We're in the Endgame Now | Endgame [2]

Chapter 5

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  Her talk with Pepper was, in other words, much needed, as much as Irina hated to admit. She had nothing against Pepper; except the fact it felt like she tried filling in holes that were already filled. But, all in all .  .  . Irina held no ounce of hate or grunge toward her—only Thanos, and those that have died in the past.

  The bed dipped behind Irina. "Hey, kid." Natasha. "Whatcha lookin' at?"

  "This stupid picture," Irina sighed. It was from her 21st birthday. She sat in front of 21 shots —most of them empty— flush-faced and eyes squinted and bloodshot. Alexei is on one side in mid-holler, cheering Irina on, while Yelena is on the other, smiling as she looked at Irina. " 'Lina took this."

  "And whose idea was this? Definitely not yours," Natasha chuckled.

  Irina returned the chuckle, and shook her head. "Definitely not." She smiled in remembrance, "This was Lane and 'Lexei's idea. I puked so much the next morning. Poor Melina and Yelena had to clean the house and me several times while Alexei tended to the pigs and shopped for 'hangover' foods and whatnot."

  Smiling, Natasha propped her elbow on the pillows and played with strands of Irina's hair. "Tell me more."

  Irene swallowed the lump in her throat, and nodded once. "What do you want to know?"

  Natasha didn't pressure her. "As much as you want. Actually .  .  ." she used her free-hand and lifted Irina's up, " .  .  . this. Wanna tell me how this got here, hm?"

  Irina could hear the smirk in Nat's teasing voice. She smiled, so hard she thought her cheeks would never loosen again. "Nothing extravagant."

  "Well, I know you didn't put it there yourself."

  Irene rolled to her back then scooted up, back against the headboard. "There's not much to the story, really. This happened on a mission in Italy. Actually, it was during the mission. Lane's timing is always bad." Natasha laughed. "Do you know where our first kiss was? The Red Room."

  "Sounds like everything worked out anyway."

Irene smiled, "It did. Promise ring and saved three Widows in one night. A very productive night for us." On her left ring finger, a semi-slim band-ring with small diamonds on the front of the band that led up to a larger one. And along the inside, the word "Lyubimaya" is engraved in cursive.