Get Off My Sister!
"Can I come stay with you at the tower?"
"Nice to hear from you, sis," Natasha responded, ignoring the shocked and confused stares of the other Avengers.
"Please, Natasha. Melina and Alexei are driving me insane. они идиоты и так раздражают." (they are idiots and so annoying)
Natasha sighed, rubbing a tired hand over her face. "I haven't heard from you in three months and now you want me to let you stay here?"
"Yes," Yelena said, rolling her eyes at her sister's dramatics. "It's not like you've called me either."
Nat conceded Yelena's point, glancing around at the others who were trying and failing—miserably, might she add—to hide their interest in her conversation. It hit her, then, Yelena's out of the blue call. "You are already on your way, aren't you?"
"Good guess. You haven't lost your touch being around the big ones."
"How far are you?"
"Two, maybe three days."
It was Natasha's turn to roll her eyes. Exhausted, she laid her head on her boyfriend's chest, Steve easily wrapping an arm around her, holding her close to him. "Fine, but there's a lot we need to bring each other up to speed on."
"Agreed. So, do you still do your poses when you fight? I would think so, you are a poser after all."
"Bye Yelena." Natasha hung up, tossed her phone into her lap, and cuddled up to Steve, allowing the incessant questions to fly her way. They just needed to get it out of their system.
"You have a sister?!"
"Is she hot?"
"Was she in the Red Room too?"
"How old is she?"
"What does she look like?"
"How come you've never mentioned her?"
"What does she do?"
"Enough," Natasha growled, silencing everyone.
The room consisted of Steve, Clint, Sam, Bucky, Wanda, Tony, and Maria. Clint, Steve, and Maria already knew, of course, Maria because she's Fury's right-hand woman and she knows everything, and Clint because he's a pain in the ass best friend, but he trusted her with his family so she trusted him with hers. Steve knew because he's her boyfriend, but she only talked about the stuff before and after, not what happened while they were training to be master assassins in the Red Room.
"Her name's Yelena, she's 34, nobody is touching her, we were separated in the Red Room and only regained contact a few months ago during the Accords, she's not something I like to parade around, and she's an ex-assassin like me. Now, she's trying to free all of the Widows from the mind control Dreykov had them under."
Natasha answered all of their questions, raising an eyebrow as Clint opened his mouth, knowing what he was about to say would either make her roll her eyes or would amuse her due to the reactions of everybody else.
"I knew," he said smugly, earning unimpressed stares from around the room.
"We figured that much out, bird-brain. She tells you everything," Sam said, gesturing to Natasha.
"Don't bother looking her up, Tony, you won't find anything," Natasha said, glaring at the man as he froze in action, but only for a split second before he resumed his search.
"How?" he muttered to himself as JARVIS attempted to hack into the servers only to repeatedly fail.
"I had some help," Natasha smirked, winking at Maria.
"You?! I should've known," Tony moaned.
"SHIELD is smarter than you give them credit for, Tony," was Maria's response. "We wouldn't have been able to hide Clint's family if we weren't somewhat ahead of you."
"So unfair," the man said, flopping onto his seat, taking a long sip of his drink.
"Anybody else know about this mysterious sister?" Sam inquired, him and Bucky narrowing their eyes at Steve as he studiously looked anywhere but at them.
"You really think I wouldn't tell the guy I'm dating about her? He's Captain fucking America, you shouldn't be surprised I told him," Natasha said, implying that they shouldn't have been as surprised as they are.
"I'm more surprised he kept the secret," Bucky answered, grinning as the tips of Steve's ears turned red due to his embarrassment.
"Shove off, Buck," the super-soldier grumbled.
"Not a chance in hell."
A few hours later, Natasha was instructing the movers where to place the furniture in Yelena's bedroom (thanks to Tony). The walls were painted a dark gray, photographs and paintings spread sparingly throughout. The bed had dark gray sheets, darker than the walls, and a black comforter with black and golden decorative pillows. The floor was hardwood, also black. There was a small, light wooden nightstand next to the bed that had a plant on top. A matching light wooden bench at the foot of the bed, and above the bed, a ceiling fan with the same wood as the bench and stand. The bed didn't have a backboard, but Natasha didn't think Yelena would mind much. There was a very large and posh bathroom attached, with a shower with so many controls even Natasha still got confused.
"Thanks again, Tony," said Steve, ever the gentleman.
"Anytime Capsicle," Tony replied, walking off to his lab, ignoring Steve's grumbling about the nickname.
"It just means he likes you," Natasha said with a grin.
"Well then he can like me less," Steve complained.
Nat smirked at him. "Quit your whining, I know you enjoy it."
"I really don't," Steve protested, but Natasha could see right through him.
"Come on, I need time to physically and mentally prepare for Yelena's arrival, which means lots and lots of training."
Natasha dragged Steve out of the room, laughing at his grumbles of annoyance.
Three days later
"Sir, I've detected movement outside," FRIDAY said.
"Yelena's here," Natasha said, standing up from her seat.
"Let her in FRI," Tony replied.
"Sir, nobody is at the gate," FRIDAY responded, sounding as confused as an AI could.
"There's no need to waste your time."
Natasha rolled her eyes as the Avengers sprung from their seats, all in their defensive positions as she simply turned around, arms crossed over her chest. Yelena smirked as Natasha gave her an unimpressed look.
"Hi сестра." (sister)
Natasha let a small smirk cross her face as she crossed the room and embraced Yelena, the blonde accepting and returning it.
"You could have come in through the front gate like a normal person," Natasha commented once they pulled apart.
"Yeah, Grandpa Steve could've had a heart attack," Tony chimed in.
Steve rolled his good naturedly and approached his girlfriend and her sister. "Steve Rogers."
Yelena shook his outstretched hand, not hiding the fact she was assessing him. "You are Natasha's boyfriend?"
"Yes, I am," Steve said proudly, giving a smile.
"Break her heart, I'll break you," Yelena said.
Steve's eyes widened as Yelena turned back to Natasha. Natasha shook her head but introduced Yelena to everyone except for Clint as he already knew her. Yelena was as much of an aunt to his kids as Natasha. Maria gave her a quick nod of acknowledgement before she left the group to return to work.
"Where did Bucky go?" Natasha asked, realizing he was no longer there.
"He had to run to the bathroom, he'll be back," Sam said dismissively. "So, Yelena, what prompted you to come visit this fine establishment?" Sam gave her a charming grin.
"That's for Natasha and Natasha only."
Natasha smirked as she plopped down on the couch next to Yelena, her sister glaring at Sam. He rightfully took a few steps back.
"Is anybody else going to ask stupid questions or can I have some time with my sister?"
"Oh no, we are not going anywhere until we get some answers about you," Tony stated, crossing his arms and giving the blonde his most intimidating stare.
Yelena was holding back her laughter. She glanced over at Natasha, and her sister gave her a small nod, which meant Go ahead, you have my permission to make fools of them. "You think you're going to get answers out of me?"
"Well, yes," Sam added, regaining some of his confidence.
Yelena shook her head. "The only person I tell my life to is Natasha. Sometimes our parents."
Both Natasha and Yelena snickered at the shocked look of the Avengers.
"You have parents?!" Tony and Sam exclaimed at the same time.
"If I have a sister, why wouldn't I have parents?" Natasha asked with a shrug of her shoulders.
Tony was shocked into silence and Sam was sputtering for something to say.
"What's got Sam all tied up in knots?" Bucky asked, pausing in the entrance as his eyes landed on Yelena.
Yelena's eyes widened and she froze for a fraction of a second, quickly regaining her composure so Natasha wouldn't notice anything.
However, Natasha could read Yelena as easily as she could an open book, and a small frown adorned her face. She would have to bring it up with Yelena at a later point in time. Why would she recognize Bucky? Natasha pondered that for a second before it came to her. Didn't Melina say something about unlocking the key to mind control due to the Winter Soldier experiments? Yelena must have recognized him from the Red Room. If that was the case, Natasha would definitely be having a talk with her sister later.
"Yelena, is something wrong?" Natasha prompted, quietly enough so the others couldn't hear.
"Fine," Yelena said, giving her sister a small grin.
Natasha noticed it was strained, which made her frown deepen.
"Really, Natasha, I'm ok."
Natasha could sense the panic in her sister, and decided to let the subject rest for now. She'd get her answers sooner or later.
Sensing Natasha knew she was lying, Yelena got up. "Well, I'm tired so I think I'll head to bed. Goodnight, Natasha," Yelena said, brushing past Bucky in the doorway.
"Night," Natasha said, though Yelena didn't hear her as she was long gone.
The group shrugged it off and began conversing with each other, and only Steve noticed the unusual silence from both Bucky and Natasha.
Later that night
"Nat, are you alright?"
Natasha had an internal debate before sighing. "Something's up with Yelena and she won't talk to me about it. I know something is bothering her." She omitted the part about how she suspected it had something to do with his best friend.
"Sounds like someone I know."
Natasha gave him a look.
Steve raised his hands in surrender. "I'm just saying. It takes you time to open up, maybe it'll take her some time too. And, with her being in the tower where an AI literally records everything except for in the bedrooms, thank goodness, she might not feel comfortable doing so."
Natasha gave him a tired smile. "Maybe you're right."
"Never thought I'd live to see the day," Steve teased.
Natasha ignored his remark, though Steve could see the laughter dancing in those gorgeous green-blue eyes he got lost in.
"Just get in bed, soldier."
Steve grinned, getting under the covers and spooning Nat from behind. "Yes ma'am."
After Natasha turned off the lights, she spoke one last thing. "I love you, Steve."
Steve pressed a soft kiss to the back of her neck. "I love you too, Nat."
With that, Natasha closed her eyes, feeling safe and sound in Steve's strong, soft arms.
A few hours later
Natasha startled awake, glancing around her room. She didn't have a nightmare, no. She focused outside her door, it's what woke her. Shuffling outside of her room. Someone was out of bed. No, two people. Natasha got out of bed as quietly as she could, making sure she didn't wake Steve. She listened for a moment, and sensing they were moving away, she waited until it was silent to open her door. She slipped out and closed it behind her.
Natasha could make out two figures ahead, one large and one much smaller. She quickly scouted the hall before she found the hidden entrance to the vents. She climbed up with ease and followed the figures to the kitchen. She settled on her stomach, her mind racing as she finally recognized the two as Bucky and Yelena. What the hell were they doing together in the middle of the night?! Nat forced herself to take a few deep breaths, then focused in on what they were saying.
"This is so unreal," Bucky said, looking at Yelena like she was a ghost.
"It is. Did Natasha save you from HYDRA like she did with the other girls from the Red Room?"
Bucky shook his head, explaining everything that had transpired since the two were separated. Natasha had never seen Bucky so open with anyone other than Steve, herself, and sometimes Sam. She had a gut feeling Bucky and Sam were going to be good friends despite all their teasing.
"That, that is a lot," Yelena said once he had finished.
"Yeah," Bucky replied.
They stewed in silence for a few moments.
"I missed you."
Natasha's eyebrows rose to her hairline at that. Yelena, never, and she meant NEVER, said she missed anyone so straightforwardly. Even with Natasha, Yelena said it in a roundabout way.
"I missed you too."
"I was scared when Dreykov said you wouldn't be training with us anymore. I thought they had done something to you."
"No, I think they suspected something. I never said anything, but I think they knew," Bucky admitted.
"That would explain it," Yelena replied.
Natasha's brows furrowed and her eyes narrowed until she saw red. Her mind quickly reverted back to when Dreykov would put his hands on Yelena. When Dreykov got up and Yelena hugged him, that was the last straw. "Get off my sister!" Natasha jumped down from the crates, bringing herself and Dreykov to the ground with a large crash.
Yelena jumped back in surprise as Natasha jumped down from the vents and began pummeling James with her fists, never stopping so he wouldn't be able to flip her. Bucky was just trying to protect his face, he didn't want to hurt Natasha by protecting himself.
"Natasha get off!" Yelena exclaimed once she snapped out of it.
Natasha couldn't hear anything, her blood was pounding in her ears as she saw nothing but red. She swore she would keep this man from putting his hands on Yelena after the Red Room. She didn't care that if she killed him, he had to keep his hands off her sister!
Yelena growled and tackled Natasha off of James, holding her down.
"Yelena, get off! I need to stop him! I need to protect you!" Natasha shouted.
Yelena's anger dimmed when she realized what this was about, but she didn't lessen her grip on her sister. "Natasha, James isn't going to hurt me, he's my friend. He's your friend. Remember, James?"
"No!" Natasha snarled, flipping so it was Yelena's turn to be pinned. "I can't let him hurt you!"
"Natasha, look into my eyes. Look, ok?"
Natasha met her sister's gaze, she didn't see any fear or pain. The red in her eyes began to lessen as she scanned Yelena's body, not seeing any bruises.
"See? Natasha, I'm fine. James is a friend, ok?"
Natasha kept looking into Yelena's eyes, the red continuing to reduce. Unaware that her breathing was beginning to match the calm, deep breaths of Yelena, she stared blankly into Yelena's hazel eyes.
"Natasha?"
That concerned voice sent all the red away. "Lena?"
Yelena sighed in relief and gave her sister a smile. "Hi."
"Hi. Why am I pinning you to the ground?" Natasha asked, confused.
"You had another flashback," Yelena said, looking at Natasha with concern as her sister immediately let go of her, retreating so her back was against the kitchen wall. "James was hugging me and you thought he was going to attack me."
Natasha looked up, and sure enough, she saw Bucky, inspecting the new purple and blue bruises adorning his upper body. When he looked up and saw her staring at the damage she had done, he quickly let his tank top fall to cover them.
Natasha inspected her hands, wincing as she noticed the stinging in her hands. It was evident she would have bruised knuckles for quite a while based on how bad they hurt. She also noticed there were a few spots of blood. "Bucky, I—"
"It's alright, Nat," he interrupted. "I know what it's like to see things that aren't there. God only knows how many times I hurt you or Steve when I was coming out of the mind control from HYDRA."
Natasha nodded.
"Though that does peg the question why you were in the vents in the first place. Were you following us?"
Natasha turned her head, unable to meet their gazes as she nodded. "I heard something outside my room, so I got up. I saw you, though I didn't know that, when I took a peek outside my door. I decided to follow in case it was someone trying to sneak in, which is why I went through the vents. My curiosity just peaked when I saw Yelena with you, especially 'cause she froze when she saw you earlier in the living room. I ended up watching and when I saw your hands on her..." Nat trailed off, still turned away from the two. "I'm so sorry, Bucky," Natasha whispered, fighting the lump in her throat.
Yelena moved so she was next to Natasha, and slowly wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulders. Natasha buried her head into Yelena's chest and didn't try to fight the tears escaping. She felt another presence next to her, offering her a hand to clutch. She grasped it tightly, and the three sat in silence except for the occasional sob from Natasha.
After Natasha shed all of her tears, she wiped her face with the sleeve of her hoodie. "I'm so—"
"Don't even start, Tasha. We know better than anyone," Yelena said softly but firmly.
"Lena's right," Bucky replied. "Whether or not we want to admit it, we're all very fucked up in the heads."
Natasha snorted and Yelena laughed.
"Am I wrong though?" Bucky asked with a mischievous grin.
"We're not fine," Yelena added.
"Not at all," said Natasha.
They sat together in a comfortable silence, looking out the window in the kitchen that gave them a beautiful view of the backyard.
"It looks like rain," Bucky said.
"Good thing we're in here," Yelena responded.
"Can you imagine getting married when it was raining?"
"Oh, what about a hurricane?"
They all burst into laughter, Natasha feeling much better knowing that Bucky wasn't angry and forgave her. She was feeling especially great due to the fact that Bucky and Yelena were nothing more than friends catching up. She knew how that felt, it's what happened when she and Yelena took down the Red Room. All she could do was hope that everything would continue to be alright and she could continue to rely on those she cared for.