The Prisoner | Natasha x OC

Chapter Twelve

"Not yet corpses.
Still, we rot."
____

Natara

The breeze cooled her face as she continued forward, stars winking down at her. Natara Faez came to a stand still as she looked at the new Avengers compound. She preferred it to the tower.

She'd only gone inside of the compound once, when she'd told Natasha she'd join. Though of course she made sure that her requirements would be met first.

Natara knew the redhead would probably be angry. She'd disappeared for two weeks after all. But right now she couldn't care less. The smell of alcohol surrounded her and she was so so tired.

Walking towards the compound, the lights inside seemed to burn warmer with promises of rest and recovery. She was exhausted.

Natara's eyes took in every shadow or movement, anxiety and nerves at a breaking point after her latest trip. Her throbbing face didn't help either. She knew there would be bruises. But she swore, if that man had in any way permanently scarred her face, she'd kill him.

Her hands shoved deeper into her pockets to fight off the wind and she stepped into the entry way.

Natasha

Nat had said her goodnights an hour and a half ago but was still no closer to sleep. She kept repeating the same words over and over again in her head. Don't do it. Just don't do it. Screw it. She sat up quickly and headed to what she called her office.

She didn't bother to put shoes on and just made her way there. Though chiding herself the entire way, she still kept going.

Nat knew what she'd find, knew and had hoped anyway. Absolutely nothing. Resting her head in her palm, she let out a sigh. She hadn't know what she'd expected, it was Natara afterall. But still, she'd told her she was ready and had agreed to join. So why the hell had she left? Nat had been searching for any information on her whereabouts every day but kept coming up empty, such as now.

Natasha thought back to the last time she'd seen her, after her conversation with Fury about Bruce. She tried to remember if there were any signs hinting towards Natara lying. Why would she agree to join only to leave that same night? She could've at least left a message. Something like, 'Hey, I know I said I'd join and promised to be there but turns out I lied and will now be disappearing from your life just as quickly as I entered it. Xoxo- Natara'.

The redhead groaned. Stupid, this was stupid. Movement in the corner of her eye had her head turning to one of her screens and her breath caught as she recognized the figure. "Natara," She breathed. Double-checking quickly just to be sure, Nat saw that it was indeed live footage from one of the cameras. She stood quickly and exited the room.

Nat got there sooner than she'd intended and ended up waiting for a minute or so before Natara was a few feet in front of her. "Nice of you to come back," Nat drawled. Her tone was dry but her eyes flickered all over the blonde. She'd been worried something had happened to her. But now seeing that she was actually fine just caused an irritation to replace the worry. "Where the hell have you been?"

The assassin turned, her back having been facing Natasha, and the redhead faltered. She looked... well awful. Beautiful but awful. Her eyes then went to the bruising along Natara's left cheekbone and Nat found herself moving closer immediately.

"Hello to you too," Natara greeted.

Her voice sounded as if it had been stripped bare, no emotion or evidence of feeling in it. It also sounded rough, as if she hadn't used it in a while.