Amazed

Chapter 50: How are you?

Yelena grabbed Y/N's hand, pleading for them to rethink their decision, "Are you sure this is a good idea? You just got back? You've barely had time to breathe, Y/N."

Steve jumped in before they could offer a response, "We're not doing it today. I'm going to spend the next few days trying to coax him out myself. He's seemed calmer the past day, but I haven't made much progress with getting him to fully recognize me yet."

"So, how long?" Y/N asked.

Wanda laid her hand on their forearm, "Three days at the least. Stephen and I are going to work with you after giving you a day to relax and get back on your feet."

Y/N looked back over to Yelena who was unable to wipe the fear from her face but tried her best to put on a supportive one for them. She nodded slightly in defeat, deciding against any further arguments about it.

"Okay, sounds like a plan. Bruce said I can head out after he comes back with my final test and scan results, so I will meet up with you all later," Y/N noted to Steve and Wanda who made their way out shortly after.

"As for us," Y/N said to grab Yelena's attention from her worrisome thoughts, "I would love it if we could have a movie date tonight. Go ahead and get your room set up for it. I'll meet you in the kitchen after Bruce lets me go because I'm starving."

She quietly obliged before placing a soft kiss on their forehead and heading out of their room. Not long after she left, Bruce came in to let them know that their vitals had all returned back to normal and that they were free to head out when they felt ready.

Standing from their bed, they decided to leave the room quickly so that they didn't dwell on any unwelcome thoughts while they were alone. They made their way up to the kitchen to get started on some food. It seemed crazy to think that they'd hadn't eaten in so long but it probably felt like even longer than it really was due to them being in the astral dimension for so long.

Once they rounded the corner from the elevator and made their way into the kitchen, they saw Nat rummaging through the refrigerator. 

"Hey, Nat," They said rather quietly trying not to alarm her since she'd been alone.

Her head lifted quickly from where she'd been searching for a drink, "Hey, Y/N! It's good to see you up. How're you feeling?" She asked as she headed back in to continue searching.

"I'm holding up. I assume Steve already told you about the plan he has with Bucky, Wanda, and I?" Y/N noted as they made their way around Nat to grab a loaf of bread from the cabinet.

She'd finally closed the fridge, leaning on it to look at Y/N and continue the conversation, "He did. I'm sure Yelena didn't take it well, but he told me that you agreed so I assume she's okay at the moment or at least acting like she is."

Y/N laughed at how well Nat knew her sister, "Yeah, you're right. I know she's really worried but I think she trusts my judgment enough to not stress it too much."

Nat nodded in response before Y/N decided to continue, "And hey, I just wanted to say I'm really sorry for everything. I really... I couldn't.." They trailed off.

"You don't need to be sorry. You couldn't control it, we all know that," She said as she offered them a soft smile.

Y/N nodded back as they leaned over to pull Nat into a hug. Just before their hand had passed her shoulder though, they noticed a slight hitch in her breath as she moved slightly back away from them. Their eyes widened as they fell to the ground. Nat may have forgiven them, but it was clear that she wouldn't forget.

"I-I'm... I'm sorry," They stated as they choked down the guilt that was aching in their chest now. One of their best friends, who was literally a trained assassin, was terrified of them.

"No, Y/N, it's okay. I'm sorry I just-" Nat started to respond before she was cut off short by Y/N putting the bread down and heading past her.

Suddenly, their massive hunger had subsided. Their mind was right back to that vision of Nat up on the wall with their hand gripped so tightly around her neck that it left bruises she'd keep for a few days.

"I'm gonna head up to my room and relax. I'll see you later," Y/N stated as they rushed up the stairs and to their room. 

As they rounded the corner at the top of the stairs, Steve saw them clearly distressed just as he was walking out of his own room.

"Y/N! Hey," He called out just as he caught their door before they could close it on him, "What's going on? Are you okay? What happened?"

They made their way to their bathroom, turning on the fan and falling back against the wall while simultaneously sliding down until they found themselves on the floor. 

"I don't know how I'm going to get past this," They started as they closed their eyes and leaned their head back against the wall, "Nat is terrified of me. I'm sure she's not the only one either. Seeing her flinch as I went to hug her just... fucked me up."

Steve stood for a second as he blinked a couple of times to try and rid the shock from his face. He wasn't completely surprised that Nat had been slightly nervous around Y/N. No one except Yelena had even known of their past with HYDRA and didn't think they'd ever be capable of something so violent.

Before responding, he walked over next to them and slid down so that he could be on their level. Nothing he would say would actually be helpful, but just being there would be enough to help ease their nerves.

"I can imagine seeing her react like that was hard," He said as he let his head rest back against the wall as they had, "but she will recover. It was just a shock, to all of us, but now that we all know this we can help you work past it. You're family, Y/N. Not just to me by blood, but to everyone here. We're going to make sure that you get through this, together."