Bishova Oneshots

Cliff's Edge

Summary: Kate and Yelena must retrieve the Soul Stone.
Category: Angst, Hurt no Comfort.
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"Why couldn't Clint do this, again?" Yelena asked, holding on for dear life as Kate roughly piloted their dingy spaceship. "Or literally anyone else?"

"They're all busy," Kate replied simply, tongue stuck out in concentration. "There's a lot to do, Lena. Gather all the pretty rocks, get the world ready for the return of four billion people."

"Sure, but were we really the best choice? We can't even-" Yelena cut off with a grunt as their space craft slammed into a sizable asteroid, sending Yelena flying across the cockpit. "We are not even space pilots."

"I am now."

Sighing, Yelena sat back in her captain's chair, gripping the seatbelt strapped across her chest until her knuckles turned white. For several light-years, the two sat in solemn silence, and Kate could not help but glance over every so often. Yelena pretended as though she did not feel the weighty looks cast her way, but Kate's concern burned holes through the side of her face. There was so much riding on this. They both knew that full well.

Not helping things was the recently formed, not yet labeled layer of their relationship. They were more than friends, had been for a good while, but neither had gone so far as to make anything official. The extent of their courtship ended at subtle hand holding and the occasional chaste kiss on the temple.

All Kate wanted to do was lean over, place a gentle hand on Yelena's shoulder and confess that she loved her, that she had for a long time, that she saw her as good, worthy, redeemed. But... it was never the right time. With the last five years being so focused on the rebuild from Thanos' cataclysmic snap, no one could afford the luxury of romance. Everyone's hearts were so heavy; Yelena mourned her sister, and Kate grieved for her mother. Then again, though, didn't they deserve to be happy?

Finally, after eons spent zooming through the cold, empty expanse of space, the ship reached the assigned coordinates, and Kate unceremoniously landed on the seemingly lifeless rock of a planet.

As she stood, Kate felt the air in the cockpit shift, as if both of them simultaneously realized the gravity of their mission. If they failed, the Avengers would lose for good. Natasha, Bucky, Sam, Wanda, Peter, and everyone else stayed dead. This was it, this was the endgame.

"Yelena..." Kate started, struggling to put her feelings and their extraordinary situation into words.

"I know, Kate Bishop," Yelena replied, resting a gentle hand on Kate's cheek. "This is the end."

Kate melted under her touch, placing her hand overtop Yelena's. Voice small and dripping with emotion, she whispered, "we're gonna get 'em back."

Yelena nodded, keeping her replies short to stave off her voice breaking. "Yes, we will."

"You and me?"

"You and me."

Kate nodded, slivers of confidence returning. "We're gonna get that fucking rock, slap it on Steve's desk, and then..."

"And then?"

Kate took a deep breath, cracking an anxious grin. "Let me take you to dinner. We gotta celebrate somehow, right?"

"Okay," Yelena rasped, thumb tracing Kate's jaw. "But only if you wear that black suit."

"Deal." Kate kissed Yelena's knuckles before gently dropping her hand. "I'll pick you up at eight."

"Not a second after. Don't you dare be late."

Small smile still on playing on her lips, Kate geared up, grabbing her bow, quiver, and plenty of trick arrows. As she was unsure of what waited beyond the shuttle doors, she took a variety; fire, grenade, slime, and of course, grappling.