Natasha Romanoff One Shots

Wanda’s smile reached her ears. They had done it! She and Pietro had done it! They had graduated high school! And God, did it feel amazing. The twins had never imagined they would get this far.

When they were 10, their parents had died in the war in Sokovia, due to a bomb landing near their house. The siblings were under their collapsing house, a Stark Industries bomb in front of them, for three days. Miraculously, she and Pietro had survived. They were lucky that the bomb hadn’t gone off, but they wouldn’t describe it as such. It was terrifying, thinking that at any second, in the blink of an eye, their lives could be over just like that. The day they were rescued was the day they were sent to America and put into the foster system. Wanda and Pietro were in and out of the orphanage for two years before Natasha and Steve.

They weren’t outgoing, they weren’t friendly, and they most certainly didn’t engage with anyone they encountered. They stuck to each other like glue, refusing to speak to anyone but each other. They spoke very little English to others (they knew how because of their parents but they refused to) and most of the time ended up speaking in their native language. It brought them comfort in a time of despair and loneliness. It didn’t help that nobody gave enough of a damn to tell them otherwise. 

The twins missed their home and their parents, but they couldn’t explain that to anyone. They couldn’t explain their nightmares, seeing their parents killed, being trapped under a house with a bomb ticking away. Nobody understood it, and more often than not, nobody cared enough to listen. They became dependent on one another, so much so that if one of them were picked to be adopted, they would refuse to leave without the other. If they were forced, they would find some way to be sent back. They were all each other had, and they couldn’t risk losing anything more than they had, especially each other.

It was a few weeks after their twelfth birthday, and they had pretty much given up hope that they would be adopted. As much as they missed and loved their parents, they knew they couldn’t keep surviving like this. Their parents would most certainly not approve of their current situation. They would want the twins in a home where they would be cared for, loved, even spoiled because they didn’t get much of that in Sokovia. When they understood that this wasn’t what their parents wanted for them, they decided they would try to engage with the families that wanted them, and they would only go with them if they agreed. If one of them even had the slightest hesitation, they would bring their stubbornness out and stay in the orphanage.

Every family that was interested in them—which wasn’t that many—changed their minds upon meeting them. They discovered the only reason they were being visited by families was that the woman running the orphanage instructed them to talk to the twins to talk to the kids they wanted to adopt. After that, they refused to visit with anyone, thinking that they would never be adopted. One day, the woman running the place told them to be on their best behavior and to dress nicely. She proceeded to tell them that two of the Avengers were coming to visit them to see about adopting from the orphanage. Captain America and Black Widow.

Pietro and Wanda had kept their happiness to themselves, unlike the other kids who were whooping with joy and vibrating with excitement. Mrs. Copper, the head of the orphanage, then gave each child two chores to do to make the place look nothing like the dump it was.

“It would be so cool to live with a superhero,” Pietro told Wanda quietly.

Wanda merely nodded her head, choosing to remain silent.

“Are you ok Wanda?”

Wanda smiled at her concerned brother. “Yes Pietro, I’m fine.”

“If you say so,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders before speeding off to do his second task.

Wanda thought he needed to be a bit more careful using his powers around the orphanage, but she did think it would go by faster if she used hers. She quickly looked around to make sure nobody was watching her while she wiggled her fingers and sent red wisps to the windows, cleaning them so they looked as though they were brand new.

“Finished?” Pietro asked.

Wanda nodded, so they reported to Mrs. Copper and retreated to their room.

“Pietro?”

He looked at her.

“Do you think we’ll ever get adopted?” Wanda asked, biting her lip anxiously while awaiting a response.

Pietro blew his shaggy white blonde hair out of his face. “I hope so. I miss having my bed, full meals, and working showers. I guess I miss being taken care of too.”

Wanda nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve thought about using my powers to make a family want us, but I never have because it isn’t right. They have people they love too, and it’s unfair of me to take that away from them because I’m selfish and want a family.”

Pietro sped over to his sister and brought her in for a hug, both of them wishing more than anything that someone, someday, would take them in.

Natasha, Steve, Clint, and Laura

“Are you ready?” Steve asked Nat, squeezing her hand in his much larger one.

Natasha gave a jerky nod of her head, chewing anxiously on her lips.

“Hey,” Steve said, stopping them right before they reached the front door of the orphanage. “You’re going to be a wonderful mom.”

Natasha smiled at her husband. I’m good, she signed, following with a quick peck on the lips. Earlier in the year, she had lost her ability to speak on a mission, making her mute. Her target had somehow gotten the drop on her and choked her to unconsciousness. When she woke up in the hospital, the doctors told her that there was so much damage to her vocal cords that she no longer had the ability to speak. Natasha was devastated at first, thinking that Steve would leave her because of it, but he had been nothing but supportive and he learned what he hadn't learned from her in sign language from Clint since he was partially deaf.

“Get a room you two,” Clint said, earning a death glare from Nat and a slap on his arm from his wife.

“You shush,” Laura scolded him, earning matching grins from Steve and Nat.

“Alright, alright. Are we ready?” Clint asked, discreetly sliding his gaze over to Nat. He and Laura had come because they both knew Natasha needed support, even if she claimed otherwise.

She gave him an imperceptible nod.

“Then what are we waiting for?”

We were waiting for you, Natasha signed smartly.

Clint stuck his tongue out at the redhead, and she simply rolled her eyes and rang the doorbell to the orphanage. The plump yet stern-looking Mrs. Copper answered, quickly opening the door and ushering the heroes (and Laura, though she’s her own hero for putting up with Clint according to Natasha) inside.

“Welcome, welcome. Follow me to the play area, that’s where the children are.”

“Thank you for allowing us to adopt from your orphanage Mrs. Copper,” Steve said, ever the gentleman.

She blushed furiously at being thanked by none other than Captain America. Natasha was amused and Clint was holding in his laughter. Laura eyed the two, knowing that they were the worst when they were together. “Oh no, it’s not a problem. All of these children are very well-behaved and they all deserve a wonderful home.”

Natasha knew the woman was lying straight through her teeth, and that irritated her to no end. These children DID deserve wonderful homes, no matter what has happened to them or what they have done. Nobody deserved to be alone or unloved during their childhood, something Natasha understood all too well.

“Here we are. If you come across a child or children you would like to adopt, they know where my office is,” Mrs. Copper told them, smiling a fake-ass smile.

Bitch, Natasha signed so only Clint could see.

He nodded slightly to her, making a small grin appear on Natasha’s face.

“Thank you again, Mrs. Copper,” Steve said, and the woman turned red once more before excusing herself.

Someone has a crush, Clint signed to Nat.

She snorted. I’m not worried about her.

Clint snickered and grinned when they entered the room to see all of the children gaping at them, excitement and trepidation dancing on their faces.

“Hi kids,” Steve said, waving awkwardly.

They all rushed over to him and all started talking at once. Natasha smiled sweetly at the scene as he knelt so he was at their level and began interacting with them all. Natasha and Clint decided to sit on the couch and let the kids approach them, Laura joining them after one of the children asked her if she could introduce him to Natasha and Clint. She led him over, and soon enough, all of the kids began wandering from hero to hero, in complete awe of them. After about ten minutes, Natasha excused herself and headed to the bathroom. She hated that Clint had to translate for her, but she didn't have much of a choice. Natasha walked past all of the rooms before she stopped. She headed back to the one she just passed. Peeking her head in, she saw two kids, maybe 12-13, just sitting on the bed and talking. Her heart clenched in sympathy when she caught a glimpse of their faces, all hope lost. Natasha walked in, and the two jumped, red wisps coming from the girl’s hands and red in her eyes.

Natasha raised an eyebrow but stopped a few feet short of the two teens, her hands raised the whole time to indicate she wasn’t a threat. Gradually, the red wisps disappeared and the girl’s eyes returned to their normal hazel-brown color.

Did I startle you? Natasha signed with a smirk, lowering her hands as the redhead sheepishly looked to the floor. She then realized they probably couldn't understand her, and she frowned as she thought of a way to communicate with them.

“I’m sorry about my sister, please don’t tell anyone about what you saw, we would be killed if someone found out,” Pietro found himself pleading to this oddly familiar-looking woman.

Your secret is safe with me. Natasha promised, locking eyes with both of the teens. How do you know sign language?

They breathed out sighs of relief. “We know it because of our parents. Our mom was deaf, so we learned because of her,” Wanda explained.

Natasha nodded and asked if she could sit. Wanda hesitantly nodded her head since it was her room Natasha was in. She gestured for the twins to sit, and they did so reluctantly.

How long have you had your powers? Natasha asked, breaking the silence so to speak.

The twins looked at each other, silently communicating.

You don’t know who I am, otherwise, you’d be more willing to tell me.

Wanda and Pietro studied the woman a bit closer, both of them gasping in surprise, awe, and excitement when they realized they were with THE Black Widow. She smirked at them as they continued to stare at her in awe. Have I got something on my face? she asked, causing them to look embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, it’s just,”

“We’ve never met an actual superhero before,” Pietro finished Wanda’s sentence.

I’m sure you would have rather met Thor or Captain America as your first, Natasha signed, her smile just barely falling and her eyes dimming just the slightest.

“No way!” Wanda exclaimed, blushing at her outburst. “You’re my favorite,” Wanda admitted quietly, shyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Natasha turned to the girl and smiled softly, shocked that she could be anyone’s favorite after all she has done, the red in her ledger she has yet to wipe out. Well then, maybe you should introduce yourselves.

Wanda and Pietro traded embarrassed looks. “I’m Wanda Maximoff, that’s my twin brother Pietro.”

Wanda and Pietro. Are you Sokovian?

“Yes,” Pietro said, shocked.

Do you remember anything from your language? Natasha asked.

“We do, ” Wanda said in Sokovian.

“ How did you know ?” Pietro asked curiously.

I went on a mission there a few years back. I pick up on languages very fast. I would be speaking it to you right now if I could.

“That's amazing,” Wanda said, switching back to English.

Thank you, Natasha signed. What powers do you have exactly?

“I’ve got super speed,” Pietro said, giving Natasha a demonstration by zooming around the room and plopping back on the bed within a second.

“I don’t exactly know everything I can do. I can move objects and read minds,” Wanda explained, red wisps coming from her fingers as she brought a picture of her and Pietro from the dresser to Natasha’s hands.

Have you had any training or told anyone?

Wanda shook her head.

“You’re the first,” Pietro admitted.

I’m honored, Natasha signed with a smirk, then her serious side took over. You two are lucky you haven’t had any major accidents with your powers. You know, I’m an Avenger. I could bring you guys to the tower and there, you would have the proper training needed for your powers.

“Really?!” they asked Natasha at the same time.

Yeah, but before I talk to Steve and Clint, I came down here to use the bathroom and that urge is only increasing.

Wanda and Pietro laughed, telling her the directions to the bathroom. Natasha promised she would be back and slipped out of the room. When they heard the bathroom door shut, they laughed in complete and utter giddiness. Pietro began zooming around the room, Wanda shrieking with excitement.

“We just met the Black Widow,” Pietro said, slightly out of breath but beaming.

“I know!” Wanda exclaimed, falling back onto her bed with a dramatic sigh. “I can now die happy.”

Pietro sniggered but joined his sister, laying on the bed and staring at the ceiling.

“Pietro?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you think she would, you know…” Wanda trailed off.

“Adopt us?” Pietro finished knowingly, turning his head so he was looking at Wanda.

Wanda nodded, and Pietro sighed wistfully. “It would be wonderful.”

What would be wonderful? Natasha signed right above them, scaring the teens and causing Pietro to fall off the bed in surprise. Neither of them had heard her come back into the room.

Natasha’s chest rumbled with laughter and Wanda was laughing, the former apologizing in sign as rapidly as she could while helping him back up.

“Nothing important, just a thought,” Wana said.

Natasha raised an eyebrow, knowing the girl was lying but she figured if Wanda was comfortable enough, she would tell her.

Alright then, ready to meet Captain America and Hawkeye?

The twins nodded gleefully, glued to Natasha’s side as she led them back to the main area of the orphanage. There, she found Clint and Laura playing with a few of the kids while Steve was reading stories to the others. Natasha signed to the twins, telling them to stay put. She sauntered over to Steve, placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and smiled when he saw Nat.

“What’s up?” he asked softly.

Wanda and Pietro watched nervously as Natasha began signing to her husband, Captain America, and eventually gestured to them. Steve nodded and told the kids he would be right back and that they could either wait there or go play with Laura and Clint.

“You get all that Barton?” Steve asked, talking into the comms. They never knew when danger would strike, so Tony had upgraded the comms to turn on and off whenever they pleased. He also modified them so they could talk to as many or as few people as they wanted or needed to.

“Two kids with powers in the orphanage. How could I not?” he replied quietly.

Natasha rolled her eyes and switched her comms off so she didn’t have to listen to her idiot friend, Steve and Clint doing the same.

“He’s coming over here,” Pietro whispered, gaping as the 6-foot supersoldier approached them.

“Yup,” Wanda squeaked.

“You have powers?” Steve asked quietly.

Wanda and Pietro nodded, dumbfounded that they have now met both Captain America and Black Widow on the same day.

Natasha turned her back to the twins so they couldn’t see what she was signing. Can we take them? Please?

Steve made sure he wasn’t visible by the twins either. Are you sure?

Yes. I feel more connected to them than any other child I’ve met. They’re very sweet kids, they just haven’t had a chance. They also understand sign language which is why I’m facing you.

Steve nodded thoughtfully. I trust you, Nat. We’ll bring them with us.

Natasha beamed and threw herself into Steve’s arms, sighing contentedly as his muscular and safe arms held her close. Steve smiled to himself and pressed a kiss to Natasha’s fiery red curls before turning his attention to the anxious teens. “How would you two like to come back to the tower with us?”

Wanda and Pietro’s eyes widened comically, and Pietro began vibrating—quite literally—in excitement.

“Seriously?” he asked.

“Seriously,” Steve confirmed.

“Is this a dream?” Wanda asked, looking unbelievably between the two heroes.

It’s not a dream Wanda. We want you to come home with us , Nat signed with a hopeful smile. Will you?

“Yes!” she exclaimed, launching herself at the assassin, wrapping herself around the redhead, who was in complete shock.

Natasha smiled softly and wrapped her arms around the girl, her chest rumbling with laughter as Pietro and Steve joined in, the new family hugging for the first time.

Present

When they were dismissed, it was chaos. Half of the students were celebrating and congratulating their friends, while the other half were trying to find their families through the masses. Wanda spotted their mom’s red hair through the crowd and pointed it out to Pietro. He followed her through the crowd, and when they reached their family, they were tackled into a large hug by none other than their adoptive mother.

I’m so proud of you two! Nat signed eagerly when she finally let go of them, her brilliant green eyes brimming with happy tears and a proud smile on her face.

“Thanks Mom. We couldn’t have done it without you and Dad,” Wanda said, smiling tearfully at their mom, the woman who had decided they were worth saving and who had convinced Steve to take a chance on them.

“We are so lucky to have you guys as our kids,” Steve said, laughing as Pietro pouted at him for ruffling his hair.

So lucky, Natasha signed.

“I think we were the lucky ones,” Pietro replied.

“We really couldn’t have done it without you,” Wanda said. “I love you.”

I love you, Natasha signed before bringing her children in for another hug, this time her husband joining in as well.

“I love you all too,” Steve said.

“Me too,” Pietro replied.

They pulled away and chatted for a bit longer before Wanda noticed something.

“Why isn’t Tony or Maria or anyone here?” Wanda asked.

“Because your mother told them if they showed up here and ruined your graduation, she was going to kill them and make it look like an accident,” Steve said, amused.

I didn’t want them ruining today for you guys, Natasha signed, a teasing glint in her eyes.

“Thanks Mom,” Pietro said, a goofy grin on his face as he gave her a swift peck on the cheek.

“Are you guys ready to go?” Steve asked.

Do you need to congratulate any of your friends? Natasha signed.

“No, they were gonna meet us at the party,” Wanda said.

“Alright then,” Steve said, smiling proudly at his children.

“Let’s go home,” Wanda said.

We raised them well, Natasha signed to her husband.

“We sure did,” Steve agreed.