I Miss U
“I miss u” was written with big capitols on the front of the envelope. Natasha would recognize that handwriting anywhere. She had seen it countless of times on mission reports, contracts, accords and more, but it was weird to see it on this kind of letter.
She could feel the tears burn in the corner of her eyes as she struggles to open the envelope. Her vision became blurry only a second later, making it even harder. With trembling hands she pulls the letter out, dropping the envelope. She watches it whirling for a bit before it softly lands on the ground. She was well aware of Barton’s gaze burning in the flesh of her back but she pretends not to notice, instead taking a deep, shaky breath before unfolding the piece of paper. Natasha blinks a few times to clear her vision and focuses on the words.
“
Dear Natasha,
Everything’s going well here so far, if that eases your mind. I saw a bunch of beautiful flowers today that reminded me of you, but I made the mistake to say that out loud so now Coulson’s being a dick. I found an old dvd in our safehouse so I packed it in case you’ve already watched every single movie you could possibly find on Netflix. It’s called ‘Notting Hill’ (yes, Coulson made jokes about that too) so if you spot it on Netflix, save it, please. I miss you and I hope l’ll be done within a week or so so I can call dibs on the bag of Cheetos in the bathroom closet, oops, did I really just write that? Anyways, stay strong and try not to kill Barton, ok?
-love, M
“
Natasha was both laughing and crying now, distracted enough not to notice that Barton had sneaked up on her and was reading over her shoulder. She broke his nose with one swift, unexpected hit and stroked the letters written on the piece of paper with her thumb, tracing the ink lines with her nail and thinking about how Maria’s warm hand had stroked the paper maybe earlier today, or maybe yesterday-
But all she could feel now was the soft, cool paper beneath her fingertips. Nothing more then an object-an object that smelled like her loved one though.
Barton, who had stumbled backwards clenching his swollen nose, reached for a sheaf of paper laying on a table behind him and handed both the paper aswell as a pen to Natasha, who sat down and began to write a letter back, keeping Maria’s letter close to her chest while writing.
“
Dear Maria,
Not knowing where you are and whether you’re safe or not is killing me, please return home soon and with every single toe and finger intact. My days are mostly consisting of paperwork and thoughts about you, and occasional sparring matches with Barton, whose nose I just broke by the way. It’s not fair they won’t let me in the field, especially with you on a mission and Barton as only company (they won’t let anyone else near me as it’s “too dangerous” with all the reprogramming and brainwashing and stuff) the procedures are horrible, but fortunately not so horrible as the Red Room methodes.
Missing you too,
Love, N
PS: Barton is fine, other then the broken nose, I’m just pissed off they stationed him in my room to keep an eye on me. He says hi.
“
Maria returned home safely nine days later, bringing along a bouquet of beautiful flowers and a dusty old version of ‘Notting Hill’.