I know why the caged bird sings
Time seems to pass by too fast as the days creep closer to summer. It’s been nearly a year since Robin’s girls were given to her and Robin feared that it would come to an end that summer.
Natasha has started to pull away as the time comes closer. Robin tries not to let her but has to settle on the fact that Natasha needed to decide this on her own and if she didn’t want Robin’s touch then Robin wouldn’t force it onto her.
Instead, Robin found Natasha seeking out comfort with Yelena. Yelena had moved from a crib to an actual bed and Robin found Natasha co-sleeping with her more often. If Natasha wasn’t in Yelena’s bed then Yelena would be in Natasha’s.
Yelena had learned to tell time just so she could wait for Natasha to get home to play with her.
Yelena had just recently announced to Robin that it was twelve, excitedly clambering onto her lap. “Three hours until Nattie comes home!” She informs Robin with a grin.
Robin chuckles at her enthusiasm. “I see that.” She replies fondly, brushing a hand over Yelena’s hair. Her phone started to ring, which caused Robin to frown because nobody ever called for anything good. Yelena wraps her limbs around Robin so that the woman had to carry her over to where her phone was ringing. “Hello?”
“Hi, is this Robin Lewis?” A male voice questioned and Robin relaxes slightly at the sound of her fake name.
“This is she,” Robin feels Yelena tug on her hair.
“This is Phil Coulson with SHIELD,” He starts and Robin’s heart drops. “I’m calling regarding your wife, Melina.”
“What’s wrong?” Robin demands, moving to grab her wallet and keys.
“Something triggered an anxiety attack, we believe,” Coulson said as Robin shoves her feet into her boots, scooping up a pair of Yelena’s sneakers to wrestle on her later. “She’s asking for you.”
Robin can hear the hesitation in the last sentence and knows that he’s hesitant of her. Melina wouldn’t confirm and wouldn’t deny any abuse allegations brought up against Robin as per Robin’s orders. Robin needed the connection in case there was an emergency.
“I’m on my way, I just need to drop my daughter off with a sitter,” Robin says and Phil bids her goodbye before hanging up.
Yelena’s not happy about her routine getting interrupted but once she hears that she gets to spend the afternoon with aunt Rosalie then she is happy as can be.
Rosalie sees something on Robin’s face when she answers the door and doesn’t hesitate to reach out for Yelena. “Do ya need me to get the other one from school, captain?”
She shouldn’t but Robin doesn’t deny it. “Maybe. I’ll keep you updated on things. I owe you.”
Rosalie scoffs and they both know they don’t care about the favors anymore. Rosalie may be a double agent but Robin trusted her with the kids and trusted Rosalie to be on her side and take the fall should shit happen. In return, Robin will patch Rosalie up and look after Maggie if need be.
Robin passes over Yelena’s shoes before she leaves to head to SHIELD.
Phil Coulson was waiting for her at the front. He glances at her warily but he carefully conceals his gaze as he leads her inside. Robin follows him down the winding hallways until they end up just outside of the woman’s bathroom
“She locked herself in,” Coulson explained when Robin went to open the door.
“Melina?” Robin knocks on the door softly. “Open up.”
It takes a few moments before there’s a soft click and the door swings open. Robin accepts the armful of shaken Widow that lurches at her. Melina doesn’t seem to care about appearances, whatever spooked her had spooked her bad. Robin holds her, vaguely aware that Coulson was still there.
“I’m right here, sweet girl,” Robin whispers to Melina, shuffling her back into the bathroom so they could have some privacy. “Come on.”
Robin closes and relocks the bathroom door before wrapping her arm around Melina again. “What do you need from me?” Robin asked softly, feeling Melina press her face into her neck.
“Just-- just hold me.” Melina whispers. “I need to know that you’re here. I need you to be my handler.”
Handler don’t hold their assets like this but Robin thinks Melina needs to know that Robin had control of the situation, even if she had no idea what’s going on.
“Come on, let’s sit down,” Robin coaxed, slowly lowering Melina to the floor. “There we go, good girl.” Robin kneels next to her, guiding Melina’s head to rest on her collar. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
Melina curls her fingers into Robin’s shirt, trying to pull her closer. Robin doesn’t know what happened or why Melina was so distressed.
Robin focuses on running her fingers over Melina’s hair, providing the grounding source that Melina needed at the moment.
Melina nuzzles her nose against Robin’s neck with a soft sigh. “I saw a Red Room operate. She overheard Coulson inquiring about you. She said she’d tell.”
“What did you do?” Robin coaxed gently and Melina tucks her face against her neck. Robin somehow already knows the answer. “Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry,” Melina murmurs against Robin’s throat. “I didn’t know what else do to other than elimination.”
“I know,” Robin hated whenever Melina needed to seduce her targets to keep them where she wants them. “I’m not upset with you.”
“I need you--” Melina chokes out, curling her fingers into Robin’s shirt. “I need you, not her. I’m yours.”
Robin pressed her lips to Melina’s forehead softly. “You’re mine.” She agrees. “No matter what you do.”
Melina’s fingers move to Robin’s collar and she jerks the taller woman down into a searing kiss. Robin kisses back for a few moments before pulling away, refusing to kiss Melina merely to wash away the touch of someone else. She’s not sure that Melina truly wants her affection or just to get rid of the taste of that woman.
“Patience,” Robin chides when Melina tries to pull her into another kiss. “Slow down.”
“Robin--” Melina’s tone isn’t quite a whimper but it’s close. “Please!”
“Shh, I know,” Robin soothes, twisting her head to press a kiss to Melina’s fingers. “But we need to slow down. Are you ready to leave for the day?”
Robin can feel the way Melina shifts as her body language reflects her shame of having been caught in such a vulnerable position.
“Look at me,” Robin cradles Melina’s face in her hands, leaning forward to rub their noses together. “I love you, sweet girl.”
Melina relaxes slightly into Robin’s touch. “I love you too.” She replies softly. “I’m okay.”
Robin doesn’t call her out on her lie, pulling away to stand. Melina moves to her feet and curls against Robin’s side. Robin wraps an arm around her, kissing the side of her head before unlocking and opening the bathroom door.
She’s slightly surprised to see Coulson still there, seemingly standing guard just outside the door. He glances at them and gives them a slightly tight smile but nods his head and resumes his stance.
Robin appreciates him not asking questions and walks with Melina out to the parking lot.
Melina doesn’t want to let go of her yet so they take Robin’s car. Melina grips Robin’s hand the whole drive home.
There’s about an hour until Natasha has to be picked up from school now. Robin shoots a quick text off to Rosalie to tell her to pick Natasha up and to keep the kids until Robin says so. Melina needed her undivided attention at the moment without Natasha or Yelena interrupting.
Rosalie replies with a thumbs up.
Robin guides Melina upstairs and helps her out of her SHIELD uniform and into something comfortable. Melina wants to wear one of her shirts so Robin pulls out her favorite pajama top. She finds it adorable how loose it is on Melina.
Robin knows that Melina’s very out of it when she doesn’t hesitate to lay down in bed and wait for Robin to hold her. Robin doesn’t disappoint her, climbing into bed and sliding up behind her, wrapping her arms around her and pulling her close.
“I love you, sweet girl,” Robin reassures Melina, pressing a kiss to the nape of her neck. “No matter what.”
Melina fiddles with the ring on Robin’s hand. “I know.” She said quietly before turning around in Robin’s arms to face her. “It’s almost summer…”
She doesn’t have to explain what she means by that.
“I know.” Robin said quietly, thinking over the possibilities of what could happen. “We’ll be okay.”
Melina can’t help but relax slightly at Robin’s words.
Because Robin doesn’t lie.