I want that drink, Kate Bishop.
When her phone dinged as Kate was packing her bags to travel with Clint to Missouri, she had originally not even checked to see who messaged her. Why would she? What could anyone say that could outweigh traveling with an Avenger to meet his family?
Finally, as she had prepared to enter the car Clint was renting to travel home, bag in one hand and Pizza Dog's leash in the other, she had glanced down at her phone.
She didn't recognize the number, as it was different from the one Yelena had used to send the video of her mom and the Kingpin. However, as soon as she read the message, she felt her heart rate pick up. Who would have thought that the simple use of her full name would so clearly confirm who had sent the message?
Just reading the words caused Kate's ears to fill with the soothing sound of the blonde assassin's Russian accent.
Clint had noticed her pause, questioning her about her hesitation. She had responded that she forgot about a prior commitment and that she was sorry. She could tell that the man had not believed her response, but he had gone on his way after making her promise to stay in touch and out of trouble.
The moment after she watched his car drive away, she typed out a response to the message she had received. Is that an order or a request? In my experience, it is impolite to demand anything.
The response came almost immediately. No, Kate Bishop. That was not an order. Is it in your experience to rescind a request of your own? I seem to remember you asking for a drink.
Kate felt her cheeks warm at the assassin's response as she settled herself down in her apartment. Pizza Dog licked her hand a moment later, warm tongue causing her to pull her hand back with a yelp at the sudden action.
Her focus was drawn back to her phone a moment later as it dinged again. I'll meet you at your apartment.
Kate can't help but chuckle softly. She does not deign to respond, knowing that Yelena would come no matter what she said.
She sat down at her table, eyes trained on the door. In hindsight, she probably should have learned from her first meeting with Yelena that entering through a door was too much to ask. About an hour later, she was interrupted from her thoughts and the lonely silence of her empty apartment.
"Kate Bishop," Kate jumped out of her seat, spinning around to see Yelena walking toward her, a wide, innocent smile on her face. Kate next noticed what the assassin was wearing: a bright red sweater. Her eyeliner emphasized the color of her eyes. And her lips, God, Kate thought. Her lips were lined were black. "Happy Christmas!"
Kate forced herself to stop looking at the assassin's lips and tried to stop herself from smiling in return, but couldn't. The assassin's cheery attitude was infectious. "Have you ever heard of a front door?"
"Nope," the blonde responded. "Where are we going?"
Kate, at that moment, realized that she probably should have had a location in mind when making the offer. The blonde's eyes narrowed, "You do have an idea, yes?"
Kate nodded, "Uh-huh. Of course, I do. We can go to…" She hesitated, smiling morosely as the blonde assassin half-heartedly glared at her.
"Kate Bishop, I come here with plan to go on a Christmas adventure with you, and you don't even know where we are going to go? That is not polite, Kate. That is not polite."
Kate blushed slightly at the words, only for Yelena to burst into laughter a moment later. "I jest."
The sound of her laughter sent shivers down Kate's spine but she fought it off and joined the assassin in laughing.
Pizza Dog rushed over to Yelena the next moment, Kate watching as the fearsome, badass assassin turns into putty in the dog's paws. The blonde kneeled down, laughing as Pizza Dog's tongue caressed her face. "What is his name?"
Kate hesitated, "Um…Pizza Dog?"
Yelena immediately looked up from the dog and glared at her, "Seriously, Kate Bishop?" She turned back to the dog and murmured, "Oh, you poor thing."
"He loves pizza," Kate defended herself halfheartedly.
Yelena scoffed, "Yeah. I love knives. Are you going to call me Knife Girl?"
Kate shook her head, eyes blinking for a long moment at the admission. "Okay, first of all, knives? Really?"
"Hey!" Yelena interrupted. "They are extremely helpful in many ways. Why wouldn't I love them?"
Kate waved her hand in a dismissal before continuing, "Secondly, I have been slightly distracted from the moment I got him. It has been a long week."
"Tell me about it," Yelena muttered, shaking her head. "And yet, I do not doubt that you could have found the effort to name him."
"Alright, fine. Would you like to help me name him?"
At that, Yelena smiled. "I will help you, Kate Bishop." She leaned down again, gently pressing her forehead to the dog's, "I will get you a proper name."
Before Kate can even verbalize one suggestion, Yelena already spoke, "Your name is Lucky."
The dog's tail began to wag immediately and he licked her offered hand. Yelena smiled brightly, "See, Kate Bishop? Was that so hard?"
"Not that I am complaining, but why did you choose Lucky as his name?"
Yelena gave her a look, "Did you not jump through traffic and get him to safety moments before he would have been killed? That is lucky for him, no?"
"Well, when you put it like that…" Kate muttered, moving over to run a hand down Lucky's back herself.
The dog rolled over onto his side, tongue lolling out as he seemingly grinned, enjoying the attention he received.
When Yelena stood up a moment later, she said, "And Kate Bishop, I am ashamed at how few Christmas decorations you have. Do you have any?"
Kate glanced around her apartment, eyes trailing over the overwhelmingly normal decorations around the room, before slowly shaking her head, "Again, it has been a busy week."
Yelena rolled her eyes, "And what about the week before that? Were you busy then, too?"
Kate shook her head slowly mind going back to the clock tower fiasco she had gone through.
"Never mind that," Yelena said, drawing Kate out of the memory. "Another thing for me to help with. We must get a tree."
Kate shook her head, "Yelena, most places are going to be out of trees. Today is Christmas, after all."
"You are doubting me again, Kate Bishop? You should know by now that I am not one to fail."
Kate shrugged, "We can certainly try."
The two fall into a brief silence before Yelena said, "Alright, Kate Bishop. Let us depart." She leaned down and Lucky trotted back over to her eagerly. "He will be fine without us, yes?"
Kate nodded, and the two walked to her apartment door. She took out her key and locked it behind them.
Stepping out of the taxi, Kate and Yelena walked side by side to the door of a bar, Kate stepping in front to open it. Yelena gave her a quick smile, Kate again, grinning back at her. The two enter the establishment, immediately taking in the dark atmosphere.
Yelena moved in front of Kate as the two walked across the near-empty dance floor to the bar. A bartender immediately appeared in front of them, "What's your poison?"
Yelena didn't let Kate speak, saying, "Two raspberry Martinis and two shots of Jack Daniel's."
The man nodded and moved off, leaving Kate to sigh. "A shot? Really?"
Yelena shrugged, "Oh, don't be a baby, Kate Bishop. Don't tell me you think one shot will be too much for you."
"I didn't say that," Kate retorted. "I've just never really been a fan of whiskey. I do love Martinis, though."
Yelena shrugged, "It is midday on Christmas, Kate. I have no intention of letting any more of this day go to waste. Don't worry. I won't let either of us get too drunk."
Kate rolled her eyes, "You worry about yourself, Miss Belova."
Yelena immediately looked directly at her at the use of her last name before shrugging, "I take it Barton told you about me?"
Kate shook her head, "Not really. He told me your full name. That's about all I could get out of him. Believe me, I tried to learn more."
Yelena smiled slightly, "You can ask me questions, Kate Bishop." Kate noticed the return to using her full name and sighed but nodded.
"I am sure I will learn more about you as today goes on."
Their conversation was interrupted by the bartender returning and placing four drinks on the wooden bar in front of them. "Enjoy," he said, before moving away again.
Immediately, Yelena picked up both shots, handing one to Kate. "To Christmas!"
Kate clinked her cup against Yelena's with a small smile, enjoying the woman's enthusiasm for the holiday. Then, she downed the cup, grimacing only slightly. She shook herself as the liquid burned its way down her throat.
She watched as Yelena did the same, holding up her glass a moment later. The two sat for a moment longer before Yelena spoke again, "I am sorry about your mother."
It took Kate a moment to respond, so surprised she was at the assassin's thoughtful statement. "Ah, well. You know how it is. Criminals get what they deserve."
"I wish," Yelena muttered in response, so quietly that Kate almost didn't hear it. "A criminal she may have been, but she is still your mother."
Kate shrugged, "My mother seems to have a different definition of a mother than most."
Yelena snorted, "Tell me about it, Kate Bishop."
Kate cocked her head, "What?"
"Oh, you have no idea." Yelena started, looking directly at Kate. "How much about the Widows has Barton taught you?"
"To be honest, not as much as I would like. He doesn't like talking about Natasha, but I know how much she meant to him."
Yelena sighed, "He would be the silent type."
Kate muffled a slight chuckle, marveling at the assassin's accurate statement.
"No matter, I explain," Yelena continued.
Kate took a sip of the martini, eyes staying on Yelena as she prepared to speak.
"Natasha and I grew up with our…" Yelena paused for a long moment before nodding to herself, "…for the sake of this explanation, parents. When I was six, my mother was injured as we fled SHIELD."
"Wait, wait, wait," Kate interrupted. "Why were you running from SHIELD?"
"Hush, Kate Bishop. Let me tell this story."
Kate immediately went silent, nodding in ascent. Yelena continued, "My father turned my sister and me over to a man named Dreykov."
That was a name that Kate recognized, and she said so. She also expressed her base knowledge about the Red Room, based on a statement that Natasha made years ago. "I am glad. That will make this retelling easier," Yelena responded before moving on. "That night, my sister and I were separated. I didn't see her again for over twenty years."
Kate's eyes widened comically at that statement, but she remained quiet. Yelena took a deep breath, collecting herself before speaking again. "Long story short, my mother invented chemicals that Dreykov used to chemically subjugate his widows, making them completely obedient. Those chemicals were used on me. So yes, Kate Bishop, I understand what it feels like to have a mother who lacks in their motherly qualities."
At that Kate couldn't help but shake her head in horror, "Yelena, I am so sorry."
Yelena stopped her, "I am not going to allow the mood to be so down on Christmas, Kate Bishop. I will tell you the rest at another time."
Kate was conflicted then. On one hand, that would make another encounter with the assassin much more likely. On the other, she really wanted answers. She chose to just nod, the two women going back to their drinks.
"Well, I think you win the bad mother competition, Yelena," Kate made an attempt at a joke, breaking the silence that had appeared between the two.
Yelena shook her head, smiling dryly, "You are usually so funny, Kate. That was not one of your better attempts at humor."
Kate faked an offended look, "How dare you! I am always funny."
Yelena just sighed, before turning away and calling the bartender over. "We'd like to close out."
Before Kate could even get her card out, Yelena handed the man two twenties, "Keep the extra."
She stood up then, gesturing for Kate to follow her. Kate began to protest, but Yelena cut her off. "Yes, I know you are the one who invited me, Kate, but I couldn't let you pay. Consider that repayment for me 'trying to kill you' last time I saw you."
Kate smiled at that, nodding, "Fine, but I am buying dinner."
Yelena didn't reject the statement, but she also didn't agree.
The two walked through the aisles of the convenience store, Yelena piling a cart full of various little Christmas decorations. Kate kept trying to talk her out of some of them to no avail. The assassin was on a mission, and wouldn't take no for an answer. The two also purchased a stand for a Christmas tree, on the off chance they were able to find one.
Kate slipped in front of Yelena as the two paid, tapping her card on the reader. Yelena sent her a brief, clearly forced glare at the act before smiling.
The last item Yelena set her sights on was a Christmas tree, which Kate continued to assert would not be attainable.
The two stopped by Kate's apartment to drop off all of the decorations they had purchased, grabbing Lucky while he was there. It was around three in the afternoon when they set out on their quest for a tree.
As they left their third possible location, Kate had an idea. "Wait," she said, causing Yelena to stop walking. Lucky came to a stop as well, turning to look back at the two of them.
"Okay, so when Clint and I escaped the Tracksuits a few days ago, we drove through a parking lot that was packed with Christmas trees. There is no way they all sold out."
"And you remember this information now?" Yelena questioned with a sigh, "My, Kate Bishop. One might think you intentionally kept that knowledge to yourself to keep me around."
Kate immediately shook her head, "No, I swear…" She trailed off as Yelena laughed at her.
"I jest, Kate. I could tell you were being honest. I enjoy seeing you flustered, though." Yelena laughed again, Kate joining her a moment later, even if a little subconsciously. "Now where is this parking lot of Christmas trees, Miss Bishop?"
Kate pulled out her phone and logged into the Bishop Security app, checking her locations from the last week. She finally found it after following the path of her and Clint's car chase escape from the Tracksuits.
"I have an address. It says it's a fifteen-minute walk."
"Perfect," Yelena said as the two set out toward it.
"Well, you were not lying, Kate. There do seem to be a lot of Christmas trees here."
The two walked around the parking lot before Yelena stopped before a tree. "Here. This is perfect."
"Yelena, that one won't fit in my apartment."
"Yes it will," Yelena retorted as she walked around it one last time.
Kate sighed but nodded, "Fine. Now how do we pay for this? The owners of these trees are not here. It is Christmas Day, after all."
Yelena shrugged. "Their loss. They shouldn't have left all these trees out in the open with nothing stopping people from taking them."
"Yelena, no. We can't steal a Christmas tree. That is wrong on more than one level."
"Fine," Yelena sighed, pulling out a few twenty-dollar bills. "I place these in the stand where the tree currently is. Would that make you feel better?"
Kate nodded, "Infinitely. However, we have another issue."
"Which is?"
"How exactly do you plan on getting this tree back to my apartment? It is probably a twenty-five-minute walk and Lucky is with us."
"Not a challenge. I wrap Lucky's leash around my arm and hold the base of the tree with my hands. That would leave you holding the other end of the tree. Can you handle that?"
"Of course, I can handle that," Kate retorted, the two immediately going for the tree. Lucky let out a bark as the tree fell, courtesy of Yelena un-securing it from the base.
"Oh, boy," Kate muttered. This is going to be a long walk.
Contrary to what Kate expected, the walk truly wasn't too bad. Lucky enthusiastically followed just behind Yelena while Kate walked in the lead.
The biggest trial of the journey came after their arrival at her apartment. The tree proved to barely fit around each corner of the stairs, meaning they had to lift it above the rails along the edge of the stairs at the top of each flight."
Kate unlocked the door to the apartment and the two maneuvered the tree into the stand where it sat in the corner of her apartment. To Yelena's triumph, the tree did fit.
While they worked on placing the decorations they purchased around the apartment and the ornaments and lights on the tree, Lucky laid down close to the two, watching their every move with his tail wagging on occasion.
When they finished, Kate excused herself from Yelena, citing a need to change clothes. She found herself changing into a black dress before applying some makeup to her face.
When she walked back into the main room of her apartment, Yelena was sitting in the loveseat, Lucky curled up on top of her. Kate smiled at the image, mentally saving it into her memory. "Well? Shall we go to dinner?"
Yelena looked up at her and Kate felt her heart rate accelerate. The assassin's eyes trailed up and down her body for a long moment before she slowly stood. Lucky jumped down, whining at the forced movement. "You clean up nicely, Kate Bishop, but I find myself preferring you in a suit."
"Well, I can go change…"
"No." Yelena immediately rejected that before saying. "Let us go, Kate. I have secured us a reservation."
"Where?"
"I guess you will have to wait and see."
As the Uber that Yelena called pulled up in front of a tall building, Kate's eyes widened in disbelief.
Before she could say anything, Yelena thanked the driver and then opened the door. Kate followed her out, pausing as Yelena turned to her. After a long moment, Yelena held out her arm. Kate hesitantly linked her arm through Yelena's as the two walked toward the doors.
Two men nodded in greeting to the pair, opening the heavy golden doors. "Welcome," one of them said.
Yelena led her through the lobby of the hotel to an elevator, a sign next to it said, "The Roof: 29th floor."
As the elevator doors opened, and the two stepped inside, Kate shot a quick glance at the woman on her left. Her arm remained through Yelena's, the two standing close enough to one another that their hips brushed.
The elevator carried them up to the 29th floor, opening with a soft ding. When they did, Kate gasped.
The light within the restaurant was low, clearly part of the restaurant's aesthetic. Tables lined the room, most of them occupied. The low light within the restaurant was offset by the windows that lined an entire side of the restaurant, the sun beginning to dip below other buildings. Kate's observation was cut off as Yelena led her to a desk. "Two for Belova."
The woman at the desk smiled, "Ah. Yes, right this way."
Yelena led Kate after the woman, walking toward a small table near the back corner, pressed up against the windows. The woman who was leading them stood aside, gesturing to the table. "Please, have a seat. Your server will be with you momentarily."
Yelena disconnected their arms before walking over to one of the chairs and pulling it back. Kate made to walk over to the other chair but Yelena spoke, "Ah ah, Kate Bishop. You sit here."
Kate did as she was told, somewhat hesitantly sitting in the chair. Yelena stood behind her for another moment before walking over to her chair and sitting down.
After they were both seated, Kate spoke, "Yelena, this is too much."
"Let us enjoy Christmas, Kate Bishop. I requested you come here."
"How did you even get a reservation? Wouldn't this place be booked for Christmas dinner?"
Yelena smirked, "That is for me to know."
Kate sighed, "Fine."
Their conversation was briefly interrupted as their server came over, taking their drink orders before promising them a minute to inspect the menu. "I find myself ravenous, Kate Bishop. Would you like to share a few items?"
Kate nodded, "I am hungry as well, and yes. Sharing works for me."
Yelena nodded. "The steak, the Brussel sprouts, and the Macaroni."
At the last item, Kate smiled. "Ah yes, the Macaroni."
Their drinks arrived a moment later and they placed their food order. Outside, the sun was barely peaking over another building, the last remnants of its light turning the sky a gorgeous orange.
Kate took a long sip of her drink, looking out at the sunset. "Thank you for this, Yelena. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but thank you."
"Nonsense," Yelena said, waving her hand in dismissal. "I don't think you realize how much I needed this, too."
They fall into silence again before Kate hesitantly asked, "Yelena, I don't mean to pry or anything, but why aren't you with your parents today?"
Yelena shook her head, "You are not prying, Kate. That is a fair question." A brief pause occurred before Yelena continued, "The relationship between my mother and I is strained. As I already told you, she created the chemicals that yes, unbeknownst to her, were used on me. My father does what she tells her and truthfully, he cares more for himself an Melina than me."
Kate took a long moment to process the answer before responding, "I am sorry, Yelena. If it means anything to you, today has been really nice."
Yelena's lips turned up in a smile. "I am glad, Kate. Thank you for being my Christmas buddy."
Their food arrived a bit later and the two ate, few words said as they did so. When they both finished the three items they ordered, Yelena summoned one of the waiters. "One of the chocolate lava cakes, please, with two spoons."
Kate shook her head, letting out a faux moan. "Oh, Yelena. I am so full."
Yelena chuckled softly, "You will eat few bites, Kate Bishop, and you will like them."
Kate found herself nodding immediately, almost unaware that she was doing so. She frowned. "That doesn't seem like a decision for you to make."
Yelena rolled her eyes, "I think I can make it for you."
The dessert arrived a few minutes later, topped with a scoop of ice cream, a raspberry, and chocolate sauce.
Contrary to what she had said, Kate ate nearly half of the dessert, Yelena devouring the rest.
Finally, the bill came. Kate made an attempt to pay but Yelena flat-out refused for her to pay even a little of it, citing, "I invited you."
By the time they arrived back at Kate's apartment, the time was almost eleven. Lucky greeted them happily and the two took him for a walk, bundling up to do so. As they made their way down the sidewalk, a single flake of something cold landed on Kate's nose. "Oh, great. It is snowing."
Yelena immediately looked up at the sky, smiling. "Don't you know a Christmas snow is good luck, Kate?"
"How is it you know more about Christmas than I do?"
"I see that as you lacking, Kate Bishop," Yelena cheekily retorted.
After another fifteen minutes, they walked back to Kate's apartment. By then, the time was half-past eleven. Lucky shook himself to rid himself of the snow that had collected in his fur before he lay on top of a heat vent. "Smart dog," Yelena said as she took off Kate's winter coat that she had been wearing.
Kate laughed, "I don't blame him. Would you like some hot chocolate?"
"Yes!" Yelena responded, almost before Kate finished asking the question.
The two found themselves in another silence, each holding the warm cup of hot chocolate with both hands to help them warm up. "How does this compare to going with your Avenger to his family, Kate?"
At the question, Kate actually laughed but spoke a moment later when she saw a hurt look briefly appear on Yelena's face. "I don't think you realize how much fun today has been, Yelena. I truly have nothing to go off of as far as how much fun I would have had with Clint, but I know this: I do not remember a better Christmas than this. Thank you so much, Yelena."
The assassin smiled at the answer, "I have enjoyed today as well, Kate."
Lucky barked a moment later and the two laughed, "I think he enjoyed today as well," Kate stated while laughing.
Yelena nodded, "I will introduce you to Fanny."
Kate immediately frowned, "Fanny? Who is Fanny?"
"My dog, of course."
"You have a dog? Why am I just finding this out now?"
Yelena shrugged, "It never came up."
Kate didn't have an argument for that, so she just sighed. "Well, I look forward to meeting…her?"
Yelena nodded.
The two fell silent for one more long moment before Kate said, "Merry Christmas, Yelena Belova."
The blonde assassin smiled, "Merry Christmas to you too, Kate Bishop."
NOTE: This was written a while ago and published on AO3. I am merely importing all of my work over there to this site.