a misunderstanding
“Hey, you said you would only have two shots, pass the bottle,” Yelena complained, crossing her arms.
“Ah-ah,” Alexi shook his finger at Yelena like she was a child, “Respect your elders. I will give you the bottle when I want.” Yelena opened her mouth to protest, looking to Melina for help, who just chuckled and sat back, watching the two bicker.
Natasha was sitting on the opposite side of the table, her leg up on the seat next to her. She smiled softly as she watched her family bicker, just like the old days. She reached out to the plate in the middle of the table to grab a chocolate chip cookie and poured herself another shot of vodka.
Suddenly, a soft ringtone started in the other corner of the room. Melina looked away from Alexi and Yelena and questionably towards Natasha, who signaled that she would get it. Natasha walked over to the coffee table in the corner and picked up the phone, walking into the closet.
“Hey.”
“Hi, Nat,” a soft, deep voice says from the line. There’s a short pause. “Are you safe?”
“Uh, yeah. After the airport I went to the hospital to see how Rhodes was. He’s got a fractured spine...paralyzed from the waist down.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Yeah.” She pauses. “What about you? You and Barnes safe?”
“For the most part. Buck’s going back under till we can get HYDRA out of his head — Sam and I will probably fly out in a few hours...try to find a place to lay low.”
“Now that sounds familiar.” The voice chuckles. Nat smiles softly. “If, uh, you need somewhere, you and Sam can come here, to Russia.” There’s another short pause.
“Thank you, but I don’t want to put you in danger.”
“Alright. The offer still stands — if you ever need me, just call.”
“Thank you, Nat...and not just for the offer.” Nat pauses her train of thought, realizing. She folds her lips and looks down, nodding.
“I'm trying...to be better,” she admitted, a little shakily.
“And you are.”
Nat chuckles a little, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
“Well-“
“Natalia!” Alexi sang out from outside the closet door. “Who are you talking to in there?” Suddenly the door slammed open.
“Wha-“
“Is that the Maria Hill you were telling me about?”
“What is going on?”
“Get out of my way, Alexi.”
“Wait, Maria Hill?”
“Yelena, my foot!”
“Who’s calling you at this hour?”
“You’re pushing!”
“I was here first.”
“Give me that, Natalia- OH! Боже моу, Steve Rogers?” Yelena’s eyes widened. A very audible sigh is heard from Nat. “Ah! Alexi look! It’s Captain America!” Yelena shouted, waving around Nat’s phone in the air triumphantly.
“Let me see that-“ Alexi grabbed the phone from Yelena. “Captain Rogers?”
“Guys, give me the phone!” Nat jumped up, trying to wrench the phone from Alexi’s grasp.
“Natalia! Ah Natalia моя сестра you finally got a boyfriend!” Yelena was grinning from ear to ear as she punched Nat lightly on the shoulder.
“What? No, Yelena that’s not-“
“Ah, you really are growing up.” Melina smirked at Nat.
“Wha-he’s not my boyfriend! Alexi, give me that.” Nat finally got the phone out of Alexi’s hands.
“If I am not your maid of honor, you will regret it.” Yelena declared.
“Моя дочь is a big girl now,” Alexi teased.
Nat huffed and crossed her arms, giving her family a collective a death stare that could cut through vibranium. She stalked out of the closet that now had Yelena's knife embedded in the wall and scuff marks on the nice wooden floors. She put the phone back to her ear and heard Steve laughing. Like, genuinely fear-for-your-life-because-it's-hard-to-breathe laughing. Nat couldn't help but chuckle as she, with faux annoyance, cursed at Steve and hung up the phone.
"Fuck off, old man."