#ler!nat

You vowed to yourself that you would start looking after your body more, as you knew that sometimes you needed more than just your powers in a fight or for self-defence in general.

You nodded in response to Nat’s question. “Yeah… I heard that having a stronger core can do more than just give you abs, it can help balance and stuff.” You replied, briefly looking at the mirror, you had some insecurities with your body, but you could see improvement. But now you regret wearing a crop top since you were no longer alone.

“You’re learning your stuff,” Natasha commented with a smile, going towards the punching bag. “If you need any help, give me a shout, I’ll be here for a bit.” She told you before beginning her workout.

“Thanks…” you replied quietly, trying to concentrate and return to what you were doing. You decided to do the classic plank, despite hating it, there were a lot of benefits in doing it. So you got down and stretched into the position. You went into your own little world, trying to stay there for as long as possible. You were so zoned out that you didn’t notice that Yelena had walked into the room.

“You are putting yourself through torture by doing the plank you know.”

You snapped out of your head and collapsed, turning around to see Yelena smirking. “I was getting to my record time!” I whined, getting up to shove at her.

“Oh boo hoo, if you’re looking at strengthening your tummy muscles I can show you a few more exercises you can do.” She offered, and you immediately nodded, anything that avoids doing the plank.

“Okay, so you will need to be on the floor on all fours, then you stretch out an arm and then the opposite leg and switch. It’s called the bird dog.” She chuckled as you followed her directions.

You could definitely feel your core muscles working and got more and more confident as you tried to extend your limbs higher and higher, thus arching your back a little.

“You do not need to stretch high, it’s about control.” Yelena guided, putting her hands on your ribs to gently move you back to the original position, making you flinch and briefly bring your arm back.

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I hurt you?” She asked, you immediately shook your head, smiling innocently.

“Oh, no, I just didn’t expect you to touch me.” You replied casually, doing a few more rounds of the exercises before giving yourself a break.

Your eyes flickered towards Natasha, who was watching the two of you, she gave you a brief smirk as if she had already figured out why you reacted the way you did when her sister touched you.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I will be more careful next time.” The blonde apologised. “Another classic exercise though is called the dead bug, and you need to be on your back for this one.”

You nodded, rolling over so you were lying on your back, Natasha had now stopped her workout completely to observe you and Yelena, but you didn’t say anything and listened to the blonde.

“So it is basically like the bird dog but you’re on your back and you are bending your knees toward you instead of stretching it out.” She got on the floor and gave you an example, you quickly understood what she was doing and started doing the same.

“You are arching your back a little,” Yelena told you, already forgetting what she said about being more careful when touching you and putting her hand on your tummy to gently push you back down flat onto your back.

Once again, you flinched and dropped your arms and legs, blushing as Yelena gave you a confused look.

“Are you okay?” She asked, concerned that she had hurt you again.

“They’re fine, they’re just like you,” Natasha replied on your behalf, coming over and skittering into her sister's ribs briefly, causing her to yelp and slam her arms down, before smirking over at you.

“Oh, that’s what it is?” Yelena asked, lighting up a little as she knelt next to you and put a hand on your shoulder to hold you to the floor so you couldn’t escape. “Are you ticklish, Y/N?”

Your eyes widened, shaking your head as you tried to wiggle away, but it only made Yelena skitter her fingers into your ribs with her free hand.

“Pretty sure they are,” Nat replied, smiling a little before sitting on your ankles, not doing anything just yet but it was enough to make you gasp and wiggle even more, despite knowing that you couldn’t throw the Black Widow off your legs.

Yelena grinned, now just going for it and using both hands to skitter up and down your sides and ribs, causing you to arch your back with a giggly squeal. “Hehehehey nohohoho!”

“It seems that you’re right, Natasha, very ticklish indeed, and laughing helps with strengthening core muscles as well so this could be a part of your exercise routine!” Yelena beamed and now scribbled into your belly, causing you to squeal with laughter, especially since Nat started tickling your feet.

“GUHUHUHUYS QUIT IHIHIHIHIT!” You screeched, scrunching your toes up whilst shoving at Yelena, shaking your head helplessly.

“Yelena is right Y/N, laughing is highly beneficial, so I think this needs to happen more often,” Nat commented loud enough for you to hear as she held your toes back to scribble underneath them whilst Yelena now experimented with a raspberry.

You blushed, your laughter going silent as Yelena blew the raspberry, you weakly pushed at her head as you squirmed around as much as you felt able to.

Eventually, they let you up, and you immediately curled up, taking in deep breaths with the occasional giggle slipping out.

“That was… so mean…” you huffed out, making the two women chuckle fondly, Yelena ruffling your hair.

“I don’t think it was, I think you loved it more than you know.” Yelena teased, to which you flipped her off.

“Hey!” Yelena gasped and briefly dug under your arms the second you sat up, making you shriek and slam your arms down. “You know I’m right!”

You remained quiet, looking at Natasha and watching for any judgement. The redhead just smiled fondly and nodded, putting a hand on your shoulder.

“It’s okay, Y/N, it’s quite sweet if it’s true, we’re happy to do it whether it’s to strengthen your core muscles or just to cheer you up.” She reassured, pulling you into a hug, which was swiftly joined by Yelena who didn’t want to feel left out.

“This is not the last time I’m going to tickle you because it was just plain adorable.” She teased, suddenly raspberrying your neck to make you squeal before letting you go.

“Now come on, I’ll challenge you to a planking contest, all three of us.” Yelena grinned as the two women pulled away and got into position, followed by you doing the same.

You had always been weird but lately, you couldn't help but feel everything everyone was feeling. And you always had a bond with animals but lately, it seems you could nearly have conversations with them, though it wasn't words so much as an understanding. 

“Are you certain we have everything planned out?” Wanda asked Natasha, a little nervous as this was the first time she had done anything like this.

You winced, looking over to see a cat looking at you as you lay on your bed. You didn’t expect anyone’s presence, but for some reason, you sensed in the feline that some major changes were about to happen.

Nat put a reassuring hand on Wanda's shoulder, “There is never a way to plan everything out, but we can do our best to adjust to that which comes our way. Research shows this one is a bit timid so maybe approach from the front and I'll cover the back in case she panics?” 

Wanda nodded, understanding what it was like to be nervous. She therefore wanted to do everything she could to try and comfort you and reassure you that you were going to be safe. “Will we have time to talk to her before we take her or will it be just a grab-and-go kinda deal?”

The idea is you talk to her. Grab and go is in case she runs.” The Widow assured her. Wanda nodded, as they approached the building you were in, the two scanned the area so they knew where exactly you were.

Nat snuck up the back balcony and sent Wanda to the front door since she was the less intimidating of the two of you. She simply used her magic to let herself in, quickly and quietly going upstairs to find you curled up on your bed.

“Hey… Y/N? You’re safe now, would you like to come with us?” Wanda offered you gently, not yet touching you as she wasn’t sure if you were frightened.

You immediately knew who she was, you could trust her and believed her words. You stood up, nodding silently as you packed a few bits and pieces, but kept to yourself as Wanda took you back to the jet, nodding towards Natasha.

The redheaded Widow greeted you softly, “Welcome aboard, Y/N.” And waited until you and Wanda had passed to close up the quinjet and pilot it back to the tower. 

You bit your lip, nodding at her as you sat down and strapped yourself in, you didn’t want to be a burden, as you have always been everywhere else you’ve been. Wanda wrapped you in a blanket she picked up when the two of you left. “You’re ok now, Y/N, we’ll look after you now.”

Nat nodded, “Yes, you're an asset and a gift to this world, despite what you may have experienced so far.” 

You couldn’t help but raise your brows at Natasha, you were always told you were an awful person, so you believed that way more than you believed her.

She simply quirked a definitive brow at you in silent rebuttal to the doubt written on your face as she turned toward the compound, which was an hour's journey in that direction. Meanwhile, Wanda rubbed your back and held you close. 

The journey was somewhat awkward, there were a lot of uncomfortable sizes and you were already beginning to question whether you deserved to be rescued, you were even hesitant to read their minds. 

You did appreciate Wanda holding you the way she did, but you were even afraid to lean into her and accept the comfort then.

The jet landed at the compound smoothly, and Nat turned to you, “Shall we get you settled? Hungry?” She asked, and you looked up at her, longing for affection and love but hesitant to receive it, your stomach grumbled though.

“It sounds like she’s hungry.” Wanda chuckled and put an arm on your back as the three of you went into the house Wanda and Nat shared, mainly to get away from the other Avengers who were overwhelming a lot of the time. 

Natasha quickly got to work in the kitchen, though Wanda was much more the chef of the two, she could handle snacks. She threw together a grilled cheese on the stove, one of the few things she could cook, and then handed you a glass of water to start. “We have milk too if you prefer that with your sandwich, but I thought you might also be thirsty,” the Widow said, caretaking both natural and unnatural to her. 

Wanda kept her arm around you and rubbed your back, trying to be reassuring as she observed Natasha and you simultaneously. 

You nodded, still wary of the two as you only took half of the grilled cheese and the glass of water, slowly drinking it as well as taking a few bites of the grilled cheese. 

You couldn’t help but lean into Wanda’s comforting touch, not used to it but enjoying it. The witch smiled and wolfed down her grilled cheese. “This is so good, at least you don’t add hot sauce like your sister.” She chuckled.

Natasha chuckled, “She puts that on everything.” The redhead watched you gently, “Would you like anything else to drink?” 

You looked down, shaking your head silently as Wanda bit her lip, looking up at the Black Widow for help as she couldn’t figure out how to help you.

Nat reached out, smiling softly and tickled under your chin like she did with Yelena to help her come out of her shell when she shut down, “Hey, we're not gonna go anywhere. It takes time to process.” The older heroine assured you as she reached and squeezed Wanda's arm to encourage you. 

“She’s right, Y/N, we know you have been through a lot and we want to help you feel loved and wanted.” The witch told you gently, then smirking a little when she saw you flinch and bite your lip at the chin flutters.

Nat smiled, “Oh? Is this how you loosen up?” She asked, smirking at Wanda, who discreetly used her magic to flutter over your sides, nothing too extreme, but enough for you to feel and make you squirm a little.

The Widow grinned gently and let her fingers scritch and gently squeeze above one of your knees as she leaned against the counter next to where you sat. You couldn’t help but let out a squeal, flinching away as you covered your mouth, kicking out as you did so.

“I think soooo!” Wanda smiled fondly as she watched you fight back giggles.

“Aww Y/N this is so cute, I think we can use this to help you,” Nat winked, looking at Wanda, who nodded and released you from her powers.

You bit your lip, not knowing how to react to being called cute, you just silently shook your head.

Wanda smiled fondly, “Only if you're comfortable of course,” she said, noticing you shake your head.

“Maybe she’s not used to it, trauma takes a while to recover from, but I’m sure we can help,” Natasha told you gently, understanding what you were going through. She wasn’t sure how to help but she wanted to.

You’d seen her around, but only when she came into the lab to look for Tony. She caught your eye immediately; her red hair, her figure, the way she held herself. Natasha Romanoff was one of the most beautiful women you’d ever laid eyes on and yet, she barely looked in your direction.

So, when you’d moved in, of course you expected to see her around a lot more. You just hadn’t expected her to know anything about you.

Natasha had caught you off guard one afternoon while in the gym. While you weren’t an Avenger, you were still fit and worked out every so often. She appeared beside you as you ran on the treadmill, cursing yourself mentally for not wearing a cuter sports set today.

“You work in the lab,” She said. You slowed the treadmill down to a walking pace so that you could respond.

“I do, yes. You’re an Avenger. Natasha Romanoff,” You replied, smiling. Natasha reciprocated it and leaned against the arm of the machine.

“And you’re Y/N.”

Your eyes widened. “You know my name?” You slowed the treadmill down even more to lower your heartrate—both from the workout and Natasha recognizing you. She nodded and chuckled a bit.

“I asked Tony about you the first day I saw you. You’re… intriguing.”

And from then on, it was a blossoming relationship. You became friends first, though neither of you could deny the serious feelings you had for each other. It didn’t take long for you to kiss her for the first time. A late night in the kitchen, just the two of you talking as you normally would, only this time there was tension that hadn’t been there before. You listened to your heart, surging forward to kiss the Widow, melting into each other like ice in hot coffee.

It had been almost a year since then and every day, you fell deeper and harder in love with Natasha Romanoff.

She wouldn’t ever call herself “soft” by any means, but when she was with you, all bets were off. You laid in bed with her, cuddled close on the eve of your birthday. Instrumental music playing in the background, candles on the bedside tables, her fingers running through your hair—it was the perfect night in.

“This is the first birthday I get to celebrate with you, you know,” You spoke after sitting in silence for what felt like hours. “I’m liking it so far.”

“What makes it different than any of the others?” Nat asked, peeking down to look at your face. You smiled and laced your fingers in with yours, bringing it to your lips to place a small kiss on the top of it.

“You’re here. I’m happier. I’m not alone. I could go on,” You replied, chuckling quietly. Natasha kissed the crown of your head, squeezing you tighter into her chest.

“No need,” She whispered. A bout of silence came upon you again, just relishing in the warmth of her arms. “I have a few birthday gifts for you tomorrow, but there’s one that I should give you when we’re alone.”

“So, like right now?” You raised an eyebrow at her. Nat smirked and nodded.

“Now would be perfect, actually. Close your eyes,” She ordered. Taking a breath, you did as you were told, relying on just the feel of her skin against yours. You heart fluttered as she pushed you off of her to lay you flat on your back, then straddled your hips. “You okay?”

“Mhm,” You hummed in response, a shy grin on your lips. Nat brushed her thumb across your cheek, feeling the heat rise to the surface of your skin.

“Good. Here’s your first present.” Nat carefully put her lips on yours and you eagerly kissed her back, moaning in delight. She drew back to take in the sight of you beneath her and put a sweet peck on your forehead.

“That was the best gift I’ve ever gotten. Thank you, baby,” You reopened your eyes, but Natasha put a stop to it by covering your them with her hand.

“You’re welcome, but like I said, that was only the first one. There’s more where that came from. Keep them closed, please.”

“Ooh, yes ma’am,” You snickered, obeying her for a second time. Immediately after shutting your eyes, Natasha’s mouth was connected to yours, kissing you fervently. Your hands found the sides of her face, but Nat grunted quietly and latched onto your wrists, pinning them to the bed.

“No hands, either. Trust me,” She said seductively. You nodded, letting her continue. Making out with Nat was one of your favorite things to do, but you didn’t do it often. Finding alone time were far and few in between at the Avengers tower, so you were savoring every moment of this.

Nat left your lips, kissing along your jawline and down to your neck. The moment she came into contact with that sweet spot below your ear, you squeaked and twisted your head involuntarily. Nat pulled away in shock, looking down at you with her eyes wide. “Are you—”

“Sorry, I—uh… my neck, it’s really—”

“Ticklish,” Natasha laughed, finishing your sentence. You were suddenly very aware of how you were positioned, tugging at your hands experimentally. Your girlfriend tightened her grip on them and shook her head. “Oh, no, I’m not done giving you your birthday present.”

She ducked down again, continuously peppering your neck with chaste, ticklish kisses. You began giggling, trying your best to shrug your shoulders up to block her access. “Nahahat!”

“What?” She asked in between pecks.

“It tihickles! I-hi cahan’t!” You squealed, ducking your head down to stop her. Natasha chuckled and sat up all the way, releasing your wrists. Letting out residual giggles, your eyes fluttered open to see her staring at you with endearment.

“You’re beautiful,” She muttered out with a grin. You blushed in thanks, but rolled your eyes at the compliment.

“Thanks for my birthday present, even though I’m too ticklish to handle it,” You grumbled, crossing your arms over your chest. Nat clicked her tongue, nodding.

“Oh, yeah, that reminds me. I thought of one more gift to give you.”

You gasped as you realized her intentions, already beginning to squirm. “Nat, no! Don’t, WAIT! WAHAHAIT! AHAH!” You fell into thunderous laughter as Natasha dug into your ribs, your hands half-heartedly trying to push hers away.

“Check out these muscles though,” you said, flexing for them to see.

“You’re so cute, Y/N,” Kate said, ruffling your hair. 

Wanda went first, hanging for about 5 minutes before hopping down. 

“Unfortunately, I don’t have the magical ability to heal callouses forming on my hands,” Wanda chuckled.

Next, Kate went, but was quickly disrupted when Yelena had saved the bug from earlier, causing the young brunette to scream in fear and drop down. The blonde started cackling like a maniac, as Kate shouted at her saying it was unfair, and chucking a tuft of grass at her. 

Natasha shook her head, rolling her eyes playfully. Yelena was always super mischievous, so the redhead was cautious when she took her turn.

Truly made of strength, the black widow was on the bar for almost ten minutes. You began to feel nervous after talking all that smack. Deep down, you knew that you couldn’t beat the black widow in a match of strength. As long as you could beat Yelena and rub it in her face, you would be happy. 

“Go on, blondie. Show us your strength,” you teased, as Yelena glared at you.

“Watch, I’ll beat Natasha,” she said, pulling herself up easily. Unfortunately, Kate had tried the same prank on Yelena and found out that she was afraid of frogs. So when the archer ran up to Yelena with the friendly amphibian, the blonde ran away as Kate had a good laugh.

“You really are a real turd,” Yelena scoffed at her friend.

“You started it!” Kate insisted.

“Alright, Y/N, it’s your turn. After all that talk, you better be able to back it up,” Wanda warned you with a smirk.

“Natasha’s record is easy to beat,” you said, standing underneath the bar. They were all staring at you, waiting for you to go up. Your hands began to sweat, as you feared you would slip off right away.

Eventually, you pulled yourself up, avoiding eye contact with them.

“Why are you suddenly so quiet?” Natasha asked teasingly.

“Because I’m concentrating,” you said stubbornly, slightly adjusting your grip. You began to struggle, as you felt a ticklish sensation on the palms of your hands. You looked over to see Wanda with a small smile on her face. Traitor. 

You began to squirm a little more on the bar, adjusting your grip more often to try and get rid of the sensation.

It had just reached past 5 minutes and you were contemplating dropping down.

“Not so tough now are you, Y/N?” Yelena asked.

“Shut up weakling,” you barely got out without laughing. 

“What did you just call me?” Yelena asked, walking over towards you.

“Weakling,” you repeated, sticking your tongue out at her. 

“Really?” She asked, wiggling her finger in your belly button, making you yelp and kick at her.

“Yelehena! Stop!”

Natasha and Kate had joined her now, each on one side of you and tickling your sides and ribs.

“NOHOHO PLEHEHEASE!” You gasped, thrashing around on the bar. 

You saw Wanda walking over as well, and you knew you weren’t going to be able to hold on much longer. 

“WANDA! DOHOHONT YOU DAHARE!” You began to laugh even harder as she gently tickled your feet. Tears began to fill your eyes, but you were scared of falling and not landing on your feet. That fear was abruptly interrupted, as Natasha and Kate had moved their hands up to your armpits, making you scream with laughter and drop down, as they caught you before you hit the ground.

Much to your dismay, the tickling didn’t stop just because you fell, as you felt all of their fingers grabbing and wiggling wherever they could find open space.

“OKAHAHAY STAHAP PLEHEASE!” You pleaded, squirming around and trying to fight off eight hands. 

They finally let you up, as you scowled at all of them.

“You guys cheated, that’s not fair.”

“That’s what you get for being cocky,” Wanda said, throwing some more tickly magic your way.

“Nohohooho ihihihim sohohorry!” You giggled, turning red in the face again.

“Maybe next time you’ll be strong enough,” Yelena said, patting your head, as you swatted at her.

“Don’t forget, I know about your fear of frogs,” you said with a giggle.

Yelena quickly pinned you back down, pressing your hands to your chest, as she began to tickle your belly button again. 

You immediately burst into laughter again, kicking her away and curling up into a ball.