๐๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ || ๐.๐
๐ง๐๐๐พ ๐ฌ๐บ๐๐๐พ๐๐ ๐๐๐ || ๐ฌ๐บ๐๐๐พ๐๐ ๐๐๐ || ๐ญ๐บ๐๐๐๐บ๐๐๐๐
No one has permission to repost, translate, or copy my work. If you see my work anywhere, I would appreciate the heads up. ยฎ
๐๐๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ : ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐จ๐๐ ๐ฑ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ
๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ: ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ, ๐ฉ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ .. *๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ญ ๐ฆ๐ ๐ค๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ฒ*
๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฒ: ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ค๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฉ. 5 \ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ก๐ข๐ฆ. ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ญ ๐ฐ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐ฐ๐ก๐จ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ.
๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ: 4704
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
In the back of the car with Kate, Clint keeps his eyes fixed on the passing streets outside the window. Kate glances over at him "Well, there's... uh-" Her voice falters as she swallows hard, "one more thing we should worry about." She finishes as she looks at him.ย
"Yeah? What's that?" Clint ask as he tears his eyes away from the window and down at the arm that throbs in pain.ย
"Um.. do you remember the girl from last night, the one in the mask?"ย
"Uh-huh." He muttered, preparing himself for whatever Kate is about to say. He trying to rub a bit of the pain from his shoulder.ย
"Uh, I spoke to her." Kate admits, pulling her gaze from him to fix on the front window bracing herself for what she's about to tell Clint.ย
"And?" He asked, steeling himself for whatever else she was about to reveal, still reeling from the fact that Kate had spoken with the assassin and clearly when he wasn't around.ย
"She said she's Natasha's sister." Kate confesses, her voice low as her eyes flicker back to him, testing his reaction.ย
Clint's stunned eyes locking on Kate as if he hadn't heard her right. His chest tightens, the name alone stirring memories he keeps buried. "Yelena?'ย
"Yeah." Kate nods, shifting in her seat as keeps her eyes fixed on him.ย
A flicker of realization crosses his face. "Okay," is all he manage, the single word carrying the weight of everything he can't yet process. His mind reels at the thought of the fact that someone hadn't just sent an assassin after him but they'd sent Yelena.ย
The car rolled to a stop, and Clint opens the door, pushing it with one hand as the other grips his wounded shoulder. Kate slipped out after him, her eyes catching the wince he tried to mask.ย
"You all right?"' She asked, the question barring more weight than just his injury. Yelena's name still hung heavy between them.ย
"Yeah." Cling gave her a short nod and forced a faint smile, brushing it off as they fell into step together, heading back toward the apartment.ย
ยท ยท โโโโโโโ ยท โ ยท โโโโโโโ ยท ยท
Once Clint confirmed Kate was asleep, he slipped out the apartment and headed toward the only person who might hold answers to his assassin problem. The cab ride left him tangled in a web of thoughts, so lost in them he didn't notice the car had stopped until then driver cleared his throat sharply. Clint blinked, muttered an apology and shoved a few bills into the man's hand before climbing out.ย
The night air was crisp, biting at his lungs as he scanned the street. That gnawing feeling lingered, the sense he wasn't alone. He'd been careful, taking the bus, then the subway and only catching a cab at the last leg, hoping to shake off anyone who might be trying to tail him. The last thing he needed was another fight, not with his shoulder still screaming in protest and especially not here in this neighborhood.ย
Rounding the corner onto a familiar street, his instincts sharpened. His hand closed firmly around his bowl as the sensation of being followed grew stronger. Slowing his pace, he listened then spun sharply around. In one motion, he drew an arrow and raised the bow, his gaze locking on the shake ducking clumsily behind a small bush.ย
A grimace crosses his face as pain shot through his shower, he lowered the weapon with a heavy exhale as recognition settled in.ย
"Kate," He called out, voice edged with both a relief and exasperation. "Come on out."ย
"Hey, partner..." Kate crept out from behind the bush, guilt written all over her crocked smile. "Fancy seeing you here."ย
Clint rolled his eyes, " I thought you were asleep?"ย
"Had to look out for my partner," Kate said with a half-shrug, n trying to disguise the nervous guilt on her face, "Backup, remember? You're not exactly at a hundred percent with that shoulder and somebody's got to keep you from getting you from getting yourself killed... again."ย
Clint sighed, the sound heavy and tired. He knew he should've waited a few minutes out the door before leaving. "Follow me and keep." He turned on his heel, Kate jogging a few steps to match his pace.ย
"So what are we doing? Is this another person we should be worried about? Are we gonna-"ย
"Kate," He cut in sharply, voice low, "quiet. Just for now."ย
She bit her lip, the questions still buzzed on the tip of her tongue as the white house came into view. It stood tall and pale against the dark sky, framed by wrought-iron fencing whose shadows seemed to twist like living things. Clint paused at the gate, unlocking it and slipping thought, waiting for Kate before closing it with a metallic snap.ย
The gravel crunched beneath their boots as they crossed the driveway. Each step seemed to echo louder than the last as though the house itself was listening. The porch loomed above the, the pain weathered yet strangely pristine, like it resisted time itself. Clint raised his fist, ready to knock when the door swings open. He lowered his hand slowly, offering the figure inside a faint, wary smile. Beside him, Kate froze, wide-eyed.ย
"Anyone follow you?" You asked, voice calm but carrying an unearthly resonance. Your gaze flickered past them, scanning the street before you opened the door wider.ย
"Other than this one? No." Clint muttered, jerking a thumb toward Kate as he stepped inside. Kate stumbling in after him, her eyes darting everywhere.ย
The door shut with a whisper, the lock sliding into place on its own. You brushed your fingers across the wood and at once a rippled of blood orange colored light spread through the wall- its silence deeper, heavier, until the warden settled like a cloak.ย
Inside, shadows clung to the corners despite the glow of candlelight. Shelves brimmed with tomes bound in cracked leather, their spines etched with symbols that seemed to shift when looked at too long. Crystals hummed faintly on the mantel, casting fragments of color across the ceiling. A faint scent of incense and ash curled in the air, leaving Kate with the dizzying sense of stepping into another world.ย
"Y-you're.. Y/n Hellstrom," Kate finally breathed, voice trembling with disbelief.ย
You chuckled softly, the sound reverberating like it belonged to the house itself. "I am. And you must be Kate Bishop."ย
"She knows my name," Kate whispered to Clint, stunned.ย
Clint groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Yeah, kid. She knows everything."ย
"Not everything." You settled into the recliner, the leather creaking beneath you. On the coffee table, you abandoned book still laid open, chamomile tea gone cold besides it. You crossed one leg over the other and fixed your gaze on Clint. "So, you mentioned something about a Black Widow assassin hired to kill you."ย
Clink sank into the couch, shoulders tight, while Kate dropped down beside him. He clasped his hands, staring at them for a long second before lifting his eyes to you.ย
"About that..." His voice was low, weighted. "it's not just a Black Widow. It's Yelena."ย
The name hit like a stone. You stared back at him, face unreadable as you tried to process. "Yelena?"
"Yeah." Clint nodded.ย
"I spoke with her yesterday," Kate cut in quickly, drawing your attention. You eyes flickered to hers, silently telling her to keep going.ย
"Uh.. well, she kind of.. snuck into my apartment," Kate admitted, shifting under the weight of both your stares."Started going on about never being to New York, about American Christmases and all that. Which I would have to say that it's incredibly sa-"ย
"Kate." Clint's warning cut in.ย
"Right. Sorry." She swallowed. "She told me someone hired to kill him." Kate's eyes flicked nervously to Clint. "She.. she thinks Clint is the reason Natasha's dead."ย
Clint's jaw clenched. He leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees. "What did you tell her.. about Natasha?"ย
Your fingers toyed with the ring still circling your finger, a habit you couldn't break. "What you told me.. that she sacrificed herself. What else is there to say? You didn't give me much details."ย
Kate's brow furrowed, confusion deepening. "Hold on." She raised her hands. "Why would you tell Yelena? Shouldn't that have come from Clint? No offense." She gestured toward him. "I mean, you two were Avengers together, girl power and all that." A nervous chuckle escaped her, followed quickly by an awkward cough. "But, uh... Clint and Natasha were best friends."ย
A dry laugh left your throat, laced with sarcasm. "Well, I was her wife. So I think that puts me slightly ahead, don't you?" You twisted the ring slowly, bitterness tightening your words. "The meant it fell to me to tell my sister-in-law that her sister was gone."ย
Kate's mouth fell open, stunned. "Wow. I.. I wouldn't have suspected that."ย
"No one did." Your voice soften, though that ace behind it stayed sharp. "We kept it from everyone. Even our coworkers." Your gaze flicked toward Clint. "Except for him, of course."ย
The room grew heavy again, the candles flickering in the corners as if they too, remembered.ย
Clint looked down, his chest tightening at the thought of Natasha. "What did she say?" He asked, dragging the conversation back on track.ย
"Nothing, she just walked out."ย
"She just walked out? Without a word?" Clint's eyes snapped back to you, searching for something more.ย
"Yeah. I didn't hear from her again until I had Nadia."ย
Kate blinked, confusion flickering across her face. You caught it and clarified softly, "My daughter."ย
"Oh.. congratulations." Kate offered a small smile, though the crease inherent brow didn't vanish. The timeline didn't make sense to her. Natasha had only been gone for a year.ย
You sighed, recognizing the thought on her face. "She's mine and Natasha's daughter."ย
Kate's eyes widened, the weight of it crashing down on her. "Oh.. wow." The was all she could manage. The idea that Natasha had left world without meeting her child left her rattled.ย
"So she really didn't say anything? She just vanished?" Clint pressed again, disbelief in his voice.ย
"Yes, Clint. She didn't say anything." Your tone sharpened. "What could she say? She already knew before I got the chance to tell her. Whoever she was with when the Blip happened told her Natasha was gone. So no- I didn't get to break the news and there weren't many details to give." You fixed him with a pointed stare. "I told her what you told me. That Natasha sacrificed herself."ย
"She knows weren't there," Kate interjected, hesitantly.ย
"Yeah. She asked if I was with her." You nodded toward Clint. "I told her it was him."ย
"So sheย didย say something," Clint argued.ย
Your patience snapped. "She asked one question, Clint. One. And if she'd asked anything else, I wouldn't have been able to answer anyway because you were so damn tight lipped about what happened." The anger bubbled hot in your chest. You weren't sure who it was aimed at- Clint, Yelena,ย Natashaย or fate itself but it burned all the same.ย
Kate shifted uncomfortably on the couch, her eyes bouncing between the two of you.ย
Clint sighed heavily, dragging a hand down his face, "There's nothing much to say, Y/n. We fought. She won."ย
"Won?" You laughed bitterly, the sound of void of humor.ย
Clint shut his eyes, regret flashing across his features. "That's not what I meant. She's... she was too good."ย
Your jaw clenched as your thumb played at the wedding ring still circling your finger. "Sheย wasย good," You whispered, the finality of the word slicing through the room. Silenced followed, heavy as lead. Natasha's death had been the most confusing, heartbreaking wound of your life and that was saying something. She had been everything โ your anchor, your chance at redemption, the proof that you could be better.ย
Taking a long breath, you force your gaze away from the ring and back to Clint and Kate. "So, do you two have a plan yet?"ย
"No, not really." Kate admitted, noticing Clint's silence.ย
"Okay, well, I don't kn-"ย
"Do you think you can talk to her?" Clint cuts in suddenly.ย
You shot him a look sharp enough to cut grass. "Are you serious? If you think Natasha was stubborn, Yelena is a whole other level and I doubt she wants me in the middle of this."ย
"Um, I'd like the chime in here," Kate said carefully, raising her hand like she was back in class. "She told me not to stand in her way and honestly.. I believe her."ย
You arched a brow at Clint, "There you have it. I can't talk her down but I can help you, however you need me."ย
Clint nodded slowly, "Right now the only plan is to make it out alive and keepย thisย one out of it." He tipped his head toward Kate, who offered a sheepish smile.ย
He glanced at the clock on the wall and stood, Kate following suit. "We should go. It's late."ย
You rose as well. Clint lingered for a moment, looking at you. "I'll call if anything happens." His voice was quiet, almost reluctant. For a second, he seemed to debate a hug but stopped himself. You caught the hesitation and ignored it. Some wounds didn't need to be reopened. Your relationship with Clint had been rocky even before Natasha's death. Nothing would repair it now. Better to leave it unsaid.ย
Instead, you walked them to the door, unlocking it with a quiet twist of magic. Kate looked stunned when you gave her an extra, warmer farewell, as though she wasn't sure what to do with it. Clint, as always, remained steady, unreadable.ย
Once they stepped out, you closed the door and swept your hand across the frame. The wards slid back into place with a hum, locking the house in layered protection. You lingered a moment, staring at the glowing runes that faded back into invisibility.ย
Taking a deep breath, you gave another sweep of your hand. The candles flickered once, then snuffed out, leaving the house cloaked in soft shadows. The book and half-finished tea on the coffee table were left behind, forgotten. You moved slowly toward the stairs, each step dragging as though the weight of your thoughts had doubled.
The upstairs hallway glowed faintly, warm light spilling from sconces as you passed. When you reached your room, the heaviness eased, just a little. You crossed quietly to the crib near your bed and peeked inside.
There she was, peaceful, unbothered, wrapped in dreams untouched by the world's cruelties. For a moment, everything else melted away. Your chest loosened as you drank in every detail: the way her lashes fanned against her cheeks, the tiny rise and fall of her chest, the little sigh that left her lips.
Leaning down, you let your finger trace the soft curve of her rosy cheek. She stirred faintly, one small hand lifting to rest atop her curls of red hair. The sight made you smile despite the heaviness pressing you down. She was Natasha's mirror, and you wouldn't have it any other way.
Sometimes you still couldn't believe she was real. The pregnancy had been grueling, full of heartbreak and dashed hopes, yet you would endure it all again a thousand times. You remembered every step of the journey; appointments, needles, the fragile excitement every time you tested, the ache of miscarriages, the despair that crept closer each time hope slipped through your fingers.
But Natasha never lost hope. It had been her idea first, her voice steady when she said she wanted a child. You had laughed bitterly then, convinced she was joking, until you saw the unwavering seriousness in her eyes. Kids had been a distant dream, something you both had whispered about in the rare quiet moments but you hadn't thought it would come so soon. Not with the world falling apart, not with the Sokovia Accords fracturing the team, not after the Blip.
You brushed your daughter's cheek one last time before straightening. The heaviness returned, settling like stone on your shoulders as you readied yourself for bed.
You and Natasha had searched for answers, for even the slimmest chance to undo what had happened, to bring everyone back. But every lead had been a dead end, and despair crept closer. Between the two of you, it was always you who tried to pull sparks of joy into the darkness, even when joy felt impossible.
But envy had begun to fester. Watching others move on so easily twisted something in you. Tony, especially how quickly he and Pepper had found their new normal, raising their daughter in peace while the rest of the world remained fractured. You envied him, and you hated yourself for it. You couldn't decide if you were angry at how easily he carried on... or because he had built the family you and Natasha had dreamed of. Or maybe because it felt like he'd left you all behind.
Another sigh escaped you as you crawled into bed, the sheets cold against your skin. You turned to your side, eyes falling on the empty space beside you. A year later, you still weren't used to it; the silence, the absence, the hollow place where she used to be.
Rolling onto your back, you stared at the ceiling until the edges blurred. Slowly, unbidden, a memory began to rise, pulling you under...
(Flashback โ March 2023)
"I'm sorry, what?" You blinked at Natasha, certain you hadn't heard her right. This had been the second time you asked her to repeat what she said after you had laughed the first time.ย
"I want to have a baby," she repeated, slower this time, as if steadying herself against your reaction.
Your heart skipped. "Where is this coming from?"
Natasha only shrugged and sat down beside you on the bed, the mattress dipping under her weight. She reached for your hands, threading her fingers through yours. Her grip was firm, but her thumb brushed circles across your skin with a gentleness that almost broke you.
"I'm not saying I'm ready to give up on bringing everyone back," she admitted, voice quiet but clear. "But I also know we can't keep stalling because of promises we made before everything fell apart. I don't want to keep waiting for a perfect moment that may never come." Her eyes searched yours, glistening with unshed tears. "And more than anything..I don't want to lose you."
Your throat tightened. You squeezed her hands, frowning. "Natasha, you're not going to lose me."
She shook her head, her white and red hair slipping forward across her face. "I see the way you look at families when we're out. When we pass parents with strollers, or couples teaching their kids how to ride a bike." She let out a shaky breath. "I know our promise was to wait until things settled down, but... when will that ever be? There's always going to be this" Her voice broke, raw and unguarded. "I don't want you to wait forever. I can't let you."
Tears stung your eyes as you reached up, brushing her cheek with the back of your hand. "You think I don't see you?" you whispered. "Every time you hold a baby in your arms, every time you get quiet when you see someone else's family.. I see it, Natasha. You want this too."
Natasha let the tears fall. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead to yours. "I do. More than I ever thought I would. And if we keep putting it off, I'm scared we'll lose the chance."
Silence stretched between you, filled only by the sound of your mingled breathing. For the first time, you allowed yourself to picture it; a child with Natasha's fiery hair or your eyes, her strength and your stubbornness. A piece of the two of you that the world couldn't take away.
Your lips curved into the faintest smile. "Okay," you whispered. "Then let's do it. Let's stop waiting."
Natasha's breath hitched, and she kissed you softly, reverent, a promise in the press of her lips. When she pulled back, there was a light in her eyes you hadn't seen in years.
(Flashback ends)
The memory lingered like warmth in your chest, even as the ache of her absence crept in. You smiled faintly, closing your eyes, letting the thought of her steady you. Wrapped in that fragile happiness, you finally let sleep claim you.
ยท ยท โโโโโโโ ยท โ ยท โโโโโโโ ยท ยท
"We're all gonna die."
You chuckled softly at Clint's voice crackling through the comms as you parked your car, stepping out into the cold night air. Pulling your coat tighter, you made your way toward the Rockefeller ice skating rink. Clint had called earlier, giving you a rushed briefing; Kate's mom tied to Yelena's contract, the Tracksuit mafia circling, a plan involving a handful of allies you barely had time to register. You'd wanted to dive in, but you knew better. If Yelena saw you, she'd drag you out of the fight, and you couldn't risk derailing her mission or Clint's. Still, you came. You had to.
As you approached, Kate's voice carried faintly over the comms: "Timber!"
The massive Christmas tree toppled onto the ice with a thunderous crack, scattering the Tracksuit mafia. Clint slid out from beneath it, scrambling to his feet just as more men swarmed the rink. Kate followed, sliding across the ice and loosing an arrow into the control box, filling the rink with smoke.
You whispered an incantation, slipping into invisibility. It ached not to blast through the mafia yourself, but you stayed hidden. If Yelena was near, she'd sense you and that was a confrontation you couldn't risk. She was your wife's sister, and no matter what happened, her safety came before anything else.
Once the Tracksuits were down, you circled the rink. Clint's voice rose above the chaos. You caught sight of Yelena, barreling across the ice.ย
She slammed into Clint, tackling him hard before springing up again.
Heart hammering, you climbed over the barrier, your boots careful against the slick surface as you edged closer.
"Before I kill you," Yelena panted, standing over Clint, "I need to ask you one question."
Clint, on his knees, looked up at her, bruised and breathless. "It's nice to finally meet you, Yelena."
Her grip tightened on her baton. "I need to know what happened."
Clint's shoulders sagged. "If I told you, you'd never believe me. But you need to know, your sister sacrificed herself. She saved the world." His voice cracked. "I'm sorry."
Yelena shook her head, eyes flashing with grief and fury. "You're lying."
"What?"
"You're pathetic." She repeated the words like venom, then lashed out, boot slamming into his chest. He grunted, staggering. Another kick sent him sprawling.
On his knees again, Clint caught her shoulders, forcing her to look him in the eye. "Nobody killed her. She made a choice."
"Stop lying!" Yelena roared, breaking free. A punch cracked across Clint's jaw, a knee slammed into his face. She moved like fury embodied, every strike sharper than the last.ย
Clint tried to counter, twisting her arm into a headlock. "She sacrificed herself. Understand? I couldn't stop her."
Yelena wrenched free, flipping him onto the ice. Her baton cracked across his ribs, drawing a cry from him. She leveled her gun, hands steady despite the tremble in her lips.
"Yelena!" Your voice cut through the air, your body shimmering back into visibility as you stepped forward.
She whipped her head toward you, gun still aimed at Clint. "Y/n? What the hell are you doing here? This isn't safe."
"Lena," you said softly, a sad smile trembling on your lips. "You know why I'm here."
"This is between me and Barton." Her voice shook, brittle with rage and grief. "You have nothing to do with this."
"But I do." Your tone sharpened, the weight of your words cutting through the cold air. "Because he's telling you the truth. And if anyone would know, it's me. You know how much Nat meant to me. If I thought for even a second Clint had hurt her, he wouldn't be standing here now."
"Not you too," she whispered, her composure cracking. Her chin trembled, eyes flashing with tears she refused to let fall. "Don't tell me you believe him. You don't see it.. he's lying. He'sย alwaysย lying."
"Yelena, look at me." Your own voice broke now, heavy with grief. "I've hated him too. I wanted to blame him just as badly as you do. But I knew Natasha. And I know what she was capable of. She made that choice, Lena. Not him."
Yelena shook her head hard, denial rattling her entire frame. Her hands quivered on the gun, torn between fury and heartbreak. "No. No, she wouldn't leave me. Not again. She wouldn't leaveย us."
"She didn't leave you." Your tears finally spilled, hot against your cold cheeks. "She loved you more than anything. That's why she did it, so you could live. So all of us could."
Her breath hitched, shoulders caving under the weight of your words. The rage that had been driving her faltered, leaving behind raw, shaking grief. For the first time, you saw the little sister who had lost everything, not just the assassin trained to kill.
"Lena, you know me. Youย knowย how much Nat meant to me." Your voice cracked, your chest tightening as tears welled in your eyes. The grief pressed like a fist around your heart, but you forced yourself to stay steady. "If someone had taken her from me, do you really think I'd let them keep walking this earth?"
You shook your head, voice trembling but firm. "You know what I would've done. What I promised you I'd do."
Her eyes flickered, remembering the first time you swore that nothing and no one would touch Natasha without facing you first.
"And I kept that promise. I would never lie to you, especially about this." Tears spilled down your cheeks. "I had doubts too. I wanted to hate him. But deep down, I knew.. Natasha wouldn't have let anyone make that choice for her. She did it herself."
"She talked about you all the time, Yelena," Clint rasped, pushing himself upright, his voice cutting through the silence.
Yelena's eyes snapped to him, glistening. "She did?"
"Yeah," you whispered, voice breaking. "That's how I knew your name before you ever told me."
Yelena's hands trembled around the gun. "What did she say?"
Clint's breath shuddered. "She told me about the plane. How you were separated as kids. I asked if she was scared. She said she wasn'tโฆbecause she knew you were safe. That never changed. She loved you, Yelena. More than anything."
A sob tore from her throat. "You both... you both got so much time with her."
"Yes," Clint admitted, eyes downcast. "We did."
"It shouldn't have gone this way." Her voice cracked. "If I had been there, I could've stopped it. I could've changed it."
"Nothing would've stopped her," Clint whispered.
"And she would never have let you sacrifice yourself." Your words came out hoarse, thick with grief.ย
Yelena trembled, lips quivering. "I loved her so much."
"Us too," you murmured, the words trembling out as tears burned down your cheeks. It wasn't just an answer to her confession, it was your own grief breaking free, your love for Natasha laid bare. For a moment, the pain between you and Yelena felt the same, binding you together in the loss of the person you both loved most.
For a long moment, the rink was silent but for the echo of sobs. Then Yelena exhaled shakily, holstering her gun. She stepped forward, offering Clint a hand.ย
He took it, wincing as she hauled him up. "I'm sorry," he said again, voice raw.
Yelena gave a tight nod before turning to you. In an instant, her arms wrapped around you, her face pressing into your neck. You held her fiercely, chin resting on her hair, unwilling to let go. Clint started to step back, relief loosening his shoulders.ย
Until the whistle cut through the night.
All three of you froze.
Yelena's arms dropped as her head whipped toward the sound. You followed her gaze, as did Clint. From the shadows at the edge of the rink, a familiar figure stepped into view.
"No fucking way," Clint breathed, disbelief etched across his face.
Your heart stopped.









