We pull into the parking garage beneath the building Kate directed us to, and I'm already feeling anxious. I scan our surroundings for a minute, creating a mental map of our vicinity. Man, my powers are really growing now that I'm using them regularly. There's this underground garage, and what's essentially a skyscraper of extravagance above us. I sense quite a few people near us, and a handful in the building itself, but I don't feel danger, so that's good. After the fiasco at the motel, we didn't stop for more than gas or food, and even then, I had to scan our surroundings the whole time, or Yelena would freak out. Rightfully so, but still. When Yelena parks, we all get out and stretch our legs for a minute before Kate starts leading us upstairs. This garage is massive. There are sports cars everywhere, SUVs, and everything is pristine. It makes me feel uncomfortable.
"So this is the West Coast Avengers' Tower. Since Tony's gone, Pepper had this built and moved back to this side of the country. She doesn't live here, but she's here off and on. Clint has really started this team. The New York compound was rebuilt, but obviously that was a little too close to home," Kate rambles as we enter the enormous elevator in the corner of the garage. I keep scanning, afraid I'll suddenly feel something menacing. After the doors close, Kate reaches over and grabs my hand. "We're safe here, Y/n," she whispers in my ear, then lets go of me. When the doors open, Kate leads the way out, but Yelena stays back and puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Now that we're here, I wanted to thank you." She looks down. "You saved our asses."
"Wow, thanks from Yelena Belova?" I smirk. "I have your back, Lena," I add sincerely. She squeezes my shoulder, and we follow Kate into a grand foyer. Everything is sleek and modern, and remarkably clean. A small gaggle of folx is standing in the middle of the room, waiting for us.
"Welcome to California!" A small woman, close to Yelena's age with dark, curly hair opens her arms to Kate, who smiles and hugs her.
"Hi, Jen. These are my friends, Yelena and Y/n." She gestures to us, and Jen reaches out to shake both of our hands. "And the dogs are Lucky and Fanny. They're very excited to be here." Yelena holds tightly to the leashes and commands Fanny to sit in Russian. Lucky follows her lead, tongue lolling out.
"Well, they seem very well behaved. Ladies, I'm not a full timer here, I'm usually a lawyer. I am, however, the oldest one here right now, since Clint is gone, so the kids have asked that I introduce everyone." There are several eye-rolls at 'kids'.
"You are She-Hulk, yes?" Yelena asks, and suddenly it clicks in my head. She was in the news recently, I recognize her now.
"I am. But please, call me Jen," she smiles warmly. Then she introduces each of the kids standing behind her. "America Chavez, Quintavius Quire (Kid Omega), Cassie Lang (Ant-Girl), and Johnny Watts (Fuse)." Everyone gives us their pronouns, and I return the favor for Yelena and I. Looking at them, I suddenly feel super old. They're all Kate's age or younger, and although I'm only like two and a half years older than Kate, I feel weird coming to them for help. I can only imagine how Yelena is feeling right now.
"So who's idea was it to bring on a couple of Black Widow wannabes?" Johnny says, smirking cockily. Yelena tenses up beside me but she doesn't have a chance to snap.
"Mine. You want to question me?" Kate bites out, and America whistles.
"Johnny's just mad that Kate goes back to New York so much." America jumps forward and shakes my hand, then Yelena's. Fuck, she's like fifteen.
"Well when you're starting a team and the leaders are never here, it can be frustrating," Quintavius chimes in snarkily.
"We leave Jen or Cassie's parents here!" Kate defends herself. "I have to take care of things at home sometimes!"
"And on that note, I need to get home and start working on a case," Jen says her goodbyes and escapes into the elevator. I find myself jealous.
"Okay guys, Yelena and Y/n aren't even officially joining us, they're just here because their previous employer is, um,"
"Trying to kill us," Yelena finishes, bluntly. "And Johnny Watts? You mention my sister's name ever again, and I'll kill you." There's my girl. Johnny snorts, but doesn't say anything when Kate shoots daggers at him.
"Yelena, there will be no assassinating my team," Kate chides, then, "Not that I could stop you, but please. For me." At that, I chuckle, and it feels like some tension breaks. America very excitedly offers to show us to some guest rooms, and Cassie joins, asking questions about our abilities. She seems like a smart kid.
"Scott Lang is your dad?" I ask her, thinking about the books he's been selling about the blip and defeating Thanos. "I saw his book."
"Did you read it?" Cassie asks warily.
"No," I admit.
"Good." She smiles. "His writing is even more obnoxious than he is."
"Noted," I chuckle. The girls leave us while we get our things settled, and Yelena comes into my room after a little while. She sits on the end of the bed and sighs loudly. Rather than ask her what's wrong, I just sit next to her and lean my head on her shoulder. We sit like that for a while, Yelena eventually putting an arm around my waist. I get a little bit tingly at her touch, but I try not to show it. "So, how old do you feel right now?" I tease her, and she promptly punches my shoulder.
"I am not old!" She drops her jaw comically, and I can't help but smile.
"I didn't say you were!" I lean back onto her shoulder. "These kids are just so young."
"I think Johnny likes your Katie," Yelena teases.
"She is not 'my Katie'," I scoff. "But you are my Lena." I wrap my arms around her.
"Am I?" She scrunches her face at me. I swat at her arm in retaliation.
"You'd better be! You're my partner!" And I've been pining after you for months. Goddamn it. As much as I like Kate, I can't shake my feelings for Yelena.
"That I am," Yelena confirms. She goes to get up, but pauses for a second, looking at me. "I'm sorry, y/n."
"What for?" I ask, baffled. She just shakes her head, kisses my cheek, and leaves. I find myself holding my cheek in wonder. What on Earth could she have meant by that?
