Chapter 19
2013, date redacted
Natasha walks back home. Its a familiar path to her old apartment, where Maria was currently staying at because of the Loki at Stark Tower.
Natasha softly opens the door. Maria's in the shower. Natasha closes and locks the door before going to check the fridge. Maria's been eating takeout today, unacceptable. Natasha got out some spaghetti and cream, and begun to make some actual acceptable dinner.
She's just finished with the cooking of spaghetti when Maria finishes.
"Hey Nattie," Maria greets, coming to wrap her arms around the redhead and resting her chin on Natasha's shoulder.
"Hey Masha, missed you." Natasha turns her head to briefly give her a peck.
"I called the kids today. Galina's made a friend, it seems. Lila's a year older than her in the physical sense. They're, according to Laura, hellions. Yelena's been busy, but she's taught Cooper how to make a rabbit trap. They actually caught a rabbit today, but Lila demanded them to release it."
"Hmm, sit down Masha, You've been busy. I'll finish the cream and we can eat."
Maria smiles and goes off to open some wine that would go well with the carbonara spaghetti.
Natasha brings the two plates to the table and settles down.
They eat in companiable silence, Natasha winding her ankle around Maria's, revelling in the soothing touch.
"So, you've been running Avengers therapy sessions?" Maria says.
'They need it, or they're all going to fall apart." Natasha shrugs and sips her wine.
"You'd be a good therapist, Pepper said that Tony looked more relaxed than he has in years after your talk moved him to go to sleep for more than seven hours consecutively."
Natasha hums and slides her legs to settles on Maria's thighs.
"Loki situation is a bit crazy, we might have to go full on Avengers soon," Natasha admits as Maria traces nonsensical patterns on Natasha's legs.
"Hmm. Lets move to the couch, get comfy. Put on some tv show."
Natasha agrees and turns on the television, tossing the remote to Maria, who catches it.
Natasha settles in between Maria's outstretched legs, Liho suddenly appearing and jumping onto Maria's head.
"Liho, sweetie, please don't sit on my hair," Maria sighs as Natasha giggles at the sight.
Liho purrs and compromises by settling onto her shoulder.
"Looks like Liho's got a new favourite," Natasha teases.
"I still love you the most, don't worry babe," Maria chuckles and kisses Natasha, who turns around to deepen the kiss.
"You know, the boys always wonder how I keep my life together," Natasha murmurs as they break apart.
'What'd you say?"
"I said training. But its always been you, you keep me alive. You make me want to live, Masha, not survive, but live," Natasha answers as she buries her face into Maria's neck.
"You're so sweet, who knew all we needed to get you happy was a cat and a hot commander," Maria smiles.
"You're hot, and a nerd, so yes, we do go well together, don't we? The assassin and the spy, the dork and the nerd," Natasha grins.
"We make a pretty badass couple, yeah."
"When this Loki thing is over, we're going on a vacation together, bring the kids and Liho with us," Natasha says.
"Maybe to Hawaii, or Manila. Or, we could go to Aussie, or maybe Philippines."
Natasha hums and settles deeper into Maria, into her home and her fire, her light. Her rock amidst the stormy seas.