#astaratalks

It was another day on set with Scarlett, you were 2 months into shooting a new movie with the actress. You were playing her on screen daughter in a heartwarming comedy, and your relationship with Scarlett off camera had started to mirror that of a mother and daughter. You already had your own mom, not that you knew where she was. You lived at home with your grandparents and had done for years, it was your grandmother that got you into acting when you were only little. Most days, the Scarlett was your on set guardian as you were only 16. You and the blonde were so close now, that’s how she knew something had been bothering you for the past few weeks. Your once vibrant eyes had dimmed and your sluggish movements tugged at Scarlett’s heart. She had checked in on you a few times hoping you would open up to her, but you just said you were tired.

The older actress had picked you up today, she could tell instantly you weren’t ok. “Hey kid, you ok?” She asked anyway as you climbed into the passenger seat. “Yeah, just tired” you replied “you’re always tired” Scarlett hummed softly. “Well, life of an actor I guess” you shrugged. The first 10 minutes of your drive to set were quiet, Scarlett didn’t want to pry but your recent lack of happiness was bothering her. “Y/n is there anything you wanna talk about?” She asked. You looked over to her as she pulled up to a red light “no” you said. “You sure? You know you can talk to me about anything, you can trust me” Scarlett softly smiled. “There’s nothing to talk about I’m just tired ok” you said, an accidental harsh tone cutting through the air. You avoided the gaze of the blonde, feeling slightly guilty for snapping at her. Scarlett didn’t take your minor outburst to heart, but it did make her worry even more.

The rest of the drive was silent until Scarlett pulled into the make shift parking lot “oh Andy wants to see you by the way” she said, mentioning your director. “Why?” You questioned, eyes wide. The older woman didn’t miss the hint of fear in your face “I’m not sure” she said. You often had meetings with Andy, usually to discus new scenes. “Ok” you muttered. Scarlett helped you to unload your bags from the backseat and her eyes wandered to your shaking hands. “I’ll um…I guess I’ll see you in makeup or something” you mumbled as your feet made a quick journey towards the set. “Ok” Scarlett said, watching your tensed shoulders walk away. She bit her lip trying to think of what could be bothering you, but she came up empty as usual.

You didn’t see Scarlett again until you were having a quick rehearsal for your next scene. The older actress had her focus solely on you, she watched as you winced at the bright lights and flinched at the sound of someone dropping their clipboard. “You ok y/n?” Tom asked you, he was playing your on screen father. “Yes!” You gritted at him, eyebrows causing a prominent line on your forehead. People slowly trickled onto set, preparing to shoot the next scene. You were a few takes in and Scarlett was still watching you like a hawk. She noticed how uncomfortable you looked as someone fixed your hair while a guy from wardrobe fluffed your skirt.

Your next few takes didn’t go well. You kept messing up your lines or forgetting your cues. “Alright y/n just take a few breaths and we’ll go again” Andy said from his directors chair. You couldn’t see him behind the blinding lights, it made you uncomfortable. You tried again, but still you messed up your lines. “Alright let’s take 5 guys” Andy called, walking into the light and making you take a few steps back. Scarlett went to grab her water, while still keeping you in her eye-line. Your director approached you, placing his hands on your shoulders and massaging his fingers into your bones. “Do you wanna give this one a miss, go for another scene instead?” He asked, his breath touching your face. “No! I’m fine” you snapped as you pushed his arms away. “Woah easy y/n” Tom said from the corner.

Your makeup artist approached for more touch ups and Andy was still close by. “Can you just back off for a second” you said firmly. “Y/n?” Scarlett called as she came back over to you. “Hey kid come on just take a deep breath and we’ll move to the next line” the director said as he stepped closer to you again. “Sweetheart are you ok?” Scarlett asked. “Oh my god just fuck off!” You yelled as you pushed past the growing crowd of people. Andy tried to grab your arm, but you flinched away, knocking over a few books in the process. The director moved to follow you, but Scarlett halted him “I ’ll go” she said as she passed the director, eyeing him curiously. Scarlett’s steps were quick to try and catch up to you. “Y/n” she called. “Leave me alone” you huffed as you continued to walk away.

“What was all that about babe?” The older woman asked. “Go away Scarlett I don’t wanna say something I’ll regret” you said as you opened the door out to the back of the set. You weaved your way through empty trailers while a worried blonde followed you. “What’s going on y/n?” Scarlett questioned, beginning to build a picture of what or who was bothering you. “Has something happened?” She asked. “No! other than you following me everything is perfectly fine” you angrily said. “Come on y/n, you’ve not been yourself for weeks. You’re skittish and sluggish and you flinch every time someone gets close” Scarlett said, almost loosing her breath trying to keep up with you. “Get lost! Can you not take a hint?” You shouted as you rounded another car, trying to loose the woman following you. “Just tell me what’s happened” the blonde demanded as she followed you out into an empty field. “Nothing’s happened and nothing’s wrong!” you gritted.

“Hey, hey, stop, stop” Scarlett said as she jogged to catch up to you, placing her hand on your shoulder gently to get you to look at her. “Something’s happened to you and I need you to tell me what it is” she said in desperation, voice slightly raised but not with anger. “Nothing’s happened!” You yelled back. “Yes, yes it has” the blonde said, still tugging lightly on your arm to keep you from running again “and I need you to tell me what” she pleaded. “God Scarlett why can’t you just leave it alone!” You said as you pulled out of her grip. “Leave what alone?” Scarlett said, making you pause in your steps “either something happened or it didn’t y/n which one is it?” She asked. You turned away from her as you ran your fingers through your hair, the pace of your breathing increasing.

“What are you looking for?” Scarlett asked as she stepped in front of you, noticing your wandering eyes “something to grab, somewhere to run?” She said. “Then run y/n. But I promise you whatever is bothering you will still be there when you stop, and so will I” she said, voice still pleading with you. “For fuck sake Scarlett leave me alone!” You cried. “No” the woman said firmly “no”. Your sobs broke through the silence as you hunched over, hands on your knees to keep you from falling. “Talk to me” Scarlett whispered as she took careful steps towards you. “Andy” you said through your tears “he made me” you whimpered as you stood back up. “He made you what?” Scarlett asked, looking at you with nothing but care in her eyes. “He made me have sex with him” you sobbed, wrapping your arms tightly around your waist.

“Y/n” Scarlett softly sighed, cautiously wrapping her arms around you. Your choked screams escaped your body as the blonde tightened her hold on you, stopping you from falling to your knees. “It’s alright, it’s gonna be okay I promise” Scarlett said as she tucked your head into her neck “you’re safe, you’re safe ok, I’ve got you” she hummed. You released your grip on your own body to twist your arms around Scarlett’s warmth. You hiccuped through your sobs, breaths short and fast. “You’re okay” the blonde cooed, bringing your face into her hands and brushing back your hair from the wind. “Let’s go back to my trailer yeah?” She said as wrapped a supportive arm around your shoulders, guiding you back down onto the set and towards her private trailer.

“Here you go sweetheart” Scarlett said as she passed you fresh water from her bottle. Your hands shook violently as you attempted to take a sip. “I’ve got it” the blonde hummed as she slowly reached up to take the bottle, softly titling your head back to allow you to drink the water. Once you were done she placed it carefully back on the small coffee table, not taking her eyes off you and keeping hold of your hand. “Do you feel ready to talk about what happened?” Scarlett asked in her most sensitive voice. You sighed deeply, leaning back against the couch “uh, maybe, I don’t know” you said as you rubbed your forehead, attempting to rid the ache. “I need to ask you, was this something that happened once? Or is it ongoing?” The older woman asked as she took the place of your hand on your head, gently brushing over your skin. “It was one time, a few weeks into filming” you whimpered, tears creeping up behind your eyes again.

“You’ve been holding onto this since the start of June?” Scarlett questioned, her hand pausing on its journey of comfort. “I’m sorry” you cried. “Hey, no, you don’t need to apologise” the blonde said taking hold of your chin and rubbing her fingers over your cheek. “I’m sorry that this happened to you, and I’m sorry that you’ve had to be here and work with him all this time but I promise that you don’t have to anymore, I’m gonna make this okay” Scarlett said. “How?” You asked through your small sobs. “I don’t know just yet, but I will. why don’t you get some sleep? I know you haven’t been getting much recently” the blonde coaxed as she pulled a throw blanket over you. “Stay?” You mumbled, reaching for Scarlett’s hand. “I’m here” she whispered, noticing your eyes already falling closed.

Scarlett waited until you were fast asleep before she slipped outside, she hoped you wouldn’t wake while she was gone. The blonde made her way through the set, ignoring the smiles of passersby, she was too angry. She arrived at the directors office and burst through the door. “What the fuck!” Andy exclaimed, almost falling over his chair in shock. “You asshole” Scarlett said, voice light but filled with rage “you absolute asshole I swear you’re gonna wish you were never born!” She shouted. “Woah hey, what the hell is going on?” Your director muttered. “You don’t get to play mr innocent anymore” Scarlett gritted. “What are you talking about?” Andy asked, stepping back subtly. “I’m talking about you, and y/n. And how you raped her” the blonde huffed, voice shivering over the words she didn’t want to say.

“What” Andy sighed. Scarlett scowled at him, arms crossed tightly against her front. “Ok I knew this was gonna happen” he said “yes y/n and I slept together, but it was consensual” the older man huffed as he sat in his chair. “Bullshit” the blonde snarled “she’s 16, so whatever way you try to spin this, you still assaulted her” Scarlett gritted, placing her hands firmly on the table in front of her. “I did not!” The director suddenly yelled. “What did you do Andy? Did you drag her in here? Your trailer? Pushed her up against the wall? Held her down on the bed?” Scarlett asked, anger rising in her belly. “All these questions. Y/n hasn’t even told you anything about what happened has she? You don’t even know what you’re talking about!” Your director shouted, slamming his fists in the table, right next to Scarlett’s. “I know enough” she fiercely said.

“Now you listen here Andy because this is what’s gonna happen..” Scarlett began. “No this is what is going to happen!” the older man cut in “you’re gonna keep your mouth shut and you’re gonna make sure y/n does the same. If either of you mention this to anyone, I’ll tell my side of the story. She’s crazy, she came onto me, begged me to sleep with her, even said she’d pay me for the privilege. She’d never work again. Do you really wanna be responsible for that?” Andy smirked, making Scarlett feel sick to her stomach. “Funny how you wouldn’t just deny it, I mean you seem so adamant that you didn’t do anything. Why not tell people that story instead?” The actress said. “I’m not telling stories. I’ve told you what I’ll do if either of you open your damn mouths, and I mean it” the director huffed, standing close enough to Scarlett to make her skin crawl. “You’re a monster” she whispered under her breath “but I’m not afraid of you” she said.

“Get out” Andy muttered. “Gladly, I don’t ever wanna see your ugly face again, I’m done with this movie, so is y/n” Scarlett said, not waiting a second longer than she had to before heading to the door. “You’re both in a contract Scarlett, don’t forget that. And don’t forget what I said” the director blackmailed. Scarlett looked back over her shoulder, eyeing him suspiciously. There was no way she was letting him get away with this and there was no way she was going to let you stay on this job any longer. The blonde left Andy’s office, making a point by slamming the door. Scarlett hadn’t realised she was shaking until she arrived back at her trailer. She entered slowly, hoping that you were still sleeping and much to her delight you were.

Scarlett’s emotions came rushing out of her, tears fell down her face before she could even recognise that she was crying. She sat down beside you, muffling her sobs behind her fist. She was desperate to hold you, to comfort herself by comforting you, but she relented. She wasn’t going to touch you while you weren’t present, no matter how badly her fingers tingled with the desire to hold your hand. The blonde sat in the silence for a while, allowing herself to feel before she needed to be strong again. No one should ever feel the need to be brave for the sake of someone else, but Scarlett didn’t want you to think you couldn’t rely on her. So she just cried, soothing herself through your small snores.

Eventually you woke, instantly searching for your favourite blonde. “Scarlett?” You grumbled, rubbing your eyes gently. “Hey sweetheart” the older actress said as she came through from her makeshift kitchen “did you have a good sleep?” She asked. You nodded slowly, still waking up. You watched as Scarlett pondered around the room, placing a fresh bottle of water on the table in front of you and quietly fixing the old magazines. “Scarlett?” You muttered, looking up at her. “Yeah?” She whispered, pausing her movements. “Can you hold me? Just for a little while?” You shyly asked. “Of course” Scarlett said, exhaling quickly as if you had given her exactly what she was craving.

The older actress did just what you asked. The two of you sat in comfortable silence, Scarlett’s hand lightly brushing your hair back behind your ears. You were enjoying the contact, her presence helping to calm you. “Y/n” Scarlett hummed after a while. “Mhm” you muttered, twisting your head to look up at her from your place on her shoulder. “I just wanted to let you know, I spoke to Andy” Scarlett said. Your heart skipped a beat as you sat up suddenly “wha-why? What did you say?” You asked. “I told him that we won’t be taking part in this movie anymore, and I told him that I knew, what you told me” she softly mentioned. “No, why would you do that? He’s gonna blackball me. He said that if I told he’d tell people that I-“ you stuttered. “I know” Scarlett frowned, reaching for your hands “I know, he told me what he’s going to do” she said.

Your eyes welled with tears “you want me to tell? I can’t” you whimpered. “Hey, hey, look at me” the blonde cooed as she gently held your cheeks. “You don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to, but I can’t let you continue to work with him. Now if you want, we’ll just go, we’ll break contact and I’ll pay both our fines for that, but if you want to dissolve the contracts then we’ll do that too. Either way, I’m here for you and I won’t let him hurt you ever again” Scarlett said. A small sob escaped your lips as you fell into Scarlett’s hold, you didn’t know what to do. The older woman just held you, not pushing you into any decision. “I can’t let you pay that fine for me, if we break contract” you sniffled. “I don’t mind” Scarlett said. “No” you muttered as you shook your head. “I want out, but I think we have to do it properly” you cried. Scarlett tightened her hold on you, pulling you closer to her warmth. “Ok, it’s ok don’t be scared sweetheart, I’m gonna protect you ok, I won’t let him get away with this” she comforted. “Alright” you whispered “who do we call?” You sniffled. “I think we start with the police” Scarlett said.

As soon as the story made its way into the press, Andy did exactly what he promised to do. The director claimed publicly that you had offered him money in exchange for sex and he blamed Scarlett for your ‘lies’. You had been staying with the actress since you both left the set. Scarlett’s family had welcomed you with open arms. You spoke to your grandparents once a week on the phone, it was what was working best. You were in a living hell. Going to the police seemed like the right thing to do but you never realised what it would entail. Interviews and phone calls were consuming your life not to mention the two forensic exams you were subjected too. Every day was like climbing a new mountain when you felt like each night before you had made it to the top already.

Scarlett was your rock. She was by your side through every interview and every night you couldn’t sleep. She kept the press away and when people came asking she quickly changed the subject. It was Scarlett’s legal team that were handling your case, she didn’t have to think twice before contacting them, making sure you were protected was her top priority. Scarlett and Colin were making a constant effort to include you in their family, they invited you to join with their movie nights and insisted you came out with them for meals. You had gotten to know Rose so well, she was the sweetest little girl, she kept you smiling everyday. It was a little harder when it came to Colin. He was a new man in your life and despite him being such a gentlemen you weren’t totally comfortable around him yet. He understood, he kept his distance most of the time.

“Hey babe” Scarlett said as she came into the guest room, your room. “Hi” you muttered, placing your tea on the bedside table. Scarlett didn’t ask if you were okay, there was no need, she knew the answer already. The blonde crossed the room slower than usual, a sigh escaped her as she sat next to you on the bed. “Scarlett?” You questioned, feeling the tension in the air “what’s wrong?” You asked. “Nothings wrong sweetie” Scarlett said, leaning over to brush against your hand “I do have some news though” she said. You felt the panic rise in your chest, short fast breaths leaving your throat. “I just got off the phone with my lawyer, and Andy’s been arrested” Scarlett said, gripping your hand tighter as she felt you tense up. You didn’t know how to feel, this was good news but there was a chance it wouldn’t end good.

“What happens now?” You whispered. Scarlett shuffled closer to you, pulling you into her arms and wiping away a tear you didn’t realise had fallen. “Well, if he owns up to what he did then he’ll be going to jail and if not then the case will go through court” the blonde said, running her fingernails across your forearm to keep you as grounded as possible. “So, if- I’ll have too?” You mumbled, panic settling in your chest. “We don’t know what’s gonna happen yet sweetheart ok” Scarlett cooed, pulling you tighter against herself. “I know you’re scared baby but I promise it’s gonna be okay. I’m here and I’ve got you, just breathe okay” she coaxed, running her hand up and down your back. “I just want this to be over” you cried “but it’s never gonna go away is it? No matter what happens to Andy” you hiccuped. “Oh baby” Scarlett hummed “it might not ever go away, but it will get easier to carry. No matter what happens to him, he’s never gonna touch you again, I’m gonna make sure of that. And if it goes to court, we’ll get through it together. You’re not alone, ever” she said.

You gave yourself a few minutes to calm down, comforted by Scarlett’s words. You sat up slowly, taking a sip from your tea as the blonde passed it to you. You knew what you wanted to say but the words were stuck in your throat. You’d wanted to tell her for weeks, the feeling was so deeply engraved in your chest but you were afraid she wouldn’t accept it. “What is it?” Scarlett questioned after she caught you staring at her. You threw yourself back down onto the blonde, wrapping yourself around her stomach, you didn’t want to see her face. “I love you mama” you whimpered. You felt Scarlett stiffen but before you could pull away, she pulled you up into her lap. “Mama loves you too baby” she said, kissing your forehead.

You smiled, fully and properly, for the first time in months. So did Scarlett. You hugged her again, but this time it felt different. It felt like you were finally home and no matter what happened now, you had Scarlett. Things still looked dark and it was sure to be dark for a while, but you were home and for right now, that was enough.

———————————————————————

A/N: this was a rough fic guys so please please reach out if you need to<3

- Astara

———————————————————————

[Taglist]

“Y/n, come out come out wherever you are.”

Natasha rose back to her feet, silent in her movements. “Y/n” she whispered, leaning close to the door “stay in the bathroom” she muttered, praying that you could hear her. The widow was light on her feet as she moved across the small apartment. Her plan was to grab the gun taped underneath the coffee table, but the creak in the floorboards told her it was too late. She had two choices, run for the bedroom, or run towards the danger. Natasha didn’t think twice as she creeped towards the hallway, back firmly against the wall. She was prepared for a fight, ready to defend you. The redhead rounded the corner hoping to have the element of surprise but a hard hit to the face sent her flying backwards, she knew instantly that her nose was broken as she stumbled to the floor. “You’re not the only one who knows how to sneak” the man said. “Dylan” Natasha coughed, followed by a kick to the stomach. “And you’re not the only one who knows how to fight either” your boyfriend snarled.

He reeked of alcohol and despite his accurate punches, Natasha knew she could get the better of him in his state. The widow lunged towards your boyfriend but before she knew it, a gun was pointed straight at her face, her own gun. Usually the sight of a weapon wouldn’t make her flinch, but in the hands of an angry intoxicated man, who knew what he’d do. Natasha could see the barrel shaking and glare of beer covering Dylan’s eyes. “Put the gun down” she whispered. “Make me bitch” Dylan bit back. The lock of the bathroom door went unheard by both as you silently crept out. “Don’t do something else you’ll regret, I think the list is long enough already don’t you?” Natasha asked your boyfriend. “My only regret is letting that slut out of my sight” Dylan slurred. “You don’t feel the slightest bit of regret for what you’ve done?” The widow said, the anger rising in her chest. “You control her, you beat the shit of out of her. You fucking raped her!” She gritted. “Shut your mouth!” Dylan screamed storming towards the redhead.

“Stay back!” You yelled, suddenly appearing from the dark hallway, a second gun in your own hand. Your boyfriend didn’t even process his grip until he heard the shattering of glass. You cowered away at hearing a gunshot, pain shooting through your ribs, thankfully not from a new wound. Dylan took the opportunity to reach for Natasha, wrapping his arm tightly around her neck. “No!” You shouted, aiming your own weapon straight at him. Dylan retaliated, of course, he pulled Natasha tight against his chest and aimed his gun towards her head, squeezing the handle tightly. “Ah ah ah little one, think very carefully” Dylan darkly smiled “we wouldn’t want your precious girlfriend to get hurt would we?” He said. You felt the tears creep up behind your eyes, partly due to pain but mostly due to fear. Your eyes darted between Dylan and Natasha, your arms still outstretched. The redhead finally caught your gaze and held it, you looked into her green eyes as she silently mouthed ‘shoot him’. You let out a pitiful whimper, a million thoughts running through your head. You’d never even held a gun before, what if you were doing it wrong? You didn’t know how sensitive the trigger was and what if you hit Natasha?

There was no telling what Dylan would do if you pulled the trigger, would he drop his gun? Would he retaliate? Would he flinch and pull his trigger? You slowly lowered your gun, wincing as your shoulder rolled painfully. “Good puppy” your boyfriend giggled “come here” he commanded. You sheepishly walked towards Dylan, gun by your side. He still had a tight hold on Natasha so you didn’t feel that you could turn away when he lent forward to kiss you. The redhead gritted her teeth, his actions making her stomach churn. “Don’t touch her!” She demanded. “Oh shut up” your boyfriend sighed, accentuating his point with a thud of the weapon on Natasha’s forehead. “Stop Dylan, please” you muttered “just-just tell me what you want okay I’ll- I’ll go or do whatever you want just don’t hurt her” you shakily said. “That’s more like it, put the gun down” you followed his instructions with slow and calculated moments, placing the weapon just beside Natasha’s feet. “You know this is my favourite version of you” your boyfriend said “the quite and compliment y/n. Because you know deep down that you’re mine. And doesn’t it just feel so much better when you do as your told?” He said, leaning his arm across your shoulder, the arm that connected his hand to the gun.

It was now or never, you knew that. Yet every second felt like never had already arrived. Natasha could see your mind racing behind your eyes, she didn’t know what you were going to do, but she knew you were going to get out of this. “Answer me pup” Dylan huffed, reminding you of his presence. “No” you whispered “what?” Before Dylan could finish his sentence you lifted his outstretched arm above his head, flinching at the sound of the bullet escaping. Natasha swung round in his grip and landed a harsh blow to his chest. Your boyfriend fell back, dropping his gun. You grabbed it quickly, while the redhead retrieved the weapon from the floor. But she was too slow, Dylan was already charging towards you. You didn’t think, or maybe you did, but you pulled the trigger tight, screaming as red droplets propelled onto you. You dropped the gun, staggering backwards until you were flat against the wall, Dylan fell down. “Y/n!” Natasha yelled as she came running to you. “Hey, hey, shh, it’s okay, it’s alright” she mumbled as she caught your weightless body before it could hit the ground.

Why did you do that? It was the only way right? But you’d just shot a man, that could never be right. “Y/n look at me” the redhead said, gripping your face and pulling it away from the groaning pile on the floor “it’s okay” she whispered into your ear. Your eyes still found Dylan, no matter the way you were facing. His breathing was cracked and heavy, a pool of blood already surrounded him. You saw his eyes, saw the moment he knew, this was the end of him. The room fell silent. You screamed as the realisation set in. “No, no, no, look at me” Natasha said, twisting your gaze back to her “it’s alright. It’s okay now, it’s over.” She whispered, resting her forehead against yours. You sobbed into the redheads arms, guilt consuming you. “I-I killed him. I didn’t mean to kill him. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to, I just wanted him to stop” you cried. “I know sweetheart it’s okay” Natasha cooed, slowly pulling you to stand in her strong arms. “

“I- am I gonna go to jail? I just- I just murdered someone” you muttered as the widow lead you into her bedroom. “No, no, you haven’t murdered anyone, it was self defence. You did what you had to” Natasha said, alarmed by the hue of red in her hands after running her fingers through your hair. “Are you hurt? Did you get hit?” She frantically said, eyeing you over for any new injuries and wiping at the sprays of blood on your face. “No. It’s not mine” you whispered. A loud slam at the front door startled you causing your already shaking body to flinch. The redhead noticed your panicked eyes “it’s okay it’s okay” she said. “Romanoff” a steady voice called out. “In here, no one’s armed. Intruders down” Natasha called back. “Wh-who’s?” You muttered. “It’s just Fury” she said. The world moved in slow motion as Clint suddenly appeared in the doorway “you girls okay?” He asked, rushing to his best friends side. “We’re safe” Natasha answered, diverting the question slightly. Director Fury was next to show his face “what the hell happened?” He asked. “I was right” the redhead said to the archer “you never should’ve accepted her resignation so easily” Natasha sighed towards Nick.

The next few days were a blur. Time faded and not a single second existed in your world. You were stuck. Stuck with the vision of the lifeless body you were responsible for and stuck underneath the one face you wanted to forget. Natasha was by your side in every moment. The only time she let you out of her sight was when you were in the bathroom. She could see every emotion you tried to hide behind your glassy eyes and she could tell that you were disconnected from them. S.H.I.E.L.D took care of the situation, they handed Dylan over to the authorities and quickly had you excused of any wrong doing. Fury made it his mission to clear you of any trouble, you didn’t deserve it and he felt somewhat responsible. You stayed with Natasha at a safe house while Clint cleared your apartment of all things Dylan, ready for when you one day returned.

“Hey sweetheart” the redhead whispered from the doorway as to not startle you. “Hi” you mumbled back. “I need to check your ribs, is that ok?” Natasha asked. You shrugged in response, not really caring about the ache still present in your stomach. The widow slowly took the lukewarm tea from your grip, her cautious and calculated movements didn’t go unnoticed by you and you hoped that Natasha could sense that you were grateful for her caring nature. The redhead meticulously tended to your fractured ribs, they were healing well in her opinion. You watched Natasha with a firm gaze and your eyes fell to the dark bruise scattered across her forehead, the indent of Dylan’s gun still present. You reached up and slowly traced the closed wound with your fingers. “I’m sorry” you whispered. Natasha gently took a hold of your hands, and surprisingly you welcomed her touch. “Don’t be. Don’t you ever be sorry” she sadly smiled. “Doe-does it hurt?” You muttered, tears escaping your eyes. “No” the redhead said.

“Hey, look at me” Natasha cooed, lifting your chin up to meet her gaze “it’s okay, I’m okay” she said. “Am I gonna be okay?” You whispered, your voice cracking. “Yes. One day” Natasha said as she pulled you into her arms. You allowed your body to be anchored in her embrace, letting your tears fall freely for the first time in days. “I promise you that one day you’ll be okay again, but it’s also okay to not be okay right now. But I promise that you will heal” the widow said, rocking you gently in her arms. “Just lean on me for now alright, you give it all to me and we’ll make it better together” she comforted. Your eyes grew heavy as the rhythmic sway of Natasha’s hold calmed you. “Go to sleep sweetheart. I’ve got you, and I’m never letting you go” Natasha cooed. You fell asleep instantly at her words, secured by her affection and the trust that she would look after you. And she would for the rest of her life.

—————————————————————————

A/N: I hope you guys liked this mini series, I know it was very heavy so if you need to talk about anything please reach out to me

- Astara Bell

—————————————————————————

[Taglist]