You almost missed the phone call as you stepped out of the shower and the sound of your phone ringing echoed through your quiet apartment. ‘I’m coming,’ You called out to the inanimate object. You trailed water to your bedroom which you would deal with later. Your phone was charging on your night stand. As you picked it up, it was a number you didn’t recognize. ‘Hello?’ You answered it.
‘Is this Y/n L/n?’
‘Speaking.’
‘Hello, this is Dr. Helen Cho, the head doctor for the Avengers. I believe we’ve met before.’
‘Yes we have.’ It was brief. Kate was leaving med bay after a mission for a quick check up and you passed the doctor as you left. ‘I’m sorry but why are you calling me?’ Helen sighed.
‘Kate, Yelena, and America just returned from a mission.’ You knew this. It was a very long week without talking to your best friend. ‘Kate was injured on the mission.’
‘I’m sorry, what?’ You said, sitting on your bed. Another thing on your list that you would deal with later.
‘She suffered from a severe head injury, 2 broken ribs, and a broken arm.’ Your stomach dropped. This was your worst nightmare when Kate set her mind to become an Avenger. ‘I know this is a lot to process but you are her emergency contact.’ You were? That was news to you.
‘Can I come visit her?’ You asked, your voice was small. Your room felt small. Hell, all of New York City felt small right now. Suffocating. Catastrophic.
‘Of course. Do you need us to send you a car?’ She asked.
‘No that won’t be necessary. Thank you.’
‘I’ll let security know you’ll be arriving and we’ll see you soon.’ You said your goodbyes and hung up. Your apartment was quiet. The only sound you could hear was the pounding of your heart. Thud. Thud. Thud. Your eyes landed on a picture on your night stand. It was you and Kate on Christmas Day at Barton’s farm. You were in the middle of a snowball fight with the Barton kids when she came up behind you and wrapped her arms around your waist. Laura captured the moment as you looked over your shoulder, laughing at her. Smiles on your face and laughter in your eyes. Until Kate used her strength to lift you up and throw you in a snowbank. You couldn’t even be mad at her as she started to laugh. It was a sound you missed the past few days. You closed your eyes and sighed.
‘Oh Katie, what am I going to do with you?’
*
The Avenger Tower was a 40 minute walk. You made it in 20 with a backpack filled with things you might need. Security let you in without a problem and one of the guards led you to medbay. It was a quiet journey. Though inside your mind it was loud. A ton of what if questions. What if she didn’t wake up? What if she was gone? What if-? Stop. The elevator opened and you walked out, thank the guard. You saw America and Yelena right away. America was wearing a sling on her left arm. Yelena had an ice pack resting on her forehead and her right foot was wrapped in an ace bandage, crutches were leaning against the wall. It must have been a hard mission. The sound of your approaching footsteps caused America to look up. ‘Y/n,’ she said, standing up. You jogged over to them. You gave her an awkward hug, trying to hurt her arm. Yelena tried to stand but winced.
‘Sit down,’ you said. She balanced herself and gave you a hug, it was brief. You wondered if her ribs were bruised. ‘Should I even ask if you guys are okay?’ You asked with a smile. America laughed.
‘A little banged up but we’ll heal.’ You looked at Yelena. The Black Widow sighed.
‘I’m fine,’ She was not. After Yelena decided to not kill Kate’s mentor, you got close with the ex-assassin. You could see the anger seeping off her. ‘Cho’s in there with Kate. You can go see her.’ You nodded.
‘We are talking later.’ Yelena rolled her eyes but nodded. ‘Good.’ You gave your two friends a smile and walked towards the room they were facing. You let out a shaky breath and opened the door. It took your breath away. Kate was lying so still. A breathing tube through her nose. The only indication that your best friend was alive was the machines you hooked up too. Helen looked up from her clipboard but you didn’t say anything to her. You slowly walked over to Kate, sitting down in an empty chair next to the bed. ‘When will she wake up?’ You asked.
‘Head injuries are complicated. The brain is human’s great mystery to this day.’ You looked from Kate to Helen.
‘You didn’t answer my question.’ Helen sighed.
‘Because it’s an answer I don’t have. She’ll wake up when her body is ready.’ There was a pause as she looked over Kate’s chart. ‘She has a lot of factors in her favor. She’s young, has no preexisting conditions, and head injuries are not common for her.’ You nodded.
‘Have you guys told Clint?’ The older Hawkeye became a father figure to the brunette after the events last Christmas. Helen shook her head. ‘I’ll call him.’ You took her hand in yours and smiled at the familiar feeling. ‘Can she hear us?’ Helen smiled at you.
‘I like to think they can, that it helps them come back to us.’ You let out a shaky breath. You heard Helen walk out of the and close the door behind her. It was quiet. You found the noise of the monitors confronting as they were a reminder Kate was alive.
‘Hey Katie,’ You whispered. ‘I don’t know if you can hear me but if you can I’m here.’ You laughed quietly. ‘We definitely need to talk about you putting me as your emergency contact.’ You could hear the conservation in your head - Kate would say that if she told you your anxiety would be over the roof. She wasn’t wrong. ‘Just take all the time you need to get better and come back to us, okay?’ Your throat burned as you forced yourself not to cry. You closed your eyes and tried to push away the tears. You felt one tear fall down your cheek.
*
The call with Clint went well. He repeatedly asked if you wanted him at the tower but you assured him that Yelena and America were here. A few other Young Avengers were on missions so you weren’t alone in the tower. You promised him that you would keep him updated on Kate’s condition. You ended the call with a few short words with Laura and the kids. You put your phone away and stared back at your best friend. ‘You have so many people that care about you and love you.’ You ran your fingers through her hair, an action she loved that you did especially when she had a long day. ‘Do you remember how we met?’ You asked, very aware that no one could answer you. ‘It was at that stupid basketball party.
*
‘Hurry up! Hurry up!’ Your roommate, Madison, said, dragging your arm towards the door. You pulled your arm out of your roommate’s grasp.
‘Let me put on my shoes.’ You decided on high top converse and tucked the bottom of your black skinny jeans. Madison claimed you shouldn’t wear a long sleeve or a jacket because you’ll get hot in the house. So a red crop top it was. ‘Do we have to go?’ You winned, slipping your school ID.
‘Yes! It is your sophomore year and you have never been to a real party.’ Rude. You rolled your eyes. Your roommate didn’t count cast parties as a ‘real college’ party. ‘We are gonna go get drunk and have fun.’
*
This was not your idea of ‘fun’ as you pushed your way through a mass of sweaty bodies to the kitchen. A big bowl of kool-aid was in the center of the island and towers of red solo cups. Jungle juice. A classic at all college parties. You poured some into a cup and sipped it. It was good, dangerous but good. You felt a body run into your back and you were pushed painfully against the counter. A pain whimpered left your lips. ‘Oh my god. I am so sorry.’ The weight was removed and the air moved through your lungs. ‘Are you okay?’ You felt a gentle hand on your shoulder and someone sat in the empty chair. You looked at the mystery person. Kate Bishop. The heir to Bishop Security and the star of the archery team. You may pass the brunette a handful of times around campus.
‘Yeah,’ You cleared your throat. ‘I’m good.’ Kate smiled and looked you over.
‘Your Y/n, right?’ You tried to keep the shock from your face that she knew your name. You nodded. Kate’s smile grew. ‘You were Eurydice in the spring musical Hadestown.’ A weird feeling filled your chest.
‘Yeah that was me. First freshman to get a lead in the department’s history.’
‘As you should have been! You were amazing. I saw the production 3 times.’ You were grateful for the low light of the party so she didn’t see your blush.
‘Never expected Kate Bishop to be a musical fan.’ You teased her.
‘Maybe I’m a Y/n fan.’ She said, taking a step forward. ‘Dance with me?’ She asked, holding out her hand. You looked into her eyes and found no teasing. You took her hand.
*
‘You lit me up.’ You tried to keep your voice steady. ‘You made me feel as though I was enough.’ You chuckled. ‘We drank way too much.’
*
‘I think I’m dying.’ Kate said, leaning away from the toilet and flushed the contents away. You gave her a small smile, handing her a blue Gatorade. ‘No I know I’m dying. Sing at my funeral, please.’ You rolled your eyes, laughing.
‘You are so dramatic. You aren’t dying.’ Kate gasped in mock offense, clutching her heart.
‘You are going to feel bad when I succumb to death from a hangover and you were mean to me.’ You giggled, taking a sip of your own Gatorade. After the party was over, you helped Kate back to her room. She had a single and her own bathroom. I guess it pays to have a rich family, you thought. You opened your mouth to come up with your own witty comeback but Kate lunged forward, filling the toilet with the Gatorade she just drank. You grimaced and knelt down next to her, pulling her brunette hair back. You were grateful that throwing up didn’t make you sick or this whole bathroom would be a mess. Kate looked over her shoulder, smiling and for a minute you were stone cold sober. ‘Stay over, please.’
‘I think you should get some rest.’
*
‘I knew I loved you then but you’d never know.’ You became Kate’s best friend since and you were attached at the hip. You went to all her archery competitions and she came to every show you performed in no matter how big of a role you landed. Since you both lived in the city, breaks were spent together. You watched as your best friend dated girls and slept around while you kept your feelings close to your chest. ‘So when you wake up I’m gonna tell you no matter the outcome.’ You heard the door open and close and you looked towards the sound. It was America carrying two take out containers.
‘I figured you would be hungry.’ She sat on the opposite side of Kate and you took the top container. You could smell the Chinese food and it made your stomach growl.
‘Thank you.’ America huffed and you tried not to laugh as she tried to open her food with one arm.
‘At least you were appreciative. Yelena almost bit my head off.’ You stopped eating.
‘Is she okay?’ You asked, knowing that the answer was no before America answered. She shook her head.
‘Bad intel is why we are all like this.’ She gestured around the room. ‘Which isn’t anyone's fault, bad intel is a big part of the job.’ America looked at Kate as she continued. ‘It was a trap. Kate pushed Yelena and I out of the way before the building collapsed. If she didn’t we would have been killed.’ You smiled, Yelena’s behavior made sense.
‘Sounds like something Kate would do.’ America nodded.
‘She would not stop talking about you the entire week,’ She looked back at you. ‘It was getting annoying.’ You felt your cheeks burn. America laughed. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, looking like a fish out of water. ‘Were you there when Kate knocked down the bell tower?’ She asked. You wondered what her original question she was going to ask. You nodded, whipping your face with a napkin.
‘I bet she couldn’t hit it and Kate doesn’t back down from a challenge.’ You remembered that night as if it was yesterday. She missed the first shot and all of you didn’t expect the entire tower to come crashing down on the second hit. ‘Our other friends, Greer and Franny, ran before security came. I think Kate and I were too stunned to move.’ America laughed again.
‘You guys are ridiculous.’ You smiled, looking back at Kate, and grabbed her hand, giving it a tight squeeze. ‘She’s crazy about you.’ You dropped her hand fast as if it burned you. You stared at America.
‘I’m sorry, what?’ America nodded, taking a sip from her water bottle. ‘Kate only sees me as a friend, always has and always will.’ America knew about your feelings for the archer. Kate was assigned to a solo mission, no contact, and America found you wrapped in Kate’s sweatshirt in her room. She helped you get through that very long two weeks.
‘Feelings can change. You guys have been through a lot together in the past year.’ She was referring to the Kinpin/Ronin situation. As a punishment for the whole clock tower thing, Eleanor Bishop forbade her daughter to text or see you. She went as far as tracking the text she sent and the location on her phone. You never liked her mother. So you were shocked to see Kate Bishop, Clint Barton, and a golden retriever missing one eye at your door.
*
You were sitting on the couch, a cup of hot chocolate resting in your hands, and you stared at the empty notebook in front of you. Your dream was to become a play writer but that dream meant you had to write something. But writer’s block was kicking your ass. A heavy knock on your door caused you to jump and spill hot chocolate on your hands. ‘Shit.’ You placed the cup on your table and shook your hands as it burned from the hot liquid. Another knock. ‘I’m coming.’ It was probably your neighbor, Gabe, who kept ‘locking himself out of his apartment’ At this rate you knew it was a matter of time before he asked you on a date. ‘Gabe, I-’ Your sentence died on your lips as you opened the door. ‘Kate.’ You said in disbelief. She gave you a smile as she walked into your apartment without a word. ‘Hawkeye.’ He gave you a small wave as he followed Kate. ‘Dog?’ Honestly, the one eyed golden was what surprised you the most. You closed the door and leaned against it, stared at the trio that inhabited your apartment.
‘When I asked if you had a place to stay I didn’t expect another person to be involved.’ Hawkeye said, pointing in your general direction.
‘You said a safe place. We’ll be safe here.’ She looked at you. ‘Y/n meet Clint, Clint this is Y/n, my best friend from college.’
‘Hi.’
‘Why are you in my apartment? We haven’t spoken in weeks.’ Kate winched at your tone.
‘I’ll explain. Can I show him the guest room?’ You nodded, crossing your arms against your chest.
‘Thank you for letting us stay here.’ Clint said as he followed Kate deeper into your apartment. Like I had a choice, you thought but you kept your mouth shut. The golden whined and hit his nose against your knee. A smile crept to your lips as you bent down and pet him.
‘We’ll aren’t you a cutie.’ You said as the dog started to lick your face which made you giggle.
‘His name is Pizzadog.’ You looked up and saw your best friend watching you.
‘Pizzadog?’
‘He likes pizza.’ You rolled your eyes and stood up. There was a tense silence as you both stared at each other. ‘Can I-’ She began to fidget with the bow in her hands. ‘Can I have a hug?’ You smiled and nodded, not trusting your voice. You could see the weight leaving Kate’s shoulder as she closed the distance, dropping her stuff along the way, and wrapped her around you. ‘I missed you.’ God, you missed her too.
‘What the hell is going on?’ You asked, pulling out of the hug. ‘When the hell did you get a dog and befriend an Avenger?’ Kate laughed.
‘Why do I have a feeling you are more interested in the dog than Hawkeye?’ You shrugged.
‘The dog is cuter.’
‘I hear that!’ Clint yelled. You and Kate laughed.
‘It’s a long story.’ Kate led you to the couch and sat you down. She explained everything, from her mother’s punishment to her unexpected engagement, the black market auction and how it was attacked. You stayed quiet as you listened to the exciting story she told.
‘Well,’ you said once she was finished. ‘At least your mother can’t blame me for this.’ This pulled a deep laugh out of Kate. ‘You, Clint, and Pizzadog can stay here as long as you guys need.’
‘Thank you.’
*
‘That Christmas was unexpected.’ You said to America, closing your now empty food container.
‘That is not the word I would use to describe what you went through.’ She’s not wrong, you thought. You helped save Clint from being kidnapped, planned a small Christmas party, and fought against Kinpin’s followers. Yeah, unexpected was not the right word. America covered her mouth as she yawned. ‘Are you staying down here tonight?’ You nodded. ‘Okay, if you need me, you call me.’ She said, standing up.
‘I will. Good night.’
‘Night, Broadway.’ You smiled at the nickname and you were left alone again. You looked back at Kate.
‘Is she telling the truth, Kate?’ You asked. ‘Did something change?’ Your mind was transported back to the aftermath of the Kingpin fight.
*
You and Kate got separated. You weren’t sure how but when you turned around the archer wasn’t there. But you didn’t have time to think about it as more and more tracksuits kept pouring out. Tracksuit Mafia, what a stupid name. Now as you sat in the back of an ambulance, the adrenaline was leaving your body and your thoughts spiraled. The paramedic was cleaning your wounds and wrapping your wrist (it was sprained). They were talking to you but you weren’t listening. The sound of your name being yelled pulled you out of your thoughts. ‘Kate!’ You yelled, pushing away from the EMT. You saw the arched look around the crowd and her eyes landed on yours. You let out a small sob and broke out into a sprint, ignoring the pain in your body. Kate caught you in her arms and held you tight, lifting you off the ground slightly. You felt her own tears on your neck.
‘Thank you. Thank you.’ She mumbled. You weren’t sure who she was thinking. She let you go and held your face in her hands. ‘You are not allowed to be a superhero. My heart can’t take it.’ You let out a watery laugh as she whipped away your tears with her thumbs. ‘I can not lose you. You are all I have left.’ The statement confused you and you wondered what happened between the time you got separated. ‘Understand? I can’t lose you.’ You nodded.
‘I’m not going anywhere.’
‘Thank gods.’ She pulled you into another bone crushing hug and you felt her kiss the top of your head.
*
‘Was that when it changed for you?’ You asked. ‘Did that kiss have more meaning or was it just a heat of the moment?’ You sighed, looking down at the floor. ‘You never would have known how I felt all these years because I played it cool when I was scared of letting go. I need you so please say you won’t let go.’ You whipped away your fallen tears.
‘I have this fantasy if we were to get together. It would be your day off and I’d wake you up with breakfast in bed and bring you coffee with a kiss on your head. Maybe if we had kids I’d bring them to school and as I waved at them good bye I’d thank my lucky stars for that night.’ You stood up from your chair and cupped Kate’s face with your hands, similar to her actions with you after the fight. Your tears landed on her forehead. ‘Just say you won’t let go.’ You kissed her forehead.
*
One week. 7 days. 168 hours. One week and there was no change in Kate’s condition. Helen wasn’t worried but there was a nagging feeling in the back of your head that you may never see Kate’s blue eyes again. You rarely left her side, only leaving to take a shower or stretch your legs up and down the hallway. You had visitors. America brought you food. Yelena sat with you mostly in silence. You could tell the Black Widow was still blaming herself. Peter came to fill you in on his new inventions and Kamala played board games. It was nice to not feel alone.
*
Two weeks. 14 days. 336 hours. No change. Helen was still not worried.
*
Three weeks. 21 days. 504 hours. Helen said, brain injuries required time to heal and all of this was normal. ‘You’re lying.’ You said as she looked at Kate’s vitals. Helen tensed at the accusation. You didn’t have to be a mind reader like Wanda to know Helen wasn’t being honest. You grew up in a household where lies were common.
Daddy will be home soon
Mom and I still love each other
He didn’t mean to hit you
Mommy isn’t drunk. Just tired.
Helen sighed. ‘The longer she’s in this coma the harder it will be to pull her out of it and if she wakes up the recovery process will be longer.’ The usage of ‘if’ wasn’t lost on you.
‘If?’ You questioned.
‘You wanted me to be honest,’ You said. ‘If we are still being honest it may come time to where you may need to make a difficult decision.’
‘What is that?’
‘If you decide to take her off life support.’
*
Clint and Laura came on the 23rd day. You were resting your head on Laura’s shoulder after you explained to them what Helen told you. ‘I don’t know what to do.’ Clint was standing behind his chair, holding onto the back of it.
‘Did she tell you when you need to make this decision?’ You shook your head. You only told the Barton’s the truth of how serious Kate’s condition was. ‘Then you’ll wait till the last possible second. Kate is a fighter.’ You let out a shaky breath.
‘When was the last time you slept?’ Laura asked you.
‘23 days.’ You whispered. ‘552 hours.’ You closed your eyes, not able to look at Clint’s face. Tears began to fall. ‘I can’t lose her.’ You cried. ‘She’s all I have.’
*
You woke up to darkness, you were still in Kate’s room in med bay but laying down on the cot. You must have fallen asleep after your small breakdown and Laura and Clint must have put on the unused cot. You stood up, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes and took your spot in the chair. You looked at your phone. It was 1:35am. 24 days. You took her hand into yours. ‘I don’t know what to do, Kate.’ You whispered. ‘I just need you to wake up, okay? Do you remember spring of Sophomore year and the theater department put on Heathers? I had a panic attack before opening night because I found out my parents decided to surprise me.’ You smiled. ‘You talked me off the ledge that night. You made me feel invincible. I’m so in love with you and I hope you know.’ You said, looking down at your connected hands.
‘You looked hot as Heather Chandler.’ Your head snapped up and blue eyes were staring back at you. ‘Hi.’
‘Kate.’ You whispered. She gave you a small smile. You continued to stare at your best friend. Your brain was having trouble processing that she was awake and talking and.. ‘Wait, did you just call me hot as Heather Chandler?’ Kate laughed, a sound you missed deeply, and winced slightly.
‘I mean I think you look beautiful in anything.’ You blushed and by the smirk on Kate’s dumb face she could see the color on your cheeks.
‘How much did you hear?’
‘I came around to the mention of your panic attack.’ Your stomach dropped as Kate slowly tried to sit up. You helped her and when she was comfortable, she took her hand back in hers.
‘I should let Dr. Cho knows you're awake.’ You tried to stand but Kate squeezed your hand.
‘In a minute, how long have I been out?’ She asked.
‘24 days.’ You whispered. ‘Around 576 hours.’ Kate’s eyes grew wide and she looked around the room, noticing the cot and your travel bag.
‘How long have you been here?’
‘576 hours give or take. I left to shower a few times.’ You said with a chuckle.
‘You are always there for me when I need you the most.’ Kate smiled.
‘That’s what best friends do,’ Kate nodded, bringing your hand to her lips and kissing it. Your heart started to pound. You could hear it in your ears. Kate closed her eyes, keeping your hand to her lips.
‘I’m gonna love you till my lungs give out.’ She said, against your hand. You were too stunned to speak. ‘I think I’ve loved you longer than I realized but was to scared or maybe to stupid to say anything.’ You giggled at that. She dropped your hand and looked at you. ‘This isn’t how I wanted to tell you but life's too short to wait for another moment. I love you so much.’ You stood up from your chair and positioned yourself to sit on the little space on the bed.
‘I love you too, Kate Bishop.’ With her good hand, she placed it on your cheek and moved it to the back of your neck. You watched as her blue eyes flickered from your eyes to your lips. You gave her a smile and leaned down. Her lips were soft against yours and you felt her smile in the kiss. You ended it, leaning your forehead against hers. ‘Thank you,’ you whispered. ‘Thank you for not letting go.’ Kate smiled, kissing you briefly.
‘It’s just you and me till we’re gray and old.’