Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
â Live Streamingâ Interactive Chatâ Private Showsâ HD Qualityâ Free Actions
Free to watch âą No registration required âą HD streaming
Summary: It's your birthday and the only person who doesn't seem to be excited about it is you.
Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader
Warnings: Mentions of death. Angst. Fluff. Language probably. My poor attempts at being funny.
Word Count: 2.5K
A/N: This story was completely self-indulgent, but I hope someone out there likes it!
Masterlist
Youâve always been very reluctant to celebrate your birthday.
You havenât had a birthday party since you were 12. The following year your mom died a couple of days before and neither you nor your family were in the mood to celebrate anything.
It wasnât by any means unexpected, she had been sick for a few years, but it still hit you hard.
You were the youngest and were far too young when she first got sick to really understand everything going on.
You were 8 and all you really remember is watching your mom get more and more sick until eventually there was nothing more the doctors could do.
Her death hit you hard and you closed yourself off, never talking about it or even crying after the day of her funeral. To this day youâve still never cried, in front of others or even by yourself.
You started exercising to channel all your energy, refusing to do anything more like the therapy your family suggested.Â
When you were 15 you discovered SHIELD and decided you wanted to help others, so you signed up for the SHIELD Academy, working your hardest and pushing yourself to your very limit.
You ended up being not only the youngest cadet ever, but the youngest to actually graduate and then the youngest recruit at SHIELD at only 16 years old.
Natasha was very impressed when she heard about you and took a liking to you, convincing Fury to make you part of her team during her missions and teaching you everything she knows.
Thatâs how you ended up in the Avengers Initiative, not that you felt you didnât deserve it since you know how hard you worked and everything you gave up to work towards this achievement.Â
The team themselves were initially skeptical since you were barely 18 during the battle of New York, but they were quickly proven wrong when they saw how well you handled yourself against the Chitauri.Â
You were devastated when SHIELD fell, but carried on as an Avenger, battling Ultron and then moving to the Compound with the team.
You met the actual Bucky for the first time when you were 22, during the whole Civil War thing with Baron Zemo. Like Natasha, you were on Tonyâs team, fighting mostly Pietro, but the conflict eventually ended.Â
It took Tony some time to get over the whole âBucky killing his parents while brainwashedâ thing, but, as he likes to say, he canât call himself a genius without admitting that Bucky didnât have much of a choice.Â
Thanks to Tonyâs help Shuri was able to find a solution to Buckyâs brainwashing faster than she wouldâve alone, meaning Bucky didnât have to go back into cryo and was pretty quickly cleared to join the team, about a year after the airport battle in Leipzig.
You were warmly accepted by everybody and, the more the team grew the more you felt at home with these people.
And now you wish you could burn down the whole compound because, somehow, Tony convinced you to have a birthday party for the first time in 13 years because, in his words, 'you only turn 25 once'.
Good news is you managed to make him limit the guest list to the team and other people close to you like Maria Hill and Fury. Bad news is youâre still gonna be the center of attention, which you hate.
You couldnât stop Tony from making everyone dress up for the party, and you couldnât stop the team from getting you gifts even though you insisted all you wanted was everyone together and to have fun with them since for the longest time nobody ever even knew when your birthday was.Â
What you didnât realize was that the only person more worried than you about your gifts was Bucky.
Since he joined the team the two of you have gotten close, starting with his first training with the team where he very loudly told Steve about his disbelief that someone as young and small as you could actually be an asset to the team.
You quickly put him in his place by taking him down after less than two minutes of sparring, taking full advantage of his underestimating you because he âdidnât want to hurt a pretty little thing like you.â
Admittedly he was impressed and wasnât shy about letting you know that, while the rest of the team snickered at his initial shock when you pinned him down.
You became friends after that, not as close as youâd like but friends nonetheless.
If you were honest with yourself youâve been harboring a little crush on the supersoldier, but heâs never shown any interest so you resigned yourself to just being his friend.
Something that you did come to treasure, though, is your and Buckyâs late night talks.
It started with you walking in on him in the kitchen on a late night where you couldnât sleep, nothing new to you, but the two of you barely talked other than acknowledging each other.
You took a bottle of water and left.
A couple of days later you ran into him again and you stood there in silence while you made yourself a cup of tea and then left for your room.
A few days later again he was just sitting there and said nothing as you made your tea, except this time you put a cup in front of him and silently took a seat next to him at the counter.
Two nights later when you arrived at the kitchen he was already there with a cup of tea in front of him and one in front of the seat next to him.
You didnât want to assume it was for you, but you took a chance when you noticed it was the cup you always used, a blue mug with Stitch on it that says âLetâs get weirdâ. Your favorite in fact.
You hesitantly sat down next to him and, without you having to ask or without even looking at you, he told you that the nights you stay up late because you canât sleep you tend to be more quiet during the team dinners and while you hang out afterwards.
You didnât say anything in return and just sat there, trying not to overthink how much he seemed to watch you.
But the more nights you spent like that, the more you two talked and you gathered quickly that Bucky is a very observant person, nothing more.
You loved the time you spent together after dark where youâd talk about everything and anything, but come morning it was almost as if it never happened, which you came to accept.
It weirdly made the nights you spent talking even more special, which was almost every night.
But back to the present, youâre currently getting ready with Natasha and Wanda, who know much more than you about hair and makeup and are always happy to help you out with getting ready for Stark parties.Â
You put on the black cocktail dress with rhinestones all over the corset and a slit down the left side, then the three of you make your way to the party room and you take a deep breath before entering.
Everyone is already there, all dressed up in fancy clothes as they all shout âHappy Birthdayâ.
You laugh and say hi to everybody while they all take turns hugging you, thereâs not too many people but everyone important to you is there.
Even Laura and Clintâs kids are there, which you consider a second family at this point, since Laura always did treat you like a daughter.
You hate to admit that it's a nice party.
Knowing you, everyone makes an effort to not put you too much at the center of attention and you just go around talking to your friends like every other party.
Eventually time comes for the cake and, the moment you kind of dreaded, opening the gifts.
Since it's the first birthday you allowed the team to celebrate everyone decided to go all in for your gifts, which you picked up on from the very first gift you open.
Pietro got you a first edition of âThe Picture Of Dorian Grayâ which is your all time favorite book, Wanda and Maria got you a leather jacket and an amazing pair of boots that you knew were expensive because you were all out shopping together when you came across them.
Steve got you a gold heart-shaped locker with a picture of the team inside it, Natasha got you a charm bracelet with a little charm to represent everyone on the team, and Sam got you a cute necklace with your birth stone on it.
When you open Furyâs gift you start laughing since it's a gun, a SIG SAUER P226 to be precise, which is very Fury.
âIt was my first gun when I joined SHIELD.â He says with a smile and you smile back, knowing how much thought he put into this gift.
You open Clintâs gift next, a bow and arrow that he already taught you how to use, and Laura got you a pair of diamond earrings.
Your heart melts when you open Lila, Cooper and Nathanielâs gifts, respectively a friendship bracelet, an Avengers action figure of yourself and a Stitch plushie.
The three of them hug you tightly as you say thank you and now you only have two gifts left, Tonyâs and Buckyâs, and theyâre both little boxes.Â
You open Tonyâs next, thinking itâs some fancy necklace or earring but you frown when you see a car key.
âIs this the key to your car?â you ask Tony, knowing full well youâre holding the key to an Audi R8 Spyder, the car Tonyâs let you borrow so many times youâre now wondering if heâs gifting you his spare set of keys.
âNo.â He says casually âItâs the key to your car.â
Youâre even more confused and simply stare at him with your mouth gaped, not really processing the information.
âY-you⊠You got me a car?!â You almost yell out of shock and everyone else starts laughing at your antics when you start basically jumping up and down and hugging Tony, squealing like a little girl.
âWell, come on, letâs go see it!â Tony says enthusiastically after youâve calmed down, and you get up, just as enthusiastic, but are stopped by Steveâs voice.
âWait, wait. You have one gift left.â He says, picking up the small box and giving it to you. âItâs from Bucky.â
You were so pumped up by the car, you almost forgot about it and completely miss the mischievous look Steve gives Bucky and the murderous glare Bucky gives back.
You also miss Bucky starting to protest before you open his gift, but he instantly shuts up when he sees your face falling the second you open it.
Itâs a small necklace with a blue rose in it, it really looks like something youâd give a little girl more than a 25 year old woman.
You look at it for a minute, running your finger on it before you raise your head and look at Bucky.
The whole room goes silent as they all watch you worriedly, everyone noticing immediately that tears are streaming down your face.
Nobody understands whatâs happening and nobody knows how to react or what to do, itâs like theyâre all frozen by the sight of you being vulnerable for the first time ever.Â
Meanwhile Buckyâs heart is beating so loud heâs sure everyone around him can hear it, and he feels himself starting to panic at the thought of having ruined your birthday with that stupid gift.
Everybody else got you expensive gifts and all he did was get you a small, cheap necklace that reminded him of a story you briefly talked about once on one of your late night talks about a necklace you had as a kid.
He saw it at the mall while looking for a gift for you, remembering the sweet smile you had on your face when you mentioned it and the fleeting sad look he thought he saw when you told him you lost it when you were 12.
He was really proud of himself for that gift, but the more he saw the other gifts you got the more he regretted his choice, especially after Tony gave you a fucking car.
And now you were crying, not saying anything while just looking at him.
He doesnât know what to expect from you at the moment, nobody does, he thinks you might yell, throw his gift back at him, tell him how much you hate it and him.
But you surprise everyone by throwing your arms around Buckyâs neck, hugging him tightly while crying into his shoulder.
You honestly forgot telling Bucky about that story and certainly didnât expect him to remember it, especially since you always got the feeling that he didnât care about your talks as much as you.
You just assumed that come morning he deleted everything you told him to make room for more important things, and you didnât blame him.
But he didnât.
What you didnât tell him about the necklace is that your mom gave it to you because blue roses were her favorite, you had that necklace since you were born but you somehow lost it the day of her funeral.
That day you lost the two most important things in your life and cried yourself to sleep, and that was the last time you allowed yourself to be weak and cry.
Until today.
Bucky hesitantly wraps his arms around you, rubbing your back hoping to get you to calm down. He looks around at the rest of the team, panicking a little and not knowing what to do.
Everyone else is as clueless as he is, never having seen you in such a state before.
Bucky starts apologizing, his heart breaking at the sight of you crying, and he feels horrible that itâs because of him.
You shake your head quickly and pull away a little to look at him, wanting to reassure him youâre not sad or angry but incredibly happy, but words refuse to come. You take a deep breath to calm yourself and finally manage to speak.
âThank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.â Itâs quiet, but itâs something, and itâs enough to make Bucky let out a breath of relief at knowing you donât hate him or his gift.
He brings you back in for another tight hug, almost forgetting about everyone else in the room as you hug him back without hesitation.
Youâre honestly not even embarrassed at crying, all you care about at the moment is Bucky, his arms around you while he lets you bury your face in his neck, like youâve been wanting to do for years now.
âHappy birthday, doll.â He whispers in your ear and, for the first time in 13 years, you really feel like it is.
Summary: You are three weeks from your due date, but the thought of you and Natasha missing Easter at the Bartonâs farmhouse in Iowa was simply inconceivable. What will you do if your little bundle of joy makes an early, unexpected entrance?
Genre: Fluff
Pairings: Natasha x reader, Avengers x reader (platonic).
Word Count: 5.7k
Warnings: None
A/N: Happy belated Easter! I wanted to post this fic on Easter, but there wasn't enough time. This is part 3 of Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas! I recommend reading those stories first, but it can be read as a stand-alone story as well. This was so much fun to write. I hope you enjoy it!Â
"Does anyone know where the purple egg dye is?" you inquired, scanning the table as you addressed the Barton kids. "I could have sworn we had two cups of every color." Cooper and Lila were fully engrossed in the Easter egg decorating contest, meticulously crafting their designs, while Nate seemed to relish in using every color available on the table. "Oh, it's on the counter.â
You were just about to rise from the kitchen table, no easy feat at this stage of your pregnancy. It felt like yesterday when you surprised Natasha with your pregnancy at Thanksgiving in front of her family and announced to the team that they would all be aunts and uncles at Tonyâs annual Christmas party. Your due date was three weeks away, but missing Easter with Clintâs family in Iowa was out of the question.
âDonât get up, Y/N. I got it!â Nat said as she jumped up to grab the paper cup of purple egg dye behind you.
"Thanks, sweetheart," you said as Nat placed the cup on the table.
"How are you feeling?" Natasha asked as she gently caressed your cheek. "Maybe you should take a break?â
âNat, I promise Iâm okay. Come sit back down and color some Easter eggs with us,â you replied, trying to put your wife at ease.Â
Natasha was looking forward to Easter, too, but she was more focused on you and the final weeks of your pregnancy. Dr. Cho had given you the green light to go, with the condition that you'd have daily check-ins by phone and go on bed rest as soon as you returned home.
"Auntie Nat, look at this!" Nate proudly showed off an egg with The Black Widow symbol on it.
"Look, Auntie Nat," you echoed with a smile.
"This is amazing! Maybe I should have you design my next suit instead of Stark," she said.
"Shall we start the judging?" Clint asked as he entered the room with Laura.
"Yep, all set," Cooper confirmed.
"Just a sec," Lila said, focused on decorating her egg. "There, done."
"Where are Yelena and Kate?" Laura asked.
"We're coming!" came a shout from the living room.
"Tada!" Kate exclaimed, revealing a beautiful purple egg with green and orange stripes.
You whispered to your wife, "So that's where all the purple dye went.â
You placed your egg on the table with all the others. Pink and blue with red polka dots. Symbolic of your current anticipation over the impending arrival of your bundle of joy. You and Nat both agreed you wanted to be surprised.
âHmmm, this is going to be a tough decision,â Clint said, stroking his chin. âAs you all know, you will be judged on creativity, technique, and presentation.â
Walking back and forth in front of the kitchen table, you couldnât help but giggle at his mock seriousness.Â
âAllow me to confer with my fellow judge,â he said. After a few moments of hushed whispers with Laura, Clint returned to the group. âWe thank you all for your participation. You all decorated beautiful Easter eggs. The competition was tough this year, but one egg stands head and shoulders above the rest,â pausing for dramatic effect. âThe 2024 Barton Easter Egg Decorating Champion is Nathaniel Barton!âÂ
You shouldn't have spent so much time on the sketches!â Yelena said, slapping Kate on the arm.Â
âYes!!â Nathaniel cheered.Â
âYou are hereby awarded this Lindt Milk Chocolate Gold Bunny,â his father said, handing him the gold-wrapped chocolate as big as his head.
âThat you will share with the rest of the family and not eat in one sitting,â Laura added.
âAww!â Nathaniel whined.Â
*^~^*
You spent the evening on the porch, surrounded by the laughter of the kids playing on the lush green lawn as the sun set over the farm. Laura served her delicious homemade Lemonade as you shared stories and reminisced about old times. The air was filled with nostalgia so vivid that you could almost reach out and touch it. Natasha sat next to you, holding your hand gently, her calloused touch a reminder of the strength and resilience she had acquired through years of training.
You were taken by surprise as you felt the baby begin to kick.
"Wow!" You exclaimed as you gently placed your hand on your belly.
All eyes turned to you. Though unspoken, everyone shared the same nervous anticipation as your wife for the approaching due date.
"Are you alright, malyshka?" Nat asked, her eyes filled with concern as she squeezed your hand.
"I'm okay. The baby is kicking. Here, feel." You said as you took her hand and gently guided it to your stomach, trying to find the right spot.Â
âOh,â Nat squeaked. âIâll never get used to that feeling.â
âMove aside, sestra; I want to feel my little plemyannitsa or plemyannik.â (Niece or nephew).
Yelena playfully bumped her sister out of the way with her hip and eagerly reached to touch your stomach.
"Wow, that's amazing!" she cried out. "Hey there, little one. I'm Aunt Yelena, and I will spoil you rotten!"
"Have you two settled on a name yet?" Kate inquired.
"No," you sighed. "We just can't seem to agree. Since we both want to be surprised, it's been twice as hard to come up with two names."
"Don't worry, you'll know when you see the little bundle of joy," Laura reassured.
"This wouldn't be an issue if either of you were open to any of the names I've suggested," Yelena added with a grin.
âYelena is not an option,â Natasha frustratedly replied.
âWhat aboutââÂ
âNeither is Alaska! That isnât even a name!â Your wife is exasperated.
âIt could be!â Yelena said. âWhat aboutââ
âOr Wolfgang!â Nat interrupted.
âYou lack all originality, sestra,â Yelena berated.
^*~*^
The soft glow of the table lamp reflected off your glasses as you delved into the pages of your latest beloved read. You placed your bookmark between the pages at the sound of your wife closing the bathroom door and crawling into bed beside you.
"Did you get a chance to talk to Helen today?" Nat asked as she helped me fluff up my pregnancy pillow.
"Yeah, I did. She was glad to hear that the swelling in my ankles went down and suggested taking a warm bath to help with the discomfort," you replied, shifting to get comfortable against the pillow.
"Mmm, a warm bath does sound amazing," Natasha hummed as she settled down on her side, facing me.
âOh, I didnât realize youâd be joining me?â You said softly, with a sly grin and a raised eyebrow.
âOf course I would, detka,â leaning over and kissing your baby bump.Â
You gently squeezed Nat's hand, feeling a wave of anticipation as your due date drew near. Thoughts of what your baby would look like and who they would become filled your mind. Would they inherit Nat's fiery red hair, or perhaps have your Y/E/C eyes? The anticipation was almost overwhelming, but knowing that Natasha was by your side made it all feel possible.
"Are you looking forward to the Easter egg hunt tomorrow?" You asked, pulling yourself out of your daydream.
Nat giggled, "You make it sound like I'm the one participating."
"Well, you might as well be. I can never tell who's more excited, you or the kids," you replied.
Natasha glanced down at our intertwined hands and then back up at you. Her green eyes sparkled like emeralds.
"I think it's because holidays in my childhood werenât real. We filled the photo album with fake pictures and empty boxes. But this," looking around at the small details of Clint and Lauraâs farmhouse, "Is real, and Iâve always done my best to help ensure that Cooper, Lila, and Nate have everything I didnât. A carefree childhood filled with love," Natasha explained.
"Youâve done a wonderful job with Clintâs kids, Nat. They love you so much, and I know youâll be just as amazing with our little one," you said, doing your best to reassure her. âGoodnight, Natasha,â kissing her lips.Â
âI hope you're right, detka,â Nat said, kissing your lips in return and laying a hand on your stomach. âGoodnight, malen'kiy (little one).
*^~^*
The following day, you awoke to the sun shining through the window and a soft breeze that caused the curtains to dance gently on the wind. Your back was aching, and you were tired, but you were determined to make it through today. You slipped into the most comfortable maternity outfit you had. Natasha helped you with your shoes, and you both went downstairs to the kitchen.Â
âHappy Easter, you two!â Clint said upon seeing you two enter the kitchen.Â
You sat down at the kitchen table as Laura placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of you and Nat, along with two glasses of orange juice. The kids were already eating and arguing over who would find the most Easter eggs this afternoon.Â
Yelena and Kate walked in a few moments later, clad in bathrobes and their hair disheveled.Â
âAgainst the idea of showering and dressing before breakfast, were you?â Natasha asked.
âKate Bishop kept me up all night with her snoring, and Lucky and Fanny woke me up by sitting on my face,â Yelena mumbled as she flopped beside you.Â
âHey, thatâs how dogs shows affection,â Kate interjected.
âSo, I should consider your snoring a Valentine?â Yelena deadpanned.Â
After breakfast, the kids ran upstairs to prepare for the Easter egg hunt while Clint got a head start on hiding the eggs. Nathaniel insisted Nat accompany him to help find his Easter basket, but she hesitated to leave you.
âGo ahead, babe. Iâm fine.â Motioning for her to follow her namesake.Â
âSo, how are you really feeling?â Laura asked, now that Nat was no longer in the room.Â
You let out a deep sigh, âTired and sore,â resting your head in your hands. âBut this quality time with you all means so much to both of us. I can make it one more day before going on bed rest.â
Laura rubbed her hand softly on your back, âWhy donât you sit in the family room with Kate and Yelena until the fun starts.âÂ
âOkay, thatâs a good idea. Make sure Yelena and Kate havenât snuck into the Easter candy,â you laughed.Â
Laura helped you to your feet and then began to clear the table. As you started to walk, you felt a minor twinging pain in your stomach. You winced but thought nothing of it. With the amount of shifting the baby was doing these days, you had every spasm and cramp in the book. Unfortunately for you, you were in a house full of spies, and Laura picked up your discomfort. She made a mental note to watch you as the day progressed.
*^~^*
"Look, there's one!" Cooper exclaimed, pointing at the leather seat of the tractor in the front yard. He dashed towards it, but Lila beat him by a step. "Ha! Slowpoke," she teased.
From your spot on the porch, you glanced over and saw my wife hoisting Nathaniel onto her shoulders to carefully grab an Easter egg from the crook of an old sycamore tree.Â
After about 15 minutes, everyone's baskets were full of eggs. Now came the fun of opening them all. You watched as all three kids dug into their baskets, opening the eggs to find mini Hershey bars, M&M's, jelly beans, or starbursts.
Nathaniel walked over to you and placed an Orange Starburst in your hand. "Here, Aunt Y/N. I know the Orange ones are your favorite."
"Aww, thank you, Nate," you said, kissing his forehead.
As you were about to open the soft toffy candy, a sharp contraction cut through my stomach. âAaah!â you reached for your stomach as you bent over at the knees. Much stronger than anything you had felt before.
Natasha rushed to your side. âY/N?! Are you okay? Whatâs wrong?â Reaching for your hand.
"I donât know," you grunted.
Natasha's voice quivered with anxiety as she tried to rationalize the situation. "Thisâthis canât be it. Weâre still three weeks out," she said, her mind racing with worry. "Maybe itâs just false labor."
That was the moment when your water broke. "Oh Godâ" you took a sharp breath as another contraction hit.
"Okay, not false labor," Nat conceded.
"Itâs okay, Y/N," Laura reassured you calmly, gently taking your hand. "Most first births are a long labor. But weâre going to get you inside, okay?"
You felt a surge of panic. "What? No, no. I can't have the baby here. I'm not ready. We had a birth plan; I don't have my overnight bag!" you started to ramble, the anxiety rising in your voice.
"You're not boarding a Quinjet now. âI'm going to call Helen,â Clint said as he started to run inside.
"What's wrong with Aunt Y/N?â Nathaniel asked.
"Nothing, sweetheart, but the baby is coming a little bit earlier than we thought," Laura said calmly as she and your wife Nat gently guided you up the steps and into the warm and welcoming embrace of the house.
"Cooper and Lila, please grab a soft, warm blanket and clean towels from the linen closet?" Laura called out to the older children, her voice steady and reassuring.
I'l boil some water and tear up some sheets!" Kate announced frantically.
"This isn't Little House on the Prairie," Yelena quipped. She looked at you and Natasha with a warm yet nervous smile. "Iâll call Mom and Dad.â
"I thought you said this was a long process?" you managed to say between deep breaths, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Yes, but there's nothing wrong with being prepared, honey," Laura replied with a comforting smile, her hands steady as she and Nat helped you onto the bed.
Natasha gently grasped your hand and locked eyes with you. "Y/N, look at me," she said reassuringly. âYouâre okay, and I'm right here with you. Let's take a deep breath together.â
You took a deep breath, trying to follow Natahsa's lead. The air came out shakily as it moved around the sharp pain of the contraction.
"Do you remember your Lamaze breathing?" Nat asked, her voice calm and reassuring.
"I think so," you replied, trying to focus on the breathing technique you had practiced during the prenatal classes.
*^~^*
Contractions came and went over the next few hours. You were thankful that childbirth was part of the first aid classes all SHIELD recruits were required to take. Otherwise, the prospect of giving birth in a farmhouse in the middle of Iowa would have been more terrifying than it already was.Â
You heard the front door open and the screen shut behind it as footsteps hurriedly approached the bedroom. When you saw Dr. Cho, you just about burst into tears.Â
Helen! Oh, thank goodness," you exclaimed just as another contraction began, your face twisted in agony.
"Y/N," Helen responded, rushing to your side and gently pushing the sweaty strands of hair away from your eyes. "Clint and Laura briefed me. They said that you're handling this wonderfully. Let me take a moment to set up, and then we'll check your dilation progress.â
Okay," you managed to say, catching your breath. "Where's Bruce?"
He's in Kamar-Taj with Wong. Something about ten rings? I'm not entirely sure, but don't worry, both of you," she reassured, meeting your and Natashaâs fatigued and apprehensive gazes. "I have a backup.â
Thor strode into the room, effortlessly carrying a collection of Helen's equipment that seemed as light as a feather in his hands.
"Thor? What are you doing here?" Natasha asked, clearly puzzled.
Thor glanced at your wife, then at you, then at Laura, and then at Helen.
"Hello, everyone," he said shyly. "I was, uh, Helen and IâDr. Cho. She invited me for Easter, and we were enjoying a nice glass of Asgardian Mead whenâ"
"When Clint called," Helen finished. "Anyway, he's here to help, right?"
"Of course," Thor replied. "I've never witnessed a human birth before, but I've been present for the births of many Gods and am well-versed in many newborn blessings."
You and Natasha locked eyes, your nervousness quickly replaced with gratitude as you realized the significance of having another close friend by your side during this pivotal moment in your lives.
Natasha expressed her gratitude to Thor, finally breaking the silence. "We're both thankful that you're here," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.Â
You nodded in agreement, silently acknowledging the sentiment.
"It's my pleasure, ladies," Thor replied warmly.
âThor, can you bring the rest of my equipment in from the Quinjet while I check to see how far Y/N is dilated?â Helen asked.
âSure, and do either of you need anything? He asked.
Some ice chips would be great, you said in a tired voice. âThank you.â
âWater,â Natasha said.
Shortly after Thor departed, Yelena entered, engaging in small talk as they crossed paths in the hallway. "What's the God of muscles doing here?" she inquired.
"It's a long story," Helen responded.
"I spoke with Melina. She and Alexi are en route and should arrive by morning. At least, I think that's what she said. It was hard to hear her over Alexi's ecstatic screams in the background."
"Okay, Y/N, you've done most of the hard work in my absence. You're just about at 10 centimeters. Itâs time to start pushing. You two are going to parents soon," Helen announced with a smile.
âOh my God,â you said, looking over at Natasha.Â
âHey,â your wife said, running her hand through your hair, âI love you.âÂ
âI love you too,â you said.
*^~^*
âPush. Push, just a little more! Come on, push for five seconds. 5âŠ4âŠâ Helen counted down.
Gasping for air, you exclaimed, '3-2-1 oh!!' as you fought to catch your breath.
Thor gently wiped away the sweat from your forehead with a cloth.
âYou're doing great, Y/N. The next contraction should be coming in about twenty seconds," Helen encouraged, glancing at the monitor.Â
âI canât,â you cried. âI canât push anymore, I canât.â
Natasha reassured you, "Yes, you can, Y/N. You're so close," she reached out and firmly took hold of your hand.
âOh God, twenty seconds, my ass!â You shouted.
Natasha screamed in pain and fell to her knees beside you as you squeezed her hand. âFuck, detka!â
"Here, Lady Y/N," Thor said, taking her hand in his, "Give my hand a good squeeze; you won't hurt me. And when you reminisce on this moment, you will remember that a God has faith in you. You can do this!" Thor's voice was solid and reassuring, his eyes filled with genuine belief in your strength.
Your eyes shone with tears as you held Thor's hand tightly, feeling the strength in his grip while Natasha enveloped you, her arm supporting your back.
I can see the baby's head. Are you ready to push one more time, honey?â Helen asked, âHere we go, on three: 1... 2... 3!â
You let out a final scream and then collapsed back onto the pillows, trying to catch your breath. As the room fell silent, the innocent cries of your and Natashaâs baby filled the air.
"It's a boy!" Helen exclaimed with joy.
Tears welled up in your eyes as you looked at Natasha, who was also crying. It was more emotion than you had ever seen Natasha show before.
Helen held up your son for both of you to admire. His little head was adorned with the beginnings of red hair.Â
"He's absolutely perfect," Nat exclaimed with a radiant smile as she affectionately kissed your temple.
Thor carefully cut the umbilical cord, and then Helen gently passed the newborn over to Laura, who began to clean him up.Â
Overwhelmed with emotion, you exclaimed, "He's so tiny! Where'd he go?"
Natasha reassured you, "It's okay. They're just wrapping him up," as she wiped away her tears. Concerned for the baby's well-being, you cautioned, "Okay, well, be careful with him. He's really tiny!â
Moments later, Laura tenderly announced, "Here he is," and placed your precious son on your bare chest, swathed in a soft blanket.
"Hi, baby boy," you whispered, tears streaming down your cheeks. "I know you."
As your voice reached his ears, his little Y/E/C irises opened, revealing a world of innocence and wonder.
At that moment, gazing at your son, you experienced a love so profound it felt as though your heart had been laid bare.
Natasha tenderly kissed his head and softly murmured, âDobro pozhalovat' v mir, moy malen'kiy mal'chik.â (Welcome to the world, my little boy).
Weâll give you a few minutes," Helen said with a reassuring smile as she closed the door behind her. In the serene stillness that followed, the only sound was the gentle cooing of your precious newborn son.
âI can't believe he's finally here,â you said.
"I know. Heâs so beautiful," Natasha said, her gaze fixed on the newborn.
"It looks like heâs going to take after his Mama," you chuckled, running your hand over the delicate red hairs sprouting from his scalp.
"Yes, but look at his eyesâsparkling Y/E/C like yours. Wow," Nat said.
You remarked, "I guess this narrows the names down, then."
Nat sighed in relief, "Thank goodness I don't have to explain to my sister why we didn't choose Yelena."
Looking into your wife's eyes, you asked, "So what do you think?"
*^~^*
A short while later, a gentle knock on the door signaled Helen's arrival as she peeked inside. "Hey, you three. I need to conduct a few routine tests, and there are some eager people outside who can't wait to meet your son."
"Please, come on in, everyone," you welcomed them.
You couldn't hold back the tears as you witnessed the heartfelt expressions on their faces as they laid eyes on your baby boy. It was as if he instantly captivated them, just as you were when you first saw him.
"Oh, my goodness," Laura exclaimed as Clint enveloped Natasha tightly. Tears glistened in his eyes as he held his best friend close.
"He's beautiful, Natasha," Yelena said, her eyes brimming with tears. "Privet, malen'kiy plemyannik," she whispered (hello, my little nephew).
"He's so cute, Y/N! Oh my gosh," Kate exclaimed as your son wrapped his tiny hand around your finger.
"He is lovely," Thor added, his voice filled with warmth. "Strong and brave, like his mothers."
Cooper, Lila, and Nathaniel gathered around you, admiring the newborn in your arms.
"Everyone," Natasha began, her hand resting lovingly on your back. "We have someone special we'd like you to meet.â
âThis is Nikolai Odison Romanoff," you announced with a proud smile.
"Nikolai! What a beautiful first name," Clint exclaimed, wiping his eyes. "It suits him perfectly."
"Oh, my, Odison," Thor said wide-eyed. "Ladies, this is an honor fit for someone else. I wasn't even supposed to be here, Iâ"Â
"But you were, Thor. You were here when I needed someone the most," you said, looking at him with gratitude. "We'll never forget what you did for us."
The God of Thunder exhaled, visibly touched by your kind words. "I'm truly honored, Y/N. Thank you," he said, kissing your cheek.
Excuse me, ladies," Helen said, "May I borrow him for a moment? We'll be right back.â
Nikolai began to cry at the loss of contact with you, and the sound tugged at both your and Natasha's heartstrings. "It's okay, little one. It's okay," Helen soothed him.Â
Then, looking up at your wife, you added, "There is something else we wanted to ask.Â
âClint and Laura, we would be honored if you would be Nikolaiâs godparents,â Natasha said.
âOf course!â Clint declared.
âNothing would make us happier,â Laura added.â
The couple hugged you both in appreciation as Helen returned with Nikolai.Â
âYou have a healthy little boy on your hands! Born March 31st, 2024 at 7:23pm. He weighs five pounds and eight ounces and measures 16.5 inches long," she said as she gently placed your son in Natashaâs arms. "He's a bit small, but that is because he was impatient and arrived a bit early," Helen explained with a warm smile. "Nothing to worry about.â
Natasha cradled the baby in her arms, swaying gently back and forth as a soft yawn slipped from his tiny lips.
âWeâll spend the night here, but I want to bring Mom and Nikolai back to the compound tomorrow. I want to perform a thorough examination in my lab before sending you all home.â Helen explained.
"Of course, whatever you think is best," you agreed.
Natasha nodded in approval before a sudden realization struck her. "Oh, Mom and Dad! They're on their way here."
"They can join us if you'd like," Helen suggested.
"That would be great," you said. "Right, Nat?"
"Yeah, great," Natasha said, her mind racing as she tried to imagine the chaos of the Quinjet flight home with Alexi and Melina.
Yelena couldn't help but burst into laughter, fully aware of what her sister was thinking, until Kate elbowed her in the ribs.
"We'll leave you all to get some rest," Helen said. "I'll be outside if you need anything, and I'll be back in a little while to help you with breastfeeding him.â
"Thank you, Helen, and all of you, for everything," you said, feeling the exhaustion and emotions of the day overwhelming you as tears began to fall.
After exchanging warm embraces, everyone exited the room, leaving you and Natasha in peaceful solitude with your precious newborn son, savoring the tender moment.
Natasha gently settled Nikolai in Nathaniel's bassinet, a family heirloom lovingly retrieved from storage by Clint and Laura. As your little one drifted into a peaceful slumber, you both couldn't help but marvel at the miracle of life, watching his tiny chest rise and fall with each breath. It was a moment you never wanted to forget.
âRest, detka. I'll take care of Nikolai," Nat offered, her voice filled with warmth and reassurance.
"I can stay up; it's fine. You should rest," you insisted, determined to take responsibility.
"Y/N, you've just brought new life into the world. You deserve to rest for the rest of your life," Nat chuckled, her eyes filled with affection and concern.
She settled beside you on the bed and enveloped you in a comforting embrace.
"Look at your face," Nat suddenly remarked, her expression softening with genuine admiration.
"I must look a mess," you replied, a tired smile tugging at your lips.
"No, Y/N, you look absolutely beautiful," Nat insisted, her words filled with sincerity. "I've never seen your face more radiant than it is right now.
Natasha's soft lips met yours in a tender kiss, and in that moment, you felt the truth of her words resonate deep within you.
*^~^*
The following day, Laura prepared a delicious breakfast and brought it to you and Natasha in bed. Both of you had barely gotten any sleep with Nikolai waking up every couple of hours. Despite feeling utterly exhausted, you didn't mind one bit. This weariness stemmed from the joy of caring for your precious newborn son on his very first night.
Twenty minutes later, the tranquil moment was interrupted by familiar voices outside. Natasha gently pulled the curtain back to glimpse her parents making their way up the front porch steps.
Yelena strode into the room with her arms folded and a mischievous smile on her lips. "Brace yourselves," she teased, "The grandparents have arrived.â
"Where's my little guy?" Alexi eagerly shouted as he entered the room.
"Shh!" Natasha hushed him with a grin, motioning to Nikolai nestled in her arms. "Oh, look at him!" Alexi whispered in awe.Â
"Mom, Dad, this is Nikolai,â Nat said, wiping a tear from her eye.
"He's beautiful, Natalia," Melina murmured.
"May I hold him? I washed my hands," Alexi asked eagerly.
"Of course," you replied, carefully passing the baby to Alexi. The sight of the mighty Red Guardian tenderly cradling your newborn son made you smile.
"Hello, Nikolai. I'm your dedushka," Alexi said affectionately. "You're so adorable; yes, you are."
As he spoke, Nikolai slowly opened his eyes, and you could have sworn you saw your father-in-law's heart swell with love.Â
Alexi gently placed the baby in Melinaâs arms. Your mother-in-law had always been a complex and enigmatic figure. She was one of the longest-tenured widows, and her resilience made her one of the strongest women in your eyes. As she cradled your newborn son in her arms, a single tear traced its way down her cheek, revealing a depth of emotion and vulnerability that you had never seen before.
Yelena inched toward you and whispered, âHe won them over faster than you did.âÂ
*^~^*
The next morning, Thor joined in to assist with packing while Clint hurried to the store to purchase an infant car seat for Nikolai. You were a family of two when you arrived, and you were leaving a family of three.
After a swift diaper change, Natasha placed your precious bundle of joy in his carrier. "Time to head home, Nik," you said, taking his tiny hand in yours.Â
You bid farewell to everyone and securely placed Nikolai's carrier beside you on the Quinjet.
Nat smiled as she prepared the Quinjet for takeoff. Your first Quinjet ride," she said. "You're already an overachiever, moy sladkiy mal'chik" (my sweet little boy).
Your phone suddenly vibrates with a flurry of notifications.
"The team group chat is blowing up, sweetheart," showing Natasha your phone.
Nick Fury: Congratulations on the arrival of your precious son, Nikolai! It's heartwarming to see the Avengers family welcoming the newest member. Everyone at SHIELD looks forward to meeting him and supporting you and Natasha.
Steve Rogers: Hey, Y/N and Nat, huge congratulations! I'm so excited to meet Nikolai, the newest addition to our Avenger family. đïž
Wanda Maximoff: Congratulations to you both! All those cliches, those things you hear about having a baby and motherhoodâall of them are true. Motherhood is the most beautiful things you will ever experience. Iâll drop off some food for you both in the morning. đ„°
Clint Barton: Hey, Y/N! Make sure Nikolai is securely fastened in his infant carrier. I hope he sleeps the whole way back. If he gets fussy, ask FRIDAY to turn on the cabin pressure stabilization. It's a feature I insisted Stark add to the Quinjet after SHIELD found out I had kids. You're welcome. đ
Laura Barton: I know things didn't go as planned, but I'm grateful we could share in your special day, Y/N. Nikolai is absolutely beautiful! Please let Nat know that I'll give her a call tomorrow. đ
Tony Stark: Rushman! Y/L/N! Congratulations on the arrival of your precious son. Nikolai will bring you endless joy and fulfillment and become your favorite reason to lose sleep for the rest of your lives. đ
Pepper Stark: Congratulations, you two! I'm so happy for you and Nat. I can only imagine how incredible it must feel to look into Nikolai's eyes and feel like everything is right in the world. Please don't hesitate to reach out if there's anything I can do to help. Sending lots of love! â€ïž
Bruce Banner: I'm truly sorry I couldn't be there; Iâm thrilled for you and Natasha. I can't wait to meet Nikolai! đ
Maria Hill: Congratulations, Y/N and Nat, on the arrival of baby Nikolai Odison! I can't wait to meet the little bundle of joy and see those tiny fingers and toes. The name Nikolai Odison Romanoff is absolutely beautiful. I spoke with Thor this morning, and the honor deeply moved him. đ„č
Thor Odinson: I am incredibly grateful to have been present for the birth of your son, Nikolai Odison Romanoff. Your decision to include me in this momentous occasion is a great honor, and I want to assure you that I will always be there to support and care for all of you. The arrival of Nikolai is a joyous event, and I am committed to being a steadfast presence in his life. âĄ
Peter Parker: Y/N! Congratulations on the arrival of Nikolai! I'm so thrilled for you and Nat. What does he look like? Does he have your hair or Natashaâs? What color are his eyes? I'm already thinking about all the adventures we'll have with him. I'm going to text Nat right now. I can't wait to meet him! đ
Yelena Belova: Give my little nephew a kiss and hug from me. Also, heads up - Mom and Dad are considering staying with you for eight weeks to help care for Nikolai. Happy Parenting! đ
You and Natasha stood together at the front of the Quinjet, the hum of the engines surrounding you as the aircraft soared safely through the sky.Â
âNikolai is sound asleep. I don't think your parents have taken their eyes off our son since they got here,â turning around to see Melina and Alexi lovingly admiring their grandson.Â
Nat lovingly reached for your hand. âOur son,â she repeated with a big smile.
Nat took her place in the pilot's seat and turned off the autopilot as you settled in beside her.
one of my favorite headcanons for the barton family is that lila has a tiktok account and clint has no idea he gets posted there. there's just a video of lila doing a dance or something and clint passes behind her, she still posts it anyway. there's comments like
"is your dad single"
"IS THAT HAWKEYE??"
"oh this is a cool dan- AVENGERS HAWKEYE??"
etc
she thinks its hilarious
eventually she sits her dad down and reads him interview style the top comments about him which includes but is not limited to:
"raw."
"we know this DIVAđ"
"did he just take out his hearing aid and sigh"
"til his hearing comes back"
"born to ride, forced to scroll"
"does your dad do wedding. perhaps as the bride?" <- top comment
and clint is BAFFLED. he comes home one day and is horrified when he looks at his social media and he's become a reaction image. (its him standing head down in his kitchen with his hearing aids in his hand and his hands on his hips)
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
â Live Streamingâ Interactive Chatâ Private Showsâ HD Qualityâ Free Actions
Free to watch âą No registration required âą HD streaming
One of the things I love about the farm family is that the kids genuinely care about their dad.
I honestly knew the show was going downhill from the moment that damn Hawkeye in his damn series shows up until the last 10 minutes, but hey, I couldnât be more moved when his daughter realizes thereâs something wrong with him, looks for him, and her siblings imitate her knowing heâs not comfortable.
Lylla knows him. How many children really know their parents, their FATHER? Especially when theyâre growing up, especially when heâs suffered a loss?
summary: Wanda and Natasha are painfully in love, but they are idiots. so, Tony throws an avengers' Christmas party. just for them; no media, no corporate people. just their disfunctional family, and they hang mistletoes in every door.
The plan, in Tony Starkâs humble and objectively correct opinion, was genius. It was benevolent, it was festive, and it had a ninety-seven-point-three percent chance of success, according to his latest simulations. The variable, as always, was human stupidity. Specifically, the uniquely dense, pining-infused stupidity of one Wanda Maximoff and one Natasha Romanoff.
âSir,â FRIDAYâs placid voice echoed through the penthouse, âProtocol: Get the Idiots Together is now in Phase One: Deck the Halls with Bows of Obvious.â
âExcellent, Fri. And dial back the sass on the protocol names, will you?â Tony grumbled, sipping his coffee as DUM-E attempted to hang a garland over the kitchen entryway and instead draped it over its own head, spinning in confused circles.Â
U, its equally helpful counterpart, was gently but insistently trying to place a single, massive glass bauble on the very tip of the twenty-foot Fraser fir that dominated the common room.
âOf course, sir. Renaming to Protocol: Yule-mandated Romantic Intervention.â
Tony sighed. âYouâre getting a lump of coal in your server bank.â
The decorating was a chaotic symphony of dysfunction. Pietro arrived in a blur of motion, zipping around the tree and hanging three dozen ornaments in the four seconds it took Steve to meticulously place one.Â
Bucky and Sam found themselves in an escalating war of tinsel placement, which ended with Samâs wings â left by the couch â being thoroughly cocooned in shimmering silver strands.Â
Peter Parker, vibrating with a mixture of sugar and excitement, was lifted up by a cheerful Steve Rogers to place the star on top, only for Clint to shoot a suction-cup arrow from across the room and nudge it perfectly straight with a smug grin. While Tony yelled somewhere âHe's not ten anymore, Capsicle!âÂ
Wanda, for her part, floated ornaments into the higher, unreachable branches with lazy flicks of her wrist, scarlet energy swirling around her fingers like ribbons. Her eyes, however, kept drifting to the door, a faint, anxious tremor in the air around her that only a few could sense.
When Natasha finally arrived with Yelena in tow, the tremor became a palpable thrum. She was laughing at something her sister had said, a rare, unguarded sound that snagged the air from Wandaâs lungs.Â
Natashaâs gaze swept the room, cataloging the chaos with an amused smirk before landing on the Barton clan, who swarmed her with the ferocity of affectionate velociraptors.
Wanda watched as Natasha was immediately pulled into their orbit, letting Lila braid a tiny, intricate pattern into a lock of her red hair while she listened intently to Cooperâs story about a video game. A small, sad smile touched Wandaâs lips. She looked so at home there. So perfect.
The party bloomed to life. The scent of May Parkerâs famous Christmas cookies mingled with the pine of the tree and the mulled wine Happy Hogan was carefully ladling into mugs.Â
Music pulsed from the speakers, something festive and blessedly generic. The common room was a sea of fond arguments, roaring laughter, and the squeals of excited children.
And then, the mistletoe began to claim its victims.
Tony had, with his typical flair for overkill, installed a sprig in the arch of every single interior doorway. It was inescapable.
Yelena was the first to weaponize it. She was explaining the tactical disadvantages of gingerbread houses to a bemused May when she paused, mid-gesture, and looked up at the archway leading to the balcony.Â
A amused grin spread across her face. âAh, look, Mrs. Parker. An American tradition of which I must partake.â Before May could do more than blink, Yelena had leaned in and gave her a quick peck.Â
May just smiled, too stunned to say anything, and patted Yelena's arm gently.
Peter, who saw the whole thing, went completely red and tried to sink into the floor.
Next were Bucky and Pietro, who had been bickering over the last pig-in-a-blanket. Pietro snatched it and, in his haste to retreat, backed directly into Bucky, who was turning away from the food table. They found themselves shoulder-to-shoulder under the doorway to the hall.Â
Pietroâs eyes darted up, then to Buckyâs scowling face. âIs rule, no?â he chirped, and before Bucky could process the words, Pietro leaned in and gave him a peck so fast it was little more than a whisper of air. Bucky froze, sputtering, a flush creeping up his neck as Pietro cackled and vanished in a silver streak.
Steve and Sam were walking, deep in a conversation about their favorite holiday movies, when they unknowingly stopped under the main arch. âMistletoe!â Clint crowed, pointing with a half-eaten drumstick.Â
They both looked up, then at each other, sharing a look of profound, brotherly exasperation. Steve clapped a hand on Samâs shoulder, leaned in, and gave him a quick, awkward kiss on the temple. âHappy Holidays, man,â he mumbled, trying very hard not to laugh.Â
Sam just shook his head, a grin breaking across his face. âYou too, you old fossil.â
Through it all, Wanda and Natasha performed an intricate, unconscious ballet of avoidance. Wanda would need to cross the room to get a drink, but sheâd see Natasha heading for the same general area and take a bizarre, winding path around the entire seating arrangement to avoid the most direct route; and its doorway.Â
Natasha, needing to check on a giggling Nate, would start to move toward the playroom, only to see Wanda standing near the hall and abruptly veer off to feign interest in the city view from the window.
They were magnets of the same polarity, desperately wanting to connect but constantly, clumsily pushing each other away.Â
Wandaâs heart ached with it. She was nursing a cup of cocoa, her back pressed safely against a solid wall, watching as Natasha knelt to retrieve a dropped Captain America action figure for Nate. The way her back curved, the gentle smile she gave the little boy; it was all so painfully endearing.
Nate, delighted, took the toy and toddled off. He then promptly tripped over the leg of a coffee table, sending the doll flying. It skittered across the polished floor, spinning to a halt directly in the center of the archway between the living room and the dining area.
âIâll get it!â Wanda said, perhaps a little too quickly, seeing a chance to be useful. She set her cocoa down and moved.
At the exact same moment, Natasha, ever the dutiful aunt, surged to her feet. âIâve got it, Nate!â
They were on a collision course. A perfect, beautiful, idiotic collision course.
Wanda was focused on the doll. Natasha was focused on the doll. Neither was focused on the six-foot-tall-and-in-love obstacle directly in their path.
They met in the middle of the archway with a soft oof.
Wanda stumbled forward, her hands flying out to brace herself, landing squarely on Natashaâs shoulders. Natashaâs own reflexes had her hands snapping out to steady the other woman, her palms finding purchase on Wandaâs waist.
And then, they were still.
The raucous noise of the party seemed to warp, fading into a distant, muffled hum. The entire world narrowed to the few inches between them. Wanda could see the flecks of gold in Natashaâs wide, green eyes.Â
She could feel the surprising warmth of the spyâs hands through the fabric of her sweater. Natashaâs breath hitched, a tiny, sharp sound in the sudden quiet of their bubble. Wandaâs heart was no longer aching; it was hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.
A throat cleared, loud and cartoonishly pointed. It sounded like Yelena.
Slowly, as if moving through honey, both women tilted their heads upward.
Hanging directly above them, tied with a festive red ribbon, was a sprig of mistletoe. Its little white berries seemed to mock them, gleaming in the warm light of the tower, a silent, irrefutable command.
A blush, fiery and immediate, bloomed across Wandaâs cheekbones, a mirror image of the one flooding Natashaâs own face. It was an astonishing thing to witness: the unflappable Black Widow, undone by a plant.Â
The air between them grew thick, charged with months of unspoken words, of stolen glances and lingering touches. It was so dense Wanda felt her own magic thrumming in response, a low hum in her blood that vibrated with want. The party, the music, the laughter, it all collapsed into a distant, underwater roar.Â
The only reality was Natashaâs hands on her waist, the heat of them seeping through her sweater, and the impossibly green eyes that were staring at her as if she were the only thing in the world worth seeing.
Then, a single, sharp sound cut through the haze. It was Clintâs voice, carrying from the couch with pointed clarity. âFor Godâs sake, Nat, donât be a coward. Itâs Christmas.â
If that wasnât enough, a much smaller, sweeter voice immediately followed, high and clear as a bell. âKiss her, Aunty Nat!â Lila giggled, pointing a finger decorated with a sparkly snowman sticker. âSheâs pretty!â
Something in Natashaâs expression shifted. The panic, the deer-in-the-headlights shock, melted away, replaced by a flicker of something dangerously familiar: resolve.Â
A ghost of a smirk played on her lips, a private, wicked little thing just for Wanda. Her eyes darted from Wandaâs mouth back to her eyes, and in them, Wanda saw the silent surrender. After all, Natasha Romanoff could never, ever disappoint Lila Barton.
âCanât disappoint the kid,â Natasha murmured, her voice a low, gravelly thing that sent a shiver straight down Wandaâs spine.
And then she kissed her.
It wasn't a peck. It wasn't a joke for the benefit of their dysfunctional family. It was a claiming. Natashaâs hand slid from Wandaâs waist up her back, fingers splaying between her shoulder blades to pull her flush against her body. Her other hand came up to cup Wandaâs jaw, thumb stroking her cheek as her lips met hers.
For a split second, Wanda was frozen in disbelief. This wasn't real. It couldn't be. And then Natasha deepened the kiss, a soft sigh parting Wanda's lips, and reality came crashing back in a spectacular, supernova burst of sensation. This was real. This was happening.
Wandaâs hands, which had been resting limply on Natashaâs shoulders, came alive. She tangled her fingers in the silky red hair at the nape of Natashaâs neck, pulling her closer, deeper. A tiny, desperate sound escaped her throat, swallowed by the assassinâs mouth.Â
The kiss was everything; it was pent-up frustration and agonizing longing, it was a confession and an absolution all at once.Â
It tasted of the mulled wine on Natashaâs breath and the sweet cocoa still on Wandaâs tongue, a heady, intoxicating combination.
A scarlet spark, no bigger than a firefly, popped into existence by Wandaâs fingertips, a rogue flare of magic she couldnât contain, fizzling out in the air beside Natashaâs ear. Natasha didnât flinch.Â
She just tilted her head, changing the angle, her tongue sweeping against Wandaâs in a way that made the witchâs knees feel weak.Â
It wasnât a Hollywood kiss. It was better. It was a story â their story â of spies and witches, of pain and hope, finally reaching its climax in the middle of Tony Starkâs living room, under a stupid, wonderful sprig of mistletoe.
When they finally broke apart, gasping for air, they didnât move away. They rested their foreheads together, breathing the same air, their eyes half-lidded and dazed.Â
The sounds of the party rushed back in, punctuated by a loud, triumphant âFINALLY!â from Yelena, followed by a round of applause.
Wanda looked into Natashaâs beautifully flushed face, at her swollen lips, and a slow, brilliant smile spread across her own.
âHi,â Natasha whispered, her voice wrecked and husky, a sound that vibrated straight through Wandaâs bones.
Wandaâs smile widened, her heart feeling so full it might just burst from her chest in a shower of red light.
âHi,â she whispered back. âMerry Christmas.âÂ
Wandaâs smile widened, her heart feeling so full it might just burst from her chest in a shower of red light. Her own voice was breathy, barely there.Â
Natasha didnât let go. Instead, she cupped Wandaâs face gently, her thumbs brushing the high arches of Wanda's cheekbones, tracing the lingering heat of her blush. Her eyes, those impossible, devastatingly green eyes, were shining like polished emeralds in the warm party light.Â
Wanda could feel the frantic, wild hammering of the other womanâs heart against her own ribs, a frantic drumbeat of truth, and for the first time in her life, Natasha Romanoff didnât seem to care who heard it.
âMerry Christmas,â Natasha said, the words a solemn vow. She leaned in and pressed one last, soft kiss to Wandaâs lips, chaste but sealing the promise of the one before it.
The sounds of the world were filtering back in, punctuated by Yelenaâs wolf-whistle and a smattering of whoops from the assembled Avengers. The bubble hadn't burst, but it had expanded to include their ridiculous, nosy family.Â
With a final, lingering look that spoke volumes, Natashaâs hand slid from Wandaâs face, down her arm, until her fingers found Wandaâs. She threaded their fingers together, a firm, deliberate act of possession and partnership. It felt like coming home.
A fresh wave of color washed over both their faces as they turned, hand-in-hand, to walk back toward the couches.Â
Yelena was grinning from ear to ear, raising her glass in a toast. Clint was leaning back against the cushions, looking insufferably proud of himself, and Laura just offered them a warm, knowing smile that made Wandaâs heart settle.
Tony, of course, was already opening his mouth, a trademark smirk spreading across his face, the perfect snarky one-liner gleaming in his eyes. âWell, well, if it isnâtââ
He never finished the thought. Natasha didnât even turn her head fully. She just flicked her eyes in his direction. It wasnât a glare. It was something quieter, colder, and a thousand times more effective.Â
It was the look that had made gods and dictators tremble, a silent, razor-sharp promise that said, simply, donât. Tonyâs mouth snapped shut with an audible click.Â
He blinked, cleared his throat, and took a sudden, deep interest in his drink. Pepper, beside him, patted his arm consolingly.
The tension broke, the moment passed. As they reached the couch, a small body launched itself forward. Nathaniel, all of three years old, toddled directly to Wanda and held his arms up.Â
Without a second thought, Wanda let go of Natashaâs hand and scooped him up, settling him comfortably on her lap. He immediately snuggled into her chest, tucking his head under her chin as if heâd done it a hundred times before.
A moment later, Lila, the little instigator, scrambled onto the couch and clambered into Natashaâs lap, wrapping her arms around her auntâs neck. âSee?â she whispered conspiratorially, loud enough for Wanda to hear. âI told you she was pretty.â
Natasha chuckled, a low, rich sound, and hugged Lila tight. âYou were right, little bug. She is.â
And there they sat, in the warm glow of the Christmas tree, the fire crackling in the hearth. The party swirled around them, but they had found their center.Â
With a sleepy little boy curled against her heart and the most dangerous woman in the world sitting beside her â a woman whose hand had already found its way to Wanda's knee, a grounding, possessive weight â Wanda looked at Natasha over the tops of the childrenâs heads.
Natasha met her gaze, and in the quiet space between them, a single look conveyed everything.Â
Wandaâs answering smile was brilliant, and this time, entirely without reservation. It was just the beginning.Â
Fandom: Marvel
Characters: Natasha Romanov, Laura & Lila Barton
Rating: G
Words: 729
Tags: Natasha-centric, mentions of past abuse
For @flashfictionfridayofficial's weekly prompt #342: Envy's Attire
[Now on AO3]
When Laura asks her to pick up Lila after her ballet class, Natasha's gut reaction is to decline. She shifts her weight, averting her eyes. "I don't know."
"Please," Laura insists, scrambling for her keys. She drops her phone to the tile with a clatter, which Natasha scoops up for her before she can react. "I don't know how long this meeting with Cooper's teacher will go, and Lila can't wait there by herself. They're closing the building early today, and I can't rely on Alice for the third time this week."
"Alice?"
"Lila's friend's mom."
"Right."
"She has to rush across town to pick up her youngestâBenny, plays baseball, sweet kidâand I'd feel terrible if I had to ask her again," Laura rambles, half muffled while she shuffles through the coat closet. "You can take the spare truck. The tank should be full, unless my knuckle-headed husband forgot to fill it up again."
"Good to know."
"With Clint off in who-knows-where, I really, really can't ask anyone else."
She sighs. "Laura..."
"Please, Nat."
"Fine," Natasha concedes, her throat suddenly tight. "Fine. Okay."
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
"No, really." The front door drifts ajar, leaving space for a breeze to roll through that chills her to the bone. Laura pauses just long enough to take Natasha's hands in hers. "Thank you. I know what I'm asking, and I wouldn't do it if I had any other choice."
They've argued the subject multiple times ever since Lila caught wind of her Aunt's penchant for dancing. At first, Lila whined over and over for Natasha to teach her, but her answer had always been a firm, "No."
Laura signing her up for a ballet class despite initial reservations had been a particularly strong point of contention between them, but Lila was her child, and Natasha was just her husband's work friendâa broken, trauma-ridden outsider who helped out on the farm once in a while.
An outsider who fell in love with this little family and wanted the best for them.
For Natasha, ballet had always been about control. Control over one's body. Control for the sole purpose of being controlled.
Natasha was raised to be a tiny cog in a much larger machine of violence. She was created, shaped, and sharpened into a weapon, wielded against anyone who threatened to overturn the powers that be.
She never had the privilege of choosing her own avenue of control, so the thought of Lila dancing to someone else's tune stokes a righteous fury in her chest, broiling and threatening to burst and burn everything in its path.
But the moment she pushes through the pair of glass doors into the studio, silent and unnoticed like a shadow, just in time to witness the tail-end of a routine, the atmosphere gives her pause.
"That's enough for today. Good job, girls." A teacher at the front of the room praises her class with a smile, brunette curls pulled back into a messy bun.
Imperfect. Sloppy.
She isn't white-knuckling the handle of a whip.
"Don't strain yourselves," the woman continues, a look of pride crossing her face as her attention jumps from student to student. "Rest is just as important as practice, especially the night before a big day."
"Yes, Ms. Valdez," the class echoes in unison.
The contradiction is startling. Natasha isn't one to flinchânot anymore, she's been trained betterâbut this version of reality is difficult to wrap her mind around.
There isn't a single injury in sight. No one passed out in the corner from exhaustion.
There's no threat of punishment. No bleeding feet.
Instead, about a third of the class have slumped to the floor at this point in their teacher's parting remarks, half stretching and half listening. Two girls in the back row whisper and giggle to themselves without being disciplined.
So, maybe Natasha finds herself a little envious, but things are exactly the way they should be.
"Off you go," Ms. Valdez dismisses them before turning her back to gather her things.
"Auntie Nat." Lila appears at her side, tugging on her arm. The rest of her classmates filter into a waiting crowd. All of them are tired and worn, but their laughter still resonates through the space. "Are you coming to my recital tomorrow?"
Natasha's gaze softens with a genuine smile. "Of course, sweetie."