later Cass. I need to go to the library to sort out and put away books for my detention."

"I can’t believe Kate tried to kiss you Friday night and then does this to you. Yeah okay, she saved you from that punch, but she got away while you got detention. It’s not fair." Cassie grunted in anger as she stopped at the school’s exit and turned around to look at Y/N angrily.

"It’s okay. It is what it is." Y/N shrugged and hugged Cassie hard, "now go have your date. I want to know everything when you get home." Y/N winked at Cassie, who blushed hard at her best friend’s words before she nodded gently, then walking towards Ava waiting outside, in the school’s parking lot. Ava waved at Y/N, who waved back before the two of them walked hand in hand towards the street and out of the school’s parking lot. Y/N turned around and sighed contentedly that the school was completely empty so she could finish her detention for the day without being disturbed from others.

"You should be home by now."

Y/N jumped up in fright when after 10 minutes of sorting books out, a familiar voice echoed around the room, very close to her.

"Kate shit! You scared me!" Y/N turned to her left and found Kate leaning with her arms crossed on a bookshelf not too far from her, who chuckled under her breath for Y/N jumping up adorably in fright.

"Sorry."

"What are you doing here? If I remember correctly, I told you to leave me alone this morning."

"Right, but I didn’t listen to you." Kate lifted herself off from the wooden bookshelf and walked towards Y/N, stopping very closer to her, hoping to grab her attention, but the girl didn’t look up at her as still sorted books out to put away on their shelves, "can you please stop?" Kate asked quietly as she grabbed the book Y/N had in her hands, this time succeeding on grabbing Y/N’s attention.

"No, I still need to sort all these books out and I want to be home around 6 p.m. to do my homework." Y/N snatched the book from Kate’s hand and put it on the table beside her on its stack she created before sighing out in frustration when Kate stopped her from grabbing another book by leaning her hand over hers. She chastised herself for feeling her stomach do somersaults at the touch for leaning into the touch for a few seconds but then she regained her resolution and pulled her hand away from under Kate’s one letting out another breath of frustration.

"You don’t have to do it."

"Yeah, I’m sure I will totally get away if I don’t do my detention duties." Y/N scoffed in a sarcastic tone before walking away from Kate to try to finish her work without Kate disturbing her, but the black haired girl stopped her by grabbing her arm and pulling her back in front of her.

"You don’t have to do it because you don’t have detention anymore. I do."

"What?"

"I tried to talk to the principal to tell him it was me that hit Trevor but he didn’t believe me. I honestly don’t know why since you never did something like that. So that made me think and I realized that that ass dragged you down with him, so I went searching for Trevor, took him to the principal with me and got him to confess everything. You don’t have detention anymore and since you didn’t anything wrong. This won’t compromise your scholarship to Harvard."

"I-I." Y/N was astounded to say the least as she wrapped her head around what Kate just did for her, staring at her dumbfounded as Kate stared at Y/N with a sweet smile, "wow. Thank you."

"Don’t mention it." Kate winked at her and looked down at her wringing hands, her nerves getting the best of her after everything that happened between them.

"Wait, you didn’t get kicked out of the team, did you?"

"I almost got kicked out for good but after I explained why I did what I did, Coach Miller understood, he is a romantic after all. One week out of the team. I will workout alone again in the meantime." Kate explained as she looked back up at Y/N and smiled at her sweetly, shrugging her shoulders like it was no big deal for her.

"What does it mean he is a romantic?" Y/N asked in a strained voice, not thinking clearly as she tried to understand everything what Kate was telling her, her heartbeat increasing wildly and the butterflies going crazy in her stomach. She can’t possibly mean what she is implying, right? Y/N asked herself as she watched Kate take a step forward towards her, her eyes wide and her body stiff.

"Because I couldn’t let Trevor hit the girl I like."

"Yea-wait, what?" Y/N asked when she realized what Kate actually said and turned her head around, pulling her eyes away from the books in front of her to stare into those intoxicating ocean blue eyes that held so much affection and tenderness that she almost felt overwhelmed by them. "Y-you l-like m-me?"

"Yeah Y/N/N. I thought trying to kiss you Friday night was pretty obvious. And I almost lost all my hopes when you run away."

"I’m sorry." Y/N looked down at her feet when she couldn’t look into Kate’s ocean blue eyes anymore, too much guilt and anger at herself rising in the pitch of her stomach to keep looking into Kate’s eyes without starting crying and apologizing to Kate over and over again and falling on her knees to ask her- to beg her to forgive her and her shitty behavior towards her.

"Don’t apologize Y/N/N. I admit I was a little bit sad and heartbroken when you run away, but then I thought about that moment over and over the entire weekend. I watched you lean over to me too and I’m pretty sure that if we hadn’t been interrupted by that drunk couple, we would’ve kissed. I’m sure of that."

"I- I was scared." Y/N admitted in a stutter, her eyes dancing between the books, her pointer finger skidding over a book cover and Kate’s eyes, still not finding enough courage to stare into them for longer than a few seconds, not after Kate’s admission that almost melted her onto the ground.

"Why were you scared Y/N/N?" Kate asked as she walked even more closer to Y/N by taking a step forward and closing some more the small gap between them, making Y/N’s body set aflame in anticipation as it buzzed from the close proximity with Kate’s body.

"I was scared that you weren’t really into me like I am into you. I like you a lot and since I’ve only had one small and really brief relationship, I’m not good at reading signs. Cassie assured me that you were trying to show me you liked me, like inviting me at your game and dedicating your goals to me. She even said something inappropriate that I will not repeat- actually I don’t even know why I told you that. It was better if you didn’t know what she said. Maybe I should stop talking, yeah-."

"Y/N/N." Kate chuckled cutely at Y/N’s adorable ramblings and placed her hands on her shoulders and shook her gently to try to ground her and help her get back to earth, to regain some needed breath from talking too fast. "Fuck, I would’ve loved to stop your cute ramblings with a kiss like you see in movies, but I want your consent on me kissing you first." Kate admitted as she chewed on her bottom lip softly, staring intently onto Y/N’s lips a few seconds before focusing her gaze back on Y/N’s Y/E/C irises and speaking up again, "we will discuss about Cassie’s inappropriate comment later, because now I definitely want to know. But- just clarify any misunderstanding, I like you. A lot. And I’ve been crushing on you for a week now. I pretty much started crushing on you when I bumped into you the first day about over two weeks ago. You are so amazingly perfect Y/N/N. How could I not like you? I admit at first I didn’t know if it was better asking you out right away or sending you a few signs that I liked you, but I was scared too, about maybe sounding too forward and scaring you off, so I decided to send you a few signs. I wasn’t exactly planning on kissing you that night but there was a magnetic pull, an electric force that pulled us closer and closer. And I know you felt that force too. Just like right now. I feel like we are two magnets that attract each other."

"I feel this magnetic pull too." Y/N admitted shyly as she smiled gently at Kate, who brushed a strand of hair that fell in front of her left eye behind her ear before settling the palm of her right hand on Y/N’s left cheek and started caressing her skin softly, making Y/N melt under her gesture and lean into her hand, "hm, this is nice."

"Yeah. But do you know what would be nicer?"

"W-what?" Y/N asked in an embarrassing stutter, chastising herself for being so awkward in this moment when Kate is clearly asking something both had been dreaming about a lot during this past week.

"Us kissing."

"Oh." Y/N let out in a whisper, her head spinning out of control but she tried to look cool on the outside. Is she going to make the first move? I hope so because I’m totally freaking out right now. Say something that will make her believe you want this too, you idiot! "Cool."

As Y/N slapped her forehead inwardly at her awkwardness, Kate chuckled cutely at her and took one last step forward, their bodies almost flushed as she brushed their noses sweetly together while her left hand joined the right one and settled on Y/N’s right cheek, now both caressing Y/N’s face softly. "Can I kiss you?"

Y/N simply nodded at Kate’s question, not trusting herself on forming coherent words, not with the black haired girl standing so close to her, so with a small chuckle Kate leaned closer and closed the very small gap between them to join their lips together in a slow, delicate and sweet kiss. Their lips danced together in a beautiful dance, savoring the other’s taste and getting immediately addicted to it, their stomaches flipping over themselves as goosebumps formed on their skin at the meaningful and earth-shattering kiss and their bodies burning from all the passion the stacked inside this past week. "Wow."

"I couldn’t have said it better." Kate admitted with a sweet, but brighter-than-the-sun smile, as she caressed their noses together some more while breathing Y/N’s jasmine and lavender perfume in for a few moments before laying a soft peck on her plump and soft lips, whose were quickly becoming addicting to Kate.

"It wasn’t bad, was it? It has been a while since I kissed someone." Y/N admitted with insecurity clear in her eyes, but Kate didn’t answer her, she just kept staring at her with a dumb grin on her kiss-swollen lips, "it was probably bad. You don’t need to lie to me saying it was good, don-."

Kate shut Y/N up with a languid kiss, keeping it chaste but hard enough to make their heads spin out of control, pushing more and more into Y/N’s mouth as need to be as close as possible to Y/N invaded her body, "I didn’t know how to shut you up and make you believe you are a good kisser, so I kissed you again."

"O-okay." Y/N smiled shyly at the black haired girl and closed her eyes when Kate leaned over and pecked her lips once again, "and for the record, you are an amazing kisser."

"Thank you." Kate replied with a wide grin and skidded her hands down Y/N’s body gently, before settling on her waist and sneaking her arms on her back to hugged her closer, causing their noses to brush together as their lips hovered over teasingly, while Y/N’s arms linked behind her neck, "can I kiss you again?"

Y/N smiled at Kate’s charming side and bit down on her bottom lip in thought, deciding to tease Kate a little bit now that she gained some of her brain functions back, "don’t you have detention today? You shouldn’t waste too much time, I head that detention duties are tough."

Kate chuckled at Y/N’s joke, liking Y/N’s funny and witty teasing side, "you’re right. I shouldn’t waste too much time. But one more kiss one hurt."

"I guess it will give you the motivation to finish as soon as you can, so maybe we can kiss again." Y/N murmured on Kate’s lips, humming right after finishing speaking as she felt Kate’s soft lips pushing more on her own and then did the first move and pecked her lips sweetly, pulling away a few seconds later with a loud, playful smack.

"Hm, I guess one more it will help." Kate hummed and leaned their lips back together, hugging Y/N impossibly closer as she flushed their bodies together, and setting them aflame with a powerful kiss that made them both dizzy and reduced them into a puddle of mushy feelings into the other’s hands.

"Did it help?" Y/N murmured on Kate’s plump, kiss-swollen, red lips and felt the butterflies in her stomach going crazy when Kate hugged her and nuzzled her nose in her neck, breathing her perfume in.

"A lot. But I don’t want you to go."

"Well, I don’t need to." Y/N was trying to calm her butterflies down but after Kate’s admission and Kate still hugging her it was almost impossible to tame them.

"So, are you staying?"

"Yes, I can help you so you will be done sooner."

"Great! I just need to ask you something before we start."

"Shoot. I’m all ears." Y/N replied to Kate’s words with a big grin adorning her features, her cheeks still a bit red from their kisses and the blue eyed girl’s close proximity and her mind still swirling in a daze as it tried to wrap itself over everything that happened in this short amount of time.

"After finishing my detention, do you want to go on a date with me?"

"I-I- m-me?" Y/N stammered her words as her stupid mind couldn’t find a reason behind Kate asking her out, not really believing yet Kate truly liked her back, not even after them sharing a few kisses.

"Yes, Y/N/N. You." Kate smiled sweetly at her as she caressed her back gently, "I want to take you out on a date. I want to do things properly."