Black Widow: Dark House

36. "Liar"- The Arcadian Wild

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Italics- any language besides English

**- thoughts/ memories

They went back and forth for hours, drawing out questions, learning about each other again. The questions ranged from "what's your favorite color" to "what as the facility like?"

They spoke honestly to one another, each answering the questions as best as they knew how. Ana still hated to divulge details of her time at the facility, and often kept her answers short when they pertained to anything related to her being at Taskmaster or the process of her becoming one. Natasha noticed, but didn't press. She knew that would have to come with time.

They kept drinking. As the hours flew by Ana had four more doubles, though the alcohol seemed to have no effect. Natasha felt herself become a little tipsy, which was evidence by her last shot. She missed the center by an inch.

"Yeesh Romanoff, you're loosing your edge" Ana poked.

"shut up, I'm a little drunk and tired. Take your turn" Natasha ordered, downing the last of her seventh beer.

Ana laughed and stood, taking aim once more. To no one's surprise, it hit the center.

"How have you not missed at least one?" Natasha groaned.

Ana shrugged, "What can I say? I'm a bad ass."

"Alright..." Ana though, and then a grin painted her face, "So, when you and Yelena got back to the Red Room after Ohio. When you got older did you ever..." Ana pumped her eyebrows.

Natasha threw a bottle at Ana, which Ana expertly ducked.

"She's my sister! Go to hell!" Natasha shouted, shaking her head.

Ana nodded, "I know I'm going to hell. At this point it's go big or go home. And technically, technically she is not your sister. And it's a harmless question. No need to throw things" Ana commented, grinning.

"You're gross" Natasha said, mocking disappointment.

"Guilty as charged. Your turn"

Natasha stood, taking a deep breath to steady herself. The was lightly buzzed, so she compensated for her balance being a bit off. This time the dart struck true.

"Hey! You still got it" Ana praised, downing the last of her whiskey.

Natasha bowed before sitting back down in her seat to think about her question while Ana motioned to the bar for another whiskey.

It took Natasha a moment. Not to think of a question, but to consider the one she wanted to ask. In hindsight she would blame the alcohol, but in this moment, it seemed like a question that she wouldn't be able to sleep well without at least asking.

Ana got her drink and sat down next to Natasha, taking a sip before looking at her, "Alright, shoot."

Natasha's gaze flashed to Ana, who took another sip of her drink, oblivious the Natasha's stare.

"Do you still love me?"

Silence.

It seemed like everything stopped when the question entered the atmosphere.

Ana froze, her lips on the glass as she processed what she heard. She felt her heart suddenly start to thud in her chest as she lowered her glass, looking over at Natasha.

Finally, Ana cleared her throat, "I'm not answering that Tasha. Ask a different question" she ordered.

"That's not the rules of the game."