Chapter 8

Yns pov:
Why did i let her come here? I knew he would return at some point, atleast he has the bright idea to not be open about his abuse. If you ignore the slurs. I look at yelena hoping she gets the memo to leave. Instead she smiles at him as she speaks. “You must be yns father, its nice to meet you.” I dont breathe at all until he…smiles? I think thats what hes doing. I havent seen it enough to be certain. “Its a pleasure to meet you too. Whats your name?” I keep staring at yelena, hoping she’ll stop and leave. Instead she looks at me, smiles, and secretly holds my hand out of sight before replying. “Yelena, sir.” He nods before continuing, “thats a pretty name.” I see her attempting to supress a shudder and i feel sick creeping up my throat. “Call me david” he grumbles. My eyes stay locked on her, my hands having a slight shake to them. Finally she looks at me and i shake my head subtly with pleading eyes. I think she realises she may have gone too far and she lets go of my hand before speaking “um i should probably go, my sister will be wondering where i am.” I thought i would feel relief but more dread finds it way in. “Ill see you out” david (my ‘dad’) follows her to the door and i give her a half smile before she leaves. Here we go again. He turns to look at me but doesnt say anything. I can hear my heart racing. “Shes your friend?” I feel my chest tighten. “Yeah i met her at work, she was checking on me, thats all.” He nods slowly. “Did you tell her anything?” “No, why would i? I think i learnt my lesson when you killed mom.” He smirks but moves past me to get a beer and then goes to his room. I let out a big sigh of relief and i can finally breathe. I feel adrenaline pumping through me at that very close call. I go sit down in the living room, watching TV with the sound off, so as not to aggravate him. I let my body sink into the sofa and feel my pain slowly disappear.

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Yelenas POV:
I walk, thinking about everything that just happened. How could her father do that to her? Do i tell tasha? She made me promise not to tell anyone. She warned me that she wont ever forgive me if i do tell someone. The whole point of this was to build her trust. I cant lose it after one day. I cant tell nat. It was only supposed to be a hangout anyway. Its my fault that it turned into….something else. Great now im thinking about kissing her again.

I walk into the compound distracted and knock over some umbrellas next to the door – what a stupid place to put it. When i finish picking it up nat is leaning against the doorframe, startling me. “Jesus Tasha!” She smirks, “How did it go?” I tense my jaw so i dont smile “uhh yeah fine we went out and spoke a little then we were going to watch a movie at hers but her dad showed up.” Her eyes widen and she stands a little strighter. “What happened? Did he do anything? Is she okay?” That last question makes me pause. Basic observations. She wouldnt have showed me any injuries if not for the kissing so ill tell her about the basic observations i made before. “He seemed kinda pleasant aside from the homophobic slurs. And she was moving a bit more sluggishly so i would guess that shes hurt.” “Her dad doesnt know shes gay?” “Wow way to prioritise tasha.” I go to move past her but she blocks the way. “What?” “You arent telling me something.” “Well now youre just delusional.” She looks at my eyes trying to see the lie. “Did you do something?” Dont blush. Dont blush. Dont blush. “No, what are you even-” “Did you kiss her?” My face feels like its on fire so i shove past her and head up to my room, shouting on the way, “No tasha we’re friends, thats all!” She smirks “So thats why you are quite literally running from this conversation?” Shes so annoyingly involved in my business.

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Nats pov:
She definitely kissed her. I fill tony in on the need to know details that yel found out and then i go fill in some paperwork. Its nice to see yelena finally seeming like herself again. Except for the blushing whenever yn is mentioned. Thats really weird. Spies dont blush. Especially not yelena.

A few hours later i knock on yelenas door – shes been hiding in here since earlier and im starting to worry. She finally opens the door but she holds up her finger. “…what?” She smiles a little before speaking “im just trying to appreciate this last minute of peace before you start bugging me.” I roll my eyes and walk past her into her room. “Oh please come on in, dont think about asking to enter.” “Yel youve been up here since you came back, im worried. You arent socialising very much.” “I have one whole friend thank you. That is plenty socialising.” “What is going on with you? One minute youre acting normal and the next youre cold and distant.” She sits on her bed, pretending im not here. “Yel please, i used my last favour from the team to get you here.” She rolls her eyes, “So you keep reminding me. Have you ever thought that im not the only one that should be trying?” What is she on about? We have all been very welcoming. “Natasha you are all like family and that is great but im an outsider, i need my space while i adjust!” “Youve had space, if you get anymore space youll be living outside. You dont do anything with the team. Just try to be nice and show up.” She doesnt understand, if she tried, she wouldnt be an outsider. The team dont know her. “Maybe i dont know how to be part of the team because i still havent figured out a way to be your sister again.” “What do you mean?” “Seriously tasha? You do one thing and expect me to be forever in your debt and then you only bother with me when you want me to do something.” I guess i hadnt seen it her way before. Im so wrapped up in what she should be doing, i forget how much shes doing and how far shes come. “Im sorry, youre right, ill talk to the team. Youre doing really well yel and sometimes i dont see it.” “Okay great now is there anything happening tonight?” I smile and raise my eyebrows. “So you want to spend time with the team?” She sighs and rolls her eyes. “It would be a good start and i need to be friends with yn, right? I could invite her.” “You literally saw her a few hours ago.” “Fine we’ll do somehing tomorrow.” “Movie night, invite her brother too.” I smile and walk away. Thank god shes finally doing something with friends.