Chapter 10
“It is spring; the world awakens from darkness and death to grow green again. Her hibernation ends, reencarnation begins. Coat wet with fresh rain, Artio,the Bear Goddess roars into the chill morning air. She is guardian of the cycle. Not the passage of time, but the balance of things. There is no spring without winter, no death without life, no darkness without light, no goodness without evil. Nature declares these opposites into law and Artio is the enforcer.
Among the ursine she runs, sometimes in the shape of a woman, lithe and wild, sometimes as a bear, brown and fierce. Nowhere in the forest do there stand shrines in her name, for Artio is less worshipped and more respected. Perhaps, instead, she looms overhead, a constant presence in the twinkle of the stars, a connection of glistening light; the constellations.
The laws of nature must be respected but nothing and no one defies the laws of nature like a Goddess.”
Slamming the door a bit stronger than she expected, her footsteps were determined, that woman was determined to fix all the chaos that she started. Well, not specifically her, but some chaos she was able to prevent.
The cold night air hit her face as she passed through the door of the building; a long sigh escaped her lips before that gorgeous woman started her way through the crowded streets of New York.
If she didn’t have the sense of a goddess, the dark haired woman would never have noticed that a certain female figure surrounded by a reddish energy floated until it fell to the ground, beginning to follow her.
“Go back home, Wanda.” Aidan crossed the street quickly, she knew exactly where to go.
“Where are you going?” The sokovian asked as she tried to hid her face from some people who began to recognize her, using the hood of her burgundy jacket. The witch stepped forward so she could keep up with Aidan at her side.
“I already told you, I'm going to fix things. Go back to the house and make sure they are okay.” Aidan turned to look at her, but Wanda acted as if she didn't hear her or didn’t care. “Didn't you hear me?”
“You’re not going to go alone wherever you go, I will go with you and you will fix it. You fucked up big time, Aidan.”
“I know.” The taller woman sighed. “Anyway, I'm going to need a witness on this. Come here.”
Taking Wanda's arm, she led her into one of the darker alleys to avoid being seen by the civilians. After making sure that no one saw them, Aidan took one of her knives and cut her palm so that it bled enough. She drew a specific hieroglyph on the nearest wall. One that Wanda was able to recognize thanks to her new experience with runes.
The goddess voice changed to a rougher one, saying a few words that this time the witch couldn't recognize, but she could see that they had the right effect.
The bricks of that wall began to move slowly, giving way to a long and dark corridor in front of them. Wanda took her place next to Aidan, expectantly.
With their frowns furrowed and trying to take the necessary courage, both walked letting the darkness of the corridor wrap them.
Silence reigned in that apartment when Kate and Yelena were alone. The archer sank down on the sofa, gaze lost in a fixed point not knowing what to say or what to feel. Everything had been so painful and fast, now alone in that apartment it became quite an uncomfortable moment.
Yelena didn't know what to say either, she was just as quiet and hurt as Kate. She looked at Kate's huge puffy red eyes from crying; she remembered her attitude towards Kate and finally realized that she was suffering from her distance as much as Yelena was.
In her eagerness to expose Aidan's lies, she didn't think about the pain it could cause her beloved.
Without waiting any longer, the blonde took her place next to her and reached for the archer’s hand to intertwine her fingers. Kate said nothing, just allowed the touch. Feeling was so...difficult.
“I'm so sorry, Kate Bishop.” The blonde widow said squeezing her hand against hers. “I shouldn't have been so hard on you.”
The brunette just nodded her head slightly, she didn't even have the courage or strength to continue with that discussion.
A few last tears fell down Kate's cheek, which she wiped away with the back of her hoodie.
“Everything in my life has always been a lie.” The archer whispered, completely confused. Her lost gaze in front of her, she couldn't even understand everything they had hidden from her. The death of her father was just a small part behind all that iceberg of lies and deceit.
“I'm sorry things didn't go as you hoped, Kate.” Yelena whispered, hugging her beloved from the side, inviting her to lie down on the sofa. The safest place in the world.
Despite the pain inside her, there was one good thing about it, and that was that Yelena did came back to her. That she hadn't abandoned her and that comforted her too much, she wouldn't know what to do without the black widow in her life. Since she met Yelena in that roof, she had been her partner, her best friend and her greatest love.
“From what I found out about my mother, I thought she had hit rock bottom but all this…” Kate whispered and shook her head. “My father had as many secrets as she did.”
“The decisions they made are not your fault, Kate.” Yelena's hoarse voice and accent made the archer close her eyes and sigh, she felt like she was at her home. She snuggled against the blonde, taking in her scent and her warmth. It was home. “At least now you know you've never been alone, Kate Bishop.”
“I haven't been because I've always had you.” Maybe a bit too sentimental, but they were sincere words. The younger Bishop blushed.
“I lost my sister, but you gained one.” Yelena smiled slightly. “It doesn't sound so bad if we see it that way, life gives us and takes away from us.”
Kate looked down guiltily but didn't move from her side. “I'm so sorry, I didn't know.”
“No, Kate. I am sorry.” Her blonde brought her hand to Kate's cheek and caressed it gently. “I'm just hurt, but it's not with you... I'm really happy that you could know more about yourself.”
“I'm sorry I interfered in your life.” Kate pouted, she couldn't shake that guilty feeling. “I didn't want all this to happen...”
“I know, moya lyubov.” Yelena nodded and kissed her. “All this time apart from you, I was just angry with the world, with her and with myself.”
“I was a bit selfish, I thought it would do good to know where you come from. With everything that's happened to me, I just thought…maybe it would do you good to know the truth. I didn't think that maybe sometimes it's best to leave it behind and keep on living.” Kate sighed.
“I don't want to relive everything that happened in my life.” She stroked the brown hair of Kate, so gently. “Natasha is my sister, Melina is my mama and Alexei is my father, they are the ones I remember and that is all I want to know. I know maybe it was a lie at first, but now it's real.”
“I love you, you know?” Kate snuggled against her beloved's neck and breathed in deeply her scent, knowing that this was her safe place in the world. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“I'm sorry I hurt you, Kate. You are the only good thing in my life, the only person that I allowed to get close to me and that I never want to lose.” The blonde tilted her head to kiss and without waiting another second, she kissed those lips that she loved so much again.
The warmth in her belly returned and her heart began to beat again, telling her that everything would be alright. “Do you wanna watch a movie or something? I can make some sandwiches later, you haven't eaten anything. I promise I won't leave.”
“I want to stay with you, kiss you forever. Please.” Kate smiled slightly and kissed her lips again, letting herself be carried away by the tranquility of the moment.
Lucky, who was watching the two from her place that she shared with Fanny, happily wagged their tails and approached them. “But maybe we should feed and these two little ones, they missed you so much.”
“OKAY. Here we are.” Aidan sighed and turned to see Wanda next to her, seemed somewhat uncomfortable without understanding where they were or what would happen. “Whatever you see, don't talk, don't say anything. Okay?” Wanda nodded, then Aidan quickly added again, “Don't show your powers either, Wanda. I know you can't handle their fear, but this time, I need you as a witness.”
“I get it! Do you want to leave me alone and do what you have to do at once?!” call out Wanda in exasperation, Aidan just grimaced before before taking a deep breath, taking courage and finally walk into the huge, immaculate room.
In front of them, huge Egyptian statues representing the gods and a natural beauty that remained after thousands of years. Sphinxes that guarded from the top of the sanctuary; the footsteps of both women were the only sound that could be heard in that holy place.
“OSIRIS, YOU OLD PRICK! I SUMMON YOU TO THIS HOLY PLACE TO GIVE ANSWERS.” Aidan cried aloud as she approached that important shrine to the Egyptian gods. The goddess stopped in the middle of that room, being surrounded by the statues and thrones of each god that would appear. Wanda could feel the power surrounding that place. It was a powerful and energetic place.
“You need to learn some respect.” The voice of a man in his forties with a stern look was heard. He wore an immaculate suit, possibly a lawyer or judge because Osiris loved being able to wield his power over humans and keep order in any way he could. That man sat on the center throne, still watching her with a certain disdain. Osiris, the god of resurrection, justice and regeneration. Ruler of the Ennead of Gods of Egypt. “Especially when this IS NOT your pantheon.”
The Scarlet Witch watched as human figures began to appear from different corridors, taking different places on the thrones. Some of the gods fixed her eyes on her, as if examining her with curiosity or maybe fear. She stayed behind Aidan, keeping her distance from the situation. She was just a witness.
“What is your business to summon us?” Asked the goddess Hathor, possessing the body of a beautiful Latina with long hair, so straight and black. It was as bright as a full moon night.
“I'm here to demand justice…” Aidan spoke up and fixed her gaze on the man in front of her. “To Osiris.”
“We will not speak to you, human. Your orders is none of our business.” Seth, Lord of Chaos, hissed to her.
Knowing as a human wouldn't be heard, Aidan took a deep breath and allowed Artio to possess her body. The brown eyes blazed for a few moments before she let the goddess speak, receding into the background, unable to take control for more than a moment. Her casual clothing was left behind, little by little her ceremonial dress took shape on her body.
Teal-colored clothes covered her. A feminine armor that protected her shoulders and a huge black cape with a brooch on her chest, in the shape of the claw of a huge brown bear as well as the huge hood that covered her head. . On her forehead, a crescent moon shone.
Wanda frowned as she noted that Aidan's gaze, clothing and demeanor changed slightly.
“Artio, have you brought the Scarlet Witch to our sanctuary?” Osiris asked somewhat amazed. The other gods shifted uncomfortably at the danger. “Is this about discussing your Scarlet Witch obsession again? This is unheard of, you've had enough punishment for meddling and changing the fate of-” Wanda frowned at her somewhat confused not understanding what she was referring to but Artio in Aidan's body raised her hand.
“She is here to witness.” Artio spoke for the first time. Unlike Aidan, her voice was a bit calmer. The goddess looked around her, every god watching her from her throne. Osiris. Horus. Taweret. Isis. Hathor. “I have come to request an audience before Osiris, I demand justice.”
“What is your demand, goddess of nature? Speak fast.” Osiris looked at her seriously; Artio knew Osiris perfectly and knew that he was an honest god. Too straight but sincere.
“Natasha Romanoff's death must be reversed.” Artio raised her head, having nothing to fear.
“This is madness!” Horus exclaimed, shaking her head at such disrespect.
“We've told you before that we can't meddle in human affairs.” Osiris clarified, leaning into her seat. The man didn't seem surprised at Artio’s request and that made Wanda tilt her head. The thoughts of the gods were quite loud but suddenly something did not allow the witch to hear them again. Magic.
“The soul stone has been returned to its place after Thanos' defeat, there's nothing binding Natasha Romanoff's soul on Vormir. Her soul is lost there and she must go back where she belongs. To me.” Artio shout and began to walk through the center of that room, watching Wanda for a moment.
The witch felt a strange sensation run through her, a familiar sensation that she chose to ignore.
“The soul of that brave woman is lost and I come to claim it!” She added Artio to Aidan's body, she turned to Osiris and pointed at him. “I demand of you, Osiris, reclaim the soul and return it to where it belongs. Here.”
The gods began to whisper among themselves, some confused and others somewhat incredulous at the impudence of the Celtic goddess. The brunette stood her ground, unafraid of retaliation.
Osiris raised his hand, ordering silence to the gods in the chamber.
“If I could still do it, you know very well that the exchange is a hight cost.” He kept his gaze fixed on Artio's, after a few moments he spoke again: “My answer is no.”
Looking down, Wanda lost hope of ever seeing one of the people who had helped her so much in her whole life. Someone who taught her how to live again, a woman she took from as anolder sister, who taught her to trust. Who taught her how to survive.
“All you cowards!” Artio hissed through her teeth, finally putting that pacifism behind her. She pointed at them one by one with a fury Wanda had never seen before. She never saw Aidan that way, the brunette was always kind and sweet. “Natasha Romanoff's sacrifice is what has you sitting here!! SITTING ON YOUR THRONES. Without her today you all would be nothing!!”
“Artio, stop. We already agreed to what you asked for a long time ago.” Osiris looked at Wanda out of the corner of his eye, something had happened and she didn't understand what. Of course this would lead to a long talk with Aidan. “You don't want us to talk about the last gathering where you broke every rule we have.”
“I will never shut up again!” Aidan's hoarse voice. “You all owe it to her, if you are here it is because humans, sorcerers, even aliens together defeated Thanos! But that... thanks to Natasha Romanoff, giving her life for it. I TOLD YOU ALL WE SHOULD FIGHT! I TOLD YOU IT WAS TIME TO DO SOMETHING! YOU REJECTED ME, SAYING I WAS OUT OF CONTROL! You owe that woman another chance!” That wasn't a request, it was an order. “YOU OWE IT AND I AM HERE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.”
Silence was present for a long time until Osiris took control again.
“We should have acted and we acknowledge it.” The oldest god admitted and observed his companions, getting up to be able to meet among all the gods and discuss the votes. “The Ennead will vote and you will be informed of the resolution of your request. Justice will be done, Artio, Goddess of Nature.”
Once Osiris and the other gods of the Ennead had moved away from them to vote, Artio turned and walked over to face Wanda.
The height difference between Wanda and Aidan was noticeable, almost five inches apart, maybe not as much as with Vision of her but definitely seeing her in that new outfit made the witch blush slightly.
“Hello, Wanda Maximoff. It's wonderful to see you again.” The goddess saluted bowing slightly, Aidan's eyes sparkling with admiration for the witch in front of her and a small amused smile.
The Sokovian brought both hands in front of her to play with her fingers. “Artio, I guess. Where’s Aidan”?”
“She is allowing me to take over the body, for a short time. We're only allowed to do that when we have these…meetings. Avatars are our voice on Earth.” The goddess narrowed her eyes and smiled mischievously. “Sorry, Aidan’s being a bit loud. ”
“Do you think they will listen to you?” She quickly changed the subject.
“It all depends on the vote now. There is nothing we can do but wait.” Artio explained, starting to walk around Wanda to look her up and down. Her gaze denoted a certain devotion, which maybe flattered her, but at the same time made her uncomfortable.
“Why are you seeing me like that? Stop.”
“I always wanted to meet you." The taller dark-haired woman confessed unashamedly. “When I saw you in Sokovia for the first time I admired you from the first moment, but I never imagined that you would end up being The Scarlet Witch. You can imagine my astonishment when I found out. Oh, I'm delighted.”
“I don't know if you think that sounds romantic or nice, but... it's very creepy.” Wanda made a face.
“Oh, I'm sorry.” She apologized, her features going neutral again. Almost as if she felt bad for her 'bad words'. For a moment, those expressions reminded er of Vision; the goddess couldn't understand what she had said wrong, she was trying to be honest. “I did not wish to embarrass you with my honesty, Wanda Maximoff. The only human I've talked to in a while is Aidan.”
Silence was present in the room for a few minutes until Wanda broke it, she couldn't control the curiosity that was eating her little by little.
“So, Aidan likes me just because you are devoted to who I am.” Wanda felt a small pang of disappointment that she didn't understand because she felt it. She thought that for the first time, someone saw her for more than who she was. Even Vision recognized who she was, but this time she thought she was 'just Wanda' to someone.
“I don't think it's right to speak for my avatar.” Artio lost sight of her in a fixed point, somewhat confused as if she expected the indications in her ears. “But she allows me to tell you the truth, which is… her feelings have nothing to do with my devotion to who you are. She loved you since she meet you…for being Wanda Maximoff, not the Scarlet Witch. In this hallowed hall I am not allowed to lie.”
The Sokovian was about to answer when the huge door to the room opened, the gods returning to the room with a final verdict. Each one took their place in their respective place, inviting the goddess and the witch to approach again.
“Artio, your claim has been heard and we have made a decision. Next, the majority will decide the fate of Natasha Romanoff's soul.” Osiris began to relate the decision of each of them. “Seth, NO.”
“That old fucker.” Artio thought and Wanda couldn't help but smile slightly at that thought, because in addition to the voice of the goddess she heard Aidan’s too.
“Hathor, YES.”
“Sekhmet, NO.”
“Isis, YES.”
“Taweret, YES.”
“Nephtys, NO.”
One by one, Osiris named the gods and their answers. A close discussion among all that would end up being decided by who commanded the Ennead; Osiris rose from his seat.
“Artio. Do you understand that if I bring Natasha Romanoff's soul from Vormir to this plane, she will be judged by this court when she dies? Her heart will be weighed on the scale and, if her heart does not prove her worth, she will be sent to the underworld where she will spend an eternity. But if it passes it, it will go to your pantheon. And she will live in the paradise that she chooses.”
“I know that Natasha Romanoff will never set foot in a place as dark as that after she gave her life to save all of you and your few followers.” Artio replied, making the other gods shut up and accept the truth. “I am proud to know that she will know paradise by my side.”
Osiris nodded and banged his staff against the floor, exposing the final verdict for her: “My vote is YES.”
After that answer, the gods nodded and stamped their feet on the ground accepting the verdict. Some of these decided to leave the place while others stayed to help in the process; The avatar of Osiris took off his expensive and costly coat and rolled up his shirt sleeves to approach Artio, but Artio held up her hand.
“My avatar wants to speak for a moment, give her the opportunity to express her wishes.” Asked Artio, after Osiris accepted her word and the other gods as well, Aidan's eyes shone again. After coughing lightly, Aidan was now in control of her own body again.
“I need to ask something else…” Aidan said trying not to cough, but it was impossible.
“The vote has been taken and your request has been accepted, human.” Horus' serious gaze made her shiver.
“Don't let these old folks scare you, Aidan.” Artio sighed in her ear.
“Yes, but Natasha wasn't the only one who sacrificed something in this life so that everyone would be here.” Aidan swallowed hard, knowing that such insolence could cost her dearly. But it was something that Artio admired and that was why she was her avatar. “Wanda Maximoff gave all of her life so that this universe could go on its way, so that she could save the world countless times… losing her family not just once, but several times. Vision should come back too.”
Wanda widened her eyes, taking a step forward but stopped when an invisible barrier intruded between her and the trial. She was only there as a witness.
“We only mediate between humans, we do not create or give life to synthezoids. We leave that to humans like Tony Stark or Bruce Banner.” Horus said with a some mockery, which annoyed both Wanda and Aidan.
“I know, but-” Aidan tried to continue but was cut off.
“Vision had no soul.” Osiris finally said something that made the Scarlet Witch very uncomfortable. “The mind stone was the one that allowed him sensations such as 'feel'. We cannot return the soul to someone who has not had it, we cannot give life to something that it doesn’t have.”
That had been a low blow, not only for Wanda but for Aidan who had tried to make the person she loved happy in the way she could. She knew that those words would break Wanda's heart once again.
Aidan licked her lips and was about to give up when Artio whispered into her mind again, giving her an idea.
“Try the boys. I always liked children.”
“Her sons.” Aidan's eyes widened. “Billy and Tommy, her children. What about them? Can you bring them? You owe it to her.”
“They were the product of her desire.” Hathor said with a somewhat wistful look, understanding a mother's pain at losing what she loved most. Hathor, goddess of love and motherhood, was the one who understood Wanda the most.
The silence in the room was present, but everyone managed to feel how Wanda's heart was breaking once more. The guilt the brunette felt, Aidan gritted her teeth against each other for feeling so useless until one of the Ennead's female avatars spoke of her. The goddess Taweret.
“It was the product of her desire to be a mother, to conceive something so beautiful as a product of love.” The goddess Taweret said with a voice too jovial and cheerful for their taste, it completely broke with all the seriousness of the moment. “But that doesn't mean it can't happen, her twins are a product of her desire for motherhood. Of love, of family. From her mind, from her power, and from her heart.”
“What do you mean?” Wanda and Aidan asked at the same time.
“Oh, darling. You're suffering from a lost maternity, children that you no longer have because you have lost, but you have not had… not really. But what makes you think you won't have them in the future?” Taweret smiled at the witch tenderly, as if she were explaining something so obvious.
“Vision is dead, duh!” Aidan clarified with some annoyance, how could Taweret tell her that? If she knew that the father of those children didn’t exist.
“Honey, children are not born from a synthetic android. No offense intended. Those children were born out of Wanda Maximoff's desire to create love, nothing more than yourself, darling. Why do you think you have lost them? When perhaps… in fact, they have not yet arrived.” Exclaimed the goddess of fertility, motherhood and resurrection with some joy. “I see an interesting future for you thanks to the change of your fate, Wanda Maximoff. Don't let heartache dominate you. You can be happy.”
Wanda frowned, confused by her words. For a moment she was about to argue and remind that ‘goddess’ that Vision was the love of her life, but behind all the confusion, that goddess had lit a small flame of hope.
Aidan looked at the Sokovian for a moment, then turned back to Taweret, knowing her words made too much sense. “Thank you, Taweret.” She whispered.
“Oh, don't worry, darling. Delighted to help.”
“Aidan, Artio. Are you sure you'll accept the price to bring Natasha Romanoff back to life? Knowing that this is… probably … your last chance in front of this court alive.” Osiris asked, firmly.
And even though she knew the price wasn't nice or good, it was worth it. Aidan nodded and closed her eyes, accepting what was to come. “I accept the price of bringing her, knowing that it may be my last life.”
“Wait, what's the price?” Wanda's voice was heard and everything went black.
The beams of that huge hall began to tremble and the battle drums that echoed around them grew more intense; she couldn't hold on anymore. Falling to her knees, Aidan's breathing grew heavier and harder to control. The nagging pain in every one of her bones, the pressure in her chest. She spat up blood, possibly more than she should have, and got back up.
A blow to her face again made her step back, it was no longer drops of blood that fell from her nose, a thread of red liquid that never stopped. An almost disfigured face, and a body full of scars, intertwined with black ink covered part of her body. Ceremonial tattoos that covered her body since she had bonded with Artio.
She tried to stay on her feet, raising her hands to cover herself from the blows but it was in vain.
As Osiris had explained before, every time Artio was mortally wounded, come back to life for her and her avatar was more difficult, same with her recovery. Her lives were numbered, for something she was an immortal being but it didn't mean that it would be forever. She might not be able to die at the hands of a human being, but she might be able to die at the hands of another God.
It was the condition imposed for such a sacrifice and now, one of her lives had to be given to recover Natasha's.
One life for another.
Every time she came back when she was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent or when Thanos attacked, it took longer to heal from her wounds, to come back to life took longer, and they both knew that maybe when the opportunity was over, Aidan would never be able to wake up again.
The gods sang around them on a black blanket spread in the hall. Repeating the song over and over in a language Wanda didn't know; Aidan moved in that circle trying to stay on her feet until one of the gods she was facing hit her with her staff, while another stabbed her in the abdomen, piercing her completely with his sword.
She gasped.
Another sword pierced her again, from behind her.
A sacrifice.
The brown eyes widened, the pain becoming unbearable.
The pain, one life for another was fair. Anubis , God of death and life, would ONLYaccept that deal if his rules were respected. The goddess must go down fighting or the sacrifice would not be worth it.
Osiris closed his eyes and raised his hands, Aidan's gaze blurring and her steps clumsy until she fell to her knees again. The blood oozing from her abdomen, the blood flowing from her mouth.
The goddess fell to the ground, exactly to one side of that black blanket. She didn't know if it was because she was delirious from the beatings or the inevitable death, but she swore that blanket began to take on volume and even move.
“Aidan? Aidan, wake up.”
Distant voices that became stronger and more constant, a female voice called her to come back to life again but when she opened her eyes, a redheaded hair and a brunette were above her, watching her with curiosity. Two women, two of the most important women in her life.
“Natasha?” Aidan asked in a hoarse voice, speaking causing her vocal cords to ache. “Did it work or I'm dead?”
“I don't know what you've done, but… yeah, it worked.” She said the Russian with a friendly smile, before leaning over next to Wanda so they could help the brunette to get up. Aidan's feet trembled like jelly, standing was too much for her, but the joy in her heart was unbearable.
Aidan smiled, though it caused a stabbing pain.
“We have to get out of here.” Wanda said, noticing how the ennead of gods was watching them from above. Holding Aidan's wounded body, they both walked a few steps until Osiris' deep voice stopped them.
“Natasha Romanoff.” He called her, causing them to turn around. “You have been granted to live again. The gods owe you an opportunity and Artio gave one of her lives to give you yours, but I must warn you: when it is time to judge you, you will see us again and we will decide if your good heart or your bad actions weigh more on your life. If you pass that test, you will belong to paradise. If you don't, you will know the underworld forever.” Osiris warned her before getting up from his seat and raising his hand, pointing to one of the entrances to that room.
Osiris opened a portal for them, the same way they had come.
"Well, that was nothing creepy and scary at all." Natasha said ironically. “May I know what this is all about?” Natasha asked somewhat confused as they walked through that dark hallway, coming out again into a dark alley in New York City.
Natasha noticed how Wanda and Aidan looked at each other and knew that things would be much more complex than she expected.
Aidan, between groans, explained what had happened since Natasha had sacrificed herself to obtain the soul stone while Wanda dedicated herself to explaining what had happened after everyone came back to life. She avoided exposing too much about Westview, she believed it was a topic they should talk about at a better time and not when the taller brunette was bleeding to death again.
“So... My sister and your sister are dating.” Nat arched an eyebrow playfully as they entered the building they lived in.
“They love each other like you have no idea.” Aidan smirked, the huge bruises on her eyes making her look kind of funny. Like a panda after a massive beating. “They are living together in… the apartment next to ours.”
“Wow. All you can miss for being dead.” Natasha said somewhat amused but happy. The Russian looked away from her to Wanda who was holding Aidan on the other side. “And you two live together too… are you two…?”
“As friends.” Aidan said quickly, so much so that it was too awkward for her and Wanda. The witch felt a twinge of annoyance at that response, almost as if she was rejected.
“Oh, interesting. And how have you been, Wanda?” Natasha pressed the button to call the elevator, hoping that no one would dare to get off it and see the embarrassing situation.
“That is a talk for another time.” The Sokovian said grimacing as they got out of that elevator. One of the oldest neighbors was leaving her apartment but quickly went back inside as she saw how they both carried Aidan's battered body.
Finally the three women entered the apartment shared by the witch and the goddess.
“Let me rest…here.” Aidan sighed, clenching her jaw in pain. She flopped onto the sofa, settling on her back. “Just here.”
“Wanda, bring the first aid-kit...” Nat asked but the brunette stopped her, taking her hand and squeezing it gently.
“You go… go see your sister. If they see me like this, they will do it about me.” Aidan swallowed hard. “This is about you, Nat. OK? Go.”
Natasha sighed and leaned in so she could caress her friend's cheek, that person she had been with for a long time after Thanos snapped her fingers. In one of the people she had sheltered besides Steve, to whom she had confided her grief over Yelena's death. She kissed Aidan's forehead.
“I owe you a lot.”
“You owe me a beer before our sisters' wedding, sister-in-law to sis. Cause I missed you.” Aidan smiled painedly and then waved her hand away. She felt quite tired and exhausted, and as Osiris had warned her, her injuries would take much longer to recover. “Mh, better be a latte. I don’t like beer. I just pretend I do to look cool and get the girls.”
“You’re still a baby.” Nat mocked before bringing one of her hands up to her eyes moist from holding back tears. As fast as she could, the redhead was leaving that apartment with an emotion and nervousness that she had never felt before.
When Wanda returned to the living room with med kit, she found Aidan alone on the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling. She was blinking slowly as if she was trying to stay awake, but each blink invited her to close her eyes completely and rest.
After a few moments of silence, the Sokovian spoke:
“You didn't have to, what you did for me.” Wanda took a place on one side of the sofa and helped the brunette to remove the remains of that completely destroyed shirt, revealing her abdomen and her wounded body. “Ask for me… before them.”
The brunette lifted her head slightly, even though it hurt a lot.
“I did what I felt I had to do.” Aidan whispered, noticing how Wanda slowly disinfected some areas, cleaning the dried blood from her skin. Huge bruises were beginning to form on her skin, which would have been dangerous if she didn’t have superfast recovery. “You deserve to be happy, Wanda.”
“I still don't understand what you see in me that you like, I'm just a broken and tired soul. And yet, you continue to watch me with a devotion that makes me feel so guilty.” The scarlet witch she pursed her lips while disinfecting the area where she had been stabbed by that huge sword, her wounds remained open. “I must give you stitches.”
“I know you deserve to be happy... you have lost too much in your life.” Aidan swallowed hard. “I met you in Sokovia when you were fighting Ultron, I have seen you suffer and I have seen you smile little by little, after the loss of Pietro. But you never noticed me, and I understand. I was too cowardly to talk to you, ask how you felt everyday. Then you fell in love with Vision.” She cleared her dry throat.
“I'm sorry I didn't see you first, maybe things would have been different between us.” Wanda lowered her eyes to continue healing her friend, guilt invaded the witch until it suffocated her.
“No, you're not sorry, Wanda. Vision is the love of your life and as I told you before… I know that you will never feel something like that for me. I'm a good loser, but I settled for seeing you happy and being your friend.” Aidan smiled sadly. “Well, for Artio it wasn't the same way. She says that no one has ever rejected her, now she’s by your side saying that I should stop being an loser and an idiot, but... I'm more of an underdog.” She smiled amused and sleepy, slowly her eyes began to close.
“Don't fall asleep, stay awake. Osiris said that if you died again, you might never come back to life.” Wanda reminded her as she disinfected the needle so she could close her open wound. Thanks to the fact that Natasha had taught her how to react in emergencies, Wanda knew how to heal wounds. Even her own, especially after living as fugitives. This was no time to visit hospitals.
“I'm not going to die again... I'm just sleepy...” the brunette murmured annoyed.
“Tell me something. Where did you get these tattoos?” She asked her trying to get Aidan’s attention and wouldn't end up passing out again. This made Aidan opened her tired brown eyes, noticed how Wanda watched the tattoos on her skin. Endless runes and at the same time, beautiful lunar symbols and objects of nature that ran down her legs to her thighs. Areas like her back or her abdomen too.
“I got them when I agreed to be her avatar.”
“I've noticed that Artio has a bit of a crush on the Scarlet Witch.” Wanda arched an eyebrow playfully.
“And who doesn't? I'm not surprised. She admires strong women and I do too.” Aidan giggled a little and Wanda too until there was a quiet moment. The witch hesitated whether to continue with that talk or talk about something else. She decided to do what she thought was right.
“I thought your love for me was because of her.”
“No, that's all because of me. I am the one who’s in love with you.” Aidan gritted her teeth together as Wanda finished stitching up the wound, cutting that thread. “Don't worry about me, Wanda. I will stop feeling it at some point. I promise I will work harder on it. It's hard for me… I've loved you for ten years. Ten years have passed since the Battle of Sokovia? Woah.”
Wanda's eyes widened at the devotion Aidan felt for her after so long and she had never noticed it. The witch hadn't noticed her in Sokovia, not at the Avengers Compound, not even when she met her. Ten years, five since the battle and five after the snap.
“Have you loved me for ten years? I- I don't deserve that.” Wanda whispered. Tears filled her big, beautiful green eyes, threatening to run down her cheeks.
Aidan lifted her hand regretfully to her cheek and caressed it gently.
“Wanda, you deserve the entire universe... you just have to... learn to love yourself…” Aidan said, really tired. “I hope one day you can give yourself the opportunity to be happy and that you can love yourself, as I love you. Even more.”
Those words had break through deep into the heart of the sokovian.
Following her instincts, although she didn't want to follow her heart, Wanda leaned in to kiss the goddess lips for a few seconds. A few seconds that became eternal, a few seconds where she felt that everything seemed to be better.
“What was that for?” Aidan whispered groggily as Wanda pulled away from her, grabbing her first aid kit and getting up from her couch. She would possibly believe the next day that it had been a dream because it was impossible. “I'm already asleep and dreaming?”
“Thank you, Aidan.”
But before she could say anything else, Aidan ended up passing out on that couch.
How to start? What to say?
She didn't even know how to explain how she had come back to life, what would she say to Yelena?
Natasha stood in silence in front of the door of that apartment, trying to gather courage. A black widow who had fought defending and avenging the world in different ways and now she was terrified to see her little sister again, something she had wanted for a long time. Something Nat gave her life for.
“Whatever it takes.” Natasha said in a whisper, remembering her last words. She would give the world for a pb&j sandwich right now.
The redhead was about to back away when she heard the door of Aidan's apartment open, revealing Wanda who had decided to see how things were going. But she was surprised to see how Natasha hadn't even come in yet.
“Everything okay?” Nat asked.
“She passed out.” The Sokovian answered, approaching Natasha, standing next to her. Both posed their backs against the cold wall of the building. “I needed air.”
“I understand that.” The Russian made a face. “Did she finally tell you?
Wanda nodded.
“I really missed you a lot.” Wanda confessed with a low voice, after so long without seeing her best friend. She couldn't believe that a few months ago visited her empty grave and now she was there, next to her. Wanda had so much to thank her for, without Nat, the witch wouldn't be there.
“I missed you a lot too.” Natasha smiled tenderly and came over to hug her for a few seconds, squeezing her tightly. Five years had passed for Natasha while for Wanda, a whole year had passed after her death.
“Please, the next time you want to sacrifice yourself, don't do it.”
“Oh, but where would the fun be in there?”
“I felt so alone without you.” Wanda spoke, separating from her embrace. “Haven't you come to see her yet?”
“I don’t know how to do it.” Natasha sobbed. “I abandoned her once, I don't know if she will forgive me after doing it again.”
“She missed you so much, Natasha. Yelena has been suffering a long time since she came back.” Wanda took her hand and squeezed it gently. “End the pain for both, she will be happy to see you.”
After nodding and filling her chest, taking the necessary courage, Natasha stepped aside for Wanda to knock on the apartment door.
Kate Bishop separated from her place on the couch, watching the door. Yelena, who looked somewhat uncomfortable, shook her head.
“Must be one of the girls.” Kate whispered.
“I'm not ready to talk to her.” Yelena said, referring to Aidan.
Kate nodded and got up from her seat to open the door. Seeing Wanda in front of her, she was about to explain that Yelena didn't want to see anyone at the moment, until Wanda moved, revealing who was next to her.
The shock on Kate's face was kinda obvious, her eyes widening and her jaw dropping as far as it would go. What she saw in front of her was not possible, it was completely unreal. Natasha Fucking Romanoff.
“Yelena...” Kate babbled trying to get her attention, backing away to let those two women pass. Natasha smiled with a certain tenderness when she saw that Kate couldn't get over her astonishment.
Her gaze fell on her blonde hair on her sofa, Yelena was ignoring her presence. Her little sister wore a braid to the side, reminding her of herself.
“I told you, I'm not ready to…” Oh, her voice. That stubbornness in her sister, that thick accent. Natasha's eyes filled with tears as she saw her little sister on that sofa. When Yelena stood up ready to face who she thought she was, her eyes widened as wide as Kate's.
“I see you're still as stubborn as ever.” Natasha commented with a playful smile, her tears were soon falling down her cheek as she saw Yelena shake her head and start to cry.
“This isn't…” Yelena stammered. “Sestra?”
“привет, младшая сестра.” [hello, little sister.] Natasha greeted before taking Yelena by her shoulders into a a strong and expected hug from both. A strong hug, a hug that both needed. The most anticipated hug for both, the warmest, the one that brings you back to life.
The russian sisters began to cry, with happiness, joy, surprise and sadness for the lost time and how much they had missed each other. It was Natasha.
She felt like Natasha.
She smelled like Natasha.
Wanda and Kate watched the situation with a cute smile and some tears again, seeing how both of them met again in this life. Natasha Romanoff is back.
“How is this possible?” Yelena asked in complete astonishment, looking her sister up and down.
“I think Wanda knows more about this than I do.” Natasha looked at her mischievously, but the witch just shrugged.
“It's too long to explain, all I know is that Aidan promised to fix it and she did it.” The witch nodded and still with her arms crossed, she turned to walk towards the door. “She needs to rest now, I’m gonna watch her. And I think you deserve a moment to meet again.”
Both Yelena and Nat nodded, watching as the witch closed the door behind her, leaving them alone.
With some nervousness, Kate realized that in front of her was none other than the official avenger, one of the first ones, Natasha Romanoff. And not only that, but also who was her sister-in-law.
“Um… hi.” The archer said a little nervously, stretching out her hand to introduce herself. “I’m Kate Bishop. It’s a great pleasure to meet you.”
“Hi, Kate Bishop.” Natasha said with cute smile, noticing her nervousness. She took Kate's hand and squeezed it gently. “Nice to meet you too.”
“I'm your number one fan. Well actually I was Hawkeye's fan, now I'm the new Hawkeye, I'm her fan but then he took me as his successor. But I promise you I'm taking the name and doing it well, Yelena can attest to that. Some people have actually called me the world's greatest archer.”
“New Hawkeye, huh? Do we already have a 2.0 version of the Avengers? Baby Avengers? Young Avengers? Are you the new Black Widow?” Natasha asked, amused, looking at Yelena. The blonde rolled her eyes and grimaced.
“I think you guys have a lot to talk about.” Kate said somewhat nervously but happily, nodding so fast she thought she'd run out of her place. The archer was about to leave when Natasha placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Don't go, you must be my little sister's girlfriend.” The black widow watched her sister out of the corner of her eye. “I don't think anyone has threatened you about this before, but... I don't think it's necessary. anyway, if you break her heart, you'll deal with me.”
Kate's eyes widened and she nodded quickly. “Uh, uh, yes. I mean, I won't hurt her. Never. I swear. I love her soooo much.”
Natasha giggled a little and noticed how Yelena smiled tenderly.
“In fact, sestra, it is I who have hurt Kate before. She is a wonderful person.” Yelena's gaze shone at the sight of her great love. “Truly wonderful.”
Kate blushed and nodded awkwardly.
“I'm going to go... see that everything is okay... I'll leave you two to meet again, okay? Okay. Are you hungry? I'll go for pizza! Pizza for everyone. Yes!” Kate didn't say anything else, just walked quickly out of the apartment in little happy jumps. When Lucky heard the word 'Pizza', he quickly got up to follow Kate.
The two Black Widows watched as that archer happily left, until Natasha turned to see her sister.
“You chose well. She’s really gorgeous, so honest and kind.”
“She chose me.” Yelena said tenderly until she realized it, turning to see her sister. The blonde crossed her arms. “Unlike you who decided to save the world and leave me alone. Again.”
“Yelena…”
“No. You know what, Natasha?” Yelena snapped against her sister of her. She felt happy and at the same time very hurt. “I can't pretend that I'm happy for your return and at the same time not wanting to kill you again for abandoning me!”
“I had to do whatever it takes to bring you back. To bring everyone.” Natasha sighed, knowing that her sister was right, she had every reason in the world but that sacrifice was necessary.
“And let me lose you? Do you have any idea of the pain you caused?!” Yelled the blonde one. “Couldn't someone else do it? WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE YOU? NATASHA ROMANOFF, AVENGER. Can't you choose your sister ONCE over your stupid heroism?”
The redhead didn't say anything, she just lowered her eyes knowing that her sister was right. But above all, to feel guilty because she knew that if she had the opportunity to do it again, to sacrifice herself to save Yelena, she would do it again. Everything to save her.
“Or the pain in which you buried me without saying goodbye! Without saying goodbye to Melina or Alexei!” Yelena's voice broke and her lips trembled, that pout so typical of her. “You choose to leave me.”
“I'm sorry.” A tear fell down Natasha's cheek and just ended the distance, hugging her sister once more.
“Oh Natasha. This is going to cost you more than a 'sorry' and you know it.” Yelena said before sinking into that hug, holding onto her so tightly. They allowed themselves to cry for a while, in a sisterly embrace.
A small howl was heard in the room and Natasha turned to see who was it. An adorable, somewhat old American Akita approached them, wagging its tail.
“Aw, who is this cutie?” Natasha asked before leaning down to caress the area between her ears, making Fanny fall in love with her quickly.
“She's Fanny.” Yelena smiled. “She’s my life partner. Well, besides Kate. Fanny was with me all this time in these difficult times.”
“You always wanted a dog… Wait. Fanny?” Natasha frowned, understanding the reference. “Fanny Longbottom?”
Before the redhead could say anything, Yelena let out a laugh and nodded.
“Ah, сука! I'll let you have that because I made you suffer.” Natasha pushed her sister away and fell onto the sofa, inviting Fanny to lie down beside her. “Now, tell me everything that has happened in my absence. Everything.”
