Scarlet Shadows

Talking

The days following the debriefing were a blur of missions, training, and strategy sessions. Natasha and Wanda fell into their usual rhythm, working together seamlessly. Yet beneath the surface, the unspoken feelings and growing bond between them simmered, waiting for the right moment to come to light.

One evening, after an especially grueling training session, they found themselves alone in the Avengers Compound. The sky outside was painted in hues of pink and orange as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow through the large windows. Natasha was in the kitchen, preparing a simple dinner, while Wanda sat on the couch, lost in thought.

Natasha glanced over at Wanda, her heart clenching at the sight of her looking so contemplative. She knew they needed to talk, to address the feelings that had been building between them. With a deep breath, Natasha decided that tonight would be the night.

"Wanda." Natasha called softly, breaking the silence. "Dinner's ready."

Wanda looked up, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, Nat."

They sat at the small dining table, eating in comfortable silence. The food was simple but delicious, a testament to Natasha's skill in the kitchen, which had actually only improved with Wanda's help. As they finished their meal, Natasha felt a surge of determination. She set down her fork and looked at Wanda, her expression serious.

"Wanda, we need to talk." Natasha said, her voice steady but soft.

Wanda's heart skipped a beat. She had been waiting for this moment, but now that it was here, she felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. "Okay." she replied, her eyes meeting Natasha's.

Natasha took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I've been thinking a lot about what you said, about letting you in. And I realized that I do want to let you in. But it's hard for me. I've spent so many years building these walls, keeping people out to protect myself."

Wanda reached across the table, taking Natasha's hand in hers. "I know it's hard, Nat... But you don't have to face everything alone anymore. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Natasha squeezed Wanda's hand, drawing strength from her touch. "I believe you. And I want to try. I want to let you in. Seeing where this is going."

Wanda's eyes softened, her heart swelling with affection. "I want that too, Nat. More than anything."

Just as Natasha was about to speak again, the door to the kitchen swung open. Tony Stark strolled in, oblivious to the intimate moment he had interrupted.

"Hey, lovebirds, what's for dinner?" Tony quipped, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Natasha's expression instantly hardened, her walls snapping back into place. She released Wanda's hand and stood up, her demeanor cool and composed. "Just some pasta. There's plenty left if you're hungry."

Tony raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing the tension but choosing to ignore it. "Great, I'm starving. Thanks, Nat."

Wanda sighed inwardly, frustration bubbling up. Tony's interruption had shattered the fragile progress they had made. She knew it wasn't his fault, but she couldn't help feeling annoyed.

As Tony helped himself to the leftovers, Natasha shot Wanda an apologetic glance. "We'll finish this conversation later." she mouthed silently.

Wanda nodded, giving her a small, understanding smile. She knew Natasha needed time and space, and she was willing to be patient.

After a few minutes of awkward small talk with Tony, Natasha excused herself, retreating to her room. Wanda watched her go, her heart heavy with concern.

In the days that followed, Natasha distanced herself from Wanda, trying everything to not continue the talk. She threw herself into her work, training harder than ever and taking on the most dangerous missions. Wanda could see the pain in her eyes, the way she was using her old behaviors to shield herself from the vulnerability they had shared.

One night, unable to sleep, Wanda wandered through the compound. She found herself drawn to the training room, where she heard the faint beats of music. Gently pushing open the door, she saw Natasha dancing ballet, her movements precise but filled with an underlying tension.

Natasha was lost in the dance, her body moving with a grace that belied the turmoil within. She didn't notice Wanda watching from the doorway, too consumed by her need for self-punishment. The ballet was an old habit, a way to push herself to the limit, to feel something other than the pain in her heart.

Wanda's heart ached as she watched Natasha dance, the realization hitting her hard. Natasha was punishing herself, unable to accept the love and support Wanda had offered. She needed to break through the walls that Natasha had built, to reach the woman she loved.

"Nat..." Wanda called softly, stepping into the room.

Natasha faltered, her movements stopping abruptly. She turned to face Wanda, her expression a mixture of surprise and wariness. "Wanda, what are you doing here? It's like what, three am?"

"I couldn't sleep," Wanda replied, walking closer. "And then I heard the music. But I could ask you the same. Why are you here?"

Natasha looked away, her shoulders tensing. "I needed to clear my head."

Wanda sighed and reached out, gently touching Natasha's arm. "You don't have to do this to yourself, Nat. You don't have to push me away."

"I don't—" Natasha's eyes filled with unshed tears. "You don't understand, Wanda. I don't deserve you. I don't deserve this."

Wanda's heart broke at the pain in Natasha's voice. "You do deserve it, Nat. You deserve to be happy, to be loved. And I'm not giving up on you, no matter how hard you try to push me away."

Natasha's resolve crumbled, maybe from physical or mental exhaustion or just because she couldn't distance herself any longer from Wanda, missing to be around her, the tears finally spilling over. "I'm so scared, Wanda. Scared of losing you, of not being enough."

Wanda pulled Natasha into a tight embrace, holding her close. "You are enough, Nat. And I'm here, always." she whispered. She didn't know where this fear was coming from, but she just did know enough about the spy's past that she could only guess, it was because of what the Red Room planted into her mind.

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the weight of their emotions finally coming to the surface. Natasha clung to Wanda, the walls she had built beginning to crack.

As they held each other, the music playing softly in the background, Wanda knew they had taken a significant step forward. It wouldn't be easy, and there would be more challenges ahead, but with each other, they could overcome anything.