Chapter 26

Yelenas pov:
My arms tighten around her warm body as my eyes drift open. The sunlight laps over her face as she snores softly. She looks perfect. Peaceful in a way that could make a soldier at war feel hopeful. I smile to myself at the sight of her in my bed – ive dreamt about this moment, but i never thought it would actually happen. I carefully climb out of bed so as not to wake her. After how much she drank, shes gonna wanna stay asleep for as long as she can before she has to face that hellish hangover. I snatch her dress thats still hung up on my floor, the fabric still sopping wet from alcohol. She cant wear this even to her own room next door. I drop it in my laundry basket as i head over to my bathroom. I brush my teeth, my eyes absorbing the sight of her, committing it to memory as if this moment can never be relived. I continue to slowly get ready, my eyes always finding their way back to yn. I noticed myself doing that 4 hours after meeting her. When nat showed up, it didnt matter who was speaking or the fact that i had just spent 4 hours around her in a confined cell, i would always wind up looking at her again. I knew she was different from the very beginning.

When i place down my hairbrush, finishing getting ready, a knock sounds through the room. I glance at yn, noting that shes still naked and not really covered by the quilt. I quickly pull the quilt over her before nudging the door open just enough for the person to see me. A tall man with blonde hair and blue eyes stands outside my room. Its ironic that the man who took down hitler looks just like his aryan race. “Hey steve, whats up?”

He narrows his eyes trying to look over my head into my room. “I could ask you the same thing.”

“Nothing. I was just coming down for breakfast.” Dammit i spoke too quickly. I lose my head when it comes to her.

“What are you hiding?” Why is he so curious? Its not like i cause trouble. Well its not like i cause a lot of trouble. Mr America needs to learn to mind his business.

“Nothing.” I hold the door a little tighter but theres no point – when a super soldier wants to see in your room, theres not much you can do to stop him.

A cocky smile spreads across his face as a warm chuckle fills the awkward silence. “Finally. It was getting painful watching you two.”

My cheeks flush pink and i quickly pull the door closed again, hiding yn from the public view of the hallway. “What did you want again?”

“Nat sent me to make sure you were okay.” Yeah right.

A scoff builds up my throat and i fold my arms. “God shes such a snooper! She just wanted to see if yn ended up in my room last night, didnt she?”

He sputters like an idiot as he stumbles over his words. “I- no- thats not-” Ugh. Men.

“Yeah, thought so. Dont tell her anything please! We havent actually talked about it.” Of course we have but he doesnt know that and its the best way to shut him up. He bites his lower lip, uncertainty shining in his eyes. “Please? Ive never asked you for anything before.”

His eyebrows fly up his forehead as his jaw unhinges. “You asked for my pastry last week!” Okay maybe i asked for one thing one time. “And then you took it from my hands before i could answer.” You snooze, you lose.

“Okay, but this is personal, its important to me.” He sighs. Im getting to him. Ha idiot. I mean i guess i could just tell nat but thats less fun than driving her mad.

“Okay fine.” He walks away and i quickly catch up next to him as i follow quietly. “You owe me a pastry.” Touchy much? Guess you dont mess with a ‘mans’ pastry.

“God you steal one thing-” maybe a little more.

“One thing last week. You take my food nearly everyday.” He used to be grateful when i spoke, he saw it as a sign of me fitting in. I scoff as i trudge iver to the food that nat ordered in. Steve shakes his head and two lines form between nats eyebrows. Nosey idiot.

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Yns pov:
Woah. I have not felt this queasy since i fell down the stairs. One minute i was at the top sat down, chatting with…lucy? No thats not right. Alex? Nope. Maybe it started with an i. The next minute i was rolling down the stairs, luckily i was too drunk to feel it but the concussion hit hard. Why can i smell lavender? Wait. This isnt my room. Well im naked so i definitely had a good time. Uh oh.

I quickly run to her bathroom, slouching next to the toilet as my stomach contents empty into the bowl. At least i got naked for my girlfriend this time. I slump back against her bath, letting the cool side drown out my nausea. This is going to be a shit day. I pull my legs to my chest, wrapping my cold arms around my even colder legs. I should put some clothes on but i think i might throw up if i move. Still i brace my arms on the side of the bath and force myself upwards. It was easier lifting the rubble. I head into her room, leaning against the doorframe as my eyes skim the room. This cannot be happening again. Twice in 24 hours? Where the hell are my clothes? I am so blaming lena for this! I trudge over to her closet, pulling out a jumper and some joggers. I hope she minds. Me stealing her clothes is the least she deserves right now. I scrape my hair back into a loose bun and brush my teeth with the toothbrush i keep in her room. Ive not actually slept in my room yet. I accidentally push the toothbrush too far and nearly puke again. Today cant get any worse.

My footsteps are light and soundless as i enter the kitchen. I learnt how to sneak around and go unnoticed by living with my dad. Still everyones eyes land on me when i pause in the doorway. They know. They definitely know. This is so embarassing, i dont need everyone to know my business. Play it cool. “What?”

Wanda breaks the silence first a playfulness in her tone that i cant stand. She has some nerve trying to be friends after cheating on nat. “Interesting clothes.”

Astronauts on the moon could see the beacon of blush on my face. Their laughter torments me as i find my seat next to yelena, trying desperately not to look at her. “I dont understand.” Pete. This is mortifying.

Nat smirks at us both in that way she does. Its annoying but in a sibling way. “Its about damn time.” Just breathe through the pain. Could be worse. I could be trapped in a box filling with water. I see yelena smirk at me out the corner of my eye. This is all her fault. I see her shoulders start shaking before a loud belly laugh fills the room. I hit her arm playfully, hoping i can contain my own laughter for the sake of my sanity.

“What? Its funny.” Yeah maybe for her who could find her own clothes and who does not have a pounding headache.

“Its mortifying, my brother is here.”

“And your brother still doesnt understand.” Wow pete is slower than i thought, how is he the genius?

“Really pete?” Damn even pietro is making fun of him. I mean pietro makes fun of everyone as a rule. But every rule has its exceptions and for this rule, it was peter. Hes too sensitive. I once said he walked funny as a joke and he rolled around in a broken desk chair for a month. It was really embarassing at the store.

“What?” His brows knit together and he plonks his chin on his hand, comoletely perplexed.

“You dont recognise the clothes?” Pietros words are laced with teasing ive never heard from him before. Like he might get shot just for thinking about using it.

“Well yeah, its yelenas. So what?” Peter looks between us all. How is he an avenger? Im surprised he finds the bathroom on his own, never mind a super villain.

“And why would yn be wearing her clothes? In the morning? Just after she woke up?” He sounds the words slowly like if he speaks at a normal pace, peter might not hear him or may misinterpret his words.

Petes eyes look lost. Like the lights are on but no ones home. Suddenly his face scrunches in disgust as he finally catches up with the rest of the team. “Oh! Oh no! Thats not- Thats gross! I did not need to know about that!”

“I couldnt find my clothes.” God and i thought i had left the embarassing drunken stories behind in highschool.

“Yeah thats because you-” My hand flies up to her mouth, muffling her words. I cant remember it and its definitely too embarassing to be told about in a public server.

“I dont meed to hear it to know it was probably mortifying.” Not probably, definitely. What was i thinking? I dont drink for a reason. I was doing so well i was gonna have that one day when my dad went to prison. But i should know hat its never just one day.

She pulls my arm down gently. Her eyes are like weapins that leave me defenseless. I dont even think about resisting. “So you dont want me to retrieve your underwear from the bathroom?” Theres a howl of laughter from the team, brutally reminding us that they are here and listening.

“Oh no!” My hands cover my face, maybe if i cant see them i dont have to face it. At the very least they wont see how red my face is.

“Oh yes.” Her teasing tone makes me want to crawl into a black hole.

“Oh god its coming back to me!” I groan, drowning out yelenas chuckles. At least now i can remember just how much fun i had.

Tony ofcourse has to get involved by letting out a low whistle. “You outed our relationships, now its your turn.”

“This is a little different.” Because its insanely embarassing. I still have to find the rest of my clothes.

“Your dress is in my laundry basket, it was drenched with alcohol.” Is she serious?! This is definitely her fault! She left me naked and alone whilst still hungover.

“Well thats just bullying. Get me naked and then hide my clothes?”

She smirks still unbothered by the whole public situation. “Technically you hid your underwear.”

Peter shivers, shoving his fingers in his ears. “Ah lalalalalala” he makes louds random sounds to drown out the conversation.

“Hey you think it was fun for me to find you in pietros room in your underwear?” Pietros face falls and he pauses midbite when everyone slowly turns to him.

“Wow the parkers are unhinged, who knew?” Like stark can judge. He peed in his iron man suit. And didnt change straight away. Doesnt exactly scream mature, responsible role model.

“Okay, are we all done making fun of me? Because im already feeling terrible. Where do you guys keep your painkillers?” Nat chucks me some and i dont even wait to get water, i just swallow it dry. Not as easy as it sounds. It nearly got stuck in my throat and i could feel the sick waiting to catch me off guard. On the brightside, im apparently no longer mad at pete. I guess we’re just over it. Thats usually the way it goes, one of us explodes on the other and a few awkward days later, we bring a peace offering. In this case it was the lack of relentless teasing over the yelena thing. “Im going back to bed.”

I stand up, contemplating the food – the smell makes me sorely regret it when my stomach churns. I shouldve eaten more yesterday. You never drink on an empty stomach. Yelenas warm hands slide up my back, pulling me closer by my waist. “Actually, we are starting your training today.”

“What?” What training? For what? To do what they do? Why? I would be terrible at that! I once tried to hang christmas lights on the bar at work but the stool fell over and the lights wrapped around me. Alex came running in and thought it was another suicide attempt. Idiot. He tried to get me sectioned. Alex…i havent thought about him for a while. He would go insane if he knew what happened.

“Well since you are being trained by wanda to control your powers, a few of us thought you would be a good addition to the team. Your power would be helpful and you would look amazing in a super suit.” I dont know. I would look amazing in a super suit, but i would look better alive and that wont happen if i start fighting. Ive thrown a punch here and there but nothing like what they do. But they also do a lot for me. And i always wanted to help people thats part of the reason i agreed to create new tech for the government. It could be fun.

“Okay, but can it wait until after my hangover?” She smiles sweetly before crushing my hope of sleeping through today. She drags me out of the kitchen, her fingers intertwined with mine. It feels good to be able to do this in front of people.

“Wait yn, we need to talk!” Wanda chases us down the hallway, making a beline for me.

“You can talk to me when you train me.” She is done being my friend, she doesn’t deserve to be friends with anyone.

“Fine meet me in the gym in 5.” Dammit. She walks away and I’m suddenly wishing I did kill myself.

“Guess I wont be starting training today. Oh well.” At least I shouldn’t feel too sick in this training. There’s definitely too much movement in fighting.

I go to walk towards the gym when Yelena grabs my hips, pulling me back. Her lips find my neck, trailing kisses up to the back of my ear. “You’re still wearing my clothes. And I’m guessing no underwear.” Her warm hands slide in my waistband, leaving goosebumps in their wake as she makes her way over my hips. Her hands start to move closer to where I want them when she pulls away. “Its a shame you have training with Wanda. Our training could’ve been so much fun.”

Way to make a bad day worse. “I’m going to put some underwear on. I would wear my clothes but I don’t own any gym wear.” its not like I ever had the money to go to the gym anyway, I mean we couldn’t even afford marshmallows, Lena’s face when she found that out still makes me laugh.

10 minutes later, I stroll into the gym, still in Yelena’s clothes and showing much contempt for Wanda. “You’re late.” I wonder why. “why are you being so cold towards me?” Seriously? Does she see no wrong in her actions? 

“You’re here to train me, not for social hour.” I don’t want her to get any ideas that we could be friends again. If she can’t be faithful to a relationship, there’s no way she can be faithful to a friendship, so even if I could move past the fact that she’s capable of cheating, I would never trust her again. I have forgiven my dad for beating me in the past but I could never forgive a cheater. 

“Okay, well we need to discuss any emotions that may be driving or even drowning your power. That means we need to talk about it, so start talking.” I wish she were teaching me to fight, that way I would at least get a few hits in. Confrontation about things like this rarely end well, so who knows? I may be able to get a few hits in after all. 

“I don’t like cheaters. They’re untrustworthy.” She presses her lips into a tight line, clearly unaware that I knew. If it were me who she cheated on, then the whole team would already know, fortunately for her Nat is a better person than I am. 

“So she’s telling people then?” She sounds shocked, as though Nat owes her this silence. Entitled bitch. I feel the familiar buzz under my skin, I guess anger is one of my triggers. I should remove myself from the situation, but truthfully, I don’t care if she gets a little shock to the system.

“No, I told her, my room is next to yours. But she doesn’t owe you anything, especially not her silence.” She runs her hand through her hair, the stress finally catching up to her, I hope clumps of her hair falls out. I cannot believe her, or Peter. Some of the things he said is finally coming back to me, and it’s just making the buzzing feel stronger. It feels like there’s a thousand bolts prickling my skin. It feels lethal and unstable, I hate it, I feel more like my dad in this moment than I ever have. I finally get why he was so obsessed with beating us though, this feeling, this ability which makes me more powerful than any person who has ever hurt me, its transcendent. “I can forgive many, many things. My father beat me within an inch of death and I still didn’t give up on him. The one thing I will never understand or get past is people who cheat, especially when it’s done to my friends.”

“Come on Yn, everyone cheats, it’s no big deal.” I don’t know if the bile sitting in my throat is from the massive hangover or the words I never thought I would hear.