Toxic - A Natasha Romanoff x Female Reader Story

Chapter 21

Y/N's POV:

It's been a few weeks since the family date we went on with Shuri and things have honestly never been better. Tony and I have been meeting with each other in private a lot to discuss what I went through with Hydra and he is trying to help me through it. As much as it is helping, my nightmares are getting worse and worse. I've been trying to figure out what to say to Nat because I know she is getting worried but I don't want to stress her out more.

I sit up in bed rubbing my face frowning. I'm sick to death of not being able to sleep. I'm so tired, but not sleepy, maybe a workout will finish me off. I look over at Nat sleeping peacefully and I softly kiss her head before I leave our room. I yawn rubbing my eyes as I walk into the gym and I look up at the clock 3 am. I really need to start getting back into shape, I've gotten soft. I walk up to the treadmill getting on and begin running at 15 mph as a comfortable start. I run for about an hour and then get off wiping my face with my towel and I sigh walking over to the punching bag.

I start with average jabs and I can feel myself getting more and more worked up. My breathing becomes heavier as the flashbacks of Hyrda swarm my mind. My hits become harder and harder as visions of experiments, trials and torture flash through my mind. I shut my eyes tight still punching the bag, showing no mercy, as I try to think of Nat to calm myself down. I start to feel light-headed and I fall to my knees and I hit the floor once more with my fist as I begin to cry.

"Stop, stop, STOP!"

I hold my head crying more my breathing ragged and uneven. I slowly start to calm myself down after thinking of Nat and Wanda. They're my happy place. I take deep breaths and I feel my body starting to finally relax. Good, that's better. I flinch when a hand grabs my shoulder and I grab their wrist tightly and I spin round to face them immediately letting go when I see the fear in Wanda's eyes. I move away from her looking down getting upset again.

"Wanda, I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to grab you like that. You scared me."

She smiles sadly at me and kneels down next to me.

"It's okay, I noticed you weren't exactly okay. Do you wanna talk about it?"

I glance at her and I gently shake my head.

"Um, no. No, it's okay. It's not really stuff that you'd want to hear. Besides, I've not really spoken to your mom about it either."

I sigh moving to sit against the wall leaning my back against it as I pull my knees to my chest. I smile gently when I see Wanda come and sit next to me resting her head on my shoulder yawning.

"It's late kiddo, you should get back to sleep."

She shakes her head. 

"I can't sleep."

I frown gently looking at her.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

She looks at me and I know exactly what is coming.

"I'll talk if you do, deal?"

I sigh gently and she smiles cheekily at me and I laugh smiling.

"Okay, you've got a deal. You first."

She nods leaning further into me reaching for my hand playing with my rings. I've noticed that's what she does if she is upset or nervous and I stay silent so I don't pressure her and I let her take the time she needs.

"Well, I've been having nightmares recently and I keep thinking about my brother, Pietro."

I frown softly. I've not really heard much about him but Nat has mentioned him briefly. She mentioned that Wanda had a really difficult time trying to adjust to life with the Avengers, especially after losing him.