Inside a bar, the atmosphere was cozy yet bustling with activity.
Soft lighting cast a warm glow over the interior, highlighting the polished wooden floors and patrons seated at tables or standing by the bar.
The air was filled with a murmur of conversations in Russian, punctuated by the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter.
Yelena stood behind the well-stocked counter, a display of various liquor bottles lined up neatly.
Kate nervously settled onto a barstool, positioning herself directly in front of Yelena.
The cozy ambiance of the bar enveloped her, but her attention was fixated on Yelena. Her heart raced slightly as she tried to ignore the captivating presence just a few feet away.
Yelena noticed Kate's gaze and raised an eyebrow. "What can I get you, Kate Bishop?" she asked in a voice that was both businesslike and inviting, her Russian accent adding a touch of allure to her words.
Kate blinked, realizing she had been caught staring. "Uh, right," she said, quickly regaining her composure. "I'll have..."
She glanced at the menu behind the bar, trying to focus on the choices in front of her rather than the distraction of Yelena's presence.
"Is it alright if I say that it's really strange for me to see you working here? I can give you a job, I own my mom's business since she got into prison."
"No thanks, Kate." Yelena taking off her green loose long sleeve top. "You're clearly not here to offer me a job, so what drink?"
"Oh.. umm.. Cocktail?" she said with a nervous chuckle, unsure of what she said and her voice slightly shaky.
"Alright," Yelena turned to the array of liquor bottles behind her, selecting a few with practiced ease.
Yelena, busy with mixing drinks, occasionally glanced over at Kate with a curious expression.
She noted the slight fidgeting and nervous energy that Kate gave off, finding it both endearing and intriguing.
After a few moments, Yelena walked towards the counter holding a cocktail glass and a glass pitcher full.
She poured the glass and slid the cocktail across the counter towards Kate. "Here you go," she said, a genuine smile brightening her features.
Kate took the glass, her fingers brushing briefly against Yelena's as she did.
She brought the drink to her lips and took a sip, savoring the blend of flavors. "Wow, this is really good." she murmured, genuinely impressed and drank the whole cocktail in one go before Yelena could utter a word.
"Can I get another one?" Kate asked eagerly, a nervous smile spreading from ear to ear.
Yelena chuckled softly at Kate's enthusiasm, pouring another drink for her.
She slid the fresh cocktail across the counter towards Kate and leaned casually against the bar, her gaze fixed on Kate.
"So, what brings you to Moscow if you're not here to kill me?" Yelena asked with a playful glint in her eyes, her Russian accent adding a hint of intrigue to her words.
Kate chuckled nervously, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spreading through her. "Okay, this might sound a bit crazy," she began, taking a deep breath to steady her racing heart and drinking bottoms up.
Yelena looked confused.
"Yeah, I figured I needed this." Kate defended.
She glanced around the bar, seeking courage from the eclectic decor and cozy atmosphere. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. About you."
Yelena's eyes remained fixed on Kate, a mixture of curiosity and guardedness in her expression. "Go on," she encouraged, her voice softer now while refilling Kate's glass.
Kate fidgeted with her glass, her thoughts tumbling out in a rush.
"At first, I thought it was just... I don't know, admiration? You're this badass assassin, and I'm this dorky archer trying to find her place. But then, after I... um, you know, the kiss, I started realizing that maybe it's more than that. So I searched for you."
She paused, finishing her cocktail again to gather her thoughts. Yelena raised an eyebrow and refilled Kate's glass again with a smirk.
"I kept telling myself it was nothing, that I was just being silly. I mean, why would you even like 'like' me, right? You're you, and I'm just... me. But then I couldn't stop thinking about you."
Yelena's expression softened further, her eyes searching Kate's face as she continued. "And then tonight, when you grabbed me in that alley, when I saw you, I felt this weird mix of fear and excitement," Kate admitted, her cheeks flushing.
"And it's not just that. It's everything about you. I was in denial for the whole two months and fifteen days since I last saw you in New York, trying to convince myself that it was just admiration or respect. But the truth is, Yelena, I think I really like you." She took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders as she finally said the words out loud and drank the entire cocktail again.
"If you don't feel the same way, it's okay. No hard feelings, I will simply walk away, book a flight and probably never come back. I just needed to say it because keeping it inside was driving me crazy."
Yelena was silent for a moment, a small smile playing on her lips as she poured another cocktail into Kate's glass. Then she leaned in slightly, her voice gentle.
"Kate Bishop, did you come all the way from New York just to tell me you like me?"
Kate bit her lip nervously, her heart pounding with embarrassment before could utter her words. "No... Yes? Obviously." she admitted softly, looking up at Yelena.
"Haha!" Yelena let out her iconic laugh, realizing the situation.
She took a step back, pointing a finger at Kate and then at herself. "You and me? Ha! Ha! That is so weird!"
-
End.
Kate: Yelena! Do you have a map?
Yelena: No, Kate! Stop.
Kate: Why? Can't you see I'm lost in your eyes!
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What if...? // K A T E L E N A
FanfictionIn a universe where choices diverge and timelines branch in ways beyond their control, the encounter between Yelena Belova and Kate Bishop took a startlingly different turn. In the midst of the chaos during their confrontation at the Bishop Family P...
