Just a child
Once the realization hits Robin, the tall woman takes a seat in her office chair. Yelena glances up at her from where she had pulled books off the shelf to stack them.
“Little one, come here,” Robin clears her throat when her voice comes out hoarse.
Yelena clambers to her feet and walks until she’s in front of Robin.
Robin reached down and gently lifted Yelena up into her lap. “You know mama loves you very much, right?” She asked softly, brushing her fingers over the blonde curls on the toddler’s head.
Yelena squirms in place. “I love you.” She said quietly. “You’re mad, mama.”
“I am…” Robin lets Yelena wiggle her way closer to rest her head against Robin’s chest. “You’re very smart.”
Yelena brings her thumb up to her lips again and Robin strokes her back.
“I hope that you like it in your little motel…” Robin starts to sing the song quietly, ensuring that nobody else would hear. Yelena slowly relaxes against her, curling her free hand into her shirt to grip the fabric.
Robin sings quietly to Yelena, feeling the toddler gradually sink into the hold.
Robin never meant for her girls to be frightened of her. But she needed to step up and be tougher and show that she was a Red Room soldier, not just a doctor.
There was a reason she had a codename.
Yelena ends up falling asleep on her chest, her thumb planted firmly between her lips as her little fingers clutch Robin’s shirt in her sleep.
Robin is reminded of why she’s doing what she’s doing. She’s protecting them.
Robin knows that logically she won’t be able to stay in Ohio forever. That the mission will come to an end and her girls will no longer be hers.
Maybe she should start training Yelena. Teach her to read body language and do ballet and--
The grip on her baby tightens as she pulls her closer. She was getting ahead of herself.
She’s drawn out of her thoughts by a knock on her office door.
“Enter!” Robin calls out, her fingers gently running over Yelena’s back when she shifts.
Natasha enters the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
“What do you need?” Robin asked as the girl crossed the room.
“Are you mad at me?” Natasha asked quietly, her fingers playing with her cast as she stares at her feet.
“No. I’m not upset with you,” Robin tells her.
Natasha glances at Yelena before looking at Robin and reaches her arms out hesitantly.
Robin shifts Yelena to one arm and helps Natasha climb up onto her lap. Natasha sinks against Robin, letting out a small tired sigh.
“I’m sorry.” Natasha said quietly, resting her head against Robin’s shoulder. “I was bad today.”
Robin reaches her hand up to stroke her hair. She found that Natasha liked having her hair pet or caressed. “I know. I can only imagine how hard Belka’s appearance is for you.”
Natasha ducks her head in shame. “I’m sorry.” She repeats.
Robin tilts Natasha’s chin up and kissed her forehead. “I know. I frightened you today. It’s been very stressful, hasn’t it?”
Natasha bobs her head in a nod. “I want her to go away.” She whispers.
“I know,” Robin wrapped her arm around Natasha to pull her closer. “Just a little longer, sweetheart.”
Natasha draws her knees up to curl against Robin and her thumb brushes across her own lips but she doesn’t go any further than that.
Robin holds her little ones close until Melina returns home.
Robin pulls Melina aside to speak to her about what she did today. Melina pulls her into a searing kiss as soon as they’re behind closed doors.
Robin doesn’t understand the sudden affection. “What’s wrong? Did something happen at work?”
“You’re mine,” Melina’s grip on Robin is so tight that it’s bruising, digging her fingers into Robin’s wrists possessively. “Not theirs. Not his. Not even Madam’s. Mine.”
“I’m all yours, sweet girl,” Robin said softly, bringing up Melina’s hands to press a soft kiss to each of her knuckles. “Not theirs. Not hers. Yours.”
“And I’m yours?” It’s phrased as a question but Melina kisses her hard.
“You’re mine,” Robin agrees, turning to push Melina against the wall and kiss her. “Let me remind you--” She moves to tug Melina’s uniform aside to press her lips against her collar when there’s a crashing noise.
Yelena lets out a wail and the two women break apart and Robin flings the door open.
Yelena is sobbing, surrounded by broken glass. Natasha and Belka are standing nearby and stiffen when seeing Robin.
“Madam did it--” Natasha jerks a finger at Belka.
Belka’s face twists. “It was her. I did nothing, ma’am.”
Robin stares at them in disbelief. She can read their body language.
Natasha was lying to her face.
Melina steps forward past the shattered glass on the ground and picks Yelena up to soothe her.
“Belka--” Robin said and disbelief crossed over the woman’s face before it went blank again. “Clean up the glass.”
Robin turns to look down at Natasha. “In my office.”
Natasha opens her mouth to protest and Robin glares at her.
“That wasn’t a question,” Robin snaps and Natasha’s mouth clicked shut before she darts upstairs.
Robin glances at Melina before glancing at Yelena. A sharp exhale leaves her lips and Melina glances at her.
“Get this cleaned up,” Robin said before turning and walking upstairs to her office. Natasha was waiting for her and jumped when Robin closed and locked the door behind her.
Robin reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders. “What the fuck were you thinking?” She demanded, her heart racing in her chest. The child curls in on herself, her eyes wide. “What you just did was dangerous, do you understand me?”
“But--” Natasha opens her mouth to protest and Robin tightens her grip, giving her a small shake.
“No!” Robin interrupts. “What you did was reckless and dangerous!”
Robin lets her go, pinching the bridge of her nose and taking a moment to collect herself.
“Do you want her to go back and tell General Dreykov that you’re being bad? They will take you away from me. I can’t protect you if you keep acting out!” Robin’s hands shake. She’s worried that Belka is going to tell the General that she can’t keep her Widows in line.
“I want her to leave!” Natasha retorts, raising her voice.
Robin’s heart thuds in her chest. Belka would be able to hear them.
Robin turns and slams her hand onto the desk causing Natasha to jump.
“No!” Robin raised her voice. “Who is in charge?”
Natasha stares up at her with wide eyes, her mouth open but no words coming out.
“Who!?” Robin demands, slamming her hand down again and Natasha flinches.
“Y-you…” She whispered quietly.
“Strip.” Robin said and Natasha jerks at the change of their usual protocol. But Robin knew Belka was listening. Robin couldn’t go easy. “Now.”
Natasha was uncoordinated as she struggles to strip out of her clothes, confusion, and betrayal on her face.
Robin swallows hard as she wraps her fingers around one of the bamboo sticks. She pulls it from its spot in the umbrella stand. “You know how I want you.”
Natasha moves to press her palms against the wall and assume the stance she usually did.
Robin moves toward her and bends over to whisper in her ear. “I need you to cry out. I need you to beg. I need you to apologize.”
Natasha is tense and looks up at Robin with confusion. Robin eyes the door and Natasha glances at it before nodding slowly.
Robin lands the first swat and Natasha lets out a yelp.
“One! I’m sorry, please forgive me!” Natasha looks unsure at Robin.
Robin can only give her a nod and sends the next.
“Two! Please, I’m sorry!” Natasha continues.
Robin continues to send swats and Natasha continues to cry out and plead for forgiveness.
Robin’s swats aren’t as hard as usual but she does twenty, more than she’d ever given Natasha before.
She swallows down the bile crawling up her throat at the sight of the red marks on Natasha’s lower back spanning down to the girl’s upper thighs.
Robin drops the stick back into the umbrella stand, pulling herself together before moving toward Natasha, kneeling in front of her. “You did so well.” She whispers quietly to the copper-haired child.
Natasha looks at her hesitantly, wrapping her arms around herself. “Corner?” She asked quietly, wondering if she needed to stand in the corner now.
Robin shakes her head and opens her arms up. Natasha hesitates for far too long and Robin tries not to take the rejection personally.
Natasha then shuffles forward and leans against Robin, letting out a small sniffle as tears drip down her cheeks.
Robin slowly wraps her arms around her. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” She whispers into her ear.
“I’m sorry I’m bad,” Natasha whispers, pressing her face into the crook of Robin’s neck.
Robin squeezed her eyes shut, pulling Natasha close. “You did very well. My good girl, thank you.”
“I want her to go away…” Natasha moves to curl her fingers into Robin’s shirt.
“Me too,” Robin only had so much control. She could only do so much. She’s only human. A soldier. A doctor following orders. Robin pulls away just enough so she can cup Natasha’s face. “I love you, sweetheart. I still do.”
Natasha’s lower lip wobbles before her face scrunches up and she sobs.