A Widows bond
Melina wakes up to the sound of crying. It’s nearly three in the morning and Yelena is wailing in pain.
Robin is already out of bed and darting toward the door. Melina follows seconds later, grabbing a knife she kept in the nightstand.
There’s no danger that Melina can see when she enters the nursery. Robin is holding Yelena coles and cooing softly.
Melina’s eyes scan for the source of Yelena’s pain but there’s no blood and nothing was broken.
“What’s wrong?” Melina lowers the knife as she approached the two.
“I think she’s got an ear infection,” Robin said, brushing her hand over Yelena’s hair to reveal a pink ear from where Yelena kept rubbing at it.
“It sounds like she was in a lot of pain. But it’s just her ear?” Melina frowns slightly.
“It’s a lot of pain for her,” Robin replies, bouncing the toddler gently. “She doesn’t have the same pain threshold as you or me.”
Yelena grabs at her ear again, tears rolling down her flushed cheeks.
“Do we have the things to deal with it here?” Melina asked Robin, not wanting Yelena to have to go to the Red Room.
One kid going back was one time too many.
“Yeah. I need warm olive oil and a cotton swab,” Robin said, rubbing Yelena’s back before pressing a kiss to her messy hair. “Mama’s gonna help you feel better, little one.”
“Hurts, mama,” Yelena sniffles. “Owie.”
“Is she going to be able to go out later?” Melina questioned. Robin had planned for the girls to go ice skating later on as ‘training’.
“Probably not,” Robin said, smoothing back some frizz on Yelena’s hair. “You and Natasha can still go.”
Melina hesitates. She never really had the opportunity to be with Natasha one-on-one like Robin did. She wasn’t even entirely sure if the younger Widow liked her as much as she liked Robin.
“Are you sure?” Melina questioned and Robin’s eyes flickered to look up at Melina.
Melina can’t help but feel immediately reassured by the soft gaze. Robin reaches out and Melina readily steps forward into the outstretched hand that cups her face.
“You’ll be fine,” Robin said and leans forward to kiss Melina’s cheek. “But that’s later on. Go back to bed, I’ve got this.”
“Are you sure?” Melina glances at Yelena who was sniffling from where she tucked her flushed face against Robin’s neck.
“I’m sure,” Robin pulls Melina’s head forward to kiss her forehead. Melina takes a moment to revel in the affection.
Melina hesitantly returns to the master bedroom, setting the knife back into her nightstand. She lays back down in bed, pulling Robin’s pillow close to inhale the scent she had gotten used to falling asleep with.
She doesn’t expect to fall back asleep but she wakes up when Robin climbs back into bed, Yelena asleep in her grip. The red numbers on the clock tells Melina that it’s been two hours. Melina shifts to make room for Robin.
Robin smiles at her tiredly. “Hi.” She whispers, settling Yelena down on the bed. “Watch her for a moment.”
Robin disappears into the bathroom and Melina reaches out to stroke Yelena’s hair, unable to stop herself from smiling. The toddler lets out a sleepy sigh at her touch and Melina leans down to press a soft kiss to the top of her head.
Robin returns, sliding back into bed, and leans over Yelena to kiss Melina softly. “She had a small fever so she needs to be watched.”
“Poor baby,” Melina whispers, looking down at Yelena.
Robin settles the covers back over them, shifting Yelena back into her hold, and settles down as she lets out a yawn.
Melina stays awake to keep an eye on Yelena while Robin falls asleep quickly. Melina thinks that Robin works too hard but knows that it’s a necessity to keep them alive and safe.
Yelena stirs an hour later, letting out a sleepy whine as she reaches up to rub at her ear.
“Oh no, don’t do that, little dove,” Melina gently picks Yelena up from Robin’s hold and pulls her close. “Come here.”
Yelena leans against her, whining when Melina grips her tiny hands to stop her from grabbing at her ear.
“I know, your ear hurts,” Melina brings Yelena’s fist up to her lips and kissed it gently. “I’m sorry, little dove.”
Melina rubs Yelena’s back, talking to her gently to settle her back down.
Robin eventually wakes up around eight and blinks sleepily, her hair sticking up in a way that Melina finds adorable.
“Lina?” Robin yawns, sitting up before her eyes land on Yelena. “You could have woken me.”
“You deserved some sleep,” Melina knew that Robin never let herself sleep enough. She’d only get to be around midnight if she didn’t stay up going over files or writing papers. Robin would then be up at five or six in the morning if their night wasn’t disturbed by Natasha or Yelena, or if they didn’t get a nightmare.
Robin lets out a hum, reaching out to take the dozing toddler from Melina. Melina transfers Yelena into Robin’s hold and missed the warmth of the toddler lying across her chest.
Robin stands and moves to go downstairs as Melina gets ready for the day. She then heads downstairs and spots Robin holding a cotton swab to Yelena’s ear.
Melina sees Natasha still in her pajamas standing in front of Robin, frowning as the taller woman speaks.
“...so Yelena and I can’t go today,” Robin said. “But you and Melina can still go.”
Melina pauses to try and see if Natasha was upset about that.
“Oh… okay,” Natasha nods her head and leans forward to rest her head against Robin’s side.
Melina felt like she didn’t connect with the children the same way that Robin did. Robin seemed to naturally understand what they needed. Melina felt like she was constantly doing everything wrong.
Melina steps into the kitchen and moves toward the fridge to start breakfast.
“Are you still going to take me ice skating?” Natasha’s tiny voice startles Melina slightly. Melina looks down at the child that had appeared next to her.
“Do you want me to?” Melina asked quietly and Natasha gives a small shrugging, glancing at Robin before nodding her head.
“Then we’ll go,” Melina said and starts on breakfast.
Robin sways to keep Yelena settled so Melina helps Natasha pick out warm enough clothes.
“You don’t have to take me,” Natasha said quietly as she pulls a long-sleeved shirt on, frowning as she struggles to get her cast through the sleeve. Melina kneels down to help her untangle her sleeve and settled it over her cast.
“I know,” Melina said and continues to help Natasha dress.
Robin then ensures that they’ll both be warm enough and reminds Melina quietly that Natasha can’t tie her laces so she wouldn’t be able to lace her own skates.
Melina then leaves with Natasha, Robin watching from the front porch as they drive off.
The ice rink wasn’t too far away and Melina guides Natasha in after they find a parking spot close to the entrance.
Melina rents their skates and they find a small bench tucked away where they could change their shoes out.
Natasha turns the skates over in her hand. “They look like knives…” She comments the observation quietly.
Melina helps Natasha put the skates on and laces them up snugly. Natasha watches her fingers work. Melina then pulls her own skates on and stands, taking a moment to balance. Natasha stands as well, her fingers gripping Melina’s shirt as she finds her balance quickly.
“Sorry--” Natasha lets go of her shirt quickly.
“It’s alright,” Melina takes Natasha’s hand and they move toward the rink. It was cold and the rink was slightly crowded. Melina steps onto the ice first, taking a moment to find her balance. Doing ballet helped her easily keep on her feet.
Natasha takes a hesitant step onto the rink, gripping tightly onto Melina’s hand and the woman doesn’t have to be a Widow to know that the girl is nervous.
“I won’t let you fall,” Melina said and Natasha looks up at her with slightly wide eyes and Melina knew immediately that Natasha trusted her.
She trusted that Melina wasn’t going to let her fall.
She trusted Melina.
Melina moves her feet first, coaxing Natasha to follow her lead. Natasha scans the crowd, inspecting the way that everybody else was moving their feet.
The two skate in silence, slowly learning how to move their feet and stay upright. Melina doesn’t let Natasha fall when the girl wobbles and stumbles.
Natasha grips onto her the whole time, even when she’s good enough to not need the balance or support.
“Mom?” Natasha finally speaks up and Melina glances down at her, frowning slightly at the seriousness on Natasha’s face as the child avoids eye contact.
“Yes?” Melina questioned and Natasha was quiet for a few moments as a crowd passes before speaking.
“We’re going back one day,” She states quietly and Melina’s chest aches at the reminder.
“Yes.” Melina agrees. “We are.”
Natasha was quiet for another moment before the grip she had on Melina’s hand tightened. “I don’t want to.”
Melina squeezed her hand slightly. “Me either…” She admits in a whisper and Natasha skates closer to lean against Melina’s side. Melina shifts to wrap an arm around her shoulders. It was a little awkward to skate but they both needed the closeness.
“I don’t want you to be just another older Widow…” Natasha spoke softly when they pass by another crowd. “I want to stay with you and Robin… with mama.”
“I want you too,” Melina said and Natasha tilts her head up to look at her.
“I thought you didn’t like me…” She said softly. “Not like mama.”
Melina then realizes that the only reason Natasha hadn’t gotten close was that Melina hadn’t let her.
“I do. You’re…” Melina paused as she thinks for a moment about how to phrase it. “You’re mine. My big girl.”
Melina can’t tell if it’s the cold air turning Natasha’s cheeks pink but the child gives her a shy smile.
Melina doesn’t want this child in front of her to turn into her. Just another Widow whose only use was to be cycled through the Red Room over and over, a soldier that follows orders because they’re scared to step out of line.
“You’re mine too…” Natasha said quietly as they skate. “My mommy.”
Melina can’t help the soft smile that crosses her face. She grasped the girl's other hand and gives them a small spin.
It takes a lot to coax laughter out of her but Melina soon has Natasha giggling as they spin.
Melina notices when Natasha starts to tire and her feet hurt. Melina doesn’t expect Natasha to volunteer the information like other children who would complain that they were tired and wanted to be carried.
Natasha had learned to never voice what was bothering her unless she was prompted to. Robin would always ask Natasha about how she was doing.
“I think that we’re done for the day,” The crowds had thinned as dinner time rolls around. “Come on, let’s go change.”
Natasha manages to get her skates off on her own and tugs her sneakers on but waits for Melina to tie her laces.
Melina kneels in front of Natasha. “Here, watch me.” Melina shows Natasha how to tie her laces and then walks her through tying the other one. She then undoes the laces and gestures for Natasha to try.
Natasha concentrates and Melina changes out of her own skates as the girl attempts to tie her shoes.
Melina gives her a small reminder and they sit there for ten minutes until Natasha manages to get her laces tied. They’re loose but they’re tied.
“Very nice job,” Melina praised and Natasha grins up at her. “Robin will be proud of you.”
They’re interrupted by Natasha’s stomach rumbling.
“We can stop somewhere and grab dinner on the way home,” Melina said and Natasha stands, grabbing Melina’s hand despite not needing her for balance anymore.
The two go to a 24-hour diner for the first time and eat dinner. Natasha opens up slightly about school and her friend Elliot. Melina talks some about her time as a young Widow.
Robin greets them when they get home and Natasha eagerly tells her that Melina taught her to tie her shoes. Robin looked tired and Yelena was dozing in her arms so Melina volunteered to get Natasha ready for bed.
Natasha is in her pajamas and settled in bed when Melina pulls the covers over her, smoothing them out like Robin did. Melina froze when Natasha wrapped her arms around her neck.
“Thank you. I had fun today,” Natasha said softly. “I… I love you, Melina.”
Melina takes a deep breath and shifts to press her lips against Natasha’s forehead. “I love you too, big girl.” She said softly. “Get some rest, I’ll send Robin in to say goodnight.”
Natasha lets her go and Melina leaves the room, taking a moment to lean against the wall and catch her breath because the child had been nothing less than sincere when she spoke.