Chapter 7
“Kate... Are you sure you want to do this?” Yelena asked as she approached with a soft yellow folder in her hands. Kate was busy taking her bow and some arrows in a sportsbag, she only had three ‘trick arrows’ left. Arrows she was only supposed to use in case o fan emergency, she repeated to herself. Only in emergencies.
“Of course I am. I told you, I want to help you do this.” Kate turned to see the blonde handing her the folder, the archer couldn't help but notice that she was wearing her all-black outfit which made her blonde hair stand out. How come she could look so sexy looking like a deadly spy? She was so whipped.
“This one's name is Alyona, she's in her thirties and quite dangerous. The information we have indicates that she’s in Boston, on a special mission to control and assassinate Sandra Wu, the first woman to be mayor of the city.” The blonde noticed how Kate opened the folder and read more about the Widow.
“It's a good season for women and the Red Sox, huh.” Kate said while taking the photograph from the files. Alyona was a beautiful woman with a pale skin, red hair that burned like flames of a campfire at night, and blue cold eyes. She had an intense, somewhat tenacious gaze and was deadly widow, for sure. “So, our mission is… to get there, stop Alyona from murdering the first female mayor, sprinkle her with that red powder, and explain to her what's going on.”
“It seems very easy but it’s not, especially when it involves someone really important. She will be cautious and we must be twice as careful.” Yelena warned pointing her finger at Kate. “Alyona is not going to get down without a fight, she’s one of the really good widows and she’s from Natasha's generation. We can't underestimate her.”
“I know... but she has never faced the two of us together! Come on! We're a good team.” Kate said in quite a positive mood before leaning down and kissing her partner's lips. Her best friend lips? Neither of them had talked about making it so…formal.
Yelena closed her eyes for a moment, trying to get used to it. Such spontaneous displays of affection were something completely new, and sometimes shocking. She felt a soft warmth in her belly and her heart.
“Then get ready, because we have a mission, Kate Bishop.” Yelena said breaking away so she could grab her sportsbag and her huge coat covering her suit. “And wear a coat, it's going to be a very cold day today.”
“Aye aye, Captain!” Kate teased grabbing her plaid coat and walking out of the apartment with the blonde by her side. Side by side, the Black Widow and Hawkeye.
The trip to Boston was more peaceful than they thought, once they took the Interstate 90 and said good bye to the awful New York traffic, Yelena seemed to regain her humor. She apparently didn't count on Kate not knowing how to drive.
“But I live in New York! I use the subway... or Uber.” She shrugged, looking out the window.
“That's no excuse, Kate. What happens if you must escape quickly?” Yelena scolded her.
“Oh, actually it has already happened. Ask for an Uber.”
They arrived at noon, according to Yelena's intel, the mayor had a lunch scheduled with some really important people to discuss the fate of the money for some refugees after the Blip.
“Mayor Wu is in favor of helping the refugees, so Alyona is going to prevent that meeting from taking place.” Yelena parked her truck in the basement parking lot of the building, she turned to Kate and pointed to a small map she took out of the glove compartment of the truck. “They will meet at the Federal Reserve Bank Building, Alyona's specialty is using sniper rifles. She will position herself in a place that’s comfortable for her, which she will consider this building.” The blonde pointed to one specifically in the photo. “It's a huge gym, but the top floor is closed for renovation.”
“It's perfect for her to shoot and run away. I could try to keep an eye on her…” Kate walked beside her, going unnoticed among the workers in that building.
“A bow and arrow against a sniper rifle?” Yelena giggled. “Ha, you're still funny.”
“Shut up. You know I can do more than that.” She grunted as they took the elevator out of the parking lot. “Last time we were in an elevator, I kicked your ass.”
“In your hot fantasies, maybe. I remember me kicking you, many times. And you, slapping me like a teenager.” Yelena handed her a earpiece which Kate placed on her ear. The screen indicated that they were going up floors, they both took her bags. Kate hold her bow and set the arrows in her quiver while Yelena took off her huge green coat, allowing her to be more flexible. Her electric batons were ready, her widow bites as well as her gun at the side of her waist were charged. “Remember what I told you, Kate.”
“Avoid her, stop her from shooting you. Don't get too close. Don't get yourself killed.” Kate rolled her eyes at her. “You're so lucky that you look hot bossing around.”
The elevator stopped one floor before the last one, they had to be stealthy. Both got out and walked carefully towards the stairs, avoiding being seen. The cameras were unable to take them thanks to Kate's intervention, shooting them. Yelena took the lead until she approached the metal door that indicated that it was the top floor. The lock was broken, so she just pushed gently the door open so it wouldn't make too much noise and she waited for Kate before sneaking up.
***
“There are rules in life. We can’t reverse death.”
“I only remember feeling completely alone. Empty. I just… Endless nothingness.”
“When you let us sleep, we have your nightmares.”
The redhead's eyes widened abruptly, her breathing was quite agitated thanks to that horrible nightmare again, like all the ones she had day after day. This time weren't just about losing her brother or the awful feeling of losing Vision, but also about mentally torturing every inhabitant of Westview. Feel their fear, their looks of hate and guilt.
For a moment the fact of waking up in a totally unknown place seemed to alarm and scare Wanda, but that used to be every day since she had left 'her house'. Wanda sat on that bed to see the morning rays intrude between the curtains, it was already 10 AM. She remembered that she was in the apartment of that S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who was a neighbor of Kate Bishop.
Wanda knew she couldn't stay here any longer, though where could she go? She just had no way out. The witch took a quick shower and got dressed before escaping without saying a word. Clint would understand.
But when Wanda left the room she found an empty apartment. Called Aidan's name for a moment but no one answered, she only found a tray on the breakfast bar and a note:
‘Ms. Maximoff. Good morning, I hope you had a good night.
I left in the morning but I'll be back soon but feel free to do whatever you want here,
I'll leave you some hot coffee and something for breakfast.
Hope you enjoy it… Have a good day.
A.'
The redhead sighed and walked over to the coffee pot to pour herself a nice, steaming cup of coffee, one that would wake up every cell in her body. She really needed that. She looked around the place, it seemed like a pleasant place, although the amount of plants that radiated in the place surprised her. Especially due to winter. It seems to have some different vibe, like... life. That made her smile.
That book that she had seen that night before seemed to be calling her to open it. The bright moon on it caused enormous curiosity in her. Later, maybe.
The TV was on, while having breakfast she saw the host of that channel detailed the incidents that happened with the Flags Smashers. It seemed that a lot had changed while she was at Westview.
Wanda changed the channel to see that now the next TV NEWS was showing a seismologist explaining the strange and recent movements on Earth, apparently there have been small earthquakes in different parts of the planet.
“… As I was saying, Marie, two hours ago a 5.8 earthquake was felt near Mendoza, Argentina. At the same time another 6.2 earthquake was felt in Alaska…”
Something wasn't right and she knew it, she could feel it. It didn't feel natural, but her thoughts disappeared when the door opened.
“Oof! Was a bit cold out there!” Aidan hurried in, rubbing her hands together trying to fight off the cold. “Hello, Wanda. How was your morning?”
“Morning. Very well, thank you.” She blushed slightly, putting the coffee cup back on the breakfast bar. “This has been really good, thank you again.”
“Oh, don't worry, it was the least I could do for such a guest.” The S.H.I.E.L.D. agent smiled. She tried not to look excited or completely smitten by her, though it was hard.
“You’ve been very kind, you have let me stay and beeing so good to me. I don't want to abuse your hospitality. I think I should go now…” Her voice was low, could almost mistake it for shyness.
That took Aidan by surprise, didn't think Wanda would decide to leave so soon, but the agent knew that she was there to solve her own problems. “Okay, then… let's go see Kate.”
They both left the apartment and walked to the end of the hall. Aidan took the lead and hit the metal door with three specific taps.
“Hey, Kate. You there?” She asked and waited a few seconds but no one answered. “Kate, It’s Aidan…oh, and Wanda here with me. She wants to talk to you, are you there?” She spoke out loud again, but again, no one answered.
“Nothing. What if they are…?” The agent whispered awkwardly, hoping the woman understood what she meant but Wanda just frowned at her.
“What?”
“You know what…” Aidan swallowed hard hoping the witch would understand, but the confusion on her face meant she had no idea. “Don’t make me say it.”
Wanda arched an eyebrow.
“Doing it… Making love! Having sex! Whatever!” Aidan finally snapped, too uncomfortable even thinking about it.
“Oh, for goddess sake.” Wanda eventually lost her temper and stepped forward to move Aidan aside and knock on the door. “Kate? Are you there?”
“What makes you think that she will answer you and not me?” Aidan growled.
“I am a witch.”
“And I am a-.” She grimaced. “Then open the door, you bad bad witch. Those two could be dead.”
“... Or naked.” Wanda now hesitated and took her hand off the doorknob, which made her step back.
Aidan rolled her eyes. “Open the damn door already before I kick it.”
Wanda didn't take long to move her fingers in a delicate and weird way at the same time, the red magic between her fingers opened the door for them. Without hesitating another minute, both entered but the apartment that was completely empty. Just a little note taped to the table.
“Aidan, if you're reading this, we're on a mission. YOU KNOW, I can't explain. Don't worry, we'll be here later.
Everything is fine. Please make sure Pizza Dog is okay. Don't eat the Mac and Cheese!”
“Geez, a mission? That girl is going to kill herself.” Aidan complained, sighing. “And I'm pretty sure the last part was Yelena.”
“She’s with Natasha's sister, and you’ve said that she is quite capable of taking care of herself.”
“I know, I just wanted to be dramatic.” Aidan complained again but just resigned as she kept the letter in her pocket. “Well, you will have to stay with me then.”
Wanda looked at her somewhat confused and distrustful. “Why are you so eager about me staying?"
“Cause I don't want to take care of the dog by myself.” She pointed at Lucky, who seemed comfortable enough without making any kind of trouble. “Also… Do you have a better place to be than this right now?”
Wanda kept silent, the truth is that she didn't. Aidan realized that maybe that question had been too harsh, so shejust decided to take a more patient approach.
“Okay, I’ve to be honest with you, I'll tell you everything I know and why Clint sent us here, but they can't know. Kate and Yelena. Do you understand?”
“No, but I want to… I will wait. But you will tell me everything.”
“It's a promise.”
“... is that a burned wall?”
***
The Blonde Widow crept into the room quietly. White cloth covers hung from the ceiling, giving Kate no clear range to shoot and above all, where someone could appear out of nowhere to attack them. A somewhat creepy scene, it only benefited her that the daylight allowed her to look around them.
“Go right.” Yelena whispered as they both walked softly inside, waiting for any movement. Kate walked to avoid one of the huge almost transparent covers, holding her bow and arrow ready to fire. Although she wouldn’t shoot any arrow that would be deadly.
The silence in the place only gave the archer a bad feeling, that huge room was only occupied by stairs and a huge front window that overlooked the bank building. Kate searched two of the empty offices, finding only paint cans and treadmills.
“She’s not here.” Kate told her over the intercom at her ear but before she could finish saying anything, the brunette was hit hard by a kick from the widow straight to her shoulder, causing her bow to be thrown steps away from her.
“Okay, she's here!” Kate growled as she tried to get up and avoid another kick from the redhead widow. Alyona was fierce, moving with an agility rarely seen. This time, was so different from dealing with Tracksuits slobs. Even harder to avoid than the times she had fought Yelena, because Kate always knew that the blonde had some mercy for her in those fights. She was fucking superior at some times.
“Hold on! There are two, Kate Bishop!” yelled Yelena from the other side.
Great, two black widows with killer instinct and Kate had to deal with this one. Well, she had to stay calm, she had to use everything around her to her advantage.
The brunette took one of the small paint cans and threw it at the widow, distracting her and allowing Kate to run towards and kick her.
But the widow's dexterity was faster and after that kick, she moved slightly taking out her electric batons. Kate avoided most of these hits with her bow until a kick from the widow caught her, right in the chest making Kate to fall back to the ground.
Damn it, Kate thought as she gasped and reached for her bow when Alyona was struck by Yelena who swooped at her, taking Alyona from behind and put her in a headlock. Smart and really badass but the widow headbutted Yelena on the nose managing to escape for a few seconds.
Kate took advantage of the moment to kick her left thigh forcing Alyona to kneel and after that, a reddish smoke quickly spread over that place making the three of them relax at last. Yelena had acted quickly, breaking the little red vial.
“Sorry, there was another one. I should have imagined that they would not send a single one for such a task.” Yelena gasped. “The other one is unconscious, but she'll be fine.”
Both women watched Alyona cough, backing away from all violence, a completely helpless woman trying to understand what the hell was happening around her.
“You’re okay now.” The blonde widow said as she tried to catch her breath, moving her hands so the smoke would spread away from her own face.
“Is he gone? Am I free now?” Alyona was still in shock as she stood up thanks to Kate's help.
“He is. The Red Room has been destroyed just like Dreykov, he’s dead. Now you have the chance to choose for yourself, I know that it's hard and something new.” Yelena seemed to understand what was saying, already been through that awful feeling by herself, but at least she had someone to hold her. She searched for a small envelope among her many pockets. “Here you have some money, and an address to go to. Don’t talk to anyone and just call that phone number. Melina will help you find a place, you’ll understand more about what has happened. The rest of the Widows will be there too, you won't be alone if you don't want to.”
“I just…” Alyona gulped as she looked at the address, then slowly nodded. “I’ll do it. Thank you, Yelena.”
It was 5:00 PM the mayor was still alive, closing one of the most important deals for the future of the refugees and all thanks to the two girls who were now driving back to New York. The two black widows who were awakened, would go to Ohio to receive new orders from Melina.
Yelena felt another weight leave her back, the whole burden of being able to free each of those girls who had once been tortured like her. That they were forced to do things they never wanted, that they lost their innocence and their life.
“Remind me again, why don't we take a flight?” Kate asked as she leaned sideways to look at the blonde. Although she had to admit that the image of the russian widow driving was really hot. Especially when she loses her gaze on the road.
“A, because it makes it easier for bad people to recognize us and B, because we spend more time together. Does spending time with me bothers you, Kate Bishop? I thought you liked me.” She opened her mouth in a funny way, pretending and a bit exaggerating being offended.
“Of course not! I just want to annoy you.” The brunette answered smiling before leaning against the seat, looking out the window. Snow covered most of the landscape and, somehow, she felt comforted by it.
“Thank you for coming with me this time, Kate.” The Russian confessed to her with that thick accent of hers. “It means a lot to be able to do this. I was one of them, and to see that they now have power of choice… it's really good. Natasha would be very happy.”
“She would be proud of you.” Kate smirked.
Those words touched something deep in Yelena's heart. Although she couldn't, she tried to hide that cute small pout of hers.
“I hope so. But if one thing I know is that she would adore you…” she whispered and reached out to take Kate's hand, squeezing it gently. “Natasha had a soft spot for lost puppies with heroic intentions.”
And as Yelena had said, that little trip back just made everything seem better. Between some teasing and laughter, talks about music and stuff, both enjoyed a few hours just for them. So much so that maybe when they parked the truck outside Kate's building, the brunette felt a little bit sad knowing that it was the end of the day. That short little adventure, she wished it would last a little longer.
“But don't get too comfortable, Kate Bishop, there are more widows to help.” Yelena assured and the sparkle in Kate eyes reappeared, lighting her face with emotion. Yelena's heart warmed.
Both women went up the stairs, somewhat tired but happy to be able to be back at home. But before coming into the apartment, Yelena took the archer by the waist to kiss her lips slowly and passionately. She had missed those lips all the fucking day, and she hadn't been able to show it until now. Between widows and missions, Yelena had forgotten how good it felt to return home to the warm arms of the one who cared her. As they parted, the small distance in height between them made Kate smile. So different yet so perfect together.
Kate opened the door to her apartment, but to the surprise of both, inside the apartment there were two women somewhat dirty by dust and soot, and a curious puppy, who was wagging his tail happy to see his mother come home.
“What are you doing here?” Kate asked in amazement, seeing how Aidan and Wanda got up from the ground with their clothes full of soot, their faces and their hair was a mess.
“Waiting to see if you were still alive.” Aidan said a bit grumpy, throwing the soot into a garbage bag. “And Wanda made me fix your burned wall... First I scratched off the burned parts, then I had to paint it. The whole WALL.”
“That wall was burned, have you lived like this all this time?" Wanda exclaimed in surprise as she wiped her forehead.
Yelena simply shook her head avoiding dealing with this new madness and walked over to Lucky so she could pet the pup's head.
“I haven't had much time to fix it!” Kate defended herself, blushing a little as she went to the fridge to get some bottles of beer. She handed one to each of these. “I'm sorry, Ms. Maximoff. We haven't even been able to talk and you had to fix my apartment, really thank you so much.”
“Call me Wanda.”
“Well, everything is done now.” Aidan shrugged and opened her bottle. “She made me scrub that wall to death, when she could only move her fingers and a say a few magic words.”
“I won't use my magic for that.” Wanda defended herself and then added in a whisper: “not again.”
“So…waking up Widows, huh? How was that?" Aidan asked.
“Now everyone knows it, Kate Bishop?” Yelena raised an eyebrow. There was definitely a little jealous tone in her words. Kate could bet her entire fortune that Yelena couldn't get over her jealousy of Aidan, even if she denied it.
“She must have known.” Kate winced. “It was… cool. We kicked her ass… but of course we saved her too. That's the idea, is to wake up as many as we can. Together.”
Those last words, Kate said it watching Yelena. Green and blue, once again meeting and causing a warmth in their bellies. The blonde one smiled and nodded to the archer, knowing how much she meant to her.
“Wow, how adorable! The lovebirds fighting together.” Aidan teased with a smirk, but in fact she was overjoyed to know that Kate could afford to be happy. Wanda was just quiet, everything Aidan had confessed to her had been enough to take in. But as she had promised, she wouldn't say anything to either of them. She now understood that Clint's motive for sending her to New York was actually understandable.
“So… do you all want to eat pizza?” Kate asked as she took her phone, ready to call delivery but Wanda got up from her seat quickly.
“I think it's best if Aidan and I go back the way we came.” Said the sokovian redhead, Aidan looked at her with some surprise without understanding until she saw how Wanda fixed her gaze on her with a certain tenacity, as if she wanted to make her remember something. To give them some time together.
“Oh… OHH! YES. That thing.” Aidan babbled as she took her bag and simply walked out of the apartment. "See you later, girls. Bye!"
“Are you staying in New York then?” Yelena asked, kind of glad to know that Wanda would stay in the city.
“I am.” Wanda smiled kindly. “I’ll see you both later.”
“Thanks for the wall again!” Kate exclaimed raising her hand to greet her, noticing how Wanda smiled at her before closing the apartment door.
“Finally alone again, Kate Bishop.” Yelena commented with a cute mischevous smile which made the archer melt completely. Maybe she could get used to this. "So... about that Pizza."
Kate bit her bottom lip, completely gawking as Yelena walked up to her. The brunette wrapped her arms around her waist and pulled her close, ending any kind of distance.
"All I want right now is you.” Kate was completely stunned looking at those green eyes, sometimes seemed to see a little hazel gleam in them. “And maybe a painkiller.”
“You’re a sap, Kate Bishop.” Yelena whispered before joining her lips against those of her beloved.
***
“Thank you for staying.” Aidan broke the awkward silence noticing how Wanda was looking out the window with her arms crossed, until she turned around.
“After everything you've told me about Maria and Nick Fury's plans... it's hard not to. I'll do it for Natasha.”
“I know.” Aidan felt a bit guilty for revealing the intel, but Wanda was one of the only people who could help them if the invasion started as soon as it was said. “Things are not going to be easy, everyone is out there living life when they don’t know the danger that surrounds them. Nobody knows.”
“Clint sent me here because Nick Fury trusted him to reveal this to him. But you… you’re taking good care of Kate despite being from S.H.I.E.L.D, because Clint told me you've been watching her for over half a year, long before he and Kate met. I want the truth.” Wanda narrowed her eyes at her. “I can see it in your mind, something in your aura is not right... you have something else. And you must tell me if you want me as an ally in this.”
“It’s just…” The brunette stammered. She stopped, staring at a fixed point wistfully. “She is… special.”
“Like a sister to you. You've said it several times, I think it's understandable. She’s a really lovely, kind and honest girl. I can see it in her aura… She seems to be a good girl and it's not very common, it's something rare and good. Something that not all of us can keep.”
“No.” Aidan swallowed hard. What Wanda said was real, Kate could get into anyone's life and turn it upside down. Make your life a chaos, but a lovely one. “I mean it.”
Wanda just kept silent, not understanding.
“She’s part of me. She's my sister.” She confessed to the brunette for the first time. And it felt so good, felt so freeing. So much so that Aidan inhaled deeply and exhaled forcefully, widening her eyes, Wanda Maximoff being the second person to know that.
“My name is Aidan… I took that name because was chosen by a wonderful woman who adopted and raised me when my mother died giving birth to me. Said my mami wanted to call me Susan but it was too 'white' for me so she let me choose.” She gave a sad little laugh, taking place in front of the window to see the enormous and luminous city. “My father didn’t know about me, it was long before he met Eleanor. He was young and my mother was too, she was a young girl who came from Colombia... Kate is my sister on my father's side. And it's something that she should never know because... it would only ruin what she knows about her life.”
***
“Okay, I'm coming. Is there anything else you want from here? It’s so fucking cold!” Kate asked closing the fridge before walking quickly across the room, the cold chilling her feet.
“Nothing, just come here.” She asked the blonde as she snuggled into the huge blankets and pillows. “It's not that cold, you definitely haven't been to Russia.”
She had never felt this way, so vulnerable but happy. As if everything was in her place, except that one of the most important things wasn’t. If only Natasha were there, everything would be perfect.
Cold feet woke her from her thoughts, Yelena groaned.
“Your feet are so cold!” The blonde one complained as she snuggled up to the brunette, Kate accepted her into her arms without hesitation.
“Wasn't it that you were used to the cold of Russia?"
If either of them had imagined that situation months ago, she would definitely have thought she was crazy. But there they were, sharing the silence as they cuddled up on one of the coldest nights of the year. The assassin and the Young avenger.
Yelena looked up to meet the brunette's eyes, surprised to see that Kate had been watching her for a while as she stroked her back.
“What?”
“Nothing, just thinking.” Kate whispered. “You’re so beautiful, Yelena Belova.”
And with a few simple words, but so meaningful, Yelena completely melted. The next thing was to feel her lips against Kate’s, in a needy and passionate kiss. She cupped Kate's face in her hands, impossible to break away now. Their tongues moved in unison, in perfect harmony and synchrony. As if they were dancing to the same tune, their mouths knew each other so well.
The blonde settled on the archer's body, needing even more. More of that, more of Kate. And the brunette received her, placing her hands on Yelena’s waist, but that thing just made Yelena quickly separate from her.
The look, her face, so terrified that it caused confusion and concern in Kate. Those beautiful green eyes…
“Are you okay?” Kate stammered, trying to catch her breath. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“Yes, it's just…” Yelena tried to express herself but simply moved to the side of the bed. She didn't want to feel the shame she felt now, what would Kate think of her?
“We can wait.” Kate always as patient and loving as ever. “We don't have to do anything you don't want to.”
“It's not that I don’t want to. It's just… I never…” Yelena swallowed, for a moment her eyes watered. She couldn't finish what she wanted to say, Kate just kissed her lips gently. Washing away all that sadness, all those doubts. Planting the foundations of trust that Yelena needed and would need from now on. Assuring her that Kate was definitely worth it.
Pulling away from that tender kiss, Kate hugged Yelena inviting to lie back down next to her. “Don’t worry, ok? Come here.”
“Thank you, lyubov.” Yelena nodded and leaned her head back on her partner's shoulder, knowing that she was now in her safe place and nothing had to happen that she didn't want to. Never more.