Bloom // WandaNat Florist AU

Rose

Wanda woke to the unmistakable aroma of pancakes, the smell of the batter and a hint of chocolate wafting through the air. She rolled over with a yawn, checking her phone. Just as Natasha had promised, Wanda had awoken in plenty of time to make it to campus. She smiled at the thought of the other woman, though it faded slightly as she realized the other side of the bed was cold. With a groan, she swung her legs over the side and followed the sweet scent to the kitchen, where Natasha stood focused over a small griddle, soft classical music pouring out of a radio on the counter.

Quietly, Wanda made her way behind the older woman, slinking her arms around Natasha's waist, resting her chin on her shoulder. "Smells good."

"Good morning," Natasha rasped, setting down her work and twisting to face Wanda. "How did you sleep?"

"Really well, actually."

"You weren't expecting to?"

"Not that, just..." she brushed a few stray hairs from Natasha's eyes. "Haven't slept a full night in a while."

"Well, I'm glad you stayed," Natasha whispered before kissing Wanda gently and returning to her work. "Now go brush your teeth."

Wanda disappeared back into the bedroom with a chuckle, leaving Natasha with a goofy smile. She almost pinched herself to make sure she was not dreaming, that this really was her life. A business of her own, relative financial stability, her sister taken care of, and now, the woman of her dreams. Natasha was a simple woman, practical. Domesticity was all she really yearned for, and now, as she cooked breakfast for her little family, it felt like she finally had a taste of her future.

Five years ago, she could not have imagined this. She and Yelena were left with almost nothing. No family, no income, and all her savings spent on her mother's treatment. She had no regrets about that, of course, but the sisters found themselves in a precarious financial situation. Yelena was a bit too young to have even a part time job, though she babysat and walked dogs when she could, so the brunt of the responsibility fell on Natasha. At one point she held down three jobs, compounding as many hours as possible to just put food on the table and make rent. It was hard but necessary work, and the business savvy Natasha gained during those years was indispensable.

Things got easier as Yelena aged and brought home her own income in addition to taking care of most housework. She did so partially out of guilt- seeing her older sister return home at ungodly hours after working double, sometimes triple shifts, the least young Yelena felt she could do was have breakfast prepared.

Now, though, things were different. The two operated a successful shop, quickly making a name in the community. Natasha's hard work and charisma along with Yelena's ingenuity made the duo a force to be reckoned with, and now with Wanda in the mix, Natasha was, for once, not anxious about the future, but excited for it, ready to embrace it.

"Earth to Nat," Wanda laughed as she exited the bedroom once again, clad in one of Natasha's flannels.

Natasha whistled as Wanda sat down at the kitchen table. "You're beautiful, you know that?"

"I could stand to hear it more often."

Natasha flipped the pancakes one last time before plating a few for Wanda and downing a few herself. As she tidied the kitchen, she checked her watch. "You've got to get going soon."

"Don't remind me," Wanda groaned, standing and slinging her backpack on.

"Want me to walk you?" Natasha asked, opening the back door.

Wanda nodded, and the pair made their way onto the sidewalk and into the crisp December morning. Soon enough, snow would coat Wanda's idyllic college campus, and she was glad classes would end before she was forced to slip and slide her way across the ice every morning.

The pair walked to Wanda's lecture hall in silence, enjoying their time together. Despite only knowing each other a few months, Natasha's presence eased Wanda, grounded her. After all, Natasha knew her darkest secrets, her deepest scars, and hadn't run off scared, so walking beside her was only natural.

"You'll do great," Natasha said as Wanda started up the stairs to her building. "I'll see you after?"

"Yep," Wanda confirmed. "Got nothing better to do. See you later."

Lovesick smile on her face, Natasha waved a final goodbye, then turned and walked blissfully home. She had a business to run, after all, and a surprise to tend to for Wanda. Upon making it back to her store, she built bouquet after bouquet for customers, brainstorming what to make for her girl all the while.

Daffodils? No, they represent unrequited love. Daisies? No, far too vague. Gladiolus? Well, the meaning was right but the look was off. Natasha kicked around different combinations of colors and blooms so long that when she looked at her watch again, she realized Wanda would be back soon. She only had one test, after all. Natasha had to make a meaningful bouquet, and quick. How to cram all of your affections into one bouquet, Natasha wondered- then the lightbulb went off. Roses. Simple, classic, timeless red roses. An unmistakeable, unambiguous expression of love, admiration, and devotion.

Grabbing the highest grade scarlet roses her shop had to offer, Natasha gently wrapped the blooms in brown paper, tying the bundle tightly with twine. She had just finished the last knot when the front door opened once more and Wanda, like she had so many times over the last few months, entered the store.

"There's our girl!" Yelena whooped from the back of the store. "She just kicked chemistry's ass!"

"Yeah, she did!" Natasha confirmed, making a big show of clapping for the bashful girl. "How do you feel about it?"

"Honestly?" Wanda started, leaving the sisters on edge. "I crushed it."

The sisters erupted, both wrapping Wanda in a rowdy hug. The brunette allowed herself to smile in the revelry, for once feeling accomplished. The last mile in this marathon of a semester was finally over, and now she had a few weeks to take for herself and spend time with the people she loved the most. It was overwhelming, really, the emotion of the moment, and Natasha pulled away as she spotted a tear rolling down Wanda's cheek.

"What is it, Wanda?"

"I'm just... I'm really proud of myself."

"As you should be," Yelena encouraged as she retreated back to her post in the store. "You worked your ass off, Wanda. I'm proud of you too."

"As am I," Natasha whispered, taking one of Wanda's hands. "I made you a little something."

"Oh?"

The redhead reached for her recently completed work from the table beside her. "I hope it's not too simple."

Wanda's heart melted as she gently took hold of the bountiful bouquet of beautifully deep red roses. "Simple? Nat, these are gorgeous."

"You know what they mean?"

"You and your plant poetry..."

"They mean... I love you."

Eyes full of adoration, Wanda picked a bloom with a shorter stem from the bouquet and placed it gently in Natasha's hair. "Natasha, I love you too."