"Has my face started melting off yet?"

"Why would you even phrase it like that?!"

Tony and Peter had remained behind in the sisters' apartment to see whether or not Yelena would have a bad reaction to the antidote. Yelena didn't have the heart to tell them that if she did have any allergies, she wouldn't have survived the Red Room. Besides, she liked the company. But that didn't stop her from returning to her usual self.

"Because," Yelena drew out, poking her sister's arm with her toe from their place on the couch. "You weirdos keep looking at me like I'm made of glass. Figured there must be something wrong with my face."

"How does she-?"

"-Do that?" Yelena finished, glancing over towards Tony with a knowing grin. "I'm a trained Russian assassin, buddy; I can tell when someone's looking at me."

Natasha gave the inventor the famed 'I told you so look', earning a light chuckle from Peter.

Tony crossed his arms and sat back in the wooden chair he had claimed for the time being. "Sure, but does somebody want to explain to this old man how being Russian makes you keener to onlookers?"

"Ah." Yelena clicked her tongue, wagging her finger in a playful yet condescending way. "Soviet secret. If I told you, I'd have to kill you."

"Okay, that's enough, dork," Natasha cut off, lightly hitting her shoulder. "You're being aggressively Russian right now. Did that antidote make you drunk?"

"Dunno." Yelena slumped into the couch and looked in the direction she hoped Peter was. "Were you able to slip the vodka in like I asked?"

Peter turned beet red and immediately started stuttering defensive remarks and promises to Mr. Stark that he, in no way, tampered with the formula.

The grin that spread across the assassin's face was devious enough for Natasha to shut the whole thing down. For Peter's sake, but also for her own sanity.

"Alright, kids, it looks like it's past Yelena's bedtime," Natasha announced, pretending not to notice the fiery glare Yelena shot at her.

As if on cue, the fluffy-haired boy fought back a yawn, shaking his head to try and chase away the sleep.

"Yeah." Tony reached over and patted Peter's shoulder, who looked at him like he was in trouble. "It's time for us to pack it in too. I've already kept him out past his curfew."

"Curfew?" Yelena questioned, her voice taking on an entirely different octave. "You still let your aunt tell you what to do, buddy boy?"

"That's enough, Yelena," Natasha snapped, but the only response she received in return was a knowing grin. Huffing through her nose, she looked back towards the men and nodded once. "Can I see you out? She's cranky when she's tired."

Tony clapped his hands together and stood up, Peter following suit. "Well, this has been lovely. Always a pleasure to be in your presence, mini Romanoff."

"Always a pleasure to not be stabbed with a needle by your hand, Stark," Yelena quipped, a sliver of a smile emerging on her face, reaching her eyes with a glowing yet silent 'thank you'.

Tony laughed under his breath and nodded, the place his arc reactor once was warming with fondness. "I'll see you on the battlefield, kid."

"Wait for me," the Russian requested softly, her tone shifting widely from her previous statement. Now she seemed unsure and almost childlike.

"I will. We all will."

Natasha squeezed the spot between Yelena's neck and shoulder when Yelena, stunned, stared up at Tony with parted lips and wide eyes. "You're a part of our team, rooskaya. Everybody is waiting for your return."

"I..." Yelena roughly cleared her throat, crossing her arms to prevent herself from crying at something so gooey and gross. "You guys are all idiots..."

Natasha hummed and gently rubbed Yelena's shoulder, noting how Yelena didn't pull away as she tended to in the presence of others. "Do you want to come and see them off, or do you want to stay here?"

"I'll follow. I'm very capable of walking, Romanov," Yelena haughtily stated as she turned to her sibling, thankful for the opening Natasha left for her to get out of the sap-fest.

"Fine." Natasha playfully batted the back of Yelena's neck before she joined Peter and Tony, turning back to add: "But can you keep up?"

Scoffing obnoxiously, Yelena leaped to her feet and began marching off in the direction she was sure their front door was. "Watch me! I'll even beat you there!" she called over her shoulder, cockiness triumphant in her voice until a soft hand tugged on the neck of her t-shirt.

Peter couldn't hold it back and snorted as Natasha stopped her sister from walking directly into the wall.

Tempting as it was to just let it happen.

"You should've just stayed on the couch," Natasha affectionately grumbled as she linked arms with Yelena, tugging her closer while Yelena's ears turned beet red.

"Shut. Up."

"No," came the expectedly blunt response, making Yelena laugh despite the embarrassment weighing on her chest.

Tony hummed and nodded for Peter to start making his way to the door. He knew Yelena would be okay. The best thing for her now, was for Natasha.

Natasha delivered a light elbow to Yelena's ribs before they started walking, arm in arm.

Yelena didn't hesitate, returning the favor with a less than loving jab and grinning when she felt the disapproving gaze from the Avenger. "What? You started it."

"Yeah? Don't make me finish it."

Before Yelena could reply with yet another snarky comeback they reached the front door, and Natasha pulled away from her to let the boys out.

Yelena hung back, her arm barely resting against the wall for unspoken stability. "Hey, Pete?" she spoke after a moment of hesitance, her mouth gaining control over the rest of her body.

Peter turned around from his place outside their front door, his expression especially innocent and full of curiosity.

"Um..." Fist clenched and unclenching in rapid succession, Yelena gulped. Then, her voice returned to the same tone she had used with Tony, a certain warmness that she couldn't fake if she tried. "Next week, I'll teach you a trick or two. I'll kick your butt with or without my sight."

The boy smiled softly and nodded enthusiastically before he openly face-palmed at his own ignorance. "Let's do it," he confirmed, rubbing his fingers down the back of his head with embarrassment he hoped the assassin couldn't detect. "But hopefully with your sight." Peter lifted his head up high in his best Tony Stark impersonation, making the adults smile the purest of grins. "I've been practicing, so I would rather beat you fair and square."

"Oh, I see how it is." Yelena grinned, sticking her arm out for a proper handshake agreement. "You're on, Parker."

Peter accepted her hand with a firm shake, squeezing gently enough to convey his feelings without words. He hoped that he had done well by her. He wanted his favorite Russian assassin back on the field with the rest of the team, where she belonged. No offense to Natasha.

"Well, on that note," Tony began, gripping Peter's shoulder with parental authority. "We really should head out. Don't want to keep that aunt of yours waiting."

Natasha glanced over towards Yelena, who was absently scratching at her bandaged arm. Her body warmed when Yelena looked up at her, knowing she was being watched. "Thank you, boys." The Avenger turned back to her friends, her eyes expressing warmth and exhaustion simultaneously. "I owe you one."

Tony firmly shook his head, almost laughing in the face of the ex-assassin at the mere thought of her thinking he wouldn't do this for free. "Water under the bridge, Romanoff. Just let me know if anything changes, for better or worse."

"For better." Natasha gently grabbed Yelena's shoulder, tugging her close with one swift movement. "She's a tough girl."

Yelena pressed her lips together and tilted her head towards her companions, silently begging them to help her out. "You're so embarrassing sometimes..."

Natasha only gave a knowing smile and winked at Tony, for once taking advantage of Yelena's circumstances.

Tony chuckled, happy to see this side of Natasha. He was glad Yelena had joined their little family. With her around, Natasha seemed a lot less reserved and more open with how she felt. "I'll be seeing you. And make sure you keep an eye on Yelena in case she has a delayed reaction."

Yelena dramatically rolled her eyes while Natasha nodded, agreeing despite her knowledge of Yelena's high tolerance.

"Bye, Ms. Romanoff, Yelena," Peter bid farewell, laughing it off when Natasha gave him a look at his use of her name. "Have a good night."

"See you around, Mr. Parker," Yelena butt in before Natasha had the chance to respond, a mischievous grin gracing her face as her constant need to mess with the poor teenager was fulfilled once again. She wanted to thank him for being a friend when she needed him, but it just wouldn't pass through her lips. So instead, she settled with her usual teasing, hoping Peter would be able to tell what she actually meant.

Peter smiled back, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, I probably deserve that."

And with those parting words, Peter and his mentor waved goodbye to the two sisters, bidding them a good night.

Almost as soon as the door closed behind their friends, Natasha felt a soft kiss delivered to her jawline before a familiar nose nuzzled into her neck with sudden love and adoration. Who's embarrassing now? "Not that I'm complaining, but..." The redhead wrapped a strong arm around Yelena's waist and brought her closer, eventually coming to settle her chin on her shoulder. "Is there a reason for this?"

"You hate needles too."

"Hm." Natasha cupped the nape of Yelena's neck and offered a protective squeeze. "Not as much as I hate seeing you in pain. You're worth it, I promise."

"Bah." Yelena eased for the Widow's hold and firmly pressed their foreheads together to ensure she had her attention. "Enough with the mushy stuff, poser. I'm tired. I think Stark's antidote is getting to me more than I thought."

"Didn't you already take a nap today?" her sister teased under her breath, Yelena almost able to see a picture of Natasha's glowing grin in her mind.

The Russian pushed against Natasha's shoulders, pushing her away, but not too far. "For your information: Through my eyes, it's always bedtime."

Natasha captured Yelena's hands in her own, clapping one of her hands over her sister's. "I guess that's one way to put it. Come on; you're staying with me tonight."

Yelena scoffed, twisting around to throw her arm around Natasha's waist as they began walking back down the hallway. Her hand remained almost possessively above her hip, holding their bodies flush together in what she would claim as an act of affection, but really she just didn't want to trip over anything.

"Like I would let it be any other way," Yelena reminded, her fingers brushing against her sister's side where she knew the Avenger was secretly ticklish.

Sure enough, Natasha squirmed from her touch, huffing her annoyance but not letting her go. "Don't. Or you're going to know what it feels like to kiss a wall."

"Who's to say I don't already know?" the Russian challenged, clearly trying to egg Natasha on and distract her from Yelena's ailment. "And who's to say the wall won't like it?" As clear as the ruse was, it still worked.

"You little-" With a wicked smirk, Natasha spun Yelena around and pushed her back against the wall, digging her fingers into the blonde's flank with no mercy.

A wheezy gasp escaped Yelena's lungs, instantly regretting her decision when her healing back injuries flared up again, sending sharp pain up her spine. She still laughed, but the discomfort must've reached her eyes because the tickling quickly ceased.

"Yelena! I... I'm so sorry, I forgot- Are you okay?" Natasha stammered, her hands traveling around Yelena's torso with no pattern, looking for any signs of aggravated skin. Fingers grasped at her wrists, holding her steady away from Yelena's sides.

"I'm fine, just-" Yelena eased Natasha's hand towards her, placing her palm over her beating heart. "Just let me catch my breath... I'm okay."

Yelena's heart rapidly drummed against Natasha's hand, where the Russian was holding her steady. Natasha's eyes searched her face, intently watching her expression in the event of her changing her mind. The hand around her own squeezed, pressing her closer.

"I'm right here. And you need to chill out; your energy is making me nervous," Yelena breathed, the start of a smile tugging at her lips. "It isn't your fault anyway. This is what I get for messing with the Black Widow."

The thumping in Yelena's chest slowly returned to a more rhythmic song, and Natasha's relieved sigh couldn't be more obvious.

"Don't tell me you're going to start treating me like someone who needs protection now."

Natasha opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, a hand lightly slapped the side of her jaw.

"Don't you dare." Yelena lifted her head, the grip on her sister's hand growing uncomfortably tight. "When my sight gets back, I'm gonna have a lot of fun getting you back for how gently you have been treating me."

Despite the empty threat, Natasha still smiled, her stiff shoulders dropping at one simple word. "You said when. Not if."

Yelena licked her lips, her jaw clenching as she pondered her word choice before she laughed and pushed Natasha off of her. "If. Sorry. Now let's go, for real this time."

"Alright, but for the record..." Natasha's arm returned to Yelena's waist, holding her tighter than before to avoid any tickling. "You totally just admitting to trusting Tony's handy work."

All she got in return was some flushed mumbling, and before they knew it, they had reached Natasha's bedroom. Natasha slowly let Yelena go and left her side, walking over to her dresser and opening the top drawer. "You cool with wearing some of my clothes?" she asked, rummaging around for something suitable.

"Only if this means I get to steal one of your hoodies," Yelena bargained, playfully wiggling her eyebrows.

Natasha scoffed but still opened the drawer under the first one. "Will I ever see it again?"

"Maybe." Yelena held her arms out for the clothes as she felt Natasha approaching her. "But don't hold your breath." The fabric was gently laid in her hands, and Natasha's warm scent hit her nose almost instantly. Yelena smiled before she switched the clothes into one hand and began shimming their vest off. "But you can have this back. It doesn't smell like you anymore."

Chuckling to herself, the Avenger reached out to help remove the garment, ignoring Yelena's grumblings about being a big girl and how she could handle it herself. "You know I'm here, right? What's better than the real thing?"

"Something that can't talk back to me," Yelena responded plainly, sarcasm practically oozing from her lips as she challenged Natasha to deny anything. Even though what happened the last time wasn't exactly ideal. Much to her immediate displeasure, the only thing she was able to get from Natasha was a hand reaching out to squish her face.

"Get changed." Natasha began walking backward, her hands out to the side in a defensive stance. "And don't worry, I'll be over here, minding my own business." She turned her back to her sister, reopening the drawers to find something suitable for herself. Behind her, Yelena grunted and wrestled with her clothes and in the process, almost putting the hoodie on backward. Natasha smiled to herself while listening to the quiet Russian Yelena was murmuring. She was still the same-old woman she knew and loved, no matter what she went through.

Natasha must've gotten lost in thought because before she knew it, a pair of arms gently wrapped around her waist, a nose nuzzling against the back of her shoulder. Humming her fondness, the redhead placed her sleep clothes on the dresser and held onto Yelena's arms, which only held onto her tighter. "You found me. What are you, a bloodhound?"

Yelena burrowed closer, ignoring her comment despite the implication.

Natasha furrowed her eyebrows, concern washing over her like a wave crashing onto the rocky shore. Call it being overprotective, but Yelena usually didn't do anything like this unless something was wrong. Usually, this was Natasha's job. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just..." Yelena eased up and hooked her chin on Natasha's shoulder. "I guess..." She growled quietly, her face growing flush as she returned to her previous position against the top of her sister's back. "Fine, just, thank you. You know... for looking out for me... I know I haven't made it very easy for you..."

"Dork..." Natasha patted Yelena's arm before she wiggled around to face her. "I know you. You like to make jokes and say things you don't mean when you're nervous or afraid."

Yelena reached up to cup Natasha's face with her right hand, her eyes darting back in forth with that same nervousness Natasha had been describing. "Well, just call me out, why don't you?"

"See?" Natasha was sure to tease, grinning softly. "But that's the thing, Yelena. You're my little sister. I'm stuck with you, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Blind or not, you're still mine."

Laughing, Yelena dropped her forehead against Natasha's shoulder, dismissing her sweet words with a simple grunt. "Preferably with, just saying."

"Preferably with, yes, but I think you get my point." The redhead ran her hand down Yelena's back, allowing her to have a few moments to breathe, before she grabbed her by the shoulders and began walking her backward. "Now you-"

Yelena performed her signature frown as Natasha sat her down on the bed, sure to put all the hurt she could into her eyes.

"Stay there and let me change, you little gremlin," came the order, Yelena not doubting that there was a finger pointing in her direction. "I'm not going anywhere. Ever. Okay?"

"You're so dramatic," Yelena complained as she flopped back onto the bed with a huff.

"Must run in the family," Natasha muttered under her breath as she turned away from the Russian with a fond shake of her head.

Yelena fumbled her way under the covers before lying on her back with an arm tucked under her head. This day felt like it was going on and on for months, and the light at the end of the tunnel was not yet reachable. And yet, she felt calm. Even plunged into darkness, there was still that constant glow in her life that she just couldn't outrun. Natasha.

Literally calling Natasha the light of her life made her want to throw up a little from the sickly sweetness of it, but she couldn't deny the truth of those words. Ever since Budapest, Natasha hadn't left her side, no matter what. Even today, the only time Natasha left was when Yelena had asked her to. No such loyalty had Yelena ever known. And she had been blind to it until now.

Yelena laughed to herself.

Ironic, isn't it? It takes the loss of one's sight to see the big picture.

The bed dipped beside her, and knowing Natasha had returned, Yelena turned to face her sibling with newfound clarity. "I love you. You're like... the best."

Natasha smiled as she ran her thumb along Yelena's jaw, her eyes positively shining bright with a fondness for the blonde. "I love you too. And you're the best of us, Yelena. We all know that you're going to be okay."

"You always have so much faith in me," Yelena stated aloud, amazement and wonder filling the air with a quiet breath. "Why?"

Natasha just shook her head, trailing her fingers down the center of Yelena's face until her eyes closed. "I could tell you why, but I would never stop talking. Besides, it's been a long day." She pressed a kiss to Yelena's eyelid, Yelena feeling her smile against her skin. "Just know that I never gave up on you. And I never will."

"You're so cryptic," the assassin complained with an eye roll, but that didn't stop her from tucking her head under Natasha's chin and snuggling close to her heartbeat. Maybe this was better than having her hoodie.

Luckily it was her sight taken away and not her hearing. She couldn't imagine not being able to hear Natasha's love. "But I am exhausted, so I'll let it slide."

Chuckling, Natasha wrapped her arms firmly around Yelena, sure to keep her sister positioned against her chest. "Who knows. Maybe you'll wake up tomorrow, and everything will be back to normal."

xxx

Gentle morning light flowed in through the curtains and onto the bodies of the two women lying side by side in Natasha's bed. Birds chirped their famed wake-up call just outside the window, welcoming the sun home after the clouds had moved on. The world was at rest. But Yelena wasn't.

Yelena flopped her arm over her eyes and groaned. Those stupid birds, always with something to say. Couldn't it wait until later?

She dropped her arm to her side with an aggregated huff and tucked her nose against Natasha's neck, trying to block out the sound. Five more minutes. Five more minutes of normalcy before she had to come back to her disappointing reality.

Natasha shifted and threw her arm over Yelena's waist, dragging her closer even in sleep.

Yelena's eyes opened slightly with the movement and found herself smiling and nuzzling nearer. Yesterday was one of the worst days of her life: helplessness, triggers and flashbacks, needles, and pity parties. But having Natasha here now almost made it all worth it. Maybe it was selfish but at this point, she didn't care. Natasha was there when she needed her most, putting Yelena first in her life while she was stepping into new territory. It all meant the universe to Yelena.

Natasha tilted her chin down and pressed a sleepy kiss to Yelena's forehead as she slowly drifted into consciousness. "You okay?" she slurred, shifting to rest her chin on top of her sister's head.

Yelena blinked. Then again, harder. Her nose scrunched up in confusion. It's funny, she almost swore... Slowly, she pulled herself away from her sister and sat up.

The Avenger tilted her neck towards her, watching as she began to stare blankly out the window. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Yelena's heart pounded so loudly in her ears that she could barely hear her sibling speak. She swallowed in an attempt to lubricate her parched throat. "You know, I never really took the time to look at the world for all that it was."

"Yelena?"

"I'm never going to take it for granted again." The blonde smiled to herself, then to the birds in the trees she had once insulted. And finally, towards her big sister.

Natasha had very little time to react before Yelena jumped on top with a breathless laugh. Her hands slowly settled on Yelena's thighs as her sister pinned her at the hips. "What are you doing, sestra?" she camt to ask softly before her breath caught in her throat. There was Yelena, looking down at her, straight at her, with such unadulterated adoration and love. She practically sparkled in the sunlight streaming in as it bounced off her irises and turned them into the purest of gold.

Natasha's stomach heaved from underneath Yelena, tears prickling the corners of her eyes as she broke into an uncharacteristically huge grin. "Hey... There's my girl."

Tentatively, Yelena reached out to take Natasha's face in her hands, repeating her actions from the day before: jaw, beauty mark, earrings.

The redhead found herself enjoying every second of it. Watching her sister regain her sight and immediately using it to look at her made her broken heart mend more and more with every touch.

Fingers trailed down to rest right under Natasha's cheekbones, cradling her face like she was made of porcelain and would break with one wrong movement.

"You're... You're so pretty, Natasha..."

Although not the first time Natasha had heard such words, especially given her past, she almost broke down right on the spot. The intended look in Yelena's eyes told her she meant every word with such unfathomable tenderness that even she herself barely knew how to admit. That only made the complement mean that much more. "You're pretty too, little one... Are you going to get off of me now?"

Yelena let out a watery laugh and shook her head, the beginnings of a mischievous smile appearing on her face to distract from how close she was to crying uncontrollably. "Not a chance." Without another word, the blonde promptly fell on top of Natasha so forcefully, Natasha grunted and shifted under her weight.

But that didn't stop the Avenger from running her hands up and down her sides affectionately.

"You're a lot bigger than the realize, sólnyško," Natasha teased in her ear, her tone toeing the line between serious and outright giddy. But the strained sob against her throat quickly sobered her up. "Hey, no, happy thoughts, come on." Natasha rolled both of them over to their sides with some coaxing and held the side of Yelena's face, hushing her and brushing her tears away. "Everything is okay. You should be smiling right now, so what is it?"

"Sorry..." Yelena kissed the center of Natasha's palm, her eyelashes tickling Natasha's skin before she turned back to look at her big sister. "I thought that... I thought I would never see the light of day again. I kept trying to remember what everything looked like and I just- couldn't! And now it's almost overwhelming... Is that stupid? It was only a day..."

"You went through a lot in a short time, Yelena." Natasha swiped some of Yelena's loose hair behind her ear with care, Yelena never taking her eyes off of her even for a moment. "I'd understand if you needed some to adjust before you start coming back to the compound."

"No way!" Unable to help herself, Yelena launched towards Natasha and wrapped her arms around the shoulders, burying her face against her collarbone. "Besides, I... I need to thank Tony and Peter. And Cap."

Natasha nuzzled into her sibling's hair and breathed in deeply, a certain calm she hadn't felt in days washing over her. Finally,Yelena had truly come home. "Okay. I can take you there later."

"Hey, Nat?" Yelena began after a few minutes of comfortable silence.

"What's up?" followed Natasha's soft and almost inaudible voice. Yelena wondered if she had started falling back asleep.

The assassin eased back slightly and pressed their foreheads together. Yelena expression softened when they made eye contact; a certain softness saved just for her favorite Avenger.

Natasha smiled before anything was ever said. She knew exactly where this was going. It was only a matter of time.

"Do they allow dogs at this apartment?"

Natasha rubbed her nose against Yelena's just to earn a chuckle before she slipped her hand underneath Yelena's shirt.

Yelena's eyes lit up with confusion at first, Natasha nearly able to see the gears turning in her head, but when the taps against her back started, she smiled softly. Yelena's eyes drifted closed as she began interpreting the morse. This was agame Natasha liked to play sometimes, but she never learned morse code as well as her sister had. After a gentle question mark was drawn on her skin, everything clicked and electricity coursed through the Russian's veins. With a short shout of triumph, Yelena pounced, returning Natasha to her back.

Natasha buried her head into Yelena's shoulder and repeated the message, grinning happily when Yelena squeezed her tighter. She had no doubt that despite the horrible day they had had previously, this experience would have only brought them closer. She wouldn't trade this moment for anything.

W-H-A-T

B-R-E-E-D

?

xxx

Solnysko - Sun